Association between Awkward Posture and Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) among Assembly Line Workers in an Automotive Industry

Automotive industry in Malaysia is one of the booming industries which encompass the design, development and manufacturing of motor vehicles. However, it has its own setback as the interaction between complex tools, machines, and instruments, coupled with humans as workers pose several health hazards. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and the association with awkward posture among automotive assembly line workers. A simple random sampling method was adopted and data were collected based on Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method for analysing awkward posture. With a response rate of 83%, a total of 232 assembly line workers with at least one year job tenure participated in this study. The fi ndings revealed that 78.4% of workers reported MSD while the highest percentage of complaints concerned the lower back (50.9%). Three factors were found to be signifi cantly associated with MSD: age (χ2 =5.61, p=0.018), job tenure (χ2 = 8.26, p=0.004) and awkward posture (χ2 = 65.37, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that signifi cant risk factors for MSD symptoms were workers aged ≥ 25 years old (OR= 2.25, 95%CI 1.14-4.46) and those workers with equal and more than three years job tenure (OR= 2.44, 95%CI 1.04-5.63). In addition, workers in the very high and high RULA action level who were 69 times (OR = 69.38, 95%CI 14.51- 331.73) and 12 times (OR = 12.42, 95%CI 5.21-29.58), respectively, also had higher odds of complaints of MSD. The high prevalence of MSD shows that MSD symptoms is a signifi cant problem among automotive assembly line workers while age, job tenure and awkward posture based on RULA action level are the signifi cant factors for MSD. In particular, this study proves that the prevalence of MSD increases as the RULA action level and job tenure increases. Thus, this problem could be reduced by decreasing RULA action level through appropriate ergonomic workstation design and ergonomic training for workers.

Reproductive effects of dietary soy phytoestrogens, genistein and equol on farmed female beluga, Huso huso

In this study, 54 five-year-old farmed female beluga at stage II of sexual maturation were treated with 0 [control], 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 g of dietary soy equol [EQ] and genistein [GE] per each kilogram [kg] of diet during a year. Blood samples were collected and ovarian biopsy was performed quarterly. Results showed that 64.4% of the Huso huso sexually matured at EQ 0.4 g/kg and reached stage IV of sexual maturation. Oocytes diameters increased significantly at all concentrations of EQ and 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 concentrations of GE and reached a maximum [3 +/- 0.2 mm] at 0.4 g/kg EQ concentration at the end of experiment [P<0.05]. Blood plasma testosterone [T] level was 0.3 +/- 0.06 ng/ml at the beginning and reached a maximum [21.04 +/- 1.91 ng/ml] at EQ 0.4 g/kg at the end of the experiment [P<0.05]. 17a-estradiol [E2] levels increased significantly at some concentrations of GE and EQ at the end as compared to the beginning, reaching a maximum [12.6 +/- 1.04 ng/ml] at EQ 0.4 g/kg at the end of the experiment [P<0.05]. 17- hydroxy progesterone [17á-OHP] levels showed no significant difference [P>0.05]. In conclusion, EQ at a 0.4 g/kg concentration showed more powerful positive reproductive effects than other concentrations of EQ and GE in farmed female H. huso. Comparatively, EQ showed more estrogenic effects on ovary development in comparison to GE concentrations. Its use is therefore suggested as an additive to diets to induce ovary development in Huso huso

[ immediate effect of knee brace on the activity of selected lower limb muscles during stance phase of walking in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome]

Background and Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effect of patella support brace on co-contraction and electromyographic activity of selected lower limb muscles in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome during stance phase of gait

Methods: EMG activity of vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus of 16 females with patellofemoral pain syndrome [mean age: 23.94+/-1.93 years] before and after wearing the patella support brace were compared using paired t-test

Results: EMGrms activity of vastus medialis significantly increased after using patella support brace during stance phase of walking [p=0.049]. Semitendinosus muscle showed significantly lower EMGrms activity in bracing condition during loading response phase [P=0.045] and total stance phase [P=0.03]. During midstance and propulsion, none of the selected muscles showed significant difference between before and after wearing the knee brace conditions. The results showed no significant differences in co-contraction between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis [P=0.497] and between medial [vastus medialis, semitendinosus] and lateral muscles [vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius] of the knee [P= 0.088] in with versus without brace use condition

Conclusion: Because of increase of vastus medialis activity and decrease of semitendinosus activity in bracing condition during stance phase, it is possible to peak knee extensor moment increase during stance phase of gait by using Patella support brace

[Effects of short-term starvation on hematological parameters in cultured juvenile beluga]

This study examined the effect of different starvation periods on hematological parameters including hemoglobin[MCV], hematocrit [MCH], red and white blood cells count and corpuscle indices [MCHC], of cultured juvenile Beluga [Huso huso], with an initial body weight of 45 +/- 0.91g. After adaptation to a dry diet for 10 days group s, with 15 fish in each group, were used for this experiment. Each group was randomly distributed to twelve 500L fiberglass tanks. Each tank had a flow-through system. The fish were exposed to 4 different feeding regimes; Control Group [fed four times daily]; Group 1 [given 2 days of starvation]; Group 2 [given 4 days of starvation]; and, Group 3 [given 8 days of starvation]. Analysis was done at the end of each starvation period by collecting blood from the caudal vein and immediately transporting the samples to the laboratory. The results of the analysis indicated that the different starvation periods did not affect the red blood cell count. The hematocrit value in the Control Group was significantly lower [p<0.05] than the fish group starved for 8 days. MCHC value in the control group was significantly lower [p<0.05] than the fish group starved for 2 days. The hemoglobin concentration, MCV and MCH, did not show any significant difference between the treated groups and the Control Group. Those groups with longer starvation periods showed that the white blood cell count decreased significantly [p<0.05]. It could be concluded that short-term starvation periods weaken the immunological system of cultured juvenile Beluga

[Biopsy and histological study of gonads from farmed acipenser persicus]

Sexual cells in male fishes are microscopic and smaller than eggs in females. Due to the late maturation age in sturgeons, the biopsy of gonads and histological studies are one of the most important and reliable ways to detect and separate males and females from each other at early ages. The aim of the present study was to determine and divide the sexes in farmed Acipenser persicus reared under artificial conditions. In order to detect and determine sexual maturation stages, gonads of 81 farmed A. persicus were sampled by biopsy. Samples were fixed and studied by light microscope. Results showed that males and females were 30 [37%] and 51 [63%] individuals, respectively. The determination of sexual maturation stages in A. persicus showed that 16% were at stage I, 23.5% at stage I - II, 59.3% at stage II and 1.2% at stage III. The number of females was higher than that of males, but sexually mature females were at lower maturation stages than males in the same age and rearing conditions

[Trauma epidemiology and its consequences in victims referred to Kashan trauma center during 2007-8]

Trauma is the most common cause of mortality for people aged 1 through 44 years. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of severe injuries among young people in most countries. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of traffic accident injuries in victims referred to Kashan Trauma Center during 2007-8. This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 1004 trauma cases referred to Kashan Shahid Beheshti Trauma Center during the year during 2007-8. Data including age, sex, type of trauma, and type of intra- and/or extra-thoracic injury were recorded and analyzed. Sixty-six per cent of the cases were male, and the most frequently observed trauma cases were between the ages 21 and 30, followed by 10 and 20. The frequency of trauma in urban and rural areas was 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively. Motorcycle accidents are the most common traffic accidents followed by car accidents. Considering the large number of trauma cases secondary to the traffic accidents and lower levels of education in those cases, appropriate educational programs may be helpful to decrease the mortality rates and other undesirable consequences of accidents

[ role of intrahippocampal microinjections of anisomycin on dexamethasone-induced modulation of memory consolidation in rats]

Evidence indicates that hippocampus and activation of glucocorticoid receptors in this area are necessary for emotional learning and memory processes; also some studies suggest that glucocorticoid's effects probably involve with processes of protein synthysis in the hippocmapus. The aim of this study was to determine the role of intrahippocampal microinjections of anisomycin [[AIMS] as a protein synthysis inhibitor]] on dexamethasone-induced modulation of memory consolidation in the passive avoidance learning [PAL] task in rats. In this study, 90 male Wistar rats [250-300 gr] were surgically implanted bilaterally with cannulae aimed at the dorsal hippocampus [DH] were trained in PAL task. In experiment 1. Dexamethasone [0.1, 0.5, 1 and 3 mg/kg IP] was injected immediately after training and vehicle injected into DH. In experiment 2. Anisomycin [0.5,1 micro g/ micro l/side] or vehicle were injected bilaterally into the DH followed immediately by IP injection of Dexamethasone [1 mg/kg] or vehicle. Two days after training, retention tests were done and step-through latency [STL] and total time spent in light chamber [TLC] of apparatus were recorded during 10 min and compared with controls. Data indicated that injection of Dexamethasone immediatly after training enhanced memory consolidation [P<0.01] and this effect was blocked by injection of ANS in to the DH [P<0.01]. The findings above showed that glucocorticoids play on important role in consolidation of emotional learning and probably in processes of protein synthesis in the hippocampus may play an important role in mediating these effects

Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of liver hemangiomas: three-year experience

In patients with atypical hemangiomas who have inconclusive imaging features, performing other diagnostic procedures, especially biopsy, is indicated. Bleeding is the most feared complication due to the high vascular nature of hemangioma. The objective of this study was to present our experience on ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of liver hemangiomas. We carried out ultrasound-guided core needle biopsies in 443 patients with focal hepatic lesions of whom 32 were subsequently diagnosed as having cavernous hemangiomas. Biopsies were done using a 16-18 G cutting needle at Mashhad Imam Reza Hospital and Isfahan Baharestan Hospital during 2004-07. The mean age of patients with hemangioma was 49.3 years [F/M = 2/1]. The lesions were 0.8-14 [mean: 6.5] cm long. 13 patients had multiple [2-10] lesions; others had solitary lesions with atypical imaging features. We did not observe any complications including hemorrhage during or after the procedure. Ultrasonically-guided core needle biopsy seems to be a relatively safe procedure even when "atypical hemangioma" is a diagnostic possibility

[Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in male individuals with hypertriglecamic waist phenotype]

Metabolic Triad is one of the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases [CVDs] which has an effective, determinant effect on these diseases. Hypertriglyceridemia and abdominal obesity [waist circumference] are among CVDs risk factors and the increase of these factors can predict the occurrence of TM. This project was aimed to investigate the relation of high phenotype triglycerid and waist circumference with CVD risk factors. In a descriptive cross-sectional study, carried out in the year 2005, in Isfahan, 6123 men were selected based on the results of IHHP's phase I by random-cluster sampling method. Their blood sugar and blood lipids measured by blood sampling. Also, their blood pressure, waist circumference, height and weight measured. They were divided into 4 groups based on their tryglycerid and waist circumference: TgHWH group [TG >/= 165mg/dl, waist circumference >/= 102cm], TgHWL group [TG >/= 165mg/dl, waist circumference <102cm], TgLWL group [TG<165mg/dl, waist circumference<102cm] and TgLWH group [TG<165mg/dl, waist circumference >/= 102cm]. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. The variables of these four groups studied by variance test. Regression logestic test, used to determine the prevalence of risk factors. Theprevalence of risk factors in TgHWH group was higher than other groups and in TgLWL group lower than others. Also, it differed significantly these groups. The prevalence of TgHWH in the studied population recorded as 20.8%. Cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, Body mass index, and Blood Pressure in this group were higher and the mean HDL, was lower than others. In large population, it is impossible or non-economiccal and time consuming to evaluate all risk factors, in order to predict other CVD risk factors and to determine high risk people. However, according to the high prevalence of risk factors in people with TghWh, this phenotype can be used as a simple tool for evaluation in larger population

Recurrence of lacrimal gland pleomorphic Adenoma [Two case report with review of literature]

In cases with lacrimal gland mixed tumor preoperative delicate clinical and radiological diagnosis lead to proper surgical approach. Incomplete resection of lacrimal gland mixed tumor may be complicated by severe tumor recurrence with the risk of malignant transformation. In this case report, we present 39 years old man with history of transcranial excision of lacrimal gland tumor. Six months before admission progressive proptosis and infer medial displacement of right globe [approximately 3 cm] has been developed. Soft tissue hypertrophy of eyelids and corneal leukoma developed due to the chronic progressive course of proptosis with chronic corneal exposure. The other case also was a 38-year-old man with significant proptosis and history of two time lacrimal gland tumor excision, one from trans cranial approach. The surgical procedure was performed in both cases through anterolateral orbitotomy without bone removal and the whole lesions were removed with pseudo capsule. The vision of the first patient improved from hand motion preoperatively to one meter finger count after surgery, and there was no recurrence in both cases 6 months postoperatively. In general, regarding risk of malignant degeneration and recurrence after incomplete excision or incisional biopsy of lacrimal gland mixed tumor, it is strongly recommended to perform complete excision with psudocapsule in the first surgery

relationship between different occupations and risk factors of heart diseases

Cardiovascular diseases have been known as the first cause of morbidity and mortality in Iran and many other countries. The noise of workplace and the shift work are among the risk factors of these diseases. This study was conducted to assess the relationship between different occupations and risk factors of heart diseases. This study was done on 4872 men and women, ageed over 19, in Isfahan. For each subject a questionnaire was filled in order to collect necessary information about the anthropometric characteristics and some cardiovascular risk factors and clinical tests were done in order to determine the status of participants blood factors. Men were divided according to the noise of workplace and the shift work non -shift work, and women were divided based on whether they were housekeepers or not. Results of this study showed that in men with high-noise workplace, the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia [p=0.02] and hypertension [p=0.01] was more than others but there was not any significant difference in other risk factors. Also in subjects with shift work, the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia [p=0.03] and obesity [p=0.001] was high whereas there was not any significant difference in other risk factors. In housekeeping women mean value of waist circumference [p=0.001], body mass index BMl [p=0.000] serum triglyceride [p=0.000], cholesterol [p=0.0001], LDL cholesterol [p=0.001], 2hpp [p=0.001], diastole blood pressure [p=0.001], systole blood pressure [p=0.01] and also the prevalence of obesity [p=0.0001], high LDL cholesterol [p=0.001], hypertriglyceridemia [p=0.001], hypercholesterolemia [p=0.0001] and hypertension [p=0.003] were significantly higher than those in employed women. Considering the result of this study, the noise of workplace causes increase in the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension and the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and obesity increased because of the shift work. It seems that two factors of noise and shift work cause these changes by inducing stress. Housekeepers had a high level of most of the CVD risk factors in comparison with employed women. It seems that two factors of noise and shift work by producing stress and reduction of physical activity in housekeepers can prone the subject to CVD

[Clinical outcomes of surgery for double elevator palsy]

To evaluate the clinical findings and surgical management of patients with congenital unilateral double elevator palsy [DEP] or monocular elevation deficiency [MED]. In a non-comparative interventional case series, 27 consecutive cases of DEP were studied. Hypotropia, elevation deficiency, and pseudoptosis were corrected by Knapp or Callahan procedure with or without inferior rectus recess. Ptosis was corrected by anterior levator resection [ALR] and brow suspension. Levator excision and brow suspension was performed for correction of accompanying jaw winking ptosis. Horizontal strabismus repair, belpharoplasty, and double Z- plasty for epicanthal folds were done in some cases. This series included 15 female and 12 male subjects with mean age of 13 +/- 10 years. All patients except two were sporadic cases. Definite congenital DEP was present in two members of a consanguineous family. In most cases, the presenting complaint was ipsilateral ptosis [74%]. Hypotropia with various degrees of severity was found in 20 cases [74%]. Six patients [22%] had jaw winking ptosis of the ipsilateral eye. Knapp procedure was performed in 6 and Callahan procedure was performed in 4 cases. True ptosis was corrected by anterior levator resection in 9 and brow suspension in 8 eyes. Levator excision and brow suspension was performed in 3 patients with accompanying jaw winking ptosis. In one case with mild jaw winking, levator resection was done. Hypotropia was corrected in 80% after surgery and eye elevation increased by 25 +/- 15 PD. Ptosis correction procedures successfully improved chin up position and cosmetic appearance in addition to opening the visual axis. Anterior segment ischemia was not found in any cases after one year of follow up. Blepharoptosis and hypotropia the chief clinical features and presenting complaints in this condition. Knapp and Callahan procedure with or without inferior rectus recess are effective and should be consider prior to considering surgical intervention for the ptosis