The Health and Occupation Research Network: An Evolving Surveillance System

Vital to the prevention of work-related ill-health (WRIH) is the availability of good quality data regarding WRIH burden and risks. Physician-based surveillance systems such as The Health and Occupation Research (THOR) network in the UK are often established in response to limitations of statutory, compensation-based systems for addressing certain epidemiological aspects of disease surveillance. However, to fulfil their purpose, THOR and others need to have methodologic rigor in capturing and ascertaining cases. This article describes how data collected by THOR and analogous systems can inform WRIH incidence, trends, and other determinants. An overview of the different strands of THOR research is provided, including methodologic advancements facilitated by increased data quantity/quality over time and the value of the research outputs for informing Government and other policy makers. In doing so, the utility of data collected by systems such as THOR to address a wide range of research questions, both in relation to WRIH and to wider issues of public and social health, is demonstrated.

Quantitative Phytochemical, Proximate Analysis and Hypolipidemic Effect of Garcinia Kola.

Aims: This study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and nutrient composition of G. kola seed. Also to examine the effect of G. kola seed on the serum lipid profile of fed rats. Study Design: Quantitative phytochemical, proximate analysis and in vivo effect on serum lipid profile. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State, between June 2013 and September 2013. Methodology: The seeds were cut into small pieces, dried and ground into powder. The quantitative phytochemical and proximate nutrient analyses of the powdered sample were determined using standard methods. The lipid lowering effects of the powdered sample of G. kola determined in rats. The rats were fed with feed fortified with graded levels (5, 10, 20 and 50%) of powdered sample of G. kola for 21 consecutive days and the effects on total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were compared with a negative control. Results: The seed sample produced significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in the total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and VLDL-C levels in fed groups of rats when compared to the control group. The seed sample also, caused significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in serum HDL-C level in fed groups of rats when compared to the control groups. The phytochemical analysis showed that the sample contained tannins (5.08%), flavonoids (0.93%), saponins (2.54%) and alkaloids (5.13%). The proximate analysis of the nutrient composition of powdered G. kola seed showed the presence of moisture, ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), crude protein (CP), ash and nitrogen free extracts (NFE) in the following proportion 7.40, 1.48, 2.94, 3.19, 4.39 and 80.58%, respectively. Conclusion: The sample demonstrated good lipid lowering effects which may suggest that the consumption of G. kola seed may help in the reduction of the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in patients.