Muscular Problems Research Articles

Virtual Prototype and 3D Printing of Bud Chipping Machine for Agriculture

Sugarcane is a primary crop in many parts of India. The seed or bud of the sugarcane is a part of the plant itself. Due to complicated and expensive tools, separating bud from the plant is a difficult process. Use of plant for its raw materials and products leads to loss of buds whereas planting buds with the plant leads to loss of plant products. Current machines used for sugarcane bud cutting require skill and training but are also unsafe. The risk of injury is also high. Thus, there is a need for the development of the bud chipping machine which satisfies the above criterion. The research was done by conducting a literature survey, patent search, and market survey. Designing and modeling of machine is carried out by considering aspects of design and human ergonomics. Hence, the simple and effective machine is designed which can be used to cut sugarcane buds without much effort, reduced loss of plant product, reduced muscular problems and can be safely operated.

Morbidity Pattern among Elderly Population of Changu Narayan Municipality, Bhaktapur.

The Senior Citizens Acts 2063, Nepal defines the senior citizens (elderly population) as "people who are 60 years and above". Health is the most important determinant of the quality of life of people. Ill-health becomes a major obstacle for the well-being of the elderly population. This study was conducted to assess the morbidity pattern in elderly population. A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in field practice area of the Department of Community Medicine. 124 elderly population were selected by convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Chi-square was used to test the association and p<0.05 was considered as significant. The mean age of elderly population was 69.85 years. Majority (47.6%) of them were in the age group of 60-69 years. Males (50.8%) were more than females (49.2%). Twelve respondents (9.7%) were not suffering from any form of morbidity. Most common morbidity was muscular skeleton problem (40.8%), followed by hypertension (36.3%), diabetes (29.8.8%), psychological (23.4%) and respiratory (18.6%). Other morbidities gastrointestinal, dental, ENT, eye and genitourinary system were found in around ten percentage of elderly population Conclusions: Majority of the elderly population were suffering from non-communicable diseases. There is a need for health care services at all level with special focus on disease prevention, early detection and treatment for elderly population. This study found high prevalence of musculoskeletal, hypertension, diabetes and psychological problem and low prevalence of respiratory, gastrointestinal, dental, ENT, genitourinary and eye problem.

Design and Development of Manual Operated Sugarcane Bud Chipping Machine

Sugarcane is a primary crop in many parts of India. The seed or bud of the sugarcane is a part of the plant itself. Due to complicated and expensive tools, separating bud from plant is a difficult process. Use of plant for its raw materials and products leads to loss of buds whereas planting buds with the plant leads to loss of plant products. Current machines used for sugarcane bud cutting require skill and training but are also unsafe. The risk of injury is also high. Thus, there is a need for development of bud chipping machine which satisfies the above criterion. Research was done by conducting literature survey, patent search and market survey. Different concepts were generated, developed and analysed. A foot operated machine which requires less effort than hand operating machine was adopted. Whitworth quick return mechanism is used because it gives constant velocity throughout the cutting stroke and return stroke is quicker than cutting stroke thus increasing productivity and reducing idle time. Designing and modelling of machine is carried out by considering aspects of design and human ergonomics. Hence, simple and effective machine is designed which can be used to cut sugarcane buds without much effort, reduced loss of plant product, reduced muscular problems and can be safely operated.

Development of a new index of strength in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Background: Given the increase in the prevalence of muscular strength problems in people with intellectual and developmental disability and the potentially serious consequences for their day-to-day life, there is a need for comprehensive evaluations of strength.Aims: To design a new index of the muscular strength of people with intellectual and developmental disability using principal components analysis.Methods and procedures: The sample consisted of 978 individuals with intellectual and developmental disability, 637 men and 341 women, with a mean age of 34.8 years (±11.2) who were recruited from the European Special Olympics Games. All participants were measured with the following functional tests: timed stand test, partial sit-up test, seated pushup and handgrip test.Outcomes and results: Data was analyzed using principal components analysis with Oblimin rotation and Kaiser normalization. The Component Plot and Rotated Space indicated that a one-factor solution was optimal. The principal component analysis revealed a satisfactory percentage of total variance explained.Conclusions: Based on the data analyzed above we believe that the strength index developed in this study could help to facilitate the assessment and follow-up of people with intellectual and developmental disability in the clinical setting, because it offers a broad measure of an individual’s muscular response generated to the various stimuli presented by the evaluator. In addition, because it is economical, and easy and quick to administer, this index could easily be applied in clinical and research settings.Implications for rehabilitationThe developed index allows to classify people with intellectual and developmental disability according to their strength, knowing, in addition, the variance that each of the four tests explains about that index.The strength index developed in this study could help to facilitate the assessment and follow-up of people with intellectual and developmental disability due to its ease of use, economy and time required for its execution, could lead to an easy transfer and use in clinical setting.

Bed Pedal Theory for Space Craft Using Grounded Approach: A Survey on Undergraduate Health Nutritionists in Lahore Pakistan

The health of an astronaut is a major ingredient to accomplish a mission in space. Science has introduced many different inventions that are assisting mankind in many ways even in space. This research comprises of a grounded theory that has been further partially accepted by a survey on undergraduate health nutritionists for the protection of the health of an astronaut in space craft. When a human is in space there are many factors that can lead to muscular problems. To reduce the risk of muscular problems of legs in space a bed pedal theory for invention is presented to 200 undergraduate health nutritionists in Lahore Pakistan and their responses are taken for further inventing the bed pedal. The author has estimated that without any fatigue a person can utilize 150 calories by exercising with a bed pedal for approximately thirty minutes by taking very less area compared to a stationary bike even in small space crafts it can be easily attached to any place feasible for an astronaut to exercise. This research is based on quantitative research method to analyze a hypothesis that is built on the bed pedal invention theory by taking responses via closed-ended questionnaires for the results. The findings are analyzed by using descriptive statistics, correlation and t-test showing partial acceptance on the idea of this theory. The study has implications for the International Space Station Research and Development and Pakistan Aeronautics and Space Administration (if established) for future application.

Phenotypic spectrum associated with SPECC1L pathogenic variants: new families and critical review of the nosology of Teebi, Opitz GBBB, and Baraitser-Winter syndromes

The SPECC1L protein plays a role in adherens junctions involved in cell adhesion, actin cytoskeleton organization, microtubule stabilization, spindle organization and cytokinesis. It modulates PI3K-AKT signaling and controls cranial neural crest cell delamination during facial morphogenesis. SPECC1L causative variants were first identified in individuals with oblique facial clefts. Recently, causative variants in SPECC1L were reported in a pedigree reported in 1988 as atypical Opitz GBBB syndrome. Six families with SPECC1L variants have been reported thus far. We report here eight further pedigrees with SPECC1L variants, including a three-generation family, and a further individual of a previously published family. We discuss the nosology of Teebi and GBBB, and the syndromes related to SPECC1L variants. Although the phenotype of individuals with SPECC1L mutations shows overlap with Opitz syndrome in its craniofacial anomalies, the canonical laryngeal malformations and male genital anomalies are not observed. Instead, individuals with SPECCL1 variants have branchial fistulae, omphalocele, diaphragmatic hernias, and uterus didelphis. We also point to the clinical overlap of SPECC1L syndrome with mild Baraitser-Winter craniofrontofacial syndrome: they share similar dysmorphic features (wide, short nose with a large tip, cleft lip and palate, blepharoptosis, retrognathia, and craniosynostosis), although intellectual disability, neuronal migration defect, and muscular problems remain largely specific to Baraitser-Winter syndrome. In conclusion, we suggest that patients with pathogenic variants in SPECC1L should not be described as “dominant (or type 2) Opitz GBBB syndrome”, and instead should be referred to as “SPECC1L syndrome” as both disorders show distinctive, non overlapping developmental anomalies beyond facial communalities.

Indications for dental treatment under general anesthesia

Pain control is a part of behavior management. If the pain is not controlled, it will affect the quality of work the dental practitioner can achieve. Dental treatment performed under general anesthesia allows dental practitioners to benefit from improved treatment conditions and provide better treatment. In addition, it also allows dentists to treat patients who otherwise cannot be treated in private dental offices, including children with high anxiety and/or phobias, poorly cooperative and non-cooperative children, patients with developmental disorders, patients with muscular control problems, patients with increased vomiting reflex. Many parents choose to treat their children under general anesthesia to reduce stress and increase comfort, and some children need this kind of treatment due to lack of cooperation due to early age, lack of maturity or physical/mental disorders.

Stunting, Wasting, and Mid Upper Arm Circumpherence Status among Children Admitted to Nemazee Teaching Hospital

The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional status in children without prior hospital admission or evidence of chronic disease. The current study is a cross-sectional and observational study which was conducted for assessing the nutritional status of children. In this study, consecutive sampling was used, with a sample size about 400 children aged 6 months to 18 years at first hospital admission. All subjects were hospitalized consecutively in the Pediatric Emergency Department of the Nemazee Teaching Hospital of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran). All children with evidence or history of chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis, microcephaly, macrocephaly due to congenital infection or abnormal skull shape, patients with muscular or neurological problem, with prolonged steroid usage, nephrotic syndrome, cardiac problem, and protein loosing enteropathy were excluded from the study. The duration of the study was six months, starting from January 2016. In the current study, 430 (225 boys and 175 girls) cases were included. Mean age was 5.39 (SEM 0.23) for boys and 5.78 (SEM 0.38) for girls. According to H/A criteria (current height/ideal height), 194 (48.5%) patients were stunted, 75 (18.8%) were mild, 49 (12.3%) were moderate and 70 (17.5%) were severe. According to W/A data (current weight/ideal weight), 188 (47%) of the patients studied were malnourished. Of these cases, 118 (29.5%) had mild malnutrition; 54 (13.5%), moderate; and 16 (4%), severe. According to body mass index (BMI), 40 (10%) patients were overweight, four (16%) were obese, and four (1%) were severe obese. In relation to middle upper arm circumference (MUAC), 56 (14%) patients were malnourished, 33 (8.3%) were at risk, 14 (3.5%) presented moderate malnutrition, and 9 (2.3%), severe malnutrition. Prevalence of malnutrition among children without prior admission was 48.5% (according to H/A). According to W/A, 47% of children had different degrees of malnutrition.

SPATIAL ANALYSIS ON HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG UNORGANIZED INDUSTRIAL WORKERS IN AMBEDKARNAGAR DISTRICT, INDIA

Health status is one of the important indicators for the welfare of people. People working in unorganized sector are exploited in terms of working hours, low and irregular income, unsatisfactory work conditions, no legal protection and exposed to occupational health hazards. Present study aims to analyze a spatial dimension of occupational health outcomes among the cottage industry workers and their socioeconomic conditions. Based on field survey, the result shows that there is an association between different categories of industries and various health problems which leads respiratory and muscular problem, skin disease, and stress and sleep disturbances. There should be a strong provision for occupational health services, carrying out activities in the work place in the aim of protecting and promoting worker’s safety, health and well-being.

Knowledge of occupational hazards and use of preventive measures among bakery workers in Kaduna north local government area, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Background: Workers in bakeries face many hazards in their work environment, and these hazards have the potential to cause injury or illness. The study assessed the knowledge of occupational hazards and the use of preventive measures among bakery workers in Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Materials and Method: The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in January 2017. The data collection tools were 258 pretested semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and observational checklist. The collected data were manually cleaned, checked for completeness; entered into SPSS software version 20.0 and analyzed. The results were presented as tables and charts. Results: Majority (77%) were within the age bracket of 15–30 years with a mean age of 23 ± 2.1 years, 63% of males and 37% had secondary education with different job descriptions. The mean working experience was 5 years with only 14% and 2% of the workers having had training on prevention of workplace hazards and the use of fire extinguisher, respectively. The workers had poor awareness of occupational hazards such as tightness on the chest (30%), skin reactions/allergy (16%) and falls (17%) but with better awareness of burns (46%), cuts (37%) and hearing problems from excess noise (40.0%) among others. The most encountered symptoms/problems by workers were a muscular problem (72%), recurrent catarrh (65%), tightness on the chest (54%), recurrent cough (54%) and sneezing (52%) and symptoms of asthma among others. Apron, hand gloves and face masks were the commonly used protective devices by the workers and only 19% of the bakeries had functional first aid boxes. Burning was the most common method of solid waste disposal (52%). Conclusion: The workers had poor to average awareness of some occupational hazards with some encountering some problems as a result of their work. The use of personal protective devices such as apron, hand gloves and face masks were encouraging. However, the availability of functional first aid box and training on the use of fire extinguishers were major problems. There is a need for continuous training of the workers on prevention of workplace hazards, use of fire extinguisher and provision of basic functional first aid box among others in the workplace.

The Major Cause of Lameness and Associated Risk Factors in Working Donkey in and around Hawassa Town, Ethiopia

Across sectional study survey of the major work related lameness in donkey in and around Hawassa was under taken to determine the main causes of lameness in working donkeys and associated risk factor s. A total of 205 lame donkeys have been examined and their owners were interviewed to assess the possible cause of lameness and the type of management conditions. The result reveal that donkeys found in study area mainly cart pulling donkeys (96.5%) and about 99.5% of working donkeys are male. The result of questioner survey and visual study reveal that the main causes of lameness in donkey are ;28.3% is muscular and tendon problem,21.5% is joint problem,5.4% is bone problem, 20.0% is tendon problems,13.2% is hoof problem and 27.0% is other associated risk factor were shown to cause lameness in working donkey with the extreme significant (p<0.0001).the major types of lameness encountered during the study was supportive leg lameness (47.3%) and with the least of non weight bearing lameness were encountered with the significant of (p<0.0001).the result of this study suggested that in spite of varies use of donkey; they are confronted by series of health and welfare problem. Joint problem, tendon problem, hoof problem, bone problem and other relative risk factor; abusing, over loading, over working and unnecessary neglect and general maltreatment that are causing lameness are still prevalent health and welfare problem. The public veterinary clinic is almost lacking medical equipment and medicine; meant foot treating of lame donkey, therefore, further study on lameness and welfare constraints hindering the efficient use of donkey in region is of paramount importance.

A study of the health implications of mobile phone use in 8-14s

El uso de teléfonos móviles está aumentando en todo el mundo. Se consideran aquí las implicaciones de esto para la salud física, cognitiva y social en usuarios jóvenes. Se presenta un estudio de 168 niños de edades 8-11 y 136 niños de edades 11-14. Los participantes completaron cuestionarios sobre su uso de teléfonos móviles y después fueron entrevistados para obtener más y profunda información acerca de las razones de uso. Los resultados sugieren que los usuarios de teléfonos móviles corren el riesgo de problemas musculares esqueléticos, daño de radiofrecuencia por mantener el teléfono sobre el cuerpo, sobre todo cuando la persona está "sobre la marcha", perjudicar su rendimiento en la multitarea y trastornos del sueño. Dado que uso a largo plazo o excesivo de los teléfonos móviles es un factor desconocido, es necesario tener precaución con respecto a los riesgos asociados con estos hallazgos.

Risk factors in equine transport-related health problems: A survey of the Australian equine industry.

Transportation can affect equine health and is a potential source of economic loss to the industry. To identify journey (duration, vehicle, commercial or noncommercial) and horse (sex, age, breed, use, amateur or professional status) characteristics associated with the development of transport-related health problems in horses. Cross-sectional online survey. An online survey was conducted targeting amateur and professional participants in the Australian equine industry; eligible respondents were required to organise horse movements at least monthly. Respondents provided details of the last case of a transport-related health problem that had affected their horse(s). Associations between type of health problem, journey and horse characteristics were examined with multivariable multinomial regression analysis. Based on 214 responses, health problems were classified as injuries, muscular problems, heat stroke, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia. Respiratory problems were reported most frequently (33.7%), followed by gastrointestinal problems (23.8%) and traumatic injuries (16.3%). The type of health problem was associated with journey duration (P<0.001) and horse breed (P = 0.001). Injuries were more likely to occur on short journeys, whereas more severe illnesses (gastrointestinal and respiratory problems, and death or euthanasia) were more likely to occur on long journeys. Using Standardbreds as the reference group, Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Warmbloods were more likely to experience a severe illness than an injury. Self-selected participation in the study and the self-reported nature of transport-related problems. Horses undertaking journeys of longer than 24 h are at greater risk for the development of severe disease or death. Further studies on long-haul transportation effects are required to safeguard the welfare of horses moved over long distances.

Survey of horse transportation in Australia: issues and practices.

To survey amateur and professional participants on equine transportation management, practices and outcomes in Australia. An online survey targeting people who organised horse movements at least monthly was made available to a broad cross-section of amateur and professional equine associations. Respondents were invited to provide demographic details and information relating to their routine transportation management practices and their experiences of issues relating to the transportation of horses. Of 797 usable responses involving approximately 17,000 horses and 313,000 individual horse transport events, transport-related behavioural problems were reported by 38% of respondents, particularly at loading. Transport-related health problems had been experienced during or after transportation by horses in the care of 67% of respondents. The most common problems reported were traumatic injuries (45.0%), diarrhoea (20.0%), muscular problems (13.0%), respiratory problems (12.3%), overheating (10.5%) and colic (10.3%). In the 2 years reviewed in the survey, 9.4% of participants reported at least one case of transport-associated pneumonia and 35 horses had died, most commonly from fractures, colic or pneumonia. Although respondents identifying as amateurs transported horses less frequently and over shorter distances, the incidence of transport-related problems was similar between amateurs and professionals. Respondents reported specific precautions before, during and after transportation, although management was often not compliant with the Australian Code of horse transportation. Responses indicated that there remains a substantial risk of adverse welfare and health outcomes for horses transported in Australia and management practices reported may not be compliant with current recommendations for transportation.

A Survey on Transport Management Practices Associated with Injuries and Health Problems in Horses.

An online survey was conducted to determine associations between transport management and transport-related injuries and diseases in horses in Australia. The survey was composed of three sections: respondents’ demographic information, transport management strategies or procedures (before, during and after transportation) and transport diseases experienced in the previous two year period. Univariate and multivariate modelling was performed exploring associations between variables (respondents’ details and transport management strategies) and the following transport-related diseases as outcomes: traumatic injuries, diarrhoea, heat stroke, muscular problems, laminitis, transport pneumonia and colic. The survey generated 797 responses. Traumatic injuries were the most common transport-related problem, with a reported incidence of 45.0%. Younger respondents (<40 years old) caring for large numbers of horses (>30 in a week) were more likely to report transport-related injuries. Injury risk was also linked to the use of protections and tranquilizers prior to transport, and checking horses after the journey. Diarrhoea (20.0%) and heat stroke (10.5%) were reported more by amateur than professional horse carers. Increased risk of heat stroke was linked to the restriction of hay and water prior to transportation. Muscular problems (13.0%) appeared to be exacerbated when horse health was not assessed before journey; whilst the risk of laminitis (2.9%) was around three fold greater when post transport recovery strategies were not applied. Associations were made between transport pneumonia (9.2%) and duration of journey, and with activity (horses involved in racing at greater risk). No associations were seen between the incidence of colic (10.3%) and the variables examined. Study findings should be interpreted with caution as they represent participant perceptions and recall. Nevertheless, results support many current recommendations for safe transportation of horses. They also highlight the need to further investigate many of identified management factors to refine existing policies and practices in equine transportation.

The presence of altered craniocervical posture and mobility in smartphone-addicted teenagers with temporomandibular disorders.

[Purpose] Smartphones are widely used by teenagers and adults for various purposes. As teenagers use smartphones more actively than adults, they are more prone to be addicted to smartphones. Furthermore, excessive usage of smartphones can lead to various psychosocial and physical symptoms. [Subjects and Methods] One hundred teenage subjects were recruited and divided into normal and addiction groups, based on the criteria of the smartphone addiction scale-short version questionnaire. Craniocervical posture and mobility were examined by lateral cephalometric analysis and a cervical range of motion instrument. [Results] Cephalometric analysis showed no significant difference in the craniocervical angles of the resting positions of the two groups. However, measurement using an inclinometer revealed a significantly flexed cervical posture while using smartphones and decreased cervical range of motion in the smartphone-addicted teenagers. The clinical profile of temporomandibular disorders revealed that muscular problems were more frequently presented in the smartphone-addicted teenagers. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that smartphone addiction has a negative influence on craniocervical posture and mobility. Further, it can be postulated that smartphone addiction among teenagers may have contributed to the occurrence of myogenous temporomandibular disorders. In conclusion, smartphone-addicted teenagers may be more frequently subjected to muscular disturbance in the craniocervical area, which probably affects the pathologic process of temporomandibular disorders in teenagers.

Magnesium: Nutrition and Homoeostasis.

The essential mineral magnesium is involved in numerous physiological processes. Recommended dietary intake is often not met and a low magnesium status increases the risk for various diseases. Magnesium status is regulated by several magnesium transport systems either in cellular or paracellular pathways. Numerous drugs either interfere with magnesium absorption in the intestines or the reabsorption from primary urine in the kidney. Low magnesium status has been identified as a significant risk factor for several diseases, including type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arrhythmias, as well as general muscular and neurological problems. Therefore, an adequate magnesium supply would be of special benefit to our overall health.

Cardiac Disease and HIV in Africa: A Case for Physical Exercise

AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections have declined globally, but continue to be a major problem in Africa. Prior to the advent of antiretroviral treatment (ART) HIV patients died of immunodeficiency and associated opportunistic infections; Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has resulted in increased survival of these patients and has transformed this illness into a chronic condition. Cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological and muscular problems interfere with exercise in HIV-infected patients. Particularly cardiovascular disease may be associated with direct damage by the virus, by antiretroviral therapy and by malnutrition and chronic lung disease, resulting in physical and psychological impairment. Recent studies have shown the benefits of exercise training to improvement of physiologic and functional parameters, with the gains being specific to the type of exercise performed. Exercise should be recommended to all HIV patients as an effective prevention and treatment for metabolic and cardiovascular syndromes associated with HIV and HAART exposure in sub-Saharan Africa.

Development of a Human Upper Limb Volume Sensor for Biomedical Applications

Muscle volume is an important indicator for the strength of the muscle. Many biomedical scientists use the muscle volume as an index for the athlete muscle power and also the health condition of the patients with muscular problems. The purpose of this study is to develop a sensor to easily and accurately gauge human upper limb muscle volume for biomedical applications. The developed sensor has many advantages for protable measurement of the human limb volume.

Clinical approach for treatment modality of obstructive sleep apnea: focus on the role of dentists

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), most common respiratory disorder of sleep, is characterized by intermittent partial or complete occlusions of the upper airway due to loss of upper airway dilating muscle activity during sleep superimposed on a narrow upper airway. Termination of these events usually requires arousal from sleep and results in sleep fragmentation and hypoxemia, which leads to poor quality of sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, reduced quality of life and numerous other serious health consequences Untreated OSAS can cause various problems such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cardiac disease, daytime sleepiness. Various treatments are available, including non-surgical treatment such as medication or modification of life style, surgical treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and oral appliance (OA). Oral appliance is known to be effective in mild to moderate OSA, also genioglossus muscle advancement (GA) or maxillomandibluar advancement (MMA) is a good option for OSA patients with muscular or skeletal problems. Although the prevalence of OSA is increasing, the proportion of the patient treated by dentist is still very law. Dentists need to understand the mechanism of OSA and develop abilities to treat OSA patients with dental problems. The purpose of this paper is to give a brief overview about OSA and the dentist's role in OSA patients.