scholarly journals Neurobehavioral Effects of Organic Solvents Exposure Among Wood Furniture Makers in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Ayodeji Akinyemi ◽  
Caleb Aderemi Adegbenro ◽  
Temitope Olumuyiwa Ojo ◽  
Olanrewaju Elugbaju
Keyword(s):  
Organic Solvents ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Exposure Index ◽  
Total Volatile ◽  
Solvent Exposure ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Comparison Groups

Background. Furniture making industries are small scale businesses that commonly use organic solvents. There has been minimal focus on the health effects of this chemical hazard on the nervous system among furniture makers in Nigeria. Objectives. The present study aimed to assess the association between organic solvents exposure and neurobehavioral status of furniture makers, using electronic technicians as a comparison group. Methods. A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed. A sample size of 108 was calculated for each group. A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on the socio-demographic variables and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). A proforma was developed to collect neurobehavioral assessment data. A checklist was used to assess the furniture makers' workshops. Air was sampled from all of the workshops in both the study and comparison groups to determine the concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs). Results. The use of PPE was poor in both the study and comparison groups, with no significant difference between them (34.4% and 37.7% respectively). Total volatile organic compound and formaldehyde (HCHO) concentrations were significantly higher at the furniture makers' workshops compared with electronic technicians (p<0.001) for both chemicals. The 8-hour time-weighted average of TVOC was also higher in the furniture makers' workshops (4.4±0.6 mg/m3) compared with the control group (0.3±0.3 mg/m3). The neurobehavioral symptoms score was significantly higher among the study group relative to the comparison group (p<0.001). There was a significant difference in the outcome of the auditory verbal learning test, total recall (p=0.005), and delayed recall (p=0.003). There was no significant association between solvent exposure index and findings from the simple reaction time test Conclusions. Poor compliance with the use of PPE among furniture makers may increase their exposure to organic solvents. There were more neurobehavioral changes in the furniture makers with a higher exposure index. Measures are needed to educate artisans about workrelated chemical hazards and ensure compliance with basic occupational safety and hygiene standards. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. Ethics approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee of the Institute of Public Health, Obafemi Awolowo University (IPH/OAU/12/1049). Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

scholarly journals Organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of industry and possible impact of solvents on workers' health

2010 ◽  
Vol 64 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Mārīte Ārija Baķe ◽  
Maija Eglīte ◽  
Žanna Martinsone ◽  
Inita Buiķe ◽  
Anita Piķe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Organic Solvent ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Organic Solvents ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Exposure Index ◽  
Solvent Exposure ◽  
Chemical Risk ◽  
Worker Health ◽  
Organic Solvent Exposure

Organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of industry and possible impact of solvents on workers' health The aim of our study was to investigate organic solvents as chemical risk factors of the work environment in different branches of the industry in Latvia during 1998-2006 and to evaluate the possible impact of solvents to worker health according to the exposure index. The work conditions were studied in 116 enterprises of different branches of industries in Latvia. The analysis of 1790 measurements showed that organic solvents in the work environment have different degrees of exposure probability risk on worker health. The exposure levels in workplaces differ. More than half of surveyed workplaces (56.7%) had a low organic solvent exposure probability level, in 25.2% workplaces it was medium, and in 18.1% workplaces high. The most widely used organic solvents were aromatic hydrocarbons, which was recorded in 35% of the measurements made during assessment of aromatic hydrocarbon group organic solvent exposure in the work environment. In most workplaces several solvents were present simultaneously. Since solvents have a one-way effect on the human body, the actual exposure risk level is higher than shown when evaluating the exposure index of a single solvent only.

scholarly journals The influence of plastic techniques in surgery of primary skin melanoma on patient survival

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36
Author(s):  
S. A. Yargunin ◽  
Y. N. Shoyhet ◽  
A. F. Lazarev
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Surgery ◽  
Distant Metastasis ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Skin Melanoma ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Defect Repair

Objective. To analyze the feasibility of performing plastic surgery in patients with primary skin melanoma (SM). Material and methods. We studied patients with primary MK treated in our institution in 2013 (n = 333), who were randomized to a group of 2 blind selection methods to the main one (n = 168), in which the tumor removal operation in patients ended with a tissue defect repair and a comparison group ( n = 165) (after removal of the tumor, simple linear suturing of the wound was performed). A statistically significant difference was found in the comparison groups in the occurrence of negative dynamics (ND), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with MK 0-IIA st during the follow-up period up to 36 months. Results. It was found that patients with 0-IIA st who underwent plastic surgery to close the defect when removing primary SM have a statistically proven advantage in ND, PFS, and OS compared with patients without plastic surgery for up to 36 months. In general, the use of plastics has a statistical tendency towards the dynamics of an increase in PFS and OS in the early stages of SM. Discussion. In the early stages (0-IIA) up to 36 months, cases of negative dynamics (4.2%) were observed 2.3 times less frequently than in the comparison group (9.7%) (p = 0.048), and fatal outcomes in the main group (1.8%) were observed 3.7 times less than in the comparison group (6.7%) (p = 0.028). The analysis also shows that in patients who underwent surgery using plastic surgery statistically significantly reduces the risk of distant metastasis by 3 times (p = 0.05), but significantly more often (in every third patient) (p = 0.022) than in the control group (without plastic surgery) met transient metastases. The appearance of ND, as well as an increase in PFS, OS depended on the plastic replacement of the defect after excision of the primary SM in patients with SM 0-IIA st during the observation period up to 36 months. Conclusion. The use of plastic methods for closing a wound defect reduces the risk of distant metastasis by 3 times compared with linear suturing, provides a reduction in mortality in patients with SM 0 IIA st for 60 months, prolongs the patients life by an average of 10 months and is the operation of choice in this category.

scholarly journals A Retrospective Study of Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics in Patients Diagnosed with Platelet Storage Pool Deficiency

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 1148-1148
Author(s):  
Audrey M. Sigmund ◽  
Asel Baatyrbek Kyzy ◽  
Amy S. Ruppert ◽  
Akwasi Agyeman ◽  
Eric H. Kraut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Reference Range ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Presenting Symptoms ◽  
Platelet Storage ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Von Willebrand

Abstract Introduction: Platelet storage pool deficiency (PSPD) is a disorder of platelet dysfunction with a varying degree of bleeding severity that can range from no symptoms to severe bleeding with hemostatic challenges. The true incidence of the disorder is unknown; however, some believe that it could be as common as von Willebrand disease (vWD). The current standard for diagnosis of PSPD is platelet electron microscopy (EM). However, there is a lack of standardization of techniques and reference ranges. In addition, some experts debate the clinical significance of the diagnosis based on the abnormal platelet EM finding alone. Available literature on adult patients with PSPD is scarce. Therefore, we conducted this study with the aim to describe the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients diagnosed with PSPD based on specified laboratory criteria. We also intended to evaluate if platelet EM testing can be used to discern patients under evaluation for bleeding symptoms. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients referred for hemostatic workup who had platelet EM testing performed at The Ohio State Medical Center from 1/1/2004 to 10/26/2016. Patients with confirmed hemophilia or vWD were excluded. We collected data including patient demographics, symptoms, laboratory data, management plans, and outcomes. The reference range in our laboratory is 3.68-6.24 delta granules per platelet. Patients with less than 3.68 granules per platelet were diagnosed with PSPD (cases), while patients with at least 3.68 granules per platelet were designated as the comparison group. Characteristics in the two groups were compared by Fisher's exact test for categorical variables and the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous variables since some of the continuous variables had highly skewed distributions. Results: A total of 291 patients were included in the study, 207 patients with PSPD based on EM results (cases) and 84 in the comparison group. Of the 207 cases, median age was 39 (range 12-84) years old and 81.2% were female. Among the cases, 38.7% had <2 delta granules per platelet, 42.0% had 2-2.99, and 19.3% had 3-3.68. The most common presenting symptom was cutaneous bruising (42.5% of cases and 38.1 % in the comparison group). Other common presenting symptoms included menorrhagia (29.9% of cases and 26.2 % of comparison), post-op bleeding (23.7% of cases and 38.1% of comparison), and epistaxis (14.0% of cases and 10.7% of comparison). At presentation, 4.8% of cases were asymptomatic. With the exception of higher incidence of post-op bleeding as a presenting symptom in the comparison group (p=0.015), there was no significant difference in the incidence of other presenting symptoms between the case and the comparison groups. There were no significant differences in the standard hemostatic workup between the two groups, including platelet count, PT, PTT, platelet function assay (PFA-100), platelet aggregation, and von Willebrand panel (Table 1). In both case and comparison groups, 20% of patients had abnormal PFA-100 and 50% had abnormal platelet aggregation with at least one agonist. The only significant difference in the laboratory findings was platelet EM results used to categorize cases (Figure 1 and Table 1). Conclusions: This study showed that in adult patients referred for hemostatic workup, abnormal platelet EM does not correlate with bleeding symptoms or the results of other laboratory tests such as PFA-100 or platelet aggregation. This calls into question the relevance of abnormal platelet EM alone and the appropriate "reference range" in the adult population. Patients with delta granules below the reference range were commonly diagnosed with PSPD, and interventions such as desmopressin and/or antifibrinolytic agents were subsequently recommended. Over-diagnosis of PSPD is a concern, but under-diagnosis in patients with normal EM but persistent bleeding symptoms is also problematic. Future research is needed to characterize correlation of platelet EM values with severity of clinical presentation and to establish appropriate reference range. Furthermore, better diagnostic tools are needed to evaluate patients with bleeding symptoms. Disclosures Wang: Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Other: Travel.

scholarly journals Primary Prevention of Strokes in Nigerian Children with Sickle Cell Disease (SPIN Trial): Final Results

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 521-521
Author(s):  
Najibah Aliyu Galadanci ◽  
Shehu Umar Abdullahi ◽  
Shehi Abubakar ◽  
Aisha Amal Galadanci ◽  
Halima Bello-Manga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Stroke Prevention ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
Transfusion Therapy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups

Introduction: In children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) living in high-income settings, the routine use of transcranial Doppler (TCD) measurements, coupled with regular blood transfusion therapy for those with abnormal velocities (&gt; 200 cm/sec) dramatically decreased the rate of strokes. Despite evidence of its beneficial effects in preventing strokes, regular blood transfusion therapy is not feasible for 99% of the children that are born with SCA living in low- and middle-income countries. To address this gap in care, we tested the hypothesis that moderate fixed dose of hydroxyurea (20 mg/kg/day) for primary stroke prevention was feasible in a low-income setting, Kano, Nigeria. Specifically, we previously demonstrated that families were willing to enroll at a 92% recruitment rate and were adherent to the study protocol with no missed monthly research visits (603 of 603 visits). We have extended the trial for approximately five years to test the hypotheses that moderate fixed dose hydroxyurea will: 1) not result in excess incidence rate of severe adverse events (death or stroke) when compared to a group of children with SCA and TCD measurements less than 200 cm/sec; 2) decrease the incidence rate of strokes to the level of children receiving regular blood transfusion for primary stroke prevention in the STOP Trial. We report the final results of the primary Stroke Prevention Feasibility Trial in Nigeria (SPIN Trial (NCT01801423). Methods: At trial entry, all eligible participants were screened with non imaging TCD to determine increased stroke risk; defined as two independent measurements of time-averaged maximum velocity (TAMV) ≥ 200cm/sec in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) or one measurement &gt;219cm/sec. Families were offered moderate fixed dose hydroxyurea (~20mg/kg/day). The comparison group included individuals with SCA that have a TCD measurement less than 200 cm/sec and agreed to be followed as routine medical care. Serious adverse events including death or stroke in the treatment and comparison groups were defined based on WHO criteria. Results: A total of 29 children treated with hydroxyurea for primary stroke prevention, and 206 children in the comparison group, were included. The median age for the treatment and comparison groups were 7.0 and 8.2 years, respectively. No statistically significant difference was observed in age, sex, ethnicity, height and weight of the treatment and comparison groups. Table 1 The median time on therapy (follow up time) was 4.9years (IQR- 4.60, 5.2). After 3 months of starting hydroxyurea therapy, 65.5% of the participants had a drop in TCD measurement to below 200cm/sec, which was sustained through 12months of therapy (61.5% had a TCD measurement below 200cm/sec at 12 months). Figure 1 The stroke incidence rate among the participants on hydroxyurea was 0.76 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 0.11 to 5.24), which was not significantly different from the incidence rate of 0.32 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 0.10 to 0.99) for participants in the comparison arm (P = 0.489), and significantly lower than the reported rate of stroke in the standard care group for the STOP study (10.7 per 100 person-years, total of 102 patient years). A total of 20 deaths occurred, with no death in the treatment group. One death occurred in a child that was originally in the treatment group, but after the patient was withdrawn from the trial due to progressive renal disease unrelated to treatment. The death rate in the comparison group was 2.05 per 100 patient-years. There was no statistically significant difference in the death rate between treatment and comparison group (p = 0.082). The leading cause of death was suspected malaria occurring in 79% (15 of 19). As expected, we found a statistically significant higher incidence rate of pain in the comparison group (30.04 per 100 person-years) compared to the treatment group (15.28 per 100 person-years) (P &lt;0.001). No difference in incidence rates of anemia, infection, malaria and transfusion rates between the two groups. Conclusion: The extended results of the SPIN trial provide clear evidence that initial treatment with fixed moderate dose hydroxyurea (20 mg/kg/day) will prevent strokes in children with abnormal TCD measurements in a low-resource setting. The results of the extended SPIN trial have established the first evidence based stand care strategy for primary stroke prevention for children with SCA in Africa. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Victim Impact Testimony and Pennsylvania's Parole Decision Making Process: A Pilot Study

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 187-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
William H. Parsonage ◽  
Frances P. Bernat ◽  
Jacqueline Helfgott
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Probation And Parole ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

While several states now permit victim participation in the parole process, little research exists concerning the extent, nature, and consequences of such involvement. During Fall 1991, the authors examined a random sample of 1989 parole cases decided by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole in which victim testimony was proferred (experimental group), and a random sample of cases in which such testimony was not presented (comparison group). Decisional outcomes were compared between the experimental and comparison groups to determine the impact of victim testimony on the parole decisionmaking process in Pennsylvania. A significant difference was found between the groups—higher refusal rates were found in the victim testimony group despite comparable parole objective guidelines predictions, offender demographics, and offenses.

A STUDY OF STORAGE, CHILD BEHAVIORAL TRAITS, AND MOTHER'S KNOWLEDGE OF TOXICOLOGY IN 52 POISONED FAMILIES AND 52 COMPARISON FAMILIES

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1968 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 312-317
Author(s):  
Charles L. Baltimore ◽  
J. Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Behavioral Traits ◽  
Household Products ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Rural Residency ◽  
Families With Children ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Family Attitude

A study of 52 families with children under 6 years ingesting poison was conducted in a defined population of Albemarle County, Virginia. Fifty-two comparison families were randomly selected from neighbors of the poisoned families. The poisoned and comparison groups were the same in distribution among such categories as race, family size, mean age of poisoned and comparison children, sex, urban-mixed-rural residency, and socioeconomic class. By definition, the groups differed in that the comparison group had no histories of accidental poisonings in comparison children or their siblings. A statistically significant relationship was found between "pica" and "daredevilness" in children and poisoning accidents. There was no statistically significant difference in mother's knowledge of toxicity of medicines and household products, nor in the number and storage pattern of potentially toxic substances accessible to children who are 2½ years old and have average abilities. The study suggests that parental ignorance of toxicity, and carelessness in storage are merely secondary environmental factors which may be manipulated to decrease the ease and frequency with which the accident occurs. Emphasis upon child development and family attitude aspects would appear to deserve much higher priority in view of the existing evidence.

scholarly journals Competence of Neurotypical Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-87
Author(s):  
Hatice ŞENGÜL ERDEM
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Clinical Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
High School Performance

In present study, the school, social and activities competencies of neurotypical siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD-NTDsibs) were examined. A total of 146 children, including 66 ASD-NTDsibs and 80 children both themselves and their siblings are neurotypical (NTC-NTDsibs), participated in the study, which was designed in the correlational survey model. The data were collected via mothers using part 1 of CBCL / 6-18, which measures competence. In the analysis of the data, competence levels of ASD-NTDsibs were evaluated as normal/ borderline/clinical according to the norms of the scale using the raw scores obtained from the scale and the T scores obtained by using the profiles, and the competence levels were examined according to demographic variables and compared with the competence levels of NTC-NTDsibs. According to the research results, significant differences favour the comparison group regarding school, social and activities sub-fields and total competence levels between the study and comparison groups. ASD-NTDsibs demonstrated a normal level of competence in the school and social sub-fields, clinical level of competence in sub-field activities, and total competence. There was no significant difference between competence of ASD-NTDsibs and demographic variables, except that the sisters showed a high school performance level.

scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF CARDIAC WALKING ON BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION AT A SELECTED HOSPITAL IN KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Punitha Josephine Santhanasamy
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
T Test ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Objective: Hypertension is a multifactorial disease and it is a common disorder worldwide. This study was conducted to identify the effectiveness ofcardiac walking on blood pressure (BP) among patients with hypertension at a selected hospital in Kancheepuram district.Methods: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test with comparison group design was chosen for this study. Using purposive sampling technique,a total of 50 samples were recruited for the study which included 25 each in study and comparison groups. Pre-test was done using a structuredinstrument that included demographic, biological, and clinical variables, and BP was measured by stethoscope and sphygmomanometer. Cardiacwalking was implemented for the study group participants whereas comparison group participants were on routine care. Post-test was done for both the study and comparison group participants. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the analysis.Results: The paired t-test revealed the statistically significant difference between pre- and post-test systolic and diastolic BP within the study groupparticipants at level p<0.001 whereas there was no significant difference among comparison group participants. The independent t-test unveiled thestatistically significant difference between the study and comparison group participants in BP at level p<0.001.Conclusion: These study findings implied that the simple measure cardiac walking is cost-effective to maintain the BP within normal limit for patientswith hypertension throughout their survivorship.Keywords: Hypertension, cardiac walking, blood pressure.

Self-compassion and empathy in caregiver and comparison groups: Differences in negative components

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Beals ◽  
Melissa Birkett
Keyword(s):  
Comparison Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Personal Distress ◽  
Self And Other ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Descriptive Information ◽  
Supportive Behavior ◽  
Comparison Groups ◽  
Health And Well Being

Self-compassion and empathy are positively associated with mental health, physical health, and well-being. Caregivers higher in self-compassion and empathy show increased caring and supportive behavior. Cultivating self-compassion and empathy have been suggested to enhance positive outcomes, however descriptive information about these constructs is lacking for caregiver and comparison groups. The current study examined self-compassion and empathy among caregivers (self-identified parents of at least one child under 18 years of age; n=335) and a comparison group (n=215). Caregivers had higher scores of total self-compassion and empathy, with lower scores of self-judgement, isolation, and overidentification (self-compassion subscales), and personal distress (empathy subscale). Describing self-compassion and empathy in caregiver and comparison groups has implications for key health outcomes and highlights differences in self- and other-directed constructs in a diverse sample of adults.

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