The Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection at the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State

The Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS) began accepting whole-body donations for scientific research and educational purposes under the Texas Anatomical Gift Act in 2008. Research conducted with donated whole bodies involves studies in taphonomy and human decomposition, including reconstructing the postmortem interval. Following decomposition, the skeletal elements of all donors are collected, cleaned, and permanently curated into the Texas State Donated Skeletal Collection (TXSTDSC), which is used for teaching and research by faculty and students at Texas State but is also open to external researchers. To date, FACTS has received 710 donors. Fifty-eight percent of donors are male and 42% are female. Donor ages range from 21 weeks’ gestation to 103 years old at the time of death, with a mean of 66 years, and a median of 68 years. Based on self-identified or family-identified ancestry, 90% of donors are White, 4.5% are Hispanic, 3% are Black, less than 2% are of mixed ancestry, and less than 1% are Asian or Native American. Information collected about each donor includes geographic/residential history; occupational history; socioeconomic status; anthropometrics; parity status; alcohol, tobacco, and drug use history; mobility status; an overall health questionnaire; cause and manner of death.

Demographical, Anatomical, Disease-Related, and Occupational Risk Factors for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common focal mononeuropathy. It causes characteristic symptoms, including numbness and paresthesia in hand due to median nerve compression at the wrist. Objectives: We aimed to investigate CTS prevalence and personal, psychosocial, biomedical, and occupational factors related to it comprehensively, according to scattered publications, without the simultaneous evaluation of all CTS risk factors. Methods: A total of 345 patients referred to a hand clinic with a complaint of paresthesia in upper extremities and suspected CTS. The patients underwent neurological assessment and electrodiagnostic (EDX) tests to confirm the diagnosis. The demographic information, past medical history, past trauma history, and occupational history of all the patients were recorded and finally analyzed with SPSS software. Results: Of the patients, 213 (67.1%) met the criteria for CTS, of whom 160 (75%) were female. Females were significantly more affected by CTS than males (P < 0.05). The mean age was higher in the CTS patients (53.80 ± 11.57 years) than in non-patients (42.39 ± 12.31 years, P < 0.001). No statistical relevance was found between CTS prevalence with occupational history, underlying medical conditions, positive Tinel’s and Phalen's tests, and muscle atrophy. Conclusions: We recognized age and gender as main determinants in developing CTS. We also found that older age was related to higher CTS intensity.

Expression of epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratin among Indian workers exposed to cotton fibre dust in textile industries

Background: In India, around 20 million workers are engaged in the textile industries. However, the prevalence of byssinosis has been little reported. Aims: To determine the prevalence of byssinosis and other respiratory disorders among workers exposed to cotton dust in textile mills in Delhi, India. Methods: Sputum samples were collected from 156 workers employed in 15 cotton textile mills, and expression of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and cytokeratin (CK) marker proteins was investigated. Information regarding respiratory symptoms, certain personal characteristics and occupational history was also gathered. Results: Symptoms were observed in 56.41% of the workers. Expression of EMA and CK was observed in 27.5% and 50% of the workers, respectively. Expression of EMA and CK was significantly associated with smoking and duration of employment. Conclusion: Measures are needed to reduce dust levels in the workplace, and to discourage smoking and alcohol consumption among the textile workers.

Health-related quality of life in a general population sample in Kazakhstan and its sociodemographic and occupational determinants

Background Health-related quality of life (HRQL) in the general population of Kazakhstan has never been characterized. We constructed this population-based study of the largest city in Kazakhstan, Almaty with the aim to quantitatively assess HRQL and ascertain whether occupation and lifestyle are associated with HRQL in this population. Methods In a random sample (N = 1500) of general population in Almaty (median age 49 (interquartile range 28) years, 50% women), we collected data on demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, lifetime occupational history and general HRQL using SF-8 instrument. The association of demographic and occupational predictors with HRQL was tested in multiple regression models. Results No occupational associations were found for physical component score in the models adjusted for age, sex, income, cigarette and waterpipe smoking, electronic cigarette use, physical activity, alcohol and exposure to secondhand smoke. Ever being a manager (β − 1.63 (95% confidence interval (CI) − 2.92; − 0.34)), a welder (β − 5.11 (95% CI − 8.77; − 1.46)) and a secretary (β − 5.06 (95% CI − 8.56; − 1.56)) for one year or more was associated with poorer mental component score in the models adjusted for age, sex, income, cigarette smoking, physical activity and each other. Age, income and physical activity were independent predictors of both physical and mental components. Conclusions Occupational history is associated with HRQL in the general population in Almaty, Kazakhstan, but the mechanism explaining this association should be further elucidated.

The diagnosis of early pneumoconiosis in dust-exposed workers: comparison of chest radiography and computed tomography

Background Chest radiography (CR) is employed as the evaluation of pneumoconiosis; however, we sometimes encounter cases in which computed tomography (CT) is more effective in detecting subtle pathological changes or cases in which CR yields false-positive results. Purpose To compare CR to CT in the diagnosis of early-stage pneumoconiosis. Material and Methods CR and CT were performed for 132 workers with an occupational history of mining. We excluded 23 cases of arc-welder’s lung. Five readers who were experienced chest radiologists or pulmonologists independently graded the pulmonary small opacities on CR of the remaining 109 cases. We then excluded 37 cases in which the CT data were not sufficient for grading. CT images of the remaining 72 cases were graded by the five readers. We also assessed the degree of pulmonary emphysema in those cases. Results The grade of profusion on CR (CR score) of all five readers was identical in only 5 of 109 cases (4.6%). The CR score coincided with that on CT in 40 of 72 cases (56%). The CT score was higher than that on CR in 13 cases (18%). On the other hand, the CT score was lower than that on CR in 19 cases (26%). The incidence of pulmonary emphysema was significantly higher in patients whose CR score was higher than their CT score. Conclusion CT is more sensitive than CR in the evaluation of early-stage pneumoconiosis. In cases with emphysema, the CR score tends to be higher in comparison to that on CT.

Methicillin Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus is the predominant Organism in Septic Bursitis with the Majority Involving the Olecranon Bursa: A Study of 65 Cases

Bursae are fluid filled structures between mobile parts of the musculoskeletal system to reduce friction by lubrication. Repeated trauma to bursae results in bursitis which are usually aseptic initially, which may be followed by infection. Many cases are related to occupational or recreational activities. We present an analysis of cases of Staphylococcus aureus septic bursitis admitted to 10 hospitals over a 3-year period. The olecranon bursa was the most common site involved 42/65 (64.6%) followed by prepatellar bursa 17/65 (26.1%). The mean age was 61.2 years. Fifty five out of Sixty-five (84.6%) were male. The majority were caused by methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus 52/65 (80%). The occupational history was missing for most patients. The occupations reported in few of the patient charts were floor worker, construction worker and roofer. Sixty one out of sixty-five (92.4%) of cases involved the elbow and knee. Avoidance of activities that result in repeated friction or trauma to elbows and knees would prevent majority of cases of septic bursitis.

Shift work is associated with positive COVID-19 status in hospitalised patients

IntroductionShift work is associated with lung disease and infections. We therefore investigated the impact of shift work on significant COVID-19 illness.Methods501 000 UK Biobank participants were linked to secondary care SARS-CoV-2 PCR results from Public Health England. Healthcare worker occupational testing and those without an occupational history were excluded from analysis.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression (age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation index) revealed that irregular shift work (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.92 to 3.05), permanent shift work (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.95 to 3.19), day shift work (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.55 to 2.6), irregular night shift work (OR 3.04, 95% CI 2.37 to 3.9) and permanent night shift work (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.67 to 3.7) were all associated with positive COVID-19 tests compared with participants that did not perform shift work. This relationship persisted after adding sleep duration, chronotype, premorbid disease, body mass index, alcohol and smoking to the model. The effects of workplace were controlled for in three ways: (1) by adding in work factors (proximity to a colleague combined with estimated disease exposure) to the multivariate model or (2) comparing participants within each job sector (non-essential, essential and healthcare) and (3) comparing shift work and non-shift working colleagues. In all cases, shift work was significantly associated with COVID-19. In 2017, 120 307 UK Biobank participants had their occupational history reprofiled. Using this updated occupational data shift work remained associated with COVID-19 (OR 4.48 (95% CI 1.8 to 11.18).ConclusionsShift work is associated with a higher likelihood of in-hospital COVID-19 positivity. This risk could potentially be mitigated via additional workplace precautions or vaccination.

NEW RADIOCARBON EVIDENCE FOR HUMAN OCCUPATION IN CENTRAL ARGENTINA DURING THE MIDDLE AND LATE HOLOCENE: THE ONGAMIRA VALLEY CASE

ABSTRACT The Ongamira Valley (Córdoba, Argentina) shows a persistent occupational history of its territory. Even one of the first Argentinian radiocarbon (14C) dates was calculated in this valley; for 70 years, the chronology was based on relative dates (stratigraphy and its cultural content). For this reason, since 2010 a 14C dating program has been developed focusing on the chronology of eight of the 60 sites identified so far for the valley. This work reports the outcomes of this program with 27 new dates. These data have been related to characteristics of the material culture, use of space and mobility of hunter-gatherer societies. The results have allowed us to bring new insights into a continuous occupation of the valley since the Middle Holocene according to the human peopling models proposed. It has also been possible to provide greater chronological precision to various activities related to feeding practices, use of space associated with rock-shelters, palaeoenvironmental changes and incorporation of new technologies into daily practices.

Attitudes and behaviors of chiropractic interns toward occupational history taking

Objective This study uses a pre- and post-training program evaluation of chiropractic interns to (1) describe changes in their frequency of occupational history taking before and after a 1-hour training and (2) to document the attitudes and beliefs regarding occupational health and history taking. Methods All chiropractic interns at 1 clinic location completed questionnaires assessing their attitudes and perceptions regarding documenting the occupational history of their patients each trimester they were enrolled in the study. Each intern enrolled in the study for 2 or more trimesters participated in a 1-hour-long training session on taking an occupational history. The supervising clinician independently evaluated charting behaviors of interns for the duration of the study. Results The supervising clinician assessed 20 interns' level of documenting occupational history for 202 new patient or reexamination visits. A majority of interns (85% at baseline) were interested in occupational health, and 80% believed that occupational history taking was “very important.” Intern charting behaviors increased after training related to documentation of past occupation (62.9% from 32.4%) and relating the chief complaint to work (59.7% from 30.0%). Detailed occupational history taking remained low throughout the study but demonstrated a doubling in documentation after training (16.1% from 8.6%). Conclusion Chiropractic interns and clinicians should be adequately trained in occupational health history documentation practices as they are likely to care for work-related injuries. Short training modules appear to be effective in demonstrating small changes in documentation related to occupational history taking.