The role of ergonomic training interventions on decreasing neck and shoulders pain among workers of an Iranian automobile factory: A randomized trial study

Background: Ergonomic training had been implemented for prevention or reduction of neck and shoulder complaints among workers. The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of ergonomic training intervention on decreasing the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints among workers of an automobile factory. Methods: Within the present randomized clinical trial, the role of three ergonomic training methods on the prevalence of neck and shoulders pain among 503 workers of an automobile factory (Response rate: 94.23) was assessed. The eligible workers were randomly allocated into the following three interventional (pamphlet, lecture, workshop) groups and one control group. The Nordic questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints. We followed and assessed the prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among the study employees before and one year after the intervention. We used chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests to compare the prevalence of neck and shoulder complaints between the trial and control groups. A two-tailed P-value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among the study employees at the recent week (p= 0.002) and year (p= 0.02) had been significantly decreased in the study employees after participating in the study workshop. The prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints at the recent week and year did not significantly changed in the study employees after receiving the pamphlet and lecture as ergonomic trainings. Conclusion: Workshop as an ergonomic training method had an effective and powerful role on decreasing the prevalence of neck and shoulders complaints among workers

The effect of physical and psychosocial occupational factors on the chronicity of low back pain in the workers of Iranian metal industry: A cohort study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common problems among the workers of different industries. The role of occupational factors in causing the LBP has been indicated previously. LBP has great socio-economic costs and most of its costs are related to the chronic LBP. The aim of this study was to identify the occupational risk factors that are related to the progression of the LBP from acute to chronic phase. Methods: This cohort study has been conducted on 185 workers with acute LBP. Information related to their occupational exposure at baseline has been measured with a valid questionnaire using the self-report approach. Patients follow up was done monthly for three months after the start of the pain. Those workers whose occupational exposure had not changed during the follow up were divided into two groups of chronic LBP (n = 49) and cured (n = 136) according to the duration of the pain period (more or less than 3 months), and their job exposures were compared. Results: Among the physical and psychosocial risk factors, social support (OR = 0.466, CI = 0.231-0.940) and job satisfaction (OR = 0.455, CI = 0.232-0.891), and lifting weights more than 15kg (OR = 2.482, CI = 1.274-4.834) indicated a significant relationship with the chronicity of the LBP. After putting the variables into the regression model, only lifting > 15kg remained statistically significant. Conclusion: According to the observed relationship between these occupational risk factors (social support, job satisfaction, lifting > 15kg) and the chronicity of the LBP, there is hope that eliminating these factors in the workers with acute LBP will prevent its progression to the chronic phase

Global population structure of the great sturgeon (Huso huso) in the southern part of the Caspian Sea with emphasis on the Golestan Province

Report of the project entitled "determination of the global population structure of the great sturgeon (Huso huso) with emphasis on the Golestan Province" is in front of your attention. Outcome is the results of study on the samples collected from the total catch in the landing sites namely Bandar-e-Anzali, Babolsar, and Ashooradeh, in the three Northern provinces. 224 specimens were collected according to the sampling manual during the fishing seasons in 2005 and 2006. Three methods were applied in this study to find out the population structure of the great sturgeon in the southern Caspian Sea. These were as follows: Morpho-metric meristic Population dynamics Population genetics (microsatellite loci) Results indicate that the range of different age groups of the great sturgeon in the Golestan Province is larger than the other two provinces. Results show that the older age groups are found in the samples from the Golestan Province rather than the other two provinces. Results demonstrate that the sample size for the two methods (morpho-metric meristic and population dynamics) is not enough. In order to obtain precise results with less uncertainty one needs to collect more specimens. Therefore, according to the few number of the great sturgeon in the total sturgeon landing, it is recommended that researchers apply methods other than the two methods which are mentioned above in order to make sure that the results are most reliable. Population genetics methods including microsatellite loci are among the methods which could produce good results with minimum bias in this regard. Results indicate that there are two distinguishable populations of the great sturgeon (Huso huso) in the southern part of the Caspian Sea off the shores of the three Northern provinces. Results also show that these two populations are scattered in the two east end (Golestan Province) and west end (Guilan Province) of the southern Caspian Sea. The two populations have overlapped each other in the Mazandaran Province

Study forming of growth rings in the Caspian bony fishes (Step 1: Common carp Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758)

The ichthyology studies at fish tagging was referred to more than 100 years ago. Tagging is utilized for the estimation of stock amount, population frequency and project or calculating of survival and growth value. There are many various methods for fish tagging are used for juvenile to adult fish. The current study was carried out at Ghare-su research station during 2011-2013. 250 of carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio) were tagged by bath with tetracycline manner (pH=6, 500mg/l). The fork length and weight of fish were 10-12 mm and 2-4 g, respectively. Also, fish were fed twice a day. The second and third tagging stages were performed at November 2012 and July 2014, respectively. After otolith was extracted, it was washed water and dry at lab room air. The tagged rings or loops (annuali) were observed by lab loupe with 10X and 40 X magnifications. The results showed that a narrow band was formed after the first tagging of carp fingerlings, as it was seen at the end of otolith edge. It was demonstrated that tetracycline was absorbed and the tagged ring or loop (annuli) was newly formed at external or out of othlith edge. There was not observed any fish death, when carp fingerlings were tagged by OTC bath manner. It said that the first OTC band will be seen, the first sign of the formed OTC band was observed at external margin of otoilith after 6th month , of course , from 4th month, this sign was formed at the most external of otoilth edge but with added the following region, it can be hardly distinguished. The formed band in relative to second tagging was similar to the first band but there was no discrepancy or difference with together

Stock assessment of sturgeon fishes in the southern part of Caspian Sea (Iranian water)

The marine survey for sturgeon stock assessment was conducted in summer, winter and spring in the years 2006 and 2009 to estimate the relative and absolute abundance and percentage composition of each species in the Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan Provinces. This survey was carried out in the Iranian waters of the Caspian Sea on board the Sisara2 and Guilan vessels using trawl nets at 2-100 m depths. Trawling was carried out in 85 stations that were selected using a stratified random design. The number of stations in each scope was based on the area of the scope in terms of the total area. Trawling and sampling in shallow water up to 10 m were carried out using 9 m trawl nets whereas 24.7 m trawl nets were used for depths more than 10 m. Trawl surveys were carried out in the daytime. Trawling velocity was kept at 2.5-3 kts and trawls lasted half an hour in order to calculate abundance, and biomass of sturgeons using the swept area method. Catch per unit area (CPUA) in the winter 2006 survey was 3853 specimens nm^2 , in the summer and winter 2007 survey was 1854 , 2912 specimens nm^2 at depths less than 10 m respectively . CPUA for sturgeons in spring 2008 survey was 2103 specimens nm2 at depths less than 10 m and 393 specimens nm2 at depths greater than 10 m (10-100 m depth). These values in the winter 2008 survey dropped to 44 specimens nm^2 at depths at depths above 10 m. CPUA for sturgeons in the spring 2009 survey was 300 specimens nm^2 at depths less than 10 m and 307 specimens nm^2 at depths greater than 10 m. In all the surveys conducted CPUA for A. persicus was higher than that for the other sturgeon species. Based on the calculations carried out in the marine survey in winter 2006 the estimated absolute abundance for sturgeons was about 2977.363 thousand. The total biomass of sturgeon was estimated as 131.713 tons. In the summer 2007 survey total abundance was estimated 1432.398 thousand, and total biomass of sturgeons was estimated at about 312.161 tons. In the winter 2007 survey total abundance for sturgeons was estimated at about 2250.105 thousand, and total biomass was estimated 578.08 tons. In the spring 2008 survey total abundance was estimated at about 3002.832 thousand. The total biomass was estimated at about 2533.318 tons .In the winter 2008 survey total abundance was estimated at about 152.722 thousand, and total biomass in winter 2008 was estimated 170.540 tons. Total abundance in spring 2009 survey was 1310.232 thousand and total biomass was estimated at 2019.tons. Investigation of stomach content of sturgeon Acipenser persicus caught under 10m depth in 2006 to 2007 surveys showed that there is significant difference in the consumed food. Polychaeta is the major food consumed and crustacean an the minor one(P>0.05).Also no new types of food( such as bony fishes or benthic) have been observed in food chain of Acipenser persicus only the food consumption rate has been related to the season of year and increases or decreases in warm or cold seasons, respectively For physiological study and determination of sexual maturation stages in sturgeon,119 gonad sampling prepared. The results showed that 63 % of fishes were females and 37 % of them were males. Gill microscopic study shows complications such as hyperplasia, curvature, adhesion, embowed, shorting and lengthen of secondary filaments and fraught bloody. Microscopic study on liver indicates signs of cloudy inflammation, fatty degeneration, dispersion of billed secretions and cell atrophy. The population genetic structure of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) in Sefidrood and Gorganrood rivers watershed analyzed based on microsatellite markers during sturgeons assessment in 2006-2008. Results showed that Acipenser persicus in two region of south part of Caspian Sea are two independent populations

Assessment of the relationship between pesticide and theireffects on farmerhealth in various state

Background and Aims: Considering population growth and resource limitation in agriculturefield and essential requirement to increase agriculture products, importance of logical againstpests is obvious. These programs must consider farmers, community and environment health.There are many way to combat against pests, and chemical poisons are the most method that areused.Human exposure occur in different way during use of pesticide and their residual in environment.Pesticide don't act selectively, this means that they have effect on not subject (e.g. human) as likeas they have effect on pests.According to Iran statistic center, 25.9% of economical efforts, and 26% of worker with age morethan 10 year in this country areMethod: The amount of sailed pesticide has reached to 27.2 thousand tons. In this research 50%of samples (farmer) were illiterate, and their average work experience was between 18 and 26year. In different area according to kind of product and effectiveness specific poisons was used.Results: For example in Rafsnajan and Savojbolagh, more than 25% of used pesticide wereorganophosphores. Also 68% of farmers did not use any personal protective equipment. Just 25%of farmers said that can understand printed in formation on pesticide tables 55% of farmers leftvessel of pesticides in environment and just 27% of them burned or landfill the vessels.Conclusion :According to these result, we recommend to make a educational package consist ofpesticide and their uses, the way of management their short and long term effects, the way ofeffective use of personal protective equipments, and the necessary act after use of vessel. Thisshould be done under sight of special units and experts. This package must be in Farsi language,easy to understand, and if possible in local language. Employer and managers have to givepersonal protective equipment to farmers and aware farmers about emergency act and give themeducation regarding burning and landfill poison's vessels in a suitable hygienic way

Ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal symptoms in surgeons with three types of surgery: Open, laparoscopic, and microsurgery

Background: Musculoskeletal symptoms are the main cause of loss of working time, and increase in labor costs. Poor posture is the most important risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. This study aimed at evaluating the role of ergonomic risk factors in different surgical (open surgery, laparoscopy, and microsurgery) in the frequency or resonance frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 81 surgeons in a hospital in Tehran. In this study, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was evaluated using the Nordic Questionnaire. Moreover, Workplace ergonomic risk assessment method (WERA) was used to evaluate ergonomic risk factors in 3 types of open surgery, laparoscopy, and microsurgery. Results: The results revealed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms of the neck, back, shoulder, and arm is high in surgeons (over 75). The mean final score of WERA was 40.11, representing the high risk of the 3 types of surgery for the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Results revealed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck, waist and wrists had a significant relationship with the body posture in the 3 types of open surgery, laparoscopy, and microsurgery (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the present study, the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was high in the neck, waist, and hands surgeries. Depending on the type of surgery, teaching correct working methods, using proper seats and ergonomic equipment are the best strategies to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in the surgical profession

Determination of DMF index among workers of industrial city of Ilam-Iran and it's relation with Fluoride content of potable water

Background and aims   The fluoride of water can increase the resistance of enamel of teeth against dental caries. In places with low fluoride level in potable water, dental caries is very high before puberty. The aim of this study was to determine the fluoride level of potable water of Ilam- Iran and it's relation to DMF criteria in workers of industrial city of Ilam.   Methods  &nbsp;This study was done in fall of 1999 on the 320 workers which their age was between 20-34 (x ± SD:28.1 ± 1) years old by descriptive analytical method. The factories were selected by  cluster sampling and workers were selected by random sampling from different socio-economic  status.   Results  &nbsp;The mean concentration of fluoride in potable water was 0.28 mg/l which is lower the standard limit. The average value for DMF Index was 4.3 in workers. There was a significant negative correlation between fluoride control of potable water and number of DMF teeth (r=0.1 , p= 0.01 ). The lowest value of DMF index was in range of 20-23 years old. When the fluoride content of water was higher, the dental caries was lower.   Conclusion  &nbsp;The addition of fluoride to potable water to about 1mg/l, health educational  programs and fortification of foods in Industrial regions and factories is recommended