NOISE EXPOSURE IN TWO TEXTILE PLANTS IN SUDAN

Background: Noise is a major health threat in occupations where the level exceeds the permissible limit (85 decibel), The degree of negative effects of noise depends on its intensity, spectrum of frequency nature, duration of exposure and individual sensibility. Objectives: To assess the noise in work environment at textile factories Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two textile factories in Khartoum – Sudan in 2013. The study included all workers in the two factories (n=198). Data was collected through questionnaire to obtain data about noise level perceived and variables such as work section. Noise levels (dBA) were measured by sound level meter and octave band analyzer Results: Workers in weaving sections of both factories and preparing section in Alsbagoon factory were exposed to average levels of noise above 85 dBA. Octave band analysis of the noise in Alhodhood and Alsbagoon factories in weaving, preparing and quality control sections shows high noise level in 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000 Hz and 6000 Hz Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it was demonstrated that worker are exposed to excessively high noise levels

NOISE EXPOSURE IN TWO TEXTILE PLANTS IN SUDAN

Background: Noise is a major health threat in occupations where the level exceeds the permissible limit (85 decibel), The degree of negative effects of noise depends on its intensity, spectrum of frequency nature, duration of exposure and individual sensibility. Objectives: To assess the noise in work environment at textile factories Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two textile factories in Khartoum – Sudan in 2013. The study included all workers in the two factories (n=198). Data was collected through questionnaire to obtain data about noise level perceived and variables such as work section. Noise levels (dBA) were measured by sound level meter and octave band analyzer Results: Workers in weaving sections of both factories and preparing section in Alsbagoon factory were exposed to average levels of noise above 85 dBA. Octave band analysis of the noise in Alhodhood and Alsbagoon factories in weaving, preparing and quality control sections shows high noise level in 1000Hz, 2000Hz, 4000 Hz and 6000 Hz Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it was demonstrated that worker are exposed to excessively high noise levels

NOISE EXPOSURE AMONG TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS IN KHARTOUM LOCALITY, SUDAN

Background: This study reports noise exposure among traffic police officers in Khartoum locality, Sudan. In this study, noise exposure was measured among Traffic Police Officer in Khartoum Locality, Sudan, in May 2010. Objectives: This paper addresses the noise levels, and their negative effects on traffic police officers resulting from its exposure to road traffic noise. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in twenty two streets points along the Khartoum locality roads. The Khartoum locality roads have heavy traffic during the day, and the noise exposure level among traffic policemen was measured during the time period from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on working day using a noise dosimeter which reads the noise exposure of a person. Also, 46 traffic police officers working in these points were selected as the study population. Results: The level of noise was ranged from 74.5 to 86.7 dBA. 52.2% have mood characteristic as annoyance, while 26.1% have tinnitus. Conclusion: It was observed that at all points, the level of noise was higher. Major effects of noise among traffic police officer include annoyance and tinnitus. All Traffic Police officers did not used hearing protection devices

NOISE EXPOSURE AMONG TRAFFIC POLICE OFFICERS IN KHARTOUM LOCALITY, SUDAN

Background: This study reports noise exposure among traffic police officers in Khartoum locality, Sudan. In this study, noise exposure was measured among Traffic Police Officer in Khartoum Locality, Sudan, in May 2010. Objectives: This paper addresses the noise levels, and their negative effects on traffic police officers resulting from its exposure to road traffic noise. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in twenty two streets points along the Khartoum locality roads. The Khartoum locality roads have heavy traffic during the day, and the noise exposure level among traffic policemen was measured during the time period from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on working day using a noise dosimeter which reads the noise exposure of a person. Also, 46 traffic police officers working in these points were selected as the study population. Results: The level of noise was ranged from 74.5 to 86.7 dBA. 52.2% have mood characteristic as annoyance, while 26.1% have tinnitus. Conclusion: It was observed that at all points, the level of noise was higher. Major effects of noise among traffic police officer include annoyance and tinnitus. All Traffic Police officers did not used hearing protection devices

Alzheimer’s Disease as a Major Public Health Concern: Role of Dietary Saponins in Mitigating Neurodegenerative Disorders and Their Underlying Mechanisms

Saponins are triterpenoid or steroidal glycosides and are an important group of naturally occurring compounds of plant origin. They exhibit diverse pharmacological potentials including radical scavenging, as well as neuroprotective, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities, owing to their diverse chemical scaffolds. Saponins consist of an aglycone part (non-sugar) and a glycone part (sugar) and have at least one glycosidic (C–O sugar bond) linkage present between the glycone and aglycone mostly at C-3. On the basis of the aglycone part, saponins are classified into triterpenoid glycosides, steroid glycosides and alkaloid glycosides. Saponins exhibit neuroprotective activities against various disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) including stroke, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). They mediate their therapeutic effects by modulation of various pathological targets. This study highlights various neuroprotective mechanisms of saponins including free radical scavenging, modulation of neuroprotective signaling pathways, activation of neurotrophic factors, modulation of neurotransmitters, inhibition of BACE1 enzyme and tau hyper-phosphorylation. The study concludes that saponins have considerable efficacy against various pathological targets of neurological disorders, especially AD, and might be an important source of leads against neurodegenerative disorders