Anthropometric study of hand parameters for redesigning surgical instruments to combat ergonomic challenges in an operation theatre

Introduction: Anthropometric hand dimensions are used in the design of hand instruments for improving the efficiency and human comfort of surgical equipment and instruments. Instruments built for large male hands make it more difficult for petite female hands to operate them, which reduces their productivity and increases the risk of musculoskeletal diseases. So, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the differences in anthropometric and biomechanical parameters between the dominant hands of adult Indian males and females. Methods: The study was conducted on 335 Indian health care professionals of which 168 were males and 167 were females. Various anthropometric and biomechanical parameters were measured on the dominant hand of all the individuals included in the study. Length, breadth and span of a hand, as well as wrist circumference, were measured by measuring tape while handgrip strength and pinch strength was recorded by Jamar dynamometer & Jamar pinch gauge respectively. Obtained data were analyzed by applying the t-test SPSS version 27. We considered P-value <0.05 as statistically significant. Results: A higher statistically significant difference (<0.05) was found in hand anthropometric and biomechanical parameters amongst dominant hands of Indian male and female health care professionals. Conclusion: The present study was gender-based. All the anthropometric and biomechanical parameters were found to be of dimensions in males as compared to females. This study provides baseline anthropometric & biomechanical values of the Indian hand that will help manufacturers to redesign instruments to improve efficiency and prevent the risk of musculoskeletal disorders amongst health care professionals

A Cross-Sectional Survey on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Dental Ethics among Dental Graduates of Karachi, Pakistan: A Multicenter Study

Background: Dental ethics apply moral principles and virtues governing the character and conduct of an individual to the practice of dentistry. In dental practice, various ethical issues rises which need to be dealt with extreme sensitivity and professionalism according to the various codes of dental ethics. Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of dental ethics among dental graduates and to compare the KAP of dental ethics between House officers (HOs) and Postgraduate students (PGs). Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted at four different dental colleges in Karachi during JanuaryJune, 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 13 self-administered closed-ended questions. Questionnaires were distributed for the face-to-face survey among target participants. Knowledge, attitude, and practices of dental ethics principles about the routine dental clinical practice were inquired. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: A total of 390 complete responses were received. 65.7% of respondents were HOs, and 34.3% were PGs. 74% of dental graduates exhibited inadequate knowledge. 52.7% of dental graduates displayed poor attitudes. Fair to poor practices were recorded largely in our study as only 45.6% of overall respondents depicted favorable responses to the asked questions. The frequency of inadequate knowledge among HO and PGs was 84% and 64% respectively. 50% of HOs and 44.5% of PGs showed poor attitudes. 45.6% overall respondents (HOs and PGs) depicted favorable responses to the asked questions comparatively higher poor practices. Conclusion: Inadequate knowledge, poor attitude, and comparatively higher poor practices related to dental ethics are noted by dental graduates in our study. Years of experience and learning have an impact on responses

Review of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor Technology: Effect of Different Parameters and Developments for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

The upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor has been recognized as an important wastewater treatment technology among anaerobic treatment methods. The objective of this study was to perform literature review on the treatment of domestic sewage using the UASB reactor as the core component and identifying future areas of research. The merits of anaerobic and aerobic bioreactors are highlighted and other sewage treatment technologies are compared with UASB on the basis of performance, resource recovery potential, and cost. The comparison supports UASB as a suitable option on the basis of performance, green energy generation, minimal space requirement, and low capital, operation, and maintenance costs. The main process parameters such as temperature, hydraulic retention time (HRT), organic loading rate (OLR), pH, granulation, and mixing and their effects on the performance of UASB reactor and hydrogen production are presented for achieving optimal results. Feasible posttreatment steps are also identified for effective discharge and/or reuse of treated water

Original Article Cheiloscopy: An Aid to Personal Identification in India

ABSTRACT Background: As said "Identification is an individual's birth right". Identification of the individual is based on certain characteristics, which is unique to that individual. Cheiloscopy is the examination of lip prints, the lip prints are permanent and fixed, like fingerprint and palatal rugae, hence it can be used in personal identification. Aim: This study is undertaken to evaluate the uniqueness of lip print for personal identification Methods: The study was carried out on 400 subjects (200 male and 200 female) among the population of India. Lipstick was applied on the lips and print was taken on bond paper, the prints were divided into four quadrants and were analyzed by using magnifying lens and Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification were used to identify the most common type of pattern among Indians for personal identification. Results: Our study shows that the most common type of pattern in Indian race was TYPE III (39%) and in all the quadrants (I, II, III, IV) most dominant pattern was type III in males and type II in females. Conclusion: The present study reveals that, there was no similarity in the lip print pattern of one individual with that of the other individual. The lip print pattern varies between the same age group people as well as among the population of same region

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care