Comparative study of the work load between one-man buses and two-man buses.

The differences in physiological and safety conditions of one-man buses and two-man buses were examined from the view point of occupational fatigue. This survey consisted of a work load study which included a time study, study of subsidiary behavior, auditory task, memory test, Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and physiological function tests and a self-administered questionnaire which involved items concerning safety and subjective fatigue complaints. The visual and postural restrictions in the one-man bus were greater than in the two-man bus. The mental capacity of the one-man bus drivers was found to be less. Greater mental fatigue and stress were observed in the one-man bus. More subjective fatigue complaints were observed in the one-man bus. More cases of near accidents were observed in the one-man bus. From these results it was concluded that the one-man bus caused bus drivers a greater mental and physical work load.</p

Protective and Enhancing HLA Alleles, HLA-DRB1*0901 and HLA-A*24, for Severe Forms of Dengue Virus Infection, Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome

Dengue has become one of the most common viral diseases transmitted by infected mosquitoes (with any of the four dengue virus serotypes: DEN-1, -2, -3, or -4). It may present as asymptomatic or illness, ranging from mild to severe disease. Recently, the severe forms, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), have become the leading cause of death among children in Southern Vietnam. The pathogenesis of DHF/DSS, however, is not yet completely understood. The immune response, virus virulence, and host genetic background are considered to be risk factors contributing to disease severity. Human leucocyte antigens (HLA) expressed on the cell surface function as antigen presenting molecules and those polymorphism can change individuals' immune response. We investigated the HLA-A, -B (class I), and -DRB1 (class II) polymorphism in Vietnamese children with different severity (DHF/DSS) by a hospital-based case-control study. The study showed persons carrying HLA-A*2402/03/10 are about 2 times more likely to have severe dengue infection than others. On the other hand, HLA-DRB1*0901 persons are less likely to develop DSS with DEN-2 virus infection. These results clearly demonstrated that HLA controlled the susceptibility to severe forms of DV infection

Occupational low back pain among farmers working in eggplant greenhouses

In order to prevent farmers working in greenhouses from developing occupational low back pain, the relationship between working space and working posture was examined. Out of 61 greenhouses, the working space of 57 greenhouses was measured as a function of the height of the plant stems and the width of the pathways, The author demonstrated that the height of the stem was the best indicator of the working space. The results of a study of the relationship between working space and working posture showed that the narrower the working space is, the more frequently farmers worked in an unnatural posture. The prevalence of low back pain among 144 farmers working in eggplant greenhouses was examined. A negative correlation was observed between the prevalence of low back pain among the farmers and the width of their working spaces

Case Report - Portal venous gas during chemotherapy

A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. She had previously operated for the ceacal cancer and performed chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) after operation. She restarted chemotherapy with 5-FU and LV three weeks before, because size-up paraaortic lymphnode, lung metastasis and ovarian metastases were noted by follow-up CT scan. On physical examination at admission, mild tenderness located in the upper umbilicus was found. Blood examination showed leucocytopenia and neutropenia and C reactive protein level was slightly elevated. Under a diagnosis of enteritis as an adverse event of chemotherapy, conservative therapy including fasting and resuscitation was instituted. One day after admission, a high-grade fever was observed. A computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed portal venous gas (PVG). We did not suspect necrosis of the bowels and conservative therapy was continued. Follow-up CT imaging a day after revealed a disappearance of the PVG. It is believed that the radiographic detection of PVG is a life-threatening sign, but many of these cases do not require exploratory laparotomy. Contrast-enhanced CT should be performed to avoid unnecessary laparotomy

Case Report - Portal venous gas during chemotherapy

A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. She had previously operated for the ceacal cancer and performed chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) after operation. She restarted chemotherapy with 5-FU and LV three weeks before, because size-up paraaortic lymphnode, lung metastasis and ovarian metastases were noted by follow-up CT scan. On physical examination at admission, mild tenderness located in the upper umbilicus was found. Blood examination showed leucocytopenia and neutropenia and C reactive protein level was slightly elevated. Under a diagnosis of enteritis as an adverse event of chemotherapy, conservative therapy including fasting and resuscitation was instituted. One day after admission, a high-grade fever was observed. A computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed portal venous gas (PVG). We did not suspect necrosis of the bowels and conservative therapy was continued. Follow-up CT imaging a day after revealed a disappearance of the PVG. It is believed that the radiographic detection of PVG is a life-threatening sign, but many of these cases do not require exploratory laparotomy. Contrast-enhanced CT should be performed to avoid unnecessary laparotomy