Work-related musculoskeletal disorders among Nigerian Physiotherapists

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physiotherapists are known to be prone to Work- related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) but its prevalence among physiotherapists in Nigeria has not been reported. This study investigated the prevalence and work factors of WRMDs among physiotherapists in Nigeria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross- sectional survey was administered to physiotherapists in different parts of Nigeria using a 2- part questionnaire with items adopted from questionnaires used for similar studies around the world. Two hundred and seventeen copies of the questionnaire were distributed for self administration but 126 physiotherapists returned completed surveys for a 58.1% response. The data were analyzed using SPPS version 10 at alpha level of 0.05. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages and inferential statistics of <it>x</it>²were used as appropriate for data analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Reported 12- month prevalence of WRMDs among Nigerian physiotherapists was 91.3%. Prevalence of WRMDs was significantly higher in female physiotherapists (p = 0.007) and those with lower body mass index (p = 0.045). The low back (69.8%) was the most commonly affected body part, followed by the neck (34.1%). Fifty percent of the physiotherapists first experienced their WRMDs within five years of graduation and the highest prevalence (61.7%) was found among physiotherapists younger than 30 years. Treating large number of patients in a day was cited by most (83.5%) of the respondents as the most important work factor for their WRMDs. The most commonly adopted coping strategy identified was for the therapists to modify their position and/or the patient's position (64.3%). Majority of the respondents (87.0%) did not leave the profession but 62.6% changed and/or modified their treatment because of their WRMDs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of WRMDs among physiotherapists in Nigeria is higher than most values reported for their counterparts around the world. The coping strategies and work factors of WRMDs among Nigerian physiotherapists are mostly similar to those of their counterparts elsewhere.</p

Isolation and Characterization of Intestinal Epithelial Cells from Normal and SIV-Infected Rhesus Macaques

Impairment of intestinal epithelial barriers contributes to the progression of HIV/SIV infection and leads to generalized HIV-induced immune-cell activation during chronic infection. Rhesus macaques are the major animal model for studying HIV pathogenesis. However, detailed characterization of isolated rhesus epithelial cells (ECs) from intestinal tissues is not well defined. It is also not well documented whether isolated ECs had any other cell contaminants from intestinal tissues during the time of processing that might hamper interpretation of EC preparations or cultures. In this study, we identify and characterize ECs based on flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry methods using various enzymatic and mechanical isolation techniques to enrich ECs from intestinal tissues. This study shows that normal healthy ECs differentially express HLA-DR, CD23, CD27, CD90, CD95 and IL-10R markers. Early apoptosis and upregulation of ICAM-1 and HLA-DR in intestinal ECs are thought to be the key features in SIV mediated enteropathy. The data suggest that intestinal ECs might be playing an important role in mucosal immune responses by regulating the expression of different important regulatory and adhesion molecules and their function

Induction of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin-8 Gene Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells by Toxic Shock Syndrome Toxin 1

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II engagement by toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) transduces signals leading to proinflammatory cytokine gene expression (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) in human monocytes. To study the proinflammatory role of MHC class II molecules expressed by bronchial epithelial cells (BEC), primary human BEC were isolated from surgical bronchial samples, expanded in vitro, and cultured in the presence or absence of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) for 48 h. (125)I-TSST-1 binding to BEC pretreated with IFN-γ was inhibited up to 97% by anti-MHC class II monoclonal antibody 3B12, indicating that in BEC also MHC class II molecules were targets for the staphylococcal exotoxin. As analyzed by a quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR, a 1-h stimulation of BEC with TSST-1 resulted in a vigorous expression of TNF-α and interleukin-8 (IL-8) genes. TNF-α and IL-8 expression was optimal in BEC pretreated with 50 IU of IFN-γ/ml, whereas TSST-1 stimulation of BEC pretreated with 200 IU of IFN-γ/ml failed to enhance either TNF-α or IL-8 transcripts. In a time course study, peak expression of TNF-α and IL-8 mRNA was reached 6 h after TSST-1 stimulation. These results demonstrate that bacterial superantigen TSST-1 binds to MHC molecules on BEC and induces TNF-α and IL-8 gene expression upon engagement of MHC class II molecules on BEC, thus contributing to the perpetuation of bronchial mucosa inflammation via chemokine or cytokine gene expression