25 research outputs found
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A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Truck Seat Intervention: Part 2-Associations Between Whole-Body Vibration Exposures and Health Outcomes
This randomized controlled trial study was conducted to determine whether two different seating interventions would reduce exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV) and improve associated health outcomes. Forty professional truck drivers were randomly assigned to two groups: (i) a control group of 20 drivers who received a new, industry-standard air-suspension seat, and (ii) an intervention group of 20 drivers who received an active-suspension seat. This study collected regional body pain (10-point scale), low back disability [Oswestry Disability Index (OD1)], physical and mental health [the Short Form 12-item Health Survey (SF-12)], and work limitations [Work Limitation Questionnaire (WLQ)] before and 3, 6, and 12 months after the seating intervention. WBV exposures were also collected during the same time periods. Due to dropouts at the 12-month time period, only data up to 6 months post-intervention were included in the analyses. The post-intervention A(8) WBV exposures were lower in both groups with a more substantial WBV exposure reduction (similar to 50%) in the intervention group compared to the control group (similar to 26%). There was little to no change in the impulsive exposures [VDV(8) and S-ed(8)] post-intervention and no differences between the two groups. The self-reported musculoskeletal health outcomes showed that intervention group experienced a greater reduction in the low back pain (LBP) and other musculoskeletal outcomes than the control group. The LBP reduction in the intervention group was clinically meaningful (>25%); however, none of the changes in pain reached statistical significance (P's > 0.22).The SF-12 health scores demonstrated that the intervention group's physical health improved after the intervention (P's 0.11).The WLQ scores showed that the intervention group generally experienced reduced (improved) work limitation over time whereas the control group showed inconsistent changes in work limitation scores.These study findings indicate that reducing truck drivers' exposure to WBV through seating intervention can lead to improvements in LBP and other health outcomes
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A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Truck Seat Intervention: Part 1-Assessment of Whole Body Vibration Exposures
Full-time vehicle and heavy equipment operators often have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back pain (LBP). In occupations requiring vehicles or heavy equipment operation, exposure to whole body vibration (WBV) has been consistently associated with LBP. LBP is the most common cause of work-related disability and continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and lost productivity in the US workforce. Using a parallel randomized controlled trial design, over a 12-month period, this study evaluated two different seating interventions designed to reduce WBV exposures. Forty professional truck drivers were initially recruited and randomly assigned to one of two groups: (I) a passive suspension/control group-20 drivers who received a new, industry-standard air-suspension seat, and (ii) an intervention group-20 drivers who received an active-suspension seat, which has been shown to reduce vertical WBV exposures by up to 50% compared to passive seats. WBV exposures from the truck seat and floor were collected during driver's full shifts (6-18 h) before (pre-intervention) and after the intervention (0, 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention) per International Standards Organization (ISO) 2631-1 and 2631-5WBV standards. After subject dropout and turnover, 16 truck drivers remained in each group. The pre-intervention WBV data showed that there were no differences in the daily equivalent time-weighted average WBV exposures (A(8)], vibration dose values [VDV(8)], and static spinal compression doses [S-ed(8)] between the two groups (P's > 0.36). After the new seats were installed, the A(8) values showed that the active suspension/ intervention group experienced much greater reduction in the vertical (z) axis[(similar to 50%; P= <0.0001; Cohen's d effect size (95% CI) = 1.80 (1.12, 2.48)] exposures when compared to in the passive suspension/control group [similar to 20%; P = 0.23; 0.33 (-0.36, 1.02)].The post-intervention z-axis VDV(8) and S-ed(8) WBV exposure measures were not different between the two seat groups [VDV(8), P. 0.33; 0.35 (-0.32, 1.03); S-ed(8), P. 0.61; 0.08 (-0.59, 0.76)].These study findings indicate that, relative to the current industry-standard, passive air-suspension seats which are ubiquitous in all semi-trucks today, the active suspension seat dramatically reduced average continuous [A(8)] WBV exposures but not periodic, cumulative impulsive exposures [VDV(8) and S-ed(8)]
Heinrich Caro in Wissenschaft und Industrie
Reinhardt C. Heinrich Caro in Wissenschaft und Industrie. In: Zigman P, ed. Die biographische Spur in der Kultur- und Wissenschaftsgeschichte. Jena: IKS Garamond; 2006: 181-194
Murine bubblegum orthologue is a microsomal very long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase.
It has been suggested that a gene termed bubblegum (Bgm), encoding an acyl-CoA synthetase, could be involved in the pathogenesis of the inherited neurodegenerative disorder X-ALD (X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy). The precise function of the ALDP (ALD protein) still remains unclear. Aldp deficiency in mammals and Bgm deficiency in Drosophila led to accumulation of VLCFAs (very long-chain fatty acids). As a first step towards studying this interaction in wild-type versus Aldp-deficient mice, we analysed the expression pattern of the murine orthologue of the Bgm gene. In contrast with the ubiquitously expressed Ald gene, Bgm expression is restricted to the tissues that are affected by X-ALD such as brain, testis and adrenals. During mouse brain development, Bgm mRNA was first detected by Northern-blot analysis on embryonic day 18 and increased steadily towards adulthood, whereas the highest level of Ald mRNA was found on embryonic day 12 and decreased gradually during differentiation. Protein fractionation and confocal laser imaging of Bgm-green fluorescent protein fusion proteins revealed a microsomal localization that was different from peroxisomes (where Aldp is detected), endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. Mouse Bgm showed acyl-CoA synthetase activity towards a VLCFA substrate in addition to LCFAs, and this activity was enriched in the microsomal compartment. Speculating that Bgm expression could be regulated by Ald deficiency, we compared the abundance of Bgm mRNA in wild-type and Ald knockout mice but observed no difference. Although mouse Bgm is capable of activating VLCFA, we conclude that a direct interaction between the mouse Bgm and the Aldp seems unlikely