Participatory ergonomics and new work: reducing neck complaints in assembling.

A participatory ergonomics approach is used to create a new work environment, which is aimed at reducing neck complaints in a cell phone assembly. The participatory ergonomics program included an initiative, problem identification, a selection of solutions, an implementation and evaluation. Twenty-eight women, all operators on an assembly line of cell phone boards, voluntarily participated in the design and evaluation of a device before implementing the device to all 215 employees performing that job. Prior to and after the intervention, RULA, comfort experiences and interviews were used. After introducing an adjustable angled small counter, these measurements showed both posture and comfort improvements. 90% of the 215 workers preferred the new work station and the neck complaints were reduced in 75% of the group. It also showed that the initial prototype needed to be modified as to reduce its sharp edges/compression points for the forearm. This project shows the importance of iterative testing and that an initiative by workers enlarges the chance of successful implementation.

Mutational analysis of antistasin, an inhibitor of blood coagulation factor Xa derived from the Mexican leech Haementeria officinalis.

Antistasin is a Factor Xa inhibitor that is present in the salivary glands of the Mexican leech Haementeria officinalis. The antistasin protein consists of 119 amino acids, of which residues 1-55 (domain I) are 56% similar to residues 56-110 (domain II). Of the nine C-terminal amino acids (residues 111-119; domain III), four are positively charged. The reactive site for Factor Xa is located in domain I. In this study we assessed the role of separate domains and of individual amino acids in the reactive site for the inhibition of Factor Xa. A series of mutants was constructed and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. In vitro chromogenic assays for Factor Xa show that domain I is sufficient for inhibition of Factor Xa. Domains II and III neither contain any intrinsic Factor Xa inhibitory activity, nor contribute to the activity of domain I. Furthermore, domain II does not become a Factor Xa inhibitor by partially adaptating its sequence towards that of the reactive site in domain I. Mutation of the cysteine at position 33 is not crucial for Factor Xa inhibition, suggesting a relatively rigid reactive site loop structure.

Invasive pneumococcal disease among infected and uninfected children of mothers with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and clinical presentation of invasive pneumococcal disease in a cohort of children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who were prospectively followed from birth, in comparison with uninfected children born to HIV-infected mothers and control children. DESIGN: Prospective follow-up of a cohort recruited at birth and born to mothers with known HIV status. The person-years analysis method used the occurrence of invasive pneumococcal disease as the end point. SETTING: Hospital-based clinic specializing in care of HIV-at-risk and HIV-infected children in Baltimore, Md. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-one vertically HIV-infected children, 128 uninfected children born to HIV-infected mothers, and 71 control children born to mothers with negative findings for HIV but with HIV risk factors. RESULTS: Among HIV-infected children, 10 episodes of invasive pneumococcal disease occurred during the first 36 months of life compared with 4 episodes among uninfected children and 1 episode among control subjects. The relative risk for HIV-infected children versus the combined uninfected and control groups was 12.6 with a 95% confidence interval (5.4, 28.8) and a p value for difference between groups of < 0.001. The incidence rate per 100 child-years of observation during the first 36 months of life was 11.3 for HIV-infected, 1.1 for uninfected, and 0.5 for control children. Clinical and laboratory variables were not useful in identifying HIV-infected children at risk for pneumococcal disease. CONCLUSION: Practical strategies to prevent pneumococcal disease among HIV-infected children need to be developed.