Prevalence Of Musculoskeletal Problems And Awkward Posture In A Pakistani Garments Manufacturing Industry

This cross-sectional study aimed to serve as a pilot investigation to identify the level of discomfort and awkward posture among the workers of a garments manufacturing industry. The study was conducted for both male (54) and female (26) workers working in two different departments - stitching and finishing. Data were collected using both questionnaire and direct observation. As discomfort cannot be measured directly, a questionnaire was used to measure it based on subjective ratings by the workers. For analyzing posture, two objective assessment tools were used – rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) to analyze sitting posture and rapid entire body assessment (REBA) for standing posture. The cumulative scores of discomfort for different body parts were measured. The lower back was found to be at the highest risk as compared to other body parts. Female workers had higher score of discomfort (mean = 2.9615, S.D. = 1.3931) as compared to their male counterparts (mean = 1.2693, S.D. = 0.6538). Similarly, standing workers suffered more discomfort (mean = 2.7272, S.D. = 1.3090) as compared to sitting workers (mean = 1.0909, S.D. = 0.3784). No worker received ergonomically acceptable score for both of postural assessment tools. The mean RULA score was 5.25 and mean REBA score was 5. The results of this study necessitate a company-wide ergonomic assessment immediately.

IgE FcεR1β polymorphism and risk of developing chronic spontaneous urticaria: A study in an ethnic Kashmiri population

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria involves interplay between the genetic and environmental factors, most of which is still poorly understood. It is well-recognized that 30-40% of chronic spontaneous urticaria is autoimmune in nature. Chronic autoimmune urticaria is caused by anti-Fc¿R1β and less frequently, by anti-IgE auto antibodies that lead to mast cell and basophil activation, thereby giving rise to the release of histamine and other proinflammatory mediators. We investigated the association between SNP loci in Fc¿R1β and chronic spontaneous urticaria and to see its relation with serum IgE levels in Kashmiri population. METHODS: The autologous serum skin test was used as a screening test for chronic autoimmune urticaria. PCR-RFLP was used to detect the genotype of the SNP loci. Serum IgE levels were assessed by ELISA kit. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the study population and control group in genotype distribution (wild and variant) among Fc¿R1β loci (P value = 0.06, odds ratio = 0.29). The frequency of c¿R1β (C109T) in autologous serum skin test positive chronic autoimmune urticaria patients with the CT genotype was found to be statistically non-significant when compared with the wild genotype (P = 0.35). Carriers of Fc¿R1β (T allele) had a more significant risk of developing CAU than those with C allele (P = 0.01). In our population serum total IgE levels did not find any statistical significance with regard to ASST positive & ASST negative patients (P = 0.26). CONCLUSIONS: There is statistically no significant association between Fc¿R1β gene polymorphism and CSU in Kashmiri population; however, there is a probability of developing CSU in patients carrying Fc¿R1β T allele. Furthermore, serum total IgE levels had no significant association with the development of CAU

No disponible

Distinct pattern of mutations of conserved regions of TP53 in colorectal cancer patients in the Kashmir population: an emerging high-risk area.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. The Kashmir valley, in Northern India, has been described as a high-risk area for colorectal cancer. AIM: The aim was to make a preliminary attempt to study mutations in exons 5-8 (the DNA binding domain) of the tumour suppressor gene TP53 in 42 CRC patients from Kashmir. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 42 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Mutations in exons 5-8 of the TP53 gene were detected by means of single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). All samples that showed different band migration patterns in the SSCP were confirmed by sequencing. RESULTS: The 28 mutations were found in the TP53 gene in 19 patients, comprised 23 substitutions (17 transitions + six transversions), and five insertions. The 23 substitutions represent 18 missense mutations, leading to amino acid substitutions, two nonsense mutations, leading to stop codons, while the remaining three were silent mutations. The five insertions represented frameshifts. Two of 28 mutations (7.14%) have not been previously reported in colon cancer samples and were identified as novel TP53 mutations. Comparison of the mutation profile with other ethnic populations and regions reflected both differences and similarities indicating co-exposure to a unique set of risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Mutation of the TP53 gene is one of the commonest genetic changes in the development of human colorectal cancer. The high frequency of TP53 gene mutations implicates TP53 as a predominant factor for colorectal cancer in the high-risk ethnic Kashmir population.