Occupational health and gorilla conservation in Rwanda

The design and implementation of an employee health program for people who work with mountain gorillas in Rwanda is described. This program aims to improve worker health and to reduce human-to-gorilla transmission of infectious disease. The program covered approximately 111 workers, generally healthy men and women 25-45 years old, including essentially all people in Rwanda who have regular contact with gorillas. Initial assessment included a questionnaire, medical examination, and local tests. U.S. laboratory facilities were utilized to confirm some results and for serologic testing for zoonotic (simian) viruses. Initial interventions included STD/HIV prevention health education, tetanus immunization, and anthelminthic treatment. Local physicians continue to provide health services, including follow-up testing and treatment. Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project (MGVP) veterinarians assist in planning and implementing continuing program components in collaboration with local health authorities and the other employing organizations.     

Detecting West Nile virus in owls and raptors by an antigen-capture assay

We evaluated a rapid antigen-capture assay (VecTest) for detection of West Nile virus in oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs, collected at necropsy from owls (N = 93) and raptors (N = 27). Sensitivity was 93.5%-95.2% for northern owl species but <42.9% for all other species. Specificity was 100% for owls and 85.7% for raptors.     

Knowledge, awareness, and use of the UV index amongst the West Australian public

The ultraviolet (UV) index provides an opportunity to warn people about the degree of hazard that exists on a particular day and subsequently lead to the adoption of sun protective behaviors. While the UV index has been promoted in Australia for some time, little research has been conducted into the understanding and use of the index. As such, a random telephone survey of 501 adults was conducted in December 1999 to gather data into the public's understanding and use of the UV index in Perth, Australia. A high awareness of the UV index existed among the respondents, with 90% indicating they had heard of the term UV index. However, only 5% indicated they had noticed the UV index/forecast for that particular day. The results indicate that a campaign to increase awareness of the UV index by the public is not warranted, but that efforts should be focused on developing tools to communicate behavior change messages linked to the UV index levels. The research was conducted with funding from Healthway, Health Promotion Foundation of Western Australia.     

Hearing health of New South Wales prison inmates

OBJECTIVE: To assess the hearing health of New South Wales prison inmates. METHODS: The method of testing hearing chosen was the rapid click-evoked otoacoustic emissions technique, from which two key variables were evaluated for early status of ear damage. Hearing variables, including hearing history and self-reported symptoms, were incorporated in a multivariate analysis of other health and demographic variables in the prison sample. RESULTS: The analysis shows that the hearing acuity of prisoners is poor compared with the general Australian population. Variables significantly related to the hearing scores were history of hearing problems or having arthritis or diabetes. In this sample hearing did not interact with alcohol or drugs. Those testing positive for Hepatitis B Core-Antibody were also found to have poorer hearing than those without. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Prisoners in general have poorer hearing than a normative Australian population. Some conditions have a significant impact on hearing, which may be due to associated medications. A previous history of ear problems was found to be significantly related to hearing acuity as was a history of exposure to noise. Health screening programs within the correctional system may need to include hearing loss prevention programs and medical follow-ups in relation to hearing health.     

Comparison of self-reported with objectively assessed energy expenditure in black and white women before and after weight loss

BACKGROUND: Weight maintenance is less successful in black women than in white women after weight loss. OBJECTIVE: We compared objectively assessed total energy expenditure (TEE) with estimates of energy expenditure (EE) from self-reported physical activity (PA) in overweight black and white women before and after weight loss. We also compared those values with values in never-overweight control subjects. DESIGN: A total of 20 white and 21 black premenopausal women were evaluated while overweight and weight reduced; 20 white and 14 black control subjects (matched with women in the weight-reduced state) were evaluated once. Weight loss of >/=10 kg was achieved by energy restriction in the overweight subjects. The evaluations were as follows: body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), free-living TEE (doubly labeled water), Tecumseh Occupational Activity Questionnaire, Minnesota Leisure Time PA Questionnaire, and Baecke Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: Questionnaire estimates of TEE were overestimated when compared with TEE (P < 0.001). Overweight women overestimated TEE 49% more than did never-overweight control subjects. After weight loss, white women reduced overestimation of EE 48% (P < 0.05), so that their overestimation of EE was not different from that of black and white control subjects. Black women overestimated to the same extent both before and after weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Premenopausal women overestimate PA estimates on questionnaires. Overestimation of PA in weight-reduced black women is greater than in weight-reduced white women and never-overweight black and white women.     

Anticholinesterases and anticholinergic drugs

Non-depolarizing neuromuscular block is monitored throughoutsurgery and antagonized at the end of anaesthesia to restoremuscle tone rapidly and completely, so that patients can maintaina patent airway and adequate pulmonary ventilation. Rapid, reliableantagonism of competitive neuromuscular block only occurs ifspontaneous recovery from block has commenced before antagonism.The agents commonly used to effect it are the anticholinesterases.By their inhibitory effect on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase,these drugs increase the amount of acetylcholine at the neuromuscularjunction, thus overcoming the effects of any residual neuromuscularblocking agent.