Human factors in chemical containment laboratory design

A human factors engineering analysis of a chemical containment laboratory was performed to develop appropriate standards for future laboratory design. In order to perform this evaluation, a state-of-the-art facility was studied in depth. Measurements and observations were made of key operating areas. In addition, technicians were observed and interviewed as they performed various tasks. Compiled data were compared to existing ergonomic standards. The occupational implications of instituting ergonomically developed laboratory design standards are as follows: increased worker health, safety and productivity, improved work quality and reduced stress.     

Missed opportunities for participation in prevention of mother to child transmission programmes: Simplicity of nevirapine does not necessarily lead to optimal uptake, a qualitative study

Background  

The objective of this study was to examine missed opportunities for participation in a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme in three sites in South Africa. A rapid anthropological assessment was used to collect in-depth data from 58 HIV-positive women who were enrolled in a larger cohort study to assess mother-to-child HIV transmission. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the women in order to gain an understanding of their experiences of antenatal care and to identify missed opportunities for participation in PMTCT.     

Periocular anaesthesia: technique, effectiveness and complications with special reference to postoperative ptosis

The effectiveness of periocular anaesthesia and its complications were examined in 100 successive cataract operations. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the duration of ocular compression with an Autopressor device after administration of periocular anaesthesia. In the control group, no compression was used (C-O, n = 36 patients). In the other two groups, compression was used for 10 (C-10, n = 32) and for 20 (C-20, n = 32) min. No differences in globe or orbicular akinesia were found between the groups. At 10 min, immobilisation of the globe in different directions was attained in 60.1-84.5% of the patients. Compression for an additional 10 min did not significantly improve the akinesia. In contrast, the hitherto undescribed loss of light perception increased with time: 15 patients at 10 min and 22 at 20 min were unable to see light. Chemosis and haematomas in the upper eyelid occurred more often in C-0 than in the other 2 groups. One day postoperatively the average palpebral aperture was smaller in C-0 than in the other two groups. The frequent postoperative ptosis (74.3% on the 1st day) decreased rapidly, but on postoperative day 7, 9 patients still had ptosis. In only one patient was ptosis still recognizable at 6 weeks postoperatively. No serious complications occurred. This study demonstrates that periocular anaesthesia with ocular compression is a suitable method for cataract surgery.     

The growth and development of Echinococcus granulosus of sheep origin in dogs and foxes in Britain

Four separate experiments were carried out by dosing dogs (Beagles and Border collies) and red foxes with protoscoleces obtained from hydatid cysts in sheep from mid-Wales. The dogs and foxes were killed at intervals over a period from 34-180 days after infection and the intestines were examined for Echinococcus granulosus. Border collie dogs were efficient hosts in that large numbers of worms developed, with gravid segments present by 55 days after infection; but Beagle dogs were poor hosts in that only small numbers of immature worms developed. Foxes were poor hosts in that few or no worms developed, but gravid segments were seen in three of 29 foxes. The worms showed morphological features similar to the 'sheep' rather than the 'horse' strain.