Porcine malignant hyperthermia. VI: the effects of bilateral adrenalectomy and pretreatment with bretylium on the halothane-induced response

The effects of bilateral adrenalectomy, together with the i.v. administration of bretylium tosylate 20 mg kg-1 on halothane-induced malignant hyperthermia (MH), were investigated in six Pietrain pigs. All six animals survived the halothane challenge, and failed to show any signs of increased muscle metabolism. Bilateral adrenalectomy alone prevented halothane-induced MH in three out of four Pietrain pigs, whereas the i.v. administration of bretylium alone protected only one pig out of an additional four animals studied. The results show that complete adrenergic blockade inhibits the susceptibility of Pietrain skeletal muscle to halothane and that the adrenal medulla makes an important contribution to this response.

Prediction and Control Model of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Instant Noodle Company in Makassar 2020–2050

BACKGROUND: There are many risk factors that result in musculoskeletal disorders because of work. This also occurs in the instant food industry, where apart from manual load handling and repetitive work, the production process can also results in risks. AIM: The aims of this study are to predict the musculoskeletal disorders in the next 50 years and the effectiveness of scenarios for controlling musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS: This study employed Research and Development method through a dynamics system approach. This research was conducted in one of the industries that produce instant food in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The data obtained was based on interviews, which were further analyzed using Interpretative Structural Modeling. RESULTS: Based on the simulation results for 30 years, it was found that there was an increase in the average musculoskeletal disorder incidence by 20.63% per year. At the end of the simulation in 2050, the number of musculoskeletal disorder incidents became 48481.69. In this case, the simulation for 30 years (2020–2050) was conducted on a model of controlling occupational diseases at an instant noodle company in Makassar by providing treatment in the form of reducing risk factors that cause musculoskeletal disorders. Based on the simulation results for 30 years (2020–2050), musculoskeletal disorders have the most significant contribution to the increase of occupational diseases incidents as a whole. The increase in musculoskeletal disorders is an accumulation of several risk factors that exist in the instant noodle production process. CONCLUSIONS: Prediction of the musculoskeletal disorder incidence using a dynamic system approach for 30 years (2020–2050) has increased by an average of 20.63% per year. The behavior of the model after receiving treatment on the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders has an average decrease in the average incidence of 51.11% per year. In this case, to control the musculoskeletal disorder incidence, the elements or variables controlled simultaneously are work posture, lifting load, and length of work.

Betel Quid Use and Tuberculosis Transmission: A Neglected Focus Area for Tuberculosis Control in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Habitual betel quid consumption and spitting contribute to tuberculosis (TB) transmission due to direct exposure to pathogens, immunosuppression, and social contact. Despite betel quid being classified as a group 1 human carcinogen and a high prevalence of betel quid consumption in patients with TB, there exists a knowledge gap in the relationship between quid use and TB, which presents as a neglected opportunity to address the global burden of TB in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding such a knowledge gap is crucial when taking measures at various levels, including research prioritization, behavior change communication, and legislation to address the availability and access of quid products, coupled with community-based interventional strategies. This article thus presents empirical evidence on quid use and its effects on TB spread and identifies feasible, applicable changes required at various levels to curtail the spread of TB among betel quid users.