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Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have been documented among various occupational groups in Nigeria. However, there is limited data on the prevalence of WMSDs among call center operators (CCOs).~Background~To determine the prevalence of WMSDs among CCOs in Nigeria and to explore the extent to which these discomforts impact the daily work activities of the respondents.~Objective~374 respondents who were randomly selected from 4 telecommunication companies in Lagos State, Nigeria, participated in this study. They were asked to complete a pre-tested questionnaire designed to capture the prevalence, impact and associated risk factors of WMSDs among CCOs.~Methods~42% and 65.2% of respondents experienced at least one WMSDs in the past 7 days, and 12 months, respectively. Women and CCOs who received calls with hand-held phones rather than headsets reported more discomforts during both 7 days and 12 months periods. Neck, shoulder, upper back, and lower back were the most affected areas during past 7 days and 12 months. Discomforts in the neck, low back, and knees prevented most of the respondents from performing their daily work.~Results~WMSDs have a serious impact on the daily job activities of the CCOs in Nigeria.~Conclusion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elemental composition of human hair obtained from different studies at Surrey University over a period of 25 years has been recorded and forms part of a database, for biological and environmental samples, which is being developed. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), using reactor neutrons, was the principal method employed and from which reported data are presented. Elemental concentrations of Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, F, Fe, Hf, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, V and Zn were obtained and recorded in the database. Chronological variations in two sets of subjects separated by a period of time of 16 years are also given. Variations in the concentration values of some elements related to the state of health and disease were reported for hair samples collected from subjects suffering from manic depression, senile dementia and breast cancer. Concentration values of some elements with relation to the nationality of subjects from Bulgaria, England, Kenya, Nigeria and Wales are presented and compared. This study is part of on-going research in the analysis of biomedical and bioenvironmental materials. The database is still in its infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) system has been employed to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) at diagnosis. The results of the study indicate that even at diagnosis, a significantly reduced bone mineral density measured in terms of the Z-score, was observed in the lumbar spine and whole body of the IBD subjects. This was found to be more pronounced in Crohn's disease than in the ulcerative colitis subjects. Furthermore, the study was extended to investigate the elemental composition of hair of IBD subjects and age matched controls using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The concentrations of 11 elements; Al, Br, Ca, Cl, Cu, I, K, Mg, Mn, Na and V were determined. A significantly reduced concentration of Ca, Cu, K, Mn, and V were observed in the hair of IBD subjects as compared to the control group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]