RESUMEN
Most of South Africa's energy is derived from the combustion of coal in pulverized coal-fired power plants (CFPP). However, when compared with the rest of the world, limited information regarding the main radioactive elements (U and Th) and specific radionuclides of interest (K40, Ra226 and Th232) from South African CFPP is available in the public domain. This paper aims to quantify the U, Th and specific radionuclides found in the coal used in selected South African CFPP in comparison to world averages found in literature. The U and Th concentrations were obtained by ICP-MS. The main radionuclides, K40, Ra226 and Th238, were quantified using gamma spectrometry. The U concentration and Th concentrations for the coal used in all the power plants was above the world average of 1.9 mg/kg and 3.2 mg/kg respectively. The coals with the highest Th content originated from the Mpumalanga power plant, while the U content in the Freestate power plant samples was the highest of the three. The concentrations of the K40 were between 88.43±10.75-110.76±8.92 Bq/kg, which are in-line with world averages of 4-785 Bq/kg. Similarly, the Ra226 and Th232 values were between 21.69±2.83-52.63±4.04 Bq/kg and 19.91±1.24-22.97±1.75 Bq/kg respectively, which are also in line with the world averages of 1-206 Bq/kg and 1-170 Bq/kg respectively. Radiological hazard indices such as radium equivalent (Raeq); external hazard index (Hex) and internal hazard index (Hin), that were estimated from these average radionuclide concentrations were less than the prescribed values found in literature. This indicated that no significant health risk was posed by the coal being used from these coal fields.
Asunto(s)
Carbón Mineral/análisis , Centrales Eléctricas , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Suelo/aislamiento & purificación , Ceniza del Carbón/análisis , Humanos , Dosis de Radiación , Monitoreo de Radiación , Radioisótopos/química , Radioisótopos/aislamiento & purificación , Radio (Elemento)/química , Radio (Elemento)/aislamiento & purificación , Contaminantes Radiactivos del Suelo/química , Sudáfrica , Espectrometría gamma , Torio/química , Torio/aislamiento & purificación , Uranio/química , Uranio/aislamiento & purificaciónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: There is growing awareness of health related quality of life in cerebral palsy patients, though there is paucity of data in determining its relationship with spasticity in cerebral palsy patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between spasticity and health related quality of life in cerebral palsy patients. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey design was employed in this study. A total of fifty individuals with cerebral palsy, males (54%) and females (46%) within the age range of 5 years and 18 years (9.06 +/- 3.38 years) participated in the study. Measurement of spasticity was done by the researcher using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and the parents or primary caregivers of the participants were required to complete the Caregiver Priorities and Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) questionnaire, which is a 37-item questionnaire that collects information on the health related quality of life. Data was analysed separately for each of the six domains of the questionnaire using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation coefficient on SPSS version 17 and the level of significance was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: According to the results, the domains of comfort and emotions with communication and social interaction do not have an influence on spasticity. The results also revealed that there was a significant relationship between spasticity and health related quality of life in cerebral palsy patients (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: Personal care and mobility which are aspects of the health related quality of life should be paid more attention to, as they are negatively affected by spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy.
Asunto(s)
Parálisis Cerebral/fisiopatología , Espasticidad Muscular/psicología , Calidad de Vida , Actividades Cotidianas , Adolescente , Parálisis Cerebral/complicaciones , Parálisis Cerebral/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , Comunicación , Estudios Transversales , Niños con Discapacidad/psicología , Emociones , Femenino , Humanos , Relaciones Interpersonales , Masculino , Limitación de la Movilidad , Espasticidad Muscular/epidemiología , Espasticidad Muscular/etiología , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Factores SexualesRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is considered the treatment of choice for patients with intractable pain and substantial functional disabilities who have not had acceptable relief and functional improvement after conservative treatment. It was found out that patients with total knee arthroplasty need physiotherapy intervention for pre-operative and post-operative management. OBJECTIVES: To take a critical look at the importance of TKA following destruction of the knee joint, its indications and contraindications and to ascertain the current trend involved in the physiotherapy management of TKA. METHODS: The current literature materials on physiotherapy management of TKA was reviewed. RESULTS: The aim of treatment is to maximize functionality and independence and to minimize complication such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism by relieving pain using cryotherapy, improving range of motion with mobilization techniques, muscle strengthening, therapeutic exercise, transfer training, gait training and training of activities of daily living. These are administered as home programme or in organized groups led by a physiotherapist and has been shown to improve outcome related to physical activity after knee joint arthroplasty. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that interventions, including physiotherapy and functional exercises after discharge, is still beneficial after TKA.