The perception of psychosocial risks and work-related stress in relation to job insecurity and gender differences: a cross-sectional study

Introduction.The perception of psychosocial risks exposesworkers to developwork-related stress. Recently the attention of scientific research has focused on a psychosocial risk already identified as “job insecurity” that regards the “overall concern about the continued existence of the job in the future” and that also depends onworker’s perception, different for each gender. Aimof the Study. The aim of this cross sectional study is to show if job insecurity, in the formof temporary contracts, can influence the perception of psychosocial risks and therefore increase worker’s vulnerability to work-related stress and how the magnitude of this effect differs between genders. Materials and Methods. 338 administrative technical workers (113 males and 225 females) were administered a questionnaire, enquiring contract typology (permanent or temporary contracts), and the Health Safety Executive questionnaire to assess work-related stress. The Health Safety Executive Analysis Tool software was used to process collected questionnaires and theWilcoxon rank-sum test was used to evaluate the statistical significance of the differences obtained. Results. Workers with temporary contracts obtained lower scores than workers with permanent contracts in all the domains explored by theHealth Safety Executive Analysis questionnaire, statistically significant (P<0,05). The female workers obtained lower scores than male workers in all domains explored by the Health Safety Executive questionnaire. Conclusions. Authors conclude that perception of psychosocial risks can be influenced by job insecurity, in the form of temporary contracts, and increases worker’s vulnerability to work-related stress and differs between genders

Quality of life in workers and stress: gender differences in exposure to psychosocial risks and perceived well-being

Background. Quality of working life is the result of many factors inherent in the workplace environment, especially in terms of exposure to psychosocial risks. Objectives. The purpose of this study is to assess the quality of life with special attention to gender differences. Methods. The HSE-IT questionnaire and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index were administered to a group of workers (74 males and 33 females). The authors also used Cronbach’s alpha test to assess the internal consistency of both questionnaires and the Mann–Whitney test to evaluate the significance of gender differences in both questionnaires. Results. The HSE-IT highlighted the existence of work-related stress in all the population with a critical perception regarding the domain “Relationships.” Furthermore, gender analysis highlighted the presence of two additional domains in the female population: “Demand” ( = 0,002) and “Support from Managers” ( = 0,287). The WHO-5 highlighted a well-being level below the standard cut-off point with a significant gender difference ( = 0.009) for males (18, SD = 6) as compared to females (14, SD = 6,4). Cronbach’s alpha values indicated a high level of internal consistency for both of our scales. Conclusions. The risk assessment of quality of working life should take into due account the individual characteristics of workers, with special attention to gender

Niveles de glicosaminoglicanos en leche como indicador de salubridad mamaria en vacas holstein

La mastitis bovina es la patología con mayor morbilidad y mortalidad dentro de los rodeos lecheros, afectando seriamente a la rentabilidad de los mismos. Tradicionalmente el diagnóstico de las mastitis es el cultivo bacteriológico. Éste insume demasiado tiempo hasta el diagnóstico, por lo cual realizarlo periódicamente para el diagnóstico temprano de los animales afectados sería engorroso. En este trabajo, nos propusimos evaluar los niveles de glicosaminoglicanos totales (GAGs) en animales sanos y con mastitis clínica y subclínica generadas por distintos agentes etiológicos. Se muestrearon 280 vacas de tambos de la Pcia. de Bs. As. Se realizó el TMC, recuento de células somáticas, medición de GAGs por la técnica de DMBB y cultivos bacteriológicos. Los animales sanos (S) son los que menos niveles de GAGs presentan, los animales afectados sublclínicamente (MS) tienen un nivel intermedio y los animales con signología clínica (MC) poseen los mayores niveles. Se observó diferencias significativas entre los grupos S vs MS (p&lt;0,001) y MC vs S y MS (p&lt;0,0001). En el grupo MC se observó que SCN y Streptococcus spp. tuvieron los mayores niveles de GAGs, siendo que el grupo S vs S. aureus y Streptococcus spp presentaron diferencias significativas de p&lt;0,0001, S vs E. coli (p&lt;0,001) y S vs SCN y cultivos negativos (p&lt;0,01). En el grupo MS los mayores niveles de GAGs se encontraron en los animales infectados por S. aureus. S vs S. aureus (p&lt;0,0001), S vs SCN (p&lt;0,001) y S vs Streptococcus spp. (p&lt;0,5). Los GAGs podrían utilizarse como indicadores de sanidad mamaria, porque se mantienen constantes a lo largo del proceso productivo de los animales sanos y ante procesos patológicos leves, como pueden ser las mastitis subclínicas, sus niveles ya se observan alteradosFil: Caggiano, Nicolás. Universidad de Buenos AiresFil: De Simone, Emilio. Universidad de Buenos Aire

Levels of milk glycosaminoglycans in Holstein cows with clinical and subclinical mastitis

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland whose diagnosis is based on clinical criteria and the determination of inflammatory markers. The disease is mainly caused by bacteria causing intra-mammary infections. The etiological agent/s are detected by milk culture or by molecular biology approaches. However, these methodologies are unpractical for on-farm diagnosis, where rapid decisions must be made when infected animals are detected. For this reason, the levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in milk were evaluated as a tool for the diagnosis of mastitis. GAGs levels were determined by the dimethylmethylene blue assay (DMMB) method in milk from healthy animals and in milk from animals with mastitis caused by different etiological agents. Low levels of GAGs (1.93 ± 0.40 mg) were found in milk samples obtained from healthy animals (H), while intermediate (2.4 ± 0.61 mg) and high levels (2.87 ± 0.7 mg) were found in milk obtained from cows with subclinical (SM) and clinical mastitis (CM), respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between the SM and H groups (p < 0.001) and between CM and the other groups (p < 0.0001). The highest levels of GAGs were detected in the CM group, in which coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS) and Streptococcus spp. were isolated. Animals infected by S. aureus had the highest levels of GAGs in the SM group. The sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) for the assessment of GAGs levels for CM diagnosis were 89.7 % and 81.6 %, respectively. For the diagnosis of SM, Se and Sp were 73.2 % and 95 %, respectively. The area under the curve for the diagnosis of CM was 0.902 (p < 0.0001), while that for SM was 0.833 (p < 0.0001). Results suggest that the measurement of GAGs levels in milk can be used as an indicator of udder health in dairy cattle, since increased levels of GAGs were associated with mastitis.Fil: Caggiano, Nicolás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Fisiología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Crespi, Elisa Silvia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Fiorini, Gonzalo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Fisiología Animal; ArgentinaFil: de Simone, Emilio Adrian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Fisiología Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Immunological responses in patients with tuberculosis and in vivo effects of acetyl-L-carnitine oral administration

Tuberculosis (TBC) is characterized by a complex immune response which parallels the clinical course of the disease. In this respect, acquired resistance, delayed hypersensitivity reaction and anergy are the main types of immune reactivity to mycobacterial antigens. In view of the presence of nonspecific and specific immune deficits in TBC patients, a clinical trial was carried out in a group of 20 individuals with active pulmonary TBC by oral administration of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). This drug, which has been shown to possess immunomodulating activities, was able to upregulate the T-dependent antibacterial activity in TBC patients after 30 days' treatment, while the same activity decreased in patients receiving placebo only. On the other hand, ALC did not modify serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-α, in the same individuals. This cytokine plays a detrimental rather than beneficial role in TBC pathogenesis. In the light of these data, ALC seems to be a powerful immunomodulator in the course of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and other mycobacteriosis

Anaesthetics modulate tumour necrosis factor α: effects of L-carnitine supplementation in surgical patients. Preliminary results.

Both anaesthetics and surgical trauma could strongly affect the production of tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα). During in vitro experiments the authors found that anaesthetics modulate the production of TNFα by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Notably, Pentothal strongly increased the production of the cytokine as compared to both lipopolysacchride treated and control mononuclear cells, whereas in supernatants from Leptofen driven mononuclear cells TNFα was strongly reduced. On the other hand, Pavulon did not significantly affect the cytokine production. In the in vivo study, in an attempt to ameliorate the metabolic response to surgical trauma, L-carnitine was administered to 20 surgical patients, then the circulating TNFα was measured. The results indicate that the levels of circulating TNFα were strongly increased following surgery and that L-carnitine administration resulted in a strong reduction of TNFα. Thus, the data suggest that L-carnitine could be helpful in protecting surgical patients against dysmetabolism dependent on dysregulated production of TNFα

Caracterización de IgM, IgG Total, IgG1 y anticuerpos de cadena pesada en calostro de llamas ("Lama glama") mediante Elisa

Objectives: to determine the levels of IgM, total IgG, IgG1 and HCAbs (IgG2 and IgG3) in colostra of llamas and to evaluate the concentration of HCAbs in relation to total IgG and the conventional isotype IgG1. Methods: Fifteen pregnant llamas were used in this study, which were milked within the first 24 hours after delivery. Sandwich ELISAs were designed for the quantification of IgM, total IgG and IgG1. The HCAbs concentration was calculated by difference between total IgG and IgG1 (HCAbs = total IgG – IgG1). Results: The levels of Igs were found to be: IgM= 17.02 mg/ml (SD= 9.85), total IgG= 42.54mg/ml (SD=27.79), IgG1=24.34mg/ml (SD=13.96) and HCAbs (IgGtotal-IgG1) = 18.19 mg/ml (SD=15.49). Results regarding total IgG are consistent with those described in other species with similar type of placentation. HCAbs represented 43% of colostral IgG and IgM concentration presented values that were much higher (two and three times respectively) than those described for species with similar type of placentation. Conclusions: This study is the first which evaluate amounts of each immunoglobulin isotype in colostra of llamas. We described a higher value of IgM in in comparison with species with similar placentation type. The IgG1 isotype, which represents the conventional isotype, is the more abundant antibody in colostra, being the HCAbs the second important fraction. This information may be useful in the management of neonates with failures in the transference of maternal passive immunity by colostra.Objetivos: determinar los niveles de IgM, IgG total y Anticuerpos de Cadena Pesada (HCAbs; por su sigla en inglés Heavy Chain Antibodies) (IgG2 e IgG3) en calostro de llamas y evaluar la concentración de HCAbs en relación a la IgG total y al isotipo convencional IgG1. Métodos: en este estudio se utilizaron 15 llamas preñadas, que fueron ordeñadas dentro de las primeras 24 horas post-parto. Se diseñaron ELISAs Sandwich para la cuantificación de IgM total, IgG total e IgG1. La concentración de HCAbs fue calculada mediante la diferencia entre IgG total e IgG1. (HCAbs =IgG total-IgG1). Resultados: los niveles encontrados fueron: IgM=17.02 mg/ml (DS=9.85) IgG total= 42.54 mg/ml (DS=27.79), IgG1=24.34 mg/ml (DS=13.96) y HCAbs (IgG total-IgG1)= 18.19 mg/ml (DS=15.49). Los resultados de IgG fueron consistentes en relación a lo descripto en otras especies con similar tipo de placentación. Los HCAbs representan el 43% de IgG calostral y la concentración de IgM presentó valores muy altos (dos y tres veces más elevados) que los descriptos en las especies con similar tipo de placentación

Variación del nivel de citoquinas en líquido sinovial de equinos con enfermedad articular tratados con bisfosfonatos

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint diseases in sport horses and is also cause of great economic losses associated. Early diagnosis of this disease, which sometimes is not feasible with radiographic studies, brings the possibility of early treatment in order to avoid greater commitment of underlying subchondral bone. While related cytokines play a physiological role in normal arthicular bone remodeling their increase may be considered pathological. This study postulates the determination of osteoarthicular cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1 β, IL-6, IL-4), as early diagnosis of osteoarthritis as well as for the evaluation of pamidronate, an aminobisphosphonates of second generation, post treatment OA evolution. We divided the animals in three groups that were classified according to the presence or not of joint disease and also considering degree of activity of OA and treatment response with bisphosphonates. As can be observed, the cytokines levels were elevated during active joint disease, and decreased after bisphosphonates treatment.La Osteoartritis es una de las artropatías más frecuentes en los equinos deportivos y es causa de grandes pérdidas económicas asociadas. El diagnóstico precoz de esta enfermedad, que en ocasiones no es factible con estudios radiográficos, deviene en la posibilidad de realizar un tratamiento temprano con el objeto de evitar mayor compromiso del hueso subcondral subyacente. Si bien ciertas citoquinas cumplen un rol fisiológico en el normal remodelado óseo y articular su incremento puede ser considerado patológico. En este estudio se postula el uso de la determinación de citoquinas de origen osteoarticular (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4), para el diagnóstico de la osteoartritis así como para la evaluación de su evolución post tratamiento con pamidronato, aminobisfosfonato de segunda generación. Se trabajó con tres grupos de equinos de distintas edades, mayores de 4 años, clasificados según la presencia o no de enfermedad articular y el grado de actividad de la misma, para luego evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento con bisfosfonatos en los casos de enfermedad articular. Como pudo observarse, los niveles de citoquinas se encontraron elevados durante la enfermedad articular activa y las mismas disminuyeron su concentración post tratamiento con el bisfosfonato utilizado

Characterization of IgM, total IgG, igG1 and hcabs in colostra of llamas (Lama glama) by Elisa

Objetivos: determinar los niveles de IgM, IgG total y Anticuerpos de Cadena Pesada (HCAbs; por su sigla en inglés Heavy Chain Antibodies) (IgG2 e IgG3) en calostro de llamas y evaluar la concentración de HCAbs en relación a la IgG total y al isotipo convencional IgG1. Métodos: en este estudio se utilizaron 15 llamas preñadas, que fueron ordeñadas dentro de las primeras 24 horas post-parto. Se diseñaron ELISAs Sandwich para la cuantificación de IgM total, IgG total e IgG1. La concentración de HCAbs fue calculada mediante la diferencia entre IgG total e IgG1. (HCAbs =IgG total-IgG1). Resultados: los niveles encontrados fueron: IgM=17.02 mg/ml (DS=9.85) IgG total= 42.54 mg/ml (DS=27.79), IgG1=24.34 mg/ml (DS=13.96) y HCAbs (IgG total-IgG1)= 18.19 mg/ml (DS=15.49). Los resultados de IgG fueron consistentes en relación a lo descripto en otras especies con similar tipo de placentación. Los HCAbs representan el 43% de IgG calostral y la concentración de IgM presentó valores muy altos (dos y tres veces más elevados) que los descriptos en las especies con similar tipo de placentación.Fil: Caggiano, Nicolás. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Saccodossi, Natalia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; ArgentinaFil: Gentile, Maria Teresa. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; ArgentinaFil: Chiappe Barbará, María Angelina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Leoni, Juliana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; ArgentinaFil: de Simone, Emilio Adrian. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral "Profesor R. A. Margni"; Argentin

Određivanje referentnih vrijednosti citokina i metaloproteinaza matriksa u sinovijalnoj tekućini konja različite dobi

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in sport horses. Inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in the degradation of the cartilage extracellular matrix. The study of inflammatory molecular biomarkers could be useful in the diagnosis and choice of therapeutic strategies. However, little is known about the normal values of inflammatory biomarkers at different ages. Moreover, early diagnosis of OA is crucial to ensure early treatment in order to prevent chronic damage. The aim of this study was to establish a reference range for values of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-α) and MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9) in the synovial fluid of horses of different ages. The old horses group presented higher values of IL-4 and TNF-α than the rest of the groups studied (P<0.001 vs. all other groups). IL-1β levels were higher in foals than in all the other groups (P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups as regards the mean IL-6 values. Synovial MMP-2 levels were statistically lower in the old horses group (P<0.001) and higher in the foals group (P<0.05). Higher MMP-9 levels were found in the foals group (55.45 ± 58.1 percentage of proteolysis) (P<0.001 vs. all other groups). This study demonstrates the existence of variations in the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in the synovial fluid of horses at different agesOsteoartritis (OA) je najčešća bolest zglobova u sportskih konja. Upalni i protuupalni citokini te metaloproteinaze (MMP) imaju ključnu ulogu u degradaciji izvanstaničnog matriksa hrskavice. Istraživanje molekularnih biomarkera upale moglo bi biti korisno u dijagnostici i izboru strategija za liječenje. No, malo se zna o normalnim vrijednostima upalnih biomarkera u različitoj dobi. Štoviše, rana dijagnoza OA ključna je za osiguranje ranog liječenja, kako bi se spriječilo kronično oštećenje. Cilj ovoga rada bio je utvrditi referentni raspon vrijednosti proupalnih citokina (IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6 i TNF-a) i MMP-a (MMP-2 i MMP-9) u sinovijalnoj tekućini konja različite dobi. Skupina starih konja pokazala je veće vrijednosti IL-4 i TNF-α od ostalih istraženih skupina (P<0,001 u odnosu na sve ostale skupine). Razina IL-1β bila je viša u ždrebadi nego u svim ostalim skupinama (P<0,001). Nije bilo statistički značajne razlike među skupinama u odnosu na prosječne vrijednosti IL-6. Razina MMP-2 u sinoviji bila je statistički niža u skupini starih konja (P<0,001) i više u skupini ždrebadi (P<0,05). Visoke razine MMP-9 pronađene su u skupini ždrebadi (55,45 ± 58,1 % proteolize) (P<0,001 u odnosu na sve ostale skupine). Ovaj rad pokazuje postojanje varijacija u razinama proupalnih markera u sinovijalnoj tekućini konja različite dobi