Efecto del protocolo de descongelación de semen sobre el porcentaje de preñez en bovinos lecheros

Bernardi, S.F.; Di Prinzio, M.; Maglione, D.; Rinaudo, A.; Marini, P.R.: Efecto del protocolo de descongelación de semen sobre el porcentaje de preñez en bovinos lecheros. Rev. vet. 26: 1, 27-32, 201

Need for psychological support and disability management programs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: Preliminary findings from a hospital-based occupational health surveillance program

Introduction: Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have undoubtedly experienced overwhelming levels of strain associated with social and occupational stressors. This study aimed to investigate the potential psychological effects experienced by hospital workers and HCWs and their associated demographical and occupational characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a public hospital in Rome, Italy, from June 2020 to July 2021. 635 hospital workers (HCWs, administrative and technicians) were enrolled in the study. The “Psychological Injury Risk Indicator” questionnaire was used. Statistical analyses have been made using Student’s T test for categorical binomial variables and analysis of variance for multi-categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was then performed. Results: 30.6% of the sample was at risk for general psychological impairment; reduced energy recovery was found in 48.0% and sleep problems in 44.7% of them. Female workers reported a two-fold risk for potential psychological impairment compared to male colleagues. Nurses presented a three-fold risk while physicians a two-fold risk for the overall score. Additionally, physicians had a four-fold risk to develop a lack of energy recovery and a three-fold risk for chronic fatigue. Technicians showed a significant double risk for sleep problems and chronic fatigue as well as a three-fold risk for reduced energy recovery. Administrative personnel reported a tendency on sleep problems. Interestingly, agile working was a two-fold protecting factor. No-night shifters have a half risk for reporting problems in energy recovery. Discussion and Conclusion: The measure of agile working is effective to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health by protecting and promoting the psychological wellbeing of HCWs during and after the outbreak

Predicting needlestick and sharps injuries in nursing students: Development of the SNNIP scale

Aim: To develop an instrument to investigate knowledge and predictive factors of needlestick and sharps injuries (NSIs) in nursing students during clinical placements. Design: Instrument development and cross-sectional study for psychometric testing. Methods: A self-administered instrument including demographic data, injury epidemiology and predictive factors of NSIs was developed between October 2018–January 2019. Content validity was assessed by a panel of experts. The instrument's factor structure and discriminant validity were explored using principal components analysis. The STROBE guidelines were followed. Results: Evidence of content validity was found (S-CVI 0.75; I-CVI 0.50–1.00). A three-factor structure was shown by exploratory factor analysis. Of the 238 participants, 39% had been injured at least once, of which 67.3% in the second year. Higher perceptions of “personal exposure” (4.06, SD 3.78) were reported by third-year students. Higher scores for “perceived benefits” of preventive behaviours (13.6, SD 1.46) were reported by second-year students

Establishing Zebrafish as a Novel Exercise Model: Swimming Economy, Swimming-Enhanced Growth and Muscle Growth Marker Gene Expression

Zebrafish has been largely accepted as a vertebrate multidisciplinary model but its usefulness as a model for exercise physiology has been hampered by the scarce knowledge on its swimming economy, optimal swimming speeds and cost of transport. Therefore, we have performed individual and group-wise swimming experiments to quantify swimming economy and to demonstrate the exercise effects on growth in adult zebrafish