Voluntary work and civic engagement as a solution for future labour market problems?

Embora a Europa esteja em vias de ter de se confrontar com uma mudança demográfica de dimensões dramáticas, há poucas esperanças de se encontrarem soluções para os sérios problemas do desemprego e do abrandamento do mercado de trabalho nas próximas décadas. Nos últimos anos, tem-se vindo a discutir o crescimento do «terceiro sector» e, mais concretamente, de formas de voluntariado como alternativas para aqueles que não conseguem encontrar trabalho remunerado no mercado de trabalho. Para além de poderem ser a «resposta» para os problemas de desemprego, estas estratégias prometem ter efeitos positivos no desenvolvimento do capital social, na coesão social e - por último mas não menos importante - reivindicam efeitos benéficos nas contas públicas. A minha comunicação vai no sentido de analisar se esta é uma posição realista do ponto de vista da sociedade de hoje. Já há alguns indícios de uma crescente, embora ainda diminuta, «clientela» a favor de uma opção política virada para a sociedade civil como resposta para os problemas do mercado de trabalho. Contudo, para a grande maioria, tais compromissos não constituem alternativa ao trabalho remunerado

Was ist gute Arbeit? Anforderungen an den Berufseinstieg aus Sicht der jungen Generation ; Ergebnisse einer repräsentativen Befragung von Berufseinsteigern im Alter zwischen 18 und 34 Jahren mit abgeschlossener Berufsausbildung im Auftrag der Bundesanstalt für Arbeitsschutz und Arbeitsmedizin (BAuA) und dem Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)

Im Zentrum der repräsentativen Befragung "Anforderungen an den Berufseinstieg aus Sicht der jungen Generation" stehen junge Menschen im Alter zwischen 18 und 34 Jahren, die mindestens eine abgeschlossene Berufsausbildung vorweisen können. Laut Mikrozensus (2005) handelt es sich bei dieser Gruppe von ausgebildeten jungen Erwerbspersonen um ca. 9,77 Mio. Personen. Die Untersuchung beleuchtet retrospektiv den Übergang an der zweiten Schwelle, d.h. den Übergang nach Abschluss einer Ausbildung oder eines Studiums ins Erwerbsleben. Dabei lag der Forschungsfokus unter anderem auf folgenden Fragen: (1) Mit welcher Art von Beschäftigungsverhältnis oder Praktika werden ausgebildete Berufseinsteiger konfrontiert? (2) Welche Erfahrungen machen ausgebildete Berufseinsteiger in den verschiedenen Beschäftigungsverhältnissen und wie bewerten sie diese? (3) Wie häufig wurde der Berufseinstieg durch Arbeitslosigkeitsphasen unterbrochen? (4) Wie häufig zeigen sich relativ "glatte" Übergänge in ein unbefristetes Vollzeitarbeitsverhältnis (ein so genanntes Normalarbeitsverhältnis)? (5) Wie wird der Berufseinstieg rückblickend insgesamt beurteilt und welche Anregungen und Anforderungen werden formuliert? Es wird deutlich, dass neben Praktika Leiharbeit, Teilzeit, befristete Tätigkeiten und Arbeitslosigkeit als Stationen beim Berufseinstieg weit verbreitet sind. Von allen Befragten, die nach ihrer Ausbildung mindestens einmal erwerbstätig waren, haben 10 Prozent als Leiharbeiter gearbeitet, 32 Prozent waren befristet beschäftigt, 21 Prozent in Teilzeit (unbefristet) und 37 Prozent haben Phasen der Arbeitslosigkeit erlebt. (ICD2

Absence of Adiponutrin (PNPLA3) and Monoacylglycerol Lipase Synergistically Increases Weight Gain and Aggravates Steatohepatitis in Mice

Altered lipid metabolic pathways including hydrolysis of triglycerides are key players in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Whether adiponutrin (patatin-like phospholipase domain containing protein-3-PNPLA3) and monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) synergistically contribute to disease progression remains unclear. We generated double knockout (DKO) mice lacking both Mgl and Pnpla3; DKO mice were compared to Mgl-/- after a challenge by high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce steatosis. Serum biochemistry, liver transaminases as well as histology were analyzed. Fatty acid (FA) profiling was assessed in liver and adipose tissue by gas chromatography. Markers of inflammation and lipid metabolism were analyzed. Bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) were isolated and treated with oleic acid. Combined deficiency of Mgl and Pnpla3 resulted in weight gain on a chow diet; when challenged by HFD, DKO mice showed increased hepatic FA synthesis and diminished beta-oxidation compared to Mgl-/-.DKO mice exhibited more pronounced hepatic steatosis with inflammation and recruitment of immune cells to the liver associated with accumulation of saturated FAs. Primary BMDMs isolated from the DKO mice showed increased inflammatory activities, which could be reversed by oleic acid supplementation. Pnpla3 deficiency aggravates the effects of Mgl deletion on steatosis and inflammation in the liver under HFD challenge

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF PLASTER BANDAGES

Fizikalna svojstva sadrenih zavoja bitan su čimbenik u ostvarenju osnovne funkcije sadrenih imobilizacija (zadržavanje ulomaka kosti u dobrom položaju), a time izravno utječu na brzinu i kvalitetu cijeljenja prijeloma. U ovom radu mjere se fizikalna svojstva (masa, specifična težina, brzina sušenja, krutost i čvrstoća) i bilježe razlike sadrenog ­postupka, brzovežućih sadrenih zavoja širine 10 cm triju različitih proizvođača: Safix plus (Hartmann, Njemačka), Cellona (Lohman Rauscher, Austrija) i Gipsan (Ivo Lola Ribar d. o. o., Hrvatska). Sadreno je deset slojeva zavoja u pločice dimenzija 10 × 10 cm. Od svakog proizvoda načinjene su 24 pločice sadrene u vodi temperature 22 °C i isto toliko u vodi temperature 34 °C. Prosječna specifična težina originalnog pakiranja zavoja bila je: Cellona 0,52 g/cm3, Gipsan 0,50 g/cm3, Safix plus 0,38 g/cm3. Tri dana nakon sadrenja prosječna specifična težina pločica bila je: Gipsan 1,15 g/cm3, Safix plus 1,00 g/cm3, Cellona 1,10 g/cm3. Prosječna vlažnost od 50% pločicâ Safix i Cellona trajala je 18 sati, a pločicâ Gipsan 48 sati nakon sadrenja. Treći dan nakon sadrenja prosječna vlažnost pločica Gipsan bila je 30%, Safixa 24%, a Cellone 16%. Najveću krutost imale su pločice sadrenog zavoja Cellona sadrene vodom temperature 34 °C (11,75 ± 3,18 MPa), a najma­nju (7,21 ± 0,9 MPa) pločice sadrenog zavoja Gipsan sadrene vodom temperature 22 °C. Sadreni zavoj Cellona, sadren vodom temperature 34 °C, pokazuje najveću čvrstoću materijala (4390 ± 838 MPa), a najmanju (771 ± 367 MPa) pločice sadrenog zavoja Gipsan sadrene vodom temperature 22 °C. Sadrenjem zavoja Cellona i Gipsan u toplijoj vodi (34 °C) pločice su bile veće krutosti i čvrstoće. Pločice Safix plus nemaju ovo svojstvo. Sve tri vrste sadrenih zavoja razlikuju se prema fizikalnim svojstvima. S obzirom na masu i specifičnu težinu prije i nakon sadrenja razlike su minimalne. Prema brzini sušenja, čvrstoći i krutosti postoje veće razlike.The physical properties of plaster bandages are a very important factor in achieving the basic functions of ­immobilization (maintaining bone fragments in the best possible position), which directly affects the speed and quality of fracture healing. This paper compares the differences between the physical properties of plaster bandages (mass, specific weight, drying rate, elasticity and strength) and records the differences in plaster modeling of fast bonding 10 cm wide plaster bandages, from three different manufacturers: Safix plus (Hartmann, Germany), Cellona (Lohman Rauscher, Austria) and Gipsan (Ivo Lola Ribar ltd., Croatia). Plaster tiles from ten layers of plaster, dimension 10 x 10 cm were made. The total number of tiles from each manufacturer was 48. The water temperature of 22 °C was used for the first 24 tiles and 34 °C was used for the remainder. The average specific weight of the original packaging was: Cellona (0.52 g/cm3), Gipsan (0.50 g/cm3), Safix plus (0.38 g / cm3). Three days after plaster tile modeling an average specific weight of the tiles was: Gipsan (1.15 g/cm3), Safix plus (1.00 g/cm3), Cellona (1.10 g/cm3). The average humidity of 50% for Safix plus and ­Cellona plaster tiles was recorded 18 hours after modeling, while for the Gipsan plaster tiles, this humidity value was seen after 48 hours. On the third day after plaster modeling the average humidity of the plaster tiles was 30% for Gipsan, 24% for Safix and 16% for Cellona. Cellona plaster tiles made with 34 °C water achieved the highest elasticity (11.75±3.18 MPa), and Gipsan plaster tiles made with 22 °C had the lowest (7.21±0.9 MPa). Cellona plaster tiles made with 34 °C water showed maximum material strength (4390±838 MPa), and Gipsan plaster tiles made with 22 °C water showed the lowest material strength (771±367 MPa). The rigidity and strength of Cellona and Gipsan plaster are higher in tiles made in warmer water, and for Safix plus are higher in tiles made in cooler water. All three types of plaster differentiate in physical properties. The differences in mass and specific weight before and after plaster modeling are minimal. There are greater differences in ­drying rate, elasticity and strength between the three different plaster material

Monoacylglycerol Lipase Inhibition Protects From Liver Injury in Mouse Models of Sclerosing Cholangitis

Background and Aims Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) is the last enzymatic step in triglyceride degradation, hydrolyzing monoglycerides into glycerol and fatty acids (FAs) and converting 2-arachidonoylglycerol into arachidonic acid, thus providing ligands for nuclear receptors as key regulators of hepatic bile acid (BA)/lipid metabolism and inflammation. We aimed to explore the role of MGL in the development of cholestatic liver and bile duct injury in mouse models of sclerosing cholangitis, a disease so far lacking effective pharmacological therapy. Approach and Results To this aim we analyzed the effects of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) feeding to induce sclerosing cholangitis in wild-type (WT) and knockout (MGL(-/-)) mice and tested pharmacological inhibition with JZL184 in the multidrug resistance protein 2 knockout (Mdr2(-/-)) mouse model of sclerosing cholangitis. Cholestatic liver injury and fibrosis were assessed by serum biochemistry, liver histology, gene expression, and western blot characterization of BA and FA synthesis/transport. Moreover, intestinal FAs and fecal microbiome were analyzed. Transfection and silencing were performed in Caco2 cells. MGL(-/-) mice were protected from DDC-induced biliary fibrosis and inflammation with reduced serum liver enzymes and increased FA/BA metabolism and beta-oxidation. Notably, pharmacological (JZL184) inhibition of MGL ameliorated cholestatic injury in DDC-fed WT mice and protected Mdr2(-/-) mice from spontaneous liver injury, with improved liver enzymes, inflammation, and biliary fibrosis. In vitro experiments confirmed that silencing of MGL decreases prostaglandin E-2 accumulation in the intestine and up-regulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha and gamma activity, thus reducing inflammation. Conclusions Collectively, our study unravels MGL as a metabolic target, demonstrating that MGL inhibition may be considered as potential therapy for sclerosing cholangitis

Hepatocyte-specific deletion of adipose triglyceride lipase (adipose triglyceride lipase/patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2) ameliorates dietary induced steatohepatitis in mice

Background and Aims: Increased fatty acid (FA) flux from adipose tissue to the liver contributes to the development of NAFLD. Because free FAs are key lipotoxic triggers accelerating disease progression, inhibiting adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL)/patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2 (PNPLA2), the main enzyme driving lipolysis, may attenuate steatohepatitis. Approach and Results: Hepatocyte-specific ATGL knockout (ATGL LKO) mice were challenged with methionine-choline–deficient (MCD) or high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet. Serum biochemistry, hepatic lipid content and liver histology were assessed. Mechanistically, hepatic gene and protein expression of lipid metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, apoptosis, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers were investigated. DNA binding activity for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α and PPARδ was measured. After short hairpin RNA–mediated ATGL knockdown, HepG2 cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or oleic acid:palmitic acid 2:1 (OP21) to explore the direct role of ATGL in inflammation in vitro. On MCD and HFHC challenge, ATGL LKO mice showed reduced PPARα and increased PPARδ DNA binding activity when compared with challenged wild-type (WT) mice. Despite histologically and biochemically pronounced hepatic steatosis, dietary-challenged ATGL LKO mice showed lower hepatic inflammation, reflected by the reduced number of Galectin3/MAC-2 and myeloperoxidase-positive cells and low mRNA expression levels of inflammatory markers (such as IL-1β and F4/80) when compared with WT mice. In line with this, protein levels of the ER stress markers protein kinase R–like endoplasmic reticulum kinase and inositol-requiring enzyme 1α were reduced in ATGL LKO mice fed with MCD diet. Accordingly, pretreatment of LPS-treated HepG2 cells with the PPARδ agonist GW0742 suppressed mRNA expression of inflammatory markers. Additionally, ATGL knockdown in HepG2 cells attenuated LPS/OP21-induced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 5, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (Ccl) 2, and Ccl5. Conclusions: Low hepatic lipolysis and increased PPARδ activity in ATGL/PNPLA2 deficiency may counteract hepatic inflammation and ER stress despite increased steatosis. Therefore, lowering hepatocyte lipolysis through ATGL inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of steatohepatitis

Fizikalna svojstva sadrenih zavoja [Physical properties of plaster bandages]

The physical properties of plaster bandages are a very important factor in achieving the basic functions of immobilization (maintaining bone fragments in the best possible position), which directly affects the speed and quality of fracture healing. This paper compares the differences between the physical properties of plaster bandages (mass, specific weight, drying rate, elasticity and strength) and records the differences in plaster modeling of fast bonding 10 cm wide plaster bandages, from three different manufacturers: Safix plus (Hartmann, Germany), Cellona (Lohman Rauscher, Austria) and Gipsan (Ivo Lola Ribar ltd., Croatia). Plaster tiles from ten layers of plaster, dimension 10 x 10 cm were made. The total number of tiles from each manufacturer was 48. The water temperature of 22 °C was used for the first 24 tiles and 34 'C was used for the remainder. The average specific weight of the original packaging was: Cellona (0.52 g/cm3), Gipsan (0.50 g/cm3), Safix plus (0.38 g/cm3). Three days after plaster tile modeling an average specific weight of the tiles was: Gipsan (1.15 g/cm3), Safix plus (1.00 g/cm3), Cellona (1.10 g/cm3). The average humidity of 50% for Safix plus and Cellona plaster tiles was recorded 18 hours after modeling, while for the Gipsan plaster tiles, this humidity value was seen after 48 hours. On the third day after plaster modeling the average humidity of the plaster tiles was 30% for Gipsan, 24% for Safix and 16% for Cellona. Cellona plaster tiles made with 34 °C water achieved the highest elasticity (11.75±3.18 MPa), and Gipsan plaster tiles made with 22 °C had the lowest (7.21±0.9 MPa). Cellona plaster tiles made with 34 °C water showed maximum material strength (4390±838 MPa), and Gipsan plaster tiles made with 22 °C water showed the lowest material strength (771±367 MPa). The rigidity and strength of Cellona and Gipsan plaster are higher in tiles made in warmer water, and for Safix plus are higher in tiles made in cooler water. All three types of plaster differentiate in physical properties. The differences in mass and specific weight before and after plaster modeling are minimal. There are greater differences in drying rate, elasticity and strength between the three different plaster materials

EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS OF PLASTER IMMOBILIZATION – ANALYSIS OF THREE KINDS OF PLASTER BANDAGES

Egzotermna reakcija sadre iznimno je važno svojstvo koje treba poznavati s obzirom na komplikacije što mogu nastati zbog povišenja temperature u tijeku sadrenja. Razvoj komplikacija izravno utječe na tijek, duljinu i kvalitetu liječenja. U ovom radu bilježe se temperature površine sadrenih pripravaka veličine 10 × 10 cm, brzovežućim sadrenim zavojem širine 10 cm, triju različitih proizvođača: Safix plus (Hartmann, Njemačka), Cellona (Lohmann & Rauscher, Austrija) i Gipsan (Ivo Lola Ribar d. o. o., Hrvatska). Priređene su tri debljine sadrenih pločica (10, 15 i 30 slojeva). Sadrenje je načinjeno u vodi temperature 22 i 34 °C. Unatoč sličnom obrascu ponašanja svih triju sadrenih zavoja izmjerene su razlike. Sve tri vrste sadrenih zavoja koji se rabe u Hrvatskoj u standardnim uvjetima sadrenja imaju nisku razinu egzotermne reakcije, a prosječne su površne temperature niske te nema potencijalne opasnosti od opeklinskih ozljeda. Ako se sadrenje obavljalo u vodi temperature 34 °C, najviše srednje temperature zabilježene su na pločicama (u 15 slojeva) sadrenog zavoja Gipsan (46,2 °C), zatim Cellone (41,3 °C) i Safixa plus (38,9 °C). Pri istoj temperaturi vode sadrenja najviša srednja temperatura izmjerena je na površini pločice (30 slojeva) sadrenog zavoja Gipsan (48,4 °C), zatim Cellone (45,4 °C), a najniža kod pločica sadrenog zavoja Safix plus (41,7 °C). Kada se rabe u debljini od 15 do 30 slojeva, a sadre se vodom temperature 34 °C, sadrene pločice svih proizvođača razvijaju srednje temperature više od 40 °C, u trajanju od 8 do 12 minuta. Od ispitivanih sadrenih zavoja Gipsan (Ivo Lola Ribar d. o. o., Hrvatska) razvijao je najviše temperature, a neke pločice bile su ugrijane na 50 °C. Razine egzotermnih reakcija ispitivanih sadrenih zavoja međusobno se razlikuju prema svim ispitivanim uvjetima, posebice pri sadrenju vodom temperature 34 °C.Exothermic reaction of plaster is a very important characteristic to understand, especially when it comes to complications which can occur during local temperature change during molding plaster of Paris. And these complications directly influence the speed and quality of treatment. In this paper we measured temperatures of plaster bandage tiles 10×10 cm, from three different manufacturers in Croatian hospitals: Safix plus (Hartmann, Germany), Cellona (Lohmann &Rauscher, Austria) and Gipsan ( Ivo Lola Ribar, Croatia). We made three different plaster tiles 10×10 cm, from 10, 15 and 30 layers of plaster bandages. We immersed plaster tiles in two different water temperatures, one group in water 22 °C, and another in 34 °C. Although all plaster bandages have similar chemical characteristics, we have measured some differences. All three kinds of plaster bandages used in Croatia have low exothermic reaction when plaster molding is done in standard conditions, average local temperature is low and there is no danger of local burns. We immersed a plaster tile with 15 layers in water on 34° C, and highest average temperature was measured at Gipsan (46.2 °C), then Cellona (41.3 °C) and Safix plus (38.9 °C). On the same water immersion temperature, on plaster tile with 30 layers average temperatures were Gipsan (48.4°C), Cellona (45.4 °C), and lowest in Safix plus (41.3 °C). Plaster tiles form all manufacturers, when used 15-30 layers thick, and water immersion temperature is 34°C, develop average temperature over 40°C, in duration from 8-12 minutes. Between three different plaster bandages analyzed, Gipsan (Ivo Lola Ribar, Croatia) developed highest temperature, and some plaster tiles were measured over 50 °C

Hepatocyte specific expression of an oncogenic variant of β-catenin results in cholestatic liver disease

[Background] The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a crucial role in embryonic development, tissue homeostasis, wound healing and malignant transformation in different organs including the liver. The consequences of continuous β-catenin signaling in hepatocytes remain elusive. [Results] Livers of Ctnnb1CA hep mice were characterized by disturbed liver architecture, proliferating cholangiocytes and biliary type of fibrosis. Serum ALT and bile acid levels were significantly increased in Ctnnb1CA hep mice. The primary bile acid synthesis enzyme Cyp7a1 was increased whereas Cyp27 and Cyp8b1 were reduced in Ctnnb1CA hep mice. Expression of compensatory bile acid transporters including Abcb1, Abcb4, Abcc2 and Abcc4 were significantly increased in Ctnnb1CA hep mice while Ntcp was reduced. Accompanying changes of bile acid transporters favoring excretion of bile acids were observed in intestine and kidneys of Ctnnb1CA hep mice. Additionally, disturbed bile acid regulation through the FXR-FGF15-FGFR4 pathway was observed in mice with activated β-catenin. [Materials and Methods] Mice with a loxP-flanked exon 3 of the Ctnnb1 gene were crossed to Albumin-Cre mice to obtain mice with hepatocyte-specific expression of a dominant stable form of β-catenin (Ctnnb1CA hep mice). Ctnnb1CA hep mice were analyzed by histology, serum biochemistry and mRNA profiling. [Conclusion] Expression of a dominant stable form of β-catenin in hepatocytes results in severe cholestasis and biliary type fibrosis