Reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure among outdoor workers: State of the evidence and recommendations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Outdoor workers have high levels of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the associated increased risk of skin cancer. This paper describes a review of: 1) descriptive data about outdoor workers' sun exposure and protection and related knowledge, attitudes, and policies and 2) evidence about the effectiveness of skin cancer prevention interventions in outdoor workplaces.</p> <p>Data sources</p> <p>Systematic evidence-based review.</p> <p>Data synthesis</p> <p>We found variable preventive practices, with men more likely to wear hats and protective clothing and women more likely to use sunscreen. Few data document education and prevention policies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Reports of interventions to promote sun-safe practices and environments provide encouraging results, but yield insufficient evidence to recommend current strategies as effective. Additional efforts should focus on increasing sun protection policies and education programs in workplaces and evaluating whether they improve the health behavior of outdoor workers.</p

The Airborne Metagenome in an Indoor Urban Environment

The indoor atmosphere is an ecological unit that impacts on public health. To investigate the composition of organisms in this space, we applied culture-independent approaches to microbes harvested from the air of two densely populated urban buildings, from which we analyzed 80 megabases genomic DNA sequence and 6000 16S rDNA clones. The air microbiota is primarily bacteria, including potential opportunistic pathogens commonly isolated from human-inhabited environments such as hospitals, but none of the data contain matches to virulent pathogens or bioterror agents. Comparison of air samples with each other and nearby environments suggested that the indoor air microbes are not random transients from surrounding outdoor environments, but rather originate from indoor niches. Sequence annotation by gene function revealed specific adaptive capabilities enriched in the air environment, including genes potentially involved in resistance to desiccation and oxidative damage. This baseline index of air microbiota will be valuable for improving designs of surveillance for natural or man-made release of virulent pathogens

The association between subjective memory complaint and objective cognitive function in older people with previous major depression

The goal of this study is to investigate associations between subjective memory complaint and objective cognitive performance in older people with previous major depression-a high-risk sample for cognitive impairment and later dementia. A cross-sectional study was carried out in people aged 60 or over with previous major depression but not fulfilling current major depression criteria according to DSM-IV-TR. People with dementia or Mini-Mental State Examination score less than 17 were excluded. Subjective memory complaint was defined on the basis of a score ≧4 on the subscale of Geriatric Mental State schedule, a maximum score of 8. Older people aged equal or over 60 without any psychiatric diagnosis were enrolled as healthy controls. Cognitive function was evaluated using a series of cognitive tests assessing verbal memory, attention/speed, visuospatial function, verbal fluency, and cognitive flexibility in all participants. One hundred and thirteen older people with previous major depression and forty-six healthy controls were enrolled. Subjective memory complaint was present in more than half of the participants with depression history (55.8%). Among those with major depression history, subjective memory complaint was associated with lower total immediate recall and delayed verbal recall scores after adjustment. The associations between subjective memory complaint and worse memory performance were stronger in participants with lower depressive symptoms (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score<7). The results suggest subjective memory complaint may be a valid appraisal of memory performance in older people with previous major depression and consideration should be given to more proactive assessment and follow-up in these clinical samples

Effects of resuscitation with crystalloid fluids on cardiac function in patients with severe sepsis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of hypertonic crystalloid solutions, including sodium chloride and bicarbonate, for treating severe sepsis has been much debated in previous investigations. We have investigated the effects of three crystalloid solutions on fluid resuscitation in severe sepsis patients with hypotension.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ninety-four severe sepsis patients with hypotension were randomly assigned to three groups. The patients received the following injections within 15 min at initial treatment: Ns group (n = 32), 5 ml/kg normal saline; Hs group (n = 30), with 5 ml/kg 3.5% sodium chloride; and Sb group (n = 32), 5 ml/kg 5% sodium bicarbonate. Cardiac output (CO), systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (MAP), body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood gases were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no differences among the three groups in CO, MAP, heart rate or respiratory rate during the 120 min trial or the 8 hour follow-up, and no significant differences in observed mortality rate after 28 days. However, improvement of MAP and CO started earlier in the Sb group than in the Ns and Hs groups. Sodium bicarbonate increased the base excess but did not alter blood pH, lactic acid or [HCO₃]^-values; and neither 3.5% hypertonic saline nor 5% sodium bicarbonate altered the Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺or Cl^-levels.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>All three crystalloid solutions may be used for initial volume loading in severe sepsis, and sodium bicarbonate confers a limited benefit on humans with severe sepsis.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>ISRCTN36748319.</p

Estación Experimental de Aula Dei. Memoria anual 2014

67 Pags.Esta memoria recoge la actividad científica de la Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (EEAD-CSIC) durante el año 2014, conteniendo información específica sobre las siguientes actividades de la EEAD-CSIC: Publicaciones (ISI y no ISI; Actas de congresos; Libros y Capítulos de Libro), Transferencia tecnológica, Tesis, Congresos, Cursos, Seminarios, Estancias, Actividades de cultura científica, Eventos. Incluye, además, un informe de financiación, directorio del personal en activo durante el año y tabla-resumen de las estadísticas relacionadas con los procesos técnicos y servicios de la Unidad Técnica de Biblioteca y Documentación.Peer reviewe

Advances in dental implant surgical navigation and stereomodel technology

The generation and the detection of ultrasound at distance by lasers present many advantages over conventional piezo-electric based methods. In particular, it can be used on surfaces of complex geometry and on products at elevated temperature on a production line [1,2]. Detection has been so far usually performed by using interferometers with passive elements, the most useful being the confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer used in a transmission or reflection mode. [1,3–5]