Musculoskeletal symptoms among energy distribution network linemen

BACKGROUND: Linemen should be evaluated regarding the presence of musculoskeletal symptoms to guide the identification of risk factors for development of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD) and to allow the implementation of preventive measures. OBJECTIVE: To assess the occurrence of WMSD symptoms among linemen working at a regional branch of an electricity distribution company, to investigate whether there were differences in the proportions of symptomatic workers among the functions performed, and to perform a preliminary survey of the main risk factors present. METHODS: Thirty male linemen (mean age 38.1±5.5 years) were evaluated, divided into three teams according to their job function (Live Line Linemen, LLL; Maintenance/Emergency Linemen, MEL; Commercial Linemen, CL). Musculoskeletal symptoms were identified on a body map, qualified using the McGill questionnaire and quantified using a numerical scale. The DASH questionnaire was also applied to evaluate the impact of the shoulder symptoms on the workers' performance. RESULTS: Seventy percent of the linemen presented at least one musculoskeletal symptom in the shoulders, back or knees. All of the LLL team presented musculoskeletal symptoms and these workers had the highest scores in the DASH questionnaire (28±15). Sixty-seven percent of the MEL team presented symptoms, and their DASH score was 8±11. Fifty percent of the CL team presented symptoms, but none of them had shoulder symptoms. The proportion of workers with shoulder symptoms was related to their job function (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A high proportion of the linemen presented symptoms which varied according to the occupational activity. Interventions are needed to reduce the risk of WMSD among the linemen evaluated.CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A presença de sintomas musculoesqueléticos em eletricistas deve ser caracterizada para auxiliar na identificação de fatores de riscos para os distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (DORT) e para possibilitar implementação de medidas preventivas. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ocorrência de sintomas de DORT em eletricistas de uma regional de uma empresa de distribuição de energia elétrica, verificar se existiam diferenças entre as funções exercidas quanto à proporção de trabalhadores sintomáticos, e realizar um levantamento preliminar dos principais fatores de riscos presentes. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 30 eletricistas do sexo masculino (38,1±5,5 anos), divididos em três equipes conforme a função exercida (ELV=Eletricistas Linha Viva; EEM=Eletricistas Emergência/Manutenção; EC=Eletricistas Comerciais). Sintomas musculoesqueléticos foram identificados em mapa corporal, qualificados pelo Questionário McGill e quantificados por escala numérica. O questionário DASH também foi aplicado para avaliar impacto dos sintomas nos ombros na performance dos trabalhadores. RESULTADOS: 70% dos eletricistas apresentaram ao menos um sintoma musculoesquelético nos ombros, coluna ou joelhos. A equipe ELV apresentou sintomas musculoesqueléticos em 100% dos trabalhadores e maior pontuação no questionário DASH (28±15). A equipe EEM apresentou sintomas em 67% dos trabalhadores e pontuação DASH de 8±11, e a equipe EC apresentou sintomas em 50%, mas sem sintomas nos ombros. A proporção de trabalhadores sintomáticos nos ombros estava associada à função exercida (p=0.02). CONCLUSÕES: Eletricistas avaliados apresentaram alta proporção de trabalhadores sintomáticos, que variou conforme a atividade ocupacional. Intervenções são necessárias para reduzir os riscos de DORT dentre os eletricistas avaliados.12312

Neural Network Development in Late Adolescents during Observation of Risk-Taking Action

Emotional maturity and social awareness are important for adolescents, particularly college students beginning to face the challenges and risks of the adult world. However, there has been relatively little research into personality maturation and psychological development during late adolescence and the neural changes underlying this development. We investigated the correlation between psychological properties (neuroticism, extraversion, anxiety, and depression) and age among late adolescents (n = 25, from 18 years and 1 month to 22 years and 8 months). The results revealed that late adolescents became less neurotic, less anxious, less depressive and more extraverted as they aged. Participants then observed video clips depicting hand movements with and without a risk of harm (risk-taking or safe actions) during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The results revealed that risk-taking actions elicited significantly stronger activation in the bilateral inferior parietal lobule, temporal visual regions (superior/middle temporal areas), and parieto-occipital visual areas (cuneus, middle occipital gyri, precuneus). We found positive correlations of age and extraversion with neural activation in the insula, middle temporal gyrus, lingual gyrus, and precuneus. We also found a negative correlation of age and anxiety with activation in the angular gyrus, precentral gyrus, and red nucleus/substantia nigra. Moreover, we found that insula activation mediated the relationship between age and extraversion. Overall, our results indicate that late adolescents become less anxious and more extraverted with age, a process involving functional neural changes in brain networks related to social cognition and emotional processing. The possible neural mechanisms of psychological and social maturation during late adolescence are discussed

The older people, omega-3, and cognitive health (EPOCH) trial design and methodology: A randomised, double-blind, controlled trial investigating the effect of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive ageing and wellbeing in cognitively healthy older adults

Extent: 18p.Background: Some studies have suggested an association between omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFAs) and better cognitive outcomes in older adults. To date, only two randomised, controlled trials have assessed the effect of n-3 LC PUFA supplementation on cognitive function in older cognitively healthy populations. Of these trials only one found a benefit, in the subgroup carrying the ApoE-ε4 allele. The benefits of n-3 LC PUFA supplementation on cognitive function in older normal populations thus still remain unclear. The main objective of the current study was to provide a comprehensive assessment of the potential of n-3 LC PUFAs to slow cognitive decline in normal elderly people, and included ApoE-ε4 allele carriage as a potential moderating factor. The detailed methodology of the trial is reported herein. Methods: The study was a parallel, 18-month, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention with assessment at baseline and repeated 6-monthly. Participants (N = 391, 53.7% female) aged 65-90 years, English-speaking and with normal cognitive function, were recruited from metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. Participants in the intervention arm received capsules containing fish-oil at a daily dosage of 1720 mg of docosahexaenoic acid and 600 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid while the placebo arm received the equivalent amount of olive oil in their capsules. The primary outcome is rate of change in cognitive performance, as measured by latent variables for the cognitive constructs (encompassing Reasoning, Working Memory, Short-term Memory, Retrieval Fluency, Inhibition, Simple and Choice-Reaction Time, Perceptual Speed, Odd-man-out Reaction Time, Speed of Memory Scanning, and Psychomotor Speed) and assessed by latent growth curve modeling. Secondary outcomes are change in the Mini-mental State Examination, functional capacity and well-being (including health status, depression, mood, and self-report cognitive functioning), blood pressure, and biomarkers of n-3 LC PUFA status, glucose, lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage.Vanessa Danthiir, Nicholas R Burns, Ted Nettelbeck, Carlene Wilson and Gary Witter