Alterations of antitumor and metabolic responses in L5178Y-R lymphoma-bearing mice after only 30-minute daily chronic stress exposure

Aim: In stress research, reducing times of stress induction may contribute to improving the well-being of experimental animals, especially in cancer models, already under physiological distress. To support this idea, we evaluated the effects of a short-timed stress protocol on endocrine, metabolic and immune indicators in mice bearing the L5178Y-R lymphoma. Materials and Methods: A 30-minute daily stress protocol was applied for 28 days to healthy and lymphoma-bearing BALB/c mice; body weight, plasma levels of corticosterone, norepinephrine, Th1/Th2 cytokines, insulin, and leptin, were measured. Results: We found a 12% significant decrease in body weight in non-tumor bearing mice under stress (p < 0.007). The disruption of weight evolution was accompanied by a stress induced 85% decrease in plasmatic leptin (p < 0.01) and total reduction of insulin. Tumor burden alone was associated to an increase in more than two-fold of plasmatic levels of norepinephrine (p < 0.008). Neither stress nor tumor or their combination, resulted in an elevation of systemic IL-6. IFN-γ levels were 20 times higher in lymphoma-bearing animals when compared with non-tumor bearing mice (p < 0.01); however, under stress, this response was reduced by half, indicating a suppressing effect of chronic stress on the antitumor immune response. Conclusion: A short-timed stress induction is enough to cause significant alterations in the metabolism and immunity of healthy and tumor-bearing mice, supporting the use of short-timed protocols as an efficient way to induce chronic stress that also considers concerns regarding the well-being of experimental animals in biomedical research

Knowledge About the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Among Employees at a Tertiary Cancer Center: Room for Improvement

Introduction: The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for routine vaccination of boys and girls to protect against HPV-related cancers and genital warts. To meet the Healthy People 2020 target for HPV vaccination, health care providers must understand the importance of strongly recommending the HPV vaccine to all eligible adolescents. We sought to determine HPV vaccination patterns among employees at a tertiary cancer center and their children and attitudes regarding HPV vaccination among the employees. Methods: All employees at a tertiary cancer center were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey administered online during July and August 2015. The survey included questions about HPV vaccination of participants and their children, including reasons why vaccine-eligible employees and children had not been vaccinated. Results: Of those eligible, 13% of male and 33% of female employees and 44% of daughters and 24% of sons of employees had completed the vaccine series. The main reasons for not completing the series or not having one’s son completing the series were not knowing that the vaccine was needed and vaccine not recommended by a health care provider. The main reasons for not having one’s daughter complete the series were the two aforementioned reasons and daughter not yet sexually active. Conclusion: Opportunities exist to educate health care workers about the benefits of the HPV vaccine and to increase the number of providers who recommend HPV vaccination to their patients

Influencia de la ceniza de bagazo de caña sin tratamiento en la microestructura y propiedades mecánicas de morteros

This study investigated the effects of the addition of untreated sugarcane bagasse ash (UtSCBA) on the microstructural and mechanical properties of mortars. The SCBA was sieved for only five minutes through a No. 200 ASTM mesh, and fully characterized by chemical composition analysis, laser ray diffraction, the physical absorption of gas, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Mortar mixtures with 0, 10 and 20% UtSCBA as cement replacement and a constant 0.63 water/cementitious material ratio were prepared. Fresh properties of the mortars were obtained. The microstructural characteristics of the mortars at 1, 7, 28, 90 and 600 days were evaluated by SEM and XRD. The compressive strengths of the mortars at the same ages were then obtained. The results show that the addition of 10 and 20% UtSCBA caused a slight decrease in workability of the mortars but improved their microstructure, increasing the long-term compressive strength.En esta investigación se evaluó el efecto de la adición de ceniza de bagazo de caña (CBC) en la microestructura de morteros. La CBC fue tamizada durante 5 minutos a través de la malla No. 200 ASTM y evaluada mediante pruebas de análisis químico, difracción láser, absorción física de gases, Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido (MEB) y Difracción de Rayos X (DRX). Se elaboraron mezclas de mortero con 0, 10 y 20% de CBC como sustituto parcial del cemento manteniendo una relación agua/materiales-cementantes de 0.63. Se realizaron pruebas en estado fresco y pruebas de caracterización microestructural a través de MEB y DRX y de resistencia a la compresión a edades de 1, 7, 28, 90 y 600 días. Los resultados muestran que la adición de 10 y 20% de CBC decrementa la trabajabilidad de los morteros, sin embargo, mejora su microestructura e incrementa su resistencia a la compresión a edades tardías

The influence of untreated sugarcane bagasse ash on the microstructural and mechanical properties of mortars

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of the addition of untreated sugarcane bagasse ash (UtSCBA) on the microstructural and mechanical properties of mortars. The SCBA was sieved for only five minutes through a No. 200 ASTM mesh, and fully characterized by chemical composition analysis, laser ray diffraction, the physical absorption of gas, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Mortar mixtures with 0, 10 and 20% UtSCBA as cement replacement and a constant 0.63 water/cementitious material ratio were prepared. Fresh properties of the mortars were obtained. The microstructural characteristics of the mortars at 1, 7, 28, 90 and 600 days were evaluated by SEM and XRD. The compressive strengths of the mortars at the same ages were then obtained. The results show that the addition of 10 and 20% UtSCBA caused a slight decrease in workability of the mortars but improved their microstructure, increasing the long-term compressive strength. Keywords: Pozzolan, waste treatment, mortar, hydration products, compressive strength RESUMEN: Influencia de la ceniza de bagazo de caña sin tratamiento en la microestructura y propiedades mecánicas de morteros. En esta investigación se evaluó el efecto de la adición de ceniza de bagazo de caña (CBC) en la microestructura de morteros. La CBC fue tamizada durante 5 minutos a través de la malla No. 200 ASTM y evaluada mediante pruebas de análisis químico, difracción láser, absorción física de gases, Microscopia Electrónica de Barrido (MEB) y Difracción de Rayos X (DRX). Se elaboraron mezclas de mortero con 0, 10 y 20% de CBC como sustituto parcial del cemento manteniendo una relación agua/materiales-cementantes de 0.63. Se realizaron pruebas en estado fresco y pruebas de caracterización microestructural a través de MEB y DRX y de resistencia a la compresión a edades de 1, 7, 28, 90 y 600 días. Los resultados muestran que la adición de 10 y 20% de CBC decrementa la trabajabilidad de los morteros, sin embargo, mejora su microestructura e incrementa su resistencia a la compresión a edades tardías. Palabras clave: Puzolana, Tratamiento de residuos, Mortero, Productos de hidratación, Resistencia a la compresió

Deterioro por corrosión de elementos de concreto armado de un edificio industrial

La corrosión de las estructuras de concreto armado se acentúa cuando son colocadas en ambientes con microclimas extremadamente agresivos. La habilidad para evaluar la corrosión de las varillas de refuerzo en estas estructuras y poder estimar la vida en servicio remanente es tema de estudios en muchas partes del mundo. Este trabajo muestra la importancia de implementar una metodología de inspección y diagnóstico que genere, a través del empleo de equipos especializados y tecnología de punta, datos confiables que permitan el desarrollo de procesos de planeación en las intervenciones de rehabilitación y/o mantenimiento de los elementos de concreto reforzado. El conjunto de resultados permitió la optimización de recursos humanos y materiales del usuario final. ABSTRACT Corrosion of reinforced concrete structures (RCS) is accentuated when there are placed in environments with extremely aggressive microclimates. In many parts of the world, the ability to evaluate the corrosion of rebars in these RCS and estimate the remaining service life is subject of study. This work shows that the implementation of an inspection and diagnosis methodology must generate reliable data, through the use of specialized equipment and technology. Additionally, the development of planning processes in rehabilitation interventions and/or maintenance of reinforced concrete elements should be privileged. The results obtained allowed the optimization of human and material resources of the end user

Inconsistencies in Guidelines for Visual Health Surveillance of VDT Workers

Objectives: In Europe, 25% of workers use video display terminals (VDTs). Occupational health surveillance has been considered a key element in the protection of these workers. Nevertheless, it is unclear if guidelines available for this purpose, based on EU standards and available evidence, meet currently accepted quality criteria. The aim of this study was to appraise three sets of European VDT guidelines (UK, France, Spain) in which regulatory and evidence-based approaches for visual health have been formulated and recommendations for practice made. Methods: Three independent appraisers used an adapted AGREE instrument with seven domains to appraise the guidelines. A modified nominal group technique approach was used in two consecutive phases: first, individual evaluation of the three guidelines simultaneously, and second, a face-to-face meeting of appraisers to discuss scoring. Analysis of ratings obtained in each domain and variability among appraisers was undertaken (correlation and kappa coefficients). Results: All guidelines had low domain scores. The domain evaluated most highly was Scope and purpose, while Applicability was scored minimally. The UK guidelines had the highest overall score, and the Spanish ones had the lowest. The analysis of reliability and differences between scores in each domain showed a high level of agreement. Conclusions: These results suggest current guidelines used in these countries need an update. The formulation of evidence-base European guidelines on VDT could help to reduce the significant variation of national guidelines, which may have an impact on practical application.This study was supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at Work of the Spanish Work and Immigration Ministry (INSHT). Project reference: 606/UAL/PVDVIS