Women performing repetitive work: Is there a difference in the prevalence of shoulder pain and pathology in supermarket cashiers compared to the general female population?

Objectives: Shoulder disorders in the occupational environment have been widely studied, but the quality of research and methodology applied vary. Little has been done to ascertain whether shoulder pain in female repetitive workers is due to any verifiable pathology, or to compare findings with the general population. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported shoulder pain in a group of female supermarket cashiers and in the general female population using a standardized questionnaire. Shoulder pain prevalence was then compared to imaging findings in order to assess specific and non-specific pain prevalence. Material and Methods: 196 cashiers and 302 controls filled in a standardized shoulder questionnaire and underwent an imaging examination of a shoulder. Results: The prevalence of shoulder pain was significantly higher in the group of cashiers (46.4%) than in the general population (25.5%) (OR = 1.821; 95% CI: 1.426–2.325). Specific pain prevalence was higher among the controls (19.5%) than among the cashiers (13.2%). Conclusions: The more frequent reports of shoulder pain in the supermarket cashiers are not correlated with a higher prevalence of imaging abnormalities. The causes of these more frequent complaints should be probably sought in the psycho-social and occupational environment

Clinical Evidence of Lyme Disease in Dogs and Disease Awareness Among Students and Veterinarians in Veracruz, Mexico

Background: Lyme disease is a relatively new and zoonotic canine pathology mostly unknown by people involved in the management and care of dogs.  Objective: to assess the knowledge about Lyme disease by veterinarians and veterinary students in Veracruz, Mexico. Methodology: three questionnaires were designed and applied to 290 individuals (40 small animal veterinarians, 50 in other professional practice and 200 veterinary students). Results and discussion: in general, the three groups were unaware about the disease, although there is a high interest in learning about this problem. Graduates from seven universities included in this study stated that Lyme disease was not part of the veterinary curriculum in their schools. Five clinical cases suggestive of Lyme disease occurring in dogs in the area were detected at the time of this research. Conclusion: although the presence of the agent causing Lyme disease has not been demonstrated in the studied area due to the lack of laboratory support and the apparent absence of the vector, it cannot be ruled out; furthermore, it is important that veterinary practitioners and student alike be aware of the potential presence of Lyme disease, paying particular attention to differential diagnosis when resembling clinical signs are observed

Dissecting the transcriptional phenotype of ribosomal protein deficiency: implications for Diamond-Blackfan Anemia

Defects in genes encoding ribosomal proteins cause Diamond Blackfan Anemia (DBA), a red cell aplasia often associated with physical abnormalities. Other bone marrow failure syndromes have been attributed to defects in ribosomal components but the link between erythropoiesis and the ribosome remains to be fully defined. Several lines of evidence suggest that defects in ribosome synthesis lead to "ribosomal stress" with p53 activation and either cell cycle arrest or induction of apoptosis. Pathways independent of p53 have also been proposed to play a role in DBA pathogenesis. We took an unbiased approach to identify p53-independent pathways activated by defects in ribosome synthesis by analyzing global gene expression in various cellular models of DBA. Ranking-Principal Component Analysis (Ranking-PCA) was applied to the identified datasets to determine whether there are common sets of genes whose expression is altered in these different cellular models. We observed consistent changes in the expression of genes involved in cellular amino acid metabolic process, negative regulation of cell proliferation and cell redox homeostasis. These data indicate that cells respond to defects in ribosome synthesis by changing the level of expression of a limited subset of genes involved in critical cellular processes. Moreover, our data support a role for p53-independent pathways in the pathophysiology of DBA

Women performing repetitive work: Is there a difference in the prevalence of shoulder pain and pathology in supermarket cashiers compared to the general female population?

Objectives: Shoulder disorders in the occupational environment have been widely studied, but the quality of research and methodology applied vary. Little has been done to ascertain whether shoulder pain in female repetitive workers is due to any verifiable pathology, or to compare findings with the general population. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the prevalence of self-reported shoulder pain in a group of female supermarket cashiers and in the general female population using a standardized questionnaire. Shoulder pain prevalence was then compared to imaging findings in order to assess specific and non-specific pain prevalence. Material and Methods: 196 cashiers and 302 controls filled in a standardized shoulder questionnaire and underwent an imaging examination of a shoulder. Results: The prevalence of shoulder pain was significantly higher in the group of cashiers (46.4%) than in the general population (25.5%) (OR = 1.821; 95% CI: 1.426–2.325). Specific pain prevalence was higher among the controls (19.5%) than among the cashiers (13.2%). Conclusions: The more frequent reports of shoulder pain in the supermarket cashiers are not correlated with a higher prevalence of imaging abnormalities. The causes of these more frequent complaints should be probably sought in the psycho-social and occupational environment

Paesaggio

Principali caratteri e recente evoluzione del pensiero architettonico e scientifico relativamente al concetto di Paesaggi

Psychiatric emergencies in migrant adolescents

Background: Stress factors associated with migration may expose minor immigrants to mental health problems. The aim of the study was to describe acute psychiatric problems, in terms of reasons for hospitalization and diagnosis at discharge, in a sample of Italian and Migrant adolescents (both first and second generation). Methods: We collected data on socio-demographic and clinical-diagnostic characteristics of 423 Italian and Migrant adolescents (mean age: 15 years ± 1.44; range 12-17.91), hospitalized at the Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit of the Spedali Civili of Brescia between 2014 and 2019, period prior to the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. Results: A reduction in the percentage of hospitalized Italian subjects and an increase of Migrant ones was found among years (p<0.001). Suicidal attempts and psychomotor agitation were the main reasons for hospitalization in both Italian and Migrant groups; in addition, the former presented a higher number of accesses for eating disorders, while the latter for psychotic disorders. Comparing the two groups at discharge, a higher frequency of anxiety disorders (p<0.001), eating disorders (p<0.001), somatic and conversion disorders (p=0.013), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (p=0.022) was detected in the Italian sample; conversely, there was a higher frequency of suicidal attempt (p=0.025), personality disorders (p<0.001), disruptive behavior, impulse control and conduct disorders (p=0.014), and post-traumatic stress disorder (p=0.019) in the Migrant group. Conclusions: These observations, carried out during a pre-COVID-19 period, provide a starting point for understanding the psychopathology of Migrant adolescents and underline the importance of early diagnosis to guide appropriate interventions

17p13.1 microdeletion: Genetic and clinical findings in a new patient with epilepsy and comparison with literature

Array comparative genomic hybridization is now a powerful tool to investigate patients with multiple congenital abnormalities and intellectual/motor impairment, and genomic imbalances are identified in a growing number of children with intellectual disability. Deletions in the 17p13.1 region have been reported in patients with dysmorphic features and developmental delay but a consistent phenotype has yet to emerge. Here, we report on the diagnosis of a 17p13.1 microdeletion of 829 kb in an 8-year-old girl presenting with profound cognitive disability, psychomotor delay, facial dysmorphisms, and refractory epilepsy. This deletion comprises 44 genes, including 8 OMIM morbid genes. We discuss genetic, clinical, and epileptic features comparing our patient with those previously reported in the literature

Close Relationship Between Media to Lumen Ratio of Subcutaneous Small Arteries and Wall to Lumen Ratio of Retinal Arterioles Evaluated Non Invasively By Scanning Laser Doppler Flowmetry

Structural alterations of subcutaneous small resistance arteries, as indicated by an increased media to lumen (M/L) ratio, are frequently present in hypertensive and/or diabetic patients, and may represent the earliest alteration observed. In addition, M/L of small arteries evaluated by micromyography has a strong prognostic significance; however its extensive evaluation is limited by the invasivity of the assessment, since a biopsy of subcutaneous fat is needed. Non-invasive measurement of wall to lumen (W/L) of retinal arterioles using scanning laser doppler flowmetry (SLDF) has been recently introduced (Harazny J et al, Hypertension 2007; 50:623-629). However, this new technique was never compared with micromyographic measurement, considered the gold standard approach. Methods and Results: We have investigated 37 subjects and patients. Twenty-three of them were hypertensives and 14 normotensives. Blood pressure values were 139/8817/10 mmHg and 125/7117/12 mm Hg, respectively (p<0.05). All patients underwent a biopsy of subcutaneous fat during an elective surgical intervention. Subcutaneous small resistance arteries were dissected and mounted on a wire myograph, and M/L was measured. In addition, an evaluation of W/L of retinal arterioles by SLDF was performed (Heidelberg Retina Flowmeter, Heidelberg Engineering). A close correlation was observed between M/L of subcutaneous small arteries and WL of retinal arterioles: rZ0.77, p<0.001 (see Figure). Conclusion: A non invasive and easily repeatable procedure (intraobserver and interobserver variation coefficient around 10%) such as an evaluation of the arterioles in the fundus oculi by SDLF may provide similar information regarding microvascular morphology compared in respect with an invasive, accurate and prognostically relevant micromyographic measurement of M/L