Occupational Stress Management for the UK Construction Professionals: Understanding the Causes and Strategies for Improvement

Purpose: The increasing awareness of stress as an issue in the construction industry, and the increased realisation of the more effective approach of preventing stress as opposed to treating mental health has placed a great responsibility on industries that rely heavily on the performance of their workforce. In line with this, this research aims to investigate the causes of stress as well as the best strategies for improving professional resilience and stress management proficiency in the construction industry. Design/Methodology: Using exploratory sequential mixed method research design, the top factors that cause stress, mitigate stress, and to build resilience are identified and discussed. Findings: The findings show thematic similarities in the causes of stress, by displaying a reoccurring theme relating to the quality and lack of information, as well as poor communication among the construction professionals. This implies that poor collaboration and “over-the-wall syndrome” of the construction industry does not only contribute to defective output and reworks, it also has significant impacts on the health and well-being of the professionals. Recommendations are made on how to mitigate stress in the industry, by addressing its root-causes and implementing the identified mitigation strategies. This includes a realistic approach to budgeting and project duration, as well as improved communication and collaboration. Value: Finding of this study could help in mitigating stress and mental health concerns that are currently plaguing the construction industry

Trichlorido(N,N′-di-tert-butyl­benzamidinato-κ2 N,N′)silicon

In the title mol­ecule, C15H23Cl3N2Si, the Si atom is penta­coordinated by two N atoms [Si—N = 1.780 (3) and 1.931 (3) Å] from the benzamidinate ligand and three chloride anions [Si—Cl = 2.0711 (14)–2.1449 (14) Å] in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry

Stress-specific p38 MAP kinase activation is sufficient to drive EGF receptor endocytosis but not nuclear translocation

EGF receptor (EGFR) endocytosis is induced by stress in a manner dependent on the p38 MAPK family. Ligand and stresses such as X-rays, reportedly promote nuclear trafficking of endocytosed EGFR for regulation of gene transcription and DNA repair. We fail to detect EGFR endocytosis or nuclear transport following X-ray treatment of HeLa or head and neck cancer cells, despite extensive DNA damage induction. Apparent nuclear staining with EGFR extracellular domain antibody remained present despite reduced/absent EGFR expression, and so did not represent nuclear EGFR. UVB and UVC, but not X-ray or UVA, treatment induced p38 activation and EGFR endocytosis, although all of these stresses induced DNA damage, indicating that DNA damage alone is not sufficient to induce EGFR endocytosis. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels following UVB treatment, compared to that seen with X-rays, do not alone explain differences in p38 activation. UVB, like UVC, induced EGFR accumulation predominantly in perinuclear endosomes, rather than in the nucleus. Our morphological techniques identifying major changes in receptor distribution do not exclude the possibility that small but biologically relevant amounts of EGFR enter the nucleus. This study highlights the importance and limitations of morphological analyses of receptor distribution in understanding signaling outcome

IL-1 receptor antagonist ameliorates inflammasome-dependent alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by steatosis and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1beta. IL-1beta, type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1), and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) are all important regulators of the IL-1 signaling complex, which plays a role in inflammation. Furthermore, IL-1beta maturation is dependent on caspase-1 (Casp-1). Using IL-1Ra-treated mice as well as 3 mouse models deficient in regulators of IL-1beta activation (Casp-1 and ASC) or signaling (IL-1R1), we found that IL-1beta signaling is required for the development of alcohol-induced liver steatosis, inflammation, and injury. Increased IL-1beta was due to upregulation of Casp-1 activity and inflammasome activation. The pathogenic role of IL-1 signaling in ALD was attributable to the activation of the inflammasome in BM-derived Kupffer cells. Importantly, in vivo intervention with a recombinant IL-1Ra blocked IL-1 signaling and markedly attenuated alcohol-induced liver inflammation, steatosis, and damage. Furthermore, physiological doses of IL-1beta induced steatosis, increased the inflammatory and prosteatotic chemokine MCP-1 in hepatocytes, and augmented TLR4-dependent upregulation of inflammatory signaling in macrophages. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Casp-1-dependent upregulation of IL-1beta and signaling mediated by IL-1R1 are crucial in ALD pathogenesis. Our findings suggest a potential role of IL-1R1 inhibition in the treatment of ALD

Shifting stigma about autistic young people

First paragraph: Who do you think of when you hear “autism” mentioned? Maybe a familiar trope comes to mind: an eccentric white male, perhaps in the vein of The Big Bang Theory’s socially naïve genius Dr Sheldon Cooper, or savant Raymond Babbitt of Rainman fame. Endearing though they may be, characters like these reflect outdated and stereotypical understandings of autism that can have harmful consequences for autistic young people. Indeed, for many autistic people, these stereotypes and the stigma that they reinforce may be a greater barrier to wellbeing than the characteristics of autism itself

Warty Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva in Older Women: Association with Human Papillomavirus

Warty squamous cell carcinoma (WSCC), a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma occurring in younger women, is primarily associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Although WSCC appears to exhibit less aggressive behavior than typical well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, it bears the risk of regional metastasis. Accordingly, WSCC should be differentiated from other verruciform neoplasms. We describe a rare case of WSCC with a short disease duration occurring in a woman of old age. We found the presence of HPV DNA different from other well-known types of high risk and low risk HPV by DNA chip microarray. These results suggest that various types of HPV can be associated with the pathogenesis of WSCC

Home-Based HIIT and Traditional MICT Prescriptions Improve Cardiorespiratory Fitness to a Similar Extent Within an Exercise Referral Scheme for At-Risk Individuals

Exercise referral schemes (ERS) are used to promote physical activity within primary care. Traditionally, ERS are conducted in a gym or leisure-center setting, with exercise prescriptions based on moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT). Home-based high-intensity interval training (Home-HIIT) has the potential to reduce perceived barriers to exercise, including lack of time and access to facilities, compared to traditional MICT prescription used with ERS and improve health related outcomes. We hypothesized that Home-HIIT would mediate greater improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) by virtue of greater adherence and compliance to the exercise prescription, compared to MICT. Methods: Patients enrolled on an ERS (Liverpool, United Kingdom) were recruited for a pragmatic trial. Participants self-selected either 12 weeks of MICT (45–135 min/week at 50–70% HRmax or Home-HIIT (4–9 min × 1 min intervals at ≥80% of HRmax, interspersed with 1 min rest). The primary outcome was the change in CRF (VO2peak) at post-intervention (12 weeks) and follow-up (3-month post intervention), using intention-to-treat analysis. Results:154 participants (age 48 ± 10y; BMI 30.5 ± 6.1 kg/m20.05). Adherence to the prescribed programs was similar (MICT 48 ± 35%, Home-HIIT 39 ± 36%, P [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT04553614]