Tourism Jobs and Quality of Work-Life. A Perception from the Hotel Industry Workers

Tourism in general and the hotel industry, in particular, are both shown as great employment generators in Mexico and the world. However, different studies have spotlighted that the labor conditions that prevail in the tourism industry do not achieve the required life quality for the workers. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the influence of Tourism Jobs (TJ) on the Quality of Work-Life (QWL) of the hotel industry staff in the city of Querétaro in Mexico. Querétaro is an industrial and tourist destination that has become an icon of employment and with the highest life quality for its residents. We used a quantitative methodology for this research, applying a self-administered questionnaire to workers at all levels: managerial, administrative, and operational. The results revealed that the staff’s perception about the quality of work-life in tourism jobs is positive but at a lower level. Managers and workers with better training are those who best appreciate both variables. Thus, we observed a strong and positive relationship in all dimensions and the influence of tourism jobs on the quality of work-life, where job stability is one of the determining factors. The study had limitations regarding the sample size; however, it is relevant for the tourism field, helping to improve the working sector conditions.CONACy

Correlation between obesity and severity of distal radius fractures

Introduction: The incidence of obesity has increased significantly worldwide. Our hypothesis was that patients with obesity have a more severe distal radius fracture and we realized a study to evaluate this correlation between obesity and severity of distal radius fractures caused by low-energy injuries. Materials and methods: A total of 114 patients with distal radius fracture were examined in

Azathioprine: its uses in dermatology

This is a narrative review of azathioprine. This medication is immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive, and it has been used widely through different medical specialties to modify disease. It has been proven useful for several dermatoses and it has encountered success when used as an off-label indication for other dermatologic diseases. Its mechanism of action is described thoroughly, as well as precautions for monitoring adequate levels in patients using it. Dermatologists should also be aware of the possible adverse events it may present. In dermatology it can be used in bullous and autoimmune diseases, and in other conditions, including intractable pruritus, atopic dermatitis, photodermatoses, psoriasis, and others. Azathioprine offers an alternative as a steroid-sparing agent and this review helps dermatologists prescribe it safely to all patients who require it

​El centro integral estrés menos salud más, manejo profesional mediante el uso de terapias alternativas

30 páginasActualmente en Colombia, la prevalencia de las enfermedades de salud mental, la tasa de estrés y trastornos mentales y del comportamiento han estado aumentado significativamente desde la año 2013, ocupando actualmente el 3er puesto en frecuencia de reportes a las Aseguradoras de Riesgo Laboral (ARL), seguida de los trastornos musculoesqueléticos, lo que indica que las enfermedades mentales producto del estrés va en aumento, disminuyendo la calidad de vida y el nivel de productividad en las empresas, debido no solo a la fatiga mental de la persona sino a los días de incapacidad que para la empresa representan pérdidas de hasta $179.258 pesos por persona la mes (Condarcuri, 2016). Por ello, nace El Centro Integral Estrés Menos Salud Más, Manejo Profesional Mediante el Uso de Terapias Alternativas, cuya ubicación estará en Bogotá D.C, específicamente en la localidad de Usaquén. El fin de este centro es brindar un servicio integral profesional en compañía de un amplio portafolio de fisioterapeutas especialistas en terapias alternativas como lo son acupuntura, cupping, terapia neural y magnetoterapia, y que en conjunto con el psicólogo se busca mejorar la calidad de vida de los trabajadores, debido a la reducción de los niveles de estrés y sus síntomas tanto fìsícos como emocionales y/o mentales

Estudio preliminar sobre el desperdicio de alimentos en la cafetería de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas

En esta investigación se estimó el desperdicio de alimento, generado por una población (1000 personas) constituida por estudiantes y profesores de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas (FCB) de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL). Este desperdicio corresponde al residuo de comida rápida y residuos de platos generados de la comida buffet, estimado según lo señalado por la población (durante su estancia en la universidad), a través de un cuestionario diseñado y aplicado en línea utilizando la plataforma SIASE (Sistema Integral para la administración de Servicios educativos de la UANL). El estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer las características del consumidor (según edad, poder adquisitivo e índice de masa corporal), sus hábitos de consumo y el residuo que genera, según su tipo y cantidad. Los resultados muestran que el 70% de los estudiantes tiene un peso corporal normal (IMC=25), la mayoría (96%) de ellos se encuentra en el rango de edad entre 18 a 28 años y más de la mitad (55%) destina entre 20 y 50 pesos para comprar alimentos. Estos datos, sugieren que la población estudiantil tiene un presupuesto limitado para alimentarse en la universidad, lo cual es congruente con su baja frecuencia de consumo por semana (2 o 3 veces). Lo anterior refiere que el poder adquisitivo influye en la preferencia que tienen los estudiantes por alimentos económicos como: galletas, pan, chilaquiles, hot dog, tacos, tortas, papas fritas con queso y bebidas embotelladas (refresco y jugos). Respecto a la población de profesores el 61% posee un IMC>25, gasta entre $50 a$100 en la compra de alimentos y genera residuos de platos tales como: carne, pollo o pescado (10%); arroz o pastas (10%); además, ensalada o verduras (20%), pan o tortillas (15%) y bebidas gaseosas (>20% de su volumen). Con base en los resultados del cuestionario, adicionalmente se diseñaron menús económicos ($18.00-$30.00 pesos) que contienen subproductos de alimentos producidos durante su preparación, con el fin de promover hábitos de alimentación más saludables en los estudiantes e implementar una estrategia de reducción del desperdicio, resultados que no evaluamos en esta investigación. Este estudio preliminar de estimación de desperdicios alimentarios esboza algunos de los factores requeridos para determinar en futuras investigaciones, la magnitud de los desperdicios alimentarios y cuantificar sus efectos en el ámbito económico, social y ambiental. El conocimiento de esta magnitud podría utilizarse como referencia para proponer la estrategia de reducción de los residuos de alimentos

The phenotype, psychotype and genotype of bruxism

Abstract. Bruxism is a jaw muscle activity that involves physio-pathological, psycho-social, hereditary and genetic factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between self-reported bruxism, anxiety, and neuroticism personality trait with the rs6313 polymorphism in the gene HTR2A. A sample of 171 subjects of both sexes (14-53 years of age) was included. The control group (group 1, n=60) exhibited no signs or symptoms of bruxism. The case group had signs and symptoms of bruxism (n=112) and was subdivided into group 2, bruxism during sleep (n=22); group 3, awake bruxism (n=44); and group 4 combined bruxism (n=46). As diagnostic tools, the Self-Reported Bruxism Questionnaire (SBQ), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Abbreviated (EPQR-A) were used. HTR2A (rs6313) SNPs were determined by qPCR for all the participants. The packages SPSS, maxLik and EPI-INFO were used for data analysis. The combined bruxism group reported higher scores in bruxism symptoms, mean = 32.21; anxiety symptoms, mean = 14.80; and neuroticism, mean = 3.26. Combined bruxism was associated with a higher degree of neuroticism (OR=15.0; CI 1.52-148.32) and anxiety in grade 3-moderate (OR=3.56; CI 1.27-10.03), and grade 4-severe (OR=8.40; CI 1.45-48.61), as determined using EPISODE computer software. Genotypic homogeneity analysis revealed no significant differences in allele frequency (P=0.612) among the four groups. The population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (maxLik package). In conclusion, the three instruments confirm traits of bruxism, anxiety and neuroticism in individuals with bruxism. These data were ratified when the sample was divided by genotypic homogeneity. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the groups in the SNPs rs6313 from the HTR2A gene

Evaluation of the Expression of Genes Associated with Inflammation and Apoptosis in Androgenetic Alopecia by Targeted RNA-Seq

Abstract Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or male pattern baldness is the most common form of hair loss in humans. Despite being a very frequent dermatological entity, molecular pathophysiology remains unclear. Several authors relate the presentation of AGA with a premature apoptotic process during the anagen phase and with an inflammatory microenvironment in the hair follicle. We evaluated a panel of 30 genes associated with inflammation and apoptosis in 5 AGA patients by targeted RNA-Seq. WNT7A gene was highly expressed in patients in stages 3V to 5 on the Hamilton-Norwood scale compared to patients with 5A stage. CASP7 and TNF genes were overexpressed in stages 3V and 4 compared to stages 5 and 5A. Overexpression of these genes detected only at early stages of AGA proves the role of WNT pathway, apoptosis, and inflammation in the development of this disorder

The effect of intra-articular injection of autologous bone marrow stem cells on pain and knee function in patients with osteoarthritis

Abstract Aim: Management of osteoarthritis (OA) is basically symptomatic. Recently, stem cells (SC) have been used in the search for an optimum treatment. We decided to conduct a controlled clinical trial to determine if a single intra-articular injection of in vivo stimulated bone marrow SC could lead to an improvement in pain management and quality of life in patients with knee OA. Method: This was a prospective, open-label, phase I/II clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a single intra-articular injection of autologous stimulated bone marrow stem cells (BM-SC) in patients with knee OA. Individuals of both genders older than 30 years with confirmed diagnosis of OA who signed informed consent were included in two groups: SC group received in vivo BM stimulation with subcutaneous administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). SC were obtained by BM aspiration and administered in a single intra-articular injection. The control group received exclusively oral acetaminophen. Visual analogue scale and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores were performed at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months in both groups. This trial was registered in ClinialTrials.gov NCT01485198. Results: A total of 61 patients were included. Socio-demographic characteristics, OA grades and initial scores were similar in both groups. The BM-SC group showed significant improvement in knee pain and quality of life during the 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: The study demonstrates feasibility and supports efficacy of a completely ambulatory procedure in treatment of knee OA. Key words: bone marrow, knee osteoarthritis, stem cells

Efecto del consumo de harina de maíz fortificada con ácido fólico sobre los niveles de folatos sanguíneos en mujeres de edad fértil

Fortification of foods is now widely used to prevent folate deficiency. Folic acid has been added to corn flour and its efficacy in the prevention of NTD has been proved. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the intake of fortified corn-flour versus non fortified flour and to folic acid supplement, on blood folate levels in women of childbearing age. Forty-five women were randomized into three groups according to: (A) use of fortified flour (n=18), (B) non-fortified flour (n=17); (C) supplementation with 5 mg of oral folic acid (n=10). All females answer a dietary and anthropometric questionnaire applied once a month during three months. Blood red cell (IE) and plasmatic (P) folate were measured at the beginning and at the end of the study; also the DNA analysis for the 677T mutation was performed. The corn flour was provided to groups A and B during three months, to be consumed as eight tortillas daily. Group C received 5.0 mg tablet of folic acid (Valdecasas®), once per week, during three months. IE and P folate and hematocrito were significantly increased in women from group C (p<0.05) ). Only plasmatic folic acid levels were significantly increased in women from groups A and B. Genotype distribution was: 15.6% homozygous TT, 42.2% C/C and 42.2% CT. Weekly administration of 5.0 mg of folic acid is an effective way to increase blood folate levels and shows to be more efficient than fortified corn flour