Insomnia management for ageing employees with job stress

In Latvia, the number of aging employees suffering from sleep disorders caused by job stress and poor sleep hygiene is increasing. The non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment is prescribed for these employees in the sleep management. The aim of this research is to clarify the efficiency of using psychotherapy with learning and observing sleep hygiene, combined with the melatonergic drug during a six-week treatment course applied to 25 both male and female intellectual workers over 65 years suffering from insomnia caused by job stress. For the patients representing Group “A” cognitive hypnotherapy, intervention for improving coping with job stress and usage of the melatonergic drug was prescribed, while Group “B” patients received six weeks only drug. The severity of depressive episodes in employees was measured by Montgomery- Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, the level of anxiety was assessed by use Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The results of the research show that insomnia patterns disappeared for 75% of women and 80% of men employees in Group A, but in Group B individuals, – only for 20% of women employees. The results acquired let concluding that the six-week treatment – cognitive hypnotherapy combined with melatonergic drug – is an effective treatment for aging workers suffering from sleep disorders.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Psychosocial risks analysis for employees in public administration

Nowadays psychosocial risks at work have a serious impact not only on the health of employees, but also on the economic performance of organisations, and this is the biggest challenge in working environment. In Latvia, employees in public administration comprise 11% of the total population. Hence the aim of this study was to analyse the causes of psychosocial risks and the differences in their prevalence among inspectorate officials employed in the State Administration compared to office staff employed by the State Administration. A modified Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire from the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment was used to assess psychosocial risks at work. One public administration organisation was selected for the study, which involved 111 staff (60 inspecting officers and 51 office staff). The analysis of the results of the psychosocial risk assessment shows that there are statistically significant differences in the assessment of four out of 11 psychosocial risks to the working environment. The most common psychosocial work environment risk factor among inspectors is the inadequate attitude of management, but the most common risk factor among office employees is the lack of impact on work. To reduce the spread of psychosocial risks more effectively, an individual approach is required for each worker

Work strain predictors in construction work

ArticleThe aim of this study was to predict the work strain indicators for construction workers and to work out measures for prevention of strain at work. Subjective and objective research methods were utilized in the research, including survey, work intensity measurements (Borg Scale), work strain index, fatigue index and work ability index determination, objective blood pressure and pulse measurements. Statistical analysis with significance calculations was carried out. The limitation of this study is the small number of subjects involved in the research. Subjective evaluation of fatigue index and strain index resulted in moderate and somewhat hard work heaviness categories accordingly to Borg Scale. Measurements of heart rate, blood pressure approved work strain of employees of both professions does not exceed the admissible heart rate limit during physical load. The research proved that the strongest work strain predictors were connected with psycho-social risks rather than with physical ones

Work posture load evaluation in medium size metal processing enterprise in Latvia

ArticleThe aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure of individual workers to ergonomic risk factors associated with upper, lower extremities and trunk WRMSDs and to assess entire body posture for risk of WRMSDs. The company that produces finished metal products (ironing boards) was chosen for the research. Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) was used to assess the entire body posture for risk of WRMSDs. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method was used for ironing boards employees to evaluate exposure of the neck, trunk, arms and legs in relation to physical load. Our study proved that employees are subjected to WRMSDs due to the load on certain body parts during the work: shoulder and neck area, lower back, legs and arms. Forced work postures are an essential risk factor at work. Assemblers and packers are subdued to high risk level, but inspectors – to medium risk level, which corresponds to evaluation with RULA and REBA methods

Detection of collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 3 in colorectal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Collagen Triple Helix Repeat Containing-1 (CTHRC1) and Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 3 (NFE2L3) may be useful biomarker candidates for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) since they have shown an increase messenger RNA transcripts (mRNA) expression level in adenomas and colorectal tumours when compared to normal tissues.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>To evaluate CTHRC1 and NFE2L3 as cancer biomarkers, it was generated and characterised several novel specific polyclonal antibodies (PAb), monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and soluble Fab fragments (sFabs) against recombinant CTHRC1 and NFE2L3 proteins, which were obtained from different sources, including a human antibody library and immunised animals. The antibodies and Fab fragments were tested for recognition of native CTHRC1 and NFE2L3 proteins by immunoblotting analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in colorectal cell lines derived from tumour and cancer tissues.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both, antibodies and a Fab fragment showed high specificity since they recognised only their corresponding recombinant antigens, but not a panel of different unrelated- and related proteins.</p> <p>In Western blot analysis of CTHRC1, a monoclonal antibody designated CH21D7 was able to detect a band of the apparent molecular weight of a full-length CTHRC1 in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line HT29. This result was confirmed by a double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELISA) with the monoclonal antibodies CH21D7 and CH24G2, detecting CTHRC1 in HT29 and in the colon adenocarcinoma cell line SW620.</p> <p>Similar experiments were performed with PAb, MAbs, and sFab against NFE2L3. The immunoblot analysis showed that the monoclonal antibody 41HF8 recognised NFE2L3 in HT29, and leukocytes. These results were verified by DAS-ELISA assay using the pairs PAb/sFab E5 and MAb 41HF8/sFab E5.</p> <p>Furthermore, an immunoassay for simultaneous detection of the two cancer biomarkers was developed using a Dissociation-Enhanced Lanthanide Fluorescent Immunoassay technology (DELFIA).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In conclusion, the antibodies obtained in this study are specific for CTHRC1 and NFE2L3 since they do not cross-react with unrelated- and related proteins and are useful for specific measurement of native CTHRC1 and NFE2L3 proteins. The antibodies and immunoassays may be useful for the analysis of CTHRC1 and NFE2L3 in clinical samples and for screening of therapeutic compounds in CRC.</p

Perawatan mesin perontok dan pemisah padi dengan penggerak motor bensin 5,5 HP [Laporan Akhir]

Bibl. 45xiv, 45 hlm. : il. 28 cm. -- Lamp. (5 lembar

Ergonomisko risku radītās veselības problēmas un to ietekme uz nodarbināto darbspējām loģistikas uzņēmumā

Latvijā līdz šim nav veikti veikti pētījumi par ergonomisko risku ietekmi uz loģistikas uzņēmumā nodarbināto veselību. Tāpēc bija svsrīgi atklāt ergonomisko risku radītās veselības problēmas un analizēt to ietekmi uz darbspējām. Novērtēta noliktavas darbinieku darba smsguma kategorija un novērtēts atsevišķu ķermeņa daļu noslogojums. Novērtētas darbspŗjas. Iastrādāti preventīvie pasākumi

Electrical and Thermo-Physical Properties of Hybrid Materials Made from Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Polymerized Thiophene Derivatives

The article deals with the development and characterization of conductive nanocomposites based on ENGAGE ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) with octene content 17 wt%, filled with pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and these nanotubes functionalised by grafting oxidation polymerised poly(2,2’-bitiophene) groups (PBT-f-MWCNTs). thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) of modified fillers confirmed the functionalization. The EOC composites with 0, 3, 5 and 10 wt.% final contents of pristine MWCNTs and PBT-f-MWCNTs were made by ultrasonication / thermoplastic mixing method and their stress-strain characteristics, electric and dielectric properties were compared as dependence of filler type. Due to the branched structure of poly(2,2’-bitiophene) attached to MWCNTs, the modulus of elasticity were lower for than that of EOC/MWCNTs, meanwhile the values over exceeded the rate of neat EOC. A notable increase of tensile strength with loading and the maximum deformation up to rupture indicated a compatibilizing effect of modified MWCNTs. The electric conductivity and electrical permittivity increased with filler content compared to neat EOC matrix; meanwhile, the PBT-f-MWCNTs showed an advance in higher conductivity compared to pristine MWCNTs. The linear change of PBT-f-MWCNTs may indicate the decrease of percolation threshold due to enhanced electric interaction of bitiophene moieties

Conveni de col·laboració entre la Gerència d'Àrea de Drets Socials, Justícia Global, Feminismes i LGTBI i Creu Roja Espanyola : modificació [2022-12-27]

Aprovat entre la Gerència d'Àrea de Drets Socials, Justícia Global, Feminismes i LGTBI i Creu Roja Espanyola el 27-12-202

Properties of PP/MWCNT-COOH /PP Composites made by Melt Mixing Versus Solution Cast /Melt Mixing Methods

An approach on improvement of the properties of polypropylene / carbon nanotube (PP/CNT) composites is reported. PP blend compositions with carboxylic acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) at filler content 1.0 wt.% were researched. One part of the composites was manufactured by direct thermoplastic mixing PP with the filler, but the other one was made from solution casted masterbatch with the following thermoplastic mixing. An increase of mechanical properties (Young's modulus, storage modulus and tensile strength), compared to an increase of glass transition temperature indicated a reinforcement effect of CNTs on PP matrix, determined from the tensile tests and differential mechanical analysis (DMA), while the elongation was reduced, compared to PP matrix. By differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the effect of nanofiller on the reorganization of PP crystallites was observed. A noticeable enhanced effect on increase of the crystallization temperature was indicated for masterbatch manufactured composite. An increase of thermal stability was also observed, compared to pristine PP and the composite made by direct thermoplastic mixing PP with the filler