Gut Microbe-Mediated Suppression of Inflammation-Associated Colon Carcinogenesis by Luminal Histamine Production.

Microbiome-mediated suppression of carcinogenesis may open new avenues for identification of therapeutic targets and prevention strategies in oncology. Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) deficiency has been shown to promote inflammation-associated colorectal cancer by accumulation of CD11b+Gr-1+ immature myeloid cells, indicating a potential antitumorigenic effect of histamine. Here, we demonstrate that administration of hdc+Lactobacillus reuteri in the gut resulted in luminal hdc gene expression and histamine production in the intestines of Hdc-/- mice. This histamine-producing probiotic decreased the number and size of colon tumors and colonic uptake of [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose by positron emission tomography in Hdc-/- mice. Administration of L. reuteri suppressed keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), Il22, Il6, Tnf, and IL1α gene expression in the colonic mucosa and reduced the amounts of proinflammatory, cancer-associated cytokines, keratinocyte chemoattractant, IL-22, and IL-6, in plasma. Histamine-generating L. reuteri also decreased the relative numbers of splenic CD11b+Gr-1+ immature myeloid cells. Furthermore, an isogenic HDC-deficient L. reuteri mutant that was unable to generate histamine did not suppress carcinogenesis, indicating a significant role of the cometabolite, histamine, in suppression of chronic intestinal inflammation and colorectal tumorigenesis. These findings link luminal conversion of amino acids to biogenic amines by gut microbes and probiotic-mediated suppression of colorectal neoplasia.

Plant functional traits and phylogenetic relatedness explain variation in associations with root fungal endophytes in an extreme arid environment.

Since root endophytes may ameliorate drought stress, understanding which plants associate with endophytes is important, especially in arid ecosystems. Here, the root endophytes were characterized of 42 plants from an arid region of Argentina. Colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSEs) was related to plant functional type (PFT), family, and phylogenetic relatedness. Overall, three main findings were observed. Firstly, only moderate levels of endophyte associations were found across all taxa (e.g., most Poaceae were not colonized by endophytes despite numerous accounts of colonization by AMF and DSEs). We determined 69% of plant taxa associated with some form of root endophyte but levels were lower than other regional studies. Secondly, comparisons by PFT and phylogeny were often qualitatively similar (e.g., succulents and Portulacineae consistently lacked AMF; variation occurred among terrestrial vs. epiphytic bromeliads) and often differed from comparisons based on plant family. Thirdly, comparisons by plant family often failed to account for important variation either within families (e.g., Bromeliaceae and Poaceae) or trait conservatism among related families (i.e., Rosidae consistently lacked DSEs and Portulacineae lacked AMF). This study indicates the value of comparing numerous taxa based on PFTs and phylogenetic similarity. Overall, the results suggest an uncertain benefit of endophytes in extremely arid environments where plant traits like succulence may obviate the need to establish associations.

Modeling geographic distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi from molecular evidence in soils of Argentinean Puna using a maximum entropy approach.

The biogeographic region of Argentinean Puna mainly extends at elevations higher than 3,000 m within the Andean Plateau and hosts diverse ecological communities highly adapted to extreme aridity and low temperatures. Soils of Puna are typically poorly evolved and geomorphology is shaped by drainage networks, resulting in highly vegetated endorheic basins and hypersaline basins known as salar or salt flats. Local communities rely on soil fertility for agricultural practices and on pastures for livestock rearing. From this perspective, investigating the scarcely explored microbiological diversity of these soils as indicators of ecosystems functioning might help to predict the fragility of these harsh environments. In this study we collected soil samples from 28 points, following a nested design within three different macro-habitats, i.e., Puna grassland, hypersaline salar and family-run crop fields. Total fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) occurrence were analyzed using eDNA sequencing. In addition, the significance of soil salinity and organic matter content as significant predictors of AMF occurrence, was assessed through Generalized Linear Mixed Modeling. We also investigated whether intensive grazing by cattle and lama in Puna grasslands may reduce the presence of AMF in these highly disturbed soils, driving or not major ecological changes, but no consistent results were found, suggesting that more specific experiments and further investigations may address the question more specifically. Finally, to predict the suitability for AMF in the different macro-habitats, Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) was performed within an environmental coherent area comprising both the phytogeographic regions of Puna and Altoandino. We modeled AMF distribution with a maximum entropy approach, including bioclimatic and edaphic predictors and obtaining maps of environmental suitability for AMF within the predicted areas. To assess the impact of farming on AMF occurrence, we set a new series of models excluding the cultivated Chaupi Rodeo samples. Overall, SDM predicted a lower suitability for AMF in hypersaline salar areas, while grassland habitats and a wider temperature seasonality range appear to be factors significantly related to AMF enrichment, suggesting a main role of seasonal dynamics in shaping AMF communities. The highest abundance of AMF was observed in Vicia faba crop fields, while potato fields yielded a very low AMF occurrence. The models excluding the cultivated Chaupi Rodeo samples highlighted that if these cultivated areas had theoretically remained unmanaged habitats of Puna and Altoandino, then large-scale soil features and local bioclimatic constraints would likely support a lower suitability for AMF. Using SDM we evidenced the influence of bioclimatic, edaphic and anthropic predictors in shaping AMF occurrence and highlighted the relevance of considering human activities to accurately predict AMF distribution.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi from Argentinean Highland Puna Soils Unveiled by Propagule Multiplication.

Low arbuscular-mycorrhizal (AM) sporulation in arid field soils limits our knowledge of indigenous species when diversity studies are based only on spore morphology. Our aim was to use different approaches (i.e., spore morphological approach and PCR-SSCP (single-strand-conformation-polymorphism) analysis after trap plant multiplication strategies to improve the knowledge of the current richness of glomalean AM fungi (Glomerales; Glomeromycota) from the Argentine Puna. Indigenous propagules from two pristine sites at 3870 and 3370 m of elevation were multiplied using different host plants; propagation periods (2-6 months), and subculture cycles (1; 2; or 3) from 5 to 13 months. The propagule multiplication experiment allowed the detection of different glomoid taxa of Funneliformis spp. and Rhizoglomus spp., which were considered cryptic species since they had never been found in Puna soils before. On the other hand; almost all the generalist species previously described were recovered from cultures; except for Glomus ambisporum. Both plant host selection and culture times are critical for Glomerales multiplication. The SSCP analysis complemented the morphological approach and showed a high variability of Glomus at each site; revealing the presence of Funneliformis mosseae. This study demonstrates that AMF trap culture (TC) is a useful strategy for improving the analysis of AM fungal diversity/richness in the Argentinean highlands.

Impact of land use history on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in arid soils of Argentinean farming fields.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a key soil functional group, with an important potential to increase crop productivity and sustainable agriculture including food security. However, there is clear evidence that land uses, crop rotations and soil features affect the AMF diversity and their community functioning in many agroecosystems. So far, the information related to AMF biodiversity in ecosystems like the Argentinean Puna, an arid high plateau where plants experience high abiotic stresses, is still scarce. In this work, we investigated morphological and molecular AMF diversity in soils of native corn, bean and native potato Andean crops, under a familiar land use, in Chaupi Rodeo (Jujuy, Argentina), without agrochemical supplements but with different histories of crop rotation. Our results showed that AMF morphological diversity was not only high and variable among the three different crop soils but also complemented by Illumina MiSeq data. The multivariate analyses highlighted that total fungal diversity is significantly affected by the preceding crop plants and the rotation histories, more than from the present crop species, while AMF communities are significantly affected by preceding crop only in combination with the effect of nitrogen and calcium soil concentration. This knowledge will give useful information on appropriate familiar farming.

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization on Cadmium-Mediated Oxidative Stress in Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Cadmium is a heavy metal (HM) that inhibits plant growth and leads to death, causing great losses in yields, especially in Cd hyperaccumulator crops such as Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean), a worldwide economically important legume. Furthermore, Cd incorporation into the food chain is a health hazard. Oxidative stress (OS) is a plant response to abiotic and biotic stresses with an intracellular burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that causes damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) association is a plant strategy to cope with HM and to alleviate OS. Our aim was to evaluate the mitigation effects of mycorrhization with AMF Rhizophagus intraradices on soybean growth, nutrients, Cd accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and the activity of different antioxidant agents under Cd (0.7-1.2 mg kg-1 bioavailable Cd) induced OS. Our results suggest that glutathione may act as a signal molecule in a defense response to Cd-induced OS, and mycorrhization may avoid Cd-induced growth inhibition and reduce Cd accumulation in roots. It is discussed that R. intraradices mycorrhization would act as a signal, promoting the generation of a soybean cross tolerance response to Cd pollution, therefore evidencing the potential of this AMF association for bioremediation and encouragement of crop development, particularly because it is an interaction between a worldwide cultivated Cd hyperaccumulator plant and an AMF-HM-accumulator commonly present in soils.

Transformation strategies for healthy organizations.

BACKGROUND: Healthy organizations are based on dynamic relationships between productivity, health and well-being. Understanding and transforming these labor-permeating relationships through health promotion actions is necessary in the present time. OBJECTIVE: To implement an intervention involving strategies likely to enable the transformation of companies into healthy organizations, based on a collective approach and seeking to boost performance and well-being at work. METHODS: Participants were organizations affiliated with an occupational risk management company, selected according to their size, degree of development of workplace health and safety systems and economic activity. We designed and implemented an intervention to evaluate workplace safety and health, to finally suggest strategies to enhance occupational well-being. RESULTS: We detected advances in the implementation of workplace safety and health systems, and also in several other aspects, as e.g. continuous improvement and self-care programs. Additional results include the participating organizations' engagement in several problems common to all, which led to the creation of a collective network. Intervention focused on training, follow-up, consultancy and collective development of healthy organizations. CONCLUSION: Our reflections are grounded on a collective process of creation and seek to elucidate the potential and difficulties inherent to the implemented intervention, outcome expectations, resulting social cooperation networks and the process to formulate strategies to link work to health, well-being and productivity.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las organizaciones saludables se fundamentan en relaciones dinámicas entre productividad, salud y bienestar. La actualidad requiere entender y transformar estas relaciones inmersas en el trabajo y la ocupación a través de la promoción de la salud. OBJETIVO: Implementar una intervención a través de estrategias que permitan la transformación empresarial bajo los fundamentos de organizaciones saludables con enfoque colectivo, en el desempeño ocupacional y el bienestar laboral. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una convocatoria entre organizaciones afiliadas a una administradora de riesgos laborales teniendo en cuenta tamaño empresarial, desarrollo de sistemas de salud y seguridad laboral, y sector económico. Se diseñó e implementó una intervención que evalúa la seguridad y salud en el trabajo, ejecuta acciones y actividades, para finalmente proponer estrategias enmarcadas en el bienestar laboral. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron avances en la implementación del sistema de seguridad y salud en el trabajo; se evidenciaron avances en el desarrollo de ítems como la mejora continua y los programas de autocuidado. Por otro lado, se relacionaron resultados adicionales como la participación de las organizaciones saludables en diferentes problemáticas comunes que permitieron el desarrollo de una red colectiva. Las intervenciones realizadas se enfocaron en la capacitación, acompañamiento, asesoría y construcción colectiva de organizaciones saludables. CONCLUSIONES: La reflexión parte de los procesos de construcción grupal entendiendo las potencialidades y dificultades de las intervenciones planteadas, la expectativa en los resultados, las redes de cooperación social resultantes y el proceso de proponer estrategias que permitan vincular la ocupación participativa laboralmente con la salud, el bienestar y la productividad.

Exploring the chelation-based plant strategy for iron oxide nanoparticle uptake in garden cress (Lepidium sativum) using magnetic particle spectrometry.

Although iron is one of Earth's most abundant elements, its availability to plants remains an agricultural challenge, particularly in high pH environments. At high pH, iron forms insoluble ferric oxide-hydroxides that makes it inaccessible to plants. It is estimated that 30% of the world's cropland is too alkaline for optimal plant growth. Staple crops, like rice, are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency, thereby, necessitating the need for continued research in developing iron-based fertilizers. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of using iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) as fertilizers to address iron deficiency in plants, but some studies have generated conflicting results. One of the major challenges associated in investigating IONP plant uptake and translocation is the inability to distinguish between intact IONPs versus leached iron ions. In this study, we utilized a new approach based on magnetic particle spectrometry (MPS) to monitor the uptake and distribution of different sized (10 and 20 nm) chelated IONPs in plants. We exposed garden cress (Lepidium sativum) plants to EDTA-capped IONPs and observed an 8-fold enhancement in total biomass and 1.4 times increase in chlorophyll production compared to plants treated with a commercial chelated iron fertilizer (Fe-EDTA). Moreover, we demonstrated that the uptake and tissue distribution of IONPs can be quantitatively monitored using MPS, and the results of the analysis were validated by atomic absorption spectroscopy, which is the conventional method used to study IONP plant uptake. Our study demonstrates that MPS is a reliable, sensitive, and effective analytical tool for the development of IONP-based fertilizers.

Arbuscular mycorrhizas and dark septate endophytes associated with grasses from the Argentine Puna.

The Andean Puna is an arid, high-elevation plateau in which plants such as grasses experience high abiotic stress and distinctive environmental conditions. We assessed colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) in the roots of 20 native grass species and examined the relationship between root-associated fungi (AMF and DSE) as a function of the elevation of study sites, the photosynthetic pathways of the grass hosts, and the hosts' life cycles. In general, grasses were co-colonized by AMF and DSE and the colonization by AMF and DSE was not extensive. The extension of colonization of AMF and that of DSE were positively correlated, as were number of arbuscules and DSE colonization extension. The extension of AMF colonization differed among sites with different elevations, but DSE colonization was similar across sites. Overall, AMF and DSE patterns shifted as a function of elevation in most grass species, with no general trends observed with respect to host photosynthetic pathway or life cycle. In general, our observations differ from previous studies in the Northern Hemisphere. Variation among sites in AMF and DSE colonization was greater than variation that could be explained by the other factors considered here, suggesting a strong influence of environmental factors. We predict that both AMF and DSE may have established synergistic and beneficial associations with grasses in these distinctive and harsh ecosystems.

Applications and challenges of using 3D printed implants for the treatment of birth defects.

Pediatric implants are a special subclass of a vast number of clinically used medical implants, uniquely designed to address the needs of young patients who are at the onset of their developmental growth stage. Given the vulnerability of the implant receiver, it is crucial that the implants manufactured for small children with birth-associated defects be given careful considerations and great attention to design detail to avoid postoperative complications. In this review, we focus on the most common types of medical implants manufactured for the treatment of birth defects originating from both genetic and environmental causes. Particular emphasis is devoted toward identifying the implant material of choice and manufacturing approaches for the fabrication of pediatric prostheses. Along this line, the emerging role of 3D printing to enable customized implants for infants with congenital disorders is presented, as well as the possible complications associated with prosthetic-related infections that is prevalent in using artificial implants for the treatment of birth malformations.

Histamine H2 Receptor-Mediated Suppression of Intestinal Inflammation by Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri.

UNLABELLED: Probiotics and commensal intestinal microbes suppress mammalian cytokine production and intestinal inflammation in various experimental model systems. Limited information exists regarding potential mechanisms of probiotic-mediated immunomodulation in vivo. In this report, we demonstrate that specific probiotic strains of Lactobacillus reuteri suppress intestinal inflammation in a trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced mouse colitis model. Only strains that possess the hdc gene cluster, including the histidine decarboxylase and histidine-histamine antiporter genes, can suppress colitis and mucosal cytokine (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and IL-1ß in the colon) gene expression. Suppression of acute colitis in mice was documented by diminished weight loss, colonic injury, serum amyloid A (SAA) protein concentrations, and reduced uptake of [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]FDG) in the colon by positron emission tomography (PET). The ability of probiotic L. reuteri to suppress colitis depends on the presence of a bacterial histidine decarboxylase gene(s) in the intestinal microbiome, consumption of a histidine-containing diet, and signaling via the histamine H2 receptor (H2R). Collectively, luminal conversion of l-histidine to histamine by hdc(+) L. reuteri activates H2R, and H2R signaling results in suppression of acute inflammation within the mouse colon. IMPORTANCE: Probiotics are microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer beneficial effects on the host. Supplementation with probiotic strains was shown to suppress intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in rodent colitis models. However, the mechanisms of probiosis are not clear. Our current studies suggest that supplementation with hdc(+) L. reuteri, which can convert l-histidine to histamine in the gut, resulted in suppression of colonic inflammation. These findings link luminal conversion of dietary components (amino acid metabolism) by gut microbes and probiotic-mediated suppression of colonic inflammation. The effective combination of diet, gut bacteria, and host receptor-mediated signaling may result in opportunities for therapeutic microbiology and provide clues for discovery and development of next-generation probiotics.

The safety of functional analyses of self-injurious behavior.

Functional analysis is the most precise method of identifying variables that maintain self-injurious behavior (SIB), and its use may lead to more effective treatment. One criticism and potential limitation of a functional analysis is that it may unnecessarily expose individuals to a higher risk of injury (Betz & Fisher, 2011). The purpose of this study was to determine if there were higher levels and severity of injury during the functional analysis than outside the functional analysis. We conducted a retrospective records review of 99 participants admitted to an inpatient unit for the treatment of SIB. The results showed that injury rates were relatively low across all situations and that when injuries occurred, they were usually not severe. These findings suggest that the functional analysis of SIB is relatively safe when appropriate precautions are taken.

Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from mountain grassland (Cordoba, Argentina) I. Seasonal variation of fungal spore diversity.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were studied in the rhizosphere of 3 Poaceae with metabolic pathway C(3) (Briza subaristata Lam., Deyeuxia hieronymi (Hack.) Türpe and Poa stuckertii (Hack.) Parodi), 2 Poaceae with C(4) metabolic type (Eragrostis lugens Nees and Sorghastrum pellitum (Hack.) Parodi.), and a Rosaceae (Alchemilla pinnata Ruíz & Pav.) from a natural mountain grassland in Central Argentina (South America). Host species, their metabolic type, seasonal changes, and grazing effects over AM fungal diversity were analyzed. Seventeen mycorrhizal fungi taxa were found, widespread in all families of Glomales. Density of endomycorrhizal fungi was found to be strongly influenced with seasons and host metabolic pathway, although biodiversity (H), richness (S) and evenness (E) did not change. In most cases grazing did not affect these variables.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in a mountain grassland II: Seasonal variation of colonization studied, along with its relation to grazing and metabolic host type.

The relationships among seasons, host metabolic type, grazing and arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization were analyzed in a high South American native grassland. This study investigated seasonal changes and grazing effects on the symbiotic endomycorrhizal interaction in 5 Poaceae [C(3) metabolic pathway: Briza subaristata Lam., Deyeuxia hieronymi (Hack.) Türpe and Poa stuckertii (Hack.) Parodi; with C(4) metabolic pathway: Eragrostis lugens Nees and Sorghastrum pellitum (Hack.) Parodi; and a Rosaceae (Alchemilla pinnata Ruíz & Pav.)]. All hosts were dominant species in the mountain grassland in central Argentina. It was found that the seasons markedly influenced endomycorrhizal colonization, whereas grazing did not affect this interaction. C(4) grasses presented the highest root colonization. Hosts Briza subaristata (C(3) metabolic pathway) and Sorghastrum pellitum (C(4) metabolic pathway) showed Arum- and Paris-type colonization and intermediate forms.

Estrategias de transformación en organizaciones saludables / Transformation strategies for healthy organizations

Introducción: Las organizaciones saludables se fundamentan en relaciones dinámicas entre productividad, salud y bienestar. La actualidad requiere entender y transformar estas relaciones inmersas en el trabajo y la ocupación a través de la promoción de la salud. Objetivo: Implementar una intervención a través de estrategias que permitan la transformación empresarial bajo los fundamentos de organizaciones saludables con enfoque colectivo, en el desempeño ocupacional y el bienestar laboral. Metodología: Se realizó una convocatoria entre organizaciones afiliadas a una administradora de riesgos laborales teniendo en cuenta tamaño empresarial, desarrollo de sistemas de salud y seguridad laboral, y sector económico. Se diseñó e implementó una intervención que evalúa la seguridad y salud en el trabajo, ejecuta acciones y actividades, para finalmente proponer estrategias enmarcadas en el bienestar laboral. Resultados: Se identificaron avances en la implementación del sistema de seguridad y salud en el trabajo; se evidenciaron avances en el desarrollo de ítems como la mejora continua y los programas de autocuidado. Por otro lado, se relacionaron resultados adicionales como la participación de las organizaciones saludables en diferentes problemáticas comunes que permitieron el desarrollo de una red colectiva. Las intervenciones realizadas se enfocaron en la capacitación, acompañamiento, asesoría y construcción colectiva de organizaciones saludables. Conclusiones: La reflexión parte de los procesos de construcción grupal entendiendo las potencialidades y dificultades de las intervenciones planteadas, la expectativa en los resultados, las redes de cooperación social resultantes y el proceso de proponer estrategias que permitan vincular la ocupación participativa laboralmente con la salud, el bienestar y la productividad.

Background: Healthy organizations are based on dynamic relationships between productivity, health and well-being. Understanding and transforming these labor-permeating relationships through health promotion actions is necessary in the present time. Objective: To implement an intervention involving strategies likely to enable the transformation of companies into healthy organizations, based on a collective approach and seeking to boost performance and well-being at work. Methods: Participants were organizations affiliated with an occupational risk management company, selected according to their size, degree of development of workplace health and safety systems and economic activity. We designed and implemented an intervention to evaluate workplace safety and health, to finally suggest strategies to enhance occupational well-being. Results: We detected advances in the implementation of workplace safety and health systems, and also in several other aspects, as e.g. continuous improvement and self-care programs. Additional results include the participating organizations' engagement in several problems common to all, which led to the creation of a collective network. Intervention focused on training, follow-up, consultancy and collective development of healthy organizations. Conclusion: Our reflections are grounded on a collective process of creation and seek to elucidate the potential and difficulties inherent to the implemented intervention, outcome expectations, resulting social cooperation networks and the process to formulate strategies to link work to health, well-being and productivity.

Colonization of native Andean grasses by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in Puna: a matter of altitude, host photosynthetic pathway and host life cycles.

The relationships of altitude, host life cycle (annual or perennial) and photosynthetic pathway (C(3) or C(4) ) with arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) root colonization were analysed in 35 species of Andean grasses. The study area is located in north-western Argentina along altitudinal sites within the Puna biogeographical region. Twenty-one sites from 3320 to 4314 m were sampled. Thirty-five grasses were collected, and the AM root colonization was quantified. We used multivariate analyses to test emerging patterns in these species by considering the plant traits and variables of AM colonization. Pearson's correlations were carried out to evaluate the specific relationships between some variables. Most grasses were associated with AM, but the colonization percentages were low in both C(3) and C(4) grasses. Nevertheless, the AM root colonization clearly decreased as the altitude increased. This distinctive pattern among different species was also observed between some of the populations of the same species sampled throughout the sites. An inverse relationship between altitude and AM colonization was found in this Southern Hemisphere Andean system. The effect of altitude on AM colonization seems to be more related to the grasses' photosynthetic pathway than to life cycles. This study represents the first report for this biogeographical region.

Calidad de vida laboral en trabajadores de una Empresa Social del Estado de Tunja, Colombia / Quality of work life in employees of a State Social Enterprise Tunja, Colombia

Evaluar el nivel de calidad de vida laboral en los trabajadores de una Empresa Social del Estado de Tunja, Colombia a través del instrumentoCVT-GOHISALU. Materiales y metodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, en una muestra de 91 trabajadores de la Empresa Social del Estado.Se aplicó el instrumento CVT- GOHISALO, que consta de 74 ítems y mide la calidad de vida en el trabajo en 7 dimensiones. El procesamiento y análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SPSS. Resultados: En las dimensiones de soporte institucional para el trabajo y seguridad en el trabajo, los trabajadores se encontraron satisfechos. En las dimensiones de integración al puesto de trabajo, la satisfacción por el trabajo, el bienestar logrado mediante el trabajo y desarrollo personal alcanzaron la media normal; la dimensión administración del tiempo libre presentó vulnerabilidad. Conclusiones:Se deben mejorar aspectos como el trabajo en grupo, ambiente laboral, realizar charlas de motivación para tomar aprecio por el trabajo que desempeñan, implementar políticas para que los trabajadores puedan alcanzar beneficios a través de su trabajo, concretar logros y metas propuestas. Designar funcionesequitativamente para equilibrar la carga laboral y de esta manera puedanplanificar y administrar el tiempo libre...

Sensory lateralization in pain subjective perception for noxious heat stimulus.

The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize hemispheric lateralization for pain intensity perception. A sample of 351 healthy volunteers was tested by the immersion of the right hand for 10 s followed by the same test for the left hand (RL group; n = 199) or in a random sequence (RND group; n = 152) into a water bath (48 degrees C, 15 s). Pain intensity was self-reported by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The motor hemispherical Lateralization Index (LI) was obtained by the Edinburgh Inventory. Gender, hand skin fold, interstimulus time and menstrual cycle data in case of female subjects were recorded. The sample, 60.7% females and 39.3% males, 20.4 +/- 0.18 (mean +/- SEM) years old, showed 92.1% right-handed subjects. Left hand VAS was significantly higher than right hand VAS for RL (7.24 +/- 1.31 vs 6.74 +/- 1.52; p < 0.01) and RND (7.24 +/- 0.82 vs 6.73 +/- 1.25; p < 0.01) both for right- and left-handed subjects. A low but significant correlation for VAS scores and LI was found (r = 0.14; p < 0.05 or r = 0.18; p < 0.05, for left or right hand, respectively). Skin fold was statistically similar in both hands (p > 0.05) being highly correlated with each other (r = 0.68; p < 0.05). Pain subjective perception was not correlated to interstimulus time (r = -0.01; p > 0.05). Females showed significantly higher values than males for both left and right hand VAS scores. Periovulatory phase VAS value was significantly higher than luteal phase VAS only for the right hand test (7.57 +/- 0.20 vs 6.47 +/- 0.33; p < 0.01). The results of the present study suggest a lateralization of pain intensity perception to the right hemisphere not correlated with the motor hemispheric lateralization.

Diagnostico sobre alteraciones de los movimientos oculomotores (M.O.M. ), con pruebas de medición subjetiva en niños entre 7 a 9 años con problemas de lectura y bajo rendimiento escolar en dos colegios de Bogotá / Diagnosis about alterations of the oculomotor movements (MOM), with subjective measurement test in children from 7 to 9 years old with reading problems and low school performance in two primary schools in Bogota

Los Movimientos oculomotores (M.O.M.), incluyen: Firmeza de Fijación, movimientos sacádicos y de Seguimiento. El objetivo consistió en realizar un examen Optométrico y un diagnostico sobre alteraciones de los MOM con las pruebas de test de medición subjetiva, test NSUCO utilizado por Mapple y prueba DEVEPLOMENTAL EYE MOVEMENT TEST (DEM), a niños y niñas que presentaban disfunciones de los Movimientos Oculomotores (M.O.M.), asociados con problemas de lectura y bajo rendimiento escolar, en dos colegios de Bogotá. Se examinaron 533 escolares con edades entre 7 y 9 años, de los cuales se diagnosticaron sin disfunción oculomotora, 413 escolares, clasificados normales Tipo I; 120 escolares con deficiencias de los M.O.M. y problemas de lectura: 56 Tipo II, 37 Tipo III y 27 Tipo IV. Respecto a los Defectos Refractivos, se diagnostico el astigmatismo como el de mayor prevalencia, siguiendo la hipermetropía y luego la miopía. Conclusiones: Es posible diagnosticar disfunciones de los M.O.M., en exámenes Optométricos rutinarios basados en el test NSUCO y con la aplicación del test D.E.M.

The oculomotor movements include: fixationfirmness, saccadic and following movements. Theobjective was to carry out an optometric examinationand a diagnosis about alterations of the MOM withsubjective measurement tests, NSUCO test used byMapple the Developmental Eye Movement test (DEM)to children who had MOM disorders associated toreading problems and low school performance in twoprimary schools in Bogota. 533 children from 7 to 9years old were examined and diagnosed withoutoculomotor disorders; 413 children were classifiedas normal Type I; 120 children had MOM deficienciesand reading problems, out of them 56 were classifiedas Type II, 37, type III; and 27, Type IV. Regardingrefractive defects, astigmatism was diagnosed as themost recurrent, followed by long-sightedness andmyopia. As a conclusion, we can determine that it ispossible to diagnose MOM disorders with routineoptometric examinations based on the NSUCO testand DEM test.

Influencia del ciclo lunar en las funciones mentales de pacientes hospitalizados en psiquiatría en el 2003: Departamento de Psiquiatría del Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo / Influence of the lunar cycle in the mental functions of patients hospitalized in psychiatry in 2003: Departament of Psychiatry of the Military Hospital Dr. Carlos Arvelo

Debido a lo controvertido que ha sido el estudio de la influencia de las fases lunares sobre los fenómenos físicos y psíquicos, se decide evaluar la influencia de estas fases sobre las funciones mentales de pacientes psiquíatricos hospitalizados en el Departamento de Psiquiatría del Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo". La muestra al azar se constituyó en el estudio de 18 pacientes, con esquizofrenia o trastornos afectivos y síntomas psicóticos; se realizó un análisis retrospectivo, durante un período de al menos cuatro ciclos lunares consecutivos, considerándose los exámenes mentales de las evoluciones en las historias médicas como fuente de información. No se encontraron diferencias sigificativas al examen mental de los pacientes estudiados en las diferentes fases lunares. Se evidenció un mayor número de ingresos en la fase de luna llena (40 por ciento). Se pudo evidenciar en nuestro estudio que existe un aumento de las descompensaciones psiquiátricas durante la fase de luna llena, agrupándose aquí la mayoría de los ingresos.