Towards Lifespan Automation for Caenorhabditis elegans Based on Deep Learning: Analysing Convolutional and Recurrent Neural Networks for Dead or Live Classification.

The automation of lifespan assays with C. elegans in standard Petri dishes is a challenging problem because there are several problems hindering detection such as occlusions at the plate edges, dirt accumulation, and worm aggregations. Moreover, determining whether a worm is alive or dead can be complex as they barely move during the last few days of their lives. This paper proposes a method combining traditional computer vision techniques with a live/dead C. elegans classifier based on convolutional and recurrent neural networks from low-resolution image sequences. In addition to proposing a new method to automate lifespan, the use of data augmentation techniques is proposed to train the network in the absence of large numbers of samples. The proposed method achieved small error rates (3.54% ± 1.30% per plate) with respect to the manual curve, demonstrating its feasibility.

The Role of Brassica Bioactives on Human Health: Are We Studying It the Right Way?

Brassica vegetables and their components, the glucosinolates, have been suggested as good candidates as dietary coadjutants to improve health in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Different preclinical and clinical studies have been performed in the last decade; however, some concerns have been posed on the lack of established and standardized protocols. The different concentration of bioactive compounds used, time of intervention or sample size, and the lack of blinding are some factors that may influence the studies' outcomes. This review aims to analyze the critical points of the studies performed with Brassica-related biomolecules and propose some bases for future trials in order to avoid biases.

Ubiquitous virtual private network: a solution for WSN seamless integration.

Sensor networks are becoming an essential part of ubiquitous systems and applications. However, there are no well-defined protocols or mechanisms to access the sensor network from the enterprise information system. We consider this issue as a heterogeneous network interconnection problem, and as a result, the same concepts may be applied. Specifically, we propose the use of object-oriented middlewares to provide a virtual private network in which all involved elements (sensor nodes or computer applications) will be able to communicate as if all of them were in a single and uniform network.

[Relationship between thyroid function changes with work-/night-shifts and history of thyroid pathology among health personnel].

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to analyze the relationship between functional thyroid pathology and the exposure to work shifts / night shifts, and describe the most prevalent thyroid disorders based on the type of shift. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional study performed in the emergency department of a hospital in Almeria (Spain). Relationships between thyroxine and thyrotropin levels (TSH) and work shifts, professional category and history of thyroid pathology were analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 133 workers; 80.5% female, average age was 46.11 years (38 - 65), and 52% were part of the nursing staff; thyroid disorders were more frequent in female participants. Most participants (81.2%) had rotating shifts schedules and 11.3% night shifts (12.1% female and 7.7% male). Thyroid alterations were found in 27% of the participants (usually elevated TSH levels and normal thyroxine levels), particularly in those doing night shifts (61.1%). TSH alterations were more frequent in individuals doing night shifts than in rotating shifts (53.3 vs 13.0%; p<0.001). Individuals working night shifts had mean TSH values in the normal range, although significantly higher than the individuals in the rest of the shifts; thyroxine levels were found to be similar. No thyroid disorders were found in day shift participants. Night shift and a history of thyroid pathology were independent predictors of thyroid disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Night shift schedules and history of thyroid disorders are more frequent in female, both related to the presence of thyroid disorders, indicating the need to include the evaluation of these disorders in health surveillance programs and analyze gender differences.

A Biophysics Toolbox for Reliable Data Acquisition and Processing in Integrated Force-Confocal Fluorescence Microscopy.

Integrated single-molecule force-fluorescence spectroscopy setups allow for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and mechanical force manipulation and measurements on individual molecules, providing comprehensive dynamic and spatiotemporal information. Dual-beam optical tweezers (OT) combined with a confocal scanning microscope form a force-fluorescence spectroscopy apparatus broadly used to investigate various biological processes, in particular, protein:DNA interactions. Such experiments typically involve imaging of fluorescently labeled proteins bound to DNA and force spectroscopy measurements of trapped individual DNA molecules. Here, we present a versatile state-of-the-art toolbox including the preparation of protein:DNA complex samples, design of a microfluidic flow cell incorporated with OT, automation of OT-confocal scanning measurements, and the development and implementation of a streamlined data analysis package for force and fluorescence spectroscopy data processing. Its components can be adapted to any commercialized or home-built dual-beam OT setup equipped with a confocal scanning microscope, which will facilitate single-molecule force-fluorescence spectroscopy studies on a large variety of biological systems.

Restored glyoxylate metabolism after AGXT gene correction and direct reprogramming of primary hyperoxaluria type 1 fibroblasts.

Primary hyperoxaluria type 1 (PH1) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by oxalate overproduction in the liver, resulting in renal damage. It is caused by mutations in the AGXT gene. Combined liver and kidney transplantation is currently the only permanent curative treatment. We combined locus-specific gene correction and hepatic direct cell reprogramming to generate autologous healthy induced hepatocytes (iHeps) from PH1 patient-derived fibroblasts. First, site-specific AGXT corrected cells were obtained by homology directed repair (HDR) assisted by CRISPR-Cas9, following two different strategies: accurate point mutation (c.731T>C) correction or knockin of an enhanced version of AGXT cDNA. Then, iHeps were generated, by overexpression of hepatic transcription factors. Generated AGXT-corrected iHeps showed hepatic gene expression profile and exhibited in vitro reversion of oxalate accumulation compared to non-edited PH1-derived iHeps. This strategy set up a potential alternative cellular source for liver cell replacement therapy and a personalized PH1 in vitro disease model.

Regulation of Myc transcription by an enhancer cluster dedicated to pluripotency and early embryonic expression.

MYC plays various roles in pluripotent stem cells, including the promotion of somatic cell reprogramming to pluripotency, the regulation of cell competition and the control of embryonic diapause. However, how Myc expression is regulated in this context remains unknown. The Myc gene lies within a ~ 3-megabase gene desert with multiple cis-regulatory elements. Here we use genomic rearrangements, transgenesis and targeted mutation to analyse Myc regulation in early mouse embryos and pluripotent stem cells. We identify a topologically-associated region that homes enhancers dedicated to Myc transcriptional regulation in stem cells of the pre-implantation and early post-implantation embryo. Within this region, we identify elements exclusively dedicated to Myc regulation in pluripotent cells, with distinct enhancers that sequentially activate during naive and formative pluripotency. Deletion of pluripotency-specific enhancers dampens embryonic stem cell competitive ability. These results identify a topologically defined enhancer cluster dedicated to early embryonic expression and uncover a modular mechanism for the regulation of Myc expression in different states of pluripotency.

Influence of Dietary Lipid Source Supplementation on Milk and Fresh Cheese from Murciano-Granadina Goats.

This study analyzes the influence of the incorporation of flaked linseed and fish oil in the diet on the resulting milk and cheese. Three dietary treatments were assayed in 350 milking Murciano-Granadina multiparous goats in full-lactation: a control diet and two experimental diets, one including flaked linseed (FL) at 3.88% of dry matter, and the other containing salmon oil (SO) at 2.64% of dry matter for three periods of 21 d. None of the dietary treatments affected the daily milk yield, cheese yield, or the physicochemical parameters of the milk and cheese. Regarding the fatty acid profile (FA), the milk and cheese from animals whose diets were supplemented with SO had a higher percentage of fatty acids than those obtained with the FL-supplemented diet, except for C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 n-6, trans-9, trans-12 C18:2, cis-9, trans-11 C18:2, C18:3, and C19:0, which reached their highest levels in milk obtained with the diet supplemented with FL. The decrease in the percentage of C16:0 was greater in the milk derived from the FL diet than from the SO diet. The FL-supplemented diet improved the nutritional value of milk due to a reduction in saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and increases in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). The decrease in n-6/n-3 in the observed milk was more pronounced with the FL diet. No differences in the sensory profile were found for the milk and cheese derived from the different dietary treatments. Dietary n-3 treatments modified the fatty acid profile without making any sensory difference to milk and fresh cheese, accompanied by marginal modifications to the physicochemical profile. We conclude that dietary supplementation with flaked linseed or fish oil produces milk and cheese from Murciano-Granadina goats with a higher nutritional quality without modifying the sensory profile of the corresponding products obtained from animals that were fed a routine diet.

Optimal Parameters to Milk Murciano-Granadina Goats in Mid and Low-Line Milking Parlours.

Recent short-term studies on Murciano-Granadina goats have established that the optimal parameters to set up the milking machines are different according to the milk pipes height. Two groups of 52 fresh goats each were employed in 2 different experiments to confirm during an entire lactation period the best combinations of system vacuum pulsation rate and pulsator ratio in low-line and mid-line milking parlours. The experiment performed in the low-line milking parlour included one group milked with 40 KPa vacuum system level, 90 puls/min pulsation rate and 60/40 pulsation and a second group milked with 38 KPa vacuum system level, 90 puls/min pulsation rate and 60/40 pulsation ratio. The experiment carried out in mid-line included one group milked with 40 KPa vacuum system level, 90 puls/min pulsation rate and 60/40 pulsation ratio and a second group milked with 40 KPa vacuum system level, 120 puls/min pulsation rate and 60/40 pulsation ratio. Variables studied included milking efficiency, milk composition, cortisol, SCC and intramammary infections, teat-end oedema after milking and vacuum dynamics during milking. Considering the results of an entire lactation period, it was confirmed that when milking in mid-line, the combination of 40 KPa system vacuum, 90 cycles/min pulsation rate and 60/40 pulsator ratio showed optimal results of the above-mentioned variables. On the other hand, the use of 40 KPa in a low-line system increased the milk cortisol values (0.34 ± 0.1 vs. 0.44 ± 0.1 ng/mL) without any other advantage. Thus, the recommendation is to use a combination of 38 KPa system vacuum, 90 cycles/min pulsation rate and 60/40 pulsator ratio to enhance animal welfare.

Could machine learning algorithms help us predict massive bleeding at prehospital level?

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of the predictive ability of various machine learning algorithms (MLA) versus traditional prediction scales (TPS) for massive hemorrhage (MH) in patients with severe traumatic injury (STI). DESIGN: On a database of a retrospective cohort with prehospital clinical variables and MH outcome, a treatment of the database was performed to be able to apply the different AML, obtaining a total set of 473 patients (80% training, 20% validation). For modeling, proportional imputation and cross validation were performed. The predictive power was evaluated with the ROC metric and the importance of the variables using the Shapley values. SETTING: Out-of-hospital care of patients with STI. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with STI treated out-of-hospital by a out-of-hospital medical service from January 2010 to December 2015 and transferred to a trauma center in Madrid. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Obtaining and comparing the "Receiver Operating Characteristic curve" (ROC curve) metric of four MLAs: "random forest" (RF), "vector support machine" (SVM), "gradient boosting machine" (GBM) and "neural network" (NN) with the results obtained with TPS. RESULTS: The different AML reached ROC values higher than 0.85, having medians close to 0.98. We found no significant differences between AMLs. Each AML offers a different set of more important variables with a predominance of hemodynamic, resuscitation variables and neurological impairment. CONCLUSIONS: MLA may be helpful in patients with HM by outperforming TPS.

Shock Index and Physiological Stress Index for reestratifying patients with intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: Study and Evaluation of Two Scores: Shock Index (SI) and Physiological Stress Index (PSI) as discriminators for proactive treatment (reperfusion before decompensated shock) in a population of intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism (PE). DESIGN: Using a database from a retrospective cohort with clinical variables and the outcome variable of "proactive treatment", a comparison of the populations was conducted. Optimal cut-off for "proactive treatment" points were obtained according to the SI and PSI. Comparisons were carried out based on the cut-off points of both indices. SETTING: Patients admitted to a mixed ICU for PE. PARTICIPANTS: Patients >18 years old admitted to the ICU with intermediate-high risk PE recruited from January 2015 to October 2022. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Population comparison and metrics regarding predictive capacity when determining proactive treatment. RESULTS: SI and PSI independently have a substandard predictive capacity for discriminating patients who may benefit from an early reperfusion therapy. However, their combined use improves detection of sicker intermediate-high risk PE patients (Sensitivity = 0.66) in whom an early reperfusion therapy may improve outcomes (Specificity = 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the SI and PSI in patients with intermediate-high risk PE could be useful for selecting patients who would benefit from proactive treatment.

Effect of the Act on Promotion of Personal Autonomy and Care for dependent persons on their family caregivers.

BACKGROUND: The need of home care services is becoming an increasingly common scenario. These cares are mainly provided by the dependents' relatives specifically, by the women part of the family. This situation might take years, decreasing the physical and psychological health of the caregiver. In Spain, the Act of Promotion of Personal Autonomy and Care for dependent persons, guarantees those dependent persons and their caregivers to have access to social services or to financial grants. The aim of this study is to Know the possible effects of the benefits provided by this Act in regards to the mental health, the quality of life and use of health services by the family caregivers assisting their relatives in situation of dependency. METHODS AND DESIGN: A longitudinal descriptive study following-up a cohort of patients and caregivers. The study shall be carried out in Andalusia. It shall include the baseline assessment of the variables in those caregivers free from the exposure factor (reception of assistance pursuant to the Act). Following, once the benefits have been received, this cohort shall be followed-up.The study shall take three years, and the starting date for its development as well as its funding is January 2011. DISCUSSION: The longitudinal assessment of the rate of change of the variables studied shall allow us to know the implications which might be potentially generated as well as the natural evolution of those.

Comprehensive molecular analysis of immortalization hallmarks in thyroid cancer reveals new prognostic markers.

BACKGROUND: Comprehensive molecular studies on tumours are needed to delineate immortalization process steps and identify sensitive prognostic biomarkers in thyroid cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we extensively characterize telomere-related alterations in a series of 106 thyroid tumours with heterogeneous clinical outcomes. Using a custom-designed RNA-seq panel, we identified five telomerase holoenzyme-complex genes upregulated in clinically aggressive tumours compared to tumours from long-term disease-free patients, being TERT and TERC denoted as independent prognostic markers by multivariate regression model analysis. Characterization of alterations related to TERT re-expression revealed that promoter mutations, methylation and/or copy gains exclusively co-occurred in clinically aggressive tumours. Quantitative-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) analysis of telomere lengths showed a significant shortening in these carcinomas, which matched with a high proliferative rate measured by Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. RNA-seq data analysis indicated that short-telomere tumours exhibit an increased transcriptional activity in the 5-Mb-subtelomeric regions, site of several telomerase-complex genes. Gene upregulation enrichment was significant for specific chromosome-ends such as the 5p, where TERT is located. Co-FISH analysis of 5p-end and TERT loci showed a more relaxed chromatin configuration in short telomere-length tumours compared to normal telomere-length tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings support that telomere shortening leads to a 5p subtelomeric region reorganization, facilitating the transcription and accumulation of alterations at TERT-locus.

Effect of Vacuum Level and Pulsation Parameters on Milking Efficiency and Animal Welfare of Murciano-Granadina Goats Milked in Mid-Line and Low-Line Milking Machines.

The Murciano-Granadina goat breed has been described as a slow milking breed. As milking machine parameters can affect milk extraction in terms of yield and time employed, two experiments of one-month duration were performed with 88 goats in Latin square design to find the best combination of these parameters. One of them was carried out in a mid-line milking machine and one in a low-line milking machine. For each of them, two vacuum levels (36 and 40 kPa), two pulsation rates (90 and 120 cycles/min) and two pulsator ratios (50 and 60%) were used and milking efficiency, sanitary status of the mammary gland, milk cortisol, and teat end status were evaluated. Results showed that in milking machines installed in mid- and low-line, the use of 40 kPa system vacuum, 60% pulsator ratio and 90 or 120 cycles/min pulsation rate achieved optimum milking fractioning and efficiency. In the case of low-level milking machines, a similar combination with 36 kPa not only showed worse milking fractioning values, but also provided better values of teat end status and cortisol level.

Feasibility analysis of wind and solar powered desalination plants: An application to islands.

Economic surveillance for securing water projects driven by non-conventional energy sources is a challenge. The carrying out of these initiatives in economies based on liberalized markets faces governments against the need for guaranteed profits. As water availability has become a relevant global problem, and desalination an energy-intensive demand solution, it is common to combine both kinds of technologies, renewable energy systems and desalination plants. This research investigates the influence of grants, investment rates, and energy and water sales on the commercialization of two desalination technologies. A performance analysis has been carried out taking into account different scenarios. Following this approach, a simulated reverse osmosis desalination plant has been compared with respect to an already granted novel pilot plant. Results show a better fulfilment of the non-economic objectives, and economically profitable not only under certain conditions of conceded grants, and investor's expected benefits but also of sales of water-energy, that highlighted as a limiting factor. The Levelized Cost of Energy might be similar than the Spanish generation means, depending on the cost escalation rate of the loans, and conceded grants. It was found a reduction of 11 euro cents under the average price that could be achieved, for the standard scenario.

Efficacy of a joint didactic intervention using the Junta De Andalucía School for Patients method to control prothrombin time in patients taking anticoagulants: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulant drugs represent an essential tool in the prevention of thromboembolic events. The ones in widespread use are vitamin K antagonists, whose plasma level is monitored by measuring prothrombin time using the international normalized ratio. If its values are out of the recommended range, the patient will have a higher risk of suffering from thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications. Previous research has shown that approximately 33% of patients keep having values at an inappropriate level. The purpose of the proposed study is to improve the international normalized ratio control results by a joint didactic intervention based on the Junta de Andalucía School for Patients method that will be implemented by anticoagulated patients themselves. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial will be undertaken at primary care centers from one healthcare area in Málaga (Andalusia, Spain). STUDY POPULATION: patients participating in an oral anticoagulant therapy program of vitamin K antagonists. First step: identification of patients in the oral anticoagulation therapy program with international normalized ratio control of the therapeutic level at 65% or less over total time. Second step: patients with international normalized ratio (INR) control figures under 2 or above 3 will be assigned to two different groups: Group 1 or joint intervention group: patients will be instructed in the joint didactic "from peer to peer," by a previously trained and expert anticoagulant patient. Group 2 or control group: the control group will receive the usual clinical practice. They will be evaluated by nurses about once a month, except for cases in which their INR figures are under 2 or above 3, and those patients will be evaluated more frequently. A total of 312 individuals will be required (156 in each group) to detect differences in INR figures equal to or higher than 15% between the groups. STUDY VARIABLES: time on therapeutic levels before and after the intervention; sociodemographic variables; vital signs; the existence of cardiovascular risk factors or accompanying diseases in the clinical records; laboratory test including complete blood counts, bleeding time, and prothrombin time or partial thromboplastin time; and blood chemistry, other prescribed drugs, and social support. A quasi-experimental analytic study with before-after statistical analysis of the intervention will be conducted. Linear regression models will be applied for the main variable results (international normalized ratio value, time on therapeutic level) inputting sociodemographic variables, accompanying diseases, and social support. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03647254 . Registered on 27 August 2018.

Design of a case management model for people with chronic disease (Heart Failure and COPD). Phase I: modeling and identification of the main components of the intervention through their actors: patients and professionals (DELTA-icE-PRO Study).

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases account for nearly 60% of deaths around the world. The extent of this silent epidemic has not met determined responses in governments, policies or professionals in order to transform old Health Care Systems, configured for acute diseases. There is a large list of research about alternative models for people with chronic conditions, many of them with an advanced practice nurse as a key provider, as case management. But some methodological concerns raise, above all, the design of the intervention (intensity, frequency, components, etc). OBJECTIVES: General: To develop the first and second phases (theorization and modeling) for designing a multifaceted case-management intervention in people with chronic conditions (COPD and heart failure) and their caregivers. SPECIFIC AIMS: 1) To identify key events in people living with chronic disease and their relation with the Health Care System, from their point of view. 2) To know the coping mechanisms developed by patients and their caregivers along the story with the disease. 3) To know the information processing and its utilization in their interactions with health care providers. 4) To detect potential unmet needs and the ways deployed by patients and their caregivers to resolve them. 5) To obtain a description from patients and caregivers, about their itineraries along the Health Care System, in terms of continuity, accessibility and comprehensiveness of care. 6) To build up a list of promising case-management interventions in patients with Heart Failure and COPD with this information in order to frame it into theoretical models for its reproducibility and conceptualization. 7) To undergo this list to expert judgment to assess its feasibility and pertinence in the Andalusian Health Care. DESIGN: Qualitative research with two phases: For the first five objectives, a qualitative technique with biographic stories will be developed and, for the remaining objectives, an expert consensus through Delphi technique, on the possible interventions yielded from the first phase. The study will be developed in the provinces of Almería, Málaga and Granada in the Southern Spain, from patients included in the Andalusian Health Care Service database with the diagnosis of COPD or Heart Failure, with the collaboration of case manager nurses and general practitioners for the assessment of their suitability to inclusion criteria. Patients and caregivers will be interviewed in their homes or their Health Centers, with their family or their case manager nurse as mediator. DISCUSSION: First of a series of studies intended to design a case-management service for people with heart failure and COPD, in the Andalusian Health Care System, where case management has been implemented since 2002. Accordingly with the steps of a theoretical model for complex interventions, in this study, theorization and intervention modeling phases will be developed.

Asociación de alteraciones de la función tiroidea con turnicidad/nocturnidad laboral y antecedentes de patología tiroidea en profesionales sanitarios / Relationship between thyroid function changes with work-/night-shifts and history of thyroid pathology among health personnel

Fundamento. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la asociación entre la patologia funcional tiroidea y la exposición a turnicidad/nocturnidad laboral, y describir los trastornos tiroideos más prevalentes por turno de trabajo. Metodología. Estudio transversal realizado en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario de Almería (España). Se relacionaron los niveles de tiroxina y tirotropina (TSH) con el turno, la categoría profesional y los antecedentes de patologia tiroidea. Resultados. Se incluyeron 133 trabajadores, 80,5% mujeres, edad media 46,11 años (38 a 65) y 52% personal enfermero; las mujeres mostraron más frecuentemente antecedentes tiroideos. El 81,2% trabajaba en turno rotatorio y el 11,3% en turno nocturno (12,1% de mujeres y 7,7% de hombres). El 27% mostró alteraciones tiroideas, más frecuentemente niveles elevados de TSH con niveles normales de tiroxina, especialmente en turno nocturno (61,1%). Las alteraciones de TSH fueron más frecuentes en turno nocturno que en rotatorios (53,3 vs 13,0%; p<0,001). El turno nocturno presentó valores medios de TSH en rango normal pero significativamente superiores al resto de turnos, mientras los niveles de tiroxina fueron similares. El turno diurno no presentó alteraciones. El turno nocturno y la presencia de antecedentes fueron predictores independientes de presentar alteraciones tiroideas. Conclusiones. El turno nocturno y los antecedentes de patología tiroidea fueron más frecuentes en mujeres, y ambos se asociaron con la presencia de alteraciones tiroideas, indicando la necesidad de incluir la evaluación de dichas alteraciones en los programas de vigilancia de salud y de analizar las diferencias por sexo. (AU)

Background. The study aim was to analyze the relationship between functional thyroid pathology and the exposure to work shifts / night shifts, and describe the most prevalent thyroid disorders based on the type of shift. Methodology. Cross-sectional study performed in the emergency department of a hospital in Almeria (Spain). Relationships between thyroxine and thyrotropin levels (TSH) and work shifts, professional category and history of thyroid pathology were analyzed. Results. The study included 133 workers; 80.5% female, average age was 46.11 years (38 – 65), and 52% were part of the nursing staff; thyroid disorders were more frequent in female participants. Most participants (81.2%) had rotating shifts schedules and 11.3% night shifts (12.1% female and 7.7% male). Thyroid alterations were found in 27% of the participants (usually elevated TSH levels and normal thyroxine levels), particularly in those doing night shifts (61.1%). TSH alterations were more frequent in individuals doing night shifts than in rotating shifts (53.3 vs 13.0%; p<0.001). Individuals working night shifts had mean TSH values in the normal range, although significantly higher than the individuals in the rest of the shifts; thyroxine levels were found to be similar. No thyroid disorders were found in day shift participants. Night shift and a history of thyroid pathology were independent predictors of thyroid disorders. Conclusions. Night shift schedules and history of thyroid disorders are more frequent in female, both related to the presence of thyroid disorders, indicating the need to include the evaluation of these disorders in health surveillance programs and analyze gender differences. (AU)