Protective factors for work ability in preschool teachers.

BACKGROUND: Work ability (WA) describes the physical and intellectual resources on which individuals can rely to respond to work demands. While several studies have investigated the protective role of work-related psychosocial factors on WA, only a few have examined differences across age cohorts. Moreover, few studies have investigated WA in the educational context and most of those did not consider preschool teachers. AIMS: To examine the role of psychosocial factors (support from colleagues, support from supervisors, work meaning, reward, skill discretion and autonomy) in sustaining WA among preschool teachers in different age cohorts. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of preschool teachers employed in the municipal educational services of a city in northwest Italy. Study subjects completed a self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 706 study subjects, in the 35-44 age cohort, support from colleagues was positively associated with WA. In the 45-54 age cohort, WA was found to be associated with reward and skill discretion while in the 55-63 age cohort, work meaning was significantly associated with WA. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that potential protective factors for WA may differ between age cohorts. They also suggest that in order to sustain WA effectively, interventions in working populations should be tailored to employees' ages.

Perfusion CT in solid body-tumours. Part II: Clinical applications and future development.

Perfusion computed tomography (CTP) has shown great potential in diagnosing tumours and evaluating and predicting treatment response and has been the subject of numerous experimental and clinical studies. Its increasing availability and simplicity allow it to be performed alongside morphological imaging to complete the evaluation of neoplastic lesions. The aim of this paper is to describe our personal experience and review the literature on the applications of CTP in tumours of different body regions, with particular regard to fields of development for new research. Increased clinical application is desirable, especially in relation to a wider use of antiangiogenic drugs. Additional and ideally multicentre studies are necessary to define the role of this technique.

CT perfusion in solid-body tumours. Part I: Technical issues.

Functional imaging is becoming increasingly important in both research and clinical diagnostic radiology. Perfusion computed tomography (CTP) is a readily available and widely used tool that allows an objective measurement of tissue perfusion through the mathematical analysis of data obtained from repeated scans performed after administration of contrast agent. Recently, CTP has been increasingly used in the oncological field, being studied as a potential marker of neoplastic angiogenesis, which is one of the main targets of new tumour therapies. The aim of this paper was to provide the theoretical background and practical guidance for accurately performing CTP and interpreting results of examinations in solid-body tumours. CTP could be a valid tool for functional imaging of tumours if the acquisition technique is robust, if image and data analysis is accurate and if interpretation of results is adequately inserted within a clinical context.

CT perfusion in oncology: how to do it.

Robust technique and accurate data analysis are required for reliable computed tomography perfusion (CTp) imaging. Multislice CT is required for high temporal resolution scanning; 16-slice (or 64-slice) scanners are preferred for adequate volume coverage. After tumour localization, the volume of CTp imaging has to be positioned to include the maximum visible area of the tumour and an adequate arterial vessel. Dynamic scans at high temporal resolution (at least 1-s gantry rotation time) are performed to visualize the first pass of contrast agent within the tumour; repeated scans with low temporal resolution can be planned for late enhancement assessment. A short bolus of conventional iodinated contrast agent, preferably with high iodine concentration, is power injected at a high flow rate (>4 ml/s) in the antecubital vein. The breath-hold technique is required for CTp imaging of the chest and upper abdomen to avoid respiratory motion; free breathing is adequate for CTp imaging of the head, neck and pelvis. Using dedicated software, a region of interest (ROI) has to be placed in an adequate artery (as arterial input) to obtain density-time curves; according to different kinetic models, colour maps of different CTp parameters are generated and generally overlaid on CT images. Additional ROIs can be positioned in the tumour, and in all other parts of the CTp volume, to obtain the values of the CTp parameters within the ROI.