MAM-2201 acute administration impairs motor, sensorimotor, prepulse inhibition, and memory functions in mice: a comparison with its analogue AM-2201.

RATIONALE: 1-[(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](4-methyl-1-naphthalenyl) methanone (MAM-2201) is a potent synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist illegally marketed in "spice" products and as "synthacaine" for its psychoactive effects. It is a naphthoyl-indole derivative which differs from its analogue 1-[(5-Fluoropentyl)-1H-indol-3-yl](1-naphthylenyl) methanone (AM-2201) by the presence of a methyl substituent on carbon 4 (C-4) of the naphthoyl moiety. Multiple cases of intoxication and impaired driving have been linked to AM-2201 and MAM-2201 consumption. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the in vitro (murine and human cannabinoid receptors) and in vivo (CD-1 male mice) pharmacodynamic activity of MAM-2201 and compare its effects with those induced by its desmethylated analogue, AM-2201. RESULTS: In vitro competition binding studies confirmed that MAM-2201 and AM-2201 possess nanomolar affinity for both CD-1 murine and human CB1 and CB2 receptors, with preference for the CB1 receptor. In agreement with the in vitro binding data, in vivo studies showed that MAM-2201 induces visual, acoustic, and tactile impairments that were fully prevented by pretreatment with CB1 receptor antagonist/partial agonist AM-251, indicating a CB1 receptor mediated mechanism of action. Administration of MAM-2201 also altered locomotor activity and PPI responses of mice, pointing out its detrimental effect on motor and sensory gating functions and confirming its potential use liability. MAM-2201 and AM-2201 also caused deficits in short- and long-term working memory. CONCLUSION: These findings point to the potential public health burden that these synthetic cannabinoids may pose, with particular emphasis on impaired driving and workplace performance.

[Factors associated with the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals at a second-level public hospital in the Community of Madrid (Spain) during the sixth wave.] / Factores asociados a la duración de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en profesionales sanitarios de un hospital público de segundo nivel de la Comunidad de Madrid durante la sexta ola.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of COVID-19 infections among health professionals during the sixth wave has suffered an exponential increase, mainly due to the rapid community transmission caused by the Omicron variant. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the time to negativization in COVID-positive health professionals during the sixth wave, according to the PDIA result; and secondarily, to evaluate the possible influence of other factors (previous infection, vaccination, sex, age, job position) on the time to get negative status. METHODS: A descriptive, longitudinal, observational and retrospective study was carried out at Infanta Sofía University Hospital (Madrid, Spain). Made from the registry of the Occupational Risk Prevention Service of suspected or confirmed cases of SARS-COV-2 infection in health professionals, during the period between November 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022. Bivariate comparisons were made using Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis or Chi-square test (or exact test) according to variables. Subsequently, logistic regression (explanatory model) was performed. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of SARS-COV-2 infection in health professionals was 23.07%. The mean time to become negative was 9.94 days. Only the history of previous SARS-COV-2 infection had a statistically significant influence on the time to negativization of PDIA. The variables vaccination, sex and age had no effect on the time to negativization of PDIA. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals with a history of COVID-19 infection present lower times of negativization than those who had not have the disease. The results of our study confirm the immune escape of the vaccine against COVID-19, since more than 95% of those infected had received a complete vaccination schedule.

OBJETIVO: La incidencia de contagios por COVID-19 entre profesionales sanitarios durante la sexta ola, ha sufrido un incremento exponencial motivado principalmente por la rápida trasmisión comunitaria ocasionada por la variante Ómicron. El objetivo principal del estudio fue evaluar el tiempo de negativización en los profesionales sanitarios COVID positivos durante la sexta ola, según resultado de PDIA; y, de forma secundaria, evaluar la posible influencia de otros factores (infección previa, vacunación, sexo, edad, puesto de trabajo) en el tiempo de negativización. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, observacional y retrospectivo en el Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofía (Madrid), a partir del registro del Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales de casos sospechosos o confirmados de infección por SARS-COV-2 en profesionales sanitarios, durante el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de noviembre de 2021 y el 28 de febrero de 2022. Se hicieron comparaciones bivariadas mediante Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis o test de Chi-cuadrado (o test exacto) según variables. Posteriormente se realizó regresión logística (modelo explicativo). RESULTADOS: La incidencia acumulada de infección por SARS-COV-2 en profesionales sanitarios fue del 23,07%. El tiempo medio en negativizar fue de 9,94 días. Únicamente el antecedente de infección previa por SARS-COV-2 influyó de forma estadísticamente significativa en el tiempo de negativización de PDIA. Las variables vacunación, sexo y edad no tuvieron efecto en el tiempo de negativización de PDIA. CONCLUSIONES: Los profesionales con antecedente de infección por COVID-19 presentan tiempos inferiores de negativización que aquellos que no han pasado la enfermedad. Los resultados de nuestro estudio constatan el escape inmunológico de la vacuna frente al COVID-19, pues más del 95% de los infectados habían recibido una pauta de vacunación completa.

Factores asociados a la duración de la infección por SARS-CoV-2 en profesionales sanitarios de un hospital público de segundo nivel de la Comunidad de Madrid durante la sexta ola / Factors associated with the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare professionals at a second-level public hospital in the Community of Madrid (Spain) during the sixth wave

FUNDAMENTOS: La incidencia de contagios por COVID-19 entre profesionales sanitarios durante la sexta ola ha sufrido un incremento exponencial, motivado principalmente por la rápida trasmisión comunitaria ocasionada por la variante Ómicron. El objetivoprincipal del estudio fue evaluar el tiempo de negativización en los profesionales sanitarios COVID positivos durante la sexta ola,según resultado de PDIA; y, de forma secundaria, evaluar la posible influencia de otros factores (infección previa, vacunación, sexo,edad, puesto de trabajo) en el tiempo de negativización. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, observacional y retrospectivo en el Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofía(Madrid), a partir del registro del Servicio de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales de casos sospechosos o confirmados de infección porSARS-COV-2 en profesionales sanitarios, durante el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de noviembre de 2021 y el 28 de febrero de 2022.Se hicieron comparaciones bivariadas mediante Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis o test de Chi-cuadrado (o test exacto) según variables.Posteriormente se realizó regresión logística (modelo explicativo). RESULTADOS: La incidencia acumulada de infección por SARS-COV-2 en profesionales sanitarios fue del 23,07%. El tiempo medioen negativizar fue de 9,94 días. Únicamente el antecedente de infección previa por SARS-COV-2 influyó de forma estadísticamentesignificativa en el tiempo de negativización de PDIA. Las variables vacunación, sexo y edad no tuvieron efecto en el tiempo denegativización de PDIA. CONCLUSIONES: Los profesionales con antecedente de infección por COVID-19 presentan tiempos inferiores de negativizaciónque aquellos que no han pasado la enfermedad. Los resultados de nuestro estudio constatan el escape inmunológico de la vacunafrente al COVID-19, pues más del 95% de los infectados habían recibido una pauta de vacunación completa.(AU)

BACKGROUND: The incidence of COVID-19 infections among health professionals during the sixth wave has suffered an exponential increase, mainly due to the rapid community transmission caused by the Omicron variant. The main objective of the study wasto evaluate the time to negativization in COVID-positive health professionals during the sixth wave, according to the PDIA result; andsecondarily, to evaluate the possible influence of other factors (previous infection, vaccination, sex, age, job position) on the time toget negative status. METHODS: A descriptive, longitudinal, observational and retrospective study was carried out at Infanta Sofía University Hospital(Madrid, Spain). Made from the registry of the Occupational Risk Prevention Service of suspected or confirmed cases of SARS-COV-2infection in health professionals, during the period between November 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022. Bivariate comparisons were madeusing Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis or Chi-square test (or exact test) according to variables. Subsequently, logistic regression (explanatorymodel) was performed. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of SARS-COV-2 infection in health professionals was 23.07%. The mean time to becomenegative was 9.94 days. Only the history of previous SARS-COV-2 infection had a statistically significant influence on the time tonegativization of PDIA. The variables vaccination, sex and age had no effect on the time to negativization of PDIA. CONCLUSIONS: Professionals with a history of COVID-19 infection present lower times of negativization than those who had nothave the disease. The results of our study confirm the immune escape of the vaccine against COVID-19, since more than 95% of thoseinfected had received a complete vaccination schedule.(AU)

An Analysis of Biomechanical Parameters in OTP Police Physical Intervention Techniques for Occupational Risk Prevention.

(1) Background: a set of ergonomic parameters that are relevant for risk assessment methods for the prevention of occupational risks, such as REBA or NIOSH, have been measured by means of inertial sensors that allow capturing the movements of the human body. These methods base their assessment on a number of postural and dynamic parameters. In the case of police physical intervention techniques, trunk, legs, arms, forearms and wrists angles, joint contact force and sheer force at the L5-Pelvic junction, asymmetry (angle and factor), and muscle power are the more relevant parameters to be considered. (2) Method: The data have been collected by means of a motion capture suit equipped with 19 inertial sensors. The large amount of data and the 3-dimensional plots have been managed by a powerful software package specific for ergonomic analysis. The police physical intervention technique used was OTP. (3) Results: Five ergonomic parameters in a traditional police physical intervention technique have been analyzed. REBA scores and ergonomic metrics have been recorded and discussed with some prevention risk limits from the literature. (4) Conclusions: the usage of inertial sensors to capture the movements in OTPs provides a new and quite an efficient viewpoint for occupational risk research studies.

[The contribution of companies to the COVID-19 pandemic control.] / La contribución de las empresas al control de la pandemia de COVID-19.

COVID-19 has tested the resilience and adaptability of governments, workers and companies. We have lived through very harsh circumstances, with social and economic consequences that we could never have imagined, but it has also been shown that civil society works and that it has been up to the task, with companies at the forefront. They have made a great effort to adapt to the new and exceptional situation, playing a very important role in preventing and slowing down the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, and in establishing economic and social agreements to mitigate the effects of the crisis. This article describes how companies have had to face this situation in economic and preventive matters, the difficulties experienced due to the changing behavior of the pandemic, the agreements reached with the Government and other social partners in matters of employment and social reform and the important role of Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations Foundation (CEOE), Insurance associations and Prevention Services in the fight against COVID-19.

La COVID-19 ha puesto a prueba la resiliencia y capacidad de adaptación de los gobiernos, las personas trabajadoras y las empresas. Hemos vivido unas circunstancias muy duras, con consecuencias sociales y económicas que jamás hubiéramos imaginado, pero se ha demostrado también que la sociedad civil funciona y que ha estado a la altura, con las empresas a la cabeza. Éstas han realizado un gran esfuerzo de adaptación ante la nueva y excepcional situación, cumpliendo un rol muy importante a la hora de prevenir y desacelerar la propagación de la Covid-19 en los lugares de trabajo, y al establecer acuerdos en materia económica y social para paliar los efectos de la crisis. El presente artículo describe cómo las empresas han tenido que hacer frente a ésta situación en materia económica y preventiva, las dificultades vividas debido al comportamiento cambiante de la pandemia, los acuerdos alcanzados con el Gobierno y demás interlocutores sociales en materia de empleo y reforma social y el importante papel de la Fundación de la Confederación Española de Organizaciones Empresariales (CEOE), las Mutuas y los Servicios de Prevención en la lucha contra la COVID-19.

[Trade union action in times of pandemic.] / La acción sindical en tiempo de pandemia.

Due to the sudden impact that the Covid-19 pandemic had on people´s lives in March 2020 after the declaration of the state of alarm and the limitations that were adopted regarding the mobility and confinement of the population, there were repercussions both in health as well as at work and the economy of the country. For this reason, Comisiones Obreras took on the challenge of informing, advising and training workers on the adoption of preventive measures and we took part in the social dialogue so that the regulatory protection would be the best guarantee for people who became ill, reduced their work activity or had to continue their essential activity with the best health and safety conditions; collaborating with the Administration and demanding its intervention in the areas that required it, as well as demanding the consideration of occupational disease for staff exposed in the health and social-health sector. This crisis has highlighted an aspect that has not yet been overcome: the necessary coordination that must exist between the Health and Labour authorities in order to attend to health in companies in its broadest sense, that is, Public Health. Whoever controls compliance with occupational health aspects must have the competences and power to act in the field of Public Health.

Debido al súbito impacto que sobre la vida de las personas tuvo la pandemia de la COVID-19 en marzo de 2020 tras la declaración del estado de alarma y las limitaciones que se adoptaron respecto a la movilidad y el confinamiento de la población, hubo repercusiones tanto en la salud como en el trabajo y la economía del país. Por ello, en Comisiones Obreras asumimos el reto de informar, asesorar y formar a las personas trabajadoras sobre la adopción de medidas de prevención, y participamos en el diálogo social para que el amparo normativo fuese lo más garantista para las personas que enfermaron, redujeron su actividad laboral o tuvieron que seguir la actividad esencial en las mejores condiciones de seguridad y salud; colaborando, además, con la Administración y exigiendo su intervención en los ámbitos que lo requerían, y reclamando, asimismo, la consideración de enfermedad profesional para el personal expuesto en el sector sanitario y sociosanitario. Esta crisis ha dejado evidencia de un aspecto que no por antiguo está superado: la necesaria coordinación que ha de existir entre las autoridades sanitarias y laborales, para atender así la salud en las empresas en su sentido más amplio, es decir, como Salud Pública. Quien controla el cumplimiento de los aspectos de salud laboral tiene que tener competencias y facultades para actuar en Salud Pública.

Engaging Occupational Safety and Health Professionals in Bridging Research and Practice: Evaluation of a Participatory Workshop Program in the Danish Construction Industry.

Engaging occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals has scarcely been evaluated as a means for transferring knowledge to practice about physical workload in the construction industry. The aim of this work was to examine how participants used and incorporate research-based knowledge from a three-day training course into practice. Twenty OSH professionals from the Danish construction industry participated in a workshop-training course. Researchers presented new knowledge and results about physically demanding work. The participants selected which themes they wanted to work with and developed an action plan. Evaluation was done using surveys and phone interviews. Analysis was based on how the OSH-professionals describe themselves, organizations, and the construction industry. Participant's average scores on the level of implementation of their chosen action plans were 3 (on a response scale from 1-5, where 1 is 'to a very low degree' and 5 is 'to a very high degree') immediately after the workshop program and 2.5 at follow-up. Qualitative evaluations showed that actions had been initiated, and some progress had been made. The participants were satisfied with the workshop course and the possibility to increase their knowledge through inputs from researchers and colleges and strongly believe that they would succeed with implementing their action plans in the future.

Use of Intervention Mapping for Occupational Risk Prevention and Health Promotion: A Systematic Review of Literature.

Aim: Intervention mapping (IM) is a method to systematically design interventions that is applied regularly within the public health domain. This study investigates whether IM is effectively used within the occupational safety and health domain as well. Specifically, this study explores the relation between the fidelity regarding the use of the IM protocol for intervention development, the implementation process and the effectiveness of the occupational risk prevention and health promotion interventions. Methods: A systematic review was conducted including articles on development, implementation, and effects of occupational risk prevention and health promotion interventions that were developed according to the IM-protocol. By means of a checklist, two authors reviewed the articles and rated them on several indicators regarding the fidelity of the IM-protocol, the implementation process, and the intervention effect. Results: A literature search resulted in a total of 12 interventions as described in 38 articles. The fidelity to the IM-protocol was relatively low for participation throughout the development process and implementation planning. No relationship was found between fidelity of the IM-protocol and the intervention effect. A theory-based approach (as one of the core elements of IM) appears to be positively related to a successful implementation process. Conclusion: Results of the review suggest that organizing a participative approach and implementation planning is difficult in practice. In addition, results imply that conducting matrices of change objectives as part of the intervention development, although challenging and time-consuming, may ultimately pay off, resulting in a tailored intervention that matches the target group.

Management of Occupational Risk Prevention of Nanomaterials Manufactured in Construction Sites in the EU.

Currently, nanotechnology plays a key role for technological innovation, including the construction sector. An exponential increase is expected in its application, although this has been hampered by the current degree of uncertainty regarding the potential effects of nanomaterials on both human health and the environment. The accidents, illnesses, and disease related to the use of nanoproducts in the construction sector are difficult to identify. For this purpose, this work analyzes in depth the products included in recognized inventories and the safety data sheets of these construction products. Based on this analysis, a review of the recommendations on the use of manufactured nanomaterials at construction sites is performed. Finally, a protocol is proposed with the aim of it serving as a tool for technicians in decision-making management at construction sites related to the use of manufactured nanomaterials. This proposed protocol should be an adaptive and flexible tool while the manufactured nanomaterials-based work continues to be considered as an "emerging risk," despite the expectation that the protocol will be useful for the development of new laws and recommendations for occupational risk prevention management.

OTP-PRL: an app for occupational risk prevention in policing activities.

BACKGROUND: The rapid progress in information and communication technologies has promoted the development of smartphone applications (apps) for a wide variety of purposes including workplace safety. However, no specific apps for occupational risk prevention in the police domain seemingly exist as yet. In this work, an app running under the iOS and Android operating systems was developed to help police officers become acquainted with policing-related occupational risks and to prevent their damaging consequences. RESULTS: The proposed app, which uses an iterative user-centered design to avoid occupational risks in policing activities, was assessed for performance by a group of users and experts through a System Usability Scale (SUS) questionnaire. The mean overall score for the questionnaire was 82.3. The app has backend support to facilitate continual improvement through contributions from users and administrators. A field test revealed increased awareness of policing occupational risks after using the app in many users. CONCLUSIONS: A novel product that covers the needs of ORP requirements of police officers has been developed.

Job Satisfaction and Perceived Health in Spanish Construction Workers during the Economic Crisis.

The attitude towards work, either satisfaction or dissatisfaction, could influence the way in which workers perceive their health status. To check this hypothesis, this study analyses job satisfaction and its relationship with occupational health perception of Spanish construction workers. A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational study was carried out through a socio-demographic data questionnaire, the General Scale of Job Satisfaction and the SF-36 Health Survey. The study was conducted from January 2014 to June 2015, on a sample of 302 individuals belonging to Andalusian companies using the stratified random method to access companies from different provinces and sizes. The findings indicate that work experience in the sector increases general satisfaction: workers above 55 years of age are more satisfied with their work than those between 36 and 45. Likewise, workers with an experience of 2⁻5 years show higher levels of overall satisfaction, in opposition to workers with 6 months and 2 years of experience. On the other hand, workers without a contract and interns are the most dissatisfied in job terms. Also, there is a positive correlation between job satisfaction and the positive dimensions of health perception (physical functioning and physical and social role functioning), as well as a negative correlation between job satisfaction and bodily pain and general health perceived.

[Occupational disability in epilepsy. The assessment criteria]. / La incapacidad laboral en epilepsia. Criterios de valoración.

Epilepsy is a chronic disease cursing with recurrent and paroxysmal crises due to anomalies in the electrical activity of brain, and is controllable in most of the patients by using antiepileptic drugs, in single or combination therapy. Probably one of the most complex aspects of epilepsy is the assessment of disability for work of the affected person. For this purpose, multiple factors need to be taken into account for homogeneous decision-making, and according to criteria of approval and within the principle of equity inherent in the granting of Social Security disability benefits. This requires the cooperation of all professionals involved in the different specialties, with reports using common criteria and taking into account the disease itself, as well as the effects of the prescribed treatments, the effects of which can contribute to the limitations in the performance of certain professions of risk.