[Work on a building site at high altitude: physiopathological features and entailments for the occupational medicine]. / Il lavoro in un cantiere in alta quota: generalità fisiopatologiche e analisi di una casistica occupazionale.

SUMMARY: Introduction. From a physiological perspective the high altitude is defined by altitudes higher than 3000 meters above sea level: at this altitude the atmospheric pressure is reduced to 525 mmHg and the partial pressure of Oxygen drops to 110 mmHg in the ambient air follows and 60 mmHg in the alveolar air. To stay at altitudes above 3000 m s.l.m. therefore places the human organism in front of a notable reduction of the functional respiratory reserve already in conditions of rest, leading to inevitable repercussions on the ability to sustain physical effort. Materials and methods. A population of 39 workers employed in the construction sector at a high altitude construction site (2200-3480 m) was examined. Data relating to sex, age, body mass index, smoking, residence altitude, mountaineering history (maximum altitude reached over a lifetime, frequency of ascents, time spent at high altitude, both for pleasure and for work) and sport practice were collected. Among them, for 25 workers the data of the ergometric tests in normobaric hypoxia (pO2, desaturation and peak values of heart rate, respiratory frequency, ventilation) conducted with simplified mode were collected. Purpose. The study aims to analyze the health of a group of workers exposed to the risk related to staying at high altitude in light of the indications of the scientific literature on health surveillance. Results. The data relating to the group of workers studied with regard to anamnestic data and to the results of ergospirometric examinations in hypoxic conditions are described. Conclusions. In working conditions at high altitude it is necessary to consider both the effect of high altitude in itself, similar to a sort of substantially unchangeable "background risk", and the ways in which high altitude interacts with other risk factors characteristic of the work site activity (which are the same as for any construction site activity that takes place at sea level), considering also the pathophysiological or frankly pathological conditions of which the worker is a carrier. This evaluation can be articulated on two levels: a first level concerning the suitability of the individual for access and the simple prolonged stay in altitude where the work activity will be performed; a second level regarding the suitability of the worker to carry out the work tasks required by the specific task in the particular environmental conditions.

[Life expectancy of mesocephalic, dolichocephalic and brachycephalic dog breeds in Switzerland]. / Lebenserwartung meso-, dolichound brachyzephaler Hunderassen in der Schweiz.

INTRODUCTION: Lifespan and time of death of dogs died in Switzerland between 2016 and 2020 were evaluated in order to increase the awareness of the public to animal welfare-related consequences of extreme brachycephalic breeding and to clarify the torture breeding problem of dogs suffering from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). Skull shape, body size, country of origin and altitude of the registered place of residence at the time of death were analysed in a set of anonymized data from the national animal database Amicus as potential factors influencing the life expectancy. Death rate during summer months and the altitude of the reported place of residence at death were analysed in relation to the skull shape to demonstrate the heat intolerance of brachycephalic dog breeds. The final dataset included 137 469 dogs. The average age of death of the study population was 11,8 years, mixed breeds reaching a higher average age of 12,4 years than purebred dogs with 11,5 years. Bodyweight classification, skull shape and the origin of the dogs had a significant effect on the average lifespan. Giant breeds reached with 9,0 years the lowest mean age compared to the other bodyweight categories. The mean life expectancy of brachycephalic dogs was 9,8 years, i.e., 2,1 and 1,7 years less than mesocephalic and dolichocephalic dogs, respectively. Brachycephalic dogs and dogs imported from abroad showed increased mortality at a young age.

INTRODUCTION: La durée de vie et le moment du décès des chiens morts en Suisse entre 2016 et 2020 ont été évalués afin de sensibiliser le public aux conséquences sur le bien-être animal de l'élevage brachycéphale extrême et de clarifier le problème des pratiques d'élevage cruelles des chiens souffrant du syndrome obstructif respiratoire brachycéphale (SORB). Outre la forme du crâne, la taille du corps, le pays d'origine et l'altitude du lieu de résidence enregistré au moment de la mort ont été analysés dans un ensemble de données anonymisées provenant de la base de données nationale sur les animaux Amicus, en tant que facteurs potentiels influençant la taille et le vieillissement. Le taux de mortalité pendant les mois d'été et l'altitude du lieu de résidence déclaré au moment du décès ont été analysés pour démontrer l'intolérance à la chaleur des races de chiens brachycéphales. L'ensemble de données final comprenait 137 469 chiens. L'âge moyen du décès de la population étudiée était de 11,8 ans, les chiens croisés atteignant un âge moyen plus élevé de 12,4 ans que les chiens de race pure avec 11,5 ans. La catégorie de poids, la forme du crâne et l'origine des chiens ont eu un effet significatif sur la durée de vie moyenne. Les races géantes ont atteint avec 9,0 ans l'âge moyen le plus bas par rapport aux autres catégories de poids. L'espérance de vie moyenne des chiens brachycéphales était de 9,8 ans, soit 2,1 et 1,7 ans de moins que celle des chiens mésocéphales et dolichocéphales. Les chiens brachycéphales et les chiens importés de l'étranger présentaient une mortalité accrue dans leur jeune âge.