Fatores sociodemográficos e clínicos associados à força de preensão manual de idosos condutores de veículos / Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with handgrip strength in elderly automobile drivers / Factores sociodemográficos y clínicos asociados a la fuerza de prensión de la mano en conductores de vehículos de ancianos

Objetivo: investigar a associação entre força de preensão manual e características sociodemográficas e clínicas de idosos condutores de veículos automotores. Método: estudo transversal, realizado em clínicas de medicina de tráfego na cidade de Curitiba/Paraná, com 421 idosos (≥ 60 anos). Realizou-se análise estatística pelo modelo de Regressão Logística e Teste de Wald, considerando intervalo de confiança de 95% e valores de p <0,05 como significativos. Resultados: oitenta e quatro (20%) idosos apresentaram força de preensão manual reduzida. A força de preensão manual reduzida foi associada à faixa etária (p=0,001) e à hospitalização no último ano (p=0,002). Conclusão: houve associação significativa entre a força de preensão manual de idosos motoristas e as variáveis idade e hospitalização no último ano. Dessa forma, torna-se essencial a inclusão de avaliações específicas, centradas nas variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas próprias da pessoa idosa, durante o exame de aptidão para dirigir veículos automotores.(AU)

Objective: to investigate the association between handgrip strength and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of elderly automobile drivers. Method: cross-sectional study, carried out in traffic medicine clinics in the city of Curitiba/Paraná, with 421 elderly people (≥ 60 years old). Statistical analysis was performed using the Logistic Regression model and the Wald Test, considering a 95% confidence interval and p values <0.05 as significant. Results: eighty-four (20%) seniors had reduced handgrip strength. Reduced handgrip strength was associated with age group (p=0.001) and hospitalization in the last year (p=0.002). Conclusion: there was a significant association between the handgrip strength of elderly drivers and the variables age and hospitalization in the last year. Thus, it is essential to include specific assessments, centered on sociodemographic and clinical variables specific to the elderly person, during the aptitude test to drive automobiles.(AU)

Objetivo: investigar la asociación entre la fuerza de prensión de la mano y las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los ancianos conductores de vehículos automotores. Método: estudio transversal, realizado en clínicas de medicina de tránsito de la ciudad de Curitiba/Paraná, con 421 ancianos (≥ 60 años). El análisis estadístico fue realizado por el modelo de Regresión Logística y Test de Wald, considerando intervalo de confianza de 95% y valores de p <0,05 como significativos. Resultados: 84 (20%) sujetos ancianos presentaron reducción de la fuerza de prensión de la mano. La reducción de la fuerza de prensión de la mano se asoció al grupo de edad (p=0,001) y a la hospitalización en el último año (p=0,002). Conclusión: hubo una asociación significativa entre la fuerza de prensión de la mano de los conductores ancianos y las variables edad y hospitalización en el último año. Así pues, es esencial incluir evaluaciones específicas, centradas en las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas de los ancianos, durante el examen de aptitud para conducir vehículos automotores.(AU)

Uber use after alcohol consumption among car/motorcycle drivers in ten Brazilian capitals

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE This study aimed to measure the proportion of Uber use instead of drinking and driving in ten Brazilian capitals, in 2019. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was developed in ten Brazilian capitals. Data were collected in agglomeration points (AP) and sobriety checkpoints (SC). Based on responses to a standardized questionnaire, the proportion of drivers who used Uber instead of drinking and driving was measured for total sample of each methodology and stratified by municipality, age group, gender, education level, and type of vehicle. Fisher's exact test was used to make comparisons between the strata. RESULTS A total of 8,864 drivers were interviewed. The most used means of transport to replace driving after drinking alcohol was the Uber system (AP: 54.6%; 95%CI: 51.2-58.0. SC: 58.6%; 95%CI: 55.2-61.9). Most of these users were aged from 18 to 29 years, women, with at least one higher education degree. According to the AP methodology, the highest magnitude of this indicator was found in Vitória (ES) (71.0%; 95%CI: 63.5-77.5), whereas the lowest was observed in Teresina (PI) (33.1%; 95%CI: 22.7-45.5). According to the SC methodology, the highest magnitude of the indicator was also found in Vitória (ES) (78.3%; 95%CI: 68.8-85.5), whereas the lowest was observed in Boa Vista (RR) (36.6%; 95%CI: 26.8-47.7). CONCLUSION In Brazilian capitals, the study showed higher proportions of Uber use instead of drinking and driving. This type of scientific evidence on factors associated with road traffic injuries presents the potential to guide public health interventions.

Expression, purification, and characterization of the histidine kinase CarS from Fusobacterium nucleatum / 生物工程学报

Fusobacterium nucleatum is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium that can be enriched in colorectal cancer tissues, affecting multiple stages of colorectal cancer development. The two-component system plays an important role in the regulation and expression of genes related to pathogenic resistance and pathogenicity. In this paper, we focused on the CarRS two-component system of F. nucleatum, and the histidine kinase protein CarS was recombinantly expressed and characterized. Several online software such as SMART, CCTOP and AlphaFold2 were used to predict the secondary and tertiary structure of the CarS protein. The results showed that CarS is a membrane protein with two transmembrane helices and contains 9 α-helices and 12 β-folds. CarS protein is composed of two domains, one is the N-terminal transmembrane domain (amino acids 1-170), the other is the C-terminal intracellular domain. The latter is composed of a signal receiving domain (histidine kinases, adenylyl cyclases, methyl-accepting proteins, prokaryotic signaling proteins, HAMP), a phosphate receptor domain (histidine kinase domain, HisKA), and a histidine kinase catalytic domain (histidine kinase-like ATPase catalytic domain, HATPase_c). Since the full-length CarS protein could not be expressed in host cells, a fusion expression vector pET-28a(+)-MBP-TEV-CarScyto was constructed based on the characteristics of secondary and tertiary structures, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21-Codonplus(DE3)RIL. CarScyto-MBP protein was purified by affinity chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography with a final concentration of 20 mg/ml. CarScyto-MBP protein showed both protein kinase and phosphotransferase activities, and the MBP tag had no effect on the function of CarScyto protein. The above results provide a basis for in-depth analysis of the biological function of the CarRS two-component system in F. nucleatum.

Noise exposure and its impact on health in an auto parts manufacturing enterprise / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To learn about the noise exposure and health status of workers and analyze factors that may affect the health outcomes of workers in an auto manufacturing enterprise in Tianjin City. Methods: In September 2020, occupational hygiene survey, noise exposure level detection and occupational health examination data collection were carried out in an auto parts manufacturing enterprise. Chi square test and unconditional logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the health effects of noise exposure and hearing loss of 361 noise exposure workers. Results: The rates of over-standard noise exposure, hearing loss and hypertension were 69.39% (34/49) , 33.24% (120/361) and 11.36% (41/361) , respectively. There were upward trends on age and noise-working years for hearing loss and hypertension rates (χ(2)=-5.95, -6.16, -2.81, -2.74, P<0.05) . Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that age>35 years old, noise exposure length of service >10 years and noise L(EX, 8 h)>85 dB (A) were risk factors for hearing loss (OR=3.57, 95%CI: 1.09, 11.75; OR=4.05, 95%CI: 1.97, 8.25; OR=1.75, 95%CI: 1.00, 3.05; P=0.036, 0.001, 0.047) . Conclusion: This company has a high rate of job noise exceeding the standard, and noise-exposed workers have more serious hearing loss. Age, noise exposure and high noise exposure are risk factors for hearing loss.

Application of three risk assessment methods to noise risk assessment in an automobile foundry enterprise / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To explore the applicability of three different kinds of noise occupational health risk assessment methods to the occupational health risk assessment of noise exposed positions in an automobile foundry enterprise. Methods: In July 2020, the occupational-health risk assessment of noise-exposed positions was conducted by using the Guidelines for risk management of occupational noise hazard (guideline method) , the International Commission on Mining and Metals Guidelines for Occupational Health Risk Assessment (ICMM) method and the Occupational-health risk index method (index method) respectively, and the results were analyzed and compared. Results: Through the occupational health field investigation, the noise exposure level of the enterprise's main workstations was between 80.3 and 94.8 dB (A) , among which the noise of the posts of shaking-sand, cleaning and modeling was greater than 85 dB (A) ; The noise risk of each position was evaluated by the three methods, and the adjustment risk level was between 2 and 5 assessed using the guideline method, between 2 and 3 assessed using the index method, and 5 evaluated using the ICMM model. Conclusion: Each of the three risk assessment methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. The ICMM model has a large difference in value assignment, and values in the results are larger than expected. The evaluation results of the guideline method and the index method are consistent in some positions, there is certain subjectivity in the evaluation using the index method, and the guideline method is more objective.

Neck musculoskeletal disorders and their influence factors among welders in an automobile factory / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of neck musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) of welders among an automobile factory. Methods: In June 2019, a cluster random sampling method was used to select 677 electric welders from an automobile manufacturing plant in Shiyan City as the survey objects, and a questionnaire survey was conducted using the "Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire" to analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of neck MSDs, and used logistic regression to analyze the relationship between the influencing factors and the prevalence of cervical MSDs. Results: The prevalence rate of MSDs in neck of welders was 54.8% (371/677) . The exposure rate of occupational factors, from high to low, were neckin a bent formord porsure was 71.6% (486/677) , repetitive head movements was 55.1% (373/677) , working in uncomfortable postures was 48.7% (330/677) and neck twisted was 46.8% (317/677) respectively. Sex, age, educational level, length of service, smoking, neck tilt, neck twist, working in uncomfortable posture and head repetitive movements were the risk factors of neck MSDs (P<0.05) . Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, the main influencing factors of neck MSDs were sex, education level, age, length of service, smoking, neck tilt, working in uncomfortable posture (OR = 2.11, 2.03, 1.83, 1.21, 1.78, 1.90, 1.58, 95%CI: 1.28~3.48、1.47~2.81、1.33~2.52、1.03~1.41、1.22~2.60、1.28~2.83、1.11~2.27, P<0.05) , rest had protective effect on neck MSDs (OR= 0.38, 95%CI: 0.17~0.88, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Welders in automobile factory was highly exposed to occupational risk factors for neck MSDs. Occupational risk factors such as neck in a bent forward posture, working in an uncomfortable posture, prolonged siting, repetitive head movement should be the focus of intervention.

Qualidade do sono, estresse e qualidade de vida em motoristas profissionais / Quality of sleep, stress and quality of life in professional drivers / Calidad del sueño, estrés y calidad de vida en motoristas profesionales

O sono e o estresse podem influenciar a qualidade de vida de profissionais que atuam em contextos laborais, que oferecem riscos de violências, tais como o trânsito. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a qualidade do sono, o estresse e a qualidade de vida de motoristas profissionais das cidades brasileiras de Petrolina (PE) e Juazeiro (BA). Os participantes (317, 99,1% do sexo masculino), cuja idade variou entre 21 e 65 anos, responderam a Escala de Sonolência Epworth, o Índice de Pittsburgh, o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos, o WHOQOL-BREF e um questionário estruturado. Os resultados indicaram que a maioria dos motoristas tem boa qualidade de vida e que a sonolência diurna excessiva e a qualidade ruim de sono ocorreram em taxas menores que aquelas observadas em estudos internacionais. Já o estresse apresentou prevalência similar à de outros estudos na área. Ademais, melhor qualidade de vida e boa qualidade do sono se associaram, enquanto o sono ruim se associou à presença de estresse na fase de resistência. Os resultados apontam, ainda, para o impacto que as variáveis aqui investigadas têm sobre a atividade laboral desses motoristas e para a necessidade de ações de intervenção em seu contexto de trabalho, tendo em vista que esses profissionais lidam cotidianamente com o transporte de pessoas, em meio à realidade tão violenta do trânsito brasileiro.(AU)

Sleep and stress can influence people's quality of life of professionals working in labour contexts, which, in turn, involve risk of violence, such as traffic. This study aimed to evaluate quality of sleep, stress and quality of life of professional drivers of the Brazilian municipalities of Petrolina (state of Pernambuco) and Juazeiro (state of Bahia). The participants (317, and 99.1% male), aged between 21 and 65 years, answered the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Pittsburgh Index, the Stress Symptom Inventory for Adults, the WHOQOL-BREF, and a structured questionnaire. The results indicate that most drivers have a good quality of life, and that excessive daytime sleepiness and poor sleep quality were present at lower rates than those observed in international studies, whereas stress had a prevalence similar to other studies in the field. Furthermore, better quality of life and good quality of sleep were associated, whereas poor sleep was associated with the presence of stress in the resistance phase. Results also point to the impact that the variables investigated here have on the work activity of these drivers and the need for intervention actions in their work context, considering that these professionals transport people every day amid the violent reality of Brazilian traffic.(AU)

La calidad del sueño y el estrés pueden influir en la calidad de vida de los profesionales que trabajan en contextos de riesgo y violencia, como el tránsito. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la calidad del sueño, la calidad de vida y el estrés en conductores profesionales de las ciudades brasileñas de Petrolina (en el estado de Pernambuco) y Juazeiro (en el estado de Bahía). Los participantes (317, el 99,1% del sexo masculino), con edades comprendidas entre 21 y 65 años, respondieron la Escala de Somnolencia de Epworth, el Índice de Pittsburgh, el Inventario de Síntomas de Estrés para Adultos, el WHOQOL-BREF y un cuestionario estructurado. Los resultados indican que la mayoría de los conductores tienen una buena calidad de vida y que la somnolencia diurna excesiva y la mala calidad del sueño se presentaron a tasas más bajas que las observadas en estudios internacionales. Por otro lado, el estrés tuvo una prevalencia similar a la de otros estudios en el campo. Además, se asociaron una mejor calidad de vida y una buena calidad del sueño, mientras que el mal sueño se asoció con la presencia de estrés en la fase de resistencia. Los resultados apuntan al impacto que las variables investigadas tienen sobre la actividad laboral de estos conductores y a la necesidad de acciones de intervención en su contexto laboral, considerando que estos profesionales transportan a personas todos los días en medio de la realidad violenta del tránsito brasileño.(AU)

Do automotive window films affect drivers' safety by decreasing vision sensitivity? A Cross-sectional study / Películas automotivas e perda de acuidade visual? Estudo transversal

ABSTRACT Objective: To measure visual acuity in high contrast and low contrast sensitivities in different grades of visible light transmission films in three different positions (front, lateral and rear windows). Methods: Forty-four healthy volunteers between 30-75 y-o, with BCVA better than 0,5, were tested in the 5 following vehicles with different grades of visible light transmission films. Vehicle 1: 75% in the front and 70% in the lateral and rear windows; Vehicle 2: 70% in the front and lateral windows and 28% in the rear; Vehicle 3: 70% in the front, 28% in the lateral and 15% rear; Vehicle 4: 35% in all 3 windows; Vehicle 5: 50% in the front, 20% in the lateral and 15% in the rear. Descriptive statistics were used and the average of the 3 measurements of VA was considered. Wilcoxon Test was applied to compare the average visual acuity in each vehicle and position. P value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: According to the Brazilian Traffic Regulations for driving in categories C/D/E, when low contrast was tested in the front window, all visible light transmissions were borderline, in the lateral window they were all outside the limit, while in the rear window for both low and high contrast, all visible light transmissions tested were outside the limit and also borderline for driving in categories A/B, with the exception of the vehicle with visible light transmission of 35%. Conclusion: Visual acuity is affected, especially in the rear window, by the use of automotive films. The study is an alert that window films is a possible cause of accidents and may contribute to the revision of traffic regulations worldwide.

RESUMO Objetivo: Medir a acuidade visual em alto e baixo contraste nas diversas graduações de transparência de filmes em três janelas de veículos: frontal, lateral e traseira. Métodos: Foram avaliados 44 voluntários saudáveis entre 30 e 75 anos, com acuidade visual melhor corrigida acima de 0,5, em cinco veículos, sendo: veículo 1, com 75% de transparência frontal e 70% na lateral e traseira; veículo 2, com 70% na frontal e na lateral e 28% na traseira; veículo 3, com 70% na frontal, 28% na lateral e 15% na traseira; veículo 4, com 35% nas três janelas; e veículo 5, com 50% na frontal, 20% na lateral e 15% na traseira. Foi realizada estatística descritiva utilizando a média de três medidas consecutivas, com teste de Wilcoxon para comparar a média de acuidade visual em cada janela, e foi considerado estatisticamente significativo quando valor de p<0,05. Resultados: Todas as transparências testadas nos vidros reduziram a acuidade visual em situação de baixo contraste para níveis limítrofes na janela frontal e níveis ilegais na lateral para conduzir veículos nas categorias C/D/E. Na janela traseira, tanto em alto quanto em baixo contraste, todas as transparências mostraram redução da acuidade visual para níveis ilegais para categorias C/D/E e limítrofes para as categorias A/B, exceto na transparência de 35%. Conclusão: A acuidade visual é reduzida pelo uso dos filmes automotivos, especialmente na janela traseira. Condutores de veículos com filmes devem ser alertados pelo risco aumentado de acidentes. Esse dado científico propõe revisões nas regulações de tráfego mundiais.

Integration of a Pilot PV Parking Lot and an Electric Vehicle in a University Campus Located in Curitiba: a Study Case

Abstract Considering the increasing adoption of Hybrid Plug-in and Electric Cars, there are concerns about recharging process of these vehicles considering the capacity of grid to provide sufficient energy to that purpose. In the past years, the growth of distributed energy generation from renewable and clean energy sources, especially photovoltaics, represents a possible and feasible solution to supply the energy used on recharging electric vehicles and reduction of greenhouse emission gases as CO2. This article is a study case that analyzes the energy production of a solar carport, located at Federal Technological University of Paraná (UTFPR) at Neoville Campus, comparing with energy consumption of a commercial electric car for a city use purpose. Based on solar energy generation, data from the web monitoring platform, real positioning characteristics of the solar carport installation, irradiation data collected from the National Institute of Meteorology basis and with a solarimetric station located at the same place as the solar carport is installed, the solar energy production is rated using three different metrics: yield, performance ratio and capacity factor. These metrics are calculated with RADIASOL2 software, a free and precise tool, developed by Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) to execute computational simulation of photovoltaic systems using mathematical models. The results showed a slightly low energy production performance than expected, but more than enough energy to recharge an electric vehicle for a day use, demonstrating that a solar carport system could be a good solution to meet the energy demand for this application.

Políticas públicas basadas en evidencia científica: el caso de la seguridad vial infantil / Public policies based on scientific evidence: child road safety

Los accidentes de tránsito son un problema de salud pública global. En América Latina, la tasa de mortalidad por accidentes de tránsito en niños es casi el doble que el promedio mundial. Se presenta nuestra experiencia en la formulación de una política pública de seguridad vial infantil en Panamá, basada en la evidencia científica generada por nuestro grupo de investigación. Además, se propone un modelo para la formulación de políticas públicas que podría usarse en otros países latinoamericanos. Se trata de un vector de formulación que es parte del ciclo de las políticas públicas e incluye la identificación de un problema público, la ejecución de la investigación científica, la publicación y la socialización de los productos científicos para la formulación de la política pública con la participación incluyente de los científicos, la sociedad civil y los tomadores de decisiones cuando estos comparten espacios de diálogo.

Road traffic accidents are a global public health problem. In Latin America, the mortality rate among children due to road traffic accidents almost doubles the global average. We describe our experience formulating a public policy on child road safety in Panama, based on the scientific evidence produced by our research group. Moreover, we propose a model for public policy-making that may be used in other Latin American countries. It is a formulation vector that is part of the public policy-making cycle and entails identifying a public problem, conducting scientific research, publishing and disseminating scientific products for public policy-making with the participation of scientists, the civil society, and decision-makers by sharing spaces for dialog.

Biomarkers of susceptibility and effect in car painters exposed to organic solvents / Biomarcadores de susceptibilidad y efecto en pintores de carros expuestos a solventes orgánicos

Abstract Introduction: Car painters are routinely exposed to organic solvents classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic substances. Objective: To characterize the population susceptibility and evaluate the genotoxic effects of exposure to organic solvents. Methods: A cross-sectional study comparing a group of car painters exposed to organic solvents with a non-exposed group. CYP2E1 polymorphisms and the presence of micronuclei in lymphocytes were determined. Results: One hundred twenty-two workers participated in the study: 62 who worked in car paint shops and were exposed to solvents, and 60 who were not exposed. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding micronucleated cells and nucleoplasmic bridges frequencies (p=0.042 and p=0.046, respectively; exact likelihood ratio). Significant differences were found at the interaction between the CYP2E1 genotype c1c1 and occupational exposure to solvents, with higher frequencies of micronuclei (p= 0.013) and micronucleated cells (p= 0.015). However, when the frequencies of micronuclei, micronucleated cells and nucleoplasmic bridges in the exposure group were compared between the c1c1 and c2c2/c1c2 allele groups of the CYP2E1 polymorphism, statistically significant differences were found. Conclusions: This study confirms that when workers with CYP2E1 polymorphisms, specifically the c1c1 genotype, are exposed to organic solvents, they are more likely to have somatic cell mutations, a condition associated with increased susceptibility to diseases such as cancer

Resumen Introducción: Los pintores de vehículos automotores están rutinariamente expuestos a agentes como los solventes orgánicos, capaces de producir efectos mutágenos y carcinógenos. Objetivo: Caracterizar la susceptibilidad poblacional y evaluar los efectos genotóxicos debidos a la exposición a solventes orgánicos. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal que comparó a un grupo de pintores de carros expuestos a solven tes orgánicos con un grupo de personas no expuestas. Fueron determinados tanto los polimorfismos de CYP2E1 como la presencia de micronúcleos en linfocitos. Resultados: Participaron 122 personas, 62 trabajadores de talleres de pintura de autos expuestos a solventes y 60 personas no expuestas. Con relación al cuestionario Q 16, 32% de los expuestos refirieron síntomas sugestivos de neurotoxicidad. Las frecuencias de células micronucleadas y de puentes nucleoplásmicos fueron significativamente mayores en los expuestos que en los no expuestos: p= 0.042 y p= 0.046, respectivamente, Razón de verosimilitud exacta). Fueron halladas diferencias significativas en la interacción de CYP2E1 (c1c1) y la exposición ocupacional a solventes, con mayores frecuencias de micronúcleos (p= 0.013) y de células micronucleadas (p= 0.015). Conclusiones: Este estudio reafirma que los trabajadores expuestos a solventes orgánicos con polimorfismos de CYP2E1, específicamente con genotipo c1c1, tienen mayor probabilidad de presentar mutaciones en las células somáticas, condición asociada con una mayor susceptibilidad a enfermedades como el cáncer

Musculoskeletal computational analysis on muscle mechanical characteristics of drivers lumbar vertebras and legs in different sitting postures

SUMMARY Using computer-aided engineering (CAE) in the concept design stage of automobiles has become a hotspot in human factor engineering research. Based on human musculoskeletal biomechanical computational software, a seated human-body musculoskeletal model was built to describe the natural sitting posture of a driver. The interaction between the driver and car in various combinations of seat-pan/back-rest inclination angles was analyzed using an inverse-dynamics approach. In order to find out the "most comfortable" driving posture of the seat-pan/back-rest, the effect of seat-pan/back-rest inclination angles on the muscle activity degree, and the intradiscal L4-L5 compression force were investigated. The results showed that a much larger back-rest inclination angle, approximately 15°, and a slight backward seat-pan, about 7°, may relieve muscle fatigue and provide more comfort while driving. Subsequently, according to the findings above, a preliminary driving-comfort function was constructed.

RESUMO O uso de engenharia assistida por computador (CAE) na fase de projeto do conceito do automóvel tornou-se um ponto de acesso na pesquisa de fatores humanos. Com base no software computacional biomecânico musculoesquelético humano, foi construído um modelo musculoesquelético sentado para descrever a postura sentada natural de um condutor. A interação entre um motorista e um carro em várias combinações de ângulos de inclinação do assento-pan/encosto foi analisada usando uma abordagem dinâmica do verso. A fim de descobrir a postura de condução "mais confortável" do assento-pan/encosto, o efeito dos ângulos de inclinação do assento-pan/dorso sobre o grau de atividade muscular e a força de compressão intradiscal L4-L5 foi investigado. Os resultados mostraram que um ângulo de inclinação para trás muito maior, aproximadamente 15°, e um ligeiro assento-pan para trás, cerca de 7°, pode aliviar a fadiga muscular e levar a dirigir em uma posição confortável. Posteriormente, de acordo com as conclusões acima expostas, foi construída uma função preliminar de conforto ao dirigir.

Evaluación del daño oxidativo y por metilación del ADN de pintores expuestos ocupacionalmente a solventes orgánicos y pintura / Evaluation of oxidative and methylating DNA damage in painters occupationally exposed to organic solvents and paints

Resumen Introducción. La exposición a solventes orgánicos y pinturas se ha asociado con efectos genotóxicos y mayor riesgo de neoplasias. Sin embargo, aún no se ha caracterizado bien el tipo de daño que esta exposición induce en el ADN humano, ni los mecanismos por los cuales se genera. Uno de los grupos con mayor exposición a dichos solventes y pinturas son los pintores de automóviles del sector informal que trabajan sin adecuadas prácticas de seguridad ocupacional. Objetivo. Determinar el daño oxidativo y por metilación del ADN de linfocitos de pintores de automóviles expuestos a solventes orgánicos y pinturas. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron linfocitos aislados de sangre periférica de 62 pintores y 62 sujetos no expuestos mediante el ensayo cometa de gran eficiencia acoplado a las enzimas Fpg y AlkA. Las categorías de daño en el ADN evaluadas fueron el daño basal (sin enzimas), el daño oxidativo y el daño por metilación, y el parámetro de medición, el porcentaje de ADN en la cola. Resultados. El porcentaje de ADN en la cola fue mayor en el grupo expuesto con respecto al no expuesto (p<0,05). En el grupo expuesto, dicho porcentaje fue mayor en la categoría de daño oxidativo comparado con la del basal (16,50 Vs. 12,87; p<0,001), en tanto que en el daño por metilación no se encontraron diferencias significativas (14,00 Vs. 12,87; p>0,05). Conclusión. La exposición a solventes orgánicos y pinturas se asoció con el aumento de las lesiones oxidativas del ADN de los linfocitos de pintores de automóviles, tales como la producción de 8-oxo-2'-desoxiguanosina (8-oxodG) y otros productos formamidopirimidina, los cuales se consideran considerablemente mutagénicos.

Abstract Introduction: The exposure to organic solvents and paints has been associated with genotoxicity and a greater risk of neoplasms. However, the type of DNA damage induced in humans by the exposure to these compounds, which would help explain the mechanisms of their genotoxicity, is still not fully characterized. Due to inadequate practices of occupational safety, car painters in the informal sector are a highly exposed group to organic solvents and paints. Objective: To identify the oxidative and methylating damage in the DNA of lymphocytes of car painters exposed to organic solvents and paints. Materials and methods: Isolated peripheral blood lymphocytes from 62 painters and 62 unexposed subjects were analyzed by the modified high-throughput comet assay with the Fpg and AlkA enzymes. The categories used for the evaluation of the DNA damage were basal damage (without enzymes), oxidative and methylating damage. The measurement parameter used to establish the damage was the percentage of DNA in the tail. Results: The percentage of DNA in the tail was higher in the exposed group compared to the unexposed group (p<0.05). In the exposed group, this percentage was higher in the oxidative damage category than the baseline (16.50 vs. 12.87; p<0.001), whereas methylating damage did not show significant differences (14.00 vs. 12.87; p>0.05). Conclusion: In this study, exposure to organic solvents and paints was associated with an increase in oxidative lesions in the DNA of car painters' lymphocytes, such as the production of 8-oxodG and other formamidopyrimidine products which are considered highly mutagenic.

Condições de saúde mental e qualidade de vida de taxistas / Mental health conditions and quality of life of taxi drivers / Condiciones de la salud mental en la calidad de vida de taxistas

Objetivos: Avaliar a influência das condições de saúde mental na qualidade de vida (QV) dos taxistas. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal realizado com 133 taxistas associados ao Sindicato dos Condutores Autônomos de Jequié/BA. Para avaliar a qualidade de vida foi utilizado o questionário Whoqol-Bref e o questionário SRQ20 para as condições de saúde. Para as análises estatísticas foi utilizado o teste de Mann Whitney, adotando nível de confiança de 5% (p<0,05). A pesquisa teve aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa sob o n° 333.535. Resultados: A prevalência da suspeição de transtorno mental comum foi de 25,6% e houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre todos os domínios da qualidade de vida. Conclusão: Os indivíduos que apresentaram algum tipo de transtorno mental comum apresentaram pior percepção de QV. Assim conclui-se que as condições de saúde mental influenciam na qualidade de vida dos taxistas

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of mental health conditions in the Quality of Life of taxi drivers. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 133 taxi drivers associated with the Union of Autonomous in Jequié-BA. To evaluate the Quality of Life were used the instrument Whoqol-Bref and to the mental health conditions, were used SRQ-20. For the statistical analysis were used the Mann Whitney test and a 95% confidence level (p< 0,05). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee under number 333.535. Results: The prevalence of mental health disorders was 25,6% and the results of the study have highlighted significant differences between the suspicion of common mental disorder with all areas of quality of life. Conclusion: Individuals who had some type of common mental disorders had a poorer perception of Quality of Life. Thus, it is concluded that mental health conditions influence the quality of life of taxi drivers

Objetive: Evaluar la influencia de las condiciones de salud mental en la calidad de vida de taxistas. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal realizado con los taxistas asociados al Sindicato de Conductores Autónomos de Jequié-Ba. Para evaluar la calidad de vida se utilizó lo cuestionario Whoqol-Bref y lo cuestionario SRQ-20 para las condiciones de salud. Para las análisis estadísticas se utilizó el test de MannWhitney, adoptando nível de confianza de 5% (p< 0,05). La investigación fue aprobada por el Comité de Ética en Pesquisa con el número 333.535. Resultados: La prevalência de sospecha de trastorno mental comum fue de 25,6% y hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas todos los dominios de la calidad de vida. Conclusión: Los taxistas que presentaran algún tipo de trastorno mental comum presentaran peor percepción de la calidad de vida. Por lo tanto, se concluye que las condiciones de salud mental influyen en la calidad de vida de los taxislas

Converting a Conventional Vehicle into an Electric Vehicle (EV)

Abstract The electric vehicle (EV) is not a recent invention. Between the end of the XIX century and the beginning of the XX century, most motor vehicles were electric, due to their superior reliability and cleanliness, compared to that of vehicles driven by internal combustion engines (ICE). However, with the development of ICEs and the reduction of their price, electric cars were forgotten. Only almost a century later, they returned in the market due to a significant increase in fossil fuels prices, as well as to a growing environmental concern. EVs present a number of advantages over ICE vehicles: they are simpler and require less use and replacement of parts, resulting in lower maintenance costs; moreover, they do not release pollutants into the environment. However, their production cost is still much higher than that of ICE vehicles. In order to verify the possibility of converting a conventional vehicle into an electric one at a reasonable cost, achieving a good performance and a good kWh/km ratio, an ICE-powered Mercedes-Benz Class A 190 was converted into an EV. The results of several tests indicate that the conversion is feasible, as the car reached an average travelling cost of 0.16 R$/km, assuming a price for the energy of 0.63 R$/kWh. Moreover, this cost could be as low as zero if solar radiation is utilized to generate electricity through photovoltaic panels, which is an even more environmentally sustainable solution..

Safety awareness and use of child safety seats among parents after the legislation in Shanghai / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#To investigate the changes and underlying mechanisms in parents' safety awareness and the use of child safety seats after the mandatory legislation in Shanghai city, China.@*METHODS@#This study was carried out by Shanghai Key Laboratory of Environment and Children's Health using a multi-stage, simple random sampling method. Volunteers with children aged 0-12 months were recruited. Child safety seats were sent to each volunteer's family. Telephone encounters and/or on-site visits were used to collect data from parents using a phased survey on children's safety during car use.@*RESULTS@#Among all respondents, 91.2% had heard of motor vehicle accidents involving children, and 97.2% could describe the appropriate use of a safety seat to minimize the risk of child injury in a collision. Among 1078 families with newborns, awareness of child safety seats was 91.9%. There were 86% patients aware that new laws and regulations have been released regarding the use of child safety seats, and 98.5% of them plan to comply with the new laws. Moreover, 61% patients think that taxis should be routinely equipped with child safety seats.@*CONCLUSION@#The parents in Shanghai obtained a high level of awareness of children's traffic safety after the introduction of child safety seats legislation, and had a positive experience related to the use of child safety seats. Taxi may be an important area of focus for implementation of child traffic safety. Traffic safety laws and regulations with further impact should be continuously studied.

The Efficiency of Ground Transport and Efficacy of Mobile Trauma Unit on the Inter-Hospital Transfer of Severe Trauma Patients

PURPOSE: The author's trauma center implemented Mobile Trauma Units (MTU), which are ground transportation automobiles constructed with advanced medical equipment, in an attempt to improve the survival rate of severe trauma patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of MTU as a means of inter-hospital transfer of patients in urban environments. METHODS: Patients with an injury severity score (ISS) of 16 or more were enrolled in this study. The participants must also be patients who were transferred with the MTU in the 18 months between January 2017 and June 2018. To assess the survival probability, the revised trauma score (RTS), trauma and injury severity score (TRISS), and w-score were used as the outcome indices. RESULTS: Forty-four (86.3%) of the severe trauma patients with an ISS of 16 or more were male and 7 (13.7%) were female. The number of patients from the territory were 32 (62.7%), and patients from the others were 19 (37.3%). All the patients received their injury from blunt force trauma. The average time of from the scene of the accident to the trauma center was 176 minutes. In 13 deaths, 10 (76.9%) of the RTS values were below 4 points. Among the 51 patients, TRISS was more than 0.5 in 32 patients (62.7%). The w-score was 13.25 and the actual survival rate of a patient was 74.50%. CONCLUSION: Ground transportation automobiles that use MTU for severe trauma patients in urban areas are more economically beneficial and more efficient. The survival rate while using MTU was also shown to be higher than that of medical helicopter transfers.

Establishment of optimal disinfection condition of weak acid hypochlorous solution for prevention of avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease virus transmission / 대한수의학회지

This study examined the disinfection conditions (exposure time, 0–30 min; exposure temperature, 4℃–65℃) of hypochlorous acid water (HOCl) in automobile disinfection equipment. The study tested poliovirus type 1 (PV1), low pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV, H9N2), and foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV, O type). As a result, the PV1 and FMD viruses were inactivated easily (virus titer 4 log value) by HOCl (> 100 ppm) but the AIV required higher exposure temperatures (> 55℃). In conclusion, the exposure temperature and time are important factors in deactivating AIV and FMDV.

Home Skincare Device Induced Erythema Ab Igne on the Neck: An Emerging Disease Related to a New Technology / 대한피부과학회지

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is a persistent chronic skin condition that is characterized by reticulated macular hyperpigmented lesions caused by repeated exposure to infrared radiation. EAI has reemerged in recent years because of the increasing infrared exposure due to the use of new technologies, such as portable computers and automobile seat heaters. We report a case of a 54-year-old female patient presenting with asymptomatic mottled brownish plaque on both sides of her neck for 1 month prior to the visit. Patient history revealed that she had used a home skincare device for skin rejuvenation and relaxation. The clinicopathological features suggested a diagnosis of EAI. To our knowledge, there has only been one reported case of EAI on the neck related to a thermal pillow, and this was the first case of EAI related to the self-skincare devices. Herein, we report a rare case of EAI presenting on both sides of the neck due to the use of a modern home skincare device.