Workplace Harassment and Health: A Long Term Follow up.

OBJECTIVE: We examine relationships between workplace harassment (WH) and onset of health conditions over a 23-year period. METHODS: Participants were surveyed at seven points between 1997-2006 and again in 2020. Regression analyses (n = 921) assessed effects of chronic WH exposure on onset or recent health conditions by 2020. RESULTS: Growth mixture modeling revealed infrequent and chronic classes of generalized workplace harassment (GWH; 33.39% chronic) and sexual harassment (SH; 32.32% chronic). Prevalence of health conditions ranged from 3.71% for myocardial infarction to 43.06% for hypertension. Analysis via propensity score matching showed chronic WH class membership increased odds of coronary heart disease (GWH, odds ratio [OR] = 3.42, P < 0.05), arthritic/rheumatic conditions (SH, OR = 1.56, P < 0.05), and recent migraine (SH, OR = 1.68, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Workplace harassment is associated with coronary heart disease, arthritic/rheumatic conditions, and migraine. Worker health can be protected through strengthening and enforcing organizational and social antiharassment policies and laws.

Evaluation of EDM inclusion into the conventional polishing of printed Co-Cr alloy by selective laser melting / Avaliação da inclusão de EDM no polimento convencional da liga de Co-Cr impressa por fusão seletiva a laser

Objective: The selective laser melting (SLM) technique used in manufacturing results in a rougher surface that requires more satisfying processing than conventional hand-finishing operations. The electro discharge machine (EDM) has various possibilities in the adjustment of surfaces. The present study assesses whether the participation of the EDM technique with the conventional finishing and polishing methods enables surface improvement for the Cobalt-Chromium alloy fabricated by SLM. Material and Methods: Twenty discs of cobalt chromium alloy were fabricated by SLM, divided equally into two groups: (TF) control group for finishing and polishing in the conventional method in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations; and (EF) group for conducting polishing incorporating the EDM method. Results: The EF group recorded the lowest mean value of surface roughness and the highest mean value of micro hardness compared to the TF group. Furthermore, statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were found for surface roughness as well as micro hardness. Conclusion: Reliance of the electric discharge machine proactively within finishing and polishing procedures promotes competence in the conventional polishing method and improves the surface properties of cobalt chromium alloy printed by SLM technology (AU)

Objetivo: A técnica de fusão a laser seletiva (SLM) usada na fabricação resulta em uma superfície mais rugosa a qual requer um processamento mais satisfatório do que o acabamento manual. A máquina de eletro descarga (EDM) possui várias possibilidades no ajuste de superfícies. O presente estudo avalia se a participação da técnica EDM associada aos métodos convencionais de acabamento e polimento possibilita a melhora da superfície da liga Cobalto-Cromo fabricada através da SLM. Material e Métodos: Vinte discos de liga de cromo-cobalto foram confeccionados por SLM, e divididos igualmente em dois grupos: (TF) grupo controle, realizado acabamento e polimento pelo método convencional de acordo com as recomendações do fabricante; e (EF) grupo do polimento associado ao método EDM. Resultados: O grupo EF registrou o menor valor médio de rugosidade superficial e o maior valor médio de microdureza em relação ao grupo TF. Além disso, diferenças estatisticamente significativas (P < 0,05) foram encontradas para rugosidade superficial, assim como para a microdureza. Conclusão: A confiança na máquina de descarga elétrica proativamente nos procedimentos de acabamento e polimento promove a competência no método de polimento convencional e melhora as propriedades de superfície da liga de cromo-cobalto impressa pela tecnologia SLM(AU)

Gastric trichobezoar in an end-stage renal failure and mental health disorder presented with chronic epigastric pain: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Gastric trichobezoar happens when there is an indigestible substance or food found in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a rare presentation which is usually associated with trichotillomania and trichopagia. The presentation may not be specific and is usually related to dyspepsia-like symptoms. In the worst-case scenario, this may cause gastric outlet or intestinal obstruction which eventually requires surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 36-year-old lady with underlying end-stage renal failure (ESRF) and undiagnosed mental health issues who was treated for recurrent episodes of gastritis. Imaging modalities revealed intragastric foreign body ingestion which is consistent with gastric trichobezoar. She eventually underwent laparotomy and gastrotomy to remove the foreign body. Postoperatively, she was referred and followed-up by the psychiatric team. CONCLUSION: Gastric trichobezoar has strong associations with psychiatric disorders. With the co-existence of an ESRF, uraemia might contribute to the aetiology of the trichotillomania and trichophagia. Open surgery is the choice of definitive management especially if bezoars are larger. Should the recurrence be remitted, a biopsychosocial modality and regular haemodialysis is the most sustainable approach to ensure the behaviour does not persist.

Effects of experimental traumatic brain injury and impaired glutamate transport on cortical spreading depression.

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, migraines, and seizures. Typically, following TBIs and other insults, neuronal excitability in and around the area of the injury is affected, with reported increases in local glutamate signaling. Astrocytic glutamate transporters are critical for precise regulation of the extracellular glutamate availability. However, it remains unclear how impaired astrocytic glutamate transport or an acute TBI affect characteristics of the CSD. We quantified the properties of CSD using whole-cell and extracellular electrophysiological recordings, and voltage-sensitive dye imaging (VSDI) in rat visual cortex in vitro. To model impaired astrocytic glutamate transport, we used astrocytic glutamate transporter blocker (2S, 3S)-3-[3-[4-(trifluoromethyl) benzoylamino] benzyloxy] aspartate (TFB-TBOA). In addition, an acute incision through the superficial cortical layers was used to model the effects of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI) on CSD characteristics. Both manipulations; impaired glutamate cycling and acute cut profoundly affected the physiological properties of cell firing, latency to CSD formation, and its frequency of occurrence. VSD imaging analysis revealed significant changes in spatiotemporal dynamics and propagation of the CSD, suggesting that the cut itself may not initiate CSD depolarizing waves, but rather attract them. Blockade of GLT-1 caused significant reduction in whole-cell sodium currents and changes in CSD wave spatiotemporal characteristics as well, slowing it or even 'trapping' its propagation. Our results reveal new information about CSD properties in these pathological conditions and demonstrate an important role of GLT-1 in regulation of CSD.

A new sensor for thermometric titrations.

A new thermometric sensor, which is a transistor (OC71), has been introduced to follow thermometric titrations successfully to clear end points. The sensor was suitable in both normal and differential modes of titration. It is possible to titrate down to 1.32micromol of HCl and 26.4micromol of H(3)BO(3)in a final 20ml solution with accuracy and precision of 1%, 2.2% and 1.4%, 2.2%, respectively. The sensor, in association with a pH glass electrode, was used for the determination of pK values of some well established weak acids such as, acetic acid (4.77), phosphoric acid (pK(1)=2.18, pK(2)=7.20 and pK(3)=12.32) as well as for a very weak acid of uncertain pK values H(3)BO(3) (pK(1)=9.20, pK(2)=12.7 and pK(3)=13.80). The sensor was also examined for kinetic catalytic determination of iron(III) in water, milk and pharmaceuticals.