ABSTRACT
ObjectiveWe estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among firefighters in the Los Angeles, California fire department in October 2020 and compare demographic and contextual factors for seropositivity. MethodsWe conducted a serologic survey of firefighters in Los Angeles, California, USA, in October 2020. Individuals were classified as seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 if they tested positive for immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, or both. We compared demographic and contextual factors for seropositivity. ResultsOf 713 participants, 8.9% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Seropositivity was not associated with gender, age, or race/ethnicity. Furthermore, firefighters who worked in zip codes with lower income or higher share of minority population did not have higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seropositivity was highest among firefighters who reported working in the vicinity of Los Angeles International Airport, which had a known outbreak in July 2020. ConclusionsSeroprevalence among firefighters was no higher than seroprevalence in the general population, suggesting that workplace safety protocols, such as access to PPE and testing, can mitigate increased risk of infection at work. Workplace safety protocols for firefighters also eliminated differences in disease burden by geography and race/ethnicity observed in the general population.
ABSTRACT
Cocaine is a major stimulant drug which can have rewarding and locomotor activating effects. It is used by non-addicts to enhance concentration and performance in a work or social setting. It was suggested that cocaine may amplify the impact of mood and sensory stimulation on behaviour. Here we tested whether cocaine can enhance the impact of novel sensory stimulation on exploratory locomotor activity. In this study the effects of cocaine (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10mg/kg, i.p.) on the locomotor response induced by on-off light stimulation with different light intensities (0, 22, 83, 440 lx) was investigated. Visual stimulation increased locomotor activity and grooming behaviour. Cocaine more dramatically increased locomotion and rearing behaviour but suppressed grooming. Also, visual stimulation effects on grooming were reduced by cocaine. The additive relationship between the cocaine and visual stimulation effects on locomotion and rearing combined with their opposing impact upon grooming point to independent mechanisms mediating cocaine- and visual stimulation-induced behavioural activation.
Subject(s)
Behavior, Animal/drug effects , Cocaine/pharmacology , Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors/pharmacology , Light , Affect/drug effects , Affect/physiology , Animals , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Grooming/drug effects , Grooming/physiology , Male , Motor Activity/drug effects , Motor Activity/physiology , Photic Stimulation , Rats , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Long term parenteral nutrition rarely supplies the long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The aim of this study was to assess long chain n-3 PUFA status in patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN). METHODS: Plasma phospholipid fatty acids were measured in 64 adult HPN patients and compared with 54 age, sex and BMI matched controls. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to plasma fatty acid fractions in the HPN patients, and to identify factors associated with the risk of clinical complications. RESULTS: Plasma phospholipid fractions of EPA, DPA and DHA were significantly lower in patients receiving HPN. Factors independently associated with low fractions included high parenteral energy provision, low parenteral lipid intake, low BMI and prolonged duration of HPN. Long chain n-3 PUFA fractions were not associated with incidence of either central venous catheter associated infection or central venous thrombosis. However, the fraction of EPA were inversely associated with plasma alkaline phosphatase concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates abnormal long chain n-3 PUFA profiles in patients receiving HPN. Reduced fatty acid intake may be partly responsible. Fatty acid metabolism may also be altered.
