Prevalence of ocular findings and their association with glycemia in dogs with diabetes mellitus: A 10-year clinical study (2009-2019).

Background: Although ocular findings in diabetic patients are well described, prevalence data for those is unknown. Aim: To describe the prevalence of ocular findings and their association with glycemia in dogs with diabetes mellitus. Methods: Medical records from diabetic dogs assessed by the ophthalmology and the internal medicine services at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Autonomous University of Barcelona were reviewed (2009-2019). Results: Seventy-five dogs (150 eyes) of both genders (51/75 females; 68% and 24/75 males; 32%) and a mean age of 9.37 ± 2.43 years, were included. The most common ocular findings were cataracts (146/150; 97.3%), vitreous degeneration (45/98; 45.9%), anterior uveitis (47/150; 31.3%), aqueous deficiency dry eye (ADDE) (33/150; 22%), diffuse corneal edema (31/150; 20.7%), non-proliferative retinopathy (13/98; 13.3%), and lipid keratopathy (9/150; 6%). The most prevalent type of cataracts observed (78/146; 53.4%) was intumescent, which was commonly accompanied by non-proliferative retinopathy (p = 0.003). Among the diabetic dogs, blood glucose levels were statistically higher in dogs with non-proliferative retinopathy or anterior uveitis (p < 0.005). Conclusions: Ocular complications of diabetes mellitus in dogs are numerous, being the most frequent intumescent cataracts, vitreous degeneration, anterior uveitis, ADDE, diffuse corneal edema, and non-proliferative retinopathy. This high prevalence warrants a more detailed ophthalmic evaluation in diabetic dogs especially for those undergoing cataract surgery. Furthermore, a predisposition for anterior segment inflammation and non-proliferative retinopathy is suggested when fasting plasma glucose is higher than 600 mg/dl..

Urrets-Zavalia syndrome following cataract surgery in dogs: A case series.

Background: In human medicine, Urrets-Zavalia syndrome (UZS) is a well-recognized but uncommon postoperative complication characterized by a fixed dilated pupil, accompanied by iris atrophy and glaucoma. Although it was originally reported in 1963 after penetrating keratoplasty surgery for keratoconus, it has been associated with various ophthalmic procedures such as cataract surgery. The condition has not been previously published in the veterinary literature. Case Description: Three client-owned diabetic dogs that developed UZS´s triad after cataract surgery are described. Despite uneventful phacoemulsification in the six eyes, five developed moderate-to-severe postoperative ocular hypertension. Although intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes were initially controlled, fixed dilated pupils accompanied by iris atrophy and chronic ocular hypertension were seen in the five affected eyes. Aggressive medical and surgical management maintained vision in three of those eyes. In one eye, uncontrolled IOP led to blindness. Conclusion: This is the first published description of UZS in dogs, occurring after phacoemulsification. Although no exact, demonstrable causative element could be determined, we believe that should be considered a triggering condition for this syndrome, as it directly affects the ocular blood flow autoregulation and intrinsic uveal tissue integrity. Until the contrary is proved, diabetes mellitus might be considered as a risk factor for developing this syndrome after cataract surgery in dogs.

Safety and efficacy of unilateral topical application of rocuronium bromide in healthy scops owls (Otus scops).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of unilateral topical application of rocuronium bromide in scops owls. ANIMALS STUDIED: Ten healthy adult scops owls. PROCEDURES: Birds weighting between 82-111 g were enrolled. Complete physical and ophthalmic examinations were performed. Each animal received a single dose of 0.15 mg of rocuronium bromide (30 µL) in a randomly selected eye. Static pupillometric evaluations were performed before and after drug instillation at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, in a room with fixed light intensity. Physical and ophthalmic examinations were carried out to evaluate possible adverse effects. RESULTS: Median pupil (95% CI) size at t0 was 7.10 mm (5.51-7.41) for placebo eyes and 7.22 mm (6.93-7.48) for treated eyes, showing no statistical differences (P > .05). When compared to the placebo eye, significant mydriasis was achieved at t30 [8.18 mm (7.22-9.00)] (P = .014) and lasting until t90 [7.35 mm (6.20-9.52)] (P = .004). Maximal mydriasis was obtained at t60 [8.63 mm (7.72-9.81)] (P = .001). During this period, the treated eye no longer responded to direct light stimulation. Complete mydriasis was observed in 5/10 birds (mean weight 97.4 g). Pupil size at t90 and t120 did not differ from baseline (P > .05) in treated eyes. No adverse effects were seen during the study period. CONCLUSION: Single-dose topical rocuronium bromide (0.15 mg) is a safe and effective medium duration mydriatic agent in scops owls. Further studies are needed to evaluate bilateral topical application and standardize the mydriatic protocol.

State anxiety and cardiovascular activity in an academic examination.

Exam is an academic stressor that frequently triggers the affective reaction of anxiety, as well as psychophysiological changes in the autonomic nervous system. Anxiety is a negative affective variable associated with a low level of performance. This study examined the impact of an academic exam on state anxiety (SA) levels and the effects on cardiovascular activity during its performance, as well as its possible influence on the score. The study group was composed of 122 female university students. Cardiovascular responses (heart rate [HR], diastolic blood pressure, and systolic blood pressure) were recorded continuously in three phases (before, during, and after the exam) for each participant. The SA was obtained with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before the exam. Then, those with extremely low and high SA scores were assigned to the low and high anxiety groups, respectively. The exam score reflected the performance level. The results partially confirmed our hypotheses. The high SA group showed significant fluctuations in cardiovascular activity; in particular, the HRs were higher than in the low SA group during the exam (not in diastolic and systolic pressures, respectively). On the other hand, the high SA group showed lower performance expectations scores than the low SA group, and the level of performance was similar in the two groups. Therefore, the exam confirmed changes in the HR with respect to the SA level, with no significant impact on performance.

Blood pressure responses of defensive hostile women when facing a real stress task.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the importance of the combination of the hostility and defensiveness variables as psychosocial factors that predict the risk of cardiovascular dysfunction. We examined the impact of a stressful situation on blood pressure responses, using a continuous psychophysiological assessment approach. DESIGN: We measured the evolution of these responses over three experimental phases (adaptation, task and recovery), also considering a minute-by-minute analysis within each phase. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We used the Cook-Medley Hostility Scale and the Social Desirability Questionnaire to form four groups (high hostility and high defensiveness, high hostility and low defensiveness, low hostility and high defensiveness, and low hostility and low defensiveness). RESULTS: We expected the group of hostile defensive women to record higher activation (task phase: an academic exam) and slower habituation (recovery phase) compared to the other groups. The results confirmed our hypothesis, as the profile of the hostile defensive individuals was one of constant or sensitization during the task phase, while during the recovery phase those individuals underwent a slow recovery. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it can be indicated that the low hostility and low defensive group is the most adaptive, as recorded very little activation in response, and rapid recovery.

Prevalencia y factores predictivos del burnout en docentes de la enseñanza pública: El papel del género / Prevalence rate and predictive factors of burnout among public education teachers: the role of gender

El presente estudio tiene por objetivo examinar posibles diferencias respecto a la prevalencia del burnout y los factores implicados en su desarrollo en función del género. Para ello, se realizó un estudio transversal mediante encuesta en el que participaron 578 profesores de primaria y secundaria adscritos a centros públicos de Andalucía que cumplimentaron el Cuestionario de Burnout para Profesores Revisado (CBP-R; Moreno-Jiménez, Garrosa, & González-Gutiérrez, 2000) y otro de datos sociodemográficos. Los resultados muestran diferencias en la prevalencia del síndrome de estar quemado dependiendo del criterio adoptado para determinar si una persona padece burnout. Además, los datos indican que los hombres perciben mayores niveles de despersonalización y falta de realización personal que las mujeres. Respecto a las fuentes de estrés se observan igualmente diferencias en cuanto al género. De todo ello se derivan implicaciones prácticas a la hora de medir el burnout y desarrollar intervenciones para su prevención (AU)

This study aims to address possible gender differences on the prevalence rate of burnout and the perception of stressors involved in its development. A cross-sectional survey study was conducted, in which 578 teachers from different teaching levels in public schools around Andalusia completed the Teachers’ Burnout Questionnaire-Revised (CBP-R; Moreno-Jiménez et al., 2000) and some socio-demographic questions. Results revealed that differences on the prevalence rate of burnout depended to great extent on the criterion used for labeling a person as burned out. In addition, results showed that men perceived higher levels of depersonalization and lack of professional accomplishment than women. Furthermore, gender explained differences on the perception of several stressors considered as antecedents of burnout in teaching. These findings have important practical implications for measuring burnout and for developing interventions directed to its prevention at work (AU)

Diferencias del rol desempeñado por la autoeficacia en el burnout percibido por el personal universitario en función de las condiciones de trabajo / Working conditions and differences in the role that self-efficacy plays in the burnout perceived by University staff

El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el papel que desempeña la autoeficacia en la relación entre condiciones de trabajo y síndrome de estar quemado o burnout en una muestra de profesionales de la Universidad de Sevilla. En concreto, la muestra está compuesta por 194 profesores universitarios (PDI) y 121 personas encargadas de tareas de administración y servicios (PAS). Mediante un diseño transversal se les aplicó un cuestionario sobre condiciones de trabajo de carácter estresante y autoeficacia para afrontar las mismas (Escala Laboral de Estrés) así como el cuestionario de burnout MBI. Tal como apuntaban nuestras hipótesis, las condiciones de trabajo (ambigüedad de rol y sobrecarga laboral) se relacionan positivamente con el burnout, jugando la autoeficacia un papel modulador sólo en los casos en que el individuo puede actuar para modificar las condiciones estresantes. Se discuten las implicaciones a nivel teórico y práctico de los presentes resultados (AU)

The aim of this study is to analyze the role that self-efficacy plays in the relationship between working conditions and burnout in the University context. The sample was composed by 194 teachers and 121 employees from the administrative staff of the University of Seville (Spain). The Job Stress Scale and Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to measure working conditions, self-efficacy and burnout in a cross-sectional design study. According to our hypotheses, there is a positive relationship between stressful working conditions and burnout. In addition, self-efficacy seems to moderate the association between potentially stressful working conditions and burnout. However, the moderating effect of self-efficacy was observed only under the working conditions that can be directly influenced by employees’ behaviour. Theoretical and practical implications for occupational health researchers and practitioners are discussed (AU)

La teoría de la acción planeada y la reducción del estrés percibido para prevenir la enfermedad cardiovascular / The theory of planned behavior and perceived stress reduction in the prevention of cardiovascular disorder

En este trabajo se analiza la importancia de la intención como variable motivadora en la disminución del estrés percibido en la preven-ción de algún tipo de trastorno cardiovascular. Para conocer y comprender las variables que inciden positivamente en la intención de conducta hemos empleado el modelo de la Teoría de Acción Planeada (TAP), el cual reúne un conjunto de variables cognitivas, afectivas y sociales que contribuyen en la comprensión del desarrollo de la intención. La muestra empleada está conformada por 360 personas de la población general que no presentan, en la actualidad, ningún trastorno cardiovascular. Con el programa estadístico SPSS (12.00) se analizaron las características descriptivas generales de la muestra. Para probar el grado de ajuste del modelo y conocer la influencia de las variables, en la predicción de la in-tención de conducta, hemos empleado el programa estadístico de ecuacio-nes de modelos estructurales EQS (Bentler, 2004)

This study analyses the importance of intention as a motivating variable in the reduction of perceived stress in the prevention of disease, and in particular, of any type of cardiovascular disorder. We have used the Theory of Planned Action (TPA) model to discover and comprehend the variables that have a positive effect on the intention to follow a certain behaviour pattern. The sample studied is made up of 360 members of the general public who at present, do not display any cardiovascular disorder. With the statistical program SPSS (12.00) we analized the general descriptive characteristics of the sample. In order to prove the adjusting grade of the model and in or-der to know the influence of the different variables in the prediction of the behavior intention, we have used the statistical program of equations of structural models EQS (Bentler, 2004)