New microsatellites for the Atacama Desert endemic Balsamocarpon brevifolium (Fabaceae).

PREMISE: Algarrobilla (Balsamocarpon brevifolium, Fabaceae) is an endemic xerophytic shrub restricted to the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Extensive utilization of the region for coal production has endangered this species. Conservation efforts are underway, with genetic diversity analyses being key to the restoration of these populations. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifteen new microsatellite markers were developed for B. brevifolium and used to analyze three populations from the Atacama and Coquimbo regions in Chile. Microsatellites were highly polymorphic, with an average of 5.77 alleles per marker and an average level of expected heterozygosity of 0.72. These markers were evaluated and cross-amplified on two related species (Senna cumingii and Caesalpinia angulata) with partial success. CONCLUSIONS: The development of this set of markers permits an extensive study of B. brevifolium populations for conservation purposes.

[Influence of obesity on health care costs and absenteeism among employees of a mining company]. / Influencia de la obesidad en los costos en salud y en el ausentismo laboral de causa médica en una cohorte de trabajadores.

BACKGROUND: The health associated costs of obesity can represent between 2% and 9% of the total health costs of a given country. AIM: To assess the impact of obesity on health care costs and absenteeism in a cohort of mine workers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 4.673 men, employees of a mining company, aged 49 +/- 7 years that were followed for 24 +/- 11 months. Total health care cost and days of sick leave were recordedfor each individual. The association between obesity and these variables was analyzed by logistic regression adjusting for co-morbidities, age and other variables. RESULTS: Mean annual health care costs for obese workers were 17% higher (p <0.001) compared to workers with normal weight and 58% higher (p <0.001) for workers with severe and morbid obesity. Mean annual days of sick leave increased by 25%o in the obese (p =0.002) and by 57%o in subjects with severe and morbid obesity (p <0.001). For health care costs the most significant predictors were: presence of diabetes mellitus (Odds ratio (OR) 6.21, 95%o confidence intervals (95% CI) 4.9 to 7.9), hypertension (OR 3-99; 95% CI3-4 to 4.6) and severe and morbid obesity (OR 2.55, 95%o CI 1.9 to 3-4). For absenteeism the most significant predictors were: presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 1.58, 95%> CI 1.2 to 2.0), hypertension (OR 1,34, 95%> CI 1.2 to 1.6) and severe and morbid obesity (OR 1.50, 95%o CI 1.1 to 2.1). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity increases significantly health care costs and absenteeism.

Influencia de la obesidad en los costos en salud y en el ausentismo laboral de causa médica en una cohorte de trabajadores / Influence of obesity on health care costs and absenteeism among employees of a mining company

Background: The health associated costs of obesity can represent between 2 percent and 9 percent of the total health costs of a given country. Aim: To assess the impact of obesity on health care costs and absenteeism in a cohort of mine workers. Patients and wethods: Prospective study of 4.673 men, employees of a mining company, aged 49 ± 7 years that were followed for 24 ± 11 months. Total health care cost and days of sick leave were recordedfor each individual. The association between obesity and these variables was analyzed by logistic regression adjusting for co-morbidities, age and other variables. Results: Mean annual health care costs for obese workers were 17 percent higher (p <0.001) compared to workers with normal weight and 58 percent higher (p <0.001) for workers with severe and morbid obesity. Mean annual days of sick leave increased by 25 percento in the obese (p =0.002) and by 57 percento in subjects with severe and morbid obesity (p <0.001). For health care costs the most significant predictors were: presence of diabetes mellitus (Odds ratio (OR) 6.21, 95 percento confidence intervals (95 percent CI) 4.9 to 7.9), hypertension (OR 3-99; 95 percent CI3-4 to 4.6) and severe and morbid obesity (OR 2.55, 95 percento CI 1.9 to 3-4). For absenteeism the most significant predictors were: presence of diabetes mellitus (OR 1.58, 95 percent> CI 1.2 to 2.0), hypertension (OR 1,34, 95 percent> CI 1.2 to 1.6) and severe and morbid obesity (OR 1.50, 95 percento CI 1.1 to 2.1). Conclusions: Obesity increases significantly health care costs and absenteeism.