[Exposure to service user violence and job satisfaction among nursing staff in public hospitals in Murcia Region]. / Exposición a violencia de los usuarios y satisfacción laboral en el personal de enfermería de los hospitales públicos de la Región de Murcia.

BACKGROUND: Manifestations of physical and psychological violence can affect the levels of job satisfaction. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of exposure to user violence by the nursing staff in public hospitals in the region of Murcia and its relationship with their level of job satisfaction. METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study through a self-administered and anonymous questionnaire sent to the nursing staff of the public hospitals in the region of Murcia (1,489 professionals). The instruments used were the Hospital Aggressive Behaviour Scale-Users (HABS-U) to rate violence and the Overall Job Satisfaction (OJS) to assess job satisfaction. RESULTS: Most workers (71%) reported suffering at least one of the manifestations of non-physical violence and 19.9% one of the physical manifestations with at least an annual frequency. Mean extrinsic satisfaction was 30.1 (SD=6.9), being coworkers the factor with higher frequency of satisfied workers (68.2%) and how the company was managed the factor with more dissatisfied workers (28.8%). Intrinsic satisfaction was lower (25.5, SD=7.2), being variety of tasks the factor with more satisfied workers (51.7%) and promotion opportunity the one with more dissatisfied workers (22.4%). Both extrinsic and intrinsic satisfaction correlated inversely with the exposure to non-physical and physical violence (higher exposure to violence lowered job satisfaction). CONCLUSIONS: In general, the scores for nurses' job satisfaction were low. One of the aspects affecting this dissatisfaction might be exposure to workplace violence; thus reducing exposure to violence could increase job satisfaction that, in turn, would improve patient care.

Practical considerations for clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells: From the laboratory to the horse.

Since the clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating musculoskeletal injuries is gaining popularity, practitioners should be aware of the factors that may affect MSCs from tissue harvesting for MSC isolation to cell delivery into the injury site. This review provides equine practitioners with up-to-date, practical knowledge for the treatment of equine patients using MSCs. A brief overview of laboratory procedures affecting MSCs is provided, but the main focus is on shipping conditions, routes of administration, injection methods, and which commonly used products can be combined with MSCs and which products should be avoided as they have deleterious effects on cells. There are still several knowledge gaps regarding MSC-based therapies in horses. Therefore, it is important to properly manage the factors which are currently known to affect MSCs, to further strengthen the evidence basis of this treatment.

Exposición a violencia de los usuarios y satisfacción laboral en el personal de enfermería de los hospitales públicos de la Región de Murcia / Exposure to service user violence and job satisfaction among nursing staff in public hospitals in Murcia Region

Fundamento: Las manifestaciones de violencia tanto física como psicológica (no física) pueden afectar a los niveles de satisfacción laboral. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la frecuencia de exposición del personal de enfermería (incluidos auxiliares) a conductas violentas de baja intensidad de usuarios y comprobar si existe una relación entre esta exposición y el nivel de satisfacción laboral. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal a través de un cuestionario anónimo autoaplicado al personal de enfermería de los hospitales públicos de la Región de Murcia (1.489 profesionales). Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la escala HABS-U (Hospital Aggressive Behaviour Scale-Users) para valorar la violencia y la OJS (Overall Job Satisfaction) para valorar la satisfacción laboral. Resultados: La frecuencia de trabajadores que, al menos anualmente, refirieron haber sufrido alguna manifestación de violencia fue superior en el caso de la violencia no física (71,0%) que de la física (19,9%). La satisfacción extrínseca media fue 30,1 (DT=6,9), siendo los compañeros de trabajo el factor con más trabajadores satisfechos (68,2%) frente al modo en el que la empresa está gestionada, factor con mayor porcentaje de insatisfechos (28,8%). La satisfacción intrínseca fue menor (M=25,5 y DT= 7,2), siendo la variedad de tareas que realiza en el trabajo el aspecto con mayor porcentaje de satisfechos (51,7%) y la posibilidad de promoción el factor con más insatisfechos (22,4%). Se observó que la satisfacción, tanto extrínseca como intrínseca, se asoció de forma inversa con la exposición a violencia no física y física: una mayor exposición a violencia disminuyó la satisfacción. Conclusiones: En general, las puntuaciones de satisfacción laboral en el personal de enfermería fueron bajas. Uno de los aspectos que podría afectar es la exposición a violencia laboral, por lo que disminuir la exposición a violencia podría aumentar la satisfacción laboral, lo que probablemente redundaría en una mejor atención al paciente

Background: Manifestations of physical and psychological violence can affect the levels of job satisfaction. The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of exposure to user violence by the nursing staff in public hospitals in the region of Murcia and its relationship with their level of job satisfaction. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study through a selfadministered and anonymous questionnaire sent to the nursing staff of the public hospitals in the region of Murcia (1,489 professionals). The instruments used were the Hospital Aggressive Behaviour Scale-Users (HABS-U) to rate violence and the Overall Job Satisfaction (OJS) to assess job satisfaction. Results: Most workers (71%) reported suffering at least one of the manifestations of non-physical violence and 19.9% one of the physical manifestations with at least an annual frequency. Mean extrinsic satisfaction was 30.1 (SD=6.9), being coworkers the factor with higher frequency of satisfied workers (68.2%) and how the company was managed the factor with more dissatisfied workers 28.8%). Intrinsic satisfaction was lower (25.5, SD=7.2), being variety of tasks the factor with more satisfied workers (51.7%) and promotion opportunity the one with more dissatisfied workers (22.4%). Both extrinsic and intrinsic satisfaction correlated inversely with the exposure to non-physical and physical violence (higher exposure to violence lowered job satisfaction). Conclusions: In general, the scores for nurses’ job satisfaction were low. One of the aspects affecting this dissatisfaction might be exposure to workplace violence; thus reducing exposure to violence could increase job satisfaction that, in turn, would improve patient care

Dissection of ancestral genetic contributions to Creole goat populations.

Goats have played a key role as source of nourishment for humans in their expansion all over the world in long land and sea trips. This has guaranteed a place for this species in the important and rapid episode of livestock expansion triggered by Columbus' arrival in the Americas in the late 1400s. The aims of this study are to provide a comprehensive perspective on genetic diversity in American goat populations and to assess their origins and evolutionary trajectories. This was achieved by combining data from autosomal neutral genetic markers obtained in more than two thousand samples that encompass a wide range of Iberian, African and Creole goat breeds. In general, even though Creole populations differ clearly from each other, they lack a strong geographical pattern of differentiation, such that populations of different admixed ancestry share relatively close locations throughout the large geographical range included in this study. Important Iberian signatures were detected in most Creole populations studied, and many of them, particularly the Cuban Creole, also revealed an important contribution of African breeds. On the other hand, the Brazilian breeds showed a particular genetic structure and were clearly separated from the other Creole populations, with some influence from Cape Verde goats. These results provide a comprehensive characterisation of the present structure of goat genetic diversity, and a dissection of the Iberian and African influences that gave origin to different Creole caprine breeds, disentangling an important part of their evolutionary history. Creole breeds constitute an important reservoir of genetic diversity that justifies the development of appropriate management systems aimed at improving performance without loss of genomic diversity.

Molecular analysis of three Clostridium difficile strain genomes isolated from pig farm-related samples.

Clostridium difficile is an anaerobic spore-forming bacillus that usually causes gastrointestinal disorders in man and other animal species. Most of the strains isolated from animals are toxigenic being the virulent ribotype (RT) 078 predominant in several animal species. Although C. difficile is pathogenic to both humans and animals, there is no direct evidence of zoonosis. Deep genome sequencing provides sufficient resolution to analyse which strains found in animals might be related to human pathogens. So far, there are only a few fully sequenced genomes of C. difficile strains isolated from domestic and wild animals. Using Illumina technology, we have sequenced the genome of three isolates; a strain isolated from the vagina of a sow (5754), one from rat (Rattus spp) intestinal content (RC10) and a third one isolated from environmental rat faeces (RF17). Both, rat and rat faeces were sampled in fattening pig farms. Our study reveals a close genetic relationship of two of these isolates with the virulent strain M120 (RT078) isolated from a human patient. The analysis of the sequences has revealed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes, mobile elements, including the transposon linked with virulence Tn6164, and the similarity of virulence factors between these isolates and human strains. This is the first study focused on the sequencing of C. difficile genomes obtained from wild animals like rats, which can be considered as potential reservoirs for humans and other animal species. This study can help to understand the genome composition and epidemiology of this bacterium species.

Comparison of autologous bone marrow and adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells, and platelet rich plasma, for treating surgically induced lesions of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.

Several therapies have been investigated for equine tendinopathies, but satisfactory long term results have not been achieved consistently and a better understanding of the healing mechanism elicited by regenerative therapies is needed. The aim of this study was to assess the separate effects of autologous bone marrow (BM) and adipose tissue (AT) derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and platelet rich plasma (PRP), for treating lesions induced in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of horses. Lesions were created surgically in both SDFTs of the forelimbs of 12 horses and were treated with BM-MSCs (six tendons), AT-MSCs (six tendons) or PRP (six tendons). The remaining six tendons received lactated Ringer's solution as control. Serial ultrasound assessment was performed prior to treatment and at 2, 6, 10, 20 and 45 weeks post-treatment. At 45 weeks, histopathology and gene expression analyses were performed. At week 6, the ultrasound echogenicity score in tendons treated with BM-MSCs suggested earlier improvement, whilst all treatment groups reached the same level at week 10, which was superior to the control group. Collagen orientation scores on histological examination suggested a better outcome in treated tendons. Gene expression was indicative of better tissue regeneration after all treatments, especially for BM-MSCs, as suggested by upregulation of collagen type I, decorin, tenascin and matrix metalloproteinase III mRNA. Considering all findings, a clear beneficial effect was elicited by all treatments compared with the control group. Although differences between treatments were relatively small, BM-MSCs resulted in a better outcome than PRP and AT-MSCs.

The legacy of Columbus in American horse populations assessed by microsatellite markers.

Criollo horse populations descend from horses brought from the Iberian Peninsula over the period of colonization (15th to 17th century). They are spread throughout the Americas and have potentially undergone genetic hybridization with other breeds in the recent past. In this study, 25 autosomal microsatellites were genotyped in 50 horse breeds representing Criollo populations from 12 American countries (27 breeds), breeds from the Iberian Peninsula (19), one breed each from France and Morocco and two cosmopolitan horse breeds (Thoroughbred and Arabian). The genetic relationships among breeds identified five clusters: Celtic; Iberian; North American with Thoroughbred influence; most Colombian breeds; and nearly all other Criollo breeds. The group of "all other Criollo breeds" had the closest genetic relationship with breeds originating from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically with the Celtic group. For the whole set of Criollo breeds analysed, the estimated genetic contribution from other breeds was approximately 50%, 30% and 20% for the Celtic, Iberian and Arab-Thoroughbred groups, respectively. The spatial distribution of genetic diversity indicates that hotspots of genetic diversity are observed in populations from Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Paraguay and western United States, possibly indicating points of arrival and dispersion of Criollo horses in the American continent. These results indicate that Criollo breeds share a common ancestry, but that each breed has its own identity.

Inflammatory response to the administration of mesenchymal stem cells in an equine experimental model: effect of autologous, and single and repeat doses of pooled allogeneic cells in healthy joints.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has become a promising therapeutic choice for musculoskeletal injuries. Joint-related disorders are highly prevalent in horses. Therefore, these animals are considered as suitable models for testing MSC-based therapies for these diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and inflammatory responses to intra-articular single and repeat dose administration of autologous or of pooled allogeneic MSCs in healthy equine healthy joints. Six horses were intra-articularly injected with a single autologous dose of bone marrow derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) and two separate doses of allogeneic BM-MSCs pooled from several donors. All contralateral joints were injected with Lactated Ringer's Solution (LRS) as the control vehicle. Signs of synovitis and lameness were evaluated at days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 after injection. Total protein (TP), white blood cell count (WBC) and neutrophil count (NC) in synovial fluid were also measured at the same time-points. RESULTS: A mild synovial effusion without associated lameness was observed after all BM-MSCs injections. The second allogeneic injection caused the lowest signs of synovitis. Local temperature slightly increased after all BM-MSCs treatments compared to the controls. TP, WBC and NC in synovial fluids also increased during days 1 to 5 after all BM-MSCs injections. Both, clinical and synovial parameters were progressively normalized and by day 10 post-inoculation appeared indistinguishable from controls. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular administration of an allogeneic pool of BM-MSCs represents a safe therapeutic strategy to enhance MSCs availability. Importantly, the absence of hypersensitivity response to the second allogeneic BM-MSCs injection validates the use of repeat dose treatments to potentiate the therapeutic benefit of these cells. These results notably contribute to the development of stem cell based therapies for equine and human joint diseases.

Effect of inflammatory environment on equine bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells immunogenicity and immunomodulatory properties.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being investigated for the treatment of equine joint diseases because of their regenerative potential. Recently, the focus mainly has addressed to their immunomodulatory capacities. Inflammation plays a central role in joint pathologies, since the release of proinflammatory mediators to the synovial fluid (SF) leads to the activation of enzymatic degradation of the cartilage. MSCs can modulate the local immune environment through direct or paracrine interaction with immune cells, suppressing their proliferation and re-addressing their functions. Proinflammatory molecules can induce MSC immunoregulatory potential, but they could also increase the expression of immunogenic molecules. Studying the effect of inflammatory environment on MSC immunomodulation and immunogenicity profiles is mandatory to improve cellular therapies. The aim of this study was to analyse the response of equine bone marrow MSCs (eBM-MSCs) to three inflammatory conditions. Equine BM-MSCs from three animals were exposed to: (a) 20% allogeneic inflammatory SF (SF); (b) 50 ng/ml of TNFα and IFNγ (CK50) and (c) 20 ng/ml of TNFα and IFNγ (CK20). After 72 h of exposure, expression of immunogenic and immunomodulation-related molecules, including cell-to-cell contact and paracrine signalling molecules, were analysed by RT-qPCR and flow cytometry. The gene expression of adhesion molecules was upregulated whereas MSC migration-related genes were downregulated by all inflammatory conditions tested. CK culture conditions significantly upregulated the expression of COX-2, iNOS, IDO and IL-6. MHC-I gene expression was upregulated by all conditions, whereas MHC-II was upregulated only after CK priming. The expression of CD40 did not significantly change, whereas the ligand, CD40L, was downregulated in CK conditions. Flow cytometry showed an increase in the percentage of positive cells and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the MHC-I and MHC-II molecules at CK50 conditions, supporting the gene expression results. These outcomes reinforce the change of the immunophenotype of the eBM-MSCs according to the surrounding conditions. Inflammatory synovial environment did not lead to significant changes, so the environment found by eBM-MSCs when they are intraarticular administered may not be enough to activate their immunomodulatory potential. CK priming at tested doses enhances the immunoregulatory profile of eBM-MSCs, which may promote a therapeutic benefit. Even if CK priming induced an upregulation of MHC expression, costimulatory molecule expression however was not upregulated, suggesting that immunogenicity might not be increased. This study provides a better understanding about the behaviour of eBM-MSCs inside the inflamed joint and constitutes a first step to improve MSC-based therapies for equine joint diseases.

Conservation priorities of Iberoamerican pig breeds and their ancestors based on microsatellite information.

Criollo pig breeds are descendants from pigs brought to the American continent starting with Columbus second trip in 1493. Pigs currently play a key role in social economy and community cultural identity in Latin America. The aim of this study was to establish conservation priorities among a comprehensive group of Criollo pig breeds based on a set of 24 microsatellite markers and using different criteria. Spain and Portugal pig breeds, wild boar populations of different European geographic origins and commercial pig breeds were included in the analysis as potential genetic influences in the development of Criollo pig breeds. Different methods, differing in the weight given to within- and between-breed genetic variability, were used in order to estimate the contribution of each breed to global genetic diversity. As expected, the partial contribution to total heterozygosity gave high priority to Criollo pig breeds, whereas Weitzman procedures prioritized Iberian Peninsula breeds. With the combined within- and between-breed approaches, different conservation priorities were achieved. The Core Set methodologies highly prioritized Criollo pig breeds (Cr. Boliviano, Cr. Pacifico, Cr. Cubano and Cr. Guadalupe). However, weighing the between- and within-breed components with FST and 1-FST, respectively, resulted in higher contributions of Iberian breeds. In spite of the different conservation priorities according to the methodology used, other factors in addition to genetic information also need to be considered in conservation programmes, such as the economic, cultural or historical value of the breeds involved.