Do physical or psychosocial factors at work predict multi-site musculoskeletal pain? A 4-year follow-up study in an industrial population.

Purpose: Musculoskeletal pain at multiple sites is common among working-age people and greatly increases work disability risk. Little is known of the work-related physical and psychosocial factors contributing to multi-site pain.

Methods: Survey responses from 734 employees (518 blue- and 216 white-collar; 65 % female) of a food processing company were collected twice, in 2005 and 2009.

Effect of carvedilol and nebivolol on oxidative stress-related parameters and endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension.

Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction have been associated with essential hypertension (EH) mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of carvedilol and nebivolol on the oxidative stress-related parameters and endothelial function in patients with EH. The studied population included 57 patients, either sex, between 30 and 75 years of age, with mild-to-moderate EH complications.

Previous administration of naltrexone did not change synergism between paracetamol and tramadol in mice.

In the treatment of acute and chronic pain the most frequently used drugs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), e.g., paracetamol; opioids, e.

Detection of creatine in rat muscle by FTIR spectroscopy.

There is a current lack of clarity regarding the use of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) to evaluate intramuscular concentrations of creatine (Cr). Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the FT-IR spectral features of tibialis anterior muscle in rats submitted in conditions that were expected to perturb the Cr pool. First, an experiment was performed to ensure that FT-IR was able to detect the Cr intramuscular in sedentary and supplemented rats (Experiment 1).

Preferences for berries among consumers in southern Chile: blueberries are produced but are they consumed?

Unlabelled: Blueberry plantations in Chile are oriented exclusively towards exports to northern hemisphere countries; however, this fruit has recently been introduced into the domestic market due to the increased supply and a fall in export market prices. Based on the previously mentioned, the objectives of the present study were to evaluate consumer preferences for 3 species of berries (blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries), sold loose (unpackaged) as opposed to packaged and branded, at different prices, in one of the principal blueberry producing areas of Chile; and to distinguish consumer segments by their preferences. To do this a survey was applied to 400 people in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile, who were responsible for purchasing fruit for their households.

[Food satisfaction in Mapuche persons in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile].

Although the study and measurement of satisfaction with life has generated great interest in the last 15 years, there are few works which address satisfaction with food-related life. In order to identify variables which have an influence on satisfaction with food-related life among Mapuche persons, a survey was applied to 400 Mapuche subjects in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile. The scales evaluated in the questionnaire included: SWFL (Satisfaction with Food-related Life), lifestyles, food, and Mapuche acculturation.

Synergism between fentanyl and tramadol in tonic inflammatory pain: the orofacial formalin test.

Opioids have been used for long time to management of pain, the coadministration of two opioids may induce synergism. The present study was conducted to determine the antinociceptive interaction between the dual mechanism of action of tramadol compared to the main of fentanyl antinociception in the orofacial formalin which represents a model of persistent cutaneous nociception in the region innervated by the trigeminal nerve. The i.

Antinociceptive and anti-exudative synergism between dexketoprofen and tramadol in a model of inflammatory pain in mice.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated antinociceptive synergism between dexketoprofen (DEX) and tramadol (TRM) in acute animal models of nociception. The aim of the present study was to investigate the type of interaction between DEX and TRM in a chronic musculoskeletal pain model in mice, which fairly replicates the characteristics of chronic osteoarticular pain in humans. Inflammation was induced by a subplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in male CF1 mice.

Return to work after early part-time sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of early part-time sick leave on return to work (RTW) and sickness absence among patients with musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in six occupational health units of medium- and large-size enterprises. Patients aged 18-60 years with musculoskeletal disorders (N=63) unable to perform their regular work were randomly allocated to part- or full-time sick leave.

Antinociception induced by atorvastatin in different pain models.

Atorvastatin is a statin that inhibits the 3-hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Several landmark clinical trials have demonstrated the beneficial effects of statin therapy for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is assumed that the beneficial effects of statin therapy are entirely due to cholesterol reduction.

[Acceptance of yoghurt with different functional ingredients among consumers in supermarkets in southern Chile].

In view of the interest in the role of foodstuffs in improving wellbeing and health, the object of this study is to distinguish consumer typologies in Temuco, La Araucanía Region, Chile, according to their preferences for different functional ingredients, flavouring, colouring and price in yoghurt. A semi-structured survey was applied to 400 supermarket customers. The respondents ordered eight alternative yoghurts according to their preferences, with different functional ingredients (fibre, antioxidants), flavourings (sugar, sweetener), colouring (natural, artificial) and three price options, for a conjoint analysis with fractional factorial design.

Multi-site pain and work ability among an industrial population.

Background: Multi-site pain is a common phenomenon among working-age people and it strongly increases work disability risk. Little is known about the impact of musculoskeletal pain on work ability.

Aims: To investigate whether the number of musculoskeletal pain sites predicts future poor work ability.

Functional markers for gene mapping and genetic diversity studies in sugarcane.

Background: The database of sugarcane expressed sequence tags (EST) offers a great opportunity for developing molecular markers that are directly associated with important agronomic traits. The development of new EST-SSR markers represents an important tool for genetic analysis. In sugarcane breeding programs, functional markers can be used to accelerate the process and select important agronomic traits, especially in the mapping of quantitative traits loci (QTL) and plant resistant pathogens or qualitative resistance loci (QRL).

[Consumer use of nutrition labels in the city of Natal, Brazil].

Objective: To determine the percentage of consumers who read nutrition labels and the association between reading the labels and sociodemographic variables, and to identify suggestions from consumers to make nutrition labels more effective as a source of information.

Methods: For this cross-sectional study carried out in 2008, 368 adults randomly selected from 23 supermarkets in the city of Natal, Brazil, were interviewed. Data were obtained through a semistructured questionnaire including eight closed questions and 10 open questions.

Antinociception and anti-inflammation induced by simvastatin in algesiometric assays in mice.

Statins, belonging to a well-known drug class used for lowering cholesterol through competitive inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, also have other pleiotropic properties, such as anti-inflammatory action. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin in five models of nociceptive behaviour. Oral gavage administration of simvastatin induced a dose-dependent inhibition of nociception for 1 day in the acetic acid writhing (ED(50) = 5.

Acute effect of resistance training volume on hormonal responses in trained men.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute hormonal response to resistance training sessions with different volumes in men.

Methods: Ten recreationally trained men (24.5±7.

Synergism between dexketoprofen and meloxicam in an orofacial formalin test was not modified by opioid antagonists.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used drugs for the management of acute and chronic pain. The role of the opioid system in the synergism between NSAIDs is not well characterized. Mice were injected with a 5% formalin solution (20 μl) into the upper right lip to perform an orofacial formalin test.

Chemical study and anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant activities of the leaves of Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz, Elaeocarpaceae.

Objectives: Aristotelia chilensis leaves (Elaeocarpaceae) are used in Chilean folk medicine to treat pain and inflammation. A bioguided study was carried out on serial extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol, aqueous extract (INFU) and a crude mixture of alkaloids (ALK-MIX). All extracts were evaluated for (1) topical administration against both arachidonic acid and 12-deoxyphorbol-13-decanoate (TPA)-induced inflammation in mice and (2) per-os administration against inflammation by λ-carrageenan-induced paw oedema in guinea-pigs and (3) topical analgesia in tail flick and formalin models and per-os writhing test in mice.

Effects of linear vs. daily undulatory periodized resistance training on maximal and submaximal strength gains.

The objective of this study was to verify the effect of 2 periodized resistance training (RT) methods on the evolution of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and 8RM loads. Twenty resistance trained men were randomly assigned to 2 training groups: linear periodization (LP) group and daily undulating periodization (DUP) group. The subjects were tested at baseline and after 12 weeks for 1RM and 8RM loads in leg press (LEG) and bench press (BP) exercises.

E1- and ubiquitin-like proteins provide a direct link between protein conjugation and sulfur transfer in archaea.

Based on our recent work with Haloferax volcanii, ubiquitin-like (Ubl) proteins (SAMP1 and SAMP2) are known to be covalently attached to proteins in archaea. Here, we investigated the enzymes required for the formation of these Ubl-protein conjugates (SAMPylation) and whether this system is linked to sulfur transfer. Markerless in-frame deletions were generated in H.

A study of the relationship between degree of ethnocentrism and typologies of food purchase in supermarkets in central-southern Chile.

The objective of this study was to distinguish different types of consumers according to their level of ethnocentrism in relation to the consumption of foodstuffs in central-southern Chile. To do this a modification of the CETSCALE (Consumer Ethnocentric Tendencies Scale) was applied through direct survey of 800 habitual supermarket shoppers in two cities in central-southern Chile. The modified CETSCALE presented a sufficient level of internal consistency and there were three factors which included the 17 items of the scale.

Recombinant Deg/HtrA proteases from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 differ in substrate specificity, biochemical characteristics and mechanism.

Cyanobacteria require efficient protein-quality-control mechanisms to survive under dynamic, often stressful, environmental conditions. It was reported that three serine proteases, HtrA (high temperature requirement A), HhoA (HtrA homologue A) and HhoB (HtrA homologue B), are important for survival of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under high light and temperature stresses and might have redundant physiological functions.

The role of past and current strenuous physical work in the association between professional car driving and chronic low-back syndromes: a population-based study.

Study Design: Population-based cross-sectional study of clinically assessed low back syndromes.

Objective: To investigate whether exposure to professional car driving, either alone or in combination with strenuous physical work is associated with clinically defined sciatica or other clinically diagnosed chronic low back syndromes.

Summary Of Background Data: Several studies have found an association between professional driving and back disorders, but drivers' histories of heavy physical work tasks has rarely been taken into account.

The effect of workplace intervention on pain and sickness absence caused by upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an ergonomic intervention on pain and sickness absence caused by upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Methods: In this randomized controlled study, subjects aged 18-60 years (N=177) seeking medical advice due to upper-extremity symptoms were included if their symptoms, or the exacerbation of symptoms, had started <30 days prior to the medical consultation and immediate sick leave was not required. Workplace ergonomic improvements were made in the intervention group.

Effects of different swimming exercise intensities on bone tissue composition in mice: a Raman spectroscopy study.

Objective: Raman spectroscopy was employed to evaluate the effect of different swimming intensities on femoral bone composition in an animal model.

Background Data: Intense swimming exercise may affect bone mineralization, and Raman technique has been shown to be effective in evaluating tissue composition (phosphate minerals and carbonate apatites - bands at 960 and 1170 cm(-1), as well as collagen matrix - amide I band at 1660 cm(-1)).

Materials And Methods: Eighteen female Swiss Webster mice were separated into three groups (n = 6 per group) of sedentary (SED), and swimming with an intensity of 40% (PT-40) and 80% (PT-80) of the maximum load, with 6 weeks of training.