Uvod: Na zdravje zaposlenih v delovnem okolju vplivajo psihosocialni dejavniki tveganja, ki jih razvrščamo na neposredne in posredne. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti moč povezanosti in vpliv ...posrednih dejavnikov tveganja pri delu na psihofizično zdravje zaposlenih.Metode: Izvedena je bila opisna presečna raziskava na 112 izmed 994 naključno izbranih zaposlenih v splošni bolnišnici. Kot merski inštrument je bil uporabljen standardiziran vprašalnik »Obvladovanje psihosocialnih tveganj in absentizma« (Cronbach α = 0,915). S kvantitativno analizo podatkov je bila raziskana povezanost med spremenljivkami ter z regresijsko analizo vpliv neodvisnih spremenljivk na psihofizično zdravje zaposlenih.Rezultati: Rezultati kažejo, da se z indeksom »Psihofizično zdravje zaposlenih« značilno povezujejo vsi preučevani posredni psihosocialni dejavniki tveganja: odnos do dela, medosebni odnosi, organizacijska kultura, osebnostne značilnosti, razvoj poklicne kariere, razmejitev zasebnega življenja in dela ter skrb zase. Spremenljivko »Psihofizično zdravje« napovedujeta indeksa »Odnos do dela« in »Osebnostne značilnosti« (R2 = 0,40).Diskusija in zaključek: Anketiranci so izmed težav z zdravjem najpogosteje navedli bolečine v mišicah ramen, vratu in/ali zgornjih udov, med pojavi, povezanimi z zdravjem, pa občutek preobremenjenosti in utrujenost. Izmed posrednih dejavnikov tveganja so na zdravstveno stanje zaposlenih značilno vplivale spremenljivke »Osebnostne značilnosti« in »Odnos do dela« oziroma »Dojemanje težav kot izzivov« ter »Pozitiven odnos do rezultatov dela«. Ugotovitve lahko služijo managementu bolnišnice, ki bi z dobro organizacijo dela in boljšim neposrednim vodenjem dosegel zmanjšanje dejavnikov tveganja zaposlenih.
Uvod: Na zdravje zaposlenih v delovnem okolju vplivajo psihosocialni dejavniki tveganja, ki jih razvrščamo na neposredne in posredne. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti moč povezanosti in vpliv ...posrednih dejavnikov tveganja pri delu na psihofizično zdravje zaposlenih. Metode: Izvedena je bila opisna presečna raziskava na 112 izmed 994 naključno izbranih zaposlenih v splošni bolnišnici. Kot merski inštrument je bil uporabljen standardiziran vprašalnik »Obvladovanje psihosocialnih tveganj in absentizma« (Cronbach α = 0,915). S kvantitativno analizo podatkov je bila raziskana povezanost med spremenljivkami ter z regresijsko analizo vpliv neodvisnih spremenljivk na psihofizično zdravje zaposlenih. Rezultati: Rezultati kažejo, da se z indeksom »Psihofizično zdravje zaposlenih« značilno povezujejo vsi preučevani posredni psihosocialni dejavniki tveganja: odnos do dela, medosebni odnosi, organizacijska kultura, osebnostne značilnosti, razvoj poklicne kariere, razmejitev zasebnega življenja in dela ter skrb zase. Spremenljivko »Psihofizično zdravje« napovedujeta indeksa »Odnos do dela« in »Osebnostne značilnosti« (R2 = 0,40). Diskusija in zaključek: Anketiranci so izmed težav z zdravjem najpogosteje navedli bolečine v mišicah ramen, vratu in/ali zgornjih udov, med pojavi, povezanimi z zdravjem, pa občutek preobremenjenosti in utrujenost. Izmed posrednih dejavnikov tveganja so na zdravstveno stanje zaposlenih značilno vplivale spremenljivke »Osebnostne značilnosti« in »Odnos do dela« oziroma »Dojemanje težav kot izzivov« ter »Pozitiven odnos do rezultatov dela«. Ugotovitve lahko služijo managementu bolnišnice, ki bi z dobro organizacijo dela in boljšim neposrednim vodenjem dosegel zmanjšanje dejavnikov tveganja zaposlenih.
After the acute Sars-CoV-2-infection, some athletes suffer from persistent, performance-impairing symptoms, although the course of the disease is often mild to moderate. The relation between ...cardiopulmonary performance and persistent symptoms after the acute period is still unclear. In addition, information about the development of this relationship is lacking.
To assess the prevalence of persistent symptoms over time and their association with the performance capability of athletes.
We conducted two cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) in a three months interval with 60 athletes (age: 35.2±12.1 years, 56.7% male) after infection with Sars-CoV-2 (t0: study inclusion; t1: three months post t0). At each examination, athletes were asked about their persistent symptoms. To evaluate the change of Peak VO2/BM (Body Mass) between the time before infection and the first examination, the VO2/BM (predVO2) before infection was predicted based on anthropometric data and exercise history of the athletes. For data analysis, athletes were grouped according to their symptom status (symptom-free, SF; persistent symptoms, PS) and its progression from the first to the second examination 1) SF-SF, 2) PS-SF and 3) PS-PS.
Comparing the SF and PS groups at t0, significant differences for Max Power/BM, Max Power/lbm (lean body mass), Peak VO2, Peak VO2/BM, Peak VO2/lbm, Peak VO2/HR, Peak VE, Peak Vt and VE/VCO2-Slope were observed. Regarding the progression over three months, an increase in Max Power/BM was shown in SF-SF and PS-SF (tendency). Max Power/lbm increased in SF-SF and PS-PS (tendency). A decrease of VE/VCO2-Slope in PS-PS was found.
COVID-19 led to a decline in performance that was greater in PS than in SF. Additionally, PS had decreased ventilatory parameters compared to SF. Furthermore, an improvement over time was observed in some CPET parameters and a partial recovery was observed judging by the decrease in various symptoms.
Introduction Fatigue is a common symptom in post-COVID-19 patients. Individuals with fatigue often perform less well compared to healthy peers or without fatigue. It is not yet clear to what extent ...fatigue is related to the inability to reach maximum exhaustion during physical exercise. Methods A symptom-based questionnaire based on the Carruthers guidelines (2003) was used for reporting the presence of fatigue and further symptoms related to COVID-19 from 85 participants (60.0% male, 33.5 + or - 11.9 years). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) and lactate measurement at the end of the test were conducted. Objective and subjective exhaustion criteria according to Wasserman of physically active individuals with fatigue (FS) were compared to those without fatigue (NFS). Results Differences between FS and NFS were found in Peak VÌO.sub.2/BM (p < 0.001) and Max Power/BM (p < 0.001). FS were more likely to suffer from further persistent symptoms (p < 0.05). The exhaustion criterion Max. lactate was reached significantly more often by NFS individuals. Conclusion Although the aerobic performance (Max Power/BM) and the metabolic rate (Peak VÌO.sub.2/BM and Max. lactate) of FS were lower compared to NFS, they were equally able to reach objective exhaustion criteria. The decreased number of FS who reached the lactate criteria and the decreased VÌO.sub.2 peak indicates a change in metabolism. Other persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms besides fatigue may also impair performance, trainability and the ability to reach objective exhaustion. Trial registration Trial registration: DRKS00023717; date of registration: 15.06.2021 (retrospectively registered). Keywords: Post-COVID-19, Fatigue, Physical exhaustion, Long COVID, COVID CPET, Physical exercise
Moderate endurance exercise leads to an improvement in cardiovascular performance, stress resilience, and blood function. However, the influence of chronic endurance exercise over several hours or ...days is still largely unclear. We examined the influence of a non-stop 160.9/230 km ultramarathon on body composition, stress/cardiac response, and nutrition parameters. Blood samples were drawn before (pre) and after the race (post) and analyzed for ghrelin, insulin, irisin, glucagon, cortisol, kynurenine, neopterin, and total antioxidant capacity. Additional measurements included heart function by echocardiography, nutrition questionnaires, and body impedance analyses. Of the 28 included ultra-runners (7f/21m), 16 participants dropped out during the race. The remaining 12 finishers (2f/10m) showed depletion of antioxidative capacities and increased inflammation/stress (neopterin/cortisol), while energy metabolism (insulin/glucagon/ghrelin) remained unchanged despite a high negative energy balance. Free fat mass, protein, and mineral content decreased and echocardiography revealed a lower stroke volume, left end diastolic volume, and ejection fraction post race. Optimizing nutrition (high-density protein-rich diet) during the race may attenuate the observed catabolic and inflammatory effects induced by ultramarathon running. As a rapidly growing discipline, new strategies for health prevention and extensive monitoring are needed to optimize the athletes’ performance.
Introduction After the acute Sars-CoV-2-infection, some athletes suffer from persistent, performance-impairing symptoms, although the course of the disease is often mild to moderate. The relation ...between cardiopulmonary performance and persistent symptoms after the acute period is still unclear. In addition, information about the development of this relationship is lacking. Objective To assess the prevalence of persistent symptoms over time and their association with the performance capability of athletes. Methods We conducted two cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) in a three months interval with 60 athletes (age: 35.2±12.1 years, 56.7% male) after infection with Sars-CoV-2 (t0: study inclusion; t1: three months post t0). At each examination, athletes were asked about their persistent symptoms. To evaluate the change of Peak VO2/BM (Body Mass) between the time before infection and the first examination, the VO2/BM (predVO2) before infection was predicted based on anthropometric data and exercise history of the athletes. For data analysis, athletes were grouped according to their symptom status (symptom-free, SF; persistent symptoms, PS) and its progression from the first to the second examination 1) SF-SF, 2) PS-SF and 3) PS-PS. Results Comparing the SF and PS groups at t0, significant differences for Max Power/BM, Max Power/lbm (lean body mass), Peak VO2, Peak VO2/BM, Peak VO2/lbm, Peak VO2/HR, Peak VE, Peak Vt and VE/VCO2-Slope were observed. Regarding the progression over three months, an increase in Max Power/BM was shown in SF-SF and PS-SF (tendency). Max Power/lbm increased in SF-SF and PS-PS (tendency). A decrease of VE/VCO2-Slope in PS-PS was found. Conclusion COVID-19 led to a decline in performance that was greater in PS than in SF. Additionally, PS had decreased ventilatory parameters compared to SF. Furthermore, an improvement over time was observed in some CPET parameters and a partial recovery was observed judging by the decrease in various symptoms.
Hematological and hemorheological parameters are known to be altered in COVID-19; however, the value of combined monitoring in order to deduce disease severity is only scarcely examined. A total of ...44 acute SARS-CoV-2-infected patients (aCOV) and 44 age-matched healthy controls (Con) were included. Blood of aCOV was sampled at admission (T0), and at day 2 (T2), day 5 (T5), day 10 (T10), and day 30 (T30) while blood of Con was only sampled once. Inter- and intra-group differences were calculated for hematological and hemorheological parameters. Except for mean cellular volume and mean cellular hemoglobin, all blood cell parameters were significantly different between aCOV and Con. During the acute disease state (T0-T5), hematological and hemorheological parameters were highly altered in aCOV; in particular, anemic conditions and increased immune cell response/inflammation, oxidative/nitrosative stress, decreased deformability, as well as increased aggregation, were observed. During treatment and convalescence until T30, almost all abnormal values of aCOV improved towards Con values. During the acute state of the COVID-19 disease, the hematological, as well as the hemorheological system, show fast and potentially pathological changes that might contribute to the progression of the disease, but changes appear to be largely reversible after four weeks. Measuring RBC deformability and aggregation, as well as oxidative stress induction, may be helpful in monitoring critically ill COVID-19 patients.
The paper describes a new research methodology through design that has also proven relevant for the field of fashion design. According to some scientific opinions, the field of research in fashion ...design does not meet scientific standards, although that research produces original knowledge and products. The newly and artificially designed affiliated clothing image, which addresses the needs of tourism, found its inspiration in cultural heritage. The inspiration for the creation of symbolic signs and their application in individual garments was carefully selected from the story of local heritage. Newly designed clothing inspired by the story of local heritage should promote the recognition and acceptance of the affiliated clothing image as part of the identity of people from a particular region. This paper presents the definition and analysis of design processes for a known client, in this case a tourism organisation. The designer seeks practical and innovative solutions throughout the design process, from the definition of the local story to be interpreted, through collaboration with a client and the public, to the design of an affiliated symbol and its application in the clothing image, the production planning process and manufacturing, and finally the presentation of products to the public and the promotion of those products. An example of best practices in the designing of affiliated clothing for Bohinj is presented, where the design in question was tested in practice. In this process, the designer took into account the fact that design, as a process, is a form of cooperation, in which the members of the development team should be respected and understood.
Abstract
Background
Lightless caves can harbour a wide range of living organisms. Cave animals have evolved a set of morphological, physiological, and behavioural adaptations known as ...troglomorphisms, enabling their survival in the perpetual darkness, narrow temperature and humidity ranges, and nutrient scarcity of the subterranean environment. In this study, we focused on adaptations of skull shape and sensory systems in the blind cave salamander, Proteus anguinus, also known as olm or simply proteus—the largest cave tetrapod and the only European amphibian living exclusively in subterranean environments. This extraordinary amphibian compensates for the loss of sight by enhanced non-visual sensory systems including mechanoreceptors, electroreceptors, and chemoreceptors. We compared developmental stages of P. anguinus with Ambystoma mexicanum, also known as axolotl, to make an exemplary comparison between cave- and surface-dwelling paedomorphic salamanders.
Findings
We used contrast-enhanced X-ray computed microtomography for the 3D segmentation of the soft tissues in the head of P. anguinus and A. mexicanum. Sensory organs were visualized to elucidate how the animal is adapted to living in complete darkness. X-ray microCT datasets were provided along with 3D models for larval, juvenile, and adult specimens, showing the cartilage of the chondrocranium and the position, shape, and size of the brain, eyes, and olfactory epithelium.
Conclusions
P. anguinus still keeps some of its secrets. Our high-resolution X-ray microCT scans together with 3D models of the anatomical structures in the head may help to elucidate the nature and origin of the mechanisms behind its adaptations to the subterranean environment, which led to a series of troglomorphisms.
Prohexadione-calcium (Pro-Ca) transient inhibits 2-Oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases and causes significant changes in the flavonoid spectrum of apple. In the present study the influence of two ...autumn preharvest applications of Pro-Ca on the polyphenol metabolism in apple peel during the advanced maturation was investigated. Pro-Ca was sprayed in two doses, approximately five and 3 weeks before the technological maturity. Changes in the concentrations of hydroxycinnamic acids, dihydrochalcones, flavonols, flavanols and anthocyanins as well as their related gene expression and enzyme activities in the apple peel were monitored six times during the advanced maturation until the technological maturity of the fruits. To evaluate its influence on red coloration differences in the chromatic values a*, h° and L* between the treated and untreated apples were monitored. The parameters showed a temporary effect of Pro-Ca on the intensity of red coloration, which was not detected anymore at the technological maturity of apples. The application of Pro-Ca decreased the flavanone 3-hydroxylase activity and slightly inhibited activities of all the enzymes analyzed. Concomitantly, the concentrations of anthocyanins in the peel of the treated apples decreased, whereas the concentrations of hydroxycinnamic acids, dihydrochalcones and flavan 3-ols increased. Flavonol concentrations, however, remained unchanged. The expression of ANS, ANR, FGT and MYB10 was downregulated after the Pro-Ca treatment. The results indicate that the autumn application of Pro-Ca modulates the biosynthetic pathway resulting in distinct changes in the flavonoid composition in the apple peel of ‘Braeburn’ apples. However, the changes are temporary and are generally suspended during apple storage.
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