Influence des conditions de travail sur la santé des employés de production

Une intervention ergonomique a été réalisée dans la maison-mère d'un grand groupe suisse constructeur d'équipements. Les situations de travail qui ont été étudiées sont des ateliers de tôleries, de mécanique et de soudure. La demande d'intervention à l'IST (Institut universitaire romand de santé au travail) est partie du constat par la hiérarchie et par l'infirmière du travail qu'un nombre croissant d'employés de production souffraient de maux de dos et de stress et qu'il était nécessaire d'entreprendre des améliorations du travail afin de réduire ces symptômes. [Auteurs]

Equality Information Steering Group (PDF 10 KB)

Terms of Reference

DHSSPS & HPSS Statutory Equality Obligations (PDF 57 KB)

In the Department of Health, Social Services and Public safety (DHSSPS) Information and Statistics, and Research, are viewed as policies in their own right rather than support functions to other policies. This paper presents - in synoptic form - an overview of the information availability, quality and deficits required for DHSSPS and the HPSS to meet its statutory requirements, as known by Information and Analysis Unit (IAU) in the Department. åÊ

Detection of Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar in stool specimens by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

Entamoeba histolytica actually comprises two genetically distinct but morphologically indistinguishable species. E. histolytica can cause invasive intestinal and extra intestinal disease, while E. dispar cannot. Identification and differentiation of E. dispar and E. histolytica in stool sample by microscopy is imprecise. Several weeks of culture and isoenzyme analysis are required to differentiate E. histolytica from E. dispar. In this study, we have used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of E. histolytica/E.dispar and compared it with microscopy. Eighty-eight samples were evaluated, trichrome staining was positive in 20.4% (18) and ELISA was positive in 29.5% (26). Both tests were positive in 14 (15.9%) samples, 4 (4.5%) only with direct microscopy, and 12 (13.6%) only with ELISA. Both tests were negative in 58 (65.9%) samples. Microscopy has low sensitivity and high specificity, low negative predictive value and high positive predictive value in comparison with ELISA. E. histolytica/E. dispar antigen detection ELISA tests are inexpensive compared to the specific tests, yield objective results and do not require experienced microscopists and can therefore be recommended for screening of stools worldwide and the results can be taken for treatment that are fitting with its clinic.

Isospora araponga sp. n. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae), a new species of Isospora Schneider from a bare-throated bellbird, Procnias nudicollis (Vieillot, 1817) (Passeriformes: Cotingidae) from Brazil

Faecal samples from a couple of bare-throated bellbirds Procnias nudicollis imported from Brazil to Barcelona Zoo contained oocysts of Isospora araponga n. sp. Sporulated oocysts were subspherical to broadly ellipsoidal, 19.5 (17-22) × 15.5 (14-16.5) µm, shape index (length:width ratio) 1.26 (1.13-1.38) with smooth and colourless bilayered wall, about 1 µm thick, and with varying number (1-3) of polar granule, but without a micropyle or residuum. The sporocysts were ellipsoidal, slightly asymmetric, 12.5 (12-13) × 8.5 (7.5-9) µm with barely visible Stieda body and indistinguishable substieda body. Sporozoites were elongated, possessing smooth surface and two distinct refractile bodies.

Protein kinase C-activating tumor promoters enhance the differentiation of astrocytes in aggregating fetal brain cell cultures.

Serum-free aggregating cell cultures of fetal rat telencephalon treated with the potent tumor promoter phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) showed a marked, rapid, and sustained increase in the activity of the astrocyte-specific enzyme glutamine synthetase (GS). This effect was accompanied by a small increase in RNA synthesis and a progressive reduction in DNA synthesis. Only mitotically active cultures were responsive to PMA treatments. Since in aggregate cultures astrocytes are the preponderant cell type, both in number and mitotic activity, it can be concluded that PMA induces and/or enhances the terminal differentiation of astrocytes. The developmental expression of GS was also greatly stimulated by mezerein, a potent nonphorbol tumor promoter, but not by 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, a nonpromoting phorbol ester. Since both tumor promoters, PMA and mezerein, are potent and specific activators of C-kinase, it is suggested that C-kinase plays a regulatory role in the growth and differentiation of normal astrocytes.

Review of Apprenticeship Training in Ireland

On 19 May 2013, Ruairi Quinn T.D, Minister for Education and Skills, announced a review of apprenticeship training in Ireland. The terms of reference of the review were “to determine whether the current model of apprenticeship should be retained, adapted or replaced by an alternative model of vocational education and training for apprentices –taking into account the needs of learners, the needs of employers, the needs of the economy and the need for cost effectiveness into the future.” The Review Group was asked to complete its work before the end of 2013. A Technical Group was also established to provide background evaluative data for the review. To provide a context for the review, a Background Issues Paper 1 was prepared by the Department of Education and Skills and published at www.education.ie in May 2013 .

S�_�_olta - Final Report on the Development and Implementation of the S�_�_olta Quality Assurance Programme

This report provides an overview of the development and field testing of the S�_olta Quality Assurance Programme (QAP). It outlines the timeline, key roles and activities and draws upon evaluation data gathered at various stages of the action research and development process. It briefly describes the processes, tools, materials and the professional roles that have been developed to support implementation of the S�_olta QAP. It concludes with consideration of the context within which the S�_olta QAP will operate into the future and makes a set of recommendations to connect this research and development phase for S�_olta and the S�_olta QAP with national and international policy developments related to the improvement of the quality of early childhood care and education (ecce) in Ireland.

Clinical pharmacogenomic testing of KRAS, BRAF and EGFR mutations by high resolution melting analysis and ultra-deep pyrosequencing

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its downstream factors KRAS and BRAF are mutated in several types of cancer, affecting the clinical response to EGFR inhibitors. Mutations in the EGFR kinase domain predict sensitivity to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib in lung adenocarcinoma, while activating point mutations in KRAS and BRAF confer resistance to the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab in colorectal cancer. The development of new generation methods for systematic mutation screening of these genes will allow more appropriate therapeutic choices. METHODS: We describe a high resolution melting (HRM) assay for mutation detection in EGFR exons 19-21, KRAS codon 12/13 and BRAF V600 using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. Somatic variation of KRAS exon 2 was also analysed by massively parallel pyrosequencing of amplicons with the GS Junior 454 platform. RESULTS: We tested 120 routine diagnostic specimens from patients with colorectal or lung cancer. Mutations in KRAS, BRAF and EGFR were observed in 41.9%, 13.0% and 11.1% of the overall samples, respectively, being mutually exclusive. For KRAS, six types of substitutions were detected (17 G12D, 9 G13D, 7 G12C, 2 G12A, 2 G12V, 2 G12S), while V600E accounted for all the BRAF activating mutations. Regarding EGFR, two cases showed exon 19 deletions (delE746-A750 and delE746-T751insA) and another two substitutions in exon 21 (one showed L858R with the resistance mutation T590M in exon 20, and the other had P848L mutation). Consistent with earlier reports, our results show that KRAS and BRAF mutation frequencies in colorectal cancer were 44.3% and 13.0%, respectively, while EGFR mutations were detected in 11.1% of the lung cancer specimens. Ultra-deep amplicon pyrosequencing successfully validated the HRM results and allowed detection and quantitation of KRAS somatic mutations. CONCLUSIONS: HRM is a rapid and sensitive method for moderate-throughput cost-effective screening of oncogene mutations in clinical samples. Rather than Sanger sequence validation, next-generation sequencing technology results in more accurate quantitative results in somatic variation and can be achieved at a higher throughput scale.

Antiviral therapy against chronic hepatitis B in Brazil: high rates of lamivudine resistance mutations and correlation with HBV genotypes

The effectiveness of antiviral treatments of chronic hepatitis B has been poorly studied in Brazil. Here, hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA positivity, drug resistance mutations and their association with HBV genotypes were evaluated in chronically HBV-infected patients under different drug regimens in Brazil. The study involved 129 patients under interferon or nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy for a median treatment time of 12 months. One hundred and five (81%) of these patients were treated with lamivudine (LAM), either in monotherapy or in combination with newer drugs, such as entecavir (ETV) or tenofovir (TDF). High (37.5-100%) rates of HBV DNA positivity were observed with all but one drug regimen (LAM + ETV). However, patients that were treated with ETV alone, TDF alone or with LAM combination therapies had a mean viral load that was 3-4 log lower than patients treated with LAM monotherapy. Of the patients treated with LAM, 47% developed resistance mutations. HBV genotypes A (59.1%), D (30.3%) and F (9.1%) were found. There was no association between the presence of LAM resistance mutations and genotypes, HBeAg status or treatment duration. Nevertheless, the rtM204V mutation was observed more frequently (12/13, 92%) in genotype A than in the others (p = 0.023). Six out of nine isolates that contained the rtM204I mutation belonged to genotype D and half of them displayed a single mutation. Genotype D isolates with the rtM204V variant preferentially displayed a triple mutation, while genotype A preferentially displayed a double mutation (p = 0.04).

Comparative analyses of classical phenotypic method and ribosomal RNA gene sequencing for identification of medically relevant Candida species

As the distribution of Candida species and their susceptibility to antifungal agents have changed, a new means of accurately and rapidly identifying these species is necessary for the successful early resolution of infection and the subsequent reduction of morbidity and mortality. The current work aimed to evaluate ribosomal RNA gene sequencing for the identification of medically relevant Candida species in comparison with a standard phenotypic method. Eighteen reference strains (RSs), 69 phenotypically identified isolates and 20 inconclusively identified isolates were examined. Internal transcribed spaces (ITSs) and D1/D2 of the 26S ribosomal RNA gene regions were used as targets for sequencing. Additionally, the sequences of the ITS regions were used to establish evolutionary relationships. The sequencing of the ITS regions was successful for 88% (94/107) of the RS and isolates, whereas 100% of the remaining 12% (13/107) of the samples were successfully analysed by sequencing the D1/D2 region. Similarly, genotypic analysis identified all of the RS and isolates, including the 20 isolates that were not phenotypically identified. Phenotypic analysis, however, misidentified 10% (7/69) of the isolates. Phylogenetic analysis allowed the confirmation of the relationships between evolutionarily close species. Currently, the use of genotypic methods is necessary for the correct identification of Candida species.

Especial: Jornadas de Formación sobre los Programas de Hábitos de vida saludable en el ámbito educativo

Boletín semanal para profesionales sanitarios de la Secretaría General de Calidad, Innovación y Salud Pública de la Consejería de Igualdad, Salud y Políticas Sociales

The encouragement of the open access movement: an essential realm for health information professionals in the 21st century

According to the Bethesda Statement on Open Access Policy for libraries and the recommendations of the BOAI10, libraries and librarians have an important role to fulfil in the encouragement of open access. Taking into account the Competencies for Information Professionals of the 21st Century, elaborated by the Special Libraries Association, and the Librarians’ Competencies Profile for Scholarly Publishing and Open Access, we shall identify the competencies and new areas of knowledge and expertise that have been involved in the process of the development and upkeep of our institutional repository (Repositorio SSPA).