Office Clutter: Comparing Lower and Upper-Level Employees on Work-related Criteria
Office clutter might significantly impact productivity, yet no study examined workers differences across upper and lower employee status. The present study surveyed 202 U.S. on-site workers on work-related variables, including office clutter. Job classifications were aggregated, creating two groups: upper- and lower-level employees. A significant difference in office clutter impacted worker-levels: upper-level workers compared to lower-level workers had higher office clutter scores. Exploratory factor analysis created a two-factor solution (explaining 62.6% of the common variance): satisfaction/pleasure from one’s work and risk for work-related burnout/tension. There was a significant difference in office clutter perception: upper-level workers were significantly more likely to report clutter and being at risk for burnout/tension than lower-level workers. Office clutter significantly negatively predicted satisfaction with one’s job and positively related with risk for work-related burnout. Frequently reported office clutter items (in order of frequency) were paper, trash (e.g., used coffee cups), and office supplies.
Massage Therapy Research Review
This narrative review on massage therapy effects involved a literature search for research that was published in the years 2016-2020. The review includes studies on massage therapy effects on preterm pain and growth, newborn hyperbilirubinemia and infant colic. The pediatric literature includes studies on behavior problems including ADHD and aggression and physical conditions including diarrhea, asthma, immune function and pain. The adult studies include massage therapy effects on psychological problems including stress and anxiety and physical conditions including fatigue, sleep disturbances, post-burn scarring, gastrointestinal problems and dementia. The musculoskeletal studies are focused on range of motion, balance, muscle activity, grip strength and performance recovery. The massage for pain literature is the most extensive including pain associated with labor, cesarean delivery, shoulder, neck, low back and upper back pain, arthritis, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, cancer, neuropathy, post-surgery, hospice and aging. The physiological/biochemical measures that have been used include systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, vagal activity, facial blood flow, EEG, cortisol and oxytocin. This section is followed by a discussion on potential underlying mechanisms and methodological limitations. The research continues to have methodological limitations including that the studies cannot be double blinded, they are typically not multivariate studies and they are often biased by their reliance on self-report. Nonetheless, the randomized controlled trials included here as well as systematic reviews and meta-analyses have concluded that massage therapy is typically effective when it is compared to treatment as usual control groups, More research is needed on massage therapy versus active control groups (e.g. exercise and physical therapy) in randomized, controlled trials.
In-vitro Antioxidant Capacities and Genetic Classification of Indonesian Selected Pigmented Rice
Rice is a world-famous cereal food divided into pigmented and non-pigmented rice. Pigmented rice is popular as healthier food than non-pigmented rice due to its potency as an antioxidant. Nevertheless, the potential of pigmented rice has not been widely studied. Indonesian selected pigmented rice protein’s antioxidant potential and the non-protein compound were in-vitro studied. The antioxidant potencies were evaluated by extracting fresh seeds of nine pigmented rice (Aek Sibundong, Beureum Taleus, Gogo Niti-2, Lamongan-1, Merah SP, Merah Wangi, Mota, Ketan Hitam-2, and Super Manggis) and non-pigmented rice (IR-64) as control. Various free radical scavenging methods to determine the antioxidant activity (ABTS•+, DPPH•, OH• and O2-) were conducted. Meanwhile, the genetic classification was performed by a simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker to determine the relationship between varieties. The results showed that protein of Ketan Hitam-2 had the highest ABTS•+ radical scavenging (98.06%), followed by Beureum Taleus (42.54%). Ketan Hitam-2 protein also showed the highest OH• and O2- activities (43.49% and 6.02%, respectively). The highest DPPH• potency of the non-protein compounds also shown by Ketan Hitam-2 (32.23%) with the activity of OH• and O2- (20.63% and 14.56%, respectively). These results showed that Ketan Hitam-2 has the highest potency as an antioxidant, which could be recommended as a nutraceuticals compound.
THE INTRAVARIETAL RELATIONSHIP AMONG DIFFERENT ACCESSIONS OF DOLICHOS BIFLORUS WAS CHECKED BASED ON PROTEIN PROFILING USING SDS-PAGE
In this study, the phylogenetic relationship within the selected Eleven Indian (Dolichos biflorus (horse gram) varieties was analyzed for total soluble seed protein. Twenty-five bands were documented through SDS PAGE based on 100 seed weight of each variety and were studied for genetic diversity. Jaccard’s similarity matrix was acquired and used in UPGMA cluster analysis based on the polymorphism generated by the presence (1) or absence (0) of protein bands. Thus, the dendrogram showed four major groups that corre-spond to an earlier study on polymorphisms of 11 accessions of Indian Dolichos. Signifi-cant correspondence between the clustering pattern and the pedigree was observed; thus, a high genetic diversity could be kept within the Dolichos varieties. A similarity matrix among the targeted genotypes and phylogenetic analysis is considered a unique feature in the present work. Therefore, the current investigation was carried out to analyse Protein diversity of unexplored Dolichos genotypes at the molecular level, construct a dendro-gram based on similarity band matrix and generate efficiency in genetic divergence analy-sis among Dolichos. This study underlines the importance of using genetic diversity based in the Dolichos breeding program.
Population Structure And Diversity Among Improved Cowpea Varieties From Senegal Based On Microsatellite Markers
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is used in West Africa for both human consumption and animal feeding. Despite its importance, the production of the crop is hampered by biotic and abiotic constraints. To overcome these constraints, the Senegalese Institute of Agricultural Research (ISRA) has set up a breeding program since 1960 leading to the release of productive varieties. Information of the genetic diversity for these varieties could improve the effectiveness of further breeding programs. The objectives of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and the population structure of 11 cowpea improved varieties from ISRA collection. Twelve (12) polymorphic microsatellite markers were used and the analysis of genotypic data showed a total of 39 alleles ranging from 2 (SSR6288, SSR6311 and SSR6827) to 6 (SSR6807) per locus. Polymorphism rate ranged from 8.33% (Mougne and Kelle) to 58.33% (Mouride) with an average of 31.06%. Intra varietal genetic diversity was very weak (0.012 to 0.091). The genetic similarity revealed that Melakh and Pakau varieties were genetically the closest while Bambey 21 and Sam were the most distant. These results are confirmed by the dendrogram, which also showed that Thieye, Leona, Kelle, Sam, Mougne and Yacine varieties have a higher genetic stability than Lisard, Melakh, Pakau, Mouride and Bambey 21. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of the total variability was attributed to inter varietal variability while 17% was due to intra varietal variation. These results provide a better knowledge of genetic resources of cowpea varieties released and held by ISRA and constitute important input for further cowpea breeding programs.
Isolated Aortitis with multiple Aortic aneurysms and widespread venous, arterial and intracardiac thrombosis: A challenging Vascular Behcet’s Disease case management
In 1937, Hulusi Behcet’s brought to our attention the existence of a disease characterized by recurrent oral aphthae and any of several systemic manifestations including genital aphthae, ocular disease, skin lesions, gastrointestinal involvement, neurologic disease, vascular disease, or arthritis [1-3]. He became the first physician to describe this and the disease was henceforth named after his name. The aetiology of this disease remains unclear however it has been noticed that Behcet’s syndrome is remarkable for its systemic vasculitides which include its ability to involve blood vessels of all sizes (small, medium, and large) on both the arterial and venous sides of the circulation with occlusive nature [4]. This makes Vasculitis the major cause of the clinical manifestations of the disease with the involvement of almost any organ. We herein report an unusual case of a thirty-year-old Syrian man with no past medical illnesses. On presentation, he suffered from a sudden onset of shortness of breath and a history of hoarseness of voice for less than a week, and drastic weight loss of about thirty kgs within a month. Imaging confirmed the presence of pulmonary embolism, bilateral deep venous thrombosis, intracardiac thrombosis, popliteal artery thrombosis with thoracic, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. This case highlights the importance of having a high suspicion of the possibility of Behcet’s disease when multiple thrombi and aneurysms manifest in a patient on the silk root country. Thereby, stressing the importance of familiarizing ourselves with such unusual presentations of Behcet’s disease and the course of this unusual presentation with some learning points with a good literature review included below.
RIPARIN II POSSES ANTIDEPRESSANT-LIKE EFFECT AND REDUCES NEUROINFLAMATION IN MICE SUBMITTED TO CHRONIC UNPREDICTABLE MILD STRESS
Introduction: Depression is a common and disabling disorder and stress is considered one of the main factors involved in its etiology. Many patients treated with conventional antidepressants do not respond adequately to treatment, so the development of new drugs is relevant. Objective: To evaluate the effect of riparin II on the immobility time in the forced swimming test and on the cytokines’ levels in the hippocampus of mice submitted to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress. Methods: Male mice (19-25g) were divided into three groups: control(1), stressed(2), stressed+riparin II(3) and stressed+fluoxetine(4). Groups 2, 3 and 4 were subjected to 28 days of exposure to unpredictably applied stressors. From the 14th day, groups 2 and 3 were treated with riparin II and fluoxetine, respectively (oral). On the 28th day, the animals were euthanized and the brain areas were removed for the measurement of cytokines (Interceucin1-β and Tumor Necrosis Factor). Results: Immobility time and cytokine levels were increased by chronic stress, compared to control animals. Treatment with riparin II decreased these parameters, compared to the stressed group. [Forced Swimming: F (3, 30)= 15.80; 1vs2: p=0.0002, 2vs3: p=0.0002, 2vs4: p
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic in Psychiatric Outpatient Visits in Abu Dhabi – A Retrospective Study
Introduction: Coronavirus pandemics has affected mental health services around the globe. A marked reduction in psychiatric admission and emergency visits were reported recently. With regards to outpatient services, there was an adoption of tele-psychiatry in mental health facilities in many countries. Objectives: To examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on the psychiatric outpatient visits in the largest Psychiatric Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE, during the month of April 2020. Methodology: A descriptive retrospective study of medical records of all patients attended the general adult psychiatry clinic in the month of April 2020. Results: 1,050 patients were included in the analysis. The sample consists of 55.9% males. The mean age was 40.7 years. The predominant ethnicity was Arab (88.3%). The most prevalent diagnosis was depressive disorder 32.7%. Only 1.6 % patients attended the clinic as new appointments. Tele-assessment was conducted in 64% (N=672) visits. 9.3 % reported to be in relapse during April. Patient with schizophrenia showed the lowest relapse rate 5.7%. Only 8.5% had taken PCR COVID test, with two patients tested positive. Conclusion: The great shift to tele-assessments and the service of medications home delivery were the main reason for maintaining the service in the psychiatric outpatient settings.
Gendered Inequalities in HIV/AIDS: Investigating Linkages between Degradation, Disenfranchisement, Unemployment and Disease
The purpose of this paper is to examine the social, political, economic, and environmental forces that shape disproportionate HIV rates among women in less-developed countries. Specifically, we analyze how environmental degradation and women’s property rights condition female unemployment rates in poor nations and ultimately, patterns of disease. Using data from 105 less-developed nations, we construct a structural equation model to analyze influences on the proportion of HIV cases among women. We find that environmental degradation is an important, though often overlooked factor contributing to the female HIV burden across nations, through mechanisms such as female unemployment, disenfranchisement, and poor access to socio-health services. We also find that restrictions on property rights for women impact female unemployment and access to health services. Conclusions point to the efficacy of incorporating ecofeminist frameworks that emphasize ecological conditions alongside political, economic, and social forces to explain global health and gender inequalities in HIV/AIDS.
COVID-19 Lockdown Fatigue
In this COVID-19 lockdown Survey Monkey study, as many as 75% of 260 respondents reported feeling fatigued. Correlation analyses suggested that feeling fatigued was significantly correlated with demographic variables and virtually every item on every scale of the survey. The demographic correlations suggested that fatigue occurred more frequently in younger participants, in males, and in those not working from home during the lockdown. The significant correlations for the scales suggested that those feeling fatigued engaged in fewer health activities including exercise and self-care; they spent more time on social media including gaming and Facebook; they engaged in less cooking and creative projects; they scored higher on the Stress Scale including worrying more about the virus and their finances; they reported feeling more isolated, lonely, bored and touch deprived; they did more snacking and napping and expressed more “cabin fever”; they had lower scores on connecting and activities at home; and they had higher scores on anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and PTSD scales. A regression analysis suggested that 51% of the variance in the fatigue scores was explained by the depression (37% variance), sleep disturbances (12%) and anxiety (1%) scores. These results are limited by their being self-reported data from a non-representative, cross-sectional sample. Nonetheless, they highlight the negative effects of feeling fatigued during a COVID-19 lockdown.