Objetivo: Identificar, através de revisão sistemática, o efeito de perturbações da ritmicidade circadiana sobre a saúde humana e, através de experimento animal, o efeito sobre a vulnerabilidade a eventos estressantes. Métodos: Estudo 1: Foi conduzida uma revisão sistemática da literatura nas bases de dados eletrônicas PubMed, Scopus, Embase e LILACS utilizando os termos “social AND (jet lag OR jetlag)”. A busca foi finalizada em 22 de agosto de 2016, resultando em 26 artigos incluídos na revisão. Estudo 2: Camundongos Balb/c foram submetidos a um protocolo de estresse crônico moderado (CMS), sozinho ou precedido de 4 ciclos claro-escuro de período encurtado (10h claro, 10h escuro), e foram comparados a animais submetidos apenas ao encurtamento do ciclo claro-escuro ou a nenhuma intervenção. Em um primeiro experimento, os animais dos grupos estressados foram submetidos a 3 semanas de CMS e foram avaliados parâmetros dos ritmos de atividade-repouso e temperatura central e o ganho de peso corporal. Em um segundo experimento, o período de CMS foi reduzido para 2 semanas e foram analisados parâmetros metabólicos séricos, teste de preferência por solução de sacarose (para aferir comportamento tipo-depressivo) e teste claro-escuro (para aferir comportamento tipo-ansioso). Resultados: Estudo 1: Os desfechos de saúde e comportamento associados ao jetlag social são diversos (epilepsia, sintomas psiquiátricos menores, agressão e problemas de conduta, transtornos de humor, prejuízo cognitivo, uso de substâncias, risco cardiometabólico e perfil endócrino adverso), mas há grande variabilidade de metodologias e populações e grande risco de viés dos estudos analisados. Estudo 2: A exposição ao CMS precedida de ciclos claro-escuro encurtados resultou em aumento na amplitude do ritmo de temperatura, mantido mesmo após o término do protocolo de estresse, e redução do peso corporal no período do CMS, havendo uma clara associação entre estes desfechos. Não foram observadas alterações significativas no comportamento, possivelmente devido a problemas metodológicos, nem nos parâmetros metabólicos avaliados. Conclusões: Este trabalho contribui para o conhecimento sobre o papel da cronorruptura na vulnerabilidade ao desenvolvimento de patologias através de revisão das evidências associadas a um modelo de cronorruptura em humanos (jetlag social) e de demonstração de evidências em um modelo animal (encurtamento do ciclo claro-escuro). As evidências relacionadas ao jetlag social devem ser avaliadas com cautela devido à heterogeneidade metodológica e alto risco de viés, sendo necessários estudos longitudinais e com metodologia padronizada para estabelecer associações mais confiáveis. Em animais, a vulnerabilidade ao estresse parece ser aumentada pelo encurtamento do ciclo claro-escuro no que se refere a ritmos circadianos e metabolismo, mas resta determinar o efeito sobre comportamentos tipo-depressivo e tipo-ansioso. Apoio: FIPE/HCPA, CNPq e CAPES. / Objective: Identify through a systematic review the effect of circadian disturbances on human health and, through animal experimentation, the effect on vulnerability to stress. Methods: Study 1: A systematic review of the literature was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Embase and LILACS electronic databases using the terms "social AND (jet lag OR jetlag)". The search was finalized on August 22, 2016, resulting in 26 research articles included in the review. Study 2: Balb/c mice were exposed to a chronic mild stress (CMS) protocol alone or preceded by 4 shortened light-dark cycles (10h light, 10h dark) and compared to animals exposed only to the shortened light-dark cycles or to no intervention. In one experiment, animals of stressed groups were exposed to 3 weeks of CMS for evaluation of rest-activity and core body temperature rhythms and body weight gain. In a second experiment, CMS was shortened to 2 weeks and serum metabolic parameters, sucrose preference test (to assess depressive-like behavior) and black and white test (to assess anxiety-like behavior) were evaluated. Results: Study 1: The health and behavioral outcomes associated to social jetlag are diverse (epilepsy, minor psychiatric symptoms, aggression and conduct problems, mood disorders, cognitive impairment, substance use, cardiometabolic risk and adverse endocrine profile), but there is great variation of methodologies and populations as well as high risk of bias in analyzed studies. Study 2: Exposure to CMS preceded by shortened light-dark cycles resulted in increased amplitude of core body temperature rhythm, sustained even after the end of CMS, and reduced body weight during CMS, with a clear association between these two outcomes. No significant alterations were observed either in behavior, likely due to methodological issues, or metabolic parameters assessed. Conclusions: This work contributes to the knowledge on the role of chronodisruption on the vulnerability to development of pathologies through a review of evidences associated with a model of chronodisruption in humans (social jetlag) and demonstration of evidences from an animal model of chonodisruption (shortened light-dark cycles). The evidence regarding social jetlag must be analyzed with caution due to methodological heterogeneity and high risk of bias of articles reviewed and longitudinal studies with standardized methodology are needed to establish reliable associations. In animals, it seems that vulnerability to stress is increased by the light-dark cycle shortening in what refers to circadian rhythms and metabolism, but the effect on depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviors remains to be determined. Financial support: FIPE/HCPA, CNPq and CAPES.

Yeasts are like other organisms constantly exposed to environmental influences. Their survival depends on the skills to adapt to environmental changes, including the ability to use various alternative sources of nutrients. In presented PhD thesis carotenogenic yeast belonging to the genera Rhodotorula, Sporobolomyces and Cystofilobasidium were tested for ability to use of selected waste substrates, and also subjected to several types of exogenous stress effects and mutations in order to increase the production of microbial biomass enriched with specific metabolites. As alternative nutrient sources derived from waste substrates from agricultural and farm production apple peel, pulp, corn germ and more were tested. Yeasts were also exposed to osmotic, oxidative and combined stress (benefits of various concentrations of NaCl and H2O2 to the culture media), followed by metal ions of selenium and chromium in concentrations of 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM and 1 mM. The effect of mutagen methanesulfonic acid ethyl ester was tested too. In all experiments the adaptivity of cells, morphological changes, color pigments produced by the media while some important fungal metabolites production and changes in chromosomal DNA fragmentation were analyzed. In order to evaluate potential changes in the yeast genome after treatment with mutagen and stress factors methods for isolation of intact chromosomal DNA and DNA analysis by pulsed field gel electrophoresis was optimized. The amount of produced metabolites was mainly analyzed by RP-HPLC with UV/VIS and MS detection. The work has been shown that most strains are able to use waste substrates and produced selected target metabolites. Biomass, for example, in R. aurantiaca on apple fiber was about 7 g/l and in C. capitatum cultivated on modified whey reached to 9 g/l. Amount of produced carotenoids by R. aurantiaca cultivated on wheat germ and maize after enzymatic hydrolysis by F. solani was 1.01 mg/g and S. roseus on pasta 4.3 mg/g. The values of ergosterol synthesis in R. aurantiaca are on the apple shells around 4.8 mg/g, in S. roseus on pasta with the enzymatic hydrolysis of P. chrysosporium 8.9 mg/g. The best substrate for biomass production and induction of carotenoids are waste substartes containing a mixture of simple and complex carbohydrates enriched with the addition of nitrogen compounds. Potential cytotoxic effect of stress factors of low concentrations was demonstrated. Red yeast genome was able to distribute by optimized PFGE, the karyotype of tested yeasts contain 11 or more chromosomes with visible differences between yeast species and genera. During exchange internship the ability of recombinant yeast S. cerevisiae to convert xylose to xylitol, which would be achieved by increasing the production of bioethanol as alternative fuel sources was studied. It turned out that both ligninocellulose materials to bioethanol production, as well as various waste substrates for microbial synthesis of carotenoids would reduce costs for industrial production of yeast metabolites, as well as to reduce the negative burden on the environment.

Commingling of horses from various populations, together with physiological stress associated with transport and confinement at a sales complex, may be associated with detection and transmission of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) and -4 (EHV-4). This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the currently undefined prevalence of EHV-1 and -4 in young Thoroughbreds at an auction sale in South Africa, and associations between clinical signs, physiological stress and viral detection. Ninety, two-year old Thoroughbreds (51 colts, 39 fillies) were consigned from eight farms and sampled at a South African auction sale. The horses were monitored for pyrexia and nasal discharge. Nasal swabs were collected for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay to detect EHV-1 and -4 and faecal samples were collected for enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to determine faecal glucocorticoid metabolite (FGM) concentrations. EHV-4 nucleic acid was detected in some and EHV-1 nucleic acid in none of the population. Pyrexia and nasal discharge were poor indicators of EHV-4 status. Variation in FGM concentrations was best explained by transportation and preparation for auction. Peaks in EHV-4 detection and increases in FGM concentrations were identified shortly post-arrival and on the first day of auction. Temporal changes in FGM concentrations of horses from individual farms showed two distinct patterns: Pattern A (biphasic peaks) and Pattern B (single peak). It was concluded that sales consignment was associated with some EHV-4 nucleic acid detection and distinctive physiological stress patterns in this population of young Thoroughbreds. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Companion Animal Clinical Studies / MSc / Unrestricted

No description available.

This research examines the relationship between growth, growth disruption, and skeletal indicators stress amongst juveniles (n=60) interred at the Late Antique infant and child cemetery at Poggio Gramignano (PG) (ca. 5th century CE), associated with a rural agricultural community. Growth disruption – evidenced by decreased long bone length compared to dental age – and stress experience – evidenced by skeletal stress indicators – were compared to those within juveniles from two urban Roman-era cemeteries (n=66), Villa Rustica (VR) (0-400 CE) and Tragurium City Necropolis (TCN) (400-700 CE). Results indicate that the PG juveniles had significantly smaller femoral lengths-for-age than VR and TCN; however, the frequency of skeletal stress indicators were higher among juveniles at VR and TCN. These differences in growth and stress experience likely resulted from differing biosocial and ecological environments present in the different regions at the time, including differing nutrition, disease, and socioeconomic structures between urban and rural Roman populations.

<p>Carbon and nitrogen isotope values in sequential segments of human hair keratin provide an archive of temporal fluctuations in isotopic composition close to the time of an individual’s death. By combining stable isotope analysis with a microscopic examination of hair, this thesis explores health status prior to the death of early settlers from St. Thomas’ Anglican Church cemetery in Belleville, Ontario (1821-1874). The purpose of this thesis is to determine if there is a consistent difference in carbon and nitrogen isotopic signatures along sequentially segmented hair in individuals who have observable pathological conditions versus individuals who display no osteological evidence of pathology. Elevated nitrogen values can be associated with physiological stressors such as chronic illness, infection, or injury that affect an individual’s metabolic state. Elevated nitrogen values represent a recycling of nitrogen derived from the breakdown of existing proteins in the body and subsequent tissue repair. Results from 10 individuals indicate that δ¹⁵N values increase greater than 1‰ if an individual was suffering from a pathological condition (e.g., periostitis) or decrease by 1‰ if an individual was possibly pregnant, while δ¹³C values remained relatively constant. The variability in nitrogen values over 1‰, coinciding with less change in δ¹³C values, may be indicative of physiological stress. These results suggest that δ¹⁵N values are not only useful for studying diet, but may also be used as indicators of physiological stress.</p> / Master of Arts (MA)

Attempts to assess psychological stress rely heavily upon subjective techniques which measure changes in perceived mental loading and situational awareness (Hart and Staveland 1988, Reid and Nygren 1988, Lemyre and Tessier 2003, 1998). Although quantitative methodologies do exist, for example monitoring changes in the cardiopulmonary system (Gelfand et al. 2004, Harada et al. 2006), such parameters are subject to influence by factors other than stress. Psychological stress is known to influence the effectiveness of the innate immune system, leading to an increased risk of infection and immune-related disease (Dhabhar et al. 1996, Boscarino et al. 1999, Altemus et al. 2006). Leukocytes, primarily neutrophils have been identified as an essential component of this mechanism - periods of increased psychological stress have been shown to stimulate neutrophils to release reactive oxygen species into surrounding healthy tissues (Mian et al. 2003). The exact biochemical pathways by which this occurs have not yet been fully elucidated. However, this mechanism has become the basis for a novel in vitro technique (McLaren et al. 2003) which has the potential and sensitivity to rapidly quantify and discriminate between changes in psychological stress, resulting from exposure to short-term low-level everyday life-stressors. Aims The overall aim of this research was to further explore the relationship between short-term psychological stress and altered immune responsiveness. Leukocyte coping capacity (LCC) is a luminol-dependent chemiluminescent technique for the assay of reactive oxygen species production in whole blood samples. The feasibility of applying this test as an objective, quantitative, diagnostic measure of altered mental workload (mental stress), in the assessment of ergonomics within automotive research and development was examined. Methods Leukocyte activity was determined from whole blood, using a luminol-dependent, in vitro, chemiluminescent technique referred to as Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC). 2 The technique measures reactive oxygen species production following phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation. Subjective psychological measures, including likert scales and the NASA task load index were employed to assess perceived stress and altered mental workload. Other traditional physiological parameters including heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and core body temperature were also measured. The ability of each parameter to detect and discriminate between related short-term stressors was investigated, and results were correlated with post-test changes in leukocyte activity. To investigate the mechanism of stress induced leukocyte activation, standard ELISA was used to assess post-stressor plasma concentration changes in nine mediators including Adrenaline, Noradrenaline, Cortisol, E-Selectin, L-Selectin, Interleukin-1β, Interleukin-6, Endothelin-1, and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α. All 5 studies involved the use of mental stressors that were associated with either driving or the ergonomics of driving. Participants were moderately fit and healthy, aged between 20 and 65 years. Study one assessed the ability of the LCC technique to objectively discriminate between two closely related stressors (performing a simple manoeuvre in two different vehicles). Study two investigated leukocyte sensitivity, by testing whether a quantifiable response was elicited following exposure to a low-level stressor lasting seconds. The third study was used to explore the mechanism of leukocyte activation following short-term low-level stress. In addition to testing the viability of leukocyte responsiveness as an objective quantitative ergonomic assay for use within the motor industry, study four investigated how the magnitude of leukocyte responsiveness changed following repeated exposure to the same stressor. The final study used leukocyte reactivity to investigate how mental loading was affected during the interaction with three different motor vehicle control interfaces, whilst simultaneously maintaining lane discipline within a simulated driving environment.

Introdução: A assistência domiciliar é considerada um recurso a ser utilizado para manter o paciente junto à sua família, buscando seu conforto, recuperação, reabilitação biopsicossocial, além de primar pela garantia dos mesmos princípios de biossegurança a que os pacientes teriam acesso na internação hospitalar tradicional. Enfatiza-se neste estudo os profissionais de enfermagem que atuam em Home Care e a exposição destes aos riscos ocupacionais que podem lhes proporcionar situações estressantes. O estresse pode surgir quando um indivíduo se confronta com situações que o irritem, amedrontem, excitem, confundam ou mesmo aquelas que o fazem imensamente feliz. Objetivos: Identificar e mensurar as reações fisiológicas do estresse nos profissionais de enfermagem que atuam no atendimento domiciliar e elaborar material educativo abordando ações que extinguem ou minimizem tais reações. Método: Estudo exploratório, descritivo, transversal e de abordagem quantitativa. A coleta de dados realizou-se entre 22 de setembro de 2018 à 30 de outubro de 2018 em locais públicos, próximos à localidade do trabalho dos participantes em 2018; por enfermeiros treinados para realizar tal coleta. Utilizou-se dois instrumentos; o primeiro abordava seus dados sócios demográficos e laborais e o segundo foi o Inventário das Reações Fisiológicas do Estresse que consiste em 39 sintomas relacionados ao estresse; a amostra foi composta por 99 enfermeiros, técnicos e auxiliares de enfermagem (52,1% do total). Realizou-se estatísticas descritivas, frequência e percentual para as variáveis qualitativas e medidas de tendência central e dispersão para as variáveis numéricas. Para verificar a associação dos níveis de Reações fisiológicas do estresse, com as variáveis sociodemográficas e laborais utilizou- se o Teste Exato de Fisher, o nível de significância considerado foi ? = 0,05. Resultados: Dentre os pesquisados prevaleceram os do sexo feminino (56,6%), com faixa etária de 19 a 29 anos (40,4%), com companheiro (49,5%); 64,7% possuíam filhos e apenas 21,2% tinham formação de ensino superior. No que diz respeito à categoria profissional verificou-se predominantemente os técnicos de enfermagem (63,6%), seguidos dos enfermeiros (21,2%) e auxiliares de enfermagem (15,2%). Com relação ao vínculo empregatício, 50,5% tinham mais que um e a carga horária semanal variou de 30 a 120 horas. Quanto ao tempo de atuação no Serviço estudado, evidenciou-se que 53,5% dos profissionais atuavam há mais de 12 meses. As reações fisiológicas do estresse mais significativas foram tonturas (63,7%), indigestão (59,6%) e valores iguais para dor de cabeça (54,6%), dores de estômago (54,6%) e dores lombares (54,6%). Os níveis da classificação dos sintomas de resposta ao estresse apresentaram associação com sexo (p=0,002), estado civil (p=0,046), categoria profissional (p=0,004), quantidade de vínculo empregatício (p=0,001), carga horária semanal (p=0,011), tempo de atuação profissional (p=0,033) e trabalho nos finais de semana (p=0,031). Conclusão: Tenciona-se que a presente investigação, que utilizou o referencial teórico da Saúde do Trabalhador, embase estudos subsequentes, colabore com o desenvolvimento do conhecimento das reações fisiológicas do estresse apresentadas pela equipe de enfermagem que atua em atendimento domiciliar e contribua para a melhoria das condições laborais destes trabalhadores e consequentemente impacte positivamente no atendimento aos usuários / Introduction: Home care is considered to be a resource in use for keeping the patient close to his family, providing comfort, recovery, biopsychosocialrehabilitation, as well as giving priority to the same principles of biosafety that patients would have received in the traditional hospital admission. This study describes nursing professionals working in Home Care and their exposure to occupational risks that may cause stressful situations. Stress can arise when an individuals are confronted with situations that irritate, frighten, excite, confuse or even make them immensely happy. Objectives: To identify and measure the physiological reactions of stress in nursing professionals who work in home care and to elaborate educational material towards extinguishing or minimizing such reactions. Method: Exploratory, descriptive, transversal and quantitative approach. Data collection was carried out between September 22, 2018 and October 30, 2018 in publics spaces, close to the workplaces of the participants in 2018; done by nurses trained to perform such collection. Two instruments were used; the first one addressed his demographic and work partner data and the second one was the Inventory of Physiological Stress Reactions consisting of 39 stress-related symptoms; the sample consisted of 99 nurses, technicians and nursing auxiliaries (52.1% of the total). Descriptive statistics, frequency and percentage for qualitative variables and measures of central tendency and dispersion for the numerical variables were performed. In order to verify the levels of physiological stress reactions, sociodemographic and labor variables- the Fisher\'s Exact Test was used with the level of significance ? = 0.05. Results: Among surveyed, prevailed female (56.6%), the ages ranging from 19 to 29 years (40.4%), with partner (49.5%); 64.7% had children and only 21.2% had higher education. Regarding the professional category, nursing technicians predominated (63.6%), followed by nurses (21.2%) and nursing auxiliaries (15.2%). When it comes to the employment relationship, 50.5% had more than one and the weekly workload ranged from 30 to 120 hours. Regarding the duration of service, it was evidenced that 53.5% of professionals worked for more than 12 months. The most significant physiological stress reactions were dizziness (63.7%), indigestion (59.6%) and equal values for headache (54.6%), stomach pains (54.6%) and low back pain ( 54.6%). Levels of stress response symptoms were associated with gender (p = 0.002), marital status (p = 0.046), occupational category (p = 0.004), amount of employment bond (p = 0.001), weekly workload ( p= 0.011), professional performance time (p = 0.033) and weekend work (p = 0.031). Conclusion: The present research, that used the theoretical framework of Occupational Health, is intended to support subsequent studies, collaborate with the development of the knowledge of the physiological stress reactions presented by the nursing team that acts in home care and contributes to the improvement of the working conditions of these workers and consequently to have a positive impact on customer service

Objetivo Geral - Analisar a relação entre estresse e a jornada laboral dos trabalhadores de enfermagem de um hospital público de Teresina, Piauí. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, transversal, correlacional, quantitativo, realizado em um hospital público geral de Teresina (Piauí), entre janeiro a abril e setembro a novembro de 2013. A amostra foi aleatória, constituída na primeira etapa por 145 trabalhadores de enfermagem, aos quais foi aplicada a Seção 1 dos questionários dos Guias de Avaliação de Riscos nos lugares de trabalho. Na segunda etapa a amostra foi constituída por 93 trabalhadores, aos quais se aplicou o Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos (ISSL). A determinação das concentrações de cortisol foi estabelecida através do Kit de cortisol do laboratório Salimetrics em 84 trabalhadores de enfermagem. A pesquisa foi aprovada por um Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa. A análise dos dados ocorreu por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial no programa SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science), versão 18.0. Resultados: 92,4% dos trabalhadores de enfermagem eram do sexo feminino, 52,4% casados, com predominância da faixa etária entre 41-50 anos (34,5%), sendo a idade média dos entrevistados de 44,4 anos de idade. 60 eram técnicos de enfermagem (41,4%), 13,1% mencionaram trabalhar na central de material esterilizado e 11,7% no centro cirúrgico ou na sala de recuperação anestésica. Quanto ao tipo de contrato, 81,4% mencionaram ser estatutários estaduais, no entanto, 17,9% mencionaram ter outros tipos de contratos. O plantão diurno é realizado por 56,6%, seguido por 29,7% com jornada diária, contabilizando-se 70,4% que realizam plantões (diurno e noturno). Ter carga inferior ou igual a 30 horas foi mencionada por 69,7%; entretanto 33,1% realizavam carga horária semanal em outra unidade hospitalar; a faixa salarial para 54,5% é entre 1 a 2 salários mínimos; 55,9% apresentavam somente um e 44,1% possuíam de dois a quatro vínculos empregatícios. Os fatores de risco no ambiente de trabalho percebidos pelos trabalhadores em ordem decrescente foram: risco de contrair infecção/doença (77,2%), exposição ao risco biológico (68,3%), lesão por material perfuro cortante (55,9%), exposição ao vírus da hepatite (55,1%), exposição ao vírus HIV (53,8%) e risco por sobrecarga de trabalho (53,8%). Os problemas de saúde relacionados ao trabalho (provocados/agravados) mais frequentes, percebidos são: varizes (56.5%), lombalgias (46,9%), estresse/ depressão (41,4%) e lesões por acidentes (32,4%). Na aplicação do ISSL, obtiveram-se 93 inventários respondidos e destes 65 trabalhadores apresentaram-se com sintomas de estresse, embora a maioria (57) encontre-se na fase de resistência. O cortisol salivar mensurado obteve amplitude de 0,061mg/dl a 0,849mg/dl, com alguns valores fora dos de referência para normalidade. Foi constatada correlação entre a carga horária acima de 30 horas e o estresse. Conclusão: O uso do cortisol salivar pode auxiliar no rastreio de condições deletérias geradas pelo estresse ocupacional crônico em profissionais de enfermagem, contribuindo para o reconhecimento precoce dessas condições e para a adoção de medidas preventivas que permitam a manutenção da qualidade da assistência dos serviços de saúde e equilíbrio entre o rendimento e a produtividade. / General Objective - Analyze the correlations between stress and workload of nursing professional at a public hospital in the city of Teresina, Piauí. Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational, quantitative study performed at a public general hospital in the city of Teresina (Piauí), between January and April and September to November of 2013. In the first stage the ramdom sample, consisted of 145 nursing professionals, to whom was applied Section 1 of the Risk assessment guide in workplace questionnaire. In the second stage, the sample was composed of 93 professionals, who were submitted to the Adult stress symptom inventory (ISSL). The cortisol concentration quantity was determined using the Salivary Assay Kit from Salimetrics in 84 nursing professionals. The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. The data Analysis was performed through descriptive and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 18.0. Results: 92,4% of the nursing professionals were female, 52,4% married, mostly in the age group between 41-50 years old (34,5%), having the average age of 44,4 years old. 60 of them were nurse technicians (41,4%), 13,1% stated working in the sterilization hub and 11,7% in operating rooms or post- anesthesia care unit. As to their employment contract, 81,4% mentioned being state workers, however 17,9% of them affirmed having other kinds of contract. The day shift is performed by 56,6% of these professionals, followed by 29,7% of regular working days, with a total amount of 70,4% who work on shifts (day and night). Having 30 hours or less of work per week was mentioned by 69,7%; however 33,1% worked in other hospital facilities; the amount of pay to 54,5% was between 1 and 2 monthly minimum wage; 55,9% had just one job and 44,1% had from two to four jobs. The perceived risk factors in workplace by the nursing professionals in descending order were: risk of contracting infections/disease (77,2%), exposure to biological risk (68,3%), lesion due to perforating-cutting material (55,9%), exposure to hepatitis virus (55,1%), exposure to HIV virus (53,8%) and risk due to work overload (53,8%). The most frequent perceived health problems (provoked/ aggravated) related to work were: varicose veins (56,5%), low back pain (46,9%), stress/depression (41,4%) and lesions due to accidents (32,4%). When filling the ISSL, 93 questionnaires were obtained, from which 65 professionals showed stress symptons, although most of them (57) were in the resistance stage. The measured salivary cortisol levels ranged from 0,061mg/dl to 0,849mg/dl, with a few samples beyond normality. It was found a correlation between the workload of over 30 hours per week and stress. Conclusion: The use of salivary cortisol can help detect deleterious conditions generated by chronic occupational stress in nursing professionals, contributing to the early recognition of these conditions and to the adoption of preventive measures which permit assuring the health service quality and the balance between performance and productivity.

Dissertation (Ph.D.) -- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2008. / Vita. Bibliography: p. 96-110.