MA / African horsesickness is a disease endemic in Sub Saharan Africa affecting horses, a non-native species, which are extremely susceptible to this disease. Both the ‘dunkop’ form (with its dramatic high fever, laboured breathing, frothy nasal discharge and sudden death) and the ‘dikkop’ form (with its swollen head and eyes and bleeding in the membranes of the mouth and eyes) have been visited upon equine populations and their human owners in successive epidemics through the earliest colonial settlement until recent times. This thesis traces the development of veterinary science in South Africa and the effect it had on the changing ideas surrounding African horsesickness. It explores not only the veterinary progress in the country but also the impact of the progress on African horsesickness as other diseases received attention. The discussion traces the disease from one of the major epidemics ever encountered in the country, in the mid nineteenth century, to the beginning of the development of veterinary services in South Africa when little was known about African horsesickness. It illustrates the implications of a country's struggle with animal disease, the reasons for a lack of knowledge and the ramifications of the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute’s interventions. This thesis shows that African horsesickness not only had an impact on the veterinary developments of the country but was also indirectly involved in the South African War, 1899-1902. It demonstrates the impact of disease during wartime while illustrating the importance of horses during such difficult times. Thus, this thesis draws on works on animal diseases and on social history to explore not only the effect African horsesickness had historically on equines, but the effects it had more broadly on southern African society. This study is intended to bring insight into the social history of the disease itself: how it was experienced by livestock owners and also how settler and indigenous efforts were turned towards combating this dramatic disease.

Introduction: Nitric oxide (NO) is an integral molecule implicated in the control of vascular function. It has been suggested that vascular dysfunction may lead to the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE), though data to date remains scarce. Therefore, there is a clear need for further work to address the role of NO in the pathogenesis of high-altitude illness. Aims: There were two primary aims of the current work: (1) To examine whether hypoxia mediated changes in systemic NO metabolism are related to the development of AMS and sub-clinical pulmonary oedema and (2) to examine whether hypoxia mediated changes in the trans-cerebral exchange kinetics of NO metabolites are related to the development of AMS and headache. Hypothesis: We hypothesise that hypoxia will be associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, resulting in a decrease in vascular NO bioavailability (O2•- + NO → ONOO•-, k = 109 M.s-1). The reduction in NO will lead to vascular dysfunction and impaired oxygen (O2) delivery. Subsequent hypoxaemia will result in pulmonary vascular vasoconstriction and the development of sub-clinical pulmonary oedema within and mild brain swelling. Symptoms and reductions in NO bioavailability will be more pronounced in those who develop AMS since they are typically more hypoxaemic. Alternatively, a hypoxia mediated increase in NO, during vasodilatation, specifically across the cerebral circulation, may activate the trigminovascular system resulting in headache and by consequence, AMS. Methods: Study 1 – AMS symptoms, systemic venous NO concentration and nasal potential difference (NPD), used as a surrogate biomarker of extravascular lung oedema, were quantified in normoxia, after a 6hr passive exposure to 12% oxygen (O2) and immediately following a hypoxic maximal exercise challenge (≈6.5 hrs). Final measurements were 2 obtained two hours into (hypoxic) recovery. Study 2 – AMS, radial arterial and internal jugular venous NO metabolite concentrations and global cerebral blood flow (CBF), using the Kety-Schmidt technique, were assessed in normoxia and after a 9hr passive exposure to 12.9% O2. AMS was diagnosed if subjects presented with a combined Lake Louise score of ≥5 points and an Environmental Symptoms Questionnaire – Cerebral score of ≥0.7 points. Results: Hypoxia was associated with a reduction in total plasma NO, primarily due to a reduction in nitrate (NO3•) and a compensatory increase in red blood cell (RBC)-bound NO(P < 0.05 vs. normoxia) in both studies. Study 1 – Exercise reduced plasma nitrite (NO2•) (P< 0.05 vs. normoxia) whereas RBC-bound NO did not change. NO was not different in those who developed AMS (AMS+) compared to those who remained comparatively more healthy (AMS-) (P < 0.05). NPD was not affected by hypoxia or exercise and was not different between AMS+ and AMS- (P > 0.05). Study 2 – Hypoxia decreased arterial concentration of total plasma NO due primarily to a reduction in NO2•- and nitrate (NO3•-). Hypoxia did not alter the cerebral metabolism of RSNO, whereas the formation of RBC-bound NO increased. Discussion: These findings suggest that alterations in systemic or trans-cerebral NO metabolism are not implicated in the pathophysiology of AMS or sub-clinical pulmonary oedema. However, hypoxia was associated with an overall reduction in the total NO pool (NOx), whereas, selected alterations in more vasoactive NO metabolites were observed. Reductions in the partial pressure of O2 (pO2) were thought to be a key regulator in these changes. Overall net increases in RBC NO and corresponding reductions in plasma NO2• in the face of no alterations in NOx indicates that rather than being simply consumed, NO is reapportioned to other NO metabolites and this may be implicated in the pathophysiology of AMS.

Studien syftar till att undersöka den upplevda arbetsglädjen hos anställda inom Piteå kommun samt om det finns förbättringsområden som kommunen kan arbeta med för att öka arbetsglädjen. Dessutom undersöks om det finns några skillnader i arbetsglädje mellan olika grupper inom Piteå kommun. Förutom detta undersöks om det finns något samband mellan den upplevda arbetsglädjen hos den anställde och den anställdes attityd till sjukfrånvaro. Även skillnader i attityder till sjukfrånvaro mellan olika grupper studeras. Data samlades in med en enkät. Totalt deltog 865 anställda.Arbetsglädjen inom Piteå kommun är överlag hög. Vissa skillnader finns i arbetsglädje mellan förvaltningar, yrken och befattningar. Även vissa skillnader i attityder till sjukfrånvaro finns mellan yrken, heltid respektive deltid och mellan befattningar. Inget samband mellan total arbetsglädje och attityd till sjukfrånvaro hittades. Däremot framkom en svag negativ korrelation mellan arbetsglädje och sjukanmälan vid nekad ledighet, vilket innebär att om arbetsglädjen ökar så anses det som mindre okej att sjukanmäla sig. Vidare, en svag positiv korrelation framkom mellan arbetsglädje och sjukanmälan vid förkylning och låg feber, detta betyder att om arbetsglädjen ökar så ökar även attityden att det är okej att sjukskriva sig. / This study aims at investigating employees of Piteå municipality’s perceived happiness at work and possible areas of improvement to help increase perceived happiness. In addition, it investigates whether there are any differences in perceived happiness between different groups within the municipality of Piteå. In addition to this, it investigates if there is any correlation between the experienced happiness of the employee and the employee’s attitude towards sickness absence. Additionally, it explores attitudes towards sickness absence between groups. Data was collected with a survey. A total of 865 employees participated. The perceived happiness at work within Piteå municipality is overall high. There are some differences in happiness between different administrations, occupations and positions. There are also some differences in attitudes towards sickness absence between occupations, part- and full-time employment and between positions. No relation was found between overall happiness at work and the total score for attitudes towards sickness absence.It did however show a weak negative correlation between happiness at work and reporting sick when denied leave, which means that if the perceived happiness at work increases, the attitude towards reporting sick decreases. Further, a weak positive correlation was found between happiness at work and reporting sick with a mild cold and low fever, which means that if perceived happiness at work increases so will the attitude towards reporting sick.

This thesis deals with the scientific achievements of the inspirational scientist Marie Curie Sklodowska as well as with the issue of acute iradiation sickness. Two goals were set in the work. The first objective was to map the life and scientific work of Mrs. Curie. The second objective was to describe the causes and consequences of acute illness from radiation. At the beginning the theoretical part describes the life of Marie Curie Sklodowska. Her difficult beginnings at the University of Paris and her great achievements- discovering the elements of polonium and radium. Further, the work deals with acute radiation sickness together with basics of radiobiology. In the practical part, I tried to find an answer to this question. Why Mrs. Curie did not die from acute radiation sickness? I have gained a lot of information by studying literature, professional articles and internet resources. Most of the facts were obtained from foreign professional journals because there are not many sources in the Czech language. Thanks to this information, I could deal with this person more detailed. At the same time, in the case of toxic polonium-210, an estimated fatal dose for adults was calculated. In addition, calculations were made of how much Marie Curie Sklodowska would have to isolate and incorporate in order to die for the consequences of acute radiation sickness. For better clarity, the results are summarized in the tables. Safety precautions and health problems associated with work with radioactive elements would not be neglected. Marie Curie Sklodowska probably was not able to create a clean polonium, and therefore probably did not even accept this direct contact, which would be able to cause her death.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been associated with an increased risk of decompression sickness (DCS) in divers. Pathophysiologicaly this has been ascribed to paradoxical embolization of nitrogen bubbles from venous blood to systemic circulation, resulting in obstruction of peripheral capillaries and ischemic injury. However, the role of PFO has been largely debated and experimental and prospective clinical data has been missing. It is of note, that this hypothesis is not only of theoretical importance. The proof of PFO as a causative factor of DCS and, importantly, of unpredictable events (unprovoked DCS) could affect millions of divers worldwide through improved therapy and prevention. In our research we aimed to describe the pathophysiological role of PFO in decompression sickness and to determine whether the prevention of arterialization of post-dive venous gas emboli (VGE) would decrease the incidence of unprovoked DCS in divers. We have screened 489 scuba divers for the presence of PFO by means of transcranial color-coded Doppler ultrasonography. In a retrospective analysis we found that the incidence of unprovoked decompression sickness was 7% among these divers and that PFO was the only risk factor. Subsequently, we have studied the occurrence of VGE and arterial gas emboli (AGE) in divers with...

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:11:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1377556 bytes, checksum: 97a7a6ee379e35782ebf2094902019b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The present dissertation sought to reflect upon the corruption problem present in the republican thought of Florentine Republic secretary. For the author, the historical experience of Rome Republic in Antiquity was the adequate source of imitation as well as inspiration to reach Machiavelli s greatest daytime dream: the Italian political unification. In this work, we tried to reunite Machiavelli s many speeches on corruption, relating this problem to his natural and unavoidable trait, with the rising of private life, to law and order construction. At the same time, we investigated the relation between corruption and religion, as well as corruption and education and how such problems were related to external contacts set out by one specific republic. Based on this, it is possible to affirm that when Machiavelli focuses on corruption, he believes it as sickness, and then seeks the remedies to heal it. As the author points out, although such remedies are of diverse nature, they demand a high responsibility from citizens, so that, as republic natural and unavoidable conflicts develop, they are able to force the use of the remedies, preparing the political conflicts to the republic freedom enhancement. / A presente tese procurou refletir o problema da corrupção presente no pensamento político republicano do secretário da República Florentina. Para o autor, a experiência histórica da República de Roma na Antiguidade era a fonte de imitação e inspiração adequada para cumprir a meta de realização do maior sonho diurno de Maquiavel: a unificação política da Itália. Procuramos, nessa tese, reunir as várias falas de Maquiavel sobre a corrupção, focando a relação desse problema com a sua feição natural e inevitável, com o aumento da riqueza privada, com as ordenações e a construção das leis. Ao mesmo tempo, estudamos a relação entre corrupção e religião, corrupção e educação, e a relação desse problema com os contatos externos estabelecidos por uma determinada república. A partir desse percurso, podemos afirmar a tese de que Maquiavel, quando pensa a corrupção, refere-se a esta como sendo uma doença, e busca, ao mesmo tempo, os remédios para sanar esse mal. Os remédios são de naturezas diversas, como aponta o autor, entretanto exige uma ampla responsabilidade por parte dos cidadãos, para que estes, no desenrolar dos conflitos naturais e inevitáveis da república, possam forçar a aplicação desses remédios, preparando os conflitos políticos para o aperfeiçoamento da liberdade republicana.

L’Accident de Décompression présente un risque majeur pour les plongeurs. Il est admis que la formation de bulles circulantes est à l’origine de l’ADD. Cependant, une forte variabilité inter individuelle existe entre plongeurs, avec une faible corrélation entre bulles et symptômes de l’ADD. Plusieurs mécanismes physiologiques ont été liés à l’ADD, mais aucun d’entre eux ne semble déterminant dans la mise en place de la pathologie. Dans ce contexte, des techniques issues de la médecine de précision pourraient apporter de nouveaux éléments de compréhension.Durant cette thèse, nous avons effectué des études protéomiques afin d’étudier les possibles changements du protéome plasmatique de rats et de plongeurs suite à une plongée avec ou sans ADD, dans le but de trouver de potentiels biomarqueurs de développement précoce de l’ADD. Nous avons de plus mis en évidence une potentielle implication de processus inflammatoires dans la mise en place des symptômes de l’ADD. Un protocole de sélection a ensuite été utilisé dans le but de créer une nouvelle souche de rats résistante à l’ADD. Une résistance à l’ADD est apparue en l’espace d’une génération chez les femelles, deux chez les mâles. Une caractérisation physiologique de la souche résistante a montré une potentielle implication d’une région spécifique du chromosome X, ainsi que des modifications du fonctionnement du muscle lisse vasculaire, de la résistance aux espèces réactives de l’oxygène, de la consommation d’oxygène mitochondriale, et du système immunitaire. Les suites de cette caractérisation se focaliseront sur des études transcriptomiques et génétiques, en particulier sur la région d’intérêt du chromosome X. / Decompression Sickness is one of the most serious hazards for divers. It is usually admitted that DCS origins from circulating bubbles. However, a strong inter-individual variability exists between divers, resulting in a poor correlation between bubble grade and DCS symptoms. Several physiological mechanisms have been linked with DCS, but none of them appeared to be determinant in the onset of the pathology. In this context, medicine precision techniques may offer new insights, with a broader approach.During this thesis, we used proteomics to investigate changes of the plasma proteome of rats and divers during diving, with and without DCS, and aimed at finding biomarkers of early DCS development. We found that acute inflammation may play a role in the onset on DCS, and that proteomics may be fitted to look for new biomarkers. We also used a selection protocol to create a new DCS resistant rat strain, which was significantly more resistant than classic Wistar rats. Moreover, DCS resistance was gained in a matter of only 2 reproductions cycles (only 1 for females), which gives evidence of heritable components of DCS resistance/susceptibility that might be carried out by the X chromosome. A characterization of this DCS resistant strain showed a number of physiological adaptations gained during the selection process. Indeed, DCS resistant rats showed a decreased mitochondrial oxygen global consumption, a decrease of vascular smooth muscle contraction and relaxation as well as a raise of neutrophils count among males.Further characterization of the DCS resistant strain will focus on transcriptomic and genetic studies, especially on the genomic region of interest located on the X chromosome.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This dissertation aims to study the villages of Bom Jardim and Mundês. The two villages are located in the vicinity of the National Park of Itabaiana / SE. The study was motivated by an interest in investigating the process of (de / re) construct of socio-cultural characteristics among young people about traditional knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants for treating common sickness of everyday life. The main variable under investigation is the involvement of health workers in villages, through which western medicine can contribute to reducing child mortality and health care of residents of these villages, but at the same time, result in the loss of traditional knowledge in new generations in relation to knowledge of the uses of medicinal plants. The methodology provides for the identification of "guardians of nature" (Giddens) of these villages through the technique snowball . The network of informants will limit the principle of saturation point. The first step of the research was given towards the lifting of secondary data at the Secretaria Municipal de Itabaiana / SE, for the preparation of a guide to be developed from interviews with health workers. Based on literature (Ennes, 2008), it was found that most villagers in case of illness, looking for health clinics and hospitals and there are almost no villagers and those looking for more traditional forms of healing. This has been confronted by the field work has identified three guardians in Bom Jardim and ten guardians in Mundês, where all reported that they have people interested in your knowledge, are family members or young people in the villages. / A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo estudar os povoados de Bom Jardim e Mundês. Os dois povoados localizam-se no entorno do Parque Nacional da Serra de Itabaiana/SE. O estudo foi motivado pelo interesse de investigar o processo de (dês/re) caracterização sócio-cultural entre jovens dos saberes tradicionais em relação ao uso de plantas medicinais para o tratamento de mal estares corriqueiros do cotidiano. A principal variável em análise é a intervenção dos agentes de saúde nos povoados, que através da medicina ocidental podem contribuir para redução da mortalidade infantil e prevenção à saúde dos moradores desses povoados, mas, ao mesmo tempo, provocar a perda do saber tradicional nas novas gerações em relação ao conhecimento dos usos de plantas medicinais. A metodologia prevê a identificação de guardiães da natureza , (Giddens) destes povoados por meio da técnica snowball (bola de neve). A rede de informantes terá como limite o princípio do ponto de saturação. O primeiro passo da pesquisa foi dado no sentido do levantamento de dados secundários na Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Itabaiana/SE, para a elaboração de um roteiro de entrevistas a ser desenvolvido com os agentes de saúde. Com base em pesquisa bibliográfica (Ennes, 2008), verificou-se que a maioria dos moradores dos povoados, em caso de enfermidades, procura postos de saúde e hospitais e que quase não há mais quem procure benzedeiras e formas tradicionais de cura. Esse dado foi confrontado pelo trabalho de campo que identificou três guardiães em Bom Jardim e dez guardiães em Mundês, onde todos relataram que não possuem pessoas interessadas em seus conhecimentos, sejam familiares ou jovens dos povoados.

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2017-03-24T19:11:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Stéfany Bruna de Brito Pimenta - 2017.pdf: 2835892 bytes, checksum: 04ed23aae51da4b6ed11f87fb367f29d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-03-28T11:34:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Stéfany Bruna de Brito Pimenta - 2017.pdf: 2835892 bytes, checksum: 04ed23aae51da4b6ed11f87fb367f29d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-28T11:34:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Stéfany Bruna de Brito Pimenta - 2017.pdf: 2835892 bytes, checksum: 04ed23aae51da4b6ed11f87fb367f29d (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-20 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás - FAPEG / This thesis aims to understand the conception of human development in Vygotskian theory and then, from such foundations, make considerations about the development of the child in sickness situation. While a theoretical research, the work was development through the study of some important works of Vygotsky that discuss about the human development and, specifically, the development of the child, which is "History of the development of the superior psychic functions"; "Problems of Child Psychology"; "Fundamentals of Defectology" and "Thought and Language". An exploratory bibliographical survey was also carried out with the objective of identifying other materials that contribute to the discussion of the subject in question. In the study of Vigotskian theory it was possible to identify fundamental concepts that allow a historical-cultural understanding of the development of the child and, consequently, base their problematization in diverse situations. It is identified that the conception of human development of the Vygotskian theory, based on dialectical historical materialism, breaks with biological dichotomies, determinisms and reductions, contributing to the construction of a dialectical approach in the field of health. Thus, from the understanding of some concepts that allow the understanding of the development of the child, such as "mediation", "experience", "social development situation", it became feasible to elaborate a theoretical essay that reflects aspects of the child’s development in the situation of physical illness. It is hoped that this research will contribute to the theoretical foundation of professionals and reseachers with interfaces between psychology and the health area, especially child’s health. / Esta dissertação tem como objetivo compreender a concepção de desenvolvimento humano na teoria vigotskiana para, a partir de tais fundamentos, tecer considerações a respeito do desenvolvimento da criança em situação de adoecimento. Enquanto uma pesquisa teórica, o trabalho foi desenvolvimento por meio do estudo de algumas importantes obras de Vigotski que discorrem acerca do desenvolvimento humano e, em específico, o desenvolvimento da criança, como “História do desenvolvimento das funções psíquicas superiores”; “Problemas de Psicologia Infantil”; “Fundamentos de Defectologia” e “Pensamento e linguagem”. Realizou-se também um levantamento bibliográfico exploratório com o objetivo de se identificar outros materiais que contribuam para a discussão da temática em questão. No estudo da teoria vigotskiana foi possível identificar conceitos fundamentais que possibilitam uma compreensão histórico-cultural da constituição e desenvolvimento da criança e, consequentemente, oferecem subsídios para a problematização deste desenvolvimento em situações diversas. Identifica-se que a concepção de desenvolvimento humano da teoria vigotskiana, fundamentada no materialismo histórico dialético, rompe com dicotomias, determinismos e reducionismos biológicos, contribuindo para a construção de um enfoque dialético no campo da saúde. Assim, a partir do entendimento de alguns conceitos que permitem a compreensão do desenvolvimento da criança, como por exemplo, “mediação”, “vivência”, “situação social de desenvolvimento”, tornou-se viável a elaboração de um ensaio teórico que reflete e redimensiona aspectos referentes ao desenvolvimento da criança na situação de adoecimento físico. Espera-se por meio desta pesquisa contribuir para o embasamento teórico de profissionais e estudiosos com interfaces entre a Psicologia e a área da saúde, sobretudo, a saúde da criança.

Introdução: O trabalho sempre foi, em diversos momentos da história, categoria fundante das relações sociais entre o homem e a natureza e entre os homens e os homens. Entretanto, o trabalho na forma de produção capitalista tem sido alienado e alienador, com efeitos deletérios tanto sobre o corpo físico como para a mente e alma do trabalhador. O servidor público não fica à margem dessa situação, uma vez que o Estado é parte estrutural do capitalismo. Assim, as diversas formas de violência contra o trabalhador, como sobrecarga, subcarga, assédio moral, foram debatidos, ainda que de forma não aprofundada, nesse trabalho. Objetivos: Estabelecer o perfil dos afastamentos de trabalhadores técnicos e administrativos da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) por motivo de doença nos últimos cinco anos (2012 - 2016). Analisar os afastamentos por transtornos mentais nos últimos cinco anos (2012 - 2016). Analisar o contexto de trabalho sob a ótica do trabalhador. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de pesquisa exploratória quali-quantitativa e sua base de dados se deu por duas vias distintas: uma através de banco de dados dos recursos humanos da Universidade de São Paulo, o sistema Marte e a outra, através de questionários divulgados de forma online nas redes sociais com a participação voluntária de 697 servidores da universidade. A análise dos dados foi realizada por meio de frequências absolutas e percentuais (variáveis qualitativas) e por meio de medidas como média, desvio-padrão, mínimo, mediana e máximo (variáveis quantitativas). Os gráficos apresentados foram feitos com o auxílio do software R, versão 3.4.1 e as análises, através do SAS 9.2. Para todas as comparações adotou-se um nível de significância de 5%. Para análise do discurso dos sujeitos, realizamos a análise textual adotando o método de Reinert via classificação hierárquica descendente, com auxílio do software Iramuteq versão 0.7 alpha 2 e categorização de conceitos chaves. Resultados e discussão: O índice de absenteísmo por doença na Universidade de São Paulo é extremamente alto. As mulheres, negras, nível básico, sem companheiro são as mais propensas a adoecerem. As doenças do tecido osteomuscular e do tecido conjuntivo são as que afastam o maior número de pessoas; entretanto os transtornos mentais e comportamentais, com predominância dos quadros de depressão, ansiedade, stress e alcoolismo, afastam os trabalhadores por mais tempo, ou seja, os dias de afastamento são maiores. As condições de trabalho foram avaliadas como boas, todavia a organização do trabalho e as relações socioprofissionais situam-se em um nível crítico, sendo a dimensão socioprofissional a que necessita de mais intervenções e estudos mais aprofundados. / Introduction: Work has always been, at various moments in history, a foundational category of social relations between man and nature and between men and men. However, labor in the form of capitalist production has been alienated and alienating, with deleterious effects on both the physical body and the mind and soul of the worker. The public servant is not left out of this situation, since the state is a structural part of capitalism. Thus, the various forms of violence against the worker, such as overload, undercarriage, and moral harassment, were debated, albeit in an undefined manner, in this work. Objectives: To establish the profile of technical and administrative workers\' absence from the University of São Paulo (USP) due to illness in the last five years (2012-2016). To analyse the withdrawal of mental disorders in the last five years (2012-2016). Analyse the work context from the perspective of the worker. Materials and methods: This is a qualitative and quantitative exploratory research and its database was taken in two distinct ways: one through a database of human resources at the University of São Paulo, the Mars system and the other through questionnaires published online in social networks with the voluntary participation of 697 university employees. Data were analysed by means of absolute and percentage frequencies (qualitative variables) and by means of measures such as mean, standard deviation, minimum, median and maximum (quantitative variables). The graphs presented were made with the software R, version 3.4.1 and the analyzes, through SAS 9.2. For all comparisons a significance level of 5% was adopted. For the analysis of the subjects\' discourse, we performed the textual analysis adopting the Reinert method through descending hierarchical classification, using the software Iramuteq version 0.7 alpha 2 and categorization of key concepts. Results and discussion: The rate of absenteeism due to illness at the University of São Paulo is extremely high. Women, black, basic level, without partner are the most prone to get sick. The diseases of the musculoskeletal and connective tissue are those that distract the largest number of people; however, mental and behavioral disorders, with a predominance of depression, anxiety, stress and alcoholism, distract the workers longer, that is, the days of withdrawal are greater. Working conditions have been assessed as good, but work organization and socio-occupational relations are at a critical level, with the socio-professional dimension requiring more interventions and more in-depth studies.