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BACKGROUND: Today's work environments have high cognitive demands, and mental workload is one of the main causes of work stress, human errors, and accidents. While several mental workload studies have compared the mental workload perceived by groups of experienced participants to that perceived by novice groups, no comparisons have been made between the same individuals performing the same tasks at different times. OBJECTIVE: This work aims to compare NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) to Workload Profile (WP) in terms of their sensitivity. The comparison considers the impact of experience and task differentiation in the same individual once a degree of experience has been developed in the execution of the same tasks. It also considers the acceptability and intrusivity of the techniques. METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 participants who performed four tasks in two sessions. The first session was performed when participants had no experience; the second session was performed after a time of practice. Mental workload was assessed after each session. Statistical methods were used to compare the results. RESULTS: The NASA-TLX proved to be more sensitive to experience, while the WP showed greater sensitivity to task differentiation. In addition, while both techniques featured a similar degree of intrusivity, the NASA-TLX received greater acceptability. CONCLUSION: The acceptability of WP is low due to the high complexity of its dimensions and clarifying explanations of these may be necessary to increase acceptability. Future research proposals should be expanded to consider mental workload when designing work environments in current manufacturing environments.

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Burnout syndrome (BS) and obesity are two growing conditions that affect employees' health and company productivity. Recently, several studies have pointed to a possible relationship between both phenomena. However, such a relationship has not been clearly defined. This research analyzes the relationship between BS dimensions and body mass index (BMI), the latter being treated as a moderator variable among obese senior and middle managers in the Mexican maquiladora industry through a structural equation model. A total of 361 senior and middle managers (124 of them classified as obese under the World Health Organization's criteria) completed both the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey [with emotional exhaustion (EE), cynicism, and professional efficacy (PE) as subscale dimensions] and a sociodemographic questionnaire (which included BMI). The results showed a statistically significant relationship between EE and PE (P < 0.001; ß = -0.320), with BMI acting as a moderator variable. The results showed that when BMI increases as a moderator variable, the strength of the relationship between EE and PE also changes. For example, although PE had a negative value of 0.14 before the moderator effect, the value increased up to 0.32 when the BMI was factored into the relationship. Therefore, maquiladora industries are being advised to increase their investments on the identification and prevention of employees' EE and obesity. Such interventions would promote a better quality of life and could prevent economic losses resulting from poor employee performance.

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Mental health disorders resulting from work stressors are increasing in the Mexican manufacturing industry and worldwide. Managerial positions in these contexts are highly stressful, and although physical activity may reduce the negative effects of work stress, the relationships between these two aspects regarding their effects on the body mass index (BMI) of obese managers are scarcely studied. This article aims to study such relationships by using the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) dimensions with the Baecke's physical activity questionnaire dimensions and analyzing their effects on the BMI. A sample of 255 managers from the Mexican industry, with a (BMI > 30) participated by answering the surveys and providing their weight, their height, and certain sociodemographic information. The research hypotheses were tested using WarpPLS® 6.0 for structural equation modeling. The results for three models featuring acceptable reliability to estimate the direct, indirect, and total effects are presented. The first model showed a medium explanatory power, the variable of job decision-making authority having the greatest direct effect on BMI. The second model showed a medium explanatory power, and the variable of physical activity during leisure-time observed the unique direct effect on BMI. Finally, although the integrating model showed a small explanatory power, both work stress and the physical activity exerted observed direct effects on BMI reduction.

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Resumen Actualmente, la práctica de Pilates carece de fundamentación científica sólida que establezca beneficios sobre la salud psicológica. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue analizar si los participantes que combinan Pilates con otras Actividades Físico-Deportivas (AFD) presentaban puntuaciones más altas en las variables psicosociales y laborales estudiadas que practicantes de Pilates, practicantes de otras AFD diferentes al Pilates y participantes sedentarios. El segundo objetivo fue comprobar si los años de experiencia practicando Pilates, de forma aislada, influían positivamente sobre las variables estudiadas. El cuestionario de autoeficacia (AEG), autoestima (RSE), personalidad situacional (CPS), optimismo (LOT-R), satisfacción laboral (S10/12) y engagement (UWES) fueron completados por 212 participantes con una edad media de 41.83 años (DT = 12.41). Los practicantes de Pilates asistían a centros especializados en la técnica Pilates original. La metodología empleada fue de corte transversal. Las puntuaciones más altas en autoeficacia, estabilidad emocional, autoconcepto, optimismo y satisfacción con las prestaciones recibidas obtenidas por el grupo que combina Pilates con otras AFD no son estadísticamente significativas frente al resto de los grupos. Sin embargo, los minutos semanales de AFD correlacionan significativamente con la autoeficacia, el autoconcepto y la tendencia optimista. Los resultados del segundo objetivo muestran diferencias significativas en las variables autoeficacia y autoconcepto entre los practicantes más expertos de Pilates con respecto a los principiantes. Como conclusión, no se detectan diferencias significativas entre los grupos analizados, pero una práctica continuada y regular de Pilates en el tiempo, superior a 5 años, puede reportar interesantes beneficios psicológicos.

Abstract: Currently, the practice of Pilates lacks a solid scientific foundation that establishes benefits on psychological health. The main objective of the present work was to analyze whether participants who combine Pilates with otherPhysical Sports Activities (PSA) had higher scores in psychosocial and work variables studied than Pilates adherents, devotees of other PSAs other than Pilates and sedentary participants. The second objective was to check whether years of experience practicing Pilates, in isolation, had a positive influence on the variables studied. Two hundred twelve participants completed the self-efficacy questionnaire (GSE), self-esteem (RSE), situational personality (CPS), optimism (LOT-R), job satisfaction (S10/12) and engagement (UWES) questionnaires with an average age of 41.83 years (SD = 12.41). Adherents of Pilates attended centers specialized in original Pilates techniques. The methodology used was cross-sectional. The highest scores on self-efficacy, emotional stability, self-concept, optimism and satisfaction with the benefits received by the group that combines Pilates with other PSAs are not statistically significant compared to the rest of the groups. However, the weekly minutes of PSA correlate significantly with self-efficacy, self-concept and optimistic tendency. The results of the second objective show significant differences in the self-efficacy and self-concept variables among the most expert Pilates adherents with respect to beginners. In conclusion, no significant differences were detected between the analyzed groups, but a continued and regular practice of Pilates over time (more than 5 years), may provide interesting psychological benefits

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This research relates Burnout Syndrome (BS) with the Body Mass Index (BMI) among middle and senior managers of the Mexican manufacturing industry. Even though BS incidence is high in the Mexican industrial population, few systematic studies have explored BS and its relationship with other health problems, such as obesity. The goal of this research is to determine the relationship between BS and the BMI in employees with normal weight, overweight, and obesity. We present three structural equation models to relate BS and the BMI. The BMI ranges were determined according to the parameters (normal weight, overweight, and obesity) proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The sample includes 361 employees that voluntarily answered a 31-item questionnaire. We measure the levels of BS using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) and analyze anthropometric and sociodemographic data from the participants. Then, we determine the relationships between the variables through structural equation models and estimate the direct, indirect, and total effects in the three models, which show acceptable reliability. As main findings, the normal weight model has a larger explanatory power than the overweight and obesity models. The same research hypotheses were tested and the effects of BS on the BMI differ across the three models. Such results are presented by taking into account that obesity and overweight require additional factors, such as genetic factors and personal eating habits, to be better explained.

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Resumen Introducción: El método de Pilates fue diseñado para crear una conexión entre la mente y el cuerpo, mediante un trabajo combinado de fuerza y flexibilidad, sin someter al cuerpo a una tensión excesiva. Objetivo: Exponer desde una perspectiva analítica-interpretativa los resultados de investigación más relevantes, en relación a la salud mental de personas sanas que practican habitualmente Pilates. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un análisis de los principales beneficios del método Pilates sobre la salud mental, con resultados de investigaciones terminadas; para ello, se accedió a las bases de datos ScienceDirect, PubMed y Dialnet para identificar publicaciones que relacionan Pilates con variables mentales. Resultados: Los 19 estudios revisados muestran evidencias científicas sobre los niveles de humor, autoeficacia, autoestima, estado de ánimo, estrés, calidad de sueño, depresión e identificación con el ejercicio físico. Pero al analizar estudios centrados en la atención, ansiedad-estado, afecto positivo o negativo y calidad de vida; se comprueba que la evidencia es todavía muy limitada. Conclusiones: Son necesarios nuevos trabajos de corte longitudinal con muestras suficientemente amplias que permitan despejar las incógnitas aún existentes en relación a Pilates; esto permitirá determinar si la elevada popularidad del método se asocia con los importantes beneficios reportados sobre la salud.

Abstract Introduction: The Pilates method was designed to create a connection between mind and body through a combined work of strength and flexibility, without submitting the body to excessive stress. Objective: To expose the most relevant research results from an analytical-interpretative perspective, in relation to the mental health of healthy people who habitually practice Pilates. Materials and methods: An analysis of the main benefits of the Pilates method on mental health was carried out, by using the results of finished research. To do this, the databases ScienceDirect, PubMed and Dialnet were accessed to identify publications that relate Pilates to mental variables. Results: The 19 revised studies show scientific evidence on the levels of humor, self-efficacy, self-esteem, mood, stress, quality of sleep, depression and identification with physical exercise. However, studies focused on attention, anxiety-state, positive or negative affect and quality of life proved that the evidence is still very limited. Conclusions: New longitudinal cutting researches using sufficiently wide samples are necessary to clear the unknowns still existing in relation to Pilates. This will determine whether the high popularity of the method is associated with the important health benefits reported.

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The Caribbean region has one of the highest proportions of HIV in the general female population attributable to sex work. In 2008 (n = 1256) and 2012 (n = 1525) in the Dominican Republic, HIV biological and behavioral surveys were conducted among female sex workers (FSW) in four provinces using respondent driven sampling. Participants were ≥15 years who engaged in intercourse in exchange for money in the past 6 months and living/working in the study province. There were no statistically significant changes in HIV and other infections prevalence from 2008 to 2012, despite ongoing risky sexual practices. HIV testing and receiving results was low in all provinces. FSW in 2012 were more likely to receive HIV testing and results if they participated in HIV related information and education and had regular checkups at health centers. Further investigation is needed to understand barriers to HIV testing and access to prevention services.

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Se presenta un caso infrecuente en un paciente de 55 años que consulta por aumento de tamaño del testículo derecho. En el examen ecográfico con transductor de 7,5 MHz se observan varias imágenes de aspecto quístico intraparenquimatosas. Por tratarse de un caso infrecuente se hace un recordatorio sobre las posibles etiologías.

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Se presenta un caso infrecuente en un paciente de 55 años que consulta por aumento de tamaño del testículo derecho. En el examen ecográfico con transductor de 7,5 MHz se observan varias imágenes de aspecto quístico intraparenquimatosas. Por tratarse de un caso infrecuente se hace un recordatorio sobre las posibles etiologías.(AU)

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Ante un caso de insuficiencia renal en un recién nacido de 21 días se hallaron en la ecografía imágenes de ectasia renal bilateral, quistes renales, megauréter bilateral y probable ectopia de los mismos.

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