PurposeIt is well known that acute stress can lead to a transient increase in cortisol secretion, but the effects of prolonged stress on cortisol secretion are uncertain. This study examines the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between prolonged perceived stress and salivary cortisol.MethodsIn 2007, 4467 Danish public service employees participated in a study of stress and mental health, and 3217 participated in a follow-up in 2009. Perceived stress during the past 4 weeks was assessed by Cohen’s four item perceived stress scale. Participants were asked to collect saliva 30 min after awakening and at approximately 20:00 in the evening. The cortisol dependence on perceived stress was examined in regression analyses adjusted for effects of potential confounders. We adjusted for a large variation in saliva sampling times by modelling the time trajectory of cortisol concentrations in the morning and in the evening and examined if they were influenced by perceived stress.ResultsPerceived stress had no statistically significant effects on the level or time trajectory of morning or evening cortisol, neither cross-sectionally nor longitudinally. The 1 month prevalence of frequently perceived stress was low, approximately 2.5%.ConclusionOur results did not support the hypothesis that prolonged perceived stress is associated with the level or time trajectory of morning or evening salivary cortisol.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00420-017-1241-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Main aims of the study are a deepened understanding of the mechanically relevant (ultra-)structures and the mechanical behaviour of various arborescent and shrubby monocotyledons and obtaining the structure–function relationships of different structurally conspicuous parts in Dracaena marginata stems. The stems of five different “woody” monocotyledon species were dissected and the mechanical properties of the most noticeable tissues in the five monocotyledons and, additionally, of individual vascular bundles in D. marginata, were tested under tensile stress. Results for Young’s moduli and density of these tissues were assessed as well as the area, critical strain, Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the vascular bundles in Dracaena marginata. These analyses allowed for generating a model for the mechanical interaction of tissues and vascular bundles of the stem in D. marginata as well as filling major “white spots” in property charts for biological materials. Additionally we shortly discuss the potential significance of such studies for the development of branched and unbranched bio-inspired fibre-reinforced materials and structures with enhanced properties.

quantities such as differences in contrasts to compare different grouping schemes for applications in epidemiology. We illustrate the approach via simulation study based on a representative range of settings found in occupational epidemiology. Objectives The effects of prolonged stress on cortisol secretion is uncertain. This study examines the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between prolonged perceived stress and salivary cortisol. Methods In 2007, 4,467 Danish public service employees participated in a study of stress and mental health, and 3,217 participated in a follow-up in 2009. Perceived stress during the past four weeks was assessed by Cohen's four item Perceived Stress Scale. Participants were asked to collect saliva 30 minutes after awakening and at approximately 20:00 in the evening. The cortisol dependence on perceived stress was examined in regression analyses adjusted for effects of potential confounders. We adjusted for a large variation in saliva sampling times by modelling the time trajectory of cortisol concentrations in the morning and in the evening and examined if they were influenced by perceived stress. Results Perceived stress had no statistically significant effects on the level or time trajectory of morning or evening cortisol, neither cross-sectionally nor longitudinally. The one month prevalence of frequently perceived stress was low, approximately 2.5%. Conclusions Our results did not support the hypothesis that prolonged perceived stress is associated with the level or time trajectory of morning or evening salivary cortisol. Oral Presentation

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Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions of the JCQ among healthcare workers Method A validation study with 3055 health workers was conducted. Factor analysis was employed through the principal components method. For extraction of factors, parallel analysis was performed using the Monte-Carlo simulation. For the technique of factor analysis, the verification of the sampling adequacy of the studies was performed by measuring the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO). The PROMAX oblique rotation was applied for a better understanding of the values, assuming mutual correlation between the factors. Results There was adequacy of the data for factor analysis according to the criteria of the KMO test (0.93). Four dimensions, which together explained 100% of the total variance, were extracted. The first dimension was composed of physical and emotional demands by means of the social support from coworkers. The second dimension represented items of control over work; the third dimension consisted of items of social support of the headship; the fourth dimension presented items regarding the use of skills. Conclusions The number and dimensions of the frame captured by an instrument depend on the set of subjective symptoms to be investigated. In spite of the technical/methodological advances of analysis, there are still limitations in the use of instruments to measure subjective constructs in the occupational sphere. Objectives There are many rice mills and food grain depots where a large number of workers are engaged for processing paddy and rice, storage and distribution. Lifting, carrying and depositing sacs of food grain are the major jobs carried out by these workers. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the workers with respect to the workload, energy expenditure and musculoskeletal pain or discomfort resulting out of work practice. Method Present study was conducted at Rudrapur city in Uttarakhand state of India. Representative samples of 40 rice mill workers engaged under Food Corporation of India were taken for study. Descriptive cum experimental research design were chosen to find work profile, for identification of risks factors at work places and to assess the physiological workload of the rice mill workers. Results Average peak heart rate of the rice mill workers suggested the workload as moderate to very heavy. Their average energy expenditure values also indicated the workload as moderate to heavy. Musculoskeletal pain or discomfort was maximally reported in knee by 64.5% depot workers whereas low back and knee was reported by 35.5% rice mill workers. Besides the weight of the sac, awkward postures like bending and twisting of trunk adopted frequently causes the problem. Conclusions A significant problem associated with manual handling activities involving loading and unloading tasks is the fact that they are the primary cause of overexertion injuries. Further studies and rationalisation of work method may improve the health and safety of the workers. Objectives Perceived Stress is a suspecte...