Anthocyanins, phenols, and antioxidant activity in blackberry juice with plant extracts addition during heating

In this work the influence of addition of different plant extracts (olive leaf, green tea, pine bark PE 95%, pine bark PE 5:1, red wine PE 30%, red wine PE 4:1, and bioflavonoids) to blackberry juice during heating (at 30, 50, 70 and 90 °C) on the anthocyanin and phenol contents, polymeric colour, and antioxidant activity was investigated. Also, reaction rate constant, half-lives of degradation, and activation energy were calculated. Control sample was juice without addition of extracts. The highest anthocyanin content at 30 °C was in samples with the addition of olive leaf and green tea. At 90 °C the highest anthocyanin content was measured in samples with the addition of extract of red wine and bioflavonoides. Samples supplemented with the extracts had much higher antioxidant activity in comparison to the control sample. Results showed that at 90 °C the sample with green tea supplementation had the lowest reaction rate constant and the highest half-life. Activation energy ranged from 29 to 44 kJ mol−1

Immunological status and respiratory function in swine workers

Prevalencija respiratornih simptoma i ventilacijski kapacitet u odnosu na imunološki status ispitivani su u 32 radnika u svinjogojstvu i u 39 radnika kontrolne skupine. Velik broj radnika u svinjogojstvu reagirao je na alergen svinjske dlake (31%) i na alergen pripremljen od materijala sakupljenog u svinjogojskim farmama (28%), ali i na ostale alergene kao što su stočna hrana (76%) i kukuruzno brašno (37%). Radnici kontrolne skupine reagirali su na iste alergene u sličnoj prevalenciji (17%, 25%, 51%, 25%). Povišen IgE u serumu utvrđen je u tri radnika u svinjogojstvu (9,4%) i u jednog radnika kontrolne skupine (2,6%). Radnici u svinjogojstvu s pozitivnim kožnim reakcijama pokazivali su značajno veće akutne redukcije tijekom radne smjene za FEF50 i FEF25 nego oni s negativnim kožnim testovima (P<0,01). Izmjerene vrijednosti ventilacijskog kapaciteta prije radne smjene u radnika u svinjogojstvu s pozitivnim kožnim testovima bile su značajno niže nego predviđene normalne vrijednosti. Alergen pripremljen od materijala sakupljenog u svinjogojskim farmama uzrokuje kontrakciju glatke muskulature bronha u ispitivanjima in vitro. Naši podaci upućuju na to da neimunološke reakcije mogu djelomično objasniti akutne i/ili kronične promjene u respiratornoj funkciji radnika u svinjogojstvu.The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in relation to immunological status were studied in 32 swine workers and in 39 controls. A large number of swine workers reacted to antigen of swine hair (34%) and to swine confinement antigen (28%) but also to other antigens such as animal food (78%), and corn flour (37%). Control workers showed comparable prevalence in their reaction to the antigens (17%, 25%, 51 %, 25%). Increased IgE serum level was determined in three swine workers (9.4%) and in one control worker (2,6%). Swine workers with positive skin tests demonstrated significantly larger acute reductions in FEF50 and FEF25 than those with negative skin tests (P < 0.01). The ventilatory capacity data measured before shift in swine workers with positive skin tests were significantly lower than the predicted normal values. Swine confinement antigen caused a dose-related contraction of guinea pig smooth muscle in vitro. Our data indicate that non-immunological reactions may be partly responsible for the acute and/or chronic changes in respiratory function

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in hemp workers

Prevalencija respiratornih simptoma i ventilacijski kapacitet pluća ispitivani su u 84 radnice (tvornice A i B) i u 27 radnika zaposlenih na preradi konoplje. Skupina neeksponiranih 49 radnica i 30 radnika ispitivana je kao kontrola. Značajno viša prevalencija gotovo svih kroničnih respiratornih simptoma utvrđena je u žena u usporedbi s radnicama kontrolne skupine. Za muškarce značajna razlika u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu utvrđena je za katar nosa i sinusitis. Visoka prevalencija bisinoze utvrđena je u žena (A=47,8%, B=57,9%), kao i u muškaraca (66,7%). Statistički značajne akutne redukcije ventilacijskog kapaciteta tijekom radne smjene utvrđene su za sve testove u muškaraca i žena, varirajući od 7,1 % za FEV1 do 15,1 % za FEF50 (P 0.01) varying from 7.1 % for FEV1 to 15.1 % for FEF50. Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected hemp workers being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that exposure to hemp dust is a major risk factor for the development of occupational lung disease

Spring cleaning as a safety risk: results of a population-based study in two consecutive years

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Spring cleaning is a popular tradition in Iran as well as in many other countries. The purpose of our study was to determine the pattern and compare the incidence of spring cleaning related injuries in Tehran, in the years 2007 and 2008.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the year 2007, a household survey was performed in Tehran by random cluster sampling. The survey was repeated in May 2008 with the same clusters and starting points, but different households. The incidence of spring cleaning related injuries, the age and sex of injured person(s), the mechanism, type and cost of injuries were recorded through semi-structured interviews. The incidence rates of injuries and injuries leading to health visits (severe) according to sex and age groups were calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS and STATA statistical softwares.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The incidence of all and severe spring cleaning related injuries were 3.8 (3.0 - 4.8) and 1.6 (1.1-2.3) per 1000, respectively. The most common mechanisms of injuries were falls, followed by cutting and lifting heavy objects or overexertion. Falls were also the main mechanism of severe injuries. The most common injuries were open wounds, followed by superficial injuries (including contusions) and sprain and strain. Among severe injuries, the most frequent injuries were open wounds and contusions, followed by dislocations. The injuries were most common among women with an incidence of about 8.4 per 1000 in women older than 18 years of age (severe injuries: 3.4 per 1000 (2.2-5.1)).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The incidence of spring cleaning related injuries is high enough to raise concern in health system authorities. It could be estimated that about 23,927 to 38,283 persons get injured during the spring cleaning in Tehran at the beginning of every Persian new year. In addition, about 8,773-18,344 of these cases are expected to be severe enough to lead to medical attention (considering 7,975,679 as the population of Tehran at the time of study). Improving awareness of families, especially young women, regarding the scope and importance of spring cleaning safety can be suggested as the first population-based strategy to decrease the incidence of these injuries.</p

Varicose veins of lower extremities in workers with jobs requiring continuous standing or sitting position

Epidemiološka ispitivanje učestalosti varikoznih vena donjih ekstremiteta izvršeno je u 779 industrijskih radnika (434 muškarca i 345 žena). Ispitivana je učestalost varikoznih vena u odnosu na stojeći odnosno sjedeći položaj pri radu. Utvrđena je statistički značajna (p < 0,05) povezanost između varikoznih vena i duljine zaposlenja u svih radnika osim u žena sa sjedećim položajem. Učestalost varikoznih vena povećavala se do 19 godina, a nakon toga je registriran pad (vjerojatno kao posljedica selekcije). Nije dobivena značajna razlika u učestalosti varikoznih vena donjih ekstremiteta između stojećeg i sjedećeg položaja pri radu.An epidemiological study of the prevalence of varicose veins of lower extremities was carried out in an industrial population of 434 men and 345 women. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) association between the varicose disease and duration of work was found in all groups of workers, except for women sitting at work. Decrease in the prevalence of varicose veins after 20 years of employment may be explained at least partly, by the factor of selfselection in the industry. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of varicose veins between workers standing and those sitting at work

Declining mortality following acute myocardial infarction in the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mortality from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is declining worldwide. We sought to determine if mortality in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has also been declining.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We calculated 30-day mortality rates between 2004 and 2006 using data from the VHA External Peer Review Program (EPRP), which entails detailed abstraction of records of all patients with AMI. To compare trends within VHA with other systems of care, we estimated relative mortality rates between 2000 and 2005 for all males 65 years and older with a primary diagnosis of AMI using administrative data from the VHA Patient Treatment File and the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR) files.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using EPRP data on 11,609 patients, we observed a statistically significant decline in adjusted 30-day mortality following AMI in VHA from 16.3% in 2004 to 13.9% in 2006, a relative decrease of 15% and a decrease in the odds of dying of 10% per year (p = .011). Similar declines were found for in-hospital and 90-day mortality.</p> <p>Based on administrative data on 27,494 VHA patients age 65 years and older and 789,400 Medicare patients, 30-day mortality following AMI declined from 16.0% during 2000-2001 to 15.7% during 2004-June 2005 in VHA and from 16.7% to 15.5% in private sector hospitals. After adjusting for patient characteristics and hospital effects, the overall relative odds of death were similar for VHA and Medicare (odds ratio 1.02, 95% C.I. 0.96-1.08).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mortality following AMI within VHA has declined significantly since 2003 at a rate that parallels that in Medicare-funded hospitals.</p

Distal radius fractures in children: substantial difference in stability between buckle and greenstick fractures

Background and purpose Numerous follow-up visits for wrist fractures in children are performed without therapeutic consequences. We investigated the degree to which the follow-up visits reveal complications and lead to change in management. The stability of greenstick and buckle fractures of the distal radius was assessed by comparing the lateral angulation radiographically