Shiftwork and Quality of Life

Cilj ovog ispitivanja bio je usporediti kvalitetu življenja smjenskih radnika i radnika koji ne rade u smjenama. U tu svrhu ispitano je s pomoću Skale za mjerenje kvalitete življenja zadovoljstvo pojedinim područjima života i različiti aspekti općeg zadovoljstva životom. U ispitivanju je sudjelovalo 107 radnika zaposlenih u kemijskoj industriji, od kojih je 56 radilo u smjenama, a 51 samo u jutarnjoj smjeni. Utvrđeno je da se smjenski i nesmjenski radnici razlikuju samo u stupnju zadovoljstva dvama područjima života (P<0,05). Smjenski radnici bili su manje zadovoljni svojim sadašnjim poslom i materijalnim stanjem nego radnici koji ne rade u smjenama. Razlike u zadovoljstvu ovim područjima života nisu utjecale na procjene opće kvalitete življenja smjenskih i nesmjenskih radnika.The aim of this study was to compare the quality of life of shiftworkers and non-shiftworkers. Satisfaction with various aspects of life and the overall satisfaction were examined by means of the Quality of Life Scale. A total number of 10 7 chemical industr y workers par ticipated in the study , of whom 56 work ed shif ts and 5 1 worked regular hours. The results revealed that the average satisfaction with the present job and financial status was lower in shiftworkers than in the non-shiftworkers (P<0.05). The differences in the two predictors of life quality did not affect the overall satisfaction with life in either group

Ispitivanja genotoksičnosti herbicida GAL-57 na Salmonella typhimurium i Escherichia coli

Genotoxicity of the herbicide GAL-57, containing two active ingredients, bentazon and dicamba, was investigated using the Ames test. Salmonella typhimurium (tester strains TA98 and TA100) and Escherichia coli (strain WP2uvrA) were used. Nine product concentrations were tested at a range of 19.53-5000 μg/plate and each concentration, as well as the controls, in triplicate. Testing was done with and without metabolic activation (liver microsomal fraction, S-9 mix). The results of our investigation revealed no biological or statistically significant increase in mutagenic factors, and this offered a basis for our conclusion that the herbicide GAL-57 has no genotoxic properties (with or without metabolic activation) under experimental conditions in the Ames test.Genotoksična svojstva herbicida GAL-57, koji u svom sastavu ima dve aktivne materije, bentazon i dikambu, ispitivana su primenom Ames-ovog testa. Korišćene su bakterije Salmonella typhimurium (sojevi TA98 i TA100) i Escherichia coli (WP2uvrA soj). Ispitivano je devet koncentracija preparata u opsegu 19.53-5000 μg/ploča pri čemu je svaka koncentracija, kao i kontrole, testirana po tri puta. Ispitivanje je obavljeno sa i bez metaboličke aktivacije (mikrozomska frakcija jetre, S-9 mix). Rezultati ispitivanja su pokazali da nema ni biološki ni statistički značajnog povećanja faktora mutacije na osnovu čega se zaključuje da herbicid GAL-57, u eksperimentalnim uslovima Ames-ovog testa, ne poseduje genotoksična svojstva (sa i bez metaboličke aktivacije)

Efekti dve formulacije deltametrina na kestenjastog brašnara Tribolium castaneum (HERBST).

Kontaktni (rezidualni) insekticidi osim što suzbijaju prisutne skladišne insekte sprečavaju ili, u određenom periodu, smanjuju mogućnost ponovne infestacije uskladištenih biljnih proizvoda. Štetni insekti tokom života dolaze u kontakt sa različitom količinom depozita insekticida nanetih na proizvode ili skladišne površine, što može značajno da utiče na njihovu efikasnost, kao i na ponašanje insekata. Namera u ovom radu je bila da se posle primene na pšenicu u zrnu dve formulacije preparata na bazi deltametrina (EC, sa sinergistom piperonil butoksidom i SC, bez sinergista) ispitaju efekti preporučene količine primene i višestruko manjih količina na skladišnog tvrdokrilca Tribolium castaneum. Istraživanja su prema EPPO metodama realizovana u laboratoriji na temperaturi od 25±1°C i 60±5% r.v.v. U prvom eksperimentu su obe formulacije deltametrina nanete na pšenicu u zrnu, u šest ponavljanja, u količinama od: 0,025; 0,05; 0,1 i 0,25 mg a.s/kg. Insekti starosti dve nedelje su izlagani tretiranoj pšenici dva, sedam, 14 i 21 dan, posle čega su isejavani kako bi posle ukupno 10 nedelja mogao da se utvrdi uticaj na produkciju/redukciju potomstva. U drugom eksperimentu su obe formulacije deltametrina nanete samo u količini od 0,025 mg/kg, u osam ponavljanja. Ispitivani su efekti na imaga brašnara starosti dve i 24 nedelje, posle tri i 14 dana izlaganja u tretiranoj pšenici, i sedam dana oporavka u brašnu. Ocena uticaja na produkciju/redukciju potomstva je utvrđena u brašnu posle ukupno osam nedelja. U prvom eksperimentu, posle dva i sedam dana izlaganja brašnara, nije zabeležena smrtnost veća od 5%. Posle 14 dana izlaganja su obe formulacije deltametrina, primenje u količini 0,25 mg/kg, bile 100% efikasne, dok je posle 21 dan izlaganja visoka efikasnost, 97- 99%, utvrđena i u pšenici tretiranoj sa 0,1 mg/kg. Takođe, utvrđeno je da je formulacija deltametrina bez sinergista, posle 14 dana izlaganja brašnara količinama 0,05 i 0,025 mg/kg bila 2,5 i 27 puta efikasnija od formulacije sa sinergistom, a posle 21 dan dva i sedam puta. Redukcija potomstva od 100% nije zabeležena samo kod količine primene od 0,025 mg/kg, koja je kod deltametrina bez sinergista bila 99,4%, a kod deltametrina sa sinergistom 93,8%. U drugom eksperimentu je najveća smrtnost brašnara utvrđena posle 14 dana kontakta sa 0,025 mg/kg deltametrina bez sinergista, 27% kod mlađih imaga i 69% kod starijih, dok je kod deltametrina sa sinergistom značajnija smrtnost utvrđena samo kod starijih imaga, 21%. Redukcija potomstva je, kod obe formulacije deltametrina, zabeležena kod mlađih imaga posle tri dana izlaganja, 12%, i kod starijih posle 14 dana, 9-57%, dok je stimulacija potomstva zabeležena kod starijih imaga posle tri dana izlaganja, 2-6%, i kod mlađih imaga posle 14 dana izlaganja, 3-17%. Rezultati istraživanja su pokazali da formulacija preparata, količina preparata naneta na pšenicu, dužina skladištenja i ponašanje kestenjastog brašnara mogu značajno da utiču na efikasnost insekticida deltametrina

Ispitivanja mutagenih svojstava herbicida GAL-57 (bentazon + dikamba) primenom mikronukleus testa

A micronucleus test was run to investigate mutagenic potential of the herbicide GAL-57, a formulated mixture of bentazone and dicamba. The test was applied to mice of both sexes (strain: CRL: NMRI BR) and the herbicide (product) was administered by gavage at 2000 mg/kg rate, twice within 24 hs. Cyclophosphamide (positive control) was administered at 60 mg/kg, while distilled water as a solvent was negative control. The animals were sacrificed 24 hrs after second treatment, their bone marrow cells isolated from femur, and effects evaluated. The data acquired showed that repeated treatment of mice with GAL-57 caused neither biological nor significant statistical increase in the number of micronuclei in treated animals. At the same time, the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the bone marrow of animals treated with cyclophosphamide (positive control) showed a significant statistical increase. The results suggest that the herbicide product tested did not show any mutagenic activity under the conditions of mouse micronucleus test.Mutageni potencijal herbicida GAL-57, koji je formulisan kao mešavina bentazona i dikambe, ispitivan je primenom mikronukleus testa. Ispitivanja su rađena na miševima oba pola (soj: CRL: NMRI BR), a ispitivani herbicid (preparat) je doziran oralno (sondom u želudac) u dozi od 2000 mg/kg, dva puta u razmaku od 24 sata. Kao pozitivna kontrola korišćen je ciklofosfamid (60 mg/kg), a kao negativna rastvarač (destilovana voda). Životinje su žrtvovane 24 sata nakon drugog tretiranja, izolovane su ćelije koštane srži (iz femura) i ocenjivan je efekat supstancije. Dobijeni rezultati su pokazali da ponovljen tretman miševa herbicidom GAL-57 ne izaziva ni biološki ni statistički značajno povećanje broja mikronukleusa kod tretiranih životinja. Istovremeno, kod životinja tretiranih ciklofosfamidom (pozitivna kontrola) broj mikronukleusa u polihromatskim eritrocitima koštane srži miševa bio je statistički značajno povećan. Na osnovu ovih rezultata može se zaključiti da ispitivani herbicid (preparat), u uslovima mikronukleus testa, ne ispoljava mutagena svojstva

Hematološki efekti herbicida Avalon® (bentazon+dikamba) za pacova

Hematological effects of the herbicide Avalon (GAL-57), a mixture of bentazon and dicamba, were tested on rats. Avalon was administered by gavage at three and four dose levels (250, 500, 1000 and 1250 mg/kg weight/day) for 28 and 90 days. Hematological parameters, number of erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and erythrocyte indexes (MCV, MCH and MCHC) were monitored. The results showed that the herbicide Avalon caused decrease in the values of hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte indexes (both males and females). The changes (mostly) correlated with the doses administered and, in most cases, a lower susceptibility of females than males was observed. The herbicide GAL-57 had no adverse effect on the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes and thrombocytes (both sexes, all doses tested). The results showed that the herbicide Avalon causes weak anemia to the animals tested. Reversibility was apparent during the recovery period of 28 days.U radu su ispitivani hematološki efekti herbicida Avalon (GAL-57), koji je mešavina bentazona i dikambe kao aktivnih materija, na pacovima. Preparat je doziran oralnim putem (sondom u želudac) u više nivoa doza (250, 500, 1000 i 1250 mg/kg/telesne mase/dan) tokom 28 i 90 dana. Praćeni su sledeći pokazatelji: broj eritrocita, leukocita i trombocita, koncentracija hemoglobina, hematokrit i eritrocitni indeksi (prosečna zapremina eritrocita, srednja vrednost hemoglobina po eritrocitu i prosečna koncentracija hemoglobina u eritrocitima). Rezultati ovih ispitivanja su pokazali da herbicid Avalon kod oba pola izaziva smanjenje vrednosti hemoglobina, hematokrita i eritrocitnih indeksa, dok kod drugih ispitivanih pokazatelja (broj leukocita, eritrocita i trombocita) nisu registrovane promene u odnosu na kontrolu. Sve promene su, najčešće, u korelaciji sa primenjenim dozama a uočena je, u najvećem broju slučajeva, i nešto manja osetljivost ženki u odnosu na mužjake. Rezultati ispitivanja su, takođe, pokazali da Avalon izaziva blagu anemiju kod ispitivanih životinja s tim da je efekat reverzibilnog karaktera; nakon isteka perioda oporavka od 28 dana vrednosti za sve ispitivane parametre se vraćaju na normalu i ne razlikuju se značajnije u odnosu na kontrolu

Acute and subchronic exposure of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to herbicide S-metolachlor

S-metolachlor is one of the most frequently used herbicides worldwide. However, toxicity studies of this herbicide to aquatic organisms are scarce. In the present study, two experiments were conducted to test the effects of S-metolachlor on common carp, one of the most economically important fish species, with a distribution throughout the world: (1) 96 h acute semi-static toxicity test, aiming to determine LC50; (2) a subchronic semi-static test that lasted 28 days, in which juvenile carp were exposed to 3%, 8%, and 25% of previously determined LC50—0.5 mg·L−1, 1.4 mg·L−1, and 4.1 mg·L−1, respectively. Several biomarkers were employed to assess fish responses to toxicants. Blood biochemistry analysis and nuclear alterations of erythrocytes did not show any difference among experimental groups. Semi-quantitative histopathological analysis revealed mild alterations in the gills and liver, where oedema of secondary epithelium of gills and leukocyte infiltration in liver were significantly higher in fish exposed to 1.4 mg·L−1 and 4.1 mg·L−1. Histopathological indices in liver, as well as the total histopathological index, also showed significantly higher scores in the same groups. Bioconcentration factors of S-metolachlor ranged from 3.2 to 9.4, depending on the experimental group

Breme bolesti stanovništva Hrvatske – izazovi za budućnost

Stanovništvo Hrvatske završilo je svoju “demografsku tranziciju“ i ubraja se u “stara stanovništva“ s visokim udjelom stanovništva starijeg od 65 godina. Trendovi ukazuju na loše stanje “demografskog zdravlja“ što predstavlja značajan izazov za održivi razvoj društva u cjelini, ali i za sam zdravstveni sustav koji će morati odgovoriti na zdravstvene potrebe sve većeg broja starijeg stanovništva. Teret bolesti koje nosi stanovništvo Hrvatske govori da je ono prošlo kroz tzv. "epidemiološku tranziciju" iz vremena u kojima su najveći teret za stanovništvo bile zarazne bolesti, u vrijeme u kojem su to postale kronične nezarazne bolesti.

Acute Oral Toxicity Study of GAL-57 (Bentazon + Dicamba) Herbicide in Rats

An acute oral toxicity study of the herbicide GAL-57 (Avalon), a mixture of bentazon and dicamba as active ingredients, was conducted to assess its acute oral toxicity to rats, using a new method that has been used in the past several years (2001). Clinical observations were performed for all animals after different time intervals, and gross necropsy was performed at termination of examination. Clinical symptoms (decreased activity, prone position, abnormal limb position, decreased righting reflex, decreased grip and limb tone, decreased body and abdominal tone and dyspnoea) from mild to marked degree were noted after administration of 2000 mg/kg. Animals were found dead 30 minutes to one hour after the treatment. GAL-57 did not cause any clinical sings at single 300 mg/kg bw dose. The physical condition and behaviour of animals were normal during the 14-day observation period. The acute oral LD-50 value of the GAL-57 proved to be between 300 and 2000 mg/kg body weight in rats and was ranked into Poison group III according to Serbian criteria, category 4 of the Global Harmonized Classification System and Category III of the EPA classification

Oil Dispersion with Abamectin as Active Ingredient

Abamectin was developed as an insecticide, nematocide and acaricide for use on a varietyof agricultural and horticultural crops. The products with this active ingredient can befound on the market mostly formulated as emulsifiable concentrate (EC). Usually producersrecommend using the EC formulation of abamectin together with some kind of adjuvants(natural oils) to improve efficacy of the active ingredient. To overcome the efficacy problemwe tried to formulate the active ingredient abamectin as oil dispersion (OD). Oil dispersion,preferably based on naturally derived oils could improve pesticide efficacy. This type of pesticideformulation contains oil instead of water as in classical suspension concentrate andtypically has better retention and coverage. In the case of abamectin, in this investigationsoybean oil was used with the mixture of different nonionic emulsifiers. Content of abamecetinin formulation was 1.8 %. The developed formulation was tested for few importantparameters. The obtained physicochemical properties for the above mentioned formulationhave shown that it is stable and could be used in plant protection