Nivo policikličnih aromatičnih ugljovodonika u gasnoj i čestičnoj fazi u školama na različitim lokacijama u Srbiji

This study investigated seasonal variation of PAHs and their partition between gas and particulate-bounded phases in indoor and outdoor air in 4 schools In Serbia located at different locations. The sampling campaigns were conducted during one workweek at each school successively. Campaigns were conducted in schools during heating and non-heating seasons in December 2011 and June 2012. Seasonal variations of gas and particle-bounded PAHs concentrations were observed with higher levels during heating season. The highest total PAH values were associated with the gas phase in both sampling periods. The total PAHs concentration at indoor and at the outdoor sites, during heating season, ranged from 88.45 to 447.72 ng/m(3) and 201.69 to 1017.15 ng/m(3), respectively. During non-heating season, the total PAHs concentration ranged from 36.91 to 271.57 ng/m(3) in Indoor environment and 27.00 to 132.32 ng/m(3) in outdoor environment. Most of the I/O ratios were less than 1, which indicated that the indoor PAHs were mostly from outdoor sources. The use of diagnostic ratio showed that traffic emission and coal combustion are the major sources of PAHs. Only the diagnostic ratios for the school located near the industrial area showed significant deviation compared to other schools.U ovom radu su istraživane sezonske promene PAH i njihova raspodela, u gasnoj fazi i respirabilnim česticama u vazduhu unutrašnjeg prostora i spoljašnje sredine u 4 škole u Srbiji koje se nalaze na različitim lokacijama. Kampanja uzorkovanja je sprovedena tokom jedne radne nedelje u toku grejnog i negrejnog perioda (od decembra 2011. do juna 2012.) u svakoj školi. Uočene su sezonske promene nivoa PAH u gasnoj fazi i česticama, sa višim koncentracijama tokom grejnog perioda. Izmerena je veća vrednost zbira ukupnih PAH tokom oba perioda u gasnoj fazi nego PAH u česticama. Ukupna koncentracija PAH tokom grejnog perioda u unutrašnjem prostoru se kretala u opsegu od 88,45 do 447,72 ng/m3, a u spoljašnjoj sredini od 201,69 do 1017,15 ng/m3. Tokom negrejnog perioda, ukupna koncentracija PAH-ova je bila 36,91-271,57 ng/m3 u unutrašnjem prostoru, dok je u spoljašnjoj sredini bila 27,00-132,32 ng/m3. Većina I/O odnosa je bila manja od 1, što ukazuje da PAH u unutrašnjem prostoru uglavnom potiču iz spoljašnjeg vazduha. Na osnovu dijagnostičkih odnosa zaključeno je da su saobraćaj i sagorevanje uglja glavni izvori PAH. Jedino dijagnostički odnosi za školu koja se nalazi u blizini industrijske zone pokazuju značajno odstupanje u poređenju sa drugim školama

PM and CO2 variability and relationship in the different school environments

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is very important for children health and well-being, since children are particularly vulnerable and sensitive to the presence of air pollutants. This study was performed in two naturally ventilated schools located in the same municipality. The first school is located in an urban area, at a residential-industrial site, while the other school is situated in a rural area. School buildings were chosen based on their urban environment features. The measurements were carried out in heating and non-heating periods in duration of five consecutive working days. The objective of the study was to analyze IAQ in the classrooms with special emphasis on levels and diurnal variations of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in occupied and unoccupied school classrooms. In this paper, the CO2 concentrations were measured at both indoor and outdoor environments. Concentrations of CO2 higher than 1000 ppm were regularly detected in the Classrooms during teaching hours. Indoor concentrations of PM10 were not exceeded the guideline, daily average, value of 50 mu g/m(3). Concentrations of PM2.5 exceeded the guideline daily average value of 25 mu g/m(3) in both school during heating period. Concentrations of NO2 did not exceed the guideline value of 200 mu g/m(3). Ventilation rates were calculated and compared with the prescribed limits. In both occupied and unoccupied periods high correlation between CO2 and PM concentrations was determined

On the use of small and cheaper sensors and devices for indicative citizen-based monitoring of respirable particulate matter

Respirable particulate matter present in outdoor and indoor environments is a health hazard. The particle concentrations can quickly change, with steep gradients on short temporal and spatial scales, and their chemical composition and physical properties vary considerably. Existing networks of aerosol particle measurements consist of limited number of monitoring stations, and mostly aim at assessment of compliance with air quality legislation regulating mass of particles of varying sizes. These networks can now be supplemented using small portable devices with low-cost sensors for assessment of particle mass that may provide higher temporal and spatial resolution if we understand the capabilities and characteristics of the data they provide. This paper overviews typical currently available devices and their characteristics. In addition it is presented original results of measurement and modelling in the aim of one low-cost PM monitor validation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Morphometric Parameters and MRI Morphological Changes of the Knee and Patella in Physically Active Adolescents

Background and Objectives: The immature skeleton in a pediatric population exposed to frequent physical activity might be extremely prone to injuries, with possible consequences later in adulthood. The main aim of this study is to present specific morphometric parameters and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) morphological changes of the knee and patella in a physically active pediatric population. Additionally, we wanted to investigate the morphological risk factors for patellar instability. Materials and Methods: The study included the MRI findings of 193 physically active pediatric patients with knee pain. The participants underwent sports activities for 5 to 8 h per week. Two divisions were performed: by age and by patellar type. We evaluated three age groups: group 1 (age 11–14), group 2 (age 15–17), and group 3 (age 18–21 years). In addition, participants were divided by the patellar type (according to Wiberg) into three groups. The following morphometric parameters were calculated: lateral trochlear inclination (LTI), the tibial tubercle–trochlear groove distance (TT-TG), trochlear facet asymmetry (TFA), Insall–Salvati index, modified Insall–Salvati index, Caton–Deschamps index, articular overlap, morphology ratio and contact surface ratio. Results: We found a statistically significant association between patellar type groups in LTI (p p p = 0.001) index, and Caton–Deschamps index (p = 0.018). According to age groups, we found statistical significance in the Caton–Deschamps index (p = 0.039). The most frequent knee injury parameter, according to Wiberg, in physically active pediatric patients was patella type 2 in boys and type 3 in girls. Conclusions: The MRI morphometric parameters observed in our study might be factors of prediction of knee injury in physically active children. In addition, it might be very useful in sports programs to improve the biomechanics of the knee in order to reduce the injury rate in sports-active children

Karakteristike sejanaca Mečje leske (Corylus Colurna L.) Kao podloga za kalemljenje sorti leske

In the Faculty of Agriculture plant nursery at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, Common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) cultivars were grafted on the Turkish hazel (Corylus colurna L.) rootstock. To produce high-quality planting material, seeding success, growth and development of one- year-old seedling was followed. This paper presents results of Turkish hazel A1, B1, B4, B7 and C3 genotype nut germination from sowing performed in 2009. The results indicate high percentage of germinated nuts and a high plant survival rate. One-year-old seedlings measured during a vegetation rest period in 2010 and two-year-old seedlings measured in 2011 were better developed compared to the seedlings examined in the previous years, indicating that the application of the drip irrigation system in seedling development yields positive results.U rasadniku Poljoprivrednog fakulteta u Novom Sadu, na Rimskim Šančevima razvijena je tehnologija kalemljenja kultivara leske na mečjoj leski (Corylus colurna L.) kao podlozi. Praćen je uspeh setve, rast i razvoj jednogodišnjih i dvogodišnjih sejanaca u cilju proizvodnje kvalitetnih podloga i sadnog materijala. U radu su prikazani rezultati klijavosti orašica genotipova A1, B1, B4, B7 i C3 mečje leske iz setve obavljene 2009. godine. Orašice su pokazale visok procenat klijavosti i momenat preživljavanja biljaka. Jednogodišnji sejanci mereni u toku mirovanja vegetacije 2010. godine i dvogodišnji sejanci mereni 2011. bili su razvijeniji u odnosu na ispitivanja sejanaca ranijih godina. Primena sistema za navodnjavanje kap po kap, dala je dobre rezultate pri razvoju sejanaca u ispitivanim godinama

Diagnosing Cellulitis of the Penis with Point-of-Care Ultrasonography in a Resource-Limited Setting

Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Penile cellulitis refers to the inflammation of the penile shaft and commonly occurs in uncircumcised, sexually active young adults. We reported the case of a 25-year-old heterosexual circumcised male patient with a two-day history of swelling and pain over the penile shaft. Local examination revealed a diffusely swollen penile shaft, erythematous, warm to the touch, and tender. The penile discharge culture was suggestive of a Streptococcus species infection. Ultrasonography of the penis showed increased echogenicity of the left side of the penile shaft soft tissue with a markedly increased Doppler signal, indicating cellulitis. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with cellulitis of the penis and managed with broad-spectrum antibiotics. Though history and clinical examination are sufficient to diagnose penile cellulitis, our case highlighted that ultrasound could also support the diagnosis of penile cellulitis and help rule out differentials

Indoor air pollution, physical and comfort parameters related to schoolchildren's health:Data from the European SINPHONIE study

Substantial knowledge is available on the association of the indoor school environment and its effect among schoolchildren. In the same context, the SINPHONIE (School indoor pollution and health: Observatory network in Europe) conducted a study to collect data and determine the distribution of several indoor air pollutants (IAPs), physical and thermal parameters and their association with eye, skin, upper-, lower respiratory and systemic disorder symptoms during the previous three months. Finally, data from 115 schools in 54 European cities from 23 countries was collected and included 5175 schoolchildren using a harmonized and standardized protocol. The association between exposures and the health outcomes were examined using logistic regression models on individual indoor air pollutants (IAPs); a VOC (volatile organic compound) score defined as the sum of the number of pollutants to which the children were highly exposed (concentration > median of the distribution) in classroom was also introduced to evaluate the multiexposure \u2013 outcome association, while adjusting for several confounding factors. Schoolchildren exposed to above or equal median concentration of PM2.5, benzene, limonene, ozone and radon were at significantly higher odds of suffering from upper, lower airways, eye and systemic disorders. Increased odds were also observed for any symptom (sick school syndrome) among schoolchildren exposed to concentrations of limonene and ozone above median values. Furthermore, the risks for upper and lower airways and systemic disorders significantly increased with the VOCs score. Results also showed that increased ventilation rate was significantly associated with decreased odds of suffering from eye, skin disorders whereas similar association was observed between temperature and upper airways symptoms. The present study provides evidence that exposure to IAPs in schools is associated with allergic and respiratory symptoms in children. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings