Prevalencija senzibilizacije na Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus među industrijskim radnicima

Skin tests with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were carried out by the standard prick method in six groups of industrial workers: meat processing workers (n=107), brewery workers (n-96), animal food workers (n-40), swine farmers (n=32), paper-mill workers (n-132) and wool-textile workers (n-111). The control group consisted of 158 subjects who were tested during the preemployment examinations and had not worked in industrial plants before. Skin reactions were read after 20 minutes by measuring the largest urtica diameter in millimeters. A diameter >3 mm was considered to be a sign of a positive skin reaction. In relation to the control group a significant (P<0.01) higher prevalence of positive skin reaction to D. pteronyssinus was found among the meat processing workers (41 vs. 13%), animal food workers (30 vs. 13%), swine farmers (34 vs. 13%) and wool-textile workers (32 vs. 13%). Results of the standard prick test were not significant for the brewery workers (21 vs. 13%) and the paper-mill workers (21 vs. 13% in controls). Our results demonstrate the need for applying specific individual health measures if working conditions favour the growth and reproduction of house dust mites.Ispitana je prevaleneija senzibilizacije na Dermatophagoides ptamnyssinus u skupinama radnika zaposlenih u različitim industrijama. Kožno testiranje prick metodom učinjeno je na standardni način alergenskim pripravkom imunološkog zavoda u Zagrebu (0,2%). Ispitivanje je provedeno u šest skupina radnika: iz mesne industrije - obrade peradi (n-107), proizvodnje piva (n=96), tvornice stočne hrane (n=40), svinjogojske farme (n=32) (prerade papira (n-132) i iz tekstilne industrije (n=111). Kontrolna skupina sastojala se od 158 ispitanika koji su testirani tijekom prethodnih pregleda i koji nisu do tada radili u industrijskim pogonima. U odnosu prema kontrolnoj skupini dobivene su značajne razlike (P<0,01) u prevalenciji pozitivnih kožnih reakcija na Dermatophagoicles pteronyssinus u mesnoj industriji (41:13%), tvornici stočne hrane (30:13%), svinjogojskoj farmi (34:13%) i u tekstilnoj industriji (32:13%). Kožne reakcije nisu bile značajne u proizvodnji piva (21:13%) i u preradi papira (21:13%). Dobiveni rezultati pokazali su značajno veću prevalenciju senzibilizacije na ovu grinju u mesnoj i tekstilnoj industriji u odnosu na opću populaciju. Rezultati pokazuju značenje prašinskih grinja u etiologiji zdravstvenih tegoba, u prvom redu dišnog sustava zaposlenih, i upućuju na potrebu provođenja specifičnih individualnih zdravstvenih mjera u zaposlenih, kao i u njihovom radnom okolišu

Application of thermal analysis methods in biology and medicine

Thermal analysis methods are widely used in the characterization of substances and materials in chemistry and engineering. But they also find their application in life sciences: biology and medicine. This paper exhaustively and critically reviews the application of the most commonly used thermal analysis methods for the characterization of organs and tissues of plants, animals, and humans. The methods are suitable for differentiating between several types of water in a cell, optimizing treatment, storage, or cultivation conditions, following plant or animal development, medical diagnostics and modelling, and more. Expertise developed in the characterization of synthetic materials and molecules can be transferred to that of biological tissues and biomolecules and opens a perspective for interdisciplinary research. Still, researchers should take into consideration the inherent complexity of biological samples, as well as inevitable changes when isolating the tissue from the living organism

Procjena atopije i kontaktne senzibilizacije tijekom prethodnih pregleda u prevenciji alergijskih bolesti

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of markers of atopy and contact sensitisation in asymptomatic young adults and to assess their role in pre-employment screening. The study included 351 subjects, of whom 166 women (mean age 28.0±6.4 years) and 185 men (mean age 26.3±5.4 years). The pre-employment examination commissioned by a pharmaceutical company included a questionnaire, the patch test with the European standard series of contact allergens, prick test with common inhalatory allergens, and the serum-specific IgE measurement. According to the medical history 115/166 (69.3%) women and 142/185 (76.8%) men were asymptomatic, but 28 (24.3%) asymptomatic women and 40 (28.2%) asymptomatic men showed atopy and/or contact sensitisation. Pre-employment allergy examination can be considered a reliable detection procedure for the majority of asymptomatic persons with atopy and contact sensitisation. The knowledge of these conditions gives the opportunity for secondary prevention and better diagnostic validation of occupational allergic diseases.Cilj ovog rada bio je utvrditi učestalost pokazatelja atopije i kontaktne senzibilizacije u asimptomatske mlade odrasle populacije tijekom prethodnih pregleda te procijeniti njihovo značenje u otkrivanju rizičnih osoba za razvoj alergijskih bolesti prije zapošljavanja. Ispitivanje je obuhvatilo 351 ispitanika, od toga 166 žena (srednja dob 28,0±6,4 godine) i 185 muškaraca (srednja dob 26,3±5,4 godine). Svi ispitanici ispitani su tijekom prethodnih pregleda za farmaceutsku industriju koja se smatra rizičnom za razvoj dišnih i kožnih bolesti. Za sve ispitanike ispunjen je alergološki upitnik, učinjeno je epikutano testiranje s europskom standardnom serijom kontaktnih alergena (Epipharm-ALK), prick-testiranje s najčešćim inhalacijskim alergenima (Imunološki zavod, Zagreb) i mjerenje serumskoga specifičnog IgE (UNICAP 100, Pharmacia). Ispitanici bez dišnih i/ili kožnih simptoma u anamnezi smatrani su asimptomatskima. Atopičarima su smatrani ispitanici s pozitivnim prick-testom i povišenim specifičnim IgE na jedan ili više inhalacijskih alergena. Ispitanici s pozitivnim epikutanim testom na jedan ili više kontaktnih alergena smatrani su osobama s kontaktnom senzibilizacijom. S obzirom na anamnestičke podatke, 115/166 (69,3%) žena i 142/185 (76,8%) muškaraca bili su asimptomatski. U 28 (24,3%) asimptomatskih žena i 40 (28,2%) asimptomatskih muškaraca utvrðeno je postojanje atopije i/ili kontaktne senzibilizacije. Prethodni alergološki pregledi mogu se smatrati pouzdanom metodom za otkrivanje većine asimptomatskih osoba s atopijom i kontaktnom senzibilizacijom. Znanje o postojanju ovih stanja kod radnika omogućuje provoðenje sekundarne prevencije i bolju dijagnostičku procjenu profesionalnih alergijskih bolesti

Piroglifidne grinje (Pyroglyphidae) kao izvor profesionalnih alergena

Pyroglyphid mites are primarily associated with allergen exposure at home; hence the name house dust mites. However, we have found numerous studies reporting pyroglyhid mite levels in public and occupational settings. This review presents the findings of house dust mite allergens (family Pyroglyphidae, species ermatophagoides) as potential work-related risk factors and proposes occupations at risk of house dust mite-related diseases. Pyroglyphid mites or their allergens are found in various workplaces, but clinically relevant exposures have been observed in hotels, cinemas, schools, day-care centres, libraries, public transportation (buses, trains, taxies, and airplanes), fishing-boats, submarines, poultry farms, and churches. Here we propose a classification of occupational risk as low (occasional exposure to mite allergen levels up to 2 μg g-1), moderate (exposure between 2 μg g-1 and 10 μg g-1), and high (exposure >10 μg g-1). The classification of risk should include factors relevant for indoor mite population (climate, building characteristics, and cleaning schedule). To avoid development or aggravation of allergies associated with exposure to house dust mites at work, occupational physicians should assess exposure risk at work, propose proper protection, provide vocational guidance to persons at risk and conduct pre-employment and periodic examinations to diagnose new allergy cases. Protection at work should aim to control dust mite levels at work. Measures may include proper interior design and regular cleaning and building maintenance.Piroglifidne grinje smatraju se prvenstveno izvorom alergena u našim domovima. Postoji, međutim, sve više studija koje upućuju na izloženost piroglifidnim grinjama u javnim i radnim prostorima. Cilj je ovog pregleda prikazati alergene piroglifidnih grinja kao potencijalne štetnosti vezane uz radna mjesta i utvrditi rizična zanimanja za pojavu i progresiju bolesti uzrokovanih piroglifidnim grinjama. Iz baze PubMed izdvojene su studije koje su istraživale izloženost piroglifidnim grinjama (porodica Pyroglyphidae, rod Dermatophagoides) u različitim javnim i radnim prostorima. Piroglifidne grinje ili njihovi alergeni pronađeni su na različitim radnim mjestima, ali klinički značajne izloženosti zabilježene su u hotelima, kinima, školama, vrtićima, knjižnicama, vozilima (autobusima, vlakovima, taksi-vozilima), avionima, ribarskim brodovima, podmornicama, peradarnicima i crkvama. Predloženo je stupnjevanje rizika na radnim mjestima sa značajnom izloženosti alergenima piroglifidnih grinja kao niskog (povremena izloženost razinama >2 μg g-1), umjerenog (izloženost pretežno između 2 μg g-1 i 10 μg g-1) i visokog rizika (izloženost pretežno >10 μg g-1). Pri procjeni razine rizika treba uvijek uzeti u obzir čimbenike koji značajno utječu na populaciju grinja (klimatska regija, karakteristike zgrade, način čišćenja). Specijalisti medicine rada trebali bi razmotriti moguću profesionalnu izloženost piroglifidnim grinjama pri procjeni opasnosti za radna mjesta i provedbi mjera zaštite na radu, pri profesionalnoj orijentaciji, prethodnim i periodskim pregledima te dijagnostici bolesti vezanih uz rad, u svrhu prevencije pojave ili pogoršanja alergijskih bolesti uzrokovanih piroglifidnim grinjama. Mjere zaštite na radu trebaju biti u mjerene kontroli populacije grinja na radnom mjestu, uključujući odgovarajuće uređenje interijera te redovito čišćenje i održavanje zgrade

Ultrasonic Extraction and TLC Determination of Glyphosate in the Spiked Red Soils

Pesticides that get into soil bind mostly to its solid phase by physical or chemical processes. In the valley of the Neretva River the use of herbicides, especially of glyphosate is widespread and sometimes uncontrolled. In this work ultrasonic solvent extraction (USE) followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) was applied for determining glyphosate presence in soil. The experiments were conducted with two characterised soil types. The impact of soil composition on extraction efficiency is discussed. Chemical analysis showed that soil 1 contained much more iron and aluminium oxides than soil 2, which was richer in humic substances. Low glyphosate efficiency (ca 44 % in both soils) could be attributed either to its binding to iron and aluminium oxides (soil 1), or to chemisorption on humic macromolecules (soil 2)

Radni status radnika s dijagnosticiranom profesionalnom bolesti u Hrvatskoj od 2005. do 2014.

Occupational diseases (ODs) often have a chronic, progressive course, resulting in reduced work capacity and quality of life, prolonged sick leaves, unemployment, early retirements, and disability claims. The aim of this retrospective study was to see how diagnosed ODs affected the employment of 95 Croatian workers between 2005 and 2014. To do that, we reviewed archived data and made a telephone survey. The lowest age at which an OD was diagnosed was 20 years in women and 22 in men, while the shortest duration of work before OD diagnosis was one year for both genders. The most common ODs were overuse syndromes on the arms, carpal tunnel syndrome in particular, diagnosed mostly in textile and office workers. Of the 95 participants, 12 lost their jobs since the OD diagnosis, 46 retired, and 37 continued to work. Significantly more participants became unemployed after OD diagnosis in the period 2010-2014 than 2005-2009 (9 out of 43, 21 %, vs. 3 out of 52, 6 %, P<0.05). Only five participants were included in an occupational rehabilitation programme. Our findings warn against the deterioration in care for workers diagnosed with OD in Croatia.Profesionalne bolesti često su kroničnog progresivnog tijeka te u pravilu značajno umanjuju radnu sposobnost i opću kvalitetu života oboljele osobe, produljuju razdoblje bolovanja, često dovode do gubitka posla ili ranog umirovljenja i predmetom su radničkih tužbi za naknadu štete. Cilj ovoga rada bio je istražiti učinke prijave profesionalne bolesti na radni status hrvatskih radnika u desetogodišnjem razdoblju. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 95 bolesnika kod kojih je dijagnosticirana profesionalna bolest u ambulanti medicine rada i sporta iz Zagreba u razdoblju 2005.-2014. Istraživanje je uključivalo pregled arhiviranih podataka u kartoteci ambulante i telefonsku anketu kojom su prikupljeni podatci o radnom statusu bolesnika nakon dijagnosticiranja profesionalne bolesti. Najniža dob u kojoj je profesionalna bolest dijagnosticirana u žena bila je 20 godina i 22 godine u muškaraca, a najkraći radni staž do utvrđivanja profesionalne bolesti iznosio je jednu godinu za oba spola. Najčešće dijagnosticirane profesionalne bolesti bile su sindromi prenaprezanja na rukama, naročito sindrom karpalnog tunela. Uz tekstilne radnike-šivače, ta je bolest najčešće utvrđena na radnim mjestima s uredskim poslovima koji uključuju rad na računalu. Kod 59 ispitanika (62 %) došlo je do promjene radnog statusa nakon dijagnosticiranja profesionalne bolesti. Nakon priznavanja profesionalne bolesti 36 ispitanika (38 %) ostalo je zaposleno, 12 (13 %) bilo je nezaposleno, a 47 (49 %) je umirovljeno. Postupcima profesionalne rehabilitacije bilo je obuhvaćeno 5 ispitanika (5 %). Udio nezaposlenih ispitanika nakon dijagnosticiranja profesionalne bolesti bio je značajno veći u razdoblju 2010.-2014. u odnosu na razdoblje 2005.-2009. [9 od 43 (21 %) prema 3 od 52 (6 %), P<0,05]. Rezultati upućuju na neodgovarajuće zbrinjavanje radnika s profesionalnim bolestima u Hrvatskoj, s trendom sve češćeg otpuštanja radnika s dijagnosticiranom profesionalnom bolesti od 2000. godine do danas, uz nedostatnu provedbu postupaka profesionalne rehabilitacije

Analiza uzoraka prašine u gradskom i seoskom radnom okolišu u Hrvatskoj

This study estimated the exposure to dust mites in various occupational environments in Croatia. In total, 29 occupational dust samples were collected: 10 from urban areas (offices, archive of an insurance company, tobacco, paper-recycling, fish-processing and textile plants, animal unit for experimental rats, winery), nine from rural areas (barley, hay, animal food and flour warehouses, tailor’s shops, wood processing plant, swine confinement house, grocer’s storeroom), and 10 samples from cabins of five fishing boats (five floor and five bed samples). Mites were microscopically identified, and the levels of Der p 1, Der f 1, and Der 2 allergens measured using the DUSTSCREENTM test (Heska AG, Switzerland). Microscopy showed no mites in urban areas. Pyroglyphid mites (D. pteronyssinus) were found in all bed samples from fishing boats. Non-pyroglyphid mites were found in samples taken from barley, hay and animal food warehouses, the swine confinement house, grocer’s storeroom, and fishing boats. Pyroglyphid mite allergens were detected in eight of 10 dust samples from the fishing boats. Median levels of Der p 1, Der f 1, and Der 2 in cabin bed samples were 10 μg g-1, 0.2 μg g-1, and 3.5 μg g-1, respectively. Our findings on fishing boats suggests that pyroglyphid mites could be considered work-related allergens for fishermen. The results of this study confirmed non-pyroglyphid mites as occupational risk factors in various rural environments.U ovome istraživanju ispitana je izloženost prašinskim grinjama u uzorcima prašina iz različitih radnih sredina u Hrvatskoj. Ukupno je analizirano 29 uzoraka prašine: 10 iz gradskih područja (uredi, arhiva osiguravajućeg društva, tvornica duhana, tvornica recikliranog papira, tvornica tekstila i prerade riba, eksperimentalni laboratorij, vinarija), devet iz seoskih područja (skladišta ječma, sijena, stočne hrane i brašna; krojački obrti, tvornica za preradu drva, skladište trgovine mješovitom robom, svinjogojilište), te 10 iz pet kabina ribarskih brodova (pet uzoraka s poda i pet s kreveta). Grinje su identificirane mikroskopski, a razine alergena Der p 1, Der f 1 i Der 2 određene su DUSTSCREENTM testom (Heska AG, Switzerland). Mikroskopski grinje nisu nađene u uzorcima prašina iz gradskih sredina. Piroglifidne grinje nađene su u svih pet uzoraka s kreveta kabina ribarskih brodova, a nepiroglifidne grinje u uzorcima iz skladišta ječma, sijena, stočne hrane, svinjogojilšta, skladišta trgovine mješovitom robom i ribarskih brodova. Razine alergena piroglifidnih grinja utvrđene su u 8 od 10 uzoraka prašine s ribarskih brodova. Medijan razina alergena Der p 1 bio je 10 μg g-1, Der f 1 0,2 μg g-1, a Der 2 3,5 μg g-1. Na ribarskim je brodovima utvrđena povećana izloženost piroglifidnim grinjama, što ukazuje da piroglifidne grinje mogu biti profesionalni rizični čimbenik za ribare. Rezultati ovoga istraživanja potvrdili su nepiroglifidne grinje kao rizični čimbenik u različitim seoskim radnim sredinama