Evidence-based hydro- and balneotherapy in Hungary-a systematic review and meta-analysis

Balneotherapy is appreciated as a traditional treatment modality in medicine. Hungary is rich in thermal mineral waters. Balneotherapy has been in extensive use for centuries and its effects have been studied in detail. Here, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials conducted with Hungarian thermal mineral waters, the findings of which have been published by Hungarian authors in English. The 122 studies identified in different databases include 18 clinical trials. Five of these evaluated the effect of hydro- and balneotherapy on chronic low back pain, four on osteoarthritis of the knee, and two on osteoarthritis of the hand. One of the remaining seven trials evaluated balneotherapy in chronic inflammatory pelvic diseases, while six studies explored its effect on various laboratory parameters. Out of the 18 studies, 9 met the predefined criteria for meta-analysis. The results confirmed the beneficial effect of balneotherapy on pain with weight bearing and at rest in patients with degenerative joint and spinal diseases. A similar effect has been found in chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. The review also revealed that balneotherapy has some beneficial effects on antioxidant status, and on metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Based on the results, we conclude that balneotherapy with Hungarian thermal-mineral waters is an effective remedy for lower back pain, as well as for knee and hand osteoarthritis. © 2013 The Author(s)

Ultrasensitive 90Sr determination with Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry

90Sr analyses using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) has reduced analysis time significantly and the enhancements in detection sensitivity have improved the detection limit to the ultra-trace level (fg range). Detection limit of 90Sr, 1 mBq (0.2 fg) could be further improved with larger ion beams

Zirconium decontamination factor test on DGA and Sr resin for 90Sr analysis using inorganic mass spectrometry

The stable 90Zr isotope causes isobaric interferences with 90Sr determination during inorganic mass spectrometry applica- tions. To avoid interference of 90Zr, chemical separation of Zr from Sr is carried out using extraction chromatography resins. In this study, Zr decontamination factors were determined with Eichrom DGA and Sr resins. The Zr decontamination factor of Sr resin (~ 104) was one magnitude higher than DGA’s (~ 103). The recovery of Sr was around 90% in both resins. In a combination of two separation steps either using DGA-Sr resin or Sr–Sr resin, a Zr decontamination level of 107–108 could be achieved

Measurement of 90Sr in soil samples affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Strontium 90 activity concentration was measured in four soil samples (0-10 cm) collected from the exclusion zone around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP). The open chemical digestion method was used for sample decomposition with a mixture of acids. The strontium separation was achieved with strontium selective resin (Sr-resin). The activity of strontium 90 was determined with liquid scintillation counter (LSC). Owing to the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests, the soil in Japan is contaminated with strontium 90. Related to this background level, significant Fukushima contamination was not noticed by the results of this study. The detected strontium 90 activities were 8.9±0.8, 20±1.3, <6.8, and 23.4±1.5 Bq kg-1, respectively

Radiological qualification of manganese mud

International Conference on Environmental Radioactivit

International intercomparisons of integrating radon detectors

IRPA1