PREVALENCE OF FOOD ALLERGIES IN THE POPULATION OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN FROM THE CITY OF OSIJEK

Introduction: Food allergy is an immune-mediated hypersensitivity to allergens in food. This allergy affects about 6-8% of children younger than three years, about 4% of school-age children and about 2% of the adult population in the world. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of food allergies in the population of preschool children from the city of Osijek and to identify the most common causes of these allergies in the study population. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during April and May 2007, among preschool children (mean age 5.9±0.7 years, 401/810, 49.5% of boys and 409/810, 50.5% of girls) attending kindergartens in Osijek. The 810 parents of mentioned children filled out the specially designed questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions on age, sex and body weight of the child, the existence of a diagnosis of food allergy and type of food allergy. Results: In the studied population of preschool children there were 5.4% (44/810) of children diagnosed with food allergies. The most common causes of food allergies in the study population were different food additives (40.9%), eggs (18.2%), peanut (13.7%), milk (9.2%) and honey, pesticides, fish and gluten with the same frequency of 4.5% each. Conclusion: Food allergies often occur among preschool children from the city of Osijek with the particularly significant prevalence of allergic reactions to various food additives. In children with confirmed allergy to food ingredients, it is necessary to exclude such ingredient from the diet. In this sense, it is essential that manufacturers mark in detail the content of each foodstuff so that consumers can avoid eating those foodstuffs to which they are allergic

ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED EXTRACTION OF ACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM COCOA BEAN SHELL

In today\u27s overcrowded world with declining food supplies and the constant struggle against waste accumulation, scientists are increasingly trying to discover new ways to solve these problems. Like many industries, the food industry generates, disposes and accumulates waste thus creating an environmental and economic problem. In this study the one of the green extraction technologies, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), for isolation of bioactive compounds from cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product in the chocolate production, was applied. Different temperature (40, 60, 80 °C), extraction time (30, 60, 90 minutes), liquid/solid ratio (10, 30, 50 mL/g) and ultrasound power (30, 50, 70 %) were used to obtain the cocoa bean shell extracts. Six active compounds were detected in the extracts by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector as follows: theobromine (2.077-5.916 mg/g), gallic acid (0.110-1.407 mg/g), caffeine (0.276-0.785 mg/g), catechin (0.033-0.457 mg/g), while the highest obtained concentrations for epicatechin and caffeic acid were 0.100 and 0.527 mg/g of CBS. The highest total phenolic content (TPC) and % scavenging activity measured were 132.897 mgGAE/gextr. and 86.377%. From all investigated parameters, liquid/solid ratio had the greatest influence on the concentrations of obtained compounds. Study proved how UAE is an efficient method for the extraction of bioactive compounds from food by-product - CBS. It should also be emphasized that such application could find the purpose at the industrial level for the discarded waste that still contains valuable compounds, while the enriched extracts could be further used as raw material in other processes

ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED EXTRACTION OF ACTIVE COMPOUNDS FROM COCOA BEAN SHELL

In today\u27s overcrowded world with declining food supplies and the constant struggle against waste accumulation, scientists are increasingly trying to discover new ways to solve these problems. Like many industries, the food industry generates, disposes and accumulates waste thus creating an environmental and economic problem. In this study the one of the green extraction technologies, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), for isolation of bioactive compounds from cocoa bean shell (CBS), a by-product in the chocolate production, was applied. Different temperature (40, 60, 80 °C), extraction time (30, 60, 90 minutes), liquid/solid ratio (10, 30, 50 mL/g) and ultrasound power (30, 50, 70 %) were used to obtain the cocoa bean shell extracts. Six active compounds were detected in the extracts by high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector as follows: theobromine (2.077-5.916 mg/g), gallic acid (0.110-1.407 mg/g), caffeine (0.276-0.785 mg/g), catechin (0.033-0.457 mg/g), while the highest obtained concentrations for epicatechin and caffeic acid were 0.100 and 0.527 mg/g of CBS. The highest total phenolic content (TPC) and % scavenging activity measured were 132.897 mgGAE/gextr. and 86.377%. From all investigated parameters, liquid/solid ratio had the greatest influence on the concentrations of obtained compounds. Study proved how UAE is an efficient method for the extraction of bioactive compounds from food by-product - CBS. It should also be emphasized that such application could find the purpose at the industrial level for the discarded waste that still contains valuable compounds, while the enriched extracts could be further used as raw material in other processes

COCOA BEAN SHELL – A PROMISING BY-PRODUCT RICH IN BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS

Nowadays, when we are increasingly becoming a generation of large quantities of waste materials from various industries, there is an emerged need for certain solutions to suppress waste or make it more economical in some other way. Some by-products from the different food industries are rich in various bioactive compounds which could be utilized in other production processes. Finding the purpose and use of these compounds could be valuable for future generations. One of those by-products is cocoa bean shell (CBS), by-product in the processing of cocoa and its products, that has already proven to contain large amount of different bioactive compounds like theobromine, caffeine, specific phenolic compounds as well as dietary fibres and other valuable compounds which will be reviewed in this paper. CBS could be used in the production of functional products or even in food industry, cosmetic or pharmaceutics due to its high nutritional value what also makes it an economically acceptable raw material

IS THERE CONNECTION BETWEEN BENZOATES FROM SOFT DRINKS AND HYPERACTIVITY AMONG OSIJEK PRESCHOOL CHILDREN?

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood-onset psychiatric disorders. The impact of certain food additives, preservatives and artificial colorings on the prevalence of this disorder is still controversial and not fully explored. Aim: To explore the possible connection between benzoates from soft drinks and hyperactivity among Osijek preschool children. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during April and May 2007 in Osijek, Eastern Croatia. A special questionnaire was administered to parents of 810 preschool children from kindergartens in Osijek (aged 5.9±0.7 years; 401/810, 49.5% boys and 409/810, 50.5% girls) during April and May 2007. The questionnaire contained questions on the preschool children age, gender, weight, average daily intake of soft drinks, type of soft drink consumed, food allergy and ten-item parents Conner\u27s index for ADHD diagnose. The concentration of benzoates in 50 commercially available soft drinks was determined by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detector. Results: Among all preschool children there were only 4.9% (40/810) of them who did not drink soft drinks. The mean concentration of benzoates in all samples was 97.7±26.7 mg/L. The questionnaire revealed that 95.1% (770/810) of study subjects consuming soft drinks were taking a mean of 0.6 L of soft drink per day, containing 58.6 mg of benzoates. Among those who did drink soft drinks there were 8.6% (66/770) of them positive for ADHD and none in group who did not. Conclusion: ADHD is more common in the group of children who consume soft drinks and in that way intake larger amount of benzoates. It is not clear do these benzoates produce ADHD or just further facilitate ADHD that already exists. Further investigations are needed

COW\u27S MILK ALLERGY IN THE POPULATION OF INFANTS AND EARLY PRESCHOOLERS FROM THE VUKOVAR – SRIJEM COUNTY

Introduction: Cow\u27s milk allergy is the most common allergic reaction present among infants and early preschoolers. The early diagnosis of the condition is crucial for adequate treatment of the affected child. Aim: To determine prevalence of cow\u27s milk allergy in the population of infants (0-1 years) and early preschoolers (1-4 years) from Vukovar–Srijem County and demographical characteristics of affected children. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 1st May 2013 to 30th April 2014 in Vukovar General County Hospital and was approved by the responsible Ethical Committee. It included 59 children - suspected of having cow\u27s milk allergy (38/59, 64.4% boys and 21/59, 35.6% girls; mean age 20.8±16.2 months). The serum concentrations of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein were determined and demographic data for each patient were collected (gender, age, place of living). Standardized UniCAP fluorescence-enzyme immunoassay (Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden) was used to determine serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies for cow\u27s milk protein. Results: In observed population there were 35.6% (21/59) of children affected with cow\u27s milk allergy. The allergy was more common with boys (39.5%), and children who lived in villages (56.5%). Average value of serum concentration of the specific IgE antibodies to cow\u27s milk protein among affected children was 9.9±23.8 kU/L, and it was higher for boys (12.6 kU/L) in comparison to girls (3.2 kU/L). Conclusion: This study indicates that the cow\u27s milk allergy is relatively frequent within the observed population thus there is a need for further evaluation of this issue. In addition, the study has shown that the diagnosis of cow\u27s milk allergy in Croatia is still relatively late and because of that there is a need to make additional efforts for earlier diagnosis of such condition that would also improve the therapeutic approach to affected children

PREVALENCE OF FOOD ALLERGIES IN THE POPULATION OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN FROM THE CITY OF OSIJEK

Introduction: Food allergy is an immune-mediated hypersensitivity to allergens in food. This allergy affects about 6-8% of children younger than three years, about 4% of school-age children and about 2% of the adult population in the world. Aim: To investigate the prevalence of food allergies in the population of preschool children from the city of Osijek and to identify the most common causes of these allergies in the study population. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during April and May 2007, among preschool children (mean age 5.9±0.7 years, 401/810, 49.5% of boys and 409/810, 50.5% of girls) attending kindergartens in Osijek. The 810 parents of mentioned children filled out the specially designed questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions on age, sex and body weight of the child, the existence of a diagnosis of food allergy and type of food allergy. Results: In the studied population of preschool children there were 5.4% (44/810) of children diagnosed with food allergies. The most common causes of food allergies in the study population were different food additives (40.9%), eggs (18.2%), peanut (13.7%), milk (9.2%) and honey, pesticides, fish and gluten with the same frequency of 4.5% each. Conclusion: Food allergies often occur among preschool children from the city of Osijek with the particularly significant prevalence of allergic reactions to various food additives. In children with confirmed allergy to food ingredients, it is necessary to exclude such ingredient from the diet. In this sense, it is essential that manufacturers mark in detail the content of each foodstuff so that consumers can avoid eating those foodstuffs to which they are allergic

SUPERCRITICAL CO2 EXTRACTION OF SEA BUCKTHORN

Sea buckthorn is one of the most prominent plants containing important nutrients essential for our health. Bioactive compounds are found in the pulp and in the seeds of the fruit. Sea buckthorn oil can be used in food supplementation, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. In this study supercritical CO2 extraction of oil from sea buckthorn berries was performed at pressure 300 bar, temperature 40 °C and CO2 flow rate 2 kg/h. Fatty acid composition of oil was determined by gas chromatography, and amount of tocopherols using HPLC. In defatted cake after supercritical extraction the amount of remained oil, fibre and protein content were also determined. The initial oil content in sea buckthorn berries was 11.60%. The major fatty acids in oil were palmitic (35%), palmitoleic (20%) and oleic acids (32-35%). The amount of α-tocopherol was 35.99 mg/100g oil, and total tocopherol amount was 71.62 mg/100g oil. In defatted cake cellulose content was determined to be 11.56%, proteins 14.78%, moisture 5.68% and ash 3.16%. Because of high content of bioactive compounds and unique oil composition, this oil is connected with benefits on certain diseases. Defatted cake, which is also rich in many components, can be used as by-product in food industry

STRESS AT WORKPLACE AND OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES

Nurses and technicians are, at their primary job of patient care, exposed daily to various physical strains and stressful situations, which is why they are at risk of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, type and circumstances of work injuries among nurses and technicians as well as to determine whether there is a connection between the injuries and sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the participants, as well as the connection between the injuries and the stress level at which the participants are exposed during their work. This cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2017 and included 191 nurses/technicians at the General Hospital Pula. A specially designed questionnaire was used to collect data about their age, gender, qualifications and socioeconomic status as well as the frequency and type of injuries that they had been experienced during stressful situations at work. In the last six months, there were 8.9% of those who experienced work injury. The most common were abdominal injuries, lower back and pelvis injuries, while stabs with the sharp object were the most common type of injury. There was statistically significant connection between the incidence of injuries and the shift work (p=0.032) as well as between the injuries and the stress level (p=0.046) in the last six months. To reduce the incidence of work injury in the observed population, it is necessary to reduce the shift work, and consequently reduce level of present stress

RISK FACTORS AND INJURY CHARACTERISTICS AMONG YOUNGER SCHOOL CHILDREN

According to the World Health Organization data, millions of young people under the age of 18 die each year from injuries and the consequences of injuries. In developed countries, the mortality rate from child injury is considerably lower, but injuries are still the main cause of death, accounting for about 40% of total child mortality. As a consequence of the injury, disability, increased costs of treatment and rehabilitation, lost productivity and learning motivation arise. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of injury in younger school children and to investigate the risk factors of these injuries. This cross-sectional study was conducted in April and May 2017. The study subjects were parents and guardians of children who were pupils of the first four grades of elementary school. The specially designed questionnaire that contained questions about sociodemographic characteristics and epidemiology of injury was used as a research tool. There was a total of 379 study subjects, of whom 289 (76.3%) were women. The average age of all study subjects was 39 (26-60) years. There were 316 (83.6%) employed, 58 (15.3%) unemployed, and 5 (1.3%) retired subjects. In the city lived 222 (58.6%) study subjects, in suburban settlement 83 (21.9%) and in village 74 (19.5%). There was statistically significant connection between the number of family members and the frequency of injuries (p=0.029) and the number of children in the family and the frequency of injuries (p=0.041). Injuries in younger school children were frequent in the observed population. Defining risk factors has a major role in preventing child injury