Salt intake in a sample of adult population of Novi Sad

The aim of the research was to investigate the average salt intake in a sample of adult population of the city of Novi Sad, by using the internationally recognized 24hour urinary sodium excretion method. The prevalence of excessive salt intake, one of the major risk factors for development of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, fluid retention and edema, osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease, stomach cancer and other diseases associated with excessive salt intake, was determined for the first time in the country. The correlation of salt intake and body mass index and blood pressure was assessed, as well as knowledge, attitude and practice of respondents regarding harmful effects of excessive salt intake. The investigation was conducted as an observational analytical cross-sectional study among 150 eligible adult residents of the city of Novi Sad (75 women and 75 men), aged 18-65, referred for a preventive health check-up in the Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina and Institute of Occupational Health Novi Sad, in the period February 18th - April 29th 2011, and January 09th and April 30th 2012. The initial sample of 296 respondents met the inclusion criteria, of which 146 examinees were excluded by exclusion criteria. The estimated average salt intake in the sample was 12.12 ± 4.79 g; 14.22 ± 4.98 g in men, significantly higher than the average of 10.02 ± 3.54 g in women. Nearly all of the subjects exceeded the World Health Organization population salt intake goal of 5 g a day, and none of them consumed the amount of salt recommended in non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension. Daily salt intake was significantly higher in obese and subjects with central body fat distribution compared to non-obese subjects. There was a positive correlation between body mass index and daily salt intake (28 percents of the variability of BMI may be attributed to the amount of daily salt intake). There was a positive correlation between salt intake and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, while 7 percents and 8 percents of variability of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, can be explained by the amount of daily salt intake. Almost all subjects were aware that excessive salt intake may damage their health and lead to hypertension, stroke and chronic kidney disease. A high percentage of subjects had high level of knowledge regarding salt content in most foods. More than half of the respondents knew the amount of the recommended daily salt intake. Only 28 percents of subjects knew that processed food is the main dietary source of salt, and 77 percents of them did not recognize bread and rolls as food with high salt content. A low level of knowledge was established regarding the association between excessive salt intake and gastric cancer, osteoporosis and dementia. Older more likely than younger respondents, knew that too much salt is associated with hypertension and stroke and knew the amount of salt in certain types of food. Frequent use of salt during cooking and at the table was reported by 2/3, and 20 percents of subjects, respectively. Most of the members of population in question had an appropriate attitude towards the need of labeling the salt content and reducing salt intake. A statistically high salt intake was recorded in all examinees regardless of their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding salt usage. The established average salt intake of 12.12±4.79g in the examined sample is substantially higher than recommended by World Health Organization. Thus, labelling, reformulation of processed food by reducing salt content, as well as raising population awareness in regard to main dietary sources of salt, are cornerstones of the salt reduction strategy in given population

Prevention and treatment of secondary lymphedema of the arm in breast cancer patients

A program of early postoperative rehabilitation (kinesy therapy and education) has been conducted since 1996 in our Department for Rehabilitation at the Institute of Oncology in Sremska Kamenica. The aim of this program is to prevent the appearance of secondary lymphedema of the arm and the contacture of the shoulder. Unless the patient, in further follow up, does not have any complication, a program of "late" rehabilitation is conducted. If secondary lymphedema of the arm (SLEA) is evolved, then the patient is submitted to a complex of decongestive physical therapy (CDP) or CDP and sequential pneumatic compression (SEPC). However if SLEA and local alterations on the skin exist, we immobilize the arm (mitela, plaster). In other cases without SLEA, e.g. periarthritis or the damage of brachial plexus, we perform physical procedures (kinesy therapy TENS, kryo-massage and acupuncture). With regard to the degree of complication of SLEA and consequences that might develop the starting point should be directed towards early detection of SLEA

PHYTOSTEROLS AS A MEAN TO ALTER CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

Cholesterol is a molecule wich represents the basic building part of every cell. Its homeostasis is crucial for proper cellular and systemic functions and it is very important to maintain it within reference values. Altered cholesterol balance causes cardiovascular diseases as well as other diseases, like neurodegenerative and cancer. High level of cholesterol can be aleviated with medical therapy but also with a diet rich in phytosterols. The main sources of phytosterols are vegetable oils, nuts, and legumes, but positive effect on lipid profile have fruits and vegetables, and some medicinal plants. Additionally, positive effect was found for combination of phytosterols with read yeast rice and in combination with probiotic bacteria. The most important property of phytosterols is reduced absorption of endogenous and exogenous cholesterol in the body. According to a number of studies their sufficient intake can significantly alter absorption of cholesterol from foods in the small intestine. Conclusion: Daily diet that includes foods containing phytosterols can maintain normal blood cholesterol levels and prevent diseases due to hypercholesterolemia, which are still te main cause of death in Croatia and surrounding countries

PHYTOSTEROLS AS A MEAN TO ALTER CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

Cholesterol is a molecule wich represents the basic building part of every cell. Its homeostasis is crucial for proper cellular and systemic functions and it is very important to maintain it within reference values. Altered cholesterol balance causes cardiovascular diseases as well as other diseases, like neurodegenerative and cancer. High level of cholesterol can be aleviated with medical therapy but also with a diet rich in phytosterols. The main sources of phytosterols are vegetable oils, nuts, and legumes, but positive effect on lipid profile have fruits and vegetables, and some medicinal plants. Additionally, positive effect was found for combination of phytosterols with read yeast rice and in combination with probiotic bacteria. The most important property of phytosterols is reduced absorption of endogenous and exogenous cholesterol in the body. According to a number of studies their sufficient intake can significantly alter absorption of cholesterol from foods in the small intestine. Conclusion: Daily diet that includes foods containing phytosterols can maintain normal blood cholesterol levels and prevent diseases due to hypercholesterolemia, which are still te main cause of death in Croatia and surrounding countries

Resonant-Frequency Discharge in a Multi-Cell Radio Frequency Cavity

We are reporting experimental results on a microwave discharge operating at resonant frequency in a multi-cell radio frequency (RF) accelerator cavity. Although the discharge operated at room temperature, the setup was constructed so that it could be used for plasma generation and processing in fully assembled active superconducting radio-frequency cryo-module. This discharge offers a mechanism for removal of a variety of contaminants, organic or oxide layers, and residual particulates from the interior surface of RF cavities through the interaction of plasma-generated radicals with the cavity walls. We describe resonant RF breakdown conditions and address the issues related to resonant detuning due to sustained multi-cell cavity plasma. We have determined breakdown conditions in the cavity, which was acting as a plasma vessel with distorted cylindrical geometry. We discuss the spectroscopic data taken during plasma removal of contaminants and use them to evaluate plasma parameters, characterize the process, and estimate the volatile contaminant product removal

Characterization of the Supersonic Flowing Microwave Discharge Using Two Dimensional Plasma Tomography

A tomographic numerical method based on the two-dimensional Radon formula for a cylindrical cavity has been employed for obtaining spatial distributions of the argon excited levels. The spectroscopy measurements were taken at different positions and directions to observe populations of excited species in the plasmoid region and the corresponding excitation temperatures. Excited argon states are concentrated near the tube walls, thus, confirming the assumption that the post discharge plasma is dominantly sustained by travelling surface wave. An automated optical measurement system has been developed for reconstruction of local plasma parameters of the plasmoid structure formed in an argon supersonic flowing microwave discharge. The system carries out angle and distance measurements using a rotating, flat mirror, as well as two high precision stepper motors operated by a microcontroller-based system and several sensors for precise feedback control

Electron Density Measurements in a Pulse-Repetitive Microwave Discharge in Air

We have developed a technique for absolute measurements of electron density in pulse-repetitive microwave discharges in air. The technique is based on the time-resolved absolute intensity of a nitrogen spectral band belonging to the Second Positive System, the kinetic model and the detailed particle balance of the N2C3Πu (ν role= presentation \u3eν = 0) state. This new approach bridges the gap between two existing electron density measurement methods (Langmuir probe and Stark broadening). The electron density is obtained from the time-dependent rate equation for the population of N2C3Πu (ν role= presentation \u3eν = 0) using recorded waveforms of the absolute C3Πu → B3Πg (0-0) band intensity, the forward and reflected microwave power density. Measured electron density waveforms using numerical and approximated analytical methods are presented for the case of pulse repetitive planar surface microwave discharge at the aperture of a horn antenna covered with alumina ceramic plate. The discharge was generated in air at 11.8 Torr with a X-band microwave generator using 3.5 μs microwave pulses at peak power of 210 kW. In this case, we were able to time resolve the electron density within a single 3.5 μs pulse. We obtained (9.0 ± 0.6) × 1013 cm–3 for the peak and (5.0 ± 0.6) × 1013 cm–3 for the pulse-average electron density. The technique presents a convenient, non-intrusive diagnostic method for local, time-defined measurements of electron density in short duration discharges near atmospheric pressures

Production, composition and characteristics of organic hard cheese

Organic cheeses are value added products that provide small dairy farmers with a viable source of income and has the potential to revitalize farms, provide new jobs, and develop new cheese varieties with unique flavours for consumers to experience. Production of hard organic cheese must comply with organic standards and regulations of organic production. Whole organic milk that does not contain residues of pesticides, hormones and antibiotics represents a quality raw material for hard organic cheese with added value. Together with the existing, producers develop and create new technologies and new branded products which are more original and recognizable. The goal of any technology is obtaining technologically reproducible protocol and constant uniform quality of the cheese with desired properties. In this paper some variables which influence quality of organic hard cheese were investigated. Tested samples of hard organic cheese from different production time showed consistent quality and obtained parameters followed the standards of full-fat hard cheeses