Smoking behaviour predicts tobacco control attitudes in a high smoking prevalence hospital: A cross-sectional study in a Portuguese teaching hospital prior to the national smoking ban

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies have investigated attitudes to and compliance with smoking bans, but few have been conducted in healthcare settings and none in such a setting in Portugal. Portugal is of particular interest because the current ban is not in line with World Health Organization recommendations for a "100% smoke-free" policy. In November 2007, a Portuguese teaching-hospital surveyed smoking behaviour and tobacco control (TC) attitudes before the national ban came into force in January 2008.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Questionnaire-based cross-sectional study, including all eligible staff. Sample: 52.9% of the 1, 112 staff; mean age 38.3 ± 9.9 years; 65.9% females. Smoking behaviour and TC attitudes and beliefs were the main outcomes. Bivariable analyses were conducted using chi-squared and MacNemar tests to compare categorical variables and Mann-Whitney tests to compare medians. Multilogistic regression (MLR) was performed to identify factors associated with smoking status and TC attitudes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Smoking prevalence was 40.5% (95% CI: 33.6-47.4) in males, 23.5% (95% CI: 19.2-27.8) in females (p < 0.001); 43.2% in auxiliaries, 26.1% in nurses, 18.9% among physicians, and 34.7% among other non-health professionals (p = 0.024). The findings showed a very high level of agreement with smoking bans, even among smokers, despite the fact that 70.3% of the smokers smoked on the premises and 76% of staff reported being frequently exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS). In addition 42.8% reported that SHS was unpleasant and 28.3% admitted complaining. MLR showed that smoking behaviour was the most important predictor of TC attitudes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Smoking prevalence was high, especially among the lower socio-economic groups. The findings showed a very high level of support for smoking bans, despite the pro-smoking environment. Most staff reported passive behaviour, despite high SHS exposure. This and the high smoking prevalence may contribute to low compliance with the ban and low participation on smoking cessation activities. Smoking behaviour had greater influence in TC attitudes than health professionals' education. Our study is the first in Portugal to identify potential predictors of non-compliance with the partial smoking ban, further emphasising the need for a 100% smoke-free policy, effective enforcement and public health education to ensure compliance and promote social norm change.</p

Les ondes de spin et leur dispersion dans les antiferromagnétiques et les ferrimagnétiques pour divers cas de surstructure

In the present report the idea of natural superstructure and regular superstructure, introduced by H. Cofta (Bull. Acad. Polon. des Sciences, 1958, Serie III, 6, 519) are used. The general dispersion formula for spin waves in ferrimagnetic translation lattices, derived by means of semi-classical methods, leads to an anisotropic dispersion law in the case of such non-natural regular superstructures. This superstructural anisotropy appears clearly in the formulae for the case of antiferromagnetics. In order to decide the experimental observability of this anisotropy, one must know (at least approximately) the values of the exchange integrals between the nearest and the next-nearest neighbours. The semi-classical analysis of non-regular superstructures leads to the conclusion, that the antiferromagnetic sublattices in such superstructures cannot be mutually coupled. The behaviour of the only known antiferromagnetic with non-regular superstructure, namely MnO2, confirms the above result.Dans la communication présente, on utilise les notions de surstructure naturelle (tous les voisins immédiats appartiennent à des sous-réseaux différents) et de surstructure régulière (chaque point du réseau est un centre de symétrie), conformément à la classification proposée par M. H. Cofta (Bull. Acad. Polon. des Sciences, 1958, série III, 6, 519). La formule générale de dispersion pour ondes de spins dans les réseaux de translation ferrimagnétiques, formule déduite par une méthode semi-classique, donne une fonction anisotrope de dispersion dans le cas des surstructures régulières non-naturelles. Cette anisotropie surstructurelle apparaît clairement dans les formules des antiferromagnétiques, considérés comme cas particulier des ferrimagnétiques. Afin de décider si cette anisotropie peut être mise en évidence expérimentalement, il faudrait connaître de manière approximative, les valeurs des intégrales d'échange entre premiers et deuxièmes voisins L'analyse semi-classique des surstructures non-régulières conduit à conclure que les différents sous-réseaux antiferromagnétiques de celles-ci ne peuvent être couplés mutuellement. MnO 2, l'unique antiferromagnétique de surstructure non-régulière connu, se comporte conformément aux prévisions énoncées ci-dessus

Analiza stężeń cynku i miedzi w surowicy osób ze zwiększoną masą ciała w zależności od wieku

Metabolic alterations in physiological aging may depend on oxidative-antioxidative balance and biomineral status. The aim was to analyze concentrations of serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) among excess body mass persons due to their age. Material: 72 healthy Caucasians, divided into 3 groups: AGE1, AGE2, AGE3 (30-45, 46-60, 61-75 years old respectively), with body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg m–2 were qualified for oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and fasting (G0') and 2-hours (G120') glycemia were determined (enzymatically). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was excluded. Concentration of serum Cu and Zn (AAS), insulin (ELISA) and plasma lipids: total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins cholesterol, triacyloglyceroles (enzymatically) were measured in fasting samples. Low density lipoproteins cholesterol was obtained using Friedewald formula. Insulin Resistance ratios and Cu/Zn ratio were calculated. Results: No differences concerning BMI, waist, diastolic blood pressure, lipids and insulin concentrations and insulin resistance ratios were observed. Increasing G0’, G120' and systolic blood pressure from group 1 to 3 (p=0.01, p=0.01, p=0.04 respectively) were found. AGE2 group had the lowest Zn concentration 10.67±3.37 μmol dm–3, (p=0.002) and the highest Cu/Zn ratio 1.73±0.64 (p=0.0003). We calculated negative correlations Zn and SBP (R=-0.45, p=0.04), Zn and DBP (R=-0.46, p=0.04), Zn and G 120’ (R=-0.45, p=0.03) in the oldest group. Conclusions: Different zinc concentration while aging may occur, and may imply different metabolic usage of the biominerals, especially in obese patients otherwise healthy subjects.W procesie starzenia obserwuje się rozwój zaburzeń metabolicznych, w których dyskutuje się udział stanu równowagi oksydacyjno-antyoksydacyjnej oraz biopierwiastków: cynku i miedzi. Celem badań była ocena stężenia cynku i miedzi w surowicy osób o zwiększonej masie ciała w zależności od ich wieku. W badaniach uczestniczyły 72 osoby rasy białej o zwiększonym BMI ≥25 kg m–2; przeprowadzono test doustnego obciążenia glukozą (OGTT), mierząc glikemię na czczo (G0’) i po 2 h (G120’) enzymatycznie. Wykluczono osoby z cukrzycą typu 2. Na czczo oznaczono stężenie cynku i miedzi (AAS), insuliny (ELISA) w surowicy oraz stężenie parametrów lipidowych: cholesterolu całkowitego, cholesterolu frakcji HDL, triacylogliceroli (enzymatycznie). Cholesterol frakcji LDL wyznaczono wzorem Friedewalda. Obliczono wskaźniki insulinooporności oraz stosunek Cu/Zn. Badano grupy w zależności od wieku: AGE1, AGE2, AGE3 (odpowiednio: 30-45, 46-60, 61-75 lat). Stwierdzono, że grupy nie różniły się BMI, obwodem pasa, rozkurczowym ciśnieniem tętniczym, profilem lipidowym, stężeniem insuliny oraz wskaźników insulionoporności. Analiza grup 1-3 wykazała wzrastające stężenie G0’, G120’ i ciśnienie skurczowe (SBP), odpowiednio p=0,01; p=0,01; p=0,04 oraz różnice w stężeniu Zn (p=0,002) i Cu/Zn (p=0,0003), z najniższymi wartościami Zn 10,67±3,37 μmol dm–3 i najwyższym Cu/Zn 1,73±0,64 – u AGE2; u AGE3 zaobserwowano ujemne korelacje dla Zn i SBP (R=-0,45; p=0,04), Zn i DBP (R=-0,46; p=0,04), Zn i G120’ (R=-0,45; p=0,03). Dysproporcja stężeń Zn między grupą w średnim a podeszłym wieku może być tłumaczona różnymi sposobami wykorzystania Zn w obliczu zaburzeń metabolicznych

Endothelium-derived markers and antioxidant status in the blood of obstructive sleep apnea males

Abstract Objective The relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and cardiovascular disease is intensively discussed. Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule (E-selectin) is one of factors facilitating leukocyte migration to the subendothelial layer which could be considered proatherogenic. The aim of the study was to determine E-selectin levels and total plasma antioxidant status (TAS) in the blood of different stage OSA patients. Methods Non-smoking, OSA-suspected males, aged 30-63, were selected for the study. An EMBLA polysomnographic system was used to establish the severity of apneic episodes. The results of apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) allowed dividing patients into the following groups: OSA-0 with AHI 0-4.9 (n = 14), OSA-1 with AHI 5-15 (n = 14), OSA-2 with AHI 16-30 (n = 13), OSA-3 with AHI ≥ 30 (n = 13). Complete blood count (CBC), glycemia during oral glucose tolerance test, fasting plasma lipid profile, uric acid, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were estimated among routine parameters. We determined plasma concentrations of E-selectin and total antioxidant status. Results We found progressively decreasing concentrations of TAS (P = 0.03) and increased concentrations of E-selectin (P = 0.0001) from OSA-0 to OSA-3 subjects. No correlation between E-selectin and metabolic parameters was noted. Conclusion In the studied OSA groups, E-selectin appeared an independent proatherogenic factor.</p

87. High dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy in the management of advanced bronchial cancer – comparison of different doses

IntroductionIn palliative treatment of lung cancer one of most efficient methods in overcoming difficulties in breathing caused by endobronchial obstruction is brachytherapy. From regard on location of the change on some of the patients brachytherapy is a treatment from choice. Brachytherapy in single cases is performed as radical treatment, in most of cases due to advanced clinical stage has an palliative aim. Because of lack of clear consensus regarding value of doses used in brachytherapy there are different fraction doses used in clinical treatment. The work is about result (t of palliative treatment with high dose rate brachytherapy using different treatment schemas.Material and methodsFrom May 1999 to February 2000 in Greatpoland Cancer Centre were treated 69 patients on bronchial cancer using high dose rate brachytherapy. They were disqualified from radical treatment due to advanced clinical stage. The age of the patients ranged from 39 to 76 years, average 53,2 years. 51 patients received total dose of 22,5 Gy in 3 fractions every week, 18 patients received one single fraction of 10 Gy. Patients were divided into two groups according to clinical stage and Karnofsky scare for single fraction patients were qualified when Karnofsky scare was smaller then 50. They have undertaken clinical and endobronchial observation with rating of local remission and retiring difficulties with breathing, cough and hemoptysis in thirst, third, sixth and twelve month of observation.ResultsAfter 4 weeks from the end of the treatment in 61/69 (88,4%) patients has been ascertained subjective improvement (retiring of all symptoms). In 12 cases was found out complete remission (CR), in 49 partial remission (PR) of tumour. During one year of observation 45 patients died, in 10/24 cases we observed still an improvement of dyspnoea, in 14/24 cases we observed recurrence and progression of disease. There was no statistical difference in survival between two groups of patients treated with different schema.Conclusions1.Brachytherapy in advanced lung cancer was an efficient method that caused in many patients retiring of the symptoms and improvement of life quality.2.Both treatment schema had similar efficiency in overcoming difficult breathing.3.High local dose did not influenced the growth of the frequency of complications

Erectile dysfunction is a marker for obstructive sleep apnea

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with and without any other comorbidities