Relationships between perceived aspects of home and symptoms in a cohort aged 67–70

The importance of the home environment increases with age. Perceived aspects of home influence life satisfaction, perceived health, independence in daily activities and well-being among very old people. However, research on health and perceived aspects of home among senior citizens in earlier phases of the aging process is lacking. Therefore, the main aim was to explore whether perceived aspects of home are related to number of and specific domains of symptoms in a cohort of people aged 67–70. Interview and observation data on aspects of home and health, collected with 371 individuals living in ordinary housing in urban as well as rural areas in southern Sweden, were used. Descriptive statistics, correlations, multiple linear and logistic regression models were employed. The results showed that the median number of symptoms was 6.0. Reporting fewer reported symptoms was associated with a higher meaning of home (p = 0.003) and lower external housing related control beliefs (p = 0.001) but not with usability in the home. High external control beliefs were significantly associated with symptoms from head (p = 0.014), gastrointestinal (p = 0.014) and tension symptoms (p ≤ 0.001). Low meaning of home was significantly associated with heart-lung symptoms (p = 0.007), and low usability was associated with depressive symptoms (p = 0.003). In conclusion, showing that perceived aspects of home are important for health in terms of physical and mental symptoms, this study contributes to the knowledge on the complex interplay of health and home in the third age

Allergenic components, biocides, and analysis techniques of some essential oils used in food products

Nowadays, almost 300 essential oils (EOs) are commonly traded in the world market, with a prediction to be worth over $14 billion in 2024. EOs are natural preservatives for food products in order to reduce the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, therefore their use as an antioxidant or a preservative in foods has been encouraged. They are not only considered as antimicrobial or flavoring agents, but are also incorporated into food packaging materials. There are several types of EOs which have been approved as food additives by the Food and Drug Administration. Hence, it is important to use safe EO products to minimize possible adverse effect risks such as nausea, vomiting, necrosis, nephropathy, mucous membrane, and skin irritation. This review article gives information about some EOs that are used in the food industries and the types of some allergenic compounds and biocides which could make the EOs hazardous or may cause allergenic reactions in the human body. Besides, some analysis techniques of possible allergenic compounds or biocides in EOs were introduced and supported with the most relevant studies. The overall conclusion from the study is that pregnant women, patients taking drugs (e.g., diabetics) or the having a history of allergy are the most prone to be affected from EO allergenic components. As regards to biocides, organochlorine and organophosphorus types of pesticides that are carried over from the plant may be found mostly in EOs. The most common allergic reaction is skin sensitization and irritation if the EO components are oxidized during storage or transportation. Moreover, drug interactions are one of the other possible adverse effect. Hence, determination of biocides and possible allergenic component concentrations is an essential factor when they are used as a preservative or flavoring agent. The most prominent analysis techniques are gas and liquid chromatography because most of the allergens and biocides are mainly composed of volatile components