Roczniki Panstwowego Zakladu Higieny最新文献

Emerging variants of COVID-19 have threatened the effectiveness of intramuscular (IM) vaccines since that are made to target only the spike protein. Development of Intranasal (IN) vaccination has been proven to provide both the mucosal and systemic immune responses for broader and long lasting protection. Many IN vaccine candidates (virus-vectored vaccines, recombinant subunit vaccines and live attenuated vaccines) are in different phases of clinical trials and in near future many companies would be releasing their vaccines into the drug market. Potential advantages of IN vaccination over IM vaccination makes them ideal to be administered in children and developing populations of the world. This paper focuses on the very recent developments in intranasal vaccination with a spotlight on their safety and efficacy concerns. IN vaccination can prove to be game-changer in handling COVID-19 and potential viral contagious diseases in future.

Background: Physalis peruviana L. fruit contains nutritional and bioactive compounds of immense importance to public health and represents a potential ingredient for the development of functional foods and beverages.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the chemical and nutritional composition as well as the antioxidant capacity of the P. peruviana L. fruit grown in Peru in three areas of the Central Andean region.

Material and methods: Proximal and physicochemical analyses and estimation of mineral content, vitamin C, total carotenoids, total polyphenols, and antioxidant capacity (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and 2, 2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) [ABTS] assays) were performed using standardized methods.

Results: The fruits were collected from three regions of the Peruvian Andes (Ancash, Cajamarca, and Cusco). The results showed that the content of potassium (306.54-327.60 mg/100 g) and iron (12.93-14.47 mg/kg) was prominent. The Physalis fruit had high levels of vitamin C (47.20-52.20 mg/100 g), total polyphenols (68.17-83.40 mg equivalents of gallic acid/100 g), and carotenoids (1.12-1.73 mg β-carotene/100 g). Higher values for antioxidant capacity were obtained with the ABTS method (896-1003.33 μmol Trolox/100 g) than with the DPPH method (290-309 μmol Trolox/100 g).

Conclusions: This study confirms that the P. peruviana fruit has properties that could provide important health benefits and that it could be used for the development of functional foods and food supplement.

Background: The number of vegans in the world is growing and in Slovakia and the Czech Republic they make up 1% of the population. Vegan diet excludes all foods of animal origin and vegans who do not use vitamin B12 supplements are at risk of the vitamin B12 deficiency.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine what proportion of Czech and Slovak vegans use vitamin B12 supplements regularly, irregularly or not at all and what is their supplemental cobalamin intake.

Materials and methods: The research involved 1337 self-identified vegans from Slovakia and the Czech Republic who were interviewed using the CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interview) method. Participants were recruited by posts in veganism-themed social media groups.

Results: Out of 1337 vegans 55.5% supplemented cobalamin regularly, 32.54% irregularly and 11.97% were not supplementing. Rate of not supplementing individuals was 5.04% higher in Slovaks than in Czechs. Short-term vegans had a significantly higher rate of not supplementing individuals (17.99%) compared to medium-term (8.37%) and long-term vegans (7.50%). Mean weekly cobalamin intake from supplements was 2938.34±2566.60 μg in regularly supplementing vegans compared to 1630.31±1949.27 μg in irregularly supplementing vegans, particularly due to the lower weekly supplementation frequency among irregularly (2.93) compared to regularly supplementing vegans (5.27).

Conclusions: The rate of supplementation in Slovak and particularly Czech vegans was higher than in other countries. The number of not supplementing individuals was significantly higher among short-term vegans, indicating that there is still a need for education on the importance of adequate and regular cobalamin supplementation, especially in new vegans. Our results support the hypothesis that the reason for higher rate of cobalamin deficiency in irregularly compared to regularly supplementing vegans is the lower cobalamin intake caused by lower supplementation frequency.

Background: Ionizing radiation (IR) carry adequate energy to ionize or remove electrons from an atom. Particles interact with water to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). Genistein (GEN) is a naturally occurring phytoestrogen and the basic isoflavonoid in soybeans and soybean-enriched products and is believed to have the strongest antioxidant activity.

Objective: The study aimed at the investigation if application of GEN at different time prior or past irradiation may ameliorate or reduce injury of DNA in human lymphocytes.

Material and methods: The isolated lymphocytes were exposed to X-irradiation (0.5; 1 Gy). GEN (1 µM/ml; 10 µM/ ml) was appended to attempts at various times prior or past irradiation (1 h prior, immediately prior, immediately past, 1 h past). We joined each X-rays dose with each GEN dose. After 1h of incubation DNA damages were examined using Comet assay.

Results: Combination of 1 µM/ml of GEN given 1 h before irradiation with low or high dose markedly decreased induced by irradiation DNA injury. Higher dose of GEN applied immediately before or after irradiation markedly extended the frequency of DNA injury generated by irradiation. The result of application 1 µM/ml GEN 1 h after irradiation was not significantly different compared to control. The effect of 1 Gy + 10 µM/ml GEN was not significantly lower compared to each agent alone.

Conclusions: Only a very low concentration of GEN applied before irradiation, may be considered as a potential radiomitigator/radioprotector. High doses of GEN work as a radiosentitizer and may potent the effects of radiotherapy.

Background: Organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are widely used, and their adverse health effects remain a serious problem.

Objectives: This investigation aimed to describe risk factors, erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, and self-reported symptoms and to derive an association between influence factors and erythrocyte AChE inhibition among farmers in Thailand.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 71 farmers from August to October 2022. General characteristics and pesticide exposure factors were elicited via a questionnaire-based interview. The erythrocyte AChE inhibition was assessed using the EQM Test-mate Cholinesterase (Model 400) instrument. Data were presented descriptively and analyzed statistically using Chi-square and binary logistic regression.

Results: Most farmers were over 50 years old and had an abnormal body mass index (BMI) without alcohol consumption and smoking. Aprons (18.31%) and protective eyewear (12.68%) as personal protective equipment (PPE) were found to be used less often. The level of hemoglobin-adjusted erythrocyte AChE (Q) was considered normal when it was 59.15% and abnormal when it was 40.85%. Self-reported symptoms were confirmed to be associated with lower erythrocyte AChE levels. The Chi-square analysis showed that shortness of breath, irritation, headache, dizziness, sleep fragmentation, and memory problems were significantly associated with erythrocyte AChE (p < 0.05). The bivariate analysis revealed that farmers who consumed alcohol while using pesticides (mixing, loading, and spraying) (OR=35.821, 95% CI=4.591-279.490), who did not wear a mask while using pesticides (OR=11.898, 95% CI=1.061-133.440), and who did not wear boots while using pesticides (OR=0.166, 95% CI=0.031-0.890) had an increased likelihood of having a severe inhibition of erythrocyte AChE.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that the promotion of risk prevention practices must be imposed on appropriate pesticide handling and PPE use among farmers.

Background: Body Mass Index (BMI) is dependent on, among others, diet and level of physical activity. Seniors are more prone to nutritional disorders than other population groups.

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between BMI and nutritional behaviours as well as the functional fitness level of senior women.

Materials and methods: The research was carried out among a group of 120 women aged 60-84, using the TANITA SC-330ST body composition analyser, the HOLTAIN anthropometer, the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test and the authordesigned nutritional behaviour questionnaire for seniors. Statistical analyses were conducted using the IBM SPSS 21 statistical package, applying the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA tests with comparisons of z tests at the significance level p<0.05.

Results: In terms of the relationship between BMI and functional fitness indices, it was shown that women with normal weight obtained higher results for the lower body (p=0.043) and upper body agility tests than obese women (p<0.001). Females with normal BMI also obtained higher results in the endurance test than the overweight women (p=0.038). In terms of the correlation between BMI and nutritional behaviours, it was demonstrated that women with a healthy body mass more often ate varied, low-volume meals than those overweight (p=0.026). Women with correct weight ate fish, eggs and lean meat more often than obese women (p=0.036). Obese women consumed 3-5 portions of fruit and vegetables less frequently during the day than women with normal body mass (p=0.029) and those overweight (p=0.015). Obese women were less likely to eat sea fish at least 1-2 times a week than overweight females (p=0.040) and those with normal BMI (p<0.001). At the same time, women with a normal BMI indicated a higher degree of performed daily physical activity than the overweight women (p=0.028) and those with obesity (p=0.030).

Conclusions: Women with normal BMI presented more rational nutrition habits and higher functional fitness than overweight and obese senior women.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are naturally occurring xanthophylls, mainly present in green, leafy vegetables and egg's yolk. Their presence is connected with blue spectrum light absorbance, including UV. This property, and fact, that these xanthophylls are accumulated by human eye's macula, leads to eye's protective functions of them including protection from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Also, antioxidative features of lutein and zeaxanthin are boosting overall health of human body. Numerous studies proves anti-inflammatory and protective attributes of these compounds, based on many, different mechanisms. One of them is regulating redox potential in cells, and impact on expression of linked genes. In preventing of eye diseases, an important gene that is regulated by lutein and zeaxanthin is the Nrf2 gene, whose increased activity leads to optimizing the cellular response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and preventing related diseases. Other research confirms antiproliferative properties of mentioned compounds in case of certain human cancer cell lines. There are e.g.: HepG2 (hepatitis cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer), which treated in vitro with lutein solution showed reduction of cell growth. Lutein alone, during in vivo studies conducted on mice, exhibited also radioprotective properties, positively affecting the vitality of animals. Lutein provides also increasing of tolerance to UV radiation, reducing inflammatory processes in the skin and preventing oncogenesis. Low intake of lutein and zeaxanthin, associated with "western diet", rich in simple carbohydrates and processed food, common in developed countries, including Poland, is linked with diabetes and obesity incidence. Assuming, lutein and zeaxanthin significantly affect the well-being of the human body, and their appropriate amount in diet can help reduce risk of many diseases. For supplementation, the optimized dosage of these xanthophylls includes doses of 10 mg for lutein and 2 mg for zeaxanthin, and it is recommended to consume along with fats or meals rich in fats.

Background: Meat and fish contain easily digestible whole protein, B vitamins and numerous minerals, such as zinc, phosphorus and iron, thanks to which these products have a high nutritional value.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of consumption of meat and fish in young adults depending on gender.

Material and methods: Data was collected from 200 respondents aged 19-30 using online survey questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three parts. The first part contained questions about sociodemographic and anthropometric data, the second part contained a question regarding the self-assessment of the diet. Whereas, the third part of the questionnaire concerned the frequency of consumption of meat and fish. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using Statistica 13.3 software and statistical significance was assumed at the p≤0.05 level.

Results: Meat consumption was declared by 86.5% of the respondents (83% of women and 90% of men), usually 5-6 times a week (20%). Gender statistically significantly differentiated the frequency of meat consumption. Men significantly more often consumed total meat (p=0.002), red meat (p=0.001) and poultry (p=0.004) compared to women. Fish was eaten by 85% of the respondents, and 39% only 1-3 times a month. Respondents preferred oily fish. There were no statistically significant differences in the consumption of fish by men and women.

Conclusions: Considering the complexity of the relationship between men and women's meat and fish consumption and health, research is needed to clarify the amounts of meat and fish consumed, the degrees and how they are processed, and the reasons for eating or not eating them. This can be helpful in directions for nutritional education.

Background: Milk is a nutritious food for humans, but it is also an ideal growth medium for pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes or Campylobacter spp, which can cause food poisoning.

Objective: For this reason, we evaluated the microbiological, physicochemical and hygienic quality of raw milk samples in 9 milk collection centres and cooperatives in the Beni-Mellal-Khenifr region before and after the implementation of the quality management system, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP).

Materials and method: The microbiological and physico-chemical quality of 184 raw milk samples in 9 milk collection centres and cooperatives in the Beni-Mellal-Khenifra region was evaluated before and after the implementation of the quality management, hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) system.

Results: The physico-chemical results obtained after the implementation of HACCP revealed that 78% of the samples analysed were below the maximum limits authorised at international level. A pH between 6.6 ±0.11 and 6.8±0.02, an acidity of 15°D, the milk is stable according to the Ramsdell test which is negative at 0.9. The temperature remains within the acceptance range with an average of 6.62 ±0.45°C to 7.7 ±0.36°C and the fat content is between 33 and 45g/ml. We also noted an improvement in the microbiological quality of milk in 81% of collection centres and cooperatives. The level of contamination by total coliforms is from 2.5x104 to 11.5x104 CFU/ml lower than the Moroccan standard (NM 08.0. 100) of 1.5x104 CFU/ml to 20.3x104 CFU/ml, the total aerobic mesophilic flora and the psychrotrophs have an average of 2.5x105 germs/ml to 82x105 germs/ml lower than before improvement (12.5x105 germs/ml to 192x105 germs/ml).

Conclusion: We can conclude that the work done leads to an improvement and satisfaction of the quality of raw milk compared to the standard after the implementation of HACCP.

Background: Students are a group particularly high risk of adverse effects from such restrictions introduced within counter transmission the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Fear felt of contracting the disease and social isolation can lead to consuming excessive amounts of energy with food, resulting in weight gain and eating disorders.

Objective: The aim of the study was analysed selected lifestyle aspects of Polish and Turkish students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the existence of differences between the lifestyles of these individuals during the two periods.

Material and methods: The study was conducted at the turn of 2020-2021 among 435 students, including 331 Polish and 104 Turkish students. The research instrument was an original questionnaire created in a Google Forms, consisting of metric and a proper part regarding lifestyle before and during the pandemic. Prior to the actual study, in order to verify whether the research tool is understandable, a pilot study was conducted, which included 40 individuals. The Wilcoxon test was used to examine the differences between the lifestyle of students before and during the pandemic. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Both before and during the pandemic, most Polish students ate 4-5 meals daily (52.9% and 47.7%, respectively), while most Turkish students ate 3 meals (47.1% and 38.5%, respectively). There were statistically significant differences in: duration of sleep (p=0.001), way of spending one's leisure time (p=0.001) and type of physical activity (p=0.001) among the Polish and Turkish students before and during the pandemic.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed changes in the lifestyle of both Polish and Turkish students during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. This indicates the need to develop interventions to prevent harmful behaviour and their health consequences in the future.