Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine最新文献

Introduction and objective: The hygienic status of arable soils in most developed countries has been unknown. In the presented study, a preliminary investigation was undertaken to determine the contamination with eggs of parasitic nematodes in the soil of arable fields in Poland. The aim of the study was to determine whether such contamination is common enough to constitute a significant problem and what factors may influence it.

Material and methods: The study was conducted in 5 Polish provinces from autumn 2021 to spring 2022. The provinces differed significantly in terms of the area of agricultural land, agricultural suitability, type of soil, scale of cattle and pig breeding, production of manure and slurry, and the use of manures and organic fertilizers for fertilization. A total of 133 soil samples were collected. Parasitological examination of soil samples was carried out using the PN-Z-19006 method [1], with confirmed high sensitivity.

Results: Parasite eggs were found in a total of 67 samples, of which 56 samples contained eggs of roundworms of the genus Ascaris (an average of 3.29 eggs/100 g of soil), 23 contained eggs of whipworms (an average of 1.22 eggs/100 g), and 3 contained eggs of Toxocara (1 egg/100 g).

Conclusions: Differences in the percentage of positive samples were found depending on the period in which the samples were taken. The percentage of positive samples collected in autumn (53.57%) was higher than the percentage of positive samples collected in spring (48.05%). Similarly, the average number of eggs of in positive samples collected in autumn (3.43 eggs/100 g) was higher than the average number of eggs in samples collected in spring (2.90 eggs/100 g). Differences in the percentage of positive samples were also found depending on the region of origin of the samples.

Introduction and objective: Legionella bacteria are commonly found in natural aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds and hot springs. Legionella infection occurs through the inhalation of water-air aerosol generated, for example, by showers or hot tubs. The most common species responsible for infection is Legionella pneumophila, which can cause Pontiac fever, and Legionnaires' disease, as well as a rare extrapulmonary form. The aim of the study's is to assess the susceptibility of Legionella pneumophila bacteria isolated from water systems of public buildings in Poland to antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of Legionellosis pneumonia.

Material and methods: A total of 100 L. pneumophila strains isolated from public buildings, such as hospitals and water recreation facilities, were used for the study. The drug sensitivity of the following antibiotics was determined: erythromycin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, rifampicin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. Mean MIC50 and MIC90 values were read using accepted standards.

Results: The highest mean MIC value was obtained for tetracycline 6,130+/-0,353 μg/ml (with a range from 1,500 μg/ml to 16,000 μg/ml. In contrast, the lowest MIC was recorded with rifampicin: 0.020+/-0.037 μg/ml (with a range from 0.016 μg/ml to 0.380 μg/ml).

Conclusions: The lowest biocidal concentration was found for levofloxacin, the highest for tetracycline. The highest MIC50 and MIC90 values were found for tetracycline and the lowest for rifampicin. The highest biocidal values were found for azithromycin and the lowest for tetracycline.

Introduction and objective: Shift work increases the risk of breast cancer, but the mechanisms is still under discussion. This study evaluates the relationship between breast cancer and shift work on the basis of overweight and obesity among postmenopausal women.

Material and methods: We examined this association using data from a case-control study carried between 2015 and 2019. The study involved 111 postmenopausal women with breast cancer and the same number of control participants. A self-reporting questionnaire was used for data collection. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to find correlations between variables and determine the strength of relationships.

Results: A 2.65-fold risk of breast cancer (OR=2.65; 95% CI: 1.34-5.22) was found among shift work women, compared with postmenopausal women not performing shift work. The association was modified by body mass index, showing a risk rate 9.84 times higher (OR=9.84; 95% CI: 2.14-45.19) among shift work and overweight women, compared to non-overweight women who had never been shift workers.

Conclusions: About 49% of controls and 72% of cases had ever worked in a job that required shift work. The risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women is associated with shift work, especially among overweight women. Some preventive measures to reduce the risk of breast cancer, in particular regarding a healthy lifestyle and weight control in this group of working women, should be implemented.

Introduction and objective: Research is required to better understand the variables related to the frequency and cohesiveness of family meals. The aim of the study was to determine the association of eating meals with the family with other types of eating behaviours, sedentary behaviours, and physical activity based on a self-reported questionnaire carried out on a sample of the Polish population of rural adolescents.

Material and methods: The analysis was performed among adolescents living in rural areas who participated in a survey conducted within the framework of the 'Trzymaj formę!' ('Keep Fit!') programme on eating behaviours. The survey questionnaire was completed by 2,362 teenagers aged 13-16.

Results: Generally, positive evidence in terms of eating behaviours resulted in a higher likelihood of eating meals together with family. Not eating breakfast resulted in a decreased chance of eating meals together with the family. The results show that with regard to the use of computers at weekends, in the case of using them for a rather limited time, i.e. from 0.5-2 hours a day, there was a greater chance of having meals together.

Conclusions: The results confirm the role of educational programmes in increasing the chances of sharing meals with the family, which confirms the validity of conducting this type of education among children and adolescents. It can be also concluded that the more positive eating behaviours of the surveyed junior high students aged 13-16, consisting in more frequent consumption of fruit, greater consumption of cereal products, and more water consumed during the day, is proof of the positive influence of parents on the nutritional behaviour of their children. This is consistent with good intra-family relationships reflected in a greater tendency to spend time together over a family meal.

Introduction and objective: Relief from routine physical tasks leads to increasingly sedentary behaviour (SB) - a risk factor for non-communicable chronic diseases. It is necessary to gather interdisciplinary knowledge about the possibilities of its reduction. The aim of the study is to analyse SB and its conditions among Polish white-collar and blue-collar workers.

Material and methods: The study is based on data retrieved from a large-scale survey used to collect information on the physical activity of Polish society. The data were gathered on a representative sample of Poles at working age ≤69 years old in 2017 (n=2,131). The Polish long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-LF) was used. Statistical inference was based on non-parametric (U-Mann Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis) tests.

Results: The total average sitting time of the respondents was 1,958.5 min./week. White-collar workers are more likely (p 7.5 h/day (20.2% vs 9%), and blue-collar - ≤4.5 h/day (56.5% vs 42.1%). On a weekday, white-collar workers are sitting significantly longer. The bigger the place of residence, the longer the time sitting in both groups (p=0.000). The time of sitting on a non-working day does not differ among white-collar (221.4 min./day) and blue-collar workers (230.4 min./day). White-collar workers sit longer in vehicles (p <0.0001): 482.4 vs blue-collar workers 326.8 min./week.

Conclusions: The results suggest a change in Polish recommendations regarding the SB. Blue-collar and white-collar workers need support from the State policy in this matter and need guidance from pro-health programmes. It is necessary to intensify coherent, interdisciplinary and intersectoral activities aimed at creating environments that effectively counteract SB in the place of work and residence, especially in the larger agglomerations.