Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju-Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology最新文献

In this study we monitored exposure to airborne dust in workers performing various tasks at two biomass-fuelled thermal power plants (27 and 46 MW) over six years. The plants are mainly fuelled by forest wood chips and, to a lesser extent, by agro-food products, with annual consumption of about 300 and 450 kt. We focused on inhalable wood dust because of its potential carcinogenicity to humans. Worker exposure was assessed with personal samplers, drawing ambient air in their breathing zone to determine the real external dose of dust inhaled by the workers and the associated occupational risk. With but a few exceptions, exposure to inhalable wood dust complies to the limit of 2 mg/m³ given by the European Directives 2019/130 and 2017/2398. Further investigations will be necessary to obtain a larger number of measurements that allow for a more robust statistical investigation of the results.

Environmental contamination with Klebsiella pneumoniae biofilm can be a source of healthcare-associated infections. Disinfection with various biocidal active substances is usually the method of choice to remove contamination with biofilm. In this study we tested 13 different disinfection protocols using gaseous ozone, citric acid, and three working concentrations of benzalkonium chloride-based professional disinfecting products on 24-hour-old biofilms formed by two K. pneumoniae strains on ceramic tiles. All tested protocols significantly reduced total bacterial counts compared to control, varying from a log₁₀ CFU reduction factor of 1.4 to 5.6. Disinfection combining two or more biocidal active substances resulted in significantly better anti-biofilm efficacy than disinfection with single substances, and the most effective combination for both strains was that of citric acid, gaseous ozone, and benzalkonium chloride. This follow up study is limited to K. pneumoniae alone, and to overcome this limitation, future studies should include more bacterial species, both Gram-positive and Gramnegative, and more samples for us to find optimal disinfection protocols, applicable in real hospital settings.

Caffeine is a natural stimulant of plant origin found in many products such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks. It is also often used as an active substance in over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers and preparations for the treatment of colds and allergies. While caffeine is generally considered safe when moderately consumed, excessive intake in a single dose or through repeated small doses over time can lead to caffeine intoxication. Symptoms of caffeine intoxication can vary depending on the amount of caffeine consumed and can include restlessness, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. In severe cases, caffeine intoxication can lead to convulsions, coma, and even death. This mini-review presents an overview of caffeine's characteristics and intoxication including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It addresses risk factors associated with caffeine intoxication and presents current recommendations for safe caffeine consumption. The studies we have reviewed suggest that in cases of fatal caffeine intoxications, intentional intoxication is more common than unintentional.

Since the beginning of the corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, nursing home residents had been under strict quarantine, which greatly affected their lifestyle and health. In this follow-up study, we analysed whether lifestyle changes during the lockdown had an impact on their body composition and nutritional status. For this purpose we determined body composition, nutritional status, and osteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA) prevalence in 24 volunteer nursing home residents just before the February 2020 COVID-19 lockdown and about 15 months into the lockdown. Body composition (total bone mass, lean and fat tissue components) was assessed with bioelectrical impedance. OSA was established if the participants had sarcopenia, osteopenia, and adiposity. Information on dietary habits, weight loss, and selfperception of health were obtained with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) form, while nutritional status was assessed with the MNA-Short Form (SF). At baseline, OSA was determined in 14 participants and at the follow-up in 16 participants. The results show an overall decrease in bone and lean tissues and increase in fat tissue. There were significantly more participants with a normal nutritional status than those at risk of malnutrition or malnourished (p=0.045). Our findings suggest that negative changes in body composition during the pandemic are owed to age rather than to changes in lifestyle caused by the pandemic. Regular monitoring of body composition in nursing homes may help to preserve the health of older people in general and particularly in cases of possible future lockdowns.

We investigated the effectiveness of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) covers in reducing landfill emissions of hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), ammonia (NH₃), and inhalable particulate matter smaller than 10 μm in diameter (PM₁₀) at the Waste Management Centre Marišćina (Croatia) by comparing air quality data from 2018, prior to the installation of the HDPE cover, with data from 2021, post-installation. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in H₂S and PM₁₀ concentrations (36.76 % and 24.18 %, respectively). However, NH₃ levels unexpectedly increased by 20.48 %, suggesting the presence of additional sources of ammonia in the vicinity of the centre or changes in landfill microenvironment. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of HDPE covers in controlling specific landfill emissions and the need for a comprehensive environmental management strategy to address all pollutants. Future research should also investigate the long-term effects of HDPE cover on landfill emissions and how they could contribute to broader environmental goals, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.

Tattooing has become a popular global trend in industrialised countries, with the highest prevalence rates of up to 30-40 % in the adult population younger than 40 years. Common tattoo inks may contain heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and primary aromatic amines, toxic if exceeding permissible limits. It is estimated that about 14.36 mg of ink is injected per cm² of skin, at a depth of 1-3 mm. The injected pigment is internalised by neutrophils, fibroblasts, and macrophages or dendritic cells. About 60-90 % of the pigment is then transported to the lymph nodes via the lymphatic system and to other organs, such as the liver, spleen, and lung, through blood. Adverse reactions can be immediate (irritation, infection, inflammation of the skin), delayed (hypersensitivity reactions), and can result in long-term complications (fibrosis, granulomatous changes, systemic inflammation, and sometimes malignant diseases such as lymphoma). Pigments in tattooed skin can be identified by skin biopsy, chemical imaging, and histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. Harmful effects of tattoo inks have been investigated ex vivo, in vitro, in vivo, and recently in silico. Studies in humans mainly refer to case reports, but there are no epidemiological studies that would evaluate the potential links between tattoos and cancer or other disorders. As the safety of people getting tattoos primarily depends on the quality of tattooing products, it is necessary to create a general regulatory framework.

Medicinal mushroom extracts, i.e. their dried biomass, have long been known as sources of bioactive compounds with positive effects on the human health. The antioxidant, antigenotoxic, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties of the commercially available extracts Agaricus blazei auct. non Murrill (AB), Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc. (CS), and Immune Assist (IA) have already been documented. This study, studied the influence of these three mushrooms on the viability of cell lines MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and HS-5. The cytotoxicity of AB, CS, and IA at different concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 μg/mL) was evaluated using the MTT assay. The results showed that AB was the most effective and induced cytotoxicity in both cancer cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 96.7 μg/mL for MCF-7 and 368.4 μg/mL for MDA-MB-231. After treatment with CS and IA, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration was reached only in MDA- MB-231 cells (IC₅₀=613 μg/mL for CS and 343.3 μg/mL for IA). We have shown here that AB, CS and IA can suppress the growth of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, while affecting the survival of healthy HS-5 cells to a much lesser extent. Our in vitro results suggested that AB, CS and IA are promising natural sources with potential anticancer activity.

The burnout syndrome has been in the focus of occupational health experts for several decades, and a new diagnostic tool - Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-23) - has given a strong impetus to its research. The tool is designed to self-assess four core dimensions of the burnout syndrome: chronic exhaustion, cognitive and emotional impairment at work, and mental distancing from work. However, little is known about how burnout is assessed from the perspective of a colleague. The aim of our study was to compare the answers to the BAT-23 questionnaire provided by nurses and their immediate supervisors to see if these coincide or differ. Data were collected on a sample of 48 pairs (N=96) of nurses from a clinical hospital in Croatia. Each pair consisted of the head nurse of a particular ward and a randomly selected subordinate nurse in the same ward. BAT-23 was applied in supervisor- and self-assessment versions. Both assessments showed high reliability coefficients (0.73-0.90 for supervisor rating and 0.72-0.86 for self-rating). Cohen's kappa index of agreement between the two was low (0.059; 62.5 %). As expected, self-assessments indicated high incidence of burnout in nurses, whereas the assessment of their immediate supervisors showed a tendency to underestimate their burnout experience.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that range from 30 to 150 nm in size and are formed through cellular endocytosis. They consist of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids at varying ratios and quantities. The composition and spatiotemporal dynamics of exosomes suggest that they play a crucial role in intercellular communication. The information conveyed by exosomes significantly impacts the regulation of health and disease states in the organism. The term "noxious" refers to all harmful environmental agents and conditions that can disrupt the physiological equilibrium and induce pathological states, regardless whether of radiological, biological, or chemical origin. This review comprehensively examines the presence of such noxious agents within the organism in relation to exosome formation and function. Furthermore, it explores the cause-effect relationship between noxious agents and exosomes, aiming to restore physiological homeostasis and prepare the organism for defence against harmful agents. Regardless of the specific bioinformatic content associated with each noxious agent, synthesis of data on the interactions between various types of noxious agents and exosomes reveals that an organized defence against these agents is unachievable without the support of exosomes. Consequently, exosomes are identified as the primary communication and information system within an organism, with their content being pivotal in maintaining the health-disease balance.

Ensuring food safety in kindergartens is crucial for protecting the health of young children. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of 113 kitchen employees across the capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. These employees prepare and serve two to four meals daily for children under six. The study aimed to explore correlations between KAP and sociodemographic characteristics and compare self-reported practices with the observed ones. We hypothesized a significant association between the kitchen staff's knowledge, attitudes, and food handling practices, emphasizing education and training for better hygiene practices. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and checklists. Respondents showed moderate knowledge (77.25±2.69 %) and positive attitudes (95.72±4.53 %), while observed practices were not as high (64.65±27.73 %). A weak positive correlation existed between knowledge and attitudes (r=0.190; p=0.04). Higher education, work experience, and frequent training were associated with better knowledge (p<0.05). Sociodemographic characteristics did not significantly influence attitudes and practices. Multivariate logistic regression indicated knowledge and attitude as predictors, with food safety attitude impacting safe handling practices. Our findings showed moderate knowledge and positive attitudes do not necessarily lead to good practices, as there was no significant correlation between knowledge and self-reported practices or between attitudes and self-reported practices. Education is crucial, as educated staff were more likely to know more about temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and equipment hygiene. Overcoming external barriers such as infrastructure and time constraints is essential to applying knowledge fostering positive attitudes and improving hygiene practices in kindergartens. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to ensure safe food handling practices in childcare settings, emphasizing continuous education to maintain food safety standards.