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

We present an overview of the theory of random measurement errors, focusing on the underlying concepts rather than on a strict mathematical formulation. Although the related literature is extensive, one can frequently encounter partly or completely wrong usages of the theory. In many cases, these misuses stem from incomplete understanding of the basic principles. Our presentation is based on a discussion on similarities and differences between this theory and statistics, as they are used differently in analysing the results of an experiment. In statistics, the central parameters are the mean and standard deviation, which are related to a given statistical distribution. In the theory of random measurement errors, the mean has a different meaning, representing the best estimate of the true value of a measured quantity. The second parameter of importance is not standard deviation but the uncertainty of the mean, which sets the probability that the true value lies in a given interval around the mean. These conceptual differences are seldom pointed out, which sometimes results in doubtful or wrong analyses and presentations of measurement results. We illustrate our theoretical considerations with examples of proper and improper use of the theory.

Workplace risk assessment criteria for pregnant workers in the EU remain inconsistent and poorly harmonised, with notable gaps in practical guidelines for occupational health physicians (OHPs). This regulatory ambiguity could lead to either insufficient protection or unnecessary exclusion of pregnant workers from the workplace, with significant implications for maternal and foetal health, as well as healthcare and social security systems. The aim of this study was to propose common, harmonised criteria for workplace risk assessment in healthy pregnant workers exposed to physical exertion and biological and chemical hazards. The criteria were developed through structured expert consultation involving occupational and sports medicine specialists from the Croatian Society of Occupational Health. To that end, we compiled and presented relevant legal and scientific literature, which served as the basis for discussion. Expert opinion was obtained via an anonymous online questionnaire administered during a structured expert workshop. The proposed criteria are based on the CLP Regulation (EC No. 1272/2008) classification of reprotoxic substances, identification of key biological hazards (e.g., cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, rubella virus, varicella-zoster virus, and Toxoplasma gondii), and assessment of physical workload using the Key Indicator Methods (KIM) developed by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA). By integrating legal context, medical evidence, and expert judgment, the proposed criteria aim to support consistent, timely, and evidence-based risk assessment and to facilitate national and EU guideline development for the protection of pregnant workers.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of working hours on anxiety symptoms in highly educated helping professionals, especially through sleep duration, perceived stress and sleep quality. We analysed the results of 172 helping professionals (dentists, physicians, and psychotherapists, 57 % women, average age 25-63 years) who had participated in a larger study examining the effects of working conditions and constitutional factors on the onset of hand eczema. The participants answered a battery of questionnaires, including Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale, Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and a set of standard questions on sociodemographic characteristics, working hours, sleep, and job characteristics. They also underwent clinical examination of skin on hands and wrists. Participants reported working between 19 and 90 h a week, with 25.1 % working more than 50 h a week. Several path analysis models used in the study showed that working hours predicted anxiety only indirectly. The final model "working hours → sleep duration on workdays → perceived stress → anxiety symptoms" showed excellent fit [χ²(14)=10.345; P>0.05; CFI=1.000; RMSEA 90 % CI (0.000, 0.054); P>0.05; SRMR=0.028]. Our results indicate that long working hours are associated with shorter sleep duration, which, in turn, is associated with higher levels of perceived stress and subsequently higher levels of anxiety. Long working hours in highly educated helping professionals may therefore put at risk their own health and safety and that of the recipients of their services.

Carbapenem-resistant bacteria (CRB) pose a significant threat to public health due to their resistance to last-resort antibiotics. Even though they are widely studied in clinical settings, much less is known about their presence in environmental compartments with multiple pathways contributing to their dissemination, which raises a growing concern. The aim of this narrative review is to summarise the current knowledge about the occurrence, isolation, and characterisation of CRB in hospital and natural environments and to highlight their clinical relevance and environmental reservoirs. The CRB species pathogenic for humans - Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa - are often identified in hospital and urban sewage, wastewater treatment plants, water bodies, sediments, soil, animals, and plants. Their presence in these environments is largely attributed to anthropogenic factors such as the discharge of untreated or partially treated effluent from wastewater treatment plants. Suitable methods for CRB isolation include selective media, phenotypic assays, and molecular tools for species identification and resistance gene detection. This review also addresses the One Health approach, which stems from the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and environment in the spread of CRB. While the species-level transmission within the One Health framework is well-documented, further research is needed to establish strain-level dissemination patterns. Understanding the mechanisms of CRB persistence and transmission in diverse environments is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies to curb their spread.

One of the adverse effects of cisplatin (CIS) treatment is its reproductive toxicity, which limits its clinical use in male patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential protective effects and mechanisms of chlorogenic acid (CHA), a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenol, in a CIS-induced testicular toxicity model. To this end we divided 30 Sprague-Dawley rats into five groups: control and four groups receiving either CHA alone (3 mg/kg), CIS alone (5 mg/kg), or their weaker and stronger combinations: CIS+CHA (1.5 mg/kg) and CIS+CHA (3 mg/kg), respectively. In the combination groups the rats first received a single 5 mg/kg dose of CIS, followed by either 1.5 or 3 mg/kg of CHA administered intraperitoneally for three consecutive days. Testicular tissues were harvested on the fifth day of the experiment. The level of testicular oxidative stress and inflammation induced by CIS and the histopathological changes observed were restored to normal following treatment with both doses of CHA. Furthermore, treatment with CHA led to the regeneration of Nrf2 and HO-1 levels, which had been suppressed by CIS. Consequently, the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis were reduced. These findings indicate that CHA may counter the reproductive toxicity of CIS and may therefore serve as its add-on in cancer therapy.

Healthy as they may be, fruits and vegetables may significantly contribute to dietary pesticide intake in modern households. However, certain simple procedures, such as washing and peeling food, can help reduce this intake. Our study looks deeper into the habits of cleaning fruits and vegetables before consumption or cooking in the households of the Croatian capital Zagreb and its surroundings, based on data collected in the first, 2022-2023 wave of a larger cohort study "Exposure to pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides in children - risk assessment for adverse effects on neuropsychological development and hormonal status". Data were collected with a questionnaire completed by volunteering parents or legal guardians. Although almost all households reported washing fruits and vegetables before consumption or cooking, over 60 % did not peel fruits and vegetables that can be consumed with the peel, such as apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, and tomatoes (raw and cooked). In addition, we provide general recommendations for reducing dietary exposure to pesticide residues through simple household procedures. Croatian consumers should be better informed about which food products may contribute to higher pesticide exposure and how to reduce it.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of the impostor phenomenon among family medicine residents (FMRs) and its connection with sociodemographic factors and clinically relevant symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. During July 2023, 158 first-year FMRs were invited to fill out an anonymous online questionnaire containing sociodemographic data, history of psychiatric disorders, Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Seventynine participants responded (50 % response rate) and 59 reported some level of impostor feelings. Clinically relevant symptoms of depression were reported by 17, anxiety by 23, and stress by 20 participants. All 59 participants whose responses indicated impostor feelings above normal also had higher scores for depression, anxiety, and stress (p<0.001 in Mann-Whitney U test). Despite a small sample with uneven gender distribution and self-reported scales, our study found a significant association between the impostor phenomenon and negative mental outcomes. We believe that the impostor phenomenon among FMRs can be addressed effectively with interventions like peer support, mentoring, and practicing self-compassion if started early during medical study and specialisation.

Healthcare needs to re-evaluate its resources and make the processes more efficient. The pathologist's workspace is often narrow and limits access to grossing information mid-procedure. An ergonomic, open-front containment console - called grossing station - can improve this situation. Besides collecting airborne formaldehyde and chemical fumes, its cupboard with adjustable vertical protective screen simplifies the workflow with a customisable open work surface that allows image acquisition and includes voice recognition and waste dispensers. However, its containment efficiency and compliance with international safety standards has not yet been investigated. The aim of our study was to address this lack of information and propose a standard procedure for testing containment efficacy of next-generation grossing stations. For this purpose we ran the potassium iodide test and a formaldehyde leak test with a new tracer-gas method on a new DFB900 grossing station model and established that its protection factor of 10⁵ complied with the EU standards and the NIOSH safety limits. Future research should include a range of new grossing stations and a wide spectrum of harmful compounds that pose occupational health risk to their operators.

White storks (Ciconia ciconia L., 1758) and their nestlings have emerged as valuable bioindicators of environmental pollution, particularly in ecosystems affected by human activities. This review explores the role of white storks in biomonitoring, focusing on the use of biomarkers and pollutant analysis to understand the physiological consequences of environmental stressors. Key biomarkers, such as oxidative stress markers, immune responses, and hormonal alterations provide insight into the effects of pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides, and other toxic compounds. The biomarkers are typically measured in matrices such as blood, feathers, eggs, and tissues, each offering unique advantages in assessing pollutant exposure. However, ethical concerns regarding wildlife monitoring and the potential harm caused by invasive sampling techniques call for non-invasive methods. Future research should explore novel non-invasive techniques and employ long-term monitoring programmes to understand the cumulative effects of pollution. Despite challenges such as biological variability and environmental factors, white storks remain reliable indicators of ecological change and pollutant burden, providing critical data that can guide pollution management policies, inform conservation strategies, and protect both wildlife and human health from current environmental threats.