Hair vanadium content and nutritional status of students of the Medical University of Białystok

The aim of the study was to determine the vanadium content in the hair of students of the Medical University of Bia?ystok and to find out whether its level in the organism measured basing on its hair content correlates with the nutritional status. The study involved 134, 127 and 125 students in the years 2000-2003, respectively. Hair vanadium content was determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method with atomization in a graphite cuvette (ET AAS) on a Hitachi Z-5000 apparatus. The nutritional status was evaluated based on the body mass index BMI. Higher vanadium content was detected in the hair of female students compared to male students. Negative correlation was noted between vanadium content in the hair of female students and their nutritional status.     

The evaluation of nutrition quality of adolescents living in residential schools at the province of Bia?ystok]

The aim of this study was an assessment of nutrition quality of adolescents living in boarding schools at the province of Bia?ystok. The investigations were carried out in the range of nutritional value and contamination level of lead, cadmium, mercury, copper and zinc in daily food rations given to young people. The nutrition quality was determined by calculating the energy and nutritional components during ten days (decade), using computer programme "Menu". Chemical analysis were made on individual meals, which create daily food ration per estimated day. All the studies (in 1997 and 1998 year) were done according to the methods referred in chapter on this article "Material and methods of research". It was found, (during two years study) that nutrition of young people in boarding schools devites from recommended dietary allowances. High products consumption from groups: "meat and its products", "butter" and "other fats", caused too high energy contribution taken from dietary fats of whole daily energy and high iron intake. The percent proportion from energy supplied from proteins was maintained in recommended value. The consumption deficit in groups "milk and dairy products", "vegetables and fruit rich in vitamin C reflected in the low percent of realization of the requirements for calcium and vitamin C. Exceedation of permissible tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of cadmium and mercury wasn't stated, (in 1997 year) while 26% of estimated in 1997 year, and 14% in 1998 diets were above PTWI for lead. Daily intake of copper and zinc was lower than maximal tolerable daily intake (MTDI). Some assessed (during 1997 and 1998 year) rations didn't cover the requirements for zinc, while in 81% estimated diets in 1997 and 76% in 1998, the recommended intake level of copper was exceeded. The contents of sodium chloride in daily food rations analyzed in 1997 year ranged from 13.8 g to 27.2 g and the highest source of dietary salt were dinner meals (6.9 g-13.2 g), analogous in current year--from 10.8 g to 38.3 g, with contents of salt in dinner meals--5.7 g to 14.4 g. The investigation from 1997 and 1998 year prove, that nutrition of adolescent in boarding schools isn't correct according to rational diet principles. There is the need of giving systematic training for people who are planing and realising nutrition in boarding schools, and taking up other activity mobilizing personnel for higher engagement in young people nutrition problem.     

Prospective study of rotaviral infections in children hospitalized at the Clinic of Pediatric Infectious Diseases in Białystok in 2003

Rotavirus is the most common gastrointestinal pathogen in infants and young children. The aim of this study was to determine the role of rotavirus in acute diarrhea in children hospitalized in Pediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic in Bialystok. 658 children aged 0-7 years admitted to the ward: 466 children with gastroenteritis and another 192 without any diarrheic symptoms were tested for rotavirus infection by latex agglutination. Rotavirus was detected in 16.1% stool specimens collected from children with acute diarrhea. None of patients without diarrhea was positive for rotavirus on admission--2% of this patients acquired symptomatic rotavirus infection during hospitalization. This study delivers epidemiological data on rotavirus infection and shows the need of further study on etiology of viral gastroenteritis in children in our district.     

Assessment of intra-urban variability in indoor air quality and its impact on children’s health

The results from a number of studies suggest that children living close to busy roads may have impaired respiratory health. The study reported here was designed specifically to test the hypothesis that exhaust from traffic has an impact on indoor air quality and children’s respiratory health. Children living at three different locations in a suburban area in India were enrolled in the study, and the concentrations of indoor air quality parameters were measured at selected households during the period March 2006–February 2007 using portable air quality monitors. Respiratory symptoms were identified by means of a questionnaire completed by parents and from the results of a pulmonary function test (PFT) carried out using an electronic Spiro Meter. The logistic regression model revealed associations between respiratory symptoms and traffic-related indoor air pollutants among our study population. The prevalence of respiratory disorders was greater among children living in close proximity to traffic sources than among those living more distant from these sources, even after the adjustment of confounding factors. We also found intra-urban variability of indoor air quality and associated differences in respiratory symptoms. Our findings support the hypothesis that traffic has an impact on indoor air quality and that it is associated with children’s health. The findings from this study have important policy and program implications, including the need for public information campaigns designed to inform people about the risks of exposure to traffic exhausts.     

Characterization of inpatients at the medical and surgical units of the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto Medical School Hospital, according to the level of dependence on nursing care

This study characterized inpatients' level of dependence on nursing care at the medical and surgical hospitalization units of the University of S?o Paulo at Ribeir?o Preto Medical School Hospital, Brazil, from April to June 2002. It also identified the mean bed occupation rate in the units under study. Perroca's Patient Classification System (2000) was used. Nine thousand, seven hundred and nineteen patients/day were classified at the medical units and 8,667 at the surgical units. In both the medical and surgical hospitalization units, there was a predominance of patients classified under the minimum level of nursing care with 70.3% and 66.9%, respectively. The mean bed occupation rate varied from 54.3 to 93.1% at the medical units and from 43.4 to 60.2% at the surgical units. The study allowed for the acquisition of knowledge about the clients with respect to the demand for nursing care with a view to the further development of nursing staff dimensioning.     

Health-related quality of life of firefighters and police officers 8.5 years after the air disaster in Amsterdam

Background In 1992 a cargo aircraft crashed into apartment buildings in Amsterdam. In the troublesome aftermath rumours emerged on potential toxic exposures and health consequences. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term impact of this disaster on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of professional assistance workers. Methods Historic cohort study, using questionnaires to assess occupational disaster exposure, HRQoL (SF36), and background variables, at on average 8.5 years post-disaster. Participating were the exposed professional firefighters (n = 334) and police officers (n = 834) who reported disaster-related task(s), and their non-exposed colleagues who did not report such tasks (n = 194, and n = 634, respectively). Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that exposed workers reported a significantly lower physical HRQoL and vitality than non-exposed workers. Exposed police officers also reported a lower mental HRQoL. Among exposed workers, a lower HRQoL was reported significantly more often by workers who had a close one affected by the disaster; by firefighters who rescued people, cleaned-up, or witnessed the immediate disaster scene; and by police officers who supported the injured. Exposed police officers who perceived the disaster as ‘not bad’ reported a lower HRQoL less often than those to whom it was ‘the worst ever’. Conclusions This study demonstrates that professional disaster assistance workers are at risk for a lower HRQoL, even after years. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Medical School Hotline: A History of the University of Hawai‘i Postgraduate Medical Education Program at Okinawa Chubu Hospital, 1966–2012

The University of Hawai‘i (UH) has been collaborating with Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital for over 46 years. This collaboration started as a post-World War II effort to increase the physician workforce. At the initiation of the US Army and State Department, the University of Hawai‘i was recruited, in cooperation with the government of the Ryukyus and USCAR, to initiate a US style postgraduate clinical training program. The Postgraduate Medical Training Program of University of Hawai‘i at Okinawa Chubu Hospital introduced a style of training similar to that in the US by offering a rotating internship. The initial contract had UH establish and run the Postgraduate Medical Training Program of University of Hawaii at Okinawa Central Hospital. After Okinawa''s reversion to Japan, under a new contract, UH physicians participated as consultants by providing lectures at “grand rounds” and guidance to faculty, staff, and students. To date, 895 physicians have completed the University of Hawai‘i Postgraduate Medical Training Program with 74 currently training. Approximately 662 (74%) of the trainees have remained in Okinawa Prefecture to practice medicine. As a result, the program has enhanced the physician workforce for the islands of Okinawa and neighbor archipelagos of Miyako and Yaeyama Islands.     

Asthma-like symptoms in the first year of life and health-related quality of life at age 12 months: the Generation R study

Purpose  

This study compares HRQOL among subgroups of infants with asthma-like symptoms to a subgroup without such symptoms and examines independent associations between asthma-like symptoms during the first year of life and HRQOL at age 12 months.     

Vaccines inquiry of enrolled medical and nursing students at School of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto (SP, Brazil), in the years of 2006 and 2007, and the possible involvements at pupil acting

According to their susceptibility, health workers have higher risk to vaccine-preventable diseases (intramural transmission in hospitals), and can also be a source of infection to others professionals and patients. The aim of this article is to get and describe the vaccination status of the student population at Famerp (S?o José do Rio Preto, S?o Paulo, Brazil); to show the importance of keeping a vaccine protocol inquiry and immunization with recommended vaccines for students at Famerp, and others susceptible institutions. The methodology used was a population census of the enrolled medical and nursing students at Famerp, in 2006 and 2007, with application of a closed questionnaire to establish bio-psycho-socio-cultural characteristics of vaccinal relevance. It could be perceived that there isn't a specific immunization program for students at Famerp. We verified that among the 375 interviewed students (59.8%), the majority (59.7%) had related to know the possible adverse reactions, and 66.9% weren't afraid of adverse reactions. Only 69 students (11.0%) presented the vaccine register spontaneously. None of the students presented the vaccines of the adult or health professional routine. It's imperative to work in health planning and regulation, standardized at Famerp and higher education institutions, to protect the susceptible population.     

Trends and patterns of air quality in Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands) in the period 2011–2015

Air quality trends and patterns in the coastal city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) for the period 2011–2015 were analyzed. The orographic and meteorological characteristics, the proximity to the African continent, and the influence of the Azores anticyclone in combination with the anthropogenic (oil refinery, road/maritime traffic) and natural emissions create specific dispersion conditions. SO₂, NO₂, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and O₃ pollutants were assessed. The refinery was the primary source of SO₂; EU hourly and daily average limit values were exceeded during 2011 and alert thresholds were reached in 2011 and 2012. WHO daily mean guideline was occasionally exceeded. Annual averages in the three stations that registered the highest concentrations in 2011 and 2012 were between 9.3 and 20.4 μg/m³. The spatial analysis of SO₂ concentrations with respect to prevailing winds corroborates a clear influence of the refinery to the SO₂ levels. In 2014 and 2015, the refinery did not operate and the concentrations fell abruptly to background levels of 2.5–7.1 μg/m³ far below from WHO AQG. NO₂ EU limit values, as well as WHO AQG for the period 2011–2015, were not exceeded. The progressive dieselization of the vehicle fleet caused an increment on NO₂ annual mean concentrations (from 2011 to 2015) measured at two stations close to busy roads 25 to 31 μg/m³ (+21%) and 27 to 35 μg/m³ (+29%). NO _x daily and weekly cycles (working days and weekends) were characterized. An anti-correlation was found between NO _x and O₃, showing that O₃ is titrated by locally emitted NO. Higher O₃ concentrations were reported because less NO _x emitted during the weekends showing a clear weekend effect. Saharan dust intrusions have a significant impact on PM levels. After subtracting natural sources contribution, none of the stations reached the EU maximum 35 yearly exceedances of daily means despite seldom exceedances at some stations. None of the stations exceeded the annual mean EU limit values; however, many stations exceeded the annual mean WHO AQG. Observed PM₁₀ annual average concentrations in all the stations fluctuated between 10.1 and 35.3 μg/m³, where background concentrations were 6.5–24.4 μg/m³ and natural contributions: 4.2–9.1 μg/m³. No PM₁₀ temporal trends were identified during the period except for an effect of washout due to the rain: concentrations were lower in 2013 and 2014 (the most rainy years of the period). None of the stations reached the PM_2.5 annual mean EU 2015 limit value. However, almost all the stations registered daily mean WHO AQG exceedances. During 2015, PM_2.5 concentrations were higher than the previous years (2015, 8.8–12.3 μg/m³; 2011–2014, 3.7–9.6 μg/m³). O₃ complied with EU target values; stricter WHO AQG were sometimes exceeded in all the stations for the whole time period.     

Impact of mixed anthropogenic and natural emissions on air quality and eco-environment—the major water-soluble components in aerosols from northwest to offshore isle

Based on more than 300 atmospheric TSP and PM_2.5 samples collected at five sites over China in 2007 and 2008, characteristics, sources, and interactions of the major water-soluble species were investigated for a better understanding of their role in urban air quality and offshore eco-environment. From the dust source regions in Northwestern China to an offshore isle over the East China Sea, concentration levels and fine/coarse particle distributions of five representative water-soluble components were well elucidated, reflecting the distinct differences of geo-history, location, and present economic situation among the target areas. NO₃^?/SO₄^2? mass ratios reflected significant divergence of motorization among the studied regions. Specifically, a case study during the World Car-Free Day proved that traffic restriction measures could indeed help mitigate the aerosol species formed from vehicle emissions. Investigation on the molar concentration stoichiometry and mass percentage variations of particulate NO₃^?, SO₄^2?, and NH₄⁺ revealed that NH₃ was a driving factor in the formation of major secondary water-soluble ions in atmospheric fine particles over urban areas. Based on the prevailing wind analysis, observation over an offshore isle clearly indicated the influence of the relative strength of anthropogenic sources and ocean-related natural sources on the formation and size distribution of MSA (methanesulfonic acid), a major water-soluble organic component in aerosol. Annual dry deposition flux of particulate NO₃^? and NH₄⁺ over the East China Sea was estimated based on the strength of an improved calculation formula. Reductive nitrogen was found to be the major form of the deposited atmospheric inorganic nitrogen, accounting for ~?69% of the total nitrogen depositions.