Measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were simultaneously carried out at three different urban locations in Croatia (Zagreb, Slavonski Brod and Vinkovci) characterized as urban residential (UR), urban industrial (UI) and urban background (UB), respectively. This was done in order to determine seasonal and spatial variations, estimate dominant pollution sources for each area and estimate the lifetime carcinogenic health risks from atmospheric PAHs. Mass concentrations of PAHs showed seasonal variation with the highest values during the colder period and the lowest concentration during the warmer period of the year.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBreastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers, promoting optimal growth and development while offering protection against various illnesses and diseases. This study investigated the levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in human milk sampled in Zadar (Croatia). The primary objectives were twofold: firstly, to evaluate the individual impact of each compound on the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) value, and secondly, to assess associated health risks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStud Health Technol Inform
April 2024
Systematic reviews provide robust evidence but require significant human labor, a challenge that can be mitigated with digital tools. This paper focuses on machine learning (ML) support for the title and abstract screening phase, the most time-intensive aspect of the systematic review process. The existing literature was systematically reviewed and five promising tools were analyzed, focusing on their ability to reduce human workload and their application of ML.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMore than eight million premature deaths annually can be attributed to air pollution, with 99% of the world's population residing in areas below recommended air quality standards. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the association between primary DNA damage and air pollution data among 123 participants enrolled between 2011 and 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia. While most measured air pollutants adhered to regulatory limits, benzo[a]pyrene concentrations bound to PM exceeded them.
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February 2024
The presence of selected polybrominated diphenyl ethers (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, and -183) was investigated in human milk samples collected from first-time mothers living in Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Samples from 2020 and 2010 were analyzed, and the first temporal comparison between the profiles and levels of these compounds in this area was obtained. A statistically significant difference between mass fractions depending on the sampling year was observed only for BDE-99, with values in 2020 higher than in 2010.
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