Three Day Environmental Exposure May Trigger Oxidative Stress Development and Provoke Adaptive Response Resulting in Altered Antioxidant Activity.

Background: We aimed to investigate the polluted working environment triggers oxidative stress and alter enzymatic antioxidant activity by a short-term interval.

Methods: The experimental study, performed in 2014, involved 94 workers from the Velenje Coalmine in Slovenia, arranged into three groups according to a number of consecutive working days in a mineshaft, supported by a control group. Levels of the antioxidant enzymes (GPx, CAT, SOD) together with TAC (the combined effect of all antioxidants) and 8-isoprostane (a biological marker of oxidative stress/damage) were measured in human plasma.

Lead Exposure and Oxidative Stress in Coal Miners.

We aimed to investigate the short-term correlation between blood lead levels and oxidative stress generation in coal miners. The study involved 94 male coal miners from the Velenje Coal mine, arranged into four groups: three groups according to the number of consecutive working days, and a fourth control group. Miners who worked for three consecutive days had higher blood levels of lead and 8-isoprostane than the control group (P < 0.

The influence of parental education and other socio-economic factors on child car seat use.

Introduction: The behaviour of parents in ensuring car passenger safety for their children is associated with socio-economic (SE) status of the family; however, the influence of parental education has rarely been researched and the findings are contradictory. The aim of the study was to clarify whether parental education influences the use of a child car seat during short rides.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in outpatient clinics for children's healthcare across Slovenia.

8-isoprostane as Oxidative Stress Marker in Coal Mine Workers.

This study was to investigate whether working in conditions of elevated concentrations of mine gases (CO2, CO, CH4, DMS) and dust may result in oxidative stress. Coal miners (n=94) from the Velenje Coal mine who were arranged into control group and three groups according to a number of consecutive working days. 8-isoprostane as a biological marker of oxidative stress was measured in exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

Health Impact of Elevated Levels of Lead Encountered in the Manufacture of Crystal Glass.

Lead is known to cause harmful effects in the haematopoietic, nervous, digestive, renal, and other organ systems, inhibiting a number of enzymes in the biosynthesis of haem, as well as other enzymes with haematological significance. Our study involved 151 employees involved with the cutting of crystal, i.e.

Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from skin and soft tissue infections samples and healthy carriers in the Central Slovenia region.

Staphylococcus aureus is among the most important human pathogens. It is associated with different infections and is a major cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). The aim of our study was to compare S.

Influence of daily individual meteorological parameters on the incidence of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: A nationwide study was conducted to explore the short term association between daily individual meteorological parameters and the incidence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with coronary emergency catheter interventions in the Republic of Slovenia, a south-central European country.

Method: We linked meteorological data with daily ACS incidence for the entire population of Slovenia, for the population over 65 years of age and for the population under 65 years of age. Data were collected daily for a period of 4 years from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2011.

Age affects drivers' response times.

In Slovenia the number of drivers over 65 is increasing every year. With age comes a decrease in psychophysical abilities, which include sensory and motoric functions and the ability of processing visual information. These changes increase the response time and decrease the driving capacity.

Ability to work and employability of patients in opioid substitution treatment programs in Slovenia.

Aim: To assess the ability to work and employability of individuals taking part in opioid substitution treatment programs (OSTP).

Methods: The study was composed of two surveys. In the first survey, 237 of 480 patients enrolled in OSTP responded to the questionnaire about their employment status, opinion about employment, and perception of assignments before and during OSTP.

Influence of psychosocial work-related factors on conventional risk factors of ischemic heart disease and homocysteine in Slovenian male workers.

The influence of psychosocial work-related factors on the conventional risk factors of ischemic heart disease (IHD), particularly on the lipid changes and their effect on homocysteine is studied in this paper. Employed males aged 35 to 55 with angina pectoris or a myocardial infarction (IHD group) were compared to a group of individuals without ischemic heart disease (Control Group). Psychosocial factors were assessed using a Swedish Theorell questionnaire.

Epilepsy and driving capability in Slovenia.

Purpose: To compare medical evaluations of driving capability of drivers with epilepsy with the rules of Slovenian legislation.

Methods: Our research included all drivers in Slovenia that were evaluated as epileptic between 1993 and 2002. The results were processed using the standard descriptive statistical methods.

Seat-belt use and non-use in adults in Slovenia.

Aim: To identify population groups at risk of non-use of seat belts in front and rear seats in order to enable more focused planning of preventive actions in Slovenia.

Methods: The national health behaviour survey of 15,379 adults aged 25-64, carried out in 2001; response rate 64%; 9043 questionnaires eligible for analysis. The observed outcomes: non-use of seat belts in the front and rear seats.

Occupational medicine in the Slovene area.

Slovenia is a small, fast developing country in the EU with approximately 2,000,000 inhabitants and 700,000 employed. Occupational medicine has been present in Slovenia for as long as 500 yr. Today, 130 specialists of occupational medicine are in charge of health protection of the employed (including transport workers and athletes).

Incidence of cytogenetic damage in lead-zinc mine workers exposed to radon.

The purpose of this study was to detect cytogenetic damage in mine workers working in a lead-zinc mine, which could be associated with a combined exposure to radon and heavy metals. Our study involved 70 mine workers from the lead-zinc mine. We used peripheral blood lymphocytes as the target material.

Identification of population groups at very high risk for frequent perception of stress in slovenia.

Aim: To identify population groups at very high risk for frequent perception of stress and thus enable more focused planning of prevention actions in Slovenia.

Methods: Data originate from the national survey carried out in 2001 on health behavior of 15,379 adults aged 25-64. The overall response rate of the mailed questionnaire was 64%, with 9,043 questionnaires eligible for analysis.

Mutagenic testing of workers exposed to toluene-diisocyanates during plastics production process.

Background: Toluene diisocyanates (TDIs) are important industrial intermediates used in conjunction with polyester polyols as coreactants in the manufacture of polyurethane foam blocks, paints, etc. It is listed as a potential carcinogen by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and is known to induce chromosomal aberrations.

Methods: The study involved 26 people, exposed to TDI during the production of plastics.

Blood biomarkers of alcohol abuse.

The biological, clinical and social effects of alcohol abuse call for objective and specific biomarkers of alcohol-related diseases and early detection of alcohol consumers at risk. Alcohol abusers may exhibit several clinical and/or chemical changes. Changes in parameters such as gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) may serve as biomarkers of chronic alcoholism.

[Drivers of advanced age in traffic accidents].

The elderly are vulnerable and potentially unpredictable active participants in traffic who deserve special attention. Longer life expectancy entails a greater number of senior drivers, that is, persons with various health problems and difficulties accompanying old age. At the turn of the millennium, the share of population aged 65 or more in Slovenia was around 13%, and in 25 years it will be near as much as 19%.