Prevention of poisonings by educational intervention aimed at parents of preschool children.

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the specific design of a poisoning prevention intervention. This controlled before-after study followed Solomon design for educational interventions using two groups (the educational intervention group and the control group). Participants comprised parents of children attending kindergartens under the jurisdiction of the City of Zagreb and in the vicinity of Zagreb.

Effects of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol on irinotecan-induced clinical effects in rats.

Because of the great interest for research on the potential use of cannabis preparations as co-medication for alleviation of toxic effects in cancer management, we investigated the influence of Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-THC) to modulate irinotecan (CPT-11)-induced toxicity. Male Wistar rats were treated either with a single irinotecan intraperitoneal dose, 100 mg/kg body-weight (b.w.

Irinotecan and Δ⁸-Tetrahydrocannabinol Interactions in Rat Liver: A Preliminary Evaluation Using Biochemical and Genotoxicity Markers.

There is growing interest regarding the use of herbal preparations based on for medicinal purposes, despite the poorly understood interactions of their main constituent Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with conventional drugs, especially cytostatics. The objective of this pilot study was to prove whether the concomitant intake of THC impaired liver function in male Wistar rats treated with the anticancer drug irinotecan (IRI), and evaluate the toxic effects associated with this exposure. IRI was administered once intraperitoneally (at 100 mg/kg of the body weight (b.

Salivary sCD14 as a potential biomarker of dental caries activity in adults.

CD14 is a co-receptor involved in the recognition of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, the latter known to cause dental caries. The aim of this study was to determine whether soluble CD14 (sCD14) in saliva was associated with caries activity and the collection method from the saliva. The study included 55 participants aged 20 to 40 years, 30 with dental caries and 25 caries-free controls.

Seafood Allergy, Toxicity, and Intolerance: A Review.

Seafood allergies have been increasing their presence in the last 2 decades. Allergic reactions to seafood can range from mild urticarial and oral allergy syndrome to life-threatening anaphylactic reactions. Ingestion of seafood infested with Anisakis larvae can cause a disease known as anisakiasis with symptoms similar to true seafood allergy.

Soluble CD14 and total IgE in the serum of atopic and nonatopic adolescents in relation to environmental factors: a pilot study.

The CD14 receptor is expressed on the surfaces of monocytes, macrophages, and, to a lesser extent, of activated granulocytes and B lymphocytes (mCD14). It also exists in soluble form in the serum (sCD14), in which it binds microbial compounds and indoor allergens. The objectives of this study were to see whether serum sCD14 concentrations could be used as a marker of atopic disorders and to estimate the effects of environmental factors (tobacco smoke exposure, childhood residence in urban or rural areas, and having a pet) on sCD14 and IgE values.

Comparison of buffers for extraction of mite allergen der p 1 from dust.

Der p 1 is the main allergen of house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, which has routinely been detected in residential dust. However, the procedure for extracting Der p 1 from reservoir dust has not been well defined. The aim of this study was to compare Der p 1 mass fractions in dust extracts prepared using the following extraction buffers: phosphate (pH 7.

Respiratory health and breath condensate acidity in sawmill workers.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate exhaled breath condensate acidity (EBC pH) as a biomarker of airway response to occupational respiratory hazards present in sawmill.

Methods: Sixty-one sawmill workers in total (26 from Sawmill 1 and 35 from Sawmill 2) provided EBC samples at the beginning and at the end of the working week. Respiratory symptoms, lung function, bronchodilator test and atopy status were assessed.

Arthropod allergens in urban homes.

Dust mites, cockroaches, and pets (cats, dogs) are common in homes worldwide, and many species are the source of potent allergens which cause allergic diseases. These diseases are influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental exposure. Generally, the levels of house dust mite (Der p 1 and Der f 1) and cockroach (Bla g 1, Bla g 2) allergens are used as markers of indoor exposure to arthropods.

Indoor exposure to mould allergens.

Humid indoor environments may be colonised by allergenic filamentous microfungi (moulds), Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp.

Biogenic amines in fish, fish products and shellfish: a review.

Fish, cephalopods and shellfish provide a healthy source of high-quality proteins, essential vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The beneficial effects of fish consumption on human health such as protection against coronary heart disease and certain cancer may be offset by fish decomposition and the formation of chemical contaminants such as biogenic amines. There are several toxicological effects of biogenic amines on humans, especially histamine.

Bla g 1 allergen levels in Zagreb area household dust.

Cockroach allergy is a health problem in many parts of the world. In urban environments, indoor exposure to cockroach allergens involves a risk of asthma. The aim of this study was to measure the mass fraction of Bla g 1, a major allergen of the German cockroach (Blatella germanica) in 30 house samples, collected at random from Zagreb area households, Croatia.

Determination of biogenic amines and endotoxin in squid, musky octopus, Norway lobster, and mussel stored at room temperature.

Little research has been published on the indicators of spoilage in Mediterranean molluscan shellfish and crustaceans. Thus is why we studied changes in the concentrations of endotoxin and four biogenic amines (histamine, putrescine, tyramine and cadaverine) in European common squid (Loligo subulata, Lamarck, 1798), musky octopus (Eledone moschata, Lamarck, 1798), Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus, Linnaeus, 1758), and mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis, Lamarck, 1819) from the Adriatic Sea stored at room temperature for 24 h. Endotoxin load in fresh squid, Norway lobster, and mussel (<1 EU mg-1) indicated good microbiological quality of raw samples.

Upper respiratory impairment in restorers of cultural heritage.

Background: There is a paucity of data regarding respiratory health in restorers of cultural heritage or similar occupations, such as visual artists or museum workers, although they are exposed to a complex mixture of various respiratory hazards.

Aims: To evaluate atopy and respiratory health parameters, including bronchial and nasal non-specific reactivity, in restorers and conservators of cultural heritage (restorers).

Methods: Fifty-six restorers and 62 controls provided general data and data on ever experienced rhinitic or asthma-like symptoms, spirometry, non-specific bronchial and nasal responsiveness to histamine, skin prick testing to common inhalational allergens and serum total IgE levels.

Determination of Aspergillus fumigatus allergen 1 in poultry farms using the enzyme immunoassay.

Poultry farms contain high levels of allergenic fungi, and Aspergillus spp. is the most common genus of moulds. Aspergillus fumigatus antigens are responsible for the development of several respiratory diseases including asthma.

Endotoxin exposure assessment in wood-processing industry: airborne versus settled dust levels.

Wood processing is usually performed in environments with large amounts of endotoxin-rich bioaerosols that are associated with a variety of health effects. The aim of this preliminary study was to assess the relation between endotoxin levels in settled and airborne dust in wood-processing industry. Ten pairs of airborne and settled dust samples were collected in a sawmill and parquet manufacture of two wood-processing plants in Croatia.

Exposure to poultry dust and health effects in poultry workers: impact of mould and mite allergens.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate exposure to moulds and house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in poultry farms, and related health effects in poultry workers (PW).

Methods: The study involved 41 PW and 45 control office workers. Working environment was evaluated for D.

Endotoxin and biogenic amine levels in Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and Mediterranean hake (Merluccius merluccius) stored at 22 degrees C.

Whole Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus), sardine (Sardina pilchardus) and Mediterranean hake (Merluccius merluccius) from the Croatian Adriatic were stored at 22 degrees C and changes in histamine, putrescine, tyramine and cadaverine levels were monitored in relation to bacterial endotoxin. After 12 h, histamine levels in sardine were above the legal limit of 50 mg kg(-1), set by the US Food and Drug Administration, and an increase in putrescine content preceded the increase in histamine. After 24 h, histamine contents in mackerel and sardine reached 1090 +/- 101 and 577 +/- 275 mg kg(-1), respectively, which exceeded the toxic threshold of 500 mg kg(-1).

Determination of Alt a 1 (Alternaria alternata) in poultry farms and a sawmill using ELISA.

Farm and sawmill workers are exposed to high levels of allergenic fungi, such as Alternaria alternata, which are associated with respiratory diseases and asthma. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of Alt a 1, a major allergen of A. alternata, in indoor dust samples collected in poultry farms and a sawmill using a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme immunoassay.

Exhaled breath condensate pH in adult Croatian population without respiratory disorders: how healthy a population should be to provide normative data?

The aim of this study was to obtain preliminary exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH values for healthy adult Croatian subjects, and to evaluate criteria for defining respiratory health of population providing normal EBC pH values in epidemiologic studies. In 109 adults without a history of lower airway symptoms (AS), four groups were described by narrowing the definition of "health" down to 1) without lower AS; 2) without lower and upper AS; 3) without AS, with normal FEV(1) and bronchial normoreactivity; 4) without AS, with normal FEV(1), bronchial normoreactivity, normal total IgE, and with negative skin prick test. Median EBC pH values did not differ between the groups (7.

Determination of mite allergens in house dust using the enzyme immunoassay.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of two major mite allergens Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1) in 30 urban homes in Zagreb, Croatia, using the enzyme immunoassay with two monoclonal antibodies which has been established as the reference method for indoor allergen analysis. Dust samples were taken by vacuuming a carpeted area and collected on cellulose filters. The ranges of Der p 1 and Der f 1 were (0.

Elimination of mercury from amalgam in rats.

The aim of this study was to measure the urinary mercury excretion in rats exposed to amalgam over a two months period. Animals were either exposed to mercury from 4 dental amalgams or fed the diet containing powdered amalgams. The results showed significantly higher mercury amount in urine of both exposed groups than in control.

Chelation of aluminium by combining DFO and L1 in rats.

The hypothesis that two known chelators 1, 2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one (L1) and desferrioxamine (DFO) might be more efficient as combined treatment than as monotherapies in removing aluminium from the body was tested in a new acute rat model. Five-week old female rats received chelators: L1 (p.o.

Dental amalgam mercury exposure in rats.

The aim of this study was to measure the distribution of mercury, in tissues of rats exposed to amalgam over a two months period. Possible interaction of mercury with copper and zinc in organs was also evaluated. Rats were either exposed to mercury from 4 dental amalgams, or fed the diet containing powdered amalgam during two months.

Decomposition of fish samples for determination of mercury.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficiency of acid and alkaline decomposition of biological materials using an open and a closed system for total mercury determination. Acid digestion was performed with concentrated HNO3 in tubes at 80 degrees C and lasted five hours. Alkaline digestion was performed with a 45% NaOH and a 1% cysteine, heated at 120 degrees C for 20 minutes.