Wi-Fi technology and human health impact: a brief review of current knowledge.

An enormous increase in the application of wireless communication in recent decades has intensified research into consequent increase in human exposure to electromagnetic (EM) radiofrequency (RF) radiation fields and potential health effects, especially in school children and teenagers, and this paper gives a snap overview of current findings and recommendations of international expert bodies, with the emphasis on exposure from Wi-Fi technology indoor devices. Our analysis includes over 100 , animal, epidemiological, and exposure assessment studies (of which 37 and 30 covering Wi-Fi technologies). Only a small portion of published research papers refers to the "real" health impact of Wi-Fi technologies on children, because they are simply not available.

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.

Employment status and other predictors of mental health and cognitive functions in older Croatian workers.

The aim of this study was to examine mental health and cognitive functions in older Croatian workers (50-65 years) taking into account their employment status, self-assessed health, and a set of demographic characteristics. We analysed the data collected on 650 older workers (71 % employed) in the Wave 6 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Unemployed workers reported symptoms of loneliness more often than the employed, while in rural areas unemployment was additionally associated with more pronounced symptoms of depression.

Relationship between ultrasound bone parameters, lung function, and body mass index in healthy student population.

Low bone mineral density has been reported in paediatric and adult patients with different lung diseases, but limited data are available on the association between lung function and bone density in a healthy young population. We explored the predictors of association between bone mass and pulmonary function in healthy first-year university students, focusing on body mass index (BMI). In this cross-sectional study we measured bone density with ultrasound and lung function with spirometry in 370 university students (271 girls and 99 boys).

Expression of BMP-2 in Vascular Endothelial Cells of Recipient May Predict Delayed Graft Function After Renal Transplantation.

Background/aims: Delayed graft function (DGF) is associated with adverse outcomes after renal transplantation. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is involved in both endothelial function and immunological events. We compared expression of BMP-2 in epigastric artery of renal transplant recipients with immediate graft function (IGF) and DGF.

Use of human milk in the assessment of toxic metal exposure and essential element status in breastfeeding women and their infants in coastal Croatia.

Pregnant and lactating women and infants are vulnerable population groups for adverse effects of toxic metals due to their high nutritional needs and the resultant increased gastrointestinal absorption of both, essential and toxic elements. Although breastfeeding is recommended for infants worldwide, as human milk is the best source of nutrients and other required bioactive factors, it is also a pathway of maternal excretion of toxic substances including toxic metals and thus a source of infant exposure. The aim of this research was to assess health risks in breastfeeding women in the coastal area of the Republic of Croatia and their infants (N=107) due to maternal exposure to Cd and Pb via cigarette smoking, and Hg via seafood and dental amalgam fillings, and their interaction with essential elements.

A graphical model approach to systematically missing data in meta-analysis of observational studies.

When studies in meta-analysis include different sets of confounders, simple analyses can cause a bias (omitting confounders that are missing in certain studies) or precision loss (omitting studies with incomplete confounders, i.e. a complete-case meta-analysis).

Associations of TNFα -308G>A, TNFα -238G>A, IL-1α -889C>T and IL-10 -1082G>A Genetic Polymorphisms with Atopic Diseases: Asthma, Rhinitis and Dermatitis.

Background: Polymorphisms of cytokine genes are an interesting focus for association studies involving atopic diseases due to their role in immune cell communications during inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of TNFα -308G>A, TNFα -238G>A, IL-1α -889C>T and IL-10 -1082G>A polymorphisms with atopic diseases with adjustment for confounding lifestyle and environmental factors.

Methods: This study was performed on 356 Croatian students.

Skin health and safety at work in Croatian hairdressing apprentices.

Background: The risk of developing occupational skin disease (OSD) is high in hairdressers, but may differ between countries.

Objective: To evaluate safety at work measures, and the prevalence and severity of skin symptoms and their impact on quality of life (QoL), among Croatian hairdressing apprentices.

Methods: Data on self-reported skin symptoms, safety measures and QoL were collected for 101 final-year apprentices.

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.

Oral cadmium exposure during rat pregnancy: assessment of transplacental micronutrient transport and steroidogenesis at term.

Diet is the main source of cadmium (Cd) exposure. Gastrointestinal absorption increases during pregnancy. Cadmium accumulated in the placenta may interfere with nutrient transport to the foetus.

Exhaled breath condensate pH and FeNO as biomarkers of acute and chronic exposure to hazards at swine farms.

Objective: The noninvasive biomarkers of respiratory impairment were assessed in 15 swine confinement (SC) workers and 9 respiratory healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (HV).

Methods: Spirometry, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) pH were assessed in SC workers after one working shift and one working week and in HV after 5-hour exposure in SC.

Results: Half of the respiratory symptoms (in 8 of 15 SC workers) were work-related.

Occupational and non-occupational allergic contact dermatitis: a follow-up study.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to obtain insight into the clinical course and prognosis of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), including potential effects of genetic and environmental factors.

Methods: Eighty-two patients with previously defined ACD acquired occupationally (OACD) or non-occupationally (NOACD) were patch retested and evaluated for the presence of persistent eczema, atopy and filaggrin mutations.

Results: The crude risk for the persistence of a positive patch test (PT) reaction was 6.

Response to thermal and physical strain during flashover training in Croatian firefighters.

Flashover training (FOT) for firefighters is a simulation of the flashover phenomenon under controlled conditions. This study assessed arterial blood pressure (BP) and its response to thermal and physical strain during FOT in 48 professional and 18 volunteer firefighters. A high prevalence of obesity (27%), basal hypertensive (53%) and prehypertensive (33%) BP values was found.

Relevance of serum copper elevation induced by oral contraceptives: a meta-analysis.

Background And Study Design: It is well documented that copper (Cu) blood levels are elevated in combination oral contraceptive (COC) users. The aim of this study was to establish the range of Cu increase in OC users compared to nonusers through a systematic literature overview and quantitative data analysis.

Results: Twenty-six articles were included in the meta-analysis.

Induced sputum evaluation in restorers and conservators of cultural heritage.

The objective of this study was to examine induced sputum (IS) cells profile from restorers/conservators of cultural heritage (restorers) with no lower airway symptoms and normal ventilatory lung function. The study involved 22 restorers and 48 control workers. Medical interview, physical examination, spirometry, skin prick testing to inhalatory allergens, and IS collection were performed.

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.

Occupational exposure to airborne fungi in two Croatian sawmills and atopy in exposed workers.

Airborne fungi were collected over a one year period at 2-month intervals at 2 sawmills in Croatia (SM 1 and SM 2) processing mainly beech wood and oak wood. A questionnaire concerning respiratory symptoms and skin prick test (SPT) with common inhalatory allergens and moulds Cladosporium herbarum, Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium notatum, and Rhizopus nigricans were performed in 96 workers from the same sawmills. Average concentrations of airborne fungi were 1,696-7,316 cfu/m(3) in SM 1 and 1,706-4,819 cfu/m(3) in SM 2, respectively.

Acute effects of smoking and food consumption on breath condensate pH in healthy adults.

Acute effects of food and cigarette consumption on exhaled breath condensate (EBC) acidity are insufficiently explored. The study aimed to evaluate potential changes in EBC pH within 2 hours following cigarette or food consumption. In 15 healthy smokers, samples were obtained after 10 hours of abstinence from smoking and then 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after smoking 1 cigarette.

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.

Metals in human placenta: focus on the effects of cadmium on steroid hormones and leptin.

Cadmium and other metallic ions can act as metalloestrogens and endocrine disruptors of reproductive tissues and fetal development in mammals, including humans. The detrimental effects occur with respect to the synthesis of both steroid and polypeptide hormones in the placenta. Leptin is produced by the trophoblast and may regulate fetal organogenesis and development.

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).