Telomere length and polymorphisms as biomarkers in asbestos-related diseases.

Background: Asbestos exposure has been proposed as a risk factor for shorter telomere length. The aim of our study was to investigate whether telomere length in leukocytes and genetic polymorphisms may serve as potential biomarkers for the risk of developing asbestos-related diseases and as biomarkers of progression and chemotherapy response rate in malignant mesothelioma (MM).

Subjects And Methods: We conducted two retrospective studies.

Serum Calretinin and Genetic Variability as a Prognostic and Predictive Factor in Malignant Mesothelioma.

Calretinin is a promising diagnostic biomarker for malignant mesothelioma (MM), but less is known about its prognostic role. Our aim was to evaluate the association between serum calretinin concentration or genetic factors and the survival or outcome of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in MM. Our study included 265 MM patients.

The association of genetic factors with serum calretinin levels in asbestos-related diseases.

Background: Asbestos exposure is associated with different asbestos-related diseases, including malignant mesothelioma (MM). MM diagnosis is confirmed with immunohistochemical analysis of several markers, including calretinin. Increased circulating calretinin was also observed in MM.

Strength of Sense of Coherence among Nurses and the Relationship between Socio-Demographic and Work-Related Factors.

Sense of coherence (SOC) occupies the central place within the salutogenic model. It is an important contributor to the development and maintenance of people's health. This study aimed to assess the strength of sense of coherence (SOC) among nurses and the relationship between the strength of SOC and socio-demographic and work-related factors.

A Meta-Analysis of Sampled Maximal Aerobic Capacity Data for Boys Aged 11 Years Old or Less Obtained by Cycle Ergometry.

The aim of this study was to develop distributions of VO based on measured values that exist in the literature in prepubertal boys using cycle ergometry. PRISMA guidelines were followed in conducting this research. One database was searched for peak and maximal VO values in healthy boys with mean age under 11 years old.

Predicting VO in competitive cyclists: Is the FRIEND equation the optimal choice?

Predicting VO in athletes is vital for determining endurance capacity, for performance monitoring, in clinical diagnostic procedures, and for disease management. This study aimed to assess the most suitable equation for predicting VO in competitive cyclists. Competitive cyclists (496 males, 84 females, Caucasian, 580 total) were included in the study from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2019.

Prediction of Maximal Oxygen Consumption in Cycle Ergometry in Competitive Cyclists.

Models for predicting maximal oxygen consumption (VO) in average adults might not be suitable for athletes, especially for competitive cyclists who can have significantly higher VO than normally active people. The aim of this study was to develop a clinically applicable equation for predicting VO during cycle ergometry in competitive cyclists and to compare its accuracy to the traditional American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) equation. Maximal cycle ergometry tests were performed in 496 male and 84 female competitive cyclists.

Impact of Sense of Coherence on Work Ability: A Cross-sectional Study Among Croatian Nurses.

Introduction: Aimed at preparing the basis for planning evidence-based public health measures for preservation/ improvement of nurses' work ability (WA), the objective was to assess the relationship between WA and sense of coherence (SOC).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 among 713 nurses in Croatia. The association between poor WA index (PWAI) and SOC score (SOCS), adjusted for possible confounders, was determined by binary logistic regression analysis.

Medical students' perception of distance-based education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia: A qualitative study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a broad direct impact on education, and at the same time it has significantly changed students' lives. This study examines how Slovenian medical students experienced the shift to distance-based education following multiple lockdowns.

Methods: The aim of this study is to examine experiences of medical students about distance-based education in the period of multiple lockdowns in 2020/2021.

Serum Calretinin as a Biomarker in Malignant Mesothelioma.

The early diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (MM) could improve the prognosis of MM patients. To confirm an MM diagnosis, an immunohistochemical analysis of several tumor tissue markers, including calretinin, is currently required. Our aim is to evaluate serum calretinin as a potential biomarker in asbestos-related diseases, especially in MM.

The role of polymorphisms in glutathione-related genes in asbestos-related diseases.

Background: The study investigated the influence of and polymorphisms, as well as the influence of interactions between polymorphism and interactions between polymorphisms and asbestos exposure, on the risk of developing pleural plaques, asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma (MM).

Subjects And Methods: The cross sectional study included 940 asbestos-exposed subjects, among them 390 subjects with pleural plaques, 147 subjects with asbestosis, 225 subjects with MM and 178 subjects with no asbestos-related disease. rs17883901, rs41303970, null, null, rs1695 and rs1138272 genotypes were determined using PCR based methods.

Wide Skis As a Potential Knee Injury Risk Factor in Alpine Skiing.

Alpine skis with wider waist widths have recently become more popular. With such skis, the contact point of the ground reaction force during ski turns is displaced more medially from beneath the sole of the outer ski, which may present an increased risk of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate knee joint kinetics, kinematics, and lower limb muscle activation as a function of changes of the ski waist width in a laboratory setting.

The influence of genetic variability in IL1B and MIR146A on the risk of pleural plaques and malignant mesothelioma.

Background Asbestos exposure is associated with the development of pleural plaques as well as malignant mesothelioma (MM). Asbestos fibres activate macrophages, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators including interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). The expression of IL-1β may be influenced by genetic variability of IL1B gene or regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs).

Validation of the Croatian Version of the Sense of Coherence 29-Item Scale in Croatian Nurses.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to validate the Croatian version of the Sense of Coherence 29-item instrument (SOC-29) within a nursing population.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2017 and June 2018 at the University Hospital Centre Sisters of Mercy (UHCSM) in Zagreb, Croatia. A total of 711 nurses participated in this study.

Validation of the Croatian Version of Work Ability Index (WAI) in Population of Nurses on Transformed Item-Specific Scores.

Aim: To assess the psychometric properties of the Croatian version of a Work Ability Index Questionnaire (WAIQ-CRO) in the population of nurses by using a specific methodological approach.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 711 Croatian nurses in 2018 in Zagreb, Croatia. The instrument's internal consistency was assessed by using Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α).

NLRP3 and CARD8 polymorphisms influence risk for asbestos-related diseases.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between NLRP3 rs35829419 and CARD8 rs2043211 polymorphisms and the risk of developing pleural plaques, asbestosis, and malignant mesothelioma (MM), and to study the influence of the interactions between polymorphisms and asbestos exposure on the risk of developing these diseases.

Methods: The case-control study included 416 subjects with pleural plaques, 160 patients with asbestosis, 154 subjects with MM and 149 subjects with no asbestos disease. The NLRP3 rs35829419 and CARD8 rs2043211 polymorphisms were determined using real-time PCR-based methods.

Improving Education and Training to Reduce the Burden of Occupational Cancer. The Riga-European Association of Schools of Occupational Medicine (EASOM) Statement on Work-Related Cancer.

Reducing the burden of occupational cancers (OCs) is currently one of the most challenging Occupational Health (OH) issues. The European Union (EU) has made efforts to improve the existing legal framework and developed specific legislation aimed at reducing the burden of OC. However, available data suggest that OC are underreported.

Evaluation of soluble mesothelin-related peptides and MSLN genetic variability in asbestos-related diseases.

Background Asbestos exposure is associated with increased risk of several diseases, including malignant mesothelioma (MM). Cell surface glycoprotein mesothelin is overexpressed in MM and serum soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) were already proposed as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in MM. However, interindividual variability in serum SMRP levels limits the clinical usefulness.

Sickness Presence among Health Care Professionals: A Cross Sectional Study of Health Care Professionals in Slovenia.

Background And Objectives: Presenteeism is a relatively new phenomenon that people, despite complaints and ill health that should prompt them to rest and take sick leave, go to work in any case. The highest sickness presence is largely to be found in the care and welfare and educational sectors. The aim of the study is to investigate the relations between different factors and sickness presence among health care professionals.

The influence of genetic variability of DNA repair mechanisms on the risk of malignant mesothelioma.

Background Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare aggressive tumour of mesothelium caused by asbestos exposure. It has been suggested that the genetic variability of proteins involved in DNA repair mechanisms affects the risk of MM. This study investigated the influence of functional polymorphisms in ERCC1 and XRCC1 genes, the interactions between these polymorphisms as well as the interactions between these polymorphisms and asbestos exposure on MM risk.

Hospital Staff's Risk of Developing Musculoskeletal Disorders, Especially Low Back Pain.

Introduction: Health-related absenteeism impacts individuals, companies, and society. Its consequences are reflected in the cost of benefits, substitutes, and reduced productivity. Research shows that musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most common work-related health problem reported by hospital staff.

Prevalence of youth gambling and potential influence of substance use and other risk factors throughout 33 European countries: first results from the 2015 ESPAD study.

Background And Aims: Although generally prohibited by national regulations, underage gambling has become popular in Europe, with relevant cross-country prevalence variability. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of underage gambling in Europe stratified by type of game and on-/off-line mode and to examine the association with individual and family characteristics and substance use.

Design: Our study used data from the 2015 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) cross-sectional study, a survey using self-administered anonymous questionnaires.

The Influence of Genetic Variability on the Risk of Developing Malignant Mesothelioma.

Background: Malignant mesothelioma is a rare cancer with poor outcome, associated with asbestos exposure. Reactive oxygen species may play an important role in the mechanism of carcinogenesis; therefore, genetic variability in antioxidative defence may modify an individual's susceptibility to this cancer. This study investigated the influence of functional polymorphisms of , , and genes, gene-gene interactions and gene-environment interactions on malignant mesothelioma risk.

Restructuring of a Textile Manufacturing Company and Workers' Health.

Organizational restructuring is associated with greater mortality and morbidity of the workers affected by it. We examined the quality of workers' health at a textile manufacturing company after restructuring, comparing three groups of workers: workers who remained (survivors), workers who lost their jobs and later found new jobs (the reemployed), and unemployed workers. A total of 1046 workers participated in a telephonic survey.