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JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
ISSN:
1582-5388
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Editorial Prostate cancer early detection - a public health perspective Elena Lungu There continue to be major public health challenges arising from the increasing
tendency of cancer burden
in Health Patterns and Determinants R. Dănulescu, C. Goiceanu,
Eugenia Dănulescu, Micaela
Mărgineanu, Carmen Croitoru,
Gh. Bălăceanu Abstract: Aim: To reveal the cardiovascular (CV) system response
to occupational exposure to low levels of extremely low frequency (ELF)
electric and magnetic fields. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study (first step) for a two
years cohort study has been done. Exposure evaluation comprised magnetic flux
density and electric fields intensity measurements as well as ergonomic analysis.
Health status assessment included detailed occupational anamnesis, clinical
and biochemical examinations, computerized ECG and CV function tests. Results and discussion: We have
studied 58 subjects occupationally exposed in electric transform and
transport facilities (electricians) and 89 electric train drivers. We have
used 93 matched care controls. The measured ELF fields had magnetic flux
densities of 1.8-34.5mT for electricians and 0.8-18mT for
train drivers. The intensities of electric fields ranged between 1.5kV/m and
32kV/m for electricians and between 25V/m and 0.5 kV/m
for electric train drivers. The measured values did not exceed general accepted
permissible levels. Arrhytmias were found at 20.2%
of the train drivers vs. 8.1% in controls (OR=3.11, 95% CI: 1.14-8.76)
as well as in 20.7% of the electricians (OR=3.2, 95% CI: 1.08-9.77).
Conduction disturbances were found in 16.8% of the train drivers vs.
5.4% in controls (OR=3.57, 95% CI: 1.15-13.06) as well as in 36.2% of the
electricians vs. 5.4% in controls (OR=9.99, 95% CI: 3.28-35.90). It is
to be mentioned the difference between electricians and drivers: OR=2.8, 95% CI:
1.21-6.51. Myocardial ischemia changes were found in 33.7% of the train
drivers vs. 8.6% in controls (OR=5.4, 95% CI: 2.18-5.84) as well as at
32.8% of the electricians (OR=5.18, 95% CI: 1.93-14.24). Conclusions: The
study of CV effects in ELF fields exposure, revealed significantly frequent
ECG changes: arrhytmias, conduction disturbances,
and myocardial ischemia changes. The ELF fields’ occupational exposure seems
to be a CV risk factor.
Key words: Electric and
magnetic fields, cardiovascular system, ECG changes Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Radiological impact
assessment on behalf of oil/gas industry Elena
Botezatu, C. Grecea Abstract. Aim: to assess the radiological impact of oil and gas industry on
the environment and population. Material
and Methods: Since 1999 we made environmental monitoring of radioactivity
in the surrounding of six oil fields in Key words: radioactivity, natural radionuclides, oil and gas industry Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Age – related macular degeneration: biochemical aspects Irina Popovici, Oana Darabă, F.D. Petrariu Abstract. Aim: to determine the level of antioxidant enzymes from patient with the
age macular degeneration (ARMD), cataract or both ARMD –
cataract. Material and methods: the patients were diagnosed in
the Ophtalmological Clinic from University Clinic
No. 1 ”Sf. Spiridon” Key words: macular degeneration, cataract, antioxidant enzymes Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Clinical implications in the dermatoglyphic
picture of an endogamous population in Moldavia Ana
Ţarcă Abstract.
Objectives: The paper
constitutes an ample study
on digital dermatoglyphics,
from a pathological
perspective. Material and methods: Study population was represented by 200 subjects (100 men and 100 women)
of all ages, coming from an endogamous rural locality - the Key words: digital dermatoglyphics,
distortions, anomalies, endogamy
Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Reproductive
effects of the fungicide thiram. Epidemiological
and experimental studies Eugenia Dănulescu,
Irina Alexandrescu,
Brigitte Scutaru, Stela Simirad, R. Dănulescu Abstract: Aim: To assess the effects of chronical
exposure to thiram on the female reproductive
function by comparative approach of some epidemiological and experimental
aspects. Material and methods:
Five years epidemiological cohort study on 132 women occupationally exposed
to thiram, in the synthesis industry, were compared
to matched controls. Exposure evaluation by GC measurements of thiram in workplaces air and biotoxicological
tests, too. Fertility questionnaires were used. The experiment studied thiram effects on fertility as well as genotoxic, embriotoxic and teratogenic potential of thiram
in chronic experiments on Wistar female rats by
using three doses. Results and
discussion: High
concentrations of thiram in the workplaces air, and
important levels of its metabolite in urine were found. The epidemiological
research has showed among the exposed women a significant decrease of the
fertility, a higher frequency of spontaneous abortions (OR=3.52, 95% CI:
2.25-5.50), and a significantly increased risk of congenital malformations
(OR=11.57, 95% CI: 2.13-66.86). The mutagenetic
investigations indicated a significant increase in the number of chromosomal
aberrations (p=0.004) and of micronuclei (p=0.01). In chronic experimental
administration, the highest dose (1/3 LD50 )
determined a significant increase of the tardive resorbtion rate (p=0.004) and also a high proportion of
major malformations (p=0.0001); the medium dose (1/9 LD50 ) and
the low dose (1/27 LD50 ) generated a high rate of foetal loss. These results are confirmed by high rates of
structural chromosomal aberrations and also micronucleus high rates. Conclusions: Epidemiological and
experimental studies support the hypothesis that high exposure to thiram determines a significant fertility decrease and
the qualitative impairment of offspring. Key words: thiram, occupational exposure,
experiments, reproductive function Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Fatigue
at workers exposed to jute dust, wood dust, chemicals and office workers
Cristina Cordoneanu,
Abstract.
Aim: Screening study was focused on the assessment of fatigue in
workers exposes to organic dust (jute and wood) and chemicals. Material end methods: The group
exposed to jute dust consisted in 110 workers (98 females) in the following
workplaces: squashing, carding, laminating, spinning, twisting, starching,
rolling, where there are: fibers and dust of jute, noise, adverse
microclimate (at starching). The group exposed at wood dust consisted in 57
workers (33 females), in workplaces of manual and mechanical brush
sections, where there are fibers and dust of wood (species: oak, beech tree,
fir-tree, lime-tree, poplar, nut-tree, cherry-tree, ash-tree).
The group exposed to chemicals (organic solvents and dyes) consisted in 56
workers (53 females) in the following workplaces: finishing and dying
sections. Control group consisted in 92 (35 females) office workers. Results and discussion: mean values
for age was 39.6±9 years in the investigated groups; mean total work length
was 20±8 years. Multidimensional checklist individual strength (CIS20R)
questionnaire with 20 items self reported questionnaire that referred to
fatigue experienced during the previous two weeks has been administered. It
consisted of four dimensions: the subjective feeling of fatigue, and
motivation reduction, activity diminution and concentration reduction. By
adding the four dimensions a CIS total score can be calculated. Higher scores
indicate a higher degree of fatigue, more concentration problems, reduced
motivation and less activity. Statistical differences were noted in exposed
groups vs. controls
(p <0.001). Total scores (%) were: 76.53 for workers exposed to jute
dust, 75.38 for workers exposed to wood dust, 83.22 for workers exposed to
chemicals, 44.1 in controls. Test sensibility:
72.59% (in workers exposed to jute dust),
57.95% (in workers exposed to wood dust),
59.34% (in workers exposed to chemicals). In the absence of gold standard for
fatigue, CIS were able to discriminate adequately between fatigued and
non-fatigued employees in occupational exposure to organic dust (jute and
wood), chemicals and office workers. Conclusions:
Differences of subscales of fatigue (dimensions of fatigability) were noted
by categories of exposure (levels and noxious agents). Key words: fatigue, jute, wood, chemicals,
occupational exposure Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Health
Economics Health economics
and preventive medicine.
A new beginning for Romania L. Druguş Abstract. This article is a reaction against the old
mentality that disconsidered the economic thinking as a normal and inescapable part of medical activity
and of preventive medicine.
In order to facilitate this acceptance I offered a new definition of economics as “combining means in order to attain
a certain end”. The most important and often the
most ignored means in attaining specific ends is human
being itself. Health is a purpose
which can not be achieved
without a personal involvement.
In preventive medicine, the
relationship doctor – patient
is more important than in
curative one. Patient is more valuable in preventive medicine thon in therapy and the
economic domain in prevention
is a primordial one. Key-words: health economics, preventive medicine Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Statistical
methods in health economics D. Boldureanu Abstract. In order to stimulate the improvement of
the quality of health management, there are used economic, juridical,
sociological or ethical methods. The involvement of economic theory in health
care systems is made by a series of tools, judgments and models to help the
medical decision making process. This paper offers an example of such method
that combines economics, statistics and mathematics techniques. The Romanian
medical education system needs to use such methods giving a real support in
the optimization of the resource allocation to a greater extent. Keywords:
costs, benefits, economics, health, Cost-Benefit Analysis Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Dental Health Demographic aspects of dental dysplasia in
Romania Marinela Păsăreanu, Adriana
Bălan, A. Maxim Abstract. Aim: to
monitor the prevalence and distribution of the developmental defects of
enamel by the help of DDE index in preschool and school communities from
Romanian counties. Results and
discussion: The prevalence of the developmental defects of enamel
according to the modified DDE index is of 18%. The age and sex group
distribution shows a higher frequency in girls from aged 15-18 compared to
boys (24.42% vs 21.11%). Analyzing the structure
according to the code of the defect there is noted a high frequency of
opacities (10.93%), followed by hypoplasias
(6.01%). Conclusions: Our research
has proved that there are no statistically significant differences of
distribution in children with enamel defects according to sex at any age. Key words:
child, DDE-index, developmental defects of enamel Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Considerations regarding the up-date in topical fluoridation in
pediatric dentistry Adriana Bălan,
Marinela Păsăreanu,
A. Maxim, Iohana Roşu,
C. Rotariu, Dana Cristiana
Maxim Abstract. For 50 years,
it was generally believed that the major caries – preventive effect of fluoride was pre-eruptive. But there is a general agreement today among scientists in the field of fluoride research that the caries-preventive
and the caries controlling effects of fluorides are almost exclusively
post-eruptive ,as topical fluoridation
,because fluoride reduces the demineralisation
effects of organic acids produced by the
cariogenic bacteria in the
dental plaque and accelerates remineralisation after the attack.
Key-words: fluoride, cariogenic bacteria, reminelization Ü FULL
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