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JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
ISSN:
1582-5388
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Editorial The European strategy for the prevention and
control of noncommunicable diseases Gaining health:
the European strategy for the prevention and control of noncommunicable
diseases,
debated at the 56th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for
Europe during 11th -14th September 2006, promotes a comprehensive and integrated approach to tackling
noncommunicable
diseases (NCDs). Its objectives are to combine integrated action on risk
factors and determinants across sectors with efforts to strengthen health systems toward improved prevention and control. Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Health Patterns and Determinants Ambiental and biological
monitoring of electroplating workers Brigitte Scutaru, Doina Popa, V Cazuc, Irina Popescu, Iulia Roman, Valeria Hurduc, Iliana Palamaru Abstract.
Romanian health and safety regulations require employers
to monitor the exposure by a suitable procedure in any case where it is
necessary for ensuring the maintenance of adequate control of exposure of
employees to hazardous substances. Objectives. The aim of this study was to estimate the
occupational exposure risk of electroplating plant’s workers. Materials and methods. Indoor air
quality was evaluated by workplace measurements of chemicals in two
cadmium-nickel-chrome electroplating and zinc coating units. For the
determination of internal exposure 69 workers (mean age: 42.7±6.3 years, mean exposure length: 20±7.4), including 28 women, and a matched
control group (72 subjects) were examined in a cross-sectional study. Whole
blood samples were analyzed for cadmium and post-shift urine samples for beta
2-microglobulin. The dermal exposure levels of heavy metals were measured by
wipe sampling in combination with adequate analytical techniques. 23
electroplaters belonging to workplaces with major risk were analyzed for
chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in peripheral lymphocytes. The results
were statistically analyzed through usual methods (Student’s t-test, c2-test, Pearson′s
correlation coefficient). Results and discussion. Airborne
concentrations exceeded threshold limit values (TLV-TWA) for cadmium,
chromium, nickel, cyanide, sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid and
trichloroethylene. Mean concentrations of cadmium in whole blood, of dermal
chrome, cadmium and nickel and of urinary beta 2-microglobulin were
significantly higher among electroplaters than in controls. A positive
correlation was found between urinary beta 2-microglobulin and blood cadmium
levels. The prevalence of chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei in
peripheral lymphocytes was
significantly higher in exposed as compared with controls. Conclusions. The study revealed the presence of a high
occupational risk in metal plating shops. The concentrations of a great
number of chemicals, some of them inducing cancer, exceeded the allowed
exposure limits. The results confirm that beta 2-microglobulin is a
sufficiently sensitive indicator for use in monitoring heavy metal
occupational exposure, especially for cadmium. As a complement to traditional
exposure assessment, monitoring deposition of aerosols on employees’ skin can
be a simple and quick screening method for identifying deposited metals. Key
words: electroplaters, biological monitoring, exposure/effects
biomarkers Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Potential
health effects within occupational exposure to anesthetics of health care
workers Eugenia Dănulescu,
Mirela Ghiţescu, Daniela
Constantinescu, Carmen Cozmei, Doina Havârneanu,
Felicia Grădinariu, Irina Alexandrescu, V Cazuc,
Doina Ivanovici, R Dănulescu, Raluca
Dănulescu Abstract. Aim. To assess respiratory
system response in long time low-level occupational exposure to anesthetics
(AE) and to identify appropriate prophylactic measures. Materials and Methods. Cross-section study on 128 health care
workers occupationally exposed to AE (halothane, enflurane, isoflurane) vs matched controls. GC exposure
evaluation, clinical examination, immunochemistry, respiratory function tests
and oxidative stress markers (SOD, TBARS) were performed. To assess the
possible effect of AE on the immune function, peripheral lymphocyte
subpopulations, NK cells percentage and NK cytotoxic activity were determined
in a subgroup (n=33). Results. AE
concentrations in workplaces air were under but close to TLV. Irritative
respiratory symptoms prevailed. Discrete distal obstructions were found in
45.3% of workers vs 22.8% in
controls (c2=10.1, p<0.01,
OR=2.7, CI:1.4-5.2). SOD and TBARS were significantly higher in exposed
(p<0.01). Serum immunoglobulins changes suggested alteration of the
humoral immune response. The anaesthesiologist subgroup had a slightly
reduced percentage of specific cytotoxicity (12.34%) versus exposed
(16.06%). Conclusions. It seems that under TLV occupational exposure to
anaesthetic gases could interfere with defence mechanisms. Further research
could sustain the reconsideration of exposure standards - a suitable
prophylactic approach. Key words: respiratory health
effects, occupational exposure, anesthetics,
exposure standards Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Waterline contamination in
the dental practices in Iasi Lucia Bârlean, Luminiţa Smaranda Iancu, I Dănilă,
Tinca Navrotescu, Iuliana Cotea, Luminiţa Minea Abstract.
Aim. The aim of the study
was to determine the degree of contamination of the water in the dental unit
and the risk of pathogens transmission on this route, in Iaşi dental
practices in 2006. The water supply in dental units through oral rinses,
air/water syringes, ultrasonic scalers, and high or low-speed hand pieces may
be heavily contaminated with microorganisms that present potential
risks of contamination for both
medical team and patients. The
microorganisms detected in Dental Unit Water System (DUWS) are mainly
bacteria, but some protozoa and fungi may also be found. Materials and methods. A total of 93 water samples were collected
of which 67 from the DUWS, in four distribution points. Contamination was
determined using bacteriological
indicators: Total Number of mesophilic Germs (TNG/ml) growing at 370C,
coliform bacteria (CFU/100 ml), Escherichia coli (CFU/100 ml) and
enterococci (CFU/100 ml). Results.
The values for TNG/ml exceeded European Union drinking water
guidelines in 52.5% of DUWS water
samples. Coliform bacteria were present in 30.3% of the samples collected
from DUWS. E. coli was
detected in one air-water syringe sample. Conclusions. The
pathogenicity and metabolism of the biofilm in the DUWS, insufficiently
evaluated till now, require further studies in this field in view of
elaborating effective strategies for water supply quality control aiming the
decrease of the risk for microorganisms transmission on this route. Key
words: contamination, biofilm, Dental Unit Water System, infection control Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Smoking – behavioral risk factor for the nutrition
in pregnancy
Victoria Papadopol, Gabriela Mancaş, Cristina Cîmpeanu,
Elena Popa, Nicoleta Florescu, Gabriela Albu
Absract.
Aim. The aim of the study
was to determine the relationship between smoking and food ingestion in a
pregnant women group. The literature in the field has shown that smoking during
pregnancy is harmful, affecting pregnancy evolution, delivery and newborn
health. Also, smoking can indirectly influence fetus evolution affecting the
alimentary mother behavior. Material
and methods. The cohort study implied a group of 263 pregnant women,
18-39 years old, from Iaşi city. They were investigated early in
pregnancy, late in pregnancy and about 2 months postpartum. They were asked
about the frequencies of food consumption and 24 h recall of food intake and
smoking data. Total energy intake and the main nutrients intake were
estimated. Urinary cotinine, thiocyanates and creatinine were determined.
Relationship smoking-nutrition was investigated using ”chi squared” and Anova
tests. Results. Before pregnancy
43.4% of women smoked; during pregnancy and postpartum about 10% of women
smoked. Smoking associated with defavourized socio-economical status (low
education, singles, unemployed). The number of smoked cigarettes very well
correlated with the urinary level of cotinine and thiocyanates reported by
creatinine. Smoking women had a higher ingested energy and consumed more
lipids than nonsmoking women. In early pregnancy, smoking women consumed
fewer dairy products and in late pregnancy they consumed less fish then the
other ones. After delivery, the smoking women consumed less eggs and fish.
During the whole study period, they consumed more coffee comparing the
nonsmoking women. Conclusions.
About a quarter of smoking women continued to smoke during pregnancy and
after delivery; they had a less healthy nutrition comparing the nonsmoking
women. So, smoking pregnant women is a group of particular importance in
terms of public health interventions on nutrition. Key words: smoking, pregnancy,
nutrition, cotinine Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Immune aspects in health
care workers who are in close contact with tuberculosis patients Daniela Constantinescu, Carmen Cozmei, Raluca
Marina Moraru , Carmen Croitoru, Mirela
Ecateriné Ghiţescu, Ecaterina Anisie, Didona Anca Ungureanu, Doina Popa,
E Carasevici Abstract. Aim. Health-care workers
occupationally exposed to Mycobacterium
tuberculosis were investigated in order to detect immunological
parameters useful in monitoring the progression to the disease. Material and methods. We
investigated 20 tuberculosis exposed employees, 17 patients with active
pulmonary tuberculosis at diagnosis and after 6 months of treatment and 12
healthy controls with no exposure or history of active tuberculosis. We
detected flowcytometrically the percentages of circulating lymphocyte
subpopulations and Th1/Th2-type cytokines levels. Plasma immunoglobulins were
quantified by immune diffusion and chemiluminiscence. Results and discussion. B lymphocytes were significantly lower
in exposed and patients. Total IgE and interferon gamma (IFNγ) levels
were significantly higher in patients compared to exposed or controls. Tumour
necrosis alpha (TNFα) was significantly lower in exposed and patients compared
to controls. Conclusions. A
continuous clinical status monitoring, correlated with periodical
quantification of the above mentioned immunological parameters in
tuberculosis exposed workers will help us decide if these are reliable
markers for seizing transition to disease. Key-words: tuberculosis occupationally exposed workers, IgE, cytokines,
IFNγ, TNFα Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Irina
Alexandrescu, Doina Havârneanu, Doina Popa Abstract. Aim. The cytological diagnose of exfoliative epithelia has been
increasingly used during the last years in biomonitoring human populations
exposed to genotoxic agents. Material
and methods. While peripheral blood lymphocytes are the tissues most
frequently studied to assess cytogenetic damage in humans, in some cases,
epithelial tissues may be better models than lymphocytes. Results and discussion. Epithelia are
frequently the actual targets of carcinogens, as indicated by the sites of
cancers related to exposure. Moreover, exfoliated epithelial cells from the
mouth, nose, and bladder can be easily collected for large scale
biomonitoring. In the last few years, increasing number of studies, also use
other types of epithelia including bronchial, esophageal, intestinal,
cervical, and breast duct. Micronuclei (MN) are formed as a result of
chromosome damage and can be readily identified in exfoliated epithelial
cells. Several methodological issues have to be considered to assure high
quality results: timing of cell collection, sufficient number of cells
scored, differentiation of normal and degenerated cells on the slides to
eliminate false-positives. Factors of interindividual variability, including
age and gender differences, are important aspects in the design of biomarker
studies using MN assay. Conclusions.
Broad spectrum of environmental factors is associated with increased level of
MN in epithelial cells. The goal for the future is to validate predictive
value of MN in the risk of cancer and other adverse health outcomes. Key words: micronuclei, biomarker,
epithelial cells, genotoxic agents, ocupational cancer Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Prevalence and
characteristics of Staphylococus aureus isolated from infections in Northeast Romania Dorneanu Olivia, Miftode Egidia,
Vremeră Teodora, E Năstase, Filip Olga, V Luca Abstract. Introduction. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is
associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Materials and methods. We have tested a total of 89 S. aureus strains isolated from blood
cultures (25), cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) (6), pus (48), sputum (3) and urine
(10) specimens collected from patients registered in the Infectious Diseases
Hospital “Sf. Parascheva” Iaşi, Romania, between 1.01.2006-31.12.2006.
The strains have been identified using ID 32STAPH strips and their
susceptibility testing was performed using ATB STAPH strips (bioMerieux, France). Minimum
inhibitory concentrations (MIC) to oxacillin and vancomycin were assessed
using E-tests (AB Biodisk, Sweden).
Results. MIC for oxacillin ranged
from 0.064 to >256 µg/ml. The prevalence of MRSA in this hospital was
47.1%. Heteroresistance was present in 16.8% strains. MIC for vancomycin was
in the susceptible range for all isolates, ranging between 1 to 3 μg/ml.
The overall susceptibility of MRSA was: vancomycin 100%,
quinupristin-dalfopristin 100%, clindamycin 97%,
sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim 94%, fusidic acid 94%, levofloxacin 50%,
erythromycin 19%, gentamicin 9%, tetracycline 9%. Conclusions. Quinupristin-dalfopristin and vancomycin remain the
first choice therapy for MRSA infections. To preserve their value, their use
should be limited to those cases where they are clearly needed.
Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, clindamycin and fusidic acid are good alternatives. Key
words: Staphylococcus aureus, oxacillin, MRSA, E-test Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Epidemiology
of ulcerative colitis in North-Eastern Romanian areas Elena Toader, Lidia Rusu, Liliana Croitoru, Oana
Arhip, Camelia Mihăilă Abstract. The
aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and clinical
course of ulcerative colitis (UC) in North-Eastern (NE) Romania during
2000-2006. Ulcerative colitis represents
a distinct entity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with unknown etiology
which affects young people. UC is ubicvitar disease with an incidence rate
that varies greatly worldwide. Material
and method. There were
identified 301 UC cases with use of the diagnosis criteria for UC during the
period of time from the year of 2000 till 2006. The incidence was estimated
according to districts registered data recorded within – Health District
Authorities. Clinical data concerning UC were registered according to medical
(hospital) recordings. Results. UC
incidence in NE Romania during 2000-2006 was 1.75/105 inhabitants
recording a progressive increasing in the studied period. The distribution of
the disease in all four districts was: Botoşani 1.65/105 inhabitants;
Iaşi 1.95/105 inhabitants; Suceava 1.83/105
inhabitants and Vaslui 1.57/105 inhabitants. The incidence values
were higher in urban areas than rural ones (2.23/105 inhabitants
vs 1.21/105 inhabitants). The mean age was 45.5 y with the
distribution in age group and sex 46.47±14.54 y for male and 44.48±15.37 y
for women, at the time of the diagnosis. Complications of the UC as proctitis
were found in 35.3% of cases, lift side colitis in 35.3% and pancolitis in
22.6% at the time of diagnosis. Severity of the first attacks evaluated
according to Truelove and Witts criteria was
mild in 41.7% cases, moderate in 38,2%cases, and severe in 20.1% cases. Conclusion. The low incidence of UC
in NE Romania (1.75/105 inhabitants) confirms the low frequency of
the disease in this part of Europe. The progressive
increasing of incidence UC during the period study and heterogenity
distribution in county as unknown, but the evidence support a possible role
for behavioural factors (for example nutrition, life style). Socio-demographic characteristics, clinical
features, disease extent and clinical course of UC are the same in low-as
well as high-incidence area. Key
words: ulcerative colitis, incidence, clinical course Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Principles
and methods of measuring environmental levels of high-frequency
electromagnetic fields C Goiceanu, R Dănulescu Abstract. The
progress of communication technology led to large-scale use of wireless
devices both in occupational environment and in private life. Consequently,
human exposure to high-frequency electromagnetic fields is increasing and it
is necessary to assess it. An important step in exposure assessment consists
in measuring electromagnetic field levels at workplaces, in public areas or
in residential buildings. To help understanding the requirements concerning
the process of measuring field levels, we present some knowledge in this
domain. Principles regarding field characterization and measurement are
discussed. Basic knowledge on sensors, probes and instruments adequate for
field measurement in the high-frequency range are also presented. In the last
part of this paper, we focused on main types of instruments, main categories
of measuring methods and some general procedure for accurate measurement of
high-frequency electromagnetic fields. Key words:
electromagnetic fields, exposure assessment, communication technology Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Dental Health Demographic trends of early childhood caries
Marinela Păsăreanu, Dana Cristiana Rotaru, Roxana Enache Abstract.
Aim. This
study was carried out in order to investigate the prevalence, the degree of
severity and related feeding habits of baby bottle caries in children who
have required dental care at Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Materials and methods. This research was
performed in 216 children: 91 boys and 125 girls aged between 3-8 years old.
The examined subjects were pre-school and school populations from Suceava
county. Results and discussion.
The incidence of ECC in Suceava county, in 2006 was 0.047%. About 10.7% of
the examined children presented severe temporary tooth decay, due to the
prolonged use of nursery bottles. A percentage of 60.8% of these children
presented complicated caries with or without tooth crown destruction. The
most prevalent habit was sweetened milk (33.3%), honey, sweetened tea and
juices (16.7%). Conclusions. This
study attempts to give indications regarding the degree of severity of ECC in
affected children. Baby bottle caries can cause severe lesions. A most one
half of children presented pulpal and
periapical involvement of affected teeth with or without tooth crown
destruction. Key-words:
early childhood caries, incidence, tooth crown destruction Ü FULL
TEXT.PDF Abstracts „THE FOURTH ROMANIAN-GERMAN SYMPOSIUM ON
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE” |
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