Search

Evidence indicates that unhealthy eating habits constitute multilevel obstacles threatening health and well-being. Studies suggest that consumer choices have turned irremovably towards Western diets. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered one of the most effective in preventing and treating overweight and obesity, yet its results and associations are ambiguous. This explanatory research aims to examine the effect of the MD on anthropometric and biochemical variables in 181 females from an Eastern European country. The sample was divided into three distinct clusters based on age (tricenarian, quadragenarian, and quinquagenarian). Anthropometric and biochemical examinations in the three-month MD program plan failed to provide convincing evidence of the benefits of the MD on selected integrands. However, total body fat (FATP) values between groups showed a significant difference (p ≤ 0.032) between groups A and C (p ≤ 0.029), which can be attributed to the age of the cohort (30–39 vs. 50–60 years). Values in groups A and B (p ≤ 0.001) and C and A (p ≤ 0.001) were significant between the cohorts but did not indicate any changes in visceral fat (VFATL) in the individual groups. The presented findings can have implications for further investigation and the development of more comprehensive instruments, incorporating critical add-on constituents that will be appropriate to monitor, evaluate, and predict body weight management in experimentation.

Spectroscopic methods represent a group of analytical methods that demonstrate high potential in providing clinically relevant diagnostic information, such as biochemical, functional or structural changes of macromolecular complexes that might occur due to pathological processes or therapeutic intervention. Although application of these methods in the field of psychiatric research is still relatively recent, the preliminary results show that they have the capacity to detect subtle neurobiological abnormalities in major depressive disorder (MDD). Methods of mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), zymography, synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS), circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to analyze the human tear fluid of subjects with MDD. Using MALDI-TOF MS, two diagnostically significant peaks (3747 and 16 411 m/z) were identified with an AUC value of 0.89 and 0.92 in tear fluid of subjects with MDD vs controls, respectively. We also identified various forms of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in subjects with MDD using zymography and synchronous fluorescence spectra (SFS) showed a significant increase in fluorescence intensity at 280 nm. CD spectra were redshifted in tear fluid of subjects with MDD vs healthy controls. FTIR spectroscopy showed changes in the positions of peaks for amide A, I, II in tear fluid of subjects with MDD vs controls. Moreover, atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed different pattern in the crystal structures of tear fluid components in subjects with MDD. SFS, CD, FTIR spectroscopy, AFM and MALDI-TOF MS confirmed, that the human tear fluid proteome could be helpful in discriminating between the group of subjects with MDD and healthy controls. These preliminary findings suggest that spectral methods could represent a useful tool in clinical psychiatry, especially in establishing differential diagnosis, monitoring illness progression and the effect of psychiatric treatment.

The behaviour regarding the fluid intake in adolescents and young adults is an important issue, since these data may provide information about the health consciousness of the next generation. Inappropriate daily beverages intake for a long period can have adverse effects on human health. Positive effects of maintenance of good hydration are known in the prevention of chronic diseases like urolithiasis, bladder or colon cancer, hypertension, obesity, or constipation. In the present study, we examine the various factors of beverage intake by university students. Data from 3020 students of the Czech and Slovak universities were collected in 2016–2018 to evaluate their daily fluid intake and the characteristics of beverage consumptions. We found that gender, country, frequency of daily water intake, nutrition literacy, and some other factors influence whether a student reports having a daily water intake of more than 1.5 litres. Our respondents have preferences for beverages, based on taste and health effects primarily, prices and availability were secondary. We present the suggestions for a more balanced beverage intake for the studied age group.

Cadmium and mercury are widespread and non-biodegradable pollutants of great concern to human and animal health. In this study, the influence of exposure to low doses of cadmium and mercury on Wistar rats was investigated. The experiments aimed to identify suitable markers of chronic intoxication with heavy metals in rats. The subjects were 48 naive young rats (24 females and 24 males), four weeks old, grouped randomly into three distinct groups&mdash, control group, group exposed to cadmium and group exposed to mercury. The control group received sham treatment&mdash, clean untreated water. Cd exposed group received water containing cadmium chloride dihydrate and Hg exposed group received water with mercury dichloride. Both cadmium and mercury were administered to experimental rats in drinking water in concentrations exceeding the maximum acceptable concentration of these metals 500 times, i.e., 0.5 mg Hg and 2.5 mg Cd per liter of water. The results were evaluated quarterly during the experiment (52 weeks). Selected physiological parameters (life span, body weight changes and intake of food and water), reproductive parameters (number of births (litters), number of born pups and number of raised pups) and toxicological parameters (average daily dose, total dose received and the amount of toxic metal received) were studied. The results of the experiments indicate differences between both individual groups and between males and females, which confirmed that these parameters are essential in such experiments of chronic exposure to subtoxic doses of heavy metals.

In recent years, allopathy (ALP) and naturopathy (NAP) have become a favorite topic, source of argument, and the subject discussed when it comes to choosing treatment modality. Various attempts have been made to elucidate this issue, yet limited advancement has been achieved. To this day, the dispute remains active, and the debate over what to do about it continues to damnify us. The presented qualitative analysis aims to identify existing views or else expand on or uncover already known differences. Ourexamination or position is not about the conflict, finding a superior method (ALP vs. NAP), but aims at inductive reasoning, making broader generalizations from scientific observations. Subjects and Methods. We explore the philosophical and psychological foundation of the prevailing ideologies and perspectives in the contemporary society using the Straussian grounded theory approach. The study had no subjects. Results. We outline the path for the future direction. Conclusion. Our examination concludes that it is essential to acknowledge not only the difference between ALP and NAP but also how they both act on our health. We emphasize that, by identifying our perspective, our inner reflection, and our view on this topic, we can undertake a new paradigm, new road to improve our health, and perhaps the well-being throughout our culture and society.

Introduction and objective Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been used commercially since 1929 as dielectric and insulating non-flammable substances, additives for paints, etc. In Slovakia, 60 chemical production workers highly exposed to PCBs (mainly to Delor 103) were studied with duration of exposure ranging from 3 months to 19 years. Material and methods Clinical examinations of skin, skin histology and laboratory tests concerning lipid metabolism, iron metabolism and levels of copper provided comparisons with a control group of healthy individuals and/or the upper limits of normal values. Results Skin changes were found in 47 % of individuals. In most cases, milia-like efflorescences (57.14 %) occurred, as well as comedones (55.35 %); other symptoms occurred in a smaller number of workers. Hyperkeratosis, acanthosis of the epidermis (particularly in hair follicles), and a cellular infiltration of the corium were all found through histology. The intensity of cutaneous affections was associated with the changes in laboratory tests. Elevated triglycerides, cholesterol, and phospholipids were found in exposed workers. After a further two years, a significant increase in triglycerides was found in exposed individuals when compared with the control group. In addition, a significant increase in serum levels of copper, and total and unsaturated iron-binding capacity was detected. Conclusions Anamnesis showed that some people directly exposed to PCBs may develop skin changes after three months of occupational exposure. The results represent a unique snapshot of worker exposure at a given location, representing the basis for comparison with the population who grew up in the area and still live there today.

Longstanding research suggests a plausible relation between physical activity, the natural environment, and overall health. However, when investigating this relationship, most studies focused on the absence of disease or frailty as health indicators. The relation between physical activity (PA), subjective well-being (SWB), natural environment, and present moment awareness (PMA) remains unexplored. The presented qualitative review offers a perspective model of the relationship between physical activity, natural environment, and awareness of the present moment that helps us explore its underlying, relating pathways. Our review concludes that present moment awareness can be worthy of attention to detect the impact of physical activity, subjective well-being and staying in a natural environment on selected samples, as well as its influence on maximizing related benefits for health and well-being. The challenge after that is to consider how to monitor the complex interactions that will occur within the multiple levels of influence. Essentially, a unified model of research and practice which incorporates physiological and psychological theories is undoubtedly needed. If that happens, we can understand the role of the diverse regulators upon behavior and proceed to convey this evidence into future health-promoting interventions.

Global environmental contamination is one of the most significant environmental problems in contemporary society. Pollutants are entering the environment from different sources, and on the basis of their physico-chemical properties, they are transported and participate in biochemical cycles in the varied components of the environment, namely in the air, aquatic environment, soil and in rocks or segments. They enter the food chain through which they enter the human body, where they are transformed into either harmless metabolites (detoxification) that are easily excluded or else harmful, reactive products are formed. Heavy metals are one of the most dangerous groups of biologically important pollutants. The burden of the environment puts more significant burden on populations and ecosystems. They form integrant part of the earth's surface and therefore are present throughout the land. We can utter that contamination of the environment and its consequences for living organisms have long been in forefront of the interest in scientific as well as lay community.

Ucel studie: Cieľom studie bolo hodnotiť uživanie výživových doplnkov laickou verejnosťou na Slovensku, identifikovať ich postoje a znalosti o týchto produktoch. Použite metody: Dotaznikový prieskum na vzorke 256 respondentov prebiehal v obdobi oktober až december 2014 elektronickým zberom. Hodnotilo sa uživanie výživových doplnkov a vedomostne znalosti respondentov o výživových doplnkoch formou vyjadreneho suhlasu so stanovenými tvrdeniami vseobecneho charakteru a tvrdeniami vyjadrujucimi bezpecnosť a ucinnosť výživových doplnkov. Výsledky sa spracovali deskriptivne pomocou Microsoft Excel. Výsledky: Až 64,5 % respondentov uživa výživove doplnky, a to obcas (49,8 %). Najcastejsim miestom ich nakupu je lekareň (55,8 %). Výživove doplnky sa najcastejsie uživaju z dovodu prevencie ochoreni (30,0 %) a ide najma o doplnky obsahujuce vitaminy. 57,0 % respondentov konstatovalo dostatok informacii o výživových doplnkoch, za hlavný zdroj informacii oznacili internet (23,8 %), lekarnika (18,6 %) a lekara (14,6 %). Len 21,5 % respondentov uživa výživove doplnky na zaklade odporucania lekara a 11,5 % na odporucanie lekarnika. Ako oblasti s vyssou vedomostnou urovňou respondentov bolo identifikovane vnimanie rozdielu medzi výživovým doplnkom a liekom (78,1 %), vedomosť, že výživový doplnok je dostupný bez lekarskeho predpisu (72,0 %) a že jeho uživanie je vhodne konzultovať s odbornikom (71,3 %). 58,5 % respondentov vedelo, že výživový doplnok nie je liek, ale len 25,3 % z nich vedelo, že patri medzi potraviny na specialne výživove ucely. 34,0 % respondentov považovalo výživove doplnky za uplne bezpecne a 19,6 % si myslelo, že su ucinne ako lieky. Zaver: Studia zistila, že uživanie výživových doplnkov laickou verejnosťou na Slovensku je porovnateľne s ostatnými krajinami. Hodnotenie vedomostnej urovne ukazalo vnimanie a postoje laickej verejnosti k ucinnosti, bezpecnosti a vseobecným charakteristikam výživových doplnkov. Zodpovedne a bezpecne uživanie výživových doplnkov vsak vyžaduje vyssiu angažovanosť zdravotnickych pracovnikov.

Introduction Mercury is ubiquitous in the biosphere, occurring in the air, water, land, and soil, as well as in living organisms. Excessive exposure to mercury is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects including damage to the central nervous system and the kidneys. Mercury exists in many different forms in the environment which produce various patterns of toxicity. Protection of the food chain from contamination by mercury is an important task in the protection of health of the human population. Objective The aim of the study was to monitor the concentrations of mercury in fish and fish products from food retail in Eastern Slovakia, and from the Ružin water reservoir, Kosice district. Material and methods A total of 384 samples of fish and fish products were collected for the study. Atomic absorption spectrometry standard solutions for mercury were used at a wavelength of 254 nm. Results The majority of countries and global organizations now enforce a maximum concentration of mercury in fish of approximately 0.5 mg.kg-1. All of the 184 samples (50.52 % of the total fish samples studied) were above the maximum level set by the European Commission Regulation for mercury in fish. Conclusions The systematic analytical control of contaminants in food is important. Mercury is concentrated in seafood, products of prey and marine fish, fish from rivers and lakes in the areas contaminated by mercury. According to the findings of this study with analyzer AMA 254, the consumption is not recommended of fish, especially seafood (meat of shark, swordfish and king mackerel), for selected groups of the population: children, women of childbearing age, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Benzen ma hematotoxicke ucinky, poskodzuje centralnu nervovu sustavu a imunitný system, je karcinogenom kategorie 1 a mutagenom kategorie 2. Expozicia benzenu je limitovana hygienickými predpismi. V subore 99 pracovnikov exponovaných benzenu a 19 neexponovaných (kontrolna skupina) boli v moci stanovene dva biomarkery benzenovej expozicie roznymi analytickými metodami. Kyselina trans,trans-mukonova bola stanovena chromatograficky a fenol spektrofotometricky. Cieľom studie bolo porovnať mieru ich vylucovania v oboch sledovaných skupinach a dokazať vhodnosť chromatografickeho stanovenia kyseliny trans,trans-mukonovej v moci ako rýchly a spoľahlivý biomonitoring pracovneho prostredia. Priemerna koncentracia fenolu v oboch skupinach sa pohybovala na fyziologickej urovni. V skupine exponovaných benzenu bola priemerna koncentracia fenolu vyjadrena ako Priemer (SD) 11,07 (8,51) mg.g-1 kreatininu, v kontrolnej skupine bola 12,16 (11,42) mg.g-1 kreatininu. Priemerna koncentracia kyseliny trans,trans-mukonovej exponovaných pracovnikov bola 0,64 (0,95) mg.g-1 kreatininu, v porovnani s kontrolnou skupinou 0,29 (0,24) mg.g-1 kreatininu, jej obsah v moci exponovaných pracovnikov nepresahoval doporucenu hodnotu koncentracneho limitu pre uroveň technickej smernej hodnoty benzenu v zmysle legislativy platnej v SR, ale prekracoval doporucenu biologicku medznu hodnotu podľa Americkej rady vladnych hygienikov pre priemysel. Statisticky t-testom bol potvrdený signifikantný rozdiel v nameraných hodnotach vylucovanej kyseliny trans,trans-mukonovej medzi kontrolnou skupinou pacientov a pracovnikov exponovaných benzenu, dokazujuci vhodnosť jej stanovenia ako rýchly a spoľahlivý biomonitoring pracovneho prostredia.

In the present work, the long-term effect (14 days) of copper on the levels of intracellular and total copper accumulation, growth, assimilation pigment composition, chlorophyll a fluorescence, soluble protein content and oxidative status (production of hydrogen peroxide and superoxide) in two algal species (Scenedesmus quadricauda and Trebouxia erici) was assessed. Scenedesmus quadricauda is a free-living alga while Trebouxia erici is the photobiont of a lichen. The presence of copper negatively affected growth, assimilation pigments, chlorophyll a fluorescence, soluble protein content and oxidative status in both the algae. However, Scenedesmus was much more sensitive compared to Trebouxia.

Background: Salmonella infections are caused by non-typhoid salmonellas which are transmitted from animals to human with typical clinical symptoms including severe diarrhea with fever, etc. (Balint...