Sensors Based on Tin and Indium Oxides for the Determination of Acetone in Human Breath.

The properties of planar sensors based on tin dioxide and indium oxide used for the determination of acetone vapors have been studied. Sensors based on synthesized SnO2 and In2O3 nanopowders showed high sensitivity to low concentrations of acetone in a humid environment which simulates human exhalation. The addition of a small amount of AuIII ions to hydroxide sols significantly increases the threshold sensitivity and the sensor response in a wide range of acetone concentrations. In2O3-Au sensors have the maximum sensitivity at an operating temperature of 325 °C. The In2O3-Au-sensors reliably record the change in acetone concentration in the concentration range from a minimum of 0.1 to 5 ppm with high accuracy, which is necessary for rapid diagnostics of the condition of patients with diabetes (1.8-5.0 ppm). The high sensitivity of the obtained sensors is explained by the structural features and the surface conditions of oxides and gold nanoparticles, which depend on the sample synthesis conditions.

Mobile phone use and its threat to dependence among secondary school students - an explanatory study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Nomophobia (NMP) is a present-age phobia of loss of use of information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly smartphones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study adopted a two-phase, exploratory consequential mixed methods design. The first phase was a quantitative exploration of the degree of NMP. The second mapped the potential area of risks in using modern ICT. Three working hypotheses were established to compare the opinions of secondary school students, their behaviour and degree of NMP. A 20-item anonymous questionnaire was administered to 373 boys and girls aged 14-15 in 11 randomly-selected secondary schools in the Czech Republic. RESULTS: The results prove that 0.5% of the subjects did not exhibit symptoms of NMP, a very mild form of NMP was detected in 71% of respondents, a mild form of NMP was detected in 18.7% of the respondents, a moderate form of NMP was detected in 7.8% of respondents, and a severe form of NMP was detected in 2% of respondents. Almost three-quarters of the students were not directly at risk of dependence on a mobile phone, but a 10th of the sample exhibited a set of symptoms of behavioural addiction. On average, respondents used 4 applications, communication programmes, social networks, and music players. Girls reported a higher dependence on mobile phones in comparison to boys. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigations should directly ascertain which integrands predict NMP, identifying risk groups, and developing preventive strategies (social and environmental factors) to better understand the underlying cause of NMP.

Polymorphisms rs562556 and rs2479409 of the PCSK9 gene associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to comprehensively assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs562556 and rs2479409) in the PCSK9 gene with biochemical parameters - C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TAG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL CHOL), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non HDL CHOL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL CHOL), cholesterol (CHOL), and anthropometric parameters (visceral fat), overweight/obesity and cardiovascular risk. METHODS: A total of 71 women aged 23-64 years were divided into three groups based on body mass index (BMI). BMI ≥ 25/≥ 30 kg/m2 was the criterion for assessment of overweight/obesity. Anthropometric, biochemical and genetic examinations were performed on the probands. Changes in markers in each group and their association with cardiovascular risk were monitored. RESULTS: We can conclude that in our study population we observed differences between the BMI categories for biochemical markers (CRP, LDL CHOL, non HDL CHOL, HDL CHOL, LDL CHOL) and anthropometric marker (visceral fat). Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), Castelli's Risk Index I (CRI-I) and atherogenic coefficient (AC) confirmed high cardiovascular risk for the obese women category (0.045); (< 0.013); (< 0.010). Genotype and allele frequencies for the PCSK9 gene in the overweight and obese groups showed higher allele frequencies of allele A for both polymorphisms of the gene. CONCLUSIONS: PCSK9 gene expression is associated with biological processes such as lipid metabolism and inflammation. Cholesterol-lowering therapies are the gold standard for reducing the risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PCSK9 is a novel lipid-lowering therapeutic approach in adults to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Diabetes mellitus and its influence on the incidence and process of diabetic retinopathy.

OBJECTIVES: The main aim of the study was to show the effect of diabetes in relation to the gender of the patients, duration of the disease, and on the incidence of diabetic retinopathy. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of these two diseases, pathological ocular changes and progression of disease occurrence in relation to the duration of the disease with respect to their impact on the quality of vision of the patient. METHODS: The prospective observational cross-sectional study included 3,951 patients (1,838 males, 2,113 females) with diabetes mellitus from 7 districts of eastern Slovakia. Patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy were identified by special screening in the number of 2,093 (1,094 females and 999 males). Subjects were divided by sex and by duration of diabetes into 5 groups: patients with diabetes under 5, 10, 15, 20, and over 20 years. We differentiated between proliferative and non-proliferative forms of diabetic retinopathy and monitored changes in visual quality. Manifestations of pathological changes were recorded using special examination methods in the eye clinic. We observed a decrease in vision by two lines, pathological changes on the retina and the occurrence of practical blindness. RESULTS: Of the total number of diabetic patients examined, diabetic retinopathy was also present in more than half of the patients. The major form represented in the patients was the non-proliferative form of retinopathy. The obtained results confirmed that the representation of patients with diabetic retinopathy increases with increasing duration of diabetes. Similarly, pathological changes characteristic of this type of late complication of diabetes were also more frequent, such as deterioration of visual acuity, the appearance of aneurysms, hard exudates macular edema, and gradual loss of vision, which can result in practical blindness. CONCLUSION: The percentage of people with diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes, as well as the increased frequency of pathological late complication of diabetes, including deterioration of visual acuity, the development of aneurysms, hard exudates, macular oedema, and gradual loss of vision, which can result in practical blindness. Early diagnosis of the disease and introduction of appropriate treatment would alleviate the symptoms of the disease in more than half of the patients, so more frequent preventive check-ups with an ophthalmologist should be performed in diabetic patients to avoid detection of the disease in its late stages.

Monitoring of selected anthropometric and biochemical parameters in men and women in Bardejov District.

OBJECTIVES: Metabolic and cardiovascular diseases represent a significant and ever-increasing problem, accounting for nearly one-third of all deaths and leading to significant morbidity. Lifestyle changes, which introduce new risk factors for cardiovascular disease, are leading to an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease worldwide. The burden of cardiovascular disease can be reduced by careful risk reduction, and as such, primary prevention is an important priority for all. There is strong consensus among international guidelines regarding the necessity of smoking cessation, weight optimization, and the importance of exercise, while guidelines differ slightly in their approach to hypertension and vary greatly in their approach to the optimal lipid profile, which remains a controversial issue. METHODS: The work is focused on the analysis of biochemical (glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerols) and anthropometric (body mass index) parameters in selected probands (n = 140), including men (n = 70) and women (n = 70) in the Bardejov district. Probands were divided into groups depending on age (18-38, 39-50, 51-60, and over 61 years). For statistical evaluation, the program Statistica ver. 12 and ANOVA were used. RESULTS: The results of the study showed statistically significantly higher values of BMI, total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerides (TG), and glucose (GLU) (p < 0.001) between men and women in the age groups (18-38 years, 39-50 years). In probands from the age group 51-60 years and over 61 years, we found a high level of cholesterol above the reference limit, but a significant difference between men and women was not confirmed. Correlation analysis confirmed the positive correlation between glucose and BMI. CONCLUSION: Differences in risk-factor (e.g., biochemical and anthropometrics) burden translate into marked differences in the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. These differences are consistent across age groups.

Assessment of foot arch shape and health status of adult population from Eastern Slovakia.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the foot arch shape and the associated health status in a selected sample of individuals belonging to the adult majority population of eastern Slovakia and to evaluate which of the observed factors are involved in the occurrence and development of foot arch abnormalities. METHODS: The weight and height of probands were measured according to standard anthropometric methods using a personal scale and an anthropometer. The BMI index was calculated for each proband from the measured data. A Pod4Foot Classic podoscope was used to obtain the plantograms. The Chippaux-Smirak index method was used to evaluate the plantograms. The study includes a questionnaire containing questions about factors affecting the foot arch shape. RESULTS: The arch of the right foot was supported by the effect of wearing shoes at home (p = 0.013). There was an association between wearing high-heeled shoes and foot arch disorder, both on the right (p = 0.011) and left (p = 0.045) foot. There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of overweight or obesity, between wearing orthopaedic insoles in shoes without a prescription, wearing orthopaedic footwear at home, between sport or static and active work and foot arch disorder in our study. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the probands had a bilaterally normal arched foot, which is a positive result. Nowadays, there are a large number of orthopaedic devices on the market that help to shape the arch of the foot properly, but it is not correct to use these devices arbitrarily, without a doctor's prescription and a diagnosis of foot arch deviation.

Use of bioimpedance in prevention of sarcopenia in the elderly.

OBJECTIVES: Physiological ageing is associated with major and progressive changes in body composition, particularly in the decline of fat-free mass, which puts older individuals at risk of geriatric syndromes such as sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Bioimpedance analysis noninvasively allows the determination of body composition, thus being able to rapidly assess primary risk factors leading to sarcopenia prediction. METHODS: We conducted a study of 180 probands, 120 females (66.7%) with a mean age of 76.23 (SD = 9.29) years and 60 males (33.3%) with a mean age of 74.01 (SD = 8.99) years in cooperation with facilities for the elderly and with the inpatient department of the clinics of J.A. Reimann Hospital in Presov. Body height, body weight, hip circumference, and waist circumference were determined by the anthropometric method, from which the values of the body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were calculated. Active body mass, total body water, extracellular body water, intracellular body water, cell mass, body mass fat, body fat index, fat-free mass index, impedance at frequencies of 50 kHz, resistance, reactance, and phase angle were determined using the Quadscan 4000 Touch bioimpedance instrument. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) and muscle mass (ASMM/Ht2) were calculated. The data obtained from anthropometric and bioimpedance measurements were processed in MS Excel 2000 and STATISTICA ver. 12. The difference of means in the studied groups was tested by the t-test. RESULTS: Presarcopenia was diagnosed in 12 (6.66%) probands out of 180 probands, of which were 3 (5%) men and 9 women (7.5%). Phase angle, ASMM and ASMM/Ht2 values were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in men and women with presarcopenia. CONCLUSION: By introducing bioimpedance measurements into practice, it is possible to obtain results in a non-invasive way revealing possible presarcopenia in the elderly.

Initial screening of the rs104893657 variant of the PAX8 gene in women with hypothyroidism from Northeastern Slovakia.

OBJECTIVE: Thyroid diseases are among the most common endocrinopathies and metabolic disorders. Hypothyroidism is caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormones with a higher prevalence in women. Causes for the development of endocrine diseases may be mutations in genes that encode peptide hormones. The aim of this scientific study was to determine the genotype and allele frequencies of the rs104893657 variant of the PAX8 gene and to determine the genotype versus phenotype association. METHODS: The study population consisted of 135 women from northeastern Slovakia who were divided on the basis of screening into two groups: a control group without diagnosed hypothyroidism (CG = 67) and a group of women with hypothyroidism (HY = 68). Biochemical markers - thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), prealbumin (PREA), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined using Cobas Integra 400 plus, Cobas e411 analysers (Roche). Genotyping was performed using TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay instrument 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR Systems (Applied Biosystem). RESULTS: Student's t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between CG and HY in biochemical parameters: TSH (p < 0.001), P (p = 0.008). By Chi-square test we found no statistically significant difference in the representation of genotypes (p = 0.788) in the rs104893657 polymorphism of PAX8 gene. The T allele was not associated with hypothyroidism in Slovak women (p = 0.548). In CC genotype we found statistically significant difference between CG and HY in parameters TSH (p < 0.001) and P (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: The mutant T allele was detected at low frequency in both groups of women studied. The association of the T allele with the development of hypothyroidism in Slovak women was not confirmed. The results of this work provide initial information on the distribution of genotypes and alleles in the studied variant of PAX8 gene in the Slovak female population.

Effectiveness of Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet in the Management of Overweight Women: The Prospective Interventional Cohort Study.

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.

Tear fluid biomarkers in major depressive disorder: Potential of spectral methods in biomarker discovery.

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.

Allopathic and Naturopathic Medicine and Their Objective Consideration of Congruent Pursuit.

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.

Mercury accumulation in plants from contaminated arable lands in Eastern Slovakia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Contamination of soil by mercury poses several risks to human health through consumption of fruits and vegetables. In Slovakia, a high concentration of mercury is found in the soil of the Central Spis region. The objective of the study is to measure the mercury concentrations in the parts of selected plant species and trees growing within 100 meters of a former ore processing facility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 24 samples of plants, 20 samples of parts of needle-leaved trees and 9 samples of parts of broad-leaved trees were collected from soils with a high concentration of mercury. The concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry in different parts of the plants: leaves - 18 species, roots - 15 species, stems - 11 species, flowers - 7 species), and different parts of trees (crust - 8 species, branches - 8 species, needles - 5 species, cones - 5 species, leaves - 3 species). RESULTS: The concentrations of mercury in the soils taken at a depth of 0.25 m exceeded the maximum allowed levels more than 50-times. Potatoes, parsley and carrots from these soils exceeded the maximum allowed mercury levels 6-times, 5-times and twice, respectively. The average concentrations of mercury in the roots of 2-year onions exceeded the limit more than 50-times. The flowers of cornflower contain 18.20 mg*kg -1 , leaves of dandelion 10.61 mg*kg -1 and roots of plantain 6.80 mg*kg -1 of mercury. Regarding trees, the highest concentrations were found in the branches of juniper and leaves of aspen - more than 1 mg*kg -1. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic monitoring of mercury is still very important, since it was found that the end of ore processing does not solve the issue of contamination in the Central Spis region. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables from the areas of former ore processing facilities is not recommended.

Mercury cycling in the terrestrial, aquatic and atmospheric environment of the Slovak Republic - an overview.

INTRODUCTION: Mercury release in the environment is mainly the result of human activity, particularly from coal-fired power stations, residential heating systems, waste incinerators, and as a result of mining for mercury, gold and other metals, which have led to widespread global mercury pollution. Excessive exposure to mercury is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects, including damage to the central nervous system, digestive and immune systems, and to lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of the study is to summarize the selected mercury sources in the environment of the Slovak Republic, regarding waste incinerators, landfill waste, crematoria, chemical plants, rivers and soils. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: Although the neurologic symptoms of Minamata disease were identified sufficiently for specialists to classify mercury as the causative agent, the acceptance of mercury´s environmental impacts will require several decades of research. Several new issues have arisen - the need for energy conservation leads to the use of fluorescent lighting, which contain mercury; emissions driven by increases in coal combustion, incineration and economic development have sent more mercury into the air, soil and water. CONCLUSIONS: Mercury is toxic to human health, posing a particular threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life. The systematic analytical controls of contaminants in water, soil and air are important. The installation of modern cleaning technologies to comply with the maximum emission level can substantially minimized the environmental impact of incinerators. Since human cremation is also an increasing practice, further research on mercury emissions is necessary.

Fish and fish products as risk factors of mercury exposure.

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 Ruzín 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.

Retrospective assessment of specific effects of exposure of workers to PCBs in Slovakia.

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.