Cardiovascular effects of environmental noise: research in Serbia.

Research on the cardiovascular effects of noise in Serbia started in the year 2002, including experimental studies on humans and epidemiological studies on the adult and children population of Belgrade and Pancevo. Experimental exposure to noise [L eq = 89 dB (A)] had a hypodynamic effect, significantly lowering the cardiac index, cardiac work, and pump performance (P < 0.01). The vasoconstrictive effect of noise was shown through the significant elevation of after-load (P < 0.01). In a cross-sectional population study that was carried out on 2874 residents [1243 males and 1631 females] in Pancevo City, a significant odds ratio (adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), and smoking habits) was found for self-reported hypertension (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.0 - 2.4, P < 0.01) in men with a high level of noise annoyance compared to those with a low level of noise annoyance. In another study on 2503 residents (995 men and 1508 women) residents of Belgrade, the proportions of men with hypertension in the noisy [(L night , 8h > 45 dB (A)] and quiet areas [(L night , 8h ≤ 45 dB (A)] were 23.6% and 17.5%, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for hypertension of the exposed group was 1.58 (95% CI = 1.03 - 2.42, P = 0.038), where men living in quiet streets were taken as a reference category. Associations between road traffic noise and blood pressure were also investigated in 328 preschool children in Belgrade. The systolic blood pressure was significantly higher among children from noisy residences and kindergartens, compared to children from both quiet environments (97.30 ± 8.15 and 92.33 ± 8.64 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.01). As a continuation of the study on preschool children, investigations were also carried out on 856 school children, aged between seven and eleven years, in Belgrade. It was found that systolic pressure was significantly higher among children from noisy schools and quiet residences, compared to children from both quiet environments (102.1 ± 9,3 and 100.4 ± 10.4 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.01).

Introducing the Early Trauma Inventory Self Report - Short Form and its Qualitative and Quantitative Validation for the Slovenian General Population.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic experience in childhood or adolescence has a significant impact on the development of chronic mental and physical conditions in adulthood. Thus, it is very important for health professionals, especially primary care physicians to have an inventory in order to detect early trauma for planning appropriate treatment, such as the Early Trauma Inventory (ETI). The aim of this paper is to test the psychometric properties of the Slovenian translation of the short, self-rated version (ETISR-SF), and to further validate the instrument. METHODS: The research was done in two parts - qualitative and quantitative. In the qualitative part, a questionnaire was translated and culturally adapted using the Delphi method. For the quantitative part, 51 patients with substance use disorders hospitalized at the Centre for the Treatment of Drug Addictions were recruited, along with 133 controls. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire were checked. Internal consistency was calculated using Cronbach's alpha, test-retest reliability was examined graphically using a Bland-Altman plot. Discriminant validity between groups was gauged using the independent samples t-test. RESULTS: Consensus in the Delphi study was reached in the second round. Cronbach's alpha varied between 0.60 - 0.85. Of the four domains, physical abuse had the lowest Cronbach's alpha. The test-retest reliability is high for all domains, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 to 0.96. The non-clinical sample differed significantly from the clinical sample. CONCLUSION: The Slovenian translation of ETISR-SF is a satisfactory instrument for the evaluation of trauma before the age of 18.

Antifungal activities of silver and selenium nanoparticles stabilized with different surface coating agents.

BACKGROUND: Extensive and growing use of different chemical pesticides that affect both the environment and human health raises a need for new and more suitable methods to deal with plant pathogens. Nanotechnology has enabled the use of materials at the nanoscale with exceptional functionality in different economic domains including agricultural production. This study aimed to evaluate antifungal potential of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stabilized with different surface coatings and characterized by different surface charge on plant pathogenic fungi Macrophomina phaseolina, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Diaporthe longicolla. RESULTS: AgNPs were coated with three different stabilizing agents: mono citrate (MC-AgNPs), cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB-AgNPs) and polyvinylpyrrolidon (PVP-AgNPs). SeNPs were coated with poly-l-lysine (PLL-SeNPs), polyacrylic acid (PAA-SeNPs), and polyvinylpyrrolidon (PVP-SeNPs). Seven different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 mg L-1 ) of nanoparticles were applied. All AgNPs and SeNPs significantly inhibited the growth of the tested fungi. Among the tested NPs, PVP-AgNPs showed the best inhibitory effect on the tested plant pathogenic fungi, especially against S. sclerotiorum. The similar inhibition of the sclerotia formation was observed for S. sclerotiorum treated with PLL-SeNPs. CONCLUSION: Obtained results provides new insights on fungicide effect of AgNPs and SeNPs stabilized with different coating agents on different plant pathogens. Further work should focus on detailed risk/benefit ratio assessment of using SeNPs or AgNPs in agriculture taking into account whole agroecosystem. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Urban road-traffic noise and blood pressure and heart rate in preschool children.

Night time noise exposure has very rarely been used in previous studies on the relationship between community noise and children's blood pressure, although children spend a larger part of their night time sleeping at home than adults. For this reason, we focused on night time noise exposure at children's residences and daytime noise at kindergartens. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of urban road-traffic noise on children's blood pressure and heart rate. A cross-sectional study was performed on 328 preschool children (174 boys and 154 girls) aged 3-7 years, who attended 10 public kindergartens in Belgrade. Equivalent noise levels (Leq) were measured during night in front of children's residences and during day in front of kindergartens. A residence was regarded noisy if Leq exceeded 45 dB (A) during night and quiet if the Leq was < or =45 dB (A). Noisy and quiet kindergartens were those with daily Leq>60 dB (A) and < or =60 dB (A), respectively. Children's blood pressure was measured with mercury sphygmomanometer. Heart rate was counted by radial artery palpitation for 1 min. The prevalence of children with hypertensive values of blood pressure was 3.96% (13 children, including 8 boys and 5 girls) with higher prevalence in children from noisy residences (5.70%), compared to children from quiet residences (1.48%). The difference was borderline significant (p=0.054). Systolic pressure was significantly higher (5 mm Hg on average) among children from noisy residences and kindergartens, compared to children from both quiet environments (p<0.01). Heart rate was significantly higher (2 beats/min on average) in children from noisy residences, compared to children from quiet residences (p<0.05). Multiple regression, after allowing for possible confounders, showed a significant correlation between noise exposure and children's systolic pressure (B=1.056; p=0.009).

A pilot survey of farm animal welfare in Serbia, a country preparing for EU accession.

The selection and field application of animal-based welfare measures for pigs, sheep, dairy cows and broilers was the first step towards the future development of welfare improvement schemes for Serbia - a country that is applying for EU accession. The aim of this pilot study was to: (1) test the feasibility of a protocol for monitoring farm animal welfare in Serbia, (2) ascertain preliminary data on animal-based outcomes of farm welfare and (3) gain insight into Serbian farmers' understanding of animal welfare as part of a wider project working towards inclusion of animal-based assessments in a 'higher welfare' voluntary assurance scheme. This study encompasses the first national survey of farm animal welfare in which animal-based outcomes were tested on 105 farms by a total of ten trained assessors. Data on the views and aspirations of the farmers from these 105 farms were also systematically gathered during face-to-face interviews. Existing animal-based measures for pigs, sheep, dairy cows and broilers that have been successfully applied and identified as valid, reliable and feasible measures in other countries, were found to be largely transferable. However, some on-farm protocols, previously used in other countries, had to be shortened for logistical reasons when used in Serbia. Our findings suggest that further refinement may be needed in order to allow local application of all measures. While the term 'animal welfare' has only recently been introduced into the Serbian language, seventy-three percent of farmers had heard of it. Overall, few positive associations were found between farmer satisfaction with animals' living conditions and animal-based data. Many farmers had aspirations to develop and expand their farms, which may potentially enhance animal welfare, but these farmers identified that financial and technical advice and support would be needed in order to achieve these goals.

[Mucinous cystadenofiobroma of the ovary].

INTRODUCTION: Cystadenofibromas are tumors of the ovary which originate from the surface coelomic epithelium. Benign mucinous cystadenofibroma is a very rare form of these tumors, which consists of dominant stromal component of the connective tissue and one or more cysts. CASE REPORT: The case of a 62-year-old female with tumor of right ovary is reported in this paper. Histologically, tumor of the ovary had multilocular cystic formation, lined by a single-layer of mucoproductive cylindrical epithelium - endocervical type. In one area of tumor, the stromal component was abundant and made from partially hyalinised dense connective tissue. Mucinous cystadenofibroma was diagnosed on the basis of histological examination. Since the mucinous type of cystadenofibroma or adenofibroma is rare, this case has been chosen to be presented. CONCLUSION: Mucinous cystadenofibromas are differentially-diagnostically very similar to different malignant tumors and it is extremely important to make correct diagnosis of these neoplasms.

Squamous cell carcinoma in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant transformation is a rare complication of mature cystic teratoma, with squamous cell carcinoma as the most common malignancy (in 75% of cases). In this article we present a case of a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma and discuss the morphological and clinico-pathological features of malignant transformation in teratoma. CASE REPORT: An 80-year-old woman with symptoms of acute abdomen underwent left salpingo-oophorectomy. Gross examination showed a cystic mass measuring 20 cm in diameter, with papillary formation on its internal surface. Histology revealed a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma arising in mature cystic teratoma. Squamous epithelium surrounding the tumor was dysplastic. CONCLUSION: Squamous cell carcinoma in mature cystic teratoma is a rare pathologic event and in most cases it is an accidental pathohistological finding.

[Urban noise and myocardial infarction in the population].

Recent studies have pointed out a relation between urban noise and the occurrence of myocardial infarction in population. Public health importance of these results derives from the fact that 20% of the European population and 31% of the Japanese are exposed to equivalent noise levels exceeding 65 dBA, considered as "black acoustic zones" according to OECD criteria. Prospective epidemiological studies have found relative risks for myocardial infarction in these urban zones from 1.1 do 1.5. In studies with noise annoyance as an exposure indicator, interval of relative risks for myocardial infarction has been from 0.8 do 2.7 for persons with high degree of noise annoyance compared to those without noise disturbance.

[Camptomelic dysplasia--a case report].

Campomelic/camptomelic dysplasia is a very rare, severe osteochondrodysplasia characterised by severe skeletal and nonskeletal malformations and lethal outcome mainly in neonatal period. Characteristic abnormality by which the syndrome got its name is short, bowed long bones of lower extremities, most often of femur, manifested by short and bowed legs. Skin dimpling on tibial anterior side is another prominent characteristic of this syndrome. Severe cases are inherited by autosomal dominant trait, by mutation Sox9 gene on chromosome 17, with lethal outcome in the first days of life. Less severe forms of the disease are due to balanced translocation t (13;17) with life span up to the third decade of life. A majority of karyotypic males present as phenotypic females. We report a case of a female neonate, without consanguinity between parents, with characteristic signs of camptomelic dysplasia with short birth length of 46 cm, macrocephaly (head circumference 39 cm), dolichocephaly, hydrocephalus, short trunk and legs. Narrow rib cage, bowed lower extremities, short hand and foot phalanges, nail hypoplasia were noticed. Anterior fontanelle was enlarged, high forehead, face small and flat, hypertelorism, low nasal bridge, micrognathia, low set ears, cleft palate, were found. Characteristc skin dimpling on anterior side of tibia was present on both legs. Bone X-ray studies presented the following changes: anterior bowing of shortened femurs, hip dislocation, cervical vertebrae, scapulas, eleven pairs of slender ribs. Hip luxation. Karyotype was normal for a female, 46 XX. Respiratory insufficiency was present since birth, exacerbated, and led to lethal outcome in the second day of life, as described in the majority of these patients.