Mental disorders/difficulties in the postpartum period.

INTRODUCTION: Mental difficulties are common in the postpartum period. They can manifest in a mild form, but also as serious disorders which need to be treated in a timely manner. The most common psychological problem is "Baby blues" characterized by relatively short duration without consequences and treatment is largely unnecessary. Postpartum depression is characterized by a sense of sadness, loss of interest, insomnia, discomfort, loss of energy, reduced concentration. Postpartum psychosis is the most serious disorder but is also rare and may have serious consequences for the mother and child. Important factors in the postpartum mental problems/difficulties are genetic factors, situation of unwanted pregnancy, a feeling of discomfort with the role of motherhood and sudden hormonal changes. AIM: to investigate the frequency and type of mental problems in postpartum period, as well as possible type of help needed by the women in postpartum period. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred (112) respondents participated in the survey. The survey was conducted from November to December 2017 through a "google docs" application. The survey was placed on different social networks, and the participation in the survey was voluntary and anonymous. A series of 14 questions with the offered answers was used in the survey. RESULTS: The results of the survey have shown that psychological difficulties and disturbances in the postpartum period to be common problems encountered by almost 50% of women (44.46%). The most common difficulty is Baby blues, followed by postpartum depression and anxiety disorders. Age and the mode of birth did not affect the emergence of changes, while social factors such as family support had a great impact. CONCLUSION: The provision of information to the mothers can help, but inaccurate information can do the opposite. Thus, the role of health care professionals is important for helping mothers in that period to prevent certain difficulties as well as in identifying and referring mothers to seek help in a timely fashion.

First Report on Mycotoxin Contamination of Hops (Humulus lupulus L.).

The presence of mycotoxins and other toxic metabolites in hops (Humulus lupulus L.) was assessed for the first time. In total, 62 hop samples were sampled in craft breweries, and analyzed by a multi-toxin LS-MS/MS method. The study collected samples from craft breweries in all of the Croatian counties and statistically compared the results. Based on previous reports on Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. contamination of hops, the study confirmed the contamination of hops with these toxins. Alternaria toxins, particularly tenuazonic acid, were found in all tested samples, while Fusarium toxins, including deoxynivalenol, were present in 98% of samples. However, no Aspergillus or Penicillium metabolites were detected, indicating proper storage conditions. In addition to the Alternaria and Fusarium toxins, abscisic acid, a drought stress indicator in hops, was also detected, as well as several unspecific metabolites. The findings suggest the need for monitoring, risk assessment, and potential regulation of Alternaria and Fusarium toxins in hops to ensure the safety of hop usage in the brewing and pharmaceutical industries. Also, four local wild varieties were tested, with similar results to the commercial varieties for toxin contamination, but the statistically significant regional differences in toxin occurrence highlight the importance and need for targeted monitoring.

Determination of the Personal Nutritional Status of Elderly Populations Based on Basic Foodomics Elements.

Nutritional status is a series of related parameters collected using different available methods. In order to determine the nutritional status of elderly populations and ensure nutritional support based on an individual approach, the implementation of the increasingly used foodomics approach is available; this approach plays a key role in personalized diets and in the optimization of diets for a population group, such as an elderly population. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) method and the Nottingham Screening Tool (NST) form were used on 50 users in a home for the elderly in northwest Croatia. A loss of body mass (BM) was statistically significantly higher for those who had the following: decreased food intake in the last week and users who had complete and partial feeding autonomy. Additionally, the obtained data on drug intake, fluid, individual nutrients, and physical activity are based on an individual approach. The available documentation provides insight into nutritional values and food preparation in an attempt to satisfy a holistic approach in the evaluation of exposure while trying to achieve as many elements of foodomics as possible.

[Exposure to phtalates and their presence in alcoholic beverages]. / Izlozenost ftalatima i njihova pojavnost u alkoholnim picima.

Phthalates are phthalic acid and aliphatic alcohol esters used as additives to plastic in order to improve its softness, flexibility, and elongation. Phthalates are highly mobile and migrate easily from plastic products into the environment due to their physical and chemical properties. This study briefly describes the characteristics and distribution of phthalates in the environment, their toxic effects on human health, the legislation regarding the maximum allowed concentration of phthalates in drinking water and products intended for infants, as well as the tolerable daily intake. Special attention is given to the methods of determining phthalates and their levels in alcoholic beverages, with an overview of phthalate occurrences and concentrations in plum brandy made in Croatia. A segment on denatured alcohol and illegally marketed alcohol is also included, as well as guidelines for the effective monitoring of the routes of human exposure to phthalates.