Arh Hig Rada Toksiko
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Arh Hig Rada Toksiko · Jun 2004
Allergic diseases in relationship with environmental factors in a population of school children in Zagreb, Croatia.
Most scientists believe that increasing number of people with allergic diseases may be connected with some aspects of the "Western lifestyle". This paper discusses data obtained from questionnaires originally designed by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Steering Committee concerning exposure to different environmental factors. The study included 1047 children. ⋯ Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and exposure to dampness and moulds also entailed a risk for allergy. We speculate that changing some conditions, such as use of carpets and use of feather pillows, were connected with the expression of allergic diseases. Some correlations were consistent with earlier observations of other authors, while others differed and need further confirmation on a larger sample.
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Between 1995 and 2002, a massive appearance of black widow (Latrodectus mactans tredecimguttatus, Rossi 1790) was recorded along the Croatia coast. This paper gives a historical review of latrodectism and observations from Istria and Dalmatia, paying particular attention to the spider's habitat. ⋯ Human contacts with the spider are usually without consequences for humans, thanks to education and a relatively good visibility of the spider. The authors describe their experience in fighting black widow and emphasise the importance of education in preventing lactrodectism.
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This paper describes the treatment of a severe case of acute mountain sickness with a portable hyperbaric chamber. A 37-year old climber was treated for acute high altitude pulmonary oedema, which developed on the North Col of Mount Everest, at an altitude of 7,060 m. The treatment in the portable Gamow bag hyperbaric chamber lasted two hours, with a bag pressure of 103 mm Hg (0.136 kg/cm2 or 2 psig) using ambient air, without the addition of oxygen. ⋯ The treatment was successful and the pulmonary oedema disappeared. Outside the hyperbaric chamber, the patient recovered fully when he reached the altitude of 2,000 m. Portable hyperbaric chamber is recommended for the treatment of severe cases of acute mountain sickness, as well as for risky descent to lower altitudes.
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Arh Hig Rada Toksiko · Dec 1999
Short-term neurobehavioural effects in anaesthetists with low exposure to nitrous oxide.
The aim of this study was to assess whether a sample of 37 anaesthetists occupationally exposed only to N2O showed any deterioration in vigilance and/or mood. The anaesthetists were examined with three neurobehavioural tests (Simple Reaction Time and Colour Word Vigilance to measure the vigilance and Mood Rating Scale to evaluate the level of stress and arousal) and underwent N2O biological monitoring (to correlate the test results with the N2O exposure) on the first and on the last day of the work week, before and after work in the operating room. No significant relationship was found between the biological monitoring and the test results. The only significant statistical difference was found between the beginning and the end of each workday in the arousal level, regardless of the result of the biological monitoring.
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Arh Hig Rada Toksiko · Sep 1999
Historical Article[The title of master in the history of health care].
The review examples of usage of the Latin term magister (master) in various common titles throughout the past, particularly in Croatia. As early as the Roman Empire and until the Middle Ages, the title magister designated various functions and duties, generally denoting authority, higher rank, or a responsible position. The review highlights certain historical events and persons related to the usage of the title magister. ⋯ Nowadays in Croatia, only persons who are graduate pharmacists use magister pharmaciae as a professional title. The title is otherwise strictly reserved to denote an academic degree between the bachelor's and the doctoral in a particular field. The title magister scientiarum (Master of Science) is achieved upon completion of a postgraduate study and defence of the master's thesis.