A total diet study (TDS) provides representative and realistic data for assessing the dietary intake of chemicals, such as contaminants and residues, and nutrients, at a population level. Reproducing ...the diet through collection of customarily consumed foods and their preparation as habitually eaten is crucial to ensure representativeness, i.e., all relevant foods are included and all potential dietary sources of the substances investigated are captured. Having this in mind, a conceptual framework for building a relevant food-shopping list was developed as a research task in the European Union's 7th Framework Program project, 'Total Diet Study Exposure' (TDS-Exposure), aimed at standardising methods for food sampling, analyses, exposure assessment calculations and modelling, priority foods, and selection of chemical contaminants. A stepwise approach following the knowledge translation (KT) model for concept analysis is proposed to set up a general protocol for the collection of food products in a TDS in terms of steps (characterisation of the food list, development of the food-shopping list, food products collection) and pillars (background documentation, procedures, and tools). A simple model for structuring the information in a way to support the implementation of the process, by presenting relevant datasets, forms to store inherent information, and folders to record the results is also proposed. Reproducibility of the process and possibility to exploit the gathered information are two main features of such a system for future applications.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Koncentracije bakra (Cu) određene su u 65 uzoraka uzorkovanih odnosno kupljenih u Hrvatskoj u ljeto 2012.: meso (goveda, svinja,
ovaca), mesne prerađevine (kobasice, pašteta), riba i riblji proizvodi ...i školjke (dagnje, kamenice). Srednje koncentracije Cu su (mg/kg):
svi uzorci mesa 0,77, kobasice 0,69, pašteta 2,24, riba 0,23, riblje prerađevine 1,20, školjke 0,81, kamenice 30,0. Utvrđene su statistički značajne razlike između skupina namirnica. Procijenjene srednje dnevne količine unosa (EDI) Cu u ispitanoj hrani koje doprinose preporučenom unosu hranom (RDA) su (%): 1,54 meso; 1,38 kobasice, 4,48 pašteta, te <1 za ribe, proizvodi od riba i školjke, 10,0 kamenice. Prosječni dnevni unosi Cu izraženi kao % od privremenog maksimalnog dopuštenog dnevnog unosa (PMTDI) su < 0,9 % za meso i mesne proizvode, < 0,085 % za ribu, riblje proizvode i dagnje te 2 % za kamenice. Najviša koncentracija Cu određena je u kamenicama, što ukazuje da ova vrsta može biti uključena u prehranu kao dobar izvor Cu. U zaključku, dobiveni analitički rezultati pokazuju da ne postoje zdravstveni rizici od konzumiranja ispitanih namirnica. Kako bi procijenili onečišćenje mora u Hrvatskoj, treba ispitati sadržaj Cu u kamenicama sa farmi kamenica s različitih lokacija.
NKG2D is a potent activating receptor that is expressed on cytotoxic immune cells such as CD8 T and NK cells, where it promotes cytotoxicity after binding stress ligands on infected or transformed ...cells. On NK cell precursors NKG2D modulates proliferation and maturation. Previously, we observed that NKG2D deficiency affects peripheral B cell numbers. In this study, we show that NKG2D regulates B1a cell development and function. We find that mice deficient for NKG2D have a strong reduction of B1a cell numbers. As a result, NKG2D-deficient mice produce significantly less Ag-specific IgM Abs upon immunization with T cell-independent Ags, and they are more susceptible to Gram-negative sepsis. Klrk1
B1a cells are also functionally impaired and they fail to provide protection against Francisella novicida upon adoptive transfer. Using mixed bone marrow chimeric mice, we show that the impact of NKG2D deficiency on B1a cell development is cell intrinsic. No changes in homeostatic turnover and homing of B cells were detectable, limiting the effects of NKG2D to modulation of the hematopoietic development of B1a cells. Using conditional ablation, we demonstrate that the effect of NKG2D on B1a cell development occurs at a developmental stage that precedes the common lymphoid progenitor. Our findings reveal an unexpected new role for NKG2D in the regulation of B1a cell development. The protective effects of this activating receptor therefore reach beyond that of cytotoxic cells, stimulating the immune system to fight bacterial infections by promoting development of innate-like B cells.
Zbog brojnih nutritivnih vrijednosti i potencijalnoga pozitivnoga učinka na ljudsko zdravlje, šparoga se pokazala kao interesantna kultura za konzumaciju te predmet brojnih znanstvenih ispitivanja. ...Samonikla šparoga (Asparagus acutifolius L.) raste duž Jadranske obale i otoka, dok se kultivirana šparoga (Asparagus officinalis L.) uglavnom uzgaja u istočnome dijelu Hrvatske. Ovim istraživanjem određivan je ukupni sadržaj polifenola (spektofotometrijski) i antioksidativna aktivnost (DPPH) kod samoniklih i kultiviranih šparoga. Rezultati su pokazali da nema statistički značajne razlike u sadržaju ukupnih polifenola između samoniklih i kultiviranih šparoga. Najviša vrijednost ukupnih polifenola samoniklih šparoga iznosila je 6,20 mg GAE/g svježe tvari, odnosno 49,60 mg GAE/g suhe tvari, dok je kod kultiviranih šparoga bila 4,52 mg GAE/g svježe tvari, odnosno 50,93 mg GAE/g suhe tvari. Antioksidativna aktivnost mjerena DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil) metodom, pokazala je statistički značajne razlike. Veća je antioksidativna aktivnost izmjerena kod kultiviranih, nego kod samoniklih šparoga. Također je utvrđeno da porastom polifenola raste antioksidativna aktivnost, ali više kod kultiviranih šparoga. Temeljem rezultata, zaključujemo da je kultivirana šparoga odlična alternativa samonikloj, koja bi trebala biti zaštićena od pretjeranog ubiranja, kako bi se zaštitila prirodna raznolikost obale i otoka.
Asparagus is an interesting vegetable as a part of a healthy diet and has been widely studied due to the high nutritional value and potential positive effects on human health. Wild asparagus ...(Asparagus acutifolius L.) grows along the Adriatic coast and islands, while the cultivated asparagus (A. officinalis L.) is mostly grown in the eastern region of Croatia. The aim of this study was to determine total polyphenol content (measured spectrophotometrically) and antioxidant activity (DPPH) in wild and cultivated asparagus. No significant differences in total polyphenol content were found between wild and cultivated asparagus. The highest content of polyphenols in wild asparagus was 6.20 mg GAE/g fresh weight and 49.60 mg GAE/g dry weight, and in cultivated asparagus it was 4.52 mg GAE/g fresh weight and 50.93 mg GAE/g dry weight. Antioxidant activity measured using DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method showed statistically significant difference. Higher antioxidant activity was measured in cultivated than in wild asparagus. The results also indicate that increased polyphenol content leads to higher antioxidant activity, but more so in the cultivated asparagus. Based on the results, the cultivated asparagus is an excellent alternative to wild asparagus that should be protected from over-harvesting, thus preventing devastation of plant diversity of islands and coast.
At present, high energy electron linear accelerators (LINACs) producing photons with energies higher than 10 MeV have a wide use in radiotherapy (RT). However, in these beams fast neutrons could be ...generated, which results in undesired contamination of the therapeutic beams. These neutrons affect the shielding requirements in RT rooms and also increase the out-of-field radiation dose to patients. The neutron flux becomes even more important when high numbers of monitor units are used, as in the intensity modulated radiotherapy. Herein, to evaluate the exposure of patients and medical personnel, it is important to determine the full radiation field correctly. A model of the dual photon beam medical LINAC, Siemens ONCOR, used at the University Hospital Centre of Osijek was built using the MCNP611 code. We tuned the model according to measured photon percentage depth dose curves and profiles. Only 18 MV photon beams were modeled. The dependence of neutron dose equivalent and energy spectrum on field size and off-axis distance in the patient plane was analyzed. The neutron source strength (Q) defined as a number of neutrons coming from the head of the treatment unit per x-ray dose (Gy) delivered at the isocenter was calculated and found to be 1.12 × 1012 neutrons per photon Gy at isocenter. The simulation showed that the neutron flux increases with increasing field size but field size has almost no effect on the shape of neutron dose profiles. The calculated neutron dose equivalent of different field sizes was between 1 and 3 mSv per photon Gy at isocenter. The mean energy changed from 0.21 MeV to 0.63 MeV with collimator opening from 0 × 0 cm2 to 40 × 40 cm2. At the 50 cm off-axis the change was less pronounced. According to the results, it is reasonable to conclude that the neutron dose equivalent to the patient is proportional to the photon beam-on time as suggested before. Since the beam-on time is much higher when advanced radiotherapy techniques are used to fulfill high conformity demands, this makes the neutron flux determination even more important. We also showed that the neutron energy in the patient plane significantly changes with field size. This can introduce significant uncertainty in dosimetry of neutrons due to strong dependence of the neutron detector response on the neutron energy in the interval 0.1–5 MeV.
•A model of medical linear accelerator (Siemens ONCOR) was built using the MCNP611 code.•Neutron dose equivalent and energy spectrum in the patient plane was analyzed.•Neutron flux increases with field size.•Field size has almost no effect on the shape of neutron dose profiles.•The mean energy of the neutrons increases with collimator opening at isocenter.
Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is an important protein, not only for transporting sex steroids which is its primary role, but with the discovery of a specific receptor that binds SHBG, a novel ...approach regarding classic ‘free-hormone hypothesis’ should be implemented. Research in SHBG gene and it expression has been done, as well as cellular signaling that controls it. It provides significant knowledge of the impact of certain well –defined cellular level signaling pathways and how they affect the level of SHBG production. Moreover, new insights have proven that SHBG isn’t just a peripherally synthesized protein. Its origin has been proven to exist in the brain, namely in the hypothalamus and the pituitary, where it is spatially closely related to oxytocin-producing neurons. The main peripheral organ that produces SHBG is the liver. Since the liver is the central metabolic organ, certain metabolic diseases will result in changed SHBG serum levels. On the other hand, endocrine disorders that affect tissues involved in sex hormone regulation will also have an impact on SHBG levels. Thusly, SHBG stands as one of the mediators between various endocrine tissues and definitely contributes with its own pathophysiological role in diseases such as: obesity, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, osteoporosis, breast and prostate cancer. Its value expands to the area of clinical medicine as a marker of certain pathological states. Some studies already established its reliability and the growing trend to implement it as a useful clinical marker is present. It still remains largely understudied, from physiological and clinical aspect, but recent findings give notions that SHBG plays an important role in health and disease and could be a useful assessment marker.
Istarska ovca je najmliječnija izvorna hrvatska pasmina ovaca iako izvorno pripada skupini ovaca kombiniranih proizvodnih odlika. S obzirom da se mlijeko istarske ovce tradicijski najčešće prerađuje ...u sir te da su preradbene mogućnosti mlijeka, između ostaloga, uvjetovane njegovim kemijskim sastavom i higijenskom kvalitetom, cilj je rada bio utvrditi utjecaj određenih okolišnih čimbenika (godina, redoslijed i stadij laktacije, sezona (mjesec) janjenja) na dnevnu i laktacijsku proizvodnju mlijeka, trajanje laktacije, kemijski sastav i broj somatskih stanica (BSS) u mlijeku istarskih ovaca. Istraživanjem su ukupno obuhvaćene 83 čistokrvne, muzne istarske ovce, tijekom triju uzastopnih laktacija (od 2012. do 2014. godine). S obzirom na uvjete hranidbe, njege i smještaja, sve ovce su tijekom cijelog istraživanja držane u identičnim (poluintenzivnim) proizvodnim uvjetima. U razdoblju mužnje provođene su redovite mjesečne kontrole mliječnosti ovaca primjenom AT metode. Pri provedbi kontrola mliječnosti, prikupljani su i uzorci mlijeka u svrhu utvrđivanja njegova kemijskog sastava i utvrđivanja broja somatskih stanica u mlijeku. Tijekom prosječnog trajanja laktacije od 206 dana istarske ovce su proizvele prosječno 190,77 kg mlijeka, odnosno prosječno 1,1 kg mlijeka dnevno. Mlijeko istarskih ovaca prosječno je sadržavalo 6,81% mliječne masti, 5,90% bjelančevina, 4,32% laktoze, 18,08% suhe tvari i 11,31% bezmasne suhe tvari. Geometrijska srednja vrijednost BSS u mlijeku istarskih ovaca bila je 316*103*mL-1 mlijeka (log 5,50±0,02). Utvrđen je statistički značajan (P < 0,001) utjecaj godine na proizvodnju mlijeka i trajanje laktacije, kao i na analizirane pokazatelje kakvoće mlijeka (izuzev sadržaja bjelančevina). Ovce u četvrtoj laktaciji ostvarile su najveću prosječnu dnevnu proizvodnju mlijeka (P < 0,001), kao i najveću prosječnu laktacijsku proizvodnju (P > 0,05), dok su prvojanjke proizvele mlijeko s najbogatijim prosječnim kemijskim sastavom. Stadij laktacije je značajno (P < 0,001) utjecao na dnevnu proizvodnju mlijeka, kemijski sastav i BSS u mlijeku. Ovce ojanjene u prosincu su ostvarile značajno (P < 0,001) veću prosječnu dnevnu i laktacijsku proizvodnju mlijeka od onih ojanjenih u siječnju i veljači. Utvrđena je negativna korelacija (P < 0,001) između BSS (log10) i dnevne proizvodnje mlijeka, dok je BSS (log10) bio u pozitivnoj korelaciji (P < 0,001) sa sadržajem suhe tvari, mliječne masti i bjelančevina u mlijeku.
Increased neutron flux around high energy medical electron linear accelerators placed in the rooms reconstructed after decommissioning of 60Co unit has been reported before.
The main limitation of ...the reported room was the space. Extremely short maze was used and walls were strengthened by lead. In this study, Monte Carlo simulation is used to analyze the reasons for increased neutron flux.
A model of 18MV photon beam linear accelerator with the room was built using the MCNP611 code. Points at several locations and different accelerator orientations were used to evaluate the neutron and photon ambient dose equivalent to which medical personnel could be exposed. Also, the different maze lengths was used in simulation to evaluate its significance for neutron protection. Then neutron sources, spectra, flux and dose equivalent were analyzed.
Calculated neutron dose equivalent was not negligible from the aspect of personal dosimetry with almost 2mSv/year per person in area occupied by staff (conservative estimation). The wall enhancement by lead was new source of photoneutrons. Simulated longer mazes significantly decreased neutron flux near the room door. Both, the lead enhancements and different lengths of mazes changed neutron spectra significantly in chosen points.
The study confirms that shielding from neutron radiation should be thoroughly analyzed if high energy linear accelerators are put in the room where the space constraints exist. The lead enhancement of walls and short mazes should be avoided. If this is not possible, lower energy photon beams should be used.
Introduction Increased neutron flux around high energy medical electron linear accelerators placed in the rooms reconstructed after decommissioning of60 Co unit has been reported before. Purpose The ...main limitation of the reported room was the space. Extremely short maze was used and walls were strengthened by lead. In this study, Monte Carlo simulation is used to analyze the reasons for increased neutron flux. Materials and methods A model of 18 MV photon beam linear accelerator with the room was built using the MCNP611 code. Points at several locations and different accelerator orientations were used to evaluate the neutron and photon ambient dose equivalent to which medical personnel could be exposed. Also, the different maze lengths was used in simulation to evaluate its significance for neutron protection. Then neutron sources, spectra, flux and dose equivalent were analyzed. Results Calculated neutron dose equivalent was not negligible from the aspect of personal dosimetry with almost 2 mSv/year per person in area occupied by staff (conservative estimation). The wall enhancement by lead was new source of photoneutrons. Simulated longer mazes significantly decreased neutron flux near the room door. Both, the lead enhancements and different lengths of mazes changed neutron spectra significantly in chosen points. Conclusion The study confirms that shielding from neutron radiation should be thoroughly analyzed if high energy linear accelerators are put in the room where the space constraints exist. The lead enhancement of walls and short mazes should be avoided. If this is not possible, lower energy photon beams should be used.
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