Subacute toxicity assessment of water disinfection byproducts on zebrafish.

Disinfection of raw water is essential to the production of drinking water. However, by-products of disinfection may exert toxic effects. The potential toxic effects of two of these compounds, 4-ethylbenzaldehyde (EBA) and 2,4-difluoroaniline (DFA) were investigated using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. The two compounds, dissolved, were introduced in duplicate aquariums containing zebrafish in two different concentrations based on LC50 values. The aquarium water containing EBA or DFA was changed every 96 h throughout the 3 months of treatment. Behavior of the fish in each replicate was inspected twice daily. In course of treatment with both concentrations, fish exposed to DFA displayed behavior associated with visible anxiety, while EBA treated were lethargic and did not evade capture. Application of both concentrations of each component into the aquarium water resulted in dystrophic lesions in the liver, kidney and skin of the fish while preneoplastic lesions and tumors were not observed.

[National colorectal cancer screening program in the Republic of Croatia--experiences, outcomes and obstacles in the program implementation in the Medimurje County]. / Nacionalni program ranog otkrivanja raka Debelog Crijeva--iskustva, rezultati i poteskoce u implementaciji programa u Medimurskoj Zupaniji.

BACKGROUND: In the Medimurje County, colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a serious health problem. According to the incidence of CRC in men and women, and mortality in men, it is the second most common malignancy, and the leading one in women. Compared with the average in Croatia, the CRC mortality rate in Medimurje County is higher. CRC mortality can be reduced by repeat screening by fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). It is important to ensure successful implementation and continuous improvement of the national CRC program it Medimurje County. AIMS AND METHODS: This report describes the implementation of CRC screening in Medimurje County and performance indicators from the first 2.5 years. The main obstacles and suggestion for improvement are presented. Study results are compared with international references. The Institute of Public Health of Medimurje County has to collect data on the uptake, tests, lesions and key indicators needed for monitoring and epidemiologic evaluation of the program. RESULTS: Medimurje County is located in the northern part of the Republic of Croatia. The target group includes approximately 30,000 individuals suitable for CRC screening (aged 50-74 years). In the first screening round, between January 2008 and September 2010, 19,722 invitation letters with test kits (gFOBT) were sent to people born 1933-1945 and 1955-1957. The overall attendance to screening was 28.1%. Blood in the stool was detected in 12.6% of the individuals presenting for screening. The waiting time for follow up colonoscopy was too long (median 113 days). Colonoscopy rate reached 87.7/100 people with positive test. A total of 22 individuals were diagnosed with cancer and the percentage of cancer detected by colonoscopy was 6.4% (results were available for a total of 346 colonoscopies performed in people born between 1933 and 1942). The main limitations to program implementation are inappropriate software for data collection and the lack of a protocol for standardized data collection; the rate of positive test results is unacceptably high, local colonoscopy service is insufficient and waiting time for colonoscopy too long. Also, the inclusion of general practitioners (GPs) in the program has proved inadequate. The role of local public health institutes as coordinators is of crucial importance, but financial and human resources are inadequate. DISCUSSION: The participation rate in Medimurje County is higher than the national average, but lower in comparison with other neighboring countries that also use the same methods. Immunochemical FOBT had higher participation rate than guaiac test, so we should consider the choice of iFOBT in our program. Reminder letters had a significant impact on participation, so this strategy should be adopted. For better success of the program, the involvement of GPs should increase and it is important to make a strategic plan to improve the population and GP awareness of the screening program importance. CONCLUSION: The national program is tested in local conditions and it needs change based on the difficulties observed. The results of program implementation are quite satisfactory considering the conditions in which it is carried out, but less satisfactory than those reported from the neighboring countries. In the next period, the program should be allocated due financial and human resources, and it is important to agree upon a strategy that would yield the best results.

Animal-assisted therapy for middle-aged schizophrenic patients living in a social institution. A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether animal-assisted therapy is effective in the rehabilitation of middle-aged schizophrenic patients living in a social institution. DESIGN: A before and after study with nine-month treatment period. SETTING: Social institute for psychiatric patients. SUBJECTS: Seven schizophrenic patients living in the social institute. INTERVENTIONS: Weekly sessions of animal-assisted therapy for a nine-month period, each therapeutic session lasting for 50 minutes. MEASURES USED: The Independent Living Skills Survey assessed by an independent rater. RESULTS: After the completion of the therapy significant improvement in the domestic and health activities occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Animal-assisted therapy seems to be helpful in the rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients living in a social institution.