Associations of income with self-reported ill-health and health resources in a rural community sample of Austria.

OBJECTIVES: Three levels of health indicators (1) self-reported ill-health, (2) internal health resources, and (3) external health resources were analysed in relation to a four-category house-hold income distribution in order to describe possible social gradients. The particular aim of this study was to obtain information on the association of income data with self-reported ill-health. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a health survey. The sample represents around 10% of the rural population of some communities in Styria, randomly selected from the population registry. Interview data was collected from 3781 participants aged 15 years and older, 1559 males and 2222 females. RESULTS: The results show that individuals from lower house-hold income classes are disadvantaged with regard to indicators of ill-health, internal and external health resources. Overall, the link between low income and poor health is highly consistent within our data. CONCLUSIONS: Considering our results we conclude that internal and external health resources are as unequally distributed over income levels as health outcome indicators.

Anodic stripping voltammetric determination of titanium(IV) using a carbon paste electrode modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide.

A method is described for the voltammetric determination of titanium(IV) using a carbon paste electrode modified in situ with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The cationic micellar surfactant adsorbs onto the electrode particularly at negative potentials, simultaneously preconcentrating titanium(IV) as the oxalate complex with reduction to titanium(III). Anodic stripping voltammetry exploiting reoxidation can be used for the determination of trace levels of titanium(IV). Linearity between current and concentration exists between 5 and 160 mug l(-1) Ti(IV) (preconcentration time 2 min). The limit of detection (calculated as 3sigma) is 0.1 mug l(-1), with a preconcentration time of 10 min.

Thick film voltammetric sensors for trace copper based on a cation-exchanger-modified surface.

Strip-type, preconcentrating/voltammetric sensors, prepared by incorporating a cation-exchange resin within screen-printed carbon inks, are described. Such single-use strips combine the efficient electrostatic accumulation of heavy metals with the use of "mercury-free" surfaces. The uptake of copper(II) from dilute solutions (under open circuit conditions) is followed by voltammetric measurements in a separate blank solution. Various experimental variables have been optimized to yield low detection limits (e.g. 0.5 mug 1(-1) with 10 min accumulation) and good reproducibility (relative standard deviation, 2%). The applicability to assays of drinking water is demonstrated.

An improved voltammetric method for the determination of trace amounts of uric acid with electrochemically pretreated carbon paste electrodes.

Carbon paste electrodes, preanodized in alkaline medium at 1.4 V vs SCE for a short period of time, exhibit a great shift of the oxidation potential of uric acid in cathodic direction and a marked enhancement of its current response, compared to unpretreated electrodes. These effects are dependent on the preanodization potential and the time imposed on the electrodes as well as on the alkalinity of the supporting electrolyte. The enhanced voltammetric response can be used to determine uric acid in the concentration range of 5.0-4.0 x 10(4) mug/1 (3.0 x 10(-8)-2.4 x 10(-4)M) with a detection limit (3sigma) of 2.0 mug/1 (1.2 x 10(-8)M). Ascorbic acid in less than 30-fold excess does not interfere. For multiple determinations (5 runs), the relative standard deviation is 2.1% at a concentration of 1 mg/1 uric acid. The proposed procedure can be used to determine uric acid in human urine and serum without any preliminary treatment of the samples in an accurate, rapid and simple way.