Lifestyle decreases risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
(10/27)
The morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases is high in the developed countries. The lifestyle changes are capable to decrease it by 50%. The aim of the present study was to measure the parameters of some risk factors before and after a one-week NEW START rehabilitative retreat. 1349 volunteers, 320 men, 1029 woman, mean age 51 +/- 14.5 (SD) years participated in 30 rehabilitative retreats from 1999-2006 in the Czech Republic, using a low-fat, low-energy, lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet and exercise, in a stress-free environment. Body weight, height, BMI, blood pressure, heart rate, serum cholesterol and blood glucose were measured. Body weight decreased in 1223 measured persons from 71.2 +/- 14.38 (SD) to 70.6 +/- 14.02 kg (p<0.0001), BMI (1,046 measured persons) from 25.1 +/- 4.60 (SD) to 24.8+4.49 (SD) kg/m2 (p<0.0001), systolic blood pressure (1,218 persons) from 129.8 +/- 23.02 (SD) to 123.8 +/- 21.52 (SD) mmHg (p<0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (1210 persons) from 79.8 +/- 12.7 (SD) to 77.5 +/- 11.6 (SD) mmHg (p<0.0001), serum cholesterol (998 persons) from 4.86 +/- 0.95 (SD) to 4.32 +/- 0.77 (SD) mmol (p<0.0001), blood glucose (544 persons) from 4.31 +/- 1.59 (SD) to 3.88 +/- 1.33 (SD) mmol (p<0.0001). Heart rate was not significantly decreased. The parameters were lower in lacto-ovo vegetarians and Seventh-day Adventists than in controls who never observed the diet and avail the lifestyle programs. The parameters were nonsignificantly changed one year after finishing the retreat in the sample of 68 persons showing the positive effect of retreats. Our results showed, that the intake of a low-fat, low-energy diet, over the course of one week in a stress-free environment, had positive impact on the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. (+info)
Do traditional measures of water quality in swimming pools and spas correspond with beneficial oxidation reduction potential?
(11/27)
OBJECTIVES: Oxidation reduction potential (ORP) is a more direct measure of water quality in swimming pools and spas than free chlorine. However, ORP is not considered in some state pool codes, including Minnesota's. This study examined whether compliance with the Minnesota Pool Code assured an ORP > or = 650 millivolts (mV), a value defined in the literature as adequate to kill viral and bacterial pathogens within seconds. We also examined predictors of ORP. METHODS: Water samples from public swimming pools and spas in Hennepin County, Minnesota, were collected during routine health inspections from May through August 2004 and assessed for compliance with the state pool code. ORP values were also recorded. A Chi-square test was used to evaluate the association between code compliance and ORP. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of ORP. RESULTS: The study included 132 pools and 30 spas. Compliance with the Minnesota Pool Code did not assure an ORP > or = 650 mV (p < 0.01). Outdoor pools had significantly lower ORP values than indoor pools (p < 0.001). ANCOVA and logistic regression models showed that ORP decreased with increasing cyanuric acid, increasing pH, and decreasing free chlorine. CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with the Minnesota Pool Code did not coincide with adequate ORP values, particularly for outdoor pools and spas. Therefore, it may be appropriate for states to include a minimum ORP standard of > or = 650 mV in their swimming pool regulations. Doing so would likely benefit the health of swimmers. (+info)
An outbreak of pneumonia and meningitis caused by a previously undescribed gram-negative bacterium in a hot spring spa.
(12/27)
An outbreak of infection caused by a previously undescribed Gram-negative bacterium affected people attending a hot (37 degrees C) spring spa in France in 1987. Thirty-five case of pneumonia and two cases of meningitis occurred. None of these patients died. Attack rates were significantly higher for patients above 70 years old and for male patients. An epidemiological comparison of the 26 hospitalized cases with 52 matched controls suggests that spa treatment early on the first day (OR = 4.8) and attendance at the vapour baths (OR = 10.7) were significant risk factors for acquiring the infection. Person-to-person spread was not thought to have occurred. The same bacterium was isolated from the hot spring water. All strains studied shows a single rRNA gene restriction pattern. Epidemiological data indicated that the thermal water was the source of infection. This outbreak stresses the need for increased surveillance of infections in people attending hot spring spas. (+info)
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 outbreak at camp for children with hematologic and oncologic conditions.
(13/27)
Microbial air quality at Szczawnica sanatorium, Poland.
(16/27)
Nowadays, sanatorium treatment is undergoing a renaissance; however, data on air quality in such premises are scarce. The aim of this study was to characterize microbial air quality at the Szczawnica sanatorium in Southern Poland. The bioaerosol measurements were carried out using a 6-stage Andersen impactor over a period of one year in 3 naturally ventilated sanatorium premises (where different curative treatments took place) and in outdoor air. The indoor and outdoor concentrations of fungal aerosol were always below 1,600 cfu/m(3). With regard to bacterial contamination, the highest concentrations (up to 6,223 cfu/m(3)) were usually noted when the patients were present and underwent curative procedures. Such concentrations crossed the Polish threshold limit values, which suggest that natural ventilation in this type of premises did not ensure the proper air quality; therefore a high-performance ventilation or air-conditioning system should be introduced to provide the "clean" air into the curative treatment rooms. Qualitative evaluation of bioaerosols revealed that the most prevalent indoors were Gram-positive cocci, mesophilic actinomycetes, and filamentous fungi. Analysis of microclimate parameters confirmed that ony relative humidity of the air influenced significantly the levels and composition of microbial aerosols. Hence, the constant control of this parameter should be scrupulously supervised at sanatorium premises. (+info)