Halina Pawlak

Evaluating bioaerosol exposure among bus drivers in the public transport sector

ABSTRACT Occupational hazards and consequent health problems suffered by drivers in the public transport sector require preventive measures. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure of drivers to microbiological air contamination (airborne bacteria and fungi) in buses. The air in public transport vehicles was examined in autumn, winter and spring. To evaluate the exposure of drivers to bioaerosols, air samples were collected and examined for the total number of bacteria and fungi in the air, the number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria specified by the number of colony forming units (CFU) per 1 m3 of air. The results of the research show that public transport as a workplace can be considered to be a significant risk to health.

Evaluation of influence of stretching therapy and ergonomic factors on postural control in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The vertical orientation of the body in the upright standing position is maintained by keeping the bodys centre of gravity (COG) upright, above the base of support, by a dynamic interplay of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory control systems. The objectives of this study were: to compare the postural control strategy between people with and without low back pain (LBP), to estimate the influence of the stretching therapy on the postural control strategy, and to discover the relationship between the restriction of spine mobility and occurrence of some ergonomic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study consisted of 32 patients with LBP and 25 healthy controls. Postural characteristics of the subjects were measured with the use of a computerized force platform. The software programme filters and measures COG sway velocity in different conditions. Additional measurements and tests were conducted in patients after stretching therapy. Based on survey research, all individuals were selected and evaluated from the aspect of ergonomics. RESULTS The results of the COG sway velocity vary under the testing conditions. From the aspect of ergonomic attitude and influence of the rehabilitation, results varied in the groups. CONCLUSIONS Ergonomic factors are often accompanied by the appearance of LBP. The restrictions within the musculoskeletal system cause disorders in muscle synergies, which is expressed by an increase in the angular velocity of the COG. In patients with chronic back pain syndrome, selected stretching therapy techniques improves the range of motion of the spine and reduces pain.

Differences in myoelectric manifestations of fatigue during isometric muscle actions

INTRODUCTION Muscle fatigue has been studied for a long time with the use of a wide variety of exercise models, protocols and assessment methods, among which surface electromyography (sEMG) is most commonly used. The main sEMG parameters (amplitude and frequency) are prevalently used to evaluate the level of muscle fatigue in static and dynamic contractions. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to determine and compare 2 separate indices: IF1 basis of the sEMG signal amplitude analysis and IF2 basis of the sEMG median frequency analysis, related to muscles fatigue during an isometric contraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was performed on 60 professional runners divided into 2 equal groups. The first group comprised sprinters, competing in short distance track and field events (100 and 200 meters). The second group consisted of middle-distance runners, competing in middle-distance track and field events (800 and 1,500 meters). The electrical activity of the VMO muscles of the right and left lower limbs was recorded simultaneously during isometric activity in a squatting position. The sEMG data was used to determine and compare IF1 and IF2 indices. RESULTS During isometric measurement, sprinters presented a much more significant increase in the mean amplitude of sEMG signal in comparison to middle-distance runners (mean IF1 difference: 0.228; p=0.007). Analysis of the median frequency did not show significant differences between the 2 groups (mean IF2 difference: 0.037; p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS Change in sEMG amplitude during isometric exercise may be related to muscles fatigue. The use of fatigue indices, based on sEMG amplitude, as an objective indicator of the efficacy of an endurance training programme for sportsmen requires further research.

Fattening turkeys with the addition of lactic acid and copper

ABSTRACT The paper presents results of research on the effects of different doses of copper in the form of CuSO4·5H2O and Cu chelate and lysine (1:2), also with 0.4% lactic acid in drinking water on weight gain of turkeys. The study sample consists of 20 experimental groups of 120 birds each. The addition of lactic acid to the feed (excluding copper) contributed slightly to the reduction of the weight gain of turkeys. In contrast, a significant decrease in body weight gain of turkeys was observed, using lactic acid along with inorganic form of copper. Turkeys fed with the feed containing only organic form of copper at a dose of 20 mg reached the greatest weight gain. Lactic acid and different doses and forms of copper significantly differentiate the body weight gain of turkeys. The combination of the lactic acid and copper added resulted in lower weight gains of birds; it was only the administration of the 50 mg copper dose in organic form that increased the weight gain to the level comparable to the weight gains obtained for birds fed without the lactic acid addition. The use of feed supplements requires the selection of an appropriate dose to the form of copper.

Severity of work in opinions of rural women living in the Bieszczady region of south-eastern Poland

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was recognition of the opinions of rural women living in the Bieszczady region of south-eastern Poland, concerning their perception of the degree of severity of work. The study was conducted among the inhabitants of the Cisna commune. MATERIAL AND METHODS The basic research instrument was a questionnaire form containing 15 items. The study covered 101 women living in the Cisna commune in the Bieszczady. The self-reported degree of work load on a farm was analyzed among women who were occupationally active, and those who were not occupationally active. The effect of assistance from family members on the severity of work perceived by women was considered. RESULTS The women in the study focused on agro-tourism, a few of them were engaged in agricultural work and the majority worked in household gardens. The study showed that occupationally active women work considerably longer, on average, and are the most loaded, compared to those not engaged in occupational activity. The mean daily time devoted to duties on a farm did not significantly differ between occupationally active and non-active women, and amounted to 380 and 320 minutes, respectively. The majority of women who were non-active occupationally evaluated their household chores as the highest work load. In turn, the women who undertook occupational activity assessed them as most burdensome, despite great help from their family. The body positions assumed while performing field work were: standing, standing-bent-over, and walking. The mean evaluations of work load while standing and standing-bent-over did not significantly differ, but affected the work load among women who, however, could not assess the severity of their work resulting from the body position assumed.

Removal of ammonia from poultry manure by aluminosilicates

The aim of the study was to test the possibility of using aluminosilicates as natural sorbents of ammonia from poultry manure. The ammonia-absorbing properties of sodium bentonite and zeolite were confirmed in ex situ conditions. The most significant reduction in the level of ammonia with respect to the control was noted for 2% bentonite and 1% zeolite. The mean reduction for the entire period of the experiment ranged from 26.41% to 29.04%. The aluminosilicates tested can be used to neutralize ammonia released on poultry farms.