Young people often use headphones or speakers and most visit noisy places recreationally. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between exposure to recreational noise and hearing in 108 young Croatian participants aged 18–28 years. Hearing was assessed with audiometry and noise exposure by measuring the headphone volume to which each participant was accustomed while listening to music. Data on the daily use of headphones/speakers, visits to recreational noisy places, self-assessment of hearing, and health and demographics data were obtained with a questionnaire developed for this purpose. Mild sensorineural hearing loss was found in 5.5 % of participants (one man and six women). While all men reported their hearing as good, 13.9 % of women (n=9) described their hearing as average. Those women had significantly higher hearing thresholds than women who rated their hearing as good (p=0.036). Men spent significantly more time using headphones/speakers than women (1.9±1.2 vs 1.3±0.8 hours, p=0.002). Both men and women spent similar amount of time in recreational noisy venues, averaging 12.0 hours per month. More men used headphones at volumes exceeding 70 dB than women (52.2 % vs 27.7 %, p=0.009). Participants who self-reported hearing loss had significantly higher hearing thresholds than those who did not (p=0.036). Although we found no clear link between recreational noise and hearing loss, elevated thresholds in participants who reported hearing difficulties highlight the need for targeted hearing loss prevention.

Having a broad spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities, including anticholinergic, antihistaminic, antiparasitic, antioxidant, and antitumour, quinuclidine derivatives have piqued much interest in the field of drug discovery and biomedical research. This study investigates the oxidative stress effects of six N-alkyl quaternary quinuclidine derivatives, namely three oximes (QNOH-C12,14,16) and three alcohols (QOH-C12,14,16) in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to evaluate their safety profile as potential therapeutics. We treated SH-SY5Y cells with their lowest-observed-adverse-effect levels (LOAEL) for 4 h and measured reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and DNA damage. Q(N)OHs significantly increased ROS and RNS levels, particularly the QNOHs, while lipid peroxidation remained unaffected, and GSH depletion was minimal. Cytosolic Cu/Zn-SOD activity increased significantly with longer alkyl chain substituents, while Mn-SOD activity decreased, indicating mitochondrial damage. DNA damage was not elevated. The observed effects of the tested quinuclidine derivatives appear to depend on their structural properties, as compounds containing hydroxyl groups and shorter alkyl chains had a lower impact. Furthermore, even non-cytotoxic doses of the tested compounds affected cell homeostasis, which underlines the importance of such testing early in the evaluation of new potential drugs.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a novel class of salts with growing industrial applications due to their tunable physicochemical properties. However, their popularity has given rise to concerns about their cytotoxic potential. This study investigates the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and cell cycle effects of two ILs, namely 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim]Br) and 1-butylpyridinium bromide ([Bpy]Br), on three human cell lines: HeLa (cervical cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and HEK293T (human embryonic kidney). Using real-time cell analysis (RTCA), we determined that the half-maximal inhibition concentrations (IC50) for [Bmim]Br were 841.86 μmol/L in MCF-7, 538.38 μmol/L in HeLa, and 654.78 μmol/L in HEK293T cells. Respective [Bpy]Br IC50 values were 341.74 μmol/L, 333.27 μmol/L, and 328.98 μmol/L. Flow cytometry revealed that both ILs induced dose-dependent apoptosis and that [Bpy]Br showed stronger pro-apoptotic effects. At 1000 μmol/L, [Bpy]Br reduced live cell population to 33.86 % in MCF-7 and to 38.32 % in HeLa cells. Both ILs induced the G0/G1 phase arrest and significantly suppressed the expression of cyclin D1, CDK2, and CDK4 at both mRNA and protein levels. MTT and Transwell assays further confirmed inhibited cell proliferation and migration, particularly in MCF-7 and HeLa cells. These findings demonstrate that [Bmim]Br and [Bpy]Br inhibit cell growth by triggering apoptosis and by interfering with cell cycle progression. Stronger effects observed with [Bpy]Br suggest its therapeutic potential, but given the toxicity of both ILs in non-cancerous HEK293T cells, further research is necessary to evaluate their biosafety and long-term effects.

Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries are associated with repetitive wrist movements and have mostly been reported in athletes but not in sewing machine operators, even though their jobs involve repetitive wrist movements. Our patient had operated a sewing machine for nine years across various workplaces. Two years ago, she began experiencing lateral ulnar pain, tenderness, and mild swelling in her left wrist. She was initially evaluated by her family physician, then by an orthopaedic surgeon, and was eventually referred to an occupational medicine specialist. TFCC compression test, TFCC stress test, grind test, and supination test were all positive. Ergonomic assessment showed an arm-wrist score of 5, a total rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) score of 5, and a job strain index (JSI) score of 13.5. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the left wrist showed changes consistent with a TFCC injury. Treatment included wrist immobilisation, oral painkillers, and rest, but her symptoms persisted upon return to the sewing machine, despite temporary use of a brace. Partial symptom improvement was observed only after job reassignment. This report presents the first confirmed case of a TFCC injury in a sewing machine operator and suggests that its potential occupational risks may have been overlooked in this population.

Insecticides are pervasive in modern world, with humans being exposed through multiple pathways including dietary intake, occupational exposure, farming activities, residential proximity to crops, and household use. Most commonly used insecticides are neonicotinoids, pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates. Recent evidence suggests that even low-level exposure to these substances may have adverse effects. Adolescence, characterised by intensive maturation processes, is a period of heightened vulnerability to environmental toxicants which may increase the risk of suboptimal developmental outcomes. This review aimed to synthesise the evidence of association between insecticide exposure in childhood/adolescence and sleep and neurobehavioural functioning in children and adolescents aged 8–20 years. Literature search across Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO produced 1,492 unique records, of which 48 studies met the inclusion criteria and underwent full-text analysis. Nine of the analysed studies investigated occupational exposure. Most employed cross-sectional design. Insecticide exposure was most often assessed through biomonitoring, questionnaires or interviews, temporal or spatial proximity to crops, and environmental sampling. Occupational exposure studies were primarily conducted in Africa, whereas nonoccupational studies were mostly based in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Cognitive functioning was the most evaluated aspect of neurobehavioural functioning, while sleep was assessed only in one study. Although the findings are heterogeneous, they suggest that both work-related and residential exposures may affect neurobehaviour and sleep in puberty and adolescence. However, further longitudinal research is needed to clarify causation and also incorporate sleep health and pubertal maturation into the design, both as outcomes and mediators of neurobehavioral effects.

Water pollution caused by micropollutants has been a global issue for decades, prompting the scientific community and industry professionals to develop new and effective wastewater treatment methods. Understanding the interactions of these compounds in real water samples is particularly challenging, as they contain complex mixtures that may alter the mechanism of action and toxic effects of these compounds on aquatic organisms. To address such challenges, computational methods and mathematical models have been developed to complement experimental research and predict the toxicity of micropollutant mixtures in water. This narrative review summarises current literature on such mathematical models, including the concentration addition (CA), independent action model (IA), and their combinations to predict the toxicity of mixtures involving pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and perfluorinated compounds. We also discuss computational methods like quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modelling and machine learning (ML). While the CA and IA models provide basic frameworks for predicting toxicity in chemical mixtures, their practical application is often limited by the assumption of additivity and by the complexity of real water mixtures. QSAR and ML approaches, though promising, face challenges such as limited data availability, overfitting, and difficult interpretation. Future research should focus on enhancing model robustness, incorporating mechanistic data, and developing hybrid approaches that integrate experimental and computational methods to improve the reliability of toxicity predictions for complex environmental mixtures.

Unsafe driving behaviour is associated with the risk of crashes. Although commuting crashes prevail among healthcare workers (HCWs), unsafe driving behaviour during daily commutes remains unexplored in this group. The aim of our study was therefore to address this gap and to clarify the concept of unsafe driving behaviour among HCWs while commuting. To do that, we ran literature search in Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science and selected appropriate articles following the scoping review procedure, while data extraction and analysis followed the procedure for concept analysis. A total of 46 published studies met inclusion criteria. Most were from the USA (n=30), predominantly involved medical doctors (n=21), and were cross-sectional (n=24) in design. Concept analysis identified four properties of unsafe driving behaviour: 1) pressure and negative emotion, 2) drowsy driving, 3) risky driving and rules violation, and 4) distraction/inattention. Work scheduling factors emerged as the most frequently reported antecedents, while crashes were the most reported consequences. By identifying the core elements of unsafe driving behaviour among HCWs this study proposes a conceptual framework to guide future research and interventions. This framework can serve as a valuable resource for policymakers and researchers, enabling them to develop targeted strategies to address unsafe driving behaviour of HCWs during commuting, with the ultimate goal to reduce the associated crash risks.

Healthy as they may be, fruits and vegetables may significantly contribute to dietary pesticide intake in modern households. However, certain simple procedures, such as washing and peeling food, can help reduce this intake. Our study looks deeper into the habits of cleaning fruits and vegetables before consumption or cooking in the households of the Croatian capital Zagreb and its surroundings, based on data collected in the first, 2022–2023 wave of a larger cohort study “Exposure to pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides in children – risk assessment for adverse effects on neuropsychological development and hormonal status”. Data were collected with a questionnaire completed by volunteering parents or legal guardians. Although almost all households reported washing fruits and vegetables before consumption or cooking, over 60 % did not peel fruits and vegetables that can be consumed with the peel, such as apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, and tomatoes (raw and cooked). In addition, we provide general recommendations for reducing dietary exposure to pesticide residues through simple household procedures. Croatian consumers should be better informed about which food products may contribute to higher pesticide exposure and how to reduce it.

Workplace risk assessment criteria for pregnant workers in the EU remain inconsistent and poorly harmonised, with notable gaps in practical guidelines for occupational health physicians (OHPs). This regulatory ambiguity could lead to either insufficient protection or unnecessary exclusion of pregnant workers from the workplace, with significant implications for maternal and foetal health, as well as healthcare and social security systems. The aim of this study was to propose common, harmonised criteria for workplace risk assessment in healthy pregnant workers exposed to physical exertion and biological and chemical hazards. The criteria were developed through structured expert consultation involving occupational and sports medicine specialists from the Croatian Society of Occupational Health. To that end, we compiled and presented relevant legal and scientific literature, which served as the basis for discussion. Expert opinion was obtained via an anonymous online questionnaire administered during a structured expert workshop. The proposed criteria are based on the CLP Regulation (EC No. 1272/2008) classification of reprotoxic substances, identification of key biological hazards (e.g., cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19, rubella virus, varicella-zoster virus, and Toxoplasma gondii), and assessment of physical workload using the Key Indicator Methods (KIM) developed by the German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA). By integrating legal context, medical evidence, and expert judgment, the proposed criteria aim to support consistent, timely, and evidence-based risk assessment and to facilitate national and EU guideline development for the protection of pregnant workers.

One of the adverse effects of cisplatin (CIS) treatment is its reproductive toxicity, which limits its clinical use in male patients. The aim of our study was to investigate the potential protective effects and mechanisms of chlorogenic acid (CHA), a well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenol, in a CIS-induced testicular toxicity model. To this end we divided 30 Sprague-Dawley rats into five groups: control and four groups receiving either CHA alone (3 mg/kg), CIS alone (5 mg/kg), or their weaker and stronger combinations: CIS+CHA (1.5 mg/kg) and CIS+CHA (3 mg/kg), respectively. In the combination groups the rats first received a single 5 mg/kg dose of CIS, followed by either 1.5 or 3 mg/kg of CHA administered intraperitoneally for three consecutive days. Testicular tissues were harvested on the fifth day of the experiment. The level of testicular oxidative stress and inflammation induced by CIS and the histopathological changes observed were restored to normal following treatment with both doses of CHA. Furthermore, treatment with CHA led to the regeneration of Nrf2 and HO-1 levels, which had been suppressed by CIS. Consequently, the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis were reduced. These findings indicate that CHA may counter the reproductive toxicity of CIS and may therefore serve as its add-on in cancer therapy.