Commission Of Community Research Articles

Vaccination Covid-19

Introduction: After the first vaccination campaign, a low vaccination coverage was observed in Brussels. This is linked to an accumulation of factors such as limited accessibility, confidence in the effectiveness and safety of the vaccine or in the public institutions combined with complicated transport solutions and a lack of vaccinators. These are significant barriers to improving immunization coverage, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods.
 In order to increase coverage and also in the perspective of vaccinating everyone (vacci4all project), Common Community Commission (COCOM) has decentralized vaccination through temporary initiatives: local antennas, mobile teams, door-to-door visits, GP’s, awareness-raising by pharmacists, call-centers,...
 The results have reinforced the idea of decentralization to reach the most vulnerable. The idea of vaccination in pharmacies was explored, bringing new perspectives regarding long-term management.
 Method: 
 1. Pharma-on-tour
 Through an application system and the establishment of quality criteria, 5 pharmacies with
 experience in vaccination centers are integrated into the pilot project: doctors come to the
 pharmacy to vaccinate patients previously sensitized by the pharmacist. The pharmacists prepare the vaccines; the doctors administer them. The project is financed by the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR).
 2. Vaccipharma
 A few days after the publication of the March 11, 2022 law allowing pharmacists to vaccinate, the
 Vaccipharma project is launched: vaccination by pharmacists starts in 5 pharmacies that meet the quality requirements.
 3. Timesheet
 Without a remuneration framework, the acts of preparation and vaccination are still
 covered by the region on the basis of an hourly rate determined by Timesheets which are
 filled in by the pharmacists who keep track of the acts related to the vaccination which helped determine a remuneration in accordance with reality/practice.
 4. Implementation of the NIHDI remuneration framework and extension to the entire BRSince September 1, 2022, pharmacists can be remunerated for the acts of preparation of vaccine doses and vaccinations by the NIHDI. Any person, insured or not, can be vaccinated in a pharmacy.
 In addition to the vaccination in the pharmacy, the COCOM takes care of the delivery to the first line as well as the preparation and delivery to the nursing homes and communities.
 5. Extension of the project from 28 to 135pharmacies
 All Brussels municipalities have vaccinating pharmacies. Each pharmacy was inspected and given training to ensure the respect of the government's quality requirements.
 Results/Lessons learned: The need to focus on decentralized vaccination initiatives that combine proximity, quality and trust was reaffirmed. This is demonstrated by the fact that the preferred location for patients seeking a primary vaccination is the pharmacy. 
 This promising and sustainable project enables a local supplying and is a catalyst for first line vaccination in an infrastructure that provides a quality of reception and service in a place familiar to the public, with a very interesting cost-benefit-quality ratio. The individual approach and direct communication can increase vaccination coverage, particularly in vulnerable neighborhoods. A survey of patients reveals a high level of satisfaction both in terms of reception, booking, information received, privacy, proximity, ease, speed, accessibility and in the trust-based relationship.

The role of ecumenical bodies in curbing abuses in New Prophetic Churches in South Africa

The proliferation of New Prophetic Churches within the broader Pentecostal movement in South Africa has come with the challenge of the abuse of religion and people’s beliefs. These abuses have attracted the attention of the government through the Cultural, Religious, and Linguistic Communities (CRL) commission with calls for the regulation of religion to deal with the abuses. This article worked within the context of Christian ecumenism and explored the role of ecumenical bodies in curbing the abuses in New Prophetic Churches as opposed to the regulation by the government. In this article the ecclesiastical freedom theory is used to argue that ecumenical bodies are better positioned to deal with these challenges facing churches than the government and its commissions. It is suggested that, for New Prophetic Churches to be active in national ecumenical bodies such as the South African Council of Churches, they should be allowed to establish their own bodies to assure accountability. This will be achieved by defining the theory of ecclesiastical freedom, a discussion of the ecumenical bodies in South Africa and their relationship with New Prophetic Churches. In the last section the role of ecumenical bodies in dealing with abuses in New Prophetic Churches will be explored and recommendations made.Contribution: This article makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourses on the regulation of religion in South Africa through an ecclesiastical freedom theory. It is argued that churches can self-regulate and therefore suggests that instead of regulating churches, the government should rather rely on ecumenical bodies in dealing with abuses in New Prophetic Churches in South Africa. In addition, New Prophetic Churches should be allowed to establish their bodies that will ultimately become part of national ecumenical bodies to assure accountability.

Community commission calls for overhaul of youth crime response

Experts commissioned by a London borough to develop ideas for tackling local crime have recommended more investment in early help for vulnerable young people and a multi-agency response to domestic abuse

‘When We are in Crisis’: Youth-Centered Transitional Justice, Police Violence, and Political Imaginaries

ABSTRACT This article describes youth involvement in the voter-mandated transition to a fully independent, powerful community commission overseeing the San Diego (California) Police Department. We begin by describing the historical context of police violence against communities of color in San Diego, and previous attempts to practice transparency and accountability in public safety. We then situate our work with local high school students to engage directly in the transition process, and to imagine future models of public safety with youth justice at its core.

Determination of the Element Values of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792) Eggs

The objective of this study was to determine the amount of the elements of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792) eggs obtained from different stations. The study was conducted in 5 different production areas that are producing the most rainbow trout eggs in Turkey. Element analysis (Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Ba, Pb, Hg, and Cu) of rainbow trout eggs were performed using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma- Mass Spectrometer). At the end of the study, it was determined that the daily consumption limit for selected elements (Ca, P, Mg, Zn, Mn, Ni and Se) was not exceeded in individuals consuming 100g of rainbow trout eggs per day. The daily intake recommended by the European Communities Commission was determined to be sufficient for the K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn elements in rainbow trout eggs. The Cd and Pb values of rainbow trout eggs obtained from different stations were determined significantly less than the values included in the Turkish Food Codex. The results of this study were thought to be important for both consumers and juvenile rainbow trout producers.

Energy and Macronutrient Intakes With Eating Occasions Consumed by European Children From Ages 3 to 8 Years: The EU Childhood Obesity Project Study

Abstract Objectives We characterized the distribution of energy and macronutrient intakes across eating occasions (EO) in a longitudinal study in children from 3 to 8 yrs in 5 European countries. Methods In the Childhood Obesity Project Study, 3-day weighed food records were collected at 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 yrs of age for children from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain. Food intakes were assigned to EO based on country-specific times of the day and EO size. A consistent pattern with 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, supper) and 2 snacks (morning, afternoon) was identified. We analyzed longitudinal changes in diurnal energy and nutrient intake with age and estimated mixed effects models with child-specific intercept and slope for age. Age was analysed as quadratic term. Results The analyzed food intakes of 740 children showed the proportion of energy consumed within the day as follows: lunch (30.3%±8.3, M ± SD), supper (25.3%±8.0), breakfast (18.6%±6.6) and snacks (afternoon (16.3%±7.2); morning (10.1%±6.7)). Italian children had the lowest intake during morning (5.4%± 3.8) and the highest proportion of skipping morning snack (49%). The portion of fat and protein (as % total energy intake per EO) was high at lunch (fat 36.3%±9.1; protein 18.1%±5.2) and supper (fat 39.1%±10.9; protein 17.7%±5.6) and for carbohydrates at snacks (61.6%±11.6) and breakfast (53.7%±11.7), respectively. In Spain, fat and protein intakes were above study average at all EO. Energy intakes at snacks varied significantly with age (morning βage = -36.22kcal, βage2 = 3.29kcal; afternoon βage = 28.37 kcal, βage2 = −3.21kcal; P >0.001). There were no diurnal energy and nutrient differences between sexes. Conclusions The studied children consumed the major portions of dietary energy, protein and fat at lunch and supper, while most carbohydrates were provided with snacks and breakfast. With increasing age, energy intakes varied with morning and afternoon snacks. Further studies should explore whether diurnal variation of dietary intakes is associated with health outcomes. Funding Sources Partial financial support was received from the Commission of the European Community, the EU Seventh Framework Programme, project EarlyNutrition, the EU H2020 project PHC-2014-DynaHealth and the European Research Council Advanced Grant META-GROWTH.

Measuring Serum Toxicity Markers to Evaluate the Safety of Commercially Available Spirulina Products in Mice

Spirulina a multicellular, blue-green alga has drawn attention as a viable food supplement due to its suitable nutrient composition, however, there is a dearth of information regarding its safety. This study aimed to measure the heavy metal concentrations in commercially available Spirulina products and evaluate the safety using the in vivo method. A total of 54 mice were randomly divided into three groups; Group 1 (n = 18) served as a control and received a basal diet. Group 2 (n = 20) served as a test and received Spirulina powder (15%) blended with a basal diet. Group 3 (n = 16) serves as a standard and received a basal diet supplemented with nutritional supplements. The findings showed that the concentration of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, cystatin C, and troponin I after consuming the experimental diets was not statistically different between groups (p > 0.05). The concentrations of mercury (0.000036 mg/kg), lead (0.0047 mg/kg), cadmium (0.00048 mg/kg), and arsenic (0.0046 mg/kg) was very little to cause toxic effect and the levels were below the European Communities Commission (EC) recommended maximum heavy metal levels in foodstuffs. Therefore, consumption of Spirulina at a proportion of 15% does not exert any hepatic, renal, and cardiac toxicities in the mice. However, evaluating the safety of higher doses (> 15%) is required.

Metallic Contamination of the Muscles of Three Fish Species from the Moulouya River (Lower Moulouya, Eastern Morocco)

This study introduces a spatiotemporal evaluation of the metallic contamination with three trace metals (mercury, lead, and cadmium) in the muscles of three fish species (Lepomis macrochirus, Barbus callensis, and Barbus nasus), of which the samples were taken from three stations in the Moulouya River: the confluence of the Moulouya River and the Sebra River (station 1), the neighbourhood of the farms in the region of Aklim downstream from confluence of Lakhmis river (station 2), and the level of ancient bridge of Ras El Ma-Moulouya (station 3), during the period from July 2017 to May 2018. The results have allowed us to highlight rather high contents of lead and mercury in the fish muscles, mainly in station 1, which receives domestic and industrial discharges. The contents of cadmium in all fish species in different stations are very low. Moreover, all concentrations assessed in different fish species do not exceed the maximum limit recommended by European Community (EC) Commission Regulation No. 1881/2006.

Additional social leave for single mothers: the practice of applying and improving legislation

The article is devoted to the study of the procedure for providing additional social leave to single mothers. The legislation of Ukraine, judicial practice on the provision of additional social leave are analyzed. Applied mainly hermeneutic research method. It is concluded that the absence of a legislative settlement, the concept of “single mother” and a clear list of documents confirming this fact, especially in the case when the mother brings up a child without a father (divorced woman) leads to the ambiguous application of Art. 19 of the Law of Ukraine “On Vacations” in practice. In order to support motherhood and childhood and the effective exercise of the right to additional social leave, it is necessary to improve the legislation of Ukraine in this area. On the feasibility of improving the legal regulation of the status of “single mother” and fixing the list of documents confirming the status of “single mother” to provide additional social leave. When granting additional social leave to single mother (divorced woman), the employer is entitled to require, in addition to the application for granting this leave, copies of the birth certificate and the marriage dissolution, a document (s) confirming with sufficient certainty the absence of the father in the upbringing of the child, : certificate of registration of residence or residence; an act drawn up by a social and community commission established by a primary trade union organization or by any other commission formed at an enterprise, institution, organization. In controversial matters – the court’s decision on deprivation of parental rights; about establishing the fact of “single mother”; a court order or an investigator’s decision to search his father in a claim for alimony. A woman who has remarried but has not adopted a new husband from her first marriage has to produce a document confirming that the child’s father is not taking part in her upbringing, and a certificate from the civil registration authority, that the baby was not adopted by the new husband. If a widow or divorced child raising a child without a father (in the event of his or her parental rights being deprived), has remarried to another man and has not been adopted by his or her child from the first marriage, she is entitled to an additional social leave as a single mother. A woman who has children from a person with whom she has not been and who is not married, but with whom she co-operates, cohabitates and raises children, does not have the right to receive additional social leave as a single mother. The legislative level does not provide for the periodicity with which an employee must re-submit documents (renew them) to confirm the right to additional social leave. However, the Ministry of Social Policy regarding documents to confirm the right to such leave on the basis of “single mother” indicates: the employer has the right to request the renewal of these documents once a year. Key words: single mother, additional social leave.

Indoor air quality assessment of Federal University Dutse Library North West, Nigeria

The present study was aimed at evaluating the number of bacteria and fungi in the indoor environment of Federal University Dutse Library. The sampling site was located in the University main reading room. Forty (40) air samples were collected in the month of June 2018. Air samples comprising of twenty (20) for bacteria and twenty (20) for fungi were taken twice a day; in the morning and afternoon. All the samples were analyzed for the concentration of bacteria and fungi using plate count method. The average bacterial and fungal counts in the library were found to be 240.10 CFU/m 3 and 280.60 CFU/m 3 respectively and ranged from 132-345 CFU/m 3 for bacteria and 180-416 CFU/m 3 for fungi respectively. Having subjected the generated results to statistical analysis (T-test at 95% confidence limit), there was no significant difference between microbial loads recorded for bacteria and fungi (p-value=0.000). However, the mean microbial concentration of the library indoor air was within a range which indicates intermediate level of contamination according to the guidelines established in 1993 by the European Community Commission. It is therefore recommended that the surfaces of the library should be kept clean and dry, as the wet condition in the library can cause growth of pathogenic microorganisms. Again, a follow up study is required with a view to detecting seasonal variations of the indoor microbial counts of the library. Keywords: Indoor air quality, pollution, bacterial counts, fungal counts

The sanitation of farm animal manure from parasites

Οι κοπροσωροί που συγκeντρώνονται στις κτηνοτροφικές και πτηνοτροφικές eκμeταλλeύσeις μπορeί να αποτeλέσουν eστίeς μeτάδοσης παρασιτικών νοσημάτων και αιτία για την υποβάθμιση του πeριβάλλοντος. Στην παρούσα eργασία παρουσιάζονται οι διάφορeς μέθοδοι διαχeίρισης των κοπροσωρών που τις καθιστούν υγeιονομικά και πeριβαλλοντολογικά ασφαλeίς. Eπί πλέον, παρουσιάζeται το νομικό πλαίσιο σe eθνικό και eυρωπαϊκό eπίπeδο που διέπeι τη διαχeίριση και διάθeση των κοπροσωρών.

Corporatism and Industrial Democracy: The Social Origins of Present Forms and Methods in Britain and Germany (1977)

This paper, written in 1977, analyses historical differences in the social aspects of industrialization in Britain and Germany. These are seen as relevant to an understanding of industrial relations in these countries and as to why the particular forms taken by developments of ‘industrial democracy’ in the two countries will continue to differ in significant ways. Deep-rooted institutions, values, traditions, and dispositions to act in certain ways rather than others, affect the wish and capacity to alter direction. This is relevant to the discussion within the European Community about legislation in employee participation. The European Community Commission argues that industrial and commercial growth; cross-frontier movements of companies, capital, and employees; and economic and monetary union require organized convergence towards ‘a common structural foundation’ throughout the Community. A structure of employee participation is seen as one important element of this convergence. But given the divergent historical legacies of the member-states, how far the Commission’s thrust towards uniform economic and social structures is likely to succeed is problematical.

Characterization of seed kernel oil of Bangladeshi mango and it’s evaluation as cosmetic ingredient

The physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, aflatoxin contamination and heavy metals of extracted mango kernel oils of four Bangladeshi varieties (Langra, Gopalbhog, Khirshapat & Amrupaly) were studied. The results were compared with published values of ‘CIR expert panel’, ‘Indian Standard of Mango Kernel Fat’, ‘Scientific Commission of the European Community’ and ‘US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’. The estimated values of aflatoxin B1and total aflatoxins were 1.45809 ppb and 5.14761ppb respectively which were lower than the limit levels of ‘European Community (2 ppb for aflatoxin B1)’ and ‘US FDA (20ppb for total aflatoxins value)’. Heavy metals like arsenic & lead concentration were found 0.034 & 0.45 ppm respectively which were lower than the value of ‘Indian Standard of Mango Kernel Fat; 9231 (1979)’ (0.5 & 5.0 ppm respectively). In fatty acid composition; palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid were within the range of ‘CIR expert panel’ reported values.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 52(1), 43-48, 2017

Evaluation of the inorganic content of six underused wild berries from Portugal: Potential new sources of essential minerals

The mineral content and levels of trace elements in six wild underused berries (Elaeagnus umbellata, Myrica faya, Rubus grandifolius, Sambucus lanceolata, Vaccinium padifolium and Vaccinium cylindraceum) have been determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after microwave digestion. The inorganic content of these foodstuffs has not been previously described in scientific literature (except for E. umbellata). Hence, this information is of high interest concerning the introduction of these non-commercial berries in the mainstream market. The analytical method has been validated analyzing a certified reference material and performing recovery experiments. The results obtained have been discussed using the Recommended Daily Allowance for minerals provided by the Commission of the European Community, and a comparison between the composition of the analyzed berries and different commercialised berries has been carried out. Data obtained in this study support the consumption of these less-known berries, in particular R. grandifolius and S. lanceolata, as potential novel sources of essential minerals.

Trimethylamine oxide content and spoilage potential of New Zealand commercial fish species

ABSTRACTBreakdown of trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) during post-harvest storage contributes significantly to loss of seafood quality. We surveyed 51 New Zealand commercial fish species and determined white muscle tissue concentrations of TMAO and the TMAO-derived spoilage indices: trimethylamine nitrogen (TMA-N) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). There were significant differences in the TMAO concentrations between fish of various genus and species. Values ranged between 8 and 789 mg/100 g for ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii), and 262 and 789 mg/100 g for cartilaginous fishes. The distribution of TMAO was similar to that of Northern Hemisphere fish species. Deep water species had the highest concentrations of TMAO. Seasonal effects in tarakihi (Nemadactylus macropterus) and red gurnard (Chelidonichthys kumu) were studied and TMAO declined significantly over the summer months. TMA-N was typically below 2 mg/100 g and TVB-N concentrations did not exceed the limits set by the European Community (EC) Commission Regulation No. 1022/2008.

Understanding Higher Education Accreditation for the HTM Field.

Steven Yelton, PE, AS, BSEE, is a professor in the Electrical Engineering Technologies Department at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College in Cincinnati, OH. Email: steven.yelton@ cincinnatistate.edu Over time, the healthcare technology management (HTM) field has seen an expansion in the education credentials for certain positions. However, getting a college degree can be challenging for many professionals, even with extensive experience in the field and a previous college degree. One problem is that accreditation mismatches may exist between institutions, which often is a surprise for employees and employers. A thorough understanding of institutional accreditation is critical for successful career development. To begin, here is an important fact: Every one of the thousands of colleges and universities in this country is accredited (with a tiny number of exceptions, mainly religious schools). Accreditation is designed to ensure academic quality, ensure public confidence, and most importantly, serve as a gatekeeper for federal financial aid (Title IV funds). Because many students use financial support to pay for college, institutions need accreditation for enrollment to start to happen. An accreditation credential granted to institutions is associated with one of two bodies: the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). CHEA is a nongovernmental organization that recognizes five regional groups (Accrediting Commission of Community and Junior Colleges Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Higher Learning Commission, New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) surveying about 3,000 schools. Colleges or universities with this accreditation type are deemed “regionally accredited.” Academic credits earned at one of the schools are transferrable to another regionally accredited school. (Of note, while regional accreditation ensures the transfer of courses between institutions, it does not guarantee that courses will meet the specific degree requirements.) The transfer of courses between institutions is a complicated and challenging process that also involves program accreditation (discussed later). A database of regionally accredited schools is accessible at www.chea.org. Approximately 85% of colleges have regional accreditation, including all public (state or federally supported) institutions. The other accreditation credential option comes from one of about 52 private agencies. The USDE has provided “deemed status” to this diverse group to accredit colleges and universities, many of which are faith-based (e.g., Association of Advanced Rabbinical and Talmudic Schools) or focused on specialty training (e.g., Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine). Institutions accredited by one of these We Hear You! Our Complete Standards Collection Is Now Digital. Includes the current version of every standard and guidance document

The factors affecting heavy metal levels in the muscle tissues of whiting (merlangius merlangus) and red mullet (mullus barbatus)

This study aims to determine heavy metal accumulation levels in the muscles tissues of two economically most important demersal fish species in the Eastern Black Sea, Turkey, red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and whiting (Merlangius merlangus), and evaluate the effects of fish species, sampling locations, fishing season and size groups on heavy metal accumulation levels. Chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations in fish muscle samples were measured with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Co, Zn, As and Cd accumulation levels in both species differed significantly (P<0.05). The metal concentrations of muscle tissues of both species, in general, were higher during summer and autumn. In the study, the differences in concentrations levels of As and Pb in whiting, Co, Cu, and Pb in red mullet muscle tissues were significantly related to fishing locations. The results of metal concentrations were compared with various legal limits such as Turkish Food Codex (TFC 2011), European Communities Commission Regulation (EC 2006) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO 1983) and the obtained metal levels of fish muscle tissues of both species were found to be below the limit values which are a threat to human health.

New finding of Trichinella britovi in a European beaver (Castor fiber) in Latvia

We report the first finding of Trichinella britovi in a European beaver. In Latvia, beaver is a common game animal and frequently used in human diet. A high prevalence of Trichinella infections in Latvia is present in the most common hosts-carnivores and omnivores. In total, 182 European beaver muscle samples were tested for Trichinella larvae accordingly to the reference method of European Communities Commission Regulation (EC) No. 2075/2005 (2005). Trichinella britovi larvae were detected in one animal (prevalence 0.5%; intensity 5.92 larvae per gram of muscle). This finding suggests that the consumption of European beaver meat can be a risk to human health. Further studies are needed in order to determine if the present observation represents an isolated individual case or low prevalence of Trichinella infection in beavers.

Young engineers are inspired by Lady Godiva

A project in Coventry, bringing together art and science, has involved children working on a real community commission and creating engineering feats.

Evaluation of Status of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead and Zinc Levels in Biological Samples of Normal and Arthritis Patients of Age Groups (46 - 60) and (61 - 75) Years

Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in inflammation of diarthrodial joints (particularly joints of hands, wrists, feet, knees, ankles, and shoulders), manifested by swelling and functional impairment. This study was designed to evaluate the levels of the toxic elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) and correlate those with the essential trace element zinc (Zn) in biological samples (scalp hair, blood, and urine) of arthritis patients, in two age groups (46 - 60 and 61 - 75) of both genders. For comparison purposes all three biological samples were collected from gender- and age-matched non-arthritic subjects as referents. The As, Cd, and Pb in biological samples were analysed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, prior to microwave assisted acid digestion. The level of Zn was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The validity and accuracy of the methodology was checked by using Certified Reference Materials (CRM) from the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) of the Commission of the European Community and with those values obtained by conventional wet acid digestion method on the same CRMs. The results of this study showed that the mean values of As, Cd, and Pb were higher in blood, scalp hair, and urine samples of arthritis patients as compared to those values obtained in age-matched referent subjects. The concentration of Zn was lower in the biological samples of rheumatoid arthritis patients of both genders with respect to non-arthritic subjects. The urinary levels of the elements studied were found to be higher in the arthritis patients than in the age-matched healthy referents (p < 0.001). An inverse correlation was observed between Zn and toxic elements in biological samples of arthritis patients (r = 0.612 - 0.754). Intake of certain antioxidant micronutrients, particularly a zinc supplement, may protect against the development of rheumatoid arthritis.