OBJECTIVE: Nanomaterials are materials consisting of particles having one or more dimensions smaller than 100 nm. Nanoparticles (NP) have different properties and effects in comparison with the same particle materials of larger size. They can penetrate through various membranes and get from the bloodstream to other organs in the body. Therefore, in our experiment we have dealt with the impact of nanoparticles TiO2 instilled intravenously (i.v.) (to a tail vein of an animal) on the selected parameters of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The aim of our study was to determine whether TiO2 nanoparticles do pass through the vascular system to the respiratory tract, and if so, how they affect the selected inflammatory and cytotoxic parameters of bronchoalveolar lavage. METHODS: Wistar rats were intravenously given a suspension of TiO2 nanoparticles in saline solution. This suspension contained 10% volume of rat serum in dose: 1.0% from LD50 = 0.592 mg/kg of animal body weight. After the time intervals 1, 7, 14 and 28 days, the animals were sacrificed under anaesthesia; bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and the BAL cells were isolated. We have examined these markers: differential count of BAL cells - alveolar macrophages (AM), polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL), lymphocytes (Ly); viability and phagocytic activity of AM; proportion of immature cells and cathepsin D enzyme levels. RESULTS: Regarding the respiratory toxicity of TiO2 nanoparticles we have found that TiO2 nanoparticles are relatively inert. BAL examined parameters (except the immature form of AM) were not significantly changed after 28 days of instillation compared to the control group. We found that the TiO2 nanoparticles used in our study were transferred from the bloodstream to the respiratory tract, but in a 28-day phase after i.v. instillation have been largely eliminated by the defence mechanism from the respiratory tract. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest low biopersistence and relatively rapid elimination of TiO2 nanoparticles from the lung under used experimental conditions.
- MeSH
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid chemistry MeSH
- Administration, Intravenous MeSH
- Metal Nanoparticles administration & dosage toxicity MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Rats, Wistar MeSH
- Titanium administration & dosage toxicity MeSH
- Particle Size MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Accidents, Occupational statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Sick Leave MeSH
- Statistics as Topic MeSH
- Accidents statistics & numerical data MeSH
- Health Workforce MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Geographicals
- Slovakia MeSH
- MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Occupational Exposure MeSH
- Physical Exertion MeSH
- Nurse Clinicians MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Female MeSH
U 22 pracovníkov geriatrie a liečebne pre dlhodobo chorých pacientov (5 lekárov, 10 sestier a 7 sanitárov) sa počas 106 pracovných zmien urobili celozmenové časové snímky. Pracovné operácie jednotlivých profesií sa rozdelili do hlavných skupín. Vypracoval sa model dvíhania imobilných pacientov pre stanovenie fyzickej záťaže. Energetický výdaj (netto) sa stanovil odhadom pomocou tabuľkových hodnôt metódou podľa Borského. Lekári venovali najviac času odbornej zdravotníckej práci (49,4 % času) a prácam dokumentačným (42,1 % času). Práci pri počítači sa venovali iba primári (v 13,8 % zmeny). Ostatní pracovníci nemali k dispozícii výpočtovú techniku. Sestry sa venovali najviac odbornej práci v 40,9 % času a prácam prípravného charakteru (27,4 % zmeny). Dokumentačné práce trvali priemerne 23,9 % zmeny. Počas nočných zmien museli sestry vykonávať prácu namiesto sanitárov, pretože tí nemali v nočných zmenách služby. Najvyšší priemerný minútový energetický výdaj sa zistil pri operáciách, týkajúcich sa hygieny pacienta a manipulácie s ním (až 32 kJ . min -1 ) a pri prácach spojených s úpravou lôžka a manipuláciami s bliezňou (až 11 kJ . min -1 ). Prácu zdravotných sestier aj sanitárov možno porovnať so stredne ťažkou prácou v priemysle. Sanitári vykonávali v 91 % času pomocné zdravotnícke práce, pri ktorých priemerný minútový energetický výdaj taktiež dosahoval maximálnych hodnôt až 32 kJ . min -1. Na obidvoch oddeleniach neboli k dispozícii takmer žiadne pomôcky a mechanizmy pre manipuláciu s imobilnými pacientami. Pri hodnotení neuropsychickej záťaže bola profesia sestier zaradená do kategórie 3 (zvýšená neuropsychická záťaž) a profesia sanitár do kategórie 2 (nižšia neuropsychický záťaž). Opakované psychické ťažkosti uvádzalo 78 % sestier, sanitári ich neuvádzali vôbec. Prekonané choroby chrbtice udáva 44 % sestier a 14 % sanitárov. Na základe našich zistení sa vedeniu obidvoch oddelení odovzdali odporúčania na zlepšenie práce a pracovných podmienok.
The authors performed all-day shift time pictures in 22 employees at the geriatric and long-term patients wards, respectively (5 physicians, 10 nurses and 7 ambulance-men) during a total of 106 working shifts. The working activities in individual occupations were classified into main categories. The authors elaborated a model of lifting immobile patients for the determination of physical load. Energy expenditure (net) was determined by an estimate using table values according to Borský. The psychicians paid more attention to professional medical work (49.4% of their shift) and documentation (42.1%). The computer work represented a signifi- cant part of the shift only for head physician (13.8%). Other workers did not have access to personal computers. The nurses performed mainly their professional tasks (40.9%) and work of preparatory nature (27.4%). Their documentations work constituted 23.9% of their shift on the average. In their night shifts the nurses had to substitute the work of ambulance-men, who did nor work at night. The highest minute energy expenditure was observed during tasks concerned of hygienic care of the patients and manipulation with them (up to 32 kJ x min -1 ) and during tasks concerned of adjustment of the patients’ beds and manipulation with linen (up to 11 kJ x min -1 ). The work of the nurses is comparable with medium-heavy work in industry. The ambulance-men performed, in 91% of their shifts, supplementing medical tasks, where their mean minute energy expenditure reach maximum values up to 32 kJ x min -1. At both wards under investigation there were virtually no aids and mechanisms for manipulation with immobile patients. In evaluating neuropsychical work the load for the nurses was placed into category 3 (increased neuropsychical load), being in category 2 for the occupation ambulance-men (a lower neuropsychical load). Repeated psychical compliants were reported by 78% of nurses, while no ambulance-men had these complaints. Forty four per cent of nurses and 14% of ambulance- men suffered from vertebral columns disorders in the past. The authors gave their recommendation for improvement of the work conditions to leadership of the wards.
