The article analyses the regional and cohesion policy background for establishing the major instruments of EU regional policy for Eastern Poland, namely the Operational Programme Development of Eastern Poland for 2007-2013 and five Regional Operational Programmes for Warminsko-Mazurskie, Podlaskie, Lubelskie, Świętokrzyskie and Podkarpackie Voivodships. The discussion focuses on their role not only in evening interregional disparities, but also in supporting rural regions lagging behind in economic development. This gives basis to concluding on the model of regional policy applied in Eastern Poland in 2007-2013 and its adequacy to existing social and economic conditions.
The aim of our study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma and some respiratory symptoms and diseases in schoolchildren from rural regions of Poland in 2001 and to compare these data with previous estimations in 1995. Repeated cross-sectional epidemiological studies were performed among 594 primary schoolchildren in 1995 and 541 in 2001 using the same standardized questionnaire. Lifetime prevalence of "doctor's-diagnosed asthma" increased significantly from 3.4% in 1995 to 9.6% in 2001. This trend may be due to the real increase in the prevalence of asthma and also may be a result of better physician's diagnosis and/or better parents' health education. A substantial increase of asthma-related symptoms (post-exercise breathlessness, wheezing and dyspnoea) was also observed between these years (8.3-17.7%, 6.2-13.2% and 7.6-13.3%, respectively). These results suggest that asthma in Polish schoolchildren is still underdiagnosed.
The aim of the present study was to identify any possible protective effects of wild greens on certain biochemical cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in elderly women leaving in rural Crete. For the needs of the study a region with high consumption of wild greens (Avdou) and a region with low consumption (Anogia) were identified and a representative population from each area was recruited (n= 37 and n=35 respectively). Serum lipids and fibrinogen levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), soluble intercellular adhesion molucule-1 (sVCAM-1), soluble vascular adhesion molucule-1 (s-ICAM-1) and haematological factors were measured in both regions during winter and summer time when wild-green plants consumption is high and low, respectively. Regarding classic lipid risk factors for arteriosclerosis no significant different between the two regions were detected. TAC was found higher in Avdou compared to Anogia during winter screening, but null in both regions during summer. Fibrinogen was found higher in Avdou compared to Anogia while no differences between the two regions were detected for sVCAM-1 and s-ICAM-1 in both screenings. The significantly higher TAC and fibrinogen values detected in Avdou could be attributed to the higher wild green consumption in that region since resent data indicated that their content in vitamin C and E as well as flavonoids is particularly high.
Monitoring studies of environmental (soil, water, grass and cereals) and biological materials (tissues of hens, eggs, cow’s milk) in the industrialized area of the Legnica-Głogów copper mine district (LGOM-copper region) and Jeleniogórska Valley (KJG) were carried out in order to determine the content of mercury. Low concentrations, at levels naturally occurring in the environment, were determined. The content of this metal in soil, plants, water, poultry tissues and raw cow’s milk was slightly elevated in both the industrial (LGOM-copper region) and ecologically clean (KJG) regions.
The analysis of the area of the municipality of Tu oro sul Trasimeno in Umbria, Central Italy (the historical site of the Battle of Trasimeno in 217 BC) was carried out to evaluate changes in land use from 1977 to 2000 at the land-plot level using relevant land use maps. An evaluation of the environmental quality of land use in 2000 was also made. The study involved an analysis of the environmental diversity in terms of extent and variety of land use. The Landscape Conservation Index (ILC), and diversity indicators (Shannon-Wiener Index and Eveness Index) were calculated. The study showed how landscape quality gradually declined due to an increase in agricultural areas to the detriment of natural areas. The calculation of environmental indicators, particularly the Eveness Index showed how the difference between real and potential diversity increased, in favour of real diversity. This is a symptom of increased human pressure.