PREVALENCE OF BYOGENES AMMINS IN SEASONED D.O.P. CHEESE TOSCANO PECORINO

Pecorino cheese is one of the “D.O.P.” products made in Tuscany. There are two types of pecorino cheese one of which undergoes a curing time period which is not less than four months. Considering this curing time period, processes are conceivable that could lead to the formation of amines such as free amino acids. The biogenic amines have unquestionable effects on health in particular histamine and tyramine, they are also important indicators of hygienic quality of the profile of the movement shortly after the curing time period and included in the shelf life period which the product is commercialized

The acute impact of chemotherapy on the cognitive and emotional domains and on quality of life of older cancer patients

Background There are data suggesting that chemotherapy may have a negative impact on cognitive function; on the other hand, aging itself causes changes in the cognitive domain. This area is commonly evaluated in the context of a comprehensive geriatric assessment by the Mini-mental state examination (MMS). Aim We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the acute effects of chemotherapy on cognition in elderly patients (age >70) affected by solid tumors and to evaluate its effect on quality of life and emotional domain. Methods Cognitive function was measured before chemotherapy start and at 12 weeks (or chemotherapy interruption, whichever occurred first) with a battery of neuropsychological tests administered to assess attention, learning and memory, language and reading , visuo-constructional ability, problem salving and general intelligence. Quality of life and the emotional domain were evaluated by the FACT-G questionnaire and the Geriatric Depression Scale, respectively. Results A total of 30 patients, median age 76 (range 70-82) are evaluable. Baseline values of the test are reported. Data on changes in test scores after chemotherapy, as well as impact of chemotherapy on emotion and quality of life will be presented. Conclusion These results will be the basis to design a more complete and adequately sized study

Biological monitoring of workers exposed to N, N-dimethylfomamide. I. Methods of analysis

Some methods for analysing N,N-dimethylformamide and its metabolites [hydroxymethyl-N-methylformamide, hydroxymethylformamide and N-acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine] in the urine of exposed workers are described. Unchanged dimethylformamide was measured after pretreatment of urine (2 ml) with silica gel cartridges and elution with methanol. The gas chromatographic analysis using a nitrogen phosphor detector made it possible to detect N,N-dimethylformamide in urine even when workers were exposed to low concentrations of the solvent (about 1 mg/m3). N-Hydroxymethyl-N-methylformamide and N-hydroxymethylformamide were analysed as N-methylformamide and formamide respectively after direct injection of urine into the gas chromatograph. The injection port temperature played an important role in the gas chromatographic determination of these products. Reliable results were obtained when direct or split injections were performed at 250 degrees C. The splitless injection gave the same reliable results at 150 degrees C. In urine samples from occupationally non-exposed persons, N-methylformamide could not be detected. In contrast, formamide (or its precursor, hydroxymethylformamide) was present in every urine sample. Our results in respect of 19 urine samples analysed with the injection port of the gas chromatograph at 250 degrees C gave a mean of 8.6 mg/l of formamide. N-Acetyl-S-(N-methylcarbamoyl)cysteine was determined using a modified method for analysing organic acid in urine samples. The metabolite was extracted with ethyl ether in an acid environment, treated with a silylating reagent and measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

[Occupational exposure to nickel in Tuscany: analysis of a biological monitoring register for the period 1991-1998].

OBJECTIVE: The study assesses the time trend in exposure to nickel among factory workers in Florence, via data on biological monitoring. A data-base of nickel in urinary samples (Ni-U mg/l) was created for the period 1991 to 1998. METHODS: The data-base contained 2.138 samples, measured by atomic absorption (GF-AAS),from 893 workers. Subjects came from 157 factories in various manufacturing sectors, especially electroplating, mechanical workshops, jewellery. RESULTS: Ni-U levels were correlated with manufacturing sector. The highest levels were found among workers from electroplating industries, where exposure was mainly due to water-soluble nickel compounds. The eight-year time trend showed a statistically significant decrease in Ni-U values, with a sharper drop during the last two-year period. Age, sex and number of samples per subject were not statistically related to this trend. CONCLUSION: The observed Ni-U decrease could be related to the efficacy of new legislation introduced in Italy during the study period (Law 626/94 and subsequent laws), but also to the intense labour inspection activities that officials of National Health Service performed, which were rightly focused on nickel exposure in different manufacturing sectors. This study confirms the usefulness for occupational risk evaluation of a biological monitoring data-base of routinely collected data

Valori di riferimento di solventi e metaboliti in campioni biologici

Abstract This article presents a review of reference values for organic solvent biomarkers. Some of these results were obtained in the research activities of the Italian Society Reference Values (SIVR). Most experiences show data obtained from control groups during occupational exposures assessment investigations. We considered only data related to the following biomarkers: immodified solvents in blood and urine, their main urinary metabolites. The reference values of the following solvents are reported: benzene, toluene, xylene, n-hexane, cyclohexane, trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, methanol, acetone, N,N-dimethylformamide, carbon disulphide. In the text also the influence of some confounding factors is discussed

A polar diagram for comprehensive geriatric assessment

Comprehensive geriatric assessment has become synonymous with geriatric practice. This includes evaluation of the older person's physical and mental health, and the functional and social status. We propose a new way of representing a person's condition, called the "polar diagram". This shows the subject's scores on the evaluation scales that are arranged in radial positions inside a circle. The outer part of the circle corresponds to the best condition. Gaps between the best condition and the actual scores are easily identified. The diagram can be employed to monitor the subject's condition and to assess any changes in outcomes