From field analysis to nanostructural investigation. A multidisciplinary approach to describe natural occurrence of asbestos in view of hazard assessment

The environmental impact of natural occurrences of asbestos (NOA) and asbestos-like minerals is a growing concern for environmental protection agencies. The lack of shared sampling and analytical procedures hinders effectively addressing this issue. To investigate the hazard posed by NOA, a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses geology, mineralogy, chemistry, and toxicology is proposed and demonstrated here, on a natural occurrence of antigorite from a site in Varenna Valley, Italy. Antigorite is, together with chrysotile asbestos, one of the serpentine polymorphs and its toxicological profile is still under debate. We described field and petrographic analyses required to sample a vein and to evaluate the NOA-hazard. A combination of standardized mechanical stress and automated morphometrical analyses on milled samples allowed to quantify the asbestoslike morphology. The low congruent solubility in acidic simulated body fluid, together with the toxicity-relevant surface reactivity due to iron speciation, signalled a bio-activity similar or even greater to that of chrysotile. Structural information on the genetic mechanism of antigorite asbestos-like fibres in nature were provided. Overall, the NOA site was reported to contain veins of asbestos-like antigorite and should be regarded as source of potentially toxic fibres during hazard assessment procedure

A cohort study to evaluate persistence of hepatitis B immunogenicity after administration of hexavalent vaccines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In 2001, two hexavalent vaccines were licensed in Italy (Hexavac^®, Infanrix Hexa^®), and since 2002 were extensively used for primary immunization in the first year of life (at 3, 5, 11/12 months of age). In 2005, the market authorization of Hexavac^®was precautionary suspended by EMEA, because of doubts on long-term protection against hepatitis B virus. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the persistence of antibodies to anti-HBs, in children in the third year of life, and to investigate the response to a booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Participant children were enrolled concomitantly with the offering of anti-polio booster dose, in the third year of life. Anti-HBs titers were determined on capillary blood samples. A booster dose of hepatitis B vaccine was administered to children with anti-HBs titers < 10 mIU/ml, with the monovalent precursor product of the previously received hexavalent vaccine. HBsAb titers were tested again one month after the booster.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sera from 113 children previously vaccinated with Hexavac^®, and from 124 vaccinated with Infanrix Hexa^®were tested for anti-HBs. Titers were ≥ 10 mIU/ml in 69% and 96% (p < 0,0001) respectively. The proportion of children with titers ≥ 100 mIU/ml did also significantly differ among groups (27% and 78%; p < 0,0001).</p> <p>Post-booster, 93% of children achieved titers ≥ 10 mIU/ml, with no significant difference by vaccine group.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Fifteen months after third dose administration, a significant difference in anti-HBs titers was noted in the two vaccine groups considered. Monovalent hepatitis B vaccine administration in 3-year old children induced a proper booster response, confirming that immunologic memory persists in children with anti-HBs titers < 10 mIU/ml. However, long-term persistence of HBV protection after hexavalent vaccines administration should be further evaluated over time.</p

Satellite Observation of Bio-Optical Indicators Related to Dinoflagellates Blooms in Selected Mediterranean Coastal Regions

Satellite data were used to assess phytoplankton dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea, in relation to blooming episodes of Alexandrium, the dinoflagellates genus which causes most (harmful) algal blooms in the basin. A comparison of in situ data, collected on the coast of Catalonia, Sardinia and Sicily in 2002-2003, with images recorded by the SeaWiFS albeit hampered by space/time resolution too poor to discern small features in harbours, bays or beach areas, and by other limitations suggests that the recurrence of Alexandrium is linked to local (near-coastal) factors, and only occasionally to larger mesoscale features typical of open waters. Examples are provided of the frequent decoupling between inshore and offshore blooming regimes, even in those cases when they seem to co-vary (e.g. considering inter-annual variability). Correspondences between imaged patterns and Alexandrium outbursts are seen to occur episodically, implying that the processes shaping the local (harmful) algal blooms and the regional blooms are different, or overlap only marginally. Thus, local measurements cannot be taken as representative of "larger scale" phenomena, while the satellite data might be useful to place local events into a regional contest, but not to explore the dynamics of "smaller scale" phenomena, which require direct in situ monitoring.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Curcumin as a Therapeutic Agent in Dementia: A Mini Systematic Review of Human Studies

Dementia is a leading health problem worldwide, with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) representing up to 60% of all dementia cases. A growing interest has recently risen on the potential use of natural molecules in this condition. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound traditionally used in Indian medicine. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have found a protective effect of curcumin in AD. In the present systematic review we aimed to evaluate the state-of-the-art of clinical trials of curcumin in AD. We retrieved three published studies, while there are several ongoing clinical trials. To date there is insufficient evidence to suggest the use of curcumin in dementia patients. Of note, short-term use of curcumin appears to be safe. Several reasons could be responsible for the discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo findings and human trials, such as low bioavailability and poor study design

Satellite observations of bio-optical indicators related to dinoflagellates blooms in selected Mediterranean coastal regions

Satellite data were used to assess phytoplankton dynamics in the Mediterranean Sea, in relation to blooming episodes of Alexandrium, the dinoflagellates genus which causes most (harmful) algal blooms in the basin. A comparison of in situ data, collected on the coast of Catalonia, Sardinia and Sicily in 2002-2003, with images recorded by the SeaWiFS– albeit hampered by space/time resolution too poor to discern small features in harbours, bays or beach areas, and by other limitations – suggests that the recurrence of Alexandrium is linked to local (near-coastal) factors, and only occasionally to larger mesoscale features typical of open waters. Examples are provided of the frequent decoupling between inshore and offshore blooming regimes, even in those cases when they seem to co-vary (e.g. considering inter-annual variability). Correspondences between imaged patterns and Alexandrium outbursts are seen to occur episodically, implying that the processes shaping the local (harmful) algal blooms and the regional blooms are different, or overlap only marginally. Thus, local measurements cannot be taken as representative of “larger scale” phenomena, while the satellite data might be useful to place local events into a regional contest, but not to explore the dynamics of “smaller scale” phenomena, which require direct in situ monitoring

Incidence of vaccine preventable pneumococcal invasive infections and blood culture practices in Italy.

In order to estimate the incidence of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) and the amount of vaccine preventable serious infections, a 1-year population-based surveillance was undertaken in two comparable Italian regions (Piemonte and Puglia, representing 14% of the Italian population) prospectively collecting data and strains from all the hospital microbiological laboratories. A retrospective analysis of hospital discharge records, matched with the laboratory database, was also undertaken in nine hospitals in these two regions to determine the frequency of use of blood cultures and its impact on IPD incidence estimate. For children under 2 years of age, the incidence rates of IPD were 11.3 per 100,000 and 5.9 per 100,000 in Piemonte and in Puglia, respectively; for subjects 65 years of age and over the incidence rates were 5.7 per 100,000 and 0.2 per 100,000, in the two regions, respectively. The number of blood cultures performed was six times higher in Piemonte than that in Puglia. About 96% of isolates from IPD patients, aged 65 years and over, belonged to serogroups included in the 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine, whereas about 79% of strains isolated from patients under 5 years of age were related to serotypes included in the 7-valent conjugate vaccine. The estimate of the incidence of IPD is affected greatly by the different attitudes in performing blood cultures, especially in older patients. In Italy, bacteriological culture procedures should be undertaken more frequently to provide decision-makers with reliable estimates of serious vaccine preventable conditions