Zinc exposure for female workers in a galvanizing plant in Northern Italy

Objectives Very little is known regarding the toxicokinetics of inhaled zinc, in particular in the case of female workers and for modern, low exposure settings. Our aim is to evaluate the relationship of external zinc levels to those of serum and urine for female workers. Material and Methods Eleven female workers (age: 41.7±8 years old, body mass index (BMI): 23.5±4.2 kg/m 2 ) in a galvanizing plant were investigated. Exposure assessment consisted of personal/environmental air samples, and measurement of zinc in serum (collected at the end of first shift of the working week (T1)) and urine, collected before the first shift of the working week (T0), T1 and at the end of the last shift of the working week (T2). Results Both environmental and personal air samplings for zinc and zinc compounds were below the recommended by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – DFG) limit values of 2 mg/m 3 (7.34±2.8 μg/m 3 and 8.31±2.4 μg/ m 3 , respectively). Serum (118.6±20.9 μg /dl) and urine zinc levels were within reference values for female Italian subjects: the latter increased from 56.4±33.5 μg/dl at T0, to 59.8±37.0 μg/dl at T1, and ultimately 65.4±34.4 μg/dl at T2, but no significant trend was found. End of shift (Spearman's correlation coefficient p value = 0.027) and differential excretion of urinary zinc (both: T0 vs. T1 and T0 vs. T2) were correlated with airborne zinc concentration (p = 0.002 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusions In general, our data suggests that urine may be a useful medium also for female in order to assess zinc exposure. Further studies are required in order to evaluate whether differential excretion may be useful for the biomonitoring of zinc exposure in the workplaces also for male workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(1):113–12

Ilościowe zaburzenia węchu a narażenie zawodowe na żywice fenolowe

Background: To investigate whether exposure to phenolic resins (PR) is associated with quantitative olfactory disorders (QOD), a cross-sectional study of self-reported olfactory impairment (SROI) was performed in occupationally exposed subjects. Material and Methods: Sixty-six workers (45 males, 21 females) at the age (mean ± standard deviation) of 39.8±10.15 years old were divided into 3 exposure groups on the basis of biological exposure indices (BEI) for urinary phenols. It was asked whether the sense of smell has been normal or abnormal during the recent 2 months: the participants were eventually divided into self-reported normosmic, hyposmic, hyperosmic groups. Results: Prevalence of the SROI was 45.5%, with 21 (31.8%) workers complaining about the hyposmia, 12 (18.2%) – anosmia and 9 (13.6%) – hyperosmia. In univariate analyses, female sex was associated with the SROI and the hyperosmia. Highly exposed workers showed the SROI more frequently (odds ratio (OR) = 4.714; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.077–20.626) than those not exposed (reference) or low exposed (OR = 1.333; 95% CI: 0.416–4.274). In multivariate analyses, female sex was the main risk factor for the SROI (adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 5.622; 95% CI: 1.525–20.722) and the hyperosmia (ORa = 25.143; 95% CI: 2.379–265.7) but a high exposure to phenol (ORa = 11.133; 95% CI: 1.060–116.9) was the main risk factor for the anosmia. Conclusions: This study has found slight evidence among the cross-section of chemical industry workers that the exposure to phenol may be associated with the SROI. On the other hand, self-reporting of the QOD may be biased by personal factors and further research with objective measurement is therefore required. Med Pr 2016;67(2):173–18

Praca przy monitorze ekranowym a zaburzenia mięśniowo-szkieletowe – badanie przekrojowe

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown that employees working with visual display units (VDU) are more likely to complain about musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of this study has been to evaluate associations among MSDs and individuals and work-related factors. Material and Methods: A total of 1032 VDU workers were assessed about their personal (i.e., age, working history, smoking history, physical activity) and work-related factors (i.e., predominant job tasks performed, work posture). Work environment was evaluated regarding fulfillment of the standard ISO 9241-5:1998. The investigation required a direct observation of participants (in order to accurately assess the prevalence of MSDs) and workstations. Adjusted odds ratios (ORa) were calculated by means of the logistic regression model. Results: Prevalence of MSDs was relatively high (53%). In general, MSDs were significantly associated with female sex (OR = 2.832, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.178–3.683), age ≥ 50 years old (OR = 2.231, 95% CI: 1.236–4.026), longer exposure to VDU, both as working history (10–14 years: OR = 1.934, 95% CI: 1.301–2.875; ≥ 15 years: OR = 2.223, 95% CI: 1.510–3.271) and working time (30–39 h/week: OR = 1.537, 95% CI: 1.087–2.273). Inappropriate workstation design was confirmed by the multivariate analysis as a risk factor for MSDs (ORa = 2.375, 95% CI: 1.124–5.018). Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders were significantly associated with individual factors as well as characteristics of work environment. An appropriate design of workstations may significantly reduce their prevalence amongst VDU workers. Med Pr 2016;67(6):707–71

Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of occupational physicians towards vaccinations of health care workers: A cross sectional pilot study in North-Eastern Italy

Objectives: This study aims to characterize personal attitudes and knowledge of a sample of Italian occupational physicians (OPhs) towards immunization practice in the case of healthcare workers (HCWs). Material and Methods: A total of 90 OPhs (42.2% of males, 57.8% of females, mean age of 50.1±8.3 years old) compiled a structured questionnaire through a telephonic interview. They were asked about the official Italian recommendations for HCWs, their general knowledge of vaccine practice, their propensity towards vaccines (both in general and about specific immunizations), their risk perception about the vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Eventually, a regression analysis was performed in order to identify factors predictive for vaccine propensity. Results: Only 12 out of 90 subjects correctly identified all the 7 recommended immunizations. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine was correctly identified by 95.6% of the sample, and was also associated with the more positive attitude and the more accurate risk perception. Influenza vaccine had the lowest acceptance (75.9%). Eventually, pertussis, measles, parotitis and varicella vaccines were insufficiently recognized as recommended ones (all cases < 50% of the sample). General knowledge of vaccine and knowledge of official recommendations were significantly correlated with the attitude towards immunization practice (r = 0.259, p = 0.014 and r = 0.438, p < 0.0001). In the regression analysis general knowledge (unstandardized coefficient (B) = 0.300, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.090–0.510, p = 0.006) and risk perception (B = 0.579, 95% CI: 0.155–1.003, p = 0.008) were significant predictors of the propensity to vaccinate. Conclusions: Vaccinations gaps in HCWs may found their roots in OPhs incomplete knowledge of evidence-based recommendations. Specific training programs and formations courses should then be planned. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):775–79

Murmurs in the city. Medical humanization in romantic comedy key

This film focuses on part of the story of a doctor as initially expressed in a superimposed writing. Such a professional is the founder of a clinic where patients are humanely and comprehensively approached. While lacking the epic character of other cinematographic productions on doctors and Medicine, the humanism constantly hovers throughout the plot. In addition, being a romantic and dramatic comedy, it does not avoid dealing some controversial issues for the then current anti-communist McCarthyism.The aforementioned medical humanization and this underlying plus in an a priori light fiction stimulated and guided the drafting of this paper.Este filme se enfoca en parte de la historia de un médico según se expresa inicialmente en un escrito sobrepuesto Tal profesional es fundador de una clínica donde se aborda a los pacientes humanizada e integralmente. Aunque carece del carácter épico de otras producciones cinematográficas sobre médicos y Medicina, lo humanitario sobrevuela de manera constante a lo largo de la trama. Además, siendo una comedia romántica dramática no evita trata algunos temas polémicos para el entonces vigente macartismo anticomunista.La susodicha humanización médica y este plus subyacente en una ficción apriorísticamente ligera estimuló y guio la redacción de este trabajo

The fragile heart. The painful moral awakening of Dr. Edgar Pascoe

The fragile heart is a British miniseries, released in 1996. Since this medical drama offers, among others, a variety of possibilities for debate on deontological and attitudinal features for physicians in particular and professionals in health area in general is more than recommended appreciating the various readings it allows./nThe aim of this paper is to address it and present some of those possibilities.El corazón frágil es una miniserie británica, estrenada en 1996. Dado que este drama médico ofrece, entre otras, una variedad de posibilidades de debate sobre facetas deontológicas y actitudinales para médicos en particular y profesionales del área de la salud en general resulta más que recomendable apreciar las varias lecturas que permite./nEl objetivo de este trabajo es abordarla y presentar algunas de tales posibilidades

Serratia marcescens in a neonatal intensive care unit: two long-term multiclone outbreaks in a 10-year observational study

We investigated two consecutive Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) outbreaks which occurred in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a tertiary level hospital in North Italy in a period of 10 years (January 2003-December 2012). Risk factors associated with S. marcescens acquisition were evaluated by a retrospective case-control study. A total of 21,011 clinical samples was examined: S. marcescens occurred in 127 neonates: 43 developed infection and 3 died. Seven clusters were recorded due to 12 unrelated clones which persisted for years in the ward, although no environmental source was found. The main epidemic clone A sustaining the first cluster in 2003 reappeared in 2010 as an extended spectrum ?-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strain and supporting the second epidemic. Birth weight, gestational age, use of invasive devices and length of stay in the ward were significantly related to S. marcescens acquisition. The opening of a new ward for non-intensive care-requiring neonates, strict adherence to alcoholic hand disinfection, the timely identification and isolation of infected and colonized neonates assisted in containing the epidemics. Genotyping was effective in tracing the evolution and dynamics of the clones demonstrating their long-term persistence in the ward

Biological evaluation of PLDLA polymer synthesized as construct on bone tissue engineering application

In bone tissue engineering, cell-scaffold constructs are used to stimulate complete, functional tissue replacement that does not occur naturally in critical-size defects. In this report, we describe the application potential of poly (L-co-D,L lactic acid)-PLDLA 70/30, synthesized in house as constructs loaded with osteoblast-like cells on bone tissue engineering. In vitro biological results show that the porogen leached PLDLA scaffolds are cytocompatible with osteoblast cells, able to stimulate significant cells growth during the first 14 days of culture, during which the morphology and cell behavior of osteoblasts cultured on the scaffolds were monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo, PLDLA constructs were implanted in 5 mm bilateral critical-size defects created in rat-calvariae and then evaluated histologically 8 and 12 weeks after implantation. The histological results showed that PLDLA constructs supported the growth of new tissue, with a degradation rate close to that of native bone formation and decrease of inflammatory response over time of implantation. These data provide evidences that the synthesized PLDLA polymer has application potential as construct for bone tissue engineering.192300307FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2012/12081-

miR-181b as a therapeutic agent for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the Eμ-TCL1 mouse model

The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) pathogenesis suggests the possibility of anti-CLL therapeutic approaches based on miRNAs. Here, we used the Eµ-TCL1 transgenic mouse model, which reproduces leukemia with a similar course and distinct immunophenotype as human B-CLL, to test miR-181b as a therapeutic agent.In vitro enforced expression of miR-181b mimics induced significant apoptotic effects in human B-cell lines (RAJI, EHEB), as well as in mouse Eµ-TCL1 leukemic splenocytes. Molecular analyses revealed that miR-181b not only affected the expression of TCL1, Bcl2 and Mcl1 anti-apoptotic proteins, but also reduced the levels of Akt and phospho-Erk1/2. Notably, a siRNA anti-TCL1 could similarly down-modulate TCL1, but exhibited a reduced or absent activity in other relevant proteins, as well as a reduced effect on cell apoptosis and viability. In vivo studies demonstrated the capability of miR-181b to reduce leukemic cell expansion and to increase survival of treated mice.These data indicate that miR-181b exerts a broad range of actions, affecting proliferative, survival and apoptotic pathways, both in mice and human cells, and can potentially be used to reduce expansion of B-CLL leukemic cells

CXCL1-CXCR1/2 signaling is induced in human temporal lobe epilepsy and contributes to seizures in a murine model of acquired epilepsy

Abstract CXCL1, a functional murine orthologue of the human chemokine CXCL8 (IL-8), and its CXCR1 and CXCR2 receptors were investigated in a murine model of acquired epilepsy developing following status epilepticus (SE) induced by intra-amygdala kainate. CXCL8 and its receptors were also studied in human temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The functional involvement of the chemokine in seizure generation and neuronal cell loss was assessed in mice using reparixin (formerly referred to as repertaxin), a non-competitive allosteric inhibitor of CXCR1/2 receptors. We found a significant increase in hippocampal CXCL1 level within 24 h of SE onset that lasted for at least 1 week. No changes were measured in blood. In analogy with human TLE, immunohistochemistry in epileptic mice showed that CXCL1 and its two receptors were increased in hippocampal neuronal cells. Additional expression of these molecules was found in glia in human TLE. Mice were treated with reparixin or vehicle during SE and for additional 6 days thereafter, using subcutaneous osmotic minipumps. Drug-treated mice showed a faster SE decay, a reduced incidence of acute symptomatic seizures during 48 h post-SE, and a delayed time to spontaneous seizures onset compared to vehicle controls. Upon reparixin discontinuation, mice developed spontaneous seizures similar to vehicle mice, as shown by EEG monitoring at 14 days and 2.5 months post-SE. In the same epileptic mice, reparixin reduced neuronal cell loss in the hippocampus vs vehicle-injected mice, as assessed by Nissl staining at completion of EEG monitoring. Reparixin administration for 2 weeks in mice with established chronic seizures, reduced by 2-fold on average seizure number vs pre-treatment baseline, and this effect was reversible upon drug discontinuation. No significant changes in seizure number were measured in vehicle-injected epileptic mice that were EEG monitored in parallel. Data show that CXCL1-IL-8 signaling is activated in experimental and human epilepsy and contributes to acute and chronic seizures in mice, therefore representing a potential new target to attain anti-ictogenic effects