Modification of Interleukin-15 Serum Levels in Workers Exposed to Chemotherapeutic Agents

Cytostatic anticancer drugs are known as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic risk factors for health care workers occupationally exposed. It has been demonstrated that the administration of interleukin-15 in rat models of colon carcinoma protects against chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal toxicities. We found that occupational exposure to chemotherapeutic antiblastic agents in vivo modified circulating levels of interleukin-15 in 17 health care workers exposed to antineoplastic drugs in relation to their jobs and in as many healthy age- and sex-matched subjects. Health care workers displayed significantly higher circulating interleukin-15 levels compared to their age-matched controls. If this increase representing an anticancer response remains to be established, these findings strengthen the idea of a therapeutic use of interleukin-15 in the field of cancer

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEAD EXPOSURE AND MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT

Introduction: Since it is still controversial whether-low-to moderate long-term lead below current threshold values causes neurobehavioural deficits in adults.Methods: Fourty lead-exposed workers subjects with a mean blood lead (PbB) level of 56.4 µg/100ml and 40 non-lead-exposed aged matched subjects (PbB:15.4  µg/100ml) with the same socio-economic background were investigated.Participants were administered a neuropsychological tests consisting of BAMT (Branches Alternate Movements Task), FT (Finger Tapping Speed), DS (Digit Span) POMS (Profile of Mood States).Results: The authors noted significant relationship between the exposed and the referent groups in tests mainly involving executive functions, short time memory and psycoemotional variables In addition Poisson regression test performed on single psycho-emotional factors (POMS), has allowed Pb e ZPP levels to evidence the significative influence on la Tension, Anxiety and depression.Conclusions: The present study showed that lead exposure among adults at levels previously considered safe, results in impairment of certain cognitive abilities.

Correlation of the risk of breast cancer and disruption of the circadian rhythm (Review)

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A New Method for the Experimental Assessment of Finger Haemodynamic Effects Induced by a Hydraulic Breaker in Operative Conditions

Abstract: A New Method for the Experimental Assessment of Finger Haemodynamic Effects Induced by a Hydraulic Breaker in Operative Conditions: Matteo VALENTINO, et al

The experience of health and suffering in the medical profession

Objective: To evaluate the existential distress through simple measurements of the emotional state, health and well-being of doctors involved in outpatient and ward activities. Method: an observation group of 77 physicians with male prevalence (58.4%), between the ages of 26 to 67 years old (mean 46.30 years; SD = 11.1). The mean of the length of service is 18.71 years (SD = 10.50); data collection took place through an initial questionnaire, an instrument referring to the emotional and affective state (POMS, McNair et al, 1992), the motivation at work scale MAWS (Gagnè, 2010, the Italian version Galletta et al, 2011), scales related to well-being (GHQ-12, 2000) and health (WHO, 1998) Results: half of the participants in the study work during the night shift (50.6%), another percentage suffer from medical pathologies (41.6%) and follow drug therapies regularly (33.8%); significant positive correlations emerged among some MAWS scales (autonomous motivation, ego ideal - item 7,8, motivation for medical work - item 3,4) and psychological well-being; significant positive correlation between the POMS force scale and psychological well-being, among some POMS scales (Tension or Anxiety, Depression or Dejection, Fatigue or Inertia, Confusion or Bewilderment, Anger or Hostility, Vigor or Activity, Total score) and psychological distress and suffering; significant negative correlations among the POMS scales (Tension or Anxiety, Depression or Dejection, Anger or Hostility, Fatigue or Inertia, Confusion or Bewilderment, Total score) and psychological well-being, among the POMS , Vigor or Activity, psychological distress and suffering. Conclusions: in the field of work and the medical profession, the experience of this study refers to the importance of conscious and deep autonomy, as a possibility to adhere to the humanistic experience of the profession; the states of slight maladjustment can turn out to be particularly counterproductive, such as maladaptive psychopathological phenomena

Seroprevalence and occupational risk survey for Coxiella burnetii among exposed workers in Sicily, Southern Italy.

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies against Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in subjects at risk of exposure in Sicily, Southern Italy. Material and Methods: Prevalence of IgG antibodies to C. burnetii phase II antigens was evaluated by ELISA in a group of 140 workers at risk of exposure (38 veterinarians, 38 slaughterhouse workers, 44 livestock handlers, 20 laboratory and technical personnel) included in a medical surveillance program and in 42 control subjects. Positive samples were classified as suggestive of prior exposure to C. burnetii. Results: Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 88 out of 140 (62.9%) exposed workers and in 6 out of 42 (14.3%) subjects of the control group. The variables evaluated did not seem to have a significant effect on seropositivity to Coxiella with the exception of symptoms in the last 6 months preceding the survey. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a high seroprevalence of C. burnetii in the group of exposed workers in comparison to non-exposed subjects of the control group. Clinical illness appears to be rare; nevertheless, physicians should consider Q fever in patients with compatible symptoms and occupational exposure to animals and their products. As aerosols represent the main route of infection in animals and humans, these workers are strongly advised to wear respiratory masks. In addition, occupational physicians should consider routine serologic evaluation and vaccination of occupationally exposed workers

Inflammation and Metabolism in Cancer Cell—Mitochondria Key Player

Cancer metabolism is an essential aspect of tumorigenesis, as cancer cells have increased energy requirements in comparison to normal cells. Thus, an enhanced metabolism is needed in order to accommodate tumor cells' accelerated biological functions, including increased proliferation, vigorous migration during metastasis, and adaptation to different tissues from the primary invasion site. In this context, the assessment of tumor cell metabolic pathways generates crucial data pertaining to the mechanisms through which tumor cells survive and grow in a milieu of host defense mechanisms. Indeed, various studies have demonstrated that the metabolic signature of tumors is heterogeneous. Furthermore, these metabolic changes induce the exacerbated production of several molecules, which result in alterations that aid an inflammatory milieu. The therapeutic armentarium for oncology should thus include metabolic and inflammation regulators. Our expanding knowledge of the metabolic behavior of tumor cells, whether from solid tumors or hematologic malignancies, may provide the basis for the development of tailor-made cancer therapies

Cadmium exposure and prostate cancer: insights, mechanisms and perspectives

Cadmium (Cd) is a metal found in group 12 (IIB) of the periodic table of elements together with zinc, a metal with which it is often conjugated in nature. Occupational exposure to Cd occurs in many industrial settings, by cigarette smoking, diet and due to environmental pollution. International Agency for Research on Cancer and other epidemiological studies suggested that Cd can lead to prostate cancer and likely to kidney and lung cancers. Although epidemiological studies seem to point towards such an association, the in vitro studies have not been compelling. The aim of this article is to summarize current knowledge about the association of Cd exposure and prostate cancer, that suggests that new studies to show the role of Cd in the pathogenesis of prostatate cancer