The Italian Helpdesk under the Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP): three-year activity and experience (2009-2011)

INTRODUCTION: The Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) sets further obligations for manufacturers, importers, distributors, downstream users of substances either on their own or in mixtures. According to the European mandate, each Member State has constituted its National Helpdesk to provide advice to the interested parties on their duties under this Regulation. In Italy, the contact point for questions has been established at the National Centre for Chemical Substances of the Istituto Superiore di Sanita. FUNCTIONS: The responders of the Italian CLP Helpdesk process the requests that have been submitted by the dedicated website. Applicants are asked to complete the form with all the required information. The Helpdesk staff also take part in the European network of CLP, REACH and ECHA Helpdesks together with the European Commission and other parties, that is the HelpNet. RESULTS: The present paper describes the results of the three-year activity of the Italian CLP Helpdesk (2009-2011)

Performance Evaluation of an Energy-Efficient MAC Scheduler by using a Test Bed Approach

A Wireless Sensor Network consists of a large number of sensor nodes that are usually battery powered and deployed in large areas in which changing or recharging batteries may be impractical or completely unfeasible. Therefore, energy efficiency represents one of the main design objectives for these networks. Since most of the energy is consumed by the radio communication, the development of Medium Access Control protocols able to minimize the radio energy consumption is a very attractive research area. This paper presents an energy efficient communication protocol and its implementation in the Contiki Operating System. The performances and the portability of the proposed solution are thoroughly evaluated by means of both simulations, carried out using the Contiki simulation tools (i.e., Cooja and MPSim), and test beds based on two different platforms. Obtained results show that the proposed scheme significantly reduces the sensor nodes power consumption compared to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard solution already implemented in Contiki

Weekend-Based Parent-Group Intervention to Reduce Stress in Parents of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in a child is often associated with anger, denial, fear, and depression from the parents. The aim of the study was to improve parents' adaptation to the diagnosis of diabetes of their child. Sixty-two parents (29 mothers, 33 fathers) of 36 children with type 1 diabetes (mean age=11.3-3.3 years; diabetes duration>1 year; HbA1c=57 +/- 11 mmol/mol) participated in a three-day educational working group pilot intervention study. Intervention was based on the reexamination of the traumatic event of diagnosis of T1D through spatial and time-line anchorage, retracing of the future, emotional awareness, and interactive discussion. Relaxing technique, diaphragmatic breathing, and guided visualization were used by 2 psychologists and 1 pediatric endocrinologist. The study was approved by EC and participants filled a consent form. At baseline and after intervention, parents filled in a questionnaire including Diabetes-Related Distress (DRD), Parent Health Locus of Control Scale (PHLOC), Parent Stress Index Short Form (PSI-SF), Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents (HFS-P) and Hypoglycemia Fear Survey-Parents of Young Children (HFS-P-YC), and Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36). Three months after the intervention, both parents reported a reduction in the "difficult child" subscale of the PSI-SF (p<0.05) and increased scores of social functioning of the SF-36 (p<0.05). DRD score was significantly reduced in mothers (p=0.03), while the "parental distress" subscale of the PSI-SF was significantly improved in fathers (p=0.03). This weekend-based parent group intervention seems to reduce stress and improve social functioning of parents of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

CLP application to nanomaterials: a specific aspect

This paper aims at describing some relevant aspects related to the classification, labelling and packaging of nanomaterials. Concerns have been raised about potential adverse effects to humans or the environment as result of impacts of nanomaterials. The new Regulation (EC) no. 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) does not contain any specific definition or provision related to nanomaterials nevertheless they are covered by the definition of substance set in the Regulation. It is recognized that different particle sizes or forms of the same substance can have different classification. Thus, if substances are placed on the market both at nanoscale and as bulk, a separate classification and labelling may be required if the available data on the intrinsic properties indicate a difference in hazard class between the two forms. CLP Regulation requires the manufacturer or importer to ensure that the information used to classify relates to the forms or physical states in which the substance is placed on the market and in which it can reasonably be expected to be used. Moreover, CLP demands testing relating to physical hazards to be performed if such information is missing or not adequate to conclude on classification. Further developments of the CLP guidance documents and implementation tools are needed in order to cover nanomaterials more specifically

The Italian Helpdesk under the Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 (CLP): three-year activity and experience (2009-2011)

INTRODUCTION: The Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) sets further obligations for manufacturers, importers, distributors, downstream users of substances either on their own or in mixtures. According to the European mandate, each Member State has constituted its National Helpdesk to provide advice to the interested parties on their duties under this Regulation. In Italy, the contact point for questions has been established at the National Centre for Chemical Substances of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. FUNCTIONS: The responders of the Italian CLP Helpdesk process the requests that have been submitted by the dedicated website. Applicants are asked to complete the form with all the required information. The Helpdesk staff also take part in the European network of CLP, REACH and ECHA Helpdesks together with the European Commission and other parties, that is the HelpNet. RESULTS: The present paper describes the results of the three-year activity of the Italian CLP Helpdesk (2009-2011)

NANoREG framework for the safety assessment of nanomaterials

The NANoREG framework addresses the need to ease the nanomaterials safety assessment in the REACH Regulation context. It offers forward-looking strategies: Safe-by-Design, a Nanospecific Prioritisation and Risk Assessment, and Life Cycle Assessment. It is intended for scientific experts, regulatory authorities and industry.publishedVersio

Disordered eating behaviors in adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A cross-sectional population-based study in Italy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of clinical, metabolic and socioeconomic factors with disordered eating behaviors (DEB) among adolescents with type 1 diabetes screened using the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R). METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based study involved 163 adolescents with type 1 diabetes, aged 11-20 years, recruited from the registry for type 1 diabetes of Marche Region, Italy, who completed the DEPS-R (response rate 74.4%). Clinical characteristics, lipid profile, HbA1c , family profile of education and occupation were evaluated. The Italian version of DEPS-R was validated, and the prevalence of DEB estimated. The association of demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical factors with DEB was evaluated by multiple correspondence analysis and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of DEPS-R-positive (score ≥20) was 27% (95% CI 17-38) in boys and 42% (95% CI 31-53) in girls. A clinical profile of DEPS-R-positive was identified: overweight, little time spent in physical activity, low socioeconomic status, poor metabolic control, skipping insulin injections. Furthermore, the probability of DEPS-R-positive increased 63% for every added unit of HbA1c , 36% for every added number of insulin injections skipped in a week and decreased about 20% for every added hour/week spent in physical activity. Overweight youth were six times more likely to be DEPS-R-positive. DISCUSSION: A specific clinical profile of DEPS-R-positive was identified. A multidisciplinary clinical approach aimed to normalize eating behaviors and enhance self-esteem should be used to prevent the onset of these behaviors, and continuous educational programs are needed to promote healthy behaviors and lifestyles

The release of metals from metal-on-metal surface arthroplasty of the hip

The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum and urine levels of cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo) and nickel (Ni) in patients who had undergone metal-on-metal hybrid surface arthroplasties on the supposition that a release of metals would occur due to the large head size of this type of implant. Metal levels were determined by using an analytical method based on sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed a significant difference between patients and control subjects in mean levels of Co and Cr in serum ( p < 0.0001 and p = 0.02, respectively) and in urine ( p < 0.0001 for both). No significant differences were observed in mean serum and urinary levels of Mn, Mo and Ni. Although the clinical consequences of these changes, if any, are unknown, further studies could be performed in a larger number of subjects implanted with a total surface arthroplasty at follow-up times over different periods

BODY EMOTIONAL MAP: STRUMENTO INNOVATIVO ED UTILE PER MIGLIORARE L\u2019ADATTAMENTO DEI GENITORI ALLA DIAGNOSI DI DIABETE DI TIPO 1 DEL LORO BAMBINO

OBIETTIVI La comunicazione della diagnosi di diabete di tipo 1 (DM1) in un bambino rappresenta un evento traumatico per i genitori. Il raggiungimento di un buon adattamento alla malattia del proprio figlio, per poter mantenere una buona qualit\ue0 della vita, \ue8 uno degli obiettivi dell\u2019educazione terapeutica. Scopo di questo studio longitudinale \ue8 stato quello di dimostrare l\u2019efficacia del nuovo metodo Body Emotional Map (BEM) per aiutare i genitori a superare il trauma della diagnosi di DM1 e per ottenere il miglior adattamento alla malattia. METODI Nello studio sono stati reclutati 62 genitori (29 madri, 33 padri) di 36 bambini con DM1 (11.3\ub13.3 anni; durata DM1 >1 anno; HbA1c=57\ub111 mmol/mol) che hanno partecipato ad intervento di gruppo della durata di tre giorni. Il riesame dell\u2019evento traumatico della diagnosi di DM1 \ue8 stato eseguito attraverso il percorso BEM caratterizzato da attivit\ue0 di ancoraggio spaziale e temporale, ripresa del futuro, consapevolezza emotiva e discussione interattiva. La tecnica rilassante, la respirazione diaframmatica e la visualizzazione guidata sono stati utilizzati da 1 psicologo, 1 counselor e 1 diabetologo pediatra. I questionari autosomministrati [Diabetes Related Distress (DRD), Parent Stress Index Short Form scale (PSI-SF), Fear of Hypoglycemia Survey (FHS), Parent Health Locus of Control Scale (PHLOC), e Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36)] sono stati compilati dai genitori al baseline, 1 mese (M1) e 3 mesi (M3) dopo l\u2019intervento BEM. RISULTATI Rispetto al baseline, al tempo M3 abbiamo dimostrato una riduzione statisticamente significativa dei punteggi dell\u2019item \u201cbambino difficile\u201d nel questionario PSI-SF (p<0.05) in entrambi i genitori, del DRD nelle madri (59.0\ub12.6 vs. 52.4\ub12.7, p=0.03) e dell\u2019item \u201cdistress parentale\u201d nel questionario PSI-SF nei padri (24.9\ub11.5 vs. 21.8\ub11.5, p=0.04). Inoltre, il punteggio dell\u2019item \u201cfunzionamento sociale\u201d nel questionario SF-36 \ue8 migliorato in modo statisticamente significativo nei padri al tempo M1 (81.3\ub13.2 vs. 88.3\ub13.2, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONI Nel DM1 dobbiamo sempre tenere in considerazione la reazione emotiva che si verifica allorquando viene comunicata la diagnosi, sia nei bambini che nei genitori. Il percorso BEM sembra essere uno strumento innovativo ed utile per ridurre lo stress e migliorare il funzionamento sociale dei genitori di bambini e adolescenti con DM1

Body emotional map: an innovative and useful tool to improve parents´ adaptation to the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes of their child

Objectives: The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in a child is a traumatic event for parents. The path of a good adaptation to the child´s disease is a purpose of the therapeutic education to attain and keep a good quality of life. Aim of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new tool Body Emotional Map (BEM) in helping parents to overcome the trauma of T1DM diagnosis and to achieve the best adaptation. Methods: Sixty-two parents (29 mothers, 33 fathers) of 36 children with T1DM (age = 11.3 3.3 yrs; T1DM duration >1 yr; HbA1c = 57 11 mmol/mol) were recruited in a 3-days educational group intervention study. The re-examine of the traumatic event of the T1DM diagnosis through the BEM path included spatial and time-line anchorage, retrace of the future, emotional awareness, interactive discussion. Relaxing technique, diaphragmatic breathing, and guided visualization were used by 1 psychologist, 1 counselor and 1 pediatric diabetologist. Self-report questionnaires [Diabetes Related Distress (DRD), Parent Stress Index Short Form scale (PSI-SF), Fear of Hypoglycemia Survey (FHS), Parent Health Locus of Control Scale (PHLOC), and Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36)] were filled by parents at baseline, 1 month (M1), and 3 months (M3) after the intervention. Results: Respect to baseline, at time M3 we found a significant score reduction of the “difficult child” subscale of the PSI-SF in both parents (p < 0.05), of the DRD in mothers (59.0 2.6 vs. 52.4 2.7, p = 0.03), and of the “parental distress” subscale of the PSI-SF in fathers (24.9 1.5 vs. 21.8 1.5, p = 0.04) . Moreover, the social functioning score of the SF-36 was significantly improved in fathers at time M1 (81.3 3.2 vs. 88.3 3.2, p = 0.03). Conclusions: In T1DM we must always to consider the emotional reaction occurring when the diagnosis is given both in children and parents. BEM path seems to reduce stress and to improve social functioning of parents of children and adolescents with T1DM