A study protocol for the evaluation of occupational mutagenic/carcinogenic risks in subjects exposed to antineoplastic drugs: a multicentric project

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Some industrial hygiene studies have assessed occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs; other epidemiological investigations have detected various toxicological effects in exposure groups labeled with the job title. In no research has the same population been studied both environmentally and epidemiologically. The protocol of the epidemiological study presented here uses an integrated environmental and biological monitoring approach. The aim is to assess in hospital nurses preparing and/or administering therapy to cancer patients the current level of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs, DNA and chromosome damage as cancer predictive effects, and the association between the two.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>About 80 healthy non-smoking female nurses, who job it is to prepare or handle antineoplastic drugs, and a reference group of about 80 healthy non-smoking female nurses not occupationally exposed to chemicals will be examined simultaneously in a cross-sectional study. All the workers will be recruited from five hospitals in northern and central Italy after their informed consent has been obtained.</p> <p>Evaluation of surface contamination and dermal exposure to antineoplastic drugs will be assessed by determining cyclophosphamide on selected surfaces (wipes) and on the exposed nurses' clothes (pads). The concentration of unmetabolized cyclophosphamide as a biomarker of internal dose will be measured in end-shift urine samples from exposed nurses.</p> <p>Biomarkers of effect and susceptibility will be assessed in exposed and unexposed nurses: urinary concentration of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine; DNA damage detected using the single-cell microgel electrophoresis (comet) assay in peripheral white blood cells; micronuclei and chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Genetic polymorphisms for enzymes involved in metabolic detoxification (i.e. glutathione <it>S</it>-transferases) will also be analysed.</p> <p>Using standardized questionnaires, occupational exposure will be determined in exposed nurses only, whereas potential confounders (medicine consumption, lifestyle habits, diet and other non-occupational exposures) will be assessed in both groups of hospital workers.</p> <p>Statistical analysis will be performed to ascertain the association between occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs and biomarkers of DNA and chromosome damage, after taking into account the effects of individual genetic susceptibility, and the presence of confounding exposures.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The findings of the study will be useful in updating prevention procedures for handling antineoplastic drugs.</p

Reflective backward analysis to&nbsp;assess the operational performance and eco-efficiency of&nbsp;two industrial districts

Purpose The best strategy to apply for the future cannot disregard a careful analysis of the past and is the one capable of seizing opportunities from outside. Manufacturing sectors are characterized by sudden changes, and in this work, we analyze the ceramic tiles sector characterized by a mature technology in which innovation has played a key role. Design/methodology/approach This study aims to provide a sectorial analysis based on a historical data set (2004-2019) to highlight how an industry is performing both operationally and in terms of eco-efficiency. For this purpose, from a methodological point of view, the data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used. Findings The results of the analysis show that the Spanish ceramics industry shows a growing economic trend by taking advantage of lower industrial costs, while the Italian industry is characterized by a modest decline partially mitigated by exports. The industrial districts are an aggregation of companies that in the ceramic sector has allowed to combine innovation, sustainability and digitalization and is a model toward the maximization of sustainable efficiency because it is a place of aggregation of resources and ideas. Originality/value This study experiments with an innovative way of addressing traditional industry analysis, namely, integrating the reflective management approach with DEA-based backward analysis. This provides decision makers with the basis for new interpretations of variable trends

Revision of the Recent Alvania scabra (Philippi, 1844) complex (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Rissoidae) from the Mediterranean Sea with the description of a new species

Herein we revise several Recent Mediterranean species of the rissoid genus Alvania Risso, 1826: Alvania scabra (Philippi, 1844), Alvania sculptilis (Monterosato, 1877), Alvania sororcula Granata-Grillo, 1877, Alvania lucinae Oberling, 1970, Alvania josefoi Oliver &amp; Templado, 2009 and Alvania scuderii Villari, 2017. They represent a rather homogeneous group of morphologically similar species, referred to as the Alvania scabra complex, which includes also some other species from the northeastern Atlantic. We designate a neotype for Rissoa scabra Philippi, 1844 and a lectotype for Rissoa oranica Pallary, 1900 to stabilize the use of the names. Alvania oranica (Pallary, 1900) is confirmed as a synonym of Alvania scabra (Philippi, 1844), and Alvania asperella (Granata-Grillo, 1877) is proposed as a synonym of Alvania sororcula (Granata-Grillo, 1877) [new synonymy]. Finally, we describe one new Mediterranean species: Alvania pizzinii Amati, Smriglio &amp; Oliverio n. sp. from Levanzo Is., Sicily

Catalogue of the primary types of marine molluscan taxa described by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato, deposited in the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Roma

We have compiled a complete list of new marine molluscan taxa introduced by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato (1841–1927). The dates of publication of every single work have been checked against available evidence, and an updated bibliography is also presented. Finally, the type material of all marine taxa expected to be in the collection Monterosato (presently preserved in the Museo Civico di Zoologia in Rome) has been searched in the main collection, and all retrieved specimens have been catalogued. A large majority of the material has been found, representative specimens of each taxon have been illustrated, and remarks on nomenclature and taxonomy have been provided yielding 42 new synonymies, 46 nominal taxa rediscovered, and 6 new combinations

FIGURE 5. A, B. Gibbula isseli Monterosato, 1889 in Catalogue of the primary types of marine molluscan taxa described by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato, deposited in the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Roma

FIGURE 5. A, B. Gibbula isseli Monterosato, 1889, Costantinopoli (Turkey), H. 4.9 mm, with original label (MCZR–M– 11304); C–E. Trochus latior Monterosato, 1880, Sfax (Tunisia), H. 17.5 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–11306); F, G. Zizyphinus linnaei Monterosato, 1884, Palermo (Sicily), H. 23.2 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–11543); H, I. Zizyphinus lissus Monterosato, 1889, Yorkshire (U. K.), H. 22.2 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–11578)

FIGURE 11. A, B. Hyaloscala spirilla Monterosato, 1890 in Catalogue of the primary types of marine molluscan taxa described by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato, deposited in the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Roma

FIGURE 11. A, B. Hyaloscala spirilla Monterosato, 1890, SEM images, Palermo (Sicily), H. 3 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–23467); C, D. Scalaria striatissima Monterosato, 1878, Palermo (Sicily), H. 8.4 mm, with original labels (MCZR– M–23508); E, F. Amethistina laeta Monterosato, 1884, lectotype, Algiers (Algeria) H. 13.5 mm (ex Joly coll.) with original label (MCZR–M–23414); G, H. Janthina splendens Monterosato, 1884, lectotype, Alessandria (Egypt) H. 14.4 mm (ex Lothellerie coll.) with original label (MCZR–M–23423); I, J. Cerithiopsis contigua Monterosato, 1878, Casablanca (Morocco), H. 4.3 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–21158); K, L. Cerithiopsis diadema Monterosato, 1874 ex Watson ms., Madeira, H. 3.5 mm, (ex Watson coll.) with original labels (MCZR–M–21014); M, N. Cerithiopsis perlata Monterosato, 1889, Rabat (Marocco), H. 4.9 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–21151); O, P. Cerithiopsis tiara Monterosato, 1874 ex Watson ms., lectotype, Madeira, H. 4.5 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–21141); Q, R. Cerithiopsis horrida Monterosato, 1874 ex Jeffrey sms., Palermo (Sicily), H. 6.6 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–21173)

FIGURE 18. A, B. Vitreolina antiflexa Monterosato, 1884 in Catalogue of the primary types of marine molluscan taxa described by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato, deposited in the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Roma

FIGURE 18. A, B. Vitreolina antiflexa Monterosato, 1884, Palermo (Sicily), H. 3.3 mm, with original label (MCZR–M– 23601); C, D. Eulima beryllina Monterosato, 1878, Palermo (Sicily), H. 4.1 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–23615); E, F. Eulima cionella Monterosato, 1878, Mondello (Sicily), H. 1.5 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–23901); G, H. Eulima curva Monterosato, 1874 ex Jeffreys ms., Trapani (Sicily), H. 3.4 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–23626); I, J. Vitreolina devians Monterosato, 1884, Palermo (Sicily), H. 3.6 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–23594); K, L. Aclis lineata Monterosato, 1869, Trapani (Sicily), H. 2 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–23629); M, N. Acicularia lubrica Monterosato, 1890, England, H. 5.4 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–30021); O, P. Lacula mediterranea Monterosato, 1869, Palermo (Sicily), H. 2.2 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–30022); Q, R. Acicularia monterosatoi Monterosato, 1890 ex De Boury ms., paralectotype, England, H 5.1 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–23603); S, T. Eulima nana Monterosato, 1878, Palermo (Sicily), H. 2.5 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–30023); U, V. Acicularia translucens Monterosato, 1890 ex Brusina ms., Velirat (Croatia), H. 5.3 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–30024); W, X. Lamellaria spirolineata Monterosato, 1869, Palermo (Sicily), H. 12.3 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–23083)

FIGURE 15. A–C. Apicularia lia Monterosato, 1872 in Catalogue of the primary types of marine molluscan taxa described by Tommaso Allery Di Maria, Marquis of Monterosato, deposited in the Museo Civico di Zoologia, Roma

FIGURE 15. A–C. Apicularia lia Monterosato, 1872 ex Benoit ms., Messina (Sicily), H. 3.35 mm and H. 3.45 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–30014); D, E. Setia limpida Monterosato, 1884, Algiers (Algeria), H. 1.85 mm (ex Joly coll.), with original label (MCZR–M–22352); F–H. Setia limpida Monterosato, 1884, Marseille (France), H. 1.67 mm and H. 1.7 mm (ex Sollier coll.), with original label (MCZR–M–22352); I–K. Setia macilenta Monterosato, 1880, Palermo (Sicily), H. 1.4 mm and 1.1 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–22346); L, M. Cingula maculata Monterosato, 1869. Trapani (Sicily), H. 2.1 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–22251); N, O. Barleeia majuscula Monterosato, 1884, Lampedusa Is., H. 4.35 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–22309); P, Q. Barleeia minuscula Monterosato, 1889, Casablanca (Morocco), H. 2.8 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–22287); R, S. Sabanea munda Monterosato, 1884, Sfax (Tunisia), H. 4.5 mm (ex Pallary coll.), with original labels (MCZR–M–30015); T, U. Zippora paradoxa Monterosato, 1884, Sfax (Tunisia), H. 7.25 mm, with original label (MCZR–M–30016); V, W. Sabanea prismatica Monterosato, 1890, Palermo (Sicily), H. 2.15 mm, with original labels (MCZR–M–30017)