BIOLOGICAL RISKS TO FARMERS AND ANIMAL BREEDERS IN LOMBARDY REGION, NORTH OF ITALY

Objectives: Animal breeding is associated with exposure to a wide variety of risk factors including zoonotic agents, organic dusts, endotoxins, allergens and other chemicals. This PhD project has been addressed at characterizing, at different levels, exposure to biological risks of farmers and animal breeders in the Region of Lombardy. The project has been developed in three main studies, as follows: 1. characterization of biological risks in animal breeders, with a particular focus on selected virus and bacteria; 2. Definition of the anti-tetanus coverage among agricultural workers of the Region in selected population subgroups; 3. study of the immune system function in these workers, through the determination of the serum concentrations of specific cytokines. Methods: Two groups of farmers and animal breeders were included in the studies. Blood samples were collected from all the subjects and analysed for the presence of the following antibodies against zoonotic agents: Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), Salmonella, Brucella, Coxiella, Leptospira and Borrelia. In addition, selected serum parameters were measured, including cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, immunoglobulins and proteins, and total and differential white blood cell counts. In addition, level of Immunity to tetanus was investigated. Lung function was measured using a spirometer. Data was analysed using SPSS (version 19) and STATA (version 11) softwares. Results: Prevalences of antibodies against HEV, Leptospira spp., Coxiella spp. and Borrelia spp., were 1.0, 54.7, 44.2 and 9.4%, respectively. Animal breeder workers had higher rates of IgG antibodies against Coxiella (51.6% vs 28.1%, P-value: 0.09) and Leptospira (59.4% vs. 43.7%, P-Value: 0.39) than farmers. None of the subjects showed antibodies against Salmonella spp and Brucella spp. Italian and other European workers had higher immunity to tetanus (93%) in comparison with non-EU workers (77.8%, P<0.01). There was a significant increase of TNF-alpha, IL-8 and IL-10 in animal breeders, and pig breeders had the highest values. Linear regression analysis revealed that there was a statistically difference between EU and Non-EU workers for some spirometry parameters. Conclusion: Higher titers of antibodies to zoonotic agents in animal breeders indicates that they are probably more exposed to biological agents than other workers who are not involved in animal breeding activities. There must be more attention to the immunity status of tetanus among agricultural workers and in particular migrant workers and occupational health physicians should investigate about the history of immunization during health surveillance activities. The findings of the present study suggest a condition of immune system activation in animal breeders, with the highest levels observed in pig breeders. These changes may be attributable to exposure to organic dusts, endotoxins, or to the different biological agents present in the rural environment. In the curent study we did not point out any significant alteration in the values of spirometry tests between animal breeders and farmers. This data might suggest that, in the conditions of exposure of these workers, only slight sublclinical and adaptive changes are anticipated, but not conditions of overt disease. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to better understand the mechanisms for transmission of zoonotic infections and their potential reservoirs in northern Italy

Studies of new media radiation induced laser

Various lasants were investigated especially, 2-iodohepafluoropropane (i-C3F7I) for the direct solar pumped lasers. Optical pumping of iodine laser was achieved using a small flashlamp. Using i-C3F7I as a laser gain medium, threshold inversion density, small signal gain, and laser performance at the elevated temperature were measured. The experimental results and analysis are presented. The iodine laser kinetics of the C3F7I and IBr system were numerically simulated. The concept of a direct solar-pumped laser amplifier using (i-C3F7I) as the laser material was evaluated and several kinetic coefficients for i-C3F7I laser system were reexamined. The results are discussed

Application of laser Doppler velocimeter to chemical vapor laser system

A laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) system was used to measure iodide vapor flow fields inside two different-sized tubes. Typical velocity profiles across the laser tubes were obtained with an estimated +/-1 percent bias and +/-0.3 to 0.5 percent random uncertainty in the mean values and +/-2.5 percent random uncertainty in the turbulence-intensity values. Centerline velocities and turbulence intensities for various longitudinal locations ranged from 13 to 17.5 m/sec and 6 to 20 percent, respectively. In view of these findings, the effects of turbulence should be considered for flow field modeling. The LDV system provided calibration data for pressure and mass flow systems used routinely to monitor the research laser gas flow velocity

Fish Anisakidae Helminthes in KHuzestan Province, South West of Iran

Fish including; Barbus spp, Cyprinus carpio, Liza abu and Aspius vorax have very important role in the economic condition of the rural areas of Khuzestan province. These fish have been consumed as fried or roasted. Inadequately cooked fish, could be served as a source of infection in these communities. For this reasons, 701 fish were trapped from 4 lagoons (Atash, Sobhanieh, Al-hai, Houfel) and transported alive to Ahwaz Health Research Center .Their skin, gills, eyes, muscles, intestine and body cavity were examined carefully. In 54 (7.7%) of fish,.6 cases of Contracaecum sp. (0.85%) and 48 Anisakis sp. (6.8%) were identified belong to helminth family of anisakidae. These results suggested that human anisakiasis could be health hazard in these areas

Occupational Health in Mountainous Kyrgyzstan

BACKGROUND: In the period of transition from a centralized economy to the market economy, occupational health services in Kyrgyzstan have survived through dramatic, detrimental changes. It is common for occupational health regulations to be ignored and for basic occupational health services across many industrial enterprises and farms to be neglected. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the present situation and challenges facing occupational health services in Kyrgyzstan. FINDINGS: The transition from centralized to the market economy in Kyrgyzstan has led to increased layoffs of workers and unemployment. These threats are followed by increased workload, and the health and safety of workers becomes of little concern. Private employers ignore occupational health and safety; consequently, there is under-reporting of occupational diseases and accidents. The majority of enterprises, especially those of small or medium size, are unsanitary, and the health status of workers remains largely unknown. The low official rates of occupational diseases are the result of data being deliberately hidden; lack of coverage of working personnel by medical checkups; incompetent management; and the poor quality of staff, facilities, and equipment. Because Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, the main environmental and occupational factor of enterprises is hypoxia. Occupational health specialists have greatly contributed to the development of occupational medicine in the mountains through science and practice. CONCLUSIONS: The enforcement of existing strong occupational health legislation and increased financing of occupational health services are needed. The maintenance of credible health monitoring and effective health services for workers, re-establishment of medical services and sanitary-hygienic laboratories in industrial enterprises, and support for scientific investigations on occupational risk assessment will increase the role of occupational health services in improving the health of the working population

Iron-deficiency anemia among children in southwest Iran

Background. Iron deficiency is a major health problem worldwide and especially in developing countries. Irondeficiency anemia has adverse effects on the development of children. Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia in children under 5 years of age in southwest Iran. The study also sought to investigate the association between socioeconomic,demographic, cultural, and nutritional factors and iron-deficiency anemia in the selected area. Methods. A randomized, cross-sectional study was performed of children 6 to 59 months of age living in urban and rural areas of Ahwaz District in Khuzestan Province. At eight randomly selected health centers, the children\u2019s height (or length) and weight were measured, and information on length and weight at birth was obtained from growth charts. Blood samples were taken from 337 randomly selected children. Results. The results showed that 43.9% of the children had anemia and 29.1% iron-deficiency anemia. The highest prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia was in the 12- to 24-month age group. In the urban areas, infants 6 to 11 months of age had the highest prevalence of irondeficiency anemia. Conclusions. The high prevalence of iron-deficiency anemia among children in southwest Iran indicates a major nutrition and health problem

Occupational Health Services Integrated in Primary Health Care in Iran

Introduction A healthy workforce is vital for maintaining social and economic development on a global, national and local level. Around half of the world's people are economically active and spend at least one third of their time in their place of work while only 15 of workers have access to basic occupational health services. According to WHO report, since the early 1980s, health indicators in Iran have consistently improved, to the extent that it is comparable with those in developed countries. In this paper it was tried to briefly describe about Health care system and occupational Health Services as part of Primary Health care in Iran. Methods To describe the health care system in the country and the status of occupational health services to the workers and employers, its integration into Primary Health Care (PHC) and outlining the challenges in provision of occupational health services to the all working population. Findings Iran has fairly good health indicators. More than 85 percent of the population in rural and deprived regions, for instance, have access to primary healthcare services. The PHC centers provide essential healthcare and public-health services for the community. Providing, maintaining and improving of the workers' health are the main goals of occupational health services in Iran that are presented by different approaches and mostly through Workers' Houses in the PHC system. Conclusions Iran has developed an extensive network of PHC facilities with good coverage in most rural areas, but there are still few remote areas that might suffer from inadequate services. It seems that there is still no transparent policy to collaborate with the private sector, train managers or provide a sustainable mechanism for improving the quality of services. Finally, strengthening national policies for health at work, promotion of healthy work and work environment, sharing healthy work practices, developing updated training curricula to improve human resource knowledge including occupational health professionals are recommended. © 2015 The Authors

1360 Differences between peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma in lombardy, italy

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Immunologic status of agricultural workers in the region of Lombardy, Northern Italy

Purpose. Farming is associated with a wide variety of hazardous exposures including physical, chemicals and biological agents. Animal farmers are exposed to dust which contains microorganisms, mycotoxins, endotoxins, animal feed particles, allergens and chemical agents. Organic dust exposure is known to cause allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, and organic dust toxic syndrome. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationship between occupational health hazards and serum pro-inflammatory cytokines among agricultural workers, in particular we investigated whether animal breeders react differently to biological agents than non breeder farmers. Methods. One hundred subjects working in agricultural enterprises in the region of Lombardy, were enrolled into the study in 2010. Serum cytokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN\u3b3 and tumor necrosis factor-\u3b1 (TNF\u3b1) were measured. Cytokines were assessed by commercially available enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results of the study. Compared to control subjects, increased TNF-\u3b1, IL-8, and IL-10 levels were found in animal breeders, and a statistically significant relationship between type of job (breeder/non breeder workers) and increased serum pro-inflammatory cytokines. Results suggest that animal breeders might be at higher risk of occupational diseases and biological hazards than other farmers with less contact to animals