Assessment of penconazole exposure in winegrowers using urinary biomarkers

Penconazole (PEN) is a fungicide used in agriculture. The aim of this work was to evaluate the exposure to PEN in vineyard workers focusing on urinary biomarkers. Twenty-two agricultural workers were involved in the study; they were investigated during PEN applications and re-entry work, performed for 1-4 consecutive working days, for a total of 42 mixing and applications and 12 re-entries. Potential and actual dermal exposure, including hand exposure, were measured using pads and hand washes. Urine samples were collected starting before the first application, continuing during the work shift, and ending 48\u202fh after the last shift. The determination of PEN in dermal samples and PEN metabolites in urine was performed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Dermal potential body exposure and actual total exposure showed median levels ranging from 18 to 3356\ub5g and from 21 to 111\u202f\ub5g, respectively. Urinary monohydroxyl-derivative PEN-OH was the most abundant metabolite; its excretion rate peaked within 24\u202fh after the work shift. In this period, median concentrations of PEN-OH and the carboxyl-derivative PEN-COOH ranged from 15.6 to 27.6\u202f\ub5g/L and from 2.5 to 10.2\u202f\ub5g/L, respectively. The concentration of PEN-OH during the work shift, in the 24\u202fh after and in the 25-48\u202fh after the work shift were correlated with actual body and total dermal exposure (Pearson's r from 0.279 to 0.562). Our results suggest that PEN-OH in the 24\u202fh post-exposure urine is a promising candidate for biomonitoring PEN exposure in agricultural workers

A depositional model for seismo-turbidites in confined basins based on Ionian Sea deposits

This study investigates Ionian Sea seismo-turbidite (ST) deposits that we interpret to be triggered by major historic earthquakes and tsunamis in the Calabrian Arc. ST beds can be correlated with the AD 1908 Mw 7.24 Messina, AD 1693 Mw 7.41 Catania, and AD 1169 Mw 6.6 Eastern Sicily earthquakes while two previously unknown turbidites might have been generated by the AD 1818 Mw 6.23 Catania and AD 1542 Mw 6.77 Siracusa earthquakes. Textural, micropaleontological, geochemical and mineralogical signatures of STs reveal cyclic patterns of STa, STb, STc and STd sedimentary units for each earthquake with an associated tsunami. The STa unit contains multiple ST stacks with different mineralogy, geochemistry foraminiferal assemblages and sedimentary structures that are deposited from synchronous multiple slope failures and turbidity currents. The STb homogenite graded mud unit overlying the STa unit is deposited by the waning flows of the multiple turbidity currents that are trapped in the Ionian Sea confined basin. The STc laminated and marine-sourced unit results from seiching of the confined water mass that appears to be generated by earthquake ruptures combined with tsunami waves. The STd unit is a tsunamite cap deposited by the slow settling suspension cloud created by tsunami wave backwash erosion of the shoreline and continental shelf. This tsunami process interpretation is based on the textural gradation of the upper unit and a more continental source of the tsunamite cap which includes C/N >10 and the presence of inner shelf foraminifera with a lack of abyssal species. This interpretation is in agreement with the lack of a tsunamite cap for the turbidite likely linked to the AD 1542 historic earthquake that is not associated with a tsunami. The new sedimentologic criteria identifies the final seiche and tsunamite cap deposits of STs and provides a model that can now be tested in other locations to better understand the different depositional processes of seismo-turbidites in confined basins

Development of a prognostic score to predict response to Yttrium-90 radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein invasion

Background & Aims: Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), associated with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). The aim of this study is to identify prognostic factors for survival in patients with HCC and PVTT undergoing TARE, and build a prognostic classification for these patients. Methods: This is a single center retrospective study conducted over six years (2010-2015), on consecutive patients undergoing TARE. Patients were included if they met the following criteria: presence of at least one measurable HCC, presence of PVTT not occluding the main portal trunk, absence of extrahepatic metastases, Child-Pugh score within B7, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1. Uni- and multivariable analysis was used to explore the variables that showed an independent relationship with survival. A prognostic score was then derived, and three prognostic categories were identified. Results: A total of 120 patients were included in the study. Median overall survival (OS) was 14.1 months (95% CI 10.7-17.5) and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.5 months (95% CI 3.8-9.2). The only variables independently correlated with OS were bilirubin, extension of PVTT and tumor burden. Three prognostic categories were identified: favourable prognosis (0 points), intermediate prognosis (2-3 points) and dismal prognosis (>3 points). Median OS in the three categories was 32.2 months, 14.9 months and 7.8 months respectively (p <0.0001). PFS (p = 0.045) and the risk of liver decompensation (p <0.0001) also significantly differed along the same prognostic categories. Conclusions: Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 is an effective therapy for patients with HCC and PVTT. The proposed prognostic stratification may help to better identify good candidates for the treatment, and those for whom TARE may be futile. Lay summary: Yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a microembolic procedure that minimizes alterations to hepatic arterial flow, and thus can be safely performed in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT). In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the independent predictors of long-term outcomes in patients with HCC and PVTT treated with TARE. Bilirubin level, extension of PVTT and tumor burden were independently related to post-treatment survival: the combination of these factors allowed us to build a prognostic stratification that may help to better identify good candidates for the treatment, and those for whom TARE may be futile. (C) 2018 European Association for the Study of the Liver. d

Early Pliocene 87Sr/86Sr isotopic record from DSDP Site 132 (Tyrrhenian Sea)

87Sr/ 86Sr measurements were carried out on planktonic foraminiferal shell samples collected in the Early Pliocene succession of DSDP Site 132 (Tyrrhenian Sea, Western Mediterranean). The measured ratios range between 0.708980 and 0.709023, showing moderate fluctuations and a maximum variation of 0.000043 that falls within the uncertainty range of the Sr isotope measurements (± 0.000022) and suggests relatively constant ratios throughout this succession. The Mediterranean seawater 87Sr/ 86Sr ratios measured in a sample collected 55 cm above the Miocene / Pliocene Boundary and dated to 5.31 ± 0.01 Ma, are consistent with those measured in coeval oceanic successions, confirming the open marine depositional environment revealed by foraminiferal assemblages. The measured ratios are consistent with those collected in the Lower Pliocene deep sea sequence at Hole 654A (about 70 km NW from DSDP Site 132) and these are also comparable with other data from coeval oceanic and on land successions, taking into account the uncertainty of the Sr isotope measurements. The occurrence of relatively constant ratios throughout this succession, as previously shown in other coeval deep sea sequences of the Mediterranean and if verified in other successions, may hamper precise age determinations of the Early Pliocene marine carbonate in this basin

A new delphinid record (Odontoceti, Cetacea) from the Early Pliocene of Tuscany (Central Italy): systematics and biostratigraphic considerations

A new partial delphinid skeleton (Cetacea, Odontoceti), from Pliocene sediments of Tuscany (Italy) consists of a fragmentary skull, ear bones, mandible, some vertebrae and rib fragments. The specimen is related to the Pliocene "Stenella" giulii, a species known from four specimens collected in the Pisa hills in the second half of 19th Century. "Stenella" giulii is here referred to the new genus Etruridelphis. Differences between Etruridelphis and all the extant Stenella spp. include: i) larger size of skull ii) wider and flatter premaxillae on the rostrum iii) narrower superior process of the periotic and iv) lower processus muscularis of the malleus. The dolphin is from a 25 m thick section for which foraminifera indicate an Early Pliocene outer shelf or upper slope environment (slightly before 3.98 Ma). The dolphin horizon, 13 meters above the base of the section produces Globorotalia margaritae and G. puncticulata, indicating the MP1 3 zone (Zanclean). Previous biostratigraphic analyses on other Etruridelphis specimens confirm that E. giulii is Early and Middle Pliocene in age

Integrated strontium isotope stratigraphy and biochronology in the upper Pliocene and Pleistocene of DSDP Site 132 (western Mediterranean)

Planktonic foraminifer shell samples from the upper Pliocene and Pleistocene sequence of the DSDP Site 132 (Tyrrhenian Sea) provide evidence for a general increasing trend in the seawater 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios and suggest the applicability of the high-resolution oceanic curves of Sr isotope variations in the land-locked Mediterranean basin. However, a possible exception is detected in the interval between 0.8 and 0.3 Ma, where ratios lower than coeval oceanic values are recognised. The planktonic foraminiferal biostratigraphy and biochronology of this site are consistent with previous Mediterranean studies. The first occurrences (FOs) of Beella digitata, Orcadia riedeli and Globigerina bermudezi, observed in the Pleistocene interval of site 132 succession, are rarely recorded in Mediterranean sections. These bioevents however are easily recognized in several oceanic sequences in the same stratigraphic position; consequently, they can be used in the Mediterranean biostratigraphy

Worldwide correlation of the Pliocene/Pleistocene GSSP at Vrica (Southern Italy) confirmed by strontium isotope stratigraphy

High-precision measurements of 87Sr/86Sr ratios from foraminifers at the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary-stratotype section at Vrica (Southern Italy) show moderate variations throughout the section, ranging between 0.709043 and 0.709102. In the two samples closest to the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary stratotype in which strontium isotopic determinations are available, the 87Sr/86Sr ratio is constrained between 0.709063 ± 12 and 0.709051 ± 8; slightly above, the ratio rises to 0.709089 ± 7. The strontium isotope stratigraphy of the Vrica section is generally in agreement with published data from DSDP/ODP sections and confirms the worldwide correlatability of the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary-stratotype placed at Vrica, as previously suggested by biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic data