Coastal microbial quality of surface sediments in different environments along the Italian coast.

In order to improve sediment handling following dredging operations, this study aims to statistically derive ranges of distribution for certain microbiological parameters, according to four environmental types inspired by Italian legislation on seaports: ports of international/national importance, ports of regional importance, port channels in brackish environments, and marine coastal areas. A national database was developed using microbiological data from technical reports available at the Italian Ministry of Environment and National Institute of Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) for the period 1990-2008. The parameters considered were total coliform bacteria, faecal coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, enterococci, sulfite-reducing clostridia (SRC), total bacterial counts at 22 °C and at 37 °C, and fungi. The data were statistically analyzed: (1) to verify the correspondence with the identified environmental types and rank them according to the concentration gradient and (2) to describe the data distribution in order to obtain reference ranges typical for each parameter/environmental type. The four environmental types considered were clearly different for enterococci, SRC, and fungi, highlighting a correspondence with Italian legislation. For the remaining parameters, at least two environmental types were merged. In general, the less contaminated environments were small ports and relatively unimpacted coastal areas. The ranges defined for relatively clean coastal areas can be considered a target for other areas both from an environmental point of view and for the sediment management implications. These values could be used as a comparison in environmental surveys addressing marine or brackish sediment handling and may represent a future line of evidence for the assessment of overall sediment quality.

Pulmonary function in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: In type I diabetes mellitus, lung function has been investigated in several clinical studies, but there are few data concerning pulmonary function abnormalities in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of pulmonary function abnormalities in patients with NIDDM and to verify the possible associations between diabetic renal microangiopathy, retinopathy and diabetes control. METHOD AND PATIENTS: Thirty patients with NIDDM were collected and divided into two similar groups: subjects with retinopathy and/or diabetic glomerulopathy (group 1, n = 15) and patients without any complications (group 2, n = 15). 17 were males and 13 females, aged from 45 to 81 years. They had had diabetes for 3-23 years and were studied at the Division of Internal Medicine, with an outpatient service for diabetic patients. All patients were non-smokers. The presence of diabetic glomerulopathy was determined by measuring the 24-hour protein excretion rate using the nephelometric method. The presence of retinopathy was determined by using ophthalmoscopy. Glycosylated hemoglobin was measured as an indicator of glycemic control. We performed a global spirometry and measured pulmonary diffusion capacity by the single-breath method corrected by alveolar volume. RESULTS: We found a significant reduction in lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DL(CO)) in the group of patients with other signs of diabetic microangiopathy (p < 0.005) and a significative correlation between DL(CO )and the grade of albuminuria (r = -0.83, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary function abnormalities, in particular a reduction in diffusion capacity, are common in patients with NIDDM and signs of diabetic microangiopathy. A possible explanation is related to an impaired pulmonary microvasculature and alveolar epithelial basal lamina.

Changes in the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung in ulcerative colitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate lung function in patients with ulcerative colitis and to assess the incidence of latent pulmonary involvement in subjects with active and inactive disease. After full colonscopic assessment with multiple mucosal biopsy, the clinical disease activity of each patient was quantified, using the simple index of Harvey and Bradshaw. The patients were divided into 2 equal groups: subjects with active disease (group 1; n=16); and those with inactive disease (group 2; n=16). Global spirometry was then performed. A latent pulmonary involvement was found in 17 of 32 patients (53%), the incidence was higher in the group 1 patients (81%). The majority of patients presented a reduction in the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lungs (DL,CO). The mean DL,CO value was 73.87+/-14.87 in group 1 and 87.31+/-11.23 in group 2. The DL,CO and KCO reduction correlated significantly with intestinal histopathological grading in the group of patients with active disease (r=0.87, p<0.001; r=0.603, p=0.015). To conclude, a high incidence of pulmonary function abnormalities were identified, despite the lack of radiological alterations (High Resolution Computed Tomography) and pulmonary symptoms, in ulcerative colitis patients. These alterations were more common in patients with active disease. The strong correlation between DL,CO values and histopathological grading suggests that this test may reflect bowel disease activity.

Arsenic and heavy metals in leachate from a real landfill and a laboratory landfill.

A preliminary study, based particularly on Arsenic and some heavy metals determination (Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) in three leachate tipologies produced from municipal waste landfill plant, lab-scale aerobic landfill, lab-scale anerobic landfill was undertaken. Leachate was collected and analysed monthly; samples were homogenized and then, all heavy metals were determined after mineralization, except for Hg, determined before mineralization, due to his high volatility. In all samples pH was measured. In general we can say that low concentrations of the elements analyzed were found in all kinds of landfills considered; in particular, in the lab-scale anaerobic reactors, where low pH values have been found, we have a more considerable mobilization of As and the others heavy metals, moreover due to the behaviour of these elements.

[The microbiological characterization of the bioaerosol and leachate from an urban solid refuse dump: preliminary data]. / Caratterizzazione microbiologica del bioaerosol e del percolato da discarica di rifiuti solidi urbani: dati preliminari.

The present paper shows the results of an experimental study aimed at arranging a microbiological characterization of bioaerosol and leachate resulting from a sanitary landfill for solid urban waste situated near Rome. Bioaerosol sampling was performed by using the active sampling method referred to as surface air system, that is extensively used during indoor environmental monitoring. The microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) believed to be of relevance on bioaerosol and leachate with a view to hygienic risks, were investigated in order to estimate the potential risks to which the population and the workers can be exposed and consequently to allow corrective measures by monitoring campaigns of the examined matrices and by models of low environmental impact landfill.

Evaluation of undiluted N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate in the endoscopic treatment of upper gastrointestinal tract varices.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic obliteration of upper gastrointestinal tract varices using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate has been proposed by some authors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate prospectively the efficacy and safety of this technique, using the undiluted substance, in obtaining hemostasis of bleeding upper gastrointestinal tract varices, as well as definitive eradication of varices located in the gastric fundus and duodenum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out variceal injections of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate in 80 patients (51 males, 29 females, mean age 68 years, range 19-80) with upper gastrointestinal tract varices. In 24 patients, the varices were located in the esophagus, in 54 in the gastric fundus, and in the remaining two they were in the duodenum. Forty-eight patients were treated for active variceal bleeding, and the other 32 were treated electively. RESULTS: Hemostasis was achieved in 43 of the 48 patients (89.6%) treated for active variceal bleeding. Eradication was obtained in 49 of the 56 patients (87.5%) with gastric or duodenal varices. Overall complications occurred in 11 patients (10.4%). In two patients, embolization was found, and in a further two patients it was clinically suspected, but could not be proved. Ten patients (12.5%) died during the treatment period, six due to uncontrolled bleeding, two due to rebleeding, and two due to liver failure. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate appears to be both safe and effective in the treatment of bleeding gastrointestinal tract varices. The relative value of the undiluted substance versus the diluted one should be further evaluated.

Effects of ozonized autohaemotherapy on human hair cycle.

The present paper deals with the effects of ozonized autohaemotherapy on the human hair cycle in subjects suffering from androgenetic alopecia. The microscopic observation of hairs (trichogram) of 42 subjects (age range = 17-40 years) was carried out before and after cycles of ozonized autohaemotherapy according to the European scientific protocol. The dosage of ozone was 2500-3000 micrograms for each treatment, one cycle consisting of 16 treatments. Results showed a marked improvement of the hair cycle.

[Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction associated with volvulus of the transverse colon. The identical mode of clinical presentation and of the intestinal manometric pattern in monozygotic twins]. / Pseudo-ostruzione intestinale cronica idiopatica, associata a volvolo del colon trasverso. Identica modalità di presentazione clinica e del pattern manometrico intestinale in gemelle monozigoti.

Two monozygotic female twins with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction associated with transverse colon volvulus are described. Quite similar clinical events and temporal coincidences characterized the symptoms which has preceded and followed right colectomy undergone by both of them due to intestinal volvulus. The esophageal, gastroduodenal, colonic and anorectal manometric investigation revealed very similar alterations in both girls. Increased amplitude of distal contractions of the esophagus, a depressed fasting antro-duodenal motility, with absence into antrum and oro-aboral non-propagation in the duodenum of the phase III activity of the interdigestive motor complex were the main findings along with a state of pronounced colonic hypomotility and an hypoesthesia of the rectal ampulla to the volumetric stimulus. This report indicates the association between chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and transverse colon volvulus in monozygotic female twins, and it points out the rarity both of the specific symptomatic coincidences and the similar clinical events and of the almost absolute identity of the intestinal motor patterns.

Atrichia and papular lesions: report of a case.

We report a case of atrichia with papular lesions in a 4-year-old girl. The scalp was completely hairless since birth, except for dark, shiny, coarse hair on the frontoparietal region. Eyelashes and eyebrows were sparse. Numerous papular lesions developed on the hairless scalp, cheeks and neck during the second year of life. Teeth and sweating function were normal. The family history was negative. Histologic examination of a papular lesion showed the presence of a keratin-filled cyst in contact with the overlying epidermis. The pathology of the bald scalp showed the presence of tubular epithelial structures devoid of hair bulbs extending from the epidermis to the deep dermis and the superficial hypodermis. Sebaceous and outer root sheath differentiation was evident in most of the tubular structures that also frequently contained small ducts surrounded by two or three layers of flat epithelial cells. The superficial dermis contained horny cysts, similar to those present on the cheeks.

Loose anagen hair in a child with Noonan's syndrome.

We report on a 4 1/2-year-old girl affected by loose anagen hair and Noonan's syndrome. The girl had short, blond, easily pluckable hair that had never been cut. The trichogram showed an absolute prevalence of abnormally shaped anagen bulbs lacking inner and outer root sheaths. A scalp biopsy evidenced a marked cleft formation between fragmented inner root sheaths and irregularly shaped hair shafts.