ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis (TBC) is an infectious disease with the highest mortality and morbidity by single pathogen, affecting about one third of worldwide population. Although Mantoux test is the most used, IGRA (Interferon-gamma Release Assays) tests seem to give good results for presumptive diagnosis of active or latent tuberculosis. From June 2011 to June 2012 we made about 1,000 visits for TBC prevention among the exposed to biological risks of our University. The management of suspected latent or active tuberculosis infection was carried out in collaboration with the pulmonologist, assessing the risk of contagion among exposed or affected operators. Health surveillance protocol and judgements of suitability for specific task were made not only in consideration of worker health, but also considerating the possible risk for patients, since this disease is a major problem for public health.
Subject(s)
Tuberculosis/prevention & control , Humans , Italy , UniversitiesABSTRACT
Free radicals have a role in interaction between occupational exposure to multiple agents and biological systems; peripheral neutrophils (PMNs) are a source of free radicals and other reactive oxygen species. PMN's activity was evaluated by chemiluminescence assays referring to different noxious agents exposure levels. Two office workers groups were recruited: first one was exposed to several agents, control group was composed by lower exposure workers. Intra and extracellular chemiluminescence evaluation was performed to obtain radical species information. Stimulated PMNs from exposed subjects respond to the stimuli less than unexposed, and can be suggested as chronic exposure markers to noxious agents.
Subject(s)
Hazardous Substances/adverse effects , Neutrophils/physiology , Occupational Exposure , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
It is universally recognized by the scientific community that asbestos, widely used in the past in many industrial sectors, is responsible for the onset of certain diseases of pleural and peritoneal serous membranes; in particular, Peritoneal Mesothelioma (PM) is an exceptional case, extremely rare malignancy of the abdominal cavity. In this work we describe a 62 years-old man, formerly exposed to asbestos, complains of dyspepsia associated with pain, abdominal swelling and mild difficulty during inspiration. After intraoperative biopsy of three masses found in abdomen, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma was diagnosed. The patient subsequently was subjected to cycles of chemotherapy and multiple palliative paracentesis, the patient died after about 12 months from diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Mesothelioma/etiology , Peritoneal Neoplasms/etiology , Asbestos/toxicity , Hernia, Inguinal/complications , Humans , Male , Mesothelioma/diagnosis , Mesothelioma/pathology , Middle Aged , Peritoneal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Peritoneal Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
The International laws and the technology developments led to a situation where the current levels of environmental pollution are below those that existed at the beginning of the century: however, these pollution levels produce harmful effects to health linked to an increase in morbidity and mortality. Over the years the pollution has changed: following the transformation of heating, motor innovation and emissions reducing, has been a reduction in air concentration of some conventional pollutants (sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, benzene), while there wasn't a significant reduction of particulate air pollution. In this work have been questioned several electronic databases of scientific literature based on a selection algorithm that contains expressions for the following topics: "ultrafine particles", "effects on human health", "occupational and environmental exposure". We analyzed 200 articles, progressively reduced to 88, selected for keywords, year of publication and arguments; the main topics covered by the articles were related to chemical and physical UFP properties, UFP exposure, European legislation relating to the values of particle concentrations in the atmosphere, toxicokinetics and effects on various organs such as, in particular, the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system and the intracellular mechanism of action. Analysis of the literature showed that ultrafine particles (PM0.1 aerodynamic diameter less than 0.1 microm) are more powerful than the coarse particle fraction (2.5-10 microm) and fine (0.1-2.5 microm) in inducing adverse effects to human health. Unfortunately, the study of mechanisms of action of these particles presents particular difficulties because of the large number of chemical and biological mechanisms that come into play in the body after exposure to ultrafine particles.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants/toxicity , Particulate Matter/toxicity , Humans , Particle SizeABSTRACT
Matrix metalloproteinases belong to a growing family of proteases controlled by specific tissue inhibitors, involved in tissutal flogosis, wound healing, cancer invasion and metastasis. We developed an in vitro model to screen for potential toxic compounds in professional exposure. Human keratinocytes (HaCat) were used as target cells while matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) were selected as responders, developing and in vitro model of allergic dermatitis. The chemical agents: potassium dichromate and nickel sulphate as positive teste, because represent the main etiological agents of allergic dermatitis. Nickel contact at very low concentrations (10(-5), 10(-6) M) induced upregulation of MMP-2 and IL-8 mRNA production; chromium contact at very low concentrations killed all cells. Actually, our in vitro research is based on analysis of cytotoxic effects of xenobiotics on human lung fibroblasts; simultaneously we verified serum increasing in vivo of MMP-9, determinated in workers serum, exposed to anesthetic gas (fluorane). In only six exposed workers we observed MMP9 increasing over than normal range. Actually, we are continuing our research on a more representative sample.
