A Novel Panel of Serum Biomarkers for MPM Diagnosis.

Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a highly aggressive cancer of the pleura. Since the only tools for early detection are based on radiological tests, some authors focused on serum markers (i.e., mesothelin). The aim of this study was the evaluation of new serum biomarkers to be used individually or in combination, in order to improve the outcome of patients whose disease would be diagnosed at an earlier stage. Serum and plasma were available from 43 subjects previously exposed to asbestos and 27 MPM patients, all being epithelioid type. All the new markers found differentially expressed in MPM and healthy subjects, by proteomic and genomic approaches, have been validated in the serum by the use of specific ELISA. The combined approach, using tools of genomics and proteomics, is found to be highly innovative for this type of disease and led to the identification of new serum markers in the diagnosis of MPM. These results, if confirmed in a larger series, may have a strong impact in this area, because early detection of this cancer in people at high risk could significantly improve the course of the disease and the clinical approach to an individualized therapy.

[Preliminary study to evaluate the meaning of GGT fractions analysis in a population of workers previously exposed to asbestos]. / Studio preliminare volto all'inquadramento del significato preventive del dosaggio di frazioni di GGT in una popolazione di lavoratori ex-esposti ad Amianto.

The GGT enzyme, considered for years only as a marker of liver disease and alcohol abuse, has now revealed a risk of death for many causes. Through a molecular exclusion chromatography on FPLC system (Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography), it is possible to discriminate four fractions of GGT, defined according to the molecular weight: big-GGT, medium-GGT, small-GGT and free-GGT. The objective was to study the preventing meaning of GGT fractions for asbestos-related diseases. This study was conducted on 129 workers previously exposed to asbestos, 22 patients affected by Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma and 107 healthy workers. Our data demonstrated a statistical significant correlation between the fraction free-GGT with the presence of MPM, suggesting a possible role for this molecule as a biomarker for MPM diagnosis. However, being a preliminary study, further studies are warranted to confirm our results.

[Report of medical surveillance of workers exposed to asbestos at the Operative Unit of Occupational Medicine in Pisa]. / Attività di sorveglianza sanitaria dei lavoratori ex esposti ad amianto presso la Unità Operativa di Medicina Preventiva del Lavoro di Pisa.

We report our experience about the medical surveillance of 739 workers previously exposed to asbestos. They were observed during the period between January 2009 and May 2012. The diagnosis of 594 patients, that were observed for the first time, were analyzed in order to assess the presence of benign or malignant pulmonary diseases that is so found: 16.33% of benign pulmonary diseases related to asbestos, 17.84% benign pulmonary diseases not related to asbestos and 1% of malignant pulmonary diseases probably related to asbestos. The diagnosis of 221 patients, that were followed over time, were analyzed in order to assess the evolution in time: a new onset of pulmonary disease was found in the 2.26%, a worsening of the pulmonary disease was found in the 6.79%.

[Study on the efficacy of personal protective equipment for skin against nicotine absorption through the skin route in tobacco workers]. / Verifica dell'efficacia protettiva dei dispositivi di protezione individuale per la cute, nei confronti dell'esposizione per via cutanea a nicotina, in operatori addetti alla lavorazione del tabacco.

During a previous assessment on the efficacy of some recently installed general dust extraction systems in a tuscan cigar manufacture line, both environmental and biologic monitoring were performed. Although the analysis of environmental samples supported the efficacy of the new general protection implant, these data did not parallel the results from the biologic monitoring, suggesting that nicotine skin absorption needed to be further investigated. We, therefore, carried out a study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of three different kind of PPE for skin (two nitrile gloves of different thickness and one latex glove), to be used by tobacco workers. The results of this study showed that the performance of these three materials in stopping nicotine transfer through the gloves was significantly different. The 0.22 mm thick nicotine gloves resulted, by far, the best gloves in protecting the workers' skin against nicotine exposure.

Early experience with Telehealth during sport activities.

In order to verify the usefulness of a system designed to provide participants of sport competitions with a cardiological emergency service, the authors utilized a cardiotelephone apparatus during a "24-hour Marathon race" in which 1008 subjects took part. In 18 cases, an ECG was transmitted owing to various symptoms after exertion. One case of pseudoischaemia and one of complete A-V block were registered. The authors emphasize the importance of a telephone ECG transmission system as a special aid able to cut down the intervention time without moving the patients.