[Evaluation of the levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in the territory of the city of Bari in outside and inside environments]. / Valutazione dei livelli di campo elettromagnetico a radiofrequenza nel territorio della città di Bari in ambienti esterni e confinati.

In this study we measured the levels of the high frequency field in the proximity of non-ionizing radiation sources (wireless transmitting stations for mobile telephones and radio and television transmitters) in nine districts of the city of Bari. The measurements were taken both inside and outside closed environments. For the indoor measurements we took into account electromagnetic field generating equipment (VDT, electric domestic appliances, mobile telephones) in working and non-working order and with the windows open and shut respectively. We carried out these measurements according to the methods laid down in the Italian regulation CEI ENV 50166-2 of May 1995, as shown in the enclosure to the Ministerial Decree of 10.9.98 n.381. The electromagnetic field levels near wireless transmitting stations for mobile telephones are certainly modest when we consider that they never exceeded the limits established by the aforesaid Ministerial Decree. On the contrary radio and television equipment creates a much greater source of exposure. The electromagnetic field levels are certainly superior to those of the wireless transmitting stations although they never exceed, except in one isolated case, the values established by the Ministerial Decree 381/98.

[Indoor radon pollution in houses in the Apulian Region of Italy and evaluation of the probability of lung cancer in the population]. / Contaminazione da radon indoor nelle abitazioni pugliesi e valutazione della probabilità di insorgenza di tumore polmonare nella popolazione residente.

BACKGROUND: Radon-222 is a gaseous radioactive chemical which can be transformed into other radioactive chemicals, defined as "products of decay" or "radon's daughter". The modality of radon penetration into the buildings depends on the convection motion created in the ground, which suck it back, so causing the penetration. The principal effect on human health is the increase risk of lung cancer, in proportion to the concentration and the time people spend indoors with exposure to radon. OBJECTIVES: The study proposed to estimate the expected cases of radon-induced lung cancer in the population of Apulia due to contamination by indoor radon. METHODS: The study used the data obtained in a national survey made by ANPA (National Environmental Protection Agency) and ISS (High Health Institute), with the collaboration of the Regional Reference Centres for the Control of Environmental Radioactivity (CRR). In the Apulia Region 310 families (5000 nationwide) were involved, which were selected so as to constitute a representative sample both of the region and the country. Appropriate instruments for the measurement of mean concentrations of indoor radon (passive nuclear trace monitors were installed in the homes of the sample families in two different periods of year). We evaluated the variations of indoor radon concentration in the houses during spring-summer and autumn-winter periods, observing a predictable increase in the latter period. We assessed concentrations in relation to: 1. architectural features and location, 2. construction year, 3. building material, 4. presence of windows. RESULTS: We found higher contamination in the oldest non-cement buildings and on the lower floors. In Lecce and Castrì di Lecce we found a mean radon concentration higher than the national and the regional mean, which is equivalent to annual exposure of 0.54 and 0.46 WLM respectively. For these levels we estimated that the expected cases of radon-induced lung cancer will be 1.5 in Lecce and 1.3 in Castrì per 10,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The results of our investigations confirm that indoor radon pollution is a significant problem as it is one of the main causes of lung cancer. Hence, precautionary measures to reduce as much as possible exposure to indoor radon are highly recommended.

[Measurement of radon concentrations in schools at 2 communities of Puglia and oncologic risk]. / Indagine sulle concentrazioni di radon nelle scuole di due comuni pugliesi e rischio oncologico.

Measurements of radon's concentration have been effected in the schools of two communes of Puglia: Polignano and Valenzano. The average concentration of radon, based on the prospecting effected in the research period (spring/summer 1997), appeared, for both communes, lower than national average (75 Bq/m3). However, these average concentrations is below estimated caused of the limitation of the research period, owing to organization only at the period spring/summer. In fact, by the extrapolation applying a right factor of conversion, of the "winter" average concentrations from that average calculated during the research period (considering the evident limits of such procedure) we obtain, respectively, for both schools of Polignano and Valenzano, an average concentrations about of 75 Bq/m3 e 103 Bq/m3. The research shows the existence of a correlation among the obtained results and two important factors: the buildings materials utilized and the geological conformation of the subsoil; in particular, the buildings having main wall (tufa) or built by mixed materials (cement, bricks and tufa) measured the highest radon concentrations. Nevertheless, the absolute risk to develop a pulmonary tumour due to the radon exposition, limitedly for the population of the common of Valenzano, appears lightly superior in respect of the national risk (6 cases on 100,000 fellows) resulted about 8.5 case on 100,000 fellows.

[Blood groups of the ABO system and survival rate in gynecologic tumors]. / Gruppi sanguigni del sistema ABO e sopravvivenza nei tumori ginecologici.

A retrospective analysis of 968 women affected by gynecological tumors was conducted to assess the existence of a difference in survival between patients with different blood groups. Data are presented on 237 cases of endometrial cancer, 92 cases of ovarian cancer and 639 cases of invasive cervix cancer, detailing their ABO blood antigenic phenotypes, the stage of neoplasia and the treatment received. With regard to endometrial cancer, a sensibly better 5-year and 10-year survival is associated with blood group 0 if compared with blood group A. This finding is more evident when 5-year survival is considered among patients affected by ovarian cancer. With regard to cervical cancer, analysis showed that a little better than 5-year survival is associated with 0 blood phenotype; on the contrary, when a 10-year or longer survival is considered, a better survival is associated with A blood phenotype. The present study confirms evidence of an association between the A blood group and gynecological tumors. Endometrial and ovarian cancer occur more frequently in women with blood type A than in those with the other blood types, moreover, in the same tumors blood group A is associated with a poor prognosis. The possible reason for these findings are discussed with detailed regard to the possible biological importance that, at present, is conferred to the ABO group system in the complex activities of the immune system.

[Dentinal lesions caused by the use of endodontic posts]. / Lesioni dentinali causate dall'impiego di alcuni endoposts.

An endodontic treatment has been effected on 36 extracted teeth, using drills; certain endodontic posts presently on the market have been successively inserted inside 18 teeth: Flexipost (Essential Dental System); Parapost Plus (Whaledent); dentatus (Dentatus). The teeth have been sectionized and watched through a photomicroscope to check an eventual presence of dentinal damages.

[Comparative evaluation of the retentive capacity of endodontic posts]. / Valutazione comparativa delle capacità ritentive di alcuni perni endocanalari.

The retentive capacity of certain endodontic posts was assessed in terms of: pin design, pin diameter and cement employed. The following commercially products were examined: Flexipost (Essential Dental Systems), Parapost Plus (Whaledent) and Dentatus (Dentatus) posts; Phosphacap (Vivadent) and Bondalcap (Vivadent) cements.

[Visco-elastic properties of various composites for the front teeth]. / Studio delle caratteristiche visco-elastiche di alcuni compositi per anteriori.

The rupture load, elasticity modulus and viscosity coefficient of certain composite currently on sale for the reconstruction of front teeth were calculated experimentally. The products examined were: Prismafil (Caulk), Helioprogress (Vivadent), Heliosit (Vivadent), Silux (3M), Concise (3M), Command Ultrafine (Kerr), P30 (3M). The figures obtained relate to 3 different time periods after the preparation of samples.

[Ionizing radiation and video computer terminals]. / Radiazioni ionizzanti e video terminali.

VDTs are more frequently being used and, therefore have given rise to the problem of security among operators exposed to possible X-ray emissions. The authors report the results of a dosimetric investigation, carried out through TLD CaF2:Dy on X-ray exposure levels close to video display terminals of a data processing center. After testing the exposure percentage values and the measurements adjusted to one-year basis, the authors report that the value are generally similar to those existing in the environment even though significant values have been found in a few cases.

[Changes in ocular tone, pH, ascorbic acid and lactic acid concentration in the aqueous humor of rabbits treated with aceclidine]. / Modificazioni del tono oculare, del pH, della concentrazione di acido ascorbico e di acido lattico nell'umore acqueo di coniglio trattato con aceclidina.

The Authors state the results of their research on the modification of the aqueous humor caused by the instillation of the Clonidina to the concentrations of 0,I25% in a group of ten rabbits. The results of these studies illustrate the variations of pH, the ocular tone, the concentration of lactic and ascorbic acid. In all the rabbits examined Clonidina was instillated in the RE while in the LE distilled water was instillated for the control. For two hours from the beginning of the experiment, every IO minutes measurements of the ocular tone in both eyes were taken. At the end of the two hours a sample of aqueous humor was taken from the RE and LE; It was found that: I) The drugs produced a very quick and prolonged decrease of the ocular tone. 2) There are no significant variations in the pH or in the concentration of lactic acid. 3) There was a notable reduction of the concentration of ascorbic acid.

[Changes in ocular tonus, pH and concentration of ascorbic acid and lactic acid in the aqueous humor of rabbits treated with epinephrine]. / Modificazione del tono oculare, del pH, della concentrazione di acido ascorbico e di acido lattico nell'umore acqueo di coniglio trattato con epinefrina.

The authors state the results of their research on the modification of the aqueous humor caused by the instillation of the Epinephrine in a group of ten rabbits. The results of these studies illustrate the variations of pH, the ocular tone, the concentration of lactic and ascorbic acid. In all the rabbits examined Epinephrine was instillated in the RE while in the LE distilled water was instillated for the control. For two hours from the beginning of the experiment, every 10 minutes measurements of the ocular tone in both eyes were taken. At the end of the two hours a sample of aqueous humor was taken from the RE and LE; It was found that: 1) The drugs produced a vary quick and prolonged decrease of the ocular tone. 2) There are no significant variations in the pH or in the concentration of lactic acid. 3) There was a notable reduction of the concentration of ascorbic acid.

[Changes in ocular tonus, pH and concentration of ascorbic acid and lactic acid in the aqueous humor of rabbits treated with clonidine]. / Modificazioni del tono oculare, del pH, della concentrazione di acido ascorbico e di acido lattico nell'umore acqueo di coniglio trattato con clonidina.

The authors state the results of their research on the modification of the aqueous humor caused by the instillation of the Clonidine in a group of ten rabbits. The results of these studies illustrate the variations of pH, the ocular tone, the concentration of lactic and ascorbic acid. In all the rabbits examined was instillated Clonidine for one hour in RE while in LE distilled water was instilled for the control. For two hours from the beginning of the experiment every 10 minutes measurements of the ocular tone in both eyes were taken. At the end of two hours a sample of aqueous humor was taken from LE and RE. It was found that: 1) The drugs produced a vary quick and prolonged decrease of the ocular tone. 2) There are no significant variations in the pH or in the concentration of lactic acid. 3) There was a notable reduction of the concentration of ascorbic acid.

[Preliminary study of acidification of the pH of the aqueous humor in rats treated with timolol maleate]. / Studio preliminare sull'acidificazione del ph dell'umore acqueo del coniglio trattato con timololo maleato.

The Authors have studied in a homogeneous group of rabbits the variations of intraocular pressure and of aqueous humour pH caused by instillation of timolol maleate at different concentrations. In the animals treated with drug concentration of 0,25% and 0,5% a constant reduction of IOP has been observed in comparison with controls, associated to acidification of aqueous humour: no evidence of this correlation it seems to be at low doses of timolol. Further studies are in course to indicate an eventual action of intermediate substances in the mechanism of IOP depression caused by timolol.