Gender differences in microRNA expression in levodopa-naive PD patients.

Gender is an important factor influencing epidemiological and clinical features of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to evaluate gender differences in the expression of a panel of miRNAs (miR-34a-5p, miR-146a, miR-155, miR-29a, miR-106a) possibly involved in the pathophysiology or progression of disease. Serum samples were obtained from 104 PD patients (58 men and 46 women) never treated with levodopa. We measured levels of miRNAs using quantitative PCR. Correlations between miRNA expression and clinical data were assessed using the Spearman's correlation test. We used STRING to evaluate co-expression relationship among target genes. MiR-34a-5p was significantly upregulated in PD male patients compared to PD female patients (fc: 1.62; p < 0.0001). No correlation was found with age, BMI, and disease severity, assessed by UPDRS III scale, in male and female patients. MiR-146a-5p was significantly upregulated in female as compared to male patients (fc: 3.44; p < 0.0001) and a significant correlation was also observed between disease duration and mir-146a-5p. No differences were found in the expression of miR-29a, miR-106a-5p and miR-155 between genders. Predicted target genes for miR-34a-5p and miR-146-5p and protein interactions in biological processes were reported. Our study supports the hypothesis that there are gender-specific differences in serum miRNAs expression in PD patients. Follow-up of this cohort is needed to understand if these differences may affect disease progression and response to treatment.

High sensitivity tool for geophysical applications: a geometrically locked ring laser gyroscope.

We demonstrate that a middle sized ring laser gyroscope (RLG) can be a very sensitive and robust instrument for rotational seismology, even if it operates in a quite noisy environment. The RLG has a square cavity, 1.60×1.60m 2, and it lies in a plane orthogonal to the Earth's rotational axis. The Fabry-Perot optical cavities along the diagonals of the square were accessed, and their lengths were locked to a reference laser. Through a quite simple locking circuit, we were able to keep the sensor fully operative for 14 days. We verified that the prototype properties are compatible with the seismic requirements. The obtained long term stability is of the order of 3 nanorad/s, and the short term sensitivity is close to 2n a n o r a d/s⋅H z -1/2. These results are limited only by the noisy environment; our laboratory is located in a building downtown.

Nasal cytology as a screening tool in formaldehyde-exposed workers.

Background: Workers in pathology and anatomy laboratories may be exposed to formaldehyde. An evaluation of the early effects of this substance is, therefore, paramount. This preliminary study was conducted to evaluate if nasal cytology could be used as a tool to detect changes in nasal mucosa in workers exposed to formaldehyde. Aims: To assess whether nasal cytology was able to reveal any alteration of nasal mucosa in workers exposed to formaldehyde compared to unexposed subjects, and to ascertain whether a specific pattern of alterations correlated with years of exposure in order to evaluate long-term occupational exposure effects. Methods: The study included a group of workers exposed to formaldehyde and a group of non-exposed workers. All subjects underwent clinical examination, followed by nasal cytology. Pathological indices from each rhinocytograms were compared between the two groups. Results: Nasal cytology revealed a chronic inflammatory non-allergic condition in the exposed group. Qualitative analysis of data distribution of neutrophils and mucous-secreting/ciliated cells ratio showed data clustering with a cut-off set at 15 years of exposure. The mean formaldehyde concentrations ranged from <0.04 to 0.15 parts per million (ppm). The maximum levels of formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 0.2 to 0.67 ppm. Conclusions: Our data indicate that nasal cytology may be a promising tool for the health surveillance of workers exposed to formaldehyde and may also represent a useful research tool for the study of the health effects of other chemicals irritants for the upper airways.

Incidence of metabolic syndrome among night-shift healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVE: Night-shift work is associated with ischaemic cardiovascular disorders. It is not currently known whether it may be causally linked to metabolic syndrome (MS), a risk condition for ischaemic cardiovascular disorders. The syndrome presents with visceral obesity associated with mild alterations in glucidic and lipidic homeostasis, and in blood pressure. The aim of this study was to assess whether a causal relationship exists between night-shift work and the development of MS. METHODS: Male and female nurses performing night shifts, free from any component of MS at baseline, were evaluated annually for the development of the disorder during a 4-year follow-up. Male and female nurses performing daytime work only, visited during the same time period, represented the control group. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of MS was 9.0% (36/402) among night-shift workers, and 1.8% (6/336) among daytime workers (relative risk (RR) 5.0, 95% CI -2.1 to 14.6). The annual rate of incidence of MS was 2.9% in night-shift workers and 0.5% in daytime workers. Kaplan-Meier survival curves of the two groups were significantly different (log-rank test; p<0.001). Multiple Cox regression analysis (forward selection method based on likelihood ratio) showed that among selected variables (age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake, familiar history, physical activity, and work schedule) the only predictors of occurrence of MS were sedentariness (hazard ratio (HR) 2.92; 95% CI 1.64 to 5.18; p = 0.017), and night-shift work (HR 5.10; 95% CI 2.15 to 12.11; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing MS is strongly associated with night-shift work in nurses. Medical counselling should be promptly instituted in night-shift workers with the syndrome, and in case of persistence or progression, a change in work schedule should be considered.

[Extended high frequency audiometry in the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss]. / Uso delle alte frequenze nella prevenzione precoce della ipoacusia da rumore.

An early detection of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) may allow more effective protection measures. Our aim was to investigate the usefulness of high-frequency audiometry to evaluate the possibility of a future use of the high frequencies audiometry as an early indicator for noise induced hearing loss. A cross-sectional study was performed involving 204 industrial noise exposed and 100 non-industrial noise-exposed workers. Each subject was tested with both conventional-frequency (0.25-8 kHz) and high-frequency (9-18 kHz) audiometry during the annually health surveillance campaign conducted in two Italian cement factories. As expected, noise exposed workers were found to have significantly higher hearing thresholds (P < 0.05) at both conventional and extended high frequencies. Marked differences were found for EHFA. Moreover, significant differences at EHFA were detected also in the subgroup of noise-exposed workers with normal findings at conventional audiometry. Our finding indicate that the use of the extended high frequency test may represent a useful tool for detecting early changes of hearing impairment and that it could be used in addition to the conventional test to better prevent the progression of noise hearing loss.

[Lack of direct cytotoxic effect of intracellular nanotubes]. / Impatto occupazionale ed ambientale dei nanotubi di carbonio, analisi della citotossicità su linee cellulari.

Nanotubes have a great therapeutic potential due to their astounding physico-chemical features, the possibility to be funtionalised for ad hoc uses, and the specific interaction of nanotubes as such with life molecules (DNA and proteins). These features recommend a thorough toxicological study before widespread pharmaceutic use. We provide evidence that culture cells with phagocytic potential internalise multi wall nanotubes (10-50 nm average size). This is not accompanied by cytotoxicity in terms of induction of &apoptosis or necrosis at the doses used (up to 125 microg/mI).

Are thyroid dysfunctions related to stress or microwave exposure (900 MHz)?

In the last decade, numerous scientific evidence suggested possible adverse health effects from exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF'S) and the use of mobile phones. According to some studies EMF induced changes of trans-membrane Ca++ flux may lead to altered metabolism and/or secretion of neurohormones including TSH, ACTH, GH, prolactin and melatonin. The aim of this research was to analyse the effects of mobile phone use on thyroid function and to evaluate the possible role of occupational stress. 2598 employees (1355 men and 1243 women) with different duties (vendors, operators and network technicians) were included in the study. Exposure to EMF'S, generated by mobile phones, was assessed both by submitting a questionnaire directly to the employees and acquiring data regarding conversation times. The workers were divided into three groups on the basis of their personal mobile phone use. Moreover, a group of 160 workers with TSH values below 0.4 UI/l was characterized. No statistically significant difference regarding TSH values below 0.4 UI/l was observed among workers with different duties but there was a greater prevalence of subjects with low SH values among 192 employees with more than 33 hrs./month conversation time; this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). On the basis of our data, it is not possible to establish whether this result is determined by exposure to EMF'S from mobile phones of by the stress of using these instruments.

[Noise-induced hearing loss: new preventive approaches]. / Ipoacusia da rumore: nuovi approcci preventivi.

Noise-induced hearing loss is currently the most frequent professional disease in Italy. Genetic polymorphisms of genes involved in the pathophysiology of hearing loss may confer vulnerability to the damage. To obtain data on these polymorphisms able to make a single worker more susceptible or resistant than others to the damage of the organ of Corti after exposure to noise, may allow a more efficient prevention.

Sodium retention in preascitic stage of cirrhosis.

Renal Na+ handling abnormalities have been shown in preascitic cirrhosis. To investigate the underlying pathophysiology, the effects of different sodium intakes on Na(+) balance and renal hemodynamics were assessed at 100 mEq Na+/day (low-sodium diet [LSD]) and after 6 days of 250 mEq Na+/day (high-sodium diet [HSD]). Eight asymptomatic patients with cirrhosis (Pugh-Child A class) (PAC) and 10 healthy controls (CON) were studied. At HSD, although CON readjusted Na+ excretion within the fourth day, PAC did not reach the new balance and developed a final greater Na+ retention (+437 mEq in PAC v +228 mEq in CON, P<.001). In PAC, fractional Na+ excretion (FENa) was significantly lower than in CON at LSD (P<.05), and, after HSD, increased in both groups (P<.05). In PAC, renal vascular resistances (RVR) at LSD resulted lower than in CON (P<.05) and failed to decrease after HSD. As a consequence, after HSD, glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow failed to increase in PAC. PRA and plasma aldosterone were significantly lower in PAC, than in CON at LSD (P<.05), and decreased in both groups after HSD (P<.05). Proximal Na+ reabsorption (RProx) [as indicated by fractional free water clearance measured in a state of maximal water diuresis] at LSD was lower in PAC than in CON (P<.05) and decreased in both groups after HSD (P<.05). In summary, early stages of cirrhosis are characterized by: (1) a reduction of RVR, probably associated with splanchnic vasodilation; (2) a Na+ retention already at LSD, as indicated by the lower FENa observed in PAC, that produces extracellular volume (ECV) expansion, with a consequent RProx and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis (RAS) suppression; (3) a greater Na+ retention after HSD, associated with an abnormal adaptation of renal hemodynamic, a greater ECV expansion and a consequent Rprox and RAS suppression. These data show the presence of early renal hemodynamic dysfunction in PAC. Our findings also show in this phase of the disease a preserved adaptation of RProx and RAS, thus suggesting that the observed tubular Na+ reabsorption derangement is probably related to abnormal ANP behavior.