[A concertation experience: prevention of WMSDs in workmanship of Parmigiano-Reggiano]. / Un'esperienza di concertazione: la prevenzione dei WMSDs nella lavorazione del Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The dairy industry of Parmigiano-Reggiano represents in Emilia a resource and an important source of employment. A Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) regulates all stages of processing of milk into cheese "forms" in excess of 40 kg weight, favouring a "traditional" working which involves various manual steps tiring and stressful. From 2002 to 2008 the Service in charge of the Azienda USL of Reggio Emilia has developed a plan focused on musculoskeletal risks in this sector. The need for comparison on the conservation "craftsmanship" of the complex manufacturing process maintaining high attention to health and safety brought the AUSL of Reggio E. and later the AUSL of Modena and Parma, to choose the path of concertation with the social partners, aiming at substantial and non-formal application of the law. It is thus obtained the adoption of preventive measures in a sector so peculiar, complex and constantly changing. Conciliation remains privileged tool in relations between social partners and AUSL of Reggio E. in dairies.

Access to pyrrolo- and pyrido[1,2-a]indole derivatives by intramolecular nitrone cycloadditions. Effect of steric factors on the regioselective product formation.

On starting from N-allyl-substituted 2-indolecarbaldehydes and exploiting the intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition methodology, we synthesized a number of the title fused-ring indole derivatives in racemic as well as enantiopure form.

[The assessment of the risk due to the manual lifting of patients: the initial descriptive and analytical results on exposure levels]. / Valutazione del rischio da movimentazione manuale di pazienti: primi risultati descrittivi e analitici sui livelli di esposizione.

The paper reports the results of risk evaluation of patient lifting or moving obtained from a multicentre study on 216 wards, for both acute hospital patients and in geriatric residences. In all situations the exposure to patient lifting was assessed using a concise index (MAPO). Analysis of the results showed that only 9% of the workers could be considered as exposed to negligible risk (MAPO Index = 0-1.5); of these 95.7% worked in hospital wards and only 4.3% in geriatric wards. A further confirmation of the higher level of exposure of workers in long-term hospitalization was that 42.3% were exposed to elevated levels (MAPO Index > 5) compared with 27.7% observed in hospital ward workers. The mean values of the exposure index were 6.8 for hospital wards and 9.64 for geriatric residences and, although much higher in the latter, both categories showed high exposure. In the orthopaedic departments of the hospitals the values were higher than in the geriatric wards (MAPO Index = 10.1); medical and surgical departments showed values similar to the mean values observed in the geriatric wards. These high values were due to: severe shortage of equipment life lifting devices (95.5%) and minor aids (99.5%), partial inadequacy of the working environment (69.2%), poor training and information (96.1% lacking); only the supply of wheelchairs was adequate (65.8%). All of which points to an almost generalized non-observance of the regulations listed under Chapter V of Law No. 626/94. However, the proposed method of evaluation allows anyone who has to carry out prevention and improvement measures to identify priority criteria specifically aimed at the individual factors taken into consideration. By simulating an intervention for improvement aimed at equipment and training, 96% of the wards would be included in the negligible exposure class (MAPO Index 0-1.5).

[Repetitive movements of the upper extremities: the results of assessing exposure to biomechanical overload and of a clinical study in a group of workers employed in the production of plywood and veneer panels]. / Movimenti ripetitivi degli arti superiori: risultati della valutazione dell'esposizione a sovraccarico biomeccanico e dell'indagine clinica in un gruppo di lavoratrici addette alla produzione di pannelli di compensato e multistrato in legno (plywood).

In a group of 27 female workers employed on the manual "moulding" of plywood panels exposure to factors of biomechanical overload for the upper limbs was assessed and an anamnestic and clinical examination was made in order to clarify the occurrence of a series of WMSDs type diseases and disorders. Data are reported on the risk factors, frequency of action (range: right limb-->14.5 divided by 22.0 actions/min,-->5.5 divided by 11.0 actions/min), use of strength (right limb-->Borg 3.7-4.9; left limb-->Borg 3.0-3.8), incongruous postures and movements, complementary factors, and on the lack of recovery pauses (4 hours in an 8-hour shift). The OCRA indices were: single press: right limb-->146-208; left limb-->61-85; multi press: right limb-->4.8-7.1; left limb-->1.1-2.3. The EPM method showed that the factors producing greatest overloading were excessive use of strength, incongruous postures and movements (specially of wrist, hand and elbow) and of complementary factors like constant compression of the palm of the right hand, tearing movements and the use of gloves. Clinical examination according to EPM showed that tendon disorders (69% of which 34% were carpal tunnel syndrome) were the most frequent disorders followed by epicondylosis (23%); disorders of the shoulder were less frequent (8%). In view of the clear significance of the statistical data of these disorders which were proved to be caused by current work organization (Fisher test was highly significant for 65% and significant for 75% of the disorders), further diagnostic and therapeutic investigations for each single female worker are necessary along with specific interventions to improve working conditions. Among the possible prevention measures the need is stressed for improvements on tools, on job organization, and for an adequate information and training program for all workers.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase Ferrara. A new variant of g-6-PD identified in Northern Italy.

A new variant of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) has been discovered in Northern Italy, in the district of Ferrara. This variant is characterized by high decrease of red blood cell enzyme activity (less than 5% of normal), high affinity for G-6-P and NADP, increased utilization of deamino-NADP and 2-deoxy-G-6-P, and faster electrophoretic mobility in the buffer systems commonly used for the classification of the G-6-PD variants. The new G-6-PD type was never associated with clinical manifestations in any cases except neonatal jaundice in some of the newborns with this enzyme deficiency. The frequency of the new variant in the Ferrara district indicates that it has probably appeared in this area by mutation some centuries ago. It is suggested that this variant should be named G-6-PD Ferrara.