The role of IL-10 in immune responses against Pseudomonas aeruginosa during acute lung infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered an opportunistic pathogen of great clinical importance. The clearance of this bacterium occurs through recognition of the pathogen by innate immune system receptors, leading to a lung inflammatory response. However, this response must be controlled via immunoregulatory pathways. In this study, we evaluate the role of endogenous murine IL-10 after acute infection with the virulent strain P. aeruginosa PA14. To assess the role of IL-10, intratracheal infection with the PA14 strain was performed in C57BL/6 or IL-10 KO mice. The PA14 strain was recovered in both types of animals, although IL-10 KO mice presented a higher number of viable bacteria in the lung when compared to the C57BL/6 group. Histopathological and stereological analyses showed that IL-10 KO mice had higher tissue damage and inflammatory infiltrate when compared to control animals. The activity of MMP-9 but not MMP-2, as well as IL-6 and TNF-α expression, were augmented in the lungs of infected animals and was much more evident in IL-10 KO animals when compared to the other analyzed groups. This work indicates that endogenous IL-10 control P. aeruginosa infection, the expression of pro-inflammatory genes, MMP-9 activity and histopathological processes of the infectious process in question.

[Assessment of the impact over one year of a workplace health promotion programme in the province of Bergamo]. / Stima dell's effecto ad un anno di un programma di promozione della salute nei luoghi di lavoro in provincia di Bergamo.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate short-term effects of integrated health promotion in the workplace within the framework of the Bergamo WHP (Workplace Health Promotion) network, which involves 94 companies and about 21,000 workers. METHODS: A controlled non-randomized, before-after evaluation was carried out. Data were collected through anonymous questionnaires before (t0) and after participation in a 12-month health promotion programme (t1). The "control" group consisted of workers of companies participating in the programme who had not yet undertaken any interventions in the theme areas covered by the assessment. RESULTS: In the workers participating in the programme, positive early effects (after 12 months) were related to intake of food providing protection (fruit and vegetables) and increased rates of smoking cessation. The effects were more evident in males and in white collars. The physical activity and alcohol consumption trends went in the desired direction and with more effects than in the non-participating group, but without statistical significance. In the short term, no evident changes in events of road injury risk or in the quality of personal relationships were seen, probably due to the small size of the sample involved in these study areas. CONCLUSIONS: The results, although within the methodological limitations of the study, showed that after 12 months there was a reduction in some important risk factors for chronic diseases in workers participating in the programme, particularly for fruit and vegetable intake and smoking cessation. It will be important to monitor the effects of the programme on other risk factors in the medium and long term, and also the impact of employment status and gender so as to adjust the programme interventions accordingly. Cooperation with occupational/authorized physicians with use of their data collected from health surveillance, together with a limited set of general risk factor indicators, would be a desirable development for further studies.

[The network of health promoting companies (WHP) in the province of Bergamo]. / La rete WHP delle aziende che promuovono la salute nella provincia di Bergamo.

OBJECTIVES: To create, by 2012, a network of Promoting Health companies in the Province of Bergamo, with at least 10% of companies with over 90 employees (about 10,000 workers) adherent, and attending up to 15% by 2015. METHODS: The work was carried out by building partnerships and collaboration with Confindustria Bergamo and the main healthcare and Union stakeholders in the province, selecting good practices and experimenting feasibility and effectiveness in two mid-sized companies, before extending the proposal A system of accreditation was defined. Member companies should implement a at least 18 good practices in three years. The areas of good practices are: nutrition, tobacco, physical activity, road safety, alcohol and substance and wellbeing. The results are surprising in terms of network and adhesion. Currently 46 companies are involved (over 9,200 employees). CONCLUSIONS: The model seems to work well and in our opinion is extensible on a larger scale.

[The role of the factory doctor in the health promotion of workers: the experience of the "WHP Bergamo" network]. / Il ruolo del medico competente nella promozione della salute dei lavoratori: l'esperienza della rete WHP Bergamasca.

In Bergamo there is a huge network of 46 "health promoting companies" following an accreditation system which requires the implementation of best practices on health promotion in the workplace. For some of these practices, Company Doctor are involved: management of smokers and workers with alcohol consumption; courses for employees about WHP, use of SMS and web-based systems. Local Public Health Authority has created an annual training which also provided tools to Doctors for their activities in the project. Nowadays 55 doctors have been trained. For Accreditation 2012 eight companies will declare as good practice the training of its CD about smoking and three companies their activities on alcohol abuse prevention and control.

[Courses for smoking cessation in the workplaces: results and opportunities]. / Corsi per smettere di fumare in azienda: risultati ed opportunità.

In the context of the "WHP- District Network Project", 6 group-treatments for smoking cessation have been performed in five companies, with the voluntary participation of 88 smokers. Health professionals, with specific training, conducted the groups according to specific guidelines. The quitting rate recorded at the end of the course (and confirmed, in two groups, by measurement of exhaled CO) was on average 49% (range 34-70%). The abstainers at one year, recorded by a telephonic follow-up, mounted to 38% (range 29-50%, 4 courses out of 6). The courses have proved to be a good tool to help people to quit smoking and so reducing smoking-associated risks and its synergism with occupational risk factors.

[Assessment of body fat as a cardiovascular risk factor: a public health approach to Seriate A.O. Bolognini's Employees - WHP Project (Workplace Health Promotion)]. / Valutazione del grasso corporeo come fattore di rischio cardiovascolare: un approccio di solute pubblica nei dipendenti dell' A.O. Bolognini di Senate - Progetto WHP (Workplace Health Promotion).

At the A.O. Bolognini Seriate, within the WHP project, the 1942 employees have been evaluated, during the working suitability visit, for cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. The following parameters were detected: height and weight measurement, calculation of BMI, abdominal circumference, lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), blood glucose. smoking habits, physical activities and sports activities. Each employee was also evaluated with Bioelectrical Impedence Analysis that allowed the acquisition of additional parameters such as the measure of muscle mass, fat mass, lean mass, body water, visceral fat and basal metabolic rate. Excess body fat is a cardiovascular risk factor underestimated by people, traditional tools of simple approach (weight, height, waist circumference, BMI) can often underestimate the presence of visceral fat, metabolically active and recognized risk factor even in normal weight subjects. The measurement of body fat with Bioelectrical Impedence Analysis has highlighted a high percentage of people with excess body fat, although classified as normal weight by calculation of BMI.