Extracorporeal removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by hemoadsorption: in vitro kinetic model.

INTRODUCTION: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known water pollutants leading to potential public health consequences. High blood levels of PFAS have been associated with several pathological conditions including testicular and kidney cancer. Classic extracorporeal therapies have demonstrated limited efficiency and new approaches should be explored. In this study we studied the possible role of hemoadsorption to achieve a fast, safe and effective removal of PFAS from blood in patients with high blood levels. METHODS: We developed an in vitro model of hemoadsorption to test the potential of PFAS removal by extracorporeal treatment. We recirculated a highly polluted batch of water (4 liters) through a sorbent cartridge (Jafron medical, Zuhai, China) for 120 minutes at a flow of 150 mL/min. We collected samples at different time points and analyzed 39 different PFAS compounds. RESULTS: For the PFAS compounds with concentrations significantly above normal, we observed a removal ratio close to 90% already within the first 60 minutes of circulation leading to almost complete elimination of all pollutants at 120 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro model of hemoadsorption suggests the possible application in vivo of this technique to reduce/normalize the concentrations of PFAS in patients exposed to water or environmental pollution.

[Preventing cardiovascular diseases through a screening modelling applicable to wide population groups: results from the first phase of the project]. / Prevenire le patologie cardiovascolari attraverso un modello di screening applicabile ad ampie fasce di popolazione: risultati della prima fase del progetto.

OBJECTIVE: evaluate, through active call, lifestyles of an asymptomatic population in order to identify hyperglycaemic subjects and/or high-blood pressure sufferers to dispatch to their GP to perform suitable checking, and subjects to invite to a cardiovascular disease prevention programme because of their lifestyles. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: between January 2009 and July 2012, all healthy residents in the Local Health Authority of Este (ULSS 17 Este) aged 45-59 years were invited to join a cardiovascular disease prevention programme. DESIGN: all participants were evaluated through an administered lifestyle questionnaire. Parameters such as blood pressure (BP), glycaemia, waist circumference and body mass index were collected and recorded. Participants also received counseling, informational materials on lifestyle and were invited to individual or group health promotion initiatives in relation to personal risk factors. RESULTS: among the invited, 55.5% (3,922/7,071) adhered. Women (58.8%) responded significantly better than men (51.9%) (p <0,01). Subjects without risks factors were 16.7%. Subjects with lifestyle risk factors but normal BP and glycaemia were 49.4%, while those adding altered values for BP and glycaemia were 25.2%. The 8.6% of the respondents were not eligible for the study. CONCLUSIONS: the preliminary results suggest that a preventive programme based on the citizens active call by the Department of Prevention could be an effective tool to identify asymptomatic individuals with unknown hypertension and/or hyperglycaemia and to offer lifestyle interventions to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.