Demonstration of Single-Barium-Ion Sensitivity for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging.

A new method to tag the barium daughter in the double-beta decay of ^{136}Xe is reported. Using the technique of single molecule fluorescent imaging (SMFI), individual barium dication (Ba^{++}) resolution at a transparent scanning surface is demonstrated. A single-step photobleach confirms the single ion interpretation. Individual ions are localized with superresolution (∼2 nm), and detected with a statistical significance of 12.9σ over backgrounds. This lays the foundation for a new and potentially background-free neutrinoless double-beta decay technology, based on SMFI coupled to high pressure xenon gas time projection chambers.

Prevalence and characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in food industry workers.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen spread not only in the hospital environment but also in the community and amongst livestock (LA-MRSA). LA-MRSA can be transmitted to humans that live in close contact with MRSA-colonized animals, and human colonization and/or infection has been reported worldwide, particularly among those involved with livestock farming. In this study the authors evaluated the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA among healthy carriers who worked in the food industry in Apulia, Southern Italy. METHODS: Nasal swabs were taken from pasta and pork industry workers. All swab samples were subjected to tests for the isolation, identification and typing of S. aureus and MRSA strains. The identification of the strains was confirmed by molecular assessment using multiplex-PCR for the amplification of the nuc and mecA genes. The strains identified as MRSA were then subjected to a PCR protocol for the characterization of sequence type ST398. RESULTS: In total 26.3% of examined nasal swabs were positive for S. aureus, 8.2% of them were methicillin resistant strains and 28.5% of MRSA isolates were characterized as ST398. The MRSA prevalence among pork factory workers was 3% , whereas among the pasta operators the prevalence was 11.5. CONCLUSION: The presence of S. aureus and MRSA among food workers represents a public health risk. Further, considering the dissemination of S. aureus and MRSA among non-nosocomial environments, including communities and livestock, careful surveillance and continuous monitoring of the emergence of MRSA is fundamental for safeguarding public health.

III Italian Consensus Conference on Malignant Mesothelioma of the Pleura. Epidemiology, Public Health and Occupational Medicine related issues.

The III Italian Consensus Conference on Pleural Mesothelioma (MM) convened on January 29th 2015. This report presents the conclusions of the 'Epidemiology, Public Health and Occupational Medicine' section. MM incidence in 2011 in Italy was 3.64 per 100,000 person/years in men and 1.32 in women. Incidence trends are starting to level off. Ten percent of cases are due to non-occupational exposure. Incidence among women is very high in Italy, because of both non-occupational and occupational exposure. The removal of asbestos in place is proceeding slowly, with remaining exposure. Recent literature confirms the causal role of chrysotile. Fibrous fluoro-edenite was classified as carcinogenic by IARC (Group 1) on the basis of MM data. A specific type (MWCNT-7) of Carbon Nanotubes was classified 2B. For pleural MM, after about 45 years since first exposure, the incidence trend slowed down; with more studies needed. Cumulative exposure is a proxy of the relevant exposure, but does not allow to distinguish if duration or intensity may possibly play a prominent role, neither to evaluate the temporal sequence of exposures. Studies showed that duration and intensity are independent determinants of MM. Blood related MM are less than 2.5%. The role of BAP1 germline mutations is limited to the BAP1 cancer syndrome, but negligible for sporadic cases. Correct MM diagnosis is baseline; guidelines agree on the importance of the tumor gross appearance and of the hematoxylin-eosin-based histology. Immunohistochemical markers contribute to diagnostic confirmation: the selection depends on morphology, location, and differential diagnosis. The WG suggested that 1) General Cancer Registries and ReNaM Regional Operational Centres (COR) interact and systematically compare MM cases; 2) ReNaM should report results presenting the diagnostic certainty codes and the diagnostic basis, separately; 3) General Cancer Registries and COR should interact with pathologists to assure the up-to-date methodology; 4) Necroscopy should be practiced for validation. Expert referral centres could contribute to the definition of uncertain cases. Health surveillance should aim to all asbestos effects. No diagnostic test is recommended for MM screening. Health surveillance should provide information on risks, medical perspective, and smoking cessation. The economic burden associated to MM was estimated in 250,000 Euro per case.

Effects of a school based intervention to promote healthy habits in children 8-11 years old, living in the lowland area of Bologna Local Health Unit.

BACKGROUND: A school based health promotion intervention was performed with the aim of increasing physical activity and improving the dietary habits of primary school pupils, using integrated educational strategies involving schools, families, public bodies, sports associations and public health operators. METHODS: The intervention concerned 11 classes during 3 school years from 2009-10 (231 third-year school children) to 2011-12 (234 fifth-year school children). Information was collected both before and after the intervention about the dietary habits and the physical activities practised by the children, using the questionnaires of the project !OKkio alla Salute! which were administered to both children and parents. At the same time anthropometric measurements were taken (height, weight, BMI) and motor skills were assessed using standardized tests: Sit & Reach, medicine-ball forward throw, standing long jump, 20 m running speed, and forward roll. At the end of the intervention 12 different expected outcomes were assessed (5 about dietary habits, 5 about motor habits, 1 about anthropometric characteristics, 1 about motor skills). RESULTS: At baseline, 35.8% of the children show excess weight (23.4% overweight; 12.4% obese); this percentage falls to 29.3% (25.3% overweight; 4% obese) after the intervention (p <0.05). The dietary habits improve from the pre- to the post-intervention: there is a rise in the percentage of children who receive an adequate mid-morning snack (p <0.0001), a fall in the percentage of children who consume snacks and drinks after the dinner (p <0.01), and an increase in the percentage of those who take five or more portions of fruits and vegetables daily. The motor habits do not improve in the same way, since there is the increasing tendency with age to skip from a regular daily practice of physical exercise to favour of the occasional practice of a sport. The motor performances, compared after normalization for modifications due to the process of growth, improve between the third and fifth years of primary school, but with no significant differences. To achieve this objective more focused measures are necessary in the administration of moderate to intense physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: The results point to a positive assessment of the intervention, thus highlighting the importance of planning integrated and multisectorial actions in school-based programmes to promote correct dietary and motor habits and for the control of body weight, also involving non scholastic areas.

Post-traumatic stress disorder among bank employee victims of robbery.

BACKGROUND: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the occupational context, especially following workplace robbery, is still under-investigated. AIMS: To evaluate PTSD incidence and risk factors among bank employee victims of robbery voluntarily joining an employer-sponsored post-robbery support programme. METHODS: The programme entailed a structured support interview with robbery victims within 15 days of the robbery and a follow-up psychological assessment 45 days after. A self-reported questionnaire on personal variables and robbery characteristics was administered to participants at the first support session (T1). Interviews on employees' psychophysical health and their opinion about the support programme were administered individually at follow-up (T2). The Impact of Event Scale (IES) was administered both at T1 and T2. RESULTS: There were 383 participants. At T2, 13% of subjects had an IES score >34, a cut-off suggestive of PTSD. In a multi-variate model, feelings of helplessness and terror during the robbery and the number of previous robberies were associated with a PTSD diagnosis. After including IES score at T1, other variables lost statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that PTSD is common among employee victims of workplace robbery. Our results also suggest the importance of subjective variables, such as personal perception of robbery severity and early emotional reaction, in identifying people at higher risk of developing PTSD.

[A case report: an university professor suffering from malignant mesothelioma]. / Un caso clinico: un professore universitario affetto da mesotelioma maligno.

During the activities of the Apulia Regional Operative Center (COR Puglia), pertaining to the National Registry of Mesothelioma (ReNaM), there was reported a case of malignant mesothelioma occurred in a male of 66 years old. The case we bring to the attention is about an university professor of chemistry who, since the early '70s, has conducted several studies on the physico-chemical properties of some metals, particulary in the field of thermochemical treatments of superficial hardening of steel for greater wear resistance, using a laboratory with ovens and asbestos-containing materials and consumables. In 2011, after almost 40 years, the subject comes to the attention of the Apulia Regional Operative Center, with histologic and immunohistochemical diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma, after completing the diagnostic procedure in a thoracic surgery ward, for the assessment and treatment of a right pleural effusion revealed during health checks.

[Asbestos and agriculture: new perspectives of risk]. / Amianto e agricoltura: nuove prospettive di rischio.

The presence of ophiolites in areas of Basilicata, where there have been reports of mesothelioma in farmers, is known. This study evaluates the increased risk of exposure to tremolite in carrying out agricultural activities. Cases of mesothelioma occurred in farmers with unknown exposure to asbestos have been selected and assessed the employment in areas contaminated by tremolite. Personal samplings were conducted in a group of farmers employed in these areas and a group of subjects used in activities that do not involve contact with the ground. For the 5% of cases of mesothelioma in the lucan register emerged exposure to asbestos exclusively in farming activities in areas at tremolite risk. The analysis of the samples showed the presence of personal fibers of tremolite in 2/3 of the cases. In 60% there was an overcoming of the natural limit of 2 ff/l, with a peak up to 23.6 ff/l. The study shows that the risk of exposure to tremolite in agriculture is significantly higher than natural exposure.

[Exposure to asbestos in buildings in areas of Basilicata characterized by the presence of rocks containing tremolite]. / Esposizione ad amianto in edilizia in aree della Basilicata caratterizzate dalla presenza di rocce contaminate da tremolite.

Lucania, in southern Italy, is characterized by areas with natural outcrops of rocks containing tremolite. The study aims to assess the risk of exposure to asbestos in the building workers in these areas through environmental sampling near sites for implementation of safety of roads built on serpentinite rocks and personal sampling in a group of persons who work in the building industry and a group of residents engaged in activities without contact with the ground. Near road sites was found the presence of airborne tremolite in 66% of environmental samples with peaks up to 31 ff/l. The analysis of personal samples showed the presence of tremolite in doses higher than the natural background in 100% of the building workers, while there were no fibers in the samples of residents employed in activities without soil disturbance. The study shows that the building in areas with naturally occurring asbestos determines a condition of significant occupational exposure to asbestos. Adequate safety measures for workers exposed are needed.

[Dermatopathies in fishmongers in the city of Bari]. / Dermopatie in addetti alla vendita di prodotti ittici nello città di Bari.

The marketing of fish products determines for the fishmongers contact with water, ice and use of sharp tools. This study evaluates the skin reactions after fish handling manipulation in a group of fishmongers. 60 questionnaires were administered for information on seniority, use of IPDs, training received, work injuries and general health. We have performed a physical examination of the fishmongers' hands. 98.3% of workers reported the use of IPDs. During the examination were found dyschromic lesions, freezing and foreign bodies, mainly in those who did not use gloves. The study shows the hands' skin condition in those fishmongers that did not use IPDs. This phenomenom requires formative and informative targeted interventions and stronger oversights.

[Assessment of comfort and health status of Call Center's workers]. / La valutazione del comfort e dello stato di salute in lavoratori di un Call Center.

BACKGROUND: Call Centers are workplaces in which there are a lot of occupational health hazards. METHODS: The aim of the study was to investigate Call Center operators' health status, using: "Ambiente/Salute" questionnaire, VHI questionnaire, health surveillance data analysis. RESULTS: "Negative" Microclimate rating: 68%; "negative" noise rating: 51%. "Negative" eye symptoms rating: 30%; "negative" postural disorders rating: 21%. "Negative" VHI value (over the limit of 30): 6%. CONCLUSIONS: It's necessary to develop and validate an appropriate health surveillance protocol

[Progress of PTSD symptoms following workplace robbery: gender and age differences in a sample of bank employees]. / Decorso della sintomatologia psichica post-traumatica conseguente a rapina sul lavoro: differenze di genere e di età in un campione di bancari esposti.

This study is aimed at assessing gender-and age-related differences in PTSD symptoms in bank employees exposed to robbery and subsequently involved in Psychological Debriefing (PD). The study included 49 females and 51 males (average age 40.9). Impact of Event Scale (IES) was administered before PD (T0) and after 45 days (T1); Post-traumatic Checklist (PCL) only at T1. The sample exhibited a significant decrease in IES score regardless of gender. Female employees obtained higher IES and PCL scores. No age differences were observed. Consistent with most studies, our results may be explained by a higher susceptibility in women.

Chemical characterization of exhaled breath to differentiate between patients with malignant plueral mesothelioma from subjects with similar professional asbestos exposure.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumour whose main aetiology is the long-term exposure to asbestos fibres. The diagnostic procedure of MPM is difficult and often requires invasive approaches; therefore, it is clinically important to find accurate markers for MPM by new noninvasive methods that may facilitate the diagnostic process and identify patients at an earlier stage. In the present study, the exhaled breath of 13 patients with histology-established diagnosis of MPM, 13 subjects with long-term certified professional exposure to asbestos (EXP) and 13 healthy subjects without exposure to asbestos (healthy controls, HC) were analysed. An analytical procedure to determine volatile organic compounds by sampling of air on a bed of solid sorbent and thermal desorption GC-MS analysis was developed in order to identify the compounds capable of discriminating among the three groups. The application of univariate (ANOVA) and multivariate statistical treatments (PCA, DFA and CP-ANN) showed that cyclopentane and cyclohexane were the dominant variables able to discriminate among the three groups. In particular, it was found that cyclohexane is the only compound able to differentiate the MPM group from the other two; therefore, it can be a possible marker of MPM. Cyclopentane is the dominant compound in the discrimination between EXP and the other groups (MPM and HC); then, it can be considered a good indicator for long-term asbestos exposure. This result suggests the need to perform frequent and thorough investigations on people exposed to asbestos in order to constantly monitor their state of health or possibly to study the evolution of disease over time.

Comparative genomic hybridisation in malignant deciduoid mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Malignant deciduoid mesothelioma is a rare variant of epithelioid mesothelioma. This tumour generally has poor prognosis, and can be asbestos related. AIM: To identify peculiar genetic changes responsible for critical phases in pathogenesis of malignant deciduoid mesothelioma and their prognostic relevance. METHODS: Comparative genomic hybridisation was carried out in six cases of malignant pleural deciduoid mesothelioma, four sporadic and two familial. All cases were found to be asbestos related. Four patients died during follow-up and the mean survival was 29.5 (SD 14.2, range 12-43) months. RESULTS: Genetic abnormalities were found in all the tumour tissues, the most frequent being chromosomal gains at 1p, 12q, 17, 8q, 19 and 20 and losses at 13q, 6q and 9p. Survival was found to be longer in those patients who presented a smaller number of losses (< or =2) in the tumorous chromosomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although numerous genetic changes are presented by deciduoid mesotheliomas, certain chromosomal regions are preferentially affected. The clinical outcome for this mesothelioma subtype is predicted by the number of losses.

[Could VDT use induce thoracic hyperkyphosis? Preliminary data]. / L'attività lavorativa al videoterminale può condizionare la comparsa di alterazioni cifotiche dorsali? Dati preliminari.

The association between sitting posture and degenerative alterations of intervertebral disks has been widely studied, while the possible relationship between sitting posture and thoracic hyperkyphosis has not been investigated sufficiently. The objective of this study, therefore, is to verify the possible association between video display terminal (VDT) use, which needs a sitting prolonged posture, and thoracic hyperkyphosis. 63 VDT workers and 71 telephone line maintenance workers (control group) have been examined. The two groups were different for the postural load required by the two jobs. A questionnaire about job and clinical history has been administered to workers included in the study. A complete orthopedical examination has been performed for all workers, while radiographic exams have been performed only in the cases requiring of further diagnostic investigations. The two groups have resulted homogenous for age, while were different for working age and body mass index (BMI). The frequency of subjects with rachialgia has resulted higher in VDT users than in maintenance workers. The prevalence of thoracic hyperkyphosis observed in VDT users has been higher than in maintenance workers, with a difference near to be statistically significant, and significantly associated with age in VDT users. The hyperkyphosis of the dorsolumbar tract have resulted significantly more frequent in VDT users than in maintenance workers (p<0.05). Preliminary results of this study suggest that fixed and prolonged sitting working posture would be able to determine thoracic hyperkyphosis, although constitutional factors and age could have a role in its determination. Preventive measures should be proposed for an adequate ergonomic training of VDT users.

Updated perspectives on emerging vibrios associated with human infections.

This review describes the ecological, clinical and epidemiological features of emerging vibrios and discusses what laboratory methods are being used for the detection of pathogenic vibrios in clinical, environmental and food samples. After selecting articles illustrative of the current scientific research on pathogenic vibrios, the review focuses on the need for better insight into the risk factors of emerging infections to establish adequate prevention procedures.

Detection of Bacillus species in selected meals from an apulian catering service.

The authors have started a microbiological survey of the meals given in a factory canteen in the town of Bari with the evaluation of food contamination from the bacteria of the genus Bacillus. In the examined meals, all the detected Bacillus species have the potential to cause food-borne illnesses, even if the relatively low bacterial counts are not dangerous for healthy consumers. The study underlines the need of guidelines to enstablish which levels of food contamination are significant potential risks to all community catering service users.

[The mesothelioma registry]. / Il registro mesoteliomi.

The National Mesothelioma Registry (RENAM) have as mains objectives: estimate of the incidence of malignant mesothelioma cases in Italy, collecting information on past exposure to asbestos, impact and spread of the disease among population, identification of unexpected or unknown sources of contamination and promotion of research on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. Some data of Puglia Regional Operating Centre are reported. Use of Renam as epidemiological surveillance system is underlined in respect to public health and scientific research.

[Check-list for inspection in banks]. / Check list per il sopralluogo nel comparto bancario.

We suggest a checklist for inspection in banks. The checklist is composed of 14 schedules where information on bank clerks and buildings is collected. Principle risk factors are analysed (workplaces, lighting and noise, air quality, emergency management). The critical points are observed and the times of intervention are established. Then follows data processing and the reports are transmitted to the employer. The checklist, tested on 250 workplaces, allows us to identify the interventions having priority to be realized through appropriate planning. A quantitative evaluation of the risk is matched with immediate and brief operative indications. The situations to improve are: cleanliness of workplaces, thermal comfort, electricity/telephone wires. The checklist seems to be a valid instrument for the evaluation of risk factors, their management and times of intervention. Such instrument simplifies, moreover, the employer choices of intervention.