ABSTRACT
Species identification represents a critical issue in food chain safety and quality control. Several procedures are available to detect animal proteins in cattle feed or to trace transgenic foods. The most effective approach is based on the use of DNA as a marker. Amplification of DNA provides rapid, sensitive and specific protocols. Several target genes can be used, but new insights come from the mitochondrial genome, which is naturally amplified in each cell and shows a remarkable resistance to degradation. These are key points when analysing complex matrices such as foods, animal feedstuff or environmental samples. Traceability is important to prevent BSE or to monitor novel foods, such as genetically modified organisms. Amplification is commonly performed, but it requires expertise and a molecular biology laboratory to perform restriction analysis, electrophoresis or gel staining for the visualisation of results. Hereby, we consider a strategy based on multiple nested amplification and reverse hybridisation assay that virtually requires only a thermocycler and a water bath. The protocol is rapid and simple and can simultaneously detect different species in a DNA sample. This promising approach allows microarray developments, opening up to further perspectives. An international application has been published under the patent cooperation treaty. Presently, a ban on feeding ruminants on cattle-derived proteins is in force in Europe and USA. The identification of metazoan traces in a sample is not only a mere preventive measure for BSE, but represents a possible screening system for monitoring biotechnology products and procedures, as well as a quality control strategy to assure consumer's rights.
Subject(s)
DNA, Mitochondrial/analysis , Food Analysis/methods , Public Health/methods , Animals , Cattle , Chickens , Consumer Product Safety/standards , DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics , Humans , Public Health/standards , Quality Control , Sheep , SwineABSTRACT
The relationships between blood value of Pb and activity of Ala-dehydrase erythrocyte enzyme were studied in relation to the following variables: age, activity, residence, smoking habits, drinking habits. 200 adults, subdividable into occupationally exposed were examined. The data obtained showed a relationship between smoking and Aladehydrase; a relationship was also found to exist between alcohol and blood Pb and inhibition of Ala-dehydrase activity.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Erythrocytes/enzymology , Hydro-Lyases/blood , Lead/blood , Occupational Medicine , Porphobilinogen Synthase/blood , Smoking , Adult , Humans , Lead Poisoning/blood , Lead Poisoning/enzymology , Metallurgy , Smoking/complicationsABSTRACT
Blood carbon monoxide concentration levels in two groups of subjects to a different degree of exposure are examined in the light of the subjects declared smoking habits and serum thiocyanate levels. The latter parameter proved an effective pointer to individual exposure to CO due to tobacco combustion. Assessment of the results showed that it could be proposed as an indicative and discriminating test of habitual exposure to CO, so as to enable expired CO and HbCO values to be interpreted in occupationally exposed subjects.
Subject(s)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/diagnosis , Carbon Monoxide/blood , Thiocyanates/blood , Carboxyhemoglobin/analysis , Environmental Exposure , Humans , Smoking/complicationsSubject(s)
Air Pollutants , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning/physiopathology , Carbon Monoxide , Air Pollutants/adverse effects , Air Pollutants, Occupational/adverse effects , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Cardiac Output/drug effects , Environmental Exposure , Humans , Oxygen Consumption/drug effects , Respiration/drug effects , Smoking , Vehicle Emissions/adverse effects , Venous Pressure/drug effectsSubject(s)
Environmental Pollutants/analysis , Lead/analysis , Air Pollution/analysis , Edetic Acid/therapeutic use , Food Contamination/analysis , Humans , Italy , Lead/metabolism , Lead Poisoning/drug therapy , Lead Poisoning/metabolism , Soil Pollutants/analysis , Vehicle Emissions/analysis , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysisSubject(s)
Dental Technicians , Dentists , Hepatitis B/epidemiology , Students, Dental , Hepatitis B/immunology , Hepatitis B Antigens/analysis , Humans , Italy , Longitudinal Studies , RiskSubject(s)
Air Conditioning , Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis , Adult , Air Microbiology , Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects , Air Pollution, Indoor/statistics & numerical data , Bacteria/isolation & purification , Environmental Health/statistics & numerical data , Female , Fungi/isolation & purification , Humans , Male , Microclimate , Middle Aged , RomeSubject(s)
Geriatrics , Hospitalization , Hospitals, General , Aged , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Long-term investigation of the mechanisms involved in the uptake of lead and its effect on the body is referred to. The relation between smoking, drinking and some blood parameters and blood lead and Ala-dehydrase is examined. A close connection between blood lead and alcohol, but not smoking, was noted, whereas both variables led to marked inhibition of Aladehydrase. A model for the relation between alcohol and blood lead was sought. There was a significant relation between Ala-dehydrase activity and the red cell count; this was corroborated by further statistical analysis and observation of increased globular values.
Subject(s)
Alcohol Drinking , Lead/blood , Smoking , Bone and Bones/metabolism , Brain/metabolism , Hair/metabolism , Humans , Italy , Kidney/metabolism , Lead/metabolism , Protein BindingABSTRACT
The problems raised by ambient lead are examined with reference to its uptake, absorption and metabolism in man, animal metabolism and toxicology, sub-clinical effects, and health aspects. The existing research picture of this very complex field is surveyed.
Subject(s)
Environmental Pollution/analysis , Lead/analysis , Animals , Environmental Exposure , Environmental Health , Environmental Pollutants/analysis , Haplorhini , Humans , Italy , Lead/metabolism , Lead Poisoning/prevention & control , Seasons , Soil Pollutants/analysis , United StatesABSTRACT
Blood lead levels have been analysed in a group of people resident in Turin in relation to different concentrations of lead in the atmosphere. Blood samples were taken in three periods of the year corresponding to seasonal maximums of pollution. Blood lead levels showed a marked decrease in the summer when the lowest concentrations are observed but the following autum sample did not show an increase. It is therefore considered likely that blood values would have been found to be increased if the final sample had been put off by 1-2 months.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants/analysis , Lead Poisoning/epidemiology , Lead/blood , Air Pollutants/poisoning , Carbon Monoxide/analysis , Environmental Exposure , Humans , Italy , Lead/analysis , Lead Poisoning/blood , Maximum Allowable Concentration , Seasons , Sulfur Dioxide/analysis , Vehicle EmissionsABSTRACT
The problem of carbon monoxide as a pollutant is examined. Its physico-chemical features are considered along with the sources of pollution (natural and technological), the characteristics of the pollutant in the environment and, particularly, the effects of car and industrial emissions and of cigarette smoke on the human organism.
Subject(s)
Air Pollutants/analysis , Carbon Monoxide/analysis , Hemodynamics/drug effects , Oxygen Consumption/drug effects , Respiration/drug effects , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Air Pollutants/blood , Carbon Monoxide/blood , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning , Child , Humans , Italy , Middle Aged , Oxygen/blood , Smoking/complications , Smoking/epidemiology , Time Factors , Urban Population , Vehicle EmissionsABSTRACT
The sensitivity of 44 coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus strains to antibiotics has been determined. They have been isolated from in-patients and staff in a piedmontese hospital. It has been possible to obtain the phage typing of 26 of these strains: 4 have been attributed to group I, 3 to group II, 13 to group III and 6 to the "miscellanea". Some correlations have been established considering the data obtained by the laboratory and through epidemiologic research.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection/microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Staphylococcus Phages , Staphylococcus aureus/classification , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacteriophage Typing , Drug Resistance, Microbial , Humans , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effectsABSTRACT
The AA. evaluated the sensitivity to Fosfomycin and to other commonly used antibiotics of 105 bacterial strains isolated from hospital environment and 195 from pathological materials. They also studied the problem of bacterial resistence to Fosfomycin considering the frequency of "inner colonies" and of bacterial cross-resistance to other antibiotics.