RESUMEN
The olfactory nuisance, due to the emissions of active molecules, is mainly associated with unproperly managed waste disposal and animal farming. Volatile compounds e.g., aromatics, organic and inorganic sulfide compounds, as well as nitrogen and halogenated compounds are the major contributor to odor pollution generated by waste management plants; the most important source of atmospheric ammonia is produced by livestock farming. Although an odorous compound may represent a nuisance rather than a health risk, long-term exposure to a mixture of volatile compounds may represent a risk for different diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and neurologic damage. Workers and communities living close to odor-producing facilities result directly exposed to irritant air pollutants through inhalation and for this reason the cumulative health risk assessment is recommended. Health effects are related to the concentration and exposure duration to the odorants, as well as to their irritant potency and/or biotransformation in hazardous metabolites. The health effects of a single chemical are well known, while the interactions between molecules with different functional groups have still to be extensively studied. Odor emissions are often due to airborne pollutants at levels below the established toxicity thresholds. The relationship between odor and toxicity does not always occurs but depends on the specific kind of pollutant involved. Indeed, some toxic agents does not induce odor nuisance while untoxic agents do. Accordingly, the relationship between toxicity and odor nuisance should be always analyzed in detail evaluating on the characteristics of the airborne mixture and the type of the source involved.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Eliminación de Residuos , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/toxicidad , Odorantes/análisis , Percepción , Salud PúblicaRESUMEN
Frequency combs have become a prominent research area in optics. Of particular interest as integrated comb technology are chip-scale sources, such as semiconductor lasers and microresonators, which consist of resonators embedding a nonlinear medium either with or without population inversion. Such active and passive cavities were so far treated distinctly. Here we propose a formal unification by introducing a general equation that describes both types of cavities. The equation also captures the physics of a hybrid device-a semiconductor ring laser with an external optical drive-in which we show the existence of temporal solitons, previously identified only in microresonators, thanks to symmetry breaking and self-localization phenomena typical of spatially extended dissipative systems.
RESUMEN
We use light from a visible laser diode to directly tune silicon-on-chip microresonators by thermo-optical effect. We show that this direct tuning is local, non invasive and has a much smaller time constant than global temperature tuning methods. Such an approach could prove to be highly effective for Kerr comb generation in microresonators pumped by quantum cascade lasers, which cannot be easily tuned to achieve comb generation and soliton-mode locked states.
RESUMEN
This study evaluates effects of good burning practice and correct installation and management of wood heaters on indoor air pollution in an Italian rural area. The same study attests the role of education in mitigating wood smoke pollution. In August 2007 and winters of 2007 and 2008, in a little mountain village of Liguria Apennines (Italy), indoor and outdoor benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) concentrations were measured in nine wood-heated houses. During the first sampling, several mistakes in heating plant installations and management were found in all houses. Indoor BTEX concentrations increased during use of wood burning. Low toluene/benzene ratios were in agreement with wood smoke as main indoor and outdoor pollution source. Other BTEX sources were identified as the indoor use ofsolvents andpaints and incense burning. Results obtained during 2007 were presented and discussed with homeowners. Following this preventive intervention, in the second winter sampling all indoor BTEX concentrations decreased, in spite of the colder outdoor air temperatures. Information provided to families has induced the adoption of effective good practices in stoves and fire management. These results highlight the importance ofeducation, supported by reliable data on air pollution, as an effective method to reduce wood smoke exposures.
Asunto(s)
Contaminación del Aire Interior/prevención & control , Incendios , Madera , Recolección de Datos , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Vivienda , Italia , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
A decreased tolerance to carbohydrates has been reported in several studies of liver diseases, whereas only a few investigations have been performed in chronic noncirrhotic alcoholic patients with and without alcohol abstinence. The aim of this study was to evaluate in detail the metabolic portrait of six noncirrhotic alcoholics during the early phase of alcohol withdrawal by quantifying the main processes involved in glucose disappearance. Data from frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance tests (FSIGTs) were analyzed by means of the minimal model (MINMOD) approach, which provided measurements of the (prehepatic) beta-cell secretion and of insulin degradation in the liver, along with indexes of insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness. Plasma insulin levels were lower in the patients (basal, 3.5 +/- 0.2 v 8.0 +/- 1.8 in matching controls, P < .05; area under the curve, 1.41 +/- 0.07 mU/mL in 240 minutes v 4.06 +/- 0.37, P < .001), and C-peptide concentrations were higher (basal, 107 +/- 3.5 v 36 +/- 9 ng/dL in controls, P < .05; area under the curve, 492 +/- 118 ng/mL in 240 minutes v 245 +/- 66, P = .05). The model analysis confirmed the absence of a decrease beta-cell release; in fact, in the alcoholics there was a basal secretion of 19 +/- 5 versus 9 +/- 2 pmol/L/min in controls (P < .05) and a total release of 9.5 +/- 1.8 nmol/L in 240 minutes versus 6.5 +/- 1.4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Asunto(s)
Alcoholismo/fisiopatología , Etanol/efectos adversos , Insulina/análisis , Islotes Pancreáticos/citología , Islotes Pancreáticos/fisiología , Hígado/química , Síndrome de Abstinencia a Sustancias , Adulto , Anciano , Alcoholismo/sangre , Biopsia , Glucemia/análisis , Péptido C/sangre , Femenino , Prueba de Tolerancia a la Glucosa , Humanos , Insulina/sangre , Insulina/metabolismo , Hígado/metabolismo , Hígado/patología , Masculino , Matemática , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos Biológicos , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
The changes in plasma and dialysate amino acids (AA) in 7 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) children after dialysis with a 1% AA solution were compared with a glucose-containing solution. During the AA-exchange, the plasma levels of individual AA reached their peaks after 1 h, with their percentage increments significantly correlated (p less than 0.001) with the ratio of the amount of AA in the bag to the basal plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of methionine, valine, phenylalanine, and isoleucine remained higher than the basal value at 4 h. The amount of AA absorbed was 66% after 1 h, and 86% after 4 h and 6 h, corresponding to 2574 +/- 253 mumol/kg body wt. During glucose-dialysis (1.36%), levels of histidine, methionine, valine, phenylalanine, and isoleucine were significantly decreased in plasma after 1 h, and stayed low throughout the dialysis period. The loss of AA with the peritoneal effluent was 116 +/- 69 mumol/kg/body wt. From this study, it seems that using an AA dialysis solution, with 1 exchange per day, might limit the daily glucose load and compensate for AA losses by supplying an extra amount of AA and by reducing the loss of other AA not contained in dialysis solutions. The AA pattern in plasma following AA-dialysis resembles that observed after a protein meal, with no signs of persistently high, nonphysiological levels.
Asunto(s)
Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Soluciones para Diálisis/metabolismo , Fallo Renal Crónico/metabolismo , Diálisis Peritoneal Ambulatoria Continua , Adolescente , Aminoácidos/sangre , Niño , Preescolar , Femenino , Glucosa/metabolismo , Humanos , Fallo Renal Crónico/terapia , MasculinoRESUMEN
During 1999, a biological monitoring study was conducted at four sites along the Ligurian coast (Cornigliano, Voltri, Vado Ligure and Sanremo). At each site the concentration and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were investigated in native and caged mussels. The mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), sampled in the Spring and the Autumn, showed different accumulation patterns according to the source of pollution they were exposed to. The PAH concentrations were higher in the native than in the caged mussels. The coastal sites were classified according to PAH concentrations found in mussel tissue samples: Native mussels: Vado Ligure < Voltri < San-remo < = Cornigliano, Caged mussels: Vado Ligure = Voltri = San-remo << Cornigliano. The different classification is explained by the different location of the organisms: native mussels were located near the air-water interface, while caged mussels were situated at -3 m from the water surface. The PAH concentrations in the native and caged mussels showed a similar seasonal variability, and can provide the same information about the sources of PAHs.
Asunto(s)
Bivalvos/química , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Animales , Acuicultura , Bivalvos/metabolismo , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Italia , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/farmacocinética , Estaciones del Año , Distribución Tisular , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/farmacocinéticaRESUMEN
Accidental peripheral occlusion occurred during the course of precutaneous embolization with NBC in two patients. The authors propose some modifications in the technique employed in order to avoid these dangerous incidents.
Asunto(s)
Embolización Terapéutica/efectos adversos , Infarto/etiología , Anciano , Enbucrilato , Hemorragia/terapia , Humanos , Riñón/irrigación sanguínea , Neoplasias Renales/complicaciones , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Arteria Renal , Neoplasias de la Vejiga Urinaria/complicacionesAsunto(s)
Compuestos de Alumbre/administración & dosificación , Aluminio/administración & dosificación , Hemorragia/tratamiento farmacológico , Enfermedades de la Vejiga Urinaria/tratamiento farmacológico , Administración Intravesical , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadAsunto(s)
Sistema Nervioso Autónomo , Neuropatías Diabéticas/complicaciones , Enfermedades Cardiovasculares/etiología , Neuropatías Diabéticas/tratamiento farmacológico , Neuropatías Diabéticas/fisiopatología , Femenino , Enfermedades Gastrointestinales/etiología , Enfermedades de los Genitales Masculinos/etiología , Humanos , Hiperhidrosis/etiología , Masculino , Enfermedades Urológicas/etiologíaAsunto(s)
Enfermedades Metabólicas , Errores Innatos del Metabolismo de los Aminoácidos , Aminoácidos/metabolismo , Butiratos/metabolismo , Humanos , Enfermedad de la Orina de Jarabe de Arce , Enfermedades Metabólicas/dietoterapia , Enfermedades Metabólicas/tratamiento farmacológico , Ácido Metilmalónico/metabolismo , Propionatos/metabolismo , Aminoacidurias Renales , Valeratos/metabolismoAsunto(s)
Enfermedades Profesionales , Soldadura , Zinc/envenenamiento , Adulto , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Riesgo , Zinc/sangreRESUMEN
The authors describe a method that utilizes paper chromatography for the separation and identification of urinary carbohydrates, especially the Aldoses. Using 5 ml. of urinary extract, it is possible to separate Lactose, Maltose, Galactose, Glucose, Fructose, Mannose + Arabinose, Xilose + Ribose, Glucuronolactone and other unidentified compounds.
Asunto(s)
Carbohidratos/orina , Cromatografía en Papel , Aldehídos/orina , Carbohidratos/análisis , HumanosRESUMEN
The effect of sodium salicylate perfused at constant rate for 30 minutes on Glucose-3-H3 kinetics has been studied in anestethyzed normal Wistar rats, controlling blood glucose levels, Ra and Rd. While blood glucose levels and Rd were not affected, the Ra values were influenced between the 20th and the 30th minute of salicylate perfusion.
Asunto(s)
Glucosa/metabolismo , Salicilato de Sodio/farmacología , Animales , Glucemia/biosíntesis , Masculino , RatasRESUMEN
A separation of liver carbohydrates was carried by means of paper chromatography on deproteinized ethanolic extracts of frozen livers. The carbohydrates most frequently observed were Ribose, Xylose, Fructose, Glucose, Maltose, Maltotriose, Maltotetrose; isomaltose was found less frequently.
Asunto(s)
Carbohidratos/análisis , Hígado/análisis , Animales , Cromatografía en Papel , Masculino , RatasRESUMEN
The authors have examined the action of cyclic Somatostatin on blood glucose levels in normal rats and in rats starved for 36 and 50 hours. The infusion of 0,235 gamma/min. of Somatostatin for thirty minutes in the normals induced a slight increase in blood glucose levels that was statistically non significative. Under the same condition, the cyclic Somatostatin increased, in a statistically significant way, the levels of plasma glucose in both starved groups of rats.
Asunto(s)
Ayuno/efectos adversos , Hipoglucemia/tratamiento farmacológico , Somatostatina/farmacología , Animales , Hipoglucemia/etiología , Masculino , RatasRESUMEN
The authors examined the activity of the cyclic Somatostatin on Ethanol hypoglycemia. While the peptide is capable of increasing the plasma glucose levels of hypoglicemia starved rats, it does not increase the levels of plasma glucose in normal rats under the action of ethanol perfusion.