Evaluation by environmental monitoring of pesticide absorption in farm workers of 18 Italian tomato cultivations.

Tomato cultivation farms of Southern Italy were investigated in order to evaluate the general working conditions and the levels of exposure of farm workers to pesticides, during the mixing/loading and the application of pesticides on fields. Information on working modalities, personal protective equipment, etc. was collected using a questionnaire. Inhaling and cutaneous exposure levels were measured, and the estimated pesticide total absorbed dose was compared with Admissible Daily Intakes (ADIs). Field treatments were mainly carried out by using sprayers with open cab tractors, and, in 57.9 percent of cases, the pesticide mixture was manually prepared by mixing pesticides in a pail, often without using gloves (59.5 percent). The estimated pesticides absorbed doses varied in the range 0.56-2630.31 mg (mean value, 46.9 mg), and 20 percent of the measured absorbed doses exceeded ADIs. The findings obtained in the 18 examined farms show a worrying situation, suggesting the investigation of many more farms, so that a statistically significant picture of tomato cultivations in Southern Italy could be formed. Besides, the planning of training courses aimed to increase workers consciousness about health risks and how they can be prevented is advisable.

[Managment of tuberculosis in an University of Campania]. / La gestione di casi di tubercolosi in un'Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Campana.

Tuberculosis (TBC) is an infectious disease with the highest mortality and morbidity by single pathogen, affecting about one third of worldwide population. Although Mantoux test is the most used, IGRA (Interferon-gamma Release Assays) tests seem to give good results for presumptive diagnosis of active or latent tuberculosis. From June 2011 to June 2012 we made about 1,000 visits for TBC prevention among the exposed to biological risks of our University. The management of suspected latent or active tuberculosis infection was carried out in collaboration with the pulmonologist, assessing the risk of contagion among exposed or affected operators. Health surveillance protocol and judgements of suitability for specific task were made not only in consideration of worker health, but also considerating the possible risk for patients, since this disease is a major problem for public health.

[Functional changes in human peripheral neutrophils in workers with different exposure to noxious agents]. / Valutazione delle modifiche funzionali dei neutrofili in lavoratori esposti a xenobiotici.

Free radicals have a role in interaction between occupational exposure to multiple agents and biological systems; peripheral neutrophils (PMNs) are a source of free radicals and other reactive oxygen species. PMN's activity was evaluated by chemiluminescence assays referring to different noxious agents exposure levels. Two office workers groups were recruited: first one was exposed to several agents, control group was composed by lower exposure workers. Intra and extracellular chemiluminescence evaluation was performed to obtain radical species information. Stimulated PMNs from exposed subjects respond to the stimuli less than unexposed, and can be suggested as chronic exposure markers to noxious agents.

Peritoneal mesothelioma: description of a case and review of literature.

It is universally recognized by the scientific community that asbestos, widely used in the past in many industrial sectors, is responsible for the onset of certain diseases of pleural and peritoneal serous membranes; in particular, Peritoneal Mesothelioma (PM) is an exceptional case, extremely rare malignancy of the abdominal cavity. In this work we describe a 62 years-old man, formerly exposed to asbestos, complains of dyspepsia associated with pain, abdominal swelling and mild difficulty during inspiration. After intraoperative biopsy of three masses found in abdomen, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma was diagnosed. The patient subsequently was subjected to cycles of chemotherapy and multiple palliative paracentesis, the patient died after about 12 months from diagnosis.

[Matrix metalloproteinases: new effect biomarkers in the occupational exposure of toxic agents]. / Le metalloproteasi: nuovi biomarkers di effetto nell'esposizione professionale ad agenti tossici.

Matrix metalloproteinases belong to a growing family of proteases controlled by specific tissue inhibitors, involved in tissutal flogosis, wound healing, cancer invasion and metastasis. We developed an in vitro model to screen for potential toxic compounds in professional exposure. Human keratinocytes (HaCat) were used as target cells while matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) were selected as responders, developing and in vitro model of allergic dermatitis. The chemical agents: potassium dichromate and nickel sulphate as positive teste, because represent the main etiological agents of allergic dermatitis. Nickel contact at very low concentrations (10(-5), 10(-6) M) induced upregulation of MMP-2 and IL-8 mRNA production; chromium contact at very low concentrations killed all cells. Actually, our in vitro research is based on analysis of cytotoxic effects of xenobiotics on human lung fibroblasts; simultaneously we verified serum increasing in vivo of MMP-9, determinated in workers serum, exposed to anesthetic gas (fluorane). In only six exposed workers we observed MMP9 increasing over than normal range. Actually, we are continuing our research on a more representative sample.

[The MMPI-2 test in the evaluation of the mobbing syndrome]. / Il test MMPI-2 nella valutazione della sindrome da mobbing.

MMPI-2 test is widely used in psychodiagnostic evaluation as well as in the evaluation of psychic pathologies related to psychosocial adversative events in working activities. A more efficacious use of MMPI-2 test in the working context can be achieved by the individuation of indexes able to facilitate the evaluation of mobbing syndrome. This work is based on the analysis of 150 cases (39.7% women and 60.7% men, 30 to 60 years of age), evaluated through an accurate examination of working history and a series of clinic conversations, followed by psychodiagnostic evaluation. The average of T-scores on the clinical scale, the content scale, the PK addition scale and the validation scale were calculated from tests. Pathologic high T-scores on the scales Hs, D. Hy e Pa were found in subjects having positive mobbing anamnesis. These results strongly indicate the presence of clinical specificities in workers exposed to working harassments, and that these specificities can be efficaciously evidenced by the MMPI-2 test.

Effects of antiretroviral therapy on immunity in patients infected with HIV.

Drug therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is highly effective in suppressing viral replication and restoring immune function in patients with HIV. However, this same treatment can also be associated with immunotoxicity. For example, zidovudine and various other antiretroviral agents are capable of causing bone marrow suppression. Agents used to treat opportunistic infections in these individuals, including ganciclovir, foscarnet, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, can cause additional hematotoxicity. Drug-drug interactions must also be considered and managed in order to control iatrogenic causes of immunotoxicity. In this review, we examine the normal immune response to HIV, and the benefits of antiretroviral therapy in prolonging immune function. We then discuss immune-related adverse effects of drugs used to treat HIV and the opportunistic infections that are common among these patients. Finally, we address in vitro, animal, and clinical evidence of toxicity associated with various combination use of these agents.

Polymyxin B sulfate and colistin: old antibiotics for emerging multiresistant gram-negative bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Polymyxin B sulfate and colistin, also known as colistimethate, have not been used for many years because less toxic antimicrobials are available. Gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to the aminoglycosides, beta-lactams, and fluoroquinolones are becoming more common. These bacteria are often susceptible to the polymyxins. OBJECTIVE: To present a review of the chemistry, antibacterial spectrum, dosing, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and indications for polymyxin B sulfate and colistin. DATA SOURCE: A MEDLINE search (1966-1998) of the English-language literature was performed to identify primary literature on the polymyxins. Older citations ( 1949-1965) were identified through the bibliographies of these articles. STUDY SELECTION: All available reports of in vitro antibacterial activity, animal and clinical trials, and case reports were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: The polymyxins are amphipathic molecules that interact with lipopolysaccharide in the bacterial outer membrane. They have potent antiendotoxic properties and antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and many of the Enterobacteriaceae. Polymyxin B and colistin are usually given at a dose of 1.5-2.5 and 5 mg/kg/d, respectively, in two divided doses. Dosing must be altered in renal failure since the kidney is the primary route of elimination. Distribution into pleural fluid, joints, and cerebrospinal fluid is poor. Toxic effects involve the kidney and central nervous system. The polymyxins are recommended for serious systemic infections caused by gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to other agents. CONCLUSIONS: Polymyxin B sulfate and colistin have a role in the therapy of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections.