Soil radon monitoring in the NE flank of Mt. Etna (Sicily).

Soil radon has been monitored at a fixed location on the northeastern flank of Mt. Etna, a high-risk volcano in Sicily. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the recent volcanic activity on soil radon concentration. Continuous radon measurements have been performed since July 2001. While comparison between the trend in in-soil radon concentration and the acquired meteorological series (temperature, humidity and pressure) appear to confirm a general seasonal correlation, nevertheless particular anomalies suggest a possible dependence of the radon concentration on volcanic dynamics.     

Thrombectomy with the transluminal endarterectomy catheter (TEC) system: experimental study and case report.

The transluminal endarterectomy catheter (TEC) system was employed as a percutaneous rotational mechanical thrombectomy device in 1-week-old thrombi in five dogs (five thrombosed polytetrafluoroethylene grafts and four thrombosed native superficial femoral arteries). Luminal patency was restored in all vessels with no angiographic evidence of significant distal embolization. The TEC catheter was also successfully used for recanalization of the superior vena cava in a patient with superior vena cava syndrome.     

The transport mechanisms of (222)Rn in soil at Tateishi as an anomaly spot in Japan.

The (222)Rn concentration profiles in soil have been measured at an anomaly spot in Tateishi, Japan. In winter, the concentrations were low and showed a negative gradient with depth, but in other seasons, the concentration had both positive and negative gradients with depth, and dramatically changed by time. On the assumption that there was ventilation in deep layers and with driving forces of wind and temperatures, these phenomena were successfully explained. This finding would contribute to a numerical model for (222)Rn transport in soil.     

Comparison between the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Category Ratio Scale (CR-10) for the evaluation of leg exertion.

Perceptual ratings given on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Category Ratio Scale (CR-10) were compared in 24 healthy male volunteers (18-39 years) subjected to an exercise test using a bicycle ergometer. Ratings of leg exertion were made by means of the CR-10, the VAS and, as a complementary measure, the method of free magnitude estimation (ME). Blood lactate levels (BL) and heart rates (HR) were used as correlates to sensory perception. The correlation between the CR-10 ratings and BL at 180 W were .59 (p less than .01), and between VAS ratings and BL .45 (p less than .05). The corresponding correlations with HR were .64 (p less than 0.01) and .58 (p less than 0.01), respectively. No significant correlation was found for ME. It was concluded that both the CR-10 and the VAS scales were found to be useful for the psychophysical estimation of perceptual intensities. The CR-10 scale appeared to be slightly more efficient than the VAS and both these methods much better than ME. The advantage of the CR-10 scale might be due to a greater ability to discriminate at high intensity levels.     

Leishmaniasis in Sicily (Italy): an investigation of the distribution and prevalence of phlebotomine sandflies in Catania Province

Catania province, Sicily, is an important foci for human visceral leishmaniasis. Current data indicate an annual average incidence of 10 registered cases per year during the past 3 years. Of registered cases, more than 20% were among individuals who were also human immunodeficiency virus positive. Since the 1930s, no vector studies have been performed in this area. From May through November 1997, sandflies were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention light traps and a sticky-trap method. Collecting sites were chosen throughout Catania and represent the diversity of the region (rural, semiurban, and sylvan areas). Meteorological data were recorded during the survey. The most common species, of 2,775 specimens collected and identified, was Phlebotomus perniciosus (23.3%), followed by Phlebotomus perfiliewi (1.1%) and Phlebotomus neglectus (0.2%); one specimen of Phlebotomus papatasi was found at the site. Sergentomyia minuta (72.4%) was found at all sampling sites. None of 137 sandfly females, which were caught at the Brucoli and Sigonella stations and dissected for natural transmission study, contained parasites.     

Fatal work-related injuries in the Genoa district (North-Western Italy): Forensic analysis of the 10-year period between 2011 and 2020

According to the ILO (International Labor Organization), an occupational accident is that which occurs in the course of work and results in either a fatal or non-fatal injury. Occupational-related deaths are increasingly a concerning issue, also worldwide, with severe social repercussions: it is clear that when a person loses their life, it has a permanent impact on all their family, as well as incurring direct and indirect costs for employers, workers and the community at large. The aim of the present retrospective-observational study is to investigate, from an autoptic and forensic point of view, the characteristics of occupational-related deaths of victims received between the 10-year period of 2011–2020 by the Municipal Morgue of Genoa, which forms part of the Institute of Forensic and Legal Medicine, for the purpose of providing a Forensic and Coroner's overview of this important phenomenon. The study comprises of a list of 47 people who died as a result of an occupational injury: 46 males and 1 female. It was observed that workers in the construction and steel manufacturing industries were in the category most at risk of fatal accidents (40.5%). In 41 cases (87.2%), death was related to major mechanical trauma, from falling from a height (42.5%) objects falling directly onto the victim (38.3%) and lastly, from pedestrian road accidents (6.4%). Fatal head traumas with endocranial haemorrhage accounted for deaths in 23 of all the cases studied (63.4%). As shown in our study, death in the workplace is still today having to be considered as an important social issue and it is still necessary to improve the workers' knowledge of the related hazards and risks involved at work, together with preventative procedures. An in-depth analysis of such risks in the workplace, as well as the monitoring and training of workers is fundamental if we are to achieve an overall improvement in working conditions.     

The relationship between the BOLD-induced T(2) and T(2)(*): a theoretical approach for the vasculature of myocardium.

Recently the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD)-related T(2)* of myocardium was derived as an analytical function of intracapillary blood volume, blood oxygenation, and nuclear spin diffusion. The basis of this approach was to approximate the diffusion-induced field fluctuations a nuclear spin is subjected to by strong collision dynamics, i.e., the field fluctuations are uncorrelated. The same analysis is now performed for spin echo experiments that gives myocardial T(2) as a function of the parameters above and the echotime. An analytical relationship between T(2) and T(2)* relaxation is derived. The dependence of T(2) on diffusion, echo time, and blood oxygenation is congruent with simulation and experimental data. Magn Reson Med 42:1004-1010, 1999.     

Desferrioxamine as an appropriate chelator for 90Nb: Comparison of its complexation properties for M-Df-Octreotide (M = Nb,Fe, Ga,Zr)

The niobium-90 radioisotope (90Nb) holds considerable promise for use in immuno-PET, due to its decay parameters (t½ = 14.6 h, positron yield = 53%, Eß+mean = 0.35 MeV and Eß+max = 1.5 MeV). In particular, 90Nb appears well suited to detect in vivo the pharmacokinetics of large targeting vectors (50–150 kDa). In order to be useful for immuno-PET chelators are required to both stabilize the radionuclide in terms of coordination chemistry and to facilitate the covalent attachment to the targeting vector. Different chelators were evaluated for this purpose in terms of radiolabelling efficiency and stability of the radiolabelled Nb(V) complex and in order to determine the most suitable candidate for conjugation to a biologically relevant targeting vector. For the purpose of studying the complexation properties the niobium radioisotope 95Nb was used as an analogue of 90Nb, by virtue of its longer half-life (35 days) and lower cost (reactor-based production). Acyclic and cyclic chelators were investigated, with desferroxamine [Df: (N'-{5-[acetyl(hydroxy)amino]pentyl}-N-[5-({4-[(5-aminopentyl) (hydroxy)amino]-4-oxobutanoyl} amino)pentyl]-N-hydroxysuccinamide)] emerging as the best candidate. Greater than 99% radiolabelling was achieved at room temperature over a wide pH range. The 95Nb-Df complex is sufficiently stable for immuno-PET (< 7% degradation over 7 days in vitro). As a proof-of-principle, a Df conjugate featuring a well-established targeting vector, (D)-Phe1-octreotide, was evaluated. The fast labelling kinetics of the unconjugated chelator (Df) were retained for Df-succinyl-(D)Phe1-octreotide (Df-OC), with > 90% labelling after 1 h at room temperature over the pH range 5–7. Stability studies, performed in vitro in serum at physiological temperature (37 °C), revealed that 87 ± 2% of the radiolabelled molecule remained intact after 7 days. Competition studies with relevant metal ions (zirconium(IV), gallium(III) and iron(III)) have been performed with Df-OC to gain insight to the relative stability [Nb-Df]-OC complex to transmetallation. At equimolar metal ion concentrations the [Nb-Df]-OC complex showed the greatest overall stability. The favourable radiolabelling characteristics of Df-OC and its stability indicate that Df is a potentially very useful chelator for the development of radiopharmaceuticals for 90Nb-PET.     

Determination of the vertical distribution of radioelements (K, U, Th, Cs) in soils from portable HP-Ge spectrometer measurements: a tool for soil erosion studies.

Soil erosion studies, based on the 137Cs technique, require a lot of time-consuming cores to determine soil loss or gain. We show that portable HP-Ge spectrometer can be used to determine the content and the distribution in the soil of natural and artificial radionuclides. Simulations of gamma-rays transport throughout the soil profile used a Monte Carlo code. The methodology requires a unique undisturbed coring site to build the models, calibrate the spectrometer readings and derive soil denudation or accumulation thickness.     

A theoretical model for the study of active and passive smoking in military women: an at-risk population.

This paper presents a model designed for the study of active and passive smoking in military women with children. Some constructs have been adapted from a transtheoretical model of behavior change. Transtheoretical model constructs of relevance to this model include (1) stages of behavior change, (2) decisional balance, and (3) self-efficacy. Other model constructs include (1) personal and situational factors, (2) a mother's self-efficacy to reduce the child's smoke exposure, (3) a mother's expectation for the child's smoke exposure, (4) smoke avoidance, (5) nicotine dependence, and (6) social support for quitting smoking. The occurrence of health problems associated with smoking is the outcome variable. The results of a study under way at present may support the use of this model and may make data available to substantiate the need for behavior-specific interventions designed to prevent and reduce active and passive smoking among military personnel.     

The correlation between peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and running performance in children and adolescents. aspects of different units

The method of removing the confounding effect of body mass on peak oxygen uptake simply by dividing the measured values by body mass has been questioned. The aim of the study was to find an expression of body mass for compensating for differences in body mass so as to achieve the best correlation to running performance. In a cross-sectional study, design peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was measured in 107 boys in the age range 8-17 years and 88 girls in the age range 8-16 years. The present study indicates that VO2peak do not increase in proportion to body mass during running, rather that VO2peak is inversely related to body mass. When using allometric regression standards with the sexes separated in gender groups, there was a tendency that boys achieved scaling factors closer to unity than did the girls. The increase in subcutaneous fat in the girls throughout the pubertal years is the most likely reason why body mass increased proportionally more than VO2peak in girls. The present study indicates that VO2peak when expressed as milliliters per kilogram per minute (ml kg(-1) min(-1)) is a poor denominator for VO2peak as a function of running performance in children and adolescents.     

Report of the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) in an unusual case of secondary infertility.

We report the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2) in the treatment of an unusual case of secondary infertility. The patient had failed to conceive after a 1-year period of in-vitro fertilization, during which oral sildenafil had also been administered. However she became pregnant after an IVF cycle and the use of adjunctive HBO2 and sildenafil, which was administered intravaginally on this occasion. There is currently very little evidence to support the use of HBO2 in this context. The possible mechanisms of action of HBO2 in this case are discussed.     

N,N-dimethyl-2-(2-amino-4-(18)F-fluorophenylthio)-benzylamine (4-(18)F-ADAM): an improved PET radioligand for serotonin transporters.

There has been considerable interest in the development of PET radioligands that are useful for imaging serotonin transporter (SERT) in the living human brain. For the last decade, (11)C-(+)McN5652 has been the most promising PET agent for studying SERT in humans. However, this agent has some limitations. Recently, a new promising SERT PET radioligand, 3-(11)C-amino-4-(2-dimethylaminomethylphenylsulfanyl)benzonitrile, has been reported. We recently reported the synthesis of a new (18)F-labeled SERT PET radioligand, N,N-dimethyl-2-(2-amino-4-(18)F-fluorophenylthio)benzylamine (4-(18)F-ADAM), which may have advantages over (11)C-labeled radioligands. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this newly developed (18)F-labeled PET radioligand as a promising agent for studying SERT in the living human brain. METHODS: This agent was evaluated by studying its in vitro binding to different monoamine transporters, its in vivo biodistributions in rats, its integrity and pharmacologic profiles in rat brain, and its distribution in a female baboon brain. RESULTS: In vitro binding assays showed that 4-F-ADAM displayed high affinity to SERT sites (inhibition constant = 0.081 nmol/L, using membrane preparations of LLC-PK1 cells expressing the specific transporter) and showed more than 1,000- and 28,000-fold selectivity for SERT over norepinephrine transporter and dopamine transporter, respectively. Biodistribution of 4-(18)F-ADAM in rats showed a high initial uptake and slow clearance in the brain (2.13%, 1.90%, and 0.95% injected dose per organ at 2, 30, and 60 min after intravenous injection, respectively), with the specific binding peaking at 2 h after injection (hypothalamus/cerebellum = 12.49). The uptake in blood, muscle, lung, kidney, and liver was also initially high but cleared rapidly. The radioactivity in the femur increases with time for 4-(18)F-ADAM, indicating that in vivo defluorination may occur. In vivo metabolism studies in rats showed that 4-(18)F-ADAM was not metabolized in rat brain (>96% of radioactivity was recovered as parent compound at 1 h after injection). However, it metabolized rapidly in the blood. Less than 7% of the radioactivity recovered from plasma was the parent compound, with the majority of radioactivity in the plasma not extractable by ethyl acetate. Blocking studies showed significant decreases in the uptake of 4-(18)F-ADAM in the brain regions (hypothalamus, hippocampus, and striatum) where SERT concentrations are high when rats were pretreated with (+)McN5652 (2 mg/kg 5 min before intravenous injection of 4-(18)F-ADAM). However, changes in the uptake of 4-(18)F-ADAM in these brain regions were less significant when rats were pretreated with either methylphenidate or nisoxetine. The baboon study showed that uptake of 4-(18)F-ADAM in the midbrain peaked at approximately 1 h after injection and then declined slowly. The ratios of the radioactivity in the midbrain to that in the cerebellum (where the concentration of SERT is low) at 2 and 3 h after injection were 3.2 and 4.2, respectively. CONCLUSION: 4-(18)F-ADAM is suitable as a PET radioligand for studying SERT in the living brain. Further characterization of this new radioligand in humans is warranted.