Multiroute Exposure Assessment and Excretion of Urinary Metabolites of Fenitrothion During Manual Operations on Treated Ornamental Plants in Greenhouses

The results of environmental and biological (five subjects) monitoring of exposure to fenitrothion during manual operations on treated ornamental plants in greenhouses are reported. Urinary excretion [GM (GSD)] of alkylphosphates [dimethylphosphate (DMP) + dimethylthiophosphate (DMTP)] (nmol/g creat) was 244.8 (1.8), 174.0 (2.0), and 354.4 (1.6) respectively, on the first (Monday), third (Wednesday), and fifth (Friday) days of work. These levels were not significantly higher than those recorded in a control group (21 subjects) in which urinary excretion [GM (GSD)] of DMP + DMTP was 102.8 (4.2) nmol/g creat. Air concentrations of fenitrothion (nmol/m³) ranged from 45.5 to 81.2 on Monday, 17.3 to 27.1 on Wednesday, and 9.7 to 19.1 on Friday. Dose estimates showed that the respiratory-absorbed doses of fenitrothion accounted, on the average (GM), for 94.7%, 93.1%, and 91.5% of the total absorbed dose on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed a significant correlation (r² = 0.595) between urinary excretion of DMP + DMTP, respiratory-absorbed dose, and skin-absorbed dose, estimated on Monday and Wednesday. Total estimated absorbed doses did not exceed the acceptable daily intake for fenitrothion. Serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase activities were not significantly different before and after exposure. Received: 18 February 1998/Accepted: 12 November 1998     

Interaction between HDV and HBV infection in HBsAg-chronic carriers

Summary We studied the interaction between HBV and HDV infection in 149 consecutive subjects with HBsAg positive chronic hepatitis and in 22 chronic HBsAg healthy carriers. Liver HBcAg was detected in 52 (30.4%) of the 171 subjects. Of these 52, 35 were HBV-DNA and HBeAg positive, 11 HBV-DNA positive only; two HBeAg positive only and four were negative for both HBeAg and HBV-DNA. None of the 119 HBcAg-negative subjects had detectable HBV-DNA in serum. HD-Ag in hepatocytes was detected in 31 of the 171 subjects (18%); it was detectable in none of the 22 HBsAg healthy carriers, in four of the 56 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis (7.2%), in six of the 24 patients with chronic lobular hepatitis (25%), in 16 of the 40 patients with chronic active hepatitis (40%) and in five of the 29 with cirrhosis (17%). A presence of anti-HD in serum in the absence of liver HD-Ag was found in 54 of the 171 subjects (32%). This condition was observed not only in patients with a progressive disease (37.7% of chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis and 33% of chronic lobular hepatitis), but also in healthy carriers (36%) and in chronic persistent hepatitis patients (21.4%). Liver HBcAg was detected in 6.4% of the 31 HD-Ag-positive patients, in 12.9% of the 54 HD-Ag-negative/anti-HD positive, but in 50% of the 86 with no marker of HDV infection. HDV appears to inhibit HBV genome and such inhibition may persist even when anti-HD is the only HDV marker detectable.

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Interaktionen zwischen HDV und HBV bei chronischen HBsAg-Trägern

Zusammenfassung Bei 149 nacheinander eingewiesenen chronischen HBsAg-positiven Patienten mit chronischer Hepatitis und 22 gesunden HBsAg Trägern wurde die Interaktion zwischen der HBV- und HDV-Infektion untersucht. Bei 52 der insgesamt 171 Personen (30,4%) fand sich HBsAg in den Leberzellen. Bei 35 dieser 52 Fälle wurde HBV-DNA und HBeAg nachgewiesen, in 11 Fällen HBV-DNA allein. Bei den 119 HBcAg-negativen Personen waren HBV-DNA in keinem Fall im Serum nachweisbar. Bei 31 der 171 Personen wurden HD-Ag in Hepatozyten entdeckt (18%). Die 22 gesunden HBsAg-Träger waren alle HD-Ag negativ. Von den 56 Patienten mit chronisch persistierender Hepatitis waren vier positiv (7,2%); von den 24 Patienten mit chronischer lobulärer Hepatitis sechs (25%), von den 40 Patienten mit chronisch aktiver Hepatitis 16 (40%) und von den 29 Patienten mit Zirrhose fünf (17%). 54 der 171 Untersuchten (32%) wiesen im Serum anti-HD auf, ohne daß sich HD- Ag in der Leber nachweisen ließ. Dabei handelte es sich nicht nur um Patienten mit progressivem Krankheitsverlauf (37,7% der Patienten mit chronisch aktiver Hepatitis und 33% derer mit chronischer lobulärer Hepatitis) sondern auch um gesunde Träger (36%) und Patienten mit chronisch persistierender Hepatitis (21,4%). Bei 6,4% der 31 HD-Ag positiven Patienten ließ sich HBcAg in der Leber nachweisen; positiv waren auch 12,9% der 54 HD-Ag-Negativ/anti-HD-Positiven und 50% der Personen ohne Marker für eine HDV-Infektion. Offensichtlich hemmt HDV das HBV-Genom; diese Hemmwirkung kann bestehen bleiben, auch wenn anti-HD der einzige nachweisbare Marker für eine durchgemachte HDV-Infektion ist.

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This study was supported by MURST — Cirrhosis Project, Rome, Italy.     

Proinflammatory stimuli activates human‐derived enteroglial cells and induces autocrine nitric oxide production

Background Enteric glial cells (EGCs) have been recently indicated as key regulators of intestinal inflammation in animals. Whether or not this is true and how these cells participate to inflammatory responses in humans is unknown. Methods We isolated primary EGCs from human small bowel and then, we purified and characterized those using specific glial markers, such as S100B and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). To mimic an inflammatory scenario, we exposed EGCs to exogenous stimuli, such as lipopolysaccharide and interferon‐gamma (LPS and IFN‐γ), alone or in combination, to evaluate glial activation [measuring GFAP, S100B level together with c‐fos, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) proteins expression and nitric oxide (NO) production] and proliferation, respectively. Key Results We showed that, when challenged with a combination of LPS and IFN‐γ, EGCs are significantly activated, as indicated by their positivity to c‐fos and MHC class II. Similarly, pro‐inflammatory stimuli significantly increase the cell proliferation rate, the expression of both S100B and GFAP, and the NO production consequent to the induction of EGCs‐derived iNOS protein, with the last being dependent on S100B‐RAGE (receptor for advanced glycation endproducts) interaction. Conclusions & Inferences Our data provide the first evidence that human EGCs directly respond to pro‐inflammatory stimuli by changing their expression profile and by proliferating. The finding that stimulated EGCs are able to produce NO points to a role of this cell population in the scenario of intestinal inflammation.     

Cereal bran fractionation: processing techniques for the recovery of functional components and their applications to the food industry

Bran is the outer part of cereal grains that is separated during the cereals de-hulling and milling processes. It was considered in the past a by-product of cereal industry employed mainly as animal feed. Cereal bran, being particularly rich in different functional biopolymers, bio-active compounds and essential fatty acids, attracted the interest of pharmaceutical and food industry. Furthermore, the peculiar techno-functional properties of brans together with their particular physiological and nutritional aspects have led to a great interest in their incorporation as main or secondary components in different groups of food products including bakery and confectionery products, breakfast cereals and extruded foodstuffs, emulsions and functional dairy products and pasta products. In the first part of the present work the main fractionation processes, bran fractions properties and their physicochemical and technological properties are briefly reviewed. In the second part, relevant applications, with emphasis on patents, in food industry are reviewed as well.     

Health risk and occupation in agricultural settings in Italy

In Italy several studies have examined the association between cancer and occupation in agricultural settings, focusing on exposure to pesticides. Most of the cohort studies evaluated cancer mortality in licensed pesticide users. Many case-control studies considered hematolymphopoietic malignancies, and the most recent studies observed increased risks for use of specific chemical classes of pesticides. Preliminary data on pesticide-related illnesses must be taken into account, and a national surveillance system should be implemented to identify areas at high risk and to promote exposure-control programs.     

Feasibility of inguinal hernioplasty under local anaesthesia in elderly patients

Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and the safety of hernioplasty under local anaesthesia in elderly patients with significant comorbidity.

Methods

A total of 218 patients underwent inguinal hernia repair with mesh between June 2009 and July 2012. Presence of comorbid conditions and complications were compared between patients younger and older than 70 years.

Results

Hernia repair in older patients were more likely associated with comorbid conditions than in their younger counterparts ( hypertension: 25% vs 8.16%; cardiovascular diseases: 50% vs 22%; benign prostatic hypertrophy 60% vs 30%). The most common postoperative complications in both groups were recurrence, wound infection, urinary retention. There was a slightly higher rate of complication in elderly group.

Conclusions

Inguinal hernia repair with local anaesthesia is quite safe and results in a good success rate in elderly patients despite a higher rate of comorbidity typical of this kind of patient.

     

Diverticular disease hospital cost impact analysis: evaluation of testings and surgical procedures in inpatient and outpatient admissions

Background

Diverticular Disease (DD) is a common condition in Italy and in other western countries. There is not much data concerning DD’s impact on budget and activity in hospitals.

Methods

The aim is to detect the clinical workload and the financial impact of diverticular disease in hospitals.Retrospective observational study of all patients treated for diverticular disease during the period of seven years in AOU Federico II. Analysis of inpatient and outpatient investigations, treatment, hospitalization and financial refunds.

Results

A total of 738 patients were treated and 840 hospital discharge records were registered. There were a total number of 4101 hospitalization days and 753 outpatient accesses. The investigations generated were 416 endoscopies, 197 abdominal CT scans, 177 abdominal ultrasound scans, 109 X-rays tests. A total of 193 surgical operations were performed. The total cost of this activity was € 1.656.802 or 0.2% of the total budget of the hospital. € 1.346.218, were attributable to the department of general surgery, 0.9% of the department’s budget .

Conclusions

The limited impact of diverticular disease on the budget and activity of AOU Federico II of Naples is mainly due to the absence of an emergency department.

     

GERD in elderly patients: surgical treatment with Nissen-Rossetti laparoscopic technique,outcome

Background

Modern high-velocity projectiles produce temporary cavities and can thus cause extensive tissue destruction along the bullet path. It is still unclear whether gelatin blocks, which are used as a well-accepted tissue simulant, allow the effects of projectiles to be adequately investigated and how these effects are influenced by caliber size.

Method

Barium titanate particles were distributed throughout a test chamber for an assessment of wound contamination. We fired .22-caliber Magnum bullets first into gelatin blocks and then into porcine hind limbs placed behind the chamber. Two other types of bullets (.222-caliber bullets and 6.5 × 57 mm cartridges) were then shot into porcine hind limbs. Permanent and temporary wound cavities as well as the spatial distribution of barium titanate particles in relation to the bullet path were evaluated radiologically.

Results

A comparison of the gelatin blocks and hind limbs showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean results for all parameters. There were significant differences between the bullets of different calibers in the depth to which barium titanate particles penetrated the porcine hind limbs. Almost no particles, however, were found at a penetration depth of 10 cm or more. By contrast, gas cavities were detected along the entire bullet path.

Conclusion

Gelatin is only of limited value for evaluating the path of high-velocity projectiles and the contamination of wounds by exogenous particles. There is a direct relationship between the presence of gas cavities in the tissue along the bullet path and caliber size. These cavities, however, are only mildly contaminated by exogenous particles.