Immune response to anti-HBV vaccination: study of conditioning factors

The Authors studied the immune responses of 691 health care workers who were given HEVAC B vaccine (455 subjects) and HB Vax vaccine (216 subjects). The immune responses were correlated with data obtained by questionnaires: age, sex, B.M.I., drinking habits, smoking. The results showed correlation between these variables and immune response to vaccine.

[Carbon monoxide: environmental and biological aspects]

We retrospectively reviewed the MR examinations of 20 patients with surgically documented sequestered lumbar disks (free fragments). Sixteen of 20 cases demonstrated extradural masses that were distinct from the interspace of origin and had intermediate signal on T1-weighted images but increased signal on T2-weighted images. In 12 cases there was migration of the sequestered fragment. Sequestered disks that migrated away from the interspace had an irregular, oblong appearance, while those near the interspace were round in configuration. Additionally, the interspace of origin consistently demonstrated loss of signal on T2-weighted images when compared with intact lumbar disks. Sagittal 12-weighted images best depicted the absence of a high-signal pedicle contiguous with the interspace of origin in sequestered disks. These findings were applied to a prospective group of 20 patients undergoing lumbar diskectomy. There was an 89% sensitivity, 82% specificity, and 85% accuracy for MR in distinguishing sequestered disks from other forms of lumbar disk herniation.

We conclude that high-resolution MR imaging is sensitive in detecting disk disease and specific in characterizing various subtypes of extradural defects. MR uses morphology as well as changes in signal intensity to make these distinctions.

HBV pre-vaccination screening in hospital personnel: cost-effectiveness analysis

The purpose of this study was to identify the most cost-effective method for screening subjects for hepatitis B vaccination. Such a method would ideally permit detection of all susceptible individuals at the lowest possible cost. Two-hundred-five hospital workers from the Piedmont region of Italy participated in the study. The sero-epidemiological conditions of this group with regard to hepatitis B markers was representative of hospital workers in this region as a whole. All subjects, excluding carriers, persons with anti-HBs titers greater than or equal to 10 mIU and subjects positive for anti-HBc at a 1/100 dilution, were vaccinated. Their responses were evaluated 15 days and 1 month after vaccination. The presence of a booster effect following vaccination was correlated with the immunological status of the subject at the time of pre-vaccination screening. In the light of the results obtained, 5 screening procedures and the procedure of vaccination without screening were evaluated. The most cost effective screening strategy proved to be that of sequential testing for anti-HBc, anti-HBs and finally HBsAg and vaccination of the following subjects: those who were negative for anti-HBc, those who were anti-HBc-positive with anti-HBs titers 10 less than mIU and those who were HBsAg negative.

[Hepatitis A and B virus infections in refuse workers in Asti]

The authors have examined Hepatitis A and B virus infection risk in 93 dustmen and sewer workers. It has non been found a risk correlated with employment, though for some of them, with peculiar functions, the HBV and/or HAV serological markers prevalence rates were higher than in the remaining of the studied population.

Head shape and size and body weight in the newborn infant

Biparietal diameter, occipitofrontal diameter, cephalic index and occipitofrontal circumference were measured in 108 newborns delivered at term by cesarean section. Statistical analyses were carried out to assess the relationship between each of the parameters and birth weight. Particular attention was paid to the cephalix index/birth weight, the former being assumed as an expression of head shape. No correlation between birth weight and cephalic index was observed. Birth weight best correlates with occipitofrontal circumference.

[Hepatitis B in hospital workers: analysis of the relation between occupational risk and locale]

In this paper it has been studied the prevalence of subject positives for the markers of infection of hepatitis B virus in operators of two hospitals. The authors have examined the reports between profession and endemic level of infection in the afferent population.

Concentrations of nitrates in drinking water and incidence of gastric carcinomas: first descriptive study of the Piemonte Region, Italy

A descriptive epidemiological research, within the Piemonte Region was carried out, to consider whether there is an association between concentrations of nitrates in drinking water and the incidence of gastric carcinomas. The results indicate that an association does exist, but also that concentrations of nitrates higher than 20 mg/l in drinking water are a risk factor for people exposed.

[Environment and biology of the population in the determination of blood lead levels]

The survey presented is an attempt to explain the reasons for the higher average lead concentrations in the blood of certain groups living in two mountain valleys than encountered in residents of Turin and other towns in the Province. To this end the influence of several environmental, individual and genetic variables was investigated.

[Analysis of maternal-fetal exchange in the study of environmental exposure to lead]

398 women at various stages of pregnancy and living in two areas subject to different levels of atmospheric pollution were examined. Blood samples were taken from about 200 women and their funiculi at the moment of parturition. The results showed a difference in lead concentrations in the blood and in the ratio of mother and funicular lead concentrations according to the place of residence. Several hypothesis to explain these results are formulated.

[Proposals for the surveillance of persons exposed to aromatic amines]

The AA present the results of an epidemiological investigation in a rubber factory, where aromatic amines are used. Environmental monitoring allowed to acquired informations about environmental concentrations of aromatic amines, to identify their physical condition and so to individuate a map risk in this factory. The biological monitoring was conducted to acquire epidemiological information from archives of usual biological check up. The AA propose a methodology for epidemiological survey of people exposed to aromatic amines.

[Environmental pollutants and karyologic effects. Usefulness of environmental and biological monitoring]

The results of a study carried out on a group of workers exposed to numerous pollutants (HCl, NaOH, ZnCl2, Sn, Pb, ecc.) in an industrial environment are reported. The research was broken down into two parts: 1) drawing up of a map of environmental pollution; 2) evaluation of the biological exposure of individuals submitted to control. The blood level of Pb was assessed in chosen subjects as a biological indicator of exposure and, at the same time, lymphocyte cultures were prepared in order to highlight any increase in chromosome exchanges and chromosome aberrations.

[Aromatic hydrocarbons: environmental pollution and biological effects]

A complete explanation of the problem concerning aromatic hydrocarbons as polluting materials is presented. Both collective and individual sources of pollution, the collective sources, due to the human work activities, and the individual ones, caused by the habit to smoking have ben considered. The effects these compounds have in the human organism and particularly the carcinogenic action of polycyclic hydrocarbons have also ben discussed.

[Carbon monoxide: environmental and biological aspects]

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.