1
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Liu B, Niu L, Lee FF. Utilizing residential histories to assess environmental exposure and socioeconomic status over the life course among mesothelioma patients. J Thorac Dis 2023; 15:6126-6139. [PMID: 38090310 PMCID: PMC10713296 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Background Exposure misclassification based solely on the address at cancer diagnosis has been widely recognized though not commonly assessed. Methods We linked 1,015 mesothelioma cases diagnosed during 2011-2015 from the New York State Cancer Registry to inpatient claims and LexisNexis administrative data and constructed residential histories. Percentile ranking of exposure to ambient air toxics and socioeconomic status (SES) were based on the National Air Toxic Assessment and United States Census data, respectively. To facilitate comparisons over time, relative exposures (REs) were calculated by dividing the percentile ranking at individual census tract by the state-level average and subtracting one. We used generalized linear regression models to compare the RE in the past with that at cancer diagnosis, adjusting for patient-level characteristics. Results Approximately 43.7% of patients had residential information available for up to 30 years, and 96.0% up to 5 years. The median number of unique places lived was 4 [interquartile range (IQR), 2-6]. The time-weighted-average RE from all addresses available had a median of -0.11 (IQR, -0.50 to 0.30) for air toxics and -0.28 (IQR, -0.65 to 0.25) for SES. RE associated with air toxics (but not SES) was significantly higher for earlier addresses than addresses at cancer diagnosis for the 5-year [annual increase =1.24%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-1.77%; n=974] and 30-year (annual increase =0.36%; 95% CI: 0.25-0.48%; n=444) look-back windows, respectively. Conclusions Environmental exposure to non-asbestos air toxics among mesothelioma patients may be underestimated if based solely on the address at diagnosis. With geospatial data becoming more readily available, incorporating cancer patients' residential history would lead to reduced exposure misclassification and accurate health risk estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bian Liu
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Niu
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Furrina F. Lee
- Bureau of Cancer Epidemiology, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention, New York State Department of Health, Menands, NY, USA
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2
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Trancone G, Spasiano D, Race M, Luongo V, Petrella A, Pirozzi F, Fratino U, Piccinni AF. A combined system for asbestos-cement waste degradation by dark fermentation and resulting supernatant valorization in anaerobic digestion. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 300:134500. [PMID: 35395263 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The use of biological processes for the treatment of asbestos cement waste (ACW) has gained interest in recent years. Nevertheless, this methodology is not yet consolidated because of the incomplete ACW conversion during the biological treatment and the consequent need for further treatments that generally require a high amount of energy and chemicals. In this study, the efficiency of both mesophilic and thermophilic dark fermentation (DF) fed with glucose in fed-batch conditions was assessed for ACW biological treatment. Both thermophilic and mesophilic DF of glucose resulted in a partial conversion of glucose into organic acids that successfully degraded all the asbestos fibers contained in an ACW sample. A hydrogen-rich biogas was produced as well: at the end of the mesophilic DF treatment 0.14 LH2 gglucose-1 were obtained. In addition, the anaerobic digestion (AD) of the DF supernatants led to the production of 0.38 LCH4 gCOD-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Trancone
- Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21, 80125, Napoli, Italy
| | - D Spasiano
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - M Race
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, Università di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale, Viale dell'Università, 03043, Cassino, Italy
| | - V Luongo
- Department of Mathematics and Applications "Renato Caccioppoli", University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia, Monte S. Angelo, Napoli, 80126, Italy
| | - A Petrella
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - F Pirozzi
- Department of Civil, Building and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, Via Claudio, 21, 80125, Napoli, Italy
| | - U Fratino
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - A F Piccinni
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via E. Orabona, 4, 70125, Bari, Italy
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3
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Massafra R, Catino A, Perrotti PMS, Pizzutilo P, Fanizzi A, Montrone M, Galetta D. Informative Power Evaluation of Clinical Parameters to Predict Initial Therapeutic Response in Patients with Advanced Pleural Mesothelioma: A Machine Learning Approach. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11061659. [PMID: 35329985 PMCID: PMC8950691 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11061659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm whose early diagnosis is challenging and systemic treatments are generally administered as first line in the advanced disease stage. The initial clinical response may represent a useful parameter in terms of identifying patients with a better long-term outcome. In this report, the initial therapeutical response in 46 patients affected with advanced/unresectable pleural mesothelioma was investigated. The initial therapeutic response was assessed by CT scan and clinical examination after 2–3 treatment cycles. Our preliminary evaluation shows that the group of patients treated with regimens including antiangiogenetics and/or immunotherapy had a significantly better initial response as compared to patients only treated with standard chemotherapy, exhibiting a disease control rate (DCR) of 100% (95% IC, 79.40–100%) and 80.0% (95% IC, 61.40–92.30%), respectively. Furthermore, the therapeutic response was correlated with the disease stage, blood leukocytes and neutrophils, high albumin serum levels, and basal body mass index (BMI). Specifically, the patients with disease stage III showed a DCR of 95.7% (95% IC, 78.1–99.9%), whereas for disease stage IV the DCR decreased to 66.7% (95% IC, 34.9–9.1%). Moreover, a better initial response was observed in patients with a higher BMI, who reached a DCR of 96.10% (95% IC, 80.36–99.90%). Furthermore, in order to evaluate in the predictive power of the collected features a multivariate way, we report the preliminary results of a machine learning model for predicting the initial therapeutic response. We trained a state-of-the-art algorithm combined to a sequential forward feature selection procedure. The model reached a median AUC value, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 77.0%, 75%, 74.8%, and 83.3%, respectively. The features with greater informational power were gender, histotype, BMI, smoking habits, packs/year, and disease stage. Our preliminary data support the possible favorable correlation between innovative treatments and therapeutic response in patients with unresectable/advanced pleural mesothelioma. The small sample size does not allow concrete conclusions to be drawn; nevertheless, this work is the basis of an ongoing study that will also involve radiomics in a larger dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaella Massafra
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Fisica Sanitaria, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Annamaria Catino
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Patologia Toracica, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.C.); (P.P.); (M.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Pia Maria Soccorsa Perrotti
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Radiologia, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Pamela Pizzutilo
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Patologia Toracica, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.C.); (P.P.); (M.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Annarita Fanizzi
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Fisica Sanitaria, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-080-555-5111
| | - Michele Montrone
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Patologia Toracica, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.C.); (P.P.); (M.M.); (D.G.)
| | - Domenico Galetta
- Struttura Semplice Dipartimentale di Oncologia Medica per la Patologia Toracica, I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.C.); (P.P.); (M.M.); (D.G.)
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4
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Pezzuto F, Vimercati L, Fortarezza F, Marzullo A, Pennella A, Cavone D, Punzi A, Caporusso C, d'Amati A, Lettini T, Serio G. Evaluation of prognostic histological parameters proposed for pleural mesothelioma in diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. A short report. Diagn Pathol 2021; 16:64. [PMID: 34294087 PMCID: PMC8296535 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-021-01125-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM) is a rare malignant neoplasm with poor survival that shares some similarities with the best-known pleural variant, pleural mesothelioma. The recent European Reference Network on Rare Adult Cancers (EURACAN)/International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) proposals attempted to improve the histological diagnosis and patient risk stratification. Herein, we investigated whether the pathology recommendations and suggestions of the pleural proposals were applicable to diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Methods Fifty multiple laparoscopic biopsies of DMPM were consecutively collected at the Pathology Unit of the University of Bari. A two-tier system, i.e., low, and high grade, was used to categorize 34 epithelioid DMPMs. Architectural patterns, cytological features and stromal changes were also reported. Immunohistochemistry was performed for BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and Ki67, while fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed for p16/cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A). Results High-grade epithelioid mesothelioma, high Ki67, and p16/CDKN2A deletion were significantly associated with short survival (p = 0.004, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.002, respectively). BAP1 loss and PD-L1 negativity were the most common findings. Multivariate analysis revealed that the nuclear grading system and p16 deletion significantly correlated with survival (p = 0.003 each). Conclusions The present study examined the prognostic significance of several factors proposed for pleural mesothelioma in an extra pleural site. Notably, the introduction of a grading system may provide better risk stratification in epithelioid DMPM. Ki67, BAP1 and p16/CDKN2A should also be measured whenever possible. A detailed report with all supportive data would allow us to collect sufficient information for use in further studies on larger case series.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Pezzuto
- Pathology Unit Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, via A. Gabelli 61, 35121, Padova, Italy.
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Occupational Health Division, University of Bari, 1 Umberto I Sq., 70121, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Fortarezza
- Pathology Unit Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, via A. Gabelli 61, 35121, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Marzullo
- Pathology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - DETO, University of Bari, 1 Umberto I Sq., 70121, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Pennella
- Pathology Unit, Department of Surgery, University of Foggia, 121 Napoli St, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Occupational Health Division, University of Bari, 1 Umberto I Sq., 70121, Bari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Punzi
- Pathology Unit, IRCCS National Cancer Institute "Giovanni Paolo II", 65 Orazio Flacco St, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - Concetta Caporusso
- Pathology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - DETO, University of Bari, 1 Umberto I Sq., 70121, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio d'Amati
- Pathology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - DETO, University of Bari, 1 Umberto I Sq., 70121, Bari, Italy
| | - Teresa Lettini
- Pathology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - DETO, University of Bari, 1 Umberto I Sq., 70121, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Serio
- Pathology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - DETO, University of Bari, 1 Umberto I Sq., 70121, Bari, Italy
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Alam TM, Shaukat K, Hameed IA, Khan WA, Sarwar MU, Iqbal F, Luo S. A novel framework for prognostic factors identification of malignant mesothelioma through association rule mining. Biomed Signal Process Control 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2021.102726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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6
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Lee S, Kang D, Kim Y, Kim YJ, Kim SY. Activity-Based Exposure Levels and Cancer Risk Assessment Due to Naturally Occurring Asbestos for the Residents Near Abandoned Asbestos Mines in South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105225. [PMID: 34069013 PMCID: PMC8156354 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the overall asbestos exposure intensity and assess the health risk to residents due to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) near abandoned asbestos mines in South Korea. Of 38 mines, we found 19 with measured concentrations of NOA. We evaluated the average of airborne NOA concentrations according to the environmental exposure category. When evaluated regionally by dividing into two clusters, the mean concentrations in activity-based sampling (ABS) scenarios exceeded the Korean exposure limit (0.01 f/cc) in both clusters. Moreover, airborne NOA concentrations in agricultural activity (5.49 × 10-2 f/cc) and daily activity (6.95 × 10-2 f/cc) had the highest values for clusters A and B, respectively. The excess lifetime cancer risk of one region (cluster A) by the ABS scenarios did not exceed the Korean Ministry of the Environment's criteria for soil purification (1 × 10-4). However, one of the ABS scenarios-the daily life activity of clusters centered on Chungcheongbuk-do (cluster B)-showed an exposure of 1.08 × 10-4, greater than the limit (1 × 10-4). This indicates non negligible health damage to residents living near the abandoned asbestos mines, and it is necessary to continuously monitor and clean up the asbestos contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
| | - Dongmug Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Environmental Health Center of Asbestos, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Youngki Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Environmental Health Center of Asbestos, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Yoon-Ji Kim
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Environmental Health Center of Asbestos, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Se-Yeong Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-55-360-3173
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7
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De Maria L, Caputi A, Tafuri S, Cannone ESS, Sponselli S, Delfino MC, Pipoli A, Bruno V, Angiuli L, Mucci N, Ledda C, Vimercati L. Health, Transport and the Environment: The Impacts of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Pollution. Front Public Health 2021; 9:637540. [PMID: 33928063 PMCID: PMC8076632 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.637540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Lockdown measures were initiated in Italy on March 9th after the start of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic to flatten the epidemic curve. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of restrictive measures in the Apulia Region, southern Italy, on air quality from March to April 2020. We applied a dual-track approach. We assessed citizen mobility and vehicle traffic with mobility network data and information obtained from satellite tracking, and we evaluated and compared pollutant concentration data as measured by monitoring stations maintained by the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection and Prevention of Apulia (ARPA). The results showed a decrease in the weekly mean NO2 concentration recorded by urban traffic stations during the lockdown period. In particular, in the city of Bari, the average NO2 concentration decreased from 62.2 μg/m3 in March 2019 to 48.2 μg/m3 in March 2020. Regarding PM10 levels, the average concentrations at the individual traffic stations showed no particular variation compared to those in the same months of the previous year, except for Bari-Caldarola Station in March 2019/2020 (p-value < 0.001) and in April 2019/2020 (p-value = 0.04). In particular the average in March 2019 was ~26.9 μg/m3, while that in March 2020 was ~22.9 μg/m3. For April, the average concentration of PM10 in 2019 was 27.9 μg/m3, while in 2020, the average was ~22.4 μg/m3. This can be explained by the fact that PM10 levels are influenced by multiple variables such as weather and climate conditions and desert dust advections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Silvio Tafuri
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Enza Sabrina Silvana Cannone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Sponselli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Celeste Delfino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Pipoli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Vito Bruno
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale (ARPA) Puglia, Bari, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Angiuli
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione Ambientale (ARPA) Puglia, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Mucci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital of Bari, Bari, Italy
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8
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De Maria L, Caputi A, Luisi V, Delfino MC, Cavone D, Acquafredda P, Pallara M, Lovreglio P, Vimercati L. Silicosis in a paint-production worker: Study of a lung histological specimen with scanning electron microscopy-Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Clin Case Rep 2021; 9:67-71. [PMID: 33489134 PMCID: PMC7813070 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.3419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The occupational risks in silica-exposed workers have been greatly reduced over the last decades; however, only few studies investigated uncommon forms of exposure to crystalline silica as shown by this case of silicosis in a paint-production worker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational MedicineUniversity of Bari Medical SchoolBariItaly
- UOC of Occupational Medicine"Policlinico" University HospitalBariItaly
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational MedicineUniversity of Bari Medical SchoolBariItaly
- UOC of Occupational Medicine"Policlinico" University HospitalBariItaly
| | - Vito Luisi
- UOC of Occupational Medicine"Policlinico" University HospitalBariItaly
| | - Maria Celeste Delfino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational MedicineUniversity of Bari Medical SchoolBariItaly
- UOC of Occupational Medicine"Policlinico" University HospitalBariItaly
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational MedicineUniversity of Bari Medical SchoolBariItaly
| | | | - Mauro Pallara
- Department of Earth and Geo‐Environmental SciencesUniversity of BariBariItaly
| | - Piero Lovreglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational MedicineUniversity of Bari Medical SchoolBariItaly
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational MedicineUniversity of Bari Medical SchoolBariItaly
- UOC of Occupational Medicine"Policlinico" University HospitalBariItaly
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9
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Moteallemi A, Minaei M, Tahmasbizadeh M, Fadaei S, Masroor K, Fanaei F. Monitoring of airborne asbestos fibers in an urban ambient air of Mashhad City, Iran: levels, spatial distribution and seasonal variations. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE & ENGINEERING 2020; 18:1239-1246. [PMID: 33312638 PMCID: PMC7721955 DOI: 10.1007/s40201-020-00541-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Asbestos, as with other pollutants in the air, has adverse effects on the health of human beings and animals. Today, the relationship between presence of asbestos fibers in the air breathed by humans and developing serious diseases such as lung cancer (asbestosis) and mesothelioma has been proven. The objectives of this study were to monitor the levels of asbestos fibers in ambient air of Mashhad, Iran during 2018, and to draw its Geographic Information System (GIS) distribution map for the city. In this descriptive study, 13 sampling points in Mashhad city were chosen. Sampling of asbestos was carried out for 3 hour during summer and winter at 2018. Sampling of asbestos was performed using MCE (Mixed Cellulose Ester) membrane filters (pour size 0.45 µm; diameter: 25 mm) and cassette holder and peripheral pump. The samples were the analyzed by the phase contrast microscopy (PCM) method (NIOSH7400). Also, to investigate the type of asbestos and for more accurate counting of fibers, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was utilized. Meteorological parameter were recorded through portable devices. To draw the graphs, Excel, R and Arc GIS software were used. Results showed that the mean asbestos fiber concentrations were equal to 11.40 ± 2.14 and 14.38 ± 2.52 f/L in summer and winter, respectively. The maximum level of asbestos fiber was detected in the station of Baitolmoghaddas square by 26.64 ± 2.14 and 19.3 SEM f/L in winter and summer, respectively. High concentration of asbestos fiber observed in this study can be attributed to the heavy traffic, the presence of prominent industries in the vicinity of the study area, and topographic features. The results from this research recommends that suitable controlling policies should be regulated to reduce both ambient air asbestos and its adverse health endpoints in Mashhad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiyeh Moteallemi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Torbat Jam Faculty of Medical Sciences, Torbat Jam, Iran
| | - Masoud Minaei
- Department of Geography, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Tahmasbizadeh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Saeid Fadaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Kazhal Masroor
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farzad Fanaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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10
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Lysaniuk B, Cely-García MF, Mazzeo A, Marsili D, Pasetto R, Comba P, Ramos-Bonilla JP. Where are the landfilled zones? Use of historical geographic information and local spatial knowledge to determine the location of underground asbestos contamination in Sibaté (Colombia). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 191:110182. [PMID: 32971078 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sibaté is a municipality located in the central region of Colombia, where the first asbestos-cement facility of the country has been in operation since 1942. Both a malignant pleural mesothelioma cluster and landfilled zones with the presence of an underground friable asbestos layer have been identified in Sibaté. There is still limited knowledge regarding the history of the construction of landfilled zones, and what kinds of materials were deposited. The current study aims to improve our understanding of the history and characteristics of the landfilled zones present in Sibaté. METHODS Two participatory workshops with inhabitants of Sibaté were conducted to determine when the landfilled zones were built and their location. Information collected in participatory workshops was crossed with both topographic maps and aerial photographs, giving special attention to zones within the urban area of the municipality that in the past were inundated with water from El Muña Reservoir. An opportunistic soil sampling campaign was conducted in suspected landfilled zones that had not been previously sampled, during the replacement of pipelines of the drainage system ordered by the municipality. RESULTS The analysis of historical topographic maps, combined with the interpretation of aerial photographs, confirmed the disposal of residues in areas that were previously inundated with water from El Muña Reservoir, creating landfilled zones in the urban area of Sibaté. On top of these landfilled zones, a football stadium and a football field with an athletic track were built. The location of landfilled zones identified using geographic analysis was similar to the location identified analyzing maps constructed by inhabitants of Sibaté in participatory workshops. The four soil samples collected during an opportunistic sampling campaign confirmed the presence in new locations of the underground friable asbestos layer discovered in previous studies. DISCUSSION Based on the extension of the landfilled zones, the presence of friable asbestos in these areas, and the close proximity to a school and residential dwellings, there could have been major dispersion events of asbestos fibers in the urban area of Sibaté during the disposal of residue materials and the construction of the landfilled zones. Thus, important asbestos exposures may have occurred among residents of Sibaté, which is aggravated by the fact that during those years, more than 50% of the population of Sibaté was 25 years old or younger. Although the results of the current study improved our understanding of the processes and chronology associated with the landfilled zones, the uncertainty regarding their exact location remains significant. It is important to continue investigating the adverse health effects resulting from this potential asbestos exposure source.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Fernanda Cely-García
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Agata Mazzeo
- Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Pasetto
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Comba
- Dr. Pietro Comba recently retired from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
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Marzullo A, Serio G, Pezzuto F, Fortarezza F, Cazzato G, Caporusso C, Lettini T, Cavone D, Delfino MC, Vimercati L. A Single Liver Metastasis from Pleural Biphasic Mesothelioma. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10080555. [PMID: 32759747 PMCID: PMC7460021 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10080555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Virtually any malignancy can metastasize to the liver. Large solitary metastases are rare and can be difficult to distinguish from primary tumors. Malignant mesothelioma is often considered as a locally invasive cancer but tumor dissemination to extra-thoracic sites is possible, and the liver can be involved. Herein, we present a rare case of pleural mesothelioma with a solitary large liver metastasis diagnosed postmortem in a ninety-two-year-old man with 35 years of exposure to asbestos. Results of immunohistochemical staining of the pleural and liver tumor were similar, both positive for low-molecular weight keratins, calretinin, vimentin, and podoplanin, and negative for Claudin-4, TTF1, CEA, BerEP4, CK7, CK19, CK20, BAP1, Hep Par1, p40, and WT1. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) for p16/CDKN2A was also performed and a homozygous deletion was detected in both tumors, supporting the diagnosis of mesothelioma. Reporting this case, we would like to point out that extra-thoracic dissemination from pleural mesothelioma, even if exceptional, can occur. In cases where differential diagnoses are challenging, the value of ancillary techniques and a practical approach to diagnostic work-up is of primary importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Marzullo
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.); (C.C.); (T.L.)
| | - Gabriella Serio
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.); (C.C.); (T.L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Federica Pezzuto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (F.F.)
| | - Francesco Fortarezza
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy; (F.P.); (F.F.)
| | - Gerardo Cazzato
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.); (C.C.); (T.L.)
| | - Concetta Caporusso
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.); (C.C.); (T.L.)
| | - Teresa Lettini
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Pathology Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (A.M.); (G.C.); (C.C.); (T.L.)
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Occupational Health Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (L.V.)
| | - Maria Celeste Delfino
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Occupational Health Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (L.V.)
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Occupational Health Division, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (L.V.)
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De Maria L, Ledda C, Caputi A, Mansi F, Cannone ESS, Sponselli S, Cavone D, Birtolo F, Cannizzaro E, Ferri GM, Rapisarda V, Vimercati L. Biological Monitoring of Exposure to Benzene in Port Workers. Front Public Health 2020; 8:271. [PMID: 32766192 PMCID: PMC7379907 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Port workers are exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards that can cause injuries and occupational diseases. Among these, exposure to benzene is one of the most important but least studied. The highest occupational exposures for port workers occur during the filling and loading of gasoline, and cleaning of tanks and receptacles. The aim of the study was to evaluate occupational exposure to low levels of benzene by measuring trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in urine samples from workers operating at fuelling stations in a tourist port of Southern Italy. The overall sample was composed of 43 port workers of a tourist port in Southern Italy. In 2018, each participant provided two (morning and evening) urine samples for the determination of urinary t,t-MA. Urinary excretion of t,t-MA was always higher at the end of the work shift than at the beginning with significant difference (p = 0.002). In smokers, median t,t-MA urinary excretion is higher than non-smokers both at the beginning (90.5 μg/g creatinine vs. 61.45 μg/g creatinine) and at the end of the work shift (128.2 μg/g creatinine vs. 89.5 μg/g creatinine). Urinary excretion of t,t-MA is higher at the end of the work shift than at the beginning in both smokers and non-smokers, but the difference is significantly higher in non-smokers (p = 0.003) than in smokers (p = 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that the role of inhaled benzene at fuelling stations in a tourist port can be relevant. On the basis of these results and the known adverse effects of benzene on human health, we encourage the use of personal protective equipment in the fuelling area of ports in order to minimize exposure to benzene to workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Caterina Ledda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Mansi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Enza Sabrina Silvana Cannone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Sponselli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Birtolo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Cannizzaro
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences Maternal and Infantile Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialities “Giuseppe D'Alessandro”, Occupational Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maria Ferri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Occupational Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Section of Occupational Medicine “B.Ramazzini”, School of Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
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Latif MZ, Shaukat K, Luo S, Hameed IA, Iqbal F, Alam TM. Risk Factors Identification of Malignant Mesothelioma: A Data Mining Based Approach. 2020 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRICAL, COMMUNICATION, AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING (ICECCE) 2020. [DOI: 10.1109/icecce49384.2020.9179443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
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14
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Vimercati L, Cavone D, Caputi A, De Maria L, Tria M, Prato E, Ferri GM. Nanoparticles: An Experimental Study of Zinc Nanoparticles Toxicity on Marine Crustaceans. General Overview on the Health Implications in Humans. Front Public Health 2020; 8:192. [PMID: 32509719 PMCID: PMC7253631 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of products containing nanoparticles or nanofibers is rapidly growing. Nanotechnology involves a wide spectrum of industrial fields. There is a lack of information regarding the toxicity of these nanoparticles in aqueous media. The potential acute toxicity of ZnO NPs using two marine crustacean species: the copepod Tigriopus fulvus and the amphypod Corophium insidiosum was evaluated. Acute tests were conducted on adults of T. Fulvus nauplii and C. insidiosum. Both test species were exposed for 96 h to 5 increasing concentrations of ZnO NPs and ZnSO4H2O, and the endpoint was mortality. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean LC50 values of both ZnO NPs and ZnSO4H2O (ZnO NPs: F = 59.42; P < 0.0015; ZnSO4H2O: F = 25.57; P < 0.0015) were significantly lower for Tigriopus fulvus than for Corophium insidiosum. This result confirms that the toxic effect could be mainly attributed to the Zn ions, confirming that the dissolution processes play a crucial role in the toxicity of the ZnO NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vimercati
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), School of Medicine, University Hospital “Policlinico”, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), School of Medicine, University Hospital “Policlinico”, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), School of Medicine, University Hospital “Policlinico”, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi De Maria
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), School of Medicine, University Hospital “Policlinico”, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Tria
- Marine Environment and Pollution Prevention, Department of Prevention, ASL TA Health Company, Taranto, Italy
| | - Ermelinda Prato
- Institute for the Coastal Marine Environment of the Italian National Research Council (IAMC-CNR), Taranto, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maria Ferri
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), School of Medicine, University Hospital “Policlinico”, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Bari, Italy
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15
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Vimercati L, Cavone D, Delfino MC, Caputi A, De Maria L, Sponselli S, Corrado V, Ferri GM, Serio G. Asbestos Air Pollution: Description of a Mesothelioma Cluster Due to Residential Exposure from an Asbestos Cement Factory. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E2636. [PMID: 32290540 PMCID: PMC7215593 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The study describes a cluster of 71 malignant mesothelioma cases among Bari residents without asbestos exposure other than residential exposure. This small cohort, as expected, was composed of a majority of females (56.34%) with a M/F ratio of 0.8, ages ≤ 65 years old (52.11%) and the epithelioid morphological type (78.87%). Sixty-four subjects (90.14%) lived between 10 m and 1000 m from the asbestos cement factory (Fibronit), and the latency length was longer than 55 years for 25 subjects (35.21%). The adjusted risk (adjusted OR) of observing the epithelial form of mesothelioma among subjects living at small distances from Fibronit was high (OR = 1.870 (0.353-9.905)) for people living 550-1000 m from the site and for those living less than 550 m from the site (OR = 1.470 (0.262-8.248)). Additionally, the subjects with a high length of exposure showed a relevant risk of epithelioid mesothelioma both for 21-40 years of exposure (OR = 2.027 (0.521-7.890)) and more than 40 years of exposure (OR = 2.879 (0.651-12.736)). All of the estimates were high but not significant because this transitional study has a typically low power. The adjustment for latency showed the same trend. Using detailed information collected by the regional mesothelioma registry, this study provided evidence of a continuing health impact of the Fibronit asbestos cement factory in Bari on the resident population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Maria Celeste Delfino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Stefania Sponselli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Corrado
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Giovanni Maria Ferri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Gabriella Serio
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Pathology Division, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy;
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16
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Vimercati L, De Maria L, Caputi A, Cannone ESS, Mansi F, Cavone D, Romita P, Argenziano G, Di Stefani A, Parodi A, Peris K, Scalvenzi M, Girolomoni G, Foti C. Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Outdoor Workers: A Study on Actinic Keratosis in Italian Navy Personnel. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072321. [PMID: 32235587 PMCID: PMC7177289 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the main risk factors for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) development. The most common variants of NMSC are basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and actinic keratosis (AK). The latter is nowadays considered by most authors as an early squamous cell carcinoma rather than a precancerous lesion. Outdoor workers have a higher risk of developing NMSC because they spend most of the working day outside. The aim of this descriptive study was to assess the prevalence of skin lesions, especially AK, in a professional category of individuals exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation: the Italian Navy. From January to June 2016, a questionnaire and a total skin examination of 921 military personnel were administered by medical specialists (dermatologists) in seven different Italian Navy centres. AK was detected in 217 of 921 (23.5%) workers. Older age, outdoor occupation, longer working life, and fair skin seem to promote the development of AK. Of the 217 workers with AK, 187 (86.2%) had lesions in chronically sun-exposed skin areas. Italian Navy personnel have a high AK prevalence. Further studies are needed to investigate occupational hazards and their health effects among outdoor workers to promote protective behaviour and raise awareness of skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.D.M.); (A.C.); (E.S.S.C.); (F.M.); (D.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: 0039-080-547-8256
| | - Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.D.M.); (A.C.); (E.S.S.C.); (F.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.D.M.); (A.C.); (E.S.S.C.); (F.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Enza Sabrina Silvana Cannone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.D.M.); (A.C.); (E.S.S.C.); (F.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Francesca Mansi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.D.M.); (A.C.); (E.S.S.C.); (F.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (L.D.M.); (A.C.); (E.S.S.C.); (F.M.); (D.C.)
| | - Paolo Romita
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (P.R.); (C.F.)
| | - Giuseppe Argenziano
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Mentals and Physical Health and Preventive medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Di Stefani
- Institute of Dermatology, Università Cattolica, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.D.S.); (K.P.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Aurora Parodi
- Section of Dermatology, Di.S.Sal. Department of Health Science, University of Genoa, San Martino Polyclinic Hospital, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Ketty Peris
- Institute of Dermatology, Università Cattolica, 00168 Rome, Italy; (A.D.S.); (K.P.)
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalvenzi
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy;
| | - Giampiero Girolomoni
- Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Caterina Foti
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, Dermatological Clinic, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy; (P.R.); (C.F.)
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Vimercati L, Bisceglia L, Cavone D, Caputi A, De Maria L, Delfino MC, Corrado V, Ferri GM. Environmental Monitoring of PAHs Exposure, Biomarkers and Vital Status in Coke Oven Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072199. [PMID: 32218300 PMCID: PMC7178092 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A follow-up study of a cohort of workers from a coke plant compared with a control group from the same industrial area was conducted in 2019. The recruitment and environmental and biomarker measurements were performed during 1993/1994. The environmental concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), B(a)P, pyrene and nitro-PAH were measured. Personal data were collected via an individual semi-structured questionnaire by a trained physician. All biomarkers were measured after a specific blood drawing for every test. Significant risks (ORs) were observed for nitro-PAH (≥0.12 µg/m3) [OR = 7.96 (1.01–62.82)], urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHpy) (≥0.99 µmoles/moles of creatinine) [OR = 11.71 (1.47–92.90)], PAH DNA adducts (P32) (≥2.69 adducts/108 nucleotides) [OR = 5.46 (1.17–25.58)], total nitro-PAH hemoglobin adducts (≥161.68 fg/µg of Hb) [OR = 5.92 (1.26–27.86)], sister chromatid exchange (SCE) with TCR (≥377.84 SCE/cell chromosomes) [OR = 13.06 (3.95–93.10)], sister chromatid exchange with T (≥394.72 total SCE) [OR = 13.06 (3.95–93.10)], and sister chromatid exchange with X (≥8.19 mean SCE) [OR = 13.06 (3.95–93.10)]. Significant risk of death for all causes and chromosomal aberrations (48 h) (OR = 7.19 [1.19–43.44]) or micronuclei in culture at 48 h (OR = 3.86 [1.04–14.38]) were also found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (M.C.D.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-080-547-8216
| | - Lucia Bisceglia
- Strategic Regional Health and Social Agency of Puglia (AReS Puglia), 52 G. Gentile Street, 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (M.C.D.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (M.C.D.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (M.C.D.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Maria Celeste Delfino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (M.C.D.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Corrado
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (M.C.D.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Giovanni Maria Ferri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (M.C.D.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
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18
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VIMERCATI L, CAVONE D, MANSI F, CANNONE E, DE MARIA L, CAPUTI A, DELFINO M, SERIO G. Health impact of exposure to asbestos in polluted area of Southern Italy. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2019; 60:E407-E418. [PMID: 31967100 PMCID: PMC6953442 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.4.1330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The three main sources of asbestos pollution in the city of Bari, Puglia, the former Fibronit asbestos factory, the Torre Quetta beach, the former Rossani barracks and the history of their reclamation are described. The results of cohort studies on factory workers and case-control studies on asbestos exposure to the resident population and the onset of mesothelioma are also reported. Finally, the data of the regional register of mesothelioma related to residents in the city of Bari and four new cases with environmental exposure due to the former Rossani barracks are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. VIMERCATI
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - D. CAVONE
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - F. MANSI
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - E.S.S. CANNONE
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - L. DE MARIA
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - A. CAPUTI
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - M.C. DELFINO
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - G. SERIO
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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19
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Vimercati L, Cavone D, Caputi A, Delfino MC, De Maria L, Ferri GM, Serio G. Malignant mesothelioma in construction workers: the Apulia regional mesothelioma register, Southern Italy. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:636. [PMID: 31564247 PMCID: PMC6767638 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4675-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Asbestos was widely used in construction in both a friable and a compact form until the 1990s, before its use was banned. Today, many of these materials are still in situ and represent a source of risk for construction workers. The objective of the study was to analyse the cases of mesothelioma arising among construction workers registered in the Apulia regional register of mesothelioma. Results For the period 1993–2018, there were 178 male cases, and 10.2% of the cases were present in the regional register. The average age at diagnosis was 64.7 years. The site was pleural in 96.06% of cases, with a diagnosis of certainty in 86.5% of the total cases and 61.8% of cases with epithelial histology. The average latency is 43.9 years. In 75.2% of cases, the exposure began between 1941 and 1970, with an average duration of 24.3 years. The age at the start of exposure in 68.5% of cases is between 8 and 20 years. The ORs were 2.5 (C.I. 95% 1.01–6.17) for the epithelioid histotype and the high duration of exposure. The data underline the need for prevention and information on all activities involving construction workers in which asbestos-containing materials are still used.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Vimercati
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy.
| | - D Cavone
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - A Caputi
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - M C Delfino
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - L De Maria
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - G M Ferri
- School of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Ramazzini Occupational Medicine Section, "Policlinico" University Hospital, UOC of Occupational Medicine, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
| | - G Serio
- School of Medicine, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Division of Pathology, University of Bari "A. Moro", Piazza G, Cesare 11, 70124, Bari, Italy
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Pyana Kitenge J, Kapinga Kayembe D, Tshibangu Muamba M, Kachil Rubing H, De Vos B, Van Bouwel J, Nemery B. Malignant mesothelioma in Sub-Saharan Africa: A case report from Lubumbashi, DR Congo. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 176:108556. [PMID: 31260913 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Although asbestos has been used throughout Africa in the past decades, no reports of asbestos-related malignant mesothelioma are available from sub-Saharan Africa, except from South Africa and Zimbabwe. We present a case of a 39-year-old man who died from a histologically proven malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum in Lubumbashi, DR Congo. No occupational exposure to asbestos could be found in his history. In view of his young age, we speculated that he had been exposed to asbestos as a child, which was highly plausible because he had grown up in one of the numerous mining estates of the region. The houses of these estates were often built with asbestos-containing materials, notably roofs made of corrugated asbestos-cement. The possibility of past domestic or environmental exposure to asbestos was substantiated by the identification of chrysotile and crocidolite fibres in samples of asbestos-cement collected from the home where the patient had lived as a child. To our knowledge, this is the first report of malignant mesothelioma from a country in the Central African region. We expect that heightened awareness and improved diagnosis will lead to the detection of more asbestos-related diseases in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Pyana Kitenge
- University of Lubumbashi, Occupational Health, Lubumbashi, DR Congo; Centre Médical du Centre Ville (CMDC), Lubumbashi, DR Congo
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Benoit Nemery
- KU Leuven, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium.
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21
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Ramos-Bonilla JP, Cely-García MF, Giraldo M, Comba P, Terracini B, Pasetto R, Marsili D, Ascoli V, Lysaniuk B, Rodríguez MC, Mazzeo A, Panqueva RDPL, Baldión M, Cañón D, García-Herreros LG, Pinzón B, Hernández LJ, Silva YA. An asbestos contaminated town in the vicinity of an asbestos-cement facility: The case study of Sibaté, Colombia. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 176:108464. [PMID: 31229775 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The asbestos industry began operations in Colombia in 1942, with an asbestos-cement facility located in the municipality of Sibaté. In recent years residents from Sibaté have been complaining about what they consider is an unusually large number of people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the town. A study to analyze the situation of Sibaté started in 2015, to verify if the number of asbestos related diseases being diagnosed were higher than expected, and to identify potential asbestos exposure sources in the town. METHODS A health and socioeconomic survey was implemented door-to-door to identify potential asbestos-related diseases. Several self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified, and for confirmation purposes, copies of the medical record with the histopathology report were obtained. A panel of six physicians analyzed the medical records. Information of validated cases was used to estimate the male and female age-adjusted incidence rate for Sibaté. Based on reports of the existence of potential asbestos-contaminated landfills, topographic maps, a digital elevation model, and current satellite images were crossed using a geographic information system to identify potential landfilled areas, and soils samples were collected in some of these areas. RESULTS A total of 355 surveys were completed, and 29 self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified. Twenty-five of these cases have been persons who had lived at some moment of their lives in Sibaté. It was possible to obtain copies of the medical diagnosis for 17 cases. Of these, the panel of physicians classified 15 cases as certain pleural mesothelioma, one as probable, and one as not mesothelioma. Based on this information, the estimated age-adjusted incidence rate of mesothelioma in Sibaté was 3.1 × 105 persons-year for males and 1.6 × 105 persons-year for females. These rates are high in comparison to those reported in other cities, regions, and countries of the world. Using geographic information systems, landfilled zones in the urban area of Sibaté were identified, on top of which a school and different sports facilities were built. The analysis of four soil samples collected in landfilled zones, confirmed the existence of an underground layer of friable and non-friable asbestos. CONCLUSION The collected evidence suggests the presence of a malignant pleural mesothelioma cluster in Sibaté.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - María Fernanda Cely-García
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Margarita Giraldo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Pietro Comba
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Pasetto
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Ascoli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - María Camila Rodríguez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Agata Mazzeo
- Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Rocio Del Pilar López Panqueva
- Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Associate Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Margarita Baldión
- Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Associate Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diana Cañón
- Department of Pathology and Laboratories, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Associate Clinical Professor, School of Medicine, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Bibiana Pinzón
- Diagnostic Imaging Department, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Yordi Alejandro Silva
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
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Vimercati L, Cavone D, Delfino MC, De Maria L, Caputi A, Ferri GM, Serio G. Asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis: a systematic review and the experience of the Apulia (southern Italy) mesothelioma register. Environ Health 2019; 18:78. [PMID: 31470859 PMCID: PMC6717382 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-019-0512-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis (MMTVT) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. The diagnosis and management of these lesions are often difficult for pathologists, surgeons, oncologists and occupational physicians. A preoperative diagnosis of malignancy is rarely made, and there is no established effective therapy except orchidectomy. METHODS A systematic literature review was conducted among the articles published in the English literature on primary MMTVT. Moreover four cases from the Apulia mesothelioma register are reported here. RESULTS Two hundred eighty-nine cases of MMTVT have been reported from 1943 to 2018. Overall asbestos exposure has been investigated only for 58% of all cases reported in this review, while in 41.8% this data are not available. Noteworthy is the fact that in many reports there is not an anamnestic reconstruction of any asbestos exposure. A history of direct occupational, environmental or familial asbestos exposure is found in 27.6% of the cases. The four cases from the Apulia mesothelioma register are all with ascertained occupational exposure to asbestos. CONCLUSIONS The true incidence of asbestos exposure in MMTVT is underestimated because of insufficient information reported in older literature. To establish a broad consensus on the causal relationship between asbestos and MMTVT in the scientific community its necessary to analyze the same variables in the epidemiological studies. In general it should be recommended that a positive history of exposure to asbestos or to asbestos-containing materials are at risk for the development of a MMTVT and should be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, Section Occupational Medicine. “B. Ramazzini”, University Aldo Moro of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, Section Occupational Medicine. “B. Ramazzini”, University Aldo Moro of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Celeste Delfino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, Section Occupational Medicine. “B. Ramazzini”, University Aldo Moro of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, Section Occupational Medicine. “B. Ramazzini”, University Aldo Moro of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, Section Occupational Medicine. “B. Ramazzini”, University Aldo Moro of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Maria Ferri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine (DIM), Unit of Occupational Medicine, Section Occupational Medicine. “B. Ramazzini”, University Aldo Moro of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriella Serio
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Pathology Division, University Aldo Moro of Bari Medical School, 11 G. Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Abstract
Since 1973 the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified asbestos as a certain carcinogen, but today it is still used in several countries. To date, mesothelioma risk is certainly linked not only to occupational exposures but also to environmental exposures. The incidence and mortality are increasing worldwide, especially in developing countries where asbestos is still often used without adequate measures for worker safety. The epidemiological surveillance systems of related asbestos diseases are instruments of public health adopted internationally. The experience and the operating methodology of the Italian mesothelioma registry and the data produced from 1996 to 2015 highlight how in countries where the asbestos ban has been active for over 20 years the risk of asbestos remains present, especially in the construction sector as well as for the environmental exposures of the resident population near companies that used asbestos in their production cycle. Worldwide, it is necessary to introduce the ban on the extraction, processing, and marketing of asbestos as claimed by the international scientific community.
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Genomic changes of chromosomes 8p23.1 and 1q21: Novel mutations in malignant mesothelioma. Lung Cancer 2018; 126:106-111. [PMID: 30527173 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2018.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive malignancy of the thoracic cavity caused by prior asbestos exposure. In the peritoneum the mesothelioma is an extremely rare condition. In the present preliminary study, high-resolution array-comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH) was performed to identify genetic imbalances in a series of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between 1990 and 2008, among the cases recorded in the Apulia Mesothelioma Register, we found 22 peritoneal mesothelioma cases. CGH-array was performed on samples from all patients. RESULTS The CGH-array analysis revealed multiple chromosomal imbalances. Interestingly, deletion at 8p23.1 was observed in 12 cases. Furthermore, another novel deletion at 1q21 was present in 11. Often, 1q21 and 8p23.1 losses were present in the same patient (7 cases). Losses of BAP1 and CDKN2A loci were not detected. DISCUSSION The region at 8p23.1 contains the beta-defensin gene cluster (DEF) and 1q21 contains ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 (UBE2Q1). We hypotesized that the loss of function of ubiquitination, as well as of the defensins, could play an important role in the initial development and subsequent progression of mesothelioma.
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Jean D, Jaurand MC. Mesotheliomas in Genetically Engineered Mice Unravel Mechanism of Mesothelial Carcinogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E2191. [PMID: 30060470 PMCID: PMC6121615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19082191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant mesothelioma (MM), a rare and severe cancer, mainly caused as a result of past-asbestos exposure, is presently a public health concern. Current molecular studies aim to improve the outcome of the disease, providing efficient therapies based on the principles of precision medicine. To model the molecular profile of human malignant mesothelioma, animal models have been developed in rodents, wild type animals and genetically engineered mice harbouring mutations in tumour suppressor genes, especially selecting genes known to be inactivated in human malignant mesothelioma. Animals were either exposed or not exposed to asbestos or to other carcinogenic fibres, to understand the mechanism of action of fibres at the molecular level, and the role of the selected genes in mesothelial carcinogenesis. The aim of the manuscript was to compare mesothelioma models to human malignant mesothelioma and to specify the clue genes playing a role in mesothelial carcinogenesis. Collectively, MM models recapitulate the clinical features of human MM. At least two altered genes are needed to induce malignant mesothelioma in mice. Two pathways regulated by Cdkn2a and Trp53 seem independent key players in mesothelial carcinogenesis. Other genes and pathways appear as bona fide modulators of the neoplastic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didier Jean
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique Fonctionnelle des Tumeurs Solides, F-75010 Paris, France.
- Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncologie, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-75000 Paris, France.
- Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-75010 Paris, France.
- Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-93206 Saint-Denis, France.
| | - Marie-Claude Jaurand
- Inserm, UMR-1162, Génomique Fonctionnelle des Tumeurs Solides, F-75010 Paris, France.
- Université Paris Descartes, Labex Immuno-Oncologie, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-75000 Paris, France.
- Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-75010 Paris, France.
- Université Paris 13, Sorbonne Paris Cité, F-93206 Saint-Denis, France.
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