Maternal perinatal depression, anxiety, fear of birth, and perception of infants' negative affectivity at three months

The present study aimed to investigate whether a mother's anxiety, depression, prenatal perception of childbirth, and experience with delivery, assessed from pregnancy to three months postpartum, were associated with her perception of her infant's negative affectivity (NA). The participant sample was composed of 76 primiparous mothers and their healthy babies (58% boys, 42% girls). During pregnancy, mothers independently filled out the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaires (W-DEQ) version A. One month after giving birth, the mothers filled out the W-DEQ version B. Finally, three months after giving birth, they completed the EPDS, the STAI, and the four Infant Behaviour Questionnaire (IBQ-R) scales of NA. Linear regression analyses showed that perinatal FoB, trait anxiety, and depression were associated with a maternal perception of higher infant NA. Studies on perinatal parental health and child outcomes should include assessments of the relation between anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum depression in order to prevent any negative impacts on the temperaments of children.

[Risk assessment of work related stress: examination and operative difficulties in sanitary field]

Work related stress can highly negatively affect not only company's productivity but also other aspects causing increased costs for absenteeism, increased number of work accident and near miss, higher turnover, reduced quality of products and services, reduced capability of renewal, and so on. In agreement with the Italian legislative decree 81/08 we evaluated stress level of workers of three different sanitary structures located in the middle of Italy. 305 workers (physicians, nurses, technicians, auxiliary nurse, white collars) were submitted to a questionnaire designed by our team of work. The sector reporting higher stress level was represented by nurses, the sector with lower stress level was made of technicians. We proposed a set of measures aiming to reduce the load of stress based on the assumption that in this sector is fundamental to develop strategies of intervention both at organizational and individual level.

[Comparison of shift work and night shifts: impacts on health and wellbeing among sanitary workers]

The generally agreed view is that there is no ideal shift system, and that most systems will have both advantages and disadvantages. As such, attention has been placed on trying to identify good and bad features of shift systems, with a view to minimising the possible ill health as a consequence of shiftwork. The present study focuses on the quality of the shift and looks at the implications for individual health and wellbeing, during the wellbeing, during the shift. Three groups of sanitary workers, one working in the morning, one working two shifts, and the other working three, took part. All completed a version of the standard shiftwork index (SSI), a set of self reported questionnaires related to health and wellbeing. The three groups differed on many outcome measures, although the differences that did exist didn't suggested advantages for one shift system over the others.

Effects of palladium nanoparticles on the cytokine release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-atopic women

The object of this study is to determine the cytokine release from PBMCs exposed to Pd model nanoparticles emitted from catalytic converters. PBMCs of 8 healthy non-atopic women were incubated in the presence of Pd nanoparticles (5-10 nm) or salt (potassium hexa-chloropalladate) 10-5 and 10-6 M. Release of cytokines in supernatant of PBMCs was then determined. In cultures without LPS, IL-10 and IL-17 release from PBMCs was inhibited by Pd salt, while Pd nanoparticles inhibited TNF-alpha and IL-17 release. In LPS-stimulated cultures, release of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10 and IL-17 was inhibited by Pd salt, whereas IFN-gamma release was enhanced and TNF-alpha and IL-17 release was inhibited by Pd nanoparticles. In conclusion, Pd salt inhibits cytokine release, whereas Pd nanoparticles exert modulatory effects enhancing the release of IFN-gamma, a Th1 cytokine typical of delayed allergic reactions. This result is interesting considering the increase of allergic contact dermatitis to Pd in people exposed to Pd nanoparticles in urban environments.

[Professional exposure to natural ultraviolet radiation: risk assessment and management and preventing strategies]

The aim of our study was to verify the impact of work risk factor in causing cutaneous neoplasia on a group of patients and to assess the risk of exposure to UV on outdoor workers. The survey was divided in three phases: a) Questionnaire, b) Dermatological clinical examination. c) Exposure measurement by spectral radiance method (mW/cm2). 248 subjects were enrolled, 100 of which affected by basal cellular carcinoma (BCC) (68% M and 32% F: mean age 70 +/- 11.93 y) 130 by melanoma (42% M and 58% F; mean age 53 +/- 17.35 y) and 18 by squamous cellular carcinoma (33% F and 67% M: mean age 78 +/- 11.41 y). In addiction 22 healthy male subjects exposed to UV were examined (mean age 38.59 +/- 13.65 y; specific working age 11.88 +/- 10.92 y). The assessment of UV exposure was performed over a 24 days timeframe during summer 2007, all over the working day. Furthermore, maximum allowed exposure time (t(max)) without protection was calculated according to ACGIH guidelines in order to prevent cutaneous alterations. It turned out that the UV exposure, both in working and spare time, is the root cause for squamous cellular cancer developing. Furthermore our results proved that also BCC is related to the overall UV exposure. No clear link to the UV exposure was found for cutaneous melanoma. No precancerous lesions were observed on shortly exposed subjects. The measurements performed revealed, as expected, lower exposure during first and last hours of the day without any particular constrain on t(max), and maximum exposure in the timeframe between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Therefore, it is necessary to pay higher attention to the UV exposure and related consequences on employees health in order to provide with the most suitable preventing measures such the usage of protections depending from the requested exposure time.

[Occupational risk stress in shift workers]

Aim of our study was to assess the stress risk at work in a group of nurses. 197 workers (nurses, auxiliary, physiotherapists, midwives and technicians of laboratory) were enrolled divided in two sets respectively of 100 people (subset A) with daily and nightly shifts and 97 (subset B) only daily workers. The mean age was 43.29 years (DS +/- 8.13) in subset A and 46.85 years (DS +/- 7.48) in subset B. For the survey S-90, a questionnaire composed by 90 items faces to frame some of the possible factors of risk has been used and the relative effects on health's state induced by the occupational stress were analyzed. The results show a possible greater risk of daily sleepiness in workers with nightly job. The majority of hypertension workers in subgroup B could depend more on the elevated mean age of this sample. Although a greater perception of the psychological load has been found, statistically meaningful association between the insurgence of gastrointestinal symptoms and shift was not showed.

[Cervical, thoracic and upper limb load assessment in dental professionals]

In order to analyze the effect of working posture on the level of neck, back and shoulder muscular activity, a clinico-anamnestic, electromyographic and postural study of 34 dentistry was undertaken. Using surface electrodes, the level of muscular activity was recorded. The results showed that neck flexed working posture is prevalent: using stereomicroscope gave lower levels than with or without enlarging systems, such as glasses.

[Risk assessment in upper limb overload]

One of the most important factors of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities (WMSDs) is the biomechanical overload. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibility to predict the upper limb repetitive stress, according to risk assessment procedures. In order to this aim, we gathered clinical-anamnestic data and risk assessment considerations of a cohort of workers in a car industry.

[The diagnosis of occupational diseases: a specific task of occupational doctors]

The Authors examine the problem dealing with Occupational disease diagnosis focusing five main points: diseases of probable/possible occupational origin; chronic and acute diseases; diseases due to biological agents; presumptive causation in legal compensation; public health statistics and medical reports. They conclude that new rules are needed and more advice from Occupational Medicine is required.

[Breathing sleep disturbances and occupational medicine: study of 20 clinical cases]

During 2004, in the Center for Sleep Disorders, a questionnaire including Epworth sleepiness scale (ES) was administered to 120 subjects; 20 male subjects of this group with elevated score (ES >14) were selected and submitted to polysomnography. Subjects, all in working age, were represented by 3 (15%) shift-workers, 9 (45%) drivers, 17 (85%) industrial workers (among those 5 building workers) and 3 (15%) employers. By polysomnography, moderatelsevere OSAHS was diagnosed in all subjects (40% moderate, 60% severe). CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy led to an improvement of clinical symptoms since the first month. Counselling of Occupational Medicine Physician with the Center for Sleep Disorders, was useful to direct the action of Competent Doctor, especially for jobs requiring high vigilance (drivers or shift-worker). The pass certificate for jobs with an high risk (alone, in high places, heavy means drivers) cannot avoid to evaluate this pathology, that is often associated to other related risk factors (obesity, hypertension, diabetes), because it compromises both the specific suitability and the protection of common health and safety.

[Evaluation of risks of biomechanical overload of the upper limb in physical kinesis therapists]

Physical therapists are at risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Contributing risk factors are job-task, mental stress and biomechanical overload, due to fixed and incorrect postures of neck, upper limbs and back. The purpose of this study was to investigate, by questionnaire and the use of muscle superficial EMG recording and analysis, the workload in the physical therapist activity, in order to provide suitable preventive measures.

[Longitudinal study of a population exposed to risk of biomechanical overload of the upper limb]

One of the most important factors of the work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities (WMSDs) is the biomechanical overload. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibility of the worker fitting to the job, to decrease the upper limb repetitive stress. In order to this aim, we have collected and compared, in different controls at the distance of two years, the clinical-anamnestic and instrumental data of a cohort of workers in a car industry.

Performance indicators for the efficiency analysis of urban drainage systems

Performance indicators implemented in a decision support system (DSS) for the technical, managerial and economic evaluation of urban drainage systems (UDS), called MOMA FD, are presented. Several kinds of information are collected and processed by MOMA FD to evaluate both present situation and future scenarios of development and enhancement. Particular interest is focused on the evaluation of the environmental impact, which is considered a very relevant factor in the decision making process to identify the priorities for UDS improvements.

Development and application of CVD diamond detectors to 14 MeV neutron flux monitoring

CVD diamond is an interesting material for radiation detection, its atomic number (Z = 6) is close to that of soft tissues (Z = 7.1) and it can also work in harsh environments. Since many years CVD diamond films have been grown at the Faculty of Engineering, Rome 'Tor Vergata' University, and in 1998 a collaboration with ENEA Fusion Division was established to develop fast neutron monitors to be used in fusion tokamak environment. In this paper the first test of a 120 microm thick polycrystalline CVD diamond detector used for monitoring 14.7 MeV neutrons emission produced with the Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) is reported. The detector operates in air and in pulse mode. The time irradiation profiles recorded with the CVD diamond detector were compared with those recorded by the standard monitors available at FNG (SSD, fission chamber, NE-213). Good stability and capability to operate in neutron flux up to 1.5 x 10(8) n cm(-2) s(-1) was observed. The radiation hardness property was also investigated using a 460 microm thick film and these results are also reported.

Evidence that the HIV-1 coat protein gp120 causes neuronal apoptosis in the neocortex of rat via a mechanism involving CXCR4 chemokine receptor

The HIV-1 coat protein, gp120 (100 ng given intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) daily for seven consecutive days) causes DNA fragmentation in the brain neocortex of rat. In neocortical cells bearing ultrastructural features typical of apoptosis, electron microscopy revealed specific immunopositivity for neurofilament cytoskeletal proteins, suggesting the neuronal nature of dying cells. Neuronal apoptosis by gp120 implicates CXCR4 chemokine receptors; in fact, in rats receiving a single daily, non-neurotoxic, dose of SDF-1alpha (0.25 pmoles given i.c.v. for 7 days before gp120), the natural ligand of CXCR4 receptor, apoptosis was significantly hindered. The mechanism of SDF-1alpha protection involves inhibition of gp120-enhanced expression of IL-1beta, a cytokine implicated in the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by the viral protein in the neocortex of rat.

Analysis of mid1p, a protein required for placement of the cell division site, reveals a link between the nucleus and the cell surface in fission yeast

mid1 is required for the proper placement of the contractile actin ring for cytokinesis at a medial site overlying the nucleus. Here we find that mid1 protein (mid1p) shuttles between the nucleus and a cortical medial broad band during interphase and early mitosis. The position of this broad band, which overlies the nucleus, is linked to nuclear position even in cells with displaced or multiple nuclei. We identified and created mutations in an NLS and in two crm1-dependent NES sequences in mid1p. NES mutations caused mid1p accumulation in the nucleus and loss of function. An NLS mutations greatly reduced nuclear localization but did not perturb cytoplasmic localization or function. mid1p localization to the medial broad band was also not dependent on mid1p PH domain or microtubule and actin cytoskeletons. Overexpression of mid1p produced ectopic cell growth at this band during interphase and abnormal karmellae-like nuclear membrane structures. In plo1-1, mid1p formed a medial broad band but did not incorporate into a tight ring, suggesting that polo kinase plo1p is required for activation of mid1p function. Thus, the mid1p broad band defines a compartment at the medial cell surface, whose localization is linked to the position of the nucleus, and whose function may be to position the plane of cell division.

Organisation and functional regulation of the centrosome in animal cells

Molecular characterisation of centrosomal components is slowly progressing. Recent results indicate that the major aspects of centrosome-mediated microtubule nucleation may soon be understood at the molecular level. In contrast, centrosome reproduction, which is an important aspect of animal cell division, remains terra incognita. The most challenging issue for the future is to understand the molecular mechanisms which control centrosome biogenesis. There is a urgent need to identify with certainty proteins implicated in this process. Comparison between organisms with structurally different centrosomes might be critical for a better understanding of centrosome duplication if a general mechanism has been conserved throughout evolution.

Pulse treatment of interphasic HeLa cells with nanomolar doses of docetaxel affects centrosome organization and leads to catastrophic exit of mitosis

In order to investigate the role of centrosome duplication in mitotic spindle morphogenesis, we designed a 1 hour pulse treatment protocol on synchronized HeLa cells with nanomolar doses of taxoids that might impair centrosome biogenesis but would allow the recovery of normal microtubule (Mt) dynamics before mitosis. We were prompted to use this approach as docetaxel (DOC; taxotereTM), a taxoid known to promote Mt polymerization, was shown to be more cytotoxic when applied during S phase. We show that pulse drug exposure is most efficient in late S and in G2 and results in a marked disorganization of the centrosome in G2, the pericentriolar material (PCM) being dissociated from centrioles. Separation of centrosomes at the G2-M transition is also impaired and mitotic spindle morphogenesis is grossly abnormal: although in most spindles chromosomes align in a metaphase plate, the two centrosomes stay most often unseparated at one pole and most of the NuMA protein accumulates at the other. Interestingly, we find that the centrosomes' ability to duplicate is not abolished as they are still able to trigger parthenogenetic development of frog eggs. Despite spindle asymmetry, the progression through mitosis is not blocked. This results in a catastrophic exit from mitosis, each mitotic cell generating several micronucleated cells linked together by multiple midbodies. Lack of mitotic block appears therefore as the prime cause of cell lethality. These experiments suggest that NuMA redistribution at the onset of mitosis depends upon the correct redistribution of PCM between centriole pairs. They also indicate that the presence of aberrant spindle poles does not alert the surveillance mechanism controlling the exit of mitosis.

Identification of a new mammalian centrin gene, more closely related to Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC31 gene

Among the numerous centrin isoforms identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in human cells, an acidic and slow-migrating isoform is particularly enriched in a centrosome fraction. We report here that this isoform specifically reacts with antibodies raised against Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cdc31p and is present, as other centrin isoforms, in the distal lumen of centrioles. It is encoded by a new centrin gene, which we propose to name HsCEN3 (Homo sapiens centrin gene 3). This gene is more closely related to the yeast CDC31 gene, and shares less identity with algae centrin than HsCEN1 and HsCEN2. A murine CDC31-related gene was also found that shows 98% identity and 100% similarity with HsCEN3, demonstrating a higher interspecies conservation than the murine centrin gene MmCEN1 (Mus musculus centrin gene 1) with either HsCEN1, or HsCEN2. Finally, immunological data suggest that a CDC31-related gene could exist in amphibians and echinoderms as well. All together, our data suggest the existence of two divergent protein subfamilies in the current centrin family, which might be involved in distinct centrosome-associated functions. The possible implication of this new mammalian centrin gene in centrosome duplication is discussed.

Antibody prevents the establishment of persistent arenavirus infection in synergy with endogenous T cells

A cardinal feature of the biology of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is its ability to establish persistent infections in mice. Persistence is usually established by infection of the mouse during the in utero or neonatal period. Susceptibility can be extended to the adult by treatment with immunosuppressive agents or by infection with immunosuppressive strains of LCMV. In this study we investigated the capacity of passively acquired anti-LCMV antibodies to prevent the establishment of persistence in both neonatal and adult mice. Suckling BALB/c mouse pups nursed by mothers immunized against LCMV before pregnancy had higher survival rates following infection than controls and withstood challenge doses of up to 400 PFU without becoming persistently infected. To establish that maternal antibody alone and not maternally derived T cells provided this protection, nonimmune mothers were infused with monoclonal anti-LCMV neutralizing antibodies within 24 h after delivering their pups. Pups nursing on these passively immunized mothers were resistant to persistent LCMV infection. The establishment of persistence in adult BALB/c mice by the immunosuppressive, macrophage-tropic LCMV variant, clone 13 was also prevented by prophylactic treatment with anti-LCMV monoclonal antibodies. However, the protection afforded by passively acquired antibody was found to be incomplete if the recipients lacked functional CD8+ T cells. While 65% of neonatal athymic (nu/nu) mice nursed by immune nu/+ dams resisted low-dose viral challenge (25 PFU), the majority of nude pups challenged with high doses of virus (100 PFU) became persistently infected. Also, protection was incomplete in beta2-microglobulin knockout mice, which lack functional CD8+ T cells, suggesting that a cooperative effect was exerted by the combination of neutralizing antibody and endogenous T cells. These results indicate that antibodies provide an effective barrier to the establishment of persistent infections in immunocompetent mice and reaffirm that vaccines which induce strong humoral responses may provide efficient protection against arenavirus infections.

Most of centrin in animal cells is not centrosome-associated and centrosomal centrin is confined to the distal lumen of centrioles

Centrin is a member of the calcium-binding EF-hand protein superfamily present in centrosomes of widely divergent species. Investigating the cellular distribution of human centrin by both immunofluorescence and cell fractionation, we report that centrin is biochemically complex in human cells, displaying as much as ten isoforms in 2-D electrophoresis. This suggests that centrin may be subject to multiple regulations. Strikingly, more than 90% of centrin is not associated with the centrosome fraction. The centrosome-associated centrin, however, displays a specific pattern in 2-D electrophoresis and is concentrated within the distal lumen of the centrioles, where a complex structure has been previously described. This precise localization allows the resolution of centrioles at the optical level throughout the cell cycle and provides a valuable tool for monitoring centriole duplication. To get insights on centrin function, we performed injection experiments of recombinant heterologous centrin in two-cell stage frog embryos in an attempt to produce dominant negative effects. We report that green algae and human centrin delay cleavage and promote the formation of abnormal blastomeres in which the distribution of microtubule asters and of nuclei is dramatically impaired. This suggests that centrin could be involved in the centrosome reproduction cycle, in the coordination of cytoplasmic and nuclear division or in cytokinesis.

Actin-based movement of Listeria monocytogenes: actin assembly results from the local maintenance of uncapped filament barbed ends at the bacterium surface

The thermodynamic basis for actin-based motility of Listeria monocytogenes has been investigated using cytoplasmic extracts of Xenopus eggs, initially developed by Theriot et al. (Theriot, J. A., J. Rosenblatt, D. A. Portnoy, P. J. Goldschmidt-Clermont, and T. J. Mitchison. 1994. Cell. 76:505-517) as an in vitro cell-free system. A large proportion (75%) of actin was found unpolymerized in the extracts. The amount of unassembled actin (12 microM) is accounted for by the sequestering functions of T beta 4Xen (20 microM) and profilin (5 microM), the barbed ends being capped. Movement of Listeria was not abolished by depletion of over 99% of the endogenous profilin. The proline-rich sequences of ActA are unlikely to be the target of profilin. All data support the view that actin assembly at the rear of Listeria results from a local shift in steady state due to a factor, keeping filaments uncapped, bound to the surface of the bacterium, while barbed ends are capped in the bulk cytoplasm. Movement is controlled by the energetic difference (i.e., the difference in critical concentration) between the two ends of the filaments, hence a constant ATP supply and the presence of barbed end capped F-actin in the medium are required to buffer free G-actin at a high concentration. The role of membrane components is demonstrated by the facts that: (a) Listeria movement can be reconstituted in the resuspended pellets of high speed-centrifuged extracts that are enriched in membranes; (b) Actin-based motility of endogenous vesicles, exhibiting the same rocketing movement as Listeria, can be observed in the extracts.

[Research, education and environmental health related to pollution in the Gulf]

At Italian-Russian International Conference on "Rôle of the University on ecological education and training", was illustrate six topics of 30 years of our scientific and didactic activity on Environmental Hygiene, here below summarized: I. At first time, sludges of biological treatment plants and domestic sewage were frequently utilized under bacteriological control as economical and ecological fertilizers of land and waters. At present such a custom is very rare owing the chemical pollution of sewage continuously increasing; but in some countries it is still in use, and is our opinion and experience that organic waste material must be reused as fertilizer of land, more and more devoid of humus and subject to erosion of winds and waters. Some treatment plants are shown, and related plankton pyramid's. II. Pilot sewage treatment plants are frequently used in our experiments and training, for study and control of the biological degradation of organic matter, for evaluate the disappearance rate of bacteria and viruses, for investigate the foric action and behaviour of chemical and radioactive pollutants, for quantify their accumulation in the sludges of sewage treatment plants, and so forth. Different pilot plants are used, located both in our laboratories both in industries; in nuclear power plant are tested at the same time 3 models of 3 different plants (biodiscs, activated sludges, biofiltering channels), working with prevalent algal growth. III. Many species of microorganisms (metazoa, protozoa, algae, fungi, bacteria, viruses and new species like Bdellovibrio) are present in aerobic sewage treatment plants (activated sludge, bacterial bed, biodiscs, lagooning, etc.); in anaerobic treatment (digesters) prevail only methane-producing bacteria. Some of these organisms are very abundant and very active as consumers of organic matter; others are characteristic indicators of well balanced purification or of bad purification owing acute variation of organic load or presence of toxic substances in sewage. Many strains are antibiotic-producing, or Vit. B12 producing; others explain a strong lytic activity or are neuraminidase-formers. Production of great amount of biofloculant polysaccharides useful on sedimentation of organic matter is enhanced by adding particular organic pollutants like distillery wastes and others. Sewage treatment plants are good means for scientific research of particular biota continuously available and for food microbiological training for students and technicians on pathogens present in treated and untreated sewage and in sludges. IV. Big fecal pollution of coastal waters is clearly dangerous because of bathing beaches, shellfish farming, bacterial aerosols, damage to marine biota, eutrofication, aesthetic problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Mutagenicity studies in a tyre plant: in vitro activity of workers' urinary concentrates and raw materials

The possible contribution to urinary mutagenicity of occupational exposures in the rubber industry was studied by assaying the urine concentrates of 72 workmen (44 smokers) employed in a tyre plant. Twenty three clerks (16 smokers) engaged in the administrative department of the same factory served as presumptive unexposed controls. XAD-2 resin concentrates of urine samples were assayed in the plate incorporation test and in the microtitre fluctuation assay with Salmonella typhimurium strains TA1535, TA98, and TA100. Furthermore, the in vitro mutagenicity of the major raw materials in use at the plant was determined in the plate incorporation assay with S typhimurium strains TA1535, TA1537, TA98, and TA100. The results obtained from the urinary mutagenicity study show that smoking habits, but not occupation, were statistically significantly related to the appearance of a urinary mutagenicity that was detectable with strain TA98. A possible synergistic effect of occupation with smoking was observed among tyre builders who were also smokers. The study of the raw materials showed that three technical grade materials were weakly active as mutagens in strain TA98 in the absence (poly-p-dinitrosobenzene) or in the presence of metabolic activation (mixed diaryl-p-phenylendiamines and tetramethyltiuram disulphide). The latter chemical was also weakly active in strain TA100.

Biological monitoring of workers in the rubber industry. II. UV-induced unscheduled DNA synthesis in the lymphocytes of vulcanizers

DNA-repair ability was estimated in a group of vulcanizers by measuring in vitro UV-induced unscheduled. DNA synthesis (UDS) in peripheral lymphocytes, and compared with that of an adequate control group. A considerable interindividual variability was shown by the UDS responses of the subjects studied both in the control and exposed population. Significantly (P = 0.0158) decreased UDS values were observed among the vulcanizers as compared to the referents. Neither age nor cigarette-smoking was observed to affect the UDS response, thus suggesting an association between the industrial exposure and decrease in the DNA-repair rate.

Biological monitoring of workers in the rubber industry. I. Chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges in lymphocytes of vulcanizers

To evaluate the possible genetic consequences of the industrial exposure among the vulcanizers of a rubber plant we measured the in vivo levels of chromosomal aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges in peripheral lymphocytes of 34 vulcanizers and in an adequate control population. The observed chromosomal aberration frequencies were 1.9 +/- 1.4 aberrations/100 cells in the exposed group and 2.1 +/- 1.5 aberrations/100 cells in the controls. No difference was found between the two groups for the mean value of sister-chromatid exchanges (5.2 +/- 1.3 in the exposed, 5.2 +/- 0.7 in the control group). Cigarette-smoking was clearly associated with increased sister-chromatid exchange frequencies both in the exposed and in the control groups, while chromosomal aberration frequencies were not correlated with smoking habits.

[Echographic identification of an isolated thyroid nodule]

103 patient suffering from thyroid solitary nodule have been examined with gray-scale ultrasonography. 79 patients have been histologically confirmed. Research has been done with multi-transducer computerized water-bath equipment ( OCTOSON ). The results are discussed and a classification of the thyroid solitary nodule in four groups is proposed, according to the echographic patterns.

[An unusual case of "acute abdomen". Dimethylformamide poisoning]

Dimethylformamide, an industrial solvent largely used, causes intoxication both by inhalation and cutaneous adsorption. The Authors report the case of a young worker suffering from abdominal pain and hepatopathy who was heavily exposed to the solvent. A first diagnosis made by the surgery department was that of acute cholecystitis without gallstones. In the three successive years the worker was controlled and did not show relevant consequences of intoxication.