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Zuccarello P, Carnazza G, Salerno M, Esposito M, Cosentino S, Giorlandino A, Sessa F, Pomara C, Barbera N. Forensic investigation on a combined death by food aspiration and acute escitalopram intoxication occurred to a psychiatric subject in a nursing home. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03168-5. [PMID: 38321300 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03168-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Food aspiration is one of the major health risks for elderly people in nursing homes which could lead to death. Moreover, misconducts in pharmacotherapy may represent a potential risk of adverse drug reactions. It is reported here the toxicological evaluation of a combined death by food aspiration and acute escitalopram intoxication of a psychiatric subject, occurred in a nursing home. An 89-year-old man, suffering from dysphagia and Alzheimer's, was resident in a nursing home. He was fed with a liquid diet administered directly in mouth using a syringe. The man was also being treated with escitalopram 10 mg tablet. One evening, after receiving the meal in the usual way, the man complained of sudden illness. Carried to the emergency room, the man died about 3 h later with a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock subsequentially to ab ingestis. The histological findings revealed the presence of exogenous material, probably food, up to the finest bronchial branches. The toxicological examination revealed the presence of escitalopram and its main metabolite, desmethylcitalopram: in the blood 1972 ng/ml and 285 ng/ml, in the brain 4657 ng/g and 1025 ng/g, in the gastric content 2317 ng/g and 423 ng/g, in the lung 21,771 ng/g and 468 ng/g, respectively. The bad practice of the nurses to dissolve the escitalopram tablet in the liquefied food and to administer the therapy with a syringe directly into the mouth emerged thanks this investigation. Following food aspiration, escitalopram was absorbed by inhalation route, reaching high concentrations in blood and tissues. The death occurred due to a combined mechanism between food aspiration and the escitalopram toxic action.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - G Carnazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Salerno
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Esposito
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - S Cosentino
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, A.R.N.A.S. Garibaldi-Nesima, Catania, Italy
| | - A Giorlandino
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, A.R.N.A.S. Garibaldi-Nesima, Catania, Italy
| | - F Sessa
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - C Pomara
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - N Barbera
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Zuccarello P, Carnazza G, Giorlandino A, Cosentino S, Arcifa V, Barbera N. Lethal vortioxetine poisoning? A forensic investigation. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 65:102314. [PMID: 37607460 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Vortioxetine is an antidepressant recently licensed in the US and EU for the treatment of major depressive disorder. No fatalities from vortioxetine overdose have been reported, yet. Two cases of attempted suicide are described in the literature, although no toxicological analyzes were conducted. Vortioxetine concentrations found in blood and organs in a case of a probable acute lethal intoxication are reported here. A 65-year-old woman was found on the floor behind her bed with no vital signs. The woman was recently on vortioxetine 10 mg/day for major depression, anxiety, and psychotic attacks. Vortioxetine was quantified in blood, brain, liver, kidney, and lung samples by LC-MS/MS. Vortioxetine concentrations were: 1.197 ng/ml in the blood, 804 ng/g in the brain, 8.992 ng/g in the lung, 1.389 ng/g in the liver, 292 in the kidney. No other substance was found. In the case reported here, the blood concentration was approximately 35-135 times higher than the antemortem therapeutic value. Histological examination showed signs of a probable sudden cardiac death following to arrhythmia, with no evidence of myocardial infarction. The present case indicate that blood concentrations close to 1,000 ng/mL could lead to death, involving probably to a cardiac toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy.
| | - G Carnazza
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Giorlandino
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, A.R.N.A.S. Garibaldi-Nesima, Catania, Italy
| | - S Cosentino
- Department of Pathological Anatomy, A.R.N.A.S. Garibaldi-Nesima, Catania, Italy
| | - V Arcifa
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - N Barbera
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
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Esposito M, Sessa F, Cocimano G, Zuccarello P, Roccuzzo S, Salerno M. Advances in Technologies in Crime Scene Investigation. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3169. [PMID: 37891990 PMCID: PMC10605839 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13203169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Crime scene investigation (CSI) is the complex act of reconstructing the dynamics that led to a crime and the circumstances of its perpetration. Crystallizing the CSI is a difficult task for the forensic pathologist; however, it is often requested by the public prosecutor and many judicial cases remain unsolved precisely for this reason. Recent years have seen an improvement in the ability of 3D scanning technology to obtain dense surface scans of large-scale spaces, for surveying, engineering, archaeology, and medical purposes such as forensics. The applications of this new technology are growing every day: forensic measurement of wounds in clinical reports, for example, reconstruction of traffic accidents, bullet trajectory studies in gunshot wounds, and 3D bloodstain pattern analysis. A retrospective analysis was conducted across all crime scene investigations performed by the forensic staff of the Department of Forensic Pathology of the University of Catania from January 2019 to June 2022. Inclusion criteria were the use of a laser scanner (LS), the use of a camera, a full investigative scene, and collection of circumstantial data thanks to the help of the judicial police. Cases in which the LS was not used were excluded. Out of 200 CSIs, 5 were included in the present study. In case number 1, the use of the LS made it possible to create a complete scale plan of the crime scene in a few hours, allowing a ship to be quickly returned to the judicial police officer. In case 2 (fall from a height), the LS clarified the suicidal intent of the deceased. In case number 3 it was possible to reconstruct a crime scene after many years. In case 4, the LS provided a great contribution in making a differential diagnosis between suicide and homicide. In case 5, the LS was fundamental for the COVID team in planning the study of COVID-19 pathways and areas within a hospital with the aim of reduction of nosocomial transmission. In conclusion, the use of the LS allowed the forensic staff to crystallize the investigative scene, making it a useful tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesco Sessa
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cocimano
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania "Vanvitelli", 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Roccuzzo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Monica Salerno
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
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Caruso M, Emma R, Distefano A, Rust S, Poulas K, Giordano A, Volarevic V, Mesiakaris K, Boffo S, Arsenijevic A, Karanasios G, Pulvirenti R, Ilic A, Canciello A, Zuccarello P, Ferrante M, Polosa R, Li Volti G. Comparative assessment of electronic nicotine delivery systems aerosol and cigarette smoke on endothelial cell migration: The Replica Project. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:1164-1174. [PMID: 35877466 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cigarette smoking is associated with impairment of repair mechanisms necessary for vascular endothelium homeostasis. Reducing the exposure to smoke toxicants may result in the mitigation of the harmful effect on the endothelium and cardiovascular disease development. Previous investigations evaluated in vitro the effect of electronic cigarette (EC) compared with cigarette smoke demonstrating a significant reduction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) migration inhibition following EC aerosol exposure. In the present study, we replicated one of these studies, evaluating the effects of cigarette smoke on endothelial cell migration compared with aerosol from EC and heated tobacco products (HTPs). We performed an in vitro scratch wound assay on endothelial cells with a multi-center approach (ring-study) to verify the robustness and reliability of the results obtained in the replicated study, also testing the effect of aerosol from two HTPs on endothelial cells. Consistently with the original study, we observed a substantial reduction of the effects of aerosol from EC and HTPs on endothelial cell migration compared with cigarette smoke. While cigarette smoke reduced endothelial wound healing ability already at low concentrations (12.5%) and in a concentration-dependent manner, EC and HTPs aerosol showed no effect on endothelial cells until 80%-100% concentrations. In conclusion, our study further confirms the importance of EC and tobacco heated products as a possible harm reduction strategy for cardiovascular diseases development in smokers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Emma
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alfio Distefano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sonja Rust
- ECLAT Srl, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Poulas
- IRIS, Patras Science Park, Institute for Research and Innovation, Patras, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vladislav Volarevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Konstantinos Mesiakaris
- IRIS, Patras Science Park, Institute for Research and Innovation, Patras, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Silvia Boffo
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aleksandar Arsenijevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Georgios Karanasios
- IRIS, Patras Science Park, Institute for Research and Innovation, Patras, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Roberta Pulvirenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Aleksandar Ilic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Angelo Canciello
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- ECLAT Srl, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Caruso M, Distefano A, Emma R, Zuccarello P, Copat C, Ferrante M, Carota G, Pulvirenti R, Polosa R, Missale GA, Rust S, Raciti G, Li Volti G. In vitro cytoxicity profile of e-cigarette liquid samples on primary human bronchial epithelial cells. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:1145-1155. [PMID: 35434934 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Cigarette smoke is associated to severe chronic diseases. The most harmful components of cigarette smoke derive from the combustion process, which are significantly reduced in the electronic cigarette aerosol, thus providing a valid option in harm reduction strategies. To develop safer products, it is therefore necessary to screen electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquids) to meet high safety standards defined by government regulations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of metal- and plastic-derived contaminants in four different commercial e-liquids with high concentration of nicotine and their cytotoxic effect in normal human bronchial epithelial cells by a number of in vitro assays, in comparison with the 1R6F reference cigarette, using an air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure system. Moreover, we evaluated the effect of aerosol exposure on oxidative stress by measuring the production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial potential. Our results showed no contaminants in all e-liquids and a significantly reduced cytotoxic effect of e-liquid aerosol compared to cigarette smoke as well as a maintained mitochondria integrity. Moreover, no production of reactive oxygen species was detected with e-cigarette aerosol. In conclusion, these results support the reduced toxicity potential of e-cigs compared to tobacco cigarettes in an in vitro model resembling real life smoke exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alfio Distefano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Emma
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carota
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberta Pulvirenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- ECLAT Srl, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Sonja Rust
- ECLAT Srl, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Raciti
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Zuccarello P, Carnazza G, Barbera N. Development and validation of a LC-MS/MS method for analysis of vortioxetine in postmortem specimens. First data from an authentic case. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:578-585. [PMID: 36637045 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Vortioxetine is an antidepressant recently licensed in USA and EU for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Neither fatal case due to overdose nor data about postmortem concentrations on blood or other specimens have been reported. The aims of this study were the development and validation of a method for vortioxetine analysis by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in postmortem samples and its application in an authentic case. The method was validated and applied on blood, vitreous humor, bile, brain, liver, kidney, and gastric content. After protein precipitation, the supernatant was directly injected into LC-MS/MS. Analysis was carried out by Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mode. The authentic case concerned a 38 years-old woman, affected by depression, who was found hanged at home. The method determined an acceptable sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, precision, and accuracy for all matrices. No interference was shown for all matrices. The matrices do not significantly reduce the peak intensity of vortioxetine. No carryover was shown. Toxicological analysis of the authentic case showed vortioxetine in blood (234 ng/ml), vitreous humor (10.5 ng/ml), brain (490 ng/g), lung (479 ng/g), liver (3751 ng/g), kidney (798 ng/g), bile (2267 ng/ml) and gastric content (253 ng/ml). Our case suggests that even at blood concentrations of vortioxetine equal to 234 ng/ml, the subject was able to stage and carry out the hanging. Vortioxetine concentrations found in the other cadaveric samples (biological fluids, organs, and gastric content) may be helpful to evaluate further similar comparable cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Zuccarello
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Carnazza
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nunziata Barbera
- Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Sessa F, Cocimano G, Esposito M, Zuccarello P, Scoto E, Mazzeo P, Salerno M. Systematic Review of Penetrating Cardiac Injury by a Firearm: Forensic Implications. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:265. [PMID: 36673633 PMCID: PMC9859264 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11020265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Penetrating injuries of the heart, named penetrating cardiac injury (PCI), may cause hemorrhagic shock as well as cardiac tamponade, leading to death if not treated immediately. This systematic review aims to highlight the main aspects of penetrating cardiac injuries after firearm wounds. The cases of 39 subjects (age 37.05 + 15.4) were selected (6 fatal cases). Specifically, 4/39 cases involved subjects under 18 y.o.; analyzing the entrance wound, in 30/39 cases it was located in the anterior chest, 4/39 in the posterior chest, 3/39 in the shoulder/axilla area, 1/39 in the neck, and 1/39 in the pelvis (gluteus). The exit wound was found in only 3/39 cases. Several factors may influence the prognosis: firstly, prompt intervention represents a crucial point, then considering the complications related to PCI, the most important are myocardial infarction, and projectile migration with embolization. The mortality rate is related to: (1) area and severity of the heart injury; (2) duration of transport and intervention; (3) contemporary lesion to other organ/s; (4) the quantity of blood lost; (5) and presence/absence of cardiac tamponade. Based on these findings, a correct approach in the management of PCI may be considered important from a forensic point of view, both as regards to medical liability and from the trial perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sessa
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cocimano
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Vanvitelli”, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Esposito
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Edmondo Scoto
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Mazzeo
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Monica Salerno
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95121 Catania, Italy
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Tomaselli V, Ferrara P, Cantone GG, Romeo AC, Rust S, Saitta D, Caraci F, Romano C, Thangaraju M, Zuccarello P, Rose J, Ferrante M, Belsey J, Cibella F, Caci G, Ferri R, Polosa R. The effect of laboratory-verified smoking on SARS-CoV-2 infection: results from the Troina sero-epidemiological survey. Intern Emerg Med 2022; 17:1617-1630. [PMID: 35419722 PMCID: PMC9007731 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-02975-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Previous research yielded conflicting results on the association between cigarette smoking and risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Since the prevalence of smoking is high globally, the study of its impact on COVID-19 pandemic may have considerable implications for public health. This study is the first to investigate the association between the SARS-CoV-2 antibody sero-positivity and biochemically verified smoking status, to refine current estimates on this association. SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and serum cotinine levels (a well-known marker of tobacco exposure) were assessed in a large sero-epidemiological survey conducted in the town of Troina (Sicily, Italy). A propensity score matching was carried out to reduce the effect of possible factors on SARS-CoV-2 infection risk among study participants. Of the 1785 subjects included in our study, one-third was classified as current smokers, based on serum cotinine levels. The overall proportion of subjects with positive serology for SARS-CoV-2 IgG was 5.4%. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity and previous COVID-19 diagnosis were reduced in smokers. This reduced prevalence persisted after adjusting for possible confounders (such as sex, age, previous infection, chronic conditions, and risk group) at regression analyses, and the point estimates based on the PS-matched models resulted consistent with those for the unmatched population. This study found a lower proportion of positive SARS-CoV-2 serology among current smokers, using direct laboratory measures of tobacco exposure and thus avoiding possible bias associated with self-reported smoking status. Results may also serve as a reference for future clinical research on potential pharmaceutical role of nicotine or nicotinic-cholinergic agonists against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venera Tomaselli
- Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Ferrara
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Center for Public Health Research, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giulio G Cantone
- Department of Physics and Astronomy "Ettore Majorana", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Sonja Rust
- ECLAT Srl, Spin-off of the University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Saitta
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University di Catania, Catania, Italy
- ECLAT Srl, Spin-off of the University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University di Catania, Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Murugesan Thangaraju
- Bioanalytical Laboratory, Center for Smoking Cessation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Jed Rose
- Bioanalytical Laboratory, Center for Smoking Cessation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University di Catania, Catania, Italy
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Cibella
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University di Catania, Catania, Italy
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Grazia Caci
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University di Catania, Catania, Italy.
- ECLAT Srl, Spin-off of the University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
- Institute of Internal Medicine, AOU "Policlinico-V. Emanuele", Via S. Sofia, 78, Catania, Italy.
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Distefano A, Caruso M, Emma R, Rust S, Poulas K, Zadjali F, Boffo S, Volarevic V, Mesiakaris K, Karanasios G, Al Tobi M, Albalushi N, Giordano A, Canciello A, Arsenijevic A, Ilic A, Caruso T, Carota G, Spampinato MR, Zuccarello P, Ferrante M, Polosa R, Li Volti G. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Exhibit LowerToxicity Compared to Cigarettes: “The Replica Study Experience”. FASEB J 2022. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.s1.r3389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alfio Distefano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological SciencesUniversity of CataniaCatania
| | - Massimo Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological SciencesUniversity of CataniaCatania
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of CataniaCoEHARCatania
| | - Rosalia Emma
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological SciencesUniversity of CataniaCatania
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of CataniaCoEHARCatania
| | - Sonja Rust
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of CataniaCoEHARCatania
| | - Konstantinos Poulas
- Institute for Research and Innovation, IRIS, Patras Science ParkPatras
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of PharmacyUniversity of PatrasPatras
| | - Fahad Zadjali
- College of Medicine and Health SciencesDepartment of Clinical BiochemistrySultan Qaboos UniversityCatania
| | - Silvia Boffo
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular MedicineDepartment of BiologyCollege of Science and TechnologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPA
| | - Vladislav Volarevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of KragujevacKragujevac
| | | | | | - Mohammed Al Tobi
- College of Medicine and Health SciencesDepartment of Clinical BiochemistrySultan Qaboos UniversityCatania
| | - Najwa Albalushi
- College of Medicine and Health SciencesDepartment of Clinical BiochemistrySultan Qaboos UniversityCatania
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular MedicineDepartment of BiologyCollege of Science and TechnologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPA
| | - Angelo Canciello
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular MedicineDepartment of BiologyCollege of Science and TechnologyTemple UniversityPhiladelphiaPA
| | - Aleksandar Arsenijevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of KragujevacKragujevac
| | - Aleksandar Ilic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical SciencesUniversity of KragujevacKragujevac
| | - Tancredi Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological SciencesUniversity of CataniaCatania
| | - Giuseppe Carota
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological SciencesUniversity of CataniaCatania
| | - Maria R. Spampinato
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological SciencesUniversity of CataniaCatania
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”University of CataniaCatania
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”University of CataniaCatania
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of CataniaCoEHARCatania
- Department of Clinical and Experimental MedicineUniversity of CataniaCatania
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological SciencesUniversity of CataniaCatania
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of CataniaCoEHARCatania
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10
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Esposito M, Liberto A, Zuccarello P, Ministeri F, Licciardello G, Barbera N, Sessa F, Salerno M. Heart rupture as an acute complication of cocaine abuse: a case report. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 58:102084. [DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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11
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Zuccarello P, Carnazza G, Raffino C, Barbera N. Diagnosis of lethal cyanide poisoning. Analysis by Anion-Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection. J Forensic Sci 2022; 67:1617-1623. [PMID: 35478404 PMCID: PMC9322444 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cyanide is a poison widely used in cases of suicide or homicide. Although various methods to identify and quantify this substance are reported in the literature, they are mainly validated on biological fluids (e.g., blood and urine). In the present study, the Anion‐Exchange Liquid Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (IC‐PAD) method was validated on blood and, for the first time, on gastric content, and organs (brain, lung, and liver). For each matrix, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), matrix interferences, and carryover were assessed. The samples were extracted by steam distillation in acid environment for the following analysis by IC‐PAD. Furthermore, cyanide values found in two real poisoning cases are reported. For each investigated matrix, the analytical method satisfied all acceptance criteria for validation: it showed a good precision and accuracy, selectivity, and sensitivity with no carryover and matrix interference. The extraction by steam distillation in acid environment REDUCED the interference of the matrices and ALLOWED to perform the analysis with good precision and accuracy. In case #1, analysis showed a blood cyanide concentration of 0.99 μg/ml. In case #2, cyanide concentrations were 1.3 μg/g in brain, 0.8 μg/g in lung, 1.6 μg/g in liver, and 1.2 μg/g in gastric content. The cyanide concentrations found in the two reported cases have been suitable to cause death by poisoning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Zuccarello
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Carnazza
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Nunziata Barbera
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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12
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Caruso M, Emma R, Distefano A, Rust S, Poulas K, Zadjali F, Giordano A, Volarevic V, Mesiakaris K, Al Tobi M, Boffo S, Arsenijevic A, Zuccarello P, Giallongo C, Ferrante M, Polosa R, Li Volti G. Electronic nicotine delivery systems exhibit reduced bronchial epithelial cells toxicity compared to cigarette: the Replica Project. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24182. [PMID: 34921164 PMCID: PMC8683499 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03310-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may reduce health risks associated with chronic exposure to smoke and their potential benefits have been the matter of intense scientific debate. We aimed to replicate three published studies on cytotoxic and inflammatory effects of cigarette smoke and ENDS aerosol in an independent multi-center ring study. We aimed to establish the reliability of results and the robustness of conclusions by replicating the authors' experimental protocols and further validating them with different techniques. Human bronchial epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were exposed to cigarette whole smoke and vapor phase and to aerosol from ENDS. We also assessed the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 and the remodeling mediator matrix metalloproteinase-1. We replicated cell viability results and confirmed that almost 80% of cytotoxic effects are due to volatile compounds in the vapor phase of smoke. Our findings substantiated the reduced cytotoxic effects of ENDS aerosol. However, our data on inflammatory and remodeling activity triggered by smoke differed significantly from those in the original reports. Taken together, independent data from multiple laboratories clearly demonstrated the reduced toxicity of ENDS products compared to cigarettes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Emma
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Alfio Distefano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Sonja Rust
- ECLAT Srl, spin-off of the University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Konstantinos Poulas
- Institute for Research and Innovation, IRIS, Patras Science Park, Patras, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Fahad Zadjali
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sultan Qaboos University, P.C 123, P.O. Box 35, Khodh, Oman
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Vladislav Volarevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Konstantinos Mesiakaris
- Institute for Research and Innovation, IRIS, Patras Science Park, Patras, Greece
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Mohammed Al Tobi
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Sultan Qaboos University, P.C 123, P.O. Box 35, Khodh, Oman
| | - Silvia Boffo
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Aleksandar Arsenijevic
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 69 Svetozara Markovica Street, 34000, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Cesarina Giallongo
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
- ECLAT Srl, spin-off of the University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 89, 95123, Catania, Italy
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
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13
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Polosa R, Tomaselli V, Ferrara P, Romeo AC, Rust S, Saitta D, Caraci F, Romano C, Thangaraju M, Zuccarello P, Rose J, Cantone GG, Ferrante M, Belsey J, Cibella F, Interlandi E, Ferri R. Seroepidemiological Survey on the Impact of Smoking on SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 Outcomes: Protocol for the Troina Study. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e32285. [PMID: 34678752 PMCID: PMC8610447 DOI: 10.2196/32285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background After the global spread of SARS-CoV-2, research has highlighted several aspects of the pandemic, focusing on clinical features and risk factors associated with infection and disease severity. However, emerging results on the role of smoking in SARS-CoV-2 infection susceptibility or COVID-19 outcomes are conflicting, and their robustness remains uncertain. Objective In this context, this study aims at quantifying the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence, studying the changes in antibody levels over time, and analyzing the association between the biochemically verified smoking status and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods The research design involves a 6-month prospective cohort study with a serial sampling of the same individuals. Each participant will be surveyed about their demographics and COVID-19–related information, and blood sampling will be collected upon recruitment and at specified follow-up time points (ie, after 8 and 24 weeks). Blood samples will be screened for the presence of SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies and serum cotinine, being the latter of the principal metabolite of nicotine, which will be used to assess participants’ smoking status. Results The study is ongoing. It aims to find a higher antibody prevalence in individuals at high risk for viral exposure (ie, health care personnel) and to refine current estimates on the association between smoking status and SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. Conclusions The added value of this research is that the current smoking status of the population to be studied will be biochemically verified to avoid the bias associated with self-reported smoking status. As such, the results from this survey may provide an actionable metric to study the role of smoking in SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes, and therefore to implement the most appropriate public health measures to control the pandemic. Results may also serve as a reference for future clinical research, and the methodology could be exploited in public health sectors and policies. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/32285
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Polosa
- Institute of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Policlinico - V. Emanuele", Catania, Italy.,Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Venera Tomaselli
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy.,Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Ferrara
- Center for Public Health Research, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.,Value-based Healthcare Unit, Research Institute, IRCCS, MultiMedica, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Sonja Rust
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Saitta
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute, IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Murugesan Thangaraju
- Bioanalytical Laboratory, Center for Smoking Cessation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Jed Rose
- Bioanalytical Laboratory, Center for Smoking Cessation, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Giulio Giacomo Cantone
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ettore Majorana, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Cibella
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy.,National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, Palermo, Italy
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14
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Laudani A, Sangregorio D, Zuccarello P, Licciardello T, Grasso S, Romano G, Barbera N. Development and Validation of a Method for the Detection and Quantification of Antidepressants and Antipsychotics in Bone Samples by GC-MS. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 45:957-960. [PMID: 33025013 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkaa148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow is the tissue contained inside the bones and can be considered one of the potential alternative tissues in forensic toxicology. This matrix could be particularly useful in those cases where the routine sample is not available due to an advanced state of decomposition or skeletonization of the corpse. The aim of this study was to develop, validate and apply an analytical method of extraction and analysis of different antidepressants and antipsychotics, commonly used in therapy, from spiked pig ribs. Pig ribs, each of 5 g and 5 cm long, were spiked at three concentration levels (100, 200 and 500 ng/g). For each concentration, 10 pig ribs were prepared. The method involves the leaching by ethanol at different pHs of nine drugs from the inside of ribs, in particular from the bone marrow, without the fragmentation of bone tissue. Following a liquid-liquid purification and extraction, analysis was performed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode. For method validation was assessed linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy, matrix interferences and, finally, carryover. Analytical method performance was acceptable respect to acceptance criteria for validation. No matrix interferences were detected; for this reason, it is possible to affirm that this method has a good selectivity. Moreover, the method was not affected by carryover. Considering that the study conducted on pig ribs has given encouraging results, it can be assumed that this method can be used in forensic toxicological protocols (human autopsy cases) as alternative to classic procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonino Laudani
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Deborah Sangregorio
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Teresa Licciardello
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Stephanie Grasso
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Guido Romano
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Nunziata Barbera
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, University of Catania, Italy
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15
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Grasso A, Ferrante M, Arena G, Salemi R, Zuccarello P, Fiore M, Copat C. Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Silver Nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and Dissolved Ag in Seafood by Single Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18084076. [PMID: 33924319 PMCID: PMC8069337 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18084076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This study provides a first insight on the chemical characterization and quantification of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and dissolved Ag in processed canned seafood products, where food-grade edible silver (E174) is not intentionally added nor is the nanoparticle contained in the food contact material. The aim was to evaluate the bioaccumulation potential of AgNPs and to contribute to the assessment of AgNPs and ionic Ag human dietary intake from processed seafood. It is known how seafood, and in particular pelagic fish, is a precious nutritional source of unsaturated fatty acids, protein, and different micronutrients. Nevertheless, it may cause possible health problems due to the intake of toxic compounds coming from environmental pollution. Among emerging contaminants, AgNPs are widely applied in several fields such as biomedicine, pharmaceutical, food industry, health care, drug-gene delivery, environmental study, water treatments, and many others, although its primary application is in accordance with its antimicrobial property. As a consequence, AgNPs are discharged into the aquatic environment, where the colloidal stability of these NPs is altered by chemical and physical environmental parameters. Its toxicity was demonstrated in in-vitro and in-vivo studies, although some findings are controversial because toxicity depends by several factors such as size, concentration, chemical composition, surface charge, Ag+ ions released, and hydrophobicity. The new emerging technique called single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) was applied, which allows the determination of nanoparticle number-based concentration and size distribution, as well as the dissolved element. Our findings highlighted comparable mean sizes across all species analysed, although AgNPs concentrations partly follow a trophic level-dependent trend. The low mean size detected could be of human health concern, since, smaller is the diameter higher is the toxicity. Dietary intake from a meal calculated for adults and children seems to be very low. Although seafood consumption represents only a small part of the human total diet, our findings represent a first important step to understand the AgNPs dietary exposure of the human population. Further studies are needed to characterize and quantify AgNPs in a large number of food items, both processing and not, and where AgNPs are added at the industrial level. They will provide a realistic exposure assessment, useful to understand if AgNPs toxicity levels observed in literature are close to those estimable through food consumption and implement data useful for risk assessors in developing AgNPs provisional tolerable daily intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfina Grasso
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (M.F.); (C.C.)
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (M.F.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Rossella Salemi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 83, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (M.F.); (C.C.)
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (M.F.); (C.C.)
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (M.F.); (C.C.)
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16
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Caruso M, Distefano A, Emma R, Di Rosa M, Carota G, Rust S, Polosa R, Zuccarello P, Ferrante M, Raciti G, Li Volti G. Role of Cigarette Smoke on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme-2 Protein Membrane Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells Using an Air-Liquid Interface Model. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:652102. [PMID: 33859566 PMCID: PMC8042260 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.652102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevalence studies of current smoking, among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, demonstrated an unexpectedly low prevalence among patients with COVID-19. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of smoke from cigarettes on ACE-2 in bronchial epithelial cells. Normal bronchial epithelial cells (H292) were exposed to smoke by an air-liquid-interface (ALI) system and ACE-2 membrane protein expression was evaluated after 24 h from exposure. Our transcriptomics data analysis showed a significant selective reduction of membrane ACE-2 expression (about 25%) following smoking exposure. Interestingly, we observed a positive direct correlation between ACE-2 reduction and nicotine delivery. Furthermore, by stratifying GSE52237 as a function of ACE-2 gene expression levels, we highlighted 1,012 genes related to ACE-2 in smokers and 855 in non-smokers. Furthermore, we showed that 161 genes involved in the endocytosis process were highlighted using the online pathway tool KEGG. Finally, 11 genes were in common between the ACE-2 pathway in smokers and the genes regulated during endocytosis, while 12 genes with non-smokers. Interestingly, six in non-smokers and four genes in smokers were closely involved during the viral internalization process. Our data may offer a pharmaceutical role of nicotine as potential treatment option in COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEAHR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alfio Distefano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosalia Emma
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Michelino Di Rosa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carota
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sonja Rust
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEAHR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEAHR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEAHR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEAHR), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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17
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Zuccarello P, Rust S, Caruso M, Emma R, Pulvirenti R, Favara C, Polosa R, Li Volti G, Ferrante M. Nicotine dosimetry and stability in cambridge filter PADs (CFPs) following different smoking regime protocols and storage conditions. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 122:104917. [PMID: 33744373 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Despite the growing numbers of studies on cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery products (ENDs), no standard assessment of nicotine stability in various matrix post exposure is currently available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the optimal standard condition to store Cambridge Filter Pads (CFPs) before chemical analysis in order to guarantee the titer of nicotine.We further performed data normalization according to different smoking or vaping runs. Smoke and vapor generated respectively by a reference tobacco cigarette (1R6F) and ENDs under different exposure regimes (ISO, HCI and CRM81) were collected on CFPs as total particulate matter (TPM) and subsequently analyzed for nicotine content. For each exposure, some CFPs were analyzed at time zero, whereas the others were stored under different conditions for nicotine assessment after 30 days. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed the best correlation between nicotine on CFPs and TPM for normalization. This study suggests that different exposure regimes and products can affect the preservation of nicotine titer on CFPs while samples storage at -80 °C may prevent the loss of nicotine. Finally, normalization of nicotine with TPM is strongly recommended for regulatory purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Sonja Rust
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Massimo Caruso
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosalia Emma
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Roberta Pulvirenti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Claudia Favara
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Li Volti
- Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy; Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 97, 95123, Catania, Italy.
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Carducci AL, Agodi A, Ancona C, Angelini P, Bagordo F, Barbone F, Birbaum L, Carreri V, Casuccio A, Conti A, Conversano M, De Donno A, De Giglio O, Desiante F, Di Pietro A, Dogliotti E, Donato F, Fara GM, Fiore M, Forastiere F, Giammanco G, Izzotti A, Montagna MT, Oliveri Conti G, Petronio MG, Sciacca S, Signorelli C, Testai E, Verani M, Vinceti M, Vitale F, Ferrante M, Adani G, Berghella L, Calia C, Calzolari R, Canale A, Castiglione D, Conti A, Copat C, Cristaldi A, Cuffari G, Coronel Vargas G, De Vita E, De Nard F, Federigi I, Filippini T, Grasso A, Leonardi N, Letzgus M, Lo Bianco G, Mazzucco W, Nicolosi I, Orlandi P, Paladino G, Pizzo S, Pousis C, Raffo M, Rivolta S, Scarpitta F, Trani G, Triggiano F, Tumbarello A, Vecchio V, Zuccarello P, Vassallo M. Impact of the environment on the health: From theory to practice. Environ Res 2021; 194:110517. [PMID: 33271142 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Erice 56 Charter titled "Impact of the environment on the health: from theory to practice" was unanimously approved at the end of the 56th course of the "International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine G. D'Alessandro" held from 3rd to November 7, 2019 in Erice - Sicily (Italy) and promoted by the Study Group of "Environment and Health" of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health. The course, that included lectures, open discussions and guided working groups, was aimed to provide a general training on epidemiological and toxicological aspects of the environmental health impact, to be used by public health professionals for risk assessment, without forgetting the risk communications. At the end of the course 12 key points were agreed among teachers and students: they underlined the need of specific training and research, in the perspective of "One Health" and "Global Health", also facing emerging scientific and methodological issues and focusing on communication towards stakeholders. This Discussion highlight the need to improve knowledge of Health and Environment topic in all sectors of health and environmental prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Carducci
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - A Agodi
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - C Ancona
- Department of Epidemiology of the Regional Health Service, Lazio Region, Rome, Italy
| | - P Angelini
- Public Health Service, Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
| | - F Bagordo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Italy
| | - F Barbone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Italy
| | - L Birbaum
- Office of the Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - V Carreri
- Past-President of Italian Society of Hygiene (SItI), Italy
| | - A Casuccio
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - A Conti
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - M Conversano
- Department of Public Health, ASL, Taranto, Italy
| | - A De Donno
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Italy
| | - O De Giglio
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - F Desiante
- Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - A Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Italy
| | - E Dogliotti
- Department of Environmental and Health. Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Rome, Italy
| | - F Donato
- Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, And Public Health, University of Brescia, Italy
| | - G M Fara
- International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine «Giuseppe D'Alessandro», Erice, Trapani, Italy
| | - M Fiore
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - F Forastiere
- Department of Epidemiology of the Regional Health Service, Lazio Region, Rome, Italy
| | - G Giammanco
- International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine «Giuseppe D'Alessandro», Erice, Trapani, Italy
| | - A Izzotti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - M T Montagna
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M G Petronio
- Health and Environment-Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority-Empoli, Florence, Italy
| | - S Sciacca
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - C Signorelli
- University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - E Testai
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Environment & Health Dept., Rome, Italy
| | - M Verani
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - M Vinceti
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - F Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - M Ferrante
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy.
| | - G Adani
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - L Berghella
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - C Calia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - R Calzolari
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - A Canale
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - D Castiglione
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Conti
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - C Copat
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Cristaldi
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - G Cuffari
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Sicily, Italy
| | - G Coronel Vargas
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - E De Vita
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | | | - I Federigi
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - T Filippini
- Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - A Grasso
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - N Leonardi
- University Center for the Protection and Management of Natural Environments and Agrosystems (CUTGANA), University of Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - W Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - I Nicolosi
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - P Orlandi
- Local Health Authority of Rome, Italy
| | - G Paladino
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - S Pizzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - C Pousis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | - M Raffo
- Local Health Authority of Rome, Italy
| | | | - F Scarpitta
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, "G. D'Alessandro", University of Palermo, Italy
| | - G Trani
- Central Health Department of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Trieste, Italy
| | - F Triggiano
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Section of Hygiene, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
| | | | - V Vecchio
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - P Zuccarello
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Vassallo
- Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
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Zuccarello P, Manganelli M, Oliveri Conti G, Copat C, Grasso A, Cristaldi A, De Angelis G, Testai E, Stefanelli M, Vichi S, Fiore M, Ferrante M. Water quality and human health: A simple monitoring model of toxic cyanobacteria growth in highly variable Mediterranean hot dry environments. Environ Res 2021; 192:110291. [PMID: 33027628 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Due to population growth, urbanization and economic development, demand for freshwater in urban areas is increasing throughout Europe. At the same time, climate change, eutrophication and pollution are affecting the availability of water supplies. Sicily, a big island in southern Italy, suffers from an increasing drought and consequently water shortage. In the last decades, in Sicilian freshwater reservoirs several Microcystis aeruginosa and more recently Planktothrix rubescens blooms were reported. The aims of the study were: (1) identify and quantify the occurring species of cyanobacteria (CB), (2) identify which parameters, among those investigated in the waters, could favor their growth, (3) set up a model to identify reservoirs that need continuous monitoring due to the presences, current or prospected, of cyanobacterial blooms and of microcystins, relevant for environmental and, consequentially, for human health. Fifteen artificial reservoirs among the large set of Sicilian artificial water bodies were selected and examined for physicochemical and microbiological characterization. Additional parameters were assessed, including the presence, identification and count of the cyanobacterial occurring species, the measurement of microcystins (MCs) levels and the search for the genes responsible for the toxins production. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to relate environmental condition to cyanobacterial growth. Water quality was poor for very few parameters, suggesting common anthropic pressures, and PCA highlighted clusters of reservoirs vulnerable to hydrological conditions, related to semi-arid Mediterranean climate and to the use of the reservoir. In summer, bloom was detected in only one reservoir and different species was highlighted among the Cyanobacteria community. The only toxins detected were microcystins, although always well below the WHO reference value for drinking waters (1.0 μg/L). However, molecular analysis could not show the presence of potential cyanotoxins producers since a few numbers of cells among total could be sufficient to produce these low MCs levels but not enough high to be proved by the traditional molecular method applied. A simple environmental risk-based model, which accounts for the high variability of both cyanobacteria growth and cyanotoxins producing, is proposed as a cost-effective tool to evaluate the need for monitoring activities in reservoirs aimed to guarantee supplying waters safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Manganelli
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy.
| | - C Copat
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Grasso
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - G De Angelis
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - E Testai
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M Stefanelli
- Research Certification and Control Division, INAIL, Via Fontana Candida 1, Monteporzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - S Vichi
- Environment and Health Department, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - M Fiore
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
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20
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Grasso A, Ferrante M, Zuccarello P, Filippini T, Arena G, Fiore M, Cristaldi A, Conti GO, Copat C. Chemical Characterization and Quantification of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO 2-NPs) in Seafood by Single-Particle ICP-MS: Assessment of Dietary Exposure. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17249547. [PMID: 33419346 PMCID: PMC7766088 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The significant increase in the production and variety of nanoparticles (NPs) has led to their release into the environment, especially into the marine environment. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are used in different industrial sectors, from the food industry to several consumer and household products. Since the aquatic environment is highly sensitive to contamination by TiO2-NPs, this work aimed to give a preliminary assessment of the contamination of packaged seafood, where the food additive TiO2 (E171) is not to be intentionally added. This allowed providing a chemical characterization and quantification of TiO2-NPs in processed canned fish products belonging to different trophic positions of the pelagic compartment and in canned clam. The new emerging technique called single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) was applied, which allows the determination of nanoparticle number-based concentration, as well as the dissolved titanium. This study highlights how processed food, where the pigment E171 was not intentionally added, contains TiO2 in its nanoparticle form, as well as dissolved titanium. Processed clam represented the seafood with the highest content of TiO2-NPs. In pelagic fish species, we found progressively higher levels and smaller sizes of TiO2-NPs from smaller to larger fish. Our results highlight the importance of planning the characterization and quantification of TiO2-NPs in food both processed and not, as well as where the pigment E171 is intentionally added and not, as it is not the only source of TiO2-NPs. This result represents a solid step toward being able to estimate the real level of dietary exposure to TiO2-NPs for the general population and the related health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfina Grasso
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Tommaso Filippini
- Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Arena
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy; (A.G.); (P.Z.); (G.A.); (M.F.); (A.C.); (G.O.C.); (C.C.)
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Copat C, Cristaldi A, Fiore M, Grasso A, Zuccarello P, Signorelli SS, Conti GO, Ferrante M. The role of air pollution (PM and NO 2) in COVID-19 spread and lethality: A systematic review. Environ Res 2020; 191:110129. [PMID: 32853663 PMCID: PMC7444490 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has determined a pneumonia outbreak in China (Wuhan, Hubei Province) in December 2019, called COVID-19 disease. In addition to the person-to person transmission dynamic of the novel respiratory virus, it has been recently studied the role of environmental factors in accelerate SARS-CoV-2 spread and its lethality. The time being, air pollution has been identified as the largest environmental cause of disease and premature death in the world. It affects body's immunity, making people more vulnerable to pathogens. The hypothesis that air pollution, resulting from a combination of factors such as meteorological data, level of industrialization as well as regional topography, can acts both as a carrier of the infection and as a worsening factor of the health impact of COVID-19 disease, has been raised recently. With this review, we want to provide an update state of art relating the role of air pollution, in particular PM2.5, PM10 and NO2, in COVID-19 spread and lethality. The Authors, who first investigated this association, often used different research methods or not all include confounding factors whenever possible. In addition, to date incidence data are underestimated in all countries and to a lesser extent also mortality data. For this reason, the cases included in the reviewed studies cannot be considered conclusive. Although it determines important limitations for direct comparison of results, and more studies are needed to strengthen scientific evidences and support firm conclusions, major findings are consistent, highlighting the important contribution of PM2.5 and NO2 as triggering of the COVID-19 spread and lethality, and with a less extent also PM10, although the potential effect of airborne virus exposure it has not been still demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy.
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Alfina Grasso
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Salvatore Santo Signorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 78, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
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Signorelli SS, Oliveri Conti G, Fiore M, Cangiano F, Zuccarello P, Gaudio A, Ferrante M. Platelet-Derived Microparticles (MPs) and Thrombin Generation Velocity in Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Results of a Case-Control Study. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2020; 16:489-495. [PMID: 33273818 PMCID: PMC7705281 DOI: 10.2147/vhrm.s236286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The role of platelets (Ps) and platelet-derived microparticles (MPs) in venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still being debated. Methods We measured MPs, velocity of thrombin formation (PiCT) and phospholipid generation (PLPs) in 40 patients with unprovoked deep vein thrombosis (DVT), who were compared with 40 healthy controls. Results MPs were higher in DVT (7.12 nM; 25th–75th percentile 5.26–9.12) than in controls (5.45 nM; 25th–75th percentile 1.67–8.96) (p = 0.19). PiCT velocity was lower in DVT (1.87 sec; 25th–75th percentile 1.75–1.93 sec) compared with controls (1.95 sec; 25th–75th percentile 1.84–2.24 sec) (p = 0.04). PLPs were higher in DVT (77.03 µg/mL; 25th–75th percentile 72.12–103.59 µg/mL) compared with controls (68.65 µg/mL, 25th–75th percentile 55.31–78.20 µg/mL) (p = 0.02). Discussion We hypothesize that MPs could be integrated with the lab network assay in evaluating Ps’ role as an activated procoagulative condition. We encourage research on Ps and P-derived microvesicle pathways in patients with unprovoked DVT and not only in patients with cancer-induced DVT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Cangiano
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Gaudio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G.F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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23
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Fiore M, Cristaldi A, Okatyeva V, Lo Bianco S, Oliveri Conti G, Zuccarello P, Copat C, Caltabiano R, Cannizzaro M, Ferrante M. Dietary habits and thyroid cancer risk: A hospital-based case-control study in Sicily (South Italy). Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111778. [PMID: 32987109 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have investigated the role of diet as a risk and/or protective factor against thyroid cancer, both considering individual foods, groups of foods and dietary patterns, but the results are not consistent. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and thyroid cancer. Cases and controls were recruited at the University Hospital "G. Rodolico" of Catania. The dietary habits were defined through the "Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire". The frequency of consumption of each food item was reported on a 4-level scale (never, one time a week, 2-3 times a week, every day of the week). We computed the odds ratios (ORs) of thyroid cancer and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to the median of control group daily intake of each food group, using multiple logistic regression models adjusted for major confounding factors. Starchy foods (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.83-2.32), sweets (OR = 1.39, 95% CI 0.81-2.40) and products rich in salt and fat showed a positive association with thyroid cancer risk. Conversely, an inverse association with disease risk was found for vegetables (cruciferous OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.10-0.92, non cruciferous OR = 0.57 (0.20-1.57) milk and dairy products (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.40-1.13) and seafood (OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.34-1.22). An increased risk was observed for consumption of iodized salts (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.21-3.51), tea (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 0.84-2.41) and coca-cola (OR = 3.08, 95% CI 1.53-6.20). Finally, our results confirm the protective effect of a daily water intake of 1-2 L, but unfortunately this quantity is usually consumed by about a quarter of the sample. Dietary habits appear to modify the risk of thyroid carcinoma. A diet with a limited consumption of starchy foods, products rich in salt, fat and sugar and a higher consumption of, cruciferous/non-cruciferous vegetables, milk and dairy products and seafood could be protective towards thyroid cancer. Moreover, the water intake should be increased and the actual need to consume iodized salt should be verified for each subject/area. These results warrant further investigations and, if confirmed, they might have important public health implications for the reduction of thyroid cancer through the improvement of dietary habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Okatyeva
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Lo Bianco
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Matteo Cannizzaro
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
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24
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Filippini T, Tesauro M, Fiore M, Malagoli C, Consonni M, Violi F, Iacuzio L, Arcolin E, Oliveri Conti G, Cristaldi A, Zuccarello P, Zucchi E, Mazzini L, Pisano F, Gagliardi I, Patti F, Mandrioli J, Ferrante M, Vinceti M. Reply to Comment on "Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study". Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17186492. [PMID: 32906597 PMCID: PMC7559024 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We much appreciate the positive comments and interest concerning our study on the environmental and occupational risk factors of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Filippini
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marina Tesauro
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Carlotta Malagoli
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
| | - Michela Consonni
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Federica Violi
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Laura Iacuzio
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Department of Public Health, Local Health Unit, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Arcolin
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Centre Department of Neurology, ‘Maggiore della Carità’ University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Fabrizio Pisano
- Neurological Rehabilitation Division, Policlinico San Marco di Zingonia, 24046 Zingonia (BG), Italy;
| | - Ileana Gagliardi
- ALS Centre Department of Neurology, ‘Maggiore della Carità’ University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Francesco Patti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy;
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Marco Vinceti
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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25
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Ferrante M, Okatyeva V, Lo Bianco S, Oliveri Conti G, Zuccarello P, Copat C, Caltabiano R, Fiore M. Is the consumption of sweets a risk factor for thyroid cancer? Eur J Public Health 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Several studies have investigated the role of diet as a risk and/or protective factor on the development of the thyroid cancer but the results are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of eating habits on the risk of thyroid cancer.
Methods
We carried out a hospital-based case-control study. The eating habits of the participants were investigated through a validated Lifestyles Questionnaire. The frequency of consumption of the different types of food was reported on a 4-level scale (never, 1 time per week, 2-3 times a week, 6 times a week). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the ORs and their 95% confidence intervals adjusted for age, gender and BMI. Statistical data analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 program.
Results
One hundred and six cases (91.2% CA papillary type) and 217 controls were recruited. A positive association was observed for BMI (OR: 1.085; IC95% = 1.022-1.152), consumption of complex carbohydrates (OR: 2,324; IC95%: 1,364-3,960) and a low consumption of legumes, cereals, potatoes, fruit and vegetables (OR: 2.285, 95% CI: 1.330-3.926). The consumption of sweets decreased with age (Rho: -0.445, N = 318, p = 0.000), but at the same age the cases had a higher consumption than controls. In particular, the consumption of sweets was higher in the age group between 39 and 52 years old.
Conclusions
Our study adds new and relevant information to support the hypothesis that a sugar rich diet may increase the risk of developing thyroid cancer.
Funding
This research was funded by Intradepartmental Research Plan 2016/2018 of Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, grant number: 5C722012104.
Key messages
Future studies need to clarify the mechanisms that associate the diet with the risk of thyroid cancer. More research is also needed to explain the differences in thyroid cancer among women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ferrante
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - V Okatyeva
- General Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - S Lo Bianco
- General Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - P Zuccarello
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - C Copat
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - R Caltabiano
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Fiore
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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26
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Marchesi I, Paduano S, Frezza G, Sircana L, Vecchi E, Zuccarello P, Oliveri Conti G, Ferrante M, Borella P, Bargellini A. Safety and Effectiveness of Monochloramine Treatment for Disinfecting Hospital Water Networks. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17176116. [PMID: 32842654 PMCID: PMC7503937 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The formation of potentially carcinogenic N-nitrosamines, associated with monochloramine, requires further research due to the growing interest in using this biocide for the secondary disinfection of water in public and private buildings. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible formation of N-nitrosamines and other toxic disinfection by-products (DBPs) in hospital hot water networks treated with monochloramine. The effectiveness of this biocide in controlling Legionella spp. contamination was also verified. For this purpose, four different monochloramine-treated networks, in terms of the duration of treatment and method of biocide injection, were investigated. Untreated hot water, municipal cold water and, limited to N-nitrosamines analysis, hot water treated with chlorine dioxide were analyzed for comparison. Legionella spp. contamination was successfully controlled without any formation of N-nitrosamines. No nitrification or formation of the regulated DBPs, such as chlorites and trihalomethanes, occurred in monochloramine-treated water networks. However, a stable formulation of hypochlorite, its frequent replacement with a fresh product, and the routine monitoring of free ammonia are recommended to ensure a proper disinfection. Our study confirms that monochloramine may be proposed as an effective and safe strategy for the continuous disinfection of building plumbing systems, preventing vulnerable individuals from being exposed to legionellae and dangerous DBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Marchesi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (G.F.); (P.B.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-059-2055460
| | - Stefania Paduano
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (G.F.); (P.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Giuseppina Frezza
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (G.F.); (P.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Luca Sircana
- University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Largo del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy; (L.S.); (E.V.)
| | - Elena Vecchi
- University Hospital Policlinico of Modena, Largo del Pozzo 71, 41124 Modena, Italy; (L.S.); (E.V.)
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (P.Z.); (G.O.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (P.Z.); (G.O.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (P.Z.); (G.O.C.); (M.F.)
| | - Paola Borella
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (G.F.); (P.B.); (A.B.)
| | - Annalisa Bargellini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.P.); (G.F.); (P.B.); (A.B.)
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Ferrante M, Oliveri Conti G, Zuccarello P. Patent method for the extraction and determination of micro- and nano- plastics in organic and inorganic matrix samples: An application on vegetals. MethodsX 2020; 7:100989. [PMID: 32760658 PMCID: PMC7390816 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2020.100989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The uncontrolled introduction into the environment of plastic polymers have caused the dispersion of plastic debries, known as microplastics (MPs), that represent an important topic for environmental and human health threats. So far, the absence of effective and efficient extraction methods of MPs (especially for plastic particles with diameters inferior than 10 µm) from complex matrices (water, food, etc.) did not allow to perform the risk estimation and, the consequent assessment of the health impact associated with the exposure to these emergent contaminants. In this paper, a new patented method for the extraction and determination of micro- and nano-plastics in organic and inorganic matrix samples is reported. The method applied in the study has been nationally and internationally protected. The code of the submitted request of international patent's extension in several country of world is PCT/IB2019/051,838 of 7 March 2019, coupled with the accepted Italian patent n. 102,018,000,003,337 of March 7 of 2018 entitled "Method for extraction and determination of microplastics in samples with organic and inorganic matrices". The method applied to our study is based on sedimentation of the particles with density higher than 1 g/cm3. The method can be applied to organic and inorganic samples as water, food, soil, waste, air, biological sample (blood, urine, tissues, etc.). After acid digestion of sample matrix, MPs are recovered by sedimentation in dichloromethane and then they are dispersed in metallic stub. Analysis is performed by SEM-EDX.•New method for the extraction and determination of total microplastics <10 µm.•The method is based on the sedimentation of particles with density higher than 1 g/cm3.•The method can be applied to organic (food, soil, biological sample, etc..) and inorganic samples.•Total micro- and nano-plastics quantification is performed by SEM-EDX.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - P Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
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28
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Oliveri Conti G, Ferrante M, Banni M, Favara C, Nicolosi I, Cristaldi A, Fiore M, Zuccarello P. Micro- and nano-plastics in edible fruit and vegetables. The first diet risks assessment for the general population. Environ Res 2020; 187:109677. [PMID: 32454310 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) represent a current public health concern since toxicity has not yet fully investigated. They were found in several foods, but to the best of our knowledge, at this time no data was reported for the edible vegetables and fruits. We focused on diet exposure aiming to evaluate the number and the size (<10 μm) of MPs in the most commonly consumed vegetables and fruits, in relation to their recommended daily intake too. MPs extraction and analysis were carried out using an innovative Italian methodology and SEM-EDX, respectively. Finally, we calculated the Estimated Daily Intakes (EDIs) for adults and children for each type of vegetal and fruit. The higher median (IQR) level of MPs in fruit and vegetable samples was 223,000 (52,600-307,750) and 97,800 (72,175-130,500), respectively. In particular, apples were the most contaminated fruit samples, while carrot was the most contaminated vegetable. Conversely, the lower median (IQR) level was observed in lettuce samples 52,050 (26,375-75,425). Both vegetable and fruit samples MPs levels were characterized by wide variability. The smallest size of MPs was found in the carrot samples (1.51 μm), while the biggest ones were found in the lettuce (2.52 μm). Both vegetable and fruit samples had size of the MPs characterized by low variability. We found the highest median level of MPs in samples purchased from the "fruiter 3" (124,900 p/g) and the lowest in those purchased in "supermarket" (87,600 p/g). The median size of the MPs had overlapping dimensions in all the purchase sites, with the exception of the samples purchased at the "shop at km zero 2″ which had slightly smaller size (1.81 μm). The highest adults' (4.62 E+05) and children's (1.41 E+06) EDIs are due the ingestion of apples, instead the lowest are due to the ingestion of carrots (adults: 2.96 E+04; children: 1.15 E+05). We hypothesized that the mechanism of uptake and translocation of MPs can be the same described and reported for carbon-nanomaterials. This may be a possible translocation route of MPs by environment to vegetables permitting, so, the translocation or uptake inside of their biological systems. Based on the results obtained it is urgent important to perform toxicological and epidemiological studies to investigate for the possible effects of MPs on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Sousse University, Chott-Mariem, 4042, Sousse, Tunisia; Higher Institute of Biotechnology, Monastir University, Tunisia.
| | - Claudia Favara
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Ilenia Nicolosi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Maria Fiore
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G. F. Ingrassia", Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
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29
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Fiore M, Parisio R, Filippini T, Mantione V, Platania A, Odone A, Signorelli C, Pietrini V, Mandrioli J, Teggi S, Costanzini S, Antonio C, Zuccarello P, Oliveri Conti G, Nicoletti A, Zappia M, Vinceti M, Ferrante M. Living near waterbodies as a proxy of cyanobacteria exposure and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a population based case-control study. Environ Res 2020; 186:109530. [PMID: 32335431 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies highlighted the possibility that exposure to cyanotoxins leads to the development of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS We devised a population-based case-control study in two Italian populations. We used residential proximity of the residence to water bodies as a measure of possible exposure to cyanotoxins. RESULTS Based on 703 newly-diagnosed ALS cases and 2737 controls, we calculated an ALS odds ratio (OR) of 1.41 (95% CI: 0.72-2.74) for current residence in the vicinity of water bodies, and a slightly lower estimate for historical residence (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.57-2.99). Subjects <65 years and people living in the Northern Italy province of Modena had higher ORs, especially when historical residence was considered. CONCLUSIONS Overall, despite some risk of bias due to exposure misclassification and unmeasured confounding, our results appear to support the hypothesis that cyanotoxin exposure may increase ALS risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123; Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA). Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123.
| | - Roberto Parisio
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123
| | - Tommaso Filippini
- CREAGEN - Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Valerio Mantione
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123
| | - Armando Platania
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123
| | - Anna Odone
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological, and Translational Sciences, University of Parma, 14 Via Gramsci, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Carlo Signorelli
- Department of Biomedical, Biotechnological, and Translational Sciences, University of Parma, 14 Via Gramsci, 43126, Parma, Italy; School of Medicine, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, 58 Via Olgettina Milano, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Vladimiro Pietrini
- Department of Neuroscience, Neurology Unit, University of Parma, 14 Via Gramsci, 43126, Parma, Italy
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino-Estense Hospital, and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 1355 Via Pietro Giardini, 41126, Modena, Italy
| | - Sergio Teggi
- Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 10 Via Vivarelli, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Sofia Costanzini
- Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 10 Via Vivarelli, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Cristaldi Antonio
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123; Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA). Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123; Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA). Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123; Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA). Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123.
| | - Alessandra Nicoletti
- Section of Neurosciences, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Mario Zappia
- Section of Neurosciences, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Vinceti
- CREAGEN - Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123; Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA). Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy, Via Santa Sofia, 87, 95123
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Cristaldi A, Oliveri Conti G, Cosentino SL, Mauromicale G, Copat C, Grasso A, Zuccarello P, Fiore M, Restuccia C, Ferrante M. Phytoremediation potential of Arundo donax (Giant Reed) in contaminated soil by heavy metals. Environ Res 2020; 185:109427. [PMID: 32247150 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Soil pollution from heavy metals poses a serious risk for environment and public health. Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly and cheaper alternative compared to chemical-physical techniques. We carried out in vitro tests where three microorganisms Trichoderma harzianum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Wickerhamomyces anomalus were exposed to eight different heavy metals (one metal at a time) in order to evaluate resistance, growth and bioaccumulation capability for each metal (Ni, Cd, Cu, V, Zn, As, Pb, Hg). Taking into account the natural characteristics of T. harzianum, (resistance to environmental stress, resistance to pathogenic fungi, ability to establish symbiotic relationships with superior green plants) and the good bioaccumulation capacity for V, As, Cd, Hg, Pb shown after in vitro tests, it was chosen as a microorganism to be used in greenhouse tests. Controlled exposure tests were performed in greenhouse, where Arundo donax and mycorrhized Arundo donax with T. harzianum were exposed for 7 months at two different doses (L1 and L2) of a heavy metal mix, so as to assess whether the symbiotic association could improve the bioaccumulation capability of the superior green plant A. donax. Heavy metals were determined with ICP-MS. The average bioaccumulation percentage values of A. donax for L1 and L2 were, respectively: Ni (31%, 26%); Cd (35%, 50%); Cu (30%, 35%); As (19%, 27%); Pb (18%, 14%); Hg (42%, 45%); V (39%, 26%); Zn (23%, 9%). The average bioaccumulation percentage values of mycorrhized A. donax with T. harzianum for L1 and L2 were, respectively: Ni (27%, 38%); Cd (44%, 42%); Cu (36%, 29%); As (17%, 23%); Pb (37%, 54%); Hg (44%, 60%); V (16%, 20%); Zn (14%, 7%). A. donax showed the highest BAF (bioaccumulation factor) for Cd (0.50), Cu (0.35), As (0.27) and Hg (0.45) after exposure to L2; mycorrhized A. donax with T. harzianum showed the highest BAF for Ni (0.38), Cd (0.42), Pb (0.54) and Hg (0.60) after exposure to L2. A. donax showed the highest TF (translocation factor) values for Cd (0.28) and Hg (0.26) after exposition at L1 and L2 respectively; A. donax mycorrhized with T. harzianum showed the highest TF values for Cd (0.70), As (0.56), V (0.24), Pb (0.18) after exposition at L2, and Zn (0.30) after exposition at L1. Our study showed a good growth capability in contaminated soils and a good bioaccumulation capability of heavy metals, both for A. donax and mycorrhized A. donax with T. harzianum. Furthermore, for three metals (Ni, Pb and Hg) the bioaccumulation capability was improved by the symbiosis of T. harzianum with A. donax. So, these results proved the suitability both for A. donax and mycorrhized A. donax with T. harzianum for phytoremediation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy.
| | | | - Giovanni Mauromicale
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Environmental and Food Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Alfina Grasso
- Environmental and Food Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Environmental and Food Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - Cristina Restuccia
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Science, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
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Filippini T, Tesauro M, Fiore M, Malagoli C, Consonni M, Violi F, Iacuzio L, Arcolin E, Oliveri Conti G, Cristaldi A, Zuccarello P, Zucchi E, Mazzini L, Pisano F, Gagliardi I, Patti F, Mandrioli J, Ferrante M, Vinceti M. Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17082882. [PMID: 32331298 PMCID: PMC7216189 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease with still unknown etiology. We aimed at investigating the association between environmental and occupational factors with ALS risk. Methods: We performed a population-based case-control study in four Italian provinces (Catania, Modena, Novara, and Reggio Emilia) by administration of tailored questionnaires to ALS cases (n = 95) and randomly selected population referents (n = 135). We estimated ALS risk by calculating the odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) using an unconditional logistic regression model. Results: We found a positive association with disease risk for history of occupation in the agricultural sector (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 0.79-7.54), especially for longer than 10 years (OR = 2.72, 95% 1.02-7.20). Overall occupational exposure to solvents also suggested a positive association, especially for thinners (OR = 2.27, 95% CI 1.14-4.54) and paint removers (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 0.90-4.48). Both occupational and environmental exposure to electromagnetic fields show a slightly increased risk with OR = 1.69 (95% CI 0.70-4.09) and 2.41 (95% CI 1.13-5.12), respectively. Occupational but not environmental exposure to pesticides (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.63-2.37), particularly fungicides, and exposure to metals (OR = 4.20, 95% CI 1.88-9.38), particularly lead, mercury, and selenium, showed an imprecise but positive association. Finally, there was an indication of increased risk for living in proximity to water bodies. Conclusions: Despite the caution that needs to be used due to some study limitations, such as the low number of exposed subjects and the possibility of recall bias, these results suggest the potential role of some environmental and occupational factors in ALS etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Filippini
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marina Tesauro
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Carlotta Malagoli
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
| | - Michela Consonni
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Federica Violi
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Laura Iacuzio
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Department of Public Health, Local Health Unit, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Arcolin
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Centre Department of Neurology, ‘Maggiore della Carità’ University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Fabrizio Pisano
- Neurological Rehabilitation Division, Policlinico San Marco di Zingonia, 24046 Zingonia (BG), Italy;
| | - Ileana Gagliardi
- ALS Centre Department of Neurology, ‘Maggiore della Carità’ University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Francesco Patti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy;
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Marco Vinceti
- CREAGEN-Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (C.M.); (F.V.); (L.I.); (E.A.); (M.V.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Filippini T, Fiore M, Tesauro M, Malagoli C, Consonni M, Violi F, Arcolin E, Iacuzio L, Oliveri Conti G, Cristaldi A, Zuccarello P, Zucchi E, Mazzini L, Pisano F, Gagliardi I, Patti F, Mandrioli J, Ferrante M, Vinceti M. Clinical and Lifestyle Factors and Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17030857. [PMID: 32019087 PMCID: PMC7037077 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17030857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease of the motor neurons. The etiology of ALS remains largely unknown, particularly with reference to the potential environmental determinants. Methods: We performed a population-based case-control study in four provinces from both Northern and Southern Italy in order to assess non-genetic ALS risk factors by collecting through tailored questionnaires information about clinical and lifestyle factors. We estimated ALS risk by calculating odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) using unconditional logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age and educational attainment. Results: We recruited 230 participants (95 cases and 135 controls). We found a possible positive association of ALS risk with trauma, particularly head trauma (OR = 2.61, 95% CI 1.19–5.72), electric shock (OR = 2.09, 95% CI 0.62–7.06), and some sports, although at a competitive level only. In addition, our results suggest an increased risk for subjects reporting use of private wells for drinking water (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 0.73–2.27) and for use of herbicides during gardening (OR = 1.95, 95% CI 0.88–2.27). Conversely, there was a suggestion of an inverse association with overall fish consumption (OR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.12–0.60), but with no dose-response relation. Consumption of some dietary supplements, namely those containing amino acids and, in the Southern Italy population, vitamins and minerals such as selenium, seemed associated with a statistically imprecise increased risk. Conclusions: Our results suggest a potential etiologic role a number of clinical and lifestyle factors with ALS risk. However, caution is needed due to some study limitations. These include the small sample size and the low number of exposed subjects, which affect statistical precision of risk estimates, the potential for exposure misclassification, and the uncertainties about mechanisms underpinning the possible association between these factors and disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Filippini
- CREAGEN—Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (T.F.); (C.M.); (F.V.); (E.A.); (L.I.)
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Marina Tesauro
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Carlotta Malagoli
- CREAGEN—Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (T.F.); (C.M.); (F.V.); (E.A.); (L.I.)
| | - Michela Consonni
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Federica Violi
- CREAGEN—Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (T.F.); (C.M.); (F.V.); (E.A.); (L.I.)
- Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Elisa Arcolin
- CREAGEN—Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (T.F.); (C.M.); (F.V.); (E.A.); (L.I.)
| | - Laura Iacuzio
- CREAGEN—Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (T.F.); (C.M.); (F.V.); (E.A.); (L.I.)
- Department of Public Health, Local Health Unit, 41121 Modena, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Elisabetta Zucchi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy;
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Centre Department of Neurology, ‘Maggiore della Carità’ University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Fabrizio Pisano
- Neurological Rehabilitation Division, Policlinico San Marco di Zingonia, 24046 Zingonia (BG), Italy;
| | - Ileana Gagliardi
- ALS Centre Department of Neurology, ‘Maggiore della Carità’ University Hospital, 28100 Novara, Italy; (L.M.); (I.G.)
| | - Francesco Patti
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Jessica Mandrioli
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, S. Agostino Estense Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy;
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (G.O.C.); (A.C.); (P.Z.); (F.P.); (M.F.)
| | - Marco Vinceti
- CREAGEN—Environmental, Genetic and Nutritional Epidemiology Research Center, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (T.F.); (C.M.); (F.V.); (E.A.); (L.I.)
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
- Correspondence:
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Zuccarello P, Ferrante M, Cristaldi A, Copat C, Grasso A, Sangregorio D, Fiore M, Oliveri Conti G. Reply for comment on "Exposure to microplastics (<10 μm) associated to plastic bottles mineral water consumption: The first quantitative study by Zuccarello et al. [Water Research 157 (2019) 365-371]". Water Res 2019; 166:115077. [PMID: 31546101 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a threat to both the environment and human health. In the absence of an official method that would allow the analysis of all MPs with diameters less than 10 μm, it was not possible to estimate the exact exposure to these contaminants, yet. In the last years, few studies are available in literature with the first data concerning the concentrations of MPs on bottle mineral waters. Zuccarello et al. (2019) carried out an exposure assessment study where a high value of EDI (Estimated Daily Intake) has been reported. This rebuttal letter aims to reply to the comments of Oßmann et al. (2018) on the article of Zuccarello et al. (2019) about the new analytical method and both the use and the interpretation of Principal Component Analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy.
| | - A Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - C Copat
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Grasso
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - D Sangregorio
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Fiore
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
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Fiore M, Zuccarello P, Gulisano M, Monteleone M, Bonaccorso G, Oliveri Conti G, Copat C, Palumbo M, Ferrante M. Case-control study about exposure to BPA and DEHP and risk of endometriosis. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
BPA and DEHP are endocrine disruptors. BPA-G and MEHP are their main metabolites. The main exposure route for human is the diet. Endometriosis is a pathology with uncertain etiopathogenesis, characterized by disturbances in sex hormones balance with a prevalence in women ranged from 1% to 7% in women aged 15-45 years.
Methods
A case-control study should highlight a possible relationship between exposure to DEHP and BPA and endometriosis. Patients (n = 40) with a surgical diagnosis of endometriosis will compose the group of cases; healthy women (n = 40) will compose the control group. Cases and controls will be studied by means of questionnaires and by means of urinary analysis of these endocrine disruptors concentration.
Results
BPA values ranged between 0.05-8.55 and 0.05-1.84 in cases and in controls, respectively; BPA-G values ranged between 0.05-16.1 and 0.05-7.38 in cases and in controls, respectively; total BPA values ranged between 0.05-3.26 and 0.05-3.51 in cases and in controls, respectively. DEHP values ranged between 13.63-57.78 and 16.66-61.93 in cases and in controls, respectively; MEHP values ranged between 1.74-6.16 and 4.26-14.16 in cases and in controls, respectively; total DEHP ranged between 15.27-63.93 and 21.72-72.73 in cases and in controls, respectively. A reverse correlation was found between endometriosis and phthalates, while a direct correlation was found between BPA and endometriosis.
Conclusions
The direct correlation between BPA and endometriosis suggests the decreasing the use of plasticizer in food packaging and the importance to implement interventions and strategy to minimize exposure. The reverse correlation between endometriosis and DEHP could be explained by the small size of sample and by the monitoring of urine that are representative of a short-time exposure.
Key messages
Improve epidemiological studies with analysis of alternative matrices that are more representative of long-time exposure. Implement interventions and strategy to minimize exposure to plasticizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fiore
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - P Zuccarello
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Gulisano
- Department of Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Monteleone
- Department of Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Bonaccorso
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - C Copat
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Palumbo
- Department of Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Ferrante
- Department “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Ferrante M, Cristaldi A, Cormaci L, Falla MG, Zuccarello P, Oliveri Conti G, Fiore M. Vaccine hesitancy among parents in the general population in Sicily (South Italy): A survey study. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Vaccine hesitancy (VH) has become the focus of growing attention because of decreased vaccination rates and increased emergency department use, morbidity, and mortality. VH has not been deeply studied in Sicily. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of VH among parents and to investigate the potential determinants.
Methods
We performed a survey from 1 March to 1 June 2018, using a random sample of parents who reported on median 10 year-old children. The parents were recruited in pediatrician’s offices and elementary schools. Information pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, sources of information regarding vaccination and VH was collected. VH was calculated using the Parents Attitudes about Childhood Vaccines (PACV) questionnaire. Associations between VH and predictors were tested using Multivariable Logistic Regression.
Results
In total 471 questionnaires were collected, 77.7% of respondents were mothers. Based on the PACV 100-point scale, 73.2% (95% CI: 69.0-77.2) of parents had a 0 to <49 score (low level of VH); and 26.8% (95% CI: 22.8-31.0) had a score of 50 and higher (high level of VH). Internet (66.9%, 95% CI: 62.4-71.1) was the main source of information on vaccination followed by television (29.1%, 95% CI: 25.0-33.4). In the bivariate analyses, VH was associated with education, marital status and occupation, but not with gender and age of parents. In multivariate analyses, highly educated (ORadj = 0.297, 95% CI = 0.141-0.626) and married (ORadj = 0.457, 95% CI = 0.213-0.977) parents were more prone to be nonhesitant, but not so unemployed parents (ORadj = 1.787, 95% CI = 1.083-2.956).
Conclusions
The prevalence of VH among the Sicilian parents was comparable with other populations. These results could be an important starting point to support the implementation of effective vaccination strategies.
Key messages
Implement interventions and strategies to further understand the issue of VH, to restore trust in authorities and vaccines. Suggest strategies that could improve childhood vaccination rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - L Cormaci
- Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M G Falla
- Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | | | - M Fiore
- University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Restuccia C, Oliveri Conti G, Zuccarello P, Parafati L, Cristaldi A, Ferrante M. Efficacy of different citrus essential oils to inhibit the growth and B1 aflatoxin biosynthesis of Aspergillus flavus. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2019; 26:31263-31272. [PMID: 31468354 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06169-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Food contamination by aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), produced by mycotoxigenic strains of Aspergillus spp., causes severe medical and economic implications. Essential oils (EOs) are mixtures of eco-friendly natural volatile substances. Their ability to inhibit fungal growth has been investigated, while no data are available about their efficacy in inhibition of AFB1 biosynthesis. This study investigates the efficacy of five different citrus EOs to inhibit the growth and AFB1 synthesis of A. flavus through in vitro tests for a future application in food matrices. AFB1 detection was carried out by LC-ESI-TQD analytical approach. Lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.), bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso), and bitter orange (Citrus aurantium L.) EOs were the most effective causing a 97.88%, 97.04%, and 96.43% reduction in mycelial growth, respectively. Sweet orange and mandarin EOs showed the lowest percentage of mycelial growth reduction. Citrus EOs showed different capacity of AFB1 inhibition (lemon > bitter orange > bergamot > sweet orange > mandarin). Our results showed a dose-dependent antifungal activity of lemon, bitter orange, and bergamot EOs which at 2% (v/v) inhibited both mycelium growth and AFB1 genesis of A. flavus. Our results show that EOs' use can be a pivotal key to recovery and reuse of citrus fruit wastes and to be used as eco-friendly fungicides for improvement of food safety. The use of EOs obtained at low cost from the residues of citric industry presents an interesting option for improving the profitability of the agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Restuccia
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente (Di3A), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Parafati
- Dipartimento di Agricoltura, Alimentazione e Ambiente (Di3A), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 100, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Salvaggio A, Tiralongo F, Krasakopoulou E, Marmara D, Giovos I, Crupi R, Messina G, Lombardo BM, Marzullo A, Pecoraro R, Scalisi EM, Copat C, Zuccarello P, Ferrante M, Brundo MV. Biomarkers of Exposure to Chemical Contamination in the Commercial Fish Species Lepidopus caudatus (Euphrasen, 1788): A Particular Focus on Plastic Additives. Front Physiol 2019; 10:905. [PMID: 31379607 PMCID: PMC6646597 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the Mediterranean Sea has become an accumulation zone for waste generated by the 22 countries bordering its shores. Although the effects of plastic litter on the marine environment and on organisms have recently been studied in other areas, further information is needed for the Mediterranean Sea and, in particular, about plastics additives inputs and interactions with the biota and the trophic network, such as phthalates and bisphenol A. Plastic material production, use and disposal contribute also to the release of heavy metals into the environment, such as mercury (Hg), often used during the production of chlorine, the primary ingredient in PVC, lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), which are used as stabilizers in PVC and leach out of products during use and disposal. Our research aims to evaluate phthalates, bisphenol A and heavy metals contamination in Lepidopus caudatus (Pisces, Trichiuridae), which could be considered as a potential sentinel species. For the evaluation of toxicological effects, we evaluated the expression of vitellogenin and metallothioneins 1. In all samples analyzed, we have not found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract but chemical analysis revealed the presence of high content of phthalates, and in particular high quantities of DIDP, DEHP, bis-benzylester phthalate, bis-butyl ester phthalate and mono-N-butyl ester phthalate in different organs. Instead, trace elements detected in tissue revealed a trend of concentrations generally higher in liver and intestine than gill and muscle tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis for anti-metallothionein 1 antibody showed a strong positivity of liver cells, both in females and males. Analysis for the anti-vitellogenin antibody showed in females a strong positivity both in the liver cells and in the gonads, in male specimens was found to be always negative except for a specimen, in which it was highlighted a positivity in some areas of the liver and of the gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Salvaggio
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily A. Mirri, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Tiralongo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Dimitra Marmara
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Ioannis Giovos
- iSEA, Environmental Organization for the Preservation of the Aquatic Ecosystems Ochi Av., Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Messina
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Bianca Maria Lombardo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alessandra Marzullo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberta Pecoraro
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Elena Maria Scalisi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Violetta Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Zuccarello P, Ferrante M, Cristaldi A, Copat C, Grasso A, Sangregorio D, Fiore M, Oliveri Conti G. Exposure to microplastics (<10 μm) associated to plastic bottles mineral water consumption: The first quantitative study. Water Res 2019; 157:365-371. [PMID: 30974285 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.03.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The uncontrolled introduction into the environment of plastic polymers have caused the dispersion of plastic fragments, known as Microplastics (MPs), that represent an important topic for public health. This study was the first to investigate the cause of the release of MPs in mineral waters and to estimate the concentration of MPs smaller than 10 μm both in number of particles and in mass unit. This study was carried out using a patent method regarding the extraction and analysis of MPs in more kind of matrix. Therefore, aims of this study were a) to assess the number of MPs with diameters of between 0.5 and 10 μm in mineral waters contained in plastic bottles, b) to evaluate if the physical-chemical properties of mineral waters and bottle quality could influence the release of MPs and, finally, c) to estimate the human daily exposure to MPs due to mineral water consumption. The Mps were found in every sample. The main concentration of MPs was 656.8 μg/L ± 632.9 or 5.42E+07 p/L ± 1.95E+07. The main diameter of detected MPs was 2.44 μm ± 0.66 (where p/L, where p was the number of MPs). The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) for adults and children were 1,531,524 p/kg/body-weight/day corresponding to 40.1 μg/kg/body-weight/day and 3,350,208 p/kg/body-weight/day corresponding to 87.8 μg/kg/body-weight/day, respectively. The number of MPs contamination in bottled mineral waters was strongly correlated to the pH of waters and to plastic density of bottle. Otherwise, micrograms of MPs per liter and the MPs diameters were strongly affected by plastic thickness. The most mineral water brand contaminated by MPs was the one whose bottles were made from poor quality plastic. In absence of reference values, it was no possible carried out a risk assessment for MPs exposure. It is fundamental to establish the reference method of analysis to monitoring every source of human intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy.
| | - A Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - C Copat
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - A Grasso
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - D Sangregorio
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - M Fiore
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories, Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Italy
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39
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Ventura Spagnolo E, Romano G, Zuccarello P, Laudani A, Mondello C, Argo A, Zerbo S, Barbera N. Toxicological investigations in a fatal and non-fatal accident due to hydrogen sulphide (H 2S) poisoning. Forensic Sci Int 2019; 300:e4-e8. [PMID: 31079988 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is one of the most toxic natural gas and represents a not rare cause of fatal events in workplaces. We report here a serious accidental poisoning by hydrogen sulphide inhalation involving six sailors. Three of them died while the other three survived and were transported to the emergency room. No greenish discolouration of the body, that could be a feature of these type of deaths, was observed at autopsy. Given that blood and/or urine H2S detection does not allow to discriminate if it is related to inhalation or to putrefactive processes, the determination of thiosulphate, H2S main metabolite, is decisive. The succession of fatal events reported here can be rebuilt by toxicological data interpretation: the subject 1 died after a longer interval of time as demonstrated by the highest blood and urine thiosulfate concentrations; the subject 2 died after a short interval of time as showed by a lower blood and urine thiosulfate concentrations than subject 1; the subject 3 died almost immediately after H2S inhalation since he showed the lowest blood thiosulfate concentration, and no trace of sulphide and thiosulfate was found in the urine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Guido Romano
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Antonino Laudani
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Antonina Argo
- University of Palermo, Via Del Vespro, 129, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Stefania Zerbo
- University of Palermo, Via Del Vespro, 129, Palermo 90127, Italy
| | - Nunziata Barbera
- Department "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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40
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Fiore M, Cristaldi A, Okatyeva V, Lo Bianco S, Oliveri Conti G, Zuccarello P, Copat C, Caltabiano R, Cannizzaro M, Ferrante M. Physical Activity and Thyroid Cancer Risk: A Case-Control Study in Catania (South Italy). Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16081428. [PMID: 31013573 PMCID: PMC6517930 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16081428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: The health benefits of physical activity are well established, but the association between physical activity and thyroid cancer remains poorly understood. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity and thyroid cancer in order to determine type, frequency, and duration of exercise needed to maximize prevention. Method: Cases, diagnosed from January 2009 to July 2018, and controls were enrolled at the University Hospital “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele” of Catania (South Italy). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: A total of 106 cases (91.2% papillary type) and 217 controls were enrolled. Physical activity was rare in Catania (32.8%) and was not correlated to risk of total thyroid cancer (OR: 0.997; 95% CI: 0.515–1.929). Conversely, walking every day for at least 60 minutes reduced the risk of thyroid cancer (OR: 0.357; 95% CI: 0.157–0.673). Conclusions: Our study showed that daily walking duration was associated with lower risk of thyroid cancer using a case-control study. Unfortunately, the frequency of physical activity often declines with age, particularly among the elderly, thus more research on physical activity adherence is needed to determine which approaches are most effective in promoting sustained physical activity participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fiore
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Valeriya Okatyeva
- General Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia", 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Salvatore Lo Bianco
- General Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia", 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Chiara Copat
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Anatomic Pathology, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Matteo Cannizzaro
- General Surgery, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia", 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratory (LIAA), Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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41
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Fiore M, Oliveri Conti G, Caltabiano R, Buffone A, Zuccarello P, Cormaci L, Cannizzaro MA, Ferrante M. Role of Emerging Environmental Risk Factors in Thyroid Cancer: A Brief Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16071185. [PMID: 30986998 PMCID: PMC6480006 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16071185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Environmental factors are recognized as risk factors of thyroid cancer in humans. Exposure to radiation, both from nuclear weapon or fallout or medical radiation, and to some organic and inorganic chemical toxicants represent a worldwide public health issue for their proven carcinogenicity. Halogenated compounds, such as organochlorines and pesticides, are able to disrupt thyroid function. Polychlorinated biphenyls and their metabolites and polybrominated diethyl ethers bind to thyroid, transport proteins, replace thyroxin, and disrupt thyroid function as phthalates and bisphenolates do, highly mimicking thyroid hormones. A better knowledge of environmental risks represents a very important tool for cancer prevention through true risks prevention and management. This approach is very important because of the epigenetic origin’s theory of cancer. Therefore, the aim of this review was study the association between environmental agents and thyroid cancer promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fiore
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Rosario Caltabiano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia", Section of Anatomic Pathology, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Antonino Buffone
- Department of General Surgery and Specialty Medical Surgery, Endocrine surgery, A.O.U. Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele P.O. G. Rodolico, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Livia Cormaci
- Hygiene and Preventive Medicine Specializaton School, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia", 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Matteo Angelo Cannizzaro
- Chirugia Generale, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia", 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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Yousefi M, Asghari FB, Zuccarello P, Oliveri Conti G, Ejlali A, Mohammadi AA, Ferrante M. Spatial Distribution Variation and Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Exposure to Fluoride in Ground Water Supplies: A Case Study in an Endemic Fluorosis Region of Northwest Iran. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16040564. [PMID: 30781425 PMCID: PMC6406884 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16040564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Prevalence of fluorosis is a worldwide public health issue, especially in the West Azerbaijan province of Iran. The aim of this study was to investigate fluoride concentration in drinking water resources within Maku city, in both the warm and cold seasons, to perform a health risk assessment. Fluoride were measured using UV-visible spectrophotometry. The spatial distribution was calculated by the software ArcGIS and Hazard Quotients (HQs) were calculated according to the US EPA method. The fluoride concentrations ranged between 0.29 to 6.68 and 0.1 to 11.4 mg/L in the cold and warm seasons, respectively. Based on this report, 30.64 and 48.15% of the samples revealed a fluoride level higher than the permissible level in the cold and warm seasons, respectively. Moreover, results showed that the HQ value in the warm season for different age groups was higher than the HQ value in the cold season. In both seasons, the non-carcinogenic risks of fluoride for the four exposed populations varied according to the order: children > teenagers > adults > infants. The HQ values for three age groups (children, teenager and adults) for both seasons were higher than 1 with a high risk of fluorosis. The results of this study, support the requests that government authorities better manage water supplies to improve health quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmood Yousefi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farzaneh Baghal Asghari
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia"⁻Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia"⁻Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Aida Ejlali
- Health Center of Urmia, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Ali Akbar Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia"⁻Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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Ferrante M, Napoli S, Grasso A, Zuccarello P, Cristaldi A, Copat C. Systematic review of arsenic in fresh seafood from the Mediterranean Sea and European Atlantic coasts: A health risk assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2019; 126:322-331. [PMID: 30654099 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Arsenic in the environment pose major threats to human health, and especially the inorganic form can result in adverse health effects. This review analyse papers from 2004 to 2017 on As in fresh fish and molluscs caught in the Mediterranean sea and the European coast of the Atlantic ocean allowing the identification of the marine area with a greater As bioavailability and in particular the identification of the European populations more exposed to In-As by consuming fresh seafood. Results were separated on the base of the fishing site and the concentrations were reworked to assess the average daily intake to In-As as well as Target Hazard Quotient and Cancer Risk. Overall, the greater availability in Tot-As concentration in the pelagic compartment found in the Mediterranean Sea is not present along the European coasts of Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, only in the Mediterranean Sea, results highlighted significant differences between Tot-As concentrations in seafood subgroups. In both areas, In-As concentrations showed the following trend: molluscs > pelagic > demersal with significant differences between subgroups. The European populations more exposed to In-As from fish and molluscs are the French, Spanish, Italian and Greek, with particular regards to children of 3-6 years old, which should minimize the consumption of molluscs to avoid carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Salvatore Napoli
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy.
| | - Alfina Grasso
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania, 95123, Italy.
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Zuccarello P, Oliveri Conti G, Cavallaro F, Copat C, Cristaldi A, Fiore M, Ferrante M. Implication of dietary phthalates in breast cancer. A systematic review. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 118:667-674. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Ferrante M, Zanghì G, Cristaldi A, Copat C, Grasso A, Fiore M, Signorelli SS, Zuccarello P, Oliveri Conti G. PAHs in seafood from the Mediterranean Sea: An exposure risk assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 115:385-390. [PMID: 29580821 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Seafood represent an important food source for human, and seafood quality is associated with marine environment quality. PAHs are one of the main organic environmental contaminants and they can be introduced into the body through different way (ingestion, inhalation, dermal absorption). We present data on bioaccumulation of the sixteen PAHs, defined priority by the U.S.- EPA, in Sardina pilchardus, Solea solea and Donax trunculus, three species caught in the Catania Gulf and highly consumed by the local population. The risk to develop chronic systemic and carcinogenic effects due to the consumption of these target species was evaluated through the EDI, THQ and CR. EDI derived from D. trunculus ingestion falls within the range calculated by the EFSA. The THQ is less than 1, and the CR calculated for the Benzo(a)Pyrene is at the limit of the ARL (1✕10-5). EDI derived from S. pilchardus and S. solea ingestion are below the range calculated by the EFSA. The THQ is less than 1, and the CR is below the acceptable risk level. The contamination level found in local seafood determines a low risk to develop chronic systemic effects, but the cancer risk could be of health concern especially for high-frequency molluscs consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia" - Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Guido Zanghì
- Department of General Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia" - Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia" - Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Alfina Grasso
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia" - Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia" - Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Santo Salvatore Signorelli
- Departments of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia" - Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, "G.F. Ingrassia" - Hygiene and Public Health, Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Copat C, Grasso A, Fiore M, Cristaldi A, Zuccarello P, Signorelli SS, Conti GO, Ferrante M. Trace elements in seafood from the Mediterranean sea: An exposure risk assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 115:13-19. [PMID: 29510219 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fish and shellfish belonging to five different species among pelagic, benthonic and molluscs, were collected from the Gulf of Catania in 2017 to evaluate arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se) vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn). Risk of developing chronic systemic effects derived from seafood consumption was evaluated with the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and compared with the results obtained from the same area and the species, collected in 2012. Hg, Cd and Pb concentrations were found below the limits set by European Community for human consumption in all the analysed species. The total risk is reduced from 1.1 to 0.49, and this result is strongly associated with the lower bioaccumulations levels found for Hg, Mn, Se and V. Others metals such as As, Pb, Ni and Zn bioaccumulation levels remain approximately the same, conversely, it is revealed a slight increase of Cd and Cr. Overall, the present study show a positive picture of the studied area, the Gulf of Catania, highlighting not only a decreased metal availability of the study area, but, above all, a decreased risk to develop chronic systemic effects derived from consumption of local seafood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Copat
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Alfina Grasso
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Fiore
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Santo Signorelli
- Departments of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 87, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Department of Medical, Surgery Sciences and Advanced Technologies, G. F. Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
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Ferrante M, Zuccarello P, Cavallaro F, Cristaldi A, Grasso A, Conti GO, Copat C. Risk exposure to BPA in a Sicilian population. Eur J Public Health 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx187.281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - P Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - F Cavallaro
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - A Cristaldi
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - A Grasso
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - C Copat
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Dehghani M, Keshtgar L, Javaheri MR, Derakhshan Z, Oliveri Conti G, Zuccarello P, Ferrante M. The effects of air pollutants on the mortality rate of lung cancer and leukemia. Mol Med Rep 2017; 15:3390-3397. [PMID: 28339039 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 02/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
World Health Organization classifies air pollution as the first cause of human cancer. The present study investigated impact of air pollutants on the mortality rates of lung cancer and leukemia in Shiraz, one of the largests cities of Iran. This cross‑sectional (longitudinal) study was carried out in Shiraz. Data on six main pollutants, CO, SO2, O3, NO2, PM10 and PM2.5, were collected from Fars Environmental Protection Agency for 3,001 days starting from 1 January, 2005. Also, measures of climatic factors (temperature, humidity, and air pressure) were obtained from Shiraz Meteorological Organization. Finally, data related to number of deaths due to lung and blood cancers (leukemia) were gathered from Shiraz University Hospital. Relationship between variations of pollutant concentrations and cancers in lung and blood was investigated using statistical software R and MiniTab to perform time series analysis. Results of the present study revealed that the mortality rate of leukemia had a direct significant correlation with concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air (P<0.05). Therefore, special attention should be paid to sources of these pollutants and we need better management to decrease air pollutant concentrations through, e.g., using clean energy respect to fossil fuels, better management of urban traffic planning, and the improvement of public transport service and car sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansooreh Dehghani
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Laila Keshtgar
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Javaheri
- Research Center for Health Sciences, Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Derakhshan
- Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Environmental and Food Hygiene Laboratories (LIAA), Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies 'G.F. Ingrassia', Hygiene and Public Health, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Ferrante M, Zuccarello P, Garufi A, Cristaldi A, Oliveri Conti G. [Algal biotoxins in Dialysis Water: a risk not managed]. Ig Sanita Pubbl 2016; 72:39-52. [PMID: 27077559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A literature review was performed to retrieve updated information on the quality of dialysis water, with a focus on the emerging problem of the presence of algal toxins (microcystins) produced by cyanobacteria. Current legislation was examined as well as studies conducted to date in different geographic areas. In this article, the authors present review results along with recommendations to operators and managers of dialysis units, for preventing possible risks for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Ferrante
- LIAA, Laboratorio di Igiene Ambientale e Degli Alimenti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate "G.F. Ingrassia", Università di Catania, Italia
| | - Pietro Zuccarello
- LIAA, Laboratorio di Igiene Ambientale e Degli Alimenti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate "G.F. Ingrassia", Università di Catania, Italia
| | - Angela Garufi
- LIAA, Laboratorio di Igiene Ambientale e Degli Alimenti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate "G.F. Ingrassia", Università di Catania, Italia
| | - Antonio Cristaldi
- LIAA, Laboratorio di Igiene Ambientale e Degli Alimenti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate "G.F. Ingrassia", Università di Catania, Italia
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- LIAA, Laboratorio di Igiene Ambientale e Degli Alimenti, Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche, Chirurgiche e Tecnologie Avanzate "G.F. Ingrassia", Università di Catania, Italia
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