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Biomedical subjects

A Menditto

Publications and source records attributed to A Menditto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Human reproduction and environmental risk factors].

Environmental pollution is a great cause of concern, in particular, growing attention is being paid to the potential of many chemicals to affect the reproductive system in humans. The key role of prevention and control of reproductive hazards is recognized world-wide. Many chemicals have been shown to impair fertility and/or prenatal and perinatal development in experimental studies. However, a sufficient evidence of an effect on human reproduction is available for some compounds only. The use of biological markers may improve the assessment of exposure to chemicals, contribute to identify mechanisms of action and put into evidence early, reversible, biological effects. Valid biological markers are also needed in epidemiological studies: without reliable data on the level of current and past exposures it is difficult to establish a causal relationship between a pollutant and the occurrence of adverse health effects. A multidisciplinary approach to risk assessment is required. Priorities for interdisciplinary research on environmental chemicals and reproduction include the identification of susceptible population subgroups and risk assessment of exposure to multiple chemicals.

Embryonic and Fetal Development↗
PubMed1999

[The role of biological monitoring in the evaluation of the risk of from chemical compounds].

Over the years, the assessment of the risk to human health from occupational and environmental exposure to chemicals has become increasingly important. Exposure to chemicals, their biochemical effects and individual susceptibility can be estimated by biological monitoring carried out on potentially exposed subjects. Valid markers are needed to be effectively used within the framework of biological monitoring programs. Quality assurance, which includes all those activities necessary to provide adequate confidence that the results of laboratory test are reliable, is of the utmost importance. Among these activities the participation in external quality assessment schemes is strongly recommended. Biological monitoring has a key role also in the field of human reproduction since the level of exposure to many chemicals which are known or suspected to be reproductive toxicants can be assessed by specialized laboratories.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1998

[Quality control of data produced in biological population surveillance studies on the risk of environmental lead poisoning].

The biological surveys of the general population against the risk of lead intoxication carried out in Italy--in accomplishment both of the EEC directive EEC 77/312 and the Presidential Decree 496/1982--have been always conceived as multicentric activities. Therefore, starting from the first campaign carried out in 1979, strict quality control procedures have been adopted. In brief, each participant laboratory used internal quality control samples and took part in external quality assessment exercises. In addition, ten percent of the blood samples collected during the campaign were analyzed as blind duplicate by both participating laboratories and a reference laboratory. In this paper the quality control procedures adopted will be presented and discussed in detail together with the quality of results obtained in each campaign.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed1998

[Lead exposure: risk evaluation for the general Italian population in 1990].

The second Italian campaign for the biological surveillance of the general population against the risk of lead intoxication has been carried out according to the regulations contained in the Presidential Decree DPR 496/82. The investigations of the second campaign--based on the measurement of blood lead levels (PbB)--have been carried out mainly between 1992 and 1996 by various operating centers in some Italian regions. A work group from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health) coordinated the activity of the various centers and organised an appropriate quality control program to guarantee the quality of the analytical data collected. A total of 7749 non exposed subjects (4346 females and 3403 males) has been examined, 1170 of which (559 females and 611 males) were under 15 years of age. The median PbB was, for adults, 86 micrograms/l in males and 53.5 micrograms/l in females. As for subjects under the age of 15, PbB levels were 50 micrograms/l and 43 micrograms/l in males and females, respectively. Our investigation confirms the correlation between blood lead levels, wine, and cigarette smoking. The comparison with the results of previous investigations shows a reduction between 40% and 50% of PbB in the general Italian population during the 1985-96 period. It should be pointed out that in certain areas more than 5% of subjects under 15 years of age had PbB exceeding the level (100 micrograms/l) considered safe for avoiding irreversible injury to the central nervous system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Evaluation of environmental lead exposure in Latium: 2d DPR 496/82 campaign].

In the Latium region, according to the regulations contained in the presidential decree DPR 496/82, the investigations of the second campaign--based on the measurement of blood lead levels (PbB)--have been carried out between 1992 and 1994. Three samples of subjects were examined: adult subjects (33 males and 628 females) living in Priverno, a small town in the South of the Latium region; adults subjects living in the Rome area (81 males and 168 females; subjects under the age of 15 (65 males and 54 females) living in the Rome area. Concerning Priverno, the median PbB was 70 micrograms/l in males and 40 micrograms/l in females; in Rome 66 micrograms/l and 42 micrograms/ l in males and females, respectively. In subjects under the age of 15, PbB levels were 40.5 micrograms/l and 35.5 micrograms/l in males and females, respectively. As for adults PbB levels were significantly higher in female than in male subjects and in subjects aged 41 years and over in comparison with subjects aged 15-40 years. PbB levels were significantly higher in wine drinkers in comparison with non-drinkers. The difference between smokers and non smokers was significant only in female subjects living in Rome. In multiple regression analysis the association of PbB with age, sex, alcohol consumption and smoking habit were confirmed, and a positive relation between PbB and the condition of being living in Rome. As for Rome, the comparison with the results of previous investigations shows a reduction between 50% and 60% of PbB during the 1985-1992 period.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Ascorbic acid in human seminal plasma is protected from iron-mediated oxidation, but is potentially exposed to copper-induced damage.

The aim of this study was to assess the interaction of endogenous ascorbate with iron and copper ions in aerobic seminal plasma. The rate of ascorbate consumption was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography and by the concentration of its primary oxidation product, ascorbyl radical (Asc.-) detected by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The modification in the levels of Asc.- was used to investigate non-invasively and in real time whether metal ions, either present in this fluid or exogenously added, were catalytically active. The Asc.- was detected in seminal plasma as well as in whole semen of all subjects and was unaffected by superoxide dismutase, catalase or metal chelators. These findings and the rapid decrease of Asc.- under nitrogen suggest that Asc.- is probably a result of non-metal-catalysed air auto-oxidation, a reaction generating low levels of reactive oxygen species. Loading of seminal plasma with either Fe2+ or Fe3+ up to a concentration of 50 microM did not increase, or increased only slightly, the rate of ascorbate oxidation. Taking into consideration the concentrations of iron-binding proteins in this fluid, these results suggest that seminal plasma possesses a 'physiological ligand(s)' able to maintain iron ions in a catalytically inactive form. Our results indicate that citrate, which is present in seminal plasma at very high concentrations (10-25 mM), is responsible for the inhibition of iron-dependent catalysis. On the contrary, the loss of ascorbate and the levels of Asc.- were significantly increased by the addition of physiologically relevant concentrations (1 microM) of copper ions (Cu2+ but especially Cu+). We suggest that seminal plasma is potentially exposed to copper-mediated oxidation, a finding that could be of importance in situations of increased copper-loading such as in some pathological conditions or in smoking subjects.

Ascorbic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Change in cardiovascular risk factors during a 10-year community intervention program.

The study describes changes in cardiovascular risk factors during 10 years of a community intervention program conducted in a rural area in Central Italy. Two areas were involved, one for treatment and one for reference. In 1983-84, 739 men and 859 women in the treatment area and 942 men and 1045 women in the control area, aged 20-69 years, were screened; total and HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, smoking habit, weight and height were measured. Between 1983 and 1993 several intervention activities based on community medicine were carried out in the treatment area. They were based on interaction with the local socio-sanitary institutions and school system in order to influence individual persons, small groups and entire community. Major effort was addressed to mass health education, nutrition education, antismoking-propaganda and detection and treatment of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

First steps toward harmonisation of European EQAS in occupational and environmental laboratory medicine: from Dublin to Rome.

Laboratories performing analyses in the field of occupational and environmental medicine (OELM) must provide reliable results for an increasing number of analytes related to exposure to chemicals. Participation in external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) allows laboratories to assess their performance and is regarded as a pre-requisite for accreditation from appropriate national and supranational bodies. Within the framework of the European Union, harmonisation of procedures for evaluation of laboratory performance in EQAS is desirable, in order to achieve a similar degree of excellence within Europe. Collaboration among different countries would also be profitable to compare experiences, develop new schemes, covering a wider range of analytes, and to devise common research on specific problems. We report on initiatives developed to meet this objective, in collaboration with the Standards, Measurements & Testing (SM&T) programme of the European Commission (EC), Directorate General XII. Meetings were held in Dublin and Rome which allowed experience among European EQAS organisers in OELM to be shared. Discussion focused on the identification of common needs and areas where collaborative work could be carried out.

Environmental Health↗
PubMed1996

Quality assurance in occupational and environmental laboratory medicine.

In a medical laboratory service, quality assurance (QA) concerns all those actions necessary to provide confidence that the results of laboratory tests will satisfy defined standards for quality. Taking into account the type of testing concerned and the techniques involved, quality assurance will encompass all steps taken to ensure that laboratory results are reliable. It covers the use of scientifically and technically sound practices for laboratory investigations, including selection, collection, transport, identification, storage, preparation and manipulation of specimens and recording, reporting and interpretation of the results. QA refers also to other activities designed to improve the reliability of investigations such as staff training and management, evaluation of the adequacy of the laboratory environment, maintenance and calibration of instruments and the use of technically validated and properly documented methods. All these activities should be described in a quality manual. This document is a prerequisite to obtain certification of the quality system or laboratory accreditation, according to the International Standard ISO 29000 series or the European Standard EN 45001, respectively.

Accreditation↗
PubMed1996

The Italian external quality assessment scheme for trace element analysis in body fluids.

We describe the operative procedures of the Italian external quality assessment scheme (EQAS) for the determination of trace elements in body fluids. The aims of the scheme are both the education of participants and the continuous development and optimization of procedures for collaborative EQA trials. Participation is free of charge. Interlaboratory exercises for EQA are organised every three or four months for the determination of cadmium and lead in blood; aluminium, copper, selenium and zinc in serum; chromium and nickel in urine. Freeze-dried control materials are prepared in the laboratory from animal blood or human urine. In each trial, each participant receives from six to eight samples, chosen from among the pools selected for that occasion using a randomised strategy and including unknown duplicate specimens. Laboratory performances are evaluated on the basis of proximity to target values, differences in results for duplicate samples and comparison with established acceptability limits. The development of dedicated software for the bidirectional transmission of data between the organising centre and the peripheral laboratory gives the participants the chance to verify immediately the quality of their results and take action without delay, if needed.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1996

Prospects of harmonisation of European external quality assessment schemes in occupational and environmental laboratory medicine.

Since 1979, twelve external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) in occupational and environmental laboratory medicine (OELM) have been developed in nine European countries. These schemes cover a broad range of analytes and matrices and have developed differing procedures for the evaluation of laboratories' performances. Collaboration among EQAS in OELM and harmonisation of methods for evaluation of laboratory performance would be advantageous to cope with the demand for assessment of quality of analytical results for an increasing number of analytes and the need to guarantee comparability and consistency of conclusions on health and regulatory issues in different countries and at an international level. This paper compares the different features of the existing EQAS, to highlight critical points for further discussions, and to make some suggestions for possible further collaboration.

Environmental Medicine↗
PubMed1995

Organization and results of a pilot scheme for external quality assessment in clinical chemistry carried out in the Latium region, Italy.

The results of an external quality assessment scheme (EQAS), carried out in the Latium region between October 1987 and December 1988, are reported. Ninety-four laboratories, both public and private, took part in the scheme. Aim of the scheme was to estimate the reliability of the clinical chemistry services in this region. The participating laboratories received eight control samples for EQA, every two months. The analytes to be determined in each sample were: glucose (GLU), urea (UR), total protein (TP), uric acid (UA), creatinine (CR), bilirubin (BIL), cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TRI), sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CPK), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Global laboratory performances were evaluated in terms of interlaboratory precision, accuracy--as deviation per cent from the target values and coefficient of variation (CV)--and percentage of results within pre-set acceptability limits. The deviations were reasonably low, whereas the CVs were rather high. The percentage of acceptable results was lower than 50% for the analytes urea, calcium, uric acid, creatine kinase and alkaline phosphatase. The performance of the examined laboratories was worse than those obtained in other regional and national EQAS, both in terms of CVs and percentage of acceptable results.

Chemistry, Clinical↗
PubMed1995

Quality assurance in the determination of metals in clinical chemistry and toxicology: the METOS project. Metalli Tossici.

National external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) for the determination of trace elements in blood (Al, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn) have been promoted in Italy since 1983. They were organized by a working group of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and known as "METOS (Metalli Tossici, toxic metals) project". The organization of the schemes included the preparation of suitable control materials by the promoting centre and the elaboration of valuable strategies of sample distribution, treatment of data and evaluation of results, that could be applied even to a small number of participants. The procedures used and the results obtained in ten years of activity of the METOS project are reported. Within the framework of the programme some information has been obtained, confirming the validity of the procedures used for sample preparation, sample distribution and evaluation of laboratories performance.

Chemistry, Clinical↗
PubMed1995

National and regional regulations on minimal requirements, quality control and accreditation for clinical laboratories in Italy.

The national law concerning minimal requirements and quality control for clinical laboratories, dating back to 1984, is a decree of the President of the Council of Ministries (DPCM). Minimal requirements are established regarding general organization of the laboratory, instrumental equipment's, the personnel, the list of analytical tests, the director of the laboratory and its responsibilities, and quality control systems. Concerning regional legislation, since 1978 eighteen regions and the two autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano have issued--in the matter of minimal requirements and quality control for clinical laboratories, and point of specimen collection--laws, decrees, resolutions, deliberations, regulations and circulars that have determined in Italy a disparity of situations and a non-homogeneous regulation. The prerogative of the regions has been recently confirmed (laws 502/1992 and 517/1993): the introduction of appropriate procedure for the accreditation of both public and private services who want to operate within the National Health Service is defined as impelling. The homologation to operate may be acquired if the structure or the service actually has the instrumental, technical, and professional endowment corresponding to criteria established on a national basis. The national legislator deemed it necessary to establish a coordination on a national basis to uniform and standardize protocols, operating procedures, and methods of evaluations. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) can have a key role in this coordination activity, mainly concerning technical/scientific aspects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accreditation↗
PubMed1995

[Quality control for trace elements in occupational and environmental medicine].

The adoption of procedures warranting the quality of the results obtained in the laboratory is of the utmost importance, whatever the reason these analyses are required for. We discuss some of the fundamentals of quality assurance, as recommended by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, IFCC. Procedures for the preparation of control and calibration materials, the evaluation of analytical methods and the assessment of laboratory performance by means of internal quality control procedures, including control charts, are reviewed. Finally, we report the organisation and the strategies use in programmes for external quality assurance for the determination of trace elements in biological fluids.

Calibration↗
PubMed1994

Association of blood lead to blood pressure in men aged 55 to 75 years: effect of selected social and biochemical confounders. NFR Study Group.

The association of blood lead (B-Pb) concentration to blood pressure was investigated in men aged 55 to 75 years living in the Rome area, who had no history of exposure to lead in the workplace and who participated between 1989 and 1990 in an epidemiologic survey for coronary heart disease (New Risk Factor Project). Of the 1856 individuals eligible for the study, 59 were excluded from analyses because not all relevant data were available; and 478 were excluded because they were treated for hypertension. In the remaining subjects (n = 1319) the median B-Pb concentration was 113 micrograms/l (range: 40-442 micrograms/l). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) averaged 140 +/- 18 (standard deviation) mm Hg (range 98-220) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 84 +/- 9 mm Hg (range 56-118). Median B-Pb values increased significantly from 111 micrograms/l in subjects with normal blood pressure (n = 668) to 113.5 micrograms/l in subjects with borderline high blood pressure (n = 373) and to 120 micrograms/l in subjects with increased blood pressure (n = 278). After log-normal conversion of B-Pb, the linear correlation coefficient between In[B-Pb(ug/l)] and both SBP and DBP was statistically significant (r = 0.1332, p < 0.001 and r = 0.0737, p = 0.007, respectively). The linear regression coefficient was 6.8 mm Hg/In(micrograms/l) for SBP and 1.8 mm Hg/In(microgram/l) for DBP. Multiple regression analyses revealed that, after correction for body mass index (BMI), age, heart rate, skinfold thickness, serum lipids, and glucose levels; blood lead was still a significant predictor of increased SBP and DBP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Critical selection of toxicological data on chemicals. The example of the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals data bank.

Although chemicals provide important benefits, they can also represent hazards to human health or the environment. However, due to number of chemicals involved, clearly no country can deal alone with the evaluation of existing scientific, technical and legal information on chemicals. This implies a need for countries to work together to assess the risk posed by chemicals and to share the results in a compatible and understandable way. In 1973 the governing council of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) decided to proceed with the creation of the International Register of Potentially Toxic Chemicals (IRPTC). The core activity of IRPTC is the collection of information on chemicals into a computerized data bank and the dissemination of these data in the form of chemical data profiles. The data profiles focus on selected chemicals with a potential to affect human health and the environment, excluding chemicals whose sole use is as a pharmaceutical or which are radioactive substances. The data collection and selection activities of IRPTC are driven by two key issues: data quality and data quantity. The objective of IRPTC in this respect is to provide decision-makers and other users with the most pertinent data available to substantiate their assessment of hazard. Providing reliable and detailed data in manageable amounts was the strategy chosen to achieve this objective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Databases, Factual↗