Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Dreassi.
The possibility of using reflectance NIRS to assay 2-(benzoylphenyl)-propionic acid (Ketoprofen) in solid-state and gel preparations is investigated. The number of samples and amplitude of the percentage content distribution of the samples is examined in order to define the best possible calibration system.
HPTLC was used to check for residues of chlorpropham, propham (sprout inhibitors) and thiabendazole (fungicide) applied to potatoes. The method used gave good precision and analytical sensitivity. The sample preparation method developed by the authors was simple and gave good recovery and selectivity as far as other components of the matrix were concerned. Comparison with liquid chromatography confirmed the validity of the results.
HPTLC was used to check for residues of benomyl, carbendazim, ethoxyquin and thiabendazole in apples and pears. The method used showed good precision with a percentage coefficient of variation of less than 5%; recoveries were always greater than 90%. The limits of determination using HPTLC were always at least four times lower than Italian statutory limits. Selectivity with respect to other matrix components was excellent for all fruit varieties tested. Comparison with HPLC confirmed the validity of the results.
Irganox 1330 (1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,5-tris(3',5'-ditert-butyl)-4'-hydroxybenzyl)- benzene) (I), an alkylphenol compound used as antioxdiant in the production of high density polyethylene (HDPE), was the subject of this study. The quantity of I given up by polyethylene samples of different thickness to aqueous and lipophilic media simulating food was studied by planar chromatography (PC). The manner of antioxidant release was also investigated. The chromatographic method developed was found satisfactory for the quantification of I in the migration studies undertaken, and had quantification limits (12 ng/deposit) suitable for quality control of HDPE.
The analysis of mortality in urban settings for the Cities of Florence (1991-95) and Leghorn (1987-95), based on data from the Tuscany Longitudinal Study, is reported in the present paper. The data came from a census-based cohort study, all residents at the census day 1981 (Leghorn) or 1991 (Florence) being enrolled and followed-up by automated procedures of record-linkage. The cause of death certificate had been eventually collected by the Regional Mortality Register. For each city, internally standardized mortality ratios (SMR) had been calculated by sub-urban areas (city sectors or wards). The analysis was restricted to age groups > 15 years to have interpretable results on socio-economic variables derived from census questionnaires. Bayesian estimates (Besag, York e Mollié) of mortality relative risks had been calculated to overcome extra-variability of SMRs. In the city of Florence two wards showed about 10% excess risk for overall mortality. In the city of Leghorn one sector was at higher risk while one showed a significant lower mortality. For both cities such risk gradients were still present after adjustment for deprivation index at individual level.
We evaluate the persistence of social inequalities in overall mortality or mortality by causes (lung cancer, liver cirrhosis; AIDS and overdose) in the Tuscany Longitudinal Study (SLTo), a record linkage-study on the census population identified at the 1981 and 1991 censuses in Leghorn (1981: 175,741 subjects; 1991: 167,512 subjects), and 1991 in Florence (403,294 subjects), Central Italy. The census data allow an evaluation of socio-economic status of each subject, using variables such as education or occupation, or constructing indexes inclusive of deprivation indexes. Follow-up is from the census up to 1995 and for specific causes of death from 1987 (Leghorn) or 1991 (Florence). Estimates of risk are computed comparing rates of mortality among socio-economic groups, by means of poisson regression models, or by means of Standardized Mortality Ratios using the indirect method. The causes of deaths have been selected mainly because explained by known and strong determinants. As far as overall mortality, the results suggest the persistence of gradients by social class, more often negative among males. Mortality from lung cancer has a strong negative social class gradient among males, and a divergent gradient among women in the two towns, which is interpreted as the effect of a different prevalence of smoking by period, social class and sex. High RRs among lower socio-economic groups have been detected for liver cirrhosis mortality. Excess mortality of AIDS and overdose, an expression of the recent drug crisis, concentrates on the lower social strata and in young adults. Whereas mortality from AIDS has been detected among both sexes, deaths from overdose are occurring among males only. Being AIDS and overdose recent diseases, they stress the persistence of social inequalities over time.
A planar chromatographic (PC) method was developed to determine thiamphenicol in human and bovine plasma with florphenicol as internal standard. The performance of the method was compared with that of a liquid chromatographic method. Recovery of extraction method developed for plasma was 81.51 +/- 2.85%. Reproducibilities of the PC assay performed with various PC plates were also good.