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Biomedical subjects

Elisa Albini

Publications and source records attributed to Elisa Albini.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Genomic insights into an optrA-carrying plasmid associated with linezolid resistance in clinical Enterococcus faecalis isolates, Argentina.

The spread of the transferable optrA gene poses an increasing threat to the clinical efficacy of oxazolidinones. Here, we characterized a novel optrA-carrying plasmid, pEfa-optrA-Arg, from a linezolid-resistant Enterococcus faecalis clinical isolate from Argentina. The 68,653-bp conjugative plasmid harbored optrA together with multiple antimicrobial resistance genes and showed high similarity to a plasmid previously identified in a bovine isolate from Switzerland. pEfa-optrA-Arg, or a closely related variant, was also detected in E. faecalis isolates from several Argentinian hospitals, highlighting the role of horizontal gene transfer in the spread of antimicrobial resistance across human and animal reservoirs within the One Health continuum.

Enterococcus faecalis↗

Fate of manganese associated with the inhalation of welding fumes: potential neurological effects.

Welding fumes are a complex mixture composed of different metals. Most welding fumes contain a small percentage of manganese. There is an emerging concern among occupational health officials about the potential neurological effects associated with the exposure to manganese in welding fumes. Little is known about the fate of manganese that is complexed with other metals in the welding particles after inhalation. Depending on the welding process and the composition of the welding electrode, manganese may be present in different oxidation states and have different solubility properties. These differences may affect the biological responses to manganese after the inhalation of welding fumes. Manganese intoxication and the associated neurological symptoms have been reported in individual cases of welders who have been exposed to high concentrations of manganese-containing welding fumes due to work in poorly ventilated areas. However, the question remains as to whether welders who are exposed to low levels of welding fumes over long periods of time are at risk for the development of neurological diseases. For the most part, questions remain unanswered. There is still paucity of adequate scientific reports on welders who suffered significant neurotoxicity, hence there is a need for well-designed epidemiology studies that combine complete information on the occupational exposure of welders with both behavioral and biochemical endpoints of neurotoxicity.

Animals↗

Neurobehavioral science in hazard identification and risk assessment of neurotoxic agents--what are the requirements for further development?

OBJECTIVES: Modern neurobehavioral methods find useful application in research into the early effects of exposure to neurotoxic agents in the environment. This paper briefly describes the history and evolution of neurobehavioral toxicology, reviews some current trends in research in this specific discipline and identifies the most important needs and challenges to be addressed in future studies. METHODS: All published literature was considered, including ad hoc meeting reports. Further information was obtained directly from experts in the field. RESULTS: The number of studies (including those in occupational, environmental and pediatric exposure) using neurobehavioral evaluation is constantly increasing. Regulatory agencies are using scientific data obtained through neurobehavioral assessment, which includes other areas such as neurosensory toxicology. However, further development of this discipline is facing a number of problems and issues. Three major areas that deserve further attention have been identified: (1) specific technical issues regarding testing development, (2) epidemiological issues regarding the study design, including the need for meta-analysis/multi-center studies and for longitudinal observation, and statistical issues regarding the most adequate models for the analysis and treatment of complex neurobehavioral datasets, and (3) the need for scientific consensus on the significance of adverse effects identified with neurobehavioral methods. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of neurobehavioral toxicology in the evaluation of mechanisms of action and for preventive purposes is progressively growing. Further development is needed for the advancement of this discipline through collaboration between experts from different fields.

Environmental Exposure↗

[Dysfunctional workplace organization and mobbing. 4 representative cases].

BACKGROUND: Stress and psychological harassment at work are increasing worldwide, according to International Agencies (European Community, NIOSH) and to most authors. OBJECTIVES: To describe typical working situations responsible for distress and mobbing, with the aim of early diagnosis and effectiveness of therapy and rehabilitation. METHODS: Four cases are reported as representative of dysfunctional organization producing distress and pathology or inducing mobbing behavior or mobbing without clear organization responsibilities. CONCLUSIONS: In all cases dysfunctional organization appeared to have played a significant role even though not always a direct one. Also, common characteristics were highlighted in the three cases where mobbing was recognized.

Adjustment Disorders↗