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Biomedical subjects

M Musti

Publications and source records attributed to M Musti.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparative genomic hybridisation in malignant deciduoid mesothelioma.

BACKGROUND: Malignant deciduoid mesothelioma is a rare variant of epithelioid mesothelioma. This tumour generally has poor prognosis, and can be asbestos related. AIM: To identify peculiar genetic changes responsible for critical phases in pathogenesis of malignant deciduoid mesothelioma and their prognostic relevance. METHODS: Comparative genomic hybridisation was carried out in six cases of malignant pleural deciduoid mesothelioma, four sporadic and two familial. All cases were found to be asbestos related. Four patients died during follow-up and the mean survival was 29.5 (SD 14.2, range 12-43) months. RESULTS: Genetic abnormalities were found in all the tumour tissues, the most frequent being chromosomal gains at 1p, 12q, 17, 8q, 19 and 20 and losses at 13q, 6q and 9p. Survival was found to be longer in those patients who presented a smaller number of losses (< or =2) in the tumorous chromosomes. CONCLUSIONS: Although numerous genetic changes are presented by deciduoid mesotheliomas, certain chromosomal regions are preferentially affected. The clinical outcome for this mesothelioma subtype is predicted by the number of losses.

Adult↗

Updated perspectives on emerging vibrios associated with human infections.

This review describes the ecological, clinical and epidemiological features of emerging vibrios and discusses what laboratory methods are being used for the detection of pathogenic vibrios in clinical, environmental and food samples. After selecting articles illustrative of the current scientific research on pathogenic vibrios, the review focuses on the need for better insight into the risk factors of emerging infections to establish adequate prevention procedures.

Bacteremia↗

Detection of Bacillus species in selected meals from an apulian catering service.

The authors have started a microbiological survey of the meals given in a factory canteen in the town of Bari with the evaluation of food contamination from the bacteria of the genus Bacillus. In the examined meals, all the detected Bacillus species have the potential to cause food-borne illnesses, even if the relatively low bacterial counts are not dangerous for healthy consumers. The study underlines the need of guidelines to enstablish which levels of food contamination are significant potential risks to all community catering service users.

Bacillus↗

Malignant deciduoid mesothelioma of the pleura: report of two cases with long survival.

AIMS: To present two rare cases of malignant mesotheliomas with deciduoid features arising in the pleura, both with long survival. METHODS AND RESULTS: These two cases of deciduoid mesotheliomas were observed in adult patients (one 73-year-old male and one 23-year-old female). Only the male had a history of occupational asbestos exposure, whereas the woman had a history of familial mesothelioma. A deciduoid morphology was predominant and focal areas with tubular-papillary features were noted. The tumour cells were positive for cytokeratins, HMBE-1, calretinin, EMA and mitochondrion antibodies. The follow-up data did not suggest a particularly poor prognosis; the mean survival observed was 23 months (17 and 39 months, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This deciduoid mesothelioma histological subtype does not appear to represent an unfavourable prognostic category.

Adult↗

[Exposure to pesticides in greenhouses and male fertility].

We attempt to study fertility problems among workers exposed to pesticides, comparing the reproductive experience of greenhouse workers and administrative staff working in the Health Local Units of the same geographical area (reference population). Data on reproductive history and time to pregnancy (TTP) at first pregnancy were collected by personal interview. For workers with children, we collected data on TTP in relation to the occupational risk factors. The analysis of TTP was conducted among 127 greenhouse and 173 administrative workers married and aged 20-55. The greenhouse workers reported 232 pregnancies and a mean number of 1.8 children; the controls 270 and 1.6 respectively. For greenhouse workers the mean TTP in months (5.4 with SD 5.6) resulted longer than for controls (3.9 with SD 5.6). The risk for conception delay (beyond 3 months) by exposure category of the man adjusted for age of woman, smoking of man and woman at first pregnancy resulted 2.4 higher for a subgroup of greenhouse workers with higher exposition (CI 95% 1.2-5.1).

Adult↗

[The mesothelioma registry].

The National Mesothelioma Registry (RENAM) have as mains objectives: estimate of the incidence of malignant mesothelioma cases in Italy, collecting information on past exposure to asbestos, impact and spread of the disease among population, identification of unexpected or unknown sources of contamination and promotion of research on asbestos exposure and mesothelioma. Some data of Puglia Regional Operating Centre are reported. Use of Renam as epidemiological surveillance system is underlined in respect to public health and scientific research.

Asbestos↗

[Check-list for inspection in banks].

We suggest a checklist for inspection in banks. The checklist is composed of 14 schedules where information on bank clerks and buildings is collected. Principle risk factors are analysed (workplaces, lighting and noise, air quality, emergency management). The critical points are observed and the times of intervention are established. Then follows data processing and the reports are transmitted to the employer. The checklist, tested on 250 workplaces, allows us to identify the interventions having priority to be realized through appropriate planning. A quantitative evaluation of the risk is matched with immediate and brief operative indications. The situations to improve are: cleanliness of workplaces, thermal comfort, electricity/telephone wires. The checklist seems to be a valid instrument for the evaluation of risk factors, their management and times of intervention. Such instrument simplifies, moreover, the employer choices of intervention.

Humans↗

[Health surveillance (health intervention) in workers formerly exposed to asbestos (formerly employed at Materit-Ferrandina)].

Results of an intervention of medical surveillance are reported. Medical surveillance was performed, from the Renam COR Basilicata-Puglia, in favour of 67 workers ex exposed to asbestos of the firm ex-Materit of Ferrandina that produced manufactured articles in cement-asbestos. The actual normative (art 29 DL 277/91) foresees that the competent plant physician informed the workers about the necessities to undergo to sanitary checks after the cessation of the activity, nevertheless the law doesn't establish that whom owes to make load of the medical surveillance. Cor, as Regional Reference Center, like in DPMC 308/2002, can guarantee definition of guide lines for uniform approach to regional level of all the figures involved in the management of the ex-exposed worker problem, in clinician and legal point of view and in the diffusion of the information (general practitioners, physicians operating in prevention services (SPESAL), competent plant physicians, hospital physicians and experts, labour unions).

Adult↗

[Could VDT use induce thoracic hyperkyphosis? Preliminary data].

The association between sitting posture and degenerative alterations of intervertebral disks has been widely studied, while the possible relationship between sitting posture and thoracic hyperkyphosis has not been investigated sufficiently. The objective of this study, therefore, is to verify the possible association between video display terminal (VDT) use, which needs a sitting prolonged posture, and thoracic hyperkyphosis. 63 VDT workers and 71 telephone line maintenance workers (control group) have been examined. The two groups were different for the postural load required by the two jobs. A questionnaire about job and clinical history has been administered to workers included in the study. A complete orthopedical examination has been performed for all workers, while radiographic exams have been performed only in the cases requiring of further diagnostic investigations. The two groups have resulted homogenous for age, while were different for working age and body mass index (BMI). The frequency of subjects with rachialgia has resulted higher in VDT users than in maintenance workers. The prevalence of thoracic hyperkyphosis observed in VDT users has been higher than in maintenance workers, with a difference near to be statistically significant, and significantly associated with age in VDT users. The hyperkyphosis of the dorsolumbar tract have resulted significantly more frequent in VDT users than in maintenance workers (p<0.05). Preliminary results of this study suggest that fixed and prolonged sitting working posture would be able to determine thoracic hyperkyphosis, although constitutional factors and age could have a role in its determination. Preventive measures should be proposed for an adequate ergonomic training of VDT users.

Adult↗