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R Font

Publications and source records attributed to R Font.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and Hodgkin's lymphoma: a European multi-centre case-control study (EPILYMPH).

We analysed the effects of tobacco and alcohol in the aetiology of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL), based on 340 cases and 2465 controls enrolled in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Czech Republic, between 1998 and 2004. Current smokers showed a significantly increased odds ratio (OR) of HL of 1.39 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.87). Analyses were also conducted separately for subjects younger than 35 years (179 cases) and for older subjects (161 cases). For subjects below age 35, no association was observed between tobacco and HL, whereas for older subjects, ever-smokers experienced a doubled risk of HL as compared to never smokers and the OR of HL for current smoking was 2.35 (95% CI = 1.52-3.61), with suggestion of a dose-response relationship. A protective effect of alcohol was observed in both age groups. The OR for ever-regular drinking was 0.58 (95% CI = 0.38-0.89) for younger subjects and 0.50 (95% CI = 0.34-0.74) for older subjects. There was no evidence of interaction between tobacco and alcohol. Our results are consistent with previous studies, suggesting a protective effect of alcohol on HL. An effect of tobacco was suggested for HL occurring in middle and late age, although this finding might have occurred by chance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Exposure to non-arsenic pesticides is associated with lymphoma among farmers in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the risk of lymphoma among farmers in Spain. METHODS: This is a multicentre case control study conducted in Spain. Cases were subjects diagnosed with lymphoma according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification in four hospitals between 1998-2002. Hospital controls were frequency matched to the cases by sex, age, and centre. All subjects were interviewed about jobs ever held in lifetime for at least one year and the exposures in those jobs were recorded. The risk of lymphomas among subjects ever having had a job as a farmer was compared with all other occupations. Farmers were analysed according to the type of farming job performed: crop farming, animal farming, and general farming. Occupational exposure was summarised into 15 main categories: organic dust, radiation, contact with animals, PAH, non-arsenic pesticides (carbamates, organophosphates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, triazines and triazoles, phenoxy herbicides, chlorophenols, dibenzodioxin, and dibenzofuran), arsenic pesticides, contact with meat, contact with children, solvents, asbestos, soldering fumes, organic colourants, polychlorinated biphenyls, ethylene oxide, and hair dyes. RESULTS: Although farmers were not at an increased risk of lymphoma as compared with all other occupations, farmers exposed to non-arsenic pesticides were found to be at increased risk of lymphoma (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 2). This increased risk was observed among farmers working exclusively either as crop farmers or as animal farmers (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 1.3 to 5.8). Risk was highest for exposure to non-arsenic pesticides for over nine years (OR = 2.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.8). CONCLUSIONS: Long term exposure to non-arsenic pesticides may induce lymphomagenesis among farmers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Self-sampling versus physician-sampling for human papillomavirus testing.

We evaluated the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection using two sampling methods of cervical exfoliated cells, consisting of self-sampling of vaginal cells and cervical sampling performed by the physician. Women included were 379 patients of the general population attending outpatient clinics in Northern Greece for routine cytological cervical dysplasia screening. HPV DNA detection was similar with both sampling techniques. The HPV prevalences in self-collected samples were 4.7% and 3.7% in the physician-collected samples (P>0.05). The Kappa statistic for HPV DNA agreement between the two methods was 0.54 (95% Confidence interval = 0.33-0.75). Self-sampling of cervico-vaginal exfoliated cells could be used as an alternative option to test for HPV infection.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed2004

Use of near-infrared spectroscopy for determining the total arsenic content in prostrate amaranth.

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for determining the total arsenic (As) content in the prostrate amaranth (Amaranthus blitoides S. Watson) was assessed. Seventy-four samples belonging to this species, were harvested at different maturity stages along the polluted area, and then were scanned by NIRS. Their As reference values were obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry and they were regressed against different spectral transformations using modified partial least square (MPLS) regression. First derivative transformation equation of the raw optical data, previously standardized by standard normal variate (SNV) and De-trending (DT) transformations, resulted in a coefficient of determination (r(2)) in the external validation of 0.63, indicative of equations that can be used for a correct separation of the samples into low, medium and high groups. The standard deviation to standard error of prediction ratio (RPD) and range to standard error of prediction ratio (RER) for the first derivative equation were similar to those obtained for other trace metal calibrations reported in NIRS reflectance. Major cell components such as chlorophyll, lipids, starch and proteins were used by MPLS for modeling the equations. The use of NIRS for the determination of the As content in A. blitoides plants offers an important saving of time and cost of analysis.

Amaranthus↗
PubMed2004

Complete study of the pyrolysis and gasification of scrap tires in a pilot plant reactor.

The pyrolysis and gasification of tires was studied in a pilot plant reactor provided with a system for condensation of semivolatile matter. The study comprises experiments at 450, 750, and 1000 degrees C both in nitrogen and 10% oxygen atmospheres. Analysis of all the products obtained (gases, liquids, char, and soot) are presented. In the gas phase only methane and benzene yields increase with temperature until 1000 degrees C. In the liquids the main components are styrene, limonene, and isoprene. The solid fraction (including soot) increases with temperature. Zinc content of the char decreases with increasing temperature.

Benzene↗
PubMed2002

De novo synthesis of PCDD/F by thermogravimetry.

On the basis of laboratory experiments with model mixtures, the steps in the de novo synthesis of halogenated compounds were studied. The study was performed using a thermobalance to evaluate the temperature of the maximum rate and the kinetics of the decomposition of the materials in the presence of air. The effect of the presence of CuCl2 and CuO with an atmosphere of HCl was studied. Analysis of the volatiles and solids after combustion in a horizontal furnace confirms the presence of organochloride compounds (including PCDD/F) at various temperatures. With the procedure that we followed, combustion is separated from pyrolysis, and it is possible to analyze the essential factors involved in the combustion process.

Benzofurans↗
PubMed2001

Leaching of toluene-neoprene adhesive wastes.

This work consists of the study of the extraction of solvent (toluene) from a polymeric (neoprene) substrate during a leaching process. Total organic carbon (TOC) is the main contaminant parameter in the leaching of these systems due to the solution of the toluene and the dispersion of the polymer. The toxicity of the extracts was measured with a Microtox equipment, using Photobacteria phosphoreum, deducing that the toxicity of the extracts is low due to the low solubility of toluene but that the toxicity of toluene is high. On the basis of the experimental results, the amount of toluene diffused vs time in plane sheet systems was studied. A kinetic model has been developed considering two stages: In the first stage, the toluene diffuses into the system across the neoprene chains at a constant rate, not depending on the initial toluene concentration. This fact is explained by considering that there is a constant difference of the toluene concentration between the interface with the water and the inner part of the sample. In the second stage, the dispersion of the polymer with the corresponding amount of toluene takes place. The diffusion of toluene in the leaching process is compared and analyzed considering the diffusion of toluene in a desorption process in air so that the difference of toluene concentration between the interface and the interior can be estimated. A mathematical model is also proposed for considering the leaching process in other operating conditions.

Adhesives↗
PubMed2001

Dynamic pesticide removal with activated carbon fibers.

Rapid small-scale minicolumn tests were carried out to simulate the atrazine adsorption in water phase with three pelletized pitch-based activated carbon fibers (ACF) and one commercial granular activated carbon (GAC). Initial atrazine solutions were prepared with pretreated ground water. Minicolumn tests showed that the performance of highly activated carbon fibers (surface area of 1700 m2/g) is around 7 times better than the commercial GAC (with surface area at around 1100 m2/g), whereas carbon fibers with medium activation degree (surface area of 1500 m2/g) had a removal efficiency worse than the commercial carbon. The high removal efficiency of the highly activated ACF is due to the wide-opened microstructure of the material, with an appreciable contribution of the low size mesopores, maintaining at these conditions a fast kinetic adsorption rate rather than a selective adsorbent for micropollutants vs. natural organic matter.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2001

Toxicity and hazardous properties of solvent base adhesive wastes.

In this work, the hazardous properties of solvent base adhesive wastes generated in the footwear manufacturing process have been studied. The characterisation procedures and criteria used are those contained in the legal documents European Union Council Decision 94/904/CE and October 13th Spanish Ministerial Order. The properties studied were the following: flash point, reactivity (gas generation), ecotoxicity, main contaminants extracted by the leaching process and main harmful substances contained in wastes. An additional study of the relationship between flash point and solvent concentration in waste was carried out for polyurethane-acetone and neoprene-toluene systems. The wastes considered were metal containers with remains of dry or semi-dry adhesive. The results obtained show that the presence of solvent in wastes confers on them hazardous characteristics (flash point and harmful composition) depending on the solvent type and its concentration.

Adhesives↗
PubMed2000

Toxic byproducts from the combustion of varnish wastes based on polyurethane in a laboratory furnace.

Varnish wastes based on polyurethane were burnt in a laboratory scale furnace at different residence time of gases and temperatures and with a fuel-rich atmosphere and with an excess of oxygen. The yields of CO, CO(2), six light hydrocarbons (methane, ethylene, etc. ) and 31 semivolatile+volatile compounds (benzene, toluene, naphthalene, dibezofuran, etc.) were determined with stoichiometric factors of the oxygen between 0.6 and 0.9, nominal temperatures of the reactor between 750-1050 degrees C and residence times of the volatiles evolved and formed between 2 and 6 s. The collection of the volatiles evolved was carried out with a Tedlar bag and by XAD-4 resin, comparing the data obtained in both cases. The maximum emission factors or yields of volatiles+semivolatiles were obtained at 850-950 degrees C, with values above 0.5% for benzene, naphthalene, acenaphthylene, phenantrene and fluoranthene. The thermal behaviour of different compounds was analysed. Naphthalene, benzene and toluene were also detected in the excess oxygen runs.

Hydrocarbons↗