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Investigation of indoor air volatile organic compounds concentration levels in dental settings and some related methodological issues.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study we review the most relevant environmental studies addressing the VOCs contamination level in dental settings. We analyze the methodological problems this kind of study must face and we report preliminary results of an indoor air investigation, carried out at dental hospital in Italy, the "Ospedale odontoiatrico George Eastman" of Rome, in which general lines for the analysis of dental settings in environmental terms are sketched. The aim of this work is to identify the kind of problems a typical enclosed (non-industrial) environment indoor air investigation has to cope with by means of the analysis of a case ...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Santarsiero A, Fuselli S, Piermattei A, Morlino R, De Blasio G, De Felice M, Ortolani E Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

An outbreak of Q fever in Bulgaria.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report an investigation of an outbreak in the town of Botevgrad, Western Bulgaria. Overall, 220 cases were identified between May 1 and June 9, 2004. Of the cases, 168 were from Botevgrad; the others were from neighbouring towns. This has been the largest outbreak in Bulgaria in the last 20 years. Q fever outbreaks in urban areas are not common. Flocks of sheep and goats were the most likely source of infection, as suggested by the observation that flocks grazed in, or had travelled on, the roads and the gardens of the town, and for the prevalence of anti-C. burnetii antibodies among animals in the area. This large outb...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Panaiotov S, Ciccozzi M, Brankova N, Levterova V, Mitova-Tiholova M, Amicosante M, Rezza G, Kantardjiev T Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Environmental health and the multidimensional concept of development: the role of environmental epidemiology within international cooperation initiatives.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
"Environmental health" and "multidimensional development process" are two concepts that have been used and discussed since the last two decades within different conceptual frameworks. The present paper presents and discusses an interpretation concerning the interconnection between these two concepts in line with the integrated approach to health of environmental epidemiology and the multidimensional development approach of socio-economic analyses. The paper aims at investigating the environmental health and the condition of environmental health deprivation affecting populations in developing countries, and proposes to ...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Marsili D Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Sustainable development and next generation's health: a long-term perspective about the consequences of today's activities for food safety.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Development is defined sustainable when it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Pivoting on social, environmental and economic aspects of food chain sustainability, this paper presents the concept of sustainable food safety based on the prevention of risks and burden of poor health for generations to come. Under this respect, the assessment of long-term, transgenerational risks is still hampered by serious scientific uncertainties. Critical issues to the development of a sustainable food safety framework may include: endocrine disrupters as emerg...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Frazzoli C, Petrini C, Mantovani A Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The role of the Italian National Institute of Health in the National Project on Mental Health (1996-2000).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In the mid-eighties, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) made a significant contribution to the foundation of the WHO Center for Research and Training in Mental Health in Italy, with the Institute director Francesco Pocchiari as first president. In the nineties, an extensive and successful project of research in mental health (Progetto Nazionale Salute Mentale, PNSM) was directed by ISS after financing with public health funds (DL.vo 1992/402, art. 12). The ISS unit conducted research on rehabilition facilities (census and evaluation of the characteristics of a large random sample; Progetto Residenze, PROGRES)....
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Bignami G Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

European strategies for mental health.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The most recent developments of strategies and policies in the mental health field in Europe are related to the World Health Organization (WHO) Declaration and Action Plan on Mental Health signed by all the Ministers of Health of all Member States in the European Region (2005). The Action Plan proposes ways and means of developing comprehensive mental health policies, listing 12 areas in which challenges are indicated and detailed actions are required. Afterwards the Green Paper on Mental Health has been launched by the European Commission for the definition of an European strategy. The more precise European Pact for M...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Di Fiandra T Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Long-term monitoring and evaluation of a new system of community-based psychiatric care. Integrating research, teaching and practice at the University of Verona.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The South-Verona community psychiatric service (CPS) was implemented in 1978, according to Law 180, by the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Verona. Since then this CPS provides prompt, comprehensive and coherent answers to patients' needs, psychological and social, as well as practical, while trying to decrease and control symptoms. Special emphasis is given to integrating different interventions, such as medication, rehabilitation, family support, and social work. The South-Verona experience was from the beginning associated with a long-term research project of monitoring and evaluating the new system of ...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Amaddeo F, Burti L, Ruggeri M, Tansella M Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The role of UNASAM - National Union of Associations for Mental Health in Italy.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This paper, after an introduction on the origin, development and principal aims of the National Union of Associations for Mental Health (UNASAM), briefly describes what happened in the last 30 years in the field of mental health in Italy. This period covers roughly the lifespan of the Italian Law 180, from the beginnings, the closure of psychiatric hospitals, to the difficulties of present days. The second part of the paper is a summary of a study commissioned to UNASAM by Istituto Superiore di Sanità and conducted in collaboration with the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri" of Milan. This research ...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Muggia E Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The birth of child and adolescent neuropsychiatry: from rehabilitation and social inclusion of the mentally handicapped, to the care of mental health during development.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Child and adolescent neuropsychiatry services' development is described from early deinstitutionalization, through to rehabilitation, intervention and social inclusion of children with disability. The issues that have changed the services in order to meet the growing mental health problem, and the protection of mental well-being trough developmental years, are then dealt with in detail. Finally we draw a picture of the organization of child and adolescent neuropsychiatry services in Italy and in the different regional contexts. PMID: 19567976 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Nardocci F Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The Italian Law "180" thirty years after: from the unmet needs of sick people and families the duty of a critical reflection.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The law that in 1978 reformed the psychiatric assistance in Italy, the well known "Law 180", represented an historical moment not only respect to the new modalities of the assistance to mentally ill people but also for the cultural and social approach to psychiatric illness. The closure of psychiatric hospitals and the beginning of the process of destigmatization of mental illness were its most relevant and historically significant elements. Despite of this, thirty years after the law and considering modes and results of its utilization, some critical remarks can be made, aiming at a further evolution in the modalities...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Bersani G Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Individuals, social changes and psychiatric services: continuity and innovation.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Over the last few years, psychiatry has had to deal more in depth with the mutation of social frames and of problems expressed by the community, which has changed itself, in particular at a cultural level. The historical attitude of psychiatry, which is to combine a scientific approach with recognizing the rights of all individuals involved in the healing system, can be very helpful in keeping services in touch with the new needs of society and places the neurosciences in a peculiar position. PMID: 19567974 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Ferrannini L Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Italian Law 180: the enduring principles it represents and the community of Arezzo.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This work reconstructs the atmosphere that developed in the city of Arezzo with the approval and application of Italian Law 180. A detailed description of the events, which saw this mediumsized community involved in what was to become an example for mental health policy, helps to illustrate the values underlying Italian Law 180. This endeavour was at once a scientific, cultural and political project making Italian Law 180 an undeniable part of Italian national heritage. PMID: 19567973 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Bettoni M, Benigni B Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

An overview of the mental health system in Italy.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This paper intends to evaluate the mental health system in Italy thirty years after the psychiatric reform, using epidemiological evidence on the prevalence of mental disorders and the features of primary care and community mental health services (data from five Regions). The network of community mental health facilities appears to be complete as concerns Residential Facilities and Community Mental Health Centres, and less complete as concerns General Hospital Psychiatric Units. Substantial variation exists between Regions and between disorders, the treatment gap being smaller for schizophrenic than for mood disorders....
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Lora A Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Thirty years after the reform of the Italian Law on mental health: time for celebrating, evaluating, moving forward. Preface.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
PMID: 19567971 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 2, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Garaci E Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Cluster analysis of mortality and malformations in the Provinces of Naples and Caserta (Campania Region).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Osteoporosis is characterized by a loss of bone mass; the bones become less dense, fragile and prone to fracturing. It is regulated by endocrine-environmental factors with the genetic component accounting for 70% of an individual's variation in bone mass density (BMD). Pathological conditions such as celiac disease (CD) exacerbate the process of bone loss and the presence of osteoporosis in celiac subjects may be the only sign of undiagnosed CD. The interleukins IL-1alpha and IL-1beta are stimulators of bone resorption; the relatives of celiac patients shown the increased IL-1beta supporting the genetic susceptibility....
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Fazzo L, Belli S, Minichilli F, Mitis F, Santoro M, Martina L, Pizzuti R, Comba P, Martuzzi M, Bianchi F Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Cocaine consumption and death risk: a follow-up study on 347 cocaine addicts in the metropolitan area of Bologna.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This paper reports the results of the mortality rate in a retrospective cohort of cocaine addicts enrolled in treatment programs at the SerTs (Drug Addiction Services) of Bologna's metropolitan area from 1989 to December 31, 2004 including 347 subjects, 89% males and 11% females, with an average age of 30.4 years at the time of enrolment (females 29.1 and males 30.6). 15.3% of the subjects had been at least once in jail, 29.4% were also using cannabis, 22.2% alcohol, 25% had a high school degree, 16% were married and 60% were employed. During the follow-up period, 7 deaths have been observed, all in the male population...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Pavarin RM Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Toxicological database of soil and derived products (BDT).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The Toxicological database of soil and derived products is a project firstly proposed by the Regional Environmental Authority of Apulia. Such a project aims to provide comprehensive and updated information on the regional environmental characteristics, on the pollution state of the regional soil, on the main pollutants and on the reclaim techniques to be used in case of both non-point (agricultural activities) and point (industrial activities) sources of pollution. The project's focus is on the soil pollution because of the fundamental role played by the soil in supporting the biological cycle. Furthermore, the reasons...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Uricchio VF Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The ISS Reclamation Data Bank.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Polyphenols have been demonstrated to have clear antioxidant activities in vitro. However, in complex biological systems, they exhibit additional properties which are yet poorly understood. Apoptosis is a genetically controlled and evolutionarily conserved form of cell death of critical importance for the normal embryonic development and for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis in the adult organism. The malfunction of the death machinery may play a primary role in various pathologic processes, leading to proliferative or degenerative diseases. Polyphenols can directly interact with specific steps and/or proteins regu...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Musmeci L, Bellino M, Binetti R, Ceccarelli F, Costamagna FM, D'angiolini A, Fabri A, Falleni F, Ferri M, Piccardi A, Roazzi P, Trucchi D, Marcello I Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The ISS Sensitizing Agents Data Bank (BDS).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The Istituto Superiore Sanità has developed a data bank on sensitizing substances (Banca Dati Sensibilizzanti, BDS), available on website (www.iss.it/bdse/), sharing complete, controlled and updated information coming from different sources, such as scientific publications, international agencies and governmental or non governmental organizations. It is worthwhile that the main objective of the BDS is not the classification of sensitizing or potentially sensitizing agents within specific risk classes, but it is essentially to provide concise and non confidential information related to this endpoint. At present, th...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Brunetto B, Binetti R, Ceccarelli F, Costamagna FM, D'Angiolini A, Fabri A, Ferri M, Marcello I, Riva G, Roazzi P, Trucchi D, Tinghino R Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

A new database for food safety: EDID (Endocrine disrupting chemicals - Diet Interaction Database).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Diet is a significant source of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC); health risks cannot be excluded, in particular long-term effects in vulnerable Groups such as children. However, food safety assessment must also consider the effects of natural food components modulating the endocrine system. The scientific evidence on the complex interactions between EDC and food components is still limited. The new EDC-Diet Interactions Database (EDID) within the ISS EDC area (www.iss.it/inte/) aims to stimulate further research in the field of food toxicology: a database on international literature's studies, either o...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Baldi F, Mantovani A Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

A novel approach: chemical relational databases, and the role of the ISSCAN database on assessing chemical carcinogenicity.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity databases are crucial resources for toxicologists and regulators involved in chemicals risk assessment. Until recently, existing public toxicity databases have been constructed primarily as "look-up-tables" of existing data, and most often did not contain chemical structures. Concepts and technologies originated from the structure-activity relationships science have provided powerful tools to create new types of databases, where the effective linkage of chemical toxicity with chemical structure can facilitate and greatly enhance data gathering and hypothesis generation, by permitting: a...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Benigni R, Bossa C, Richard AM, Yang C Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

MATline: a job-exposure matrix for carcinogenic chemicals.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
MATline is a tool that can be used to predict which industrial processes can be expected to involve the use of a substance that is considered carcinogenic as documented in the literature. The database includes agents carrying risk phrases R45, R49 and R40 according to the method of classificationadopted by the EU and/or agents in categories 1, 2A and 2B as classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Each agent is associated with a list of industrial processes coded according to the tariff headings used by the National Institute of Insurance against Occupational Injuries and Diseases (Istituto ...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Gilardi L, Falcone U, Santoro S, Coffano E Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The ISS Carcinogens Data Bank (BDC).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The Data Bank on Carcinogens (Banca Dati Cancerogeni, BDC) is a factual data bank, available on the Istituto Superiore di Sanità website, aimed at supporting the risk management decision making of central and local administrators. It can also represent a valuable tool for industry. The available information on carcinogenicity evaluations/classifications produced by European Union and by other institutions (IARC, USEPA, NTP, CCTN) is presented in a concise form accompanied by bibliographic references enabling the users to consult the original sources and, in some cases, to be directly connected to the relevant webs...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Binetti R, Ceccarelli F, Costamagna FM, D'Angiolini A, Fabri A, Ferri M, Riva G, Roazzi P, Trucchi D, Marcello I Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The ISS Dangerous Substances Classification and Labelling Database.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The database contains information about the substances marketed in the European Union at present. About 8000 out of 100 000 substances on the market are listed in Annex I (Directive 67/548/EC), the published list of substances with a harmonised classification and labelling. For each entry the database gives the following details: name, CAS number, EC number, classification, labelling,specific concentration limits, reference to the last amended EU and national law. There is also a section where the legislative frame is reported together with the EU Directives and the corresponding national implementation decrees. In add...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Di Prospero Fanghella P, Izzo P, Morassi E Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The ISS National Inventory of Chemical Substances (INSC).Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The INSC (Inventario Nazionale delle Sostanze Chimiche), a factual data bank, produced by Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), consists of an electronic tool on chemical information developed for routinary and emergency purposes. Historical background, current status and future perspectives of INSC are discussed. The structure and the feature of INSC are briefly examined. Aspects of information retrieval and the criteria for inclusion of data and priority selection are also considered. PMID: 18469372 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Binetti R, Costamagna FM, Ceccarelli F, D'angiolini A, Fabri A, Riva G, Satalia S, Marcello I Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Exponential growth of new chemicals and evolution of information relevant to risk control.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The number of new chemicals synthesized and marketed increases exponentially. The database CAS REGISTRY at present contains more than 33 million organic and inorganic substances. However, the little information regarding the potential hazard associated with a large amount of chemicals is an old known problem in the European Union and also in the United States. This critical problem may find a solution in the collaboration of the different involved countries and in a planned task setting at international level. Both in the United States (e.g., the "Gore Initiative") and in European Union (the REACH policy) a big effort ...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Binetti R, Costamagna FM, Marcello I Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Prevention, ethics and science:lessons from Lorenzo Tomatis.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This paper is dedicated to Lorenzo Tomatis, former director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), promoter of prevention principles with a precautionary approach, supported by an important scientific foundation. He has recommended an appropriate consideration of both "false negatives" and "false positives" errors in the evaluation of epidemiological and experimental data on toxicological and carcinogenic risk. The current rules for IARC Monographs preparation include both a full transparency of the data used and of the possible conflicts of interest of the experts involved. Tomatis has also underli...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Zapponi GA, Marcello I, Carere A Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Lorenzo Tomatis and environmental cancer risk.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Lorenzo Tomatis and Benedetto Terracini have shared study and research experiences since 1948. This paper describes various phases of Tomatis scientific adventure leading to outstanding results (in particular as Director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer) despite the various difficulties met and the tendency to ignore scientific findings which in fact were adequate to implement preventive measures addressed to environmental carcinogenic hazards. PMID: 18469369 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Terracini B Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Databanks on chemical agents available at Italian level. Preface.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
PMID: 18469368 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - May 14, 2008 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Binetti R, Marcello I, Di Benedetto C Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Estimating river pollution from diffuse sources in the Viterbo province using the potential non-point pollution index.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This paper describes the application of the Index of Potential Non-point Pollution (PNPI) to the territory of the Viterbo Province (Central Italy). PNPI is a GIS tool that allows managers to assess the pressure on surface aquatic ecosystems deriving from diffuse sources of pollution. The index aims to assemble the available environmental datasets and specialists' expertise to set up a user-friendly and informative tool that can support decision-making processes and foster a multi-disciplinary approach. The index calculation is described and results are reported in order to give an overview of PNPI possible applications...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Cecchi G, Munafò M, Baiocco F, Andreani P, Mancini L Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Surveillance of toxic exposures: the pilot experience of the Poison Control Centers of Milan, Pavia and Bergamo in 2006.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Between 1 February and 31 March 2006, the Poison Control Centers (PPC) active in Lombardy collaborated with an integrated surveillance system carried out in Piedmont during the Olympic Games 2006. The collaborating PPC notified to the system 697 human cases of exposure occurred in Piedmont during the observation period. Among these cases, 70% were exposed accidentally, 40% were 6 years old or younger, and 45% reported at least a clinical effect. The agents more frequently reported were: cleaning substances (household) (110 cases), fumes/gases/vapors (63 cases, comprising 38 cases accidentally exposed to carbon monoxide...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Settimi L, Davanzo F, Carbone P, Sesana F, Locatelli C, Farina ML, Maiozzi P, Roazzi P, Maccari F, Macchi L, Fanuzzi A Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Criteria and terms for certified suitability of organ donors: assumptions and operational strategies in Italy.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Limited access to scarce resources, such as organs for transplantation, has increasingly prompted the use of elderly donors, with a consequent growth of possible risk factors linked to their particular features. Acceptable organ quality must therefore be guaranteed, without exposing recipients to unacceptable risks. For this reason, a set of guidelines for assessing donor suitability has been drawn up. This document standardizes the operative steps in the donor evaluation process and provides precise instructions for center staff. A pool of experts is available round the clock to offer advice on doubtful clinical cases...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Venettoni S, Grigioni W, Grossi P, Gianelli Castiglione A, Nanni Costa A Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Electromagnetic immunity of medical devices: the European regulatory framework.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this paper, the international standards and the European Regulation on medical devices are discussed, with particular attention to the collateral standards and the particular standards concerning the electromagnetic compatibility and immunity of medical devices. In addition, recommended guidelines to be used by health care organizations to assess the immunity of medical devices to radiated electromagnetic fields from portable radio frequency transmitters are indicated and discussed. As far as electromagnetic immunity of active implantable devices are concerned, the difference between United States and European Union...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Calcagnini G, Censi F, Bartolini P Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Exposure of humans to electromagnetic fields. Standards and regulations.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Biological and health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been investigated for many years. Exposure standards have been developed internationally, that provide adequate protection against all known adverse effects of exposure to EMF. The guidelines developed by the International Commission on Non Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) are widely recognized and have formed the basis for national regulations in several countries. The two-level structure, with basic restrictions and reference levels, allows the standards to be adapted to virtually any exposure condition, including complex situations at workplace...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Vecchia P Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Interference between mobile phones and pacemakers: a look inside.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study we analyzed the problem of electromagnetic interference (EMI) between mobile telephones and cardiac pacemakers (PM), by looking at the mechanisms by which the radiated radio frequency (RF) GSM signal may affect the pacemaker function. From a literature review on this topic, we noticed that older pacemakers had a higher rate of being affected by mobile phones when compared to newer ones. This is probably due to the fact that new generation of PM are more protected against electromagnetic field, being equipped with RF feedthrough filters incorporated to the internal PM circuitry. In some experiments conducted b...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Censi F, Calcagnini G, Triventi M, Mattei E, Bartolini P Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Experimental and numeric investigation about electromagnetic interference between implantable cardiac pacemaker and magnetic fields at power line frequency.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The present contribute describes the investigation about the implantable pacemaker (PM) immunity against high level magnetic interfering fields at 50 Hz that a pacemaker wearer could find in his working environment. To this purpose, a test bench has been set up based on a Helmholtz coil for producing extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields and a heart simulator rightly fed by electric signals that simulate atrium and ventricle signals. A widely diffused PM has been tested, under different operation modes and configurations, for both continuous interfering waves (CW) and variously pulsed interfering waves (PW). Pe...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Della Chiara G, Mariani Primiani V, Moglie F Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Electromagnetic interference and cochlear implants.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This paper reviews the most common sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI) with cochlear implants (CI). Particular attention will be given to the description of the mechanisms of electromagnetic interaction with CI; main disturbances caused to CI; relevant scientific investigations; and existing requirements and tests for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) immunity applicable to CI. PMID: 17938454 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Tognola G, Parazzini M, Sibella F, Paglialonga A, Ravazzani P Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Magnetic resonance induced heating of implantable leads.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study a methodological approach for measuring temperature and local absorption rate (SAR) on thin metallic structures, such as pacemaker (PM) leads, is provided. First preliminary experiments were performed to evaluate the error in temperature and SAR measurements made by fluoroptic(R) temperature probes when the temperature probe is in different contact configuration with the PM lead tip. Our results show how the position of temperature probes affects the temperature and SAR value measured at the lead tip. The transversal contact between the thermal sensor and the lead tip is the configuration which leads to the h...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Triventi M, Mattei E, Calcagnini G, Censi F, Bartolini P, Kainz W, Bassen H Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Electromagnetic immunity of infusion pumps to GSM mobile phones: a systematic review.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Electromagnetic interference with life-sustaining medical care devices has been reported by various groups. Previous studies have demonstrated that volumetric and syringe pumps are susceptible to false alarm buzzing and blocking, when exposed to various electromagnetic sources. The risk of electromagnetic interference depends on several factors such as the phone-emitted power, distance and carrier frequency, phone model and antenna type. The main recommendations and the relevant harmonized standard are also reported and discussed. >From the data available in literature emerges that, for distances lower than 1 m ther...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Calcagnini G, Censi F, Triventi M, Mattei E, Bartolini P Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Electromagnetic compatibility management of wireless transceivers in electromagnetic interference sensitive medical environments.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The diffusion of wireless technology has caused concerns about interference in the hospital environment. Most hospitals have banned the use of cell phones on their premises although wireless technology can help in delivering time critical help to patients. We discuss some factors of radio frequency (RF) near field interference. These phenomena do not lend themselves easily to theoretical evaluation. It is possible to avert medical equipment interference by performing ad hoc tests. The method requires measurements of electromagnetic fields and the observation of interference events with increasing distance between equip...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Bit-Babik G, Morrissey JJ, Faraone A, Balzano Q Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The electromagnetic environment of hospitals: how it is affected by the strength of electromagnetic fields generated both inside and outside the hospital.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Most problems with the electromagnetic environment of medical institutions have been related to radiated electromagnetic fields and have been constructed from reports about electromagnetic interference (EMI) with electronic medical equipment by the radio waves emitted from mobile telephone handsets. However, radiated electromagnetic fields are just one of the elements. For example, little attention has been placed on problems with the electric power source. Apparatus for clinical treatment and diagnosis that use electric power sources have come into wide use in hospitals. Hospitals must pay careful attention to all ele...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Hanada E Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Electromagnetic interference from GSM and TETRA phones with life-support medical devices.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Disturbances in hospital devices caused by cellular telephone signals were investigated. The interference sources were GSM900, GSM1800, and TETRA380 phones. The number of medical appliances tested was 23. Most measurements were taken in a semi-anechoic laboratory. To simulate the worst situation, the phones were adjusted to emit at their maximum power levels. No interference was observed if the distance from GSM1800 phone was over 5 cm. Corresponding safety distance for GSM900 phone was 70 cm, and for TETRA phones over 3 m. Hence, the use of GSM1800 type mobile phones can be considered safe, whereas GSM 900 and TETRA p...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - October 17, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Hietanen M, Sibakov V Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Smokable ("ice", "crystal meth") and non smokable amphetamine-type stimulants: clinical pharmacological and epidemiological issues, with special reference to the UK.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
"Ice", "crystal meth", is the smokable form of methamphetamine hydrochloride. This paper will comment on the pharmacological, epidemiological, clinical and social issues related to smoking the drug as opposed to either its injection or ingestion. Furthermore, some data related to amphetamines/methamphetamines consumption, request for treatment, seizures, related offences and deaths in the UK (1990-2002) will be offered here. Peak rates, for most indicators, were reached at the end of the '90s, to fall down in the following years. The only indicator which seemed not to show any declining rates is number of deaths, but t...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - September 13, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Schifano F, Corkery JM, Cuffolo G Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

A methodology to study the deformability of red blood cells flowing in microcapillaries in vitro.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The deformability of red blood cells flowing in microvessels is essential to maintain optimal blood circulation and to allow gas transfer between blood and tissues. Here, we report on an experimental methodology to investigate the deformability of RBCs flowing in microcapillaries having diameter close to the average cell size. The microcapillaries are placed in a rectangular flow cell, where a suspension of RBCs, properly diluted in albumin-additioned ACD, is fed through a syringe under the action of a liquid head in the physiological range. Video microscopy images of the flowing RBCs are acquired at high magnification...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 21, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Tomaiuolo G, Preziosi V, Simeone M, Guido S, Ciancia R, Martinelli V, Rinaldi C, Rotoli B Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Deformability and viability of irradiated red cells.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The irradiation of blood components with X or gamma rays is necessary to prevent the graft-versus-host disease, but it also provokes untoward effects. In particular, red cells are damaged and have a decreased in vivo recovery, an increased in vitro haemolysis, and a leakage of potassium in the supernatant. The results of the clinical studies show that the loss of viability progressively increases with the storage after irradiation. On the other hand, the storage before irradiation is inconsequential. The mechanism through which irradiation causes the loss of viability is unknown, but a critical examination of the liter...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 21, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Reverberi R, Govoni M, Verenini M Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Plasma exchange in acute and chronic hyperviscosity syndrome: a rheological approach and guidelines study.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Therapeutic plasma exchange is an extra-corporeal technique able to remove from blood macromolecules and/or replace deficient plasma factors. It is the treatment of choice in hyperviscosity syndrome, due to the presence of quantitatively or qualitatively abnormal plasma proteins such as paraproteins. In spite of a general consensus on the indications to therapeutic plasma exchange in hyperviscosity syndrome, data or guide lines about the criteria to plan the treatment are still lacking. We studied the rheological effect of plasma exchange in 20 patients with plasma hyperviscosity aiming to give data useful for a ration...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 21, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Ballestri M, Ferrari F, Magistroni R, Mariano M, Ceccherelli GB, Milanti G, De Palma M, Albertazzi A Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Sickle cell anaemia: haemorheological aspects.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study has confirmed the rheologic impairment of SC blood. The TD patients showed a minor heterogeneneity of rheologic behaviour in comparison with NTD patients, because of the normalizing effect of transfusion. The analysis of viscoelastic properties might be an additional useful tool for monitoring transfusional and pharmacological treatments. PMID: 17634665 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 21, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Martorana MC, Mojoli G, Cianciulli P, Tarzia A, Mannella E, Caprari P Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

The blood rheology in renal pathology.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
The blood is a viscoelastic material often studied as a Newtonian or non-linear liquid. Some pathologies and extracorporeal blood treatment processes may affect both the liquid and solid blood component. An adequate rheological technique, able to detect these alterations, may provide clinicians with an important diagnostic aid. Creep tests consisting in the application of a constant stress are very promising because they may roughly separate the liquid-like (i.e., at long response times) from the solid-like (i.e., at short response times) component of the blood rheological behaviour. In this paper, some preliminary res...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 21, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: de Cindio B, Gabriele D, Catapano G, Fata P, Hackel R, Bonofiglio R Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Clinical haemorheology and microcirculation.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Hyperviscosity, due to alterations of blood cells and plasma components, can induce microvascular damage. Nitric oxide (NO) is released by endothelium and plays a crucial role in flow-mediated vasodilation. An impaired availability of NO, due to polymorphisms of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), may influence erythrocyte deformability thus increasing blood viscosity. We investigated haemorheological variables in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL), retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), as possible models of microvascular damage, and their relationship with eNOS gene T-7...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 21, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Mannini L, Cecchi E, Fatini C, Marcucci R, Alessandriello Liotta A, Matucci-Cerinic M, Abbate R, Gensini GF Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals

Acute myocardial infarction in young adults: evaluation of the haemorheological pattern at the initial stage, after 3 and 12 months.Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in young adults is considered by some authors as an autonomous disease, characterized by peculiar risk factor pattern, clinical course and prognosis. We studied, in a group of 96 patients aged < 46 years with recent AMI, the haemorheological parameters (whole-blood, plasma and serum viscosity, haematocrit, whole-blood filterability and erythrocyte deformability), and the influence of risk factors and coronary lesion extent on them. We re-examined 41 of the AMI patients after 3 and 12 months. At the initial stage, AMI subjects showed a hyperviscosity syndrome, not influenced by the n...
Source: Ann Ist Super Sanita - July 21, 2007 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Caimi G, Valenti A, Lo Presti R Tags: Ann Ist Super Sanita Source Type: journals