Effectiveness of peer-delivered Center for Independent Living supports for individuals with psychiatric disabilities: A randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the effectiveness of peer-delivered core services of Centers for Independent Living (CILs), which include advocacy, information and referral, skills training, and peer support.

Method: Ninety-nine individuals with a schizophrenia-spectrum or affective disorder who identified at least 3 needs were recruited from mental health centers and randomly assigned to be contacted by a certified peer specialist at a local CIL (CIL condition) or services as usual (SAU condition). Data on community participation, recovery, empowerment, quality of life, and needs were obtained at baseline and 6 and 12 months postbaseline, along with responses to open-ended questions about supports received.

Clostridium difficile toxin B inhibits the secretory response of human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells stimulated with high free-Ca²⁺ and GTPγS.

Clostridium difficile toxins A and B (TcdA and TcdB) belong to the class of large clostridial cytotoxins and inactivate by glucosylation some low molecular mass GTPases of the Rho-family (predominantly Rho, Rac and Cdc42), known as regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. TcdA and B also represent the main virulence factors of the anaerobic gram-positive bacterium that is the causal agent of pseudomembranous colitis. In our study, TcdB was chosen instead of TcdA for the well-known higher cytotoxic potency.

Human mast cell line-1 (HMC-1) cells exhibit a membrane capacitance increase when dialysed with high free-Ca(2+) and GTPγS containing intracellular solution.

An increase in cytosolic free calcium concentration [Ca(2+)]i initiates the exocytotic activity in various types of secretory cells. The guanosine 5'-O-[3-thio]triphosphate (GTPγS), a non-hydrolysable analogue of GTP (guanosine 5'-triphosphate), is an effective secretagogue for different cell types of different species, like mast cells, neutrophils or eosinophils. Consequently, the internal administration of GTPγS causes degranulation of mouse and rat mast cells.

[Asbestos: fifty years of work exposure in Campania and other Italian regions through INAIL experience].

The aim of the work is to proceed to the recognition of asbestos phenomenon in Campania and in the other regions with emphasis on the incidence and development of several related diseases. Using data from first INAIL Annual Report on the progress of occupational diseases until 1999, and the data provided by the INAIL CSA regarding the last 12 years (2000 to 2011), the incidence is illustrated for two-year periods, from 2000 to 2011, for the total of diseases and separately for: asbestosis, mesotheliomas, lung cancer and non-cancerous pleural lesions. The total of diseases by region for the period 2000-2011 has been reported.

[Fatal hydrogen sulphide (H2S) poisoning in "confined spaces"].

This paper deals with the problem of fatal accidents that occur repeatedly in "confined spaces", with particular attention to exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This, at high concentrations, appears to be the most compatible with the dynamics of many recent incidents with sudden death. H2S offers little chance to escape at high concentrations because of the smell that causes paralysis of olfactory nerves and sudden loss of consciousness.