Survey on portable sensing technologies for the radial artery characterization.

The radial artery, one of the terminal branches of the forearm, is utilized for vascular access and in various non-invasive measurement method, providing crucial medical insights. Various sensor technologies have been developed, each suited to specific characterization requirements. The work presented in this paper is based on a systematic literature review of the main publications relating to this topic.

Iodine nutritional status and thyroid effects of exposure to ethylenebisdithiocarbamates.

Introduction: Italy is still characterized by a mild iodine deficiency and is among the most intensive users of chemical products for agriculture in Europe. The aim of this study was i) to evaluate thyroid effects of exposure to mancozeb, a fungicide widely used in agriculture, in a sample of Italian grapevine workers, and ii) to verify whether the iodine intake may modulate the risk of thyroid disruption due to the mancozeb metabolite ethylenthiourea (ETU).

Methods: One hundred seventy-seven occupationally exposed male workers (29 from Chianti, a mild iodine deficient area, and 148 from Bolzano an iodine sufficient province) and 74 non-occupationally exposed male controls (34 from Chianti and 40 from Bolzano) were enrolled in the study.

[Biogenic amines in epigeal spontaneous mushrooms: indicators of quality and freshness?].

Purpose of the present study is to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of nine biogenic amines (BA) in 153 samples of epigeal spontaneous mushrooms (Boletus edulis and Amanita Caesarea), sampled at large and small food retail shops in the Florence area. Each BA has been identified and quantified using a liquid chromatography system with a reversed phase, C18 column and post-column derivatization with o-oftalaldeide. The results have shown a widespread presence of each amine, although with varying frequency and concentration, and an increasing concentration of tyramine and putrescine in samples with poor organoleptic quality than those in good conditions.

Reference values of urinary trans,trans-muconic acid: Italian Multicentric Study.

This article reports the results of a study, conducted in the framework of the scientific activities of the Italian Society for Reference Values, aimed at defining reference values of urinary trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in the general population not occupationally exposed to benzene. t,t-MA concentrations detected in 376 subjects of the resident population in three areas of Italy, two in central (Florence and southern Tuscany) and one in northern Italy (Padua), by three laboratories, compared by repeated interlaboratory controls, showed an interval of 14.4-225.

Comparison of health status between organic and conventional products.

This paper reports the results of two trials carried out to estimate the hygienic-sanitary status of samples obtained from organic farming in comparison with products obtained from conventional agriculture. In three years of activity were carried out analyses on samples of common or durum wheat and on processing products like. flour, bran, macaroni and bread obtained from biological and conventional method.