Cytotoxicity of three commercial mouthrinses on extracellular matrix metabolism and human gingival cell behaviour.

This study evaluated the effects of commercially available antiseptic mouthrinses on human gingival fibroblast and keratinocyte behaviour and metabolism. Three mouthrinses containing essential oil (EO), chlorhexidine (CHX) and amine fluoride/stannous fluoride (AFSF), were tested in an in vitro study. Human gingival fibroblasts and keratinocytes were washed with 10% or 30% concentration of the commercial mouthrinses and their effects on cell adhesion and proliferation were investigated as well as the specific gene expression of markers involved in oral mucosa metabolism.

[Asbestos exposure assessment in the first case of intrasplenic mesothelioma].

Background: In 2013 the International Journal of Surgical Pathology published a case report of intrasplenic malignant mesothelioma (MM) in a 48-year-old man: it was the first report in literature describing a case of primitive intra-splenic MM, described without  a history of asbestos exposure.

Objective: To verify the possible past exposure to asbestos, ignored by the patient himself, by studying in depth his environmental and occupational history.

Methods: Information about the occupational and non-occupational history of the subject was collected by Experts of the Operational Unit of Occupational Health and Safety Control (UOC PSAL) of the Local Health Unit Umbria 1 - Perugia, using the Italian National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM) questionnaire and guide lines; an inspection was  carried out at the past canning industry where the patient worked in the period 1982-1990 and material was taken to be analysed by MOCF and SEM.

[Results of an alcohol breath-test campaign in a sample of construction site workers in the Umbria region].

Objective: The purpose of the research was to evaluate the respect of the regulation on the prohibition of alcohol consumption in the building sector through an alcohol breath test campaign, and to acquire information on the alcohol consumption by the contractors.

Methods: In the course of the investigation which covered the period 2011-2013, in a sample of construction, it was decided to access with verification of the presence of alcoholic beverages, administration workers to an anonymous questionnaire on alcohol consumption, execution of alcohol breath test.

Results: The reached population consisted in 1635 subjects, 1040 of which Italians and 595 foreigners; the consumers of at least 0,5 AU/die resulted being 354 among Italians and 250 among foreigners (p<0,05), the main occasion of consumption was observed being the meal for 39,8% of subjects; wine, followed by beer, were recorded as the most consumed beverages.

[Levels of exposure to respirable fibres at worksites for abatement of compact and friable asbestos].

Background: Starting from a project aimed at assessing the carcinogenic risk in some industrial sectors covered by Local Health Authority No.1 (LHA) in Perugia (USL Umbria1, Italian acronym), worksites for abatement of materials containing asbestos (MCA) were examined in order to estimate respirable fibres exposure levels in workers. Abatement work is, indeed, a fast developing sector, but is not free from asbestos risks in the long-term, particularly carcinogenic risks; this kind of work therefore requires maximum effort in respecting prevention standards prescribed in the relative legislation.

Toxicity of cadmium on Sertoli cell functional competence: an in vitro study.

Cadmium (Cd), an ubiquitous environmental metal, mainly used for industrial purposes, may be toxic at level of the reproductive system. Testis tubular-based Sertoli cells (SC), play a major role in constituting the blood-testis barrier and provide a unique microenvironment for the genesis and differentiation of germ cells. Hence SC strictly control sperm qualitative and quantitative parameters.