Overshooting the critical threshold for the Greenland ice sheet.

Melting of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) in response to anthropogenic global warming poses a severe threat in terms of global sea-level rise (SLR). Modelling and palaeoclimate evidence suggest that rapidly increasing temperatures in the Arctic can trigger positive feedback mechanisms for the GrIS, leading to self-sustained melting, and the GrIS has been shown to permit several stable states. Critical transitions are expected when the global mean temperature (GMT) crosses specific thresholds, with substantial hysteresis between the stable states.

[Malignant mesotheliomas with unknown exposure to asbestos: a re-examination].

Introduction: Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is a rare neoplasm associated with asbestos exposure. In 24,5% of MM cases reported to the Lombardy Mesothelioma Registry (LMR), asbestos exposure has been defined as "unknown".

Objective: To evaluate the cases with "unknown exposure to asbestos" diagnosed in 2000-2004 in agreement with new knowledge about source of asbestos exposure.

Nasal response in patients with diisocyanate asthma.

Background: To date, no studies have assessed nasal and bronchial response to diisocyanates during specific inhalation challenges (SIC).

Objectives: This study was performed to assess nasal response during SIC with diisocyanates (nasal and oral breathing) in patients with suspected occupational asthma due to these agents.

Methods: Fourteen patients with suspected clinical history of diisocyanate-induced asthma were challenged with diisocynates in a 7m3 chamber.

[Occupational allergic "march". Rapid evolution of contact dermatitis to ammonium persulfate into airborne contact dermatitis with rhinitis and asthma in a hairdresser].

Background: Hairdressers are exposed to irritants and allergenic compounds that may cause contact dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma.

Objectives: In this paper we describe the case of a female, age 33 years, who developed contact dermatitis after 10 years of exposure to ammonium persulfate.

Methods: After 7 months of progressively extensive and persistent skin lesions, respiratory symptoms appeared that were related to the occupational exposure (on-off test).