Heavy Metals Bioaccumulation in Mytilus galloprovincialis and Tapes decussatus from Faro Lake (Messina), Italy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential bioaccumulation of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) in the haemolymph and corpus of Mytilus galloprovincialis and Tapes decussatus from Lake Faro. The lake is particularly prone to the accumulation of substances that are potentially toxic to aquatic organisms, due to the input of pollutants from urban and agricultural sources and the low rate of water exchange. The combination of saltwater from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the Strait of Messina and freshwater from hilly aquifers has created brackish conditions in the lake, resulting in an area of high commercial shellfish productivity.

Occupational Exposure Assessment of the Static Magnetic Field Generated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Case Study.

Magnetic resonance (MR) systems are used in academic research laboratories and industrial research fields, besides representing one of the most important imaging modalities in clinical radiology. This technology does not use ionizing radiation, but it cannot be considered without risks. These risks are associated with the working principle of the technique, which mainly involves static magnetic fields that continuously increase-namely, the radiofrequency (RF) field and spatial magnetic field gradient.

Eye surface infrared thermography usefulness as a noninvasive method of measuring stress response in sheep during shearing: Correlations with serum cortisol and rectal temperature values.

During shearing, animals' welfare is adversely affected and acute stress occurs. Once animal perceives a threat, it develops behavioral, autonomic, endocrine or immune responses to maintain homeostasis. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of eye temperature assessment by infrared thermography (IRT) to evaluate acute stress response in sheep undergoing a shearing procedure.

Irradiation with Polychromatic Incoherent Low Energy Radiation of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells In Vitro: Effects on Cytokine Production.

(1) Background: Physical stimuli may activate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to secrete cytokines, which may favor pro-inflammatory responses or trigger reparative phenomena. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the action of Polarized Polychromatic Incoherent Low Energy Radiation (PILER) on human in vitro PBMCs, by detection of the possible effects on cytokine production; (2) Methods: isolated PBMCs were irradiated with a PILER lamp at different exposure times, at a distance of 10 cm, before incubation. The supernatants were collected after 24 h and 48 h and cytokines evaluated by ELISA; (3) Results: Our results showed a decrease in the levels of pro-inflammatory IL-12p70, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-α cytokines, whereas IL-10 and TGF-β1 with regulatory activity increased; (4) Conclusions: PILER irradiation affected the cytokine production by isolated PBMCs driving the immune response toward an anti-inflammatory/reparative profile.

dB/dt Evaluation in MRI Sites: Is ICNIRP Threshold Limit (for Workers) Exceeded?

The Directive 2013/35/EU establishes standards for workers exposed to static and time varying magnetic fields. These limits are based on ICNIRP guidelines expressed in terms of the electric field induced in the body. The complexity of this measurement led to theoretical models being developed.

Breast safety and efficacy of genistein aglycone for postmenopausal bone loss: a follow-up study.

Context: Genistein aglycone improves bone metabolism in women. However, questions about the long-term safety of genistein on breast as well as its continued efficacy still remain.

Objective: We assessed the continued safety profile of genistein aglycone on breast and endometrium and its effects on bone after 3 yr of therapy.

Effect of long-term treatment with raloxifene on mammary density in postmenopausal women.

Objective: To evaluate in a group of postmenopausal women the effects of long-term raloxifene treatment on breast density using a digitized analysis of mammograms and on insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulinlike growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) plasma levels.

Design: Seventy healthy postmenopausal women with normal body weight were enrolled in this study and were divided into two groups based on their bone status, evaluated by dual-energy x-ray at the lumbar spine (L2-4). Fifty women (chronological age 52.

Recombinant human erythropoietin influences revascularization and healing in a rat model of random ischaemic flaps.

In order to ascertain whether erythropoietin plays a role in early and late repair processes following ischaemic skin flap injury, a dorsal, caudally based skin flap was created in rats. The rats were successively divided into four groups. Group 1 was not treated.