Mesothelioma Risk Among Maritime Workers According to Job Title: Data From the Italian Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM).

The study describes the 466 cases of malignant mesotheliomas (MM) collected by the National Mesothelioma Register (ReNaM) in Italy in the period 1993-2018 relating to subjects with exclusive asbestos exposure in merchant or military navy. The cases among maritime workers represent 1.8% of the total cases with defined exposure registred in the ReNaM, of which 212 cases (45.

Pleural mesothelioma risk in the construction industry: a case-control study in Italy, 2000-2018.

Objectives: Workers in the construction industry have been exposed to asbestos in various occupations. In Italy, a National Mesothelioma Registry has been implemented more than 20 years ago. Using cases selected from this registry and exploiting existing control data sets, we estimated relative risks for pleural mesothelioma (PM) among construction workers.

Mesothelioma Risk among Construction Workers According to Job Title: Data from the Italian Mesothelioma Register.

Background: An increased risk of mesothelioma has been reported in various countries for construction workers. The Italian National Mesothelioma Registry, from 1993 to 2018, reported exposure exclusively in the construction sector in 2310 cases. We describe the characteristics of these cases according to job title.

Mood regulates the physiological response to whole-body vibration at low intensity.

In the present study we evaluated the relationship between human vibrational comfort and psychophysiological processes. We exposed twenty-one participants to three levels of whole-body vibration at low intensity inside a full-scale mock-up of a ship cabin. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) activity, mood and well-being state during each level of vibration exposure were measured.

Acoustic comfort depends on the psychological state of the individual.

Recent studies have shown that comfort can be influenced more by psychological processes than from the characteristics of environmental stimulation. This is relevant for different industrial sectors, where comfort is defined only as a function of the intensity of external stimuli. In the present study, we measured physiological and psychological comfort during the exposure to four levels of acoustic noise [from 45 to 55 dB(A)] corresponding to different comfort classes inside a full-scale mock-up of a cruise ship cabin.

The epidemiology of malignant mesothelioma in women: gender differences and modalities of asbestos exposure.

Introduction: The epidemiology of gender differences for mesothelioma incidence has been rarely discussed in national case lists. In Italy an epidemiological surveillance system (ReNaM) is working by the means of a national register.

Methods: Incident malignant mesothelioma (MM) cases in the period 1993 to 2012 were retrieved from ReNaM.

Pleural and peritoneal mesotheliomas in the Friuli Venezia Giulia register: data analysis from 1995 to 2015 in Northeastern Italy.

Background: The Friuli Venezia Giulia Mesothelioma Register contains a case-list of 1,109 mesotheliomas (1,034 pleural, 75 peritoneal) during 1995-2015. Exposure data are available for almost all cases. The aim was to assess mesothelioma incidence in the Region, an area with several shipyards, and to investigate determinants of mesothelioma latency among occupational cases.

Pleural mesothelioma in household members of asbestos-exposed workers in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy.

Objectives: Malignant mesothelioma is closely associated to asbestos exposure. One such exposure may occur through contact with occupationally exposed household members and their belongings. This study examines the features of pleural mesothelioma attributable only to asbestos brought home by another family member.

Symptoms and musculoskeletal diseases in hospital nurses and in a group of university employees: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Most studies have shown that nurses have a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal symptoms compared with other occupational groups.

Aim: A cross-sectional study was performed to gain more insight into the prevalence rates of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in nurses.

Methods: The presence of musculoskeletal symptoms was revealed by personal interviews in a sample of 177 hospital nurses and in a reference group of 185 university employees.

[Musculoskeletal disorders and work-related injuries among hospital day- and shift workers].

Background: Most research findings show that shift-and night work are associated with cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and neurological disorders as well as work-related injuries among health care workers.

Objectives: This sample based study on 246 hospital workers was performed to determine whether shift work may affect musculoskeletal disorders and injury risk.

Methods: During the health surveillance program, data were collected by means of the Nordic questionnaire and the risk evaluation document.

[Anti-smoking counseling in a group of workers with past exposure to asbestos].

Background: Anti-smoking counseling is often part of healthcare protocols for workers with past asbestos exposure; nevertheless, data is lacking about the results.

Objectives: To evaluate smoking habits and the effects of anti-smoking counseling in a group of workers with past asbestos exposure.

Methods: Smoking was assessed in 671 subjects who voluntarily attended a health surveillance protocol.

In vitro absorption of metal powders through intact and damaged human skin.

The bioavailability of metals, which are known as important contact allergens, is decisive for the development and the maintenance of contact dermatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the percutaneous penetration of metal powders of cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and chromium (Cr) and the effect of skin lesions on skin absorption. In vitro permeation experiments were performed using the Franz diffusion cells with intact and damaged human skin.

Human skin penetration of silver nanoparticles through intact and damaged skin.

There is a growing interest on nanoparticle safety for topical use. The benefits of nanoparticles have been shown in several scientific fields, but little is known about their potential to penetrate the skin. This study aims at evaluating in vitro skin penetration of silver nanoparticles.

In vitro percutaneous absorption of chromium powder and the effect of skin cleanser.

The present study tried to investigate, using a synthetic sweat at pH 4.5, whether metallic chromium can pass through the skin (in vitro) and the effect of rapid skin decontamination with a common detergent. A suspension of chromium powder in synthetic sweat at pH 4.

Salivary endothelin and vascular disorders in vibration-exposed workers.

Objectives: This study investigated the relation between salivary endothelin, vibration exposure, and vascular disorders in a group of forestry workers.

Methods: Altogether 54 forestry workers and 52 controls underwent a medical examination and a cold test with measurement of the percentage of change in finger systolic blood pressure after finger cooling from 30 degrees C to 10 degrees C (FSBP% (10 degrees)). Salivary endothelin concentration (ET(1-21), in fmol/ml) was measured by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after the cold challenge.

A longitudinal study of finger systolic blood pressure and exposure to hand-transmitted vibration.

Objectives: To investigate prospectively the relation between vibration-induced white finger (VWF), exposure to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) and the cold response of digital arteries in users of vibrating tools.

Methods: Two-hundred and sixteen HTV workers and 133 control men of the same companies underwent initially a medical examination and a standardised cold test with measurement of the change in finger systolic blood pressure (FSBP) after finger cooling from 30 to 10 degrees C. They were re-examined 1 year later.

A prospective cohort study of manipulative dexterity in vibration-exposed workers.

Objectives: To investigate the relation between manipulative dexterity and vibration exposure, ergonomic risk factors, and upper limb disorders in a group of workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV).

Methods: Manipulative dexterity was investigated on 115 HTV workers (82 forestry workers and 33 stone workers) and 64 control men over 1-year follow-up period. The Purdue pegboard method was used to test manipulative dexterity which was scored for the dominant hand, non-dominant hand, and both hands.

Use of color charts for the diagnosis of finger whiteness in vibration-exposed workers.

Objectives: To assess the usefulness of color charts for the diagnosis of finger whiteness in vibration-exposed workers.

Methods: A group of 146 forestry and stone workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) were examined twice over 1 year follow up period. The anamnestic diagnosis of finger whiteness was made on the basis of (a) a medical history alone, and (b) the administration color charts which showed changes in the skin color of fingers and hands.