Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in groundwater and surface water in the Turin metropolitan area (Italy): An attempt to unravel potential point sources and compliance with environmental/drinking water quality standards.

The study investigated the contribution of five potential point source categories on the occurrence of 19 highly hazardous perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in freshwater from the Turin metropolitan area (Italy) and assessed the quality of groundwater and surface water in compliance with European and Italian guidelines. PFASs were revealed in 29 and 24 % of the investigated shallow (unconfined aquifers) and deep (semi- and confined aquifers) wells with a total concentration, as a sum (ΣPFASs), of 0.01-0.

Estrogenic activity in wastewater treatment plants through in vitro effect-based assays: Insights into extraction phase.

Effluents of wastewater treatment plants can abundantly spread endocrine disrupting chemicals in the environment. To improve water quality monitoring, the use of effect-based tools that measure estrogenic activity has been suggested, however their results could be influenced by different factors. This study compared the estrogenic activity of wastewater samples extracted with two stationary phases and tested with two in vitro effect-based assays to investigate whether and how stationary phases and assays could influence biomonitoring data.

"For and against" factors influencing participation in personalized breast cancer screening programs: a qualitative systematic review until March 2022.

Background: Personalized breast cancer screening is a novel strategy that estimates individual risk based on age, breast density, family history of breast cancer, personal history of benign breast lesions, and polygenic risk. Its goal is to propose personalized early detection recommendations for women in the target population based on their individual risk. Our aim was to synthesize the factors that influence women's decision to participate in personalized breast cancer screening, from the perspective of women and health care professionals.

Gender medicine attitudes among medical students: An Italian cross-sectional study.

We aimed to explore attitudes and training experiences of medical students toward gender medicine (GM). A cross-sectional study with convenience sampling was conducted (sample size = 430). To assess predictors of high GM consideration in patient management, a multivariable logistic regression was performed.

Implementation of a retinal stroke-code protocol results in visual recovery in patients receiving reperfusion therapies.

Introduction: Reperfusion therapies represent promising treatments for patients with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion (CRAO), but access is limited due to low incidence and lack of protocols. We aimed to describe the benefit of implementing a Retinal Stroke-Code protocol regarding access to reperfusion, visual acuity and aetiological assessment.

Patients And Methods: Prospective cohort study performed at a Comprehensive Stroke Centre.

Atmospheric endocrine disruptors: A systematic review on oestrogenic and androgenic activity of particulate matter.

The alarming human health effects induced by endocrine disruptors (ED) have raised the attention of public opinion and policy makers leading worldwide to regulations that are continuously improved to reduce exposure to them. However, decreasing the exposure levels is challenging because EDs are ubiquitous and exposure occurs through multiple routes. The main exposure route is considered ingestion, but, recently, the inhalation has been hypothesized as an important additional route.

Determination of hexavalent chromium in textiles of daily use by ion chromatography and dermal risk assessment.

The determination of hexavalent chromium in textiles and clothes is challenging since during extraction, the original oxidation state should not be altered. Since, as a matter of fact, current analytical methods are focused only on total chromium determination, the purpose of this research is to develop a reliable analytical method for the determination of Cr(VI) in textiles and tissues of daily use for a reliable application of risk analysis models, which are usually based on total Cr data. After optimization, a 0.

Peripheral α-synuclein isoforms are potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of isolated REM sleep behavior disorder.

Introduction: Isolated REM sleep behavior disorder (IRBD) represents an early manifestation of the synucleinopathies Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Aggregation of abnormal α-synuclein and its increased expression in the brain is crucial in the development of the synucleinopathies. Whereas α-synuclein gene (SNCA) transcripts are overexpressed in brain, a concomitant reduction occurs in blood of DLB patients.

Can oestrogenic activity in air contribute to the overall body burden of endocrine disruptors?

Endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are emerging contaminants that are harmful to health. Human exposure occurs mainly through ingestion or dermal contact, but inhalation could be an additional exposure route; therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the oestrogenic activity of airborne particulate matter (PM). Outdoor PM was collected for a year in five Italian sites and extracted with organic solvents (four seasonal extracts/site).

Biological effects of particulate matter samples during the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparison with the pre-lockdown period in Northwest Italy.

Unlabelled: In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, containment measures were applied inducing potential changes in air pollutant concentrations and thus in air toxicity. This study evaluates the role of restrictions on biological effects of particulate matter (PM) in different Northwest Italy sites: urban background, urban traffic, rural, and incinerator. Daily PM samples collected in 2020 were pooled according to restrictions: January/February (no restrictions), March and April (first lockdown), May/June and July/August/September (low restrictions), October/November/December (second lockdown).

Occurrence of human pathogenic viruses in drinking water and in its sources: A review.

Since many waterborne diseases are caused by human pathogenic viruses, virus monitoring of drinking water (DW) and DW sources is crucial for public health. Therefore, the aim of this review was to describe the occurrence of human pathogenic viruses in DW and DW sources; the occurrence of two viruses proposed as novel indicators of human faecal contamination (Pepper mild mottle virus and Tobacco mosaic virus) was also reported. This research was focused on articles that assessed viral occurrence using molecular methods in the surface water used for DW production (SW-D), groundwater used for DW production (GW-D), DW and bottled-DW (BW).

Periaqueductal gray matter echogenicity as a marker of migraine chronification: a case control study.

Background: Migraine is one of the most prevalent and disabling medical diseases in the world. The periaqueductal gray matter and the red nucleus play an important role in its pathogenesis. Our aim was to evaluate the echogenicity of the periaqueductal gray matter and the red nucleus in patients with migraine, by means of transcranial ultrasound.

The Environmental Health Literacy of Italian General Population: The SPeRA Cross-Sectional Study.

Environmental health literacy (EHL) includes knowledge of health effects due to environmental exposure and skills to protect health from environmental risks. This study investigated some aspects about EHL of the Italian adult population. Data were collected through questionnaires ( 672) and analysed through multivariable logistic regression models.

RNA epitranscriptomics dysregulation: A major determinant for significantly increased risk of ASD pathogenesis.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are perhaps the most severe, intractable and challenging child psychiatric disorders. They are complex, pervasive and highly heterogeneous and depend on multifactorial neurodevelopmental conditions. Although the pathogenesis of autism remains unclear, it revolves around altered neurodevelopmental patterns and their implications for brain function, although these cannot be specifically linked to symptoms.

Genotoxic effects of particulate matter on larvae of a common and widespread butterfly along an urbanization gradient.

Biodiversity is currently declining worldwide. Several threats have been identified such as habitat loss and climate change. It is unknown if and how air pollution can work in addition or in synergy to these threats, contributing to the decline of current species and/or local extinction.

Training for Food Handlers at Production Level in Italian Regions.

Food safety has always been a public health challenge. Globally, food safety control is supported by laws and preventive measures, such as inspections conducted from primary production to market, "from farm to fork" as emphasized by the European Union and training of Food Handlers (FHs). This latter preventive measure plays a very important role, and for this reason a review of training courses regulations provided in the different Italian regions was conducted.

Cabbage butterfly as bioindicator species to investigate the genotoxic effects of PM.

Atmospheric pollution poses a serious threat to environment and human health, and particulate matter (PM) is one of the major contributors. Biological effects induced by PM are investigated through in vitro assays using cells and by in vivo tests with laboratory model animals. However, also the estimation of adverse effects of pollutants, including airborne ones, on wild animals, such as insects, is an essential component of environmental risk assessment.

Oestrogenic Activity in Girls with Signs of Precocious Puberty as Exposure Biomarker to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: A Pilot Study.

The relationship between endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure and Precocious Puberty (PP) was investigated in this pilot study, involving girls with signs of PP (P) and pre-pubertal girls (C). Risk factors for PP were assessed through questionnaires, while 17β-oestradiol (E2) levels and oestrogenic activity were quantified on sera. The oestrogenic activity, expressed as E2 equivalent concentration (EEQ), was applied as EDC exposure biomarker.

Autism spectrum disorders pathogenesis: Toward a comprehensive model based on neuroanatomic and neurodevelopment considerations.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involves alterations in neural connectivity affecting cortical network organization and excitation to inhibition ratio. It is characterized by an early increase in brain volume mediated by abnormal cortical overgrowth patterns and by increases in size, spine density, and neuron population in the amygdala and surrounding nuclei. Neuronal expansion is followed by a rapid decline from adolescence to middle age.

Gadolinium-enhanced brain lesions in multiple sclerosis relapse.

Objective: To study the clinico-radiological paradox in multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse by analyzing the number and location of gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions on brain MRI before methylprednisolone (MP) treatment.

Methods: We analyzed brain MRI from 90 relapsed MS patients in two Phase IV multicenter double-blind randomized clinical trials that showed the noninferiority of different routes and doses of MP administration. A 1.

Diagnostic Performance of Pulsed Doppler Ultrasound of the Common Femoral Vein to Detect Elevated Right Atrial Pressure in Pulmonary Hypertension.

Right atrial pressure (RAP) is an important prognostic criterion in pulmonary hypertension (PH). The main goals were to evaluate the following: (i) the accuracy of Doppler assessment of common femoral vein flow waveform to detect elevated RAP and (ii) the diagnostic accuracy of RAP assessed by echocardiography (eRAP). Fifty-seven patients, addressed for right heart catheterization, were included in a retrospective cross-sectional study during a 6-month period.

Assessment of Five Pesticides as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Effects on Estrogen Receptors and Aromatase.

Pesticides are widely applied all over the world, and pesticide exposure can induce different biological effects posing a possible threat to human health. Due to their effects on the endocrine system, some pesticides are classified as endocrine disruptors. The aim of the study is to assess the interference of five pesticides on estrogen biosynthesis and estrogen signaling.

Autonomic Nervous System Neuroanatomical Alterations Could Provoke and Maintain Gastrointestinal Dysbiosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Novel Microbiome-Host Interaction Mechanistic Hypothesis.

Dysbiosis secondary to environmental factors, including dietary patterns, antibiotics use, pollution exposure, and other lifestyle factors, has been associated to many non-infective chronic inflammatory diseases. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is related to maternal inflammation, although there is no conclusive evidence that affected individuals suffer from systemic low-grade inflammation as in many psychological and psychiatric diseases. However, neuro-inflammation and neuro-immune abnormalities are observed within ASD-affected individuals.