Validation of exposure indexes to pesticides through the analysis of exposure and effect biomarkers in ground pesticide applicators from Argentina.

The characterization of the population exposed to pesticides and the use of effective biomarkers to evaluate potential health effects are determinant to identify vulnerable groups, understanding the causality of diverse pathologies and propose prevention policies. This is particularly important in countries where intensive agricultural practices had an explosive expansion in last decades. The aim of this study was assessing the usefulness of two exposure indexes questionnaire-based: Intensity Level of the pesticide Exposure (ILE) and Cumulative Exposure Index (CEI) and their scales, in terrestrial applicators of pesticide from the Province of Córdoba (Argentina).

Pilot study of exposure of the male population to organophosphate and pyrethroid pesticides in a region of high agricultural activity (Córdoba, Argentina).

Urinary metabolites of organophosphate (OP) and pyrethroid (PYR) pesticides and biomarkers of effects were studied in a population (n=40) residing in an important agricultural area of the province of Córdoba (Argentina). Detection frequencies (DF) higher than 85% were observed for the metabolites of pirimiphos (2-diethylamino-6-methylpyrimidin-4-ol -DEAMPY-, median 7.5 μg/g creatinine, DF: 100%), parathion (p-nitrophenol, 0.

Benefits and harms of breast cancer mammography screening for women at average risk of breast cancer: A systematic review for the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer.

Objectives: Mammography screening is generally accepted in women aged 50-69, but the balance between benefits and harms remains controversial in other age groups. This study systematically reviews these effects to inform the European Breast Cancer Guidelines.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library for randomised clinical trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews of observational studies in the absence of RCTs comparing invitation to mammography screening to no invitation in women at average breast cancer (BC) risk.

Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis: A Synopsis of the European Breast Guidelines.

Description: The European Commission Initiative for Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis guidelines (European Breast Guidelines) are coordinated by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. The target audience for the guidelines includes women, health professionals, and policymakers.

Methods: An international guideline panel of 28 multidisciplinary members, including patients, developed questions and corresponding recommendations that were informed by systematic reviews of the evidence conducted between March 2016 and December 2018.

Methods for Development of the European Commission Initiative on Breast Cancer Guidelines: Recommendations in the Era of Guideline Transparency.

Neither breast cancer prevention and early-detection programs, nor their outcomes, are uniform across Europe. This article describes the rationale, methods, and process for development of the European Commission (EC) Initiative on Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis Guidelines. To be consistent with standards set by the Institute of Medicine and others, the EC followed 6 general principles.

Assessment of specific antibodies as biological indicators of human chronic exposure to microcystins.

Cyanobacteria can produce potent natural toxins known as cyanotoxins. Blooms of cyanobacteria, produced mainly as result of the pollution of water bodies with excessive amounts of phosphorus, represent a severe environmental problem; not only do they affect the normal equilibrium of the aquatic ecosystem but may also affect animal and human health. The occurrence of algal blooms have been increasing globally (it has been recently reported in at least 100 countries) and it has been considered by WHO as an emerging public health issue.

Validated tools measuring women's satisfaction in breast cancer screening programmes: A systematic review.

International guidelines recommend assessing women's satisfaction with breast cancer screening programmes; however, validated tools are needed. A systematic review to identify and evaluate the quality of validated instruments for screening satisfaction, from 01/1965 until 11/2017 was performed. From 3283 individual citations, six instruments were identified.

[Biomonitoring in exposure to pesticides, its contribution to epidemiological surveillance of pesticide applicators in Cordoba, Argentina].

Objective: To assess the level of exposure to pesticides and its correlation with perceived health indicators and injury biomarkers (genotoxic alterations and those caused by butyrylcholinesterase enzyme activity) in the population of pesticide applicators in extensive crops (PAEC) in Córdoba, Argentina.

Methods: Transversal study, in PAEC (n = 47) randomly selected from a sample of 2000, and non-exposed subject controls (n = 52). The sociodemographic variables, exposure conditioning, and perceived health were surveyed by means of a self-administered questionnaire; biological indicators of genotoxicity: micronuclei, chromosomal aberrations and kite assay, and butyrylcholinesterase activity.

Intensive follow-up for women with breast cancer: review of clinical, economic and patient's preference domains through evidence to decision framework.

Background: Women treated for breast cancer are followed-up for monitoring of treatment effectiveness and for detecting recurrences at an early stage. The type of follow-up received may affect women's reassurance and impact on their quality of life. Anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer has been described, but little is known about how the intensity of the follow-up can affect women's psychological status.

Presence, characteristics and equity of access to breast cancer screening programmes in 27 European countries in 2010 and 2014. Results from an international survey.

The European Union Council Recommendation of 2 December 2003 on cancer screening suggests the implementation of organised, population-based breast cancer screening programmes based on mammography every other year for women aged 50 to 69years, ensuring equal access to screening, taking into account potential needs for targeting particular socioeconomic groups. A European survey on coverage and participation, and key organisational and policy characteristics of the programmes, targeting years 2010 and 2014, was undertaken in 2014. Overall, 27 countries contributed to this survey, 26 of the 28 European Union member states (92.

Psycho-oncological support for breast cancer patients: A brief overview of breast cancer services certification schemes and national health policies in Europe.

Psycho-oncology addresses the psychological, social, behavioural, and ethical aspects of cancer. Identification and proper management of the patients' psychosocial needs, as well as the needs of their caregivers and family are essential for a person-centred concept of breast cancer care. The aim of this overview is to describe how psychosocial support in breast cancer is incorporated in cancer-related policy documents, such as national cancer plans and breast cancer care certification schemes.

Outdoor radon and traffic load levels as cumulative indicators of PM10 and benzene air pollution.

Unlabelled: A new simple cumulative index, named Critical Index (CI), linearly dependent on traffic load and outdoor 222Rn levels (as related to the air mixing condition) was introduced in order to determine the cumulative effect of traffic and atmospheric dilution on PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameter < 10 microm) and Benzene concentrations in Milan (Italy) air in the years 2000 and 2001. Benzene, PM10 data were obtained from the public air quality monitoring stations. The traffic load was evaluated by the number of vehicles circulating in a street in the centre of Milan.

Determination of ochratoxin A in licorice and licorice extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection: collaborative study.

A collaborative study was conducted to validate an analytical method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in licorice (root powder) and licorice extracts (paste and powder). Contents of OTA ranged from 26 to 141 microg/kg and from 8 to 52 microg/kg for licorice extracts and root material, respectively. For the analysis, a test portion is extracted with a mixture of methanol and aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution.

Allium cepa as a biomonitor of ochratoxin A toxicity and genotoxicity.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxin produced by Aspergillus and Penicillum moulds. Since OTA has not yet been evaluated in plant systems, this paper focused on describing the controversial effect OTA in an Allium root test model, which has known sensitivity to genotoxins and could be useful in toxin screening. Analyses of root growth and the root meristematic zone in response to OTA treatment were undertaken.

Fumonisins in foods from Cordoba (Argentina), presence and genotoxicity.

Fumonisins B(1), B(2)yB(3) (FB(1), FB(2)yFB(3)), are a group of toxins produced by different mold species, Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum being the most important ones. Its compounds were tested in chromosome aberrations (CA), sister chromatid exchange (SCE), and micronucleus (MN) in human lymphocytes, and, in Allium cepa (onion), the chromosomal aberrations (CA) assay was used. Moreover, the presence of fumonisins and their producer moulds was determined in different food substrata in Cordoba city, Argentina.

[Surveillance of infections in chronic hemodialysis patients].

Objective: To confirm rates of infections from a previous survey in chronic hemodialysis patients; to get information about incidents and manipulations of vascular access-site, number and reasons of hospitalisation; to asses a relationship between the frequency of vascular access-site infections (VASI) and quality of care during the procedures of vascular access-site use.

Design: Prospective, multicenter survey performed from February 2000 to January 2001, including all patients underwent chronic hemodialysis in 5 participating centers. Standardized definitions used and different clinical and biological risk factors recorded.

Adenosine and hemodialysis in humans.

Background: Infections and hypotension are serious complications that develop during hemodialysis (HD) treatment. Adenosine (ADO), a strong hypotensive and immunosuppressive agent, may participate in these two HD complications, because high concentrations of ADO metabolites are found in dialyzed human plasma. ADO, which is released by endothelial cells, is quickly transformed into inosine (INO) by plasmatic ADO deaminase (ADA) and mononuclear cell ADO deaminase (MCADA).

[Viral hepatitis C and membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in a renal transplant patient].

We report the case of a 36 year-old-patient, hemodialyzed for idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis, who suffers from type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis five years after a successful kidney transplantation. Etiologic evaluation evidenced chronic viral hepatitis C complicated by type III cryoglobulinemia. If hepatitis C induced membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis has yet been described among non transplanted patients, it is at our knowledge, the first observation in a renal transplant recipient.

Sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) among individuals chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water.

A study was carried out on human subjects of various ages and backgrounds who had been drinking water containing more than 0.13 mg/l (0.13 ppm) arsenic for a period of at least 20 years.

The effect of lead on Allium cepa L.

The effect of lead on Allium cepa L. at concentrations of 0.1, 1.