Coastal microbial quality of surface sediments in different environments along the Italian coast.

In order to improve sediment handling following dredging operations, this study aims to statistically derive ranges of distribution for certain microbiological parameters, according to four environmental types inspired by Italian legislation on seaports: ports of international/national importance, ports of regional importance, port channels in brackish environments, and marine coastal areas. A national database was developed using microbiological data from technical reports available at the Italian Ministry of Environment and National Institute of Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) for the period 1990-2008. The parameters considered were total coliform bacteria, faecal coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, enterococci, sulfite-reducing clostridia (SRC), total bacterial counts at 22 °C and at 37 °C, and fungi.

Pulmonary function in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Background: In type I diabetes mellitus, lung function has been investigated in several clinical studies, but there are few data concerning pulmonary function abnormalities in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of pulmonary function abnormalities in patients with NIDDM and to verify the possible associations between diabetic renal microangiopathy, retinopathy and diabetes control.

Method And Patients: Thirty patients with NIDDM were collected and divided into two similar groups: subjects with retinopathy and/or diabetic glomerulopathy (group 1, n = 15) and patients without any complications (group 2, n = 15).

Arsenic and heavy metals in leachate from a real landfill and a laboratory landfill.

A preliminary study, based particularly on Arsenic and some heavy metals determination (Cd, Cr, Hg and Pb) in three leachate tipologies produced from municipal waste landfill plant, lab-scale aerobic landfill, lab-scale anerobic landfill was undertaken. Leachate was collected and analysed monthly; samples were homogenized and then, all heavy metals were determined after mineralization, except for Hg, determined before mineralization, due to his high volatility. In all samples pH was measured.

Changes in the carbon monoxide diffusing capacity of the lung in ulcerative colitis.

The aim of this study was to investigate lung function in patients with ulcerative colitis and to assess the incidence of latent pulmonary involvement in subjects with active and inactive disease. After full colonscopic assessment with multiple mucosal biopsy, the clinical disease activity of each patient was quantified, using the simple index of Harvey and Bradshaw. The patients were divided into 2 equal groups: subjects with active disease (group 1; n=16); and those with inactive disease (group 2; n=16).

[The microbiological characterization of the bioaerosol and leachate from an urban solid refuse dump: preliminary data].

The present paper shows the results of an experimental study aimed at arranging a microbiological characterization of bioaerosol and leachate resulting from a sanitary landfill for solid urban waste situated near Rome. Bioaerosol sampling was performed by using the active sampling method referred to as surface air system, that is extensively used during indoor environmental monitoring. The microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) believed to be of relevance on bioaerosol and leachate with a view to hygienic risks, were investigated in order to estimate the potential risks to which the population and the workers can be exposed and consequently to allow corrective measures by monitoring campaigns of the examined matrices and by models of low environmental impact landfill.