No Correlation between Blood Benzene Levels and Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Values in Outdoor Workers.

Objective: The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether low-dose exposure to benzene, an environmental pollutant to which male and female traffic policemen are daily exposed to could cause alterations in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) levels.

Methods: From an initial sample of 1594 workers, we only selected 95 workers of whom study we knew the values of late-shift benzene and LH hormone. All subjects underwent biological monitoring (final blood benzene evaluation) and luteinizing hormone dosing.

[Biological risk in agriculture and construction workplaces: a survey on perception, knowledge and prevention measures.].

Objectives: Despite the potential presence in many workplaces, biological risk is little known and largely underestimated, except in healthcare environments. Objectives: To evaluate perception, knowledge and behaviors adopted for protection and prevention of biological risk, related also to the occupational activity, among construction and agricultural workers.

Methods: Workers were recruited at farms and construction companies of Molise Region, Central Italy, which were visited within the surveillance activities planned by local institutions.

A campaign aimed at increasing seasonal influenza vaccination coverage among post graduate medical residents in an Italian teaching hospital.

We analysed the impact of several strategies aimed at increasing influenza immunisation rates among Medical Residents (MRs) of an Italian teaching Hospital. During the 2015-16 and 2016-17 influenza seasons we carried out several interventions: ambulatory doubling where vaccination was offered, ambulatory opening hour extension, email invitations, informative materials, forum theatre and vaccination campaign conference. In addition, during the 2016-17 the OSV was carried out: MRs who go to specific wards where they perform influenza immunisation counselling and eventually vaccinate the personnel.

[A health promotion campaign to improve flu vaccination adherence among medical residents in an Italian Teaching Hospital].

Introduction: In Italy annual flu vaccination for health care workers is recommended but coverage is usually unsatisfying. The compliance is even worse among medical residents (MRs) both in literature, both in our experience: in the flu season 2014/ 15 only 0.6% of MRs enrolled at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC) were vaccinated.

[Biological risk among agriculture and construction workers in Molise Region, Central Italy].

Background: Biological risk is a significant issue in workplaces due to continuous modification of work organization and condition.

Objectives: In this pilot study, perception and knowledge of biological risk, as well as adoption of prevention measures were evaluated among construction and agriculture workers.

Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered to workers to collect socio-demographic and employment information, in addition to data on risk perception and knowledge, and adoption of preventive measures, including those related to work activities.

[Health management of Italian workers abroad].

In the last 20 years traveling workers abroad have increased markedly. This resulted in the need for standardized preventive tools available to protect workers-travelers in geographic areas with related additional risk factors. Health surveillance of these workers require a company organization that involves the components of the process prior: the occupational physician, safety service, administrative areas, travel clinic.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in male workers exposed to urban stressors.

The aim of the study is to evaluate if occupational exposure to urban stressors could cause alterations in luteinizing hormone (LH) plasma levels in male traffic policemen vs. administrative staff of Municipal Police.After excluding the subjects with the main confounding factors, male traffic police and administrative staff of Municipal Police were matched by age, working life, body mass index (BMI), alcohol drinking habit, cigarette smoking habit and habitual consumption of Italian coffee.

Plasma dopamine in workers exposed to urban stressor.

The aim of this study is to evaluate if the occupational exposure to urban stressor could cause alterations in dopamine (DA) plasma levels and related diseases in traffic police officers compared to a control group. After excluding subjects with principal confounding factors, 306 traffic police officers (139 female and 167 male) and 301 controls (134 female and 167 male) were included in the study. In traffic police officers, mean DA values were significantly higher compared with controls (P = 0.

Plasma 17-alpha-OH-progesterone in male workers exposed to traffic pollutants.

The aim of the study is to evaluate if the occupational exposure to urban pollutants could cause alterations on 17-alfa-hydroxy-progesterone plasma levels and related diseases in male traffic policemen. 17-alpha-OH-P is synthesized in Leydig cells and in adrenals; it influences spermiogenesis, acrosoma reaction, testosterone biosynthesis, blocking of gonadotropin secretion; it regulates learning, memory and sleep. After excluding principal confounding factors, i.

Exposure to traffic pollutants and effects on 17-beta-estradiol (E2) in female workers.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate whether the occupational exposure to urban pollutants including endocrine disruptors (EDs) could cause alterations in plasma 17-beta-estradiol (E2) levels and related diseases (adverse pregnancy outcome and mental health disorders) in female traffic police compared to a control group.

Methods: After excluding the subjects with the principal confounding factors, traffic police and controls were matched by age, years of police work, age of menarche, menstrual cycle day, body mass index (BMI), drinking habit, cigarette smoking habit, habitual intake of soy or liquorice in diet and habitual consumption of Italian coffee. Thirty-seven traffic police and 31 controls (seventh day; follicular phase of the ovarian cycle); 38 traffic police and 42 controls (14th day; ovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle); and 25 traffic police and 28 controls (21st day; lutheal phase of the ovarian cycle) were included in the study and then matched for the above-mentioned variables.

Occupational exposure to noise and hypertension in pilots.

The role of occupational exposure to noise as a hypertension risk factor has not been established sufficiently. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether chronic exposure to different levels of noise in two groups of pilots, operating with two types of aircraft, could be a risk for hypertension, what relevance the parameters (intensity, duration and type) of exposure can have and, lastly, whether there are any links between hearing impairment and hypertension. After excluding pilots with confounding factors, a study was made of 77 male pilots of turboprop planes (group A) and 224 male pilots of jet aircraft (group B), matched by age and working life.

Work exposure to urban pollutants and urinary homovanillic acid.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether traffic policemen exposed to urban pollutants could be at risk of alterations on urinary homovanillic acid in 24h HVA(U) excretion levels, an end product of dopamine catabolism, compared with a control group. Traffic policemen were matched by sex, age, and working life with control group after excluding principal confounding factors; 50 traffic policemen (29 men and 21 women) with outdoor activity exposed to urban pollutants and 50 not exposed subjects (29 men and 21 women) with indoor activity were included in the study. The HVA(U) excretion levels were significantly higher in male and female traffic policemen compared to not exposed subjects (respectively P=0.

Urban pollution and nickel concentration in serum.

The study's objective has been to evaluate whether urban pollution, here nickel compounds and metallic nickel (Ni) are present, could determine serum concentrations of the above mentioned metal. Out of a population of 394 Municipal Police employees, subjects with main confounding factors were eliminated. The remaining subjects were made comparable for sex, age, and length of employment.