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Mincuzzi A, Carone S, Galluzzo C, Tanzarella M, Lagravinese GM, Bruni A, Rashid I, Bisceglia L, Sardone R, Addabbo F, Minerba S, Giannico OV. Gender differences, environmental pressures, tumor characteristics, and death rate in a lung cancer cohort: a seven-years Bayesian survival analysis using cancer registry data from a contaminated area in Italy. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1278416. [PMID: 38269375 PMCID: PMC10806087 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1278416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Taranto, Southern Italy, adverse impacts on the environment and human health due to industrial installations have been studied. In the literature, associations have been reported between gender, environmental factors, and lung cancer mortality in women and men. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between gender, residence in areas with high environmental pressures, bronchus/lung cancer characteristics, and death rate. Methods Data from the Taranto Cancer Registry were used, including all women and men with invasive bronchus/lung cancer diagnosed between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2020 and with follow-up to 31 December 2022. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and Cox regression models were fitted with the approach of integrated nested Laplace approximation, adjusting for patients and disease characteristics. Results A total of 2,535 person-years were observed. Male gender was associated with a higher prevalence of histological grade 3 (OR 2.45, 95% CrI 1.35-4.43) and lung squamous-cell carcinoma (OR 3.04, 95% CrI 1.97-4.69). Variables associated with higher death rate were male gender (HR 1.24, 95% CrI 1.07-1.43), pathological/clinical stage II (HR 2.49, 95% CrI 1.63-3.79), III (HR 3.40, 95% CrI 2.33-4.97), and IV (HR 8.21, 95% CrI 5.95-11.34), histological grade 3 (HR 1.80, 95% CrI 1.25-2.59), lung squamous-cell carcinoma (HR 1.18, 95% CrI 1.00-1.39), and small-cell lung cancer (HR 1.62, 95% CrI 1.31-1.99). Variables associated with lower death rate were other-type lung cancer (HR 0.65, 95% CrI 0.44-0.95), high immune checkpoint ligand expression (HR 0.75, 95% CrI 0.59-0.95), lung localization (HR 0.73, 95% CrI 0.62-0.86), and left localization (HR 0.85, 95% CrI 0.75-0.95). Discussion The results among patients with lung cancer did not show an association between residence in the contaminated site of national interest (SIN) and the prevalence of the above mentioned prognostic factors, nor between residence in SIN and death rate. The findings confirmed the independent prognostic values of different lung cancer characteristics. Even after adjusting for patients and disease characteristics, male gender appeared to be associated with a higher prevalence of poorly differentiated cancer and squamous-cell carcinoma, and with an increased death rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Mincuzzi
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Simona Carone
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Claudia Galluzzo
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Margherita Tanzarella
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Bruni
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Ivan Rashid
- Coordination Center of the Apulia Cancer Registry, Strategic Regional Agency for Health and Social Care of Apulia, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucia Bisceglia
- Coordination Center of the Apulia Cancer Registry, Strategic Regional Agency for Health and Social Care of Apulia, Bari, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sardone
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Francesco Addabbo
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Sante Minerba
- Healthcare Management, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
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Giannico OV, Carone S, Tanzarella M, Galluzzo C, Bruni A, Lagravinese GM, Rashid I, Bisceglia L, Sardone R, Addabbo F, Minerba S, Mincuzzi A. Environmental pressures, tumor characteristics, and death rate in a female breast cancer cohort: a seven-years Bayesian survival analysis using cancer registry data from a contaminated area in Italy. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1310823. [PMID: 38264246 PMCID: PMC10805021 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1310823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Taranto, Southern Italy, adverse impacts on the environment and human health due to industrial installations have been studied. In the literature, few associations have been reported between environmental factors and breast cancer mortality in women. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between residence in areas with high environmental pressures, female breast cancer characteristics, and death rate. Methods Data from the Taranto Cancer Registry were used, including all women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 01 January 2015 and 31 December 2020 and with follow-up to 31 December 2021. Bayesian mixed effects logistic and Cox regression models were fitted with the approach of integrated nested Laplace approximation, adjusting for patients and disease characteristics. Results A total of 10,445 person-years were observed. Variables associated with higher death rate were residence in the contaminated site of national interest (SIN) (HR 1.22, 95% CrI 1.01-1.48), pathological/clinical stage III (HR 2.77, 95% CrI 1.93-3.97) and IV (HR 17.05, 95% CrI 11.94-24.34), histological grade 3 (HR 2.50, 95% CrI 1.20-5.23), Ki-67 proliferation index of 21-50% (HR 1.42, 95% CrI 1.10-1.83) and > 50% (HR 1.81, 95% CrI 1.29-2.55), and bilateral localization (HR 1.65, 95% CrI 1.01-2.68). Variables associated with lower death rate were estrogen and/or progesterone receptor positivity (HR 0.61, 95% CrI 0.45-0.81) and HER2/neu oncogene positivity (HR 0.59, 95% CrI 0.44-0.79). Discussion The findings confirmed the independent prognostic values of different female breast cancer characteristics. Even after adjusting for patients and disease characteristics, residence in the SIN of Taranto appeared to be associated with an increased death rate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simona Carone
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Margherita Tanzarella
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Claudia Galluzzo
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Antonella Bruni
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | | | - Ivan Rashid
- Coordination Center of the Apulia Cancer Registry, Strategic Regional Agency for Health and Social Care of Apulia, Bari, Italy
| | - Lucia Bisceglia
- Coordination Center of the Apulia Cancer Registry, Strategic Regional Agency for Health and Social Care of Apulia, Bari, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Sardone
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Francesco Addabbo
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Sante Minerba
- Healthcare Management, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Antonia Mincuzzi
- Unit of Statistics and Epidemiology, Local Health Authority of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
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Quarato CMI, Dama E, Maggi M, Feragalli B, Borelli C, Del Colle A, Taurchini M, Maiello E, De Cosmo S, Lacedonia D, Barbaro MPF, Carpagnano GE, Scioscia G, Graziano P, Termine R, Frongillo E, Santamaria S, Venuti M, Grimaldi MA, Notarangelo S, Saponara A, Copetti M, Colangelo T, Cuttano R, Macrodimitris D, Mazzarelli F, Talia M, Mirijello A, Pazienza L, Perna R, Simeone A, Vergara D, Varriale A, Carella M, Bianchi F, Sperandeo M. Thoracic ultrasound combined with low-dose computed tomography may represent useful screening strategy in highly exposed population in the industrial city of Taranto (Italy). Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1146807. [PMID: 37261121 PMCID: PMC10228729 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1146807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives We validated a screening protocol in which thoracic ultrasound (TUS) acts as a first-line complementary imaging technique in selecting patients which may deserve a second-line low-dose high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan among a population of asymptomatic high-risk subjects for interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) and lung cancer. Due to heavy environmental pollution burden, the district Tamburi of Taranto has been chosen as "case study" for this purpose. Methods From July 2018 to October 2020, 677 patients aged between 45 and 65 year and who had been living in the Tamburi district of Taranto for at least 10 years were included in the study. After demographic, clinical and risk factor exposition data were collected, each participant underwent a complete TUS examination. These subjects were then asked to know if they agreed to perform a second-level examination by low-dose HRCT scan. Results On a total of 167 subjects (24.7%) who agreed to undergo a second-level HRCT, 85 patients (50.9%) actually showed pleuro-pulmonary abnormalities. Interstitial abnormalities were detected in a total of 36 patients on HRCT scan. In particular, 34 participants presented subpleural ILAs, that were classified in the fibrotic subtype in 7 cases. The remaining 2 patients showed non-subpleural interstitial abnormalities. Subpleural nodules were observed in 46 patients. TUS showed an overall diagnostic accuracy of 88.6% in detecting pleuro-pulmonary abnormalities in comparison with HRCT scan, with a sensitivity of 95.3%, a specificity of 81.7%, a positive predictive value of 84.4% and a negative predictive value of 94.4%. The matched evaluation of specific pulmonary abnormalities on HRTC scan (i.e., interstitial abnormalities or pulmonary nodules) with determinate sonographic findings revealed a reduction in both TUS sensibility and specificity. Focusing TUS evaluation on the assessment of interstitial abnormalities, a thickened pleural line showed a sensitivity of 63.9% and a specificity of 69.5%, hypoechoic striae showed a sensitivity of 38.9% and a specificity of 90.1% and subpleural nodules showed a sensitivity of 58.3% and a specificity of 77.1%. Regarding to the assessment of subpleural nodules, TUS showed a sensitivity of 60.9% and a specificity of 81.0%. However, the combined employment of TUS examination and HRCT scans allowed to identify 34 patients with early subpleural ILA and to detect three suspicious pulmonary nodules (of which two were intraparenchymal and one was a large subpleural mass), which revealed to be lung cancers on further investigations. Conclusion A first-line TUS examination might aid the identification of subjects highly exposed to environmental pollution, who could benefit of a second-line low-dose HRCT scan to find early interstitial lung diseases as well as lung cancer. Protocol registration code PLEURO-SCREENING-V1.0_15 Feb, 17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Maria Irene Quarato
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Elisa Dama
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Michele Maggi
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, Emergency Medicine Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Feragalli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Radiology Unit, “G. D’Annunzio,” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Borelli
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Anna Del Colle
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marco Taurchini
- Unit of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Evaristo Maiello
- Unit of Oncology, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Salvatore De Cosmo
- Department of Internal of Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Donato Lacedonia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Foschino Barbaro
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giovanna Elisiana Carpagnano
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, Section of Respiratory Disease, University “Aldo Moro” of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Giulia Scioscia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Paolo Graziano
- Unit of Patology, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Rosalinda Termine
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Elisabettamaria Frongillo
- Unit of Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Sonia Santamaria
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Mariapia Venuti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Universitario “Riuniti” di Foggia, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Arcangela Grimaldi
- Department of Internal of Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Stefano Notarangelo
- Department of Internal of Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Massimiliano Copetti
- Unit of Biostatistics, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Tommaso Colangelo
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Roberto Cuttano
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Dimitrios Macrodimitris
- Internal Medicine, “San Pio” Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL) di Castellaneta, Castellaneta, Italy
| | - Francesco Mazzarelli
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Michela Talia
- Internal Medicine, “Bernardini” Nursing Home, Taranto, Italy
| | - Antonio Mirijello
- Department of Internal of Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Luca Pazienza
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Rita Perna
- Clinical Trial Office—Scientific Direction, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Foggia, Italy
| | - Anna Simeone
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Doriana Vergara
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Antonio Varriale
- Department of Internal of Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Massimo Carella
- Division of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- Cancer Biomarkers Unit, Institute for Stem-Cell Biology, Regenerative Medicine and Innovative Therapies (ISBReMIT), IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Marco Sperandeo
- Unit of Interventional and Diagnostic Ultrasound of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
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Mastroberardino A, Casaburi F, Canino R, Iannone M, Procopio S. Toxicity evaluation of the contaminated area of Crotone from biological indicators: a multispecies approach. Environ Monit Assess 2023; 195:473. [PMID: 36928511 PMCID: PMC10020318 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11056-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by toxic industrial waste has become a major issue in many countries. Of particular concern is the reuse of toxic hazardous waste in construction materials. This paper examined for the first time the chemical and radiation ecotoxicity of site-specific Technological Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) residues from phosphate processing industry in soil environmental matrices through bioindicators. The area under investigation was the former industrial district of Crotone (Calabria, Italy), recently included within the Sites of National Interest (SIN), comprising the 42 Italian national priority contaminated sites. Major biological exposure pathways considered were absorption and bioaccumulation. The marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri and the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna were employed as aquatic bioindicators, while for the soil ecosystem, the seeds of Sorghum saccharatum and Lepidium sativum were used. Selection of test species aimed at assessing the toxicity of wastes in soil as well as in freshwater or marine systems. Results indicated V. fischeri as the most sensitive of all the species tested (5.56 g/L), while D. magna was found to be affected at 94.27 g/L. An overall inhibition was observed in seedling growth as compared to control at the highest concentration of the pollutants (100 g/L), while seed germination was not adversely affected by the pollutant. At this preliminary level, data indicated a potential risk for biodiversity of the area. In fact, the measured toxicity thresholds, even if above 100 mg/L, are comparable to concentrations of the toxicants spread all over the territory of Crotone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mastroberardino
- Department of Physics, University of Calabria and National Institute for Nuclear Physics, Gruppo Collegato of Cosenza, Rende, Italy.
| | - Filomena Casaburi
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection ARPACal, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rosario Canino
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection ARPACal, Catanzaro, Italy
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Brugnone F, D’Alessandro W, Parello F, Liotta M, Bellomo S, Prano V, Li Vigni L, Sprovieri M, Calabrese S. Atmospheric Deposition around the Industrial Areas of Milazzo and Priolo Gargallo (Sicily-Italy)-Part A: Major Ions. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3898. [PMID: 36900908 PMCID: PMC10002272 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The chemical composition of rainwater was studied in two highly-industrialised areas in Sicily (southern Italy), between June 2018 and July 2019. The study areas were characterised by large oil refining plants and other industrial hubs whose processes contribute to the release of large amounts of gaseous species that can affect the chemical composition of atmospheric deposition As in most of the Mediterranean area, rainwater acidity (ranging in the study area between 3.9 and 8.3) was buffered by the dissolution of abundant geogenic carbonate aerosol. In particular, calcium and magnesium cations showed the highest pH-neutralizing factor, with ~92% of the acidity brought by SO42- and NO3- neutralized by alkaline dust. The lowest pH values were observed in samples collected after abundant rain periods, characterised by a less significant dry deposition of alkaline materials. Electrical Conductivity (ranging between 7 µS cm-1 and 396 µS cm-1) was inversely correlated with the amount of rainfall measured in the two areas. Concentrations of major ionic species followed the sequence Cl- > Na+ > SO42- ≃ HCO3- > ≃ Ca2+ > NO3- > Mg2+ > K+ > F-. High loads of Na+ and Cl- (with a calculated R2 = 0.99) reflected proximity to the sea. Calcium, potassium, and non-sea-salt magnesium had a prevalent crustal origin. Non-sea salt sulphate, nitrate, and fluoride can be attributed mainly to anthropogenic sources. Mt. Etna, during eruptive periods, may be also considered, on a regional scale, a significant source for fluoride, non-sea salt sulphate, and even chloride.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Brugnone
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter D’Alessandro
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Section of Palermo Via Ugo la Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Parello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Marcello Liotta
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Section of Palermo Via Ugo la Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Sergio Bellomo
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Section of Palermo Via Ugo la Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Prano
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Section of Palermo Via Ugo la Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Lorenza Li Vigni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Sprovieri
- Istituto per lo Studio degli Impatti Antropici e Sostenibilità in Ambiente Marino, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IAS—CNR), Capo Granitola, Via del Mare, 3, Torretta Granitola, Fraz, 91021 Campobello di Mazara, Italy
| | - Sergio Calabrese
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi, 36, 90123 Palermo, Italy
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Section of Palermo Via Ugo la Malfa, 153, 90146 Palermo, Italy
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Magnani C, Mensi C, Binazzi A, Marsili D, Grosso F, Ramos-Bonilla JP, Ferrante D, Migliore E, Mirabelli D, Terracini B, Consonni D, Degiovanni D, Lia M, Cely-García MF, Giraldo M, Lysaniuk B, Comba P, Marinaccio A. The Italian Experience in the Development of Mesothelioma Registries: A Pathway for Other Countries to Address the Negative Legacy of Asbestos. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:ijerph20020936. [PMID: 36673690 PMCID: PMC9858856 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Asbestos (all forms, including chrysotile, crocidolite, amosite, tremolite, actinolite, and anthophyllite) is carcinogenic to humans and causally associated with mesothelioma and cancer of the lung, larynx, and ovary. It is one of the carcinogens most diffuse in the world, in workplaces, but also in the environment and is responsible for a very high global cancer burden. A large number of countries, mostly with high-income economies, has banned the use of asbestos which, however, is still widespread in low- and middle-income countries. It remains, thus, one of the most common occupational and environmental carcinogens worldwide. Italy issued an asbestos ban in 1992, following the dramatic observation of a large increase in mortality from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases in exposed workers and also in subjects with non-occupational exposure. A mesothelioma registry was also organized and still monitors the occurrence of mesothelioma cases, conducting a case-by-case evaluation of asbestos exposure. In this report, we describe two Italian communities, Casale Monferrato and Broni, that faced an epidemic of mesothelioma resulting from the production of asbestos cement and the diffuse environmental exposure; we present the activity and results of the Italian mesothelioma registry (ReNaM), describe the risk-communication activities at the local and national level with a focus on international cooperation and also describe the interaction between mesothelioma registration and medical services specialized in mesothelioma diagnosis and treatment in an area at high risk of mesothelioma. Finally, we assess the potential application of the solutions and methods already developed in Italy in a city in Colombia with high mesothelioma incidence associated with the production of asbestos-cement materials and the presence of diffuse environmental asbestos pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Magnani
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy
- Collegium Ramazzini, Bentivoglio, 40010 Modena, Italy
| | - Carolina Mensi
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Binazzi
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS (Italian National Institute of Health), 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Grosso
- Mesothelioma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | - Juan Pablo Ramos-Bonilla
- Collegium Ramazzini, Bentivoglio, 40010 Modena, Italy
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Daniela Ferrante
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Enrica Migliore
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Regional Operating Center of Piemonte (COR Piemonte), University of Torino and CPO-Piemonte, 10126 Torin, Italy
| | - Dario Mirabelli
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Regional Operating Center of Piemonte (COR Piemonte), University of Torino and CPO-Piemonte, 10126 Torin, Italy
| | - Benedetto Terracini
- Collegium Ramazzini, Bentivoglio, 40010 Modena, Italy
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Regional Operating Center of Piemonte (COR Piemonte), University of Torino and CPO-Piemonte, 10126 Torin, Italy
| | - Dario Consonni
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Michela Lia
- Mesothelioma Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, 15121 Alessandria, Italy
| | | | - Margarita Giraldo
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | | | - Pietro Comba
- Collegium Ramazzini, Bentivoglio, 40010 Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marinaccio
- Collegium Ramazzini, Bentivoglio, 40010 Modena, Italy
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority, 00143 Rome, Italy
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7
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Albano GD, Montalbano AM, Gagliardo R, Anzalone G, Profita M. Impact of Air Pollution in Airway Diseases: Role of the Epithelial Cells (Cell Models and Biomarkers). Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2799. [PMID: 35269941 PMCID: PMC8911203 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomedical research is multidisciplinary and often uses integrated approaches performing different experimental models with complementary functions. This approach is important to understand the pathogenetic mechanisms concerning the effects of environmental pollution on human health. The biological activity of the substances is investigated at least to three levels using molecular, cellular, and human tissue models. Each of these is able to give specific answers to experimental problems. A scientific approach, using biological methods (wet lab), cell cultures (cell lines or primary), isolated organs (three-dimensional cell cultures of primary epithelial cells), and animal organisms, including the human body, aimed to understand the effects of air pollution on the onset of diseases of the respiratory system. Biological methods are divided into three complementary models: in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. In vitro experiments do not require the use of whole organisms (in vivo study), while ex vivo experiments use isolated organs or parts of organs. The concept of complementarity and the informatic support are useful tools to organize, analyze, and interpret experimental data, with the aim of discussing scientific notions with objectivity and rationality in biology and medicine. In this scenario, the integrated and complementary use of different experimental models is important to obtain useful and global information that allows us to identify the effect of inhaled pollutants on the incidence of respiratory diseases in the exposed population. In this review, we focused our attention on the impact of air pollution in airway diseases with a rapid and descriptive analysis on the role of epithelium and on the experimental cell models useful to study the effect of toxicants on epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusy Daniela Albano
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.A.); (A.M.M.); (R.G.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Angela Marina Montalbano
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.A.); (A.M.M.); (R.G.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Rosalia Gagliardo
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.A.); (A.M.M.); (R.G.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giulia Anzalone
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Mirella Profita
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy; (G.D.A.); (A.M.M.); (R.G.)
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation (IRIB), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 90100 Palermo, Italy;
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8
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Montano L, Maugeri A, Volpe MG, Micali S, Mirone V, Mantovani A, Navarra M, Piscopo M. Mediterranean Diet as a Shield against Male Infertility and Cancer Risk Induced by Environmental Pollutants: A Focus on Flavonoids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031568. [PMID: 35163492 PMCID: PMC8836239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of environmental factors in influencing health status is well documented. Heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins, pesticides, ultrafine particles, produced by human activities put a strain on the body’s entire defense system. Therefore, together with public health measures, evidence-based individual resilience measures are necessary to mitigate cancer risk under environmental stress and to prevent reproductive dysfunction and non-communicable diseases; this is especially relevant for workers occupationally exposed to pollutants and/or populations residing in highly polluted areas. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of fruits and vegetables rich in flavonoids, that can promote the elimination of pollutants in tissues and fluids and/or mitigate their effects through different mechanisms. In this review, we collected evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies showing that the impairment of male fertility and gonadal development, as well as cancers of reproductive system, due to the exposure of organic and inorganic pollutants, may be counteracted by flavonoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL), 84124 Salerno, Italy;
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maugeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
| | - Maria Grazia Volpe
- Institute of Food Sciences, National Research Council, CNR, 83100 Avellino, Italy;
| | - Salvatore Micali
- Urology Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Mirone
- Department of Neurosciences, Science of Reproduction and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy;
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Department of Food, Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary public health, Italian National Health Institute, 00161 Roma, Italy;
| | - Michele Navarra
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Marina Piscopo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
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9
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Landi C, Liberatori G, Cotugno P, Sturba L, Vannuccini ML, Massari F, Miniero DV, Tursi A, Shaba E, Behnisch PA, Carleo A, Di Giuseppe F, Angelucci S, Bini L, Corsi I. First Attempt to Couple Proteomics with the AhR Reporter Gene Bioassay in Soil Pollution Monitoring and Assessment. Toxics 2021; 10:toxics10010009. [PMID: 35051051 PMCID: PMC8779689 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A topsoil sample obtained from a highly industrialized area (Taranto, Italy) was tested on the DR-CALUX® cell line and the exposed cells processed with proteomic and bioinformatics analyses. The presence of polyhalogenated compounds in the topsoil extracts was confirmed by GC-MS/MS analysis. Proteomic analysis of the cells exposed to the topsoil extracts identified 43 differential proteins. Enrichment analysis highlighted biological processes, such as the cellular response to a chemical stimulus, stress, and inorganic substances; regulation of translation; regulation of apoptotic process; and the response to organonitrogen compounds in light of particular drugs and compounds, extrapolated by bioinformatics all linked to the identified protein modifications. Our results confirm and reflect the complex epidemiological situation occurring among Taranto inhabitants and underline the need to further investigate the presence and sources of inferred chemicals in soils. The combination of bioassays and proteomics reveals a more complex scenario of chemicals able to affect cellular pathways and leading to toxicities rather than those identified by only bioassays and related chemical analysis. This combined approach turns out to be a promising tool for soil risk assessment and deserves further investigation and developments for soil monitoring and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Landi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
| | - Giulia Liberatori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Pietro Cotugno
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Lucrezia Sturba
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Maria Luisa Vannuccini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
| | - Federica Massari
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Daniela Valeria Miniero
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Angelo Tursi
- Department of Biology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (P.C.); (F.M.); (D.V.M.); (A.T.)
| | - Enxhi Shaba
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
| | - Peter A. Behnisch
- BioDetection System BV (BDS) Amsterdam, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Alfonso Carleo
- Department of Pulmonology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Fabrizio Di Giuseppe
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences, Dentistry and Biotechnology and Proteomics Unit, Centre of Advanced Studies and Technology, “G. D’Annunzio”, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (F.D.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Stefania Angelucci
- Department of Medical, Oral & Biotechnological Sciences, Dentistry and Biotechnology and Proteomics Unit, Centre of Advanced Studies and Technology, “G. D’Annunzio”, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (F.D.G.); (S.A.)
| | - Luca Bini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.L.); (E.S.)
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (I.C.); Tel.: +39-0577-234938 (L.B.); +39-0577-232169 (I.C.)
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.L.); (L.S.); (M.L.V.)
- Correspondence: (L.B.); (I.C.); Tel.: +39-0577-234938 (L.B.); +39-0577-232169 (I.C.)
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Gianicolo EAL, Cervino M, Russo A, Singer S, Blettner M, Mangia C. Environmental assessment of interventions to restrain the impact of industrial pollution using a quasi-experimental design: limitations of the interventions and recommendations for public health policy. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1856. [PMID: 34649551 PMCID: PMC8515703 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11832-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In an industrial area, the asymmetry between the weights of the economic interests compared to the public-health needs can determine which interests are represented in decision-making processes. This might lead to partial interventions, whose impacts are not always evaluated. This study focuses on two interventions implemented in Taranto, Italy, a city hosting one of the largest steel plants in Europe. The first intervention deals with measures industrial plants must implement by law to reduce emissions during so called “wind days” in order to reduce PM10 and benzo [a] pyrene concentrations. The second one is a warning to the population with recommendations to aerate indoor spaces from 12 pm to 6 pm, when pollutant concentrations are believed to be lower. Methods To analyse the impact of the first intervention, we analysed monthly PM10 data in the period 2009–2016 from two monitoring stations and conducted an interrupted-time-series analysis. Coefficients of time-based covariates are estimated in the regression model. To minimise potential confounding, monthly concentrations of PM10 in a neighbourhood 13 km away from the steel plant were used as a control series. To evaluate the second intervention, hourly concentrations of PM10, SO2 and polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed. Results PM10 concentrations in the intervention neighbourhood showed a peak just a few months before the introduction of the law. When compared to the control series, PM10 concentrations were constantly higher throughout the entire study period. After the intervention, there was a reduction in the difference between the two time-series (− 25.6%). During “wind days” results suggested no reduction in concentrations of air pollutants from 12 pm to 18 pm. Conclusion Results of our study suggest revising the warning to the population. Furthermore, they evidence that in complex highly industrialised areas, air quality interventions cannot focus on only a single pollutant, but rather should consider the complex relationships between the different contaminants. Environmental interventions should be reviewed periodically, particularly when they have implications for social constraints. While the results of our study can be related only to the specific situation reported in the article, the methodology applied might be useful for the environmental management in industrial areas with similar features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio A L Gianicolo
- Division of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Working Group for the Evaluation of Political Intervention, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany. .,Istitute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy.
| | - Marco Cervino
- Istitute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, Bologna, Italy
| | - Antonello Russo
- Istitute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
| | - Susanne Singer
- Division of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Working Group for the Evaluation of Political Intervention, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria Blettner
- Division of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Working Group for the Evaluation of Political Intervention, Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Obere Zahlbacher Str. 69, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Cristina Mangia
- Istitute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, Lecce, Italy
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11
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Ciocan C, Franco N, Pira E, Mansour I, Godono A, Boffetta P. Methodological issues in descriptive environmental epidemiology. The example of study Sentieri. Med Lav 2021; 112:15-33. [PMID: 33635292 PMCID: PMC8023053 DOI: 10.23749/mdl.v112i1.10099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Descriptive epidemiology identifies associations between environmental exposures and health effects that require results from methodologically stronger studies before causation can be considered. OBJECTIVE To critically review the methodology and results of Sentieri, a descripitive study on residence in areas with one or more industrial source of pollution. METHODS We systematically reviewed the literature quoted by Sentieri for the selection of health effects of nine types of pollution sources of a-priori interest. We also reviewed and meta-analyzed the results of the first report of Sentieri, that analyzed mortality in 44 polluted sites (PS), and 17 causes of deaths during 1995-2002. RESULTS Among 159 study results quoted by Sentieri, 23.9 % were supportive of an association between residence near a pollution source and a health effect, 30.2 % were partially supportive, 10.7 % were not supportive, and 35.2 % were not relevant. Among 653 standardized mortality ratios for associations between PS-specific pollution sources and causes of death, 14.4% were significantly above 1.02, and 9.0% were significantly below 0.98. Among 48 meta-analysis, seven were significantly above 1.0, including five on exposure to asbestos. CONCLUSIONS Sentieri exemplifies the limitations of descriptive environmental epidemiology studies, in which most hypotheses have limited prior support, most results do not show associations, data on potential confounders and other sources of bias are not available. Such studies tend to replicate well-known associations and occasionally can identify critical situations requiring more investigation, but cannot be used to infer causality either in general or in specific circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catalina Ciocan
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Nicolò Franco
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Enrico Pira
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Ihab Mansour
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | | | - Paolo Boffetta
- Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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12
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Benedetti M, Zona A, Contiero P, D'Armiento E, Iavarone I, Airtum Working Group. Incidence of Thyroid Cancer in Italian Contaminated Sites. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 18:E191. [PMID: 33383942 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Some human literature suggests a possible role of endocrine disruptors (EDs) exposure in thyroid cancer (TC) development. We investigated TC incidence in selected Italian National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCS) with documented presence of EDs considered thyroid carcinogens. Adjusted Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIRs), with their 90% confidence intervals, were computed by gender, and age-specific groups (aged 15-39 years, and 40 years or over) for each NPCS in the period 2006 to 2013. In the age group of 15-39 years, a significant excess of TC risk was found in two NPCSs in males; non-significant excess risks were observed in four NPCSs in males, and in five in females. In the age group of 40 years and over, significant excess risks were found in six NPCSs in males and in seven NPCSs in females; non-significant excess risks were identified in two NPCSs in males and females. The findings of several excesses in incidence, mainly observed in adults aged 40 years or over, are suggestive of a possible adverse effect associated with residence in NPCSs, even if a role of other factors cannot be excluded, due to the adoption of an ecological study design. Future analytical studies are needed to clarify if EDs are a TC risk factor for individuals living in NPCSs.
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13
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Canipari R, De Santis L, Cecconi S. Female Fertility and Environmental Pollution. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E8802. [PMID: 33256215 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A realistic picture of our world shows that it is heavily polluted everywhere. Coastal regions and oceans are polluted by farm fertilizer, manure runoff, sewage and industrial discharges, and large isles of waste plastic are floating around, impacting sea life. Terrestrial ecosystems are contaminated by heavy metals and organic chemicals that can be taken up by and accumulate in crop plants, and water tables are heavily contaminated by untreated industrial discharges. As deadly particulates can drift far, poor air quality has become a significant global problem and one that is not exclusive to major industrialized cities. The consequences are a dramatic impairment of our ecosystem and biodiversity and increases in degenerative or man-made diseases. In this respect, it has been demonstrated that environmental pollution impairs fertility in all mammalian species. The worst consequences are observed for females since the number of germ cells present in the ovary is fixed during fetal life, and the cells are not renewable. This means that any pollutant affecting hormonal homeostasis and/or the reproductive apparatus inevitably harms reproductive performance. This decline will have important social and economic consequences that can no longer be overlooked.
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Di Bella C, Traina A, Giosuè C, Carpintieri D, Lo Dico GM, Bellante A, Del Core M, Falco F, Gherardi S, Uccello MM, Ferrantelli V. Heavy Metals and PAHs in Meat, Milk, and Seafood From Augusta Area (Southern Italy): Contamination Levels, Dietary Intake, and Human Exposure Assessment. Front Public Health 2020; 8:273. [PMID: 32733834 PMCID: PMC7359620 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heavy metals and PAHs were measured in animal foodstuffs from Augusta-Melilli-Priolo area in order to evaluate the potential human health risk associated to their consumption. All heavy metals were detected in seafood products while most of them were 1 for baby, children and teenagers, indicating a non-carcinogenic risk for these age categories by seafood ingestion. The CRAs overcame 1*10-5 for almost age categories (except "baby") and for elderly, by seafood and beef ingestions respectively. Moreover, the MOE for PAHs showed a certain cancer risk for "baby" related to cow milk ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calogero Di Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia (IZSSi), Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Traina
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment (IAS-CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Cristina Giosuè
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment (IAS-CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Davide Carpintieri
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia (IZSSi), Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Bellante
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment (IAS-CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Marianna Del Core
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Anthropic Impacts and Sustainability in Marine Environment (IAS-CNR), Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesca Falco
- National Research Council of Italy- Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM-CNR), Mazara Del Vallo, Italy
| | - Serena Gherardi
- National Research Council of Italy-Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR-CNR), Naples, Italy
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Gorini F, Bustaffa E, Bolignano D, Cori L, Faita F, Gastaldelli A, Interdonato M, Minichilli F, Quattrone G, Squadrito F, Tripepi G, Vassalle C, Bianchi F. Biomarkers of exposure and early effect in three contaminated sites of southern Italy: protocols for etiological epidemiological studies. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e036160. [PMID: 32393613 PMCID: PMC7223157 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Environmental pollution has been progressively becoming one of the main risk factors to human diseases. In particular, populations living in high-contaminated sites are particularly exposed to environmental toxicants, with consequent increased risks to human health. In Italy, there are currently ongoing three epidemiological etiological studies aimed at evaluating the association between exposure to inorganic and organic chemicals and presence of biological markers of early effects in population living in three National Priority Contaminated Sites (NPCSs). Specifically, the correlations concern preclinical indicators of liver disease in Priolo NPCS, thyroid diseases in Milazzo-Valle del Mela NPCS and cardiovascular risk and kidney damage in Crotone NPCS. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Overall, approximately 1300 subjects of both sexes will be enrolled in the three NPCSs according to specific inclusion criteria. For each subject, serum and urine specimens are collected, on which the determination of biological markers of exposure and early effects for the selected outcomes are performed. Individual information on environmental and occupational exposure, medical history, diet and life habits is obtained through questionnaires provided by web platform. In Milazzo-Valle del Mela and Crotone NPCSs, not invasive instrumental and imaging examinations are performed in order to evaluate further risk factors of thyroid carcinoma and cardiovascular disease, respectively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The protocol studies have been approved by the Ethics Committees responsible for the three involved NPCSs: the Ethics Committee 'Catania 2' for the NPCS of Priolo (21 July 2017, n. 500/2017/CECT2), the Ethics Committee of the University Hospitals of Messina for the NPCS of Milazzo-Valle del Mela (19 February 2018, n.2/2018); the Ethics Committee of the Region of Calabria for the NPCS of Crotone (20 July 2017, n. 174). Results will be disseminated among policy-makers, citizens, stakeholders and scientific community through the organisation of conferences and events, and the publication on international peer/reviewed journals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gorini
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elisa Bustaffa
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Davide Bolignano
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Liliana Cori
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Faita
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Amalia Gastaldelli
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Interdonato
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Fabizio Minichilli
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tripepi
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Cristina Vassalle
- Fondazione CNR-Regione Toscana G Monasterio, Laboratory Medicine Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
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16
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Drago G, Ruggieri S, Bianchi F, Sampino S, Cibella F. Birth Cohorts in Highly Contaminated Sites: A Tool for Monitoring the Relationships Between Environmental Pollutants and Children's Health. Front Public Health 2020; 8:125. [PMID: 32411642 PMCID: PMC7198735 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Industrial areas are characterized by the dispersion of environmental stressors that could possibly have long-term detrimental effects on both human health and the environment. Environmental contamination has been indicated to be one of the major risks for reproductive health. In this context, the effects of environmental pollution on pregnant women living in heavily polluted areas is of special interest. In fact, fetal development is a crucial phase due to the dynamic interaction between the maternal/external environments and the developing organs and tissues. Moreover, following Barker's postulate of the intrauterine origin of health and disease, the events occurring in this time window could affect future health. Birth cohorts provide the most suitable design for assessing the association between early-life and possible long-term health outcomes in highly contaminated sites. By providing an assessment of the early life environment throughout the collection of biological samples, birth cohorts offer the opportunity to study in-depth several possible confounders and outcomes by means of questionnaires and follow-ups based on clinical evaluations and bio-specimen samplings. The exposome comprises the totality of exposures from conception onwards; the birth cohort approach allows the integration of the exposures as a whole, including those related to socioeconomic status, with "omics" data from biological samples collected at birth and throughout life. In the characterization of the "fetal exposome," the placenta represents a highly informative and scarcely considered organ. For this purpose, the "Neonatal Environment and Health Outcomes" (NEHO) birth cohort has been established by enrolling pregnant women residing in contaminated sites and in surrounding areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaspare Drago
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, Italy
| | - Silvia Ruggieri
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Bianchi
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvestre Sampino
- Department of Experimental Embryology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Fabio Cibella
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Palermo, Italy
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Lauriola P, Crabbe H, Behbod B, Yip F, Medina S, Semenza JC, Vardoulakis S, Kass D, Zeka A, Khonelidze I, Ashworth M, de Hoogh K, Shi X, Staatsen B, Knudsen LE, Fletcher T, Houthuijs D, Leonardi GS. Advancing Global Health through Environmental and Public Health Tracking. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E1976. [PMID: 32192215 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Global environmental change has degraded ecosystems. Challenges such as climate change, resource depletion (with its huge implications for human health and wellbeing), and persistent social inequalities in health have been identified as global public health issues with implications for both communicable and noncommunicable diseases. This contributes to pressure on healthcare systems, as well as societal systems that affect health. A novel strategy to tackle these multiple, interacting and interdependent drivers of change is required to protect the population’s health. Public health professionals have found that building strong, enduring interdisciplinary partnerships across disciplines can address environment and health complexities, and that developing Environmental and Public Health Tracking (EPHT) systems has been an effective tool. EPHT aims to merge, integrate, analyse and interpret environmental hazards, exposure and health data. In this article, we explain that public health decision-makers can use EPHT insights to drive public health actions, reduce exposure and prevent the occurrence of disease more precisely in efficient and cost-effective ways. An international network exists for practitioners and researchers to monitor and use environmental health intelligence, and to support countries and local areas toward sustainable and healthy development. A global network of EPHT programs and professionals has the potential to advance global health by implementing and sharing experience, to magnify the impact of local efforts and to pursue data knowledge improvement strategies, aiming to recognise and support best practices. EPHT can help increase the understanding of environmental public health and global health, improve comparability of risks between different areas of the world including Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), enable transparency and trust among citizens, institutions and the private sector, and inform preventive decision making consistent with sustainable and healthy development. This shows how EPHT advances global health efforts by sharing recent global EPHT activities and resources with those working in this field. Experiences from the US, Europe, Asia and Australasia are outlined for operating successful tracking systems to advance global health.
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Panico A, Grassi T, Bagordo F, Idolo A, Serio F, Tumolo MR, De Giorgi M, Guido M, Tutino M, De Donno A. Micronucleus Frequency in Exfoliated Buccal Cells of Children Living in an Industrialized Area of Apulia (Italy). Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17041208. [PMID: 32069990 PMCID: PMC7068596 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Micronuclei (MN) are biomarkers of early biological effect often used for detecting DNA damage in human population exposed to genotoxic agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of MN in exfoliated buccal cells of children living in an industrialized (impacted) area compared with that found in children living in a control area without significant anthropogenic impacts. A total of 462 6–8-year-old children (206 in the impacted area, 256 in the control area) attending primary school were enrolled. A questionnaire was administered to the parents of the recruited children to obtain information about personal data, lifestyles, and food habits of their children. Atmospheric particulate fractions were collected near the involved schools to assess the level of environmental exposure of the children. The presence of MN was highlighted in 68.4% of children living in the impacted area with a mean MN frequency of 0.66‰ ± 0.61‰. MN positivity and frequency were significantly lower in the control area (37.1% and 0.27‰ ± 0.43‰, respectively). The frequency of MN was positively associated with quasi-ultrafine particulate matter (PM0.5), traffic near the home, and consuming barbecued food; while adherence to the Mediterranean diet and practicing sport were negatively associated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Panico
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Tiziana Grassi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Francesco Bagordo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-832-298-951
| | - Adele Idolo
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Francesca Serio
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Tumolo
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council (IRPPS-CNR), 72100 Brindisi, Italy;
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (CNR-IFC), 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Mattia De Giorgi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Marcello Guido
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
| | - Maria Tutino
- Regional Agency for Environmental Protection (ARPA Puglia), 70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Antonella De Donno
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy; (A.P.); (T.G.); (A.I.); (F.S.); (M.D.G.); (M.G.); (A.D.D.)
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