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Advances in the treatment and management of cystic fibrosis (CF) have led to a substantial increase in patient life expectancy, thus facilitating healthier lives and labour force participation. This review aimed to address the impact of CF on the occupational functioning of patients. A significant proportion of patients were reported to retain a job on a full- or part-time schedule. Less physically demanding occupations were most frequently performed, perhaps due to CF-related inability to sustain a heavy workload. Disease severity parameters (e.g., lung function measurements, or personal, psycho-social, or economic conditions) have been reported as determinant or co-determinant factors for the development of work-related disability. Although further research is necessary, our results may be useful to inform interdisciplinary CF healthcare management, including the assessment of work function, and to define career counselling plans and workplace risk assessment and management strategies to support the personal, social and professional lives of patients.
Veruscka Leso; Rosaria Romano; Carolina Santocono; Marilisa Caruso; Paola Iacotucci; Vincenzo Carnovale; Ivo Iavicoli. The impact of cystic fibrosis on the working life of patients: A systematic review. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis 2021, 1 .
AMA StyleVeruscka Leso, Rosaria Romano, Carolina Santocono, Marilisa Caruso, Paola Iacotucci, Vincenzo Carnovale, Ivo Iavicoli. The impact of cystic fibrosis on the working life of patients: A systematic review. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 2021; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeruscka Leso; Rosaria Romano; Carolina Santocono; Marilisa Caruso; Paola Iacotucci; Vincenzo Carnovale; Ivo Iavicoli. 2021. "The impact of cystic fibrosis on the working life of patients: A systematic review." Journal of Cystic Fibrosis , no. : 1.
Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP), including gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE), characterize a major cause of maternal and prenatal morbidity and mortality. In this systematic review, we tested the hypothesis that occupational factors would impact the risk for HDP in pregnant workers. MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge databases were searched for studies published between database inception and 1 April 2021. All observational studies enrolling > 10 pregnant workers and published in English were included. Un-experimental, non-occupational human studies were excluded. Evidence was synthesized according to the risk for HDP development in employed women, eventually exposed to chemical, physical, biological and organizational risk factors. The evidence quality was assessed through the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Out of 745 records identified, 27 were eligible. No definite conclusions could be extrapolated for the majority of the examined risk factors, while more homogenous data supported positive associations between job-strain and HDP risk. Limitations due to the lack of suitable characterizations of workplace exposure (i.e., doses, length, co-exposures) and possible interplay with personal issues should be deeply addressed. This may be helpful to better assess occupational risks for pregnant women and plan adequate measures of control to protect their health and that of their children.
Emanuela Spadarella; Veruscka Leso; Luca Fontana; Angela Giordano; Ivo Iavicoli. Occupational Risk Factors and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 8277 .
AMA StyleEmanuela Spadarella, Veruscka Leso, Luca Fontana, Angela Giordano, Ivo Iavicoli. Occupational Risk Factors and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (16):8277.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEmanuela Spadarella; Veruscka Leso; Luca Fontana; Angela Giordano; Ivo Iavicoli. 2021. "Occupational Risk Factors and Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 16: 8277.
The environmental contamination of antibiotics caused by their over or inappropriate use is a major issue for environmental and human health since it can adversely impact the ecosystems and promote the antimicrobial resistance. Indeed, considering that in the environmental matrices these drugs are present at low levels, the possibility that bacteria exhibit a hormetic response to increase their resilience when exposed to antibiotic subinhibitory concentrations might represent a serious threat. Information reported in this review showed that exposure to different types of antibiotics, either administered individually or in mixtures, is capable of exerting hormetic effects on bacteria at environmentally relevant concentrations. These responses have been reported regardless of the type of bacterium or antibiotic, thus suggesting that hormesis would be a generalized adaptive mechanism implemented by bacteria to strengthen their resistance to antibiotics. Hormetic effects included growth, bioluminescence and motility of bacteria, their ability to produce biofilm, but also the frequency of mutation and plasmid conjugative transfer. The evaluation of quantitative features of antibiotic-induced hormesis showed that these responses have both maximum stimulation and dose width characteristics similar to those already reported in the literature for other stressors. Notably, mixtures comprising individual antibiotic inducing stimulatory responses might have distinct combined effects based on antagonistic, synergistic or additive interactions between components. Regarding the molecular mechanisms of action underlying the aforementioned effects, we put forward the hypothesis that the adoption of adaptive/defensive responses would be driven by the ability of antibiotic low doses to modulate the transcriptional activity of bacteria. Overall, our findings suggest that hormesis plays a pivotal role in affecting the bacterial behavior in order to acquire a survival advantage. Therefore, a proactive and effective risk assessment should necessarily take due account of the hormesis concept to adequately evaluate the risks to ecosystems and human health posed by antibiotic environmental contamination.
Ivo Iavicoli; Luca Fontana; Evgenios Agathokleous; Carolina Santocono; Francesco Russo; Ilaria Vetrani; Mauro Fedele; Edward J. Calabrese. Hormetic dose responses induced by antibiotics in bacteria: A phantom menace to be thoroughly evaluated to address the environmental risk and tackle the antibiotic resistance phenomenon. Science of The Total Environment 2021, 798, 149255 .
AMA StyleIvo Iavicoli, Luca Fontana, Evgenios Agathokleous, Carolina Santocono, Francesco Russo, Ilaria Vetrani, Mauro Fedele, Edward J. Calabrese. Hormetic dose responses induced by antibiotics in bacteria: A phantom menace to be thoroughly evaluated to address the environmental risk and tackle the antibiotic resistance phenomenon. Science of The Total Environment. 2021; 798 ():149255.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIvo Iavicoli; Luca Fontana; Evgenios Agathokleous; Carolina Santocono; Francesco Russo; Ilaria Vetrani; Mauro Fedele; Edward J. Calabrese. 2021. "Hormetic dose responses induced by antibiotics in bacteria: A phantom menace to be thoroughly evaluated to address the environmental risk and tackle the antibiotic resistance phenomenon." Science of The Total Environment 798, no. : 149255.
Particular working conditions and/or organization of working time may cause important sleep disturbances that have been proposed to be predictive of cognitive decline. In this regard, circadian rhythm misalignment induced by exposure to night work or long working hours would be responsible for cognitive impairment. Nevertheless, evidence supporting this correlation is limited and several issues still need to be elucidated. In this regard, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the association between shift/night work and cognitive impairment and address its main determinants. Information provided by the reviewed studies suggested that night work might have serious immediate negative effects especially on cognitive domains related to attention, memory and response inhibition. Furthermore, cognitive performance would progressively worsen over consecutive night shifts or following exposure to very long work shifts. Otherwise, conflicting results emerged regarding the possible etiological role that night work chronic exposure would have on cognitive impairment. Therefore, circadian rhythm desynchronization, lack of sleep and fatigue resulting from night work may negatively impact worker’s cognitive efficiency. However, in light of the considerable methodological variability of the reviewed studies, we proposed to develop a standardized research and evaluation strategy in order to obtain a better and comprehensive understanding of this topic.
Veruscka Leso; Luca Fontana; Angela Caturano; Ilaria Vetrani; Mauro Fedele; Ivo Iavicoli. Impact of Shift Work and Long Working Hours on Worker Cognitive Functions: Current Evidence and Future Research Needs. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 6540 .
AMA StyleVeruscka Leso, Luca Fontana, Angela Caturano, Ilaria Vetrani, Mauro Fedele, Ivo Iavicoli. Impact of Shift Work and Long Working Hours on Worker Cognitive Functions: Current Evidence and Future Research Needs. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (12):6540.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeruscka Leso; Luca Fontana; Angela Caturano; Ilaria Vetrani; Mauro Fedele; Ivo Iavicoli. 2021. "Impact of Shift Work and Long Working Hours on Worker Cognitive Functions: Current Evidence and Future Research Needs." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 12: 6540.
The COVID-19 incidence in 61 manufacturing plants in Europe (EU), North America (NA) and Latin-America (LATAM) was compared with the incidence observed in the countries where the plants are located in order to evaluate the application of an innovative model for COVID-19 risk management. Firstly, a network of local and global teams was created, including an external university occupational physician team for scientific support. In July 2020, global prevention guidelines for the homogenous management of the pandemic were applied, replacing different site or regional procedures. A tool for COVID-19 monitoring was implemented to investigate the relationship between the incidence rates inside and outside the plants. In the period of May–November 2020, 565 confirmed cases (EU 330, NA 141, LATAM 94) were observed among 20,646 workers with different jobs and tasks, and in the last two months 85% EU and 70% NA cases were recorded. Only in 10% of cases was a possible internal origin of the contagion not excluded. In the EU and NA, unlike LATAM, the COVID-19 incidence rates inside the sites punctually followed the rising trend outside. In conclusion, the model, combining a global approach with the local application of the measures, maintains the sustainability in the manufacturing industry.
Piero Lovreglio; Angela Stufano; Francesco Cagnazzo; Nicola Bartolomeo; Ivo Iavicoli. Application of an Innovative Model for the Risk Management of COVID-19 in a Multinational Manufacturing Company. Sustainability 2021, 13, 5771 .
AMA StylePiero Lovreglio, Angela Stufano, Francesco Cagnazzo, Nicola Bartolomeo, Ivo Iavicoli. Application of an Innovative Model for the Risk Management of COVID-19 in a Multinational Manufacturing Company. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (11):5771.
Chicago/Turabian StylePiero Lovreglio; Angela Stufano; Francesco Cagnazzo; Nicola Bartolomeo; Ivo Iavicoli. 2021. "Application of an Innovative Model for the Risk Management of COVID-19 in a Multinational Manufacturing Company." Sustainability 13, no. 11: 5771.
Microplastics pollution is predicted to increase in the coming decades, raising concerns about its effects on living organisms. Although the effects of microplastics on individual organisms have been extensively studied, the effects on communities, biological diversity, and ecosystems remain underexplored. This paper reviews the published literature concerning how microplastics affect communities, biological diversity, and ecosystem processes. Microplastics increase the abundance of some taxa but decrease the abundance of some other taxa, indicating trade-offs among taxa and altered microbial community composition in both the natural environment and animals’ gut. The alteration of community composition by microplastics is highly conserved across taxonomic ranks, while the alpha diversity of microbiota is often reduced or increased, depending on the microplastics dose and environmental conditions, suggesting potential threats to biodiversity. Biogeochemical cycles, greenhouse gas fluxes, and atmospheric chemistry, can also be altered by microplastics pollution. These findings suggest that microplastics may impact the U.N. Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) to improve atmospheric, soil, and water quality and sustaining biodiversity.
Evgenios Agathokleous; Ivo Iavicoli; Damià Barceló; Edward J. Calabrese. Ecological risks in a ‘plastic’ world: A threat to biological diversity? Journal of Hazardous Materials 2021, 417, 126035 .
AMA StyleEvgenios Agathokleous, Ivo Iavicoli, Damià Barceló, Edward J. Calabrese. Ecological risks in a ‘plastic’ world: A threat to biological diversity? Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2021; 417 ():126035.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvgenios Agathokleous; Ivo Iavicoli; Damià Barceló; Edward J. Calabrese. 2021. "Ecological risks in a ‘plastic’ world: A threat to biological diversity?" Journal of Hazardous Materials 417, no. : 126035.
Microplastics have become predominant contaminants, attracting much political and scientific attention. Despite the massively-increasing research on microplastics effects on organisms, the debate of whether environmental concentrations pose hazard and risk continues. This study critically reviews published literatures of microplastics effects on organisms within the context of “dose”. It provides substantial evidence of the common occurrence of threshold and hormesis dose responses of numerous aquatic and terrestrial organisms to microplastics. This finding along with accumulated evidence indicating the capacity of organisms for recovery suggest that the linear-no-threshold model is biologically irrelevant and should not serve as a default model for assessing the microplastics risks. The published literature does not provide sufficient evidence supporting the general conclusion that environmental doses of microplastics cause adverse effects on individual organisms. Instead, doses that are smaller than the dose of toxicological threshold and more likely to occur in the environment may even induce positive effects, although the ecological implications of these responses remain unknown. This study also shows that low doses of microplastics can reduce whereas high doses can increase the negative effects of other pollutants. The mechanisms explaining these findings are discussed, providing a novel perspective for evaluating the risks of microplastics in the environment.
Evgenios Agathokleous; Ivo Iavicoli; Damià Barceló; Edward J. Calabrese. Micro/nanoplastics effects on organisms: A review focusing on ‘dose’. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2021, 417, 126084 .
AMA StyleEvgenios Agathokleous, Ivo Iavicoli, Damià Barceló, Edward J. Calabrese. Micro/nanoplastics effects on organisms: A review focusing on ‘dose’. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2021; 417 ():126084.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvgenios Agathokleous; Ivo Iavicoli; Damià Barceló; Edward J. Calabrese. 2021. "Micro/nanoplastics effects on organisms: A review focusing on ‘dose’." Journal of Hazardous Materials 417, no. : 126084.
The increasing number of human biomonitoring (HBM) studies undertaken in recent decades has brought to light the need to harmonise procedures along all phases of the study, including sampling, data collection and analytical methods to allow data comparability. The first steps towards harmonisation are the identification and collation of HBM methodological information of existing studies and data gaps. Systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses have been traditionally put at the top of the hierarchy of evidence, being increasingly applied to map available evidence on health risks linked to exposure to chemicals. However, these methods mainly capture peer-reviewed articles, failing to comprehensively identify other important, unpublished sources of information that are pivotal to gather a complete map of the produced evidence in the area of HBM. Within the framework of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) initiative—a project that joins 30 countries, 29 from Europe plus Israel, the European Environment Agency and the European Commission—a comprehensive work of data triangulation has been made to identify existing HBM studies and data gaps across countries within the consortium. The use of documentary analysis together with an up-to-date platform to fulfil this need and its implications for research and practice are discussed.
Ana Virgolino; Osvaldo Santos; Joana Costa; Mónica Fialho; Ivo Iavicoli; Tiina Santonen; Hanna Tolonen; Evangelia Samoli; Klea Katsouyanni; Georgios Baltatzis; Flavia Ruggieri; Annalisa Abballe; Ida Petrovičová; Branislav Kolena; Miroslava Šidlovská; Carla Ancona; Ivan Eržen; Ovnair Sepai; Argelia Castaño; Marike Kolossa-Gehring; Ulrike Fiddicke. Challenges to Evidence Synthesis and Identification of Data Gaps in Human Biomonitoring. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 2830 .
AMA StyleAna Virgolino, Osvaldo Santos, Joana Costa, Mónica Fialho, Ivo Iavicoli, Tiina Santonen, Hanna Tolonen, Evangelia Samoli, Klea Katsouyanni, Georgios Baltatzis, Flavia Ruggieri, Annalisa Abballe, Ida Petrovičová, Branislav Kolena, Miroslava Šidlovská, Carla Ancona, Ivan Eržen, Ovnair Sepai, Argelia Castaño, Marike Kolossa-Gehring, Ulrike Fiddicke. Challenges to Evidence Synthesis and Identification of Data Gaps in Human Biomonitoring. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (6):2830.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Virgolino; Osvaldo Santos; Joana Costa; Mónica Fialho; Ivo Iavicoli; Tiina Santonen; Hanna Tolonen; Evangelia Samoli; Klea Katsouyanni; Georgios Baltatzis; Flavia Ruggieri; Annalisa Abballe; Ida Petrovičová; Branislav Kolena; Miroslava Šidlovská; Carla Ancona; Ivan Eržen; Ovnair Sepai; Argelia Castaño; Marike Kolossa-Gehring; Ulrike Fiddicke. 2021. "Challenges to Evidence Synthesis and Identification of Data Gaps in Human Biomonitoring." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 6: 2830.
The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a broader use of masks by both professionals and the general population. This resulted in a severe worldwide shortage of devices and the need to increase import and activate production of safe and effective surgical masks at the national level. In order to support the demand for testing surgical masks in the Italian context, Universities provided their contribution by setting up laboratories for testing mask performance before releasing products into the national market. This paper reports the effort of seven Italian university laboratories who set up facilities for testing face masks during the emergency period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Measurement set-ups were built, adapting the methods specified in the EN 14683:2019+AC. Data on differential pressure (DP) and bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) of 120 masks, including different materials and designs, were collected over three months. More than 60% of the masks satisfied requirements for DP and BFE set by the standard. Masks made of nonwoven polypropylene with at least three layers (spunbonded–meltblown–spunbonded) showed the best results, ensuring both good breathability and high filtration efficiency. The majority of the masks created with alternative materials and designs did not comply with both standard requirements, resulting in suitability only as community masks. The effective partnering between universities and industries to meet a public need in an emergency context represented a fruitful example of the so-called university “third-mission”.
Francesco Tessarolo; Giandomenico Nollo; Devid Maniglio; Marta Rigoni; Luca Benedetti; Fabrizia Helfer; Ivan Corradi; Luigi Rovati; Alberto Ferrari; Mattia Piccini; Luca Accorsi; Elena Veronesi; Aurora Cuoghi; Salvo Baglio; Nunzio Tuccitto; Stefania Stefani; Stefano Stracquadanio; Filippo Caraci; Antonio Terrasi; Alessia Tricomi; Mario Musumeci; Andrea Miraglia; Giacomo Cuttone; Sofia Cosentino; Carlo Muscas; Luca Vitali; Dezemona Petrelli; Leopoldo Angrisani; Roberta Colicchio; Andrea D’Anna; Ivo Iavicoli; Gianluigi De Falco; Francesco Di Natale; Ernesto Di Maio; Paola Salvatore; Fabiana Quaglia; Marina Mingoia; Paolo Castellini; Paolo Chiariotti; Serena Simoni; Luigi Montalto; Alessia Baleani; Nicola Paone. Testing Surgical Face Masks in an Emergency Context: The Experience of Italian Laboratories during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 1462 .
AMA StyleFrancesco Tessarolo, Giandomenico Nollo, Devid Maniglio, Marta Rigoni, Luca Benedetti, Fabrizia Helfer, Ivan Corradi, Luigi Rovati, Alberto Ferrari, Mattia Piccini, Luca Accorsi, Elena Veronesi, Aurora Cuoghi, Salvo Baglio, Nunzio Tuccitto, Stefania Stefani, Stefano Stracquadanio, Filippo Caraci, Antonio Terrasi, Alessia Tricomi, Mario Musumeci, Andrea Miraglia, Giacomo Cuttone, Sofia Cosentino, Carlo Muscas, Luca Vitali, Dezemona Petrelli, Leopoldo Angrisani, Roberta Colicchio, Andrea D’Anna, Ivo Iavicoli, Gianluigi De Falco, Francesco Di Natale, Ernesto Di Maio, Paola Salvatore, Fabiana Quaglia, Marina Mingoia, Paolo Castellini, Paolo Chiariotti, Serena Simoni, Luigi Montalto, Alessia Baleani, Nicola Paone. Testing Surgical Face Masks in an Emergency Context: The Experience of Italian Laboratories during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (4):1462.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancesco Tessarolo; Giandomenico Nollo; Devid Maniglio; Marta Rigoni; Luca Benedetti; Fabrizia Helfer; Ivan Corradi; Luigi Rovati; Alberto Ferrari; Mattia Piccini; Luca Accorsi; Elena Veronesi; Aurora Cuoghi; Salvo Baglio; Nunzio Tuccitto; Stefania Stefani; Stefano Stracquadanio; Filippo Caraci; Antonio Terrasi; Alessia Tricomi; Mario Musumeci; Andrea Miraglia; Giacomo Cuttone; Sofia Cosentino; Carlo Muscas; Luca Vitali; Dezemona Petrelli; Leopoldo Angrisani; Roberta Colicchio; Andrea D’Anna; Ivo Iavicoli; Gianluigi De Falco; Francesco Di Natale; Ernesto Di Maio; Paola Salvatore; Fabiana Quaglia; Marina Mingoia; Paolo Castellini; Paolo Chiariotti; Serena Simoni; Luigi Montalto; Alessia Baleani; Nicola Paone. 2021. "Testing Surgical Face Masks in an Emergency Context: The Experience of Italian Laboratories during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 4: 1462.
In the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the definition of risk factors for susceptibility to adverse outcomes seems essential to support public and occupational health policies. Some specific issues need to be addressed to understand vulnerability in occupational settings. Among these, individual factors, e.g., age, sex, and preexisting comorbidities (hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, cancer), that can predispose individuals to more severe outcomes and post-COVID-19 symptoms that may represent conditions of acquired susceptibility, possibly impacting the return to—and fitness for—work. Additionally, the risk of contracting COVID-19 through work should be addressed, considering the probability of being in contact with infected people, physical proximity to others, and social aggregation during work. Occupational health settings may represent appropriate scenarios for the early identification of vulnerable subjects, with the final aim to guide risk assessment and management procedures. These should include the systematic surveillance of work-related risk factors, collective preventive policies, stringent actions for specific groups of workers, decisions on occupational placement of employees, and health promotion activities. Concerted actions of general practitioners, hospital specialists, occupational physicians, and all the stakeholders involved in the occupational health and safety management should be focused on planning suitable preventive measures for susceptible subjects.
Veruscka Leso; Luca Fontana; Ivo Iavicoli. Susceptibility to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Occupational Settings: The Complex Interplay between Individual and Workplace Factors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 1030 .
AMA StyleVeruscka Leso, Luca Fontana, Ivo Iavicoli. Susceptibility to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Occupational Settings: The Complex Interplay between Individual and Workplace Factors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (3):1030.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeruscka Leso; Luca Fontana; Ivo Iavicoli. 2021. "Susceptibility to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Occupational Settings: The Complex Interplay between Individual and Workplace Factors." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 3: 1030.
Background: The widespread application of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) and the increasing likelihood of general and occupational exposure raised concerns on their possible human health impact. ENMs, in fact, may induce alterations in different organ systems, and particularly in the respiratory tract. This makes it important to identify possible biomarkers of early lung effect in exposed workers. In this regard, the possibility to use the fractional exhaled levels of nitric oxide (FENO) in biological monitoring has attracted considerable interest. Objective: To comprehensively assess the role of FENO as a possible biomarker of lung effect in ENM exposed workers. Methods: A systematic search was performed on Pubmed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases according to the PRISMA guidelines. Results: Seven studies investigated FENO in workers exposed to different kinds of metal-(i.e. silver and gold), metal oxide- (titanium and silica dioxide), and carbon-based ENMs (carbon nanotubes). In general, no significant alterations were detected between exposed workers and controls. Conclusions: Definite conclusion on the function of FENO in occupational biological monitoring cannot be extrapolated due to the limited number of available studies and the small size of investigated populations. Additionally, the lack of environmental monitoring data and the fragmented knowledge on ENM modes of action prevent to establish dose-response relationships. Future research appears necessary to deeply define the possibility to employ FENO as an early biomarker of lung effects taking in consideration possible occupational exposure issues, i.e. differently characterized ENMs and work tasks, as well as individual influencing factors, i.e. smoking and atopy.
Ivo Iavicoli; Luca Fontana; Veruscka Leso; Maria Carmela Macrini; Daniela Pelclova. Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Nanomaterial Exposure in Workplaces. Current Medicinal Chemistry 2020, 27, 7200 -7212.
AMA StyleIvo Iavicoli, Luca Fontana, Veruscka Leso, Maria Carmela Macrini, Daniela Pelclova. Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Nanomaterial Exposure in Workplaces. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2020; 27 (42):7200-7212.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIvo Iavicoli; Luca Fontana; Veruscka Leso; Maria Carmela Macrini; Daniela Pelclova. 2020. "Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Nanomaterial Exposure in Workplaces." Current Medicinal Chemistry 27, no. 42: 7200-7212.
“Personalised medicine” relies on identifying and integrating individual variability in genomic, biological, and physiological parameters, as well as in environmental and lifestyle factors, to define “individually” targeted disease prevention and treatment. Although innovative “omic” technologies supported the application of personalised medicine in clinical, oncological, and pharmacological settings, its role in occupational health practice and research is still in a developing phase. Occupational personalised approaches have been currently applied in experimental settings and in conditions of unpredictable risks, e.g. war missions and space flights, where it is essential to avoid disease manifestations and therapy failure. However, a debate is necessary as to whether personalized medicine may be even more important to support a redefinition of the risk assessment processes taking into consideration the complex interaction between occupational and individual factors. Indeed, “omic” techniques can be helpful to understand the hazardous properties of the xenobiotics, dose-response relationships through a deeper elucidation of the exposure-disease pathways and internal doses of exposure. Overall, this may guide the adoption/implementation of primary preventive measures protective for the vast majority of the population, including most susceptible subgroups. However, the application of personalised medicine into occupational health requires overcoming some practical, ethical, legal, economical, and socio-political issues, particularly concerning the protection of privacy, and the risk of discrimination that the workers may experience. In this scenario, the concerted action of academic, industry, governmental, and stakeholder representatives should be encouraged to improve research aimed to guide effective and sustainable implementation of personalised medicine in occupational health fields.
Valentina Bollati; Luca Ferrari; Veruscka Leso; Ivo Iavicoli. Personalised Medicine: implication and perspectives in the field of occupational health. 2020, 111, 425 -444.
AMA StyleValentina Bollati, Luca Ferrari, Veruscka Leso, Ivo Iavicoli. Personalised Medicine: implication and perspectives in the field of occupational health. . 2020; 111 (6):425-444.
Chicago/Turabian StyleValentina Bollati; Luca Ferrari; Veruscka Leso; Ivo Iavicoli. 2020. "Personalised Medicine: implication and perspectives in the field of occupational health." 111, no. 6: 425-444.
Various decontamination methods that may be used to extend respirator inventories have been examined for over a decade. In light of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, many health-care settings are now implementing these techniques amid respirator shortages. We sought to perform a critical review of the available literature regarding decontamination methods to determine which strategies are effective at inactivating the target organism, preserve performance (filter efficiency and fit) of the respirator, leave no residual toxicity from the treatment, and are fast-acting, inexpensive, and readily available. We also identified areas for future research. We found that ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is the most widely studied method, and treatments are effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2 without diminishing filtration efficiency or fit. These treatments were found to leave no residual toxicity for the wearer, have a relatively short cycle time of less than 1 h, and existing systems can likely be retrofitted to accommodate this method. Further, UVGI (among other treatment methods) has been recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and respirator manufacturers. Methods involving microwave-generated steam also show potential in that they are likely effective against SARS-CoV-2, preserve performance, have no residual toxicity, require a short duration treatment cycle (often less than 10 min), and microwave ovens are inexpensive and readily available. Steam methods are currently recommended by the CDC, OSHA, and manufacturers. These respirator decontamination methods are likely also useful against other viruses or pathogens.
Neva Jacobs; Kathy Chan; Veruscka Leso; Andrea D’Anna; Dana Hollins; Ivo Iavicoli. A critical review of methods for decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2020, 36, 654 -680.
AMA StyleNeva Jacobs, Kathy Chan, Veruscka Leso, Andrea D’Anna, Dana Hollins, Ivo Iavicoli. A critical review of methods for decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 2020; 36 (9):654-680.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeva Jacobs; Kathy Chan; Veruscka Leso; Andrea D’Anna; Dana Hollins; Ivo Iavicoli. 2020. "A critical review of methods for decontaminating filtering facepiece respirators." Toxicology and Industrial Health 36, no. 9: 654-680.
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are considered nontoxic upon acute exposure, at least when they are equal or above 5 nm size. However, the safeguard mechanisms contributing to maintain cell viability are scarcely explored so far. Here, we investigated the cyto-protective role of Glyoxalase 1 (Glo1), a key enzyme involved in the control of deleterious dicarbonyl stress, in two human cell types of the respiratory tract, after an acute exposure to AuNPs with a main size of 5 nm. We found that the redox sensitive Nrf-2-mediated up-regulation of Glo1 was crucial to protect cells from AuNPs-induced toxicity. However, cells challenged with a pro-inflammatory/pro-oxidative insult become susceptible to the pro-apoptotic effect of AuNPs. Notably, the surviving cells undergo epigenetic changes associated with the onset of a partial epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) process (metastable phenotype), driven by the increase in dicarbonyl stress, consequent to Glo1 inactivation. As a physiological respiratory epithelium is required for the normal respiratory function, the knowledge of the protective mechanisms avoiding or (when challenged) promoting its modification/damage might provide insight into the genesis, and, most importantly, prevention of potential health effects that might occur in subjects exposed to AuNPs, through targeted surveillance programs, at least under specific influencing factors.
Angela Gambelunghe; Stefano Giovagnoli; Alessandro Di Michele; Simona Boncompagni; Marco Dell’Omo; Kerstin Leopold; Ivo Iavicoli; Vincenzo Nicola Talesa; Cinzia Antognelli. Redox-Sensitive Glyoxalase 1 Up-Regulation Is Crucial for Protecting Human Lung Cells from Gold Nanoparticles Toxicity. Antioxidants 2020, 9, 697 .
AMA StyleAngela Gambelunghe, Stefano Giovagnoli, Alessandro Di Michele, Simona Boncompagni, Marco Dell’Omo, Kerstin Leopold, Ivo Iavicoli, Vincenzo Nicola Talesa, Cinzia Antognelli. Redox-Sensitive Glyoxalase 1 Up-Regulation Is Crucial for Protecting Human Lung Cells from Gold Nanoparticles Toxicity. Antioxidants. 2020; 9 (8):697.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngela Gambelunghe; Stefano Giovagnoli; Alessandro Di Michele; Simona Boncompagni; Marco Dell’Omo; Kerstin Leopold; Ivo Iavicoli; Vincenzo Nicola Talesa; Cinzia Antognelli. 2020. "Redox-Sensitive Glyoxalase 1 Up-Regulation Is Crucial for Protecting Human Lung Cells from Gold Nanoparticles Toxicity." Antioxidants 9, no. 8: 697.
Increased engineered nanomaterial production, combined with widespread use and worldwide distribution, have increased the likelihood of occupational exposure. Considering that engineered nanomaterials have additional toxicological concerns relative to their larger material forms, there exists a clear need to develop, implement, and apply an adequate strategy for occupational risk assessment and management. Unfortunately, a thorough evaluation of pertinent engineered nanomaterial properties cannot be obtained using a single instrument or analytical technique. Therefore, it is recommended that the collection and characterization of engineered nanomaterials should be performed via a multifaceted approach involving the use of multiple complementary sampling tools and analytical methods.
Adrienne C. Eastlake; Luca Fontana; Ivo Iavicoli. Monitoring Nanomaterials in the Workplace. Current Topics in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2020, 57 -74.
AMA StyleAdrienne C. Eastlake, Luca Fontana, Ivo Iavicoli. Monitoring Nanomaterials in the Workplace. Current Topics in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine. 2020; ():57-74.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdrienne C. Eastlake; Luca Fontana; Ivo Iavicoli. 2020. "Monitoring Nanomaterials in the Workplace." Current Topics in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine , no. : 57-74.
Thyroid diseases are characterized by a wide range of physical and mental symptoms that can affect biological function, emotional and social life of patients. However, their impact on work functioning is not yet fully understood. Therefore, this review aims to address the way in which thyroid diseases can affect occupational outcomes, i.e., the employment rate, sick leave, working capacity and work income of patients. A systematic review of Pubmed, Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge databases has been performed. Although it is not possible to extrapolate precise data for benign pathologies, about a third of the survivors of thyroid cancer could be unemployed. Hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients presented a greater risk of long-term sick leave than controls, depending on the severity of the disease. Hyperthyroidism impaired working ability in about a third of affected patients, particularly in cases complicated by orbitopathy with diplopia. A possible influence of thyroid diseases on various occupational outcomes emerged from our review, however further research seems necessary to understand the relationship between work problems, specific pathological characteristics over time and risk factors in the workplace. This may support a comprehensive, interdisciplinary management of thyroid disorders, with benefits for patients’ personal, social and professional life.
Veruscka Leso; Ilaria Vetrani; Luigi De Cicco; Alessandro Cardelia; Luca Fontana; Gaetano Buonocore; Ivo Iavicoli. The Impact of Thyroid Diseases on the Working Life of Patients: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1 .
AMA StyleVeruscka Leso, Ilaria Vetrani, Luigi De Cicco, Alessandro Cardelia, Luca Fontana, Gaetano Buonocore, Ivo Iavicoli. The Impact of Thyroid Diseases on the Working Life of Patients: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (12):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeruscka Leso; Ilaria Vetrani; Luigi De Cicco; Alessandro Cardelia; Luca Fontana; Gaetano Buonocore; Ivo Iavicoli. 2020. "The Impact of Thyroid Diseases on the Working Life of Patients: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 12: 1.
Formaldehyde (FA) is a general living and occupational pollutant, classified as carcinogenic for humans. Although genotoxicity is recognized as a FA mechanism of action, a potential contribution of epigenetic effects cannot be excluded. Therefore, aim of this review is to comprehensively assess possible epigenetic alterations induced by FA exposure in humans, animals, and cellular models. A systematic review of Pubmed, Scopus, and Isi Web of Science databases was performed. DNA global methylation changes were demonstrated in workers exposed to FA, and also in human bronchial cells. Histone alterations, i.e., the reduction in acetylation of histone lysine residues, in human lung cells were induced by FA. Moreover, a dysregulation of microRNA expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells as well as in the nose, olfactory bulb and white blood cells of rodents and nonhuman primates was reported. Although preliminary, these findings suggest the role of epigenetic modifications as possible FA mechanisms of action that need deeper qualitative and quantitative investigation. This may allow to define the role of such alterations as indicators of early biological effect and the opportunity to include such information in future risk assessment and management strategies for public and occupationally FA-exposed populations.
Veruscka Leso; Maria Carmela Macrini; Francesco Russo; Ivo Iavicoli. Formaldehyde Exposure and Epigenetic Effects: A Systematic Review. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 2319 .
AMA StyleVeruscka Leso, Maria Carmela Macrini, Francesco Russo, Ivo Iavicoli. Formaldehyde Exposure and Epigenetic Effects: A Systematic Review. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (7):2319.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeruscka Leso; Maria Carmela Macrini; Francesco Russo; Ivo Iavicoli. 2020. "Formaldehyde Exposure and Epigenetic Effects: A Systematic Review." Applied Sciences 10, no. 7: 2319.
Thyroid hormones are regulated by the pituitary thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), whose secretion presents a circadian rhythmicity. Indeed, it is conceivable that shift- and night shift-work, affecting sleep-wake rhythms, may impact thyroid functionality. Therefore, the aim of the present review was to provide an overview on the association between shift- and night shift-work and thyroid hormonal changes and disease development. A systematic review of studies available in PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases was performed. A positive association between night shift-work and increased TSH concentrations was reported by most of the reviewed investigations. Inconclusive evidence was available on thyroid diseases. However, the limited number of studies, the noticeable heterogeneity in the shift-work scheduling, in terms of amount, duration, type of shift- or night shift-work, prevents easily integrating findings and extrapolating definite conclusions. Further investigation seems necessary to better define the relationship between shift schedules and different thyroid outcomes, and possible long-term implications of early functional changes. Overall, this may support the adoption of advanced risk assessment and management strategies aimed to achieve a safer workplace organization and a timely, responsible realization of all the benefits of a 24-h economy.
Veruscka Leso; Ilaria Vetrani; Alessandra Sicignano; Rosaria Romano; Ivo Iavicoli. The Impact of Shift-Work and Night Shift-Work on Thyroid: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 1527 .
AMA StyleVeruscka Leso, Ilaria Vetrani, Alessandra Sicignano, Rosaria Romano, Ivo Iavicoli. The Impact of Shift-Work and Night Shift-Work on Thyroid: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (5):1527.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeruscka Leso; Ilaria Vetrani; Alessandra Sicignano; Rosaria Romano; Ivo Iavicoli. 2020. "The Impact of Shift-Work and Night Shift-Work on Thyroid: A Systematic Review." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 5: 1527.
Introduction: Spirometry is the main pulmonary function test routinely employed in the occupational medicine practice. Its interpretation depends on the choice of the theoretical reference values. Therefore, our objective was to retrospectively evaluate the differences in the spirometric interpretation according to the reference values used. Methods: A total of 2462 spirometries performed during health surveillance programs were analyzed. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and FEV1/FVC ratio were compared according to three different reference values: the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) 1971, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) 1993, and the Global Lung Initiative (GLI) 2012. Results: The GLI 2012 provided significantly higher predicted mean FVC and FEV1 values compared to the ERS 1993 and significantly lower compared to the ECSC 1971. The GLI 2012 were able to detect all the obstructive deficits and mixed patterns diagnosed with ECSC 1971 and ERS 1993, in addition to others not diagnosed by these two latter reference values. The number of restrictive patterns identified through the GLI 2012 was significantly reduced and increased compared to those diagnosed using the ECSC 1971 and the ERS 1993, respectively. Discussion: In comparison to the GLI 2012, the ERS 1993 values significantly underestimated obstructive and restrictive alterations. Conversely, the ECSC 1971 significantly underestimated obstructive changes, while overestimated restrictive patterns, compared to GLI. Although the GLI reference values may provide a correct spirometric interpretation, their validation in an Italian worker population is necessary to confirm their possible use in routine occupational health programs.
Dante Luigi Cioffi; Veruscka Leso; Umberto Carbone; Ivo Iavicoli. Spirometric reference values in the occupational medicine practice. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2020, 36, 55 -62.
AMA StyleDante Luigi Cioffi, Veruscka Leso, Umberto Carbone, Ivo Iavicoli. Spirometric reference values in the occupational medicine practice. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 2020; 36 (2):55-62.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDante Luigi Cioffi; Veruscka Leso; Umberto Carbone; Ivo Iavicoli. 2020. "Spirometric reference values in the occupational medicine practice." Toxicology and Industrial Health 36, no. 2: 55-62.
Breast cancers include a heterogeneous group of diseases with clinical behaviors that may vary according to the hormonal receptor status. However, limited knowledge is available on the role of breast cancer environmental and occupational risk factors in the onset of specific molecular disease phenotypes. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide an overview on the possible correlation between occupational chemical exposures and breast cancers with a specific receptor pattern. Pubmed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science databases were systematically reviewed to identify all the studies addressing chemical exposure in workplaces and risk of breast cancer classified according to the presence of estrogen and/or progesterone receptors. Some positive associations were reported between solvent, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, organophosphoric insecticide, and synthetic fiber exposure and estrogen receptor-positive cases, while other investigations demonstrated a relationship with receptor-negative tumors or failed to detect any significant effect. Overall, further investigation should overcome limitations due to the self-reported information on work histories, the chemical classification in general categories, and the lack of environmental or biological monitoring exposure data. This may support the development of suitable and individually “tailored” occupational risk assessment and management strategies to protect the health of exposed workers, particularly those with hypersusceptibility conditions.
Veruscka Leso; Maria Luigia Ercolano; Dante Luigi Cioffi; Ivo Iavicoli. Occupational Chemical Exposure and Breast Cancer Risk According to Hormone Receptor Status: A Systematic Review. Cancers 2019, 11, 1882 .
AMA StyleVeruscka Leso, Maria Luigia Ercolano, Dante Luigi Cioffi, Ivo Iavicoli. Occupational Chemical Exposure and Breast Cancer Risk According to Hormone Receptor Status: A Systematic Review. Cancers. 2019; 11 (12):1882.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVeruscka Leso; Maria Luigia Ercolano; Dante Luigi Cioffi; Ivo Iavicoli. 2019. "Occupational Chemical Exposure and Breast Cancer Risk According to Hormone Receptor Status: A Systematic Review." Cancers 11, no. 12: 1882.