Search

All fields of industry are applying nanotechnologies for the development of advanced materials, there¬fore at present the number of workers exposed to nanosized materials are significantly increasing. Unfortunately, protective equipment for nanoparticles (NPs) is of uncertain efficacy so the risk of noxious effects, in particular allergic sensitization, on workers gives many concerns. At the same time, studies of allergic physiopathology demonstrated that the lack of prevention and treatment could result in invalidating dis¬eases that, in case of professional etiology, might imply removal from the job and compensation. Therefore, a deeper knowledge of the role of NPs in inducing allergic diseases is mandatory to implement the risk assessment and preventive measures for nanosafety in the workplace. The possibility that NPs favor, ex¬acerbate or directly induce allergy is being suggested by recent experimental investigations in cellular and animal models. Unfortunately, studies are heterogeneous and few data have received experimental confir¬mation, lacking reproducibility. What comes to attention is the uncertainty about the real plausibility of the observed experimental effects, as there are only a few reported cases of allergy onset or exacerbation for workers exposed to NPs. However, the potential for NPs to induce, favor or exacerbate allergies seems possible even though not completely demonstrated. This should be a greater incentive to carry out appro¬priate epidemiological studies that are lacking and really needed.

Patients with chronic pain disorders frequently show nondermatomal somatosensory deficits (NDSDs) that are considered to be functional. Typically, NDSDs show quadratomal or hemibody distribution ipsilateral to the areas of chronic pain. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, such functional somatosensory deficits are classified in the chapter "conversion disorder." Many publications also used the term "hysterical sensory loss." However, doubts are increasing about this one-sided psychiatric view. We aimed to better characterize the biopsychosocial factors associated with NDSDs. Therefore, we compared 2 groups of inpatients with chronic pain disorder, of whom 90 suffered from NDSDs and 90 did not. The patients with NDSDs all showed widespread somatosensory deficits with hemibody distribution. On logistic regression analysis, history of a prior physical trauma was positively predictive for patients with NDSDs. Personality disorder and adverse childhood experiences were positively predictive for the control group with chronic pain disorders without NDSDs. The frequencies of comorbid depression and anxiety disorder did not differ statistically between groups. In conclusion, pain patients with NDSDs are, psychopathologically, by no means more noticeable personalities than patients with chronic pain disorder without NDSDs. Similar to complex regional pain syndromes, we assume a multifactorial etiology of NDSDs, including stress. Based on our observations, terms like "hysteric" should not be applied any longer to patients with NDSDs who suffer from chronic pain.

Pathways were investigated for the Cr transfer from the dialysate into the bloodstream as observed during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). As the presence of Cr(VI) in the dialysate can be ruled out, due to reduction by lactate, a common compound of dialysate, all experiments were aimed at studying the behaviour of Cr(III). The ability of Cr(III) to penetrate across membranes at physiological pH was investigated. The characteristics during ‘in vitro’ dialysis were compared to the behaviour during acute ‘in vivo’ peritoneal dialysis in anesthetized rabbits. It appeared that lactate plays an important role in the mobility and the subsequent peritoneal Cr transfer.

Patients with chronic pain disorders often show somatosensory disturbances that are considered to be functional. This paper aims at a more precise clinical description and at a documentation of functional neuroimaging correlates of this phenomenon. We examined 30 consecutive patients with unilaterally accentuated chronic pain not explained by persistent peripheral tissue damage and ipsilateral somatosensory disturbances including upper and lower extremities and trunk. The patients were assessed clinically and with conventional brain CT or MRI scan. In the last 11 patients functional neuroimaging was carried out (18-fluordeoxyglucose positron emission tomography=FDG-PET). Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) and pain intensity was rated with a visual analogue scale for pain (VAS). All patients suffered from mild to moderate depressive symptoms. All patients had experienced a prolonged antecedent phase of severe emotional distress; most of them remembered a "trigger episode of somatic pain" on the affected side. Somatosensory deficits were a replicable hyposensitivity to touch and heat perception of nondermatomal distribution. Conventional imaging procedures (brain CT or MRI scans) showed no structural changes. However, in 11 patients functional imaging with FDG-PET showed a significant hypometabolic pattern of changes in cortical and subcortical areas, mainly in the post-central gyrus, posterior insula, putamen, and anterior cingulate cortex. In summary, pain-related nondermatomal somatosensory deficits (NDSDs) are a phenomenon involving biological as well as psychosocial factors with replicable neuroperceptive clinical findings and a complex neurodysfunctional pattern in the FDG-PET.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate (a) health-related quality of life (HRQL) after vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) (Mason) and (b) predictors of HRQL. SUBJECTS: Eighty-two consecutive patients were assessed preoperatively and then after 6, 12 and 24 months. Patients filled out questionnaires for subjective appraisal of HRQL (physical well-being, mood, physical performance, perceived health, social support and coping/adjustment). RESULTS: The greatest improvement in weight and HRQL was seen within 6 months of surgery. Twenty-four months after VBG weight reduction (P

The effects and interaction of endocrine and cytotoxic adjuvant treatment on measures of cellular immunity were assessed in 41 stage I-II breast cancer patients from International Breast Cancer Study Group trials. Counts of lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets [(T, T4, T8, B, natural killer (NK) and activated T (AT) cells] were assessed by flow cytometry immediately before adjuvant therapy at baseline and on day 1 of the 3rd cycle. Twenty-two patients received cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF), 7 CMF and tamoxifen (TAM), and 12 TAM alone. On day 1 of the 3rd cycle the counts of total lymphocytes (P = 0.003) and all lymphocyte subsets (P0.05) except AT cells were significantly lower than baseline in the CMF treatment group. There was no significant change in the CMF+TAM or in the TAM treatment group. The combination of CMF and TAM resulted in less pronounced decrease in lymphocyte and subset counts from baseline to day 1 of the 3rd cycle. It seems possible that there is an interaction between TAM with CMF that affects lymphocyte and lymphocyte subset counts during cytotoxic treatment.

Animal research has indicated that the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis can be influenced by classical (Pavlovian) conditioning procedures. To test the hypothesis that alterations in plasma cortisol levels can be conditioned in humans, the present study used a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design in which a distinctively flavored beverage was paired with p.o. administration of dexamethasone. Twenty-five healthy men were randomly assigned to one of two groups. During the conditioning phase of the study, subjects in the experimental group received three conditioning trials (pairings of a distinctively flavored beverage with a capsule containing 5 mg dexamethasone) separated by 1 wk recovery periods. Subjects in the control group were treated identically, except that the capsule contained a placebo. During the test phase, all subjects underwent a test day (reexposure to the distinctively flavored beverage before receiving a placebo capsule) and a comparison day (no exposure to the beverage or the capsule). Plasma cortisol was assessed repetitively before and after administration of the beverage and capsule, as were possible confounding factors, including: behavioral variables, psychological distress, aversive reactions to the beverage, and expectations of treatment. After reexposure to the beverage and administration of a placebo capsule (conditioned stimuli), the experimental group had significantly higher levels of plasma cortisol than the control group, after controlling for variability in baseline levels of cortisol (F(5,60)=3.09; P=0.015) that could not be explained by differences in other study variables. No differences in cortisol levels were found on the comparison day. These results support the study hypothesis that changes in plasma cortisol levels can be classically conditioned in humans by pairing a distinctive beverage with p.o. administration of dexamethasone.

Nowadays, manufactured nano-particles of aluminum oxide (nano-alumina) have been widely used in many fields with the rapidly developed nano-technology, but their basic toxic data are scarce. It is believed that the smaller nano-particles are able to easily cross the bio-membrane and quickly reach cellular compartments rather than micro-size particles, thus showing more toxic effects. The aim of this study was to compare the toxicity of nano- and micro- particles of alumina for detecting particle size related toxicity, and to compare the toxicity of nano-alumina and nano-carbon with the same particle size for determining chemical composition related toxicity. The present study revealed that nano-particles of alumina were much toxic than micro-alumina particles, indicating a particle size related toxicity; and were much more toxic than nano-carbon particles as well, manifesting a chemical related toxicity. The mechanism might be concerned with the involvement of the lysosomes. In conclusion, toxicity of nano-alumina is a combination of the toxic effects of its particle size and chemical composition.

The accumulation, distribution and form of vanadate ions were studied in the mussel Mytilus edulis (L) and the goldfish Carassius auratus . After exposure to increasing doses from 0.5 to 500 μg/l for 4 days, the vanadium content in the mussel increased in all tissues, especially in the byssus which reached 17 μg V/g tissue. This suggests that this tissue could be useful as a marker for vanadium present in the aquatic environment. The vanadium present in the cytosol of the gills was associated with low molecular weight components, whereas in the mantle and hepatopancreas also with high molecular weights. After exposure to 50 μg V/l, Carassius auratus accumulated 0.1% of the dose. Among tissues, the intestine showed the highest concentration, being ∼0.05% of the dose after 4 days exposure. In the cytosol of the fish intestine, vanadium was found associated with low molecular weights, representing an easily available pool to be excreted. The capability of vanadium to be present in marine and freshwater organisms in biochemical form(s) other than the inorganic ones is of particular interest in assessing the exposure of man to environmental vanadium as ingested by food.

(1993). Psychoneuroimmunological Issues in Psycho-oncology. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 440-450.

Nuclear Chemistry, Radiochemistry, Radiation Chemistry and Heath Physics play a fundamental role in sustainable nuclear energy production. Their applications are crucial in each stage of the nuclear power cycle. There will be stressed some particular chemical steps concerning the extraction and production of fuel pellets, claddings and assemblies, water radiolysis, plant decommissioning and their reprocessing or disposal cycle. The objectives of this work are: the presentation and the discussion about strength and weakness of the nuclear and radiochemical methods to be used in the sustainable production of nuclear energy and the stressing of the great need of education and training of young scientists in the field of. nuclear and radiochemical (N&R) techniques, in order to ensure a sustainable supply of qualified personnel, whose number have declined steadily and dramatically in the last 20 years. A review on main problematic regarding the different fuel cycles is presented, distinguishing between the traditional open fuel cycle (UOT) adopted in many Countries and the more advanced close cycle, with reprocessing of the nuclear rad-waste, taking into account the partitioning (P) and transmutation (P&T) of U and Pu radionuclides, fission products (FPs), minor actinoids (MAs) and activation products.

Summary Patients receiving cycles of cytotoxic chemotherapy for cancer often experience noxious side effects following treatments and may develop classically conditioned side effects, such as anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV) during the course of repeated infusions. The present study explored the possibility that classical conditioning processes may also contribute to treatment related psychological distress. Sixty-six patients, scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (stages I, II, IIIa), agreed to participate. Patients were assessed in the clinic on the first day of every chemotherapy cycle and in their homes three to five days before their final cycle. Patients experienced considerable psychological distress during the course of chemotherapy, and particularly before the first infusion. Prior to the last cycle of chemotherapy, psychological distress was significantly higher in the clinic environment than in patients' homes. Consistent with classical conditioning, psychological distress did not escalate over the days before treatment, but rather increased abruptly when patients returned to the clinic. The results of the present study indicate that several factors are involved in patients' anticipatory psychological distress and highlight the potential contribution that conditioning processes may make to patients' emotional distress in the clinic environment.

An investigation was undertaken in order to assess the performance of neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry techniques for determining reference values for minor and trace elements in human lungs of urban subjects. Results show that in both instances experimental conditions must be carefully optimized to guarantee reliability of experimental data. Strict criteria for tissue sampling and pretreatment also had to be set. Provisional reference values for ca. 50 elements could thus be established.

Four subjects working in sharpening and grinding operations of hard metal tools were examined. Only 1 worker, a 37-year-old female exposed for 7 years to hard metal dusts, developed hard metal pneumoconiosis, which rapidly progressed to death. Cytology of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed a high number of eosinophils, more than 30% of the cell population. Biopsy of the lung revealed interstitial fibrosis with hyperplasia of the pneumocytes of the second type and inflammatory cellular infiltration of the interstitium. High tungsten (W) and tantalum concentrations were determined in the admission BAL and in the biopsy 4 months later by neutron activation analysis while cobalt (Co) levels were near to normal values. The content of Co and W in blood and urine and particularly in pubic hair and toe nails of the patients was significantly higher than the normal values. This suggests that these biological specimens could be used as indicators of chronic exposure to hard metal dusts.

Particulate matter is associated with different human diseases affecting organs such as the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Very small particles (nanoparticles) have been shown to be rapidly internalized into the body. Since the sites of internalization and the location of the detected particles are often far apart, a distribution via the blood stream must have occurred. Thus, endothelial cells, which line the inner surface of blood vessels, must have had direct contact with the particles. In this study we tested the effects of metallic nanoparticles (Co and Ni) on oxidative stress and proinflammatory response in human endothelial cells in vitro. Exposure to both nanoparticle types led to a concentration-dependent cytotoxic effect. However, the effects on oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory response differed dramatically. Due to the nanoparticle-induced effects, a comparison between metallic nanoparticle- and metal ion-treatment with the corresponding ions was made. Again, divergent effects of nanoparticles compared with the ions were observed, thus indicating differences in the signaling pathways induced by these compounds. These paradoxical responses to different metallic nanoparticles and ions demonstrate the complexity of nanoparticle-induced effects and suggest the need to design new strategies for nanoparticle toxicology.

In the study of trace elements in the different human brain areas, a critical evaluation of the values available in the literature is of great importance in attempting to establish reliable baseline levels, i.e., Reference Values (RVs) for toxicological assessment studies. This paper reviews the published values of minor and trace elements in the pituitary gland (hypophysis) of “normal” humans. Eighteen published papers are taken into account, 15 of which refer to the entire gland, whereas in three of them, only the adenohypophysis is considered. It turns out that essential elements such as Cu, Fe, Se and Zn were more frequently determined, whereas As, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Cs, K, Mg, Mn, Ni and Rb were seldom investigated. Mercury was determined by several authors because of the concern caused by Hg release from dental amalgam fillings. Most values were obtained by Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), which appears to have played a pioneer role in this field. Literature data on trace element levels in pituitary gland are at present insufficient to establish RVs; rather, they can be considered only as indicative values. Future investigations based on large populations of control subjects, with standardization of the preanalytical factors and the use of fit-for-purpose Standard or Certified Reference Materials (SRMs, CRMs) should therefore be envisaged.

This work describes the method adopted in our laboratories, to produce 94gTc, 95gTc, 95mTc and 96gTc radionuclides via proton-cyclotron irradiation on molybdenum targets of natural isotopic composition. Experimental thin-target excitation functions and 'effective' cross-sections for direct natMo(p,xn)ATc [with A=94,95,95,96] nuclear reactions, with incident proton energy in the range from threshold up to 44 MeV, are reported. Some definition of the equations used and nuclear data traceability are reported. Thick-target yield values, have been calculated and optimized, by numerical fitting and integration of the measured excitation functions. These values allow the optimization of the production yield of one radionuclide, minimizing at the same time the yield of the others. A novel radiochemical separation on NCA technetium radionuclides from both molybdenum target and niobium, zirconium and yttrium radioactive by-products is reported. Quality control tests of the radiotracer produced, were developed for the applications envisaged in environmental metallo-biochemical toxicology.

This study investigates lymphocyte subsets in both the gastrointestinal mucosa and blood, in patients with nickel allergic contact dermatitis, after 10 mg oral nickel challenge (double-blind, placebo-controlled). 6 such patients with cutaneous symptoms induced only by skin contact with nickel (group A), 6 with a flare-up of cutaneous symptoms after food nickel ingestion (group B) and 6 healthy controls (group C) were enrolled. Blood lymphocyte subsets (CD4, CD45RO, CD8) were analyzed before and after 4 and 24 h from the challenge (test 1, 2, and 3), and intestinal biopsies were performed 2 days later. Challenges were positive in group B and negative in group A and controls. Serum and urine nickel levels significantly increased after nickel ingestion, with no differences between the 3 groups. At test 3, a significant decrease of the all CDs studied was found in group B. Biopsies of this group showed higher levels of CD45RO+ cells in the lamina propria and in the epithelium and lower levels of epithelial CD8+ lymphocytes. This study confirms that ingested nickel may induce flare-up of cutaneous reactions in some nickel-allergic patients, independently of the degree of sensitization and the intake of metal. In these patients, oral nickel stimulates the immune system, inducing maturation of T lymphocytes from virgin into memory cells; these latter cells seem to accumulate in the intestinal mucosa. The immunoreaction also involves CD8+ cells, whose role is not yet clear.

Objective: The association of known prognostic factors with immune cell counts and β2-microglobulin and soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2r) serum levels as markers of activation of the immune system was investigated in breastcancer. Methods: Two hundred thirty five operated stage I and II breast cancer patients to receive adjuvant treatment in IBSCG trials were assessed in a cross-sectional study immediately before the first treatment. Leukocytes, lymphocytes and lymphocyte subset counts, β2-microglobulin and sIL-2r serum levels were assessed as immunological parameters. Prognostic factors were tumor load, receptor status, patient characteristics, and contextual factors of the immune assessment (such as time of the day, time since surgery, type of surgery, concomitant medication, co-morbidity). Results: In an operated early stage breast cancer patient population, tumor load was not associated with immune cell counts, β2-microglobulin, or sIL-2r before adjuvant treatment. There was a pattern of association of prognostically favorable factors such as estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumor and older age with higher NK cell counts or with β2-microglobulin or sIL-2r. In addition, immune cell counts and the markers of activation of the immune system were affected by several contextual factors, such as diurnal variability, time since surgery, type of surgery, and the intake of concomitant medication. Conclusions: The association of NK cell counts and β2-microglobulin or sIL-2r serum levels with prognostically favorable factors such as ER positive tumor and older age supports the assumption that the immune system plays a role in the course of early breast cancer. The exact nature of this role requires furtherstudy.

We have synthesized nine rodlike compounds of nanometric dimension with general formula [M(bpy)3-(ph)n-M‘(bpy)3]4+ (M = M‘ = Ru(II); M = M‘ = Os(II); M = Ru(II), M‘ = Os(II); bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine; ph = 1,4-phenylene; n = 3, 5, 7; the central phenylene unit bears two alkyl chains for solubility reasons; the metal-to metal distance is 4.2 nm for the longest spacer). The absorption spectra and the luminescence properties (emission spectra, quantum yields, and excited-state lifetimes) of the nine dinuclear complexes have been investigated in acetonitrile solution at 293 K and in butyronitrile rigid matrix at 77 K. The results obtained have been compared with those found for the separated chromophoric units ([Ru(bpy)3]2+, [Os(bpy)3]2+, and oligophenylene derivatives). The absorption spectrum of each dinuclear complex is essentially equal to the sum of the spectra of the component species, showing that intercomponent electronic interactions are weak. In the homodinuclear compounds, the strong fluorescence of t...

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ETAAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis (NAA) were used for the quantitative determination of 13 trace elements in urine and seven trace elements in whole blood of healthy unexposed British subjects living in three regions of the United Kingdom. Careful control of pre-analytical and analytical factors have enabled the results obtained from more than 200 individuals to be used in proposing reference intervals for the following elements; Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl in urine, and Cd, Cr, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se and Tl in blood.

Patienten mit chronischen Schmerzen zeigen haufiger nicht dermatombezogene somatosensorische Defizite (NDSD). Diese werden meistens als funktionell angesehen. Oft zeigen NDSD eine Verteilung innerhalb einer Korperhalfte oder eines Quadranten. Solche funktionellen Storungen werden nach DSM IV oder ICD im Kapitel Konversionsneurosen behandelt. Viele Publikationen benutzen daruberhinaus den Begriff „hysterische Sensibilitatsstorung“ („hysterical sensory loss“). Ob eine solche einseitig psychiatrische Sichtweise des Symptoms gerechtfertigt ist haben sich Niklaus Egloff und Kollegen von der Universitatsklinik Bern gefragt.

An evaluation of published values for 'normal' concentrations of vanadium levels in human blood, serum, and urine have been determined in order to identify the reasons for existing large variations of these values. The published data were scrutinized according to criteria on sampling and analysis developed for the TRACY (EUREKA; ENVIRON1) project which aims at establishing reference values for persons without occupational exposure to metals. Of the sampling factors, living in environmentally polluted areas, contamination-free sampling and sample handling were found to be highly important. Expert experience is needed for the accurate vanadium determination in these fluids using well defined radiochemical neutron activation analysis (RNAA) or NAA with pre-irradiation separation or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). RNAA is superior for this purpose. Lack of suitable reference materials is a severe handicap in assessing accuracy of vanadium determinations at low levels. Although no reference values for vanadium are established, it appears that values, around 1 nmol l-1 for blood and serum and around 10 nmol l-1 or slightly lower for urine may be considered tentative normal values.

This paper presents an organized system for element-specific sample collection and handling of human blood (whole blood, serum or plasma, packed cells or erythrocytes) and urine also indicating a proper definition of the subject and sample. Harmonized procedures for collection, preparation, analysis and quality control are suggested. The aim is to assist scientists worldwide to produce comparable data which will be useful on a regional, national and international scale. The guidelines are directed to the elements aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc. These include the most important elements measured for their occupational or clinical significance, and serve as examples of principles that will guide development of methods for other elements in the future.

Relations among coping, physical symptoms, and affect were investigated in 43 women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Patients were assessed at the same point in their treatment so that the time for which coping was reported would be equivalent across individuals. Patients were asked how they coped specifically with chemotherapy, rather than how they coped with cancer in general, to make the domain specific. Positive and negative affect were assessed separately, using a scale free of somatic content. Relations between coping and affect were consistent with prior studies that have employed a general approach to assessing coping. Coping correlates of positive and negative mood differed. When the relations between physical symptoms and affect were examined, physical symptoms were related to negative affect but not to positive affect. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for coping with cancer as well as their implications for the general coping literature.

In assessing the concentrations of toxic metals, such as cadmium, chromium, and mercury, in human blood and urine samples to determine whether they are abnormal or not, reliable reference values are needed from populations of nonoccupationally exposed subjects. Numerous publications present concentrations claimed to be typical for the study populations, but they can differ by up to an order of magnitude for a particular element. This is the consequence of general problems that are related to the definition of the reference groups, and the sampling and analytical procedures used, and that make it difficult to define typical and unbiased values. An international group of experts now establishes criteria and procedures to evaluate publications containing information on the concentrations of metals in tissues and body fluids for reference populations. These evaluations have been compiled in a data base (TRACY).

The movement of Co and the other components of the hard metal in the body fluids, their solubility, their links to the cells and proteins of the body, and their clearance are largely unknown. The first aim of this work is to evaluate whether Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA), a new analytical technique based on the radiochemical separation of samples irradiated in a Nuclear Reactor, may be suitable for studying the movement of elements in tissues or body fluids of workers over time. We have investigated seven hard metal workers, all employed in the grinding process, with NAA studies (single study in two, follow-up in five) of 29 elements on lung tissue, BAL fluid, blood, urine, pubic hair, toenails and sperm. In three, the diagnosis of hard metal pneumoconiosis was easy; in the other four, due to evident bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy, it was difficult to distinguish between pneumoconiosis and sarcoidosis stage II, and the final diagnosis, after pulmonary biopsy, was hard metal pneumoconiosis in three, and sarcoidosis in one. In spite of high potential, NAA gives a number of unexpected results, with apparent controversies and no clear relationship in the evolution of levels of Co, W and Ta: there is no simple explanation for such apparent inconsistencies at present, so that the study of the movement of elements in body fluid sometimes appears disappointing with this technique. Other observations were noted from the data available: 1) the concentration of elements (Co, Ta, W) in lung tissue is far higher than in BAL fluid, but the factor is so variable that BAL fluid cannot be taken as representative of the concentration of elements in lung tissue. 2) High concentrations in tissues or body fluids are indicative for exposure, but not for disease. In the light of available data, there are no levels above which development of disease is inevitable. 3) When the problem is to distinguish between sarcoidosis and pneumoconiosis in exposed subjects, the concentration of elements is of no value, and the pulmonary biopsy is still necessary. However a NAA study may be helpful to confirm the presence of the offending agent, and to avoid pulmonary biopsy in cases where the occupational history is unclear.

The effect of vanadium (V) on the activity of horseradish peroxidase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase has been studied. A competitive inhibition pattern was evident for vanadate ions on the activity of horseradish peroxidase (Ki = 41.2 microM). No significant inhibitory effects were found when V(V) was tested with catalase and when either V(IV) or V(V) were assayed with glutathione peroxidase. For the latter, the effect of V on the different components of the reaction system was investigated. V(V) did not significantly affect SOD activity when assayed with the sulfite method, which is devoid of interferences with V(V); however, there was an apparent inhibitory dose-response pattern for either V(IV) or V(V) using the pyrogallol assay, owing to an interference of pyrogallol with the metal. Besides, no significant binding of V(IV) or V(V) to the enzyme could be demonstrated. The lack of a direct inhibitory effect of V on the activity of the main antioxidant enzymes suggests that many biological and toxicological effects of V may be mediated more by oxidative reactions of the metal or of its complexes with physiologically relevant biomolecules than by a direct modulation of enzymatic activities.

Patients receiving cycles of cytotoxic chemotherapy for cancer often experience noxious side effects following treatments and may develop classically conditioned side effects, such as anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV) during the course of repeated infusions. The present study explored the possibility that classical conditioning processes may also contribute to treatment related psychological distress. Sixty-six patients, scheduled for adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (stages I, II, IIIa), agreed to participate. Patients were assessed in the clinic on the first day of every chemotherapy cycle and in their homes three to five days before their final cycle. Patients experienced considerable psychological distress during the course of chemotherapy, and particularly before the first infusion. Prior to the last cycle of chemotherapy, psychological distress was significantly higher in the clinic environment than in patients' homes. Consistent with classical conditioning, psychological distress did not escalate over the days before treatment, but rather increased abruptly when patients returned to the clinic. The results of the present study indicate that several factors are involved in patients' anticipatory psychological distress and highlight the potential contribution that conditioning processes may make to patients' emotional distress in the clinic environment.

Summary A study was performed aimed at detecting the Ba ion in waters for human consumption. Samples were taken from 89 sites of the Reggio Emilia Plains. Barium determination was performed using GFAAS with both Zeeman correction or a high intensity tungsten-halogen lamp. The analytical specificity of this procedure was verified by comparison with ICP-AES. Data obtained revealed concentrations of Ba varying from 10 to 925 μg L -1 with appreciable differences among the four hydrogeological units considered. Preliminary tests of Ba speciation have led to the hypothesis that it is present in water in its soluble form, presumably of an inorganic nature or in a compound with organic substances of low molecular weight.

The analytical possibilities of Zeeman GFAAS in the analysis of 22 trace elements in biological fluids (whole blood, serum or plasma, urine) were evaluated in healthy subjects without professional exposure and residents in Lombardy (Italy). The direct analysis of Ag, Al, Be, Cd, Co, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn in biological samples, possibly coupled with the use of a L'Vov platform and specific matrix modifiers, was adequately sensitive for the study of reference values. Measurements of other analytes were possible with preconcentration techniques (Au, Bi, Ni, Tl and V), by the use of the hydride generation technique (As, Hg, Sb) or by ICP-AES (B, Ba and Si). The values obtained for the general population were compared with data recently reported.

A method based on Zeeman GFAAS is proposed for the determination of Co in urine samples. The biological sample is diluted 1+4 v/v with a 0.2% aqueous solution of a matrix modifier made up of Mg(NO 3 ) 2 . The behavior of the analyte during the atomization process is studied by using working solutions marked with 58 Co. The detection limit of the method was 0.28 μg L -1 with recovery percentages of the element ranging from 97.8 to 99.6%. At a 5 μg L -1 concentration level the CV of the method was 3.7% within the series and 6.4% among series. The specificity of the procedure was assessed by comparison with a NAA method.

Thirty-five bone biopsies from subjects undergoing periodical hemodialysis were analyzed by different instrumental techniques (Zeeman GFAAS, deuterium GFAAS, ICP-AES and NAA combined with radiochemical separation for the determination of Ag, Al, Au, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn). As far as GFAAS analysis is concerned, a procedure was developed which includes wet digestion of the sample in a microwave oven, the elaboration of analytical-instrumental protocols for determination by graphite furnace with the possible use of the L'Vov platform and matrix modifiers when necessary. Results were compared with reference values and their biological meaning was discussed in relation to both dialytic age and type of treatment.

The results are reported of a study on 16 trace elements in 96 samples of Italian mineral water using GFAAS with Zeeman correction. To this purpose, methods of direct determination in graphite furnaces were developed for Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V and Zn. Interlaboratory studies verified the usefulness of pulsed magnetic fields compared with deuterium background correction. The results obtained from analysis of mineral water are discussed with reference to limits established by Italian legislation on waters for human consumption.

The effects exerted by FeSO4, in the presence or absence of vitamin C, on melanogenesis and proliferation in mouse B16 melanoma cells in culture were analysed either in serum-free (MEM-N2) or in serum-supplemented media. These cellular parameters can be either stimulated or on the contrary inhibited, depending on the metal concentration, the presence or the absence of vitamin C and serum, and on the type of culture (subconfluent or clonal). Vitamin C toxicity for B16 cells was decreased in the presence of FeSO4.

The effects exerted by CuSO4, in the presence or absence of vitamin C, on melanogenesis and proliferation in mouse B16 melanoma cells in culture were analysed either in serum-free (MEM-N2) or in serum-supplemented media. The stimulation or the inhibition of these cellular parameters can be induced, depending on the metal concentration, the presence or absence of vitamin C, the composition of the culture medium and on the type of culture (subconfluent or clonal). Vitamin C toxicity for B16 cells was generally increased in serum-free medium, in clonal cultures, or in the presence of CuSO4.

Four subjects who work at sharpening and grinding hard metal tools were examined. Only one worker, a 37-year-old female exposed for 7 years to hard metal dusts, developed hard metal pneumoconiosis which rapidly progressed to death. Cytology of the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) showed a high number of eosinophils, more than 30% of the cell population. Biopsy of the lung revealed interstitial fibrosis with hyperplasia of pneumocyties of the second type and inflammatory cellular infiltration of the interstitium. Obvious abnormal amounts of tungsten (W) and tantalum (Ta) were determined in the BAL and in the lung biopsy by neutron activation analysis (NAA) while cobalt (Co) levels were near the normal values. The Co and W content in blood and urine and particularly in pubic hair and toenails of the patients was significantly higher than the normal values. This suggests that these biological specimens could be used as indicators of chronic exposure to hard metal dusts. The other three workers investigated did not develop the lung disease. They also had obvious abnormal metal levels in the biological specimens analyzed suggesting that there is no correlation between internal dose, length of exposure and the development of interstitial fibrosis.