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BackgroundThe widespread use of radiofrequency (RF) sources, ranging from household appliances to telecommunications devices and military equipment, raises concerns among people and regulatory agencies about the potential health risks of RF exposure. Consequently, several in vitro and in vivo studies have been done to investigate the biological effects, in particular non-thermal, of this non-ionizing radiation. To date, this issue is still being debated due to the controversial results that have been reported. Furthermore, the impact of different RF signal modulations on biological systems remains poorly investigated. The present in vitro study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of continuous or pulsed 1.6 GHz RF in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF).MethodsHDF cultures were exposed to continuous and pulsed 1.6 GHz RF, for 2 h, with Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.4 W/kg. The potential biological effects of 1.6 GHz RF on HDF were assessed with a multi-methodological approach, analyzing the effects on cell cycle, ultrastructure, protein expression, mitotic spindle, CREST stained micronuclei, chromosome segregation and γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci.Results1.6 GHz RF exposure modified proteins expression and morphology of HDF. Specifically, the expression of different heat-shock proteins (HSP) (i.e., HSP-90, HSP-60, and HSP-25) and phospho-AKT were affected. In addition, both continuous and pulsed RF modified the cytoskeletal organization in HDF and increased the number of lysosomes, while the formation of autophagosomes was observed only after pulsed RF exposure. Mitotic spindle anomalies were also found after exposure. However, no significant effect was observed on cell cycle, chromosome segregation, CREST-stained micronuclei and γ-H2AX/53BP1 foci.ConclusionThe results of the present study show the absence of genotoxic damage in 1.6 GHz RF exposed HDF and, although mitotic spindle alterations were observed, they did not have an aneugenic effect. On the other hand, changes in some proteins expression and cell ultrastructure in exposed HDF suggest that RF can potentially induce cell alterations at the morphological and molecular levels.

In this work, a completely green method was applied for the extraction of lycopene from tomato skins waste. The combination of the ultrasound-assisted technique (UAE) and the use of volatile natural deep eutectic solvent (VNADES) menthol: thymol 1:1 allowed to obtain a green extraction process. Lycopene content was assessed by HPLC-DAD and compared with the lycopene extraction yields obtained using α-pinene and n-hexane as extraction solvents. The evaporation of the DES menthol:thymol was conducted using a Vacuum Vortex Evaporator. The highest concentration of extracted lycopene was obtained with n-hexane (735.9 mg/g of dried extract (DE)) compared to terpene-based solvents; 468.1 mg/g and 358.7-484.2 mg/g DE were recovered from α-pinene and DES menthol/thymol as azeotropic mixture and as such, respectively.

In order to avoid replicative senescence, tumor cells must acquire a telomere maintenance mechanism. Beside telomerase activation, a minority of tumors employs a recombinational mechanism called Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT). Several studies have investigated the potential ALT stimulation by inactivation of ATRX in tumor cells, obtaining contrasting results. Differently, since ALT can be viewed as a mechanism to overcome telomere shortening-mediated replicative senescence, we have investigated the effects of the inhibition of ATRX and p53 in aging primary fibroblasts. We observed that senescence leads to a phenotype that seems permissive for ALT activity, i.e. high levels of ALT-associated PML bodies (APB), telomeric damage and telomeric cohesion. On the other hand, RAD51 is highly repressed and thus telomeric recombination, upon which the ALT machinery relies, is almost absent. Silencing of ATRX greatly increases telomeric recombination in young cells, but is not able to overcome senescence-induced repression of homologous recombination. Conversely, inhibition of both p53 and ATRX leads to a phenotype reminiscent of some aspects of ALT activity, with a further increase of APB, a decrease of telomere shortening (and increased proliferation) and, above all, an increase of telomeric recombination.

Background: Although rare, sinonasal cancers (SNCs) have a high occupational attributable fraction. Methods: We applied gender-based approaches to descriptive analyses, incidence, and patterns of exposures using the Italian National Sinonasal Cancer Registry (ReNaTuNS: Registro Nazionale Tumori Naso-Sinusali). Results: The study included 2851 SNC patients. SNC was diagnosed more often in men (73%) than in women (27%). The most frequent morphology in men was intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (33%), whereas in women, it was squamous cell carcinoma (49%). Nasal cavities were predominant in both genders (50%), ethmoidal sinus in men (24%), and maxillary in women (24%). Incidence rates were 0.76 (per 100,000 person-years) in men and 0.24 in women and increased by age, more evidently in men, peaking over 75 years in both. Occupational exposures to wood and leather dusts were the most frequent (41% for men, 33% for women). Few exposures were extra-occupational or domestic. Unlikely exposure was relevant in women (57%). Conclusions: The surveillance of SNC cases through a registry that allows for the identification of and compensation for this occupational disease is important in Italy, where numerous workers are exposed to carcinogens for SNC, without even being aware. Considering the rarity of the disease, particularly among women, the ReNaTuNS can provide a method to analyze gender differences.

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) during pregnancy is a rare occurrence, with a reported incidence of 0.8 cases per 100,000 pregnancies. Managing CRC during pregnancy poses substantial challenges for clinicians: the diagnosis is often complicated and delayed due to symptom overlap with pregnancy-related manifestations, and medical imaging is constrained by safety concerns for the foetus. Methods: This article presents two cases of advanced CRC diagnosed and managed during pregnancy. Additionally, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to assess diagnostic and prognostic factors involved in CRC in pregnant individuals. The systematic review, with pre-registration and approval through Prospero, involved an extensive search of medical databases (Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus and Scholar) and statistical analysis using t-test for continuous variables and chi square for dichotomous variables. Results: A total of 1058 studies were identified. After applying exclusion criteria, sixty-six studies were included. Women whose initial symptoms were severe abdominal pain not responsive to common medical treatments and constipation (acute abdomen) had a mean gestational age at delivery lower than those who presented with paucisymptomatic onset. In our study groups, women who underwent chemotherapy during pregnancy had a higher mean gestational age at delivery and did not experience worse neonatal outcomes compared to those who did not undergo chemotherapy. Conclusions: CRC during pregnancy poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Collaborative efforts among various medical disciplines are essential to manage CRC during pregnancy.

Newspapers and archives from Taiwan indicate a long history of Taiwan’s commercial fishing in the Pacific that has largely been overlooked. Using these resources, this article analyses the relationship between the Taiwan government and Taiwan fishermen in the Pacific from the 1940s to the 1980s, demonstrating how non-state actors such as fishermen dictated Taiwan’s official engagements in the region. I first outline the history of legal and illegal fishing by commercial Taiwan vessels in the Pacific from the 1940s to the 1980s. I then draw on two case studies: illegal fishing incidents in Tuvalu and Australia involving commercial Taiwan fishermen, and legal fishing operations in American Samoa. These case studies demonstrate how commercial fishermen impacted Taiwan-government engagements in the Pacific and were viewed by the government as a liability. The article concludes by connecting Taiwan’s commercial fishing history in the Pacific with the larger history of Taiwan in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychological suffering in patients with Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is different from the one experienced by patients with other cancers due to its occupational or environmental etiology and its peculiar symptomatology and prognosis (i.e., poor prognosis, reduced effectiveness of the therapies, poor quality of residual life, and advanced age at the time of diagnosis). Therefore, the Mesothelioma Psychological Distress Tool‐Patients (MPDT‐P) has been developed to evaluate the specific profile of psychological suffering in this population. This paper describes the item selection, factor analysis, and psychometric evaluation of the revised MPDT‐P. Methods: The analyses of the current work aimed to confirm the factorial structure found in the first version of the MPDT‐P. In the case of nonfit, it aimed to find an alternative structure and causes of nonfit in the model. The search for the fit of the factorial model was conducted using a Bayesian approach. Results: The two‐factor model reported in the first version of the instrument did not fit the data. Confirmatory Bayesian analyses showed adequate fit for the three‐factor solution. Based on the content of the items, we labeled the factors as dysfunctional emotions, claims for justice, and anxieties about the future. Conclusions: Integrating the MPDT‐P into clinical practice could help clinicians gain insight into the specific suffering related to MM and investigate potential differences related to different occupational and environmental exposure contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Sinonasal cancer (SNC) is strongly associated with occupational exposure to several carcinogens involved in SNC's etiology, which vary by gender. Gender differences in SNC cases were examined through the Italian sinonasal cancer registry. Male-to-female incidence differences are neglectable in the youngest age classes but increase in older age classes, probably as a result of more men being diagnosed with SNC due to their greater occupational exposure to carcinogens (mostly wood and leather dusts) compared with women. Occupational exposures to carcinogens were the most frequent in both genders. A high percentage of women had unlikely exposures. Gender differences deserve more deep investigation, starting with a review of diagnostic processes and occupational history taking. Background: Although rare, sinonasal cancers (SNCs) have a high occupational attributable fraction. Methods: We applied gender-based approaches to descriptive analyses, incidence, and patterns of exposures using the Italian National Sinonasal Cancer Registry (ReNaTuNS: Registro Nazionale Tumori Naso-Sinusali). Results: The study included 2851 SNC patients. SNC was diagnosed more often in men (73%) than in women (27%). The most frequent morphology in men was intestinal-type adenocarcinoma (33%), whereas in women, it was squamous cell carcinoma (49%). Nasal cavities were predominant in both genders (50%), ethmoidal sinus in men (24%), and maxillary in women (24%). Incidence rates were 0.76 (per 100,000 person-years) in men and 0.24 in women and increased by age, more evidently in men, peaking over 75 years in both. Occupational exposures to wood and leather dusts were the most frequent (41% for men, 33% for women). Few exposures were extra-occupational or domestic. Unlikely exposure was relevant in women (57%). Conclusions: The surveillance of SNC cases through a registry that allows for the identification of and compensation for this occupational disease is important in Italy, where numerous workers are exposed to carcinogens for SNC, without even being aware. Considering the rarity of the disease, particularly among women, the ReNaTuNS can provide a method to analyze gender differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the recognized carcinogenicity of cadmium, several regulatory interventions have been carried out over the years to protect exposed workers. The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence and extent of exposure to cadmium among Italian workers. Data was collected from a nation-wide occupational exposure registry (SIREP, 1996-2022). Gender-specific statistical analysis was carried out for some exposure-related variables (cadmium compound, activity sector, occupational group, firm size). Potentially exposed workers were estimated for some industrial sectors. Concurrent exposures were investigated using cluster analysis. Overall 4,264 measurements were analyzed. Four industrial sectors were found to be most involved by cadmium exposure: base metal manufacturing, fabricated metal products, machinery and equipment, and other transport equipment (55% of measurements). Jewellery/precious-metal workers, and glass/ceramic plant operators were found to be most at exposure risk. A total of 26,470 workers potentially exposed was estimated (69% men). Concurrent exposures to other occupational carcinogens were detected quite frequently (52% of workers). Several situations of exposure and co-exposure to cadmium deserve attention and awareness in order to minimize the risks associated with workers' health. Recognition of potentially hazardous exposure conditions is an important step in prevention strategies to better protect workers against cancer-causing agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, scholars of the Pacific region have discussed the concept of Oceanic diplomacy. Oceanic diplomacy focuses on diplomatic practices or principles that belong to Pacific cultures and are distinct from but sometimes work in concert with Western diplomatic practices. The goal of exploring Oceanic diplomacy is examining the current value of these practices and principles, whether within a single country, among Pacific nations, or at the global level. Here, I apply Oceanic diplomacy in analysing Tuvalu’s 2020 Foreign Policy: Te Sikulagi (The Horizon). I first examine the main cultural concepts highlighted in Te Sikulagi – falepili (being a good neighbour) and kaitasi (shared ownership) – and how they function within traditional Tuvaluan diplomacy. I next examine how, after the publication of Te Sikulagi, these concepts were earmarked for use in bolstering relations with other Pacific nations as part of Western or ‘conventional’ diplomatic practices (i.e. signing diplomatic relations). Finally, I outline how these concepts are utilised at the global level in Tuvalu’s activism on climate change. To conclude, I discuss not only how Oceanic diplomacy demonstrates the existence of diplomacies outside the Western diplomatic paradigm but also how these culturally distinctive and antecedent diplomacies are increasingly influencing global diplomatic trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: In Italy, asbestos was used intensively until its ban in 1992, which was extended for asbestos cement factories until 1994. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dose-response between asbestos exposure and asbestosis mortality across a pool of Italian occupational cohorts, taking into account the presence of competing risks., Methods: Cohorts were followed for vital status and the cause of death was ascertained by a linkage with mortality registers. Cause-specific (CS) Cox-regression models were used to evaluate the dose-exposure relationship between asbestosis mortality and the time-dependent cumulative exposure index (CEI) to asbestos. Fine and Gray regression models were computed to assess the effect of competing risks of death., Results: The cohort included 12,963 asbestos cement workers. During the follow-up period (1960-2012), of a total of 6961 deaths, we observed 416 deaths attributed to asbestosis, 879 to lung cancer, 400 to primary pleural cancer, 135 to peritoneal cancer, and 1825 to diseases of the circulatory system. The CS model showed a strong association between CEI and asbestosis mortality. Dose-response models estimated an increasing trend in mortality even below a CEI of 25 ff/mL-years. Lung cancer and circulatory diseases were the main competing causes of death., Conclusions: Asbestos exposure among Italian asbestos-cement workers has led to a very high number of deaths from asbestosis and asbestos-related diseases. The increasing risk trend associated with excess deaths, even at low exposure levels, suggests that the proposed limit values would not have been adequate to prevent disability and mortality from asbestosis., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Recent studies supported the association between occupational exposure to asbestos and risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Aim of the present study is to investigate this association using an update of mortality data from the Italian pooled asbestos cohort study and to test record linkage to Cancer Registries to distinguish between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic/extrahepatic forms of CC., Methods: The update of a large cohort study pooling 52 Italian industrial cohorts of workers formerly exposed to asbestos was carried out. Causes of death were coded according to ICD. Linkage was carried out for those subjects who died for liver or bile duct cancer with data on histological subtype provided by Cancer Registries., Results: 47 cohorts took part in the study (57,227 subjects). We identified 639 causes of death for liver and bile duct cancer in the 44 cohorts covered by Cancer Registry. Of these 639, 240 cases were linked to Cancer Registry, namely 14 CC, 83 HCC, 117 cases with unspecified histology, 25 other carcinomas, and one case of cirrhosis (likely precancerous condition). Of the 14 CC, 12 occurred in 2010-2019, two in 2000-2009, and none before 2000., Conclusion: Further studies are needed to explore the association between occupational exposure to asbestos and CC. Record linkage was hampered due to incomplete coverage of the study areas and periods by Cancer Registries. The identification of CC among unspecific histology cases is fundamental to establish more effective and targeted liver cancer screening strategies.

Background: Asbestos is a known human carcinogen and is causally associated with malignant mesothelioma, lung, larynx and ovarian cancers., Methods: Cancer risk was studied among a pool of formerly asbestos-exposed workers in Italy. Fifty-two Italian asbestos cohorts (asbestos-cement, rolling-stock, shipbuilding, and other) were pooled and their mortality follow-up was updated to 2018. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were computed for major causes of death considering duration of exposure and time since first exposure (TSFE), using reference rates by region, age and calendar period., Results: The study included 63,502 subjects (57,156 men and 6346 women): 40% who were alive, 58% who died (cause known for 92%), and 2% lost to follow-up. Mortality was increased for all causes (SMR: men = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.05; women = 1.15, 95% CI 1.11-1.18), all malignancies (SMR: men = 1.21, 95% CI 1.18-1.23; women = 1.29, 95% CI 1.22-1.37), pleural and peritoneal malignancies (men: SMR = 10.46, 95% CI 9.86-11.09 and 4.29, 95% CI 3.66-5.00; women: SMR = 27.13, 95% CI 23.29-31.42 and 7.51, 95% CI 5.52-9.98), lung (SMR: men = 1.28, 95% CI 1.24-1.32; women = 1.26, 95% CI 1.02-1.53), and ovarian cancer (SMR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.08-1.84). Pleural cancer mortality increased during the first 40 years of TSFE (latency), reaching a plateau thereafter., Conclusions: Analyses by time-dependent variables showed that the risk for pleural neoplasms increased with latency and no longer increases at long TSFE, consistent with with asbestos clearance from the lungs. Peritoneal neoplasm risk increased over all observation time., (© 2023 The Authors. American Journal of Industrial Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)