- Perugia, Umbria, Italy
Massimo Moretti
University of Perugia, Pharmaceutical SCiences, Faculty Member
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The geological map of the Sheet 396 “San Severo”, here presented at the scale 1: 50.000, was investigated and surveyed using offi cial topographic maps at the scale 1: 25.000. The fi eld work benefi ts also of unpublished stratigraphic... more
The geological map of the Sheet 396 “San Severo”, here presented at the scale 1: 50.000, was investigated and surveyed using offi cial topographic maps at the scale 1: 25.000. The fi eld work benefi ts also of unpublished stratigraphic and tectonic data belonging to a doctoral thesis in sedimentary geology (Spalluto, 2004). The investigated area lies in the northern part of the Puglia region (southeastern Italy) and belongs to two main geographic and geologic domains: a) the Apulian Foreland (western sector of the Gargano Promontory) and the Bradanic Foredeep (northern sector of the Tavoliere delle Puglie). The two sectors represent respectively the foreland and the foredeep areas of the Southern Apennines chain. Stratigraphic data collected during the survey of the Foglio San Severo produced a strong revision of the lithostratigraphy of the area respect the previous edition of the Geologic Map of Italy (scale 1:100.000) for both Meso-Cenozoic and Quaternary units. The resulting new...
A steep rocky slope characterizes the eastern coasts of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), where Cretaceous to Pleistocene limestones crop out. This rocky slope connects a wide flat area, about 100 m in elevation, to the cliffed... more
A steep rocky slope characterizes the eastern coasts of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), where Cretaceous to Pleistocene limestones crop out. This rocky slope connects a wide flat area, about 100 m in elevation, to the cliffed coast of the Otranto Strait (Ionian Sea). Stratigraphic and sedimentologic analyses have been carried out on an upper Pliocene-lower Pleistocene carbonate unit (the Calcarenite di Gravina Fm.) cropping out along the coast inside some indentations of the rocky slope. This carbonate unit forms small isolated bodies with a variable thickness (up to several tens of metres), and is composed mainly of floatstones and packstones with coarse-grained bioclasts. Successions are characterized by long basinwarddipping well laminated and stratified clinobeds. These clinobeds are cut by irregular gullies (some meters in width), filled in their lower part by chaotic deposits (debris flow and slide deposits), and tens of meters in length slump scars. Backsets made up o...
In the eastern sector of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), a steep rocky slope, where Cretaceous to Pleistocene limestones crop out, connects a wide flat area, about 100 m in elevation, to the coast of the Otranto Strait (Ionian... more
In the eastern sector of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), a steep rocky slope, where Cretaceous to Pleistocene limestones crop out, connects a wide flat area, about 100 m in elevation, to the coast of the Otranto Strait (Ionian Sea). Along the rocky slope, tectonized pre-Pliocene units played a morphostructural role for the depositional features of younger carbonates. Stratigraphic and sedimentologic analyses have been carried out on an upper Pliocene-lower Pleistocene carbonate unit (the Calcarenite di Gravina Fm.) cropping out along the coast inside some indentations of the rocky slope. Facies features and stratigraphic geometries of this carbonate unit indicate a deposition along a slope and at its toe. In fact, these deposits form small isolated bodies with a variable thickness (up to several tens of metres), and are composed mainly of floatstones and packstones with coarse-grained bioclasts. The successions are characterized by long basinward-dipping well laminated and s...
Stratigraphic and sedimentologic analyses have been carried out on the upper Pliocene - lower Pleistocene Calcarenite di Gravina Fm., a carbonate unit cropping out along the coastal sectors of the eastern Salento Peninsula (Southern... more
Stratigraphic and sedimentologic analyses have been carried out on the upper Pliocene - lower Pleistocene Calcarenite di Gravina Fm., a carbonate unit cropping out along the coastal sectors of the eastern Salento Peninsula (Southern Italy). The Calcarenite di Gravina Fm. usually shows shoreface to offshore transition facies associations being a trangressive unit deposited mainly on a low-angle ravinement surface. In the study area, the Calcarenite di Gravina Fm. crops out inside some indentations of the rocky slope (made up of tectonized pre-Pliocene units) showing very unusual sedimentological features. In fact, the Calcarenite di Gravina Fm. occurs in small isolated bodies with a variable thickness (up to several tens of metres), and is composed mainly of coarse-grained, bioclastic floatstones and packstones. The successions are characterized by long basinward-dipping well laminated and stratified clinobeds. The latter developed thanks to grain flows, moving either bioclasts due t...
... Vincenzo Del Gaudio, Massimo Moretti, Giuseppe Baldassarre Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università di Bari. ... Salvi, S., Quattrocchi, F., Brunori, CA, Doumaz, F., Angelone, M., Billi, A., Buongiorno, F.,... more
... Vincenzo Del Gaudio, Massimo Moretti, Giuseppe Baldassarre Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università di Bari. ... Salvi, S., Quattrocchi, F., Brunori, CA, Doumaz, F., Angelone, M., Billi, A., Buongiorno, F., Funiciello, R., Guerra, M., Mele, G., Pizzino, L., Salvini ...
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ABSTRACT The Tavoliere di Puglia is the third largest plain in Italy (surface area is about 3.500 Km2) and is located between the southern Appenninic Chain (Subappenino dauno) and the Apulian foreland (Gargano promontory). From a... more
ABSTRACT The Tavoliere di Puglia is the third largest plain in Italy (surface area is about 3.500 Km2) and is located between the southern Appenninic Chain (Subappenino dauno) and the Apulian foreland (Gargano promontory). From a geological point of view, the Tavoliere di Puglia plain represents the northern sector of the southern Appenninic Plio-Pleistocene foredeep known as Bradanic trough. In the lower Pleistocene, the area was subjected to a phase of subsidence (with a rate in the order of 1 mm/y), while, from middle Pleistocene to present-day, a moderate uplift phase occurred. Data field from the survey for the new Geological Map of Italy (C.A.R.G. Project) and analyses carried out on well logs allowed the detailed study of the latest phases of sedimentation during the regional uplift of the northern sector of the Bradanic trough. The geological survey was carried out in an area (408 “San Bartolomeo” and 396 “San Severo” Sheets of the new Geological Map of Italy -1:50.000 scale) that covers the entire Plio-Pleistocene foredeep extending from the external thrust sheets of the Subappennino dauno to the western Gargano highs. This paper presents only the data collected during the survey of the middle upper Pleistocene deposits: they are marine, transitional and continental deposits and are clearly terraced at different elevations above present sea level. They lie on unconformity surfaces above older units represented mainly by Miocene Apenninic units in the western sectors, Plio-Pleistocene argille subappenine unit in the foredeep area and carbonatic Mesozoic-Cenozoic units in the western Gargano area. The recognition of unconformity surfaces of great lateral extent allowed us to distinguish 7 different synthems grouped in the Tavoliere di Puglia supersynthem. Some synthems contain a lower marine and/or transitional subsynthem and an upper alluvial subsynthem separated by an unconformity surface. Marine and transitional subsynthems crop out in the eastern part of the study area (close to San Severo and Apricena area) and are represented mainly by coarsening-upward successions deposited in deltaic, proximal marine and low-energy protected embayment settings. In the western and higher sectors, alluvial subsynthems occur; they contain coarsening-upward successions of (proximal to distal) alluvial fan environments passing eastward to braided and coastal alluvial plain environments. Lateral facies changes can be followed gradually from areas next to the chain toward the eastern foreland areas. Facies changes can be observed also comparing synthems of different ages: for example, alluvial facies observed at the same distance from the chain are coarser-grained in the older synthems and finer-grained in the younger ones; the basal unconformity of different alluvial synthems show similar features: it is very inclined to the East in older synthems and becomes gradually less steep for the younger ones. Our data show that the Tavoliere di Puglia supersynthem represents a complex assemblage of marine and alluvial terraced deposits that records the interaction between regional uplift and sea-level changes. We propose a new set of detailed paleogeographic evolutionary stages for the northern sector of the Bradanic trough during middle and upper Pleistocene. In addition, these data allow us to compare the Tavoliere di Puglia plain and southern Bradanic trough evolutions
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ABSTRACT We present new data about the morphological and stratigraphic evolution and the rates of fluvial denudation of an area located in the northernmost sector of the foredeep of the southern Apennines. The study area is the medium- to... more
ABSTRACT We present new data about the morphological and stratigraphic evolution and the rates of fluvial denudation of an area located in the northernmost sector of the foredeep of the southern Apennines. The study area is the medium- to low-relief sector located between the easternmost part of the Daunia Apennine and the Apulian foreland of the Gargano promontory. This area is characterized by several orders of terraced fluvial deposits disconformably overlying lower Pleistocene marine clay and organized in a staircase geometry, which recorded the emersion and the long-term incision history of this sector since mid-Pleistocene times. Geomorphological analyses have been carried out in order to retrace the landscape evolution of the area and its relationships with tectonic- and eustatic-induced variations of base-levels of erosion. Drainage network morphometry and the estimation of several topographic attributes have been added to the data collected through photo-aerial geomorphological interpretation and field survey. Drainage pattern, morphometric indexes and geological data seem to indicate that the thrust front is not active in the Late Quaternary. Paleotopographic reconstruction of ancient base-levels of erosion has permitted to calculated missing volumes. The estimation of eroded volumes in river valleys was performed through a GIS-aided calculation supported by a DEM with spatial resolution of 8 m, using the several orders of terraced deposits recognized in the area. The mapped remnants of relict geomorphological land surfaces have been interpolated by geospatial analysis and subtracted pixel by pixel to the present-day topography. Then, denudation rates were calculated on the basis of the relative age assigned to the deposits. Middle to upper Pleistocene denudation rates estimated by means of such an approach are about 0.1 mm/y, in good agreement with data coming from direct and indirect evaluation of transport sediment yield. The analysis of longitudinal river profiles using the stream power erosion model provided additional information on the incision rates of the studied area. The Late Quaternary uplift rate (0.15 mm/y), calculated on the basis of the elevation above sea level of the marine deposits outcropping in the easternmost sector of the study area, is quite similar to the erosion rates average value, so suggesting a steady-state fluvial incision.
ABSTRACT The discovery of recent co-seismic sedimentary structures and the detection of low energy seismic activity in the Murgian plateau (Apulia - Southern Italy) motivated a more detailed examination of the tectonics in this part of... more
ABSTRACT The discovery of recent co-seismic sedimentary structures and the detection of low energy seismic activity in the Murgian plateau (Apulia - Southern Italy) motivated a more detailed examination of the tectonics in this part of the Apulian plate commonly believed to be aseismic. In particular, we examined the north-western zone where a seismic sequence with maximum magnitude 3.2 and tensional focal mechanism occurred in 1991. The analysis of the existing gravimetric data, integrated by three new profiles carried out across the epicentral area, disclosed an anomaly possibly due to an old tensional tectonic structure located within the upper crust. Even though the depth and the age hypothesised for the anomaly source would exclude a direct causal connection with the observed seismicity, this structure could be a shallower expression of a tectonic structure extending down to the crystalline basement: it could represent a zone of relative «weakness» where the regional stress, due to the interactions between Apennines and Apulian plate, encounters conditions facilitating the release of seismic energy.
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Three major technological advances have occurred in recent years in the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for the study of geophysical processes. The first is the launch and excellent performance of ERS satellites, which permits the... more
Three major technological advances have occurred in recent years in the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for the study of geophysical processes. The first is the launch and excellent performance of ERS satellites, which permits the study of global-scale dynamic processes. The second is the development of airborne polarimeter SARs, which provides a far more complete picture of the
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ABSTRACT Late Pleistocene soft-sediment deformation structures are found in lagoonal and eolian sediments exposed in the city of Bari (Murge, Apulian foreland, southern ltaly). Deformation structures are represented by load casts,... more
ABSTRACT Late Pleistocene soft-sediment deformation structures are found in lagoonal and eolian sediments exposed in the city of Bari (Murge, Apulian foreland, southern ltaly). Deformation structures are represented by load casts, ball-and-pillow, and flame ...
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During the last two decades, concerns have arisen regarding a possible association between extremely-low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and cancer incidence (e.g. childhood acute leukaemia, cancer of the nervous... more
During the last two decades, concerns have arisen regarding a possible association between extremely-low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and cancer incidence (e.g. childhood acute leukaemia, cancer of the nervous system, and lymphomas). In 1979, Wertheimer and Leeper firstly reported an excess of cancer mortality among children living in homes located near power lines and presumably exposed to elevated magnetic fields. Subsequently, a large number of epidemiological studies investigated the possible association between residential or occupational exposure to ELF-EMF and cancer. Several in vivo and in vitro models have been investigated with the effort to determine a link, if any, between such fields and mutagenesis and to determine the possible mechanism of cancer risk. However, a causal relationship between exposure to ELF-EMF and cancer has been suggested but has not been unequivocally demonstrated. In 1998, following an analysis of the results retrieved in the literature, the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences proposed to apply a "possible human carcinogen" category (Group 2B) to ELF-EMF. More recently, in 2002, the same classification for ELF-MF was proposed by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In this in vitro approach, to test the genotoxic and/or co-genotoxic potency of ELF-MF, we used the alkaline single-cell microgel-electrophoresis (comet) assay and the cytokinesis block micronucleus test. Co-exposure assays were performed in the presence of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4NQO), benzene, 1,4-benzenediol (1,4-BD), or 1,2,4-benzenetriol (1,2,4-BT). An ELF-MF (50 Hz, 5 mT) was obtained by a system composed of capsulated induction coils. ELF-MF alone was unable to cause direct primary DNA damage. Whereas, an increased extent of DNA damage was observed in cells co-exposed to ELF-MF and MNNG, 1,4-BD, or 1,2,4-BT. An opposite trend was observed in cells treated with 4NQO and co-exposed to ELF-MF. Moreover, the frequency of micronucleated cells in ELF-MF-exposed cells was higher than in control cultures. Our findings suggest that the tested ELF-MF (50 Hz, 5 mT) possess genotoxic (micronucleus test) and co-genotoxic (comet assay) capabilities. The possibility that ELF-MF might interfere with the genotoxic activity of xenobiotics has important implications, since human populations are likely to be exposed to a variety of genotoxic agents concomitantly with exposure to this type of physical agent.
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The effects of the synthetic dibromo-pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin on some hepatic phase I and II enzyme activities were studied in rat liver. The animals were treated with daily doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg of both pure insecticide or... more
The effects of the synthetic dibromo-pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin on some hepatic phase I and II enzyme activities were studied in rat liver. The animals were treated with daily doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg of both pure insecticide or its commercial formulation (Decis), administered i.p. in corn oil for 7 days. The following enzyme activities were studied: NADPH-cytochrome-P450 reductase, aryl-hydrocarbon hydroxylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, glutamyl cysteine synthetase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase, catalase, and urate oxidase. Both deltamethrin and its commercial formulation were effective in modifying the activities of several of these hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes. However, some differences in enzyme modifications were found between treatment with pure or commercial deltamethrin, the latter being more active. This effect could be ascribed to additives, solvents, and chemical intermediates present in the Decis formulation. These results suggest that exposure to this deltamethrin commercial formulation could be more dangerous than exposure to deltamethrin alone, both in terms of its hepatotoxicity and/or alterations in the hepatic biotransformation of other occupational/environmental xenobiotics.
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Electric arc welding is known to involve considerable exposure to extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF; 50 Hz). The aim of the present study was to evaluate individual exposure to ELF-MF during arc welding and to assess the... more
Electric arc welding is known to involve considerable exposure to extremely-low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF; 50 Hz). The aim of the present study was to evaluate individual exposure to ELF-MF during arc welding and to assess the eventually associated genotoxic hazard by evaluating primary DNA damage. The study group comprised 21 electric arc welders (exposed) and 21 non-exposed control subjects (healthy blood donors). Occupational exposure to ELF-MF was measured using personal dosimeters worn during one complete work-shift (7 am to 5 pm). The extent of primary DNA damage was measured in peripheral blood leukocytes with the standard procedure of the alkaline comet assay. Tail length showed to have similar values in welders and controls. Whereas, the data showed a significant decrease for tail intensity (p = 0.01) and tail moment (p = 0.02) counts in exposed subjects compared to controls. The different results of our present study and published investigations from other research...
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders that includes central obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and high blood pressure (BP). Statistical reports suggest that the prevalence of... more
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders that includes central obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia and high blood pressure (BP). Statistical reports suggest that the prevalence of MetS has dramatically increased during the recent years and is considered a worldwide epidemic. MetS has been found to be associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and some types of cancer. MetS has a high socioeconomic cost and it is therefore extremely important that MetS is prevented and treated by simple and feasible methods. The PreveDi study is a pilot before/after preventive trial aimed at the evaluation of the impact of a brief lifestyle intervention on changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. Recruitment was carried out in two community (council-run) pharmacies in the province of Perugia, Italy and the sample population consisted of 186 adult...
Research Interests: Life Style, Italy, Humans, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and 14 moreFemale, Male, Follow-up studies, Body Mass Index, Risk factors, Waist Circumference, Prevalence, Middle Aged, Public health systems and services research, Sex Factors, Educational Status, Body Weight, Risk Factors, and Pilot Projects
We present new data about the morphological and stratigraphic evolution and the rates of fluvial denudation of the Tavoliere di Puglia plain, a low-relief landscape representing the northernmost sector of the Pliocene-Pleistocene foredeep... more
We present new data about the morphological and stratigraphic evolution and the rates of fluvial denudation of the Tavoliere di Puglia plain, a low-relief landscape representing the northernmost sector of the Pliocene-Pleistocene foredeep of the southern Apennines. The study area is located between the easternmost part of the southern Apennine chain and the Gargano promontory and it is characterized by several orders of terraced fluvial deposits, disconformably overlying lower Pleistocene marine clay and organized in a staircase geometry, which recorded the emersion and the long-term incision history of this sector since mid-Pleistocene times. We used the spatial and altimetric distribution of several orders of middle to late Pleistocene fluvial terraces in order to perform paleotopographic reconstruction and GIS-aided eroded volumes estimates. Then, we estimated denudation rates on the basis of the terraces chronostratigraphy, supported by published OSL and AAR dating. Middle to upper Pleistocene denudation rates estimated by means of such an approach are slightly lower than 0.1 mm yr(-1), in good agreement with short-term data from direct and indirect evaluation of suspended sediment yield. The analysis of longitudinal river profiles using the stream power erosion model provided additional information on the incision rates of the studied area. Middle to late Quaternary uplift rates (about 0.15 mm yr(-1)), calculated on the basis of the elevation above sea level of marine deposits outcropping in the easternmost sector of the study area, are quite similar to the erosion rates average value, thus suggesting a steady-state fluvial incision. The approach adopted in this work has demonstrated that erosion rates traditionally obtained by quantitative geomorphic analysis and k(sn) estimations can be successfully integrated to quantify rates of tectonic or geomorphological processes of a landscape approaching steady-state equilibrium. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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An integrated chemical analytical and biological approach was used to detect the presence of genotoxins in the drinking water of four Italian cities which obtain their water supply from different sources (superficial or source waters). A... more
An integrated chemical analytical and biological approach was used to detect the presence of genotoxins in the drinking water of four Italian cities which obtain their water supply from different sources (superficial or source waters). A battery of rapid and sensible in-vitro and in-vivo tests were used to detect genotoxic compounds, and chemical analytical methods to detect disinfection by-products. The aim was to provide information useful for routine monitoring of drinking water and recommendations for improving the management of disinfection and distribution establishments.
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RIASSUNTO La Provincia di Foggia, ubicata nella porzione settentrionale della Regione Puglia, al confine fra la Basilicata, la Campania ed il Molise, occupa un‟ area che si estende dalle propaggini più esterne della Catena appenninica... more
RIASSUNTO La Provincia di Foggia, ubicata nella porzione settentrionale della Regione Puglia, al confine fra la Basilicata, la Campania ed il Molise, occupa un‟ area che si estende dalle propaggini più esterne della Catena appenninica meridionale ( ...
In the field of cosmetic dyes, used for coloring the hair and skin, there is a clear tendency to replace the widely used synthetic dyes by natural colorants, such as henna and mixtures of henna with indigo. The aim of this study was to... more
In the field of cosmetic dyes, used for coloring the hair and skin, there is a clear tendency to replace the widely used synthetic dyes by natural colorants, such as henna and mixtures of henna with indigo. The aim of this study was to estimate the genotoxicity of water and DMSO solutions of indigo naturalis (prepared from Indigofera tinctoria leaves) using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assay in the human metabolically active HepG2 cell line. The cytotoxic effects of indigo solutions were first assessed by propidium iodide and fluorescein-diacetate simultaneous staining. For both solutions, cytotoxicity was always under 10%. Data obtained in the CBMN assay (for all concentrations tested) indicated that the frequency of MN (micronuclei) in exposed cells was no higher than the control. Both the water and DMSO solutions showed the same behavior. These results indicate that indigo naturalis exhibits neither cytotoxicity, nor genotoxicity for all concentrations tested, whic...
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... grossolani costieri (Depositi costieri regressivi, in Pieri et alii 1996) che testimonia il graduale ritiro del mare nel Pleistocene, nell ... Le unità distinte, vengono raggruppate in tre supersintemi (Loiacono e Giannandrea, 2002):... more
... grossolani costieri (Depositi costieri regressivi, in Pieri et alii 1996) che testimonia il graduale ritiro del mare nel Pleistocene, nell ... Le unità distinte, vengono raggruppate in tre supersintemi (Loiacono e Giannandrea, 2002): -Supersintema di M. Cotugno (Pliocene superiore), è ...
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RIASSUNTO: Tropeano M., Spalluto L., Moretti M., Pieri P. & Sabato L., Depositi carbonatici infrapleistocenici di tipo foramol in sistemi di scarpata (Salento - Italia meridionale). IT ISSN 0394-3356, 2004. La Penisola salentina, fra... more
RIASSUNTO: Tropeano M., Spalluto L., Moretti M., Pieri P. & Sabato L., Depositi carbonatici infrapleistocenici di tipo foramol in sistemi di scarpata (Salento - Italia meridionale). IT ISSN 0394-3356, 2004. La Penisola salentina, fra Otranto e Santa Maria di Leuca, termina verso mare con un ...
Chronic constipation (CC) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders and despite it is a rarely life-threatening condition, its effects can lead to discomfort and diminish the quality of life. Laxatives are commonly... more
Chronic constipation (CC) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders and despite it is a rarely life-threatening condition, its effects can lead to discomfort and diminish the quality of life. Laxatives are commonly prescribed in CC patients including herbal products in standardized forms. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a commercially available herbal formulation (Sollievo Bio, Aboca, Sansepolcro, Italy), for potential cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity on a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29). The cytokinesis-block micronucleus test was used for genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity testing, three concentrations of Sollievo Bio (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml) were assayed and mitomycin C (MMC: 3 µg/ml) was used as an inductor of micronuclei. Sollievo Bio did not induce any significant variation in spontaneous micronucleus (MN) frequency and, interestedly, reduced the MN frequency induced by MMC in a dose-dependent manner. In conclu...
The biomonitoring of genotoxic effects in environmental complex mixtures using higher plants is very useful for hazard evaluation. In this study we evaluated the potential application of plant genotoxicity tests in monitoring mutagens in... more
The biomonitoring of genotoxic effects in environmental complex mixtures using higher plants is very useful for hazard evaluation. In this study we evaluated the potential application of plant genotoxicity tests in monitoring mutagens in landfill environment. The clastogenic effects of gaseous emissions (biogas)from three municipal landfills were evaluated by in situ monitoring using the Tradescantia micronucleus assay. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of leachates were studied using the Allium cepa test. We found no significant differences in micronuclei frequency in pollen cells of Tradescantia. Leachate samples showed elevated toxicity that inhibited root tip development in Allium cepa. Genotoxicity of the leachates was evaluated in diluted samples only. We found a significant increase in chromosomal metaphase aberrations only in one of the samples analyzed. In conclusion, biogas was not shown to be a real hazard, whereas leachates were found to display elevated toxicity. It wou...
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The present molecular epidemiology study was carried out to evaluate the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs (ANP). The study was conducted in 52 hospital workers involved in the preparation, handling or... more
The present molecular epidemiology study was carried out to evaluate the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs (ANP). The study was conducted in 52 hospital workers involved in the preparation, handling or administration of ANP in a hospital in Perugia (central Italy) and in 52 non-exposed control subjects matched for age, gender and smoking habits to the exposed subjects. Both comet assay and the micronucleus test were used to evaluate genome damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in study subjects. The extent of primary DNA damage, as evaluated by the comet assay, was significantly increased in exposed personnel with respect to matched controls. On the other hand, no significant differences in micronuclei frequency was observed between the two groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed an association between years of occupational exposure over 10 years and higher extent of primary DNA damage in the exposed group. The results of this study c...
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We determined the antimutagenic potential of chloroform, acetone, methanol, methanol+HCl, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate extracts of Terminalia arjuna bark against the model mutagen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4-NQO) using the... more
We determined the antimutagenic potential of chloroform, acetone, methanol, methanol+HCl, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate extracts of Terminalia arjuna bark against the model mutagen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4-NQO) using the Salmonella/microsome, comet, and micronucleus (MN) tests. Salmonella typhimurium TA100 strain and human peripheral white blood cells were coincubated with various concentrations (from 5 to 500 microg) of the six extracts and 4-NQO (from 0.05 to 2 microg). We found that the 4-NQO mutagenicity was inhibited by more than 70% in the Salmonella/microsome test at the highest nontoxic extract dose of ethyl acetate (50 microg/plate), chloroform (100 microg/plate), acetone, (100 microg/plate), and methanol (500 microg/plate). A less marked antimutagenicity activity (inhibition of about 40-45%) was observed for the acidic methanol and diethyl ether extracts. The comet assay showed that acetone extract (100 microg/mL) was more effective in reducing the DNA damage caused ...
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INTRODUZIONE studi sperimentali e condotti per identificare sono appena agli esordi e la mentre solo pochissime indagini hanno studiato la loro possibile azione genotossica in vivo in vitro Le particelle aerodisperse, in base alle loro... more
INTRODUZIONE studi sperimentali e condotti per identificare sono appena agli esordi e la mentre solo pochissime indagini hanno studiato la loro possibile azione genotossica in vivo in vitro Le particelle aerodisperse, in base alle loro caratteristiche dimensionali (: d), sono definite fini (d <2,5 µm), submicroniche (d <1,0 µm) o nanometriche (d <0,1µm). Dette particelle sono presenti sia nell'ambiente outdoor che in alcuni ambienti di lavoro dove sono originate o come prodotti secondari di alcune operazioni (es. saldatura, taglio termico, brasatura, smerigliatura, fusione di metalli) o dal funzionamento di motori diesel. L'obiettivo del presente lavoro è stato la messa a punto di una metodica il più possibile semplice e fruibile per caratterizzare gli effetti citotossici e genotossici delle particelle aerodisperse presenti negli ambienti di lavoro, con lo scopo di segnalare precocemente la loro potenzialità morbigena e di permettere al medico competente di predispo...
Il test della cometa in vitro su cellule polmonari umane (A549) è risultato in grado di evidenziare l'azione di genotossica di NP come TiO 2 e ZnO, mentre è risultato meno sensibile nell'evidenziare l'azione genotossica di NP... more
Il test della cometa in vitro su cellule polmonari umane (A549) è risultato in grado di evidenziare l'azione di genotossica di NP come TiO 2 e ZnO, mentre è risultato meno sensibile nell'evidenziare l'azione genotossica di NP e PSM raccolte nei comparti lavorativi in esame. Il test del micronucleo è invece risultato particolarmente sensibile nell'evidenziare la genotossicità del particolato campionato in ambito lavorativo. hanno avviato una collaborazione avente come obiettivo la definizione di una metodica, la più semplice e fruibile possibile, per caratterizzare gli effetti genotossici di NP e PSM presenti in alcuni ambienti di lavoro (nello specifico in aziende che svolgono lavori in sottosuolo e in aziende metalmeccaniche). L'applicabilità di tale metodica potrebbe consentire la segnalazione precoce della potenzialità patogena delle NP e permettere al medico competente di predisporre adeguati protocolli sanitari. 1. Introduzione. Le nanoparticelle (NP) sono, ...
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Research Interests: DNA damage, Cell Culture, DNA, In Vitro, Humans, and 19 morePesticide, Toxicity, Pesticides, Animals, Male, Drinking Water, Statistical Significance, Herbicides, Enzyme, Single Cell, Comet Assay, Gels, Electrophoresis, Rats, Adult, Triazines, Food Products, Cell biology and toxicology, and Biochemistry and cell biology
Research Interests: Oxidative Stress, Risk assessment, DNA damage, Hospitals, DNA, and 17 moreHumans, Work, Female, Nurses, Carcinogens, Clinical Sciences, Comet Assay, Occupational Exposure, Public health systems and services research, Risk Assessment, Lymphocytes, Occupational Diseases, Mutagens, Antineoplastic Agents, Leukocytes, Case Control Studies, and Occupational and environmental medicine
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Mutagenicity analysis of urine from rats treated by oral gavage with MX at a dose of 64 mg/kg for 14 days revealed that only 0.3% of the administered compound was excreted in a genotoxically active form. At lower doses, mutagenicity was... more
Mutagenicity analysis of urine from rats treated by oral gavage with MX at a dose of 64 mg/kg for 14 days revealed that only 0.3% of the administered compound was excreted in a genotoxically active form. At lower doses, mutagenicity was not detectable. No evidence of micronucleus induction in peripheral blood erythrocytes was observed in mice treated similarly. These findings indicate that MX is extensively detoxified in vivo and is unlikely to cause genetic damage in systemic tissues except at relatively high doses where detoxification pathways become saturated. In a separate experiment, significant depressions were observed in D-glucaric acid and thioether excretion and in levels of several liver enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism. The mechanism for these metabolic alterations and their relevance to the in vivo metabolism of the compound require further investigation.
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The alkaline comet assay, employing a single-cell gel-electrophoresis, is a rapid, simple and sensitive technique for visualizing and measuring DNA damage leading to strand breakage in individual cells. In this study, we report data about... more
The alkaline comet assay, employing a single-cell gel-electrophoresis, is a rapid, simple and sensitive technique for visualizing and measuring DNA damage leading to strand breakage in individual cells. In this study, we report data about the effect of different organotin compounds (MBTC, DBTC and TBTC) on DNA from erythrocytes of the Scapharca inaequivalvis bivalve mollusc. Our results show significant DNA damage after 30 min in vitro incubation with 10microM of organotins. Since TBTC turned out to be the most genotoxic compound, followed by MBTC and DBTC, we exposed the molluscs to 50ppb of TBTC for 11 days. A significant increase of comet parameters was measured in our experimental conditions. The use of the comet test as a high-throughput screening assay to monitor the effect of environmental pollutants on marine organisms has been proposed.
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Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are proposed to have several beneficial effects, including the inactivation of carcinogens. We have studied the potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus (from a commercially available yogurt), Lactobacillus... more
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are proposed to have several beneficial effects, including the inactivation of carcinogens. We have studied the potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus (from a commercially available yogurt), Lactobacillus gasseri (P79), Lactobacillus confusus (DSM20196), Streptococcus thermophilus (NCIM 50083), Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum (from human infant stool) to prevent the induction of DNA damage by N-methyl-N&#39;-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 7.5 mg/kg body wt) in colon cells of the rat. Using the new technique of single cell microgel electrophoresis, all investigated strains were antigenotoxic toward MNNG after a single dose of 10(10) viable cells/kg body wt p.o. eight hours before the carcinogen. One-half and one-tenth of this initial dose resulted in a loss of protective activity. High doses of heat-treated L. acidophilus strains were also not antigenotoxic. One mechanism of the preventive effect could be that bacterial metabolites or components are responsible. Accordingly, selected examples were investigated in vitro in colon cells of the rat. Metabolically active L. acidophilus cells, as well as an acetone extract of the culture, prevented MNNG-induced DNA damage. Different cell fractions from L. acidophilus (cytoplasm, cell wall skeleton, cell wall) were devoid of antigenotoxic activity, whereas the peptidoglycan fraction and whole freeze-dried cells were antigenotoxic. As a second carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was used. A dose- and time-response study was first performed to assess the effects of DMH in several segments of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Exposure for 16 hours to 15 or 25 mg DMH/kg body wt p.o. induced DNA damage in cells of the distal colon of rats, whereas no cytotoxicity was seen. Pretreatment orally with LAB on four consecutive mornings before DMH gavage (8 hours after the last LAB application) revealed that L. acidophilus, L. confusus, L. gasseri, B. longum, and B. breve inhibited the genotoxic effect of DMH. One of four S. thermophilus and one of three Lactobacillus delbrueckeii ssp. bulgaricus strains were also protective. Heat-treated L. acidophilus did not inhibit DMH-induced genotoxicity. A few aliquots of the colon cells were processed immunohistochemically for the presence of the &quot;proliferation cell nuclear antigen&quot; (PCNA). DMH treatment did not increase PCNA, nor was there any modulation by LAB. The effect of L. acidophilus on foreign compound-metabolizing enzymes (Phase I and Phase II) in liver and colon cells of rats revealed only one parameter to be modulated, namely, a two- to three-fold increase in the levels of NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The meaning of this finding, in terms of possible chemoprevention by LAB, remains unclear. In conclusion, our studies show that most, but not all, LAB tested could strongly inhibit genotoxicity in the GI tract of the rat and that viable LAB organisms are required for the protective effect in vivo. The comet assay technique is a powerful tool to elucidate such in vivo antigenotoxic activities in tumor target tissues.
Research Interests: Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition, Immunohistochemistry, DNA damage, Lactic Acid Bacteria, and 15 moreAnimals, Lactobacillus, Male, Carcinogens, Enzyme, Single Cell, Comet Assay, Nutrition and Cancer, Rats, Tumor Targeting, Colon, Cell Wall, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, and dimethylhydrazine
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Research Interests: Environmental Monitoring, Risk assessment, Magnetic field, Italy, Humans, and 15 moreSmoking, Micronuclei, Welding, Middle Aged, Pilot study, Dose Response Relationship, Adult, Occupational Exposure, Public health systems and services research, Magnetic Fields, Risk Assessment, Lymphocytes, Pilot Projects, Control Group, and Case Control Studies
Research Interests: Microbiology, Probiotics, Industrial Biotechnology, Food Microbiology, Humans, and 12 moreEscherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus Casei, Comet Assay, Ames Test, Caco-2 cells, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Dairy Products, Food Sciences, Mutagens, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Research Interests: Engineering, Pesticide Residues, Pesticide, Pesticides, Allium Cepa, and 15 moreGas Chromatography, Vegetables, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Fruit and vegetables, CHEMICAL SCIENCES, Human health, Food Additives, Plant extracts, Food Contamination, Vitis, Extract, Onions, Birth Defect, Micronucleus Test, and Prenatal Exposure
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Research Interests: Genetics, Toxicology, DNA damage, Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and 20 moreModels, Toxicity, Liver, Animals, Male, Bacteria, Dietary Supplements, Glucuronidase, Carcinogens, Lactobacillus Casei, Comet Assay, Rats, Strain, Rat, Hepatocytes, Feces, Xenobiotic, Colon, Mutagens, and dimethylhydrazine
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Research Interests: Multidisciplinary, Humans, Chlorine dioxide, Silica, Animals, and 17 moreDrinking Water, Disinfectants, Surface Water, Single Cell, Comet Assay, Caco-2 cells, Sodium Hypochlorite, Biological markers, Carps, Oxides, Chlorine Compounds, Cyprinus Carpio, Mutagens, Time Course, Peracetic Acid, Control Group, and Bile
Research Interests: Statistical Analysis, Risk, Informed Consent, Environmental Monitoring, Health, and 28 moreDNA damage, Italy, Humans, Micronuclei, Public, Female, Oncology Nursing, Glutathione, Detoxification, Enzyme, Single Cell, Comet Assay, Peripheral blood lymphocyte, Occupational Exposure, Public health systems and services research, Neoplasms, Genetic Polymorphism, Cancer Patient, Biological markers, Biological Monitoring, Occupational Diseases, Cross sectional Study, Cross Sectional Studies, Epidemiologic Studies, Genetic Susceptibility, Cyclophosphamide, Antineoplastic Agents, and White Blood Cell
ABSTRACT The alkaline single-cell microgel-electrophoresis (comet) assay, allowing the evaluation of damage occurring at the DNA level in individual cells associated with exposure to genotoxic compounds, appears to be a promising tool... more
ABSTRACT The alkaline single-cell microgel-electrophoresis (comet) assay, allowing the evaluation of damage occurring at the DNA level in individual cells associated with exposure to genotoxic compounds, appears to be a promising tool for human biomonitoring studies. In a molecular epidemiology approach aimed at evaluating the eventual genetic damage induced by occupational exposure to pesticides, peripheral blood leukocytes of 17 male farm workers and of 17 age-matched controls living in the same area were analysed for the presence of DNA damage using the comet assay. In this paper we report results obtained after a re-analysis by a computerized system of photomicrographs previously used for the direct manual measurement of comet length. Exposed subjects (farm workers) showed a statistically significant increase in the number of damaged cells (cells with an abnormal size tail, AST) for the tail length parameter, as compared with controls. We did not observe any statistically significant effect of cigarette smoking on the extent of DNA damage (both exposed and controls) and trends similar to those obtained for the groups in toto were observed when smoking habits was considered. Our results support data reported in the literature indicating that occupational exposure to pesticides may evoke some genotoxic effect and, consequently, confirm the necessity to improve preventive measures and to perform accurate health surveillance of individuals exposed to pesticides.
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The effect of tributyltin-chloride (TBTC), dibutyltin-chloride (DBTC) and monobutyltin-chloride (MBTC) on rainbow trout (Salmo irideus) nuclear DNA, was investigated by means of single cell gel electrophoresis (‘comet’ assay). Our data... more
The effect of tributyltin-chloride (TBTC), dibutyltin-chloride (DBTC) and monobutyltin-chloride (MBTC) on rainbow trout (Salmo irideus) nuclear DNA, was investigated by means of single cell gel electrophoresis (‘comet’ assay). Our data show that TBTC presents a marked genotoxic effect, whereas the genotoxic effect is less pronounced for DBTC and it is completely absent for MBTC. These results could be important in evaluating the environmental risks deriving from the use of these molecules as a antifouling agents in marine paints and as agricultural biocides. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Abbreviations:TBTC,tributyltin-chloride;DBTC,dibutyltin-chloride;MBTC,monobutyltin-chloride;Hb,hemoglobin.Abbreviations:TBTC,tributyltin-chloride;DBTC,dibutyltin-chloride;MBTC,monobutyltin-chloride;Hb,hemoglobin.
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The &#39;comet&#39; assay is being increasingly employed for evaluating DNA damage in biological systems. Using this technique, we examined DNA damage in whole in density-separated trout erythrocytes. Results clearly show that all... more
The &#39;comet&#39; assay is being increasingly employed for evaluating DNA damage in biological systems. Using this technique, we examined DNA damage in whole in density-separated trout erythrocytes. Results clearly show that all the three considered parameters (tail length, tail intensity and tail moment) increased with the density of the fractions, possibly reflecting different degrees of DNA damage. Probably, this behaviour is due to different periods of exposure of the density fractions to the hazard of active oxygen radicals; older cells have been exposed to oxidative stress for a longer time.
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In the present study, we investigated in vitro the possible genotoxic and/or co-genotoxic activity of 50 Hz (power frequency) magnetic fields (MF) by using the alkaline single-cell microgel-electrophoresis (comet) assay. Sets of... more
In the present study, we investigated in vitro the possible genotoxic and/or co-genotoxic activity of 50 Hz (power frequency) magnetic fields (MF) by using the alkaline single-cell microgel-electrophoresis (comet) assay. Sets of experiments were performed to evaluate the possible interaction between 50 Hz MF and the known leukemogen benzene. Three benzene hydroxylated metabolites were also evaluated: 1,2-benzenediol (1,2-BD, catechol), 1,4-benzenediol (1,4-BD, hydroquinone), and 1,2,4-benzenetriol (1,2,4-BT). MF (1 mT) were generated by a system consisting of a pair of parallel coils in a Helmholtz configuration. To evaluate the genotoxic potential of 50 Hz MF, Jurkat cell cultures were exposed to 1 mT MF or sham-exposed for 1h. To evaluate the co-genotoxic activity of MF, the xenobiotics (benzene, catechol, hydroquinone, and 1,2,4-benzenetriol) were added to Jurkat cells subcultures at the beginning of the exposure time. In cell cultures co-exposed to 1 mT (50 Hz) MF, benzene and catechol did not show any genotoxic activity. However, co-exposure of cell cultures to 1 mT MF and hydroquinone led to the appearance of a clear genotoxic effect. Moreover, co-exposure of cell cultures to 1 mT MF and 1,2,4-benzenetriol led to a marked increase in the genotoxicity of the ultimate metabolite of benzene. The possibility that 50 Hz (power frequency) MF might interfere with the genotoxic activity of xenobiotics has important implications, since human populations are likely to be exposed to a variety of genotoxic agents concomitantly with exposure to this type of physical agent.
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Extremely low frequency (ELF) electric fields (EF) and magnetic fields (MF) are generated during the production, transmission, and use of electrical energy. Although epidemiology studies suggest that there is a cancer risk associated with... more
Extremely low frequency (ELF) electric fields (EF) and magnetic fields (MF) are generated during the production, transmission, and use of electrical energy. Although epidemiology studies suggest that there is a cancer risk associated with exposure to ELF-MF, short-term genotoxicity assays with bacteria and mammalian cells have produced inconsistent results. In the present study, we investigated the possible genotoxicity of ELF-MF by using the Tradescantia-micronucleus (Trad-MN) assay, a sensitive, reproducible, well-standardized assay for genotoxicity testing. A 50 Hz ELF-MF was generated by a laboratory exposure system consisting of a pair of parallel coils in a Helmholtz configuration. Exposure of Tradescantia (clone # 4430) inflorescences to the ELF-MF, at a flux density (B) corresponding to 1 mT, for 1, 6, and 24 h resulted in a time-dependent increase in MN frequency. The results indicate that a 50 Hz MF of 1 mT field strength is genotoxic in the Trad-MN bioassay and suggest that this assay may be suitable as a biomonitor for detecting the genotoxicity of ELF-MF in the field. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 20: 585–591, 2005.
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Research Interests: Genetics, Polymorphism, DNA damage, Molecular Epidemiology, Italy, and 21 moreWorkplace, Humans, Graphite, Male, Plants, Detoxification, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Risk factors, Comet Assay, Genotype, Adult, Occupational Exposure, Public health systems and services research, Genetic Polymorphism, Biological markers, Risk Factors, Glutathione Transferase, Electrodes, Cross sectional Study, Cross Sectional Studies, and Leukocytes
In the present study, we used human peripheral blood leukocytes from 4 different donors, to investigate in vitro the possible genotoxic and/or co-genotoxic activity of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) at 3 mT intensity.... more
In the present study, we used human peripheral blood leukocytes from 4 different donors, to investigate in vitro the possible genotoxic and/or co-genotoxic activity of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) at 3 mT intensity. Two model mutagens were used to study the possible interaction between ELF-MF and xenobiotics: N-methyl-N&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4NQO). Primary DNA damage was evaluated by the alkaline single-cell microgel-electrophoresis (&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;comet&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;) assay. Control cells (leukocytes not exposed to ELF-MF, nor treated with genotoxins) from the different blood donors showed a comparable level of basal DNA damage, whereas the contribution of individual susceptibility toward ELF-MF and the tested genotoxic compounds led to differences in the extent of DNA damage observed following exposure to the genotoxins, both in the presence and in the absence of an applied ELF-MF. A 3 mT ELF-MF alone was unable to cause direct primary DNA damage. In leukocytes exposed to ELF-MF and genotoxins, the extent of MNNG-induced DNA damage increased with exposure duration compared to sham-exposed cells. The opposite was observed in cells treated with 4NQO. In this case the extent of 4NQO-induced DNA damage was somewhat reduced in leukocytes exposed to ELF-MF compared to sham-exposed cells. Moreover, in cells exposed to ELF-MF an increased concentration of GSH was always observed, compared to sham-exposed cells. Since following GSH conjugation the genotoxic pattern of MNNG and 4NQO is quite different, an influence of ELF-MF on the activity of the enzyme involved in the synthesis of GSH leading to different activation/deactivation of the model mutagens used was hypothesized to explain the different trends observed in MNNG and 4NQO genotoxic activity in the presence of an applied ELF-MF. The possibility that ELF-MF might interfere with the genotoxic activity of xenobiotics has important implications, since human populations are likely to be exposed to a variety of genotoxic agents concomitantly with exposure to this type of physical agent.
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... FIGURE 3 Distribution of damaged cells (ASCT) in exposed and control subjects (groups in toto) considering the parameters of DNA ... [27] M. Villarini, M. Moretti, R. Pasquini, G. Scassellati Sforzolini, C. Fatigoni, M. Marcarelli, S.... more
... FIGURE 3 Distribution of damaged cells (ASCT) in exposed and control subjects (groups in toto) considering the parameters of DNA ... [27] M. Villarini, M. Moretti, R. Pasquini, G. Scassellati Sforzolini, C. Fatigoni, M. Marcarelli, S. Monarca and A. Vicent Rodriguez, In vitrogenotoxic ...
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Because previous literature reports have demonstrated that nucleated trout erythrocytes in conditions of oxidative stress are subjected to both membrane damage and a decrease in the enzymatic defense systems (glutathione peroxidase),... more
Because previous literature reports have demonstrated that nucleated trout erythrocytes in conditions of oxidative stress are subjected to both membrane damage and a decrease in the enzymatic defense systems (glutathione peroxidase), which in turn lead to hemolysis, the present study was undertaken to determine whether DNA may be affected too, prior to the hemolytic event. Impairment of DNA in stressed trout erythrocytes was assessed using the comet assay--a rapid and sensitive, single-cell gel electrophoresis technique used to detect primary DNA damage in individual cells. In addition, indolinic and quinolinic nitroxide radicals were included in the study to determine their efficacy as antioxidants against free-radical-induced DNA damage. The parameters, tail length, tail intensity, and tail moment, used as an index of DNA damage, have shown that trout erythrocytes exposed to oxidative stress experience DNA damage prior to hemolysis and that the nitroxides significantly prevent this damage. This result provides further information about the potential use of these compounds as antioxidants in biological systems.
Research Interests: Free Radicals, Oxidative Stress, DNA damage, Free Radical, DNA, and 11 moreAntioxidants, Animals, Glutathione Peroxidase, Oxidative stress and free radical biology and medicine, Comet Assay, Biological systems, Nitrogen Oxides, Erythrocytes, Oncorhynchus Mykiss, Biochemistry and cell biology, and Hemolysis
Research Interests: Water, Water Purification, Risk assessment, Multidisciplinary, Seasonality, and 18 moreHumans, Chlorine dioxide, Animals, Bacteria, Fishes, Drinking Water, Plants, Disinfectants, Surface Water, Mollusca, Sodium Hypochlorite, Gas Chromatography/mass Spectrometry, Risk Assessment, Yeasts, Oxides, Water Flow, Chlorine Compounds, and Pilot Plant
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Research Interests: Folk Medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Traditional Medicine, Plant Biology, Evaluation, and 23 moreArgentina, Ethnopharmacology, Pharmacognosy, DNA damage, In Vitro, Humans, Toxicity, Natural Product, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Statistical Significance, Cell Viability, Chalcones, Comet Assay, Spectrum, Plant extracts, Dose Response Relationship, Fabaceae, Plant species, Mechanism of action, Extract, Acute Toxicity, Cell Survival, and Mutagens
Raw water and drinking water samples collected from four treatment plants supplied by two north Italian lakes were studied for their mutagenic activity. The samples were concentrated on XAD‐2 columns and the adsorbates were tested at... more
Raw water and drinking water samples collected from four treatment plants supplied by two north Italian lakes were studied for their mutagenic activity. The samples were concentrated on XAD‐2 columns and the adsorbates were tested at increasing doses with the Ames test, using Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains, with and without metabolic activation. Raw water from both lakes was found to contain direct‐acting mutagens detectable with TA98 strain. The analysis of water from the four treatment systems showed that new mutagens detectable with strain TA100 (−S9) were produced when pre chlorination or post chlorination with NaCIO was performed, as previously found by other authors. When chlorine dioxide and/or ozone were used, TA98 mutagenicity was reduced and no new mutagens were produced. The results showed the applicability of the Ames test to evaluate drinking water treatment processes and to produce additional data useful in the detection of potential health hazards associated with drinking water production.
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Research Interests: Genetic Toxicology, DNA damage, Work Environment, Environmental Biotechnology, Air Sampling, and 19 moreMutation, Micronuclei, Animals, Salmonella Typhimurium, Male, Plants, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Rubber, Single Cell, Comet Assay, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), Ames Test, Rats, Particle Size, Chemical Industry, Gas Chromatography/mass Spectrometry, Nitrosamines, Leukocytes, and Volatilization
In tunnel construction workers, occupational exposure to dust (α-quartz and other particles from blasting), gases (nitrogen dioxide, NO2), diesel exhausts, and oil mist has been associated with lung function decline, induction of... more
In tunnel construction workers, occupational exposure to dust (α-quartz and other particles from blasting), gases (nitrogen dioxide, NO2), diesel exhausts, and oil mist has been associated with lung function decline, induction of inflammatory reactions in the lungs with release of mediators that may influence blood coagulation, and increased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The present molecular epidemiology study was designed to evaluate whether occupational exposure to indoor pollutants during road tunnel construction might result in genotoxic effects. A study group of 39 underground workers and a reference group of 34 unexposed subjects were examined. Primary and oxidative DNA damage, sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE), and micronuclei (MN) were measured in peripheral blood cells. The possible influences of polymorphisms in gene encoding for CYP1A1 and GSTM1 xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes were also investigated. Exposure assessment was performed with detailed interviews and questionnaires. There were no significant differences in the level of primary and oxidative DNA damage and frequency of SCE between the tunnel workers and controls, whereas the frequency of MN showed a significant increase in exposed subjects compared to controls. No effects of CYP1A1 or GSTM1 variants were observed for the analyzed biomarkers. Since MN in peripheral blood lymphocytes are recognized as a predictive biomarker of cancer risk within a population of healthy subjects, the genotoxic risk of occupational exposure to various indoor environmental pollutants during road tunnel construction cannot be excluded by this biomonitoring study.