The JRC Nanomaterials Repository - Safe handling of nanomaterials in the sub-sampling facility

The JRC Nanomaterials Repository has been established to respond to an increasing demand for representative nanomaterials (NMs) for testing. The facility serves the scientific community active in nanotechnology, environmental-health-and-safety and regulatory research, by distributing subsamples of test nanomaterials. The service provided by JRC Nanomaterials Repository has underpinned the Testing Programme of the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials, as well as several EU-funded research projects. It contributes to the harmonisation of test methods and enhances the comparability of scientific results. Recently, the JRC Nanomaterials Repository has extended its original range of operation by launching a novel sub-sampling facility. Due to the potential hazards of the handled NMs, this laboratory has been designed to ensure the highest safety levels for the operators and for the environment. The present report describes the set-up of this novel facility, with emphasis on Occupational Health & Safety aspects. It illustrates the complete workflow that leads to the production of those vials that are distributed worldwide as benchmark nanomaterials.JRC.F.2-Consumer Products Safet

Around the tangent cone theorem

A cornerstone of the theory of cohomology jump loci is the Tangent Cone theorem, which relates the behavior around the origin of the characteristic and resonance varieties of a space. We revisit this theorem, in both the algebraic setting provided by cdga models, and in the topological setting provided by fundamental groups and cohomology rings. The general theory is illustrated with several classes of examples from geometry and topology: smooth quasi-projective varieties, complex hyperplane arrangements and their Milnor fibers, configuration spaces, and elliptic arrangements.Comment: 39 pages; to appear in the proceedings of the Configurations Spaces Conference (Cortona 2014), Springer INdAM serie

Case report. emergency CABG following failure of PTCA in a COVID-19 patient

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-Cov-2) is affecting people worldwide representing a public health emergency. The effect of concomitant COVID-19 on patients who underwent cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is still undefined. Both SARS-Cov-2 infection and CPB can develop a cytokines storm and haemostatic disarrangements leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and post-perfusion lung syndrome, respectively. SARS-Cov-2 infection may trigger and exacerbate post-inflammatory state after CPB resulting in higher risk of post-surgical adverse outcomes. International guidelines lack to provide standard management protocols for pre-operative COVID-19 patients requiring non-deferrable cardiac surgery intervention. We present a report of a successful coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) emergency operation in a COVID-19 patient, who presented unstable angina and coronary artery dissection during cardiac catheterization and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

Short‐Term Exposure to Benzo(a)Pyrene Causes Disruption of GnRH Network in Zebrafish Embryos

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, is considered a common endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) with mutagenic and carcinogenic effects. In this work, we take advantage of the vertebrate zebrafish model to investigate the effect of the exposure of Bap on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, using the tg(GnRH3:EGFP) reporter line that expresses the green fluorescence protein under the control of the GnRH3 promoter. Zebrafish embryos were treated with 5 and 50nM BaP from 2.5 to 72 hpf and obtained data were compared with those from DMSO-treated controls. We followed the entire development of GnRH3 neurons, starting to proliferate from the olfactory region at 36 hpf, migrating at 48 hpf and then reaching the pre-optic area and the hypothalamus at 72 hpf. Interestingly, we observed a compromised neuronal architecture of the GnRH3 network after the administration of 5 and 50nM BaP, also confirmed by the dose-dependent reduction of GnRH3-GFP positive cells. Given the toxicity of this compound, we evaluated the expression of genes involved in antioxidant activity, oxidative DNA damage and apoptosis and we found an upregulation of these pathways. Consequently, we performed a TUNEL assay and we confirmed an increment of cell death in brain of embryos treated with BaP. In conclusion our data reveal that short-term exposure of zebrafish embryos to BaP affects GnRH3 development likely through a neurotoxic mechanism

PaT-ID: A tool for the selection of the optimal pump as turbine for a water distribution network

In a historical context where renewable energy is increasingly being adopted, the installation of Pumps as Turbines (PaTs) in Water Distribution Networks (WDNs) is gaining relevance in the scientific community. The selection of a PaT to be installed in a WDN is complex, requiring a trade-off between technical and economic aspects. This paper presents a methodology for guiding the selection of a PaT based on the characteristics of the WDN, predicting its characteristic curves, and estimating the daily power generation. The proposed algorithm has been automated in a computer tool called PaT-ID. The innovative aspects of this tool concern its general applicability to any WDN and machine catalogue. It automatically selects the most useful machine considering the input water demand trend and the hydraulic head available for the PaT. In addition, the tool decides on series or parallel layouts if necessary. Finally, in the absence of hydraulic input data, PaT-ID provides a first-level analysis to define the potential of the site for energy production, simulating the flow rate data. The code has been validated with two case studies analysed in previous works

CTX-M-15 Type Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacter cloacae In Bioaerosol of a Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Plant: A New Possible Reservoir of Infection?

Background: Although there are many reports of antibiotic resistant microorganisms released from the treated municipal wastewater, less attention has been given to other waste treatment activities. We report the occurrence of antibiotic resistant strains isolated from the working setting of a solid waste recycling plant in Italy which serves 195 municipalities. Methods: To assess microbial contamination levels, several sampling points were chosen for their relevance in evaluating exposure of the workers to biological risk, especially during indoor operations. Active sampling was carried out using the Surface Air System and Rodac plate method was applied to surface sampling. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibilities were obtained by Vitek2 System (bioMérieux, France) and by the agar-diffusion method. The presence of resistance genes was investigated by multiplex PCR assay. Results: In all sampling points a significant contamination of aerosol was detected, although the total microbial counts resulted within the limit proposed by the National authority (10000 CFU/sqm). The counts of Enterobacteriaceae were always above the limit of 100 CFU/sqm and strains of Enterobacter cloacae resistant to third generation cephalosporins were detected, carrying the blaCTX-M15 gene. Conclusions: The contamination of workplace with multidrug-resistant strains is a crucial area for public health actions to avoid the conjunction of factors that promote evolution and spread of antibiotic resistance

Clustering vaccine hesitancy and social media use of nurses and nursing students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Nurses and nursing students' attitudes toward COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines are crucial for protecting vulnerable patients and reducing vaccine hesitancy in the general population. Social media is key in spreading vaccine information and it has opposite effects on vaccine hesitancy, alongside several socio-demographic and professional characteristics. Aim: This study aims to identify the characteristics of vaccine hesitancy among nurses and nursing students. Methods: A multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2023. Data were collected through an online survey to assess: (I) sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, and social media usage; (II) vaccine hesitancy (measured with the Vaccination Attitudes Examination Scale); (III) social media addiction (using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale). K-means cluster analysis was performed to identify vaccine hesitancy profiles. ANOVA and Chi-square were adopted to identify the key characteristics of the profiles. Results: Among 604 participants, three profiles were identified. Concerns about unforeseen future effects was the most relevant factor of vaccine hesitancy across all profiles for both COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines. The most hesitant profile included mainly older nurses. Influenza vaccination uptake was the highest in the least hesitant profile, which also reported greater use of social media platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X. Conclusion: This study provides insights to develop targeted interventions appropriate to nurses and nursing students' profiles. These results will support tailored vaccination campaigns to address the most relevant factors of vaccine hesitancy and provide evidence-based information to mitigate misconceptions and enhance vaccine uptake among nurses and nursing students.Abstract Background: Nurses and nursing students' attitudes toward COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines are crucial for protecting vulnerable patients and reducing vaccine hesitancy in the general population. Social media is key in spreading vaccine information and it has opposite effects on vaccine hesitancy, alongside several socio-demographic and professional characteristics. Aim: This study aims to identify the characteristics of vaccine hesitancy among nurses and nursing students. Methods: A multi-centre, cross-sectional study was conducted between March and September 2023. Data were collected through an online survey to assess: (I) sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, and social media usage; (II) vaccine hesitancy (measured with the Vaccination Attitudes Examination Scale); (III) social media addiction (using the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale). K-means cluster analysis was performed to identify vaccine hesitancy profiles. ANOVA and Chi-square were adopted to identify the key characteristics of the profiles. Results: Among 604 participants, three profiles were identified. Concerns about unforeseen future effects was the most relevant factor of vaccine hesitancy across all profiles for both COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines. The most hesitant profile included mainly older nurses. Influenza vaccination uptake was the highest in the least hesitant profile, which also reported greater use of social media platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter/X. Conclusion: This study provides insights to develop targeted interventions appropriate to nurses and nursing students' profiles. These results will support tailored vaccination campaigns to address the most relevant factors of vaccine hesitancy and provide evidence-based information to mitigate misconceptions and enhance vaccine uptake among nurses and nursing students

Waist circumference, among metabolic syndrome components, predicts degraded trabecular bone score: a retrospective study of a female population from the 2005-2008 NHANES cohorts

Background: Osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are conditions associated with ageing and chronic inflammation; among MetS’ components, visceral obesity has been correlated to low bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. However, data on an increased fracture risk in MetS are still contrasting. The trabecular bone score (TBS) is an indicator of bone quality and a potential predictive factor for fractures. We aim to explore the relationship between MetS components and TBS. Methods: we analyzed data from 3962 women in the 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 NHANES cohorts, for whom a valid TBS value was available. All analyses were adjusted for the principal risk factors of altered bone metabolism. Results: An inverse significant association was observed between TBS and most of the MetS variables investigated, with the strongest correlation found with waist circumference (WC) (P <0.001). WC represented the major predictor of degraded TBS (P <0.001), in adjusted models considering age, 25(OH)Vitamin D, smoke and insulin resistance. Increased WC was significantly associated with the presence of bone fractures at the logistic regression analysis (P = 0.001) in all study participants and in the subgroup of women ≤50 years old after adjustment for potential confounders (P = 0.006). Conclusion: This study, using a large sample of women, found a negative association of MetS on bone health, mainly driven by visceral obesity