In vitro experimental models to study the efficiency of the placental barrier for environmental toxicants: tumor cell lines versus trophoblast primary cells.

Developmental Biology - Mini Review
by Luisa Campagnolo , Valentina Lacconi, Micol Massimiani, Andrea Magrini and Antonio Pietroiusti
Mammalian development is characterized by an evolutionary innovation represented by the trophoblast, which contributes to the formation of the placenta, a transient organ regulating exchange of nutrients, gases and waste material between the mother and the developing fetus. Survival of the fetus relies on proper development of the placenta, which is also responsible for the formation of a selective barrier that protects the embryo, at least in part, from xenobiotics. The barrier function of the placenta has been investigated for viral/bacterial transfer and for drug and nanoparticulate matter access to the fetal compartment. Since species specific structural differences exist, results on the ability of xenobiotics to access the placental barrier obtained from animal studies cannot be automatically transposed to humans. However, in vivo studies on human placenta permeability cannot be performed, and the use of in vitro alternative methods are in great need. In the present mini-review we will present and critically discuss the available in vitro methods that have been so far developed and present a new model system that we have recently established. … 

Preventing child mortality through the enhancement of integrated community-based programmes for under-five malnutrition management: results from the Rainbow Project study in Zambia

Nutrition - Research Article
by Stefania Moramarco , Giulia Amerio and Ersilia Buonomo
Childhood malnutrition remains a major public health problem throughout the developing world. When CMAM is not fully covered or scaled-up in all its components by local health authorities, nutritional programs already existing and implemented in the field hold a great potential for cooperating to children treatment and care, not neglecting any form of child malnutrition. Identification of main gaps in programmes’ performance, with targeted and sustainable changes made accordingly, even when they seem small, can have high impact on programmes’ outcomes, therefore saving even more children lives.  … 

The "ease of use" of vaccines: a simulation study of factors impacting the efficiency of the organizational models of vaccination centers.

Public Health & Hygiene - Research Article
by Massimo Maurici  and Luca Paulon
Since health care institutions are particularly concerned with resource savings, optimizing the efficiency of vaccination point of dispensing is a significant policy priority during epidemics or low-resource settings. In this regard, the decision to adopt proper organizational models and take the ease-of-use of vaccines into account is of paramount importance for resource-saving. Evidence is therefore urgently needed for healthcare decision-makers. In this paper we propose the use a simulation optimization approach. In particular, as a specific case study, we show how it could be possible to obtain up to 17.5% time saving during a meningococcal vaccination session and overall cost-savings (e.g., up to 24M Euros in real world vaccination scenarios). … 

Review of upstream Petrochemical Occupational Exposure and Risk Personnel and Ambient Sampling

Environmental Health - Case Study
by Marco Pedone, Francesca Lucaroni , Antonio Bergamaschi, Nicholas Tidei, Federico Renzetti, Damiano Toni, Cinzia Fulvi, Laura Morciani and Danilo De Angelis
Aim of the study was to assess the occupational risk due to petroleum facility exposure, by sampling at the Oil and Gas plant in Southern Italy on both personnel and area. For chemicals with no available TLV, an extensive review of scientific literature on the issue was achieved, in order to define international benchmarks, for comparison. Concerning benzene, neither the outdoor area maximum value of 0.072 mg/m3 nor the personal maximum value of 0.22 mg/m3 were over the occupational exposure limit (OEL) at the Oil and Gas center plant. Similarly, the indoor area maximum value of 0.055 mg/m3 was below the OEL. Also the indoor and outdoor maximums for total VOC were below the LEED requirement, and the total VOC outdoor personal maximum was slightly above the LEED requirement. However, since the LEED requirement is for indoor air quality, this recommendation is not directly applicable to the determined total VOC maximum for outdoor personal samples.  …