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Biomedical subjects

A Marconi

Publications and source records attributed to A Marconi.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Assessment of exposure to ceramic fibers during insulation operations in a thermoelectric power plant].

Refractory ceramic fibre concentrations were measured during renewal of the insulation lining of a turbine located in a large power plant. Personal and stationary samples were collected during operations, which involved installing and ripping out standard and pre-coated and pre-shaped ceramic fibre blankets. Operation-length average (OLA) and TWA exposure levels were about 500 F/l and about 100 F/l, respectively, for installing and ripping out operations where non-coated blankets were handled. In these cases specific task-associated personal exposure levels up to 1000 F/l were measured. Personal exposure levels up to as much as 10 times lower were observed in operations involving pre-coated and pre-shaped blankets. The average concentration levels from area samples were always lower than those from personal samples, and showed a downward gradient with the distance from the source. Given the current carcinogenic classification of refractory ceramic fibres (class 2, European), the necessity is stressed of introducing adequate working practices and control measures (adoption of pre-coated and pre-shaped fibrous materials whenever possible, confinement of working area, use of local air extractions ventilation with HEPA filter unit, use of garments for personal protection and respirators, use of wetting or binding liquids prior to removal, quick cleaning of debris from working area), in order to keep the exposure levels and the number of potentially exposed workers to the minimum.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cigarette smoking in pregnancy: relationship to perinatal outcomes in six Italian centres.

In this study the relationship of maternal smoking in pregnancy to low birth weight, fetal growth retardation, preterm delivery, and perinatal deaths has been investigated in a sample of 36,544 women with their single newborns, from 6 Italian centers (Triese, Milan, Parma, Rome, Naples, Bari), where a multicenter survey of perinatal preventive medicine (MPPI) was carried out, between 1973 and 1979, with the financial support of the Consiglio Nazionale dell Ricerche. The proportions of babies weighing 2500 g or less, and of babies with birth weight, head circumference or crown-heel length below the 10th centile were similar among nonsmokers and "stopped" smoker mothers, while they increased with increasing smoking levels. As regards head circumference and crown-heel length below the 10th centile, odds ratios are essentially the same before and after adjustment for age, parity, and socioeconomic class (about 1.5 for "1-10CGT" and up to 2.5 for "11+CGT"). Only slight increases have been observed in the odds ratios concerning low birthweight below the 10th centile (about 1.5 for "1-10CGT" and up to 3.5 for "11+CGT") after adjusting for the socioeconomic demographic variables (i.e. mainly removing the favourable effect of high socioeconomic class or low parity, which more frequently characterize smoker mothers). Owing to the lower smokers' frequencies, cigarette smoking estimated attributable risks concerning low birth weight and "small for dates" babies in the MPPI centres (between 4% and 19%) are considerably lower than those estimated in studies carried out in the US or Canada. Data analyzed in the present study do not indicate any relationship between maternal smoking and preterm delivery or perinatal deaths.

Behavior↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Smoking habit in pregnancy and sociodemographic background in six Italian centres.

Studies carried out in foreign countries (US and UK, mainly) indicate that maternal characteristics, such as age, parity, social class, and prenatal care, are related to child's growth, mortality, and morbidity, as well as to cigarette smoking. These characteristics may act as confounding variables in the analysis of the effects of maternal smoking on babies in fetal and neonatal periods. Until now there has been a lack of information on the subject, because even the most recent available data concern women over age 14 regardless of obstetric history. This paper deals with smoking habits, before and during pregnancy, of 37,664 women included in a multicenter survey of perinatal preventive medicine (MPPI), which was performed in 6 Italian centres (Trieste, Milan, Parma, Rome, Naples, Bari) between 1973 and 1979, with the financial support of the Italian National Research Council. The results of the MPPI and other surveys are compared and the association between maternal smoking habits and sociodemographic background is investigated by multiple correspondence analysis. As to Italy, unlike UK and US, in the 1970s women of high social status show the highest prevalence of the smoking habit. Moreover, in pregnancy, the large majority gives up smoking, or at least reduces it, mainly in high socioeconomic levels, so that the proportion of pregnant women who keep on smoking over 10 cigaretts per day is very low (0.5-3.8%) and poorly related to sociodemographic factors. Therefore, it seems unlikely that these may exert serious confounding effects on the relationships between smoking in pregnancy and perinatal outcome.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mesothelioma associated with environmental exposures.

BACKGROUND: The main sources of environmental, non-occupational exposure to asbestos or asbestiform fibres are: a) industrial plants in which asbestos was used in the production process; b) asbestos "in place" (mainly in buildings); c) contaminated soils. The association of these exposures with increasing risk of mesothelioma has been documented since 1960 in many places. OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The present paper is aimed at describing the main results of studies performed in the locations with soils naturally contaminated with asbestos or asbestiform fibres. Environmental exposure data and asbestos-related health outcomes, mainly mesothelioma, are analyzed through a review of the literature. RESULTS: The sites with asbestos or other mesotheliomatogenous fibres in soils are characterized by low concentration levels of airborne fibres. Furthermore, exposure levels may increase when specific activities are carried out (mainly related to building construction), involving mechanical disturbance of fibre-containing materials. The type of fibres found are mainly amphiboles (tremolite). The population at risk of exposure is the general population, which can be exposed from birth. In these sites, the sex ratio of mesothelioma cases is close to 1.0 and the average age of cases ranges from 50 to 60 years. CONCLUSIONS: Both "natural"and industrial environmental asbestos or asbestiform fibre exposures increase potential risk for mesothelioma. Strategies of environmental reclamation and risk communication should be implemented in these areas.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Fine, ultrafine and nano- particles in the living and working setting: potential health effects and measurement of inhalation exposure].

Recently, experimental evidence has shown that exposure to very fine particles including those ultrafine or nanometric (NP, size < 100 nm) may cause severe health effects after inhalation in ambient and occupational environments (ultrafine particles in urban air, diesel emissions, welding fumes). Although the toxicological mechanisms for these effects have not yet been explained, the considerable body of existing data on occupational and environmental impact of airborne particles provides indications on the characteristics that influence toxicity and dose-response relationships. While for supermicrometric particles it is sufficient measuring exposure in terms of mass, for very fine particles, and in particular for NP, the characteristics that are more biologically relevant include the number, size, surface area, shape, solubility, and chemical reactivity. The rapidly developing field of nanotechnology, based on the use of a variety of NP (engineered or intentionally produced and with unique and specific properties), will certainly create new exposure scenarios which actually are largely unknown. The concern of potential health impact from the exposure to NP, during the last years has accelerated the development of systems for characterizing the exposures associated to the different potential sources of particles in the submicrometer and nanometer size ranges in both the environment and the workplace. In this review the current problems for characterizing the biologically relevant exposure to very fine and nanometric particles are discussed mainly in the context of occupational aerosols.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Airborne contact dermatitis].

A comprehensive bibliographical retrieval of case reports on "airborne contact dermatitis" (ACD) was performed. The present review deals with the first cases published in 1986, 1991, 2001 by Huygens as well as by Dooms-Goossens, and continues with the other pertaining clinical presentations until to day. Solid particles, rather than gases or droplets, are the most frequently reported causes of ACD.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reciprocal compression between the axillary artery and brachial plexus.

Angiographic studies were performed on 60 of 394 patients diagnosed as having thoracic outlet syndrome. Ten of the patients studied angiographically presented with obstruction of contrast material in the axilla with refilling of the axillary artery through the external mammary and shoulder arteries. The obstruction was caused by lower trunk brachial plexus compression. This seldom known cause of hyperabduction syndrome occurred in 2.5 per cent of the patients examined for thoracic outlet syndrome. Surgical treatment consists of loosening the axillary artery by tying off the external mammary and circumflex arteries, followed by section and anastomosis of the axillary artery anteriorly to the brachial plexus. Angiography is considered a basic diagnostic procedure, mainly when concomitant compression occurs and gives good dynamic information on the location and importance of the compression.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of bovine pericardium as an arterial graft. A 5-year follow-up.

From June 1980 to June 1985, 42 patients were subjected to patch graft angioplasties using glutaraldehyde tanned bovine pericardium. Life-table analysis showed a 100% patency in the grafted areas. Histological studies made on specimens recovered at 7 and 19 months showed no major deterioration of the original structure. Fibrous cell infiltration was not extensive enough to be harmful. Elastic fibers were relatively preserved, with some dissociation. No endothelialization, infection, thrombosis, or aneurysm dilatation was detected. Angiographic control up to 37 months showed patency and normal internal surface of the graft. It appears from this study that bovine pericardium is a good alternative as a vascular graft material.

Angiography↗