Biomedical subjects

B Kanceljak

Publications and source records attributed to B Kanceljak.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

[Immunologic status, respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in fur processing workers].

A group of 54 women employed in the fur processing industry and a control group of 31 non-furriers were examined. The highest prevalence of positive immediate skin reactions to antigen from animal hair was found for marten (10%), followed by fox and lamb (7%), mink (5%) and chinese lamb, domestic fox and chinese calf (2%). Precipitating antibodies were demonstrated for lamb (17%), astrakhan (14%), mink, domestic fox and for skunk (12%), chinese lamb (10%), and chinese calf (7%). Increased total IgE was found in 9.5% of the furriers. Chronic respiratory symptoms were more prevalent among workers with positive skin tests and positive precipitins than among those with negative tests. The prevalence of the acute symptoms was higher among workers with precipitins than in those without them. There was no such relationship between the symptoms and the results of skin tests. Acute reductions of ventilatory capacity over the work shift occurred in workers with positive precipitins but not in those with positive skin tests. Our study suggests that furriers can develop acute and chronic respiratory difficulties frequently associated with specific indicators of atopy.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Ventilatory capacity and respiratory symptoms in hemp-processing workers].

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and changes in ventilatory capacity were studied in 84 female (mills A and B) and 27 male hemp workers employed in textile mills. Forty-nine women and 30 men from a non-dusty industry served as controls. A significantly higher prevalence of almost all chronic respiratory symptoms was found in exposed female workers compared to controls. For men the differences were significant for nasal catarrh and sinusitis. A high prevalence of byssinosis was found among female workers in both mills (A = 47.8%); B = 57.9%) as well as in male workers (66.7%). Statistically significant acute across work shift reductions in ventilatory capacity were found for all measurements in female and male hemp workers (P greater than 0.01) varying from 7.1% for FEV1 to 15.1% for FEF50. Measured Monday baseline values before the work shift were significantly lower than expected for hemp workers being particularly reduced for FEF25 and FEF50. The data suggest that exposure to hemp dust is a major risk factor for the development of occupational lung disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Immunologic status, respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function in soybean-processing workers].

Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 19 male soy-bean workers. A group of 31 control workers were examined for the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and 20 control workers were included in the immunological study. All soy-bean workers had positive immediate skin reaction to soy-bean dust, 18 to soy antigen after separation from oil, three to lecithin antigen and only one to soy oil. Only three soy-bean workers had increased levels of specific IgE. Among 20 control workers, 19 reacted to soy-bean dust, 20 to soy after separation of oil and none to soy oil. One demonstrated increased specific IgE. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was considerably higher in exposed than in control workers, being statistically different for dyspnea (P less than 0.01). The statistically significant acute reductions in ventilatory capacity were particularly pronounced for FEF50 (-4.7%) and FEF25 (-9.4%). The mean ventilatory capacity values before shift on Monday were significantly lower than those on the following Friday for FVC, FEF50 and FEF25. There was no difference in ventilatory capacity between soy-bean workers with positive and those with negative skin tests to house dust or between those with increased and those with normal IgE serum levels. A water soluble extract of soy-bean dust was also assayed in organ bath containing guinea pig trachea. This model showed the extract to be highly reactive causing a dose-related constriction of airway smooth muscle. Our data suggest that immunologic sensitization to soy-bean products is very frequent. In addition to possible humoral contribution to respiratory disorders, soy dust seems to directly affect airway smooth muscle.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Acute effects of herbal tea dust extracts on lung function.

The acute effect of herbal tea dust extracts on lung function was studied in 15 of 25 healthy subjects responding to the inhalation of these extracts. Bronchial inhalation challenge was performed with tea extracts (sage, dog rose and gruzyan) and with normal saline solution as a control substance to assess their baseline airway reactivity to an isotonic aerosol. Lung function testing was performed before exposure and at 0, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after the cessation of exposure. The same subjects were also tested by challenge with methacholine. Lung function was measured by recording FVC, FEV1, FEF50, FEF25, SGaw, and Raw. Subjects were skin tested by the skin prick method and serum IgE levels were determined. The findings suggested that neither baseline nonspecific airway reactivity nor specific markers of immediate sensitivity to tea predict airway responses to tea extracts. Further evaluation of immunologic markers may help to explain the onset and progression of airway disease in workers.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Respiratory diseases, symptoms and ventilatory function in workers involved in processing food for livestock].

The prevalence of chronic and acute respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in a group of 71 workers employed in animal food processing. A control group of 55 unexposed workers was also included in the study. A significantly higher prevalence for most of the chronic respiratory symptoms was found among the exposed than among control workers. Exposed smokers had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, chronic bronchitis and chest tightness than control smokers. The values for FVC, FEV1 and FEF50 measured in the exposed workers were significantly lower in comparison to predicted normal lung function values. In smokers all the measured parameters of ventilatory capacity were significantly lesser than predicted. For non-smokers only FVC and FEV1 were below normal. Our data indicate that occupational exposure to animal food may cause the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of ventilatory capacity.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Respiratory function in fur-processing workers].

Forty women employed as furriers in the fur processing industry and a group of 31 control workers were examined. A higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was found among the furriers than among the controls. The differences were statistically significant for chronic cough and sinusitis (P less than 0.01). The highest prevalence in furriers was found for chronic cough (50%), sinusitis (30%), followed by dyspnea (25%), nasal catarrh (20%) and occupational asthma (5%). A large number of workers complained of acute symptoms during work shift. Statistically significant mean acute reductions in ventilatory capacity over the workshift were recorded for FVC (-4.1%), FEV1 (-5.2%) and FEV50 (-6.3%). The furriers demonstrated significantly lower mean measured pre-shift values for FVC and FEV25 (P less than 0.05) when compared with the predicted. Pre-shift administration of 40 mg of Intal considerably diminished acute ventilatory capacity over the work shift.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Chronic obstructive lung diseases due to organic dust exposure].

A group of female workers occupationally exposed to cotton, hemp, flax, spices, soy, tea, coffee and furs was included in the study. The highest prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases and greatest changes in ventilatory capacity were due to exposure to hemp and flax aerosols. The development of respiratory impairment can be impeded by control of the working environment and preventive medical examinations.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Specific bronchial reactivity in unripe coffee processing workers].

Ventilatory capacity was studied in nine coffee workers who complained of job-related respiratory symptoms. Bronchoprovocation testing with green coffee allergen provoked immediate asthmatic reactions with acute reductions of ventilatory capacity in four workers. The relative fall was greater in FEF25-75 ranging from 28% to 66% than in FEV1 where it ranged from 18% to 62% of the control values. Eight workers out of nine had increased total IgE serum levels and six showed a positive reaction to prick testing with green coffee allergen. According to our data bronhchoprovocation with green coffee allergen along with skin tests and immunoglobulin levels can serve as indicator of the sensitivity of the respiratory system to green coffee dust.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

[Ventilatory function and allergic skin tests in cotton mill workers].

Ventilatory capacity, chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases as well as intradermal skin tests were registered in a group of 112 cotton workers. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory diseases was higher among the exposed than among control workers although the differences were statistically significant only for chronic cough, nasal catarrh and byssinosis in women and for chronic cough, chronic phlegm and byssinosis in men. A similar prevalence of byssinosis was noted in women (29.4%) and in men (29.5%). Among textile workers mostly byssinosis grade 1/2 was found (women 22.1%, men 20.5%). There were statistically significant acute reductions over work shift for forced vital capacity (FVC) and one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1). In men the values were somewhat lower than the expected normal values. A very small number of workers demonstrated positive intradermal skin tests to cotton allergen (exposed 8.2%, control 1.8%). Our data indicate that exposure to cotton dust may lead to the development of respiratory symptoms and diseases as well as to acute changes in ventilatory capacity but without an allergic reaction.

Dust↗

PubMed1988

Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers.

Respiratory function was studied in a group of 29 soy workers exposed to soy bean dust produced after extraction of soy oil. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was consistently higher in exposed than in control workers, although the differences were not statistically significant. During the Monday work shift there was a significant mean acute across-shift decrease in maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and 25% vital capacity (FEF50: -6.4%; FEF25: -12.4%). Changes in vital capacity (FVC: -3.6%) and 1-sec forced expiratory volume (FEV1: -2.7%) were smaller, but still statistically significant. There were also statistically significant acute reductions in all ventilatory capacity parameters over the work shift on the following Friday, although the changes were in general smaller than on Monday (except for FEV1). An analysis of Monday preshift values of ventilatory capacity in soy bean workers suggests that exposure to soy bean dust may lead to chronic respiratory impairment in some workers.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Immunological and respiratory findings in spice-factory workers.

Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 45 female spice-factory workers (mean age: 39 years; mean exposure: 17 years). In addition a group of 45 female control workers matched by sex, age, and smoking habit were also studied. Intradermal skin testing with mixed spice dust allergen demonstrated positive skin reactions in 73.3% of exposed and in 33.3% of control workers (P less than 0.001). Increased IgE serum levels were found in 36.8% of exposed and in 9.7% of the control workers (P less than 0.01). The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in the exposed workers than in the control workers (P less than 0.01). There was, however, no consistent correlation between skin reactivity and chronic respiratory symptoms. There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms during the work shift. These complaints were more frequent in workers with positive skin tests for the symptoms of cough, chest tightness, and irritated and dry throat. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. There were statistically significant mean reductions during the work shift for all measured lung function parameters in workers with positive skin reactions. In those workers with negative skin reactions only FEF50 and FEF25 reached statistical significance. Aqueous extracts of different spices (chilli pepper, paprika, caraway, coriander leaves, coriander seeds, cinnamon, ginger, onion, curry, and parsley) caused a dose-related contractile response of isolated guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. These data suggest that immunologic reactions to spices are frequent in spice workers and may be related to acute symptoms and lung function changes, but not to chronic changes. The data further suggest that, in addition to any immunologic response these spices may produce in vivo, they probably also provoke direct irritant reactions in the airways as suggested by in vitro data.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in furriers.

Forty women who had been occupationally exposed in the fur coat manufacturing industry were studied. The mean age was 30 years; mean duration of exposure was 14 years. A group of 31 females who did not work in the furrier industry also was included in the study as the control group. A higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was found among furriers when compared with controls; these differences were statistically significant for nasal catarrh (p less than 0.05) and sinusitis (p less than 0.01). Among the furriers, the highest prevalence of respiratory symptoms was recorded for chronic cough in 20 workers (50.0%), followed by sinusitis in 12 (30.0%), dyspnea in 10 (25.0%), and nasal catarrh in 8 workers (20.0%). Among the furriers, two (5.0%) had symptoms characteristic of occupational asthma. Most of the symptomatic furriers complained of acute symptoms during their work shifts. Statistically significant mean reductions in lung function over the work shift were recorded in furriers for forced vital capacity (FVC), -4.1%; one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), -5.2%; and flow rate at 50% vital capacity (FEF50%), -6.3%. Furriers demonstrated significantly lower mean Monday preshift measurements for FVC and flow rate at 25% (FEF25%) (p less than 0.05) when compared with those predicted. Preshift administration (by spinhaler) of 40 mg disodium cromoglycate in three workers reduced the intensity of acute respiratory symptoms and diminished the reductions in ventilatory capacity over the work shift. Data from six additional male workers demonstrated similar findings for symptoms and lung function. Our data suggest that furriers are at risk of developing both acute and chronic respiratory symptoms as well as ventilatory capacity impairment as a result of occupational exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed1988