Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Kanceljak

Publications and source records attributed to B Kanceljak.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Bronchial reactivity in green coffee exposure.

Respiratory symptoms and lung function were studied in nine coffee workers who complained of job related respiratory symptoms. Six described symptoms characteristic of occupational asthma. Lung function data showed obstructive changes mostly in the smaller airways with no impairment in diffusing capacity. Bronchoprovocation testing with green coffee allergen provoked immediate asthmatic reactions with acute reductions of ventilatory capacity in four workers. The relative fall in FEF25-75% (ranging from 28% to 66%) was greater than in FEV1 (ranging from 18% to 62% of the control values). Eight of the nine workers had an increased total IgE serum level; five had positive intradermal skin tests to green coffee allergen. Most of the six healthy subjects experimentally exposed to green coffee dust in the working environment showed an acute fall in flow rates on maximum expiratory flow-volume curves. These results indicate that bronchoprovocation with green coffee allergen or green coffee dust may be used to identify subjects sensitive to green coffee.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Immunological and respiratory changes in coffee workers.

Immunological status and respiratory function were studied in a group of 45 coffee workers. Skin tests with coffee allergens demonstrated the highest percentage of positive reactions to dust collected during emptying bags (40.0%), followed by dust of green (12%) and then roasted coffee (8.9%). Among 34 skin-tested control workers, 14.7% had positive skin reaction to dust collected during emptying bags, but none had positive skin reaction to green or roasted coffee. Serum levels of total IgE were increased in 24.4% of coffee workers and in 5.9% of control subjects. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in coffee workers than in control subjects. Coffee workers with positive skin tests to coffee allergen had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough (63.6%) and chronic phlegm (72.7%) than those with negative skin tests (32.4% and 23.5% respectively). There was a significant mean decrease over the Monday work shift in the maximum expiratory flow rate at 50% of vital capacity (MEF50: -7.9%) and at 25% vital capacity (MEF25: -17.8%), suggesting an obstructive effect mostly in smaller airways. Coffee workers with positive skin tests to coffee allergens had larger acute reductions in flow rates than those with negative skin tests but the difference was not statistically significant.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Respiratory findings in spice factory workers.

The respiratory consequences of working in the spice industry were studied in 92 female spice factory workers (mean age, 36 yr; mean exposure, 12 yr). A control group of 104 female workers employed in a nondusty industry was also studied. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in the exposed than in the control group. In particular, the prevalence of dyspnea (57.6%), chronic cough (22.8%), chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis (19.6%), nasal catarrh (37.0%), and sinusitis (22.2%) was high when compared to controls (p less than .01). Among spice factory workers, a high prevalence of acute symptoms during the workshift was recorded. Acute reductions in lung function were statistically significant over the workshift for forced vital capacity (FVC), -2.0%; forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), -3.0%; and for maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% (FEF50), -8.3% and at 25% (FEF25), -15.2% measured on maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. No difference was found in across-shift ventilatory function in workers with or without chronic respiratory symptoms, except for FEF25 (with symptoms, 16.7%; without symptoms, 9.6%). Preshift administration of 40 mg of disodium cromoglycate (DSC) inhaled 15 min before the workshift significantly diminished acute reductions in FEF50 and FEF25 in exposed workers. Monday preshift FEF50 and FEF25 in exposed workers were significantly lower than in control workers (p less than .01), which suggests an early irreversible component to this illness.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occurrence of nonspecific symptoms of irritation in workers exposed to latex].

The study included 17 female workers employed in latex glove rubber manufacturing plants. The mean age was 42 years and the mean duration of employment 19 years. Subjects were predominantly nonsmokers. A control group of 17 nonexposed workers was also studied. Chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases as well as acute work-related symptoms were recorded for these workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on which forced vital capacity (FVC), one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and maximum expiratory flow at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF50, FEF25) were read. Skin prick tests were performed with three types of latex (original material-latex 1, extract from gloves-latex 2, and extract of latex company Epypharm-latex 3). The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was greater among latex workers (varying from 5.9% for occupational asthma to 58.8% for dyspnea) than among control workers (0%). There was a high prevalence of acute work-related symptoms, particularly for eye irritation (76.5%), dryness of the nose (70.6%), throat burning (70.6%), dryness of the throat (64.7%) and cough (58.8%). Measured ventilatory capacity data in latex workers were significantly lower in comparison to control, particularly for FEF25 (75.1 +/- 19.5%). Among latex gloves making workers one had positive skin reaction to latex 3 along with the symptoms of occupational asthma. Our data indicate that employment in latex making gloves may be associated with the development of occupational asthma, in addition to frequent nonspecific respiratory findings.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative study of respiratory changes in female workers exposed to organic aerosols].

The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were studied in 314 women and 119 men exposed to some organic aerosols. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in exposed than in control workers. A large number of exposed workers complained of acute symptoms which develop during work shift. There were statistically significant acute reductions of all ventilatory capacity tests, particularly FEF50 and FEF25. Comparison of measured ventilatory capacity with predicted normal values indicated obstructive ventilatory capacity changes located mostly in smaller airways. Our data suggest that exposure to organic aerosols may contribute to the development of chronic obstructive lung disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Follow-up of respiratory symptoms and pulmonary ventilatory function in jute textile workers].

The acute and chronic effects of exposure to jute dust on respiratory function was studied in a group of textile workers over a 19-year period. During the initial study the prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was higher among the exposed workers compared with the controls. These differences in the prevalence were statistically significant at the time of the follow-up study, 19 years later. Four textile workers developed symptoms of occupational asthma during exposure to jute dust. Measurement of ventilatory capacity at both surveys demonstrated small but statistically significant mean acute reductions of FVC and FEV1 over the work shift. The values for FVC and FEV1 measured at the time of the follow-up study were significantly lower than the predicted normal values. The mean annual decrease for FVC and FEV1 was 35 ml/year what is greater than expected. Our data suggest that exposure to jute dust may in sensitive workers lead to the development of respiratory symptoms and diseases with less pronounced changes in ventilatory capacity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiologic study of immunologic status of confectionary workers].

Immunological and respiratory findings were studied in a group of 90 confectioners (mean age: 35 years; mean exposure: 11 years). Intradermal skin tests with different food allergens demonstrated the largest positive skin reaction to cocoa (63%), followed by chocolate (9%), cacao, nut and almond (6%) and sugar (2%). Increased IgE serum levels were found in 13.8% of the confectioners, and elevated IgM concentrations in 43.3%. The prevalence of occupational asthma and dyspnea (26.1%) in workers with positive skin tests was significantly higher than in those with negative skin tests (0%; 4.1%). There was a high prevalence of acute symptoms during the work shift. Most of these complaints were more frequent in workers with positive than in those with negative skin tests. Lung function studies demonstrated significant mean acute across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity. Mean pre-shift FVC and FEF25 were significantly lower than predicted normal values. Pre-shift administration of disodium chromoglycate (DSCG) significantly diminished across-shift reductions for FEF50 and FEF25. Our data suggest that exposure to environmental factors in confectioneries may lead to immunological changes and the development of respiratory impairment in some workers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ventilatory function and immunologic reactions in female workers processing dried fruits and teas].

Ventilatory capacity and immunological reactions were studied in 54 female workers employed in processing dried fruits and teas, and in 40 control workers. There was higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in the exposed compared to control workers, although the differences were statistically significant only for dyspnea and nasal catarrh (p < 0.01). The exposed workers with positive skin tests had significantly higher prevalence of dyspnea (p < 0.05) and nasal catarrh (p < 0.01) than those with negative skin tests. In exposed workers there were statistically significant acute reductions of ventilatory capacity tests during the shift, particularly in flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of vital capacity on maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves (FEF50, FEF25). In comparison to predicted normal values, the mean FEF25 was significantly lower than normal (p < 0.01). Significantly larger number of exposed workers compared to controls reacted with positive skin tests to at least one of the occupational allergens (p < 0.01). However, only the prevalence of positive skin test to sage (60.0%) was significantly higher than in control workers (20.0%) (p < 0.01). Our data indicate that exposure to aerosols of dried fruits and teas may in some workers cause the development of respiratory symptoms and increased skin reactivity to work-related allergens, with an increase of immunoglobulin IgE.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational asthma].

The definition of occupational asthma is described. Causative agents which may be responsible for the development of occupational asthma are listed. Among factors responsible for the development of occupational asthma, immunological and nonimmunological mechanisms are specially described. The clinical characteristics of the disease, diagnostic methods, differential diagnosis, prognosis and prevention of occupational asthma are described. Procedures for determining exposure, occupations in which most frequently occupational asthma can develop, as well as preventive measures are reported.

Asthma↗