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Biomedical subjects

D Bartoli

Publications and source records attributed to D Bartoli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Arsenic and porphyrins.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the possible effect of inorganic arsenic (iAs) and of its species on the urinary excretion of porphyrin homologues. METHODS: Total porphyrins and their homologues (copro, penta, hexa, hepta, uroporphyrins) and arsenic species (trivalent and pentavalent As; monomethyl arsonic acid; dimethyl arsenic acid; arsenobetaine) were measured respectively by HPLC and HPLC-ICP MS in urine from 86 art glass workers exposed to iAs and from 54 controls. RESULTS: A significant increase in the excretion of penta and uroporphyrins was demonstrated for workers exposed to As; As3 was the species best correlated with urinary porphyrin excretion. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of urinary excretion for some porphyrin homologues appears to be consistent with the inhibition by As of URO-decarboxylase in the heme biosynthesis pathway. The determination of urinary porphyrin homologues could be useful to assess, on a group basis, some early effects of arsenic and to demonstrate possible individual susceptibility to the element.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess reliable biological indicators for monitoring the occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs), taking into account the possible confounding role of arsenicals present in food and of the element present in drinking water. METHODS: 51 Glass workers exposed to As trioxide were monitored by measuring dust in the breathing zone, with personal air samplers. Urine samples at the end of work shift were analysed for biological monitoring. A control group of 39 subjects not exposed to As, and eight volunteers who drank water containing about 45 micrograms/l iAs for a week were also considered. Plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the analysis of total As in air and urine samples, whereas the urinary As species (trivalent, As3; pentavalent, As5; monomethyl arsonic acid, MMA; dimethyl arsinic acid, DMA; arsenobetaine, AsB) were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) RESULTS: Environmental concentrations of As in air varied widely (mean 84 micrograms/m3, SD 61, median 40) and also the sum of urinary iAs MMA and DMA, varied among the groups of exposed subjects (mean 106 micrograms/l, SD 84, median 65). AsB was the most excreted species (34% of total As) followed by DMA (28%), MMA (26%), and As3 + As5 (12%). In the volunteers who drank As in the water the excretion of MMA and DMA increased (from a median of 0.5 to 5 micrograms/day for MMA and from 4 to 13 micrograms/day for DMA). The best correlations between As in air and its urinary species were found for total iAs and As3 + As5. CONCLUSIONS: To avoid the effect of As from sources other than occupation on urinary species of the element, in particular on DMA, it is proposed that urinary As3 + As5 may an indicator for monitoring the exposure to iAs. For concentrations of 10 micrograms/m3 the current environmental limit for iAs, the limit for urinary As3 + As5 was calculated to be around 5 micrograms/l, even if the wide variation of values needs critical evaluation and application of data. The choice of this indicator might be relevant also from a toxicological point of view. Trivalent arsenic is in fact the most active species and its measure in urine could be the best indicator of some critical effects of the element, such as cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Multiple exposure to arsenic, antimony, and other elements in art glass manufacturing.

Art glass manufacturing is one of the most interesting examples of exposure to complex mixtures. Among the raw materials used are silica sand, borax, carbonates, nitrates of Ca, Na, K, and a great number of compounds that are mainly oxides of As, Sb, Al, Zn, Cr, Ni, Sn, Se, Cd, Mn, Cu, Co, Fe, Nd, Er, Eu, and La. In six art glass factories that use As or Sb as fining agents, the exposure to these elements was investigated in 32 workers by means of environmental and biological monitoring. Analysis was conducted by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results confirmed that As, which is the main carcinogen in glass production, reaches high air concentrations and is generally above the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) threshold limit value-time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) of 10 micrograms/m3. When partly substituted by antimonial compounds, As air concentrations dropped dramatically, while the air levels of Sb (which is considered less toxic but is classified as a class 2B carcinogen by IARC) were relatively low and below the ACGIH TLV-TWA of 500 micrograms/m3. Exposure to As and Sb also differed in the three types of jobs investigated: As was high in oven chargers, Sb was higher in batch mixers, and both elements were low in makers-formers. Eleven to 18 elements were detected: arsenic, Al, Ba, Sb, Pb, and Zn were the elements most frequently measured (in tens, and in some cases hundreds, of micrograms/m3), followed by B, Li, Mn, Se, Sn, Sr, Ce, La, and Nd (in micrograms or in some cases tens of micrograms/m3. The results of biological monitoring for As, Sb, and other elements were in agreement with environmental monitoring data. We concluded that multiple detection of elements is a useful tool (or the evaluation of exposure to complex mixtures such as those used in the art glass industry and that such detection also allows a more accurate evaluation of related epidemiological data.

Antimony↗
PubMed1998

Cohort study of art glass workers in Tuscany, Italy: mortality from non-malignant diseases.

This investigation studies cause-specific mortality of art glass workers employed in 17 industrial facilities in Tuscany, Italy. A cohort of 3,390 workers employed for at least 1 year was enumerated from company payrolls. Follow-up was between the start of employment in each factory and 31 December 1993. The cause-specific expected mortality was computed relative to Tuscany rates and specified for gender, 5-year age groups and calendar year. Separate analyses were carried out for the jobs of makers and formers and for batch mixers. Among males (3, 180 individuals) observed mortality for non-cancer causes was higher than expected for hypertensive disease [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 178, 90% confidence interval (90% CI) = 96-301], pneumoconiosis (SMR = 200, 90% CI = 94-376) and diseases of the genitourinary system (SMR = 169, 90% CI = 95-279). Increases for the above causes were shown also among makers and formers: hypertensive disease (SMR = 182, 90% CI = 85-341), pneumoconiosis (SMR = 250, 90% CI = 109-493) and diseases of the genitourinary system (SMR = 224, 90% CI = 121-380). For batch mixers an increase was present for cerebrovascular disease. The observed mortality for cancer causes was above the expected for cancers of the larynx, lung, stomach and brain. This study points to the existence for Tuscan glass workers of health effects in addition to cancer; previously observed carcinogenic effects were also confirmed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Cancer mortality of art glass workers in Tuscany, Italy.

OBJECTIVES: This study considers the cause-specific mortality from cancer among art glass workers employed in 17 industrial facilities in Tuscany, Italy. METHODS: A cohort of 3390 workers, 3180 men and 210 women, employed at least 1 year, was taken from company payrolls. It was followed between the year each factory started operation, mostly the mid-1950s, and 31 December 1993. The cause-specific expected mortality from cancer was computed for men relative to Tuscany rates, specified for gender, 5-year age groups, and calendar year. Separate analyses were carried out for the job title of maker and former and for batch mixers. RESULTS: For 3180 men, the observed mortality was above the expected for larynx [standardized mortality ratio (SMR) 166, 90% confidence interval (90% CI) 90-282], lung (SMR 123, 90% CI 100-151), stomach (SMR 105, 90% CI76-142), and brain (SMR 150, 90%CI 71-282) cancer. Increases for these causes were also found for the makers and formers. Mortality from larynx and lung cancer increased with latency, and significantly increased SMR values were observed for > or =21 years since first exposure. The increasing pattern was also present after adjustment for smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed consistently increased mortality from larynx and lung cancer in the overall cohort and among makers and formers. Stomach and brain cancer was also increased in the overall cohort and among the makers and formers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Blood lead levels in a non-professionally-exposed population from six Tuscan provinces].

We report the results obtained in 1992 concerning the determination of blood lead levels (PbB) in 1321 subjects of the general population living in ten villages/towns of the Florence district characterised by the presence of artistic ceramic factories. We reported also the PbB values found in 2330 adults, 280 children, 39 pregnant women and their correspondent umbilical cords, who were examined during the second biological monitoring campaign against the risk of lead intoxication according to the DPR 496/82. Median PbB values were 92.5 micrograms/l (range 15-520 micrograms/l) for males and 62.5 micrograms/l (range 11-343 micrograms/l) for females. The lower PbB median values were found in the district of Livorno (76.25 micrograms/l and 48.25 micrograms/l in males and females, respectively) and Arezzo (80.5 micrograms/l and 52 micrograms/l in males and females, respectively). In comparison with the results obtained for the general Italian population during the previous biological monitoring campaign carried out in 1985-86 we observed PbB median values about 40% lower for both males and females and PbB median values about 55% lower for children. A significant statistic correlation (r = 0.53) was found between PbB of pregnant women and their umbilical cords.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Art glassware and sinonasal cancer: report of three cases.

In a multicenter study on the occupational etiology of sinonasal cancer (s.n.c.) carried out in Italy, we collected information about three cases which had arisen among glass workers: an adenocarcinoma, a melanoma, and a squamocellular carcinoma. The three men worked many years as mixers and/or batchers in artistic glass factories in Tuscany (Italy). We propose a possible etiological role of arsenic dust.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Response of primary breast cancer to tamoxifen alone in elderly women.

The authors report on a consecutive series of 62 evaluable, elderly (age greater than 69 years) women with primary operable breast cancer treated only with tamoxifen. The treatment schedule was 160 mg on day 1 followed by a daily maintenance dose of 20 mg. Compliance to treatment was excellent, and subjective side effects were minimal. The best response achieved after at least 6 months of treatment was complete in 7, partial in 22 and minor in 3, whereas stable disease or progression was observed in 28 and 2 patients, respectively. The response rate decreased and progressions increased with time. At 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months of treatment, the complete + partial response rates were 30.6%, 45%, 45.6%, 38.7% and 25% and the progressive disease rates 4.8%, 19.6%, 34.8%, 45.2% and 66.6%, respectively. These results do not confirm some previous reports of a high response to tamoxifen. This difference is only partially explained by the use of mammography, which is more sensitive than palpation, to assess tumor size and treatment response. The present study does not support primary hormone therapy as a current alternative to surgery, which should be the standard treatment in otherwise healthy elderly patients with operable breast cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[The Guillain-Barré syndrome. The clinico-electrophysiological correlations].

The authors refer about clinico-electrophysiological correlations in children with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The dates confirm the diagnostic and prognostic value of electrodiagnostic studies in GBS, so that the authors suggest an electrodiagnostic protocol. According to the authors, independently of the extent of electrophysiological abnormalities, young age has a favourable influence on the restoration of conduction abnormalities and on the evolution of damage to peripheral neurones.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Risk of breast cancer subsequent to proven gross cystic disease.

3809 women in whom breast cysts were aspirated were followed up to evaluate the observed/expected ratio of subsequent breast cancer. Breast cancer at cyst aspiration was excluded by physical examination and mammography. The first year of follow-up was censored to avoid a prevalence screening effect. Subsequent breast cancers were found either directly or by means of a cancer registry which also provided the expected age and residence specific incidence rates. The number of expected cancers was assessed in person-years (15,915 in the total series). The observed/expected subsequent breast cancer ratio was 1.77 (34/19.15; 95% confidence interval 1.23-2.48, P less than 0.05). The presence of gross cysts was associated with a moderately though significantly increased risk of subsequent breast cancer. Increased surveillance in such patients is not justified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Referral policy and positive predictive value of call for surgical biopsy in the Florence Breast Cancer Screening Program.

The authors evaluate the referral rates and the predictive value (PV) of call for diagnostic work up or biopsy in a population based breast cancer screening program in the 1979-1986 period. The presence of mammographic abnormalities either benign or suspicious proved to be the only reliable referral criterion (recall rate = 7.9%, recall PV = 3.8%, biopsy call PV = 39%). When mammography was normal the presence of breast complaints other than pain or of a radiologically dense breast were aspecific referral criteria, and since the latter was abandoned, (a) referral rates dropped especially in younger women, (b) referral or biopsy PV improved, whereas (c) cancer detection rate was almost unaffected. Younger age was associated with higher referral rates and with lower PV of both referral or biopsy. Whenever comparison with previous examination was possible, mammography accuracy was higher; this explains the decrease in referral rates and the increased predictivity observed at further rounds with respect to first screening round.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Ring chromosome 16: a new case.

A 46,XX,r(16) "de novo" karyotype is reported in a 4 7/12-year-old girl. In spite of the mild cranio-facial dysmorphism without visceral malformations in r(16) patients, the proband's phenotype is similar to the other four previous case reports. This could support the hypothesis of a specific "r(16) syndrome".

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1990

[Monosomy 7qter: 2 new cases of chromosomal pathology with aspecific disorders of pre- and post-natal development].

Many cases of 7q deletion associated with mental retardation and multiple malformations have been described, nevertheless it is quite different to recognize common features among these infants. In this paper the cases of two female infants with uncommon facial features and 7q deletion are described. We also try to recognize the phenotypic features of this chromosomal disorder.

Chromosome Aberrations↗
PubMed1990

Tumor size and prognosis of breast cancer with negative axillary nodes.

A report on 1877 consecutive node negative (N-) breast cancer cases is presented in which the prognostic value of the main clinico-pathologic features is evaluated. Tumor size (and UICC-TNM T category) and lobular infiltrating histologic type were significantly associated with a more favorable prognosis whereas no association was found for patient age, tumor site and number of examined axillary nodes. However tumor size (and T category) is not a very accurate prognostic predictor (71% of all recurrences observed occurred in cases with tumor diameter of more than 20 mm, which represented 58% of the total series), although its efficiency seems almost as good as that of other more recent prognostic predictors such as estrogen receptor content or labeling index. None of the prognostic predictors currently available, including tumor size, seems sufficiently specific and they do not allow for a reliable selection of high risk N-patients for adjuvant treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Pain in Guillain-Barré syndrome].

The clinical features of pain were analysed in 31 children with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Pain may be considered characteristic of childhood GBS. Pain, various painful sensations and dysaesthesias must be emphasised in the early diagnosis of GBS. An attempt was made to identify the meanings of early pain (preceding or accompanying the onset of weakness), late pain, mild or severe sensory symptoms or signs and the role played by triggering or perpetuating factors. Only the application of a diagnosis-therapeutic protocol for childhood GBS, that pays particular attention to the problem, will suggest satisfactory answers to research.

Child↗
PubMed1989

An attempt to increase compliance to cervical cancer screening through general practitioners.

The authors report the results of a campaign aimed at increasing compliance to cervical cancer screening by promoting general practitioners' (GPs) cooperation. Different types of intervention were tested, namely mailing lists of non responders to the GP, visiting the GP at the office, or both. No active intervention was made in a sample of GPs who served as a control group. Overall 288 GPs assisting 75,853 women aged 25 to 59 were enrolled in the study. Compliance before and after the campaign was studied and the association between compliance and different variables such as age, residence and type of intervention was tested by univariate and multivariate analysis. The proportion of previous non responders who performed a Pap test after the campaign was 6.7%, the response being dependent on age (25-29 = 11.5%, 30-39 = 8.8%, 40-49 = 6.5%, 50-59 = 4.2%) and place of residence (urban = 7.2%, suburban = 5.9%, rural = 4.0%). Compliance was better in the case of the active campaign (list mailing = 8.3%, visit = 7.0%, list + visit = 7.2%) with respect to controls (2.9%) although no significant differences were detected between different types of active intervention. Compliance to cervical cancer screening may be increased by promoting GPs cooperation but the benefit is limited. Mailing lists of non responders was found the most cost effective policy in this study.

Adult↗