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Biomedical subjects

G Aru

Publications and source records attributed to G Aru.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Urinary and blood markers of internal mercury dose in workers from a chlorakali plant and in subjects not occupationally exposed: relation to dental amalgam and fish consumption].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this paper was both to evaluate the internal dose of Hg in occupationally exposed workers (35 Chloralkali workers) compared to that of non occupationally exposed controls (40 workers of the same plant of Portotorres and 22 residents on the island of Carloforte, usual consumers of local fish, mostly tuna fish with relatively high Hg levels) and to assess the relevance of environmental and individual exposure factors linked to lifestyle, sea fish consumption and amalgam fillings. METHODS: All subjects filled out a questionnaire concerning the working history and lifestyle. The amalgam fillings area was measured by medical inspection using a standardised schedule attached to the questionnaire. Mercury in urine (HgU) was measured in all cases, while in a subgroup of our study total blood mercury (HgB) and its organic and inorganic component were also assessed. Furthermore, for 8 of the Carloforte group mercury in hair was also available. RESULTS: Values of urinary mercury excretion of the Chloralkali workers were significantly higher (median value of 15.4, range 4.8-35.0 micrograms/g creatinine, 94.3% of the cases having values > 5 micrograms/g creatinine) than those observed both among the reference group (median value of 1.9, range 0.4-5.6 micrograms/g creatinine, 12.5% of the cases having values a little greater than 5 micrograms/g creatinine) and among the residents in Carloforte (median value of 6.5, range 1.8-21.5 micrograms/g creatinine, 59.1% of the cases having values > 5 mcg/g creatinine). The HgU values observed in this group were in turn significantly higher than those of the non occupationally exposed workers living near Sassari (p = 0.03). Only in this last group were the HgU concentrations statistically significantly related to the extension of the amalgam fillings area (Pearson r = 0.53, p < 0.01). In the Carloforte group HgU was significantly related to the number of fish meal consumed per week (Pearson r = 0.48, p < 0.02). HgB (median value of 5.9, range 3.4-21.6 micrograms/l) as well as its inorganic component (median value of 2.4, range 1.8-4.6 micrograms/l) were significantly higher in the Chloralkali group compared to the other two groups. In all cases of the Carloforte group the ratio between the organic component and the total HgB was higher than 85%, while this ratio was significantly lower in the other two groups. The relationship between HgU and HgB was statistically significant, considering both total blood mercury and the inorganic and the organic components separately. A statistically significant relationship between the sea fish consumption per week and both total HgB (Pearson r = 0.82) and the organic component in this matrix (Pearson r = 0.84, p < 0.001) was observed among 16 non-occupationally exposed subjects. However, the significant relationship between organic blood mercury and sea fish consumption was almost entirely supported by the data observed in the Carloforte group. Total hair mercury levels analysed in 8 subjects of the Carloforte group were high (median value of 9.6, range 1.4-34.5 micrograms/g) and significantly related to sea fish consumption, and to both the individual Hg urinary excretion (Pearson r = 0.83) and to the organic component of blood mercury (Pearson r = 0.87). CONCLUSIONS: According to several experimental human and animal trials and to some recent studies on methylmercury toxicokinetic models, our results suggest that the organic compounds absorbed by usual sea fish consumption may be partially demethylated, increasing the inorganic Hg concentration in the kidney and consequently its urinary excretion, as was observed in the Carloforte group.

Absorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral effects associated with exposure to low doses of mercury from habitual consumption of marine fish].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate neuroendocrine and neurobehavioral effects possibly associated with increased dietary intake of organic mercury (Hg), a group of 22 subjects living on the island of Carloforte (south-west Sardinia) was examined, who were regular consumers of tuna fish with relatively high Hg content. This group, never exposed occupationally to either Hg or to other neurotoxic substances, was compared with 22 age-matched controls employed at a chemical plant in Portotorres (northern Sardinia). METHODS: Hg in urine (HgU) and serum prolactin (PRL) were measured in all cases, whereas measurements of total (HgB) and organic blood mercury were available only for 10 subjects from Carloforte and 6 controls. Data about working history and lifestyle (education, smoking habit, alcohol and sea fish consumption) were collected by an interviewer using a standardised questionnaire. Neurotoxic symptoms were evaluated by a self-administered questionnaire, whereas a test battery, including some computerised tests of the Swedish Performance Evaluation System (SPES) to assess vigilance and psychomotor performance, some tests on motor coordination (Luria-Nebraska and Branches Alternate Movement Task) and one memory test for numbers (Digit Span) was administered to assess neurobehavioral changes associated with exposure to dietary intake of organic mercury. In all cases, characteristics of hand tremor were evaluated by the CATSYS System 7.0. RESULTS: HgU values were significantly higher in the Carloforte group (median 6.5, range 1.8-21.5 micrograms/g creatinine) compared with controls (median 1.5, range 0.5-5.3 micrograms/g creatinine). Serum PRL was significantly higher among subjects from Carloforte and correlated with both urine and blood Hg levels. The scores of each item of the questionnaire investigating neurological symptoms were not statistically different in the two groups. In some tests of the SPES battery (Color Word Vigilance, Digit Symbol and Finger Tapping) the performance of the Carloforte group was significantly worse than that of controls, whereas in the other neurobehavioral tests poorer performances by the Carloforte group were not statistically significant. None of the tremor parameters was significantly different comparing the two groups. Multivariate analysis--controlling for education level and other covariates--carried out for the Symbol-Digit Reaction Time and for the Branches Alternate Movement Task (BAMT) showed that organic Hg concentration in blood was the most significant factor negatively affecting individual performance in these tests. Serum PRL was correlated with some neurobehavioral tests (Digit Symbol, Finger Tapping and BAMT). CONCLUSIONS: Some of the neurobehavioral tests were sensitive enough to discriminate groups with different Hg body burden, even in the low-dose range. However, the pattern of results suggests adverse neurobehavioral effects, especially on psycho-motor coordination, with a significant dose-effect relationship, mostly associated with long-term exposure to low levels of organic mercury due to the usual consumption of large fish with relatively high levels of Hg in the flash.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Silica, silicosis, and lung cancer: analysis if the literature and mortality studies of minor workers in Sardinia].

Starting from a short review of the recent epidemiological studies available in the international literature concerning the association between silica, silicosis and lung cancer, the results of two mortality studies performed in Sardinia are reported. The first study concerns a 20-year follow-up of 1741 miners employed in 1973 in two metalliferous Sardinian mines. In the second study the cause specific mortality of 724 patients with silicosis, firstly diagnosed by standard chest x-ray between 1964 and 1970 in our Institute, has been analysed by a cohort study extended to December 31, 1997. The findings indicate that the slight increased lung cancer mortality observed in these cohorts, more than to the severity of radiological silicosis or to the entity of the cumulative exposure to crystalline silica dust in itself, was significantly associated to other risk factors as cigarette smoking, airflow obstruction and radon-daughters exposure in underground mines.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality from lung cancer among workers of a Sardinian lead smelter [Follow-up: 1972-2001]].

The mortality of 918 Sardinian lead-smelter workers followed between 1972 and 2001 is reported. The assessment of individual exposure to inorganic lead was based on several environmental and blood lead measurements available, for each department and task, between 1985 and 2001. The mortality for all cancers was within the expected numbers (SMR 1.01, n 108). Even if not statistically significant, the mortality for gastric cancer (SMR 1.22, n 4), for lung cancer (SMR 1.21, n 18) and for lymphomas and leukaemias (SMR 1.82, n 6) was higher than that expected from the regional rates during the follow-up. Only for the lung cancer mortality a statistically significant upward trend with increasing categories of lead exposure was observed (SMR 1.96, 95% CI 1.02-3.68 for the highest exposure group). Our study, even if of small size, suggests an association between occupational exposure to inorganic lead and lung cancer risk.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cognitive and performance capacity among adolescents living near a lead and zinc smelter].

To estimate potential early adverse effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS) due to very low exposure to inorganic lead, the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of adolescents with present blood lead concentrations (PhB) generally below 10 micrograms/dl was measured. We analyzed blood lead concentration and individual IQ of 32 Sardinian adolescents living in Portoscuso, a town 2 Km far from a lead smelter, and of other 32 controls living in S. Antioco, a town about 15 Km far from the same smelter. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC-R) was administered. The relation between IQ and blood lead concentration was estimated by linear multivariate models adjusting for several potential confounders, such as the educational and socio-economic level of the parents. The blood lead concentration was in average significantly higher in the Portoscuso group compared to controls. The linear model applied to the total population studied (n 64) showed that the blood lead concentration was inversely and significantly associated with IQ, with an extrapolated decline of 1.29 points in total IQ for each microgram/dl increase of blood concentration. According to the recent scientific literature on this topic, results of our pilot study suggest the need to further lower the definition of an elevated blood lead concentration for children to a threshold significantly below 10 micrograms/dl, value till now considered "safe" for the children's CNS.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mortality for pancreatic cancer among aluminium smelter workers in Sardinia, Italy.

To investigate the relationship between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mortality for specifc cancer sites, 1152 men, employed for at least 1 year at a prebake aluminium smelter, were followed-up from 1972 until 31 December 2001. Exposure to PAHs was estimated from a detailed reconstruction of the working history experienced in the plant by each cohort member and from several environmental and personal shift-sampling measurements available, by task and working department, since 1979. Furthermore, information on smoking habits, previous jobs before engagement in the smelter and main clinical findings observed during the follow-up were collected from the personal medical files. This study showed no increased mortality for lung cancer or bladder cancer associated to exposure to PAHs. Mortality for pancreatic cancer, based on 6 observed deaths, was significantly higher than expected in the whole cohort (SMR 2.4; 95%CI 1.1-5.2) and particularly among workers employed in the anodes factory of the plant (SMR 5.0, 95%CI 2.1-12.1), where a relatively consistent exposure to PAHs has been estimated. The nested case-control study planned for pancreatic cancer cases, confirmed that, also after controlling for cigarette smoking, PAH exposure experienced in the anodes factory was associated with a significant increased risk of pancreatic cancer. A pre-existent diabetes mellitus and a potential occupational exposure to pesticides experienced in previous agricultural jobs were found as concurrent significant covariates increasing the risk. In conclusion, the relatively high exposure to PAHs, experienced in the anodes factory and particularly in the green-mill department of this prebake aluminium reduction plant, cannot be ruled out as one of the main factors in the multifactorial aetiology of the pancreatic cancers observed in this study.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study on mortality by specific cause among workers at a lead and zinc foundry in Sardinia].

The mortality of 918 Sardinian lead-smelter workers followed between 1972 and 2001 is reported. The assessment of individual exposure to inorganic lead was based on several environmental and blood lead measurements available, for each department and task, between 1985 and 2001. The mortality for all cancers was within the expected numbers (SMR 1.01, n 108). Even if not statistically significant, the mortality for gastric cancer (SMR 1.22, n 4), for lung cancer (SMR 1.21, n 18) and for lymphomas and leukaemias (SMR 1.82, n 6) was higher than that expected from the regional rates during the follow-up. Only for the lung cancer mortality a statistically significant upward trend with increasing categories of lead exposure was observed (SMR 1.96, 95% CI 1.02-3.68 for the highest exposure group). Our study, even if of small size, suggests an association between occupational exposure to inorganic lead and lung cancer risk.

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intellectual quotient and environmental exposure to low doses of lead].

The effects of low-level lead exposure on children's intelligence quotient (IQ) were investigated in 64 Sardinian adolescents (13-16 years old). To estimate potential early adverse effects on the Central Nervous System (CNS) due to very low-level lead, the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) of adolescents with present blood lead concentrations (PbB) generally below 10 microg/dl was measured. We analyzed blood lead concentration and individual IQ of 32 Sardinian children living in Portoscuso, a town 2 Km far from a lead smelter, and of other 32 controls living in S. Antioco, a town about 15 Km far from the same smelter. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Revised (WISC-R) was administered. The relation between IQ and blood lead concentration was estimated by linear multivariate models adjusting for several potential confounders, such as the educational and socio-economic level of the parents. The blood lead concentration was in average significantly higher in the Portoscuso group compared to controls. The linear model applied to the total population studied (n 64) showed that the blood lead concentration was inversely and significantly associated with IQ, with an extrapolated decline of 1.29 points in total IQ for each microg/dl increase of lead blood concentration. According to the recent scientific literature on this topic, results of our pilot study suggest the need to further lower the blood lead concentration for children to a threshold significantly below 10 microg/dl, value till now considered "safe" for the children's CNS.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurobehavioural testing in lead smelter workers].

Several recent meta-analyses, although some inconsistencies between studies, provide evidence for subtle deficits in neurobehavioural tests being associated with average blood levels (PbB) between 350 and 600 microg/l and for significant correlations between impairments in some test results and increasing indices present andlor cumulative exposure to inorganic lead. In this study we assessed the relationship between blood lead level (PbB) and results of some neurobehavioural tests derived from the SPES battery and from the WAIS-R among a sample of 94 lead smelter workers (median PbB: 302 microg/l; range: 60-690 microg/l). The stepwise multiple regression analysis shows that, even after adjusting for age, education level, score in the vocabulary test and for alcohol and cigarette consumption, the rise of PbB above 300 microg/l was significantly associated with the rise in the number of errors and in the response time of the Symbol Digit test. No significant relationship between PbB and results of the other tests was observed after adjusting for the main confounding factors. Despite the small size of this study and the few number of neurobehavioural tests applied, our results are suggestive for suble potential neurotoxic effects of inorganic lead even at the present exposure levels found in the studied sample of smelter workers and support the ACGIH BEI and the SCOEL recommendation for a biological limit of 300 microg/l of PbB.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bicycle ergometry exercise tests: a comparison between 3 protocols with an increasing load].

A group of 26 male long-distance runners performed 3 cycle ergometer tests of progressively increasing intensity up to exhaustion. The tests were performed on 3 different days. The workload increased as follows: 30 Watts every 3 min (test I), 10 Watts every min (test II), and 30 Watts every min (test III). Ventilatory and gas exchange measurements were averaged every 30 sec during each test. The heart rate (HR) was monitored continuously by ECG. In each test the anaerobic threshold (AT) was determined using ventilatory and gas exchange indices (VE, VCO2, VE/VO2). The work load on exhaustion and power at AT were the same comparing test I with test II, but these values were significantly higher in the 30 Watts/1 minute test. Conversely, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and the VO2 observed at anaerobic threshold were comparable in the 3 protocols. The slopes of VO2, VCO2, VE and HR against the work load (Watts) were identical in test I and II, but were slower in test III. However, no differences in the ventilatory and heart rate patterns versus oxygen uptake were observed comparing the three exercise tests. These results suggest a good comparability between the 30 Watts/3 min test and the 10 Watt/1 min protocol. Furthermore, for workloads below AT, a steady state was attained at the 3rd minute of each phase during test I, while oxygen uptake and other cardio-respiratory variables were underestimated during the protocol in which phases of 30 Watts were maintained only for 1 minute.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Palliative surgery for single ventricle heart malformations.

During a 6-year period, 24 patients, aged 7 days to 18 years, underwent palliative surgery for single-ventricle heart malformations; 22 has single-left ventricle with outlet chamber (14 with L-transposition); only two had type C malformation (van Praagh). They were subdivided according to physiology into two groups: the first included 15 patients with decreased pulmonary blood flow, whose main clinical feature was arterial desaturation; the second consisted of nine patients with increased pulmonary blood flow, who presented early with unmanageable heart failure. The first group was treated with a Blalock-Taussig shunt (typical or modified) in 12 cases (one death due to preoperative acute renal failure), with a Waterston or Potts shunt in two cases (both died early postoperatively), and by enlargement of the bulbo-ventricular foramen in one (who died at operation). No late deaths were seen and the clinical status of the survivors is judged optimal. Patients of the second group received a pulmonary artery banding plus a number of associated procedures: coarctation repair (2), ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus (2), Blalock-Hanlon atrial septectomy (1), tricuspid valve replacement (1). There was only one early death due to critical subaortic stenosis produced by a restrictive outlet foramen; however, there were five late deaths and two cases of surgical failure with persistent pulmonary hypertension. An analysis of the best palliative approach in patients with single-ventricle heart malformations is made, based upon the results of this series and taking into consideration the possibility of future intracardiac repair.

Adolescent↗