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Biomedical subjects

G Elia

Publications and source records attributed to G Elia.

134 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[The inhalation of low concentrations of manganese powders produces changes in respiratory mucociliary clearance].

The aim of this study is to verify whether inhaling metallic dusts, containing a lower concentration of Mn (as Mn3O4) than current TLV can cause alterations in exposed workers tracheobronchial mucociliary clearance. We studied 20 grinders using an 11.5-13% Mn steel, and a control group of 21 standard steel grinders, employed in the same foundry. Environmental Mn dust was measured by personal samplers. All workers were administered a questionnaire about chronic bronchitis; the following examinations were also carried out: medical examination, spirometry, chest standard X-ray and urinary Mn dosage. Mucociliary clearance was measured by human respiratory mucus transportability on frog palate and expressed as normalized frog palate transport rate (NFPTR). Mucus was obtained through a sputum so protected as to avoid salivary contamination. Environmental measurements showed a Mn concentration from 0.1 to 1 mg/m3 with respect to a TLV of 5 mg/m3. Exposed workers and control group were homogeneous as far as age, working period, tobacco smoking habit and spirometric parameters are concerned. Chest X-ray examination showed no evidence of pneumoconiosis. Mn exposed workers showed a NFPTR reduction, if compared to normal level (0.70). NFPTR average value in exposed group has come out to be much lower than in control group. NFPTR alteration in Mn exposed group appears to be strictly linked to a longer than 15 years working seniority. Urinary Mn values resulted extremely low in each worker and their average was not significantly different between the groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Liver abscess: is drug therapy only possible?].

We describe a case of liver abscess, whose favourable evolution, after the initial medical treatment, started when we didn't know the diagnosis, persuaded us to continue the begun treatment, based on localization of disease and on clinical improvement, instead of carrying out on evacuative puncture. At moment, according to our knowledge, this is the third case of liver abscess which has recovered by on antibiotic rational treatment without surgical punctures. Can we treat the liver abscess like the pneumonia according to features of localization and clinical history?

Ceftazidime↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Retrospective study of Mycobacterium avium complex infection in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome].

We discuss here our experience with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in 446 HIV-positive patients. MAC was found in 13 cases (2.9%): 10 males, 3 females, age range 21-47 years. Infection was disseminated in 10 cases and limited to the lung in 3. CD4+ cells were, on average, 48 per microliters. At clinical onset, all patients suffered from fever and weight loss, 10 from anemia, and 5 from diarrhea. MAC was found in its disseminated form in cultures of blood (10 patients), stool (5 patients) and urine (1 patient). Broncho-alveolar lavage seemed to be the most specific diagnostic method for lung infection. Twelve patients were treated with a multi-drug regimen consisting of an association of 4 or 5 antibiotics, selected on the basis of antibiogram, from the following: clofazimine, rifabutin, ciprofloxacin, ethambutol, isoniazid, amikacin and piazofolin. Mean survival of patients was 91.7%, 83.4%, 71.8% and 58.4% at 4, 5, 6 and 7 months of treatment respectively. Although the mean survival of the treated group is similar to that of untreated patients, multi-drug therapy seems to improve quality of life inasmuch as it brings temperature to normal and enables weight gain. Dissemination was never observed after treatment in patients with pulmonary infection only.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of type II achondrogenesis].

We describe a rare case of type II achondrogenesis (gestational age = thirty-two weeks) dead forty-five minutes after birth. This congenital skeletal dysplasia is classified among the lethal osteochondrodysplasias. Clinical features were enough for diagnosis and autopsy added nothing to our clinical knowledges.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Non-bioavailability of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contained in coal dust].

The aim of the study was to ascertain whether polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) especially 3,4-benzo(a)pyrene, could be eluted from coal dust that comes into contact with biological fluids or crosses the skin barrier. A fine-grained coal dust with known PAH content was placed into contact with homogenized pig lung or human gastric juices, and also applied to monkey skin, using the cutaneous window method. The results demonstrate that, in the in vitro systems used, PAHs contained in coal dust are not eluted by lung homogenate or gastric juices, nor are they capable of crossing the skin barrier. These results justify and support the interpretation given to the results of experimental carcinogenicity studies on coal dust which never succeeded in demonstrating a higher incidence of cancer, particularly lung cancer, in treated animals.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of amalgam fillings on urinary mercury excretion in subjects from Apulia (southern Italy).

The purpose of this study was to assess the role of dental amalgams and diet upon urinary mercury (U-Hg) excretion. 98 subjects (50 men and 48 women) not exposed to inorganic mercury, for either occupational or environmental reasons, and living in coastal and inland districts of Apulia (Southern Italy) were considered. All the subjects were administered a questionnaire with questions concerning life style, medical history, and occupational activity. Dental amalgams were evaluated with respect to their number and their surface areas. Urinary mercury was measured by the cold vapour atomic absorption technique. Expressed in terms of arithmetic mean, U-Hg excretion was found to amount to 1.03 micrograms/g creatinine (5th and 95th percentile: 0.31 and 2.40; range 0.30-3.25). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, of the several tested independent variables (dental amalgams, age, body mass index, consumption of tuna, bass, swordfish, etc.), only the number of amalgam fillings (T = 5.25; p = 0.025) and the number of restored surfaces (T = 2.33; p = 0.020) were found liable to affect urinary mercury excretion in a significant manner. In conclusion, the results of this study confirm the primary role of amalgam fillings in affecting urinary mercury excretion in those subjects who are not occupationally exposed to inorganic mercury, The resulting urinary mercury levels can no doubt be taken as the reference values for the population of Apulia.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dental amalgams and urine elimination of mercury in workers exposed to low concentrations of inorganic mercury].

The aim of the research was to assess the contribution of dental amalgams and other non-occupational factors of exposure to inorganic mercury (diet, etc.) to the quantity of mercury excreted with urine in workers exposed to low level concentrations of inorganic mercury. Two groups of workers (Groups I and II) were studied who were exposed to low and different environmental concentrations of inorganic mercury. These two groups were compared with a group of subjects not occupationally exposed to mercury in the same geographical area (Group III). All subjects were administered a questionnaire concerning personal data, lifestyle, recent removal and/or insertion of dental amalgam fillings, presence of nasal obstruction or bruxism and consumption of fish. The number of amalgam-filled teeth was established for each subject. Mean environmental exposure to inorganic mercury was 0.0087 mg/m3 for Group I and 0.0030 mg/m3 for Group II. Urinary excretion in the 3 groups was 4.2 +/- 2.8 micrograms/l for Group I, 3.0 +/- 2.1 micrograms/l for Group II and 1.6 +/- 1.2 micrograms/l for Group III. The results showed that of the factors of exposure to inorganic mercury, only occupational exposure (T = 9.18; p = 0.000) and the number of amalgam-filled teeth (T = 2.03; p = 0.043) were able to influence significantly urinary excretion of mercury; the sources of non-occupational exposure did not appear to play any role. The contribution of each amalgam filling to urinary mercury excretion was calculated to be 0.08 microgram/l. Occupational exposure therefore, even at low level doses, is still the main cause of urinary mercury excretion in workers exposed to inorganic mercury; of the non-occupational exposure factors, a significant role is played by amalgam dental fillings, whose contribution needs to be taken into consideration in order to make a correct interpretation of the results of biological monitoring of exposed workers.

Adult↗