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Biomedical subjects

G Filippini

Publications and source records attributed to G Filippini.

60 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Electrophysiological study of subjects occupationally exposed to lead and with low levels of lead poisoning.

The relationship between the length of exposure to lead, blood lead level (PbB), and peripheral nerve damage in a population occupationally exposed to low lead levels was evaluated. Sixty-two foundry workers were studied whose length of exposure ranged from 5 months to 10 a; their mean PbB in the last 2 a had not exceeded 50 microgram/100 ml (2.4 mumol/l). The referents were 27 hospital employees, of comparable ages, not occupationally exposed to lead. The electrophysiological examination consisted of the determination of the motor conduction velocity (MCV) of the median, and peroneal nerves, sensory conduction velocity (SCV) of the median and sural nerves, and the latency of the T and H reflexes. The mean MCV, SCV and the amplitude of the sensory action potential (SAP) of the median nerve were significantly lower in the group of exposed workers than in the reference group. When the exposed subjects were divided into three groups according to length of exposure, no difference was observed between the three groups. When they were divided into different groups according to the maximum PbB (max PbB) value, the observed differences with respect to the reference groups were already present in those with a max PbB of less than 50 microgram/100 ml (less than 2.4 mumol/l), but were more evident in the subjects with a max PbB of greater than 70 microgram/100 ml (greater than 3.4 mumol/l). Within the group of subjects with a max PbB of 50-69 microgram/100 ml (2.4-3.3 mumol/l), the differences with respect to the reference values were more evident for subjects with a short length of exposure (less than 2 a). The MCV of the median nerve correlated with the time since the PbB exceeded 50 microgram/100 ml (2.4 mumol/l). In conclusion, the electrophysiological changes observed in lead-exposed subjects do not seem correlated with the length of exposure. Such alterations seem more evident in those subjects whose PbB has been greater than 70 microgram/100 ml (3.4 mumol/l) at least once during the preceding 2 a and in those subjects who, at the time of the neurophysiological examination, have a PbB greater than 50 microgram/100 ml (2.4 mumol/l). The apparently greater sensitivity to lead in new employees, compared to workers with a longer exposure time, remains to be clarified.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Relationship between clinical and electrophysiological findings and indicators of heavy exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-dioxin.

In this study the prevalence rate of peripheral neuropathy in a population living in an area polluted with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-dioxin (dioxin-TCDD) was determined. Of the 723 subjects invited to the first screening in 1977, 470 (65%) attended. At the second screening in 1978, of the 710 invited subjects, 319 (45%) attended. Prevalence rate ratios for peripheral neuropathy and the associated 95% confidence limits were calculated for subgroups determined by the presence of (i) predisposing factors to neuropathy (alcoholism, diabetes, occupational exposure to neurotoxic agents, etc) or (ii) conditions thought to result from exposure to dioxin-TCDD such as chloracne or abnormal serum hepatic enzyme levels. The prevalence rate of peripheral neuropathy among those subjects with predisposing factors and among those with chloracne or abnormal serum hepatic enzyme levels was nearly three times greater than among those without these manifestations. The results derived from this study may be useful qualitative pointers for identifying subjects at risk in the neurological follow-up.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The cognitive development of children born preterm and affected by spastic diplegia.

In a prospective study the intellectual development of 20 premature children affected by spastic diplegia was compared with that of 10 preterm low-risk children. The assessment was carried out with the Griffiths scale at the age of 3 years and with the WPPSI scale at the age of 6 years. The analysis of data collected in the 2 psychometric evaluations of the preterm-born diplegic children showed a disharmonic profile of neuropsychological functions, already present at the age of 3 years and confirmed at the age of 6 years. The average scores in diplegic children were poorest in the subscales locomotor, eye-hand coordination, and performance on Griffiths scale, and in the performance subtests of the WPPSI scale. The mean scores of subscales for hearing and speech, and practical reasoning on the Griffiths scale and of the verbal subscale of the WPPSI were near to the lower range of the normal distribution. Significant differences in performance subtests were found between the groups of preterm diplegic children and the group of low-risk preterm children, both at 3 and 6 years of age.

Cerebral Palsy↗