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Biomedical subjects

G Franco

Publications and source records attributed to G Franco.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

[Toxicological and analytical lists: chromium and its compounds].

The main aspects of occupational exposure to chromium and chromium compounds are surveyed. Special attention is paid to the toxic action of this metal at the different target organs. The nutritional aspect of CrIII is examined preliminarily, and data detailing the metal contents in water and food are provided. As far the different working processes that entail occupational exposure to chromium are concerned, hygienic and environmental problems are discussed while identifying the average environment exposure to the different chemical forms of chromium (CrIII, CrIV, soluble and not soluble), as a function of the worker's tasks, and the relevant human response (total human Cr). Different hygienic and environmental standards in force in various countries and applicable to chromium compounds are compared. Additional information is given on the main aspects of chromium metabolism (absorption, distribution, excretion), and on the prevailing toxic actions, with specific reference to cancerogenesis. As far as biologic monitoring of the exposed people is concerned, the significance of Cr-U as dose-exposure indicator is discussed, also in the light of a critical review of the reference values. The report describes a series of analytical methods for the identification of chromium in aqueous and biologic matrices. The problems connected with health monitoring and fitness for work are eventually covered.

Chromium↗
PubMed1987

[Anesthetics vapors and gases and health hazards: results of an environmental survey].

The occupational exposure to nitrous oxide and other anaesthetic agents in two hospitals was measured with personal samplers. The highest concentration of nitrous oxide was found in the orthopaedic theatre (2932 ppm), but in other operating theatres the values were not less than 200 ppm. Both the average volume of anaesthetic gases and vapours used per patient and per room and lack of appreciable active ventilation may affect the exposure of staff, potentially at risk from excessive occupational exposure to anaesthetic agents. These observations suggest that adequate health and safety programmes should be established in occupational health care.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1986

Serum bile acid concentrations as a liver function test in workers occupationally exposed to organic solvents.

Liver injury has long been associated with occupational exposure to a wide variety of chemicals. The controversial data existing in relation to hepatotoxicity of organic solvents might be explained as a consequence of the different exposures or it may well be that the tests used for evaluating liver function might not be sensitive enough to detect any mild changes at an early stage. To study liver function during exposure to solvent mixtures, we determined serum bile acid (SBA) concentrations as compared with conventional liver function tests in a selected group of workers (n = 30) occupationally exposed to a mixture of organic solvents (mostly toluene, xylene, acetone, n-butylacetate, n-butanol, ethylacetate) and in a reference group (n = 20). The mean levels of liver enzyme activities and bilirubin concentrations in the two groups were similar, whereas mean SBA levels increased in the exposed group (8.0 +/- 6.0 mumol/l vs 2.8 +/- 1.4 mumol/l) and the difference as compared with the controls was significant (P less than 0.01). In 73% of the exposed workers, SBA levels were higher than 5.6 mumol/l (the cut-off value) as compared with 5% of the controls. These results demonstrate the higher sensitivity in detecting liver dysfunction achieved with the SBA test as compared with conventional hepatic function tests. As increased SBA concentrations are considered to reflect an impairment of anion transport across the liver, higher SBA levels in the group of workers exposed to organic solvents might be explained as a slight and early sign of liver dysfunction. Therefore, SBA determination in biological monitoring of workers exposed to potentially hepatotoxic chemicals might be proposed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[A method of venous study by real time ultrasonography associated with directional and continuous Doppler ultrasonography].

The authors propose a method of investigation of the superficial and deep venous axes of the limbs, neck, abdomen and pelvis by using successively directional and continuous wave Doppler and real time high resolution echotomography. The principle is to recognise normal and pathological venous flow by the Doppler technique and to detect the intrinsic (thrombus, agenesis) or extrinsic abnormalities causing local haemodynamic disturbances or distal emboli even in the absence of flow disturbance by echotomography. If the suggested protocol is strictly observed, the method allows diagnosis of the majority of pathologies, not only their haemodynamic consequences but also the underlying causes.

Hemodynamics↗
PubMed1986

[Work and health: work-related disease].

Work and health interact with one another in the following ways: when work is adapted to human goals and capacities of men, work can play important role in promoting both physical and mental health; exposure to chemical, physical and biological risk factors, can lead to occupational diseases; both work environment and work condition can play a role, together with other risk factors, in the development of diseases characterized by a multiple etiology. Such diseases have been commonly called work-related. In occupational disease, there is a direct cause-effect relationship between hazard and disease, whereas in work-related disease, the work environment contributes, but as one of a number of factors, to the development of the disease. Because of their multifactorial and complex etiology, work-related diseases represent an interesting subject for epidemiological surveys. At the time, epidemiological study of work-related diseases can take the following forms. Descriptive studies relating morbidity to occupation, work area, task, or specific exposure can be concerned with anything from "hard" indicators of illness (such as death), to "soft; indicators (such as non-specific symptoms). Descriptive studies of work-related diseases utilizing the latter indicators of disease are usually study ad hoc, since morbidity registers do not exist for any disease in our country.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Health↗
PubMed1986

[Significance and prognosis of idiopathic macrohematuria in childhood. Long-term surveillance of 45 patients].

Idiopathic macrohematuria represents 14 to 15% of all macroscopic hematurias in children, being more frequent than in adults (5 to 8%). Of 45 children admitted with this affection between 1968 and 1982, 45 were followed up regularly over 2 to 16 years (mean 9 years). Initial investigations included urine cytobacteriology, blood tests, urography and mictional cysto-urethrography, cystoscopy, immunology and renal ultrasound imaging (since 1978). Review examinations were comprised of blood and urine biologic tests, a standard abdominal radiograph, renal and bladder ultrasound imaging and urography (in 19 cases with persistent macro- or micro-hematuria). Of these 45 cases, macrohematuria was no longer present after 1 year in 31 cases (69%), and persisted for a maximum of 8 years until finally disappearing in 10 cases (22%): it persisted without change in 4 cases (8.8%). During follow up surveillance, 37 children (82.2%) failed to present any urinary affection, but 8 children (17.8%) were found to have urologic or nephrologic disease possibly responsible for the hematurial (including 5 cases of lithiasis). Analysis of findings showed associated urinary affections in 6% of cases when hematuria ceased before the 1st year and in 36% when it persisted. At the present time all 45 children have normal renal function, and idiopathic macrohematuria in children can be considered to be a benign lesion when the diagnosis is confirmed by very complete investigations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

[Ultrasonic diagnosis of aneurysmal polydystrophies].

Two methods are available for establishing a positive diagnosis of aneurysmal polydystrophies: the use of hemodynamic data from Doppler recordings to obtain details of the degree of parietal elasticity and the effect of parietal lesions on circulatory rate, and the application of real time ultrasound imaging to visualize the structure of the wall, the contents of the lumen and the level and extent of variations in caliber.

Aneurysm↗
PubMed1984

[Medical treatment of cystine lithiasis in children].

Prophylactic measures or dissolution by medical therapy was used to treat bladder cystine stones in 14 children over about a 10-year period. All patients received alpha-MPG (alpha-mercaptopropionylglycine) except one child allergic to alpha-MPG who was treated with DNP (D-penicillamine). In 10 patients the treatment was administered 11 times to dissolve the stones, with resulting total dissolution in 6 cases, partial removal in one case. Two patients are still under treatment and 2 cases failed to respond. Among the 12 patients receiving preventive therapy, only 2 cases were reported as developing recurrences, due in fact to irregular taking of medication. Lytic treatment proceeded without any particular problems, and results were more than satisfactory, but for preventive therapy the difficulty resides in its application and duration when confronted with the serious and frequent danger of a relapse.

Amino Acids, Sulfur↗
PubMed1984

[Reference values of erythrocyte zinc-protoporphyrin in monitoring occupational exposure to lead].

On the basis of the determination of zincprotoporphyrin and blood lead levels in 290 subjects working in various industrial and service branches, not occupationally exposed to lead risk, reference values of erythrocytary zincprotoporphyrin are calculated (mean value 16.8 micrograms/dl, upper limit 32.4 micrograms/dl) and proposed to be adopted in biological monitoring of lead exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Electromyographic investigation in early diagnosis of carbon disulphide neuropathy: a study on 216 workers with different degrees of exposure.

An electromyographic (EMG) investigation was performed on 216 workers of a viscose rayon plant with different degrees of exposure to CS2. In the light of the data supplied by the survey the AA. maintain that meedle EMG is able to detect, probably better than other test, changes of PNS even if they are very slight, and to select subjects having a higher risk of suffering from neuropathies. Nevertheless, also because of its sensitivity, EMG seems to be less specific than other electrophysiological parameters such as maximal motor conductions velocity (MMCV), that is significantly altered in exposed people. Muscular changes may be connected to a specific effect of CS2 less surely than MMCV change. However, they might be considered as pointing to a predisposition to PNS illness and it seems advisable to eclude these subjects from CS2 exposure.

Adult↗