Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Moscato

Publications and source records attributed to G Moscato.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

[Styrene-induced occupational asthma and rhinitis].

Styrene is an aromatic compound widely used in the production of plastic polymers and rubbers. Studies of the effect of styrene on the respiratory tract are scarce. We describe three cases of occupational asthma and one case of occupational rhinitis due to styrene, which have been recently observed in our center. There is evidence that styrene can be a primary cause of occupational asthma and rhinitis. The mechanisms of action are unknown. Our findings suggest the need for preventive strategies for styrene exposed workers.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Occupational asthma due to styrene: two case reports.

Two cases of occupational asthma due to styrene are described. The subjects complained of cough, breathlessness, and symptoms of asthma when coming into contact with styrene; in patient 1 the respiratory reaction was followed by a late cutaneous rash. The symptoms disappeared when the subjects were away from work on weekends or holidays. In both cases, inhalation challenge with styrene produced an immediate bronchospastic reaction which was followed by a late cutaneous rash in patient 1. Prior administration of disodium cromoglycate (40 mg from a spinhaler) prevented the respiratory reactions completely, but failed to prevent the late skin response in case 1. Styrene removal was followed by complete disappearance of the symptoms. We conclude that styrene can be a primary cause of occupational asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Increased neutrophil chemotactic activity in exercise- and "fog"-induced asthma.

To investigate whether exercise- and ultrasonic "fog"-induced asthma are due to the same mechanism, i.e. mediator release induced by osmotic changes, we measured the serum neutrophil chemotactic activity before and after exercise and inhalation of "fog" in 15 asthmatic subjects. To assess changes in airway caliber we measured specific airway conductance (SGaw); to assess changes in neutrophil chemotactic activity we measured the maximum distance reached by neutrophils in a filter when challenged with the subject's serum in a Boyden chamber. In 10 subjects, SGaw decreased by more than 35% and neutrophil chemotactic activity increased significantly (P less than 0.05) both after exercise and "fog", whereas in five subjects no change occurred either after exercise or "fog". We conclude that both exercise- and "fog"-induced asthma are associated with increased serum neutrophil chemotactic activity, and that both stimuli may cause asthma by osmotically triggering mediator release from mast cells.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Nasal and bronchial respiratory pathology in a group of workers exposed to phthalic anhydride].

Each subject answered a questionnaire, and was submitted to respiratory function tests, bronchial challenge with methacholine and ultrasonic "fog", specific challenge with fumes and powder of PA, measuring nasal and bronchial resistances at the same time by means of a plethysmograph. Serum specific IgE against PA were assessed by the method E.L.I.S.A. Inhalation of "fog" induced a positive nasal response (i.e. nasal resistance increase greater than 70% from baseline) in 73.7% of the subjects, whereas only 3 subjects had a positive bronchial response; specific challenge with PA induced a positive nasal response in 75% out of the subjects, whereas a positive bronchial response was observed in only one subject. 22.7% of the subjects had bronchial hyperreactivity to methacholine. In none of the subjects specific IgE against PA were detectable. We conclude that PA acts as an aspecific irritative agent of airways, particularly of nasal airways.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1986

Non-specific nasal reactivity: a proposed method of study.

To test a method for assessing non-specific nasal hyperreactivity, we submitted 23 allergic rhinitis sufferers, 12 normal subjects, 2 patients with asthma and 3 patients with asthma and rhinitis to bronchial challenge with ultrasonic fog (UNDW), recording nasal resistance (NR) and specific bronchial conductance (sGaw) simultaneously by means of a plethysmograph. A significant post-challenge NR increase was observed in 19 of the 23 rhinitis patients, in every patient with asthma and rhinitis, but in only 2 of the 12 normals and in none of the patients with asthma. There was no disturbing increase of nasal secretion. A significant post-challenge sGaw decrease was observed in all the asthmatics and in the patients with asthma and rhinitis, but only in 1 of the 12 normals and in 3 of the 23 rhinitis patients. We conclude that bronchial UNDW could be a suitable method for assessing both nasal and bronchial hyperreactivity.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of nifedipine on hyperreactive bronchial responses to methacholine.

Recent reports in the literature suggest that disorders in the regulation of calcium ion concentration in airway smooth muscle may be at the basis of bronchial hyperreactivity. In order to evaluate whether nifedipine, a calcium channel blocking drug, could alter the bronchial reactivity to methacholine, nine patients suffering from occupational asthma were submitted to bronchial challenge with methacholine with and without premedication with nifedipine, 20 mg sublingually. The bronchial responses were followed by measuring FEV1 by means of a bell spirometer. The provocation dose of methacholine capable to induce a 15% decrease of FEV1, (PD15FEV1) was considered the bronchial threshold dose for each subject. Average PD15FEV1 increased from 310.6 micrograms (SD = 191.7) in the test without premedication with nifedipine to 1,012.3 micrograms (SD = 640.0) in the test with premedication (P less than .01). Subjectively, all the patients showed better tolerance to the bronchoconstriction during the test with nifedipine. Our data indicate that nifedipine decreases bronchial reactivity to methacholine.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Bronchial asthma due to spiramycin and adipic acid.

Two cases of bronchial asthma due to spiramycin in workers of a pharmaceutical factory are reported. The subjects complained of cough, breathlessness and symptoms of asthma at work when coming into contact with spiramycin's powder. The symptoms cleared when away from work for more than 3 or 4 days. Inhalation challenge tests by aerosolization of solutions of spiramycin reproduced asthmatic reactions dual in type in both patients, the immediate component of the response has not been previously described for this antibiotic. Furthermore, one of the patients developed an immediate asthmatic reaction also after inhalation of a solution of adipic acid, and additive to bind spiramycin and diminish its irritant action. The reaction was obtained at a non-irritant concentration of the acid, was reproducible and inhibited by previous administration of sodium cromoglycate: this finding and the failure to elicit the reaction in the other patient suggest a hypersensitivity reaction to this substance.

Adipates↗
PubMed1983

Protective effect of nifedipine upon specific bronchial responses to isocyanates.

In order to evaluate the effect of nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, upon specific bronchial responses to isocyanates, 5 subjects with occupational asthma due to TDI were examined. Each subject was exposed to an atmosphere containing 0.01 ppm of TDI in an inhalation chamber for 15 minutes; the test was repeated on a different day 45 minutes after administration of placebo or nifedipine (20 mg sublingually) in a random fashion. Our data show an effectiveness of nifedipine at the above mentioned dose in preventing the responses arising immediately or within one hour after the exposure (cases n. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). For preventing late responses it was necessary to repeat the administration of nifedipine (10 mg sublingually) 2 hours after the exposure (cases n. 4 and n. 5). The mechanism by which nifedipine prevents bronchial responses to isocyanates has not been elucidated.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Study of a group of subjects occupationally exposed to tartaric acid].

The Authors report the results of an investigation carried out in a factory producing tartaric acid in order to evaluate the effects of occupational exposure to this substance. A group of 44 subjects exposed to the acid and a group of 30 subjects not exposed, as a means of control, were submitted to anamnestic questionnaire, othorinolaringoyatric examination, spirometry, bronchodilatation test with salbutamol. Our data show a higher prevalence of oropharyngeal and cutaneous lesions in the exposed subjects, while no difference between the two groups was found for dental, bronchial and gastric lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Functional conditions of the respiratory system and work site pollution. III. Relationships between "risk indicators" and "respiratory risk" in a chemical industry (author's transl)].

The results are reported of a retrospective study carried out by the authors on 717 workers of a chemical industry whose exposure was diversified and quantified through a work environment survey. A comparison between "risk indicators" and both objective (respiratory function changes) and subjective (chronic bronchopneumopathy symptoms) "risks" showed a significant probability of the causal role played by work environment pollution in respect of the repiratory changes found by the authors.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pulmonary sporotrichosis with hyphae in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary sporotrichosis is a rare event. Sporothrix schenckii is a dimorphic fungus and develops at 37 degrees C in yeast form. Usually hyphae are not observed in tissues, although their presence has been occasionally demonstrated in biopsies. CASE: A 37-year-old man, human immunodeficiency virus-1 positive, with a CD4 cell count of 345/mm3, developed a productive cough. A sputum smear revealed the presence of a large amount of long, thin, septated micelia. The hyphae bore oval, sessile conidia. Cultures of sputum yielded numerous colonies of S schenckii. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of hyphae of S schenckii in sputum. This case emphasizes the possibilities of cytology for the diagnosis of mycotic infections. Fungi have typical morphologies, and it is possible, on the basis of microscopic evidence, to suspect the nature of the infection early and thus to direct culture procedures.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[T-cell interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 receptor binding in patients with multiple sclerosis. Effects of interferon-beta-1b treatment].

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a T-cell-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS), in which the cytokine network may be deranged. Interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha are cytokines with several effects on the neuroimmune system. Specific IFN-gamma, IL-6, and TNF-alpha receptors have been found on human lymphocytes and other cell types. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We assayed IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 binding on peripheral blood T cells from MS patients, as compared with healthy subjects. T cells from MS patients have significantly less IFN-gamma receptors, and more TNF-alpha and IL-6 receptors than those from controls. Such receptors are of the same type in patients and healthy subjects. By comparing MS patients' subgroups with each other, significant differences in mean Bmax values have been found between patients in a stable phase and those in relapse, and between stable patients and those in an evolutive phase. As far as IL-6 binding is concerned, significant differences in mean Bmax values were observed only between patients in stable phase and those in relapse. RESULTS: T lymphocytes from untreated MS patients, which had significantly smaller amounts of IFN-gamma receptors than those from controls, and more TNF-alpha and IL-6 receptors than controls showed a significant increase in IFN-gamma binding, and a significant decrease in TNF-alpha and IL-6 binding after a 3-month IFN-beta 1b treatment. T-cell IFN-gamma Bmax values were even higher, and those of TNF-alpha and IL-6 were lower after 6 months. CONCLUSION: We discuss these results in terms of MS immunopathophysiology, since activated T cells have decreased IFN-gamma, and increased TNF-alpha and IL-6 receptor amounts.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epicutaneous sensitization to metals and contact allergic dermatitis: analysis of an ambulatory caseload].

We have retrospectively analyzed the clinical and anamnestic features of 233 out-patients (197 females and 36 males; mean age: 33 years; SD: +/- 13.3) with epicutaneous sensitization to metals, who had been examined at the department of allergology of our institution during one year. Among females, nickel sulphate was the metallic salt which most frequently resulted positive at patch testing (87.8% of cases), followed by cobalt chloride (23.6%) and potassium bichromate (10.2%). Nickel was the most common sensitizing metal also in males (58.3%), among whom sensitization to chromate resulted second in order of frequency (30.6%), and sensitization to cobalt was relatively rare (11.1%). In selected cases, the utilization of additional, specific series allowed to document rare cases of sensitization to metallic salts not included in the standard patch test series (copper sulphate, cadmium chloride, zinc stearate, phenylmercuric nitrate). 78 patients were sensitized to more than one metal. Skin sensitivity to metals was often linked to allergic disease familiarity and/or to sensitization toward type I allergens. Allergic contact dermatitis was diagnosed in 80 patients: cutaneous manifestations had been present on average for over four years, sometimes in generalized or persistent form. An occupational contact with the causative metals was identified in 15 cases. However, the occupational origin of the disease could never be documented with certainty, due to concomitance of frequent non-occupational exposures and to lack of information on pre-employment skin sensitivity status. Thus, the value of patch testing, during both pre-employment screening and health surveillance, is emphasized.

Adolescent↗