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Biomedical subjects

M Bilban

Publications and source records attributed to M Bilban.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Assessment of occupational exposure to organic solvents in paint industry.

The paper brings the preliminary results of ambient and biological monitoring of exposure to xylene, toluene, and styrene in paint industry. Air samples were collected at seven stationary locations at work places of 31 male workers. Samples of venous blood were taken from all workers for styrene, toluene, and xylene analysis, and of urine for metabolic derivatives, mandelic, phenylglyoxylic, and o- and m-methylhippuric acids analysis. Blood was collected on Wednesday before and after work, and urine on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday before work and on Wednesday after work. Workers were exposed to moderate concentrations of xylene and low concentrations of toluene and styrene. During periodic medical surveillance Questionnaire 16 was applied as a screening test for early central nervous disturbances. Seven workers had positive findings and required further psychological tests as recommended by WHO. Risk assessment of combined long-term exposure to organic solvents in occupational environment requires a prospective epidemiological study with matched control group.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Alcoholic drinkers and road safety in the Republic of Slovenia.

In this study we were therefore interested in the percentage of road traffic offenses (RTO) and road traffic accidents (RTA) involving inebriated drivers one year before and one year after the passing of the new Law on Road Traffic Safety (LRTS) as well as measures (referrals, punishments and final decisions on the revoking of driver's licenses due to drunk driving). One year before the passing of the new LRTS, there were 40,702 RTA-s in the Republic of Slovenia (12.2% caused by drunk drivers). The average alcohol concentration in exhaled air for those analysed was 1.19 g/kg. One year after the passing of this law there were 36,479 RTA-s (8.6% caused by drunk drivers). The average alcohol concentration in exhaled air for those analysed was 1.32 g/kg (the differences were statistically significant). In 13.8% cases the reason for performing a measurement of the alcohol concentration in exhaled aier was an RTA with an average alcohol concentration in exhaled air of 1.22 g/kg and in 86.2% of cases an RTO with an average alcohol concentration in exhaled air of 1.25 g/kg (the differences were statistically significant). We found it interesting that the number of events minvolving lower concentrations decreased, but the percentage involving higher alcohol concentrations even increased. The results of this study indicate without a doubt that the law was not successful enough with its repressive and preventative measures in the field of drunk drivers. Experts on alcohol believe that punishment cannot make alcoholics and other drivers abandon their behavioural patterns and stop driving under the influence of alcohol. This can be achieved only by treatment, and the present practice (police--misdenveanour counts--repeat general medical check-up) has been ineffective as prevention among alcoholic drivers. We therefore believe that supplements to the LRTS should be adopted urgently, that would contribute, through better medical selection, to a reduction in the number of drunk drivers behind the wheel, both those who are alcohol dependent (and should be referred to treatment).

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1998

Influence of the work environment in a Pb-Zn mine on the incidence of cytogenetic damage in miners.

BACKGROUND: Occupational, environmental, or experimental exposure of people, animals, and cell cultures to radon has been the subject of numerous studies. The present study comprised 120 miners, occupationally exposed to radon and heavy metals in a Pb-Zn mine; 57 female subjects environmentally exposed (control group 1); and 100 subjects from the urban population (control group 2). METHODS: Radon measurements were performed, and the effective equivalent radiation doses over a 2-year period were calculated. The following end points were studied: conventional analysis of structural chromosomal aberrations, micronuclei, and sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). RESULTS: The mean values of the percentage of structural chromosomal aberration frequency were 4.09% in miners, 1.43% in control group 1, and 1.88% in control group 2. The difference in frequencies was statistically significant (AV/FP 0.000). The frequency of micronuclei was 13.00 +/- 3.54 per 500 CB cell in miners and 6.4 +/- 2.11 per 500 CB cells in control subjects (AV/FP 0.000). The frequency of SCE was 7.97 per cell in miners (range 6.2-13.1) and 6.17 and 6.63 for the two control groups, respectively (AV/FP 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Comparative analysis of the cytogenetic results for all three groups showed significant differences between the miners and the two control groups. The findings of this study need to be interpreted with regard to simultaneous exposure to radon and metals, i.e., lead, cadmium, and zinc.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The influence of gender on traffic accidents--the case of the Republic of Slovenia.

Modern road traffic (RT) requires great efforts from all drivers and the highest use of all their physical and mental capacities. In addition, drivers must possess a certain character to ensure safe driving. Only a few decades ago, the driving of motor vehicles was a rarity and women behind the steering wheel were even scarcer. With the development of motorisation, their share of RT has been on a constant increase, as has, logically, their share of road traffic accidents (RTA). This research presents the increasingly important role of women in RT and attempts to show the special attributes of female drivers, namely that above all, they cause fewer accidents, and notably, those they cause are less likely to be fatal.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1997

Road traffic accidents caused by elderly drivers.

Numerous factors have contributed to an increase in the number of elderly people in developed countries. This has caused an increase in the share of elderly drivers, drivers with all diseases and troubles problems brought about by old age. In 1993, less than 12% of the population of Slovenia was older than 65 years and owned slightly over 6% of personal automobiles, or were holders of slightly more than 5% of driver's licences. On average, these drivers caused about 6% of road traffic accidents (RTAs). Among fatalities who caused RTAs, about 19% were older than 65 years. Overall, the share of fatalities over 65 years of age was about 26% of all fatalities in RTAs; among pedestrians, their share was almost 42%. For the elderly, driving is an important means of maintaining freedom and independence. Their quality of life is certainly lower without their own transport. It is therefore necessary to protect the right of individuals to drive motor vehicles, but only if they possess the necessary capabilities.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

DNA microarrays: a novel approach to investigate genomics in trophoblast invasion--a review.

The events that regulate trophoblast invasion need to be characterized at the transcriptional level. Several types of gene products may be involved in various stages oftrophoblast infiltration, including integrins, matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Autocrine or paracrine regulators of cytotrophoblast proliferation or differentiation in vitro (e.g. growth factors and cytokines, as well as oxygen tension) could be characterized mechanistically at the transcriptional level. Large-scale gene expression profiling of trophoblasts of distinct invasive stages could be carried out on fixed tissue obtained by laser-directed microdissection. This information may shed light on physiological implantation and placentation, as well as on the interpretation of pathological processes such as pre-eclampsia. The applications of DNA microarrays are ideal for studies of genomic structure (e.g. mutation and polymorphism analyses) and monitoring of gene expression. The ultimate goal is to understand the critical events underlying growth, development, homeostasis, 'behaviour and the onset of disease at a genomic level. Microarrays detect gene expression levels in parallel by measuring the hybridization of labelled, single-stranded DNA to many thousands of partial or whole gene sequences immobilized on a glass surface (the 'chip'). Microarrays are available both commercially and can be manufactured in house.

Animals↗