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Biomedical subjects

M Maroni

Publications and source records attributed to M Maroni.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Health effects in man from long-term exposure to pesticides. A review of the 1975-1991 literature.

The scientific literature published over the period 1975-1991 on long-term health effects from prolonged exposure to pesticides has been reviewed, in order to document the state-of-knowledge on the mortality and morbidity of groups of the population exposed to pesticides. Specific aims of the review were to identify (1) which groups of the population have been more broadly surveyed, (2) which adverse effects have been consistently associated with specific pesticide exposures, (3) which are the pesticides of concern and (4) which health effects would require special attention in future research. The literature on acute effects and animal toxicology studies have not been considered at all in this monograph. In the period of interest, 440 papers have been published. Apart from 97 reviews and a small number of case reports, approximately half of the original investigations were of the case-control design (n = 108), while the remaining papers reported results from proportionate mortality (n = 10), cohort (n = 66) or cross-sectional studies (n = 51), carried out on pesticide applicators (n = 48), agricultural workers (n = 26) or people employed in the pesticide manufacturing industry (n = 50). Most of the case-control studies related to cases of cancer from various sites, especially myelolymphoproliferative disorders (MLP) and soft-tissue sarcomas (STS). When compared to the general population total mortality has been found to be consistently lower among pesticide manufacturers as well as among other groups of workers. This observation has been mostly attributed to the 'healthy worker effect' or, in the case of agricultural workers, to the healthier lifestyle of farm families. With the exception of deaths by accidental causes, non-cancer causes of death (mainly represented by cardiovascular diseases), were generally found to be less frequent than expected among manufacturers or users of pesticides, in particular among farmers. No consistent evidence of a global cancer mortality different from that of the general population has been reported among pesticide manufacturers or applicators. On the other hand, the papers examined have been strikingly consistent in reporting a low overall cancer risk among agricultural workers; life-style, clean air, low prevalence of smoking have been hypothesized so as to explain this observation. Numerous studies considered the possible link between exposure to phenoxyherbicides and occurrence of certain types of cancer, especially STS and MLP disorders.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Biological monitoring of human exposure to atrazine.

Atrazine exposure was evaluated in six manufacturing workers by personal and biological monitoring. Total atrazine exposure varied from 10 to 700 mumol per workshift and total urinary atrazine excretion accounted for 1-2% of the external dose. The spectrum of the urinary atrazine metabolites comprises bi-dealkylated (80%), deisopropylated (10%), deethylated (8%) and unmodified atrazine (2%). The metabolites are eliminated in urine in slightly longer than 24 h: 50% of the amount is excreted in the first 8 h following the workshift.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Effects of subcutaneous administration of sandostatine (SMS 201.995) in 18 cases of thyroid medullary cancer].

Recent studies have suggested that somatostatin could reduce calcitonin plasma levels (CT) in normal subjects and in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of the somatostatin analog, sandostatine (SMS 201.995) in MTC with elevated residual CT levels post-thyroidectomy with or without metastases. 18 patients (17-64 years, 12 men and 8 women) with CT greater than 850 pg/ml (N less than 150 pg/ml) and with metastases in 12 cases, were studied. MTC was sporadic in 11 cases, familial in 4 cases and of undefined form in 3. Initial posology was 300 micrograms/d of sandostatin (3 injections/day). It was then increased by 300 micrograms/d every 9 day till a maximum of 1500 micrograms/d. Treatment duration was 37 days in 11 cases and 60 days in 7 cases. Plasma CT and carcinoembryonic antigen levels (CEA) were measured before treatment and at the end of each dosage plateau. Morphologic evaluation of metastases was done at 0, 30, 60 days. 7/18 patients were reevaluated 2 to 8 months after with drawal of sandostatine. Treatment was well tolerated. Flushes improved in 4 out of 5 cases but diarrhea in only 2 out of 9 patients. Sandostatine was without any effect on plasma CEA. Heterogenous responses were observed for plasma CT levels (CT decreases greater than 20% in 8/18 patients when 900 to 1500 micrograms/day were administered). Patients were subdivised into 3 groups according to CEA levels and presence or absence of metastases. Group A (n = 9) had elevated CEA levels (greater than 10 mg/ml) and metastases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Health risks in the biotechnological industry].

Biotechnology has been defined as the application of biological organisms, systems or processes to manufacturing and service industries. In considering health aspects of biotechnological development it must be underlined that the use of microorganisms in traditional industries, such as the production of food, bread, beer and dairy products, has not added significantly to the more usual industrial hazards. The risk factors encountered in the biotechnology industry can be defined as general, i.e., common to other industrial activities, and specific, i.e., depending on the presence of microorganisms and/or their metabolic products. The specific health risks vary according to the type of process, but can be grouped into three main categories: immunological diseases, toxic effects; pathological effects of microorganisms. Allergic immunological diseases such as bronchial asthma, contact dermatitis, oculo-rhinitis and extrinsic allergic alveolitis are by far the most frequent and well known diseases occurring among workers employed on biotechnological production. Toxic effects were observed among workers employed on the production of antibiotics and hormones or single cell proteins, where absorption of endotoxins has been described. Infectious diseases may arise from uncontrolled dissemination of pathogenic microorganisms through aerosols, dusts, aqueous and semisolid sludge effluents from biotechnological plants. The greatest risks occur in the production of antiviral vaccines, in research laboratories and in waste-water treatment plants. Risk of pathogenic effects has also been speculated from exposure to engineered microorganisms in laboratory and environmental or agricultural applications. Safety precautions consisting of protective measures, and effective barriers of containment (both physical and biological) have to be advised according to the hazardous characteristics of the organisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biotechnology↗
PubMed1988

Studies of transformer repair workers exposed to PCBs: I. Study design, PCB concentrations, questionnaire, and clinical examination results.

A cross-sectional study compared 55 transformer repairmen, 38 currently, and 17 previously exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with 56 non-exposed subjects. PCBs exposures occurred from air and contaminated surfaces, predominantly from Aroclor 1260 with some exposure to Aroclor 1242. Each worker underwent: a questionnaire; standardized medical examination; delayed hypersensitivity testing; and determination of serum and adipose tissue lipid total PCB concentrations. Adipose and serum [PCBs] were significantly higher in the currently exposed, but previously exposed workers did not differ significantly from comparison subjects. No subjects had a classical syndrome of PCB poisoning. A number of neurobehavioral and irritant symptoms were significantly more prevalent in the exposed group, but were probably not related to PCBs. Comedones were more frequent in the exposed group, but no evidence of classical chloracne was noted. Cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity responses to mumps and to trichophyton antigens did not differ between the groups. The association of PCBs with job functions were explored.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1988

Studies of transformer repair workers exposed to PCBs: II. Results of clinical laboratory investigations.

Thirty-eight transformer repairmen currently exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 17 former transformer repairmen, and 56 comparison workers not known to be exposed to PCBs were studied. Measurements were made of serum liver function tests, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lipid profile, thyroid function tests, and other serum biochemistry; hemoglobin; white cell count; 24-hour excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid, porphyrins, 17-hydroxycorticosteriods and 17-ketosteroids; sperm count; spirometry; and antipyrine half-life to evaluate microsomal mixed function oxidase induction. The total exposed group differed significantly from the comparison group in albumin, LDH, T4, T4-RT3 index, and actual/predicted FEV1. Significant differences among all three exposure groups were seen for albumin, T4, T4-RT3 index, and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion. Differences in FEV1 were attributable to smoking. Significant correlations between serum PCBs and serum lipids were removed by adjustment for confounding variables. After adjustment for confounding variables, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between serum PCBs and GGT and a negative correlation between adipose PCBs and 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion. These may reflect subtle metabolic effects of PCBs.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1988

[Creatinine as an adjustment parameter in urinary excretion of vanadium and nickel].

Urinary creatinine is used as an adjustment factor of the concentration of metabolites excreted in urinary random samples. The usefulness of this practice is longtime disputed. The aim of this study, made in 94 workers, is to estimate if the creatinine-adjustment of V and Ni urinary concentrations brings a true advantage in his capacity to predict the amount of metal excreted in 24 hours. The results shown this practice is pointless and that also in case of urinary samples at anomalous dilution. A greater accuracy in expression of analytical results of V and Ni excretion may be obtained collecting the urinary samples with a known amount, that is to say more representative of the daily diuresis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Neuropathy target esterase in human lymphocytes and platelets.

The target enzyme in organophosphorous-induced delayed neuropathy (OPIDN) has been designated neuropathy target esterase or neurotoxic esterase (NTE). NTE activity can be measured in blood lymphocytes and platelets, which could be of use as biomonitors in man at risk for the development of OPIDN. Separation of lymphocytes and platelets from whole blood, recovery, purity, storage and expression of data were examined. A substantial amount of the NTE activity of a human lymphocyte preparation made using Ficoll/Pacque was due to contamination by platelets; further purification was achieved by sucrose-gradient centrifugation. In an easily prepared sample of human platelets less than 10% of NTE was associated with contaminating white cells. We were unable to preserve NTE activity of platelets or lymphocytes at -80 degrees C either 'dry' or with added buffer and glycerol. In 68 male subjects, NTE activity in platelets averaged 8.36 +/- 1.54 nmol min-1 mg protein-1 and NTE activity in lymphocytes, obtained from blood after removal of platelets, 13.34 +/- 2.42 nmol min-1 mg protein-1. A good correlation was found between platelet and lymphocyte NTE activity. NTE activity in platelets may be a preferable method for measuring exposure to axonopathic organophosphorous compounds because of the ease and purity of separation. No correlation with other neuropathic risk factors such as age, smoking and alcohol intake was noted.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The WHO-UNDP epidemiological study on the health effects of exposure to organophosphorus pesticides.

A multinational epidemiological study on the neurotoxic effects of long-term, low-level exposure to organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) is being supported in ten European countries by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe. The protocol developed for the study is directed at the assessment of OP exposure and absorption, abnormal neurological findings, and behavioral changes in both agricultural and industrial workers. The biological monitoring tests adopted in the study have been standardized and submitted to quality assurance programmes.

Aryldialkylphosphatase↗
PubMed1984

The speciation of the chemical forms of arsenic in the biological monitoring of exposure to inorganic arsenic.

Total As content may be determined in blood and urine by means of an AAS method that involves reduction of As to its volatile hydride and ashing at 600 degrees C with MgO and Mg (NO3)2. Separation of inorganic As (InAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) by ion-exchange chromatography, followed by direct AAS analysis, allows the determination of each As species in the urine. In a reference population of 148 subjects with only normal environmental exposure to As, total As concentration in the urine averages 17.2 +/- 11.1 micrograms/l. Urinary As consists of 10% each of InAs, MMAA and DMAA, the remaining 70% consisting of other forms of organic As. Blood As concentration averages 5.1 +/- 6.9 micrograms/l and correlates significantly with the urinary concentration of InAs and the sum of its metabolites (InAs + MMAA + DMAA). Inorganic arsenic undergoes methylation in the organism. After ingestion of high quantities of As2O3, the time course of excretion of its metabolites indicates that As methylation occurs by a saturable mechanism. In workers exposed to As2O3, InAs, MMAA and DMAA are the only chemical forms of As excreted in the urine that are relevant to a study of occupational exposure. Blood As concentration is proportional to exposure and correlates only with urinary DMAA excretion; DMAA seems to be the most appropriate single indicator of exposure. At high levels of exposure (total As excretion above 200 micrograms/l), As accumulates in the organism and DMAA excretion reflects its accumulation. At low levels of exposure (total As excretion below 50 micrograms/l) a short-term accumulation does not occur and the best biological indicator of exposure is InAs excretion. Seafood ingestion brings about a marked increase in urinary excretion of total As that lasts for 24-48 h and is not accompanied by any increase in InAs, MMAA or DMAA excretion. Organic As from seafood does not mix with the pool of inorganic As in the organism and may be separately detected in urine. In the biological monitoring of human exposure to As, particularly in the case of high urinary values, the speciation of the chemical forms of As in urine is necessary in order to establish with certainty the source, industrial or alimentary, of exposure.

Arsenic↗
PubMed1984

Significance of arsenic metabolic forms in urine. Part I: Chemical speciation.

The aim of this research has been to develop analytical procedures whereby the various chemical forms of arsenic present in urine can be distinguished and further data on the biotransformation of absorbed arsenic can be acquired. The separation of inorganic arsenic ( InAs ), monomethylarsonic acid ( MMAA ), and dimethylarsinic acid ( DMAA ) in urine was performed by ion-exchange chromatography on AG 50 W-X8 resin. Arsenic was then measured directly on the eluted fractions by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, after the reduction of arsenic to the correspondent arsine. In 160 subjects with no occupational exposure to arsenic compounds, InAs , MMAA , DMAA each accounted for about 10% of the total arsenic urinary excretion (17.2 +/- 11.1 micrograms/1), thus indicating that in the normal population over 60% of arsenic in urine is present in other organic forms. After eating marine food, there was a marked increase of urinary output of arsenic, but no increase was observed in InAs , MMAA and DMAA urinary excretion. In the biological monitoring of exposure to inorganic arsenic, particularly in the case of high urinary excretion values, the differentiation of the excreted forms of arsenic is necessary to establish with certainty the source (industrial or alimentary) of arsenic.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Low-pH method for the enzymatic assay of D-glucaric acid in urine.

The enzymatic methods for measuring D-glucaric acid in urine are based on the conversion of D-glucaric acid into its 1,4-lactone and measurement of inhibition of 1,4-lactone against beta-glucuronidase at pH 5.0. All the enzymatic methods described suffer from the disadvantage of a procedure that is complicated and inherently inaccurate, because the nature of glucaric acid/1,4-lactone equilibrium has not been properly considered in the development of such methods. After elucidating the factors influencing glucaric acid/1,4 lactone equilibrium in more detail, a low-pH enzymatic method has been developed in which the 1,4-lactone is formed in the urine sample by acid boiling at pH 3.8 and assayed at the same pH using beta-glucuronidase from Limpets. This procedure allows the acid/lactone equilibrium to remain stable during both the lactonization step and the enzymatic assay. The coefficient of variation for the proposed method (within-run and between-day precision) was from 4.2 to 8.7. The analytical recovery varied from 92-108%.

Glucaric Acid↗