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P Seghizzi

Publications and source records attributed to P Seghizzi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Susceptibility to hard metal lung disease is strongly associated with the presence of glutamate 69 in HLA-DP beta chain.

Clinical, epidemiological and experimental data indicate that inhaled metal dust containing cobalt may produce an interstitial lung disease termed "hard metal disease" (HMD). Some aspects of this pathology such as the lack of correlation with dose exposure, the low frequency of the disease and the presence of T cells in the inflammation site, all suggest the existence of a genetic susceptibility, possibly to an immunological response to cobalt or to self proteins modified by cobalt. Here we report that HMD is strongly associated with residue Glu-69 of the HLA-DP beta chain. All patients, except for one with a rare genotype, possessed this marker as compared to 17 out of 35 exposed unaffected individuals (p = 0.0014). These data allow us to genetically distinguish a subgroup of cobalt-exposed individuals at risk for HMD, independently from the more common allergic reaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Colour vision loss in workers exposed to elemental mercury vapour.

We evaluated colour vision in 33 workers exposed to elemental mercury (Hg) vapour and in 33 referents matched for sex, age, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. The results were expressed as colour confusion index (CCI). In the workers urinary excretion of Hg (HgU) ranged from 28 to 287 micrograms/g creatinine. Subclinical colour vision loss, mainly in the blue-yellow range, was observed in the workers. This effect was related to exposure, as indicated by the correlation between HgU and CCI (r = 0.488, P < 0.01). In the workers whose HgU exceeded 50 micrograms/g creatinine, mean CCI was significantly increased compared to the matched referents. The results suggest that exposure to elemental Hg inducing HgU values exceeding 50 micrograms/g creatinine can induce a dose-related colour vision loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Cobalt myocardiopathy. A critical review of literature.

Cobalt is regarded as being responsible for a form of myocardiopathy whose pathogenesis and clinical description must still find a specific place in the range of congestive myocardiopathies. In spite of this, epidemiological studies are not sufficient to prove the role of cobalt in inducing myocardiopathy in hard metal workers. This critical review intends to evaluate if hard metal exposure may induce toxic effects on the heart. In this context, the literature considered ranges from pioneer reports on 'beer drinkers' to the more recent papers concerning cases of patients occupationally exposed; subjects who, after a surgical operation died of fulminant heart failure and, lastly, hard metal workers who were examined for their cardiac function. Various pathogenetic mechanisms related to possible cardiac effects in hard metal workers have been analyzed. The most likely should be the inhibition of cellular respiration due to inhibition of the mitochondrial dehydrogenase.

Beer↗
PubMed1994

Cardiac function study in hard metal workers.

The induction of cardiac effects in hard metal workers is uncertain. This study investigates cardiac function of a group of 31 hard metal workers with or without pulmonary disease. The average duration of exposure to cobalt containing dusts was 10.4 years (range 1-30), while the environmental levels of cobalt exposure ranged from 0.09 to 13.6 mg/m3 Co. Cardiac function has been studied by: ECG (electrocardiogram), exercise test (ET), ECG 24 h according to Holter (ECGH), echocardiogram (ECHO) and radionuclide angiocardiography with 99Tc (RNA). The aims of this work were (i) to show the existence of cobalt myocardiopathy in the workers analyzed and, (ii) to find an early indicator of cardiac dysfunction which could be used in the clinical examination of hard metal workers. Within the group of patients with hard metal lung disease, cases of myocardiopathy of doubtful aetiology have been found. The cardiac indexes obtained through RNA show ventricular dysfunction in healthy hard metal workers which could be a manifestation of initial pulmonary artery hypertension or of an early occult cor pulmonale due to an unknown fibrotic lung disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Hard metal disease: eight workers with interstitial lung fibrosis due to cobalt exposure.

Eight hard metal workers exposed to cobalt containing dust (four producers of stone-cutting cobalt-diamond wheels and four grinders of hard metal tools) and affected by interstitial lung fibrosis have been examined. A close relationship between cobalt exposure and clinical findings was observed in six patients who were still working. The clinical picture ranged from minor symptoms to manifestations resembling those of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, with fever, weight-loss, non-productive cough and dyspnea. A restrictive impairment of the ventilatory function was prevalent. The chest roentgenogram of one patient showed a diffuse reticular nodular pattern, while the others presented a mild reticular accentuation of the interstitium. In five patients, bioptic specimens of the lung parenchyma showed interstitial collagenic fibrosis with inflammatory cells infiltrating the alveolar septa. An increased number of lymphocytes and polymorphs was reported in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from seven patients. Giant multinucleated cells were present in the BAL of four subjects while an inversion of the helper-suppressor ratio was evident in those patients who were still exposed to cobalt when BAL was performed. In this study, the causal role of metallic cobalt inhalation in the etiology of the lung disease is examined and discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The European Congress on Cobalt and Hard Metal Disease. Conclusions, highlights and need of future studies.

This article summarizes the present state of the art and some recommendations for solutions to problems identified by the European Congress on Cobalt and Hard Metal Disease on the basis of the papers and posters presented, as well as a round table discussion which produced several dominant questions and revealed areas of weakness and uncertainty. The round table discussion (chairman, Professor E. Capodaglio) focussed on the following aspects: (i) Monitoring (opinion leaders: R. Lauwerys, E. Sabbioni). (ii) Mechanisms of toxicity (opinion leaders: B. Nemery, N.L. Sprince, G. Scansetti). (iii) Health effects (opinion leaders: G. Nordberg, I.B. Andersen). (iv) Diagnosis/health surveillance (opinion leaders: G. Chiappino, S. Hernberg, S. Brown).

Cobalt↗
PubMed1993

Occupational dermatitis from isothiazolinones in the nylon production.

Kathon is a biocide consisting of a mixture of two isothiazolinone derivatives (5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) in an approximate ratio of 3:1, respectively, and with MgCl2 and Mg(NO3)2 present as stabilizers. The isothiazolinones are marketed under several brand names, and the concentration of the active ingredient varies according to their intended application. At a concentration of 3-15 ppm it shows activity against a wide spectrum of fungi, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Contact allergy to it has been caused by cosmetics and also by products used in the pottery and various other industries. Recently we had the opportunity to observe 6 cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis from an isothiazolinone mixture named Grotan TK 2 in a large textile industry producing nylon. An oil emulsion containing isothiazolinones is used in the spinning phase of the work cycle to prevent bacterial contamination that would damage yarn quality; furthermore, it helps to decrease the electrostatic charge that is produced by high speed at which the yarn moves and also to decrease the breakage possibility.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1987

Multielement determination of metals in biological specimens of hard metal workers: a study carried out by neutron activation analysis.

Multielemental analysis, using neutron activation, was carried out on the urine, whole blood, pubic hair and toenails of thirty subjects occupationally exposed to hard metal dusts. A high concentration of Co, W and Cr was observed in all samples analysed. The concentrations determined, when subjected to statistical analysis using pattern recognition techniques (e.g. cluster analysis), indicated a positive correlation, at p = 0.001, for the pair (Co, W) in urine and blood, as well as a possible influence of Cr on this pair.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Tego dermatitis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Monitoring of laborers previously exposed to aromatic amines, in accordance with Circulars No. 46 of 12/6/1979 and No. 61 of 4/6/1981 of the Ministry of Labor].

The present report deal, a year after its beginning, with the results of a programme for health control regarding 592 ex-employees of Società Bergamasca Industrie Chimiche. Azo dyes were obtained from benzidine and beta-naphthylamine in this factory from 1947 to 1968. The report analyses the organizing difficulties and the troubles which caused a scarce performance of the programme at different levels: the subjects interested in the control, the Commission responsible for the district, the doctors in charge, the laboratories, the hospital division. In the end some proposals are advanced referring to the provision of the ministerial circular letter no 46, dated june 12, 1979, about the medical control of workers who leave the hazardous working job.

Amines↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Study of lung reactions in six asymptomatic workers occupationally exposed to hard metal dusts.

The description of one case of pulmonary fibrosis in a group of workers occupationally exposed to hard metal dusts with high concentrations of cobalt (50-90%), followed for five years, prompted us to perform a cytological examination on the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid plus determination of the lymphocytic subpopulations in six asymptomatic workers with the longest exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage performed 16 hours (3 cases) or 48 hours (3 cases) after the end of the workshift showed a lymphocytosis with inversion of the helper/suppressor ratio in 3 cases. This demonstrates an immune response at deep lung level. No difference was observed between a subject with ascertained interstitial fibrosis and the other subjects. Furthermore, bronchoscopy revealed marked inflammatory reaction of the tracheobronchial mucosa.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Clinico-anamnestic survey in health professionals exposed to volatile anesthetics].

The authors describe the results of a preliminary clinical survey of a group of 220 health workers, physicians and 151 nursing and auxiliary staff members of a large regional hospital in Lombardia, who are exposed to volatile anaesthetics. Contact dermatitis, varices of the legs and arthrosis, particularly that of the cervical and lumbar tract, are the most frequently reported disease in our population. In 75% of cases these disturbances arose after the beginning of the job working in the operating-theatres. When compared with a control group there was a statistically significant difference for contact dermatitis (p less than 0.01) and cervical tract arthrosis (p less than 0.02). The statistical comparison among the subjects exposed to the anaesthetics gases, who were stratified on the basis of the level of exposure and of seniority, confirms a higher prevalence of symptoms due to a reduction of alertness and of psychological and psychomotorial performances in the more exposed personnel. The comparison between female staff exposed and not-exposed to the gases did not show an increase of abortivity, while a statistically significant difference was evident between the female staff (either exposed or not-exposed) and the wives of male workers not exposed to the anaesthetics gases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sanitary surveillance of workers occupationally exposed to volatile anesthetics: proposal for a computerized program for data collection and processing].

The aim of this work is to present a computerized program for an epidemiological evaluation of the data relevant to workers occupationally exposed to anesthetic gases and of the related occupational risks. The great handiness, the speed of execution, the possibility of carrying out researches by mean of multiple variables correlation and the prompt availability of the data, are the distinguishing features of this program.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiology of ischemic cardiopathy in a large iron foundry].

This work examines the coronary disease distribution in a large iron-foundry (7000 workers) with different ways of work and productive technologies, taking into consideration the high incidence and the multiple etiology of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in the general population. In particular we studied the frequency of coronary disease and its consequence on the workers as far as retirement, death and job modification are concerned.

Coronary Disease↗