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Biomedical subjects

R Polato

Publications and source records attributed to R Polato.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1985

Time course of the increase in airway responsiveness associated with late asthmatic reactions to toluene diisocyanate in sensitized subjects.

To understand better the mechanism of the increase in airway responsiveness associated with late asthmatic reactions, we determined the time course of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) effect on airway responsiveness in six sensitized subjects who exhibited a late asthmatic response after TDI exposure (0.018 +/- 0.005 ppm, 30 min) in the laboratory. Airway responsiveness was assessed before TDI exposure and then at 8 hr, 1 day, 1 wk, and 1 mo after TDI exposure. To assess responsiveness we determined the provocative dose of methacholine causing a decrease in FEV1 of 20% (PD20FEV1). The methacholine PD20 decreased from 0.50 mg geometric standard error of the mean (GSEM = 1.54) to 0.06 mg (GSEM = 1.55) (p less than 0.001) at 8 hr after exposure to TDI, was still decreased to 0.15 mg (GSEM = 1.93) (p less than 0.05) at 1 day, returned to 0.26 mg (GSEM = 1.91) (p greater than 0.05) at 1 wk, and returned to 0.43 mg (GSEM = 1.71) at 1 mo, indicating that full recovery occurred within 1 to 4 wk. These results demonstrate that TDI-induced late asthmatic response is associated with a reversible increase in airway responsiveness to methacholine and suggest that the TDI effect is linked to an acute inflammatory response in the airways.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Reference equations for the single-breath diffusing capacity. A cross-sectional analysis and effect of body size and age.

A longitudinal study was implemented in an unpolluted rural area of northern Italy (near Venice), before the start of the operation of a large oil-burning thermoelectric power plant, in order to investigate the effects of the future exposure to air pollution and to elucidate the natural history of obstructive airways diseases. During the first cross-sectional survey, a sample of the general population (n=3,300, 8 to 64 yr of age) performed several lung function tests, and information on risk factors and on the presence of respiratory symptoms were obtained by a standardized questionnaire. There were 712 subjects who were classified as normal on the basis of rigid criteria and who were able to perform satisfactorily a single-breath CO diffusing capacity (DLCOsb) test. The DLCOsb values showed an increase with height and age early in life and a later decrease with age. Two age groups were selected to determine an age at which DLCOsb stopped increasing and began to decline. Reference equations were computed (using age and height) in these 2 different age groups in each of the sexes. Similar equations were calculated for the total lung capacity derived from single-breath helium dilution measurements. The DLCOsb values in this study were higher than reported by other investigators. The method of selection of the study population, the strict criteria for normal, as well as technical, differences probably explain this finding. Reference equations for diffusing capacity corrected to lung volume (DL/VA) were computed only for adults (much greater than 20) in both sexes, because age and height coefficients in young subjects were insignificant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pancreatic fistula following duodenocephalopancreatectomy with Wirsung occlusion].

AIMS: The large number of operative procedures used to carry out an enteropancreatic anastomosis after pancreatoduodenectomy definitely mirror all difficulties and problems brought about by anastomosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical results and complications concerning the pancreatic remnant after pancreatoduodenectomy with Wirsung duct occlusion. METHODS: From 1984 to 1999, 134 patients were treated by pancreatoduodenectomy with Wirsung duct occlusion using synthetic resins. A consecutive series of 95 patients without mortality operated in the last decade were regularly followed by ultrasound examination and CT-scan as well as by serial measurements of the volume and the amylase content of the drainage fluid. RESULTS: No operative mortality occurred. Two events could be evidenced after this kind of operation: 1) the presence of an asymptomatic fluid collection at the side of the pancreatic section with spontaneous absorption (31 patients: 32.6%); 2) the occurrence of a pancreatic fistula (5 patients: 5.3%): in three cases (3.2%) a fistula jejunostomy was required. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence of the mild clinical relevance of complications and the low percent rate of reoperations enables to state that this method can be highly reliable.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Diseases in hospital workers].

Occupational diseases and labour accidents in health care workers (Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova) were evaluated from 1990 to 2000; the information collected is compared with the same data of Regione Veneto and INAIL. 262 occupational diseases were found; nurses are more affected than other health care workers. In both reports (Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova and Osservatorio epidemiologico della Regione Veneto) half of the occupational diseases and injuries are represented by allergic disease. Low back pain is also equally represented in Azienda Ospedaliera and in Osservatorio epidemiologico results (5.3% and 6.6% respectively). Among the labour accidents reported to INAIL from 1994 to 2000, 25% of them were represented by falls and slips, 23% by car accidents, 17% were caused by tools, 17% by movement of goods and persons, 8% by contact with splinters, liquids, dusts, 5% by assaults and 5% by contact with blood or body fluid. The latter result is widely underestimated in the INAIL report, because these events usually produce a temporary inability of less than 3 days; in fact, they represent more than half of the labour accidents treated at the Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova. Medical surveillance (in exposure to aldehydes, anaesthetic gases, chemioterapic drugs) has shown many other occupational health problems that often need specific structural intervention (restructuration and restoration of workplaces in health care environments), and work organization changes.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Risk of abnormal absorption of lead in glass decoration workers].

Following the observation of an abnormal lead absorption (PbB 72 micrograms/100 ml) in a young female glass decorator on a routine laboratory test, blood lead levels were measured in glass decorators of the entire area of the Local Health Unit of Treviso (Northern Italy). Abnormal lead absorption was found in a large number of glass workers, the source of exposure being the high content of inorganic lead in the "low-melting" paints that were used (brush and spray painting). Most of the exposed workers were females of fertile age, for whom even a moderate exposure to inorganic lead may constitute a risk during pregnancy. Attempts to reduce lead exposure levels by means of a health education programme and environmental improvements at the workplace were unsuccessful. In conclusion, a reduction in lead absorption in female glass decoration workers can only be achieved by using "low-melting" paints with a lower lead content.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reference values for vital capacity and flow-volume curves from a general population study.

A longitudinal epidemiological respiratory study has been started in the North of Italy to investigate the natural history of obstructive airways disease and the long-term effect of SO2 exposure. The first cross-sectional study was completed in this unpolluted area before the activation of a thermoelectric power plant (500 tons of SO2 produced daily). Follow-up surveys are planned after pollution emission starts for a period of ten years. A sample (n = 3289) representative of the general population was drawn from the villages of the area according to the different risks of pollution exposure. Subjects completed questionnaires and performed lung function tests, including forced expiratory (FVC) manoeuvres. For 801 'normal' subjects, prediction equations have been derived in age/sex groups for slow vital capacity (VC) and variables from the FVC manoeuvre. Comparisons with predictions of other studies are reported. Differences among FVC predictions were found, indicating that the use of different criteria for determination of the FVC manoeuvre end-point can affect results. In 'normals' VC was higher than FVC in older subjects. The difference between VC and FVC may be hypothesized as an epidemiological indication of the ageing effect on the mechanical properties of the ventilatory system.

Adolescent↗