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Biomedical subjects

V Rapisarda

Publications and source records attributed to V Rapisarda.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Effects of supidimide in schizophrenic inpatients undergoing neuroleptic maintenance therapy with haloperidol.

Forty schizophrenic inpatients, on constant low-dosage maintenance therapy with haloperidol, entered a superimposed, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with supidimide 2 x 200 mg per day. The double-blind phase lasted 5 days and was preceded and followed by single-blind base line and washout periods, respectively, during which all patients received matching placebos. The therapeutic effects were evaluated by BPRS, NOSIE, a post-sleep questionnaire, and, in a subgroup of patients, by objective monitoring of movements during sleep. Supidimide substantially relieved sleep disturbances, as demonstrated by subjective (p less than 0.05; n = 20) and objective (p less than 0.1; n = 3) measurements. In addition, the following drug-related effects (p less than 0.05 versus base line and placebo) on daytime behaviour were observed: a decrease in "somatic concern" (BPRS), items related to agitation (BPRS), "irritability" and "manifest psychosis" (NOSIE), and a slight increase in "retardation" (NOSIE). No adverse effects attributable to supidimide were detected. It is concluded that supidimide exerts beneficial effects on day-time behaviour and sleep in agitated schizophrenic patients undergoing low-dosage maintenance neuroleptic therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Double blind test with mianserin versus chlorimipramine.

The Authors report a double-blind study to compare mianserin and chlorimipramine efficacy in the treatment of two groups of 30 depressed patients. The trial confirms that mianserin has an antidepressant effect similar to that of chlorimipramine with fewer side effects. During the study some subjects were tested by Electrodermic Response to acoustic stimuli, comparing the results with the responses of patients treated with chlorimipramine. Furthermore, the plasmatic beta-endorphin level in 10 subjects treated with mianserin was compared with values found in basic conditions. The significant decrease of the plasmatic beta-endorphin level after treatment with mianserin suggests that the drug may act as an antidepressant, by varying the endorphinergic cerebral activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

The psychosedative effect of chlordesmethyldiazepam on anxiety states in neurotic and psychotic inpatients.

A new benzodiazepine, chlordesmethyldiazepam, was administered at a dose of 6 mg/day to 27 patients (18 neurotics and 9 psychotics) with the common symptom of anxiety. The study period was limited to eight days for the whole group, although the drug has been given to some patients for 38 days. Changes in global scores in neurotic patients were determined by administering the Wittenborn and Hamilton rating scales. In psychotic patients the same rating scales were used in addition to the BPRS. A multistimulator was used to evaluate the performance recording complex reaction times (CRT). The statistical evaluation of results shows a highly significant amelioration of all the studied parameters except for reaction times in the psychotic group.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reversibility of thymulin production impairment by L-arginine supplementation in mice exposed to inorganic mercury.

Immunotoxicological effects fo mercury on peripheral immune system are known. We had previously in vitro found that mercuric chloride inhibits thymulin production in mouse thymus cultures at concentrations as low as 10(-8) M. In this study, thymus efficiency, assessed as production of active and total thymulin, was evaluated in vivo using young mice that were injected sc every 3 days for 4 weeks with saline containing mercuric chloride at different concentrations (0 -controls-, 0.001 or 1.0 mg HgCl2/kg body weight). The results show that both the doses are able to cause a significant reduction in active and total thymulin production. Since arginine enhances immune efficiency some of the animals also received a diet supplemented with arginine in order to evaluate a possible role of arginine during mercury intoxication. The data show that arginine has a protective effect on thymic endocrine efficiency. Mice, treated with the lowest dose of mercury and receiving and arginine supplemented diet, produced active and total thymulin like mercury untreated mice. Arginine is an aminoacid which may be found in various amounts in different foods, some foods are particularly rich in arginine i.e. peanuts, stock fish. We suggest that the daily arginine intake may account for individual susceptibility to the mercury-induced immunological effects which are found in mercury occupationally exposed workers.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cystic lymphangioma of the pancreas: clinical case and review of the literature].

Cystic lymphangioma is a rare benign tumor that occurs more often in children with different localizations. Abdominal localization and its development may produce symptoms and clinical features of acute abdomen leading to problems in the differential diagnosis. The Authors report a rare case of pancreatic lymphangioma in a nine years old child resolved by surgical treatment. A review of the literature concerning problems of diagnosis and treatment is also presented.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Course of isocyanate-induced asthma in relation to exposure cessation: longitudinal study of 50 subjects].

Isocyanates, particularly Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI), have been the most common cause of occupational asthma for decades. Fifty workers with a diagnosis of isocyanate-induced asthma were followed up for a mean period of 8.4 years. Pulmonary function testing for FVC and FEV1, allergological tests, nonspecific bronchial challenge to methacholine and specific bronchial challenge to isocyanates were performed at the time of diagnosis and during follow-up. Data on symptoms and drug response were rated on a scale. Patients were subdivided into two groups based on persistence of (A; 13 patients) or removal from (B; 37 patients) isocyanate exposure. There were no significant differences in any characteristic between the two groups at the time of diagnosis. At follow-up, group B subjects showed significant improvement in symptoms, consequent reduction in use of medications and increase in PD20. None worsened, sixteen (43.3%) remained stable, twelve (32.4%) improved and nine (24.3%) became asymptomatic. The latter subjects were generally younger, they had shorter duration of symptoms and exposure to the agents, and longer removal from exposure, although none of these differences was significant. In 67% of cases they had an immediate reaction to TDI challenge. By contrast, the condition of group A patients deteriorated significantly during the follow-up period in terms of symptoms, pulmonary function parameters, PD20 and use of medications. Overall, seven subjects (53.8%) worsened during follow-up and none improved. Group B subjects were further divided into subgroups B1 and B2 based on duration of removal from exposure: B1 < 10 years, B2 > or = 10 years. There were no significant differences between the two subgroups, even though PD20 was higher in B2. The present study confirms that early diagnosis and immediate removal from exposure are crucial, though not always sufficient, for a favourable evolution of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Rhizarthrosis of the thumb in ironing workers].

BACKGROUND: Rhizarthrosis of the hand secondary to job-related static-dynamic stress is a rare occupational condition characterised by secondary osteoarthrosis. OBJECTIVES: We report 5 clinical cases of female ironers employed in small-scale laundries, who after more than 10 years on the job developed pain in the right thumb. Disease onset may have been favoured by the continuous functional stress exerted on the joint. METHODS: Clinical examination, hand X-rays and ultrasonography of the trapezio-metacarpal joint led to the diagnosis of rhizarthrosis. The electromyographic and biomechanical analysis of work tasks was conducted by simulating normal ironing activity. RESULTS: Patient history and electromyographic and biomechanical data showed a close causal relationship between age, job and diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of workers over 50 years of age whose jobs have the characteristics described here, Finkelstein's test should be performed on occasion of occupational health surveillance to screen for the arising of the disease.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The in vitro release of hydroxyl radicals from dust containing fluoro-edenite fibers identified in the volcanic rocks of Biancavilla (eastern Sicily)].

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies revealed an unusually high incidence of malignant pleural mesothelioma in Biancavilla, a town in eastern Sicily located in a volcanic area. In the absence of occupational risk factors connected with asbestos inhalation, a nearby stone quarry, which has long been providing most of the local building materials (e.g. plaster), was suspected to be the source of mineral fibres. These fibres had never been studied before and were identified as fluoro-edenite. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of the fluoro-edenite fibres present in mineral dusts and house plaster to release hydroxyl radicals in vitro. METHODS: After fibre characterisation and the determination of particulate specific surface, the ability of quarry rock dust and house plaster dust to generate hydroxyl radicals was measured in vitro using the deoxyribose degradation assay. Treatment with 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, or deferoxamine (DFX), an iron chelator, was performed to confirm hydroxyl radical production and study the role of iron. Crocidolite (UICC) was used as positive control. RESULTS: The rocks were found to contain fibrous amphiboles, identified as fluoro-edenite, which are chemically similar to tremolite. All samples generated hydroxyl radicals, with rocks yielding consistently higher values than plaster. Treatment of the dusts with DMTU or DFX significantly reduced hydroxyl radical production by both samples. The type of biological reactivity observed with these fluoro-edenite fibres resembled that of asbestos fibres. CONCLUSIONS: The hydroxyl radicals generated by asbestos fibres have long been known to mediate inflammatory fibrosis of the lung and DNA damage that may ultimately result in lung carcinoma and mesothelioma.

Asbestos, Crocidolite↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Increase of TNF-alpha in subjects occupationally exposed to lead].

Occupational exposure at low doses of lead induces a significant increase of TNF-alpha plasma levels. Recently has been showed the crucial role on atherosclerosis origin of this pro-inflammatory cytokine. It is assumable a contribution of lead in atherosclerosis course in exposed subjects.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Noise-related occupational risk aboard fishing vessels: considerations on prevention and the protection of exposed workers].

Recent legislation regarding the safety of workers aboard fishing vessels requires the appointment by ship owners of a Reference Physician in charge of health surveillance, preventive inspections and related tasks. As maritime workers, especially fishermen, have always been excluded from legal protection of occupational health, there are no exhaustive data on the incidence of their occupational disease. Several epidemiological studies of fishermen have evidenced a high prevalence and incidence of occupational conditions, among which noise-related hypoacousia. We report data of a phonometric survey conducted aboard six fishing vessels carrying a crew of less than six fishing in the mid-Adriatic. Measurements were performed during fishing and navigation aboard five vessels fitted with a fixed-pitch propeller and during fishing only aboard one vessel fitted with an controllable pitch propeller. Measurements were conducted: 1) in the engine rooms; 2) in the work area on deck; 3) at the winch; 4) in the wheelhouse; 5) in the mess-room and kitchen; 6) in the sleeping quarters. Results show that the equivalent sound pressure level in the engine rooms consistently exceeded 90 dBA on all vessels. The speed of the vessels fitted with the fixed-pitch propeller is 3-4 knots in the fishing phase and around 10 knots during navigation to and from the fishing grounds; noise emission is lower with the former regimen because of the smaller number of engine revolutions per minute. Our survey demonstrated considerably different noise levels in the various areas of vessels. One key element in workers' exposure, the tasks assigned and the environmental working conditions is of course the type of fishing in which the vessel is engaged. Further phonometric studies are required to assess the daily level of exposure per crew member, which represents the reference for the noise-related risk of each subject. Knowledge of the sound pressure levels in the work environment and the length of daily exposure of each crew member will allow to assess the level of occupational exposure and consequently enact the proper prevention and protection measures by the Reference Physician.

Fisheries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Reduced thymulin production during occupational exposure to lead].

Thymulin is a thymic hormone that being activated by binding a zinc ion promotes differentiation and several functions of T lymphocytes. It has been demonstrated only in experimental animals that metallic lead (Pb) is able to cause adverse effects on thymocyte number and function. The objective of this study is to evaluate the plasmatic level of active thymulin of 58 male workers being exposed for more than one year to low lead doses with respect to 59 male never exposed workers. All these were subjected to anamnesis collection, medical examination and determination of blood lead (PbB), plasmatic lead (PbPl), plasmatic thymulin, urinary lead (PbU) and urinary zinc (ZnU) levels. The mean plasma concentration of active thymulin was significantly lower in lead exposed than in non exposed workers. Active thymulin was also significantly and negatively correlated to PbB, PbPl and PbU level and resulted to be significantly and negatively influenced by PbB. Lead exposed workers had slightly higher zinc concentration in urine than non exposed workers, increasing ZnU levels by class of PbB. It is the first time that a toxic effect of lead on plasmatic active thymulin levels is demonstrated in humans, particularly in occupationally exposed workers. This study opens perspectives for further research that would both confirm the results and verify the mechanisms of action of lead on thymulin either direct or indirect and the possible role of zinc.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational brucellosis in slaughtering of sheep and goats: study of five cases from a municipal abattoir in south-eastern Sicily].

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is a world-wild zoonosis of bacterial origin. In Italy, where reporting of the disease is mandatory, the incidence is 2.1 cases every 100,000 inhabitants, but tends to be higher in southern regions. However, the incidence decreased from 1999 to 2002. CASES: Five cases of occupational brucellosis, four slaughter-house operators and one veterinary surgeon, were reported in a slaughter-house in south-eastern Sicily employing 15 people. RESULTS: A study of the slaughtering process for sheep and goats led to identification of 23 different operations, some of which involved greater probability of infection: animal consignment; unloading and leading animals from the stable to the trap; strangling and bleeding; skinning and removal of mammary glands; removal and processing of abdominal viscera; post-mortem examination; mobile equipment and facility maintenance, and washing/disinfection. All affected workers had participated in one or more of these operations. CONCLUSION: Eradication of brucellosis in stock-farms should lead to the disappearance of the human disease, since the two are closely related. Despite legislation aimed at eradicating brucellosis in cattle, which has been in force since 1992, the prevalence of the human disease has risen in Italy, especially in Sicily. Within the framework of prevention, occupational physicians should exercise specific surveillance of brucellosis risk by carefully examining the plasma antibody content of workers involved in the slaughtering process. Occupational health physicians should also provide ad hoc information regarding the infectious agent and modes of transmission during slaughtering operations as well as specific training in the use of protective equipment, which is the only way of providing protecting from contagion by infected animals.

Abattoirs↗