PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Baj

Publications and source records attributed to A Baj.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Iliac crest free flap in oromandibular reconstruction. 13 cases study.

Oromandibular reconstruction following oncological resection is particularly challenging. In this past decade, great improvements have been made, in functional and aesthetic terms, following the introduction of composite free flaps. By means of this reconstructive technique, it is, in fact, possible to restore mandibular continuity, and, consequently, the morphology of the lower third of the face; rehabilitate mastication through osteointegrated implants, and optimise the reconstruction of soft tissue, employing the fascio-cutaneous or muscular portion of these flaps. Between January 1995 and January 2001, 70 oromandibular reconstructions employing osseous free flaps were performed in the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery of the Ospedale Maggiore in Parma, and in 13 of these the iliac crest free flap was used. Personal experience is described regarding the indications and use of this flap.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Blood lead reference values: the results of an Italian polycentric study.

This paper presents the results of a polycentric study carried out in seven different areas, organized by the Italian Society of Reference Values (SIVR) for assessing reference values of lead in blood (B-Pb) at the current doses of the metal to general population. The estimated arithmetic mean for B-Pb in males was of 45.1 microg/l and 30.6 microg/l in females; the 95th centile was 100 and 60 for males and females, respectively. The main variables influencing B-Pb levels were gender, age, BMI, outside sport practice, alcohol consumption and smoking habits, while the geographic area and the urban residence did not affect the metal concentration in blood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Trace elements and micropollutant anions in the dialysis and reinfusion fluid prepared on-line for haemodiafiltration.

Exposure to the trace elements and micropollutions of tap water may be very considerable in dialysis patients. As few data on trace elements in reinfusion and dialysis fluid for haemodiafiltration (HDF) have been reported, we studied nine trace elements (microg/l; Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Zn) and five anions (mg/l; F-, NO2-, NO3-, PO4(3-), SO4(2-)) in tap water, in water after two passages of reverse osmosis (2RO), in dialysate and in on-line prepared reinfusate. NO3- and SO4(2-) were somewhat elevated in our tap water (22.2+/-7.6 and 21.8+/-11.3 mg/l) but decreased (P<0.001) after 2RO (1.4+/-1.5 and 0.9+/-1.1 mg/l); the other anions, which were at a very low level, remained unchanged. All trace elements decreased, with statistical significance only for Al, Cr and Zn from 14.9+/-19.9, 2.6+/-0.6 and 35.1+/-41.1 microg/ to 3.2+/-2.1, 0.2+/-0.2 and 3.5+/-4.8 microg/l, respectively. Due to impurities in concentrate salts for Al (5.4+/-3.1), Cr (0.5+/-0.4) and SO4(2-) (2.4+/-1.8), greater concentrations were found in dialysate and reinfusate than in tap water after 2RO (P<0.03). For all measurements, trace elements and anions were at acceptable levels according to international standards. Simultaneous determinations of trace elements at inflow (Din) and outflow (Dout) of the dialysate as well as in plasma or in whole blood at the beginning of on-line HDF documented Dout/Din>1 for Al, Cu and Zn and a positive gradient between the concentration in blood and dialysate inlet. In conclusion, our dialysate and reinfusate can be considered safe regarding trace elements and micropollution: two passages through reverse osmosis reduces the concentrations of trace elements and anions. The impurities of concentrates are acceptable. Accumulation or depletion of trace elements should be evaluated after longitudinal studies of plasma concentrations.

Anions↗
PubMed1998

Plasma or whole blood concentrations of trace elements in patients treated by haemodiafiltration with on-line prepared substitution fluid.

Large membrane pores and large quantities of reinfusion fluids can influence the dialytic balance of trace elements in haemodiafiltration (HDF). As there are no studies in HDF with on-line produced reinfusate, we studied plasma or whole blood (*) concentrations of trace elements (Al, Cd*, Cr* and Se: microg/l; Cu, Pb* and Zn*: microg/dl) of 24 on-line HDF, 20 haemodialysis (HD) patients and 66 490 normal subjects (N). The concentrations of Al (11.7+/-9.5), Cd (0.73+/-0.59) and Cr (6.5+/-6.9) were significantly greater in on-line HDF patients than in normal subjects (6+/-0.4; 0.6+/-0.2; 0.5+/-0.02), but similar to those of HD patients. In on-line HDF patients, Cu (85.3+/-17.7), Pb (8+/-4.6), Se (68+/-27) and Zn (546+/-103) concentrations were less than in normal subjects (108+/-3.4; 11+/-0.8; 95+/-1.8; 673+/-23), and those of Cu and Zn were also less than in HD patients (99.5+/-16.8; 670+/-65). At the end of an on-line HDF treatment (42-69 studies), there was a significant increase in Al (from 12.8+/-9.1 to 15.4+/-8.3), Cr (from 7.2+/-6.4 to 9.5+/-7), Cu (from 97.3+/-21.5 to 109.4+/-27.2) and Zn (from 577+/-108 to 619+/-117). A longitudinal study (n = 16-18) for 12-30 months documented stable concentrations of Al, Cd, Cr, Se and Zn and a significant increase of Cu and Pb to normal concentrations. In conclusion, our on-line HDF patients have elevated Al, Cd, Cr and decreased Cu, Pb, Se, Zn concentrations in plasma or whole blood determinations. Cu and Pb normalize with time; the other trace elements remain stable as documented by numerous determinations. As the values for on-line HDF patients are similar to those of HD patients, the level of accumulation or depletion of trace elements in on-line HDF can be considered as safe as in HD; the increase in Al, Cd, Cu and Zn at the end of treatment may be an expression of the increase of those trace elements linked to proteins.

Dialysis Solutions↗
PubMed1994

Cobalt exposure in wet grinding of hard metal tools for wood manufacture.

The authors examined exposure to cobalt during the wet grinding of hard metal tools (Widia tools) used in the wood industry, usually in small specialized workshop which can produce exposure to cobalt > TLV-TWA (50 micrograms/m3) if carried out with no protective devices. Local exhausts near the grinding wheel can reduce the exposure to cobalt by as much as 20 times. Nevertheless, some technical problems often hamper the effectiveness of these protective devices, so that the plant situation, examined by the forecasting OTL test as proposed by Tuggle (Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J., 43 (1982) 338), does not appear to be completely acceptable. Other technical solutions are therefore necessary for a complete control of the exposure to cobalt. A more effective water stream, a greater air velocity near the grinding wheel and a protective shield between the wheel and the worker are some suggestions.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1992

Plasma selenium levels of the general population of an area in northern Italy.

Plasma selenium (Se) levels of 293 subjects (160 males and 133 females) living in Desio (a small town near Milan) were determined. Analyses were performed by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry with Zeeman background correction. Plasma samples were not subjected to any treatment before analysis and serum samples containing a certified Se content were used as reference materials to control the quality of the analytical determinations. Plasma Se levels were found to be distributed normally with an average value of 118.8 micrograms/l and a S.D. of 27.2 (95% of the subjects lie between 64.4 and 173.2 micrograms/l). No statistically significant difference was found between males and females, and no correlation was found between plasma Se levels and age or smoking habits.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Ten-year follow-up of biological monitoring of cadmium-exposed workers.

In this study, 105 workers exposed to cadmium for over 10 years were subjected periodically to environmental monitoring, biological monitoring and medical surveillance. They were divided into subgroups, one in which Cd-B and Cd-U exceeded 10 micrograms/l and 10 micrograms/g creatinine respectively and the other in which they were below these proposed biological exposure indices. Urinary beta 2-microglobulin was used as an indicator of tubular damage. Over the past 3 years 12 workers had raised urinary beta 2-microglobulin values (above 250 micrograms/l). Among workers with Cd-B and Cd-U levels always below the above limits, less than 3% had increased urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin, a percentage comparable with that of the reference population. When Cd-B exceeds 10 micrograms/l and Cd-U 10 micrograms/g creatinine on one or more occasions (although the median value still remains below this level), the frequency of tubular damage seems to be considerably higher (8.4 and 7.5% respectively). Thus the Cd-B and Cd-U limits proposed appear to be quite safe if strictly respected. However, median values appear too high to rule out the possibility of an increased incidence of tubular alterations.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

A new tool for sampling airborne isocyanates.

A new sampling system is presented that uses solid sorbent media contained in a tube for the determination of airborne isocyanates (2.4-2.6 toluene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, and 4.4' diaminodiphenylmethane diisocyanate). The method is compared with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method P&CAM 5505 (Revision #1). Experimental tests yielded results that were highly concordant with the NIOSH method.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Arteriovenous malformations of the head and neck. Diagnosis and methods of treatment].

BACKGROUND: After a review of the literature, the results of a clinical study carried out on cases of extracranial arteriovenous malformations of the head and neck, are reported. METHODS: Thirteen patients with extracranial arteriovenous malformations of the head and neck have been treated at the Maxillofacial Department of the University of Parma from 1995 to 2000. Five patients observed the onset in childhood, five in adolescence and three in adulthood. Arteriovenous malformations have been classified according to Schobinger's clinical staging. Four patients with superselective embolization, one with surgical resection and the remaining eight with superselective embolization followed by radical en bloc resection have been treated. The follow-up period varied from 2 to 5 years. RESULTS: No relapses have been observed in the cases treated with surgical resection and with superselective embolization followed by radical excision. Only 1 patient treated by superselective embolization had a good outcome. This treatment can be a good palliative in the treatment pain and bleeding particularly when surgical excision would result in mutilation or disfigurement, nevertheless it is necessary a careful follow-up since the lesion treated only by superselective embolization can grow quickly and begin bleeding and aching again. CONCLUSIONS: In personal experience, according to the literature, embolic/surgical management of arteriovenous malformations is not always the treatment of choice. On the basis of clinical characteristics of the lesions, different kinds of treatments (embolization, resection, embolization followed by resection) may be chosen to obtain favorable RESULTS.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Measurements and environmental and biological monitoring of occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics].

This paper reports the data of nitrous oxide (N2O) environmental pollution in 269 operating rooms of 47 hospitals in Italy in 1989-91. In 40% of the operating rooms the N2O concentrations are lower than 50 ppm, limit value proposed by Health Council for new operating rooms. In 65.4% of the operating room studied, N2O mean environmental concentrations are lower than 100 ppm, value proposed by the above-mentioned Health Council as limit value for the already existing operating rooms. Concerning the biological monitoring, the authors report several N2O data in urine (2193), whose levels confirm the data obtained with environmental monitoring. The authors believe that they presently have reliable methods to perform biological and environmental monitoring: the two techniques are complementary in the assessment of the exposure. The method of measuring N2O concentrations as exposure index, both for the environmental and biological monitoring, is considered very useful to simplify the performance of the analyses. In order to assess exposure more precisely, it is however necessary also to determine the environmental and/or biological measure of the other different anaesthetics used.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of interleukin-8 in induced sputum of workers exposed to low concentrations of asbestos].

The concentration of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the induced sputum of 17 workers exposed to low airborne asbestos levels and of 10 controls was determined. IL-8 levels were statistically significantly increased in the asbestos exposed group compared to controls. This finding underlines the usefulness of the study of proinflammatory mediators as possible predictors of alveolar damage.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational medicine in Desio: the hygiene and industrial toxicology laboratory--evolution of the activities in the last 10 years].

During last decade the analytical work of industrial toxicology and hygiene laboratory of the occupational medicine department of Desio Hospital (UOOML) developed towards more sophisticated and specialized techniques. This change required an updating and an increase of the analytical instruments and a continuous training of the laboratory staff, usually achieved by the incomes of the department. With this consideration in mind, we recognize the need for evaluating the laboratory activity by "indices" more susceptible of the qualitative aspect of the activity rather than the quantitative aspect.

Humans↗