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Biomedical subjects

C Bruno

Publications and source records attributed to C Bruno.

175 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Indications of public health in areas naturally polluted with asbestiform fibers].

Adverse health effects of naturally occurring asbestiform fibres have been reported since the Seventies in various countries. The present paper describes the case of Biancavilla, a municipality located in Eastern Sicily, where the occurrence of the amphibolic fibre fluoro-edenite has been associated to a cluster of pleural mesotheliomas. The public health recommendations aimed at reducing exposure to fluoroedenite are described. This case study shows the importance of public-driven remedial action, including interruption of activities of previously operating quarries and asphalt paving of roads, in influencing population's compliance to recommendations aimed at modifying individual behaviours. In order to pursue the goal of fostering community's autonomy in decision making, the optimal approach is ensuring timely and transparent information dissemination.

Asbestos, Amphibole↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The mortality among the makers of vinyl chloride in Italy].

A mortality study was performed on 5,946 vinyl chloride (VC)-polyvinyl chloride (PVC) workers of the nine Italian plants. The aims of the study were to investigate the cause-specific mortality of workers exposed to VC in production and polymerization stages and to ascertain whether exposure is associated with a higher risk of cancers other than liver angiosarcoma. An incident cohort was enumerated in five plants, a mixed cohort in two and a cross sectional one in the remaining two facilities. Cause-specific Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) were calculated for the six incidence cohorts with a sufficiently long follow-up period. Both Italian and regional rates were used for the comparison. A pooled analysis of six cohorts was performed. For deceased persons, information from death certificates was used in the mortality analysis. Additional clinical and pathological data were sought for all decreased individuals (Best Evidence = BE). The results of the study confirm the carcinogenic action of vinyl chloride on the liver but not on the other suggested target organs (i.e., lung, lymphopoietic tissues, brain). A deficit for all causes of death and cardiovascular disease was evident in most cohorts and in the pooled cohort. Analysis of BE data showed a broad spectrum of carcinogenic action of VCM on the liver as demonstrated by the occurrence of both angiosarcomas and other histotypes of tumours.

Cause of Death↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality study of workers employed in the construction of railway cars in Collefero].

The mortality of 276 workers employed in a facility for the manufacturing and maintenance of railroad equipment has been studied in the town of Colleferro (province of Rome). The cohort was based on the 1968 payrolls, and follow-up was conducted up to 1988. Exposure to asbestos took place both during insulation (performed by specialized companies in the same workplaces where study subjects were operating) and during repair work. Mortality for all causes was lower than expected (45 observed, SMR: 71), while mortality from all neoplasms was consistent with expected figures (21 observed, SMR: 107). An increase for respiratory neoplasms was observed (10 observed, SMR: 138); the increase was statistically significant allowing for 20-30 years of latency (7 observed, SMR: 337).

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Complications of adrenal angiography (author's transl)].

Since new ways of radiodiagnostic exploration of the adrenal glands are now performed, it is important to take stock upon the complications of adrenal angiography. These complications are very different according to the fact that we explore pheochromocytomas or not. The complications of stimulation, of hypertensive accident or collapsus are quite specially observed during the angiography of pheochromocytomas. They must be prevented by a selection of the indications and a reanimation pre and per angiography. Lesions of glandular destruction that lead to a hormonal insufficiency (sometimes therapeutic) are observed outwards pheochromocytomas. Because they depend upon the explored adrenal lesion and specially of the angiographic conditions of the exploration, these complications must be prevented by a rigorous technic.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mortality due to causes correlatable to asbestos in a cohort of workers in railway car construction].

A study was made of the mortality experience of a cohort of railway carriage construction workers with the aim of detecting asbestos-induced disease. The cohort included 1534 men who were active as at 01.01.1970 and/or hired up to 30.06.89. Vital status was ascertained for 97.7% of the cohort. The mortality experience of the cohort was compared with that of the population of the Campania Region. Altogether, 194 deaths were observed (SMR: 0.88). Significant mortality deficits were associated with circulatory causes (SMR: 0.64, 58 observed), non-malignant respiratory causes (SMR: 0.59, 12 observed), and accidents (SMR: 0.39, 5 observed). A significant increase in mortality from all neoplasms was detected (SMR: 1.25, 69 observed), mainly due to an excess of lung cancer (SMR: 1.45, 28 observed), pleural cancer (SMR: 4.72, 3 observed), and peritoneal cancer (SMR: 7.47, 2 observed). The excess of mortality from respiratory neoplasms mainly affected subjects who had started employment more than 20 years previously.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of proanthocyanidin on normal and reinnervated rat muscle.

Proanthocyanidin-A2, a catechic dimer extracted from the bark of Aesculus hippocastanum L., was tested on peripheral nerve regeneration. Reinnervation of EDL and soleus muscles following traumatic nerve damage was investigated in rats by using "in vivo" tension recording technique. Muscle contraction force (twitch and tetanus), the number of motor units and the time course of twitch (time to peak and half relaxation time), were observed. The results obtained do not show that the time course of EDL and soleus muscles reinnervation is different in Proanthocyanidin-A2-treated rats in comparison to control animals. On the contrary, results point out an increase in EDL and soleus muscle mass, both in denervated and in undenervated treated rats compared to corresponding controls. Moreover, consistently with this finding, an increase in their contraction force was found. These data show that Proanthocyanidin-A2 exerts a trophic effect on muscle.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Respiratory function in a group of railway car repair workers].

A study was performed on respiratory function in 875 railways workers employed in an Italian Railways repair workshop, formerly exposed to asbestos. Workers were interviewed on personal and occupational histories and personal habits. They underwent physical examination and spirometry. Analysis of covariance was performed for FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75%. FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75% were reduced in the most heavily exposed group. No reduction in the FVC corrected mean value was found in the exposed workers but an interaction between age and smoking was observed in the most exposed group.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A mortality study of recipients of compensation for asbestosis in Italy (1980-1990)].

The cause-specific mortality experience of a cohort inclusive of all subjects compensated for asbestosis in Italy (altogether 3417 persons--2776 men and 641 women), was studied from 31.12.1979 through 30.6.1990. Forty-eight subjects, corresponding to 1.4% of the cohort, were lost to follow-up, while it was not possible to ascertain the cause of death of 78 subjects, corresponding to 6.9% of the deceased. Observed mortality was compared with expected figures, derived from the Italian population mortality rates. The study showed significant increases in mortality from all causes (SMR 153, 1134 obs), respiratory disease (SMR 388, 218 obs), all neoplasms (SMR 192, 438 obs), namely lung (SMR 289, 190 obs), pleura (SMR 2745, 34 obs), peritoneum (SMR 1372, 14 obs), intestine and rectum (SMR 186, 36 obs) and ovary (SMR 545, 6 obs). A significantly decreased mortality was observed for cardiovascular disease (SMR 85, 266 obs), diabetes (SMR 37, 8 obs) and disease of the nervous system (SMR 29, 3 obs). The increase in neoplasms of lung, pleura and peritoneum was significant in both genders, while the increase in intestinal neoplasms was significant among women but not among men. Exposure in the manufacture of asbestos-cement products, the shipbuilding and textile industries accounted for most of the observed mortality excess.

Asbestosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative study of the modification of arterial pressure in adult and aged subjects treated with hemofiltration. Preliminary results].

Haemodynamics modifications in 49 patients divided in two groups consisting of 21 young people (average age 43 +/- 12 yrs.) and 28 elderly people (average age 72 +/- 7 yrs.) who have undergone at least three treatments with haemofiltration for congestive cardiac decompensation and chronic renal failure have been evaluated. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate have been monitored for each patient in a length of time of iT, T30 min., T60 min., fT. The results show a statistically significant reduction of the systolic pressure during the time interval iT-T30 min. in subjects over 65, contrary to the control group. Such preliminary results can be justified by the haemodynamic modifications correlated to the elderly process. In any case the hypothesis cited by the authors need further testing even if confirming the indication of the dialytic treatment on patients over 65 through haemofiltration techniques.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pulmonary CO diffusion and radiological findings in subjects formerly exposed to asbestos cement].

A cross-sectional study on 117 male former asbestos-cement workers was performed. The aims of the study were: evaluation of the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, measurement of pulmonary volumes, flows and DI(co) values, detection of asbestos-related diseases, and data collection for a medical follow-up of the participants. Medical examination included ECSC questionnaire, spirometry, DI(co) measurement and chest x-ray. Time since first exposure (latency) and duration of employment were used as exposure indices: participants were subdivided into three exposure groups, respectively for latency and duration of employment. For statistical analysis, multiple linear regression and logistic regression methods were applied; significance level was p < 0.05. In 28 participants abnormal DI(co) values (< 80% of predicted) were measured, 9 subjects (8%) had radiological asbestos-related abnormalities. Lower values of DI(co), after correcting for smoking, were observed in the third latency group of subjects; an increased risk of radiological asbestos-related abnormalities was observed in relation to the duration of employment and latency. This study confirmed DI(co) as an indicator of (asbestos-related) pulmonary interstitial disease.

Asbestos↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cause-specific mortality of asbestos-cement workers compensated for asbestosis in the city of Bari].

The cause-specific mortality of 233 asbestos cement workers employed by the Fibronit company in Bari and compensated for asbestosis was investigated. Cohort members were enrolled on 31.12.1979 and followed through 30.4.1997; follow-up was completed for 98.3% of study subjects, and causes of death were ascertained for 96.6% of deceased subjects. Observed mortality was contrasted to that expected according to cause-sex-age- and calendar time-specific rates of the population resident in the Apulia Region. All causes observed mortality exceeded expected value (SMR: 117, 87 observed), due to a significant' increase in pneumoconiosis (SMR: 11238, 14 observed) and malignant neoplasms (SMR: 163, 38 observed)). A significant decrease of circulatory diseases was found (SMR: 64, 18 observed). Among cancer deaths, the following sites showed a significant excess: lung (SMR: 206, 17 observed), pleura (SMR: 2551, 4 observed), mediastinum (SMR: 2367, 2 observed) and peritoneum (SMR: 2877, 2 observed). The excess mortality due to asbestosis, respiratory cancer and peritoned neoplasms can be causally attributed to occupational asbestos exposure.

Asbestos↗