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D Natale

Publications and source records attributed to D Natale.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Longitudinal changes of pulmonary function in workers with high wood dust exposure levels].

BACKGROUND: It is well know that wood dust exposure can induce sino-nasal cancers, rhinitis and asthma; induction of chronic bronchial obstruction, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer are also suggested, but data are often inconclusive and in disagreement. OBJECTIVES: The study evaluated the decrease in lung function in a group of 31 non-smokers exposed to high levels of wood dust (> 5 mg/m3 also) and in 2 non-smokering control groups with comparable lung function tests at first examination: 39 mechanical workers without respiratory hazards (group 1) and 30 forestry workers (group 2). METHODS: Assessment of lung function was repeated at least 5 times during 11.2 +/- 2.4 years for wood workers and 12.3 +/- 4.2 years for group 1 (n.s.) and 15.0 +/- 2.6 years for group 2 (p < 0.0005). Linear regression for annual loss of VC and FEV1 was calculated from observed data for each subject. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in VC loss or FEV1 loss between woodworkers and control group1 (20.67 +/- 16.9 vs 19.0 +/- 23.2 and 31.37 +/- 22.3 vs 36.2 +/- 22.4 ml/year respectively), while control group 2 showed an accelerated (p < 0.005) VC and FEV1 loss (32.8 +/- 22.1 and 46.6 +/- 21.2 ml/years respectively). In conclusion, the study did not show any alterations in the longitudinal decrease in pulmonary function due to high wood dust exposure levels, perhaps due to the poor inhalability of wood particles that are mostly trapped in the nose; further studies are needed to investigate chronic effects of wood dust exposure on development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, pulmonary fibrosis and also lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Autologous blood stem cell transplantation as intensive consolidation therapy in hematological malignancies.

Ten consecutive patients (pts), suffering from hematological malignancies (5 NHL, 3 ANLL and 2 HD), received high doses of radio-chemotherapy and autologous peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation. Seven of them were in 1st CR, two in 3rd CR and one in refractory status. The recruitment of PBSC was performed during the conventional non-intensive schedule of therapy. The median interval between the remission and the transplant was 6 months (3-15). The pts received a median of 0.96 x10(9) MNC/Kg b.w. and of 3.8 x10(4) CFU-GM/Kg b.w. Hemopoietic recovery occurred promptly and the median number of days to reach WBC greater than 1.0 x10(9)/L was 10 (7-15), PMN greater than 0.5 x10(9)/L was 12 (10-34), platelets greater than 50 x10(9)/L was 13 (10-41) and reticulocytes greater than 20 x10(9)/L was 12 (10-15). Three pts relapsed after 14, 12 and 6 months, respectively. Two of them achieved a further remission and one died. The remaining seven, are alive and disease-free with a follow-up of 11 months (range 2-27).

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of circulating immunecomplexes and variations of complement fractions in HBV, HDV and HCV infections: statistical analysis and clinical correlations.

Increased levels of circulating immunecomplexes (CIC) have been demonstrated in the serum of patients with HBV infection and HDV superinfection. This finding appears to be correlated to the disease's activity. In this report serum levels of two fractions of CIC (CIC-Clq and CIC-C3d) were evaluated by ELISA method in a sample of 110 subjects with hepatitis infection (HBV, HCV, HDV). Reference values were obtained in a group of 45 healthy subjects (blood donors). Both the CIC fractions were increased in the patients with HCV infection. The most significant increase for both CIC-C1q and CIC-C3d was found in the cirrhotic patients. The complement fractions C3c and C4 were determined in the serum of these patients to investigate a potential pathogenic role of such immunecomplexes. C3c and C4 fractions showed a significant decrease only in the cirrhotic patients, without correlation with the viral agent. Serum levels of C1q complement fraction were not significantly decreased, thus excluding an impaired synthesis of complement fractions. No significant correlation was found between CIC and C3c and C4 fractions in patients with increased levels of CIC, except a slightly significant correlation between reduction of C3c and increase of CIC-C1q. These data suggest a pathogenic action of immunecomplexes in the course of HCV, particularly in the cirrhotic stage.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Juvenile chronic myelogenous leukemia: report of the Italian Registry. Associazione Italiana di Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP).

BACKGROUND: Since juvenile chronic myeloid leukemia (JCML) represents no more than 2% of leukemia in children, clinical and investigative experience of this disorder has been limited. In order to evaluate the diagnostic criteria currently applied, to provide centralized facilities for blood culture and to collect data on treatment, and to propose a uniform treatment protocol in our country, a National Registry for JCML was recently established in the "Associazione Italiana di Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica" (AIEOP). PATIENTS: Out of the 24 cases reported from 9/35 centres, 22 were considered sufficiently documented and were enrolled in the Registry. Clonogenic assay on marrow and peripheral blood cells was performed in all available cases. RESULTS: Common features were non-specific clinical (fever, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, lymphadenomegaly) and hematologic alterations (anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis usually < 50 x 10(9)/l, monocytosis, circulating immature granulocytes, increased HbF, normal karyotype). In 11 out of 11 cases, in vitro blood cultures showed the spontaneous growth of CFU-C in the absence of any exogenous source of colony-stimulating activity. Twelve of the 22 patients (55%) are alive (probability of survival 47.7%); most patients were treated according to an acute myeloid leukemia-directed schedule; 5/7 children treated with interferon were alive with disease after a median time of 29 months from diagnosis (range 8-95 months); 4/5 children who underwent bone marrow transplantation were alive in complete remission 10, 24, 42 and 118 months, after the diagnosis. Age < 1 year at presentation was the most significant prognostic factor in terms of probability of survival (80% vs 28%; p = 0.0024). CONCLUSIONS: JCML must be considered in young children for whom acute leukemia has been suspected but ruled out; in vitro cultures should be considered mandatory to confirm the diagnosis. Age less than one year at the presentation was associated with prolonged survival. Only bone marrow transplantation was followed by prolonged disease-free survival, whereas intensive chemotherapy seemed not very effective and potentially associated with life-threatening complications. Interferon therapy appears to be a promising alternative to chemotherapy while the value of unrelated marrow donor is explored.

Adolescent↗