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F Ceccarelli

Publications and source records attributed to F Ceccarelli.

44 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
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Evaluation of respiratory and cutaneous doses and urinary excretion of alkylphosphates by workers in greenhouses treated with omethoate, fenitrothion, and tolclofos-methyl.

This research evaluated exposure pathways across work tasks for three organophosphate pesticides in a group of greenhouse workers. During reentry in ornamental plant greenhouses, five male workers were monitored for five consecutive days. Skin contamination (excluding hands) was evaluated with nine pads of filter paper placed on the skin. Hand contamination was assessed by washing with 95% ethanol. Respiratory exposure was evaluated by personal air sampling. The respiratory dose was based on a lung ventilation of 20 L/min. The doses absorbed were estimated assuming 10% skin penetration and 100% lung retention. Urinary alkylphosphates were assayed in the 24-hour urine samples of the days on which exposure was evaluated. Respiratory exposure was usually less than skin contamination, being 4.5 +/- 8.4%, 9.9 +/- 10.0%, and 49.5 +/- 26.6% (mean +/- standard deviation) of total exposure for omethoate, tolclofos-methyl, and fenitrothion, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that urinary alkylphosphate (nmol/24 hours) (y) was significantly correlated (r = 0.716, p < 0.001) with the respiratory doses of the three active ingredients absorbed the same day (x1) and with the cutaneous dose absorbed the previous day (x2). The relationship was expressed by the equation y = 0.592x2 + 0.117x, + 156.364. The doses of omethoate absorbed by one worker were more than 45 times the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 1.41 nmol/kg body weight (b.w.) The ADI for fenitrothion and tolclofos-methyl (10.8 and 212.6 nmol/kg body weight, respectively) were never exceeded. High absorption by one worker underlines the importance of correct use of protective clothing. In this study the hands were always a source of contact with the pesticides. Greater precautions should be taken to reduce contamination (clean gloves, constant use of gloves).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational therapy in rheumatoid arthritis: short term prospective study in patients treated with anti-TNF-alpha drugs].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of occupational therapy (OT) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with anti-TNF-alpha drugs in a short-term open controlled prospective study. METHODS: 31 RA subjects [(M/F=5/26; mean age= 56 (range=28-73) years; mean disease duration= 165 (range =15-432) months], treated with anti- TNF-alpha drugs, were allocated to OT (n=15) or control (n=16) group. We evaluated at entry and 12 weeks the following outcome parameters including Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Global Health (GH), Ritchie index, number of swollen or tender joints, pain, patient and physician disease activity, Disease Activity Score (DAS28), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein CRP) and the correct adherence to items regarding activity daily living (ADL). RESULTS: At baseline, OT and control group had similar demographic and clinical features. After 12 weeks, the changes from baseline of main outcome parameters were not significantly different between the two groups. After 12 weeks, in 7 out of 11 items regarding ADL, the percentage of patients showing a correct adherence was significantly increased in OT group only. Moreover at the end of the study, the OT group showed a correct adherence to 8 out of 11 ADL items in an higher percentage of patients respect to the control group. CONCLUSION: Our study sustains that OT improves self-management but not main parameters of disease activity or functional capacity. Nevertheless educational intervention should be considered as a useful tool in conjunction with pharmacological treatment.

Activities of Daily Living↗
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[Ultrasonographic assessment of the response to Etanercept treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate, using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS), the effects of Etanercept therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over 3 months of treatment. METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients, 3 male and 15 female, affected by RA (ACR criteria) who were non-responders or partial responders to DMARDs therapy were commenced on Etanercept treatment. MSUS was performed bilaterally in the 2nd and 5th metacarpophalangeal, 3rd interphalangeal, wrist and knee joints, using a Philips/HP Image Point HX machine with a 7,5 MHz linear probe for knee joints and a 14 MHz probe for the hands and wrists. In addition, power Doppler was used with the following settings: PRF 700-1000Hz, gain 60-65 dB, low filter. For all the changes a semi-quantitative score (0-3) was used to indicate the presence of a localised inflammatory process (synovitis, tenosynovitis). An overall score was then calculated based on the sum of the single scores in order to obtain a comprehensive score indicative of the global pathological change. RESULTS: The overall score significantly (p<10-5) reduced between T0 (8,5) and T3 (5). Even the most part of the local joint scores significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS: A positive response to treatment with Etanercept was demonstrated by MSUS examination of several joints. The results of our study are supportive of those presented in other reports where MSUS was used to monitor disease activity. We were able however to demonstrate this in a wider range of anatomical targets than in previous studies. MSUS is a useful tool in the monitoring of biologic therapy in RA.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Circumscribed myositis ossificans of the iliopsoas muscle. Description of a case followed-up after 1 and 14 years.

The term myositis ossificans (MO) means a pathology characterized by the formation of heterotopic bone tissue within the connective tissue of the muscle. Two clearly differentiated forms of the disease are described: one is generalized and one is localized or circumscribed (CMO). It is the purpose of this study to describe a case of circumscribed myositis ossificans located in the iliopsoas muscle, clinically by CT scan and followed-up after 1 and 14 years.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of omethoate and fenitrothion absorption in greenhouse workers using protective equipment in confined areas].

Sprayers and workers engaged in manual operations in a greenhouse were monitored for exposure to omethoate and fenitrothion. Urinary dialkyl phosphates (dimethyl thiophosphate and dimethyl phosphate) were used as biological index of exposure to the two chemicals. Residues of fenitrothion on foliage were measured as well as levels of fenitrothion and omethoate in air samples collected in the breathing zone (personal sampling) and in the work-place near the entrance and the end of the greenhouse (static sampling). Skin exposure was estimated from pads placed on the thorax under overalls and from hand washing liquid at the end of the workshift. Sprayers wore respiratory and skin protection during the workshift. Workers engaged in manual operations did not wear respiratory protection. Re-entry to the greenhouse was permitted 48 h after spraying. Levels of omethoate and fenitrothion in air samples, on pads and on the hands, during manual operations on ornamental plants, were very low. Urine analysis shoved no significant difference between the pre- and post-exposure samples. No significant difference was found between levels of urinary dialkyl phosphates in the control group and exposed workers. Cholinesterase activity (acetyl and butyryl) showed no significant reduction at the end of the workshift compared with baseline values.

Adult↗