The distribution and elimination kinetics of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (DDP) in female BDF1 mice bearing 6-day P388 leukemia were investigated in the presence and absence of procaine hydrochloride (P.HCl) exposure. DDP was administered as a single i.p. dose of 8 mg/kg in a 0.9% NaCl solution 6 days after tumor inoculum. P.HCl was administered as a single i.v. dose of 40 mg/kg immediately after DDP. The combined treatment with P.HCl produced marked changes in the plasma concentration-time profile of Pt. The unbound fraction of Pt was significantly increased both in the ascites fluid and plasma following DDP + P.HCl administration. P.HCl treatment induced a significant reduction (P < 0.01) in the rate constant of the protein-bound of Pt in plasma of tumored mice. Urinary excretion of Pt was unaffected by P.HCl, and there was no significant P.HCl-induced modification in the concentrations of Pt in the P388 leukemic cells. A statistically significant reduction of kidney and spleen Pt content was observed in female mice exposed to a dose of 8 mg/kg DDP + P.HCl. A similar reduction was observed in kidneys and testes of tumored mice receiving 16 mg/kg DDP along with 40 mg/kg P.HCl, which also showed lower renal and testicular cisplatin-DNA adducts after DDP + P.HCl than after DDP treatment. Potential explanations for the ability of P.HCl to interfere with the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of DDP are discussed.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of smoking and occupational exposures on pulmonary function impairment in Italian shipyard workers.

We examined the association of job title and duration of employment with the smoking-adjusted prevalences of chronic bronchitis, obstruction, restriction, and mixed pulmonary function impairment in 657 white male shipyard workers aged 20 to 60 years. Logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) for risk of chronic bronchitis and pulmonary function impairment. Compared to employment for less than 20 years, employment for more than 20 years was independently associated with chronic bronchitis (OR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.2-3.5), restriction (OR = 2.6; CI: 1.4-4.6), and mixed impairment (OR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.1-5.5). Compared to metal-workers, which was the lowest exposure job category, four job categories were independently associated with restriction: gas welders (OR = 3.6; 95% CI: 1.5-8.9), arc welders (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.5-11.4), masons (OR = 6.2; 95% CI: 1.0-39.0), and insulators (OR = 8.0; 95% CI: 1.8-35.2). These results suggest that exposure to pulmonary toxic agents in the shipyard environment can lead to both parenchymal inflammation (restriction) and airways inflammation (obstruction).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Malignant pleural mesothelioma. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors on 113 patients.

We report on clinical features of 113 cases of pathologically confirmed Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma, observed in Genoa (Italy) between 1979 and 1985. Overall median survival was 10 months. Among the pretreatment variables studied (age, sex, asbestos exposure, pathological type, chest pain and dyspnea at the time of diagnosis), the only one of prognostic value in the univariate analysis was the histological subtype: median survivals were 12, 7 and 4 months for the patients in the epithelial, mixed, and fibrosarcomatous groups, respectively (p = 0.0012). A multivariate analysis confirmed the independent predictive power of the histotype (p = 0.0022). A review of literature data concerning prognostic factors in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma is presented.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Case-control study of hemo-lymphopoietic neoplasms and exposure to pesticides in western Liguria].

The association between hematolymphopoietic cancers and occupational exposures to pesticides is being examined in a population based case-control study. 228 cases diagnose aged 20-74 years and 140 controls between 1/1/1990-31/12/1993 were eligible for the study in the west Liguria area. 163 cases and 109 controls were interviewed regarding use of pesticides and other possible risk factors and confounding variables. Expert agronomists assessed the job exposure to pesticides using the informations from questionnaires and the job-matrices.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Our experience in the treatment of rheumatoid knee by arthroscopic synovectomy.

The authors present the results obtained in the treatment of rheumatoid knee by arthroscopic synovectomy. A total of 29 knees operated on in 25 patients after a mean follow-up of 38 months based on the Laurin evaluation scale were re-examined. There was significant improvement for pain, synovitis, and overall function (mean values pre- and postoperative 2.07 vs 0.98; 2.14 vs 0.84, 2.37 vs 1.26, respectively); there were no, substantial variations in joint movement (2.47 vs 2.58). By dividing the patients into the 4 Larsen radiographic classes, the worst results were observed in patients in classes 3 and 4. In this series of patients complications of significance were not observed. Thus, we consider arthroscopic synovectomy to be the treatment of choice for rheumatoid knee because of the intrinsic advantages of minimum disease rate, rapid functional recovery, with expectations of results inversely proportional to the stage of progression of the disease.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Our experience in the arthroscopic treatment of fracture-avulsion of the tibial spine.

The authors present their experience in the arthroscopic treatment of fracture-avulsion of the intercondyloid eminence in the adult with a variation in the original method. In fact, an ACUFEX tibial guide is used for reconstruction of the ACL positioning 2 Kirschner wires with hole at the margins of the fragment, successively sliding the metal wire through the hole. Successive traction on the outside of the wires allows the metal wires to be arranged dome-like to stabilize the avulsed fragment. The distal ends of the wires are stabilized with a metal pull-out in the area corresponding to the anteromedial surface of the tibia. In the 10 patients treated by this method, evaluated after a minimum follow-up of 6 months, we obtained overall satisfactory clinical and functional results. There was significant residual ligamentous laxity in 2 patients with no clinical symptoms of instability. Variations in arthroscopic technique described in the literature are analyzed.

Adolescent↗