PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

G Biscaldi

Publications and source records attributed to G Biscaldi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Acute alcoholic myopathy].

A case of acute alcoholic myopathy in a subject with a 20 year history of alcohol abuse is described. The condition emerged during an episode of delirium tremens and had a quickly deadly outcome. The rapid evolution of the clinical situation accompanied by variation in the biohumoral indices (CPK, LDH, myoglobin) is stressed and although this prevented from obtaining anatomopathological samples of the rhabdomyolisis, the specific diagnosis was made with reasonable certainty. The onset of the condition was not foreseeable because of the absence of an accurate history of the subject's alcohol abuse on his admission and of significant biohumoral data indicating the existence of an alcohol correlated pathology.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Acute accidental poisoning by mercury vapors in the home environment].

The authors report 2 cases of acute mercury intoxication due to accidental breakage of barometer on to a lit gas ring. Within 24-48 hours the subjects developed neurological, gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms. A 24-hour urine sample contained 600 and 400 micrograms of mercury per liter respectively (reference value 0.1-6.9 micrograms/L); blood concentration of mercury was 130 and 100 micrograms per liter (reference value 1.7-9.9 micrograms/L). The patients were treated with penicillamine and daily excretion of mercury was monitored. The residual sources of pollution in the kitchen were identified and bonificated.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed1988

[Occupational diseases: considerations on a clinical case series].

The authors examine cases of occupational diseases diagnosed between 1982 and 1988 in patients admitted to "Divisione di Medicina del Lavoro I Sezione di medicina del Lavoro del Dipartimento di Medicina preventiva, occupazionale e di comunità dell'Università di Pavia". The most frequent syndromes concerns the auditory apparatus (having losses or deafness due to noise) and the respiratory system, whereas new safety regulations have given rise to the disappearance of benzene-induced hematologic abnormalities. Most of, the "classical" features of occupational diseases have disappeared, since early diagnosis has permitted the adoption of opportune technical and sanitary measures. The authors emphasize the necessity for role of Occupational Medicine (ever following the sentences 179 and 206 of the "Corte Costituzionale") to be not prevention, but also diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation; therefore there is a need, all over the country, for adequate structures for the diagnosis and treatment of the occupational diseases.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Occupational asthma due to styrene: two case reports.

Two cases of occupational asthma due to styrene are described. The subjects complained of cough, breathlessness, and symptoms of asthma when coming into contact with styrene; in patient 1 the respiratory reaction was followed by a late cutaneous rash. The symptoms disappeared when the subjects were away from work on weekends or holidays. In both cases, inhalation challenge with styrene produced an immediate bronchospastic reaction which was followed by a late cutaneous rash in patient 1. Prior administration of disodium cromoglycate (40 mg from a spinhaler) prevented the respiratory reactions completely, but failed to prevent the late skin response in case 1. Styrene removal was followed by complete disappearance of the symptoms. We conclude that styrene can be a primary cause of occupational asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Electromyographic investigation in early diagnosis of carbon disulphide neuropathy: a study on 216 workers with different degrees of exposure.

An electromyographic (EMG) investigation was performed on 216 workers of a viscose rayon plant with different degrees of exposure to CS2. In the light of the data supplied by the survey the AA. maintain that meedle EMG is able to detect, probably better than other test, changes of PNS even if they are very slight, and to select subjects having a higher risk of suffering from neuropathies. Nevertheless, also because of its sensitivity, EMG seems to be less specific than other electrophysiological parameters such as maximal motor conductions velocity (MMCV), that is significantly altered in exposed people. Muscular changes may be connected to a specific effect of CS2 less surely than MMCV change. However, they might be considered as pointing to a predisposition to PNS illness and it seems advisable to eclude these subjects from CS2 exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Protective effect of nifedipine upon specific bronchial responses to isocyanates.

In order to evaluate the effect of nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, upon specific bronchial responses to isocyanates, 5 subjects with occupational asthma due to TDI were examined. Each subject was exposed to an atmosphere containing 0.01 ppm of TDI in an inhalation chamber for 15 minutes; the test was repeated on a different day 45 minutes after administration of placebo or nifedipine (20 mg sublingually) in a random fashion. Our data show an effectiveness of nifedipine at the above mentioned dose in preventing the responses arising immediately or within one hour after the exposure (cases n. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). For preventing late responses it was necessary to repeat the administration of nifedipine (10 mg sublingually) 2 hours after the exposure (cases n. 4 and n. 5). The mechanism by which nifedipine prevents bronchial responses to isocyanates has not been elucidated.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Effects of lead on the visual system of occupationally exposed subjects.

A quantitative measurement of visual field in mesopic adaptation was performed for 35 workers occupationally exposed to lead and 35 referents matched for age, smoking, and alcohol consumption. The mean level (+/- SD) of lead in blood was 47 +/- 16 microgram/100 ml (2.25 +/- 0.77 mumol/l) [range 21-82 microgram/100 ml (1.01-3.94 mumol/l)]. In 10 exposed subjects a central scotoma was found that was not evidenced in any of the referents. A highly significant decrease in visual sensitivity was observed for the exposed subjects a central scotoma was found that was not evidenced in any of the referents. A highly significant decrease in visual sensitivity was observed for the exposed subjects. The results point to damage of central and peripheral optic nerve fibers. In the most severe cases, central vision is preferentially affected, and therefore the results are suggestive of subclinical optic neuropathy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Early effects of exposure to anesthetic gases and vapors. A critical review on the suitability of several indicators of the effect].

Apart from a risk excess of liver disease among operating theatre personnel and of spontaneous abortion in women exposed during pregnancy, no definitive conclusion can be drawn regarding health impairment among anaesthesiology staff. However, many studies pointed out that several adverse effects occur as a consequence of experimental, therapeutic and occupational exposure to inhalation anaesthetics. This paper reviews the early changes of the organ systems (hepatobiliary, renal, cardiac, hematopoietic, reproductive systems; immunologic functions; cytogenetic effects), which are considered to follow anaesthetics exposure, to evaluate their possible use as biological indices of effect. The liver microsomal enzyme system has received particular attention with the aim of clarifying the mechanisms involved in anaesthetics hepatotoxicity. An increased microsomal enzyme activity was observed in experimental conditions and in humans. This inductive effect, which reflects metabolic changes affecting liver function, is commonly considered the earliest sign caused by exposure to several chemicals (other than anaesthetics) and may be evaluated by means of biomarkers, among which the measurement of urinary D-glucaric acid excretion is a well established non-invasive tool. Urinary D-glucaric acid excretion represents the most promising early metabolic effect of the exposure to anaesthetics. However, its measurement is not yet suitable as an index of effect for use in biomonitoring practice. The main aspects to be studied in the future are the following: (i) the evaluation of urinary D-glucaric acid excretion in the acute and chronic exposure to low-dose anaesthetics to check the existence of a dose-response relationship; (ii) the study of other parameters (urinary enzymes, immunological profile, chromosome aberrations) in selected groups of exposed and control subjects, in which both exposure and confounding factors (age, gender, life style, former diseases) as well as concomitant occupational exposures should be carefully taken into account.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Alcohol and work: comments on a clinical case load].

The relationship between alcohol and work was studied in a group of 260 voluntary patients (186 male and 74 female) admitted to the unit of Medicina del Lavoro, Pavia University for alcohol rehabilitation. The highest incidence of alcohol abuse was found in non-working subjects (pensioners, unemployed, housewives) although the start of excessive drinking takes place after beginning a working activity; a cause-effect relationship between these two factors can not be clearly determined, however. It is true that the stress provoked by this new condition (introduction to the work experience) can, in certain subjects, be a contributing factor in alcohol abuse. The increasingly lower age of initiation to alcohol reconfirms the need for prevention and instruction even at scholastic level.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Depression and home environment].

The Authors consider the higher frequency of depressive disorders in women and examine the correlations between psychopathological expressions of depression and women's social and cultural roles. The condition of life at home, that is peculiar to housewife, sometimes can be a psychopathological risk factor or psychosocial stressor, as well as other work conditions (whether the woman is employed or not), that have to be examined in relation to each person, according to the individual's biological, psychosocial and cultural features.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Men and home environment: when the wife exercises an extra-familial activity].

The study examines the views of men towards the division of household duties when the female partner is employed outside the home. A variety of behaviour ranging from a complete refusal to participate in domestic activity to an equal division of household tasks is demonstrated. The main determining factors seem to be: socio-cultural level and age group. The woman's right to persue a career was recognized mainly by men in middle to upper social class in the 25-30 age group who participate in household duties. It is evident that, even in the case of domestic collaboration, women have the ultimate responsibility for household tasks. In that men tend to choose the more gratifying duties (es. cooking, child care).

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Thyroid function in bronchial asthma].

The Authors report the results of an investigation on association between bronchial hyperreactivity to metacholine in asthmatic subjects and subclinical dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Although the T4 and free T3 values were higher in the control group than in asthmatic patients, all the hormone dosage results were within the normal range. These findings show that asthma is not associated with changes in thyroid function.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Female alcoholism and household conditions].

Alcoholism in women, above all in housekeepers, tends to destroy both families and society. This kind of alcoholism is frequently based on neurosis and depression. Alcoholism in women is supposed to be caused by: genetic factors, psychological factors and social factors. Therefore these components are linked both to neuroendocrinology of female and the way of life of housekeepers.

Alcoholism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute poisoning by Vantal (combination of dimethoate and DDT) in a group of longshoremen].

In this work the authors describe a case of acute intoxication by "VANTAL" (DDT and Dimethoate) occurred in a group of six longshoremen. The authors particularly consider the reports about the gastroenteric apparatus and the central and peripheric nervous system. It has in fact been possible to document all kinds of pathologic condition from gastritis to duodenal ulcer in all subjects; whereas only three subjects out of six showed alterations in E.E.G. and E.M.G.

Adult↗