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Biomedical subjects

G Discalzi

Publications and source records attributed to G Discalzi.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Occupational Mn parkinsonism: magnetic resonance imaging and clinical patterns following CaNa2-EDTA chelation.

We report a case of occupational parkinsonism due to manganese exposure in which professional exposure has been documented both by the high blood and urinary levels of the metal and by its presence in the materials used. A strong relation was evident among chelating treatment, cessation of exposure and clinical improvement. MRI confirmed the evolution of clinical pattern by means of reduction of heavy metal deposition in basal ganglia. These findings also agree with the few experimental and human studies published. This case study points to the need for an accurate occupational history collection and suggests the possibility of useful chelating therapy with CaNa2EDTA.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMed1998

[The problem of lead exposure in the Piedmont: from the workplace to the general environment].

In the first part of this study, the most frequently professional lead exposure observed since 1984 at the Occupational Health Clinic of Turin University are summarized and compared with exposure observed in the past. The second part analyzes the present blood lead levels in the general (non-occupationally exposed) population observed in a screening campaign carried out in Piedmont in 1993-94 within the framework of the national programme by biology surveillance prescribed by Presidential Decree no. 496 of 1982. Results agree with literature data and show a reduction in blood lead levels markedly below the Italian legal limits. Nevertheless, lead pollution in non-exposed subjects still represents a major hygienistic problem, because a relevant number of children have blood lead concentrations above 10 micrograms/ 100 ml, which is considered a safe level for avoiding irreversible injury to nervous system.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Effects of occupational exposure to mercury and lead on brainstem auditory evoked potentials.

A study was performed to examine the effects of industrial exposures to lead and mercury on the brainstem auditory pathway by recording brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). BAEPs were recorded from 22 workers exposed to lead, from eight exposed to mercury and from two control groups of age- and sex-matched subjects never exposed to neurotoxic substances. The time between BAEP peaks I and V were evaluated. The mean durations of exposure were 9.3 and 11.7 years for lead and mercury, respectively. Blood lead concentration (PbBc) on the morning of the test day was 47.5 micrograms/dl, whereas urinary mercury content at the end of the previous work day was 325 micrograms/g creatinine. Both mercury and lead exposed workers showed a significant prolongation of wave I-V time. In addition, the interwave time was longer in a lead subgroup with the greatest mean level of lead in blood. These results are consistent with other studies and show that BAEPs may provide a sensitive tool for detecting subclinical central neurotoxicity caused by lead and mercury.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1977

[Epidemiological study of diabetes in the occupational environment].

Fasting blood sugar was determined in 277 subjects with early forms of silicosis during statutory outpatient examinations. Values were related to the clinical and occupational history and objective and blood chemistry parameters. The results showed that epidemiological examination is useful in the prevention and early diagnosis of diabetes in occupational environments.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[New biomarkers of exposure].

In this paper we have defined the new biomarkers of exposure (NBE) as those biomarkers discovered in the last five years and, among previously validated biomarkers, also those applied in different ranges of doses or those determined in biological matrices which differ from matrices originally considered. We examined the results from the surveys carried out by the main Italian research units involved in biological monitoring, i.e. those from the Universities of Brescia, Milan, Naples, Padua, Parma, Pavia, Turin and Verona. The data were collected using a standardized model and included the following: type of element or organic compound, type of biomarker, analytical technique and method, their relationship with environmental monitoring data, their relationship with effect indicators or effects in general, improvement with respect to old biomarkers, reference values. Twenty two NBEs were identified: 14 elements and chemical compounds as such or as metabolites, 4 examples of mixtures, 3 of new matrices, one of speciation. Among the others, aspects such as interest in requiring NBE, quality assurance, availability, cost-benefit ratio were discussed. We conclude that development of this specific field of research appears to be a crucial point for future improvement in risk assessment and health surveillance procedures.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Multiple myeloma and occupational risk factors: a case-control study].

In order to identify possible relationships between multiple myeloma (MM) and occupational factors, a hospital-based case control type study was carried out on 94 cases of MM and on 188 controls matched for sex, age (S.D. = 2 years) and area of residence, suffering from orthopaedic trauma and free of chronic/degenerative or tumoral diseases. All jobs done for at least a year in a period of 5-30 years before diagnosis were considered. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between MM and agricultural work (OR 1.82; I.C. 95% 1.03-3.25), which agrees with the data in the literature. The etiopathogenetic hypotheses reported in the literature are discussed and proposals for further research are made.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of somatosensory evoked potentials in the exposure of the hand-arm system to localized vibrations].

SEPs obtained by stimulation of the median nerve of the wrist were recorded in a group of 33 subjects working with vibrating instruments in 82% of whom the case history was positive for Raynaud's Phenomenon (RP). Electrophysiological investigation revealed a decrease in peripheral nerve conduction speed, which was related to the duration of exposure to risk and the presence of RP. No diseases of the central nervous system were found. The results are discussed on the basis of the data in the literature.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Respiratory impairment and metal exposure in a group of 68 industrial welders].

A group of 68 currently employed welders were examined who were exposed to welding fumes either for the whole or for at least half the working day and who used at least two welding processes, which were mainly manual metal arc welding and metal active gas welding, but also metal and tungsten inert gas welding, or oxyacetylene welding. The welders were classified into 3 groups according to the class of materials used, i.e.: 1) only mild and stainless steel; 2) mild and stainless steel and other metals; 3) only other metals. Chronic bronchitis symptoms were observed in 22% of the subjects; signs of suspected radiological fibrosis were present in 18%, initial signs of radiological fibrosis in 4%. Small airway disease was prevalent in the smokers (28 smokers versus 2 nonsmokers); one worker had an obstructive syndrome and another a restrictive syndrome (both were smokers). There was a good correlation between years of exposure and: 1) MEF25 in non-smokers; 2) urinary cobalt in the whole group. There was also a correlation between smoking and FEV1, MEF50, MEF25, PaO2 and urinary cadmium. Serum copper was higher in workers exposed full time than in those exposed part time. Urinary chromium and cobalt and serum copper were high in steel welders, lower in welders using steel and other metals and low in welders using other metals. Urinary chromium was similar in smokers and non-smokers. Serum zinc was found to be of little use for biological monitoring of welders. Urinary chromium was studied for one week in 10 full-time exposed steel welders. The difference between the chromium values at the end of the workshift and those at the beginning was small (low current exposure); the chromium values at the end of the workshift were not uniform in the whole group (different past exposure levels).

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗