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Biomedical subjects

G Mastrangelo

Publications and source records attributed to G Mastrangelo.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Pulmonary impairment in workers exposed to silicon carbide.

Two hundred and sixty seven workers employed in the manufacture of silicon carbide (SiC) were examined to determine the effects of exposure to contaminants (SiC, quartz, and SO2) in the workplace on pulmonary function. No exposure concentrations exceeded the current permissible limits. Ten subjects (3.7%) showed rounded opacities (profusion greater than or equal to 1/0). Two subjects employed only in the final stages of the production process and not exposed to crystalline silica showed opacities (profusion q1/0 and q2/1) on x ray film suggesting a role of SiC in the genesis of interstitial lung disease. Chest abnormalities on x ray film were correlated with cumulative exposure to dust and pulmonary function was affected by cumulative dust exposure, profusion of opacities, and smoking. It is concluded that the current standards do not provide adequate protection against pneumoconiosis and chronic pulmonary disease in this industry.

Carbon↗
PubMed1991

Influence of smoking habit on the frequency of micronuclei in human lymphocytes by the cytokinesis block method.

To evaluate the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes in a normal population, 45 healthy subjects were analysed by using a modified cytochalasin B block method; the influence of some confounding factors (sex, age, smoking, etc.) were taken into account. Using a stepwise regression test smoking habits were found to have a statistically significant influence on the frequency of micronucleated cells and micronuclei. In addition, the mitotic and proliferative indexes, and the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes, at different culture times, were studied in four healthy subjects. Based on the results we suggest that cytochalasin B be added to cultures no later than the 42nd hour.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Relationship between nutritional and immunologic status in patients with esophageal cancer].

The nutritional and immunological status have been evaluated in 28 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer. Patients (21 male and 7 female), had a mean age of 61 years, ranging from 34 to 84 years. The tumor histological type was squamous in 25 patients. A melanoma, an oat cell carcinoma and a adenocarcinoma were observed in the remaining cases. The nutritional status was assessed by means of weight loss, triceps skinfold, midarm muscle circumference and serum levels of albumin and transferrin. On the basis of this data the patients were divided into two groups: A, 19 patients (68%), normal nourished group (or with a mild malnutrition) and B, 9 patients (32%) with a severe malnutrition. The immunological status was assessed by determining the lymphocyte absolute number (H-6000-Technicon), the T-Lymphocyte sub-populations (flow-cytometry with monoclonal antibodies--Ortho Diagnostic System) and the patient's response to intradermally placed recall antigens (Multitest Merieux). Significative immunological abnormalities were found only in malnourished patients, group B (p less than 0.05). Moreover a reduction of OKT4 helper (less than 30%) and the inversion of OKT4/OKT8 ratio (less than 0.9%) were also observed only in the malnourished group (p less than 0.01). Therefore, we conclude that acquired immunodeficiency, when present in patients with esophageal cancer, is due to the severe malnutrition rather than to the cancer itself.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A case-referent study investigating the relationship between exposure to silica dust and lung cancer.

A case-referent study was carried out to investigate the relationship between lung cancer and exposure to silica dust in an area where a relatively high proportion of the workforce was exposed to silica dust in the past. The cases were 309 lung cancer patients admitted at the Chest Department of the Central Belluno Hospital during the period 1973-1980, while the 309 controls were patients admitted at the same department for diseases other than lung cancer and bronchitis during the same period. Information on exposure to silica and smoking habits were collected from hospital records. The results show an elevated risk, supported by a clear dose-response, due to smoking. Exposure to silica also appears to increase the risk of lung cancer, but only in presence of silicosis. The risk estimates tend to increase both with amount of smoking and duration of exposure to silica, with the magnitude of the risk being, however, much smaller for the latter effect. No clear interaction appears to exist between the two factors. The limitations of the study and the problems in interpreting the results are discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Mortality of workers compensated for silicosis during the period 1959-1963 in the Veneto region of Italy.

After reports appeared from other countries indicating an excess risk of lung cancer among silicotics, a cohort of workers compensated for silicosis during the period 1959-1963 in the Veneto region of Italy was constructed and followed for mortality through 1984. The results of the study showed a large mortality excess for infectious diseases (180 observed versus 9.5 expected), due to silicotuberculosis, and for diseases of the respiratory system (270 observed versus 33.5 expected) due to silicosis. An elevated standardized mortality ratio of 239 (70 observed versus 29.3 expected) from lung cancer was also detected. An increasing pattern was observed with time since first exposure, while the relationship with employment category and duration of exposure was less clear-cut. The lung cancer excess was also strongly associated with cigarette smoking, there being a dose-response relationship with daily cigarette consumption. The study confirms the results from other epidemiologic studies on silicotics which show this pathological condition to be associated with increased lung cancer mortality.

Humans↗
PubMed1983

Age characteristics of mesothelioma incidence in the general population of the province of Padova, 1965-1976.

Twenty-four incidental cases of mesothelioma, diagnosed in the province of Padova during the period 1965-1976, were analyzed according to age characteristics. The results show that the incidence rate increases in the general population under study at the same rate as in other populations occupationally and non-occupationally exposed to carcinogenic fibers according to the time since first exposure. This finding suggests a similar neoplastic process independent of age, in different environmental situations.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Study of immunological parameters in farmer's lung.

A cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out on 2932 farmers (response rate 92%) living in Northern Italy. A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms was supplied, chest X-ray taken and simple spirometry tests made. Thirty-nine subjects reported attacks of breathlessness associated with fever after exposure to mouldy hay; thirty-six had a clinical history of farmer's lung and X-ray and/or respiratory function changes indicative of chronic farmer's lung; 113 were classified as having bronchial asthma. These 118 subjects and a random sample of 131 non-symptomatic subjects were examined by intracutaneous skin tests and double diffusion precipitation tests with antigens associated with farmer's lung. All sera positive by precipitation were examined by immunoelectrophoresis, counterimmunoelectrophoresis, and C1q binding test, and Bovine conglutinin test in solid phase for the detection of circulating immunocomplexes. 27.8% cases of chronic farmer's lung, 4.4% of cases of bronchial asthma and 2.3% of non-symptomatic subjects showed precipitating antibodies against farmer's lung antigens. Of the precipitin-positive subjects, the majority had precipitating antibodies against Micropolyspora faeni. No differences in immunoelectrophoregrams in number and pattern of precipitation arcs for M. faeni were found between chronic farmer's lung and bronchial asthma subjects. Circulating immune complexes were present in 50% of chronic farmer's lung patients, 40% of those with bronchial asthma and 33.3% of non-symptomatic subjects. Three farmer's lung subjects (9.3%) showed immediate skin-test reactions to rural environmental allergens.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1982

[Epidemiologic findings in esophageal cancer in the Veneto region].

The results of an epidemiological study using the case-control method on 150 oesophageal cancer cases, observed at the IIIrd Surgical Department in Padua and on 150 controls are presented. The results show that alcohol an maize flour (corn meal) are two aetiopathogenetic factors of verified statistical significance in oesophageal carcinoma in the Veneto population. This confirms other studies among populations with a high risk of oesophageal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Epidemiological study of pneumoconiosis in the Italian poly(vinyl chloride) industry.

Among 1216 workers employed in a poly(vinyl chloride) production factory, 20 cases of pneumoconiosis were found. None of these workers had had previous exposure to organic or inorganic dusts; 731 had been exposed to PVC dust (employed in drying, sacking and blending of polymer) and 485 had been exposed to monomer alone. Chest x-ray films were read by two independent physicians utilizing the ILO/UC Pneumoconiosis Classification, 1971. X-ray abnormalities were characterized by limited profusion, irregular type and low gravidity; in a small percentage of cases these were associated with slight restrictive respiratory function impairments. All 20 workers with PVC-induced pneumoconiosis had been exposed to high PVC dust pollution for at least five years. Mild nonspecific alterations (profusion of 0/1 class) were found both in the group exposed to PVC dust and in the group exposed to VCM alone. Such changes (observed in 388 cases, 31.9% of the whole population), are related mainly to age and smoking habits, and the role of exposure is minor.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

[Variability of respiratory function tests 9 weeks observation (author's transl)].

42 normal male subjects from 19 to 27 years, are examined in conditions of field studies once a week for 9 weeks. At each session are measured: flow volume curves with determination of vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1.0), peak flow (V peak), flows at 0.75, 0.50, 0.25 of VC (V 0.75 VC, V 0.50 VC, V 0.25 VC). Single breath nitrogen test, with determination of slope of phase III (delta N2/liter) and closing volume/vital capacity (CV/VC). Single breath and steady state tests with carbon monoxide. Variability of functional pulmonary indices in this study is greater than those observed in the literature during shorter period of term. Some indices varied significantly during these 9 weeks of observation like V 0.25 CV, indices of transfer factor of CO and CV/VC (according to repetition of test or meteorologic factors?). Relevance of studying variations during a relatively long period, is pointed out in interpretation of results observed in prospective studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Descriptive epidemiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the province of Padova, 1970-1974.

The age-standardized incidence rates of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in the province of Padova during the period 1970-1974 were 3.19/10(5)/year for males and 1.60/10(5)/year for females. These rates are similar to those found in other industrialized countries and slightly higher than in the province of Torino. An increasing trend with age is described, beginning in the age group 35-44, while low rates were found in younger ages in both sexes. No relevant pattern was shown in the geographical distribution of cases, and no observed/expected ratio was significant in any of the administrative districts considered. The influence of environmental factors and the limitations due to uncertain diagnostic criteria and the small size of the population considered are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

[The different ways of expressing the results of the monoxide test in steady state: discussion and proposition of reference values for epidemiological studies (author's transl)].

The results of the steady state carbon monoxide test can be expressed quantitatively as the amount of CO absorbed by the lung per minute and per 1 mm Hg pressure difference (TCO; ml/min/mm Hg) or as the ratios between partial pressures of CO (FICO, FECO, FACO), fractional untake coefficient (Formula: see text), From measurements taken in 141 non-smokers (mean age 47.43 +/- 6.4 years), 60 ex smokers (mean age 45.73 +/- 5.29 years) and 322 smokers (mean age 46.65 +/- 5.5 years), TCO and fractional uptakes were calculated and discussed. Considering the fact that mean TCO had a larger standard deviation that mean FUCO and that TCO had a non-Gaussian distribution, the authors chose to express the results of the test in fractional uptakes. Equations are proposed to calculated fractional uptakes.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Polyvinyl chloride pneumoconiosis: epidemiological study of exposed workers.

Among 1216 workers who were employed in a polyvinyl chloride production factory and who had had no previous dust exposure elsewhere, 20 cases of pneumoconiosis were found. Chest x-ray abnormalities were characterized by limited profusion, irregular type and low gravity. All 20 workers had been exposed to high PVC dust levels. The chest x-ray changes were observed after a minimum exposure of five years and, in a small percentage of cases, were associated with slight restrictive respiratory function impairments. Moreover, in the whole group of workers 388 cases (31.9%) were found with non-specific x-ray abnormalities mainly related to age and smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Assessment of working capacity in a group of subjects affected with obstructive respiratory disease (author's transl)].

Ventilatory function was studied by the authors in 43 subjects affected with obstructive respiratory disease. The research was performed both at rest and during two exercise tests -- 60 and 100 watts, respectively. The subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of tidal volume (at 30 1 ventilation) / vital capacity ratio. It was found that during muscular effort subjects with major impairment of spirometric indexes hypoventilated, whereas the opposite occurred in patients with lesser impairment. Moreover, subjects hyperventilating during muscular work were found to have brandypnea, whereas the opposite occurred in hyperventilating patients. It is suggested that progressing and worsening of obstructive emphysema lead to a relative hypoventilation during muscular work, which is due to an "inability" to increase the frequency of breathing.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

[Epidemiologic evaluation of isocyanate immediate irritative action: 'one day effect' control (author's transl)].

Nineteen MDI exposed workers showed ventilatory changes, after eight hour exposure, mainly involving upper respiratory airways; the changes reversed following a bronchodilator aerosol. An incomplete recovery of VC was found in some subjects; therefore, the possibility of changes in the lung elastic recoil forces was hypothesized. No statistically significant differences were found as to occupation and smoking habit, which suggests that even low MDI concentrations could be enough to give rise to acute effects. The greater impairment found in subjects who were already affected by morning time emphasizes the necessity that such subjects were not employed in their specific work.

Adult↗