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Biomedical subjects

G Vittadini

Publications and source records attributed to G Vittadini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

A functional assessment methodology for alcohol dependent patients undergoing rehabilitative treatments.

PURPOSE: We propose a functional assessment approach for patients with alcoholic dependence of working age undergoing aerobic training. The background is the WHO indication (ICIDH-2) to use measurable 'activities' as a means to assess the individual 'participation' in social life which also implies work capacity. Defining sustainable energetic levels for the individual is an important issue for both the quantification of an effective training and the evaluation of possible improvements following training. METHODS: Fifty-six 'alcohol dependent' patients, as defined by DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), admitted to our Unit in a 16 month-period participated in the study. Eighteen healthy subjects served as controls (Group C). Out of all the 56 patients, 33 (Group A) underwent an aerobic training and 23 subjects (Group N) underwent the same pharmacological and psychological therapy but without aerobic training. Patients were assigned to the treatment (A) or no treatment (N) group according to a 'quasi-experimental' design (i.e. temporal selection criteria). The evaluation protocol consisted of submaximal symptom-limited tests. The tests consisted of bouts of 'basic' activities (walking, lifting, arm-work) to be performed at different intensities. We estimated the total energetic work (TW) performed in the tests by means of formulas available in the literature. The maximal energetic intensity (EI) reached during the tests was also estimated and expressed in MET (multiple of the basal metabolism). RESULTS: Significant differences in work capacity were observed between patients and healthy subjects at baseline. Group A significantly increased TW after rehabilitation, while Group N did not increment their performance at the re-test. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed approach could be useful in the functional assessment of deconditioned subjects with alcohol dependence in working age, and could monitor the changes in work capacity following training.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Capture-recapture methods to size alcohol related problems in a population.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of capture-recapture methods to estimate prevalence of subjects with alcohol related disorders using multiple incomplete lists. DESIGN: This was a cross sectional study of alcohol related disorders in a large community. SETTING: During 1997 identified cases with known alcohol related disorders were independently flagged by four sources (self help volunteering groups; psychiatric ambulatory; public alcohology service; hospital discharges). PATIENTS: 381 records were flagged, corresponding to 349 individual cases from a target population resident in a northern Italy area. MAIN RESULTS: The two sample capture-recapture estimates were clearly biased because of dependencies among sources. Estimates based on log-linear models showed prevalent counts ranged from 2297 (95% confidence intervals: 1524, 3794) to 2523 (95% confidence intervals: 1623, 4627) after adjustment for dependence among sources only or also for heterogeneity in catchability among age categories (< 50 and >/= 50 years), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that capture-recapture is an appropriate approach for estimating prevalence of subjects with alcohol related problems who seek or need treatment and assistance when different lists of alcoholics can be obtained from different types of agencies involved with problematic use of alcohol. Critical factors are the complexity in case definition and the analysis of heterogeneity among people. Accurate estimates are needed to plan and evaluate public health interventions.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1995

Occupational asthma, rhinitis and urticaria due to piperacillin sodium in a pharmaceutical worker.

A 28 year old man with no history of atopy was referred to our hospital for possible work-related asthma. He had been employed in the production section of a pharmaceutical company for 2 yrs, and in the last 2 months he had complained of dyspnoea, wheezing, chest tightness, symptoms of rhinitis and a cutaneous rash when exposed to powdered antibiotics. Symptoms disappeared after being transferred to the packaging section. When the subject was admitted to our department he was asymptomatic. Basal lung function tests were in the normal range. Bronchial challenges with methacholine and with ultrasonically-nebulized distilled water were negative. Skin-prick test with piperacillin sodium gave a strong positive response at a very low concentration. Specific inhalation challenge with piperacillin sodium resulted in an immediate asthmatic reaction, and also reproduced rhinitis symptoms and the cutaneous rash. A control challenge with lactose, and the specific challenge test with cefuroxime sodium (another antibiotic to which the patient was exposed at the workplace) were negative. We conclude that piperacillin sodium is an agent that can cause occupational asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

B-19036, a potential new hepatobiliary contrast agent for MR proton imaging.

B-19036 is an octadentate chelate of the paramagnetic ion Gd3+ under investigation as a proton relaxation enhancer (PRE) in magnetic resonance (MR) proton imaging. Its relaxivity was determined at 0.5 T by pulse spectrometry in various biologic fluids and in liver tissue homogenate. The ligand selectivity versus gadolinium was assessed in comparison with that versus other ions of biologic interest. Acute toxicity was determined after intravenous (IV) and intracerebral administration to mice. Pharmacokinetic studies conducted in rats indicated that unlike Gd-DTPA, where excretion is exclusively renal, biliary route plays a significant role in the excretion of B-19036, suggesting its possible use for hepatobiliary imaging.

Acetates↗
PubMed1988

[Dehydration and rehydration of the human body. Physiopathologic and clinical considerations].

Dehydration is a frequent and important problem either occupational or athletic. Equally important is the research for a correct rehydration. The most capable beverages for the rehydration are composed by water, carbohydrates (glucose and its polymers), and electrolytes, because the absorptions of water, glucose and sodium are correlated. Moreover these solutions if properly dosed and balanced do not slacken the gastric emptying and the fluid absorption, they replace part of the exhausted carbohydrates and guarantee a good plasma electrolyte balance. To these benefits can be added the organic "stress" reduction and the physical endurance enhancement.

Dehydration↗
PubMed1985

[Demanding work, today].

Wearing work is an old problem of occupational medicine which seems to be resolved by technological progress and progressive disappearance of physical fatigue. On the contrary in these new working conditions new physical and psychical possibilities of wearing work take place and they are less conspicuous but not less important than old conditions. Some examples of such conditions are provided and some possible solutions are proposed.

Automation↗
PubMed1983

[Various psychological parameters in subjects occupationally exposed to radiofrequencies].

Because of increasing interest for electromagnetic fields biological effects we examined possible effects on behaviour produced by prolonged exposition to radiofrequencies on some wood industry workers. The results of psychological tests seem to prove a significant difference between exposed and control groups in the answers concerning social relations and anxiety. However these results have to be confirmed by other and more complete studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Health risks related to the use of coal as a source of energy].

Because of new increase of coal use as energy source, hazards for environment and human health of coal cycle are debated, from its extration to its combustion, taking particularly care of this last stage. At last specific hazard of coal power station workers are briefly discussed.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1983

[Proposal for evaluating the psychological effects of exposure to non-ionizing radiation in the work environment].

Because of the growing national and international spreading of devices producing non-ionizing radiations, the AA consider the possibility of a deep study on some of the most precious and interesting effects, though controversial at the same time, described in occupationally exposed subjects: the psychological ones. Such a study, however, presents considerable difficulties because of the great deal of personal, domestic and social factors responsible for the arising of such a symptomatology. Therefore the AA suggest the use of a set of tests particularly aiming at leaving out such factors in the genesis of the psychological troubles; this set must be previously administered to a carefully selected sample in order to verify its accuracy, reliability, sensitivity and specificity, so that it will be possible to extend afterwards the research to larger samples of population.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Insulin receptors in human mononuclear leucocytes. II. Binding and degradation of insulin in obese subjects.

The binding of insulin to the receptors on circulating mononuclear cells of obese subjects is significantly decreased when compared to the binding in normal subjects. This fenomenon is due to the reduction of the number of insulin receptors rather than reduction in affinity. The insulin degradation is also reduced, but a very strong correlation, similar to that demonstrated in normal subjects exist between insulin binding to its receptors and insulin degradation.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Toxicological and teratological studies of azanidazole.

A toxicological study of 4-[(E)-2-(1-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-ethenyl]-2-pyrimidinamine (azanidazole, Triclose), a new systemic antitrichomonas agent, was run in laboratory animals in order to evaluate its safety. Studies also covered the effects of azanidazole on reproduction in rats treated prior to mating, on fetal development in rabbits and rats, and on fetal survival and growth in rats treated with it during late pregnancy and lactation. The obtained data indicate that azanidazole was well tolerated when administered as a single dose or repeated daily doses for six months. Furthermore, no adverse reproductive effects and no evidence of teratogenic activity were observed in all of the tested animal species. Survival indices were not affected, and body weight of progeny was normal in all studies on reproduction and peri- and post-natal toxicity.

Animals↗