Biomedical subjects

I Ghezzi

Publications and source records attributed to I Ghezzi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1992

Ten-year follow-up of biological monitoring of cadmium-exposed workers.

In this study, 105 workers exposed to cadmium for over 10 years were subjected periodically to environmental monitoring, biological monitoring and medical surveillance. They were divided into subgroups, one in which Cd-B and Cd-U exceeded 10 micrograms/l and 10 micrograms/g creatinine respectively and the other in which they were below these proposed biological exposure indices. Urinary beta 2-microglobulin was used as an indicator of tubular damage. Over the past 3 years 12 workers had raised urinary beta 2-microglobulin values (above 250 micrograms/l). Among workers with Cd-B and Cd-U levels always below the above limits, less than 3% had increased urinary excretion of beta 2-microglobulin, a percentage comparable with that of the reference population. When Cd-B exceeds 10 micrograms/l and Cd-U 10 micrograms/g creatinine on one or more occasions (although the median value still remains below this level), the frequency of tubular damage seems to be considerably higher (8.4 and 7.5% respectively). Thus the Cd-B and Cd-U limits proposed appear to be quite safe if strictly respected. However, median values appear too high to rule out the possibility of an increased incidence of tubular alterations.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Occupational exposure to cadmium and lung function.

A total of 69 male subjects occupationally exposed to cadmium fumes in a factory producing silver-cadmium-copper alloys for brazing, were subjected to lung function tests, including ventilation (FVC and FEV1), residual volume (RV) and alveolar-capillary diffusion capacity (TLCO and KCO). For each subject, the cumulative exposure to cadmium was calculated as the product of the number of years in the job and the average atmospheric concentration of cadmium (expressed in micrograms/m3) encountered each year. Cadmium-exposed subjects had moderately higher mean values of RV (+ 8%) as compared with the control group; the increase was greater (+ 10%) in the subgroup of workers with greater cumulative exposure to cadmium. No significant differences were observed in FVC, FEV1, TLCO and KCO.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

[Amyloidosis in monoclonal gammapathies. Observations of the authors' own cases].

We have investigated the presence of amyloid in 25 patients with multiple myeloma and in 12 patients with benign monoclonal gammopathies. Ascari's function resulted valid for the screening of patients with amyloidosis. Fine needle biopsy of subcutaneous fat showed the amyloid in 20% of patients with myeloma and in no patient with benign monoclonal gammopathies. The ratio voltage/mass resulted very useful for the diagnosis of cardiac amyloidosis. Sites involved were heart and kidney.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1989

Medical monitoring of dioxin clean-up workers.

The effectiveness of the safety measures established to protect clean-up workers from 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) exposure during clean-up operations of the most highly TCDD-contaminated area following the Seveso accident was evaluated. Clean-up workers (N = 36) and referent subjects (N = 36) underwent a 2-yr prospective controlled study aimed at detecting whether specific clinical and biochemical outcomes differed between the two groups. No cases of overt TCDD-related clinical disease occurred (i.e., chloracne, liver disease, peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda), and no clear-cut differences in biochemical outcomes between clean-up and reference workers were detected. The safety measures that were taken together with worker's compliance during clean-up operations were effective in preventing acute health effects. The safety, industrial hygiene, and health monitoring programs which were established following the Seveso accident should be applied as a minimum in similar situations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Emergency coronary angioplasty in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction or cardiogenic shock after acute myocardial infarction.

Emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed during an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after either systemic or intracoronary thrombolytic therapy in six patients with severe ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction or cardiogenic shock, among 37 patients (17%) who were treated with PTCA during AMI over a 13-month period. Thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase (1.5 x 10 Units) was initiated after a mean (+/- SD) time delay of 5.5 +/- 1.3 h from the onset of symptoms. The infarct-related artery was found to be occluded (TIMI grade 0-1) in three patients and partially reperfused (TIMI grade 2) in the remaining patients at baseline coronary angiography. Intracoronary administration of urokinase (100-200,000 Units) was ineffective in those patients failing systemic thrombolysis and resulted in only a slight increase of residual lumen in three patients. The coronary artery could be opened by a guidewire mechanical technique in patients with persistent coronary artery occlusion and coronary dilation could be done in all patients. The mean percentage diameter stenosis of the infarct-related vessel was reduced from 98.8 +/- 2% to 27 +/- 11% (P less than 0.005). After the procedure, left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 27 +/- 8% to 41 +/- 7% (P less than 0.02), systemic blood pressure and cardiac index increased respectively from 86 +/- 10 to 126 +/- 14 mmHg (P less than 0.005) and from 2.2 +/- 0.6 to 3.3 +/- 0.6 (P less than 0.01). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure decreased from 26 +/- 8 to 18 +/- 3 mmHg (P less than 0.05). Severe mitral regurgitation was relieved in one patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Unusual origin and course of the first septal branch of the left coronary artery: angiographic recognition.

The anatomical variants of the origin and course of the first septal branch (S1) of the left coronary artery system have received little attention in the literature dealing with coronary angiography. We describe here the angiographic features of the ectopic origin of S1 from epicardial branches of the left coronary artery other than the left anterior descending artery as observed in 8 cases from a series of 700 consecutive patients (1.1%). The S1 originated from the left main coronary artery in 1 case, from a diagonal branch in 4, and from an intermediate branch in 3 cases. Previous reported cases are reviewed. Because the S1 may supply up to 15% of the blood to the myocardium, the recognition of this variable origin may have clinical implications and has to be considered as a part of the complete evaluation of coronary arteriograms of patients referred for coronary artery revascularization.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Reliability of urinary creatinine as a parameter used to adjust values of urinary biological indicators.

The values of biological indicators used in biological monitoring are usually determined on spot samples of urine. In order to reduce the variations due to dilution, it is common practice to correct the values according to reference parameters, such as urinary creatinine concentration and specific gravity. The aim of the present study was to verify whether creatinine possesses the necessary characteristics for adjustment. The levels of creatinine were not influenced by diuresis, but, contrary to what was expected, the values of the metabolite showed marked intra- and interindividual variations. These data raise serious doubts as to the validity of creatinine as a parameter that can be used for adjustment purposes, and suggest that it would be advisable to ascertain for each biological indicator whether in fact adjustment is of any use. Lastly, since there was only a slight correlation between creatinine levels and specific gravity values, it is concluded that these two parameters cannot be used indifferently for adjustment.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Problems concerning the usefulness of adjustment of urinary cadmium for creatinine and specific gravity.

A previous study concluded that there are some doubts as to the validity of creatinine as a parameter for adjusting the values of biological indicators determined on spot samples of urine, since it is subject to marked inter- and intraindividual variations. Furthermore, since there was only a moderate correlation between creatinine levels and specific density, it can be assumed that these two parameters cannot be used indifferently for adjustment. Nevertheless, it seemed advisable to verify whether correction of cadmium values determined from spot samples offers any practical advantages. For this purpose, 105 subjects with occupational exposure to cadmium were examined. They collected their 24-h urine and spot samples separately at 8.00 h. There was a close correlation between CdU/spot samples and CdU/24 h. The correlation index was very similar both for CdU/spot values expressed in microgram/l and for values adjusted according to creatinine or 1024 specific gravity. These results show that no particular advantages are offered by adjusting CdU according to creatinine or specific gravity.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Behaviour of biological indicators of cadmium in relation to occupational exposure.

Cadmium in blood (CdB), cadmium in urine (CdU) and beta 2-microglobulins (beta 2MU) were determined in 83 male workers exposed to cadmium fumes. CdU was measured both on 24-h urine samples and on spot samples. The behaviour of the biological indicators of cadmium was assessed in relation to degree of current exposure, length of exposure and cumulative exposure (computed as concentration of cadmium at the workplace multiplied by duration of exposure). CdB values were significantly higher in the subgroups of subjects with higher current cadmium exposure and in the subgroups of subjects with greater cumulative exposure, but the test levels were not influenced by duration of exposure. CdU levels were significantly higher in the subgroup of subjects with greater cumulative exposure, but were less influenced by current exposure or duration of exposure. Considering the entire population, a rather close correlation (r = 0.69) was observed between CdB and CdU. When the population was divided according to level of current exposure, a close relationship was observed between the two indicators in all subgroups; nevertheless, for identical CdU values, the CdB values were higher in the subjects with heavier current exposure. Even if in all Cd workers the beta 2MU levels were in the range of reference values, the highest beta 2MU levels were found in the subjects with CdU greater than 10 micrograms/l. The data confirm that CdU is prevalently influenced by the body burden of metal, but they also suggest that the CdB levels are not influenced solely by the intensity of current exposure but also depend to a considerable degree on the body burden.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

Potential 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin exposure of Seveso decontamination workers: a controlled prospective study.

In 1976, an explosion at the Industrie Chimiche-Meda-Società Azionaria (ICMESA) plant in Meda, near the Italian town of Seveso, released a cloud of aerosol containing 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), which contaminated the surrounding area. Clean-up of the highly polluted area of Seveso started on May 1980: in order to avoid exposure to significant levels of TCDD, safety measures are being used, but a potential exposure cannot be ruled out. A prospective study was set up at the beginning of the clean-up procedures, and laboratory tests are being used to evaluate trends among the decontamination workers. A reference group who met eligibility criteria at the preemployment examination was selected from employees of the same firm employing the decontamination was selected from employees of the same firm employing the decontamination workers. Medical examinations and laboratory tests have been performed on both the exposed and nonexposed groups at the same facilities. Analysis of the first follow-up period did not show any remarkable changes in a battery of laboratory tests of the exposed and nonexposed groups.

Adult↗

PubMed1982

[Changes of hemoglobinemia during chelating therapy in lead poisoning].

The modifications of the Hb level of 32 subjects in which a lead poisoning occurred were studied during chelation therapy. 27 subjects showed a subclinical lead poisoning picture; 5 subjects suffered for a mild anemia. At the end of therapy, the mean Hb value of the whole group increased from 14.5 g/100 ml to 15.8 g/100 ml; the 5 subjects with anemia showed a remission and their mean Hb level increased from 12.3 to 15.1 g/100 ml. A group of 12 subjects with Hb values at the lower normal limits and 10 subjects with "apparently normal" values of Hb showed a significant increase in the Hb level following the treatment. The results obtained confirm the inhibitory activity exerted by lead on the heme synthesis also during preclinic lead poisoning and suggesting the opportunity of a constant evaluation of the Hb levels in order to decide the doses and the lengths of the chelation therapy and to lead the decision about the readmission to the working activity.

Adult↗

PubMed1978