Biomedical subjects

Janice Fernández-D'Pool

Publications and source records attributed to Janice Fernández-D'Pool.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

[Seminal profile in workers exposed to cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides].

The objective of this study was to determine the physical, chemical and cytomorphologic characteristics of semen obtained from workers exposed to cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides and compare them with samples of the same nature obtained from unexposed subjects, and in addition, to correlate those findings with blood levels of cholinesterase. The study group consisted of 29 adult males, age range 20-54, that were exposed to cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides during 4 hours per day for a variable lapse (one year minimum), whereas the control group consisted of 30 unexposed individuals of the same gender, and similar age range. A thorough medical examination was performed in every individual. It consisted of an occupational medical history and complete physical exam. A blood sample was obtained in all the subjects in order to determine total cholinesterase levels by the modified S. Hestrin Hydroxamate method. Semen analysis was done in specimens collected after recent masturbation following a 3-day abstinence period. The data was processed and analyzed by the SAS computerized statistics program. The results revealed significant differences between both groups (p < 0.05) for the following variables: sperm count per mL., percentage of fast, mobile and immobile, live and dead spermatozoids. Spermatozoa morphology was found to be within normal limits as established by the WHO. Nevertheless, the differences related to the percentage of big head and amorphous spermatozoids was significant (p < 0.05). The results indicate that cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides affect certain variables of the semen analysis and hence the quality of the semen.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Hand injuries in workers on the eastern shore of Marcaibo Lake in the state of Zulia, Venezuela, 1986-1993].

In order to analyze the frequency, injury rate and cause of on site accidents to the hands of workers on the east coast of lake of Maracaibo in Zulia State, data was obtained from the accident reports registered with the Venezuelan Institute of Social Security. An occupational hand injury was defined as a traumatic injury to the hands, fingers or wrists that occurred while the employee was at work; that resulted from a single exposure to a hazardous agent. The following variables were analyzed: age, severity, economic activity, material agent, mechanic cause, type of injury, type of accident and unsafe action. The frequency rate was used to analyze the annual accident rate. During the period under study 2.456 injuries to the hand were registered, representing 36% of the total injuries reported; 95% were light injuries, 5% incapacitating and two cases resulted in the death of the worker. 72% of the injuries were located in the fingers, 22% in the hands and 6% in the wrists. The greatest frequency of injuries were found in the economic activity in mines and quarries with a rate of 123.1 per thousand. The age group most affected was of 20-29 years (42%), Wounds or contusions and crushings were the injuries most commonly reported, in 39% and 36% of the cases respectively. The main type of injuries were caused by run over, running into or blow from objects. The principal agents causing injuries were materials, substances and radiations in 45% of the cases. It is concluded that the hand injury rate is very high in the exploitation of mines and quarries and represents the main cause of worker's disability.

Accidents, Occupational↗

PubMed2002

[Human lymphocyte chromosome changes induced by x-rays].

With the aim of determine and characterize chromosomal alterations in human lymphocytes induced by x-rays, an experimental study was performed with auto-control in four healthy donors (two males and two females). Peripheral blood was drawn, and divided in six aliquots: five of them were irradiated with 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 4 Gy using a linear accelerator and one aliquot was used as control for each donor. The chromosomal analysis was carried out with the "G banding technique". It was observed that as the irradiation doses were raised, the abnormal metaphases and frequency of chromosomal alterations increased as well. The majority of chromosomal alterations were of the structural type, of which the most relevant ones were translocations, fragile sites and deletions. A significant difference was observed between the exposed and non-exposed groups with regard to the irradiation doses and the apparition of chromosomal alterations (p < 0.05). Chromosome 1 was more frequently involved in structural chromosomal alterations, followed by chromosomes 3, 10, 6, 7 and 9. The results presented in this study indicate that chromosomal alterations induced by acute exposure to x-rays increase linearly once the irradiation doses are raised. Therefore, the cytogenetic analysis can be considered as a useful tool for the control of the absorbed radiation dose and its biologicals effects in men.

Adult↗