PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Pozzoli

Publications and source records attributed to L Pozzoli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Correlation between PAH airborne concentration and PAH-DNA adducts levels in coke-oven workers.

In order to evaluate the correlation between peripheral blood leukocyte DNA adducts as an indicator of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and the airborne contamination of PAH at the work places, a survey of a cohort of coke-oven workers has been carried out. In each workplace, total and specific PAH airborne concentrations were measured. Among the job title groups, the highest proportion of subjects with levels of adducts above the detection limit and the highest mean value were observed in the door-operators. The correlation between median values of environmental benzo(a)pyrene concentration and mean values of adducts concentration support the fact that the maintenance workers group has a higher relative risk (RR) to have detectable level of PAH-adducts, which is estimated to be 1.84 for an increase of 1 micrograms/m3 of benzo(a)pyrene.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1993

Propranolol compared with propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate in portal-hypertensive patients: long-term hemodynamic and renal effects.

The long-term hemodynamic and renal effects of propranolol were compared with those of propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate in 44 portal-hypertensive alcoholic cirrhotic patients. Eight control patients, 8 patients receiving propranolol and 14 patients receiving propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate were hemodynamically evaluated. Renal function was studied in a fourth group of 14 patients receiving propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate. Portal pressure decreased more (p < 0.05) with combined therapy (-21.6%, from 19.5 +/- 4.8 to 15.4 +/- 4.3 mm Hg) than with propranolol alone (-12.5%, from 19.9 +/- 1.2 to 17.4 +/- 1.8 mm Hg). Serum urea and creatinine levels, plasma sodium concentration, urine volume and urinary sodium excretion showed nonsignificant changes in all groups studied. Combined therapy induced a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in plasma renin activity (from 4.42 +/- 4.7 to 1.59 +/- 1.9 ng/ml/hr) and nonsignificant reductions in plasma aldosterone concentration and creatinine clearance. None of the eight patients with ascites or history of ascites not receiving isosorbide dinitrate showed evidence of impairment in renal sodium metabolism during the study period. In contrast, 8 of the 14 patients (57%) with ascites or history of ascites receiving isosorbide dinitrate showed impairment in renal sodium metabolism (p < 0.01), as reflected by the development or worsening of ascites and the need of higher diuretic requirements. Long-term combined administration of propranolol plus isosorbide dinitrate is superior to propranolol alone in the pharmacological treatment of portal hypertension.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of a simple screening test for the quality of drinking water systems.

A simple and inexpensive assay for detection of H2S producing bacteria in drinking water was evaluated in Paraguay. Using an improved preparation procedure, results were basically temperature independent in the range of 22-37 degrees C and correlated well with the presence of total coliform bacteria (96%, 28 degrees C). The assay was not suitable for control of surface water and dug well water due to the frequent presence of non-faecal coliforms. However, it was very suitable for routine control of high quality water systems, like treated community water systems or deep-tube well water, where complete absence of coliforms is required. The H2S-test is very inexpensive and does not require a laboratory technician or special equipment. Its use permits a cost-effective routine control of high quality community water systems in developing countries. In addition, this test turned out to be an effective educational tool for heightening the awareness of people towards dangers of unclean drinking water.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1990

Trace element reference values in tissues from inhabitants of the European community. I. A study of 46 elements in urine, blood and serum of Italian subjects.

Neutron activation analysis-electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (ETA-AAS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) have been used for the determination of 46 elements in urine, 35 in blood and 26 in serum of unexposed Italian subjects living in the same region (Lombardy). The results allowed the proposal of reference values for various elements determined in more than 350 healthy subjects, these being Ag, Al, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Tl, V, Zn, in urine; Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Tl, Zn in blood; and Ag, Al, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, V, Zn in serum (or plasma). For all other elements indicative values are suggested. In addition to the mean value and the "reference range", a "range of uncertainty" and an upper limit above which metabolic abnormalities could be expected have also been defined on the basis of simple statistical considerations.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

[Assessment of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in 3 work activities using mineral oils].

The exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in different industries using cutting, hardening and extruding oils, was investigated determining their concentration in oils and in environmental samples. The following compounds: phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo-a-anthracene, chrysene, triphenylene, benzo-a-pyrene, benzo-e-pyrene and perylene were evaluated by means of gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry. PAH concentrations in oils ranged from 652 to 4461 ng/gr and environmental concentrations from 63.86 to 120.54 ng/mc. In particular the BaP concentrations varied from 0.73 to 1.9 ng/mc. These results, compared with those measured in other environmental surveys and with the limit values proposed in various countries, point out the existence of a very low inhalatory risk of PAH.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

Biological monitoring of human exposure to coal tar. Urinary excretion of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 1-hydroxypyrene and mutagens in psoriatic patients.

Three methods for the biological monitoring of human exposure to coal tar were compared. Levels of 1-hydroxypyrene(1-OH PYR), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and mutagens (Ames plate incorporation assay using Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 in the presence of S9 and beta-glucuronidase) were determined in urinary samples from psoriatic patients undergoing topical treatment with mineral coal tar. A single sample of urine with a high content of PAH was diluted with urine of nonexposed, non-smoking subjects in order to obtain nine samples with a decreasing content of PAh metabolites. Mutagenicity of the extracts was detectable down to the dilution corresponding to a content in 1-OH PYR of about 50 micrograms/g creatinine and total PAH of 7 micrograms/g creatinine. In a second phase the three indicators of exposure to PAH were compared in 16 urinary samples from four psoriatic patients. The total PAH levels determined by the acidic deconjugation/reduction method were confirmed to be nearly always lower than the corresponding levels of 1-OH PYR alone. Most of the extracts were mutagenic, however, some of the samples with a high content in PAh metabolites were not mutagenic. In all the urinary samples analyzed the excretion of 1-OH PYR was markedly greater than in control subjects. 1-OH PYR and urinary mutagenicity levels were well correlated. The present data suggest that both the determination of mutagenicity and 1-OH PYR in urine may be used to monitor occupational exposure to PAH, the latter method being cheaper and of greater specificity and sensitivity.

Coal Tar↗
PubMed1989

[Qualitative and quantitative changes in the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cutting oils after their use].

The quantitative and qualitative variations in the mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) present in different samples of a cutting oil, unused and after 3,6 and 9 months of use, were evaluated by means of gas-chromatography mass spectrometry. Nine of the identified hydrocarbons (phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo-a-anthracene, chrysene, triphenylene, benzo-a-pyrene, benzo-e-pyrene and perylene) were studied. The total PAH concentration increased from 45 (first sample) to 915 ng/gr of oil, even if a different behaviour for various hydrocarbons was shown. In fact some of them, such as phenanthrene and anthracene increased with use, some, such as fluoranthene and pyrene decreased and the other did not exhibit a regular trend. In the light of results, the influence of variations of the PAH mixture in oil on the PAH air concentration and on the preventive measures to be adopted, is discussed.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed1988

Urinary chromium levels in subjects living in two north Italy regions.

The concentration of total urinary chromium (Cr-U) in two different groups of healthy occupationally non-exposed subjects living in the Italian regions of Lombardia and Veneto has been determined using an ETA-AAS direct method. The age, sex, residence and smoking habits were correlated with CrU excretion. The mean CrU value found in subjects living in Lombardia (n = 310, males 170 and females 140) was 0.59 + 0.26 microgram/l (range 0.08 - 2.10); in Veneto subjects (n = 238, males 187 and females 51) the mean value was 0.52 +/- 0.31 microgram/l (range 0.05 - 1.90). A significative difference between male and female values and a decrease of CrU levels with age increasing have been evidenced in both groups. Smoking habits seem to influence metal urinary levels while, on the other hand, no influence of living sites was observed. Some analytical problems of ETA-AAS Cr determination systems are discussed and "normal" CrU values measured in this study are compared with data reported in the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[Toxicological and analytical lists: chromium and its compounds].

The main aspects of occupational exposure to chromium and chromium compounds are surveyed. Special attention is paid to the toxic action of this metal at the different target organs. The nutritional aspect of CrIII is examined preliminarily, and data detailing the metal contents in water and food are provided. As far the different working processes that entail occupational exposure to chromium are concerned, hygienic and environmental problems are discussed while identifying the average environment exposure to the different chemical forms of chromium (CrIII, CrIV, soluble and not soluble), as a function of the worker's tasks, and the relevant human response (total human Cr). Different hygienic and environmental standards in force in various countries and applicable to chromium compounds are compared. Additional information is given on the main aspects of chromium metabolism (absorption, distribution, excretion), and on the prevailing toxic actions, with specific reference to cancerogenesis. As far as biologic monitoring of the exposed people is concerned, the significance of Cr-U as dose-exposure indicator is discussed, also in the light of a critical review of the reference values. The report describes a series of analytical methods for the identification of chromium in aqueous and biologic matrices. The problems connected with health monitoring and fitness for work are eventually covered.

Chromium↗
PubMed1986

Mutagenic activity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in urine of humans exposed to therapeutical coal tar.

The urinary mutagenicity and the excretion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in three non-smoking male patients, treated for psoriasis with cutaneous applications of crude coal tar, were analysed. Mutagenicity of the urinary extracts was measured by the plate incorporation assay using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 in the presence of liver S9 fraction from Aroclor-induced rats with or without beta-glucuronidase. After concentration, hydrolysis and reduction of the urine sample, PAH levels were measured by high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Following cutaneous treatment with coal tar, the urine of all three subjects showed noticeable levels of PAH and/or metabolites and marked mutagenicity both on strain TA 98 and TA 100 in the presence of S9 fraction. The addition of beta-glucuronidase increased the mutagenicity of the urinary extracts, the maximum values being attained on strain TA 100 in the presence of both microsomal fraction and deconjugating enzymes. The mutagenicity of urinary extracts from subjects treated therapeutically with crude coal tar was correlated (r = 0.788, P less than 0.01) with the total PAH levels in their urine. The PAH excreted in urine were mainly low molecular weight compounds, while benzo[a]anthracene was present in scarce amounts and the excretion of benzo[a]pyrene did not increase following the cutaneous exposure to the crude coal tar.

Coal Tar↗
PubMed1985

Mutagenic activity and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in urine of workers exposed to coal tar pitch volatiles in an anode plant.

The mutagenicity of urinary extracts and the excretion of PAH from workers occupationally exposed to coal tar pitch volatiles in an anode plant were analyzed. Mutagenicity of the urinary extracts was measured by means of the plate test using S. typhimurium strain TA 98. After concentration, hydrolysis and reduction of the urine samples, PAH levels were measured by high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. No significant difference was found in the mutagenicity of the urinary extracts of non-smokers occupationally exposed to PAH as compared with the controls. Low PAH concentrations were found in the urine of the exposed subjects, which lends further support to the negative results obtained with the Ames' test. The increase of urinary PAH excretion, in relation to occupational exposure, was mainly due to the less mutagenic, low molecular weight compounds.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1983

[Use of passive personal samplers in industrial hygiene].

Passive personal samplers are very easy devices to monitor occupational exposure and today they are wildely used on the field. In this study we don't speak about background theory of passive sampler but we critically review parameters influencing the results like: maximum and minimum detectable concentration, adsorbing substrate, sampling time, answer time, control and comparison with standard methods. We also illustrate some industrial hygiene strategy to use passive personal sampler on the field, the possible goals, the individuals of which we need collaboration.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1978

Lead in red blood cells and in plasma of pregnant women and their offspring.

Lead levels were measured in red blood cells and plasma of 75 pregnant women and their infants at delivery. No significant differences were found by comparing maternal and fetal values and a statistically significant positive correlation was evidenced, higher for plasma levels. The results suggest that the diffusible form of maternal lead in plasma influences the lead transferred to the fetus more directly. The highly significant correlation found between the maternal and fetal ratio of lead in plasma to lead in erythrocytes seems to be in favor of inborn factors influencing the equilibrium between the two compartments in which lead is distributed.

Erythrocytes↗