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Biomedical subjects

N L'Abbate

Publications and source records attributed to N L'Abbate.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Effect of shift work on body mass index: results of a study performed in 319 glucose-tolerant men working in a Southern Italian industry.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of shift work on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in subjects working in an industry sited in Apulia, Southern Italy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of metabolic effects of shift work in glucose tolerant workers in a chemical industry in southern Italy. SUBJECTS: The subjects included 319 glucose tolerant male individuals, aged 35-60 y. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric parameters (body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)), fasting concentrations of glucose, insulin, and lipids (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides), the sum of glucose levels during 75 g-oral glucose tolerance test (Sigma-OGTT), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively). RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was higher among shift workers compared to day workers, whereas body fat distribution was not different between the two groups. Shift workers had higher BMI than day workers, and shift working was associated with BMI, independently of age and work duration. Shift workers had significantly higher SBP levels, which were independently influenced by BMI, but not by shift work, thus suggesting that the difference in SBP may well be mediated by the increased body fatness. CONCLUSION: In workers of an industry sited in Southern Italy, shift work may be directly responsible for increased body fatness and is indirectly associated with higher blood pressure levels and some features of metabolic syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Acute radiodermatitis from accidental overexposure to X-rays.

Approximately 2 weeks after accidental overexposure to X-ray radiation, a worker developed acute radiodermatitis on fingers of both hands. Exposure simulation indicated that total ionizing radiation absorbed by his fingers amounted to about 20 Gy. After 2 years, acute radiodermatitis evolved to chronicity of lesions with presence of atrophic skin, teleangiectasia, alopecia, and dyskeratosis on three right-hand fingers. Cytogenetic dosimetry of peripheral blood lymphocytes, performed 2 months after acute radiation, showed an increase of micronuclei (7% vs. 1 +/- 0.4% according to laboratory reference data). The increase was ascribed to the high dose of ionizing radiation absorbed by circulating lymphocytes in the vessels of overexposed tissues. The cytogenetic examination was repeated 27 months after acute irradiation; it was found that the percentage of micronuclei had been restored to within reference levels. The possibility of using cytogenetic dosimetry, following acute partial exposure to X-rays, not just as an indicator of previous exposure, but also as an indicator of the absorbed radiation dose is examined. Lastly, the possible stochastic effects that may set in on the skin of the affected fingers and the need for periodically monitoring the evolution of chronic skin lesions, are discussed.

Absorption↗
PubMed1989

Methylcarbamate effects on Meckel's cartilages in the chick embryo.

On the basis of previous observations on the teratogenic effects of a variety of organophosphorus and methylcarbamate compounds on the avian skeletal apparatus, the Meckel's cartilage shape and structure were analyzed in carbaryl (1-naphthyl N-methylcarbamate) treated and control chick embryos of 9, 10, 12 days of incubation. The results indicate that both during normal development and under experimental conditions these cartilages undergo similar deformities, apparently subsequent to chondroblast death and regressive processes in the extracellular matrix. Since the macro- and microscopical cartilage alterations are significantly more frequent in the treated embryos than in the controls, a hypothesis is advanced that the methylcarbamate may increase the spontaneous tendency of the above mentioned cartilaginous anlagen to be affected by degenerative processes during embryogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[The phagocytic activity of the neutrophilic granulocytes via chemoluminescence and occupational exposure to lead].

The lead interference on the immunological activity is the aim of this survey. Therefore, it was examined the phagocytic function of the PMN cells on a group of 20 subjects occupationally exposed to the toxic and on 20 other assigned to the control group using the chemoluminescent assay. In both groups it was determined the biologicals parameters of exposure to the toxic. It was evident a statistically significant decrease of the average values in the exposed group compared to the control group, even if it wasn't directly correlated with the exposure biological indicators.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Measurement of radon concentrations in schools at 2 communities of Puglia and oncologic risk].

Measurements of radon's concentration have been effected in the schools of two communes of Puglia: Polignano and Valenzano. The average concentration of radon, based on the prospecting effected in the research period (spring/summer 1997), appeared, for both communes, lower than national average (75 Bq/m3). However, these average concentrations is below estimated caused of the limitation of the research period, owing to organization only at the period spring/summer. In fact, by the extrapolation applying a right factor of conversion, of the "winter" average concentrations from that average calculated during the research period (considering the evident limits of such procedure) we obtain, respectively, for both schools of Polignano and Valenzano, an average concentrations about of 75 Bq/m3 e 103 Bq/m3. The research shows the existence of a correlation among the obtained results and two important factors: the buildings materials utilized and the geological conformation of the subsoil; in particular, the buildings having main wall (tufa) or built by mixed materials (cement, bricks and tufa) measured the highest radon concentrations. Nevertheless, the absolute risk to develop a pulmonary tumour due to the radon exposition, limitedly for the population of the common of Valenzano, appears lightly superior in respect of the national risk (6 cases on 100,000 fellows) resulted about 8.5 case on 100,000 fellows.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Indoor radon pollution in houses in the Apulian Region of Italy and evaluation of the probability of lung cancer in the population].

BACKGROUND: Radon-222 is a gaseous radioactive chemical which can be transformed into other radioactive chemicals, defined as "products of decay" or "radon's daughter". The modality of radon penetration into the buildings depends on the convection motion created in the ground, which suck it back, so causing the penetration. The principal effect on human health is the increase risk of lung cancer, in proportion to the concentration and the time people spend indoors with exposure to radon. OBJECTIVES: The study proposed to estimate the expected cases of radon-induced lung cancer in the population of Apulia due to contamination by indoor radon. METHODS: The study used the data obtained in a national survey made by ANPA (National Environmental Protection Agency) and ISS (High Health Institute), with the collaboration of the Regional Reference Centres for the Control of Environmental Radioactivity (CRR). In the Apulia Region 310 families (5000 nationwide) were involved, which were selected so as to constitute a representative sample both of the region and the country. Appropriate instruments for the measurement of mean concentrations of indoor radon (passive nuclear trace monitors were installed in the homes of the sample families in two different periods of year). We evaluated the variations of indoor radon concentration in the houses during spring-summer and autumn-winter periods, observing a predictable increase in the latter period. We assessed concentrations in relation to: 1. architectural features and location, 2. construction year, 3. building material, 4. presence of windows. RESULTS: We found higher contamination in the oldest non-cement buildings and on the lower floors. In Lecce and Castrì di Lecce we found a mean radon concentration higher than the national and the regional mean, which is equivalent to annual exposure of 0.54 and 0.46 WLM respectively. For these levels we estimated that the expected cases of radon-induced lung cancer will be 1.5 in Lecce and 1.3 in Castrì per 10,000 inhabitants. CONCLUSION: The results of our investigations confirm that indoor radon pollution is a significant problem as it is one of the main causes of lung cancer. Hence, precautionary measures to reduce as much as possible exposure to indoor radon are highly recommended.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Experimental data on extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields].

At the current state of knowledge, the biological effects both in vitro and in vivo connected to low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF) are not univocally interpreted. Indeed a lot of literature seems strictly related to the particular experimental procedure depending both on the biological target and the exposure features under consideration. The best studied biological parameters in vitro are kinetics of cell proliferation, change in enzymatic activities, intramembrane ionic flux and integrity of chromosome complement. In general, the study on genotoxic effects induced by simultaneous exposure to electromagnetic fields and known chemical or physical mutagenes is based on the theory that electromagnetic fields may interfere with mutagenic substances rather than affect directly genetic material. In addition, studies in vivo confirm different results both in different animal species and in different (nervous, neuroendocrine, immunitary systems). Finally, in order to evaluate the wide research activity on this subject, we need to take into account the main standard criteria adopted by the world scientific community, such as the peer review process and the confirmation of experimental data by means of independent repetitions.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The point of view of the Italian Association of Medical Radioprotection: proposal of the Italian C.E.M. Observatory].

Taking in consideration the suggested guide-lines for the health-surveillance on workers exposed to N.I.R. and in particular to ELF and radio-frequency, a work-group of A.I.R.M. suggests the constitution of an italian network for electro-magnetic fields. An observatory will be founded to value the professional exposures and the undue situations of risk, a parallel one will take the census of the workers subdivided into classes for exposure levels, pathologies or symptomatologies imputable to electro-magnetic fields. This suggestion is addressed to the national environmetal hygienists and occupational physicians that are interested.

Electromagnetic Fields↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ocular hypertension in radiologists and radiology technicians].

Ionizing radiations (IR) produce changes in the eye and, above all, in the lens. Several studies on radiotherapy in neoplastic diseases and dangerous nuclear accidents like Chernobyl have indicated the percentage and the exposure level at which the eye becomes the target organ of IR. The aim of the study was to establish the association between ocular tension and low-level IR exposure. The incidence of ocular hypertension in the general population is about 1-2% in persons aged 30-40 years and 10% in the 70-80 years age group; the frequency of glaucoma is 0.2-0.5% in persons aged 50-55 years and 2% in those aged 70 years and over; after 15 years of disease, conversion from ocular hypertension to glaucoma is observed in 40% of the cases. We examined 128 subjects occupationally exposed to IR (42 radiologists and 86 radiology technicians) and 130 non-exposed. For each subject we recorded age, length of employment, job titles, dosimetry, ocular tension, refraction and motility impairments. The data obtained from a complete ophthalmologic test was analyzed by the t-Student test, Chi-square and Pearson's test. The ocular tension of 33 occupationally exposed subjects and 2 non-occupationally exposed subjects was higher than the cut-off value of 18 mmHg. There was no analogy between age distribution of ocular hypertension in the groups under study and the general population. There seems to have been a relationship between ocular tension and job titles since a higher incidence was observed among the radiology technicians than among the radiologists and also in the 30-40 years age class.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗