PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Lucchini

Publications and source records attributed to R Lucchini.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[A pilot study on training and information of workers exposed to biomechanical overload of the upper limb].

Health education (HE) is very important in the prevention of occupational diseases, particularly when exposure to risk factors can be reduced through working procedures and hygienic behaviours. This pilot study refers to a HE program for prevention of work related muscle-skeletal disorders of upper limbs, carried out in two groups of 15 and 12 workers, respectively employed in trimming and assembling of plastic and metal parts. The first phase of the program consisted of worksite inspections and video recording of working procedures, characteristics of tools and machinery. This was followed by an informative meeting with the workers, which began with the administration of a multiple choice questionnaire, designed to evaluate the baseline knowledge about risk factors, work related muscle-skeletal disorders of upper limbs, working specific procedures and preventive actions. Questionnaires and video recording were repeated after two months in the second phase of the program, as subjective and objective methods of evaluation of HE effectiveness. In both groups, the questionnaire score was significantly increased after the program and a clear improvement was shown in the correct working procedures. This HE program contributed to increase the level of knowledge of the workers and fostered the adoption of working behaviours suitable to reduce the strain for the upper limbs.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurotoxic effect of exposure to low doses of mercury].

OBJECTIVES: To assess early effects on the Central Nervous System due to occupational exposure to low levels of inorganic mercury (Hg) in a multicenter nationwide cross-sectional study, including workers from chloro-alkali plants, chemical industry, thermometer and fluorescent lamp manufacturing. The contribution of non-occupational exposure to inorganic Hg from dental amalgams and to organic Hg from fish consumption was also considered. METHODS: Neuropsychological and neuroendocrine functions were examined in a population of 122 workers occupationally exposed to Hg, and 196 control subjects, not occupationally exposed to Hg. Neuropsychological functions were assessed with neurobehavioral testing including vigilance, motor and cognitive function, tremor measurements, and with symptoms concerning neuropsychological and mood assessment. Neuroendocrine functions were examined with the measurement of prolactin secretion. The target population was also characterized by the surface of dental amalgams and sea fish consumption. RESULTS: In the exposed workers the mean urinary Hg (HgU) was 10.4 +/- 6.9 (median 8.3, geometric mean 8.3, range 0.2-35.2) micrograms/g creatinine, whereas in the control group the mean HgU was 1.9 +/- 2.8 (median 1.2, geometric mean 1.2, range 0.1-33.2) micrograms/g creatinine. The results indicated homogeneous distribution of most neurobehavioral parameters among exposed and controls. On the contrary, finger tapping (p < 0.01) and the BAMT (Branches Alternate Movement Task) coordination test (p = 0.05) were associated with occupational exposure, indicating an impairment in the exposed subjects. Prolactin levels resulted significantly decreased among the exposed workers, and inversely related to HgU on an individual basis (p < 0.05). An inverse association was also observed between most neuropsychological symptoms and sea fish consumption, indicating a "beneficial effect" from eating sea fish. On the contrary, no effects were observed as a function of dental amalgams. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study supports the finding of early alterations of motor function and neuroendocrine secretion at very low exposure levels of inorganic Hg, below the current ACGIH BEI and below the most recent exposure levels reported in the literature.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of regression analysis in the study of the association between different mercury exposure routes and some functional variables].

AIMS: The "Mercury Multicentric Project" data-set was analysed with the aim to identify a group of biological variables associated with different types of Hg exposure (occupational exposure, fish dietary intake, exposure due to amalgam restorations). The distribution of socio-demographic, biological and surrogate outcome variables was rather different among the collaborating Units. METHODS: Mixed linear models (MLM) were used to overcome the problems related to the heterogeneity of variances among Units. MLM are a generalization of the standard linear models, the generalization being that the data are permitted to exhibit correlation and non constant variability. MLM therefore provide with the flexibility of modelling not only the means of the dependent variable, but also their variances and co-variances as well. This allows to represent the total variability of the dependent variable as a sum of two components: the first attributable to the Units and the other one to the random error. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: A set of biological variables significantly associated with at least one of the Hg exposure variables or with the HgU/creatinine ratio (as surrogate variable for Hg exposure) was identified by means of MLM. This set includes beta 2-MG, sIL8, CD4+, sPRL, FT dominant, BAMT, and some variables related to neurological behaviour. An extension of this analysis will be performed with a structural equations approach in order to study the dose-response relationships among the various variables according to a hierarchical path defined on biological basis. One of the possible simplified general models including all the selected variables is described.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to aluminum].

The meaning and usefulness of biological indicators in the study of occupational exposure to aluminium (Al) was assessed on the basis of the most recently acquired knowledge on the toxicokinetics of aluminium absorbed by inhalation, results of environmental and biological investigations recently carried out in industrial sectors with low risk of aluminium absorption (refining, casting and pressure moulding covering a total of 8 plants and 119 workers) and the results of investigations on a group of welders exposed to Al concentrations between 5 and 10 mg/m3. It was confirmed that not only the environmental Al concentrations but also certain chemical and physical characteristics (particle size, allotropic state, solubility), simultaneous exposure to other dusts, and mode of exposure (existence of exposure peaks) play a significant role in lung absorption of Al. Urinary Al (AlU) may be considered as an indicator of "recent" exposure with biphase excretion kinetics influenced also by duration of exposure, whereas Al in serum (AlS) can probably furnish indications both on overall exposure and on body burden. In low-level Al exposure (below 0.5 mg/m3), these indicators (especially AlU) permit differentiation of the exposed groups from the general population without, however, any clear relationship with the various environmental Al concentrations. It was also seen that AlU increased with increasing work seniority and was more marked in certain processes, such as casting, and in the first few months or years of work.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Proposal of environmental and biological monitoring and health surveillance of the exposed to inhalation anesthetics. Consensus. A Study Group on Occupational Exposure to Inhalation Anesthetics].

The Study Group on Occupational Exposure to Inhalation Anaesthetics of the Lombardy Association of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene prepared a document that was discussed during the Congress "Occupational Risks due to Inhalation Anaesthetics", held in Brescia, Italy, on May 12, 1992. The same document was then approved by the Directory Council of the Lombardy Association of Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene. Data on environmental concentrations of Nitrous Oxide collected from 1989 to 1991 in 269 operating rooms of 47 hospitals in Lombardy are reported. The measured levels are considerably lower than those collected from the same Study Group from 1985 to 1987 in 111 operating rooms. The methodologies for exposure control are discussed, regarding both environmental and biological monitoring. These two techniques are complementary and can be used with standardized methods. The review of the literature on the early effects showed, even with some uncertainty at the current exposure levels, effects on liver and Central Nervous System. Still controversial are the data regarding the reproductive toxicity. Health surveillance programs have been organized in the last 5 years in 18 Lombardy hospitals and they indicate no cases of pathologies due to inhalation anesthetics on 1498 subjects. Operative proposals are suggested on the methodology and the frequency of environmental/biological monitoring and health surveillance. The "technical limit values" reported in the document from the Italian Ministry of Health are also discussed. Finally, research topics are suggested in order to assess the early effects of exposure.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurobehavioral effects of inhalation anesthetics used occupationally: a critical analysis].

Unlike other apparatuses, the potential effects on the nervous system of occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases have not been exhaustively reviewed. Because of the relevance of these effects, their significance of the quality of life of the exposed subjects and of the increased risk inherent in their delicate work tasks, these themes deserve the greatest attention. This paper briefly examines the data from the international literature as well as the neurobehavioral methods employed, underlines the existing gaps of knowledge and eventually proposes strategies aimed at filling these gaps of knowledge.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cooperation between the occupational health department and the technical assistance office to confront the problem of pollution by anesthetics].

In the past years the problem related to occupational exposure to anaesthetic gases in operating rooms has been dealt with in different ways by each hospital administration, and frequently with little cooperation between the health departments involved. At the Spedali Civili of Brescia in the five year period, 1987-1991, a monitoring activity of nitrous oxide (N2O) and halogenated anaesthetics was performed in 30 operating rooms. This lead to a noticeable reduction of environmental concentrations of these substances. Favourable results have been achieved principally by maintenance and/or substitution of anesthesiological machine parts. In order to organize and facilitate this program a close collaboration was accomplished between the Medical Direction of the Hospital and the Occupational Health Department, with the support of the Technical Assistance Department.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Proposal of a health education program].

Since 1987 at the Spedali Civili of Brescia the problem of anaesthetic gases pollution in operating surgery rooms was managed by means of periodical environmental monitoring and maintenance of the anaesthesiological equipments. The mean nitrous oxide concentrations were generally reduced to values below the limits indicated by the Italian Ministry of Health. On the contrary, a low participation of the operating room personnel was observed in the health surveillance program and this phenomenon is clearly evidenced by the progressive decrease of the number of medical examinations. In order to clarify the usefulness of health surveillance programs and to promote the adoption of "less pollutant" behaviour, a Health Education Program was planned by the Medical Administration, in collaboration with the Occupational Health Service and the Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. This program will be performed at different times, including the administration of a questionnaire, the participation at information meetings, the distribution of brochures and the evaluation of environmental and biological exposure data before and after the education program.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Controversial aspects and rational bases of the treatment in neonatal jaundice].

High serum bilirubin levels (SBL), over 20-25 mg/dl are toxic for the Central Nervous System (CNS) of newborn infants. However, the possible toxicity on the CNS of "intermediate" SBL both in term and preterm neonates are still a matter of debate. An extensive review of the literature in this respect did not provide conclusive evidence for a dose-response pattern of toxicity for SBL 18-20 mg/dl in infants without hemolysis and/or other risk factors (such as extreme prematurity, hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis, sepsis, hyperosmolarity, etc.). Therefore, an aggressive approach to the treatment and/or prophylaxis of neonatal jaundice when SBL are below 20 or even 25 mg/dl is not justified on the basis of the present knowledge. This is particularly true when treatment includes phototherapy and/or exchange-transfusion which are associated with clinically significant complications and side effects. Guidelines for treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in full-term and preterm infants, with and without added complications and/or risk factors, are provided in the attempt of encouraging a more critical approach to neonatal jaundice, which is coherent with the data available in the literature and which should optimize the risk/benefit ratio.

Bilirubin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Effects on hearing in exposure to impulsive and high frequency noise].

Audiometric tests performed on 41 workers at a metal engineering factory producing tools for the wood manufacturing industry showed hearing loss at 6 kHz in 45.9% of the cases. A study was therefore carried out to check carefully the physical characteristics of the noise via statistical analysis and octave frequencies band analysis in real time. The measurements revealed higher noise levels at the high and medium high frequencies (3.15-6.3 Hz) both for impulsive and continuous noise. The results of the audiometric tests differed from those of a group of 50 workers employed in two different metal engineering factories, where the noise levels were similar but at medium-low frequencies, with no pure tones. In this group of subjects, hearing loss occurred at 6 kHz in 28% of the cases; the differences thus seemed to be related the particular physical characteristics of the noise levels measured in the first factory. The data are discussed against findings already reported in the literature, in relation to their prevention-related aspects and a more correct interpretation of the audiograms.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Young drug addicts and the drug scene.

The drug scene generally comprises the following four distinct categories of young people: neophytes, addicts who enjoy a high status vis-à-vis other addicts, multiple drug addicts, and non-addicted drug dealers. It has its own evolution, hierarchy, structure and criteria of success and failure. The members are required to conform to the established criteria. The integration of the young addict into the drug scene is not voluntary in the real sense of the word, for he is caught between the culture that he rejects and the pseudo-culture of the drug scene. To be accepted into the drug scene, the neophyte must furnish proof of his reliability, which often includes certain forms of criminal activities. The addict who has achieved a position of importance in the drug world serves as a role model for behaviour to the neophyte. In a more advanced phase of addiction, the personality of the addict and the social functions of the drug scene are overwhelmed by the psychoactive effects of the drug, and this process results in the social withdrawal of the addict. The life-style of addicts and the subculture they develop are largely influenced by the type of drug consumed. For example, it is possible to speak of a heroin subculture and a cocaine subculture. In time, every drug scene deteriorates so that it becomes fragmented into small groups, which is often caused by legal interventions or a massive influx of new addicts. The fragmentation of the drug scene is followed by an increase in multiple drug abuse, which often aggravates the medical and social problems of drug addicts.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Breast feeding in Rome and its province in 1982].

A follow-up study was planned to evaluate the frequency of the breast feeding babies in Rome and its district. 918 subsequently born babies were followed for 6 months. At 3 months of age only the 35,4% of them was still breast fed. We point out that babies born from spontaneous delivery present a higher frequency and a prolonged breast feeding statistically significant v/s babies born from cesarean section, and that the early initiation of breast feeding has a marked positive influence.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Trisomy 18 with unusual clinical and chromosome features].

The Authors describe a newborn with costal hypoplasia and vertebral malformation, tracheoesophageal fistula, congenital heart disease and closed hands with the second and third finger overlapping. Cytogenetic findings indicated trisomy 18 [47, XX, -1, +der(1), +der(18), t(1;18) (q1.2; p11.3)] inherited by mother's carried balanced translocation 1q/18.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neurobehavioral functions in operating theatre personnel exposed to anesthetic gases.

Neurobehavioral functions in paramedical operating theatre personnel were assessed in a cross-sectional survey. Sixty-two subjects (40 males and 22 females) occupationally exposed to anesthetic gases were examined and compared to 46 unexposed hospital workers (18 males and 28 females). The Simple Reaction Time (SRT) test was selected from the MANS battery (Milan Automated Neurobehavioural System). In order to evaluate acute and subacute types of effects on performance, the test was administered before and after the work shift, at the beginning and at the end of the working week. In addition, the complete battery was administered during one working day without exposure to anesthetic gases. On the last day of the working week, atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2Oa) ranged from 7 to 553 ppm (geometric mean 62.6), atmospheric ethrane (ETHa) ranged from 0.1 to 18.8 ppm (geometric mean 1.3), and urinary N2O (N2Ou) ranged from 4 to 297 micrograms/l (geometric mean 26.8). An impairment of performance on the SRT test was observed at the end of the working week in subjects exposed to anesthetic gases compared to controls. This alteration was observed also considering only the subjects exposed to less than 55 micrograms/l (which is the Italian exposure limit for N2Ou, equivalent to 100 ppm for N2Oa). No significant differences were observed for the other psychometric tests. No dose-effect relationships where found between SRT test score and the indicators of exposure (N2Oa, ETHa, N2Ou).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum prolactin in subjects occupationally exposed to manganese.

To evaluate whether or not occupational exposure to manganese (Mn) affects basal levels of serum prolactin (PRL), a cross-sectional study was carried out in 31 occupationally-exposed workers, aged 39.2 years (DS 7.9) exposed to manganese (Mn) dusts for 14.5 years (range: 5 to 29 years) in a ferroalloy producing plant. Thirty-four industrial workers not exposed to neurotoxic chemicals and of comparable age composed the control group. Airborne Mn concentrations in dusts of the furnace area ranged 210 to 980 micrograms/m3, which is below the current American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)-recommended threshold limit value-time weighted average (TLV-TWA) of 1 mg/m3. Manganese concentrations in blood Mn (MnB) and in urine (MnU) were significantly higher in Mn-exposed workers as compared to control workers. The Mn-exposed workers showed significantly higher serum prolactin (PRL) levels with the geometric mean (GM) being 9.77 ng/ml with a geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 1.69 as compared to controls (GM 4.65 ng/ml, GSD 1.78, p < 0.001). Serum PRL was negatively related to age and positively correlated with both MnB and MnU. Dose-effect relationships were still significant in partial correlation analysis after control for age. The prevalence of abnormally high PRL values was consistent with a dose-response relationship. The observed increase in serum PRL among Mn-exposed workers suggests an impairment of tonic inhibition by tubero-infundibular dopaminergic neurons. The correlation between PRL and both MnB and MnU in samples collected at least 48 h from the last exposure suggests that such indices provide an estimation of the target dose.

Adult↗