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Biomedical subjects

S Piazzolla

Publications and source records attributed to S Piazzolla.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Health survey of workers occupationally exposed to cobalt.

The results are presented for a health control program using 236 male workers exposed to a cobalt inhalation risk. The study group consisted of grinders, producers of diamond tools, workers in metallurgical and mechanical industries (where Widia tools are processed and sharpened), and finally formerly exposed workers. All subjects received a clinical examination, the European Community for Coal and Steel questionnaire on respiratory complaints, a chest X-ray, pulmonary function test, electrocardiogram and determination of urinary cobalt; in 91 subjects, the metacholine bronchial provocation test was performed. Three cases of interstitial lung disease were identified. There were no cases with a significant alteration of ventilatory function while 20 cases (16 exposed and four formerly exposed workers) showed a reduced carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (TL,CO,sb/Va).

Bronchial Provocation Tests↗

Cobalt exposure evaluation in dental prostheses production.

Dental laboratory technicians may be exposed to a number of toxic materials including metal alloys that have been identified as potential health hazards. Particularly, alloys, such as vitallium, wisil, duralium and vironite which in dentistry are used in the production of crowns, bridges and dental prostheses. The most common constituents of these prostheses are cobalt (45-70%), chromium (25-30%), molybdenum, silica, nickle, tantalum and other metals in different amounts. The objectives of this paper are to describe the technology related to the production of dental prostheses, evaluating the most hazardous working jobs and reporting results concerning the monitoring of cobalt and chromium in the urine of 31 people employed in five laboratories of Bergamo, Italy, where workplace air monitoring has also been undertaken.

Adult↗

Occupational dermatitis from isothiazolinones in the nylon production.

Kathon is a biocide consisting of a mixture of two isothiazolinone derivatives (5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one) in an approximate ratio of 3:1, respectively, and with MgCl2 and Mg(NO3)2 present as stabilizers. The isothiazolinones are marketed under several brand names, and the concentration of the active ingredient varies according to their intended application. At a concentration of 3-15 ppm it shows activity against a wide spectrum of fungi, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Contact allergy to it has been caused by cosmetics and also by products used in the pottery and various other industries. Recently we had the opportunity to observe 6 cases of occupational allergic contact dermatitis from an isothiazolinone mixture named Grotan TK 2 in a large textile industry producing nylon. An oil emulsion containing isothiazolinones is used in the spinning phase of the work cycle to prevent bacterial contamination that would damage yarn quality; furthermore, it helps to decrease the electrostatic charge that is produced by high speed at which the yarn moves and also to decrease the breakage possibility.

Child, Preschool↗

Metyrapone modulation of tyrosine aminotransferase induction by dexamethasone in cultured hepatocytes.

Metyrapone, an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, enhanced the induction of tyrosine aminotransferase by dexamethasone in primary cultures of hepatocytes, while it had no effect on the basal level of the enzyme activity in the absence of the hormone. The amplification of the hormonal induction of tyrosine aminotransferase activity was strictly correlated with the concentration and with the inhibitory action of the compound on cytochrome P-450. The phenomenon occurred even at the maximally effective concentrations of dexamethasone, thus showing that metyrapone is a 'Glucocorticoid Potency Amplifier'. The dexamethasone activity amplification by metyrapone could be the consequence of a modulation of the glucocorticoid biotransformations due to the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗

[Allergic contact dermatitis and oculorhinitis due to tulips].

A case of occupational allergic contact dermatitis with conjunctivitis and rhinitis due to tulips bulbs is described. The patient, aged 23, was employed in a florist storehouse. The dermatitis, affecting his hands, face, armpits, knees, elbows and ears, was accompanied by a rhinoconjunctivitis. Patch tests made with a tulip thin slice outcome positive results. The appearance, the way of arising and the results of the patch tests suggest the existence of an immediate type immunologic reaction (type I or IgE-dependent hypersensibility).

Adult↗