Biomedical subjects

V Sitar-Srebocan

Publications and source records attributed to V Sitar-Srebocan.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1995

Respiratory symptoms and lung function in wool textile workers.

Our study investigated a group of 216 wool textile workers (158 women and 58 men). Respiratory symptoms were assessed by questionnaire in wool textile workers and in 130 not exposed (control) workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured in wool workers by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on Monday before and after the work shift. Forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF50, FEF25) were measured on the MEFV curves. Analysis of the data demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms in wool workers than in controls, being the highest in wool workers for nasal catarrh (M: 63.8%; F: 44.9%) and for sinusitis (M: 62.1%; F: 43.0%). A high prevalence of acute symptoms, associated with the work shift, was also noted in wool workers. Exposure to wool dust caused significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity varying from 1.4% for FEV1 to 9.1% for FEF50. Textile workers exposed to wool for > 10 years in the workplace had similar across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests as those with shorter exposures. In a large number of these wool workers, FEF50 and FEF25 were below 70% of predicted normal values. Smokers had acute and chronic lung function changes similar to those of nonsmokers, indicating that smoking did not account for all the respiratory effects seen in wool processing workers. Our data suggest that dust exposures in wool textile mills may be associated with the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and impaired lung function.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Stress on the lumbar spine in workers in the beer brewing industry].

The appearance of lumbal syndrome was analysed in two groups of workers in the "Zagrebacka pivovara" brewery. In a group of 23 workers whose mean age was 34 years and mean length of service 12 years, nine (39.1%) suffered from lumbal syndrome. In another group of 33 workers, with the mean age of 31 years and the mean length of service of nine years there were 24 (72.7%) suffering from the syndrome. According to Student's t-test the differences in age and length of service between the two groups were not significant (P > 0.05), but the difference in the number of ill was significant (P < 0.05). Analysis of the workplace showed that a heavy burden of the lumbal spine was involved, especially with the workers from the second group, and that ergonomic solutions were necessary.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[The cervicobrachial syndrome in women in the metal-working industry].

All metal workers from a metal-working industry (eight women) who operated pressing, cutting and boring machines were found to have cervicobrachial syndrome. Their job involved forced-sitting body posture and repetitive movements. These are particularly important risk factors at the workplace for the occurrence and development of cervicobrachial syndrome. The workers demanded medical assistance at 12 years of work and an average age of 32.1 years. The working chair of poor ergonomic design was established as a major cause of the early occurrence of cervicobrachial syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Respiratory function in poultry workers].

A group of 343 workers (252 male and 91 female) employed in poultry farms was studied for the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes. There were significantly higher prevalences of most of the chronic respiratory symptoms in poultry workers than in controls (p < 0.01 or < 0.05). Poultry male smokers had significantly higher prevalences of chronic cough, chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis than poultry male nonsmokers (p < 0.01). Poultry workers employed for more than 10 years had also significantly higher prevalences of these symptoms than those with shorter employment (except female smokers). There was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms in poultry workers which develop during work shift. The measured FVC, FEV1 and FEF25 in poultry workers were significantly lower than predicted normal values. Changes were particularly pronounced in workers employed for more than 10 years. We showed additionally that a water-soluble poultry extract causes a dose-related contraction of nonsensitized guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle when studied in vitro. Our data suggest that the work in poultry farms may in some workers cause the development of acute and chronic respiratory impairment.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pharmacologic study of the effects of the components of beer in vitro].

The effect of brewery dust extracts was studied on 28 isolated nonsensitized guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle. Dust extracts of barley, hops and brewery yeast were prepared in a concentration of 1:10 w/v. Biological activity (constriction of smooth muscle) of dust extracts was expressed as a percent of initial maximal carbacol contraction 10(-4) M. Pharmacological studies were performed by pretreating guinea pig tracheal tissue with drugs such as atropin (10(-6) M), pirilamin (10(-6) M), indometacin (10(-6) M) i verapamil (10(-5) M). Constrictor effects of the dust extracts was significantly inhibited by atropine suggesting an interaction of the extracts with parasympathetic nerves. Inhibition of contraction of other mediators was less effective and varied with dust extract. Our data suggest that brewery dust extracts cause a dose related airway smooth muscle constriction by nonimmunological mechanisms involving cholinergic receptors and a variety of airway mediators.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗