Search

Ethanol (EtOH) intake and noise exposure are particularly concerning among human adolescents because the potential to harm brain. Unfortunately, putative underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Moreover, implementing non-pharmacological strategies, such as enriched environments (EE), would be pertinent in the field of neuroprotection. This study aims to explore possible underlying triggering mechanism of hippocampus-dependent behaviors in adolescent animals of both sexes following ethanol intake, noise exposure, or a combination of both, as well as the impact of EE. Adolescent Wistar rats of both sexes were subjected to an intermittent voluntary EtOH intake paradigm for one week. A subgroup of animals was exposed to white noise for two hours after the last session of EtOH intake. Some animals of both groups were housed in EE cages. Hippocampal-dependent behavioral assessment and hippocampal oxidative state evaluation were performed. Results show that different hippocampal-dependent behavioral alterations might be induced in animals of both sexes after EtOH intake and sequential noise exposure, that in some cases are sex-specific. Moreover, hippocampal oxidative imbalance seems to be one of the potential underlying mechanisms. Additionally, most behavioral and oxidative alterations were prevented by EE. These findings suggest that two frequently found environmental agents may impact behavior and oxidative pathways in both sexes in an animal model. In addition, EE resulted a partially effective neuroprotective strategy. Therefore, it could be suggested that the implementation of a non-pharmacological approach might also potentially provide neuroprotective advantages against other challenges. Finally, considering its potential for translational human benefit might be worth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study from eastern Australia is used to demonstrate methods for subsurface high-grading and development-concept optimisation in Coal Seam Gas resource plays. We discuss two aspects of subsurface high-grading: (1) improved prediction of net coal using 2D seismic data, and (2) structure-geological analysis and mapping of the fracture network. Net-coal predictions across the study area focused on the upper Juandah Coal Measures interval of the Jurassic Walloon Coal Measures. There is a positive relationship between extracted and normalised upper Juandah Coal Measures seismic-amplitude strength and net coal in the wells. Areas with considerable amplitude dimming commonly coincide with reflector 'washout' areas mapped from seismic data and are interpreted as channel incisions into otherwise continuous coal seams. Integration of seismic and well data can improve the mapping of net coal and help optimise the placement of appraisal wells, reducing the number of unexpected or difficult-to-interpret well finds. It may also guide delineation of resource-classification domains in a more robust manner than mapping from well data alone. Fractures in coal seams of the study area are mostly bed-perpendicular joints and cleats. Three sets of fractures/cleats are identified in the coal beds: a dominant set and two more localised sets. Fracture intensity was mapped per set using well data and then combined. Fracture maps are deemed useful as an indication of permeability anisotropy, and hence the expected shape of well drainage areas, as opposed to indicating a range of permeability values. Based on the fracture interpretations, it may be possible to optimise the development concept of specific areas, i.e. varying well spacing and/or drilling wells slanted perpendicular to dominant fracture strike. Use of 2D seismic data to qualitatively indicate net-coal trends in the Walloon Coal Measures. The correlation coefficient between seismic amplitude and net coal is strong enough to guide well placement and resource delineation. Fracture intensity mapping from borehole images may indicate permeability anisotropy of the coals rather than absolute permeability values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central adrenal insufficiency (CAI) in acromegaly may be related to pituitary adenoma or induced by various medical treatments, transsphenoidal neurosurgery (TNS) or radiotherapy (RT), alone or combined. We assessed the role of all available treatments for acromegaly in inducing CAI. We retrospectively studied 97 patients. CAI was diagnosed if morning serum cortisol was < 138 nmol/l, or if its response was inadequate in the low-dose short synacthen test. Seventy-four subjects underwent TNS (and 17 of whom also underwent RT), and 23 were on primary medical therapy: overall we diagnosed 21 cases of CAI. Duration of acromegaly, invasion of cavernous sinus, disease control, and type of medical treatment were much the same for patients with and without CAI, which was identified in 18 % of patients (10/57) after one TNS, and in 53 % (9/17) after RT (p = 0.01); repeat surgery increased the risk of CAI (p = 0.02). The risk of CAI onset during the follow-up was lower among patients treated with TNS or medical therapy than after RT (p = 0.035). Medical treatment did not raise the risk of CAI, whereas a 5- and 4-fold higher risk of CAI was associated with repeat TNS and RT, respectively. Basal or stimulated cortisol levels were similar among acromegalic patients without CAI and matched controls with nonsecreting pituitary lesions. A significant proportion of patients with acromegaly developed CAI over time. While primary or secondary medical treatment did not contribute to the risk of CAI, repeat TNS and RT correlated with pituitary-adrenal axis impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the dynamics of multiple cavitation bubbles produced by femtosecond laser ablation of a palladium target submerged in acetone is studied by means of time-resolved fast shadowgraphy technique. The data have evidenced the periodic growth and collapse of the bubbles and the consequent emission of material together with the role played by the laser focus position. Comparing the results with the previsions of the Rayleigh–Plesset model a good agreement is found. The nanoparticles obtained under different focusing conditions are characterized by means of TEM analysis. Their dimension and distribution are correlated with the bubbles dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valcamonica is an Italian valley where ferro-manganese industries have been active for a century and where an increased prevalence of parkinsonism was observed. A group of 93 patients (65 from Valcamonica, 28 from the reference area of Brescia city) and 76 controls (52 from Valcamonica, 24 from Brescia) were screened for serum Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn in blood (MnB) and urine (MnU), transferrin, peroxides, alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) transaminases and direct bilirubin. Test results were compared among groups according to the residential area and related to the disease severity. Valcamonica patients had a serum-increase of Cu, as well as of AST/ALT ratio, and a serum-decrease of Zn and Fe compared with other subgroups of cases and controls. Cases and controls from Valcamonica had higher MnB and MnU levels compared to cases and controls from Brescia. After controlling for the duration of illness, the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale III domain correlated with serum Cu and AST/ALT ratio. Our results suggest the possibility that, in this area, a lifetime exposure to neurotoxicants and to Mn in particular, when accompanied to a subclinical liver dysfunction, may pose an increased risk for neurodegenerative disorders via metal metabolism (Cu, Zn, Fe) abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the clinical features and prognosis of nonepileptic seizures (NES) in patients. Mean duration of NES before diagnosis; Common psychiatric diagnosis; Prognostic factors of seizure-free patients.

Hardness of titanium carbide films deposited on silicon (111) substrate by pulsed laser ablation is evaluated in dependence on laser beam fluence and the film thickness. Measurements were performed with the use of a common microhardness testing equipment, the indenter penetartion depth being more than thickness of the coating. Two methods based both on a law-of-mixtures approach were employed to calculate the film hardness from the measured hardness of the composite film-substrate system. One of them accounts for the indentation size effect. The hardness is revealed to reduce significantly with an increase of the film thickness and the laser beam fluence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frozen sections of 21 gliomas were analysed to characterize inflammatory infiltrating cells, HLA-DR antigen expression and cytokine secretion. Mononuclear cells infiltrating the tumours were mostly macrophages, which were detected in 100% of cases, and expressed HLA-DR antigens. Lymphocytes were less frequently seen and expressed the CD8 phenotype. Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6), two cytokines mainly produced by activated cells of the macrophage lineage, were demonstrated expecially in neoplastic astrocytes. IL-1β immunoreactivity was detected in all tumours, and was prevalent in more anaplastic gliomas; IL-6 was found in anaplastic gliomas and in glioblastomas. IL-1 receptors were expressed by both infiltrating macrophages and neoplastic astrocytes in the gliomas analysed. These findings suggest that cytokine production in gliomas seems not related to immune reactions against the tumour and their synthesis by anaplastic astrocytes could follow an unregulated activation of many metabolic processes after neoplastic transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chelating agents have long been used in the pharmacological treatment of lead poisoning, whose management is still a problem, particularly in developing countries. This article reviews the pharmacological properties of dimercaprole, penicillamine, CaNa2EDTA and dimercaprosuccinic acid, examines their indications, contraindications and side effects and discusses the possible use of each drug occupational Pb poisoning. Proposals are also presented for the treatment and follow-up of subjects with signs and symptoms of poisoning and of subjects with low-moderate Pb absorption. CaNa2EDTA seems to be the most reliable and safer chelating agent nowadays available and with a wider spectrum of action. DMSA seems to be promising in the treatment of occupational Pb poisoning. Even though there is no doubt that chelation therapy has significantly contributed to reduce mortality and morbidity from occupational Pb poisoning, the efficacy of this treatment in subjects with subtle neurological or renal damage has not yet been studied properly. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: To investigate the effective role of micro-organisms in producing N2O.Methods: The N2O in either urine samples inoculated with 24 microbial strains or urine samples from patients with urinary tract infections were measured.Results: Gram negative bacilli generally produced high amounts of nitrous oxide (N2O), whereas Gram positive cocci and yeasts did not. The production of N2O depends on the incubation time and follows exponential kinetics, reaching a plateau at 48 hours. Furthermore, the results of urinocultures agreed well with N2O concentrations found in urine samples: samples negative for bacteria were found to contain very low concentrations of N2O whereas those positive--for example, for Enterobacteriaceae--gave highest N2O values.Conclusion: The urinary tract infections caused by Gram negative bacilli are important confounding factors in biological monitoring practices of exposure to inhalation anaesthetics. The current methods adopted to avoid these factors (urine acidification, storage of samples at 4 degrees C) are not good enough because of the relative acid tolerance of some strains and the production of N2O directly into the bladder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: A hospital based case-control study was conducted between 1992 and 1993 in the province of Brescia, a highly industrialised area in northern Italy, to evaluate occupational risk factors of bladder cancer.Methods: The study evaluated 355 histologically confirmed cases of bladder cancer (275 men, 80 women) and 579 controls affected by urological non-neoplastic diseases (397 men, 182 women). Lifetime occupational history, smoking and drinking habits, and sociodemographic characteristics were recorded by means of a structured questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) were computed with adjustment for age, smoking, alcohol and coffee consumption, education, and place of residence.Results: A significant (P < 0.05) increase of risk of bladder cancer were found in men for labourers in the construction industry (OR 2.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.1-3.9) and for recreational and cultural services (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.3-18.9). Increased risks, although not significant, were found for various other occupations and industries such as machinery mechanics, metal processers and polishers, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, painters; for transport workers, an increased risk with increasing duration of employment was found.Conclusions: Occupational exposures seem to contribute to bladder cancer risk in the area under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the excretion of styrene metabolites (mandelic acid, MA, and phenylglyoxylic acid, PGA) in workers employed in plastic manufacturing to verify the possible influence of coexposure to acetone on styrene metabolism. Methods: This study was carried out on 50 workers employed in 3 factories producing polyester buttons. The workers were divided into three groups according to three different levels of acetone exposure. The trend of excretion for metabolites was examined during and after work shifts. Styrene and acetone were monitored on Thursday during the entire work shift by passive dosimeters placed on the lapel of the workers' uniforms, desorbed by carbon disulfide, and analyzed by gas chromatography. Biological monitoring was performed by determination of the urinary metabolites of styrene in urine samples collected on Thursday at the middle and the end of the work shift. MA and PGA were determined by a high-pressure liquid chromatographic method. Results: The styrene concentrations ranged between 16 and 439 mg/m3, and in ten samples they exceeded the TLV-TWA (213 mg/m3). The acetone concentration ranged between 15 and 700 mg/m3 (TLV-TWA 1780 mg/m3), with the mean value being 208 mg/m3. During cleaning operations higher exposures to acetone demonstrated, with concentrations ranging between 500 and 3400 mg/m3. The amounts of MA and PGA determined at the end of workshifts did not significantly differ between the groups with different levels of acetone coexposure. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) between the groups confirmed that MA and PGA excretion did not significantly differ, although the metabolite values measured on the “morning of the day after” appeared higher in those groups with high levels of acetone exposure and were related to the average airborne concentrations of the solvent. In addition, the range and degree of correlation between styrene in air and biological levels of metabolites were modified by coexposure to acetone. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that amounts of MA and PGA did not differ in groups with different levels of acetone exposure, but when the acetone air concentration increased the degree of correlation between styrene and MA and PGA decreased. Furthermore, coexposure to acetone levels similar to those described herein may hamper the use of urinary metabolites for the assessment of exposure to styrene, especially on an individual basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In conclusion, it must be stressed that scientific studies need to be undertaken in the near future to solve the various problems mentioned above. These studies should also take account of all the non-occupational factors that, may alter the toxicokinetics and the toxicodynamics of solvents. At present, however, existing data obtained both from experimental research in animals and in volunteers and from studies carried out in workers liable to occupational exposure can be used in preparing lists similar to those we have proposed in Table 1, in which metabolic interferences are reported for the various substances. Although incomplete and only indicative, these lists may be a useful guide to the correct preventive measures to be implemented in various workplace situations. They should, at the very least, stimulate readers to extend their knowledge of the toxicology of combined exposure to solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational exposure to high concentrations of anesthetic gases (more than 500 ppm of nitrous oxide and more than 15 ppm of halothane and enflurane) can cause neurobehavioral effects in operating room personnel. Factors such as stress and work organization play an additional role in reducing performance capacities. It is still unclear whether these conditions may become the predominant factor in behavioral impairment when exposure to anesthetic gases is reduced; in addition, we wished to ascertain the extent of neurobehavioral and neuroendocrine effects at relatively low levels of exposure to such gases. Therefore the same group of 30 operating room personnel was examined with neurobehavioral tests during gaseous and nongaseous anesthesia. In this way, the neuropsychological performance was examined under the same stress conditions, but with different exposure levels to anesthetic gases. Serum cortisol was measured as an additional 'biological stress indicator.' Prolactin secretion was examined to study possible interference of anesthetic gases with the dopaminergic system. The results were compared with those in a control group of 20 hospital workers from other departments, with similar characteristics in respect of age, sex, and education. During work with gaseous anesthesia, average airborne concentrations (geometric mean) of nitrous oxide were 50.9 ppm (SD 20.8) on the first day of the working week and 54.2 ppm (SD 22.1) on the last day of the working week, whereas average urinary nitrous oxide (geometric mean) were 21.54 μg/l on the first day of the working week and 25.67 μg/l on the last day of the working week. The operating room workers showed slower reaction times at the end of the week with gaseous anesthesia, compared with workers using nongaseous anesthesia and the control group. At the same time they also showed increased secretion of prolactin, whereas cortisol remained unchanged. Therefore, it can be concluded that lower levels of exposure to anesthetic gases (and not only high exposure levels) cause an impairment of neurobehavioral performance, with the action of stress being less relevant. The mechanism of anesthetics' neurotoxic action seems to be related to interference with the dopaminergic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional status of the immune system was investigated in a group of 71 workers exposed to styrene and in 65 control subjects, recruited according to the same selection criteria and comparable as to sex, age, and confounding variables. Air and biological monitoring were used to characterize styrene exposure (median of the main urinary metabolites in the 'next-morning' spot samples: 106 mg/g creatinine). Phenotypic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) by automated flow cytometry revealed a reduced proportion of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3, CD4 and CD445), with no changes in CD8, and a higher proportion of B lymphocytes (CD19) among styrene-exposed workers. The exposed workers showed a higher proportion of activation markers, namely DR and interleukin-2 receptors (CD25). Immunoglobulin subclasses were comparable in the two groups. An increased prevalence of abnormally low values was apparent for CD2, CD3, CD4, CD445 and CD11b subsets among workers exposed to styrene, whereas CD19, DR and CD25 showed an increased prevalence of abnormally high values. Natural killer-related phenotypes (CD56, CD56 +16, and CD5616) were more expressed among styrene workers, with average increase of 30%. However, the frequency distribution of the lytic activity of natural killer cells against K-562 target cells was shifted towards lower values in the exposed workers as compared to control subjects. Dose-response relationships between indices of internal dose and prevalence of abnormal values were detectable for T lymphocyte subsets, NK phenotypes, and activation markers. These findings suggest that moderate exposure to styrene is associated with an altered distribution of lymphocyte subsets. The decreased proportion of T lymphocytes, mainly of T helper-inducer cells, could hamper regulatory functions, thus suggesting a negative modulation by styrene exposure. Since a proper balance between immunocycte subsets is important for immunological responses, such changes should be regarded as adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium in blood (CdB), cadmium in urine (CdU) and beta2-microglobulins ( β2MU) were determined in 83 male workers exposed to cadmium fumes. CdU was measured both on 24-h urine samples and on spot samples. The behaviour of the biological indicators of cadmium was assessed in relation to degree of current exposure, length of exposure and cumulative exposure (computed as concentration of cadmium at the workplace multiplied by duration of exposure). CdB values were significantly higher in the subgroups of subjects with higher current cadmium exposure and in the subgroups of subjects with greater cumulative exposure, but the test levels were not influenced by duration of exposure. CdU levels were significantly higher in the subgroups of subjects with greater cumulative exposure, but were less influenced by current exposure or duration of exposure. Considering the entire population, a rather close correlation ( r = 0.69) was observed between CdB and CdU. When the population was divided according to level of current exposure, a close relationship was observed between the two indicators in all subgroups; nevertheless, for identical CdU values, the CdB values were higher in the subjects with heavier current exposure. Even if in all Cd workers the β2MU levels were in the range of reference values, the highest β2MU levels were found in the subjects with CdU > 10 μg/l. The data confirm that CdU is prevalently influenced by the body burden of metal, but they also suggest that the CdB levels are not influenced solely by the intensity of current exposure but also depend to a considerable degree on the body burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The values of biological indicators used in biological monitoring are usually determined on spot samples of urine. In order to reduce the variations due to dilution, it is common practice to correct the values according to reference parameters, such as urinary creatinine concentration and specific gravity. The aim of the present study was to verify whether creatinine possesses the necessary characteristics for adjustment. The levels of creatinine were not influenced by diuresis, but, contrary to what was expected, the values of the metabolite showed marked intra- and interindividual variations. These data raise serious doubts as to the validity of creatinine as a parameter that can be used for adjustment purposes, and suggest that it would be advisable to ascertain for each biological indicator whether in fact adjustment is of any use. Lastly, since there was only a slight correlation between creatinine levels and specific gravity values, it is concluded that these two parameters cannot be used indifferently for adjustment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previous study concluded that there are some doubts as to the validity of creatinine as a parameter for adjusting the values of biological indicators determined on spot samples of urine, since it is subject to marked inter- and intraindividual variations. Furthermore, since there was only a moderate correlation between creatinine levels and specific density, it can be assumed that these two parameters cannot be used indifferently for adjustment. Nevertheless, it seemed advisable to verify whether correction of cadmium values determined from spot samples offers any practical advantages. For this purpose, 105 subjects with occupational exposure to cadmium were examined. They collected their 24-h urine and spot samples separately at 8.00 h. There was a close correlation between CdU/spot samples and CdU/24 h. The correlation index was very similar both for CdU/spot values expressed in μg/l and for values adjusted according to creatinine or 1024 specific gravity. These results show that no particular advantages are offered by adjusting CdU according to creatinine or specific gravity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminium in urine (A1U) and in plasma (AlP) was determined in seven subjects occupationally exposed to environmental concentrations of aluminium below or equal to the TWA (5 mg/m). The AlU levels in these workers were markedly higher than those found in the control group. The levels of the indicator were definitely higher at the end of the shift than at the beginning of the same working day; also, the AlU levels were higher on Friday morning than on Monday morning. After an interruption in work of two weeks, the values of the indicator underwent a marked reduction and were then only slightly higher than those of the control group. Occupational exposure to fumes produced higher AlU levels than exposure to dusts, and in the subjects exposed to fumes the AlU levels were clearly influenced by the degree of exposure. The levels of aluminium in plasma in the exposed workers on the other hand, hardly differed from the levels found in the control group. These data appear to indicate that, whereas AlU allows daily and weekly exposure to be evaluated, AlP cannot be used as an indicator of occupational exposure, at least in the case of brief exposures to environmental concentrations below or equal to the TWA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationships between certain indicators of internal dose and of biological effect were studied in 93 adult women with varying degrees of exposure to lead (PbB levels ranging from 8 to 74 μg/ 100 ml). The results were compared with those obtained in a group of 95 males with more of less similar exposure. In both groups a good correlation was found between PbB and ALAD, EP, CPU taken singularly and the trend of the indicators of effect, depending on PbB levels, was similar: the decrease in ALAD values was already clear at PbB levels which do not cause an elevation of EP and the erythrocyte metabolite increased earlier than CPU. Considering the same levels of internal lead load (measured by both PbB and PbU-EDTA) in women, EP values were higher than in the men. No significant difference was established between the two sexes regarding ALAD and CPU values, when considered at the same PbB levels. Validity of ALAD and EP in the females, as already shown in our previous studies on males, was moderate in predicting PbB levels ⩾ 40 μg/100 ml, while it clearly improved at PbB levels ⩾ 50-60 μg/ 100 ml. This indicates that for screening women of child-bearing age the two indicators of effect must be used with caution, since a value of 40 μg/100 ml has been proposed as the 'permissible' PbB limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chelatable lead (PbU-EDTA) is the best indicator of lead concentration at the critical organ level (indicator of dose). However, since this test is not easily applicable for the biological monitoring of lead-exposed subjects, the current practice is to determine lead in blood (PbB) and/or in urine (PbU). But these tests are indicators of exposure and not of dose. To analyze the reliability of PbB and PbU in estimating lead dose, the relationships between PbU-EDTA and PbB and between PbU-EDTA and PbU were studied in two groups of male lead workers: 48 currently exposed and 45 with past exposure to lead. In currently exposed workers the correlation between PbU-EDTA and PbB and between PbU-EDTA and PbU was very close ( r = 0.85, r = 0.74, respectively); in past exposed workers the correlation with PbU-EDTA was decidedly lower for PbB ( r = 0.54) and not significant for PbU ( r = 0.29). In both cases the relationship between the variables was linear. In the previously exposed men, PbB displayed lower values than those found in currently exposed men. These results indicate that both PbB and PbU allow an indirect estimation to be made of the internal dose in currently exposed subjects, whereas the tests cannot be used for this purpose in subjects who have long since ceased to be exposed. In these cases chelatable lead must be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between FEP and the indicators of dose (PbB, PbU, PbU-EDTA) was examined in a group of male subjects who had left lead-exposing jobs more than 12 months previously. In these subjects, FEP and PbB and FEP and PbU were correlated to a distinctly lower degree compared to previous findings in currently exposed subjects, although the correlations were still statistically significant. In the previously exposed subjects the erythrocyte metabolite displayed definitely higher values than those found in currently exposed subjects at the same PbB or PbU levels. A very close correlation was found between FEP and PbU-EDTA, as was found in exposed subjects. The regression curve assumed an identical profile in the two situations. From these results it may be concluded that FEP persists at high levels for a long time after cessation of exposure due to a direct inhibition of heme synthetase caused by lead released from the tissue deposits. It should be noted that FEP proved to be a valid test for predicting the amount of lead storage, even a long time after cessation of exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between FEP and the indicators of an internal dose of lead (PbB, PbU, PbU-EDTA) was considered in a group of adult male subjects with varying lead exposure, whose PbB values ranged from 15 - 150 μg/100 ml; a highly significant correlation was found between FEP and PbB, PbU, and PbU-EDTA (r = 0.904; r = 0.889; r = 0.894, respectively). The regression curves representing the relationship between the erythrocyte metabolite and the indicators of internal dose are uniform and are of nonlinear (logistic) type. In the first stage, within the range of normal values (up to 46 μg/100 ml RBC), FEP increases moderately with the rise of internal dose; subsequently it increases exponentially and tends finally to an asymptotic value in the range 250 - 300 μg/100 ml RBC. The data obtained in our investigation suggest that FEP is a useful test to assess metabolic damage in adult subjects arising from an 'abnormal' lead absorption and to evaluate the amount of 'active deposit' of the metal present in the body. Validity analysis showed that the erythrocyte metabolite can reliably be used as a screening test for monitoring occupationally exposed subjects and can also be applied in general population studies, since FEP has a good validity in the PbB range of 40 - 70 μg/100 and in the PbU-EDTA range of 500 - 2000 μg/24 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous research we established that FEP is a suitable and valid test for evaluating the metabolic damage caused by lead absorption. In this study, in the same sample consisting of adult male subjects with PbB levels ranging from 15 to 150 μg/100 ml, we examined the relationship existing between PbB and the other indicators of effect so as to compare their behavior with that of FEP and establish whether there is a field of application where the erythrocyte metabolite is to be preferred. FEP and ALAD displayed a very much better correlation with PbB than the urinary tests (ALAU and CPU). The decrease in ALAD values is already clear at PbB levels which do not cause an elevation of FEP; on the other hand, when the enzyme is markedly inhibited, the erythrocyte metabolite is elevated further with the increase in the internal lead load. FEP increases earlier compared to ALAU and CPU; nevertheless, the urinary metabolites undergo increasing elevations at PbB levels higher than 90 μg/100 ml when the FEP values have become stable. We confirmed that FEP possesses good predictive validity at PbB levels of 60 and 70 μg/100 ml; for such PbB levels, also ALAD, measured with the European Standardized Method, displayed high validity. Validity of the urinary metabolites was rather modest. FEP was, moreover, well correlated also with other indicators, suggesting that the erythrocyte metabolite may be used to predict both dose and effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurotoxic effects of Manganese (Mn) are well known, and are usually caused by high occupational exposure over long periods of time. The effects caused by low doses of this metal have been poorly evaluated. For this reason, we decided to evaluate neuroendocrinal tests in a group of 14 male workers employed in a ferrousmanganese foundry (exposed to Mn air concentrations within the TLV-TWA) and in 14 male control subjects, by analyzing FSH, LH, prolactin, and cortisol. The urinary Mn, prolactin, and cortisol levels were significantly higher in the worker's group. The preliminary results of this research seem to show that for exposure below the TLV, Mn can somehow interfere with the neuroendocrine system. In order to confirm the existence of these effects and to verify their possible correlation with the dopaminergic control system, further studies are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the progression of intima-media thickness of common carotid artery (cIMT) and the effect of phytoestrogen therapy on atherosclerosis development in early and late postmenopausal women. The 2-year cIMT progression was evaluated in 315 early postmenopausal women aged 40–55 years and in 231 late postmenopausal women aged 60–69 years free of cardiovascular disease. B-mode ultrasound was done at baseline and after 12 and 24 months of follow-up. The study revealed no significant changes in the rate of cIMT progression in 315 early postmenopausal women. By contrast, a statistically significant difference in the rate of atherosclerosis development was observed in late postmenopausal women treated with phytoestrogens compared to placebo (p = 0.008). The rate of cIMT progression in the placebo group was 0.019 mm/year led to a significant increase of cIMT during the observation period (p = 0.012), while the rate of cIMT progression in phytoestrogen late postmenopausal recipients was 0.011 mm/year, and total change did not reach statistical significance during the follow-up period (p = 0.101). These results suggest that late postmenopausal women can be a suitable cohort for trials assessing the anti-atherosclerosis effects of phytoestrogen preparations. In particular, the beneficial effect of phytoestrogens on cIMT progression was demonstrated in late postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turpentine appears to be associated with a high frequency of concomitant allergies. Researcher R. Treudler and colleagues have reported a contact allergy to MCI/MI in 9.5 percent of turpentine-positive patients compared to 23 percent in turpentine-negative patients. MCI/MI is used as a preservative and biocide in cosmetic and industrial products such as latex emulsions. This article reports on a case of allergic contact dermatitis of the hands in an oil painter. The A 43-year-old man reacted to turpentine as well as to epoxy resin in varnish. He had no personal history of atopy, who had been working in a cheese factory for 12 years, complained of about 4 months of itchy erythema on the hands and forearms and then on the thighs and abdomen.

Describes cases of allergy to pectinase among factory workers. Clinical manifestations; Diagnostic results; Treatment regimen.