[Exposure to crystalline silica in the air during renovation of residential buildings]. / Esposizione a silice libera cristallina nelle attività di ristrutturazione in edilizia abitativa.

Exposure to respirable cristalline silica dust during construction activities can cause silicosis and, in accordance with International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), even lung cancer. Among the different facets of construction, residential buildings are of particular interest because the lack of exposure data for workers employed. In this sector a dry sand-blasting of brick ceiling and renewal activities has been investigated. The survey has been carried out in a civil dwelling and 58 samples have been collected using the SKC aluminium cyclone and Door-Oliver plastic cyclone at flow-rate 2.2-1.7 l/min. The respirable dust samples were analysed by x-ray diffraction using NIOSH Method 7500. Even if the results of this study should be considered preliminary, they showed SLC respirable concentrations even many time above TLV-TWA during a sand-blasting activities and some times also during the other activities. Awaiting the correct classification from European Community, it would be desiderable that the workers would had appropriate information and prevention on the specific risks associated to the dust in the construction activities.

[Silica in ceramic industry: exposition and pulmonary diseases]. / Esposizione a silice cristallina nel comparto ceramico di Civita Castellana (Viterbo) ed evidenze radiologiche e spirometriche di danno polmonare.

Since 1990, a cohort survey has been carried out among workers employed in pottery workers by the Local Health Unit of Viterbo, Latium (Italy). Cumulative exposure to silica containing dust has been assessed for 808 workers, who were also screened with a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms, chest radiography and lungfunction tests. The prevalence of small opacities 1/0 and 1/1+ was 3.0% and 4.1% respectively and the prevalence increased with the cumulative exposure. A close relationship has been found between silica dose and decrease in lung function.

Somatosensory evoked potentials after multisegmental lower limb stimulation in focal lesions of the lumbosacral spinal cord.

OBJECTIVES: Recording techniques permit the separate analysis of the response from cauda equina roots and the spinal potential that is probably generated by the activation of dorsal horn cells. To improve the functional assessment of focal lesions of the lumbosacral cord, lower limb somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were measured by multisegmental stimulation. METHODS: Common peroneal and tibial nerves SEPs were recorded in 14 patients in whom MRI demonstrated compressive cord damage ranging from T9 to L1 levels. SEPs were recorded in each patient at the lumbar level (cauda equina response), lower thoracic level (spinal response), and from the scalp (cortical response). RESULTS: Abnormalities in spinal response occurred in 50% and 70% of tibial and common peroneal nerve SEPs respectively; these findings were well explained by the radiological compression level, involving in most of the patients lumbar rather than sacral myelomeres. The SEPs were often more effective than the clinical examination in showing the actual extension of damage. CONCLUSIONS: The recording of spinal SEPs after multisegmental lower limb stimulation proved useful in assessing cord dysfunction and determining the cord levels mainly involved by the compression.

"I have a soul that dances like Tina Turner, but my body can't": physical activity and women with mobility impairments.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and meanings of physical activity for women with disabilities and to interpret the implications of physical activities specifically for women with mobility impairments. In-depth qualitative interviews were used to uncover data about how women with mobility impairments experienced physical activity and leisure. Emerging themes addressed the value of physical activity, attitudes toward one's disability and participation in physical activity, and conditions necessary for involvement in physical activity. Four values were associated with physical activities: leisure, therapy, maintenance, or perceived little value. Attitudes toward one's disability and physical activity resulted in conforming, resisting, or adjusting behavior. Energy/stamina/low pain level, transportation, removal of social fears, accessibility, and social support were the individual or combined conditions that influenced values and attitudes regarding physical activities. The results of this study highlighted the need to consider and improve opportunities for physical activity for women with mobility impairments.

Relations between on-off phenomena and cognitive functions in Parkinson disease.

10 patients with Parkinson disease on long term levodopa therapy and with fluctuations in motor performance unrelated to drug administration (on-off phenomena) were assessed on the following neuropsychological tests during the on and off phases: tests of attention (Toulouse-Pieron), memory (Digit Span, Rey forms 1 and 2), psychomotor capacity (maze test, single and multiple choice reaction times) and mood (Maudley Adjective Check List). The extrapyramidal symptoms were assessed on the Webster Rating Scale. We found no significant differences in attention, cognitive performance or mood between the on and off phases despite large fluctuations in motor performance.

Therapeutic use of a selective cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor (Rolipram) in Parkinson's disease.

The effects of Rolipram, a new phosphodiesterase inhibitor, were assessed in a double-blind trial versus placebo in 10 patients with Parkinson's disease already under treatment. Contrary to previous findings with specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors, with Rolipram (at the dose of 3 mg per day), no significant deterioration of the therapeutic action of dopamine agonist Lisuride was noted.

IgA nephropathy (Clinical, pathological and immunological findings).

Seventy-five biopsy samples from patients with chronic renal disorders were examined by the usual techniques of light microscopy and immunofluorescence; in fifteen patients IgA nephropathy was found. These patients were young adults; the onset of the disease was characterized by macrohematuria, and recurrent episodes of hematuria were observed. Histological examination revealed proliferative endothelio-mesangial glomerulonephritis at various stages of development with focal or diffuse patterns; immunofluorescence revealed constant and intense positive reactions for IgA mainly in association with C3. It is assumed that there is a relationship connecting the more advanced histological changes, a more severe clinical course and the presence of IgM deposits.

Measuring the stimulating energy threshold in living tissues.

The paper summarizes the various methods of measuring the stimulation threshold in living tissues and emphasizes the usefulness of energy measures. An analog instrument for the direct measurement of the energy threshold is proposed and some experimental results obtained by its clinical application are reported.