Auditory brainstem evoked potentials (BAEPs) in lead-exposed workers.

Brainstem Evoked Potentials (BAEPs) were recorded in 49 lead exposed workers, and in a control group of 49 age- and sex-matched subjects, never exposed to neurotoxic substances. The mean duration of lead exposure was 7.4 (SD 5.6) yr. Blood lead concentration was analyzed in the morning of the experimental day (PbBc); an averaged PbB level was based on the levels of the 3 previous years (PbBm). Interpeak latency differences (IPLD) I-V, I-III and III-V were considered. The mean PbBc level was 54.6 (SD 16.1) micrograms/dl while the mean PbBm level was 53.5 (SD 15.9) micrograms/dl. Lead exposed workers showed a significant prolongation of IPLDs. IPLD I-V was longer in the subgroup with PbBm greater than 50 micrograms/dl (4.06 vs 3.98, c.l. 95% 0.00-0.16). These results are consistent with literature data and show that BAEPs may be a sensitive detector of subclinical lead effects on brainstem auditory pathways.

[The osteocondensing variety of multiple myeloma. Review of the literature and description of a case]. / La varietà osteocondensante del mieloma multiplo. Rassegna della letteratura e descrizione di un caso.

A case of IgG myeloma with eburnation of the femoral and ileoischiopubic bones is described. A review of the literature confirmed the rarity of osteosclerotic myeloma, especially if other possible causes of bone eburnation or the typical contemporary existence of osteolysis are excluded. The hypothesis that osteosclerotic myeloma may constitute an autonomous form of the disease, probably related to the type and/or extent of the proliferating bone is discussed.

[Use of the glycosylated hemoglobin test in outpatient practice]. / Utilità del test dell'emoglobina glicosilata nella pratica ambulatoriale.

Haemoglobin glycosilate was evaluated using the bio-rad method in 129 diabetics during their periodic visits to outpatient departments. A significant correlation between this test and metabolic compensation was revealed in confirmation of results reported in most research so far carried out. The advantages of using this test in outpatients departments is also emphasised.

Longitudinal study of workers of an aluminium die casting factory.

We conducted a 5-year longitudinal study on 76 workers of a high and medium aluminium alloy die-casting factory. As in a previous cross-sectional study conducted in 1986 and in accordance with the data in the literature, the 1990 follow-up study showed: a low prevalence of chronic bronchitis (as defined by the ECSC questionnaire on respiratory symptoms); normal mean functional values of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%. We did not find any significant difference in the levels of lung function over the period of 1986-90. These results show that workers in the secondary aluminium industry are not exposed to a significant risk of chronic pulmonary disease.

[Risk in welding operations. Etiopathogenetic, preventive and legislative considerations]. / Rischi nelle operazioni di saldatura. Considerazioni eziopatogenetiche, prevenzionali e legislative.

This work classifies different types of welding procedure, occasional and specific contaminating elements, both of the welding material, and of other possible substances (particularly plastic materials) used in the pre-treating phase. The authors show the risk evaluation factors of the welding operations and, moreover, suggest a diagnostic and prevention program on the exposed subjects. Finally they include a table of references on italian law concerning the contaminating substances produced by welding processes.

Multiple myeloma associated with Kaposi sarcoma: a case report.

An Italian woman affected by multiple myeloma (MM) associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) has been studied. MM appeared to be at stage II, A, according to Durie & Salmon (3) (quantitative staging); KS spread out two and a half years after MM had been diagnosed, and showed only a pharyngeal involvement. The patient was still alive two and a half years after KS had been discovered, showing a benign clinical course, though several infectious complications had occurred. The observed patient is compared with the other ten cases reported in the world literature. The long lasting observed survival is thought to be related to the low MCM and the length of successful therapy.

[Cytological study of acid phosphatase activity of plasma cells in monoclonal gammopathies]. / Zytologische Untersuchung der sauren Phosphataseaktivität in den Plasmazellen bei monoklonalen Gammopathien.

The activity of acid phosphatase in bone marrow plasma cells was investigated by a cytochemical method in 12 patients with multiple myeloma, in 12 patients with benign monoclonal gammopathy and in 5 normal controls. The activity of acid phosphatase was significantly higher in the multiple myeloma patients compared with the activity observed in controls and in benign monoclonal gammopathy patients (p less than 0.001). It is therefore suggested that this method may be a valuable adjunct in the differential diagnosis of monoclonal immunoglobulinemias .