RESUMEN

The excretion of starch, enzyme-resistant starch, dietary fiber components and organic acids (short-chain fatty acids plus lactic acid) as well as plasma and urine lignans and isoflavonoids was studied in eight ileostomists consuming mixed diets with wheat bread (low fiber diet) or rye bread (high fiber diet) in a crossover design. Average ileal excretions of enzyme-available starch were 3.5 g/d during the low fiber period and 4.1 g/d during the high fiber period. The excretion of enzyme-resistant starch was approximately the same (2.3 g/d) in both periods. In comparison with intake, similar amounts of total fiber residues were excreted both by subjects receiving the low fiber diet (3.4 g/d) and by those receiving the high fiber diet (2.7 g/d). However, subjects excreted significantly more of certain polysaccharide residues (fucose, galactose, and uronic acids) than they ingested. On average, the excretion of organic acids was 18.6 mmol/d during the low fiber period and 30.2 mmol/d during the high fiber period. No significant differences in plasma lignans were observed between the high fiber and the low fiber dietary periods. The present findings indicate that enzyme-available starch is highly digested and that a microbial breakdown of dietary fibers and probably other carbohydrates occurs in the small intestine. However, the bacterial activity in the ileostomists was not sufficient to cause an increased level in plasma lignans even when subjects consumed the high fiber rye diet.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

STUDY DESIGN: This study compared isokinetic and non-dynamometric tests for their correlation with subjective low back pain symptoms. METHODS: A total of 185 patients with chronic low back pain were examined. RESULTS: The repetitive arch-up and sit-up tests correlated significantly with pain and disability (Million index) both in men and women (r ranged from -0.39 to -0.46; P < 0.001). In women, the isokinetic trunk flexion and extension tests and the non-dynamometric tests correlated equally well with the Million index. In men, the isokinetic flexion and extension tests had weaker correlations. Overall, the isokinetic lifting tests showed lower correlations than did the isokinetic trunk extension tests. In the isokinetic flexion and extension tests, fast testing speeds (120 degrees/sec and 150 degrees/sec) correlated somewhat better with the subjective symptoms than did the lowest speed (30 degrees/sec). CONCLUSIONS: The non-dynamometric tests are still useful in clinical practice in spite of the development of more accurate muscle strength evaluation methods.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: In 1978, a cross-sectional study of 279 lumberjacks exposed to hand-arm vibration and 178 unexposed referents was conducted. The aim of the present study was to provide a seven-year follow-up on (i) the changes in the white-finger symptoms among the lumberjacks and the referents, (ii) the effect of white-finger symptoms on the professional prognosis of the lumberjacks, and (iii) the relationship between hand-arm vibration and changes in wrist bones. METHODS: The methods consisted of a questionnaire, a routine clinical examination, and radiographs of the wrists and hands. The examinations were conducted as a field study using a mobile unit. RESULTS: The prevalence of white-finger symptoms was 18% among the lumberjacks and 3% among the referents in the original study. Seven years later 213 lumberjacks and 140 referents participated in the follow-up. The prevalence of white-finger symptoms was 24.9 among the lumberjacks and 5.7 among the referents, and the seven-year cumulative incidence was 14.7% among the lumberjacks and 2.3% among the referents. After allowance for age, there was no difference in the incidence of white-finger symptoms between the lumberjacks with fewer than 15 years of exposure and the referents, but the risk increased with increasing duration of exposure (risk ratio 8.9, 95% confidence interval 2.5-28.9 for those exposed at least 25 years). There was no difference between the two groups in the prevalence of radiographically detectable translucencies or osteoarthrotic changes in the wrists and hands. CONCLUSION: According to the results, white-finger symptoms are still a problem among lumberjacks who started chain-saw work before 1970.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

We recorded the musculoskeletal performance capacity of 25 patients suffering from chronic severe low back pain before and during the external fixation test of the lumbar spine. The capacity was measured by isometric and isokinetic lifting, repetitive upper extremity lifting with a load, repetitive squatting, and the walking distance. Only walking distance was increased by fixation of the spine.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

An oat bran concentrate was prepared by removing non-fibre components by cold-water wet-milling, resulting in a 2- to 3-fold concentration of soluble fibre, with beta-D-glucan as its main component. The concentrate was baked in bread which was consumed for 8 weeks by free-living men with mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia. The effects on serum lipids were assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Despite the large daily dose (11.2 g) of beta-glucan, the beta-glucan-enriched bread had only a small and statistically non-significant effect on serum lipid concentrations. Probable reasons for the weakness of the effect could be the poor solubility of beta-glucan in the preparation, its enzymatic hydrolysis after ingestion, and the consequently low viscosity in the intestine.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Spinal mobility and posture were studied in 29 adolescent girls (mean age, 13.9 years) with thoracal idiopathic scoliosis, and in 30 healthy girls (mean age, 14.0 years) of the same age. Measurements of the mobility were conducted by inclinometers and a compass in three planes; sagittal, frontal, and horizontal. The structurally healthy girls were taller and heavier than the scoliotics; the difference was statistically significant for weight (P less than 0.01). The positional inclines of sacrum, upper lumbar and thoracic areas were significantly smaller in the scoliotics, resulting in smaller lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis in them (P less than 0.001). In the thoracic spine, forward flexion was smaller (P less than 0.01), whereas extension (P less than 0.001) and the total sagittal mobility (P less than 0.01) were greater in the scoliotics. In the healthy controls, the thoracic clockwise rotation was significantly (P less than 0.05) larger than the counterclockwise. This side difference had disappeared in the scoliotics, and their total thoracic rotation was indicatively smaller than in the controls. In the lumbar spine, extension was smaller (P less than 0.01) in the scoliotics than in the controls. All spinal mobility measurements noted there was no change of general spinal flexibility in the scoliotics.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Spinal mobility and posture were measured and their correlations with growth velocity were calculated in 30 boys and 30 girls aged 13 to 14. The spinal measurements were carried out by noninvasive goniometric methods. In the thoracic spine kyphosis (P less than 0.01), forward flexion (P less than 0.01) and the sum of lateral flexions (P less than 0.05) were reduced in the girls compared with the boys. In the boys and girls alike, thoracic rotation to the left was smaller than to the right, but the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05) only for the girls. In the girls, thoracic forward flexion and rotation to the left had negative correlations (r = -0.38 and -0.39, P less than 0.05) with growth velocity. The hypothetical significance of the results for the explanation of the development of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is discussed.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Spray finishing operations often involve cleaning with solvents. White spirit is widely used as a solvent in car washes in Finland. The purpose of the present study was to determine the levels of solvent exposure of car washers and to evaluate the effectiveness of ventilation systems in car washing facilities. The study covered 11 car washes. Airborne solvent concentrations were measured both in workers' breathing zones and at stationary sampling sites. The solvent concentration in the breathing zones ranged from 5 to 465 mg/m3 during the washing of automobiles and from 45 to 685 mg/m3 during the washing of heavy vehicles. Brief concentration peaks up to 4,500 mg/m3 were detected. The flow rate of ventilation air ranged from 0.3 to 3.9 m3/s. The greatest reduction in solvent concentration in the workers' breathing zones was attained with a ventilation design where the supply air jets blew directly into the work zone.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The prevalence of congenital malformations among children born to styrene-exposed male and female workers, as well as the mortality of the exposed workers, was studied. A cohort of 2,209 workers (1,698 men, 511 women) was selected from the personnel files of 160 workplaces using styrene in the manufacture of reinforced plastic products. The earliest exposure histories began in 1960, but the majority of workers had been exposed after 1967. The data on children born to the exposed workers were linked with those of the Register of Congenital Malformations. The number of malformations of children born to the workers was, both before and during the styrene exposure, below the expected values. In the cohort there were 37 observed deaths (expected 74.0), six of which were due to cancer (expected 13.0). The cancer sites were the stomach (2 cases), bronchus (1), breast (1), ovary (1), and kidney (1 case). There were no cases of lymphatic or haematopoietic cancer. Most of the cancers appeared after short exposure times and soon after the commencement of exposure.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The liver functions, as reflected by the serum enzyme activities of aspartate aminotranferase, alanine aminotransferase, and gamma glutamyl transferase and by the concentrations of cholic acid and deoxycholic acid, of 34 styrene-exposed and 34 reference female workers were followed prospectively for a year. The mean age of exposed workers was 34.2 years, mean duration of past exposure 5.1 years. The mean age of the referents was 30.7 years. During the follow-up period blood samples were collected three times for the determinations. The history of possible liver disease and alcohol consumption was ascertained by questionnaire. Altogether 87 samples of both groups were analyzed. The styrene-exposed group did not have higher values for any measurement when compared with those of the referents. Two persons in both groups had one sample with transaminase activities exceeding laboratory reference values. The abnormal values were associated with the use of drugs or alcohol. Cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid concentrations were of the same magnitude in both groups.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

In a cross sectional study 279 lumberjacks exposed to chain saw vibration and a reference group of 178 peat bog workers were examined. The mean ages of the two groups were 34.6 and 33.1 years, respectively. The lumberjacks' mean duration of exposure to vibration was 10.4 years. The study consisted of a questionnaire and a clinical examination, including radiographs of the wrists. The prevalence of reported white finger symptoms was 18% for the lumberjacks and 3% for the referents, whereas that of numbness in the upper extremities was 51% and 22%, respectively. Among lumberjacks the occurrence of white finger symptoms increased significantly with the duration of exposure to vibration but was not associated with age or smoking. The prevalence of the numbing of the upper extremities increased linearly with age in both groups, but it was not associated with duration of exposure after adjustment for age. Among lumberjacks there was a significant association between the numbing symptom and the white finger symptom, but not among the referents. A high prevalence of numbing in the upper extremities among the lumberjacks could be at least partly explained by occupational factors other than vibration--work posture, for example. Radiographically, cysts were found in the wrist bones of 8-9% of both groups. The exposure to chain saw vibration no longer seems to be a determinant in the development of vacuoles in the carpal bones.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The lung function of 7 men accidentally exposed to sulfur dioxide (SO2) in a pyrite dust explosion was followed for 4 yr. The greatest decrease in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and maximal midexpiratory flow was observed 1 wk after the accident. After about 3 months no further decrement occurred. The pattern of spirometric findings was obstructive in 6 and restrictive in 1 of the patients. Four years after the accident a reversible obstruction of the bronchi was still observable in 3. Four patients reacted positively to the histamine challenge test. Two patients either did not respond to bronchodilator or did not react to histamine. The results suggest that bronchial hyperreactivity is a frequent sequela after exposure to high concentrations of SO2. The hyperreactivity may persist for several years.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Twelve workers (nine men and three women with a mean age of 39.5 +/- 8.9 years) with occupational exposure to trinitrotoluene had a mean duration of exposure of 6.8 +/- 4.7 years. The general physical findings were minimal, but ophthalmologic examinations showed bilateral peripheral cataracts in six of the 12 workers. Cataracts were visible only with maximal mydriasis and were continuous or annular opacities at the equator. The cataracts did not interfere with visual acuity or visual fields. Only one worker with and one without cataracts had increased serum alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin levels, possibly associated with trinitrotoluene exposure.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

To evaluate the possible embryotoxic effects of styrene, 67 female lamination workers occupationally exposed to styrene and 67 age-matched female industrial workers with no obvious chemical exposure were interviewed. The women, all under 40 a of age, did not differ significantly with respect to number of births, pregnancies, or spontaneous and induced abortions prior to the exposure period. During the styrene exposure the number of births was significantly lower among the exposed group, a result partly explained by a higher number of induced abortions. No differences were found in this material with regard to the number of spontaneous abortions.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

For the study of the relationship between styrene exposure and symptoms and signs of central nervous dysfunctions, 98 male workers occupationally exposed to styrene were given clinical, neurophysiological and psychological examinations; also a symptom survey was made. Urinary mandelic acid concentrations, measured once a week during five consecutive weeks, were used to express the exposure intensity. Different unexposed groups were used for reference. No exposure-response relationship was observed between symptoms of ill health and the urinary mandelic acid concentration, although the exposed group as a whole expressed significantly more symptoms than the reference group. The occurrence of abnormal electroencephalograms was about 10% in the group of workers with mandelic acid concentrations below 700 mg/l, but it was 30% among those whose mandelic acid concentration exceeded 700 mg/l, a level corresponding to the 8-h time-weighted average (TWA) of styrene exposure of about 30 ppm. With regard to psychological functions, the first change in visuomotor accuracy became discernible when the urinary mandelic acid concentration exceeded 800 mg/l. A more pronounced decrement appeared in both visuomotor accuracy and psychomotor performance when the mandelic acid concentration exceeded 1,200 mg/l, which corresponds to an 8-h TWA of styrene exposure of about 55 ppm.

Asunto(s)

Asunto(s)