Revue de l'Institut d'hygiene des mines最新文献

The present communication gives a general view of the methods of dust control in the Belgian coal mines at the beginning of 1978. The statistical data received from the mines are presented in tabular form. The length and the output of coal faces treated by the classical methods of pre-spraying of the wall, wet cutting, water infusion and wet pneumatic picks, are given separately; in some cases two or more of these technics are used together on the same coal face. The number of stone drivages in which different methods of dust control are used, is also given.

The authors made a study of the antihistaminic properties of Pipoxizine in 20 subjects with proven histaminic hyperreactivity. The design of the trial consisted in comparing the changes of VC, FEC1, expiratory airway resistance and V50 produced by a histamine aerosol given before and after administration of Pipoxizine. Pipoxizine was given by mouth to 10 patients and intravenously to the other 10 of the group. The statistical analysis of the results demonstrated an antagonist effect of Pipoxizine on the histamine induced bronchoconstriction. The data of this trial are confirmative of the results of other experimenters. It seems therefore reasonable to take into consideration the use of Pipoxizine in the preventive treatment of the paroxystic attacks of the asthmatic disease.

In a single blind cross-over study 12 patients with asthma received in randomised order aerosols of pirbuterol 400 micrograms, salbutamol 200 micrograms or placebo. Only 9 patients met the criteria and were taken into account for the statistical analysis, namely a stable reversible broncho-obstruction. Pirbuterol and salbutamol did induce a considerable bronchodilation. Both drugs had a similar activity and few side effects.

Ipratropium exerted marked bronchodilating effects in 22 patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases. The tolerance of the drug was excellent. In long-term treatment the patients do not get accustomed to the drug.

The metabolic fate and pharmacokinetics of Bamifylline have been investigated by high performance liquid- and gas-chromatography techniques and radio-isotopic methods in several experiments following oral and intravenous administration of single and repeated doses of 300 mg, 600 mg and 900 mg of this drug. The 300 mg single- and multiple-dose experiments were performed by comparing Bamifylline with 200 mg of Theophylline within the confines of controlled double-blind randomized cross-over studies. Bamifylline is catabolized into several closely related compounds and into sulpho- and glucurono-conjugates of an hydroxylated derivative. Its metabolites are rapidly and extensively excreted via the kidneys and the liver. Only the unchanged Bamifylline has been recorded in the blood following administration of the radio-labelled parent compound. Bamifylline achieves peak plasma levels more rapidly than Theophylline. The half-time of Bamifylline plasma concentrations ranges from 1.5 hours to 2.0 hours, which is appreciably shorter than that of Theophylline which exceeds four hours. By further contrast the distribution volumes of Bamifylline are three to ten times larger than those of Theophylline. No evidence of cumulation has been found in blood following the repeated administration off doses as high as 900 mg administered at intervals of eight hours.

By bringing the aerosols in a spirometrical bell from which a constant volume aerosol was thereafter inhaled by each subject through a bi-directional valve, we observed more consistent and reproducible ventilatory results than by giving the aerosols by means of a classical device via a face mask. Moreover the results were significantly higher with the first technique; this fact suggests that the quantity of inhaled broncho-active drug with suitable granulometry would have been on the average greater per minute with the first method.

Respiratory symptoms and personal history of allergy were examined in 1659 children, including the entire elementary school population of four villages of the Belgian Ardennes. Levels of atmospheric pollution were monitored during the survey and proved to be very low. It is suggested that socio-economic factors produce a small increase in respiratory symptoms, particularly in cough symptoms. A personal history of eczema and of hay fever was highly associated with dyspnea and wheezing.