Enantiomeric differentiation of oxygenated p-menthane derivatives by 13C NMR using Yb(hfc)3.

The (13)C NMR behaviour of 21 p-menthanic terpene bearing an oxygenated function (alcohol, ketone, acetate) was examined in the presence of a chiral lanthanide shift reagent (Yb(hfc)(3)). For each monocyclic compound, we measured the lanthanide-induced shift (LIS) on the signals of the carbons and the splitting of signals allowing the enantiomeric differentiation. Some general features were found about their LIS behaviour: experimental data establishing distinct patterns for carvomenthone-like compounds and menthone-like compounds.

Kallisteine A and B, two new coumarins from the roots of Peucedanum paniculatum L, a species endemic to Corsica.

From the dichloromethane extract of the roots of Peucedanum paniculatum L., two new coumarins, a species endemic to Corsica, have been isolated. Their structures were elucidated, on the basis of spectroscopic studies, particularly 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as 6-(7'-beta-cyclolavandulyl)-7-hydroxycoumarin 1 and a spirodihydrofurano-coumarin 2 (Kallisteine A and B).

Beta-cyclolavandulyl and beta-isocyclolavandulyl esters from Peucedanum paniculatum L., an endemic species to Corsica.

Eight cyclolavandulyl esters (beta-cyclolavandulyl and beta-isocyclolavandulyl acetate, propionate, isobutyrate, isovalerate) were identified in the leaf and root oils of Peucedanum paniculatum L., an endemic species to Corsica, by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those of synthetic material. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and diseases in general population samples of North and Central Italy.

Setting: Four cross-sectional general population surveys in Italy: northern rural Po Delta area (1980-1982, n = 3284; 1988-1991, n = 2841), and central urban Pisa area (1985-1988, n = 3865; 1991-1993, n = 2841).

Objective: To analyse changes in prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms and diseases.

Design: Prospective epidemiological studies by standardised interviewer-administered questionnaire.

The Po River Delta Respiratory Epidemiological Survey: an analysis of factors related to level of total serum IgE.

The purpose of the present study was to analyse whether sex, age, skin test reactivity, cigarette smoking and occupational exposure were related to the total serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E concentrations (kU x L[-1]), in a general population sample. We studied 1,905 subjects (915 males, 990 females) of a general population sample (n=2,841, 8-73 yrs) participating in the second cross-sectional respiratory epidemiological survey in the rural Po Delta area (near Venice, North Italy). Distribution of total serum IgE concentrations was skewed, thus a log-transformation was performed to obtain a Gaussian shape.

Serum immunoglobulins E are related to menstrual cycle.

During a cross sectional epidemiological survey on a general population sample, 596 fertile women underwent total serum IgE determination. They completed an interviewer-administered standardized questionnaire and were categorized according to their menstrual period. They were divided into two groups: those from days 10 to 20, who were considered to be in the periovulatory phase, and those in the other phases.

Skin prick test reactivity to common aeroallergens in relation to total IgE, respiratory symptoms, and smoking in a general population sample of northern Italy.

Skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to common airborne allergens and its relationships to sex, age, smoking habits, and respiratory symptoms/diseases were evaluated in a general population sample (n = 2841, 8-75 years of age) living in the Po delta area (northern Italy). Subjects completed a standardized questionnaire and underwent prick tests (12 local allergens, a negative and a positive control) and determination of total serum IgE. Atopy was evaluated by measuring the maximal diameter for each allergen, after subtracting that of the negative control.

Distribution of bronchial responsiveness in a general population: effect of sex, age, smoking, and level of pulmonary function.

Bronchial responsiveness (BR) was assessed by the methacholine challenge test in 1,694 subjects from a sample of the general population (aged 8 to 73 yr) enrolled in a prospective epidemiologic study on the natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Information on respiratory symptoms and risk factors for COPD were obtained with a standardized questionnaire. The provocative dose causing a 10%, 15%, and 20% decrease in FEV1 was reached in 939 (55%), 658 (39%), and 447 (26%) subjects, respectively, after the last cumulative dose of methacholine (i.

Bronchial reactivity in a general population of north Italy: relationships with occupational exposure.

Two thousand eight hundred and forty one subjects, aged 8-73 yrs, took part in the second cross-sectional survey in the Po River Delta area: among them, a subsample of currently employed people, aged 14-71 yrs, was chosen to establish the relationship between occupational exposure to dusts, chemicals or gases and respiratory symptoms, lung function and bronchial reactivity. Each subject filled out the Italian National Research Council (CNR) standardized questionnaire concerning respiratory symptoms, diseases and risk factors. A variable proportion of subjects performed acceptable forced and slow vital capacity manoeuvres, diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide and bronchial challenge test to methacholine.

[A cross-sectional epidemiological study of symptoms and respiratory physiology in a sample of workers in shoe manufacture].

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and functional abnormalities has been evaluated in a sample of 350 workers (186 males and 164 females, mean age: 35.1 and 36.6 years respectively) employed in 24 factories of the shoes industry in the area of Pisa, exposed to airway irritants (solvent vapours, leather dusts and fumes).

Effects of the home environment on respiratory symptoms of a general population sample in middle Italy.

The effects of home environment characteristics were evaluated in a multistage, stratified, cluster sample (N = 3,866) of the general population who lived in the district of Pisa (middle Italy). Each subject completed a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire that contained questions about respiratory symptoms/diseases and risk factors (e.g.

Prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms in Italian general population samples exposed to different levels of air pollution.

We surveyed two general population samples aged 8 to 64 living in the unpolluted, rural area of the Po Delta (northern Italy) (n = 3289) and in the urban area of Pisa (central Italy) (n = 2917). Each subject filled out a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire. The Pisa sample was divided into three groups according to their residence in the urban-suburban areas and to outdoor air pollution exposure (automobile exhaust only or industrial fumes as well).

Effects of home environment on respiratory symptoms and lung function in a general population sample in north Italy.

Effects of indoor pollution exposure were evaluated in a general population sample (n = 3,289) living in the Po River Delta area. Prevalence rates of chronic cough in men and dyspnoea in women were significantly higher in association with the use of bottled gas (propane) for cooking instead of natural gas (methane). Chronic cough and phlegm in men and dyspnoea in women were significantly associated with the use of a stove for heating.

Respiratory effects of occupational exposure in a general population sample in north Italy.

We assessed the effects of occupational exposure in a general population sample living in an unpolluted rural area of North Italy. In the age range of 18 to 64 yr, there were 417 participants who reported any exposure to dusts, chemicals, or gases and 1,218 who reported no exposure. Each subject completed a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire (CNR-questionnaire).

Effects of daily cigarette consumption on respiratory symptoms and lung function in a general population sample of north-Italian men.

We assessed the respiratory effects of the number of cigarettes smoked daily (CIGD) in 748 male smokers of a general population sample living in the unpolluted area of the Po Delta (Italy). A standardized questionnaire, flow-volume curves (V/V), the diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) and the slope of the alveolar plateau of nitrogen (DN2%/l) were used. Subjects were divided according to the median value of the observed distribution of CIGD (1-19, 20+) and according to the tertile values of the observed distribution of pack-years (an index representing lifetime cigarette consumption; 1-7, 8-21, 22+).

[Cross-over epidemiologic study of symptoms and respiratory function in workers at a furniture factory].

An epidemiological survey on symptoms and diseases (collected with CNR standardized questionnaire) and on lung function (forced vital capacity and derived indexes; CO diffusing capacity) has been carried on in workers of a furniture plant in Arezzo. Significantly higher prevalence rates of cough in smokers than in non smokers, and of cough, phlegm, wheeze in non smoker workers than in the control group from a general population sample were present. A not significant relationship of symptoms and working years was also found.