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Biomedical subjects

G Ferrari

Publications and source records attributed to G Ferrari.

517 records · Page 29Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of abnormal movements of extrapyramidal origin with tiapride].

The authors report results attained by means of a replaced benzamide, thiapride, in the treatment of 21 subjects showing involuntary movements of extra-pyramidal origin and more exactly: extra-pyramidal syndromes due to drugs (3), idiopathic dyscinesias (8), choreas (6), dystonias (3), essential tremor (1). The drug was administered per os as well as per IM and EV. Results were good or fair in 71% of cases. The clearest improvements were obtained in iatrogenic dyscinesias (torticollis, diaphragm clonisms). The drug was well tolerated in all cases, both from the clinical and hematochemical standpoint, even at the highest dosages, and, in particular, no case of amenorrhea or galactorrhea was pointed out. Finally, the authors explain how the best results with thiapride may probably be obtained in those forms in which an hyperfunction of the dopaminergic system is proved, thanks to the competitive action of the molecule on presynaptic dopaminergic receptors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Physical workload demands: the combined use of 2 evaluation programs].

A computerized methodology is presented for the "on-site" evaluation of work-related physical activities in industrial plant workers. Subjects were videotaped during the activities while heart rate and subjective perception of effort were monitored. The videorecordings were then analyzed with two appropriate software, in order to identify activities at high risk for musculoskeletal injuries ("Vision 3000" program, Promatek Ltd., Montreal) and to evaluate energy expenditure ("Energy" program, University of Michigan). Validation of the energy expenditure indirect analysis system was done by monitoring oxygen consumption (VO2) with a portable telemetric oxygen uptake analyzer ("K2", Cosmed, Rome). No statistically significant differences were found between direct measurements of VO2 and laboratory-derived estimates of energy consumption. The utilization of these two software provides a fast and reliable profile of job requirements and associated risks of musculoskeletal injury.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Environmental and biological monitoring of occupational exposure to perchloroethylene in dry cleaning shops].

Occupational exposure to perchloroethylene (PCE) was studied in a total of 106 workers in 78 dry cleaning shops in the province of Pavia, Northern, Italy. Environmental monitoring was performed by personal passive sampling. The median time weighted average (TWA) level of PCE was 57 mg/m3, i.e., about 30% of the current Threshold Limit Value (TLV) proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH). However, in 12 workers exposure exceeded this limit. Biological monitoring was performed via measurement of urinary trichloroacetic acid (TCA), i.e. the exposure index currently used in Italy, and urinary excretion of unmodified perchloroethylene (PCE-U) in samples collected at the end of the half-shift. Median levels of TCA and PCE were 1.03 mg/l and 17.7 micrograms/l respectively. The correlation coefficient between environmental TWA concentrations of perchloroethylene and PCE-U was 0.755 (0.809 after logarithmic transformation), compared to 0.660 for TCA values. The subjects were then classified as "low exposed" and "heavily exposed" according to whether personal exposure was lower or higher than 57 mg/m3, the median TWA value of the whole group. PCE-U levels were significantly correlated to exposure in both subgroups whereas TCA was correlated only in the "heavily exposed subjects", but not in those with lower exposure. The results of the study show that in the majority of dry cleaning shops exposure to PCE was well below the current occupational limits. Nevertheless surveillance of dry cleaners is recommended as nearly 10% of the workers exceeded the environmental and biological limits. Urinary excretion of unmodified PCE appears to be a very reliable indicator for biological monitoring of PCE exposure in dry cleaning and is also significantly correlated to exposure at low levels. The estimated biological equivalent exposure level (BEEL) for PCE-U, corresponding to the current TLV-TWA proposed by the ACGIH, is 55 micrograms/l. Urinary TCA seems to be less suitable for assessment of individual exposure to perchloroethylene in dry cleaners as it is poorly representative of exposure to low levels of the solvent, which is a very common occurrence in this occupational group nowadays.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Technical considerations of a system of phosphor digital radiography and its cost-effectiveness in a radiology center].

The authors report the technical-applicative characteristics of a storage phosphor system (ADC 70, Ag-fa), experimentally used at the Department of Radiology of the University of Modena (Azienda Ospedaliera Policlinico) and analyze its effects on the center budget. The system was applied to urologic, osteoarticular and thoracic diagnoses, with bedside exams in the latter case. An automatic system (chest changer, Dupont) was used for hospitalized walking patients and for nonhospitalized patients. The data relative to the consumption of films and chemical products and the relative cost were analyzed and It. L. 84,284,782 appeared to have been saved on the annual budget. The data extrapolated from the practical experience of the Modena Radiology Department showed an average 900 exams a month, with 2,019 films being used for conventional radiography versus 918 with the ADC system. Reusing the same evaluation system, the implementation of the same system was simulated in another hospital with different characteristics (Azienda USL Imola, Bologna). The final result was an estimated annual saving of about It L. 83,000,000. The total workload of X-ray rooms afferent to the developing ADC system was considered for both departments and the cost of the conventional system compared with that of the digital system with laser print: about 197 square meters of film were used monthly with the conventional system, versus 55 after the implementation of the ADC system. The estimated figures were about 424 versus 235 for the implementation of the same ADC system in the second hospital. 9-10% was the estimated saving of the ADC system versus the conventional one thanks to fewer of the so-called refuses-i.e., exams that must be repeated; 63-81% chemical products were also saved because fewer films were developed. The cost-effectiveness of the ADC system in the budget of the two centers is stressed, with about 40% total saving. In particular, using the transfer price system for intermediate departments by Regione Emilia Romagna, the annual full cost per exam (weight = 1) decreased from It. L. 4,343 to It. L. 4,120 before and after the ADC system implementation, respectively.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repeated hepatectomy for colorectal metastasis.

Between January 1981 and December 1995, 12 patients, who previously underwent hepatic resection for colorectal metastases, were selected for a second liver resection for isolated liver recurrence. Mean interval between first and second resection was 16 months. Eight patients had solitary and 4 multiple metastasis. Two major hepatectomies and 11 wedge resections were performed. Mean follow-up was 37 months. No mortality and 33% morbidity was observed. Three and 5-year actuarial survival rates were 71% and 42%, while disease-free survival was 30%. No patient, primary tumour, or metastases' characteristics were significantly associated to survival. Surgical resection is the only therapy that could offer reasonable chance of long term survival and, in selected case, of cure. A careful patients' selection as well as an accurate surgical technique are essential to reduce post operative mortality and morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pre-operative chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical and pathological effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) before surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhosis (55 patients); results were compared with a group of 45 patients undergoing surgical resection without TACE. METHODOLOGY: From March 1989 to December 1997, 55 cirrhotic patients, affected by surgically resectable HCC not larger than 5 cm with unifocal or bifocal tumor lesions, underwent TACE pre-operatively. RESULTS: Massive necrosis was observed in 26%, necrosis > 50% in 38% of lesions. Neoplastic cells were found in 47% of cases within the capsule or in the pericapsular tissue. Satellite nodules showed a low rate of necrosis. Mortality and morbidity in the pre-operative TACE group were 1.8% and 29%, respectively, and 4.4% and 33%, respectively, in the control group. One-, 3- and 5-year patient survival rates were 87%, 70% and 39%, respectively, versus 79%, 38% and 19%, respectively (p<0.02), in the control group. Disease-free survival was 40% and 28% at 3 years and 5 years with pre-operative TACE versus 20% and 11% (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative TACE can be performed with low morbidity. TACE can necrotize the main lesion and temporarily arrest portal diffusion of neoplastic cells by acting on microvascular infiltration. No evident effect on satellites and pericapsular neoplastic foci was observed. The long-term patients and disease-free survival rates were improved upon.

Aged↗