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Biomedical subjects

A Federici

Publications and source records attributed to A Federici.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Smooth pursuit eye movements among storage battery workers.

Eleven male workers in a battery storage plant with lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin blood actual levels greater than 50 and 100 micrograms %, respectively, and 18 male controls without lead exposure were tested by a clinical pendular eye tracking test (PETT). Each worker underwent a series of lead absorption measurements including blood lead, urinary lead, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity, and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid. The SPEMs were evaluated by an eye tracking technique. The subjects followed a horizontally moving target which, in the form of a luminous spot on a dark background, was projected onto a screen placed 1 m from the subject. The maximum predicted eye movement velocity during tracking was about 30 degrees/s. Skin electrodes were applied on the outer canthi of both eyes and SPEM were plotted on a polygraph, recording both the actual eye movements and the corresponding first derivative. Our findings suggest that lead workers display a disorder of motor coordination of SPEMs system, and the PETT is useful, when associated with biochemical data, to evaluate the degree of subclinical damage of nervous system during lead poisoning.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Role of the vagus nerve in reflex tachycardia evoked by arterial hypotension in the non-anesthetized dog].

The intravenous rapid-injection of nitroglycerin in the resting conscious dog induced arterial hypotension followed by reflex tachycardia. The experiments were performed before and after cold vagal blockade. When vagus nerve was blocked hypotension was more pronounced than in control conditions, but the rise of heart rate was lower and occurred later. This result suggests that, in the conscious dog, hypotension induced reflex tachycardia is due to a decrease in vagal tone, as well as to an increase in sympathetic activity. It is conceivable that the decrease in vagal tone occurs earlier than the sympathetic activity increase. Therefore the short latency reflex inhibition of vagal tone, through early positive inotropic effects, probably plays a relevant role in buffering rapid decreases in arterial pressure.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[First aid for multiple trauma patients: investigative survey in the Firenze-Bologna area].

Overall mortality ascribable to multiple traumas, that in Italy is responsible for about 8,000 death/year, is strictly dependent on the function of the so called Trauma Care System. This study reports on an epidemiological survey conducted in the urban area of Florence along a 23-month period (from Jan 97 to Nov 99), with the aim to identify the typology of traumas and the first aid care delivered to the person until hospital admission. These data were compared to those collected in the urban area of Bologna because the composition of the first-aid team is different, being nurses, in Bologna, an integral component of the first aid system. On a total of 118 multiple traumas, 17% was represented by isolated head trauma, while in 72% involvement of other organs was present in addition to the head; 11% of cases were abdominal or thoracic traumas, 1% of lower extremities. In 46% the cause of trauma was a car accident. The complexity of care delivered to the person with trauma was less in the Florence survey, as indicated by the immobilization of patients, performed in only 11% of cases as compared to 47% in Bologna, by the application of the cervical collar, applied in 12% versus 62% of traumas. Although the two samples are not strictly comparable, these data suggest that the presence of nurses in the Trauma Care System can be one of the elements of improvement of the quality of delivered care.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Written information: evaluation of an informative leaflet for patients undergoing colonoscopy].

Client teaching and information on medical procedures and care organisation is recognised as one of the most important tasks for the nurse. The information must be complete, detailed, and personalized according to the client culture and learning capacity. To address these points, an information booklet has been designed to inform clients undergoing colonoscopy in the gastroenterology unit of Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi, Florence. The booklet, together with a multiple choice questionnaire aimed at evaluating clients' satisfaction with the information provided, was distributed to 100 clients undergoing a colonoscopy over a two-month period in 1998. The results of the survey suggest that the booklet has been instrumental in client learning about the procedure, as shown by the high positive satisfaction response provided to the questionnaire. Moreover, contents provided are clear and easy to understand. Clients would like to have specifically detailed information on the way the exam is performed, on its duration (22%) and on the disinfection procedures (21%). At present, all the patients booked for colonoscopy receive the booklet in their homes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hypoxic reperfusion limits functional impairment following cardioplegic arrest in isolated rat heart.

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion injury decreases both systolic contractility and diastolic compliance. Several studies indicate that the sustained decrease in diastolic compliance is mainly due to reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) generation and calcium overload. METHODS: Male Wistar isolated rat hearts were divided into 2 groups (n=10 each), perfused according to Langendorff technique and exposed to 45 min of ischemia. Hearts belonging to the first group were reperfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 600 mmHg pO2; a 150 mmHg pO2 perfusate was utilized in the second group during the first minute and switched to 600 mmHg pO2 thereafter. Modifications in diastolic compliance and systolic contractility were assessed by changes in left ventricular end-diastolic (LVEDP) and developed pressure (LVDP), and first derivative of the pressure curve (dP/dt). RESULTS: Increase in LVEDP values, with respect to pre-ischemic data, were detected at 1, 5, 10, 20 min following reperfusion at 600 mmHg pO2, and were respectively: +40.17+/-18.61, +57.5+/-28.8, +59.8+/-30.5 and +63.2+/-34.1 mmHg. At 150 mmHg pO2 they were: +15.69+/-13.13, +22.4+/-14.1, +26.2+/-13.7 and +28.9+/-15.8, with a significant difference within the first 20 min (p<0.05). At high pO2 levels, LVDP decreased of 53.0+/-27.35, 60.5+/-22.6, 59.8+/-23.3 and 50.7+/-25.0 mmHg, versus 42.7+/-25.7, 38.0+/-29.5, 39.2+/-30.9 and 38.7+/-32.7 mmHg at lower pO2 (p=NS). The correspondent values of the dP/dt were 37.8+/-27.7, 30.1+/-17.2, 32.2+/-13.6 and 35.4+/-14.0% of pre-ischemic values at high pO2, versus 43.3+/-27.09, 51.9+/-25.1, 50.1+/-24.6 and 53.1+/-29.9% at lower pO2. Statistical significance was lower for LVDP and dP/dt than LVEDP. CONCLUSIONS: Diastolic functional impairment was partially reduced within the first 20 min following low pO2 reperfusion, but without any significant improvement of contractility.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Eye movement disorders in hereditary degenerative ataxia. Electro-oculographic study of 11 cases].

An electro-oculographic study has been performed in 11 patients affected by hereditary degenerative ataxias (5 Friedreich's ataxias, 4 olivopontocerebellar atrophies and 2 late onset cerebellar ataxias). Electrooculographic records were obtained during saccades, pursuit movements and fixed gaze. Saccadic latency, saccadic speed and morphologic features were studied. In Friedreich's ataxia ocular motility was less accurate than in olivopontocerebellar atrophy and in late onset cerebellar ataxia.

Cerebellar Ataxia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evidence-based planning: the case of mass screening for colorectal cancer in the Lazio region of Italy].

Several population-based trials have shown the efficacy of colorectal cancer mass-screening based on guaiac faecal blood testing in a generic risk population. SCCR represents a very complex and resource-demanding public health intervention and, for this reason, its planning requires actual efficacy as a main goal. Since evidence of efficacy demonstrated by population-based trials may not actually generate effectiveness, the Regional Government of Latium Region decided to implement some experimental studies before introducing a screening programme, in order to define an evidence-based organisational model of SCCR and a feasibility evaluation of the real needs for screening. The aims of the pilot studies were to define an evidence-based organisational model, to evaluate the necessary resources and the actual quality standard of clinical examination, treatment and surgery. The aim of the feasibility study is to test the organisational model for SCCR for about 300,000 citizens residing in the Latium region. The present article illustrates the scheduling path set out, which is based on the involvement of experts, GP representatives and specialists from scientific societies and it is planned by the following actions: Definition of evidence-based recommendations; identification of further investigations; realization of experimental studies; definition of an evidence-based organisational model. The main research areas have been dealt with using randomised trials, in order to evaluate the efficacy of the involvement of GPs and the kind of test for RSOF Our work has produced evidences which were sometimes in contrast with information in the literature, demonstrating that guaiac RSOF testing is less reproducible and determines lower uptake than immunochemical testing. Our work also shows that the involvement of GPs should be based on their personal skills rather than on their role. Such evidences are fundamental to the definition of the organisational model and confirm the need of basing an evidence-based planning not only on evidences found in the literature. The necessity of this approach is strengthened by the level of organisational complexity and by the amount of resources needed to put a public health intervention into practice.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Colorectal cancer screening: survey of endoscopy center's physicians in Lazio region].

The aim of the present work is to describe the characteristics of digestive endoscopy centers and the physicians that work there, with particular attention to their attitudes and practices in colorectal cancer screening. A questionnaire was sent to all 80 digestive endoscopy centers in the Lazio region, identified by the annual census of Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (Società Italiana di Endoscopia Digestiva, SIED). Seventy-one centers (89%), returned the questionnaire. Screening activity on average represents 14% of the centers' colonoscopy workload. Colonoscopy was considered to be a "very effective" screening test by 96% of physicians, the faecal occult blood test "very effective" by 20%, and flexosigmoidoscopy "very effective" by 11%. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of physicians reported recommending any test for screening: 80% colonoscopy, 61% faecal occult blood test, 14% double contrast barium enema and 11% flexosigmoidoscopy. Despite the fact that almost all physicians reported recommending screening, the centres are only marginally involved in screening practice. Endoscopy centers' physicians tend to have an aggressive strategy for colorectal cancer prevention and exclusive trust in colonoscopy; an attitude more consistent with a clinical-diagnostic approach than with real mass screening of a healthy population.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Risk management in a regional screening program for breast cancer in the region of Lazio, Italy].

In the Lazio Region, it has been put into effect a plan of clinical Risk Management for the Breast Cancer Screening Regional Program (BCSP), involving all of the 12 Local Health Units and the Public Health Agency of Lazio (ASP). Being the BCSP a health care service, it consists of a perfect integration of health care structures, professionals and skills working for the citizens. This program originates from an unexpressed health need and leads to a evidence-based health benefit. The BCSP provides free breast screening for 700,000 women aged between 50 and 69 in the Lazio region; the Public Health Agency carries out the clinical governance of the BCSP The prevention of errors and incidents represents a fundamental basis of governance: it is a contribution to the achievement of efficacy in breast cancer screening. The BCSP deals with screening incidents from a systemic point of view and actively involves several Local Health Units staff going through each step of the whole patient's clinical path, from the identification of the target population, to the oncological treatment of positive cases. The programme is an integration of different tools: literature research, process analysis using the HFMEA methodology and reporting system. The results reached so far are the following: the regional severity rating scale, the regional Master-List of possible adverse events, occurrence and detection rating scale.

Aged↗