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Biomedical subjects

C Bergamini

Publications and source records attributed to C Bergamini.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Development and use of quality control program in magnetic resonance].

In 1992, two identical 0.5 Magnetic Resonance units were installed in Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi in Bologna. A Quality Assurance (QA) protocol was designed by the Medical Physics Department to monitor both systems as of Acceptance Test. Our main goals in drawing up the QA protocol were: 1) Completeness--to check all the most significant physical parameters; 2) Efficiency--to reduce examination time of the QC Protocol; 3) Reliability--to achieve good repeatability of results. The QA protocol consists of two QC programs: 1) Daily check of Variable Echo image SNR of a homogeneous phantom, Eddy Current compensation, laser printer test; 2) Monthly check of SNR of Spin Echo and Fast Scan images, integral uniformity, B0 uniformity, B1 uniformity, T2 stability, ghosts, slice thickness, slice profile, geometrical distortion, resolution power. SNR dependence on FOV, NEX, matrix and slice thickness, and resolution dependence on slice thickness and position were tested as Acceptance test. The daily checks provide continual monitoring of the performance of both systems and laser printer and have shown: 1) strong fluctuations in image reproduction probably due to film emulsion instability; 2) a "warning" of imminent malfunction. The monthly checks were in line with acceptance test data and have shown: 1) different behavior of the two systems that should perform analogously; 2) greater result stability in one system with better results also in terms of diagnostic images. The main aim of our QA protocol is to optimize diagnostic accuracy by checking several physical parameters that act as good "indicators" for possible malfunctioning. We believe this can be done with simple but useful daily QC supporting a routine more complex QC program and can be achieved through continual application of both protocols.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging↗
PubMed1994

[Applications of the quality control program in diagnostic radiology. Confirmation of results, clinical and managerial benefits].

The Health Physics Department developed and implemented a QA program to test the X-ray equipment in Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy. The program was aimed at achieving "total quality" in diagnostic radiology. To this purpose, suggestions were taken from: the code of practice of the leading international committees; our personal experience over several years in measuring and evaluating radiologic equipment and finally data relative to the maintenance procedures for radiologic equipment. The Integrated Quality Assurance Program (IQAP) manages two different quality control sub-procedures: the first one (QF) monitors equipment performance with a view to providing more pieces of diagnostic information and to reducing both patient and staff dose; the other one (QG) plans maintenance service to reduce running costs. QF included: i) practical tests for X-ray equipment; ii) analysis, interpretation and comparison of results; iii) tolerance limits. QG provided information on: i) inventory; ii) user-service relationship; iii) suitability of any corrective actions. The data relative to the last four years are reported in the text. The regular and correct use of this integrated protocol is very useful to monitor the factors affecting image quality and to improve diagnostic radiology. Finally, the protocol allowed us to plan our "yearly maintenance contracts" better and to save money on running costs.

Program Evaluation↗
PubMed1992

[Solitary perforated diverticulum of the right colon. Five cases].

Solitary perforated diverticulum of the right colon is a very uncommon acute disease in emergency surgery, and usually a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis is performed. Five cases of solitary perforated diverticulum of the right colon are presented. Preoperative diagnostic difficulties as well as surgical procedures are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Basal and forskolin-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate in intact human platelets during the menstrual cycle.

In previous studies we observed modifications of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and adenylate cyclase activity in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. In the present study our intension was to verify whether these modifications occur in isolated intact platelets. The results demonstrate that in nine normal women platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate content varies during the menstrual cycle both in basal and in stimulated conditions (in vitro addition of forskolin). In fact, significantly higher levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate were consistently observed during the proliferative phase. These findings provide evidence that platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate metabolism normally varies during the menstrual cycle, which suggests a possible involvement of this system in some important clinical events.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

[Estimation of radiation dose produced by impurities in nuclear medicine studies using Tl-201 chloride].

Radionuclide impurities can significantly increase the absorbed dose in Nuclear Medicine examinations. The aim of this study is to evaluate the dose of Tl-200 and Tl-202 in patients injected with Tl-201 for myocardial scintigraphy. All relevant nuclear and biological data are reported; Thallium distribution in the body is then discussed with particular regard to the gastro-intestinal tract. Since MIRD Committee has not published "S" values for Tl-200 and Tl-202, these have been calculated by a computer code and are reported. The absorbed dose for these Thallium isotopes is presented. For example, kidney doses in Gy/GBq are 0.29 (Tl-200), 0.27 (Tl-201) and 0.97 (Tl-202). The total dose increase for a 2% presence of Tl-202 is about 11%.

Digestive System↗
PubMed1985

[201-thallium chloride for myocardial scintigraphy: control of radionuclide purity].

A gamma-ray spectrometry system suitable to detect impurities and the computer routines for automatic quantification of these impurities will be briefly described. We measured certain 201Tl samples provided by the more important italian suppliers and will present the final results. Our study confirms that the impurity levels certified by suppliers as the norm are respected. In addition, it is possible to estimate the period in which a radiopharmaceutical has an impurity level that permits its use.

Half-Life↗
PubMed1984

Purification of muscle uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase by hydrophobic chromatography.

Uridine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase was purified 2500-fold from rabbit skeletal muscle with a total recovery of 35% of the initial activity. The present procedure was made possible by an extensive use of hydrophobic chromatography. Purified pyrophosphorylase had a specific activity of 500 mumol/min/mg of protein and was homogeneous by chromatographic and electrophoretic criteria. The enzyme appears to be composed of eight subunits of 53,000 molecular weight each.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1984

[Diagnosis and therapy of acute pancreatitis].

A retrospective analysis of 83 cases of acute pancreatitis treated in the General Surgery Division of the G. Fornaroli Hospital in Magenta (Milan) is presented. It is emphasised that acute pancreatitis should be suspected in all hospitalised acute abdominal cases and the need for prompt medical and surgical treatment is also underlined, during acute pancreatitis are analysed and discussed with a review of the most appropriate therapeutic measures.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1984

Influence of acute estrogenic withdrawal on blood calcitonin.

As a model to investigate the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the involvement of calcitonin in the bone alterations, we chose surgical menopause, studying the influence of castration on blood calcitonin. After surgery, the hormone and calcemia were raised significantly over preoperative values in castrated women, but not so in a control group of patients undergoing hysterectomy without oophorectomy. The elevated concentration of calcitonin was maintained during at least 4 months. It is speculated that this mechanism of control of calcitonin secretion by gonadal hormones might be activated in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Short-term effect of oophorectomy on lipoprotein metabolism.

The influence of steroid hormones on lipoprotein metabolism has been investigated in menstruating women undergoing oophorectomy; indeed, by this procedure, it is possible to alter selectively the secretion of the hormones and thus to determine the influence of their withdrawal on blood lipids. Within 3 months of surgery we observed significant rapid changes in cholesterol levels of total and HDL-bound components (early decrease and subsequent increase) without alteration of the triglyceride component of the lipoproteins. Similar biphasic changes were observed for the apolipoproteins A and B, determined by immunological methods. These results are suggestive of an action of sex hormones on the lipoprotein metabolism, both on the lipid and the protein moieties. They can be explained by a primary action of the hormones on the apolipoprotein metabolism and a secondary apoprotein-mediated effect on the lipid component of the lipoproteins.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Transmural gradient of glycogen metabolism in the normal rat left ventricle.

The changes of glycogen metabolism with the location of tissue within the ventricle wall have been explored in the rat myocardium. The hearts were cut in 100 microns thick serial sections and all sections were analyzed for their content in glycogen, glucose-6-phosphate, UDPG and glycogen enzymes and for glucose incorporation into glycogen and for the 2-deoxyglucose uptake after the intravenous injection of the 14C-labelled sugars. The rate of glycogen turnover was significantly higher in the subendocardial myocardium (P less than 0.01) and the levels of glucose-6-phosphate and the total (i.e. a + b) activity of glycogen phosphorylase were significantly higher in the subepicardial tissue (P less than 0.01 in both instances). No significant transmural gradient of UDPG was found and transmural changes of total (i.e. I + D) synthase activity were barely significant. These changes in glycogen metabolism may be related to regional differences in the cardiac work load and to a differentiation of the subendocardial and subepicardial heart fibers.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Blood prolactin levels: influence of age, menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives.

The relationships between the serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and prolactin have been analysed in normal women in relation to age, to menstrual cycle, and in oral contraceptives users. We have been able to detect significant differences between the prolactinemia values during the cycle in different age groups as well as following oral contraceptives. A word of caution is presented for the evaluation of the prolactin blood level which should always be related to the physiological phase of the cycle and to the age of the subjects.

Adolescent↗