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Biomedical subjects

R Farina

Publications and source records attributed to R Farina.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Medical and related aspects of the Goiânia accident: an overview.

On 13 September 1987, a radiation accident occurred in the city of Goiânia in Central Brazil. Approximately 250 people were exposed to a 137Cs source from an abandoned radiotherapy unit. At least 14 patients showed some degree of bone marrow depression, and eight developed the classical signs and symptoms of acute radiation syndrome (ARS). Twenty-eight people presented local radiation injuries ranging from first to third degree, and 104 individuals showed evidence of internal contamination. This paper describes the circumstances of the event, the first-aid measures taken, the criteria adopted for triage of the exposed population, and the radiation protection procedures used during the clinical management of the irradiated individuals.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

Localized lesions induced by 137Cs during the Goiânia accident.

A description is given of initial symptoms and clinical observations regarding acute localized radiation lesions in 28 persons exposed to 137Cs during the Goiânia radiological accident. Specialized procedures to estimate the extent and gravity of the lesions and establish a therapeutic strategy, as well as to anticipate the prognosis in each case, are briefly discussed. Measures taken for reduction of pain and inflammation are noted, and an explanation is given for difficulties encountered due to adverse working conditions and the serious clinical manifestations presented by various patients concomitantly with their lesions. Also noted is the difficulty in obtaining credible information regarding exposure, such as source-to-object distance, duration of exposure, and source activity, which precluded dosimetry studies in most cases.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

Medical aspects of 137Cs decorporation: the Goiânia radiological accident.

In September 1987, the Goiânia radiological accident involving a source of 137Cs culminated in about 140 victims who presented internal and/or external contamination and/or external exposure to radiation and/or radiation burns. Internal contamination was verified through analysis of urine and fecal samples. Internal contamination was also evaluated by measurements performed at the whole-body counter installed in Goiânia in November 1987. To enhance the decorporation of 137Cs, patients were treated with the following: 1) Prussian Blue, oral administration, in 46 patients; 2) diuretics, oral administration, in 17 patients; 3) induced perspiration, increasing 137Cs elimination. These procedures were done under rigorous clinical evaluation and considering the data from assay of excreta and data obtained from the whole-body counter. The doses of Prussian Blue exceeded about 6.5 times the dose previously indicated in the literature. It was the first time diuretics were used in humans to treat 137Cs internal contamination. The results of these procedures are discussed.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

Clinical and hematological aspects of 137Cs: the Goiânia radiation accident.

Fifty persons involved in the 137Cs accident in Goiânia showed symptoms of whole-body and local acute irradiation and also external or internal contamination mainly due to ingestion or absorption of 137Cs. Fourteen of the 50 developed severe bone marrow depression characterized by neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Eight of these 14 received GM-CSF intravenously. None were submitted to bone marrow transplantation. Four of the 14 died due to hemorrhage and infection. For those with significant internal contamination evaluated by in-vitro and in-vivo assays, Prussian Blue was administered with doses ranging from 1.5 to 10 g d-1. Besides Prussian Blue, other measures were taken to increase decorporation of 137Cs, including administration of diuretics, water overload, and ergometric exercises. From 50 to 100 persons are being followed in a medical protocol.

Accidents↗
PubMed1985

A possible explanation of the effects of dietary lactose concentration during recovery of protein depletion in growing rats.

It is generally accepted that lactose intolerance is a cause of delayed recovery from malnutrition. To discriminate the true importance of this factor, the effect of dietary lactose concentration on "catch up" growth was studied on rats fed a protein free diet from weaning to 34 days of age and then refed "ad libitum" with diets providing different levels of Protein Calories (P%: 5, 11, 17 and 25%) and Lactose (L%: 0, 1, 15, 27 and 37%) for 4 days. Weight changes, daily dietary intakes and gastrointestinal disorders (GID) were recorded. The growth rate (GR) -g/100g rat/day- showed a direct correlation with P% whereas a decrease in (GR) as well as in Protein Utilization (PU) was associated with increasing L%, the higher the P%, the greater the effect of L%. The observed effect of lactose on (PU) does not correlate with (GID). Analysis of intake data -expressed as calories/day/W0.73- showed that animals ate less diet when lactose was present resulting in energy restriction (ER) from 12 to 62%. A primary effect of food intake might be proposed as a limiting factor for (GR) and (PU) in rats recovering from depletion. The influence of P% on improved lactose tolerance must also be stressed.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

[Control and eradication of ovine and caprine brucellosis in Italy].

The prevention of ovine and caprine brucellosis in Italy is carried out in accordance with Regulation No 33 of 23 January 1968 and with Government Decree of 4 June 1968. The Regulation also provides in addition to sanitary measures, the vaccination of all livestock aged from 3 to 7 months with strain Rev. 1 of Br. melitensis. From the last trimester of 1968 until the end of 1974 3489514 young animals were vaccinated, which corresponds approximately to 50% of the animals today in the zones where the "revisation" was undertaken. An important decrease in the number of abortions was observed, with many epizootical advantages. During the same period a considerable decrease in human cases of brucellosis was observed; from the 19300 cases announced from 1965 to 1968 (yearly average: 4825) the figure fell to 18988 cases for the period 1969-1974 (yearly average: 3164).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ineffectiveness of ceruletide to reduce food intake and body weight in obese women hospitalized for weight reduction and treated with a restricted diet. A double-blind study.

Ceruletide is a synthetic decapeptide closely resembling the 8-carboxy-terminal peptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) with which it shares several biological properties. In a double-blind study versus placebo, we evaluated the effects of ceruletide on self-rated hunger and food intake at lunch time, as well as on body weight in 14 obese women hospitalized for weight reduction and on a restricted diet. During two 6-day courses of treatment with ceruletide or placebo, ceruletide 0.3 microgram/kg b.wt. or an equivalent volume of its diluent were injected IM at 11.30 a.m., i.e., 30 min before lunch. Feelings of hunger were quantitated, using a visual analogue self-rating scale, prior to the injection of ceruletide or placebo and 30 min thereafter, i.e., just prior to the start of meal ingestion, as well as 2 hr after the start of the meal. Duration and caloric content of food ingested at lunch, as well as morning body weight, were recorded daily. Ceruletide, compared to placebo, did not significantly influence any of the above variables. However, in the first three experimental days, the increase in self-rated hunger from values before the injection to 30 min thereafter was less marked, though not significantly so (0.05 less than p less than 0.1), with ceruletide than with placebo. Thus, it appears that ceruletide, under the experimental conditions of the present study, was not effective in enhancing the patients' motivation to lose weight and to further restrict their food intake at lunch time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗