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Biomedical subjects

R Serra

Publications and source records attributed to R Serra.

89 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

[Double blind study of the effect of alveolar air distribution influenced by RG 033 in chronic bronchitis].

RG 033 is a compound consisting of betametasone in resinic microcapsules which allow a slow and continuous dialysis of the active drug through the membrane in the digestive tract. The drug was studied with regard to its effects on the distribution of alveolar air and its gastric tolerance. In a preliminary study the drug release from the capsules in the pH-conditions of the digestive tract was studied by means of a physico-chemical model. Two groups of 15 patients with broncho-obstruction reversed by salbutamol, a potent beta 2-sympathomimetic, were included in the trial. One group received 1 mg and the other 2 mg of the drug. An alternate scheme was used for the treatments. The functional methods used to assess the ventilatory results were chosen according to the conclusions of a previous comprehensive study by one of the authors [7] [8]. The ventilatory results of both dosages were quite similar. This observation suggests that a maximum effect on alveolar air distribution was obtained with 1 mg. No unfavourable side-effect on the gastric mucosa was observed.

Betamethasone↗
PubMed1978

Contribution to the standardization of pharmacodynamic tests in lung function.

By bringing the aerosols in a spirometrical bell from which a constant volume aerosol was thereafter inhaled by each subject through a bi-directional valve, we observed more consistent and reproducible ventilatory results than by giving the aerosols by means of a classical device via a face mask. Moreover the results were significantly higher with the first technique; this fact suggests that the quantity of inhaled broncho-active drug with suitable granulometry would have been on the average greater per minute with the first method.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1977

[Indications for and limitations of the exercise tests in respiratory physiopathology].

Following a review of the physiology of the subject, attention is concentrated on the significance of O2 consumption during exercise. The stages through which O2 passes prior to being used by the muscles are discussed, i.e. respiratory, cardiocirculatory, haematic, metabolic-tissue stages. Subsequently, the methods most commonly employed to evaluate the capacity of a patient to withstand an exercise test are illustrated and discussed. The various types of ergometers are covered first, the positive and negative features of each being indicated. The various tests are then described, these being subdivided according to their intensity into maximal and submaximal tests and, according to the load, into tests with constant load, increasing load, continuously growing load and variable load. The salient features of each are listed. The measurements (parameters, units, indices) that may be used and the standards to be observed on the basis of W.H.O. and EEC proposals are considered. After presenting the factors on the basis of which an exercise test may be appraised in relation to its purposes, the criteria for interpreting results in healthy and sick subjects are examined, with particular attention being paid to pneumo-patients and those with heart diseases. Particular stress is laid on the variations in certain basic parameters, such as Maximum withstandable effort, Oxygen debt, Maximum aerobic work, Ventilation break point and the behaviour of Haemogasanalytic, ECG, Cardiac output and Pulmonary artery pressure data in normal and pathological situations.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1977

[Methods for the determination of VA/QC ratio].

Physiological considerations relevant to a general understanding of the question are put forward and the main methods used for determining the ventilation-perufsion ratio are described. Over-all methods offer generic evaluation of a change, particularly the method whereby the alveolus/arterial PO2 gradient is measured on straight lines expressing the different points of gas and blood respiratory exchanges, and that which measures the triple CO2, O2 and N2 alveolus/arterial gradient. Methods employed to evaluate the distribution of ratio changes are also explained: evaluation with CO2 labelled with 15O2, 133Xe, 13N2 and 85Kr, using pairs of scintillators, scanning detectors, gamma camera or special cuvettes, and analysis of respiratory He, Ar, O2, CO2, N2O and CHF2Cl at the mouth and inside the lung, using rapid analysers and single or multiple breath methods, or analysis of gas elimination coefficients. It is felt that measurement of the VA:Qc ratio is now within the capacity of all laboratories, so that qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative assessment can be made not only of the ability to ensure efficient alveolar exchange on the part of ventilation and circumation, but also of the presence of compensated changes, or the simultaneous presence of other alterations of various kinds, which cannot be readily detected by using conventional methods.

Bronchi↗
PubMed1977

[Unequal ventilation: phenomenon of trapped helium].

The results of preliminary research designed to prepare a method for using mouth measurements to identify alveolar air trapping phenomena which cannot be detected by normal techniques are reported. With a present rapid thermoconductivity CO2/He analyser, it was shown that even after the completion of a standard He wash-out process, it is possible to reveal the persistence in the expiratory air of bronchiolostenotic patients of residual traces of inert gases alongside CO2 originating from normally ventilating sectors. The information obtained from the mouths of patients corresponds with the results of measurements taken inside the lung. Finally it is shown that with adequate therapy the trapping phenomenon may be reversed.

Asthma↗
PubMed1977

Psychotropic drugs: influence on respiratory function.

The authors investigated, in 22 normal subjects and 22 bronchopneumopathic patients, the action of two anxiolytic drugs on ventilatory function and on the associated respiratory function. The analyses carried out before drug administration and 1, 2, 6 hours later showed that while a drug did not cause any important variation in the ventilatory parameters and O2 uptake, both in healthy subjects and in patients, the second one clearly reduced the ventilatory efficacy and O2 uptake. This behavior was quite evident 1 and 2 hours after the assumption of the drug while after 6 hours the parameters returned to the initial values. The influence of the circadian rhythm after 6 hours was more evident in both groups after the assumption of the second anxyolitic drug than with the first. Furthermore, evaluation drawn up among the healthy subjects, during simulated driving tests, demonstrated that the second anxyolytic drug provoked a standard depression unevenly distributed like that obtained after the ingestion of a fixed dose of an alcoholic drink.

Bronchopneumonia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparisons of activity measurements with radionuclide calibrators.

The correct administration to a patient of the prescribed activity of a radiopharmaceutical is an important factor to ensure the confidence in the diagnosis or the therapeutic efficiency, while at the same time keeping the unnecessary human exposure as low as possible. Comparisons of activity measurements for 131I, 201Tl and 99mTc with radionuclide calibrators were organized the first time in Cuba during 2002 with the aim of obtaining information about the quality of administration of radiopharmaceuticals. Ten Cuban nuclear medicine departments and the laboratories involved in the production of these kinds of compounds participated in the comparison runs. The results presented in this paper facilitated the identification of several problems and initiated corrective actions. In addition, they indicate the necessity of establishing Quality Systems in nuclear medicine in Cuba.

Calibration↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Improved respiratory CO2-He analysis for peripheral airways impairment detection. Utilization possibilities of a new computerized system in preventive medicine studies.

The authors illustrate the application possibilities in occupational and preventive medicine of a recently computerized system for the evaluation of peripheral ventilatory non-homogeneities with or without alveolar air trapping. The method consists of an improved individual multiple breath by breath test utilizing the analysis of the respiratory gases CO2 and He. It is based on the results of previous experimental measurements performed simultaneously in different pulmonary sectors an depends on the technical possibility of signalizing out-of-phase expired CO2-He mixtures at the end of the inert gas clearance when in subjects with peripheral respiratory disorders the two gases CO2 and He arrive at the mouth at different times, during the same expiration and cause different, opposite signals. The applied physiological reliability of the measurements was experimentally verified, their technical specificity was recently established. The use of a new computerized system allows actually automatic, on-line measurements under the control of the operator, following a standardized method. The resolution power of the signals is very high. The calculation of the results is performed by the software. The system is easy to transport and can be used in the field for screening on large groups of persons in preventive medicine inquiries and during occupational medicine checks. Quite recently it has been usefully employed during an investigation on 200 subjects, occupationally exposed (policemen of the city traffic department of the town of Bologna).

Breath Tests↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Our experience with treatment of varicocele in a day-surgery protocol].

In the last few years the increasing interest for non-invasive operating techniques has allowed to reevaluate the sublinguinal varicocelectomy surgical technique for idiopathic varicocele surgical treatment. During the years 1998-2001, 29 patients have been operated on sub-inguinal varicocelectomy (14 patients were suffering from idiopathic varicocele of third grade, 11 of second grade, 3 of first grade, and 1 subclinical). Out of the 29 patients, only 10 were unable to procreate. All patients were operated under local anesthesia and discharged the same day (day-surgery). Owing to Authors' experience, the sublinguinal varicocelectomy by optical magnifying devices represents the "gold standard" in the idiopathic varicocele treatment because it allows to minimize relapsing rates, to limit post-operation complications, to improve the reproductive faculty of seminal fluid both qualitatively and quantitatively, to cut patient's operating costs significantly, to keep the operation time within acceptable limits, and to be easily learned and carried out.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Corynebacterium G-1 infection: description of a case of endocarditis].

Here we report a case of Corynebacterium G1 group endocarditis following acute bpn in non immunodeficient host. The bacterial strain was isolated from the surgically removed heart valve. To our knowledge this is the first report of such an isolate. Recently recurrent peritonitis in CAPD were also ascribed to the same agent.

Acute Kidney Injury↗