Biomedical subjects

S Bellomo

Publications and source records attributed to S Bellomo.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Volcanogenic fluorine in rainwater around active degassing volcanoes: Mt. Etna and Stromboli Island, Italy.

Many studies have assessed the strong influence of volcanic activity on the surrounding environment. This is particularly true for strong gas emitters such as Mt. Etna and Stromboli volcanoes. Among volcanic gases, fluorine compounds are potentially very harmful. Fluorine cycling through rainwater in the above volcanic areas was studied analysing more than 400 monthly bulk samples. Data indicate that only approximately 1% of fluorine emission through the plume is deposited on the two volcanic areas by meteoric precipitations. Although measured bulk rainwater fluorine fluxes are comparable to and sometimes higher than in heavily polluted areas, their influence on the surrounding vegetation is limited. Only annual crops, in fact, show some damage that could be an effect of fluorine deposition, indicating that long-living endemic plant species or varieties have developed some kind of resistance.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed1998

Simulation of a cold-stressed finger including the effects of wind, gloves, and cold-induced vasodilatation.

The thermal response of fingers exposed to cold weather conditions has been simulated. Energy balance equations were formulated, in a former study, for the tissue layers and the arterial, venous, and capillary blood vessels. The equations were solved by a finite difference scheme using the Thomas algorithm and the method of alternating directions. At this stage of development the model does not include any autonomic control functions. Model simulations assumed an electrical heating element to be embedded in the glove layers applied on the finger. A 1.3 W power input was calculated for maintaining finger temperatures at their pre-cold exposure level in a 0 degree C environment. Alternate assumptions of nutritional (low) and basal (high) blood flows in the finger demonstrated the dominance of this factor in maintaining finger temperatures at comfortable levels. Simulated exposures to still and windy air, at 4.17 m/s (15 km/h), indicated the profound chilling effects of wind on fingers in cold environments. Finally, the effects of variable blood flow in the finger, known as "cold-induced vasodilatation," were also investigated. Blood flow variations were assumed to be represented by periodic, symmetric triangular waves allowing for gradual opening-closing cycles of blood supply to the tip of the finger. Results of this part of the simulation were compared with measured records of bare finger temperatures. Good conformity was obtained for a plausible pattern of change in blood flow, which was assumed to be provided in its entirety to the tip of the finger alone.

Algorithms↗

PubMed1993

Immunologic parameters 2 years after high-titer measles immunization in Peruvian children.

Immunization with high-titer measles vaccines has been associated with excess mortality in children 2-4 years after vaccination. In this study, immunologic parameters in 64 Peruvian children who had been immunized an average of 27 months earlier with high-titer vaccines were compared with parameters in 76 recipients of low-titer vaccines. Delayed-type hypersensitivity, lymphocyte phenotype distributions by flow cytometry, and lymphoproliferation after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation were assessed. High-titer recipients had smaller indurations to tetanus, diphtheria, and Proteus (P < .05) antigens, decreased PHA stimulation (P = .04), and a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (P = .04) than low-titer recipients. After adjustment for sex, concurrent illnesses, and other variables in regression analyses, high-titer recipients had a lower percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes (P = .025) and decreased lymphocyte proliferation to PHA (P = .058). These results may provide a clue to the pathogenesis of delayed excess mortality after high-titer measles vaccination in some developing countries.

Cell Division↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hospital Reengineering Project at the "Policlinico A. Gemelli".

The "Policlinico A. Gemelli" in the context of ongoing change in the Italian Health Care Service, has developed a Strategic Plan for 1996-2000. In this context a major role is played by the reengineering project, divided into there sequential phases of implementation. The natural evolution of this project results in a department-oriented organization in order to complete and implement change.

Cost Control↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Phase 2. Testing of solutions.

Phase 2 of reengineering project, the testing of solutions, was based on the definition of a Prototype, and the implementation of the Pilot phase. This gradual process has facilitated the organizational change and laid the foundations of subsequent extension phase. Ongoing initiatives concern the introduction of two new centers (wards and outpatient service) and the reorganization of ward and operating room activities.

Appointments and Schedules↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Planning and scheduling radiologic exams.

Planning and scheduling of radiologic exams represent one of the crucial aspects in the performance of Diagnostic Imaging service, whose optimal management should lead to optimal efficiency and exploitation of technological and professional resources. A Diagnostic Imaging service with agreed and scheduled exams for customers achieves a more adequate, precise planning of the activity with optimum productivity of radiology rooms and anticipated workload assessment.

Appointments and Schedules↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Excellence in diagnostic imaging service management.

The identification of promoting factors of excellence improvement in radiology service management means to clearly assess how the different aspects of the service are managed. The key elements for intervention are sharply differentiated according to the service managerial level. The approach to continuous improvement should be a useful tool of assessment even when all its potentialities have been exhausted and new promoting factors are necessary to move to the subsequent stage.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Radiology room productivity.

Radiology has a significant impact on all health care processes at the "Policlinico A. Gemelli". The performance of Radiology rooms was thus analyzed within the overall performance of health care processes (e.g. medical wards, emergency service, day hospital). In this context, in the assessment phase of the reengineering project the Radiology room productivity has been analyzed. From outcomes of this analysis it appears that there is a high potential for increasing the Radiology room productivity (except for TC and MRI rooms). It has been observed that a better ward/service communication, together with a better use and planning of Radiology rooms and resources would allow a more efficient performance of the service. The reengineering project has led to a reorganization of the communication between Radiology rooms and wards/day hospital, a better inpatient transfer system from wards to Radiology rooms and the planning of the requests for exams. At present, a team is working in order to introduce a medium term budget of exams for all the wards associated to the provision of care for those diseases for which patient admission can be planned based on available Radiology rooms.

Appointments and Schedules↗