cobalt (redirected from cobalts)

cobalt /co·balt/ (Co) (ko´bawlt) a chemical element, at. no. 27. Inhalation of the dust can cause pneumoconiosis and exposure to the powder can cause dermatitis.

---

cobalt 60  a radioisotope of cobalt used in radiation therapy.

---

co·balt (kbôlt)

n. Symbol Co

A metallic element, used chiefly for magnetic and high-temperature alloys and in the form of its salts for blue glass and ceramic pigments. Atomic number 27.

---

cobalt (Co)

[kō′bôlt]

Etymology: Ger, kobold, mine goblin

a metallic element that occurs in the minerals cobaltite, smaltite, and linnaeite. Its atomic number is 27. Its atomic mass is 58.93. Extensive deposits of cobalt minerals are found in Ontario, Canada. Pure cobalt is obtained by reducing the oxide with aluminum or carbon. It is used in special alloys, such as Alnico. Cobalt is a component of vitamin B₁₂, is found in most common foods, and is readily absorbed by the GI tract. This element is common in the human diet, but the precise daily intake requirement is not known, and cobalt deficiency in humans has not been seen. Cobaltous chloride has been given to some patients with certain types of anemia because of cobalt's capacity to produce polycythemia. Accidental intoxication by cobaltous chloride, especially by children, may produce cyanosis, coma, and death. Some amounts of cobalt stimulate the production of erythropoietin, by a process not yet understood, but large doses depress erythrocyte production. The only disease for which the use of cobalt is still advocated is normochromic, normocytic anemia associated with renal failure. The radioisotope ⁶⁰Co or cobalt-60 emits gamma rays and is often used as an encapsulated radiation source in the treatment of cancer.

---

cobalt

a chemical element, atomic number 27, atomic weight 58.933, symbol Co. A component of vitamin B₁₂. See Table 6.

---

cobalt-57

a radioisotope of cobalt having a half-life of 270 days; used as a label for cyanocobalamin. Symbol ⁵⁷Co.

cobalt-60

a radioisotope of cobalt having a half-life of 5.27 years and a principal gamma ray energy of 1.33 MeV; used as a radiation therapy source. Symbol ⁶⁰Co.

cobalt nutritional deficiency

causes anorexia and poor weight gain. Identification of the disease is based on chemical analysis of pasture and soil and biochemical analysis of animal tissues and fluids. Called also enzootic marasmus, Grand Traverse disease and other regional names.

cobalt poisoning

accidental overdosing with cobalt causes listlessness, weight loss and incoordination.

---

COBALT

Cardiology A clinical study–Continuous Infusion vs Double-Bolus Administration of Alteplase—designed to compare the effect on M&M of Pts undergoing AMI of accelerated–which has now become the standard administration of alteplase–over 90 mins, with 2 bolus doses of alteplase given 30 mins apart. See Alteplase. Cf GUSTO.