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Biomedical subjects

E Ferrer

Publications and source records attributed to E Ferrer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Effects of thermal processing and storage on available lysine and furfural compounds contents of infant formulas.

The Maillard reaction-related effects that thermal treatments during the manufacturing process and storage (at 20 and 37 degrees C) have on powdered adapted and follow-up milk-based infant formulas were estimated by measuring the available lysine and furfural compounds contents of raw cow milk used in manufacturing, intermediate products and formulas. A fluorimetric method was used to measure the available lysine contents, and free and total furfural compounds were determined by HPLC. Statistically significant losses in available lysine (about 20%) in the infant formulas with respect to raw milk were found. The storage period did not affect the available lysine contents of adapted formulas but reduced (16%) the contents of the follow-up ones (from 6.61 to 5.33 g/100 g of protein). No furfural compounds were detected in raw milk, and free and total furyl methyl ketone (FMC) and methylfurfural (MF) were not observed in the analyzed samples. After 6 months of storage, an increase in free hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (from 0.34 to 0.77 mg/100 g of protein) and furfural (F) (from nondetectable to 0.1 mg/100 g of protein) in adapted formulas and free HMF (from 1.84 to 2.62 mg/100 g of protein) in follow-up formulas was observed.

Food Handling↗
PubMed2000

The function of permanent vascular access.

BACKGROUND: Complications arising from vascular access (VA) are major causes of morbidity in patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT). They contribute to frustration of health care providers and to high medical cost. To prevent failures in the future it will be helpful to identify the factors that are related to VA malfunction. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis we analysed the types, duration and primary rate of patency of 1033 permanent vascular accesses in 544 consecutive patients established during a 13-year period in a tertiary care hospital. Patient characteristics, incidence, and risk factors related to VA failure were registered. In addition, VA outcomes in patients who started haemodialysis with a catheter and in whom initial VA failure occurred were analysed separately. RESULTS: Forty-five per cent of patients required a central catheter at the start of HD, but 92% of them were being dialysed with an a-v fistula at the last observation. The total number of complications was 0.24 episodes per patient per year at risk and the rate of thrombosis 0.1. A total of 52% of patients were dialysed throughout the observation period with their initial a-v fistula; 9.3% had more than three episodes of VA failure. The radiocephalic a-v fistula was the VA with the best median duration, exceeding 7 years, but also the type that had the highest initial failure rate, i.e. 25% of patients and 13% of the events. The brachiocephalic a-v fistula was the second most frequent type of VA, with a median duration of function of 3.6 years, in contrast to the humerobasilic a-v fistula, which exceeded 5 years. Average patency of the different types of grafts did not exceed 1 year, with the exception of the autologous saphenous graft with a median duration of function of 1.4 years. Patients with glomerulonephritis had the best function rates for their VA, the median exceeding the duration of the study, whereas in half of the diabetic patients it was less than 1 year. The duration of patency of the VA was twice in patients below age 65 years and in elderly males compared to elderly females. Patients who started HD with a catheter, as well as those with initial VA failure, had a higher rate of VA failure in the subsequent course on RRT. CONCLUSION: The radiocephalic and the humerobasilic a-v fistulae are the two types of VA with the longest duration of function, although a high rate of initial failure is seen with the radiocephalic a-v fistula. Age, female gender, presence of diabetic nephropathy, start of dialysis with a catheter, and failure to wait for initial maturation of the VA are risk factors, and account for the majority of VA failures during RRT.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Anesthetic management of surgical neuroendoscopies: usefulness of monitoring the pressure inside the neuroendoscope.

Neuroendoscopic procedures are increasing in frequency in neurosurgical practice. We describe the anesthetic technique and the perioperative complications found in 100 neuroendoscopic interventions performed at our institution. Cranial tumor biopsy or retrieval (62%) and cisternostomy for hydrocephalus (33%) were the most frequent indications for neuroendoscopy. The mortality rate was low (1%). Intraoperative complications occurred in 36 patients, with arterial hypertension being the most frequent (53%). Postoperative complications occurred in 52 patients; anisocoria (31%) and delayed arousal (29%) were the most frequent. The pressure inside the endoscope was monitored intraoperatively in the last 47 patients. A saline-filled catheter from a pressure transducer connected to the neuroendoscopy system was used for pressure monitoring. We recorded the highest peak of pressure values measured during each procedure. Twenty-three patients (49%) had peak pressure values >30 mm Hg, 12 patients (25%) >50 mm Hg, and 3 patients >100 mm Hg. Only one patient had hemodynamic changes occurring simultaneously with the pressure changes. We found an association between pressure inside the endoscope >30 mm Hg and postoperative (P = .003) but not intraoperative complications. A relationship was found between surgical duration and postoperative complications (P = .002). Neither the pressure inside the endoscope or the intraoperative morbidity were related to surgical duration. We conclude that there may be a high rate of postoperative complications after neuroendoscopies, namely, new neurologic deficits. High pressure levels inside the endoscope during neuroendoscopic procedures can occur without hemodynamic warning signs. Pressure values >30 mm Hg are associated with postoperative morbidity, especially unexpected delayed recovery. Measuring the pressure inside the endoscope is technically easy and might be beneficial if performed in all neuroendoscopic procedures. Reducing the incidence of episodes of high peak pressure values might decrease the rate of postoperative complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Propachlor removal by Pseudomonas strain GCH1 in an immobilized-cell system.

A bacterial strain capable of growing on propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide) was isolated from soil by using enrichment and isolation techniques. The strain isolated, designated GCH1, was classified as a member of the genus Pseudomonas. Washed-cell suspensions of strain GCH1 accumulated N-isopropylacetanilide, acetanilide, acetamide, and catechol. Pseudomonas strain GCH1 grew on propachlor with a generation time of 4.2 h and a rate of substrate utilization of 1.75 +/- 0.15 micromol h(-1). Gene expression did not require induction but was subject to catabolite expression. Acetanilide was a growth substrate with a yield of 0.56 +/- 0.02 mg of protein micromol(-1). GCH1 strain cells were immobilized by adsorption onto a ceramic support and were used as biocatalysts in an immobilized cell system. Propachlor elimination reached 98%, with a retention time of 3 h and an initial organic load of 0.5 mM propachlor. The viability of immobilized cells increased 34-fold after 120 days of bioreactor operation.

Acetamides↗
PubMed2000

Camino intracranial pressure monitor: prospective study of accuracy and complications.

OBJECTIVES: The fibreoptic device is a type of intracranial pressure monitor which seems to offer certain advantages over conventional monitoring systems. This study was undertaken to analyse the accuracy, drift characteristics, and complications of the Camino fibreoptic device. METHODS: One hundred and eight Camino intracranial pressure (ICP) devices, in their three modalities, were implanted during 1997. The most frequent indication for monitoring was severe head injury due to road traffic accidents. RESULTS: Sixty eight probe tips were cultured; 13.2% of the cases had a positive culture without clinical signs of infection, and 2.9% had a positive culture with clinical signs of ventriculitis. The most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus epidermidis. All patients were under cephalosporin prophylaxis during monitoring. Haemorrhage rate in patients without coagulation disorders was 2.1% and 15.3% in patients with coagulation abnormalities. Drift characteristics were studied in 56 cases; there was no drifting from the values expected according to the manufacturer's specifications in 34 probes. There was no relation between direction of the drift and duration of placement, nor between drift and time. CONCLUSIONS: Although the complication and drift rates were similar to those reported elsewhere, there was no correlation between the direction of the drift and long term monitoring despite the fact that some published papers refer to overestimation of values with time with this type of device.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Central serous choroidopathy. Long term study].

PURPOSE: To investigate the demographic characteristics, clinical findings and long-term outcome of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). METHODS: This study examined retrospectively the clinical stories and fluorescein angiographies of 113 patients with CSC and a minimum follow-up of 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients was examined; 90 were men and 23 women. Bilateral involvement was found in 13 cases. In 85.7% of the eyes (Group I) resolution was completed in months and mean final visual acuity (VA) was 79.3/100, while 14.3% of the eyes (Group II) showed a chronic evolution, with diffuse retinal pigment epithelipathy and mean final VA of 47.2/100. The mean age of the patients in Group II was significantly higher; male:female ratio was also higher in this Group. Bilateral involvement occurred in 6% of patients from Group I and in 46.6% in Group II. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic CSC affected less than 15% of the patients. Mean age in this group of patients was higher than in patients with a classic CSC, most of the cases were men, bilateral involvement was present in nearly 50% of the cases and 50% of them suffered a significant visual permanent impairment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Nd-YAG capsulotomy and intravitreal antibiotics as treatment of chronic endophthalmitis].

PURPOSE: To study the effectiveness of Yag capsulotomy, therapeutic vitreal aspiration and intravitreal injection of antibiotics combination on the treatment of chronic postoperative endophthalmitis. METHODS: Six patients with symptoms of refractory postoperative endophthalmitis after extracapsular cataract extraction, with an intraocular lens were treated following a protocol that included: YAG capsulotomy, vitreal aspiration and intravitreal injection of antibiotics. RESULTS: In four cases -66%- the micro-organism was isolated -three cases of coagulase- negative staphylococci and one case Corynebacterium spp. In all the cases the inflammatory process decreased, and a noticeable improvement of visual acuity was achieved. No recurrent cases were observed (two patients died before the end of the study). CONCLUSIONS: As way of conclusion we can state that the initial capsulotomy allows the destruction of the infection reservoir in order to eradicate the agent. This endophthalmitis therapeutic alternative is effective, easy and reliable for the ophthalmologist.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Effect of topical pranoprofen on the lipoxygenase metabolism of the arachidonic and in endotoxin-induced uveitis].

PURPOSE: To study the antiinflammatory effect of topical pranoprofen on the lipoxygenase metabolism of the arachidonic acid in albino rabbits. METHODS: Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was produced in albino rabbits by intravitreal injection in the right eye with 10 microg of Salmonella typhymurium lipopolysacharide A in 5 microl saline solution. We have used 5 groups of 12 animals each. Control group (G-I) was injected with 5 microl of saline solution and 5 microl of ET solution were injected in the remaining groups. Groups III, IV and V were treated with topical pranoprofen 2 hours before intravitreal injection, immediately after and every 6, 4 and 2 hours respectively. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the ET administration. Cellular and B4 leukotrien concentration in the aqueous humour was determined. RESULTS: The groups treated with pranoprofen showed a significant decrease in the cellular concentration in relation to the group of endotoxin (G-II). We did not observe any difference in the B4 leukotriene concentration between ET group and topical pranoprofen groups. CONCLUSION: Topical pranoprofen has not increased the lipoxygenase metabolism of the arachidonic acid.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1999

Theoretical calculations, synthesis and base pairing properties of oligonucleotides containing 8-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine.

Theoretical calculations on double and triple helices containing 8-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine were made to analyze the possible differences in base pairing properties between 8-aminoadenine and adenine. These calculations indicate a strong preferential stabilization of the triplex over the duplex when adenine is replaced by 8-aminoadenine. In addition, a protected phosphoramidite derivative of 8-amino-2'-deoxyadenosine was prepared for the introduction of 8-aminoadenine into synthetic oligonucleotides using the phosphite-triester approach. DNA triple helical structures are normally observed at acidic pH. However, when oligonucleotides carrying 8-aminoadenine are used, very stable triple helical structures can be observed even at neutral pH. Biological applications of triple helices could benefit from the use of 8-aminoadenine derivatives.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1999

Whole blood selenium content in pregnant women.

The selenium content in the blood of pregnant women in the Valencian Community, Spain was determined until the end of gestation in order to assess its evolution and detect possible differences in relation to the values corresponding to non-pregnant women of fertile age. A total of 158 blood samples were obtained from 137 pregnant women. Samples were classified as: (a) first; (b) second; and (c) third trimester. Selenium was determined by a flow injection hydride atomic absorption spectrometric method (Seronorm whole blood was used as a quality control check). The selenium values obtained for the three trimesters followed a Gaussian distribution. The intervals for mean found were: (a) 75.7-85.5 micrograms/l; (b) 72.6-81.4 micrograms/l; and (c) 69.9-77.5 micrograms/l. Although a tendency to decrease was observed, no statistical significant differences between the three trimesters of the gestational period were observed. When we compare the values obtained with the blood selenium content of women of fertile age in the Valencian community (87.8-98.8 micrograms/l) by using an ANOVA test, statistically significant differences are found between the selenium values of women of fertile age and those corresponding to pregnant women. The differences, however, are very small and can be partially explained by the level of hemodilution during pregnancy, however, reference values of blood selenium contents in pregnant women should be taken into account.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Estrone in food: a factor influencing the development of obesity?

BACKGROUND: Estrone is a relatively abundant hormone widely distributed in tissues of animal and plant origin. It is a mild estrogen that induces increases in body weight in experimental animals. The relative abundance of estrone esters in animal tissues suggests that it may also be found in foods, from which it may alter the mechanisms of body weight control. AIM OF THE STUDY: To measure the total estrone content in food and to determine whether this may affect body weight. METHODS: In the first part of the study, a method was devised for the measurement of total estrone content in food. This was applied to the analysis of estrone content in a variety of food. Finally, hyperlipidic diets (18.6 MJ/kg) with a total estrone content 0.89 +/- 0.21 mumol/kg (control group) and 1.37 +/- 0.13 mumol/kg (laced with estrone fatty esters) were given to rats during 15 days, in order to determine the influence of dietary estrone on the body mass. Zucker lean (Fa/?) rats weighing initially 200-215 g were used. The total estrone (essentially as fatty esters) content of food was investigated by combining a dried methanol extraction with saponification and measurement of the free estrone evolved through radioimmunoassay. RESULT: The content of estrone was zero in some vegetables, but significant in fruits, meats, and especially fats, both of plant and animal origin. The application of these analyses to a standard recommended diet for humans may result in intakes of more than 1 mumol of estrone per day, a figure comparable to the estrogen production by women. When rats were exposed to a raised estrone content in a fat-rich diet, they significantly increased their body weights, doubling their rate of growth (1.99 g/day) compared with controls (0.81 g/day), but maintaining their plasma composition and the proportions of lipid, water, and protein in their carcasses. CONCLUSION: The widely distributed estrone esters in food and their relatively high concentrations may result in high free hormone intakes in humans. The continued and massive intake of estrone may enhance tissue deposition and lead to obesity.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Contribution of neurophysiological guidance to stereotactic posteroventral pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease.

The usefulness of microrecording guidance to adequately place pallidotomy lesions is not thoroughly accepted. We have analysed in 23 consecutive Parkinsonian patients the deviation of the first recording track (FRT), which was directed to the theoretical stereotactic target, from the sensorimotor area of the internal pallidum, the internal capsule and the center of the lesion. Standard stereotactic co-ordinates were calculated applying a digitized brain atlas adapted to neuro-imaging techniques. The first recording track (FRT) was located out of the sensorimotor area of the pallidum in 13 cases and out of the internal pallidum in 11 cases. In four of these cases the FRT was within the fibers of the internal capsule. The FRT was displaced posteriorly in 9 patients, anteriorly in 11, medially in 9 and laterally in 9. The mean deviation was 1.8 mm (+/- 1.5) in the medial-lateral axis, and 2.5 mm (+/- 1.9) in the antero-posterior plane. In none of the patients the center of the lesion was co-incident with the theoretical anatomical target. The center of the lesion presented a mean deviation from the theoretical anatomical target of 1,4 mm (+/- 1,1) in the medial-lateral, plane, and 2.5 mm (+/- 1.3) in the antero-posterior plane. In addition, 8 patients presented a deviation from the theoretical anatomical target of more than 3 mm in the antero-posterior plane (mean 4.2+/-0.7 mm) and 4 patients presented deviation in the medial-lateral plane of more than 3 mm (mean 3,4+/-0,2 mm). Lesion location was checked by magnetic resonance imaging. All patients improved to a similar extent to that previously reported by the other groups performing pallidotomy under neurophysiological guidance. At 3 months follow-up, pallidotomy ameliorated contralateral bradykinesia in the off condition by 41%, rigidity by 38%, tremor by 52% and dyskinesias by 92%. No major side effects were noted. We conclude that microrecording guidance is a useful tool for avoiding damage to adjacent structures and to precisely localize the sensorimotor area of the internal pallidum in order to obtain optimal clinical results.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Analysis of the discontinuation of protease inhibitor therapy in routine clinical practice.

We evaluated the frequency of and reasons for discontinuation of protease inhibitor therapy in a cohort of HIV-infected patients in a prospective observational study. We included 230 HIV-infected patients who had started protease inhibitor therapy between November 1996 and July 1997. Mean baseline CD4 count was 138 cells/microl and HIV-RNA 4.5 log10. Forty-five percent of patients had prior AIDS and 77% had been treated with nucleoside analogues. Saquinavir-treated patients were at a less advanced stage of HIV disease. Overall, 41.3% of patients discontinued therapy, and their last HIV-RNA measured higher than that of patients who continued therapy: 4.07 vs. 2.70 log10 (p < 0.0001). Reasons for discontinuation of therapy were poor adherence (including abandonment) (18.6%), drug intolerance (12.1%), virological failure (7%) and physician decision (3.5%). In a multivariate model, factors associated with drug discontinuation were not taking indinavir (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.12-0.59) and being pretreated with nucleoside analogues (OR 3.42, 95% CI 1.58-7.42). We concluded that in routine clinical practice a high proportion of patients discontinued protease inhibitors during the first 6 months of therapy, the main reason being the patient's own decision (abandonment or poor adherence). Psychological support and counselling are warranted in patients when initiating protease inhibitor therapy.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

Comparison of RAMP and SSR markers for the study of wild barley genetic diversity.

Two molecular marker technologies, random amplified microsatellite polymorphism (RAMP) and simple sequence repeats (SSR), were used to determine genetic diversity of 27 accessions of the wild barley Hordeum vulgare ssp. spontaneum. 19 primer combinations were used to generate RAMP fragments and 16 SSR loci were analysed. A high level of polymorphism was found with both kind of markers as revealed by the mean polymorphism information content (PIC) values obtained: 0.838 and 0.855 for RAMP and SSR, respectively. Genetic dissimilarities between genotypes were estimated from RAMP and SSR data. A lack of correlation was found between both sets of data. This was reflected in the two dendrograms obtained which presented accessions clustered differently. The results suggest that both sets of markers reveal genetic variation induced by different mechanisms. The dendrogram produced from the RAMP dissimilarity estimates showed most of the groups related to the geographic origin of the accessions.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Characterization of two novel propachlor degradation pathways in two species of soil bacteria.

Propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide) is an acetamide herbicide used in preemergence. In this study, we isolated and characterized a soil bacterium, Acinetobacter strain BEM2, that was able to utilize this herbicide as the sole and limiting carbon source. Identification of the intermediates of propachlor degradation by this strain and characterization of new metabolites in the degradation of propachlor by a previously reported strain of Pseudomonas (PEM1) support two different propachlor degradation pathways. Washed-cell suspensions of strain PEM1 with propachlor accumulated N-isopropylacetanilide, acetanilide, acetamide, and catechol. Pseudomonas strain PEM1 grew on propachlor with a generation time of 3.4 h and a Ks of 0.17 +/- 0.04 mM. Acinetobacter strain BEM2 grew on propachlor with a generation time of 3.1 h and a Ks of 0.3 +/- 0.07 mM. Incubations with strain BEM2 resulted in accumulation of N-isopropylacetanilide, N-isopropylaniline, isopropylamine, and catechol. Both degradative pathways were inducible, and the principal product of the carbon atoms in the propachlor ring was carbon dioxide. These results and biodegradation experiments with the identified metabolites indicate that metabolism of propachlor by Pseudomonas sp. strain PEM1 proceeds through a different pathway from metabolism by Acinetobacter sp. strain BEM2.

Acetanilides↗
PubMed1998

Discrimination of the closely related A and D genomes of the hexaploid oat Avena sativa L.

A satellite DNA sequence, As120a, specific to the A-genome chromosomes in the hexaploid oat, Avena sativa L., was isolated by subcloning a fragment with internal tandem repeats from a plasmid, pAs120, that had been obtained from an Avena strigosa (As genome) genomic library. Southern and in situ hybridization showed that sequences with homology to sequences within pAs120 were dispersed throughout the genome of diploid (A and C genomes), tetraploid (AC genomes), and hexaploid (ACD genomes) Avena species. In contrast, sequences homologous to As120a were found in two A-genome species (A. strigosa and Avena longiglumis) and in the hexaploid A. sativa whereas this sequence was little amplified in the tetraploid Avena murphyi and was absent in the remaining A- and C-genome diploid species. In situ hybridization of pAs120a to hexaploid oat species revealed the distribution of elements of the As120a repeated family over both arms of 14 of 42 chromosomes of this species. By using double in situ hybridization with pAs120a and a C genome-specific probe, three sets of 14 chromosomes were revealed corresponding to the A, C, and D genomes of the hexaploid species. Simultaneous in situ hybridizations with pAs120a and ribosomal probes were used to assign the SAT chromosomes of hexaploid species to their correct genomes. This work reports a sequence able to distinguish between the closely related A and D genomes of hexaploid oats. This sequence offers new opportunities to analyze the relationships of Avena species and to explore the possible evolution of various polyploid oat species.

Avena↗
PubMed1998

[Outcome of patients who underwent surgical repair of aneurysm after subarachnoid hemorrhage].

BACKGROUND: Follow-up study of patients with surgical repair of aneurysmal subarachnoidal hemorrhage (SAH), looking for clinical outcome predictors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty two patients consecutively admitted to a teaching hospital, from January 1992 to December 1995 were included in the study. We studied preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative features looking for their relationship with the outcome. The ultimate outcome was evaluated by means of Glasgow Outcome Scale on discharge and 6 months later. RESULTS: Smoking (p = 0.0001) and arterial hypertension (AHT) (p = 0.0186) were more frequent in these patients than in general population, but without relationship to the outcome as with the age of the clinical status on admission. The greatest statistical relationship was found between the level of consciousness on postoperative awakening (measured by the Hunt and Hess scale), and the outcome (p = 2.53 x 10(-8). From our results we made an algorithm that correctly assigned 92% of studied patients to their outcome. CONCLUSIONS: All patients admitted on with aneurysm SAH deserve intensive care treatment besides their clinical grade. The level of consciousness on postoperative awakening was a good outcome predictor.

Adult↗