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Biomedical subjects

E Serrano

Publications and source records attributed to E Serrano.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Plasma redox status relates to severity in critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between plasma redox status and severity of illness for patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: A mixed medical and surgical adult ICU with 12 beds. PATIENTS: A total of 73 consecutive patients admitted to the ICU. INTERVENTIONS: Venous blood samples were routinely obtained within 24 hrs of admission. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma total antioxidant capacity and lipoperoxides were measured by spectrophotometric technique at admission to the ICU. The plasma ratio total antioxidant capacity (mM)/lipoperoxides (microM) was used as an index of plasma redox status. Plasma concentration of the markers of leukocyte activation myeloperoxidase (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and polymorphonuclear-elastase (immunoactivation assay) were also measured at admission to the ICU. Analysis of correlation between plasma ratio total antioxidant capacity/lipoperoxides and APACHE III score showed a negative association (p < .001, Spearman correlation test). Myeloperoxidase and polymorphonuclear-elastase correlated positively with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III scores (r2 = 0.58; p < .001; and r2 = 0.05; p = .035; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma redox status relates to severity in critically ill patients. We propose that it would be reasonable to provide antioxidant therapy as part of routine management of patients admitted to a mixed ICU, regardless of the specific reason for ICU admission. Plasma redox status might become useful to evaluate the risk in critically ill patients.

APACHE↗
PubMed1999

Vaccination against ticks (Boophilus spp.): the experience with the Bm86-based vaccine Gavac.

The control of tick infestations and the transmission of tick-borne diseases remain a challenge for the cattle industry in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Traditional control methods have been only partially successful and the parasites continue to result in significant losses for the cattle industry. Recently, vaccines containing the recombinant B. microplus gut antigen Bm86 have been developed. Our vaccine formulation (Gavac, Heber Biotec S.A., Havana, Cuba) has been registered and is commercially available in Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Mexico. In controlled pen trials, Gavac has been effective for the control of artificial infestations of B. annulatus, B. decoloratus and chemical-sensitive and resistant B. microplus strains from Australia, Africa, America and Iran. In controlled field trials in Cuba, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, Gavac has shown a 55-100% efficacy in the control of B. microplus infestations in grazing cattle 12-36 weeks after the first vaccination. Field trials under production conditions have been conducted in Cuba, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico in pure and cross-bred cattle herds. The application of Gavac has increased the time between acaricide treatments by an average of 32 /-21 days (P = 0.0005) resulting in important savings for the cattle industry. In Cuba, a cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted in more than 260000 animals. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed a 60% reduction in the number of acaricide treatments, together with the control of tick infestations and transmission of babesiosis, which resulted in savings of 23.4 dollars animal(-1) year (-1). These results clearly demonstrate the advantage of vaccination and support the application of Gavac for the control of Boophilus spp. infestations.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Nasopharyngeal tuberculosis.

Rhinopharyngeal tuberculosis is a rare pathological condition. It is most often associated with lymph node and pulmonary lesions, but it may be an isolated finding. The authors report a recent case of an isolated rhinopharyngeal tuberculosis in a 64-year-old female. A review of the literature is presented. They emphasize the clinical presentation, that, in all aspects, may resemble a malignant tumour of the nasopharynx, as well as the difficulty of obtaining a pathological and bacteriological diagnosis.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1999

Nasal nitric oxide concentration in paranasal sinus inflammatory diseases.

In normal upper airways, nitric oxide is generated by the paranasal sinus epithelium and then diffuses into the nasal cavities. This study examined whether or not nasal NO concentration is affected by paranasal sinus inflammatory diseases. The influence of obstruction (nasal polyposis) and/or inflammation (allergy or chronic sinusitis) of the paranasal sinuses on nasal NO concentration was evaluated in nasal allergic (n=7 patients) or nonallergic (n=20) polyposis, nonallergic chronic sinusitis (n=10) and Kartagener's syndrome (n=6) and compared with control subjects (n=42). A score of alteration of the paranasal sinus (number of altered and occluded sinuses) was determined by a computed tomography scan. The nasal NO concentration in nasal nonallergic polyposis (150+/-20 parts per billion (ppb)) was significantly decreased compared with both controls (223+/-6 ppb, p=0.01) and polyposis with allergy (272+/-28 ppb, p<0.0001). In each group, the nasal NO concentration was inversely correlated with the extent of tomodensitometric alteration of the paranasal sinuses. In Kartagener's syndrome, the nasal NO concentration (14+/-2 ppb) was drastically decreased compared with all other groups, despite the presence of open paranasal sinuses. Thus, the nasal NO concentration in patients with nasal polyposis appeared to be dependent on both the allergic status and the degree of obstruction of the paranasal sinuses.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Does allergic fungal sinusitis exist? Preliminary results of a prospective study].

Allergic aspergillar sinusitis is a very controversial clinical feature. We present results of a prospective study aimed at evaluating the reality of allergic aspergillar sinusitis in a nosologic and clinical point of vue. During a 5 months period, 31 patients underwent surgery: 21 sino-nasal polyposis, 5 chronic sinusitis without polyposis, 5 chronic sinusitis with radiologic images evocative of mycosis. The study was carried out using clinical criteria (per-operative discovery of glue-like, thickened and viscous aspect of the secretions), pathologic criteria (the presence of elements consitutive of allergic mucin), mycological criteria (direct examination and culture), and immunoallergic criteria (specific IgE for Aspergillus fumigatus, serology for Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus (IgM, IgG), skin tests for Aspergillus fumigatus). In three cases we suspect an allergic aspergillar sinusitis (one patient presenting a bilateral chronic sinusitis and two patients presenting a sinonasal polyposis). In two patients presenting a sinonasal polyposis, a allergic fungal sinusitis was suspected, fungal identification was not possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[The place of imaging in the investigation of the parotid and parapharyngeal space].

What strategy should be adopted and what results should be expected from imaging techniques in the various pathological process affecting the parotid and parapharyngeal space? When the pathological process is associated with morphological changes in the parotid, it is sometimes necessary to have recourse to imaging. MRI is the method of choice. Pathology in the parapharyngeal space (PPS) always requires an MRI and/or CT scan. It is necessary to have a very thorough understanding of the anatomy of the PPS and associated spaces to obtain a precise preoperative assessment and, where possible, an indication of the nature of the lesion.

Cerebral Angiography↗
PubMed1998

Comparative study of transfer factor and acyclovir in the treatment of herpes zoster.

Reactivation of varicella herpes virus (VHV), latent in individuals who have previously suffered varicella, gives rise to herpes zoster and in some cases leads to a sequela of post herpetic neuritis with severe pain which is refractory to analgesics. Many different antiviral agents have been tried without achieving satisfactory results. Of all the antiviral agents employed, acyclovir has been the most successful in reducing post herpetic pain. However acyclovir has not been as reliable as interferon alpha (IFN-alpha). We have previously looked into the use of transfer factor (TF) as a modulator of the immune system, specifically with respect to its effectiveness in the treatment of herpes zoster. In this work findings from a comparative clinical evaluation are presented. A double blind clinical trial of TF vs acyclovir was carried out in which 28 patients, presenting acute stage herpes zoster, were randomly assigned to either treatment group. Treatment was administered for seven days and the patients were subsequently submitted to daily clinical observation for an additional 14 days. An analogue visual scale was implemented in order to record pain and thereby served as the clinical parameter for scoring results. The group treated with TF was found to have a more favorable clinical course, P < or = 0.015. Laboratory tests to assess the immune profile of the patients were performed two days prior and 14 days after initial treatment. The results of these tests showed an increase in IFN-gamma levels, augmentation in the CD4+ cell population but not the percentage of T rosettes in the TF treated group. These parameters were however insignificantly modified in patients receiving acyclovir. Although TF treated patients showed an increase in CD4+ counts these cells remained below the levels for healthy individuals. The fact that IFN-gamma levels as well as the counts for CD4+ cells rose in the TF treated group and not in the acyclovir one is very significant and confirms the immunomodulating properties of TF.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1998

Field studies and cost-effectiveness analysis of vaccination with Gavac against the cattle tick Boophilus microplus.

The control of tick infestations and the transmission of tick-borne diseases remains a challenge for the cattle industry in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Traditional control methods have been only partially successful and the parasites continue to result in significant losses for the cattle industry. Recently, vaccines containing the recombinant Boophilus microplus gut antigen Bm86 have been developed. These vaccines have been shown to control tick infestations in the field. However, extensive field studies investigating the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of vaccination have not been reported and are needed to appraise the effect of this new approach for tick control. Here is reported the results of the application of Gavac in a field trial including more than 260,000 animals in Cuba. In this study the correlation between the antibody response to vaccination and the effect on ticks fertility is determined. Physiological status of the animals was found to affect the primary response to vaccination but not the antibody titers after revaccination. A cost-effectiveness analysis showed a 60% reduction in the number acaricide treatments, together with the control of tick infestations and transmission of babesiosis, which resulted in savings of $23.4 animal-1 year-1. These results clearly demonstrate the advantage of vaccination and support the application of Gavac for tick control.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Mucoceles of the paranasal sinuses: uncommon location.

Mucoceles are the most common lesions causing expansion of the paranasal sinuses. The sinuses most commonly involved are, in decreasing order of frequency, frontal sinus, ethmoid sinuses, maxillary sinus and sphenoid sinus. We reviewed 46 cases of surgically proven mucoceles and the purpose of this study was to report five cases of mucoceles in an uncommon location.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of some velar functions before and after surgical treatment of snoring.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate velar function before and after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for isolated snoring and for sleep apnoea. It is based on the analysis of oral and nasal airflow during phonation by an EVA workstation of 24 patients before and after the surgical intervention. The results show (1) quantitative and qualitative airflow abnormalities before the operation, (2) an increase in the percentage of nasal airflow flow after the operation, and (3) a change in the airflow sequence, which is improved after the surgical procedure. In conclusion, this work confirms a modification of velar function after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty and raises the problem of contra-indications to this intervention.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The holmium:YAG laser for treatment of inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

Chronic hypertrophic rhinitis is sometimes refractory to local, as well as general, medical treatment. Before undertaking surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates, there is indisputably a place for cauterization or laser vaporization of the inferior turbinate mucosa. The authors present a study of 46 patients treated by the holmium:YAG laser for chronic hypertrophic rhinitis. The results after only one laser session are satisfactory in 89.1% at 6 months' follow-up and in 52.2% with mean follow-up of 16.2 months. No major secondary effects were observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Bilateral closure of the nasal cavity. An original surgical technique of treatment of severe recurrent epistaxis in Rendu-Osler disease].

In the Rendu Osler disease, epistaxis are seen in 80 to 90% of patients, and the multiple treatments that have been proposed have each shown their failure to achieve satisfactory results. We propose, in the case of abundant epistaxis, a bilateral closure of the nasal cavity. This technique has been initially described by Young in 1967 in the treatment of chronic atrophic rhinitis. This operation was carried out in two patients who presented with serious daily epistaxis, poorly tolerated, and refractory to several treatments. Neither of these patients has presented a post-operative bleeding episode with a one year and six months follow-up respectively. Anatomically, the results are satisfactory in both patients, with total closure of the nasal cavity. Functionally, both patients are satisfied, with an appreciable improvement in the quality of life despite total nasal obstruction.

Aged↗