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F Ruiz

Publications and source records attributed to F Ruiz.

143 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Oral drugs that should not be crushed].

In patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) nasogastric tubes are used for enteral feeding and solid pharmaceutical preparations are commonly administered. These drugs must be crushed before administration, which may alter their pharmacokinetic properties and consequently their therapeutic effects and adverse reactions, etc. The aim of this study was to review the orally-administered drugs used in our unit that should not be crushed, to propose alternative measures and to make recommendations for their correct administration. Their descriptive study was performed in the ICU of a University Hospital with 12 general-purpose beds. We reviewed all the oral medication currently administered in our unit and its form of administration through the nasogastric tube. Oral pharmaceutical preparations that should not be crushed were identified through a review of articles in MEDLINE published between 1991 and 2000 and through consultations with various pharmacy departments. Alternatives to these drugs were sought. Of the 115 drugs used in our unit, 50 could not be crushed. The pharmaceutical preparation of this group of drugs should not be modified because crushing would alter their characteristics, pharmacokinetic properties, etc. We present alternatives and make recommendations for their correct administration. In conclusion, a practical guide for the administration of drugs through nasogastric tubes is required. In our unit, such a guide would increase the efficacy and safety of the pharmacological treatment administered in this way. Collaboration with the pharmacy department is also advisable.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Air pollution impact on phagocytic capacity of peripheral blood macrophages and antioxidant activity of plasma among school children.

Peripheral blood macrophages of school children from downtown Santiago, Chile--a highly polluted city--exhibited a lower phagocytic index with higher percentage of killing than those of the rural village of María Pinto. These findings were observed concomitantly with a lower antioxidant activity of plasma in Santiago students. No differences were observed in serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM), secretory IgA in saliva, and complement component C3. White blood cell count was higher in María Pinto residents than in Santiago students, including those cells with phagocytic capacity. It is suggested that particulate air pollution may enhance macrophage activity with impairment of the antioxidant capacity of plasma.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A method for the amplification of Paramecium micronuclear DNA by polymerase chain reaction and its application to the central repeats of Paramecium primaurelia G surface antigen genes.

This paper describes a method which allows the amplification of Paramecium micronuclear DNA. Amacronucleate cells are first obtained by an appropriate treatment with nocodazole, a microtubule depolymerizing agent which blocks the elongation of the macronucleus and the distribution of the micronuclei at cell division between the two daughter cells; then, DNA from such cells is amplified by the polymerase chain reaction technique. We have applied this method to the problem of the central repeats of the G surface antigen of P. primaurelia (strain 156). The central repeats consist of a 74 amino acid sequence repeated in tandem. The sequence identity of these repeats is also found in the nucleotide sequence even at silent codon positions, suggesting the existence of a mechanism of identity maintenance acting at the nucleotide level. Mechanisms based on RNA secondary structure which are frequently proposed as an explanation of this phenomenon are unlikely to be valid in this case. One can, therefore, imagine that these repeats might originate from one micronuclear sequence through duplicative processes which could occur during the formation of the macronucleus. We have used the described technique to amplify the micronuclear version of the central repeats and showed that it is identical to the macronuclear version, thus ruling out the above hypothesis. Therefore, intragenic recombination appears to be the most likely explanation of the sequence identity of these central repeats.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Zellweger syndrome. Reports on two new cases].

INTRODUCTION: Zellweger syndrome, or cerebrohepatorenal syndrome, is the most serious form of the peroxisomal diseases. Clinically, it is characterised by the association between craniofacial dysmorphia and neurological disorders, together with the involvement of other organs. To perform a diagnosis it is advisable to follow a procedural protocol that begins with the quantification of very long chain fatty acids in an assortment of samples (serum, fibroblasts and mononucleate cells), plasmalogens, branched chain fatty acids in serum (phytanic and pristanic acids), polyunsaturated acids and bile salts. Studies conducted with neuroimaging, renal echography, skeletal X rays and biopsy samples of different tissues will provide us with information about the involvement of different organs. CASE REPORTS: The first case we report is that of a male who, from birth, presented a distinctive phenotype with very large fontanelles, important hypotonia, epileptic seizures and acute organic disorders that led to death at the age of seven weeks. The second case involved a new born male suffering from prenatally diagnosed heart disease and craniofacial dysmorphia with hypotonia. CONCLUSIONS: Given the scarce survival rate of patients, early diagnosis of this type of disease is crucial and, although complex, a study must be conducted so as to be able to provide genetic counselling.

Cerebral Cortex↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ascaris hepatic abscess].

An 18 months old infant with hepatic abscesses was studied. Ultrasonographic examination of the liver revealed 2 abscesses in the right lobe of the liver containing elongated hyperecogenic structures compatible with ascaris lumbricoides. Antibiotic and antihelmintic treatment was followed by complete clinical recovery.

Ascaridiasis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Importance and characteristics of burns in a pediatric emergency service].

The purpose of this study was to describe the magnitude and some relevant aspects of children with burn injuries as seen at the emergency room of a metropolitan hospital at Santiago, Chile, from a random sample of 22,430 consultations from a total of 137,220. Two hundred and thirty seven burn injuries were detected corresponding to 5.2% of all surgical consultations and 1.1% from the whole sample, 56.5% occurring in males, 73.4% of the affected patients were under 5 years of age, 72% of lesions were caused by hot liquids, 51.6% affected the upper limbs and 4.5% were considered to require admission to hospital wards. Consultations most frequent in july (winter) the lesser incidence occurring in february (summer). Preventive programs addressed to burn injuries should cover children under 5 years of age and should be specially focussed on winter and safe handling of hot liquids.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of adenosine and its analogues on ventricular automaticity induced by a local injury: role of catecholamines and of cyclic AMP.

The effect of adenosine and its analogues, 5'-N-ethyl-carboxamide adenosine (NECA), L-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (L-PIA) and 2-chloroadenosine (CADO) on ventricular automaticity induced by a local injury, has been studied in the isolated right ventricle of the rat. Adenosine had both excitatory and inhibitory actions on ventricular automaticity, the excitatory action being observed with lower concentrations of adenosine. The adenosine analogues NECA and CADO, mimicked the excitatory action of adenosine on ventricular automaticity, with NECA being much more potent than CADO. NECA and CADO also had inhibitory effects on ventricular automaticity, with CADO being more potent than NECA. L-PIA only caused inhibitory effects on ventricular automaticity. In reserpinized animals, adenosine did not cause any excitatory effect on ventricular automaticity, and the inhibitory action of adenosine was potentiated. In the presence of propranolol, adenosine also did not exhibit its excitatory effect on ventricular automaticity. In reserpinized rats, noradrenaline restored the excitatory action of adenosine on ventricular automaticity. In the presence of dibutyryl cyclic AMP, adenosine only caused excitatory effects on ventricular automaticity in reserpinized rats. The results suggest the involvement of catecholamines in the excitatory action of adenosine on ventricular automaticity, an effect probably linked to accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP.

Adenosine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of diazepam on atrial automaticity is not mediated by benzodiazepine receptors.

The effect of diazepam on nomotopic cardiac automaticity was examined in the spontaneously beating isolated right atria of the rat. We also investigated whether "central"- or "peripheral"-type benzodiazepine receptors are involved and studied the role of calcium and adenosine in the possible effect of diazepam by the interaction of this drug with either GABA, picrotoxin, RO 15-1788, PK 11195, diltiazem or theophylline. Diazepam (400-500 microM) completely abolished atrial automaticity. This effect was not modified by the presence of either RO 15-1788 (30 microM), PK 11195 (0.1 microM), GABA (100 microM), picrotoxin (7 microM), theophylline (5 microM), diltiazem (0.6 microM) or hypercalcic media (3.6 mM). It is concluded that the diazepam-induced reduction of atrial frequency is mediated neither by "central"- nor "peripheral"- type benzodiazepine receptors, adenosine or calcium and could be due to a nonspecific interaction with the cell membrane.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, multiorgan failure and peripheral polyneuropathy].

The Malignant Neuroleptic Syndrome (MNS) is characterised by the acute appearance of hyperthermia, muscular rigidity, loss of motor control, and alterations in the level of consciousness, which could prove fatal if not rapidly diagnosed and treated. It is held to be a serious idiosyncratic reaction which appears in patients being treated with neuroleptics, independently of the dosage and the length of time the drug has been prescribed. Relapses do not usually occur when the drug is re-prescribed, once the acute phase has been passed, which suggests the existence of predisposing factors. There are frequent complications (acute respiration difficulties, acute kidney failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiorganic failure) which condition the prognosis. The treatment consists of the suppression of the neuroleptic, rehydration, and specific drugs (bromocryptine, sodium dantroline). We have analysed two new cases which reacted badly, one of them with a multiorganic failure and the other, who had a good initial therapeutical response but who went on to develop a peripheral neuropathy, an infrequent complication in international medical casebooks.

Adult↗