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Biomedical subjects

I Santiago

Publications and source records attributed to I Santiago.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Experimental method for determining the damping parameter of spectral lines emitted by a microwave plasma at atmospheric pressure.

In this work, a simple method for experimentally obtaining the value of the damping parameter or a-parameter of the spectral lines emitted by an argon plasma generated at atmospheric pressure is presented. The value of this coefficient indicates the proportion existing between the Lorentzian and Doppler components of the total line profile, which can be approximated to a Voigt function for our experimental conditions. The a-parameter values found were within the value interval recorded in the literature. The results obtained showed that the damping coefficient of the lines next to the fundamental level remains practically constant along the plasma column, whereas for the spectral lines involving high-lying levels, the a-parameter is sensitive to the changes in the electron density in the plasma. In this work it is also proved that the self-absorption phenomenon induces errors in the calculation of a, due to an increase in the broadening of the line profile produced by this phenomenon.

Algorithms↗

Impact of meningococcal vaccination with combined serogroups A and C polysaccharide vaccine on carriage of Neisseria meningitidis C.

Two studies of meningococcal carriage state were carried out in Galicia (Spain) before and after a mass vaccination campaign between December 1996 and January 1997 against Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C with meningococcal serogroups A and C polysaccharide vaccine. The studies covered two areas with different incidence rates of meningococcal disease in 1996 (high and low incidence). Carriage rates of serogroup C showed a decrease in both areas, 47 and 65 % respectively, before and after the vaccination. Results showed a decrease in carrier state in the age groups 10-14- and 15-19-year-olds, but not in the 5-9-year-olds. These results demonstrate the effect of immunization on the reduction of the carriage state.

Adolescent↗

[Gas poisoning].

Poisoning by gases in our area is an important problem due to its high incidence. In the specific case of carbon monoxide poisoning, this is the main cause of death by poisoning in our environment, on many occasions coexisting with cyanide poisoning. Both poisonings can be severe, their diagnosis being based on the mere suspicions of the doctor. Besides, their importance lies in the fact that both poisonings have a very specific treatment. Normo or hyperbaric oxygenotherapy is the treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. In the case of cyanide poisoning, hydroxocobalamin is nowadays the treatment of choice, since it has proved itself to be an efficient antidote.

Acute Disease↗

[Contamination by chemical agents].

Contamination by chemical products is a clinical situation whose handling requires very specific knowledge by the physicians in the emergency services, since they must know the most frequent types of chemical agents and their mechanism of action. This type of contamination makes it necessary for there to be concrete plans of action in the hospital milieu and coordination with the emergency outpatient mechanisms. To the risk of being surrounded by chemical products on an industrial scale on a daily basis, and the risk of leaks and accidents during transport and even in private homes, there is now added the possible use of different chemical agents as weapons of mass destruction, both in military conflicts and in terrorist acts.

Acute Disease↗

Carriage of a new epidemic strain of Neisseria meningitidis and its relationship with the incidence of meningococcal disease in Galicia, Spain.

In Galicia, Spain, a dramatic increase in the incidence of meningococcal disease was seen in the 1995-6. The annual incidence rose to 11 per 10(5) inhabitants, and 80% of identified strains were C:2b:P1.2,5. This led to the implementation of an intensive A+C vaccination campaign for the population aged 18 months to 19 years. During this campaign the prevalence of carriage in areas with high and low incidence was studied. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from 9796 subjects immediately before the administration of meningococcal vaccine, plated onto Thayer-Martin plates, incubated and sent for analysis to the Reference Laboratory for Neisseria in Spain. The prevalence of the C:2b: P1.2,5 strains was 0.6% (95% CI 0.29-0.88) in the high incidence area, and 0.41% (95 % CI 0.00-1.04) in the low incidence area, and that of serogroup C (all strains) 1.36% (95% CI 0.80-1.80) and 0.89% (95% CI 0.09-1.69) respectively. The prevalence of N. meningitidis (all strains) was almost the same in both areas (8%). Carriers of the epidemic strain were not found in the 2-4 year age group, that most affected by the disease. Our data showed a wide distribution but a low carriage rate of the epidemic strain C:2b:P1.2,5 in the high and low disease incidence areas studied; the difference in the carriage rates between the two areas was not statistically significant.

Adolescent↗

The first reported case of anti-Dob causing an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction.

The antibodies of the Dombrock blood group system have only rarely been encountered in transfusion practice, and anti-Dob has not previously been implicated in an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction. We have encountered the first such case involving a chronically transfused black female with hemoglobin SS disease and multiple antibodies in her serum. During a previous admission for sickle cell crisis, the patient received 3 units of compatible blood with no untoward effects. Serum obtained 21 days later contained, in addition to the known antibodies, anti-S plus an unidentified antibody showing characteristics of HTLA. Blood lacking the E, K1, Fy(a), Jk(b) and S antigens was obtained, and 2 least incompatible units were transfused. While administering the second unit, the patient complained of fever and low back pain, and hemoglobinemia was detected. Anti-Dob was identified in the post-reaction samples by absorption-elution tests, and the patient was confirmed to be Do(a+b-). The first unit transfused during this hemolytic episode tested Do (b+). This case, and a similar case involving anti-Doa reported in 1986, strengthens the belief that Dombrock antibodies are clinically significant and illustrates the need for their differentiation, prior to transfusion from less clinically significant HTLA antibodies.

Acute Disease↗