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Biomedical subjects

J Ferrer

Publications and source records attributed to J Ferrer.

212 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Senile cataract: a review on free radical related pathogenesis and antioxidant prevention.

Glutathione metabolism plays an essential role in the homeostasis of the lens. Thus, it is not surprising that experimental depletion of this substance leads to a process of lens disorganization similar to senile cataract and that in all types of irreversible cataract there is a decrease in the glutathione content of the lens. Therefore, it may be useful in preventive geriatrics to raise the glutathione concentration of the lens and, since glutathione monoethyl ester can cross the capsule and membranes of the lens, administration of this compound may be the treatment of choice. This could be complemented by long-term administration of small doses of acetylsalicylic acid, in the early stages of the development of cataracts. The data also suggest that, in the 'high lactose absorbers', diets deprived of lactose (in addition to antioxidant administration) may play a role in protecting against cataract development and may even reverse some of the early changes that occur in cataractous lenses. The present review provides a justification for detection of cataract risk factors (high lactose absorption and low antioxidant protection in blood) as well as for preventive and palliative treatment of cataracts by administration of physiological antioxidants.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endobronchial lipoma: CT diagnosis.

Computed tomography was performed in two patients with endobronchial lipomas. Bronchoscopy was inconclusive, but CT provided the definitive diagnosis by demonstrating fat within the endobronchial tumor.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The withholding and withdrawal of medical treatment: moral principles and the law #.

In most hospitals in Puerto Rico the dying process of terminally ill patients is inappropriately prolonged. And this occurs often without the patient's consent and in violation of basic ethical principles. Three erroneous beliefs are prevalent: 1--That withdrawing life support therapy is morally or legally different from not starting it. 2--That there is a moral and legal difference between appropriate acts and appropriate omissions. 3--That good medical practice is determined by the courts instead of the medical profession. Institutional policies are not in harmony with contemporary medical ethics. To avoid possible legal entanglements medical institutions permit their faculties to prolong the suffering of patients in violation of two basic moral principles: nonmaleficence and respect for autonomy. An illustrative case provides a philosopher and a moral theologian the opportunity to analyze the applicable moral principles. A professor of jurisprudence reviews statutes evolved at the State and Federal level that support the rights of patients and their families to refuse unwanted treatments. Medical faculties must ensure that institutional policies do not violate their professional ethics. The medical profession and the citizenry at large should lobby for the passage of statutes in Puerto Rico which clearly validate the necessary harmony between medical ethics and the law.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of serum Fe in prostatic pathology].

We have determined serum Fe concentrations in 75 patients whose post-surgical anatomo-pathological diagnostic was: 25 cases with prostate benign hyperplasia, 25 cases where besides hyperplasia there was also an associated chronic prostatitis and 25 cases of moderately differentiated prostatic adenocarcinoma stage D according to the Jewett classification. No patient had received prior medication nor had associated metabolic pathology. Serum Fe concentration was significantly decreased in the cases with prostatic adenocarcinoma. The methodology used for these determinations is presented, discussing the possible pathogenic hypothesis explaining this finding together with the clinical consequences.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determination of Fe, Mg, Cu, and Zn in normal and pathological prostatic tissue].

Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Fe, Cu, Mg and Zn tissue concentrations were determined in 100 prostates with anatomopathological diagnosis of benign hyperplasia (25 cases), hyperplasia-associated prostatitis (25 cases), adenocarcinoma (25 cases) and normal gland (25 cases). Also at the same time, serum concentrations of the same elements were determined in order to correlate both results and see whether there was a relationship between them. A subsequent statistical study of the results was made looking for significant differences between the anatomopathological groups considered. Also a correlation study of these ions was conducted using Pearson's correlation coefficient(r). This report describes in detail the methodology used to conduct the present study, from tissue obtention through AAS determinations. According to the results obtained, prostatic adenocarcinoma shows in this study a Zn tissue concentration sensibly lower than that seen in hyperplasia, prostatitis and normal tissue. Also, Mg concentration is lower than in the other groups. In eutrophic prostatic tissue, Mg tissue concentrations were higher than in hyperplastic tissue and prostatitis, while Cu and Fe concentrations were lower as compared with the mentioned pathologies. These results have been compared to other series, and the biochemical assessment of the findings disclosed for discussion.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Penoscrotal gangrene: our series of cases].

Ten cases of penoscrotal gangrene seen in our department over the last 8 years are presented. In 80% of patients causative factors of the gangrenous process were demonstrated and were equally distributed between urology and colorectal pathologies. The most commonly associated pathology was diabetes mellitus affecting up to 50% of our patients. Two or more germs were isolated from the necrotic-purulent material for cultures, mainly E. coli (90%) and Proteus mirabilis (50%) as aerobic organisms, and Bacteroides fragilis (40%) in the anaerobic group. Despite emergency surgical therapy and high doses of broad spectrum antibiotics, mortality in our series was about 20%.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Surgical treatment of urinary stress incontinence in women].

Long-term results obtained in 54 surgical procedures to correct effort urinary incontinence performed in 49 patients with this pathology are reviewed. One group was treated with suprapubic urethrovesical suspension with the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz technique; the other group with endoscopic suspension of the neck of the bladder, with the Stamey technique and the third group with sling techniques. The authors conclude that any of the surgical techniques achieving a correct reposition of urethrovesical anatomy, rising the posterior urethra to its primitive anatomical bed, obtain a similar success rate.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Percutaneous nephrostomy as a technic for emergency drainage: review of cases].

Percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) is currently one of the procedures of choice for emergency drainage of the upper urinary tract. Moreover, it permits morphologic and functional diagnostic possibilities as well as a wide variety of new and frequently definitive therapeutic procedures. We report on 58 PCN procedures performed in 55 patients from May 1983 to February 1989. PCN was indicated for complicated or uncomplicated uni- or bilateral supravesical obstruction, with infection and/or azotemia. All patients submitted to PCN for complicated obstruction with infection and/or azotemia showed a marked clinical and analytical improvement. Apart from resolving this emergency, it reduced the morbidity and mortality rate of subsequent surgical treatment of the underlying cause of obstruction because patient status was markedly improved. The major complications, retroperitoneal hematoma and sepsis, were rare. We frequently observed that the catheter had come out or become obstructed in our series. PCN affords the following advantages: it can be performed with local anesthesia; it is a simple technique; there are no absolute contraindications; its morbidity and mortality rates are low; and, it can be easily converted into a permanent procedure. In our view, all the foregoing advantages, as well as its therapeutic and morphologic and functional diagnostic possibilities, make PCN one of the procedures of choice in emergency treatment of upper urinary tract obstruction.

Adult↗