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Biomedical subjects

J Fuentes

Publications and source records attributed to J Fuentes.

82 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Simple colorimetric method for seminal plasma zinc assay.

Zinc concentration in seminal plasma is one of the best biochemical parameters with which to assess prostatic function in the study of male infertility. Nevertheless, this parameter is not determined in many laboratories because of technical difficulties. In this paper a simple colorimetric method for seminal plasma zinc assay is presented. This assay is performed with only one reagent solution making deproteinization and extraction with organic solvents unnecessary. The method is based on the reaction between 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol and zinc which yields a coloured complex, that is soluble in the reagent solution when dodecyl hydrogen sulfate sodium salt is present. The solubilized complex has an absorbance peak at 560 nm. The accuracy of this method is proved by statistical comparison with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Furthermore, the method has a good precision and is free of interference.

Colorimetry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of nitrate and prophylactic aspirin on upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a retrospective case-control study.

Experimental studies suggest that nitric-oxide releasing drugs reduce gastroduodenal damage induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but it is not known whether these agents have this effect in humans. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients who receive aspirin and nitrates for vascular occlusive diseases. This was a retrospective case-control study of 736 consecutive patients admitted with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, compared with 1472 age- and sex-matched hospital controls. Chronic low-dose aspirin regimens had been used by 12.6% of cases and 5.7% of controls, nitrates by 4.8% and 5.8%, and combined nitrates and low-dose aspirin by 2.7% and 1.9%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis identified low-dose aspirin use as an independent risk factor for gastrointestinal bleeding, whereas nitrate use was found to be a protective factor. The combination of both nitrate and low-dose aspirin was not associated with an increased risk of bleeding.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Medical treatment of pervasive developmental disorders].

OBJECTIVE: Pervasive developmental disorders, exemplified by autism, constitute clinical entities which require the attention of child neurologists. DEVELOPMENT: The increasing frequency with which these disorders are diagnosed supports the need to review and bring up to date the available data, so as to achieve good practice. CONCLUSIONS: There are many studies and initiatives to orient the child neurologist as to the steps to be taken regarding aspects such as early identification, association with known syndromes, genetic counselling and medical advice in general, neuroimaging techniques, treatment of possible associated epilepsy and use of psychotropic drugs. All these elements have to be incorporated into an overall individualized program which, at the present time, has to be basically educational and rehabilitation, so as to attain maximum self sufficiency and social participation.

Autistic Disorder↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Improved oxygenation with nitric oxide treatment for hepatopulmonary syndrome after a liver transplant].

A 37-year-old man with cirrhosis of the liver hospitalized for orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) was found to have hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) during routine presurgical assessment. No problems with oxygenation developed during surgery. In the early recovery period, however, hypoxemia was observed to be uncorrected in spite of gradual normalization of liver function tests. OLT sometimes corrects HPS and, therefore, hypoxemia. However, significant decreases in oxygenation during recovery have been reported to affect patient morbidity and mortality. We therefore started low-dose nitric oxide (NO) inhalation once other possible causes of hypoxemia had been ruled out. Oxygenation improved, allowing tubes to be removed. Seven months after OLT, home oxygen therapy was still required to treat basal hypoxemia. HPS persisted, as confirmed by echocardiogram. Inhaled NO contributed to maintenance of adequate oxygenation during the early postoperative period, as essential for long-term survival in patients with HPS who undergo OLT.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anomalies of the urinary tract associated with congenital heart diseases].

Due to the frequent association of congenital heart disease and urinary tract malformations we studied 434 patients undergoing angiocardiograms for diagnosis of their congenital heart disease. In every patient a plain abdominal X-ray film was made in order to observe urinary elimination of the contrast material. We found 70 patients with urinary tract malformations, the most frequent of which was pyelo-chaliceal dilatation, accounting for 47.1% of all the malformations found. A double pyelo-chaliceal system was found in 25.7%, kidney hypoplasia in 10% and in lower frequencies double urethers, kidney agenesia, pelvic kidneys, horseshoe-shaped kidney and others. Patients were usually urologically asymptomatic. In view of the frequent association of congenital heart disease and urinary tract malformations a plain abdominal X-ray film should always be performed postangiographically. In some cases a contrast urography is recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Giant chylous cyst. An unusual presentation of intestinal duplication.

Duplications of the digestive tract are very unusual entities that can be located in any other part of the Gastrointestinal tract. However the most frequent location is the jejunoileal one. We report the case of a giant chylous intestinal cyst duplication, located in the ileum, diagnosed in a 41 year-old man.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Does serum rheumatoid factor have an influence on the clinical picture of ankylosing spondylitis?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the influence of serum rheumatoid factor (RF) on the clinical and radiological picture of definite ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: In a retrospective chart review of 281 AS patients typed for RF, the clinical picture of RF positive patients (Group 1) was compared with RF negative patients (Group 2); mode of onset, disease duration, and treatment were recorded. All patients were examined to determine their clinical status; the blood cell count. HLA-B27, serum IgG, IgM, IgA, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined, and radiological studies of the entire spine, pelvis and affected peripheral joints were carried out. In patients from Group 1 the HLA-DR was also determined. RESULTS: Fifteen of 281 patients (8 men, 7 women) with AS were RF+ (1:64 to 1:1024) (5.3%) and 11 were HLA-B27+. Seven patients in Group 1 had spine involvement and chronic arthritis of the knees. Four out of these 7 were tested for DR, and none was positive; in 6, AS and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) coexisted, 2 were DR1 and 2 were DR4 (test not carried out in 2). In two others we found spinal involvement only, and one of them had both DR1 and DR4. The onset of AS was similar in both groups. Group 1 was characterized by a chronic disease of moderate intensity with chronic arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints (p = 0.0008 and p = 0.04, respectively), no valvulopathy (p = 0.04) and fewer uveitis sequelae (p = 0.007) than Group 2. The ESR (p = 0.01), IgG (p = 0.008) and IgM (p = 0.0001) were higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of RF in AS is associated with a chronic disease of moderate intensity with chronic peripheral arthritis and fewer extra-articular manifestations. The presence of RF, not always associated with HLA-DR, seems to affect the course of AS and does not necessarily indicate an association with RA.

Adult↗