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Biomedical subjects

J Soto

Publications and source records attributed to J Soto.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Influence of low doses of radiation due to 222Rn on proliferation of fibroblasts and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in vitro.

The aim of the present study is to analyze the effects of low doses of radiation due to radon (within the range present in the environment) in the proliferation of normal (fibroblasts) and tumoral (MCF-7 human breast cancer cells) mammalian cells. Both fibroblast and MCF-7 cells were incubated in culture media with different levels of radon (doses of 10-15 000 microGy), or non-radon (control). After incubation the number of cells per plate was measured with a hemocytometer. The dissolution of radon in the culture media decreased the proliferation of MCF-7 cells (not the fibroblasts). Within the range of doses used in this experiment, the lowest as well as the highest doses of radiation had the lowest antiproliferative effects. Intermediate doses strongly decreased the number of final cells with respect to those in the control population.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1996

Leishmania infection occurring in herpes zoster lesions in an HIV-positive patient.

We report the first case of co-infection with herpes zoster and leishmania in the same lesion, on the face of a 29-year-old female, who was an intravenous drug user and who was HIV positive. The infection was initially resistant to acyclovir and itraconazole, and the patient died due to severe internal complications, not attributed to visceral leishmaniasis. The prevalence of leishmania infection in the Mediterranean countries is increasing among the HIV-positive population because of the existence of human carriers. Paradoxically, most of these patients show mild forms of visceral leishmaniasis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

Radioactivity in Spanish spas.

There are large number of spas in Spain and there is a lack of data concerning their radioactivity. The levels of radioactivity in a wide sample of Spanish spas were measured with special attention being paid to the radon and radium concentrations in the water, and to radon concentration in the indoor air of the spas. This study is primarily concerned with the radioactivity of the spas of one region in Spain--Cantabria--and particularly one spa where we measured radon levels in water as high as 824 Bq/l and over 5000 Bq/m3 in the air of the rooms. We then considered a wider sample including virtually all of the radioactive spas in the country. The results indicate that a fairly large number of spas have radon levels in water that are moderately high and they are used for the treatment of diseases without radiation protection measures for patients or staff at the spas.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed1995

Successful treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis with a combination of topical paromomycin/methylbenzethonium chloride and injectable meglumine antimonate.

Colombian patients with New World cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated with a combination of a topical formulation (15% paromomycin sulfate/5% methylbenzethonium chloride, twice a day) and parenteral meglumine antimonate (20 mg of antimony [Sb]/kg.d]). Cohort 1 received topical therapy for 10 days and Sb for 7 days; 18 (90%) of the 20 patients were cured (follow-up, 12 months). Other clinical data suggested that neither the topical formulation alone nor the 7-day regimen of Sb alone would have cured many patients. In a subsequent cohort, which received topical therapy for 10 days and Sb for 3 days, the cure rate was 42% (eight of 19 patients). In Colombian cohorts (historical controls) treated with Sb alone for 10-15 days, the cure rate was 31%-36%. Side effects in cohort 1 patients consisted of local reactions to the topical formulation: burning and pruritus in 25% of patients and vesicle formation in 15% of patients. This is the first report that a regimen partially composed of topical antimicrobial agents can be highly effective for treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy of permethrin-impregnated uniforms in the prevention of malaria and leishmaniasis in Colombian soldiers.

We determined the efficacy of the use of permethrin-impregnated uniforms for prevention of malaria and leishmaniasis in a double-blind, randomized study of Colombian soldiers on patrol. In the study of malaria, soldiers were issued impregnated uniforms (i.e., a shirt, an undershirt, pants, socks, and a hat) or uniforms washed in water; the soldiers wore the uniforms day and night for a mean of 4.2 weeks and were observed for an additional 4 weeks. Three (3%) of 86 soldiers wearing impregnated uniforms contracted malaria, whereas 12 (14%) of 86 soldiers wearing control uniforms contracted malaria (P = .015). In the study of leishmaniasis (soldiers were in the area of endemicity for 6.6 weeks and were observed for 12 weeks thereafter), 4 (3%) of 143 soldiers wearing impregnated uniforms and 18 (12%) of 143 soldiers wearing control uniforms acquired disease (P = .002). In the leishmaniasis study, and presumably in the malaria study, breakthrough infections in the treated group were primarily due to bites in unclothed regions of the body (face and hands). Permethrin-treated uniforms were virtually nontoxic (there were only two cases of mild skin irritation among 229 subjects), and impregnation is quick and inexpensive. Impregnation of clothing with permethrin is suggested for nonimmune populations who are likely to be exposed to malaria or leishmaniasis over a period of 1-2 months.

Colombia↗
PubMed1995

Study of the occurrence of 222Rn and 226Ra in drinking water in Spain.

With the aim of determining the contribution of water to the background of natural radiation in Spain, the 222Rn concentration levels were measured in domestic drinking water from a large part of the country. The water analyzed, both surface and groundwater, was collected in two areas of very distinct geological characteristics, pre-selected for the likelihood of their containing high levels of 222Rn. This water was measured using a coaxial detector of high purity Ge. The overall results demonstrate a log-normal distribution of 222Rn levels, with a geometric and arithmetic means of 10 and 381 Bq L-1, respectively, and a range between detection limit of 2 Bq L-1 and a maximum of 31,000 Bq L-1. The 222Rn concentrations measured in surface water are generally below the detection limit. Significant differences have been found depending on the geological characteristics of the area of reference, although the very distinct concentration levels of 222Rn found in samples of similar lithology imply the influence of more complex factors in the solution of 222Rn in water. Due to the relationship between radon and 226Ra, the concentration of the latter was measured in the same water using radiochemical separation and a scintillation ZnS(Ag) detector. No significant correlation between 226Ra and 222Rn concentrations has been observed unless measurements carried out in a high background radiation region are considered separately.

Geography↗