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Biomedical subjects

J Vidal

Publications and source records attributed to J Vidal.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

An analysis of the diverse factors concerned with the development of pressure sores in spinal cord injured patients.

Patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) admitted to the Institut Guttmann, Barcelona, from the years 1985 to 1988 with pressure sores (PS) are reviewed. Demographic, pathological and psychological factors are analysed in an attempt to identify organic and/or behavioural patterns which might imply an added risk for the development of pressure sores in the spinal cord injured. About 30% of 884 SCI patients admitted during this period had one or more PS (mean 1.5), most of these were localised to the ischial, trochanteric and sacral regions, and about 70% were grade 3 or 4 (Enis and Sarmiento classification). The study supports the generally acknowledged view that a precarious state of health and certain psycho-social conditions are contributing factors to a higher risk in the development and severity of PS in SCI patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

In vivo regulatory phosphorylation site in c(4)-leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase from maize and sorghum.

Reversible seryl-phosphorylation contributes to the light/dark regulation of C(4)-leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity in vivo. The specific regulatory residue that, upon in vitro phosphorylation by a maize-leaf protein-serine kinase(s), leads to an increase in catalytic activity and a decrease in malate-sensitivity of the target enzyme has been recently identified as Ser-15 in (32)P-phosphorylated/activated dark-form maize PEPC (J-A Jiao, R Chollet [1990] Arch Biochem Biophys 283: 300-305). In order to ascertain whether this N-terminal seryl residue is, indeed, the in vivo regulatory phosphorylation site, [(32)P]phosphopeptides were isolated and purified from in vivo(32)P-labeled maize and sorghum leaf PEPC and subjected to automated Edman degradation analysis. The results show that purified light-form maize PEPC contains 14-fold more (32)P-radioactivity than the corresponding dark-form enzyme on an equal protein basis and, more notably, only a single N-terminal serine residue (Ser-15 in maize PEPC and its structural homolog, Ser-8, in the sorghum enzyme) was found to be (32)P-phosphorylated in the light or dark. These in vivo observations, combined with the results from our previous in vitro phosphorylation studies (J-A Jiao, R Chollet [1989] Arch Biochem Biophys 269: 526-535; [1990] Arch Biochem Biophys 283: 300-305), demonstrate that an N-terminal seryl residue in C(4) PEPC is, indeed, the regulatory site that undergoes light/dark changes in phosphorylation-status and, thus, plays a major, if not cardinal role in the light-induced changes in catalytic and regulatory properties of this cytoplasmic C(4)-photosynthesis enzyme in vivo.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Carcinoma of prostatic ducts.

Carcinoma of prostatic ducts is a rare clinical feature. We have reviewed 398 histories of patients with histologic diagnosis of prostatic carcinoma and found 10 patients with the ductal variety (2.51%). Four had pure ductal transitional cell carcinoma, 5 had mixed acinar adenocarcinoma plus ductal transitional cell carcinoma, and the last one had mixed acinar and ductal adenocarcinoma. Age, symptoms, physical findings, and imaging diagnoses were similar to those of acinar carcinoma. Rectal examination disclosed hard prostate in 9 patients. The metastatic way depended on the histologic elements present in each patient. Cystoscopy showed a malignant-resembling image in 4 cases. The mean survival (23 months) was lower than that of patients with acinar carcinoma. Early diagnosis and radical surgery still are the only way to increase the expectation of life of patients affected by this pathology.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Treatment of obstruction caused by prostatic hypertrophy with prazosin. 1-year follow-up].

Since Caine demonstrated the presence of alpha-adrenergic receptors in prostate tissue in 1975, an alpha-blocker capable of producing maximum relaxation of prostatic tissue with minimum side effects has been sought. Prazosin, a selective alpha-1 blocking agent, must meet these requirements. We report the results of a study undertaken in 28 patients with benign hyperplasia of the prostate demonstrated by flowmetry, clinically and by ultrasound. A significant improvement was observed in all patients except for the ultrasound measured prostate size, which remained unchanged. Undesired effects were observed in 36% of the patients. Despite the initial improvement, 89.3% had abandoned treatment at 1 year principally owing to deterioration of the clinical picture and because they were submitted to surgery (the majority) or treatment with other drugs. We can conclude from our results that prazosin is useful for short-term therapy; i.e., until the patient can be referred for surgery.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

[Single-compartment arthroplasty of the knee using the Marmor-Cartier method. Apropos of a series of 100 cases].

100 unicompartmental knee prosthesis type Marmor-Cartier with 86 replacements of the medial compartment have been followed for a period of 5 to 15 years. Contrary to the reaxation osteotomies, a moderate hypocorrection about 3 to 5 degrees has to be respected in unicompartmental knee replacement. The two major complications are degradation of the contralateral compartment due to hypercorrection; and loosening of the tibial plateau due to hypocorrection over 5 degrees or anterior laxity or convex side laxity or misalignment of the prosthetic device. The unicompartmental knee arthroplasty is a trustful surgical procedure as long as precise indications for this method and a rigorous surgical technique are respected.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Reversible light activation of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase protein-serine kinase in maize leaves.

C4-leaf phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC; EC 4.1.1.31) undergoes reversible, light-induced increases in its activity-seryl phosphorylation-status in vivo. We now report that the PEPC-protein kinase activity in desalted crude extracts of light-adapted maize leaves is several-fold greater than that from the corresponding dark tissue when in vitro phosphorylation assays are performed with either endogenous or purified dark-form maize PEPC as substrate, both in the absence or presence of okadaic acid, a potent inhibitor of the PEPC type 2A protein phosphatase(s). These and related results indicate that the PEPC protein-serine kinase(s) per se is reversibly light activated in vivo by either covalent modification, protein turnover or, less likely, a tight-binding effector.

Enzyme Activation↗
PubMed1990

Seroepidemiology of measles in Catalonia (Spain) 1985-1986.

A seroepidemiological study of measles immunological status was carried out among four different populations: schoolchildren of 6-7 years, 10-11 years and 13-14 years, and pregnant women of 18-45 years, in Catalonia, Spain; 1,213 children and 239 pregnant women were surveyed. The measurement of measles antibodies were made by indirect immunofluorescence, with antibody titres greater than or equal to 1:8 considered as positive. The prevalence of measles antibodies was 82.9% in the 6-7 year old group, 87.2% in the 10-11 year old group and 94.4% in the age group 13-14 years. Among pregnant women, the prevalence of antibodies was 96.2%. Two of the variables studied were associated with the prevalence of measles antibodies in schoolchildren: the disease antecedents and measles vaccination. In pregnant women aged 18-45 no variable had any statistically significant association with the prevalence of measles antibodies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Seroepidemiology of HIV-1 infection in a Catalonian penitentiary.

A seroepidemiological study of HIV-1 infection was carried out among all the subjects who were imprisoned in a correctional centre in Catalonia (Spain) between October 1987 and April 1988. Six hundred and thirty-one inmates (male, mean age 19.1 +/- 1.7 years) were surveyed. The overall prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 33.6%. Statistically significant differences were observed between intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and non-IVDUs (P less than 0.0000001) and between regular and irregular IVDUs (P less than 0.000001). The age at which the person started using drugs and the length of time spent in prison were also significantly associated with the prevalence of infection. No other variables, except the higher prevalence among the gipsy ethnic group, showed any statistically significant association with HIV-1 infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Selective chemoprophylaxis guided by multifactorial analysis in superficial bladder cancer.

One hundred and five patients with superficial bladder cancer (60 primary and 45 recurrent tumors) entered a prospective chemoprophylaxis trial after transurethral resection of the tumor. The drug for chemoprophylaxis was chosen by a computer which received the tumor data and analyzed them through a previous program of recurrence risk factors (multivariant analysis). In comparison with the aleatory selection of the drug, this statistical computerized choice has diminished the recurrence index (from 8 to 3) and increased the interval free of disease (from 70 to 83.5 months) in this group of patients.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1990

[Contribution of echography to the study of the andrologic patient].

Our experience in the ultrasonographic evaluation of the prostate and seminal vesicles in prostatitis and male infertility are reported herein. In our view, this noninvasive imaging technique must be performed before recurring to other methods that involve manipulation. Similarly, we discuss the possibilities of duplex Doppler in the diagnosis of vascular disorders in the male consulting for impotence. We believe this simple noninvasive imaging technique can significantly reduce the number of patients that may require cavernosometry and cavernosography.

Erectile Dysfunction↗
PubMed1990

[The pharmaceutical prescription: a comparison between the old and the new model of primary health care].

The possible influence of the model of primary health care (PHC), the educational background of the physician and the type of contract on pharmaceutical prescription were evaluated. The information was obtained from a sample of 1799 prescriptions, which were representative of the overall prescription of the PHC physicians from the Health Service of Palma de Mallorca. The health center physicians (HC) prescribed less expensive drugs than the classical clinic physicians (CC). The mean prize for HC was 498.98, with SD 418.97, and for CC it was 589.65 with SD 750.25. This difference was significant (p less than 0.0001). There were other significant differences, such as a smaller use of preparations with fixed drug associations (p less than 0.01) and parenteral administration (p less than 0.05) by HC. There were no significant differences in the prescription of cerebral and peripheral vasodilators and drugs for the digestive tract and metabolism considered as doubtful indications.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1990

[Osteosynthesis of radial head fractures in adults].

The authors report their experience and the results of internal fixation of radial head fractures in adults. They studied type 2 and type 3 fractures of Mason classification. Results were appraised with criteria of Radin and Riseborough. They found a rate of 80 per cent of objectively good or fair results. Fractures with one fragment (type 2) and without associated lesions (like sprain or dislocation of elbow) had the best results which depended of the quality of internal fixation. The series reported in the literature using the same operative technique are comparable. The results are equal or better than head resection with or without arthroplasty. Internal fixation is considered as the best operative technique for displaced fractures in adults. Reduction must be perfect. Head resection must be considered per-operatively if a perfect reduction is technically impossible to achieve.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[A community outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Barcelona: clinical and microbiological study].

In February and March 1989 a community-acquired outbreak of legionnaires' disease developed in Barcelona, involving at least 56 patients (48 males and 8 females) with a mean age of 60 years (range 22-87). 70% were smokers, 20% alcohol abusers, 50% had chronic bronchitis and 20% were immunologically depressed. The most common signs and symptoms were: fever (100%), features of lung condensation (77%), cough (51%), stupor (27%), diarrhea (18%), thoracic pain (18%, hyponatremia (53%), increased serum level of hepatic enzymes (44%) or CK (37%), and renal failure (21%). Radiological involvement was bilateral in 30% of cases. In most patients the diagnosis was made by seroconversion (70%). Late seroconversion (between 4 and 14 weeks) was seen in 20 patients, whose age was significantly higher than that of patients with early seroconversion (p less than 0.02). All cases were caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1. Forty-six patients (81%) were admitted to the hospital and 10 (18%) required tracheal intubation. Although all received erythromycin, seven patients died. Hypoxemia, leukopenia, hyponatremia and renal failure were associated with a higher mortality rate. However, after multivariate analysis renal failure appeared as the only independent prognostic variable. Finally, it was concluded that in the community-acquired outbreaks of pneumonia Legionella pneumophila infection should be ruled out.

Adult↗