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Biomedical subjects

L Aguilera

Publications and source records attributed to L Aguilera.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Biological aspects of Blatella germanica (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) in laboratory conditions].

In a study of Blatella germanica (L) 1767 (Dictyoptera: Blattellidae) carried out in laboratory conditions, 6 nymphal stages were found in a period of 114.71 days, at 29 +/- 1 degrees C and 80-90% of relative humidity. Times of appearence and eclosion of every ovipositted ootheca, as well as the offspring average of each one, were determined. Females ovipositted up to 5 oothecas during their life. The maximum average of eggs found per ootheca was 29.22. The average longevity of males was lower that that of females (77.23 and 98.40 days, respectively) (t = 2.21; p < 0.05).

Animals↗

[The performance of the Aedes aegypti eradication program in 2 towns of Ciudad de La Habana province, 1990-1992].

It is made a comparative analysis of the behaviour of the Aedes aegypti eradication program in two municipalities of Havana City with different characteristics during 1990-1992. The results show that in both municipalities the recipients with the highest positivity to mosquitoes were the following categories: other deposits, artificial deposits, and low tanks, followed by a second group that included tubs, tires, and larva tramps. The positivity of the larva tramps was observed in both municipalities and it is stressed their role in the stabilization of mosquitoes invading the urban ecosystem. There were 8 varieties of species at Plaza municipality, and 9 at the 10 de Octubre municipality. There are similar species in both municipalities.

Aedes↗

[Refractory epilepsy in adults and the new antiepileptic drugs: the role of gabapentin].

The features of refractory epilepsies and the role of functional surgery and new antiepileptic drugs is reviewed. Among the latter, gabapentin, a drug with peculiar pharmacokinetic properties, is highlighted as a therapeutic alternative in refractory epilepsies and eventually for epileptic patients without previous treatment. A new type of relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and physicians, that privileges clinical research, is discussed.

Acetates↗

[The effect of abiotic factors on the incidence of Aedes aegypti in the town of 10 de Octobre, Ciudad de la Habana Province, 1982-1992].

An analysis of the relation among the quantity of focuses of Aedes aegypti, the rains and the temperatures in rainy and dry periods from 1982 to 1992 in 10 de Octubre municipe, at City of Havana, was carried out. No correlation was found between the number of focuses and the rains occurred in both seasons, and it was just the same between the number of focuses and temperatures. Thus, emphasis is made in the need for a strong surveillance along all year.

Aedes↗

[Temporal lobectomy in refractory partial epilepsy. Report of 4 cases].

Thirty, out of 1200 patients of North Santiago Adult Epilepsy Program, were admitted to J J Aguirre Hospital due to refractory epilepsy. Looking for candidates for functional epilepsy surgery, these patients were evaluated by neurologists, psychiatrists and psychologists and with standard EEG, video monitored EEG, CAT scan, magnetic resonance imaging and SPECT. So far, four patients with temporal partial complex epilepsy have been studied, operated (anterior temporal lobectomy and amygdalo-hippocampectomy) and followed for more than one year. Of these, two are free of seizures, one has sporadic episodes and one has an important reduction. One of these patients had a postoperative amnestic syndrome of 3 to 4 weeks duration. According to these results and those reported in the literature, the rigorous selection of patients that could be benefitted by surgery is emphasized.

Adult↗

[Effect of 3 organophosphates on the reproduction of Culex quinquefasciatus Say 1823].

An experiment was carried out with a Culex quinquefasciatus strain with resistance genes called "Quibú", this strain was pressured with 3 organophosphorous insecticides: malathion, chlorpyriphos, and pyrimiphos-methyl. The most toxic for this species was the chlorphyriphos (LC50 = 0.000009 mg/L), followed by pyrimiphos-methyl (LC50 = 0.00026 mg/L), and malathion (LC50 = 0.0035 mg/L). Larvae surviving the effects of the LC30 and LC70 of the three insecticides were selected to test their effect on fecundity, fertility and sexual index. Fecundity was not affected by the employed doses of chlorpyriphos and pyrimiphos-methyl, while a significant decrease was observed with the LC30 and LC70 of malathion. The employed doses of malathion did not affect fertility but there was a slight decrease with the LC70 selections of chlorpyriphos and pyrimiphos-methyl. The proportion of adult females showed a significant increase with the doses of chlorpyriphos and pyrimiphos-methyl; sexual index was not affected by malathion.

Animals↗

[Hepatotoxicity induced by valproic acid in adults. Report of 3 cases].

Valproic acid is a useful antiepileptic drug, with occasional gastrointestinal side effects. Hepatotoxicity is the most serious adverse reaction and, although rare, it can be fatal. Risk factors for hepatotoxicity are an age of less than two years, polytherapy and mental retardation; it has been rarely reported in adults. We report three mentally retarded adult patients receiving polytherapy, who developed valproic acid induced hepatotoxicity. Two patients had a symptomatic hepatitis with a concomitant paradoxical increase in seizure frequency and one an asymptomatic alteration of hepatic function tests. After discontinuing the drug, the hepatitis subsided. We conclude that hepatotoxicity must be considered as a possible side effect of valproic acid and we suggest some recommendations for its early detection.

Adolescent↗

Effect of halothane anesthesia and trifluoroacetic acid on protein binding of benzodiazepines.

The in vitro effect of the halothane metabolite, trifluoroacetic acid, on the protein binding of three different benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam and midazolam) has been investigated. Furthermore, protein binding of these drugs was studied in serum from patients under the effect of halothane anesthesia (1-2.5%; 2.5 h). Trifluoroacetic acid, 4 mmol/l, displaced diazepam and midazolam from serum and produced a marked increase in the free percentage, but did not influence lorazepam binding. Moreover, 48 h after the end of halothane anesthesia, there were changes in protein binding of diazepam (3.9 +/- 0.3% at 48 h vs. 3.3 +/- 0.3% before halothane anesthesia; p less than 0.05). It can be concluded that halothane anesthesia (1-2.5%; 2.5 h) may temporarily potentiate the pharmacological effect of diazepam in the postoperative period following anesthetic procedures.

Adult↗

Displacement of warfarin from human serum proteins by halothane anaesthesia.

The in vitro effects of the halothane metabolite, trifluoroacetic acid, on the binding of warfarin to human serum proteins have been investigated. An increase in the percentage of free warfarin following incubation with different concentrations of trifluoroacetic acid (1 and 4 mmol/l) was observed. In addition, protein binding of warfarin was studied in serum from patients undergoing halothane anaesthesia (1-2.5%; 2.5 h). After 24 h from the end of the halothane anaesthesia, an increase in the percentage of free warfarin was also detected (0.92 +/- 0.06% at 24 h vs 0.60 +/- 0.02% before halothane administration; P less than 0.005). We conclude that halothane anaesthesia may temporarily potentiate the pharmacological effect of warfarin in the postoperative period following anaesthetic procedures.

Adult↗

[Medical care to cerebrovascular syndrome].

We analyzed clinical data from all patients with a stroke admitted to the Emergency Service of a General Hospital in Santiago, from 1984 to 1986. 371 patients (196 women and 175 men) were diagnosed as having thrombosis (43%), embolic occlusion (18%), intracerebral hemorrhage (36%) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (3%). CAT scans were performed in 25% and angiography in 16%. The diagnosis was considered proven in 40% of cases. Overall hospital mortality was 46%, raising to 66% for hemorrhages. Prevention of cerebral edema was the main medical treatment. The present data suggest that primary prevention of and technological facilities to treat cerebrovascular episodes are inadequate at a general hospital level in Santiago.

Adult↗

[Computerized registry of medical procedures and diagnostic codification].

Retrospective analysis of clinical information requires easy access to reliably stored data. We developed a program running on a microcomputer and using codes from the International classification of diseases, to be used on line. The program stores diagnostic codes, medical actions and a summary for each case. It uses inexpensive hardware and is friendly to inexperienced users.

Emergency Service, Hospital↗

[Mitral valve prolapse and cerebral ischemia].

We report on 10 patients suffering from cerebral ischemic episodes in whom mitral valve prolapse was diagnosed. Neurologic assessment included computerized tomography and angiographic study. In one case, the angiographic study revealed the presence of intracranial vasculitis and one woman was taking the contraceptive pill. The diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse was established on the basis of clinical grounds and electrocardiographic, Doppler study, Holter monitoring and two-dimensional echocardiographic signs. Our findings confirm that mitral valve prolapse is an etiologic factor to be considered in young adults with cerebral ischemia, although mitral valve prolapse does not exclude the possibility of other etiopathogenic conditions occurring.

Adolescent↗

Effect of heparin administration on flunitrazepam protein binding.

Non-esterified fatty acids have been shown to displace diazepam from its plasma binding sites both in vitro and in vivo. However, the binding of other benzodiazepines such as lorazepam is not affected in similar situations. Flunitrazepam exhibits a substantial degree of binding to plasma proteins, therefore it was deemed interesting to investigate the role of free fatty acids on flunitrazepam binding to human plasma proteins. Incubation of plasma with sodium oleate (1.5 and 3.0 microEq per ml) produced a decrease in the binding of flunitrazepam. The free fraction increased from 4.20 +/- 0.34 to 6.30 +/- 0.53 and to 22.18 +/- 1.28% respectively). Sodium heparin administration (10IU/kg, intravenously) increased free fatty acids levels and produced similar changes in the binding of flunitrazepam. After ten minutes of heparin administration free fatty acids increased from 0.16 +/- 0.03 mEq/l to 0.34 +/- 0.01 mEq/l and the free fraction of flunitrazepam in plasma increased from 3.70 +/- 0.22% to 6.20 +/- 1.24%. These binding data further support a relationship between increases in the concentrations of free fatty acids and decreases in the fraction of flunitrazepam bound to plasma proteins.

Adult↗

Anaphylactic reaction after atropine.

A 38-year-old woman developed symptoms of anaphylactic shock after intravenous atropine and required adrenaline to maintain perfusion pressure. A strongly positive response was obtained on intradermal testing. The Prausnitz-Kuestner test was also positive, which indicated the presence of drug specific IgE antibodies. No response was obtained after hyoscine.

Adult↗

Effect of sodium valproate on midazolam distribution.

The displacement of midazolam, a new water-soluble, short acting benzodiazepine, from its plasma binding sites by sodium valproate, has been studied in man. An increase of its free fraction (ranging from 2.71 to 5.35%) in plasma from epileptic patients receiving sodium valproate was observed. A similar situation was created in rabbits by pretreatment with sodium valproate (600 mg kg-1 day-1) and posterior hypnosis with midazolam. Due to the interaction, sodium valproate-pretreated rabbits showed an increase in midazolam brain levels (130.91 micrograms g-1 in cortex vs 84.55 micrograms g-1 in control animals). Therefore, it seems likely that displacement of midazolam by sodium valproate in epileptic patients could lead to an increase of the midazolam response.

Adult↗