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Biomedical subjects

L Fernandez

Publications and source records attributed to L Fernandez.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

The early effects of implementing American College of Surgeons level II criteria on transfer and survival rates at a rurally based community hospital.

We conducted a retrospective review to determine the early effects of implementing the American College of Surgeons (ACS) level II criteria on the number of transferrals and survival rates of trauma patients in a rurally based hospital. Data were collected from time period "B" (13 months before) and time period "A" (14 months after) implementing ACS criteria. Patient data parameters included age, sex, Revised Trauma Score, Glasgow Coma Scale score, Injury Severity Score, number of days hospitalized, diagnoses, place of injury (i.e., local county or transfer from another county), outcome, and probability of survival. There was a significant increase in the number of patients with Injury Severity Score > or = 15 from period B to period A (189 vs. 297, p = 0.002). A much higher percentage of these patients were transfers from out of county (period B = 33% vs. period A = 59.5%, p = 0.0001). Despite a higher percentage of transferred patients with probability of survival < or = 25% (period B = 25% vs. period A = 58%, p = 0.002), the survival rate in this group improved from 7.5% during time period B to 25.5% after implementing level II criteria (p = 0.0303). This data suggest that implementing level II ACS guidelines has the early beneficial effects of increasing transfers of seriously injured patients and improving survival in the most critically injured group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

A two-year study on the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinaemia.

This is a report of the results of a two years' randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of policosanol administered at 5 mg twice-a-day in the treatment of type II hyperlipoproteinaemia. The study included 69 patients from both sexes, in whom total cholesterol and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were not controlled sufficiently by diet. The treatment effect on total cholesterol and LDL-C was maintained during the 2-year follow up. Thus, percent reductions 24 months after therapy were 25% (LDL-C) and 18% (cholesterol). All comparisons with placebo were significant. Similarly, ratios of LDL-C to HDL-C and cholesterol to HDL-C were significantly reduced and such decreases were maintained during the study. Policosanol raised significantly the values of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) during the study and maximal increases were reached 12 months after therapy (+21%). From this time the increases mildly declined to +14% and +11.2% respectively at 18 and 24 months after therapy. No significant changes in triglycerides were observed as compared with baseline or placebo. No patient withdrew from the study because of adverse effects. No drug-related clinical or biochemical adverse side-effects were observed. Any adverse experiences reported were mild and transient; moreover, no significant differences were obtained when compared with those reported by the placebo group. The results indicate that policosanol administered for two years to patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia shows a maintained efficacy as well as very good safety and tolerability.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMed1994

Osteopetrosis. A case report.

Osteopetrosis congenita is invariably a fatal disease that is diagnosed within the first decade of the child's life. Although some steps have been taken to overcome this disease by bone marrow transplantation, further research is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of this treatment. Osteopetrosis tarda is often detected as an incidental finding. Many cases are asymptomatic, yet many patients do suffer from general bone pain, infections, and repeated incidents of pathologic fractures. Such cases may present within the bones of the foot. Treatment is directed at addressing the pathology that may have resulted from the disease state. Osteopetrosis tarda, although rare, can affect the foot. Steps toward treatment of the primary disease entity are still being taken; however, recognition and treatment of the pathology is the primary goal in the adequate treatment of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Cutaneous findings in a new syndrome of autosomal recessive ectodermal dysplasia with corkscrew hairs.

BACKGROUND: The association of hair shaft abnormalities with the phenotypic findings of a new, distinct form of an autosomal recessive syndrome of ectodermal dysplasia was present in 27 patients from seven families. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to present the cutaneous findings that characterize this syndrome with particular attention given to the hair shaft abnormalities. METHODS: Multiple field visits were used to gather data on phenotypic findings and prospectively evaluate their prevalence. RESULTS: Corkscrew hair, an exaggeration of pili torti, represents the most striking feature of this syndrome. Prominent cutaneous findings include scalp keloids, follicular plugging, keratosis pilaris, xerosis, eczema, palmoplantar keratodermia, cutaneous syndactyly, onychodysplasia, and conjunctival neovascularization. Other features include typical facies, anteverted pinnae, malar hypoplasia, cleft lip and palate, and dental abnormalities. CONCLUSION: A syndrome characterized by pili torti and corkscrew hairs, previously reported in only one patient, can be recognized.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new, extremely halotolerant, hydrocarbon-degrading marine bacterium.

On the basis of phenotypical characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA sequence, a new species belonging to a new genus is described, and the name Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus is proposed. This organism, isolated from Mediterranean seawater near a petroleum refinery, is a gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium. It grows at NaCl concentrations of 0.08 to 3.5 M and uses various hydrocarbons as the sole source of carbon and energy. Its DNA has a guanine-plus-cytosine content of 52.7 mol%. The 16S rRNA analysis shows a clear affiliation between M. hydrocarbonoclasticus and the gamma group of the phylum Proteobacteria. A close phylogenetic relationship appears among the species Marinomonas vaga, Oceanospirillum linum, Halomonas elongata, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Because of the impossibility of finding a single most closely related species, we suggest that this bacterium be assigned to a new genus, at least temporarily. The possibility of a revision of this status when new data appear is, however, not excluded. The type strain is M. hydrocarbonoclasticus SP.17 (= ATCC 49840).

Bacteriolysis↗
PubMed1991

Autosomal recessive ectodermal dysplasia: I. An undescribed dysplasia/malformation syndrome.

We describe 27 individuals of 7 families related to each other with high probability who showed manifestations of ectodermal dysplasia and other anomalies affecting females as severely as males with variable expressivity. All parents were normal. These families were detected in a relatively isolated and inbred population with very small neighbouring communities from a Caribbean Sea island, Margarita Island, in Northeastern Venezuela (Nueva Esparta State). The clinical picture common to all patients could not be classified within the heterogeneous group of known ectodermal dysplasias and the published cases do not resemble our patients. We believe that this condition constitutes a newly recognized autosomal recessive dysplasia/malformation syndrome of ectodermal dysplasia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

RNaselll activation of bacteriophage lambda N synthesis.

The bacteriophage lambda N gene product is one of the first genes expressed during phage development. N protein allows the expression of other phage genes by altering the transcription elongation process so as to prevent transcription termination. We have found that N levels may be modulated soon after induction or infection. Using N-lacZ fusions, we determined that cells containing RNaselll have at least a fourfold greater expression than cells defective for RNaselll. This effect is exerted at the post-transcriptional level. RNaselll processes an RNA stem structure in the N-leader RNA. Removal of the stem structure by deletion increases N expression and prevents further stimulation by RNaselll. The base of this stable stem is adjacent to the N ribosome binding site. We present a model for control of N synthesis in which this stable stem inhibits ribosome access to the N mRNA.

Bacteriophage lambda↗
PubMed1989

Allergy to cow's milk with onset in adult life.

We report a 29-year-old patient with a history of asthma that is sometimes accompanied by urticaria, which is related to the ingestion of milk products. Once these were excluded from his diet no symptoms were observed. Skin tests, specific IgE, histamine release, and oral food challenges were positive to cow's milk and its fractions.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Characterization of a pyoverdine-deficient mutant of Pseudomonas fluorescens impaired in the secretion of extracellular lipase.

A mutant of Pseudomonas fluorescens strain B52 deficient in the synthesis of the fluorescent pigment, pyoverdine, was isolated. Absence of pyoverdine and other siderophores was confirmed by gel filtration, a specific siderophore assay, and inhibition studies with the iron chelator EDDA. Both parent and mutant synthesized additional outer membrane proteins in response to iron-limitation. Mutant cells cultured in the absence of iron(III) accumulated 55Fe-labeled pyoverdine. The mutant produced extracellular proteinase normally on various media, but was deficient in lipase secretion. Growth of the mutant with partially-purified pyoverdine resulted in a 2.5-fold stimulation of lipase secretion. The mutant grew poorly in deferrated medium; however, the addition of iron(III) stimulated growth. Proteinase secretion in deferrated medium was stimulated over a narrow range of iron(III) concentration, while lipase secretion was only slightly affected. The data suggest that separate regulatory mechanisms exist for the control of proteinase and lipase secretion by iron(III).

Cell Membrane↗