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Biomedical subjects

L Moreno

Publications and source records attributed to L Moreno.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

The impact on clients of a community-based infant mortality reduction program: the National Healthy Start Program Survey of Postpartum Women.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effect of the national Healthy Start Program on its clients. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional survey of a sample from Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) rosters of women less than 6 months postpartum who were residents of Healthy Start Program areas. RESULTS: Healthy Start clients revealed higher sociodemographic risk, but not behavioral risk, for adverse pregnancy outcome than other area residents. They did not differ from other residents in receipt of services except for a greater likelihood of receiving case management, using birth control at the time of the interview, and rating their prenatal care more highly. CONCLUSIONS: The Healthy Start Program succeeded in enrolling women at high risk. It had little effect on the immediately concluded pregnancy, but it might influence future outcomes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Pharmacokinetics and penetration into tissue fluid of ceftizoxime in normal and hyperthermic sheep.

The pharmacokinetics of ceftizoxime was studied in six sheep before and after inducing hyperthermia using Escherichia coli endotoxin. Sheep implanted subcutaneously with cages of non-reactive material for collecting tissue cage fluid (TCF) were used to conduct two trials. In Trial 1 animals with normal basal temperature (normal sheep (NS)) were given intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) monodoses of ceftizoxime (20mg/kg BW) at 1 week interval. One and 5 weeks later (Trial 2) each sheep were injected 1µg/kg BW of endotoxin to produce hyperthermia (hyperthermic sheep (HS)) previously to i.v. administration (HSi.v.) and i.m. (HSi.m.) of ceftizoxime (20mg/kg BW), respectively. Serum and TCF samples were collected over 6h post-administration. Ceftizoxime concentrations in serum and TCF were determined by a microbiological assay. The concentrations in serum and TCF of ceftizoxime were analyzed through compartmental and non-compartmental models.Rectal temperature were significantly incremented in all animals during Trial 2. The half-time and constant of elimination in serum of ceftizoxime in NSi.v. (t(1/2)=1.1+/-0.4h; lambda(z)=0.7+/-0.2h(-1)) were statistically different those observed in HSi.v. (t(1/2)=1.4+/-0.4h; lambda(z)=0.5+/-0.2h(-1)). The constants of distribution in NSi.v. and HSIV were 5.1+/-4.6 and 4.1+/-3.4h(-1), respectively. The time to reach the maximum concentrations in TCF was latter (p<0.05) in NS (t(max)=2.3+/-0.7h) than in HS (t(max)=1.3+/-0.6 h). After i.m. administration in NS the absorption half-life (0.12+/-0.19h) was latter (p<0.05) than in HS (0.06+/-0.007h) with greater areas under the curve (AUC in NS=65.4+/-20.8 and AUC in HS=34.7+/-7.5 (µg/ml) h). The maximum value of concentration in serum (C(max)) and AUC in TCF were greater (p<0.05) in NS (C(max)=46.1+/-10.6µg/ml and AUC=84.4+/-17.4 (µg/ml) h) as compared to same HS (C(max)=27.0+/-12.9µg/ml and AUC=47.9+/-3.9 (µg/ml) h). The concentrations of ceftizoxime in TCF after i.v. and i.m. in NS and HS were elevated during a 6h period after administration. The bioavailability of ceftizoxime in NS (101.6+/-59.9%) and HS (87.4+/-63.3%) was suitable for its use by the i.m. route.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Long-term processes in waste deposits.

A conceptual model, which is a unitary and continuous description of the overall processes in waste deposits, has been developed. In the model the most important processes governing the long-term fate of organic matter in landfills and the transport and retention of toxic metals are included. With the model as a base, a number of scenarios with different levels of complexity have been defined and studied in order to carry out long-term assessments of the chemical evolution in waste deposits for industrial and municipal solid waste containing much organic matter and the leaching of toxic metals. The focus of the modelling has been to quantify the important processes occurring after the methane production phase has ceased, i.e. during the humic phase. The scenarios include the main mechanisms based on various transport processes as well as different landfill constructions, e.g. binding capacities of sulfides and humic substances. They also include transport mechanisms by which the reactant oxygen can intrude into a deposit, sorption capacities of hydrous ferric oxides, and pH-buffering reactions, etc. Scoping calculations have shown that the binding capacity of humic substances is sufficient to bind all toxic metals (Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn and Hg). In addition, the humics could also bind a smaller part of Ca, Fe and Al, provided much of the organic waste remain as humic substances. Sulfides on the other hand can bind approximately twice the amount of all toxic metals. The binding capacity of hydrous ferric oxides, which can be formed by oxidation reactions during the humic phase, is estimated to be three times the total content of metals that can sorb on hydrous ferric oxides. In the studied landfill the pH-buffering capacity, primarily represented by calcite, is estimated to be 1 mol/kg dry waste. Quantifications indicate that the alkalinity of the wastes is high enough to buffer the acidity produced by the oxidation of sulfides and by the degradation of organic matter, as well as that added by acid precipitation. Therefore, the main conclusion is that higher remobilisation rates of heavy metals due to lowering of pH are not expected for many thousands of years.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗
PubMed2000

[The bidirectional cavopulmonary (Glenn) shunt without cardiopulmonary bypass: a safe and advisable technique].

The bidirectional cavopulmonary (Glenn) shunt is almost a routine first step procedure for total cavopulmonary connection in children with single-ventricle cardiac anomalies. It is usually performed with cardiopulmonary bypass, of which adverse effects can be especially deleterious in these cardiac conditions. To avoid these adverse effects, we performed the cavopulmonary shunt in 5 children through sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. There was no mortality nor morbidity. We think that this technique is safe, reproducible, and even advisable in children with single-ventricle anomalies.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Automatic analysis of signals with symbolic content.

This paper presents a set of methods for helping in the analysis of signals with particular features that admit a symbolic description. The methodology is based on a general discrete model for a symbolic processing subsystem, which is fuzzyfied by means of a fuzzy inference system. In this framework a number of design problems have been approached. The curse of dimensionality problem and the specification of adequate membership functions are the main ones. In addition, other strategies, which make the design process simpler and more robust, are introduced. Their goals are automating the production of the rule base of the fuzzy system and composing complex systems from simpler subsystems under symbolic constrains. These techniques are applied to the analysis of wakefulness episodes in the sleep EEG. In order to solve the practical difficulty of finding remarkable situations from the outputs of the symbolic subsystems an unsupervised adaptive learning technique (FART network) has been applied.

Artificial Intelligence↗
PubMed2000

Role of central glutamate receptors, nitric oxide and soluble guanylyl cyclase in the inhibition by endotoxin of rat gastric acid secretion.

1. This study examines the role of a central pathway involving glutamate receptors, nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP in the acute inhibitory effects of low doses of peripheral endotoxin on pentagastrin-stimulated acid production. 2. Vagotomy or intracisternal (i.c.) microinjections of the NO-inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl esther (L-NAME; 200 microg rat(-1)) restored acid secretory responses in endotoxin (10 microg kg(-1), i.v.)-treated rats. 3. The acid-inhibitory effect of i.v. endotoxin (10 microg kg(-1), i.v.) was prevented by prior i.c. administration of the NMDA receptor antagonists, dizocilpine maleate (MK-801; 10 nmol rat(-1)) and D-2-amino-5-phosphono-valeric acid (AP-5; 20 nmol rat(-1)), or the AMPA/kainate antagonist 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX; 10 nmol rat(-1)). However, the competitive metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist (+)-alpha-methyl-4-carboxyphenylglycine (MCPG; 20 - 1000 nmol rat(-1)) did not antagonize the effects of endotoxin. 4. I.c. administration of L-glutamate (0.1 nmol rat(-1)) inhibited pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion. Coadministration with L-NAME (200 microg rat(-1)) prevented the inhibition of gastric acid secretion by the aminoacid. 5. I.c. administration of 1H-[1,2, 4]Oxazodiolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 100 nmol rat(-1)), a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) blocker, reversed the hyposecretory effect of endotoxin. 6. I.c. administration of the cyclic GMP analogue 8-Bromoguanosine-3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cGMP; 100 - 300 nmol rat(-1)) reduced gastric acid production in a dose-dependent manner. 7. We conclude that central NMDA and AMPA/kainate receptors are involved in the acid inhibitory effect of peripherally administered endotoxin. This central pathway involves synthesis of NO, which acts on the enzyme sGC.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion with high dose tumor necrosis factor alpha in pigs: an experimental study in preparation of clinical Use.

Isolated hyperthermic perfusion of the liver was performed for 45 min in 27 pigs via hepatic artery and portal vein at mean inflow temperatures between 40.7 and 41.2 degrees C. In two study groups B and C (n = 9 pigs each) 50 microg recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNFalpha) per kg body weight were added to the perfusate, whereas in a control group A liver perfusion was done without rhTNFalpha. Before reperfusion the livers were washed out with Ringer's solution in all groups followed by a protein solution in group C. At 30 and 60 min after reperfusion the maximum systemic rhTNFalpha concentrations were significantly higher in group B with 68 and 61 ng/ml compared to 14.5 and 14.9 ng/ml in group C (p < 0. 05). Mean systemic porcine TNFalpha concentration was significantly higher in group B (217 pg/ml) compared to group C (50 pg/ml) 30 min after reperfusion (p = 0.012). Survival was 7/9 in group A and C and only 2/9 in group B with 6/7 pigs dying due to severe cardiopulmonary failure within 12 h after operation. In surviving pigs of group A and C only mild and transient hepatotoxicity was registered. The presented study underlines the feasibility of high dose rhTNFalpha application in an isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion system. Washout of the liver with a protein solution before reperfusion reduces systemic TNFalpha levels as well as associated lethal cardiocirculatory and hepatotoxic side effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Changes in body composition during the initial hours of life in breast-fed healthy term newborns.

Newborns usually lose 5-10% of their initial weight during the first 4 days of life. Our aim, using bioelectrical impedance (BI), was to study the body composition of healthy term newborns and the nature of the changes which accompany this physiological weight loss. Forty-three healthy term newborns, all with adequate weight for their gestational age, were studied during the first 3 days of life. Weight and BI were taken on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of life, always at the same time of the day. Total body water (TBW), percentage of total body mass hydration (%TBW), and amount of body solids were calculated. Average weight at birth was 3,297+/-381 g, length 50.04+/-1.75 cm, and gestational age 39.9+/-0.84 weeks. Weight, TBW, and body solids decreased progressively during the first 3 days of life (p<0.000). By day 3, weight loss represented 5.67+/-1.98% of birth weight, but %TBW increased slightly (1.72%; p<0.000). These results suggest that, during physiological weight loss, body composition modifications are produced in the term newborn by a decrease in TBW and loss of body solids. The level of body hydration increases slightly, since the loss of body solids is greater than the loss of TBW. The use of BI can help us in the study of body composition and the short- and/or long-term changes produced therein, in the newborn.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Long-term fate of organics in waste deposits and its effect on metal release.

The long-term chemical evolution in waste deposits and the release of toxic metals was investigated. The degradation of organic matter and hence the potential efflux of heavy metals in a long-term perspective was studied by defining some scenarios for waste deposits containing organic compounds, different longevity and functions of covers and different water and air intrusion rates. The scenarios were based on various transport processes as well as different landfill constructions. The rates of influx of oxygen into both saturated and partially saturated landfills have been estimated. Each scenario takes the form of a mathematical model. The starting point for all the studied cases is the humic phase, i.e. the phase after the methane production has stopped. Based on the different cases studied, it appeared that landfills where the waste is below the water table could have advantages over the other cases. Recognizing that this option is not accepted in most countries we, nevertheless, suggested it should be reevaluated. The main conclusion is that the degradation of humic matter and hence the release of toxic metals can be substantially decreased if potential build-up of hydraulic gradients are avoided and if the landfill is located below the water surface. A conceivable alternative construction would be to place it in a depression--either natural or artificial--and to construct it so that under normal conditions it would always be water-saturated.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1999

Biliary elimination kinetics and tissue concentrations of oxytetracycline after intravenous administration in hens.

The pharmacokinetics of the biliary elimination of oxytetracycline (OTC) and tissue concentrations in certain organs were studied in 10 Leghorn hens. The animals were anaesthetized using xylazine/ketamine administered by the intramuscular (i.m.) route and were immobilized for right laparotomy. Both bile ducts were cannulated and a dose of 20 mg/kg of oxytetracycline hydrochloride was administered intravenously (i.v.). Samples of bile excreted were taken at predetermined intervals during 6 h. At 6 h animals were slaughtered and tissue samples of blood, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, heart, lung and pectoral muscle were taken. The values for OTC biliary elimination rate times were best fitted to a one-exponential equation. The maximum value for OTC biliary excretion rate (3.69+/-0.6 microg/min/kg) was reached at approximately 17.5 min (time to maximum concentration (tmax)). The first-order rate constant for the biliary excretion (k) and the half-life (t1/2) were 6.7x10(-3) min(-1) and 110.55 min, respectively. The mean value of area under the biliary excretion rate time curve (AUC) indicated that 839.77 microg/kg body weight (b.w.) were eliminated by the biliary route. The cumulative biliary excretion data indicated that approximately 4.20% of the dose was eliminated by this route, 3.28% being eliminated during the first 6 h and 0.92% thereafter. The highest mean concentrations were found in the kidney (35.82 microg/kg) and liver (16.77 microg/g). Significant differences were found between the concentrations of the various tissues studied. Plasma concentration was lower than that of the other tissues (except lung).

Algorithms↗
PubMed1999

[Pancreatic vipoma with bizarre characteristics].

Pancreatic vipoma is an unusual endocrine tumour, with only 5 cases reported in our country. We report a new case in a 41 year-old-male; the diagnosis was made on the basis of increased plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and positive immunohistochemistry for VIP in the tumour. The peculiarities of this case were a strong steatorrhea which was managed with oral pancreatic enzymes and the findings of peritoneal carcinomatosis at the time of diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[The usefulness of the detection of Cys282Tyr and His63Asp mutations in the diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis].

BACKGROUND: Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease the diagnosis and early therapy of which is particularly relevant to prevent the appearance of complications. In 1996, the gene responsible for this condition was identified and was named HFE. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Cys282Tyr (C282Y) and His63Asp (H63D) mutations in the HFE gene in a group of patients with the confirmed diagnosis of hereditary hemochromatosis, as well as in a control group of 174 healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two patients with the diagnosis of primary hemochromatosis who were on treatment with periodic phlebotomies were studied. All patients had the following parameters measured: serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, serology for hepatitis viruses B and C, liver function tests, abdominal echography and liver biopsy. A control group of 174 healthy individuals, who had their serotype analyzed, was also studied. RESULTS: Eighteen (81.8%) of patients with hemochromatosis were homozygous for the C282Y mutation. One patient was homozygous for the H63D mutation and in other patient no mutation was found. Among individuals in the control group, the allelic frequency of the C282Y mutation was 2.3%, whereas the allelic frequency of the H63D mutation was 19.8%. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in our study support the evident association between the C282Y mutation in the HFE gene and hereditary hemochromatosis in our environment.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

[new one-week triple therapies with metronidazole for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: clarithromycin or amoxycillin as the second antibiotic].

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of two "new" one-week triple therapies (with omeprazole, metronidazole and clarithromycin or amoxycillin) for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori and healing duodenal ulcer. METHODS: Randomised therapeutic trial. Eighty-eight consecutive duodenal ulcer patients with H. pylori infection were studied. At endoscopy, biopsies from both gastric antrum and body were obtained for histologic study (H&E). Two different therapies were administered for one week: omeprazole (O) (20 mg b.i.d.) and metronidazole (M) (500 mg b.i.d.) associated with clarithromycin (C) (500 mg b.i.d.) (group OMC, n = 44) or amoxycillin (A) (1 g b.i.d.) (group OMA, n = 44). Endoscopy with biopsies was repeated one month after completing therapy, and a 13C-urea breath test was also performed. Compliance was evaluated by tablet count. Analysis of data: multiple logistic regression, intention-to-treat. Eradication was defined as the absence of H. pylori by all diagnostic methods. RESULTS: Mean age (standard deviation) was 45(14) years, 75% males. Distribution of variables was similar in both therapeutic groups. Forty-two patients in each group completed the protocol. Eradication was achieved in 90.5% (95% CI = 78-96%) in group OMC and in 57% (42-71%) in group OMA (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis the type of therapy was the only variable which influenced on H. pylori eradication (OR = 7.1; CI = 2.2-24; p = 0.001). Ulcer healing was demonstrated in 88% (75-95%) of patients in group OMC and in 71% (56-83%) in group OMA (p = 0.1). Ulcer healing was higher when eradication was achieved (90%; 80-95%) than in H. pylori-positive patients (50%; 31-69%) (p < 0.001). Eradication of H. pylori was the only variable which influenced on ulcer healing (OR = 9.3; CI = 2.8-31; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The "new" triple therapy with omeprazole, metronidazole and clarithromycin (administered in a twice-a-day basis and only for one week) had an excellent efficacy for the eradication of H. pylori, significantly higher than that obtained with amoxycillin instead of clarithromycin. Both therapies achieved a high ulcer healing rate when H. pylori was eradicated, even with omeprazole administered only for one week.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Asanguineous isolated hyperthermic perfusion of the liver: results of an experimental study in pigs.

Asanguineous hyperthermic liver perfusion was performed in five and seven pigs for 30 and 45 min respectively. Laboratory data, including changes of liver enzyme levels and results of liver function tests, as well as morphological alterations of liver structure, were compared with data from a 45-min oxygenated hyperthermic liver perfusion. In the group undergoing asanguineous liver perfusion survival was four of five and five of seven animals. In the oxygenated group six of seven pigs survived. Liver enzymes and function tests in the two groups with a 45-min perfusion time were not significantly different. All enzyme and laboratory test values returned to normal within 1 week. Similarly morphological changes were reversible within 1 week. The results suggest that asanguineous isolated hyperthermic liver perfusion up to 45 min is feasible without damage to liver tissue.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Pharmacological screening of different Juniperus oxycedrus L. extracts.

Methanol and dichloromethanol extracts of leaves and stems of Juniperus oxycedrus have been tested for their toxicity, analgesic, antiinflammatory and central effects. Both extracts showed low acute toxicity and decreased spontaneous motility. The methanol extract exhibited an analgesic effect in models of chemical, mechanical and thermal stimulation whereas dichloromethanol extract showed only a significant effect in models of pain induced by chemical stimulation. Both extracts showed a significant antiinflammatory activity and inhibition of the rat paw oedema induced by carrageenin.

Animals↗