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Biomedical subjects

M Alvarez

Publications and source records attributed to M Alvarez.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuro-cognitive condition of 8 year old children with congenital hypothyroidism treated early].

INTRODUCTION: Congenital hypothyroidism is the most important cause of preventable mental retardation. Since the use of programmes for early detection, mental retardation due to cretinism has been abolished and current investigations seek to detect subtle damage due to foetal hypothyroidism and strategies to minimize such deficits. OBJECTIVE: This study presents the results of neurocognitive assessment of a group of 19 children aged 8 in the Cuban Programme for the early detection of Congenital Hypothyroidism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The programme is based on the use of umbilical cord serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH), using the Elisa ultramicro method (SUMA) and substitutive treatment with sodium levothyroxine and a programme of neuropsychiatric stimulation until 5 years old. RESULTS: The results showed that the intelligence quotients of children with hypothyroidism were not statistically different from paired controls, and thus demonstrate the efficacy of the programme. On evaluation using computerized techniques for the detection of subtle disorders of the maintenance of attention, deficiencies were found. Analysis of the conventional EEG showed that in 13 cases recordings were normal, 4 had generalized cortical damage, 1 had cortico-subcortical damage and the remainder had signs of focal irritation. On the quantitative EEG, correlation between the attention variables and absolute values (MV2/Hz) were calculated for each derivation and associations found mainly in the right parietal and left frontal regions. CONCLUSION: The effect of stimulating development in these patients is discussed.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of various biological properties of 3 strains of dengue 2 with differences in their nucleotide sequences].

Some biological properties of Dengue-2 strains such as A-15 (isolated in Cuba in 1981); Jamaica (isolated in Jamaica in 1981) and New Guinea "C" (NG"C") standard strain differing in their nucleotide sequences were studied. The results showed that the cytopathic effect in C6/36 HT cell line occurred earlier in A-15 strain and that fluorescence was first detected in Jamaica and A-15 strains. This seems to indicate that rapid detection of strains does not have any relation to neither their history of passage nor the original isolation system. A-15 and NG"C" strains exhibited an heterogeneous pattern formed by big and small plaques but average size of plaques in NG"C" was lower whereas Jamaica showed only small plaques. The most neurovirulent strain in mice was NG"G" followed by A-15 whereas Jamaica was not neurovirulent at all. These results indicate that A-15 has a different biological behaviour which is probably due to intrinsic differences. It should be taken into account that 7 amino acid changes were found in the envelope protein which may have affected the expression of some biological properties.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Right ventricle with double outlet associated to total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage to innominate vein].

The clinical findings of 2 patients are studied with an association of malformations not previously reported: double outlet right ventricle and total anomalous pulmonary venous connection to the innominate vein. The following features are worth while to be underlined: 1. Both patients showed a discordance between viscero-atrial situs and direction of the apex; 2. In both cases, particularly in case 2, there existed a very unusual spacial relationship between ventricles, the right ventricle being superior with respect to the left ventricular cavity; 3. From the embryological viewpoint, this ventricular arrangement is supposed to be due to an arrest of the development of the heart in the straight tube stage, there being, however, an upwards expansion of the atrioventricular canal and common atrium; 4. An accurate diagnosis of the common or divided nature of the atrioventricular valves has been impossible in these cases; 5. These combination of lesions constitutes a challenge to cardiologists and surgeons as far as the surgical indication is concerned. In that sense, the simple anastomosis of the common pulmonary vein to the left atrium, although is not a radical cure, may be a feasible and beneficial procedure.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The use of flow cytometry to assess membrane stability in fresh and cryopreserved trout spermatozoa.

In this approach flow cytometry combined with PI was used as an alternative method to determined cell membrane integrity and osmotic fragility in trout spermatozoa. Milt was diluted 1:3 in a extender containing either 7% Me(2)SO or 7% Me(2)SO plus egg yolk-BSA and frozen in 0.5 ml French straws on a rack that floated 2 cm over the surface of liquid nitrogen. Cell integrity and membrane resistance to hyposmotic shock was analyzed before and after freezing/thawing. To test cell resistance to hyposmotic shock, sperm was subjected to hypo- and isosmotic solutions (10, 100, 300 mOsm/Kg) and cell integrity was analyzed through a time course (30 sec, 2, 5, 10 and 15 min) using propidium iodide and flow cytometry. This procedure allowed a rapid and accurate identification of different cell subpopulations according to their resistance to hyposmotic shock and, in this way, provides a method to evaluate the sub-lethal damage caused by cryopreservation. The proportion of extremely sensitive cells in fresh spermatozoa (2%) increased after cryopreservation: 30% without stabilizers, and 19% after the addition of egg yolk-BSA, demonstrating that external cryoprotectants significantly improved the resistance to the osmotic stress.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological behavior of 3 strains of the dengue-2 virus in 2 cell lines of mosquitoes].

Strains A-15 (isolated in Cuba, 1981), Jamaica (isolated in Jamaica, 1981) and Nueva Guinea "C" (standard) from dengue-2 virus were compared according to the time of appearance of the cytopathic effect (CPE), to the time of appearance of specific fluorescence and to the kynetics of viral multiplication on being innoculated in the cell lines AP-61 (Aedes pseudoscutellaris) and C6/36 HT (Aedes albopictus). The results showed that the CPE of highest intensity and earliest appearance was for A-15, followed by Jamaica and Nueva Guinea "C" (NGC). AP-61 seems to favor the CPE of Jamaica with respect to that of the same strain in C6/36 HT. The fluorescence was earlier for Jamaica and A-15 and more intensive for the latter, whereas NGC manifested late. This behaviour was similar in the 2 cellular systems. The greatest titres during the kinetics of viral multiplication were obtained from A-15 in both lines, although in AP-61 they tend to be equal from the 4th day on. The strain A-15 showed a particular behaviour of these biological properties on comparing them with the other strains under study, which may be related to changes found in its neucleotide sequence.

Aedes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in ecuador: analysis of prognostic factors.

The highest incidence of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) has been reported in countries with endemic goiter, such as in Ecuador. In this country, ATC is the third most common histologic type of thyroid cancer, following papillary and follicular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to review the clinical presentation and the results of treatment of a large consecutive series of ATC patients treated at the oncological department of a general hospital in Quito, Ecuador. This is a retrospective study of 30 patients diagnosed with ATC at the Social Security Hospital, from 1982 to 1998. Symptomatic rapidly growing neck masses were generally present. All the patients had histological diagnosis of ATC. Two patients with pulmonary metastases and pleural effusion died before treatment could be instituted. Twenty-eight patients received at least one type of treatment: surgery, radiation therapy (RT), or chemotherapy (CT). The two most frequently employed therapeutic modalities were surgery followed by RT and/or CT in 14 patients and surgery alone in 9 patients. Surgery was performed in 23 patients but a complete resection was possible in only 14 patients. RT, postoperatively or alone, was given to 17 patients. Only 5 patients received doses ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 cGy and 4 patients more than 5,000 cGy. CT was administered to 17 patients. Doxorubicin alone was given to 10 patients and different combinations to the remaining patients. Local control was obtained in 8 of 14 complete resections. The prognostic value of the following parameters was studied by univariate analysis: duration of symptoms, size of the tumor, extent of glandular involvement, type of treatment, and surgical margins. A statistically longer survival was found in cases of differentiated carcinoma with areas of ATC or tumor limited to one lobe, those patients who received a complete treatment of chemotherapy, and those patients with tumors smaller than 10 cm and with duration of symptoms longer than 4 months. Longer mean survivals were seen in patients with longer duration of symptoms and smaller lesions. Five patients with focal anaplastic lesions within a differentiated thyroid carcinoma or a lesion limited to one lobe had a significant better survival (a mean of 20 months).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurological diagnostics in primary health care in Santiago, Chile].

INTRODUCTION: Neurological diseases are a growing concern for public health planners. The purpose of this study was to determine the burden of neurological diagnosis in a primary health care setting in the East Metropolitan Health Service in Santiago, Chile. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A random blocked sample of diagnosis in a one year period was obtained balanced by each of the fourteen clinics in the area. This corresponded to 3% of all visits. A total of 72 diagnosis corresponding to diseases of the nervous system were selected according to ICD 9 definitions. RESULTS: Of a total of 13,388 visits, 705 (5.3%) corresponded to disease or disorders attributable to the nervous system or that frequently mean consultation with neurologists. Of these, 63.5% were women. The highest rates were found between the second and fourth decades. The most frequent diagnosis were attention deficit disorder in children, headache in adults and spinal pain in the elderly. CONCLUSIONS: The demand for care for syndromes that affect the nervous system in the primary health care setting in a sample of visits is concentrated in chronic disease that require a multidisciplinary approach. The finding are similar to other studies. The data help in defining were to concentrate efforts in health planning and education for the care of neurological disorder in the primary care setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Indirect ultramicroElisa for the detection of total antibodies against cytomegaloviruses in human blood].

We have standardized an indirect ultramicro ELISA assay for detecting antibodies to human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) using human serum samples (UMELISA CMV). The optimal concentration of coating antigen (30 ug/ml), serum dilution (1:40) and anti-human conjugate working dilution (1:1500), were determined by a check board titration method. The UMELISA CMV was compared with the latex agglutination test for antibodies to CMV (Dupont de Nemours) and with an indirect immunofluorescent method. The results have showed the high coincidence, sensitivity and especificity of the proposed assay regarding the two methods compared with, and supporting its use either for a blood donors screening or in the serological diagnosis of this infection by paired serum samples.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[ELISA for detecting antibodies against herpes simplex virus].

The results are presented of the normalization of an indirect ELISA test for detecting herpes simplex antivirus antibodies, and the conditions and criteria for positive tests are established. It was applied to 89 serum samples from patients with immunodepression and to 76 samples from blood bank donors. The results of the survey were compared by the indirect immunofluorescence technique.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Detection of cytomegalovirus by the immunoperoxidase technique and viral isolation].

An Immunoperoxidase assay was applied to detect early antigens of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 150 urine samples from immunocompromised patients, using the commercial available monoclonal antibody against CMV E13. The detection of early antigen by IP (IPCMV) is compared to the conventional cell culture isolation regarding specificity and sensitivity in order to evaluate is usefulness in the diagnostic of CMV infections. The IPCMV showed a sensitivity of 89.8% and a specificity of 91.3% when compared to the isolation method. The great advantage of the IPCMV is based on the shorter time results are achieved, since 48-72 Hs can be enough to provide evidence of CMV infection, while in the isolation technique cytopathogenic effect was present around 14 days after sample inoculation.

Cytomegalovirus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Microbiological quality of spices consumed in Cuba].

The microbiological quality of some widely consumed spices in Cuba was evaluated by means of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms count, filamentous fungi, yeasts, coliforms, thermophilic and thermoresistant microorganisms. Salmonella spp was looked for too. Black pepper and cumin resulted the most contaminated spices with values of total count and thermoresistant microorganisms at levels of 10(6) per gram, and coliform values up to 10(5) per gram. Oregano and cinnamon showed satisfactory microbiological quality; the contamination detected in these spices was lower than 10(4) per gram. Salmonella spp and yeasts were not detected.

Bacteria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Aging effects on lexical access. The tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon on proper names].

INTRODUCTION: The tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon is one of the most frequent complaints in aging, especially with reference to the proper names retrieval. Previous experimental studies focussed on comparing extreme age groups and they used strategic search paradigms that impede the processing knowledge. AIMS: To analyze TOT frequency and resolution in the normal process of aging. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 140 participants aged from 19 to 82 performed an experiment of production of famous people' names from their definitions, and 36 participants aged from 20 to 80 performed other similar experiment from pictures. Data were analyzed using a linear general model with vocabulary level and processing speed as covariables. RESULTS: Adults aged from 50 produced more TOTs than young adults and the TOTs' increase was higher in adults from 70 years independently of their vocabulary level. Older adults resolved fewer TOTs than young adults but phonological priming improved TOTs resolution. CONCLUSION: Aging weakens activation in the proper names retrieval process but phonological priming increases the activation and improves lexical access.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The use of computed tomography in assessing parotid masses].

Thirty-one patients with suspected parotid masses have been studied by computed tomography (CT) without and with contrast to demonstrate the existence of this and to value possible relation between degrees of malignancy and the morphological characteristics of the masses.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sex information of adolescents according to sex].

Information about sexual matters among adolescents according to sex, parent-adolescent communication and religious practices were studied in a sample that is representative of school-children from various socioeconomic levels at metropolitan Santiago, Chile (n = 1.782). Girls get more information from mothers than do boys (p less than 0.0001) which in turn obtain more information from teachers (72.3%), father (50.8%), friends (50.3%) and communication media (39.8%) than girls. Females usually know less about age at which both sexes are able to procreate and become responsible parents than boys (p less than 0.00001). Only about one half of girls and one third of boys regularly practice religion (p less than 0.0001). These results may be related with persistent high rates of pregnancies in adolescent girls in spite of generally declining birth rates and may indicate a need to provide sexual education, which should be given by mothers and teachers, specially among girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cardio-respiratory complications after major abdominal surgery in elderly patients. Risk factors and prognosis].

One hundred and eleven patients over 65 years of age underwent a major abdominal surgery between March 1986 and February 1987. The cardiorespiratory (CR) complications found were: cardiovascular (CV) failure 36%, post-operative myocardial infarction 5%, respiratory (R) failure 24%, pneumonia 11%. The overall mortality rate was 36%. The factors related with CV failure were: age over 75 years, ischemic cardiopathy, Goldman 3 and over, ASA III and over, cardiac failure, transoperatory hypotension and over 4 hours duration surgery. The ones related with myocardial infarction were: age over 75 years, Goldman 3 and over, ASA III and over, over 4 hours duration surgery and vital capacity (VC) less than 60%. For pneumonia the only related factor was VC less than 60%. For mortality, the factors found were Goldman 3 and over, ASA III and over and VC less than 60%. The mortality rate in patients without CR failure was 9%, with CV failure 35% (p less than 0.01), with R failure 33% and CR failure 90% (p less than 0.001).

Abdomen↗