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Biomedical subjects

M Alvarez

Publications and source records attributed to M Alvarez.

425 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

[Usefulness of nuclear morphometry as predictive factor of progression in bladder papillary carcinoma].

Lately, nuclear morphometry methods are being used to analyze the malignant potential of tumoral cells. This paper presents a retrospective study of a series of 163 patients with the three histological grades (WHO), of superficial papillary transitional cell carcinoma (pTa-pT1) of the bladder with a mean follow-up of 60 months. A morphometric analysis of the initial tumour biopsies was made. Mean nuclear area (NA) and its standard deviation (NASD) were measured in a semi-automatic image analyzer (MOP-videoplan, Kontron). NA and NASD show increasingly higher values with increased grade (p < or = 0.0001). NA and NASD values raise in those progressing to muscle-infiltrant stage; tumours were, then, divided into two morphometric groups: small NA (< 50 microns 2) and large NA (> 50 microns 2); the difference between them being statistically significant. The likelihood of no tumoral progression at 30, 60 and 90 months was, respectively, 96, 94 and 92 percent, form small NAs, and 76, 65 and 64 percent for large NA (p < or = 0.0001).

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

[Growth and survival of Azospirillum in roots and maize rhizospheres with different levels of acidity].

An experiment was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of pH on Azospirillum sp. growth and survival in maize rhizosphere. Sterilized maize seeds were sown in a perlite substratum with addition of a nutritive medium. The pots were buffered at two different pHs: 5.8 (group one) and 7.0 (group two). Each group was divided in two treatments: inoculated with Azospirillum sp. Az-39 and non-inoculated. Experimental pots were incubated at 20 degrees C with a 14 hour photoperiod. Growth of non-inoculated roots was negligible. Inoculated roots showed a better response at pH 5.8 than at 7.0. Several accompanying bacteria were found. Azospirillum grew in both groups with a low penetration into roots. A set of nutritive relationships among microorganisms and maize roots was observed; Xanthomonas is a maize pathogenic bacteria, and it is a NO3- consumer, and uses this anion as hydrogen acceptor. The Gram (-) Diplococcus is a nitrate producer . Cytophaga and Flavobacterium are related with roots decomposition. It is concluded that Azospirillum improves the root growth, mainly at pH 5.8.

Azospirillum↗

Severe graft versus host disease following liver transplantation confirmed by PCR-HLA-B sequencing: report of a case and literature review.

A case of severe graft versus host disease in a liver transplant recipient is presented. Due to HLA similarity between donor and recipient, the demonstration of cellular chimerism had to be made by PCR-HLA-B sequencing. In addition, we review the literature on this entity emphasizing its poor outcome, the difficulty of the differential diagnosis, and the need for the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in its management.

Adult↗

[Intensive care for patients with the human immunodeficiency virus].

BACKGROUND: HIV infection is of special importance in Spain, occasionally requiring the use of intensive care units (ICU) in the management of these cases. METHODS: A retrospective review of the seropositive HIV patients was carried out of those requiring ICU admission in the authors' center over a three year period. Twenty-five patients were included, with the cause for admission into ICU, the clinical features, mortality and prognostic factors being reported. RESULTS: Most of the patients presented as a risk behavior by intravenous drug addiction and did present AIDS prior to hospitalization. The most frequent cause for admission in the ICU was respiratory failure produced by germs other than Pneumocytis carinii, placing this microorganism in second place. The mean time of admission in the ICU was 10.8 days, with 88% requiring mechanical ventilation and 56% the use of vasoactive drugs. The ICU mortality was 48%. No survivor died posteriorly on the ward. Factors of bad prognosis were: less than 200 CD4 lymphocytes/mm3, low albumin levels and high creatinine in addition to the need for vasoactive drugs with no evidence of other data presenting statistical significance. Fourty-four percent of the survivors remain alive at 12 months of hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory failure produced by Pneumocystis carinii or by other germs is the most frequent cause for ICU admission of patients with HIV infection. Renal failure, lymphopenia, and hypoalbuminemia are predictors of mortality in almost 50% of the cases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Consumption of medications in people over age of 65 years: potential problems and associated factors].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the percentage of patients over 65 years of age with potential problems derived from the consumption of medications, and identify associated variables. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: Otero y Paulino Prieto Health Centers (Oviedo). PATIENTS: A randomly selected group of 298 patients over 65 years. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: A questionnaire using both interview and clinical case notes provided data about sociodemographic details, perceived state of health, and functional status of patients, and qualitative and quantitative aspects of pharmacological treatment. 222 valid questionnaires were obtained. Once having identified patients with potential treatment problems, the associated variables were studied using bivariant and multivariant analysis. The mean consumption of medications was 3.1. 32.9% of patients had treatment problems (95% CI, 26.7-39.1), identified as drug interactions (54.8%), inappropriate use (36.9%) or both (8.3%). The bivariant analysis showed an association between the presence of problems and number of medications consumed (p < 0.001), prescribers (p < 0.001), diagnostic (p < 0.001), number of visit/year (p < 0.004), patient's own perception of health (p = 0.006), age (p = 0.018), socioeconomic status (p = 0.024) and cultural level (p = 0.039); the associations was not significative for functional status (p = 0.150), sex (p = 0.246), and number of UTB (Use Therapeutic Low) drug used (p = 0.751). Logistic regression showed an association between the presence of problems and patient's perceived state of health (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03-2.36) and the number of medications consumed (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.41-2). CONCLUSIONS: A third of the population studied showed potential problems derived from the consumption of medications, through drug interactions and/or inappropriate use. Variables associated with this problems are the patient's perceived ill-health, and the highest consumption of medications.

Aged↗