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Biomedical subjects

P Alonso

Publications and source records attributed to P Alonso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

The effect of amphotericin B on the viability of cryopreserved human skin.

To evaluate whether amphotericin B has a detrimental effect on the viability of cryopreserved skin, human skin samples were incubated during 7 and 24 h in three different media: 0.9% phosphate-buffered saline and Medium 199 with and without 10 micrograms/ml amphotericin B. The viability of the tissue was assessed by measuring the tetrazolium reductase activity before and after cryopreservation. A significant decrease in cryopreserved human skin viability was observed after 7 and 24 h incubation with amphotericin B. These results indicate that in the processing of skin preservation, the beneficial effect of using amphotericin B as an antifungal agent may be reduced by its negative effect on tissue viability.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1995

Early prediction of stroke severity. Role of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Early predictors of functional outcome after stroke are necessary for better planning of treatment and care. METHODS: We evaluated prospectively early clinical predictors of short-term functional outcome in a group of patients with ischemic cerebral infarction and explored whether the intensity of the acute-phase response provided further information concerning the short-term functional outcome. We evaluated a group of 208 ischemic stroke patients using the Mathew scale at entry. All patients had neuroimaging studies and routine blood tests, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), within 72 hours from clinical onset. At discharge, functional outcome was graded according to a Stroke Outcome Scale. RESULTS: Larger infarcts, more embolic infarcts, and fewer lacunar infarcts were observed in the poor-outcome group. Vascular risk factors, radiological findings not related to the index stroke, time to admission, and treatment were similar in the two outcome groups. Variables with statistically significant differences between outcome groups included the following: age > 65 years, female sex, admission Mathew score < 75, worsening at clinical presentation, infarct volume > 6 cm3, complicating infections, fasting glucose > 110 mg, nonfasting glucose > 130 mg, and elevated ESR. With stepwise logistic regression analysis, Mathew score on admission, infarct volume, mode of clinical presentation, and ESR remained in the predictive model of stroke outcome, with a sensitivity and specificity of 89.91% and 85.71%, respectively. After removing the computed tomographic information from the model the same variables remained, with a sensitivity and specificity of 83.05% and 94.29%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Infarct size and clinical severity on admission are the stronger predictors of short-term functional outcome. Mode of clinical presentation, clinical evolution during the first day of stroke, and ESR are also independent predictors of short-term stroke outcome. These findings might be indicative of an inadequate collateral profile and/or a more pronounced prothrombotic state.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of SPf(66)n: a chimeric molecule used as a malaria vaccine.

SPf66 is a chemically synthesized 45 amino acid peptide derived from fractions of four different proteins of Plasmodium falciparum (83, 55 and 35 kDa and CS, the circumsporozoite protein) that elicits a protective immune response against malaria. In this paper we show the characterization of the SPf(66)n in batch 9 to be used in a field trial in young children at Ifakara in Tanzania. The analysis of SPf(66)n indicates that it is highly soluble in water and that the amino acid composition and sequence corresponds to that designed for the synthesis of the polypeptide. The packed product has a molecular weight ranging from 10 to 25 kDa. It is pure, free of metallic contaminants, atoxic and stable at 4 degrees C. The antibodies raised against this product in rabbits recognize the individual antigenic determinants of the molecule and the native epitopes of merozoites.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Prognostic value of the CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio in moderately burned patients.

We investigated CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subpopulations, as well as the CD4/CD8 ratio in 84 moderately burned patients with injuries affecting 11-36 per cent of their total body surface area (TBSA). These lymphocyte subpopulations were quantified by indirect immunofluorescence measurement 7 and 60 days postburn. The results obtained 7 days postburn were highly significant in those patients who developed septicaemia, all of whom had considerably decreased CD4+ and increased CD8+ T-cell numbers, as well as inverted CD4/CD8 ratios. Consequently, the CD4/CD8 ratio may provide valuable information for prognosis of patient evolution and the establishment of early treatment in order to avoid likely future complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Intestinal inflammatory disease in the province of Soria. Retrospective clinical and epidemiologic study from 1981 to 1990].

The inflammatory bowel disease cases in Soria have been reviewed from 1981 to 1990. Thirty-two cases of ulcerative colitis (UC) and thirteen cases of Crohn's disease (CD) have been found. The mean incidence was 3.2/100.000 inhabitants/year in UC and 1.3/100.000/inhabitants/year in CD. The prevalence was 32 and 13/100.000 inhabitants respectively. We have found a progressive increase in incidence in both UC and CD during the period analyzed. Epidemiologic data (considering the majority come from rural areas), clinical course, endoscopic and radiologic findings, are similar to the results published in the literature. We have found a minor percentage that other authors in extraintestinal signs, complications and need of surgical intervention.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

The apical oblique view of the clavicle: its usefulness in neonatal and childhood trauma.

We analyzed clavicular radiographs of 26 patients with a history of trauma. The apical oblique projection of the clavicle was obtained with the injured side of the patient angled 45 degrees towards the X-ray tube and a 20 degrees cephalad angulation of the X-ray beam. This view proved to be more informative than the routine apical anteroposterior projection. It is especially effective in detecting nondisplaced fractures of the middle third of the clavicle in neonates and children. To verify our findings, we obtained apical anteroposterior and oblique radiographs of a specimen adult clavicle. On the oblique view with 20 degrees cephalad angulation of the X-ray beam, the measurements of the projected lengths of the anatomical specimen, especially those of the middle portion of the clavicle, were very close to the corresponding anatomical lengths.

Birth Injuries↗
PubMed1991

Risk factors for HIV-2 infection in The Gambia.

A serosurvey was carried out to assess the prevalence of HIV infection in The Gambia and the importance of possible risk factors. The overall prevalence of HIV-2 infection among the 4228 adults studied was 1.7% while that of HIV-1 was 0.1%. The prevalence of HIV-2 was similar in both sexes but higher among those greater than 25 years of age and those who lived in two small towns along a main transport route. Among men, multivariate analysis showed prevalence of HIV-2 infection was significantly greater among those in the more affluent occupations, those without a secondary education and those with a history of urethral discharge. Among women, infection was more frequent in divorcees and widows and those who had been married several times. The prevalence was also higher in individuals born in Guinea-Bissau and in an ethnic group which originated there.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Neonatal cavernous hemangioma of the dura mater: case report.

A case of dural cavernous hemangioma, diagnosed prenatally as an intracranial mass by ultrasonography and surgically treated after elective delivery, is presented. The clinical and pathological features of this unusual type of congenital vascular malformation are reported, and the relevant literature is reviewed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of the degranulation and myeloperoxidase activity of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils by Brucella melitensis.

The degranulation and myeloperoxidase-H2O2-halide activities of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes from healthy donors were tested after co-incubation with either Brucella melitensis 16M, Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus aureus in presence of lipopolysaccharide, protein fraction, native hapten and soluble fractions released at 65 degrees C from smooth strain of Brucella melitensis 16M. The degranulation and myeloperoxidase activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were significantly higher when co-incubated with Staphylococcus aureus than with Brucella melitensis. The presence of lipopolysaccharide, protein fraction, and native hapten did not cause significant modification of either degranulation or myeloperoxidase activities of polymorphonuclear leukocytes against Staphylococcus aureus. Soluble fraction released at 65 degrees C produced a significant reduction in the myeloperoxidase activity but did not alter the degranulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes triggered by Staphylococcus aureus.

Brucella↗
PubMed1991

[Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Asturias].

An epidemiological study of multiple sclerosis carried out in Gijón (Principado de Asturias). It had the methodological peculiarity of having been performed in a reduced population of 81,462 individuals selected from the primary health care centers from which they depended. This permitted a better case finding and both a prospective and retrospective investigation. In the prospective period, the incidence found was 0.49/100,000/year, while it was 1.59 in the retrospective period. The reasons for this difference are discussed. The prevalence was 23.32/100,000. We attribute the fact that this rate is higher than that previously reported for Spain to methodological and perhaps geographical reasons.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Caroli's disease. Presentation of 8 cases studied with ERCP].

Eight patients with Caroli's Disease are presented, studied by Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) from January 1976 through January 1990. In this period of time 1,525 procedures were carried out, this entity thus representing 0.52% of patients submitted to ERCP in our population. Six patients were females, being female: male ratio 3:1. Mean age was 52 years (range: 40-75). All patients presented a clinical history of recurring episodes of abdominal pain and/or crisis of cholangitis. In the ERCP carried out in these eight patients, cystic dilatation of intrahepatic left lobe bile ducts were confirmed in five patients, dilatation generalized to both lobes in two, and affecting exclusively the right lobe in one patient.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

HIV-2 infection among prostitutes working in The Gambia: association with serological evidence of genital ulcer diseases and with generalized lymphadenopathy.

Three hundred and fifty-five prostitutes working in The Gambia were enrolled in a study of retroviral infections. Eight-seven (24.6%) were infected with HIV-2 only, two (0.6%) with HIV-1 only, four (1.1%) had sera showing double HIV-1/HIV-2 reactivity, and 37 (10.4%) were seropositive for HTLV-I. After allowing for socioeconomic and serological variables in a multivariate analysis, HIV-2 infection was associated with serological evidence of a previous episode of syphilis [a rapid plasma reagin (RPR) positive/Treponema pallidum haemagglutination assay (TPHA) positive; odds ratio (OR) = 2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.19-3.98], with having antibodies against Haemophilus ducreyi (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 0.89-4.70) or against HTLV-I (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 0.91-5.19). HIV-2-seropositive prostitutes were three times more likely [17 out of 78 (22%) versus 15 out of 219 (7%), P less than 0.001] to have generalized lymphadenopathy than those who were seronegative. These data suggest that genital ulcer diseases may facilitate the transmission of HIV-2, and that HIV-2 rapidly induces the appearance of generalized lymphadenopathy in a substantial proportion of infected individuals.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1989

Knowledge of AIDS, use of condoms and results of counselling subjects with asymptomatic HIV2 infection in The Gambia.

A questionnaire administered to subjects seen during a serological survey in The Gambia revealed that knowledge of AIDS and HIV infection was limited. Males, those with a secondary education and people who lived in urban areas had a better understanding but only 17% of women seen in rural areas had any knowledge of the condition. Only 8% of the subjects seen had used condoms in the preceding 12 months; during this time half of them had done so on less than five occasions. Subjects with a secondary education were more likely to have used condoms. A counsellor met 31 asymptomatic seropositive subjects identified during this survey on two occasions. In the majority, the information given caused anxiety rather than modification of behaviour and, at the time of the second interview, only one subject had discussed the situation with the partner and begun using condoms. Some of the cultural factors which may affect the outcome of counselling in an African society are discussed in the light of these findings.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗