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Biomedical subjects

R Carrasco

Publications and source records attributed to R Carrasco.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Bioenergetic and cardiovascular responses to exercise in residents at 2.850 m, with asymptomatic Chagas' disease.

Cardiovascular and energetic responses at rest, during 30 min of exercise (mechanical output: 125 watts) and for a subsequent recovery period of 5 min were compared in two groups, each comprising 21 residents at an altitude of 2.850 m. One group was in the asymptomatic phase of Chagas' disease with positive serological tests for T. cruzi, whereas the other was without Chagas' disease (negative serological tests). The two groups were similar as regards age, weight-for-height, blood parameters, nutritional status and heart and lung functions, including heart rate and frontal plane QRS axis determinations. At rest, they differed in that maximal and minimal arterial blood pressures were slightly but significantly lower in the group with Chagas' positive serological tests than in the controls. During exercise and recovery, the only differences between them and the controls were that their minimal diastolic arterial blood pressure was significantly lower. In absolute values, the rises in arterial pressure due to exercise were exactly the same in the two groups. Maximal O2 uptake was identical in both groups, as was exercise steady state VO2. These findings indicate that the asymptomatic subjects with Chagas' disease had a normal work capacity and were not affected by high altitude.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Preliminary results suggesting a tenuous or nonexistent relation between clinical forms of Chagas disease and isoenzyme strains of Trypanosoma cruzi].

Trypanosoma cruzi strains obtained by xenodiagnosis carried out on 23 Bolivian patients whose pathology was known, were analysed by enzymic typing. 3 patients were infected with mixed strains of both isozymic groups 1 and 2; Isozymic strains of groups 1 and 2 were both associated with cardiac pathology as well as digestive one. Any of the strains present a special relation with a cardiac pathology.

Chagas Cardiomyopathy↗
PubMed1985

Comparisons of immunological tests for serodiagnosis of Chagas disease in Bolivian patients.

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) were evaluated and compared to the classical immunofluorescence (IF) and complement fixation test (CFT) in the immunological diagnosis of Chagas' disease, using 407 sera from Bolivian patients. 72.7 to 79.5% of randomised sera, coming from patients living in endemic areas for Chagas' disease were considered as positive, according to the test limits, previously determined. The techniques could be classified according to their percentage detection as ELISA greater than IF greater than CFT greater than IEP. The quantitative correlations between the tests were excellent (p less than 0.001). 92.8% of the sera were positive or negative for the four tests, 6.1% for three tests and 1.1% for only two tests. The agreement between the tests ranged from 94.6 to 99.2%, co-positivity from 95.5 to 100% and co-negativity from 88.5 to 100%. IF gave the best results, and could be considered as the reference test since it was easy and rapid to perform. However to avoid errors or discrepancies between laboratories, two tests, such as IF and CFT, might be associated. ELISA can be used if higher sensitivity is required. IEP showed 1 to 14 precipitation bands in 96% of the sera from infected patients. The precipitation band 5, previously demonstrated as Trypanosoma cruzi specific, was present in 73% of these sera, indicating the interest to use immunoprecipitation test, if more specificity is required for the immunodiagnosis of Chagas' disease.

Bolivia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in blood banks of seven departments of Bolivia.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection was studied in 1,298 sera samples of blood banks from 7 capital departments of Bolivia, using the immunofluorescence test (IFI) and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The percentages of positivity in these 7 departments have an average of 28% and are distributed as follows: Sta. Cruz 51%, Tarija 45%, Cochabamba 28%, Sucre 39%, La Paz 4.9%, Oruro 6% and Potosi 24%. The prevalence is related with the altitude levels of the different departments. However in Potosi (3,945 m) we found a 24% of prevalence, probably due to the proximity of endemic valleys to the city. The authors suggest a strict control in blood donors since there exists a great risk of infection.

Blood Banks↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Infantile bilateral striate necrosis].

INTRODUCTION: Necrosis of the basal ganglia (NBG) is an uncommon condition in childhood. Cases of NBG have been reported in connection with metabolic disorders, infections, degenerative conditions, intoxications, head injuries and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathies. The commonest clinical features include alteration of consciousness, chorea-athetoic or dystonic movements, spasticity, contractures of the limbs and convulsions. CLINICAL CASE: We describe the case of an eight year old girl, who after having clinical gastroenteritis, developed acute neurological dysfunction, associated with images on cranial computerized axial tomography (CAT) showing a possible intracranial tumour and magnetic resonance (MR) studies showing bilateral hypodensity of the basal ganglia. Three months later magnetic resonance showed that these lesions had almost completely disappeared. This supports the diagnosis of post-infectious lesions. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical course is very variable. Cases with a previous history of infection have a better prognosis. In our patient treatment was started with corticosteroids. She made a good recovery and was sent home with no sequelae five days later. The new imaging techniques (CAT and MR) have led to more cases of selective involvement of the basal ganglia being diagnosed. MR is the most specific technique for diagnosis in these patients. Although there is no effective specific treatment, treatment with biperidine, thyrotropic hormone and corticosteroids have been used with no apparent effect on the course of the disorder.

Basal Ganglia Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cholangiohydatidosis. An evolutive complication of hepatic hydatidosis].

Hydatidosis is and endemic disease in the south of Chile, especially in Region IX where remain rates of high prevalence. Cholangiohydatidosis is an infrequent complication of liver hydatidosis. The objective of this paper is to describe clinical features of a series of patients with cholangiohydatidosis. Series of cases of cholangiohydatidosis treated consecutively and the corresponding follow-up is reported. Clinical, laboratory and images characteristics are described. Descriptive statistic was used its incidence was calculated. In the studied period, 13 patients with cholangiohydatidosis were recruited, 9 men (69.2%) and 4 women (30.7%). Observed laboratory abnormalities were an increment of leukocytes in 8 patients (61.5%) and hepatic cholestasis with hepatocyte signs of cytolysis in 11 patients (84.6%). Choledocus diameter average measured by ultrasonography was 24.7 mm. All the patients had at least one liver cyst whose diameter average was of 12.1 cm. At surgery, evidence of biliary communications was detected in all patients and biliary decompression was carried out through a choledocostomy in 12 patients (92.3%) and by choledocoduodenal anastomoses in one case (7.7%). With a mean follow-up of 38.7 months morbility was 23% and mortality 7.7%. Accumulated incidence of this entity was of 0.07 cases in 5 years. Cholangiohydatidosis is an uncommon complication of liver hydatidosis that presents considerable morbidity and mortality rates.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Molecular descriptor based on a molar refractivity partition using Randic-type graph-theoretical invariant.

PURPOSE: Development of a novel semi-empirical descriptor (MR(chi) for molecular modelling. METHOD: The index is based on a molar refractivity partition using Randictype graph-theoretical invariant. RESULTS: This hybrid index describes not only the London dispersive forces in a ligand fragment related to the molar refractivity but also structural features of the molecule It is also applicable in Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) and Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR) studies. CONCLUSIONS: The method is convenient and can discriminate between isomers.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Behçet's syndrome with neurological involvement: value of magnetic resonance].

Behçet's syndrome is a rare inflammatory, multisystemic disease of unknown etiology and chronic relapsing course, manifested chiefly by ocular and mucocutaneous lesions. Among its neurologic complications, a cerebral vasculitis can occasionally been observed, upon which there is little information at present. A 31-year-old man presented with fever, weight loss, oral and genital ulcers, blurred vision and memory loss during the last two months. The cerebrospinal fluid contained 170 lymphocytes/microliters. Computed Tomography and cerebral angiography were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed small hyperintense lesions in the corticomedullary and periventricular regions. The patient's condition improved with corticosteroids. We stress upon the importance of MRI to detect small-vessel vasculitis in Behçet's disease.

Adult↗