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Biomedical subjects

R Cruz-Coke

Publications and source records attributed to R Cruz-Coke.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Ethical principles to investigate the human genome].

The scientific community is becoming aware that mankind has started to directly manipulate the mechanisms that transmit life and guide our species evolution. These facts are overflowing the traditional concepts about humanism and medical ethics, with an unpredictable scope. Presently we are conscious that there is an universal and biological order that rules life in our planet. At the molecular level there is an hereditary order and scientists have established the "central dogmas" of molecular biology and "genetic creed" of Mendelian theory in population genetics. The biotechnological revolution of the last decades is dismantling the normal processes of biological balance through the early detection and healing of defects, the manipulation of reproduction and the rupture of species boundaries with interspecies hybridization. All these issues open debates about the ethical limits of scientific research freedom. As a consequence, the dictation of genetic ethical codes has been proposed and statements that restrain genic therapy methods, genetic heritage manipulation and the patent right for DNA sequences, have been approved. The Valencia Statement (1990) on ethics about human genome tries to conciliate and establish a minimal consensus among scientists. However it seems that we are tearing down the frontiers that keep the sanctuary of biological order closed and damaging the twentieth century science dogmas.

Ethics, Medical↗
PubMed1992

[150 Years of the University of Chile School of Medicine (1842-1992)].

The development of medical education during colonial times was slow due to problems analyzed elsewhere. In 1833, the first Medical School of the Republic was founded at the National Institute. The first four physicians graduated in 1842. The University of Chile was founded on november 19; 1842, Andres Bello being its first Rector. Medicine was among the first 5 Faculties. Two Chileans, Luis Ballester and Francisco Javier Tocornal and 6 foreigners, the Britishmen Thomas Armstrong, Nathaniel Cox, Juan Blest and Guillermo Blest and the Frenchmen Lorenzo Sazie and Julio Lafargue were the first Faculty members. Sazie was named Dean in 1943 with Tocornal as Secretary. A new curriculum was developed in 1845. The University of Chile and its Faculty of Medicine, as state supported non confessional and national institutions have played a fundamental role in the cultural and medical development of the country. Graduates from these institutions were instrumental in the development of social medicine during the XXth century.

Chile↗
PubMed1992

[The Expulsion of the Jesuits (1767) and its impact on Chilean medicine in colonial times].

In the mid XVIII century medical education was started in Chile with the foundation of the University of San Felipe. However, King Charles the Third expelled the Jesuits from the Spanish Empire in 1767 resulting in clear deterioration of medical development. Jesuits concentrated the cultural elite of the country and had the best professionals and libraries. A restrictive intervention from the Spanish government led to the establishment of a "Protomedicato" whose first director was Dr Jose Antonio Rios who remained in office for 40 years. At the end of the Colonial period, only 4 latin physicians and 3 bachelors in Medicine had graduated from the Universidad San Felipe, from an initial enrollment of 38 students in half a century. Only 5 among 25 doctors practicing in Chile in the first half on the XIXth century had been born in this country. This shortage was a severe handicap in the fight against smallpox and other plagues. Only the foundation of 2 hospitals (San Borja and Valparaíso) can be mentioned as positive actions coming from the Spanish government, and this was possible by using funds confiscated from the Jesuits. It was only after the establishment of the Republic and the foundation of the University of Chile, that medical development could again flourish in this country.

Chile↗
PubMed1990

A general diagram of the human genome.

A general diagram of the whole structure of the human genome is drafted on a logarithmic metric scale located in the radius of a circle showing a full haploid set of chromosomes. A base pair scale of DNA is displayed in circumferences at different orders of magnitude from one metre down to one picometre (10(-12) m).

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1990

[Antitubercular agents: pharmacogenetic factors in the development of adverse effects].

We studied the distribution of the acetylator phenotype in 47 patients aged 15 to 77 years receiving isonyazid as antituberculous therapy. 62% were fast and 32% slow acetylators. Ethnical, socio-economic and biologic factors were not related to acetylator type. The incidence of liver alterations, mainly elevated transaminase levels, was higher than reported in the literature and was not shown to be influenced by acetylator type. Adverse reactions to isonyacid were not related to drug serum levels.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1989

[The human genome in clinical medicine].

A revolution is taking place in Medicine as a consequence of advances in biotechnology and informatics. The unraveling of the human genome with a description of chromosomal maps for all structural genes affords a new framework for the understanding of etiology, diagnosis and prevention of every disease. More than three thousand million nucleotides codifying over 100 thousand genes may be manipulated by RNA recombinant techniques in order to identify location and help understand pathogeny as well as diagnosis and treatment of disease. Relevant techniques for genome desciphering include familial linkage, somatic cell hybridization, RFLPs, enzymatic quantification and analysis of chromosomal aberrations. Pathology of the genome may originate from germinal or somatic mutations. Resulting diseases may be classified as classic disease, physiologic disorders, congenital malformations and chromosomal aberrations. All diseases arise from alterations in the genome. Substitution of defective genes offers new forms of therapy. Advancing knowledge in this may lead to better control and prevention of genetic diseases.

Chromosome Mapping↗
PubMed1989

[The National Museum of Medicine (II). The Republican period (1831-1891)].

This paper deals with the historic aspects of the XIXth century section of the Museum. Pictures, documents, objects and instruments of physicians at that time are displayed. This is the time of birth and development of Medical Education in Chile, with the creation of the School of Medicine (1833) and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Chile (1843). New hospitals (Salvador, San Vicente and San José) were founded around 1872. The first Faculty members came from Spain, England, France and Germany, and were joined by some Chilean professionals. The new School of Medicine Building was inaugurated in 1889 and the Bureau of Public Health created at that time. The first Chilean physicians to obtain fellowships around 1874 brought the specific and technological advances found in Europe.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMed1989

[Chilean medicine during the government of President Balmaceda].

This is a conference dictated on the occasion of the centennial of the First Chilean Medical Congress, the foundation of the first Public Health Council and the School of Medicine of the University of Chile (1889). During the government of president Balmaceda, prominent Chilean physicians and University professors were closely linked to the presidency, often in public office or Congress. The conditions were then created for an accelerated development of many aspects of Chilean Medicine, including the construction of 20 general hospitals nationwide, and major sanitary advances. Medical education was greatly improved by changes in curriculum following the European tradition. At the first Chilean Medical Congress, plans for a national policy for public health protection were elaborated. After 100 years, the action of such founders of Chilean Medicine can only be nostalgically admired.

Chile↗
PubMed1989

[The genes of the Pascuense population].

An analysis of the interaction of evolutionary factors such as migration, mutation, selection random drift, and consanguinity upon the genome of Easter islanders is attempted. As many primitive populations, the Easter islanders genome has at least 2/3 of genetic loci in an isogenic state. The HLA system is reduced; other polymorphisms present high genic frequencies differentiating Easter islanders from other Andean and european populations. They are more similar to polynesians, with whom they share language and culture. Migration has been the main factor affecting the Easter islanders genome, leading to a ten fold increase in population and a 60% caucasian admixture. A linkage disequilibrium of the HLA9, w10 haplotype exists. In XIX century generations consanguinity was very low (alpha coefficient 7 x 10(-5) which may be explained by the exogamic tradition of the population; this acted as a factor opposed to random drift. A recent decrease in infant mortality rate leads to a relaxation of natural selection and contributes to hybridization of the population.

Chile↗
PubMed1989

[Genetic factors as determinants of drug response].

Pharmacogenetics deals with the influence of genetic factors upon the response to drugs. Therapeutic and side effects are affected by pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes. Classic examples are presented, in particular those concerning mechanisms of oxidation, acetylation and hydrolysis. The impact of this discipline on therapeutics is discussed.

Drug Therapy↗
PubMed1989

[The National Museum of Chilean Medicine: I. The Colonial period].

The first museum of Chilean Medicines was founded by Dr Enrique Laval in 1955. The new museum is a fusion of this one and patrimony of the School of Medicine and the ancient San Vicente Hospital. It was created in 1987 by the present Dean, Aleksandar Goic. The present article describes one of the halls, the Colony. Pictures of Governors and Conquerors who founded the first hospitals are in display. The period of Religious Medicine (1616-1823) is represented by pictures and religious objects, as well as hospital utensils. The times of the University of San Felipe and the "Protomedicato" (1756-1839) includes pictures and documentation from the first colonial physicians. Chilean medicine at that time stayed at a medieval level, lacking the influence of the Renaissance, the Barroque and other movements enlighting european medicine.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMed1989

[The National Museum of Medicine. III. The parliamentary period (1891-1925)].

During the european "belle epoque" and the period of positivism, Chilean medicine under a parliamentary regime, experienced great progress. Biomedical research began at the laboratories of the School of Medicine, University of Chile; the Sanitary Code, dictated in 1918, and the creation of the Ministry of Health (1924) may be considered the origin of social medicine in Chile; a new school of Medicine in Concepcion and Schools of Dentistry and Pharmacy in Santiago were created. Main public hospitals in Santiago and the "Asistencia Pública" were inaugurated at that time. Paintings of prominent physicians related to these activities are in display in the Museum. Most of the deans and distinguished professors of Medicine at that time had considerable political influence, many of them being simultaneously involved in governmental positions. This may explain why resources became available for a process which may be described as the development of Chilean medicine to serve the people.

Chile↗