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Biomedical subjects

R Gabriel

Publications and source records attributed to R Gabriel.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[A comparison between 2 abbreviated Spanish versions of mental status assessment in the diagnosis of dementia. Study data on elderly community residents].

BACKGROUND: There are several Spanish versions and adaptations of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the most used abbreviated test for screening of the cognitive decline in clinical and epidemiological setting. Among them, the Mini-Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC) is highlighted. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic usefulness between the Spanish translation of the MMSE (the MMSE1 which incorporates the proof of serial "sevens" and the MMSE2 which includes spelling "world" backward) and the MEC for the diagnosis of dementia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of elderly persons (65 years or over), included in a population-based study of dementia prevalence. The diagnosis of dementia was assessed through exhaustive neuropsychological evaluation. The diagnosis of dementia (according to the standardized DSM-III-R criteria) was carried out by expert neurologists, who were independent and blind to the scores obtained in the MMSE and MEC. RESULTS: 79 subjects underwent both tools and neuropsychological assessment. The MMSE1 obtained the highest accuracy (92%), followed by the MEC (90%) and the MMSE2 (83%). The analysis of the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves did not show significant statistical differences between the MMSE1 and MEC (p = 0.38), but significant differences were observed between those and the MMSE2 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic usefulness of Spanish translation of the MMSE is similar to the MEC. The proof of spelling "world" backward obtained poorer results than serial "sevens". The Spanish versions of the MMSE should be improved to be adapted to our cultural characteristics.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemiological study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain (IBERPOC): recruitment and field work].

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a large-scale social and health problem. Because prevalence studies have been performed only in certain areas of Spain, the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Chest Surgery initiated the IBERPOC study with the aim of determining the prevalence of COPD in several parts of the country. IBERPOC is a multicenter, population-based epidemiological study in which subjects have been selected randomly. Seven full-time pneumologists work full-time in seven different areas of Spain. A study of this nature involves a series of difficulties that should be taken into account at the time of planning studies of a similar nature. After 5,827 attempts to reach subjects, a total of 4,967 useful contacts were made, to provide 97.3% of the 5,104 contacts expected. Of those 4,967 useful contacts, 4,035 subjects completed interviews. Among the 932 refusals, 882 (94.6%) agreed to answer a short telephone questionnaire. The field work took 13 months to complete, 30% more time than had been anticipated. The rates at which subjects could not be traced differed from one zone to another, ranging between 5% and 30%; higher rates were attributable to the absence of telephone data in the corresponding census report. In one zone, the dispersion of the census population over a very large area supposed greater difficulty and delay in carrying out the study. In conclusion, the rate of participation and the time required for recruitment can be considered satisfactory. The performance of field work by trained, full-time pneumologists has been essential to the development and quality of the study. Similar epidemiological studies should consider problems derived from the lack of adequate census data, as well as to avoid defining areas of extreme population dispersion in order to facilitate field work.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1999

[Epidemiological study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Spain (IBERPOC): prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation].

The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and chronic airflow limitation (CAFL) was determined in a multicentric epidemiological study carried out in seven different areas of Spain. Based on a target population of 236,412 persons, a random census sample of 4,035 individuals between 40 and 69 years of age was chosen. Subjects answered several questionnaires and performed spirometric tests followed by a bronchodilation test if bronchial obstruction was detected. Respiratory symptoms were reported by 48% of the population (95% CI: 46.4-49.5%) with greater frequency of symptoms among men than women (55.2% versus 41%, p < 0.001). The following levels of prevalence of chronic symptoms were found: cough, 13.5% (95% CI: 12.5-14.6%); expectoration, 10.7% (95% CI: 9.7-11.6%); dyspnea after one flight of stairs, 10.4% (95% CI: 9.5-11.4%); and wheezing, 40.2% (95% CI: 38.7-41.7%). The prevalence of chronic bronchitis (CB) was 4.8% (95% CI: 4.1-5.4%) and was more frequent among men than among women (8.3% and 1.4%, respectively; p < 0.001). Asthma had been diagnosed previously in 4.9% (95% CI: 4.2-5.5%), more often in women than in men (5.8% and 3.8%, respectively; p < 0.003). CAFL was found in 10.6% (95% CI: 9.6-11.5%), 15.8% in men and 5.5% in women (p < 0.001). All respiratory symptoms except asthma were more frequent among smokers than among ex-smokers, and in turn were more common among ex-smokers than non-smokers. The frequency of symptoms increased in accordance with accumulated smoking. The prevalence of CB and CAFL was vastly different from one region to another. Multivariate analysis showed that factors associated independently with the appearance of CB were smoking, age over 60 years, male sex and having worked in industry. In conclusion, respiratory symptoms, including CB and CAFL, are common in the Spanish population. Smoking and amount of smoking are directly related to the frequency of such symptoms. Substantial differences were found in the prevalence of CB and CAFL among the regions where the study was performed.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Hybrid Capture II-based human papillomavirus detection, a sensitive test to detect in routine high-grade cervical lesions: a preliminary study on 1518 women.

Hybrid Capture II (HC-II) is a commercial human papillomavirus (HPV) detection test designed to detect 18 HPV types divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. We have tested 1647 scrapes from 1518 unselected women attending routine cytological screening by this assay for the detection of histologically proven high-grade lesions. The reliability of this test was also evaluated on 117 fresh cone biopsy samples. HPV DNA has been detected in 400 scrapes (24.3%), 296 containing a high-risk HPV (18.0%). All the smears evocative of high-grade lesions were positive for high-risk HPV, and high-risk HPV were detected in all the 34 cases presenting a histologically proven high-grade lesion and in 68 (97.1%) of the 70 cone biopsy samples showing a high-grade lesion or an invasive carcinoma. Thus, the sensitivity was superior to the sensitivity of cytology (85.3%). Nevertheless, the quantitative approach provided by the HC-II assay for the assessment of the viral load could not clearly distinguish among cases with or without high-grade lesions. Thus this assay is recommended for the screening of high-grade lesions on a large scale, in association with classic cytology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The impact of different echocardiographic diagnostic criteria on the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension: the VITAE study. Ventriculo Izquierdo Tension Arterial España.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy in essential hypertension ranges from 12 to 96% depending on the threshold values used to define it, and on the selection bias. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of echocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy by different criteria in essential hypertensives seen in primary care centres. METHODS: Cross-sectional study in a population-based sample of 946 essential hypertensives randomly selected in 39 primary care centres across Spain. Echocardiographic studies were performed in reference hospitals by trained observers (concordance Cohen kappa index > 0.7) and analysed by a single observer. RESULTS: Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy ranged from 59.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 56.1 -62.3] by Framingham criteria to 72.7% (95% CI 69.9-75.6) using the criteria of De Simone et al. (J Am Coll Cardiol 1995; 25: 1056-1062). Prevalence was higher in males by the Cornell-Penn criteria, but higher in females when using Framingham or De Simone et al. criteria. Eccentric hypertrophy was more frequent (51.3-54.1%) independently of the criteria used, particularly when adjusting wall-thickness-ratio for age (56.2-58.9%). Concentric remodelling was present in 6.5-11.4% and only 20.8-29.7% of patients had no evidence of left ventricular structural alterations. Factors independently associated with left ventricular hypertrophy in the logistic regression analysis were age, gender, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure and body mass index. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of echo left ventricular structural alterations among essential hypertensives seen in primary care centres in Spain ranged from 70.3 to 79.2% depending on the threshold values used. Left ventricular hypertrophy ranged from 59.2 to 72.7% and age-adjusted concentric remodelling ranged from 6.5 to 11.4% depending on the criteria used. Only one-quarter of hypertensive patients were free from morphological alterations.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Detecting symmetric patterns in EEG data: a new method of analysis.

Theoretical models of higher cognitive function predict that cortical activity will exhibit families of spatial-temporal patterns of activity whose individual members are related to each other by specific symmetry transformations. In the trion model, it is suggested that these inherent symmetries play a vital role in how we think and reason. We have developed a method of analysis (SYMMETRIC analysis), which detects families of patterns in EEG data, and characterizes the symmetry relationships between members of those pattern families. Using this analysis, significant symmetry families have been found in EEG and single unit spike train data. If symmetry is a crucial aspect of brain function, it is possible that different pathologies are associated with specific types of symmetry relationships in brain activity that could be detected in EEG data by a SYMMETRIC analysis.

Electroencephalography↗
PubMed1999

[Amnio-infusion during labor: experience and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of amnioinfusion results during labour in case of thick meconial amniotic fluid or in case of oligo-hydramnios associated with variable deceleration of the fetal heart response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective non randomized study. Amnioinfusion was applied to 47 cases of thick meconial amniotic fluid and to 18 cases of variable fetal heart decelerations associated with oligo-hydramnios. Obstetrical and neonatal data were compared with a similar group without amnioinfusion (n = 32). RESULTS: Comparing both groups shows that amnioinfusion offers a better fetal well-being during labour, according to Kreb's fetal heart evaluation during labour (8.53 +/- 1.06 vs 6.56 +/- 0.35--p < 0.01), lows the cesarean section rate (8.5% vs 31.2%--p < 0.01). Amnioinfusion is also associated with a higher Apgar's score at one minute after delivery (9.4 +/- 0.8 vs 8.7 +/- 1.7--p = 0.01) and a lower rate of thick meconium inhalation (13.7% vs 40.7%--p < 0.01). There was no difference for children's first days of life. We found no serious complication following amnioinfusion. CONCLUSION: We confirm general agreement about amnioinfusion, according to international literature. Amnioinfusion needs an acute care to prevent classically described complications. In case of thick meconial amniotic fluid or variable decelerations associated with oligo-hydramnios, amnioinfusion during labour offers a better fetal well-being.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Descriptive analysis (clinical and functional characteristics) of an asthmatic population in a health care district].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the social, demographic, clinical and lung function characteristics of the population of asthmatics living in Health Care District 2 of Madrid. STUDY DESIGN: Transversal (initial visit) phase of a primary care community intervention study. The target population consisted of all asthmatics in District 2 of Madrid who were registered at the public health clinics, were older than 14 and had experienced asthma symptoms within the past year. The selection of patients for the study was systematic (not probabilistic), such that all registered asthmatics seeking care and/or scheduled for check-ups were enrolled. Participation was 96.6% of those on file. We recorded social, demographic, clinical, and lung function variables as well as results of allergy studies, family histories of asthma and/or atopy and type of treatment. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty patients were enrolled, 238 men (36.7%) and 412 women (63.3%). Mean age was 45 +/- 28.1 yr, mean FEV1% was 87.2 +/- 26%. Mean course of disease was 16 +/- 14.6 yr and age of onset was 26 +/- 20 yr. Family history of asthma was present in 34% of cases and a family history of atopy was reported by 21%. Half had allergic rhinitis as an associated factor, with respiratory infections (62.4%) being the most common trigger, followed by pollen (25.3%) and exposure to tobacco smoke (20%). Active smokers accounted for 9.1% of the group, and ex-smokers for 21.6%. Short-term beta-adrenergic drugs on demand were used by 64% of patients, whereas 83.2% reported daily and long-term use of beta-2 drugs and 77% used inhaled steroids. Severity of disease differed significantly by age of patient, age at onset and predominance of perennial asthma (with older age and age of onset and greater seasonality observed among severely asthmatic patients). CONCLUSIONS: a) Most symptomatic asthmatic have mild disease. b) Rationally adjusted, appropriate drug treatment should be graded according to level of disease severity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Anti-HIV-1/2 Antibody Detection by Dot-ELISA in Oral Fluid of HIV Positive/AIDS Patients and Voluntary Blood Donors.

Serology is the primary means for identifying patients with HIV infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Testing of serum by serologic methods has been extensively used since 1985, not only for clinical diagnosis but also for epidemiological surveillance and donor screening in blood banks. Fast serological diagnostic techniques are now being developed, using urine and oral fluid, as an alternative for anti-HIV antibody screening, and many parallel studies are proving its accuracy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the ImmunoComb II HIV 1&2 Saliva((R)) test from Orgenics (Dot-ELISA) compared to the routine exams (ELISA and Western Blot) of HIV positive/AIDS patients, undergoing antiretroviral treatment or not, in different stages of the disease's evolution, and compared to serologic testing of known HIV negative patients by the use of serum ELISA (blood donors). To accomplish this, patients of the Immunogenic Deficiencies Control Center (CCDI) and voluntary blood donors of the Blood Bank Center of the Medical School of S&atilde:o Paulo/Federal University of São Paulo (EPM-UN I FESP) were evaluated. Sensitivity of Dot-ELISA in oral fluid was 100%, specificity 97.08%, PPV 96.66% and NPV 100%. The method used in this case study was shown to be highly sensitive and specific, being useful particularly in epidemiological surveillance and screening.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

[Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in the aged. The EPICARDIAN study. The EPICARDIAN Work Group].

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference values for ambulatory blood pressure in a random sample of Spanish elderly population, and their correlations with office blood pressure measurements. METHODS: A representative random sample was obtained, stratified by sex and age, of 1,227 elderly subjects aged > 65 years, residents in an urban district, Barrio de Salamanca, or Madrid, Spain. In a random subsample (n = 420), two different blood pressure measurement approaches were performed: Office blood pressure and twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure (spacelabs 90207) were recorded, and two periods were defined: awake and sleeping, on the basis of the daily activities. Hypertension was defined if the average of casual blood pressure was > or = 140/90 mmHg or if there was current use of antihypertensive drugs. RESULTS: Among the 420 participants, 333 ambulatory blood pressure monitorings were performed, 301 with valid registers, of whom 105 were receiving antihypertensive drug treatment. Office, 24 hour, awake and sleeping pressures averaged 147/84 mmHg, 128/72 mmHg, 132/77 mmHg and 122/66 mmHg respectively. Differences between whole sample and no treated group were not significant (p = 0.2), nor between the whole sample and the treated group (p = 0.7). Office blood pressure was markedly higher than 24 hour and awake averages (20 and 15 mmHg for systolic and 12 and 7 mmHg for diastolic, respectively). The differences between clinic and awake average blood pressures were significantly higher in females (p = 0.001) and increased, in both genders, as age (p = 0.001) and clinic blood pressure values (p < 0.000) increased. Correlation coefficients between office and the average awake period of the ambulatory blood pressures were of 0.60 and 0.48 for systolic and diastolic respectively. The ambulatory blood pressure value equivalent to 140/90 mmHg when obtained by causal measurement, was 15 mmHg lower when considering the 24 h average, or 10 mmHg lower when the awake averages. CONCLUSION: Ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure values in the elderly are markedly lower than office values, specially in the case of systolic blood pressure. Differences in results between the two methods increase with age and with clinic blood pressure values, and are bigger in females. The cut-off point for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring equivalent to 140/90 mmHg in the casual measurement is of 125/75 mmHg for the 24 hour average and of 130/80 mmHg for awake average.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1998

Hybrid capture II, a new sensitive test for human papillomavirus detection. Comparison with hybrid capture I and PCR results in cervical lesions.

AIM: To test a new assay for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA, hybrid capture II (HC II), compared with the previous commercialized hybrid capture I (HC I) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results on cervical scrapes from fresh cone excision biopsy samples. METHODS: The three methods were used on cervical scrapes from 42 fresh cone excision biopsy samples. There were nine metaplastic and inflammatory lesions, five low grade lesions, and 28 high grade lesions. PCR was performed using the general primers GP5+/GP6+. The viral load of high risk HPV DNA was estimated by the ratio of relative light units to positive control values in the samples. RESULTS: The sensitivity of HC I for the detection of high grade lesions was 71.4%, while it was 92.8% for HC II and 96.4% for the PCR. Considering only the absence of detectable cervical in situ neoplasia, the specificity was 88.9% for HC I, 66.7% for HC II, and 66.7% for PCR. With HC II, for a ratio of cervical sample to normal control of > 200, the sensitivity for the detection of high grade lesion was only 34.6% with a specificity of 66.7%. CONCLUSIONS: HPV detection with the HC II assay is more sensitive than the previous HC I and represents a more convenient and easier test than PCR for routine use. Nevertheless the viral load estimated with this test cannot be a reliable predictive indicator of high grade lesions.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1998

Calcium released from intracellular stores inhibits GABAA-mediated currents in ganglion cells of the turtle retina.

We studied spiking neurons isolated from turtle retina by the whole cell version of the patch clamp. The studied cells had perikaryal diameters > 15 microns and fired multiple spikes in response to depolarizing current steps, indicating they were ganglion cells. In symmetrical [Cl-], currents elicited by puffs of 100 microM gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were inward at a holding potential of -80 mV. All of the GABA-evoked current was blocked by SR95331 (20 microM), indicating that it was mediated by a GABAA receptor. The GABA-evoked currents were unaltered by eliciting a transmembrane calcium current either just before or during the response to GABA. On the other hand caffeine (10 mM), which induces Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, inhibited the GABA-evoked current on average by 30%. The caffeine effect was blocked by introducing the calcium buffer bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA) into the cell but was unaffected by replacing [Ca2+]o with equimolar cobalt. Thapsigargin (10 microM), an inhibitor of intracellular calcium pumps, and ryanodine (20 microM), which depletes intracellular calcium stores, both markedly reduced a caffeine-induced inhibition of the GABA-evoked current. Another activator of intracellular calcium release, inositol trisphosphate (IP3; 50 microM), also progressively reduced the GABA-induced current when introduced into the cell. Dibutyryl adenosine 3'5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP; 0.5 mM), a membrane-permeable analogue of cAMP, did not reduce GABA-evoked currents, suggesting that cAMP-dependent kinases are not involved in suppressing GABAA currents, whereas calmidazolium (30 microM) and cyclosporin A (20 microM), which inhibit Ca/calmodulin-dependent phosphatases, did reduce the caffeine-induced inhibition of the GABA-evoked current. Alkaline phosphatase (150 micrograms/ml) and calcineurin (300 micrograms/ml) had a similar action to caffeine or IP3. Antibodies directed against the ryanodine receptor or the IP3 receptor reacted with the great majority of neurons in the ganglion cell layer. We found that these two antibodies colocalized in large ganglion cells. In summary, intracellular calcium plays a role in reducing the currents elicited by GABA, acting through GABAA receptors. The modulatory action of calcium on GABA responses appears to work through one or more Ca-dependent phosphatases.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1998

[Delayed deliveries in multiple pregnancies: is this reasonable?].

Delivery of viable fetus with a long interval delay is an unusual occurrence. There is no clear attitude among obstetricians for such cases. We report a case of retention of the second and the third triplet after the delivery of the first one at 24 weeks of amenorrhea and 3 days. The duration of the retention was 6 days. Only the third infant survived. We attempt to outline the difficulties in managing such pregnancies.

Delivery, Obstetric↗
PubMed1998

[Epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases in the Spanish elderly population].

This paper is a comprehensive and critical review of the updated information available in Spain for the elderly population on the epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases. Clinical (coronary heart disease, heart failure, and cerebrovascular disease) and subclinical (left ventricular hypertrophy, carotid stenosis) cardiovascular diseases are reviewed. Prevalence and distribution of major classical cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking and information on new risk factors such as microalbuminuria or abdominal obesity are also presented. The article is also focused on the high rates of morbidity, mortality and the burden of handicap in this age group in comparison with middle-aged people. Finally we call attention to the few and inconsistent population data available for some of the mentioned topics in our country, particularly the lack of specific figures of incidence and risk rates from cohort studies of elderly people in Spain.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Evidence-based medicine].

This paper presents the origins and the concepts in which the paradigm of a new line of clinical reasoning "Evidence Based Medicine", is based. We describe its basic components such as: problem-oriented clinical policy formulation; information retrieval distillation and synthesis of the medical literature; critical appraisal of the evidence and clinical application. Additionally, we describe them already well established, for promoting and Evidence Based Clinical Practice. We particularly focus on the so called "Cochrane Collaboration", an international initiative whose mission is to prepare, maintain and disseminate systematic and updated reviews of the effects of health care.

Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1997

Effects of consanguineous marriage on reproductive outcome in an Arab community in Israel.

Intrafamilial marriage is favoured by the Arab community in Israel, almost all of whom live in villages populated by a few (< 20) founding families. A previous study in Taibe, a large Arab village located 30 km from Tel Aviv, showed a significantly high malformation rate among infants of consanguineous parents. The present study examines the reproductive consequences of parental consanguinity in 610 families from the same village, selected retrospectively through infants routinely seen in the local well baby clinic. All mothers were interviewed with regard to previous pregnancy outcomes, including abortions, stillbirths, and neonatal or infant deaths, as well as the degree of consanguinity. In addition, we analysed the anthropometric measurements of the probands. The incidence of infant deaths was significantly higher in the inbred group (p < 0.001). No significant increase in fetal loss between the inbred and outbred groups was observed. There were no differences in anthropometric features, except for a lower birth weight in the consanguineous group (p < 0.035). This study, combined with our previous studies of the same population, indicates a prominent public health problem associated with consanguineous marriage in the Arab community and a need for specific genetic counselling.

Arabs↗
PubMed1997

Prevalence of stroke in two samples (rural and urban) of old people in Spain. A pilot door-to-door study carried out by health professionals.

The aim of this study was to present the prevalence of stroke from a pilot study in old people. The urban site sample (Madrid) was made up of 397 subjects and the rural site sample (Arévalo, Avila) of 862 subjects. The study was performed with a door-to-door methodology. In the urban sample, the prevalence of stroke was 8.5% (CI 95% = 5.5-11.5%) and that of TIA was 2.1% (CI 95% = 0.6-3.6%). In the rural location the prevalence of stroke was 7.1% (CI 95% = 5.4-8.8%). This prevalence of stroke is higher than in other Spanish studies. These results need to be confirmed in a wider investigation.

Aged↗