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Biomedical subjects

R Moreno

Publications and source records attributed to R Moreno.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Non-invasive intermittent mechanical ventilation: usefulness in treatment of chronic severe heart failure].

BACKGROUND: The higher respiratory work and less inspiratory muscle strength of patients with cardiac failure may contribute to decrease their functional capacity. AIM: To assess the effects of non invasive intermittent mechanical ventilation on clinical parameters, peripheral perfusion, cardiac and inspiratory muscle function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with chronic cardiac failure, functional capacity III-IV were subjected to 6 sessions of nasal non invasive intermittent ventilation during 4 hours or to simulated ventilation (controls). RESULTS: Fifteen ventilated patients and six controls completed the protocol. Ventilated patients improved the Mahler transition score for dyspnea by 4 +/- 1.6 points. They also improved their aerobic capacity, increasing the exercise duration from 10.9 +/- 4 to 12.7 +/- 5 min and their maximal oxygen consumption from 14.6 +/- 4 to 16.4 +/- 5.7 ml/kg/min. These patients also decreased their O2 and CO2 ventilatory equivalents. Maximal inspiratory pressure increased from 67.9 +/- 23.6 to 80.19 +/- 21.4 cm H2O, sustained maximal inspiratory pressure increased from 101.4 +/- 48 to 133 +/- 53 cm H2O and maximal endurance increased from 132 +/- 52 to 162 +/- 58 g in ventilated patients. None of these variables was modified in control patients. No changes were observed in renal function, blood volume, arterial gases, spirometry or plasma catecholamine levels in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent nasal ventilation or other measures to improve inspiratory muscle function may be beneficial for patients with severe cardiac failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

CO2, argon, and pulsed dye laser treatment of angiofibromas.

BACKGROUND: Tuberous sclerosis is a complex disorder of hamartoma formation in many organs, particularly the skin, brain, eye, kidney, and heart. The characteristic skin lesions are angiofibromas (AF), the shagreen patch, periungual fibromas, and "ash-leaf" white macules. Treatment for AF has previously included electrocoagulation, electrodesiccation and curettage, dermabrasion, excision, cryosurgery, and oral 13-cis retinoic acid. Both argon and CO2 lasers have been used in isolated cases to treat AF. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this work is the study of the application of three different lasers in the treatment of facial AF. METHODS: Ten patients with facial AF were treated with CO2, argon, and pulsed dye lasers. Patients' AF were graded with regard to the size and color of the lesions. A 2-3-cm2 test was assayed on the face of all patients with each laser before performing a complete treatment and in order to choose the best laser. RESULTS: Results were considered excellent in seven patients and good in three patients, with decrease of erythema and flattening of the AF. Minimal scarring was noted in two patients. Transient erythema was observed in patients treated with the CO2 laser. All patients or their parents considered the treatment cosmetically satisfactory. CONCLUSION: We found the CO2 laser to be a better therapeutic tool than the argon laser to treat AF, especially in those patients with multiple and protuberant AF. The argon laser would be more useful in those patients with very red AF and light complexion, and the pulsed dye laser in those with very red and flat AF.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and HIV.

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is a rare disease in Europe. Relapses after treatment are more frequent than in visceral leishmaniasis. HIV patients infected by Leishmania have frequently visceral involvement, and responses to treatment are poor. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients has rarely been reported. A patient with centrofacial granuloma was diagnosed as having mucocutaneous leishmaniasis; simultaneously HIV infection was detected. To our knowledge this is the first case acquired in Europe. Intravenous meglumine antimonate 20 mg/kg/day for 28 days was proven to be useful.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

[Genetic composition of the Chilean population: the Yamanas from Ukika].

The genetic composition of a group of 24 Yamana indians that survive in Puerto Williams, Navarino Island, Chile (parallel 55 south of Tierra del Fuego), was studied. Results showed that these indians have a different genetic composition than Pehuenche indians, specially for HLA system and esterase D. This fact validates the hypothesis, based on archeological and anthropological evidence, about the paleoindian origin of Yamanas.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1994

[Endemic goiter in three census areas of Chile].

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the current status of endemic goiter in Chile. 3500 students of basic education from public schools in three censor areas of the country were studied: 1000 in Calam (North), 1000 in Temuco (South) and 1500 in Santiago (Center). Socio-economic level was evaluated according to the Graffar scale. Two trained physicians determined body weight, height and size of the goiter through palpation of the thyroid gland (according to W.H.O. classification). Iodine in urine was determined in 20% of the students. Iodine insalt was determined in samples obtained in the three areas. A goiter prevalence of goiter of 11.4% in males and 12% in females was found, with a higher prevalence in females during puberty. A higher prevalence in the medium-low and low socio-economical levels was observed (12.4% and 14.4% respectively). The level of salt iodination was variable in the three areas (1/3 with concentration > than 100 parts per million (ppm), 1/3 between 60-100 ppm and 1/3 with < 60 ppm of iodine content). According to W.H.O. criteria, Chile has presently a low goiter prevalence, but the salt iodine concentration indicate the importance of a permanent surveillance of iodine nutrition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Effects of A and B ultraviolet irradiation on human lymphocytes].

Over the last decade, a greater decrease in the ozone level has occurred in the Southern Hemisphere. For each 1% decrease in this level, a 2% increase in biologically effective radiation occurs. Aiming to evaluate the biological effect produced by UV radiation, 10 blood samples coming from patients consulting for reproductive problems, were irradiated with visible and ultraviolet radiation A (treatment A) and visible and ultraviolet radiation B (treatment B) during 1 to 5 minutes. This dosage is comparable to the radiation received in Santiago at 13:00 h in a summer day. After irradiation, lymphocytes were cultured during 72 h and the number of altered metaphases was quantified. There was a significant increase in chromosomal alterations with treatment A (2.61, 2.43, 4.53 and 3.53 at 1, 2, 3 and 5 min respectively) and treatment B (3.06, 3.81, 3.3, 5.51, at 1, 2, 3 and 5 min respectively) compared with non-irradiated controls (0.8 and 0.72). There was a reduction in mitotic indices in irradiated cells. It is concluded that both types of UV radiation (A and B) produce chromosomal alternations in vitro, even using lower doses than those received during summer in the central region of Chile.

Chromosomes↗
PubMed1994

[Alcoholism and heredity. A critical update].

The etiology of alcoholism is under constant revision. This work critically examines the accumulated evidence on the degree of genetic determination of alcoholism, aiming to provide an updated view of the problem. The methodological aspects of studies performed in families, twins and adopted siblings are analyzed. The associations of alcoholism with genetic markers and diseases are reviewed, including the negative correlation between alcoholism and an aldehyde dehydrogenase variant in Japanese subjects. The association between marker genes, specially the HLA system, with organic damage and the future projection of these studies are mentioned.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1994

[Activities at the polyvalent intensive care unit of the Santo António dos Capuchos Hospital].

The authors present an audit to a multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary Hospital (HSAC) over its first year (1/07/1991-30/06/1992). The total study population numbered 282 patients, 52.5% admitted from the emergency room. The mean age was 57.91 +/- 18.16 years. Cardiovascular failure (39%) and respiratory failure (35%) were the main diagnostic categories for admission; 50.7% of the patients needed mechanical ventilation, 44% echocardiogram, 13.5% bronchoscopy and 10.3% hemodynamic evaluation with Swan-Ganz catheter. These are patients with high mean values of severity scoring systems, ICU mortality (27%) and Hospital mortality (37.6%). APACHE II, SAPS I and TISS on day one of admission and maximum value over a 24 hour period of two multiple organ failure systems-MOF and OSF were validated in this population and were good outcome predictors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Biomass production enriched in intracellular methionine by a mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae].

According with FAO reported data the methionine intracellular content in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is higher than another yeast. For increasing the yeast methionine internal concentration three S. cerevisiae mutant strains were chosen (M2, M4 y M9), obtained by ethionine (0.1 mg/ml) and norleucine (0.33 mg/ml) resistance by González Miliani (personal communication). The resistance levels in culture were modified until selection of a mutant LF-M9 etr norr, which shows resistance to ethionine (6 mg/ml). Optimal conditions for growth were fixed on shaked flasks and later mutationaly experiments were conducted with nitrosoguanidine (0.5 mg/ml) and U.V. light (240 nm in 9 minutes d = 32 cm). Mutants obtained were selected on plate replicates and microbiological test, using Escherichia coli 303 (Wollman, met- b1- strr) as the indicating strain. The mutant LF-M9 treo- etr norr, shows an intracellular methionine content 3 times higher than the control strain DSM D273-10B and 1.8 times higher than parental strain M9. The mutant was cultivated on different agroindustrial wastes and the optimal growth was reached in acid hydrolysates of cassava foliage. Fermentations in 1 litre stirred fermentor were accomplished using these medium and the biomass obtained was 6.3 g of the yeast (dry weight) enriched in methionine per litre of extract.

Biomass↗
PubMed1993

[Seroprevalence of Legionella pneumophila infection in healthy, adults from Santiago, Chile].

In order to investigate the L pneumophila seroprevalence in healthy adult population of Santiago, Chile, a serologic survey of antibodies to serogroups 1 through G was performed. Sera of 100 blood donors were studied with the indirect fluorescent antibody method. Positive results (> or = 1.64) were obtained in five samples. Titres > or = 1:128 were not observed. We conclude that the seroprevalence of L pneumophila in Santiago is 5% and that a single titre > or = 1:256 suggests the diagnosis of legionellosis. The low seroprevalence in Santiago is in agreement with the few cases of legionellosis reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Genetic composition of Chilean population: the Pehuenches from Trapa-Trapa].

This study describes the genetic composition of Pehuenche indians from Trapa-Trapa. The admixture analysis revealed that this group has conserved most of its pre-Columbian gene pool and therefore, is representative of the indians that lived in Southern Chile before the Spanish conquest. A relatively high frequency of a esterase D variant seems to indicate that this is a Chilean aboriginal population marker. The Chilean Pehuenches are genetically similar to their Argentinean relatives, which is not surprising since this last group crossed the Andes Mountains in historic times.

Blood Group Antigens↗
PubMed1993

[Description of a school micro-epidemics of tuberculosis].

BACKGROUND: Despite the progressive decrease in the incidence of tuberculosis, this disease continues to be a problem of Public Health Care, maintaining endemic levels which sporadically allow the appearance of epidemic outbreaks, particularly among the young population. A small outbreak of tuberculosis among COU (high school) students is presented. METHODS: Following the detection of a case of open, cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis, the authors studied 47 students and 12 teachers who were distributed into two groups according to the number of weekly class hours shared with the index case (group A 4 hours and group B 21 hours). RESULTS: The index case began with respiratory symptomatology in the month of September 1990 and was not diagnosed of tuberculosis until January 1991, having shared classes with school mates for 3 months. In April 1991 two patients were diagnosed with pleural tuberculosis and it was at this time that the study was initiated. A prevalence rate of positive tuberculin of 59% was detected among the students of group A and 93% among those of group B, with an incidence of tuberculous disease of 12% and 20% in the two groups respectively. No teachers were found to have the disease and the tuberculin test was heavily influenced by previous BCG vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Both the prevalence of infection and the incidence of tuberculosis was very high in all two groups. The authors consider that the development of this small outbreak in a school was due to deficiencies in primary health care (low index of suspicion and excessive delay), specialized care (delay in declaration of cases) and epidemiologic departments (deficient study of contacts).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection, hepatitis B virus and syphilis in full term pregnancy].

BACKGROUND: The estimation of the frequency of infection by HIV, hepatitis B virus and syphilis in unselected populations of full-term pregnancy is useful for epidemiologic surveillance of these diseases and for decision marking in prenatal detection. METHODS: A transversal study of 3,193 women who gave birth in the Hospital General de Elche between March 1989 and February 1990 was carried out. A blind survey was developed to avoid ethic problems and bias derived from the undertaking of HIV test without patient consent. RESULTS: The prevalence of HIV was 0.5/1,000 women (CI 95%, 0-1.5); HBV 8.9/1,000 (CI 95%, 4.6-13.2) and syphilis 1.5/1,000 (CI 95%, 0.9-2.1). CONCLUSIONS: The diffusion of the AIDS epidemic in Spain to the general population does not at present seems important although studies should be performed in the future to monitor the trend. The prevalence of syphilis in Spain is low in this study in comparison with the results of other Spanish studies which may be explained by greater quality of care in to pregnancy. The prevalence of HBV suggests the need for detection and vaccination of newborns.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Sequence identification of 2,375 human brain genes.

We recently described a new approach for the rapid characterization of expressed genes by partial DNA sequencing to generate 'expressed sequence tags'. From a set of 600 human brain complementary DNA clones, 348 were informative nuclear-encoded messenger RNAs. We have now partially sequenced 2,672 new, independent cDNA clones isolated from four human brain cDNA libraries to generate 2,375 expressed sequence tags to nuclear-encoded genes. These sequences, together with 348 brain expressed sequence tags from our previous study, comprise more than 2,500 new human genes and 870,769 base pairs of DNA sequence. These data represent an approximate doubling of the number of human genes identified by DNA sequencing and may represent as many as 5% of the genes in the human genome.

Brain Chemistry↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from Paraguay, using restriction enzyme analysis of kinetoplast DNA.

Eleven Paraguayan strains of Trypanosoma cruzi, from Chagas' disease patients and the bug vectors, were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis of kinetoplast DNA using Hae III, Msp I, Eco RI, HinfI, Taq I and Rsa I. Four schizodeme-profile groups were identified. Group 1 had much simpler profiles than groups 2, 3 and 4 and, although there were homogeneous profiles in the latter three groups, each group could be distinguished from the others. The profiles of group 1 could not be matched with any of the standard strains from Brazil, Chile and Columbia included in the schizodeme comparison. The profiles of groups 3 and 4 shared most features with those standards of the Brazilian Z2 zymodeme.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Paleodemography in mummies of prehispanic populations from Africa].

Mummies' demographic information of 10 prehispanic cultures that developed in the Arica region of Chile about 7000 years ago is analyzed and related to the present population structure. A paleoepidemiological analysis supports a relationship between cultural development and demographic structure. In chronological sequence, 4 demographic patterns can be distinguished: 1) archaic, a mature population with the highest life expectancy and the lowest dependence from prehispanic populations; 2) later archaic, a population in demographic explosion with its larger fraction under 15 years of age, elevated fertility rates and the greatest prehispanic dependence; 3) andean, a transition population with moderate fertility rates and dependence index; and 4) modern, an aging population with the highest proportion over 45 years of age and the highest life expectancy. The present demographic analysis may help to understand the relationships among disease, individual and culture from the perspective of genetic epidemiology.

Adolescent↗