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Biomedical subjects

A Antón

Publications and source records attributed to A Antón.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Human intake fractions of pesticides via greenhouse tomato consumption: comparing model estimates with measurements for Captan.

Human intake due to pesticide residues in food commodities can be much higher than those related to water consumption and air inhalation, stressing the importance to correctly estimate pesticide uptake into plants and predict subsequent intake by humans. We calculated the human intake fraction of captan via tomato consumption taking into account the time between pesticide application and harvest, the time between harvest and consumption, the absorption of spray deposit on plant surfaces, transfer properties through the cuticle, degradation inside the plant and loss due to food processing. Human population intake fractions due to ingestion were calculated for complete, washed and peeled tomatoes. The calculated intake fractions were compared with measurements derived from an experimental setup in a Mediterranean greenhouse. The fraction of captan applied in the greenhouse as plant treatment that eventually is ingested by the human population is on average 10(-2)-10(-5), depending on the time between pesticide application and ingestion of tomatoes and the processing step considered. Model and experimentally derived intake fractions deviated less than a factor of 2 for complete and washed tomatoes and a factor of 3 for peeled tomatoes. Intake fractions due to air inhalation and consumption of drinking water are expected to be significantly lower (5-9 orders of magnitude) than those induced by the intake of tomatoes in this case study.

Captan↗
PubMed2006

Toxicity and health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant docetaxel, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide (TAC) or 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (FAC): impact of adding primary prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to the TAC regimen.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyse the toxicity and health related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer patients treated with FAC (5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) and TAC (docetaxel, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) with and without primary prophylactic G-CSF (PPG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a phase III study to compare FAC and TAC as adjuvant treatment of high-risk node-negative breast cancer patients. After the entry of the first 237 patients, the protocol was amended to include PPG in the TAC arm due to the high incidence of febrile neutropenia. A total of 1047 evaluable patients from 49 centres in Spain, two in Poland and four in Germany were included in the trial. Side-effects and the scores of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ BR-23 questionnaires were compared in the three groups (FAC, TAC pre-amendment and TAC post-amendment). RESULTS: The addition of PPG to TAC significantly reduced the incidence of neutropenic fever, grade 2-4 anaemia, asthenia, anorexia, nail disorders, stomatitis, myalgia and dysgeusia. Patient QoL decreased during chemotherapy, more with TAC than FAC, but returned to baseline values afterwards. The addition of PPG to TAC significantly reduced the percentage of patients with clinically relevant Global Health Status deterioration (10 or more points over baseline value) at the end of chemotherapy (64% versus 46%, P<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The addition of PPG significantly reduces the incidence of neutropenic fever associated with TAC chemotherapy as well as that of some TAC-induced haematological and extrahaematological side-effects. The HRQoL of patients treated with TAC is worse than that of those treated with FAC but improves with the addition of PPG, particularly in the final part of chemotherapy treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Inspired oxygen fraction achieved with a portable ventilator: determinant factors.

INTRODUCTION: Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) is an effective treatment in respiratory failure. Continuous positive pressure (CPAP) may also be useful in acute hypoxaemic patients. Supplementary oxygen is usually necessary in both systems. However, the inspired oxygen fraction (FiO2) delivered by a NIV portable ventilator is unknown. The main objectives of this study were to establish the maximal FiO2 that could be achieved by these devices and to analyse the FiO2 determinant factors. METHOD: Ten healthy volunteers were evaluated using a BiPAP ST30 ventilator (Respironics, USA) with a single-limb circuit, expiratory port and nasal mask (Respironics, USA). Oxygen (15 L/min) was administered at two connection points (proximal and distal). Each volunteer carried out a NIPPV (inspiratory pressure 20 cmH2O [1.95 kPa]-expiratory pressure 8 cmH2O [0.78 kPa]) and a CPAP (10 cmH2O [0.981 kPa]) session. FiO2 was analysed by a probe located in the mask. Minute volume (MV) was measured using a pneumotachograph. RESULTS: Maximal FiO2 was obtained with CPAP and distal oxygen connection point (67.39 +/- 15.39%). NIPPV achieved higher MV than CPAP. FiO2 was inversely correlated with MV. CONCLUSIONS: FiO2 obtained while using a NIPPV portable ventilator depends on the ventilatory assistant mode, the oxygen connection point and the MV reached.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure↗
PubMed2006

The "El Alamo" project (1990-1997): two consecutive hospital-based studies of breast cancer outcomes in Spain.

BACKGROUND: The "Alamo" project is a retrospective analysis of 14,854 patients diagnosed of breast cancer between 1990 and 1997 in 50 Spanish hospitals. METHODS: Alamo I (AI) consisted of 4,532 patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 1990 and 1993. Data were collected in 2000. Alamo II (AII) consisted of 10,322 patients diagnosed between 1994 and 1997. Data were collected in 2003. RESULTS: At presentation, there were (AI vs. AII) 17.6% vs. 24.3% at stage I; 55.5% vs. 53.1% at stage II; 18.7% vs. 15% at stage III; 7.2% vs. 5.9 at stage IV. Median age was 57 (AI) vs. 58 years (AII) and 65.9% vs. 67.2% (AI vs. AII) were post-menopausal. Firstline treatment for disease stages I, II and III was surgery in 91% of patients in both studies. Breast conserving surgery rate increased from 20.2% (AI) to 32.7% (AII). Adjuvant systemic treatments were administered to 87.6% (AI) and 92.8% (AII) of patients. Recurrence rate diminished from 36.6% (AI) to 22.5% (AII) and the 9-year survival rate increased from 63.2% (95% CI: 61.5-64.9) to 70.1% (95% CI: 68.5-71.8). CONCLUSION: Breast cancer outcomes in Spain have improved from 1990-1993 to 1994-1997, likely because of breast cancer screening program implementation and new therapies.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Primary alveolar hypoventilation and XXXXY chromosopathy.

The association of primary alveolar hypoventilation (PAH) and chromosomic diseases has not been described previously. A 19 year-old man with Fraccaro's syndrome (XXXXY karyotype) was admitted to evaluate chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure, pulmonary arterial hypertension and cor pulmonale. PAH was diagnosed. As effective treatment, such as non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV), is available for this disorder we should intensify the search for PAH in patients with chromosome disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparison of toxicological impacts of integrated and chemical pest management in Mediterranean greenhouses.

The goal of this paper is to assess the relative impacts of pest-control methods in greenhouses, based on current LCA tools. As a case study, the relative impacts of two tomato production methods, chemical pest management (CPM) and integrated pest management (IPM), are assessed. The amount of the active ingredients applied, the fate of the ingredients in the various greenhouse and environmental compartments, the human exposure routes via the various compartments and the inherent toxicity of the ingredients were taken into account in the relative impact calculations. To assess the importance of model selection in the assessment, pesticide-specific fate and exposure factors for humans and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, used to aggregate pesticide emissions, were calculated with two different models: (1) the USES-LCA model, adapted in order to calculate the pesticide transfer from greenhouse air and soil to fruits, and (2) the empirical model critical surface time (CST). Impact scores have in general shown a higher level of potential contamination in greenhouses treated with CPM compared to IPM (a factor of 1.4 to 2.3). Relative impacts have been shown highly dependent on the selection of specific pesticides and crop stage development at the moment of pesticide application. This means that both CPM and IPM could be improved by a careful selection of pesticides. In order to improve the relative impact calculations, future research in pesticide transfer to food will be necessary.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2004

[Acute confusional syndrome associated with obstructive sleep apnea aggravated by acidosis secondary to oral acetazolamide treatment].

Acute confusional syndrome, or delirium, is a transitory mental state characterized by the fluctuating alteration of awareness and attention levels. We present the case of a patient with acute confusional syndrome associated with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) aggravated by metabolic acidosis induced by oral acetazolamide treatment.A 70-year-old man with no history of neurological disease was referred with a clinical picture consistent with acute confusional syndrome presenting between midnight and dawn. During the admission examination infectious, toxic, and neurologic causes, or those related to metabolic or heart disease were ruled out. Arterial blood gases measured during one of the nighttime episodes of acute confusional syndrome showed mild hypoxia and hypercapnia with mixed acidosis. Signs and symptoms suggestive of OSAS had been developing over the months prior to admission, with snoring, sleep apnea, and moderate daytime drowsiness. Polysomnography demonstrated severe OSAS with an apnea-hypopnea index of 38. Mean arterial oxygen saturation was 83%; time oxygen saturation remained below 90% was 44%. The attending physician ordered the withdrawal of oral acetazolamide, which was considered the cause of the metabolic component of acidosis. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure was initiated at 9 cm H2O, after a titration polysomnographic study. The patient continued to improve.OSAS, for which very effective treatment is available, should be included among diseases that may trigger acute confusional syndrome.

Acetazolamide↗
PubMed2004

A multicentre, randomised phase II study of weekly or 3-weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: A phase II randomised trial was conducted to evaluate the tolerability and activity of weekly or 3-weekly docetaxel in patients with metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-three patients with histologically proven metastatic breast cancer were randomised to receive either docetaxel 40 mg/m2 weekly for 6 consecutive weeks followed by 2 weeks without treatment (n = 41), or docetaxel 100 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks (n = 42). RESULTS: The incidence of all grade 3-4 adverse events was higher in the 3-weekly group than in the weekly group (96 versus 44), and the number of patients with grade 3-4 adverse events was also greater in the 3-weekly group (31 versus 20). Analysis of individual adverse events tended to favour the weekly regimen. Intent-to-treat overall response rate was 34% and 33% in the weekly and 3-weekly groups, respectively. Median time to progression was 5.7 and 5.3 months after weekly and 3-weekly docetaxel, respectively, and median time to treatment failure was 4.1 and 4.9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Weekly docetaxel is an active regimen in metastatic breast cancer with comparable efficacy to 3 weekly docetaxel. Although both schedules were well tolerated, weekly docetaxel appears to have a more favourable toxicity profile.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Comparison of optic nerve head measurements obtained with the slit lamp and with CSLO].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of disk size and cup/disk ratio (C/D) estimation by measuring the vertical diameter and cup/disk ratio at the slit lamp. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty eight eyes of 185 people, 82 glaucomas and 156 normal subjects were included. All underwent slit lamp examination, tonometry, optic nerve photographs, scanning laser tomography (HRT) and standard perimetry (Humphrey). Correlation between slit lamp measurements (vertical diameter and C/D ratio) and HRT parameters was evaluated. RESULTS: There is a significant correlation between the disk diameter measured at the slit lamp and the disk area measured with HRT (Pearson Test, r: 0.52, p<0.001). Additionally, there is significant correlation between the semi-quantitative estimation of C/D ratio at the slit lamp and the C/D area ratio from the HRT (r: 0.83, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Measuring the vertical diameter and the C/D ratio at the slit lamp is a useful method for estimating the real disk area and C/D ratio. It is highly recommended that disk size be estimated when attempting to interpret clinical findings in the optic nerve head.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2003

Sequential doxorubicin and docetaxel as first-line treatment in metastatic breast cancer: a GEICAM-9801 phase II study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and the toxicity profile of the sequential administration of doxorubicin and docetaxel as first-line chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-one patients received a total of 436 cycles of chemotherapy: 236 of doxorubicin (75 mg/m2) and 200 of docetaxel (100 mg/m2 every 21 days). The first 35 patients received doxorubicin every 14 days with G-CSF support, and in the other 46 cases doxorubicin was administered every 21 days without G-CSF. RESULTS: After entire treatment the overall response rate was 65% (18 complete responses). With a median follow-up of 19 months (range, 1-48 months), the median time to progression was 11.3 months and the median survival time was 31 months. As expected, febrile neutropenia was the most important toxicity and it appeared in 26 cycles (6%) and 19 patients (23%). In the patients that received doxorubicin every 14 days, the febrile neutropenia incidence was higher during docetaxel treatment, especially after its first administration. CONCLUSIONS: The dose and schedule of doxorubicin and docetaxel used in this trial seems to be active in first-line treatment of patients with MBC. The toxicity profile appears to be better than observed with concomitant schedules.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Irinotecan (CPT-11) in metastatic colorectal cancer patients resistant to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU): a phase II study.

The efficacy and toxicity of irinotecan (CPT-11) 350 mg/m(2) i.v. once every 3 weeks was assessed in 60 patients with advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) showing failure to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment. The overall objective response rate was 13.6% (1 complete response and 4 partial responses) and 25 patients (42.4%) showed stable disease; the median time to disease progression was 4.4 months and the median survival was 10.5 months. The main non-hematological toxicities were alopecia (80.3% of patients), diarrhea (75.0%), and nausea/vomiting (71.7%); neutropenia was the main hematological toxicity. Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea appeared in 21 of 131 cycles (16.1%), whereas grade 3 or 4 neutropenia appeared in 78 cycles (25.0%). In conclusion, the present phase II study confirms that CPT-11 350 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks is active and well tolerated as second-line chemotherapy for CRC in 5-FU resistant patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Phase I trial of weekly irinotecan combined with UFT as second-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer.

The aim of this study was to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of weekly Irinotecan (CPT-11) plus UFT, and to assess the antitumour activity of this combination as second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma, 31 patients with measurable advanced colorectal carcinoma were treated. Cohorts of 3 patients received increasing dose levels of the combination. Levels 1 to 4 included a fixed dose of oral (p.o.) UFT (250 mg/m(2)/day) for 21 days of a 28-day cycle combined with increasing intravenous (i.v.) doses of CPT-11 (80, 100, 110 and 120 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 8 and 15. Levels 5 and 6 included a higher fixed dose of oral UFT (300 mg/m(2)) combined with increasing i.v. doses of CPT-11 (100 and 110 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 8 and 15. 147 courses were administered. MTD were reached at level 4 (2 cases of grade 4 diarrhoea and 1 grade 3 asthenia), and level 6 (1 grade 4 diarrhoea, 1 grade 3 diarrhoea and 1 grade 3 febrile neutropenia). Responses in 30 evaluable patients were: 3 partial responses (10%), 15 stable disease (50%) and progressive disease in 12 patients (40%). Median time to progression was 4.5 months (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3.4-6.6 months) and median survival was 11 months (95% CI: 7.9-14.1 months). The recommended doses for phase II trials are: (a) CPT-11 110 mg/m(2) i.v. on days 1, 8 and 15 every 28 days plus UFT 250 mg/m(2) p.o. on days 1 through to 21 or (b) CPT-11 100 mg/m(2) and UFT 300 mg/m(2).

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

Phase I trial of weekly gemcitabine at 3-h infusion in refractory, heavily pretreated advanced solid tumors.

Gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) is a nucleoside analog with antitumor activity against a variety of malignancies. The critical enzyme cytidine kinase is saturated at plasma concentrations achieved after a 30-min infusion at conventional doses. Prolonged infusion time may yield higher intracellular dFdCTP concentrations. A phase I study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine, given by infusion for 3 h, in heavily pretreated patients. Twenty-seven patients (13 head and neck cancer, seven sarcoma, three esophageal cancer, three non-small-cell lung cancer and one ovarian cancer) were enrolled. Twenty patients were defined as refractory at first- or second-line chemotherapy. Four different entry dose levels (300, 400, 450 and 500 mg/m(2)) were evaluated for gemcitabine administered on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The MTD was defined as 450 mg/m(2), with granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and asthenia being dose limiting. The maximum grade III/IV patient toxicities for hemoglobin, leukocytes, neutrophils and platelets for all doses were 7, 19, 19 and 11%, respectively. Non-hematological toxicities included asthenia, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. Thus, gemcitabine administered at a fixed 3-h infusion was well tolerated up to 450 mg/m(2) in heavily pretreated patients. Myelosupression and asthenia were dose-limiting toxicities.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Maximal strength and power, endurance performance, and serum hormones in middle-aged and elderly men.

PURPOSE: To examine maximal strength, power and muscle cross-sectional area, maximal and submaximal cycling endurance characteristics, and serum hormone concentrations of testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), and cortisol (C) in middle-aged and elderly men. METHODS: Maximal knee extension force (isometric; MIF(KE)), power-load curves during concentric actions with loads ranging from 15% to 70% of 1 RM half-squat (1RM(HS)), muscle cross-sectional area of quadriceps femoris (CSA(QF)), workload, heart rate and lactate accumulation during incremental cycling, and serum hormone concentrations were measured in 26 middle-aged (M42 yr) and 21 elderly men (M65 yr). RESULTS: The 1RM(HS) (14%), MIF(KE) (24%) and CSA(QF) (13%) were lower in M65 than in M42 (P < 0.05-0.01). Power during submaximal actions was lower (P < 0.05-0.001) in M65 than in M42, but the differences disappeared when expressed relative to CSA(QF). Serum FT was in M42 higher (P < 0.05) than in M65. Maximal workload, maximal heart rate and peak blood lactate during cycling in M65 were 31%, 11%, and 20% lower than in M42 (P < 0.01). During submaximal cycling blood lactate rose more rapidly with increasing workload in M65 than in M42 (P < 0.05-0.01), but the differences disappeared when expressed relative to CSA(QF). Significant correlations existed between individual values of serum FT:C ratio, C and T, and those of muscle strength and maximal workload. CONCLUSION: Declines in maximal strength, muscle mass, and endurance performance seem to take place with increasing age, although muscle power and demand for aerobic energy per unit of muscle tissue during submaximal loads remain similar. The balance between anabolic and catabolic hormones in aging people over the years may be associated with age-related decreased strength and declines in maximal cycling workload.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of strength training on muscle power and serum hormones in middle-aged and older men.

Effects of 16-wk strength training on maximal strength and power performance of the arm and leg muscles and serum concentrations [testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), and cortisol] were examined in 11 middle-aged (M46; 46 +/- 2 yr) and 11 older men (M64; 64 +/- 2 yr). During the 16-wk training, the relative increases in maximal strength and muscle power output of the arm and leg muscles were significant in both groups (P < 0.05-0.001), with no significant differences between the two groups. The absolute increases were higher (P < 0.01-0.05) in M46 than in M64 mainly during the last 8 wk of training. No significant changes were observed for serum T and FT concentrations. Analysis of covariance showed that, during the 16-wk training period, serum FT concentrations tended to decrease in M64 and increase in M46 (P < 0.05). However, significant correlations between the mean level of individual serum T and FT concentrations and the individual changes in maximal strength were observed in a combined group during the 16-wk training (r = 0.49 and 0.5, respectively; P < 0.05). These data indicate that a prolonged total strength-training program would lead to large gains in maximal strength and power load characteristics of the upper and lower extremity muscles, but the pattern of maximal and power development seemed to differ between the upper and lower extremities in both groups, possibly limited in magnitude because of neuromuscular and/or age-related endocrine impairments.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Diagnostic accuracy of frequency doubling perimetry].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the capacity of Frequency Doubling Perimetry (FDP) to classify normal subjects and patients with glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHOD TYPE OF STUDY: cross sectional. 54 glaucoma patients (mean age 65 S.D. 9.3 years) and 54 normal subjects matched in age (64.2 S.D. 9.8 years) were examined. Normal subjects showed an intra-ocular pressure (IOP) of </= 21 mmHg, a normal optic disc appearance (disc stereophotos) and normal standard perimetry (Humphrey II, 24-2 full threshold or SITA standard programs). Glaucoma subjects presented an IOP>21 mmHg, a glaucomatous optic nerve and a glaucomatous standard perimetry. One eye per patient was selected at random. All were examined using FDP C-20-5 and N-30 programs. Sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating feature curves (ROC) for N-30 parameters were calculated. A quantitative correlation with standard perimetry (Pearson) was calculated as well. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity for C-20-5 resulted in 74% and 96% respectively and 88% and 92% respectively for N-30. ROC area for mean deviation was 0.85 and 0.93 for the standard pattern deviation. Standard deviation in the FDP pattern showed a strong linear correlation with the Humphrey 24-2 standard deviation pattern (r(2)= 0.76, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The FDP N-30 could classify normal and glaucoma subjects with a high sensitivity and specificity. There was strong correlation between FDP and standard perimetry parameters.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

The use of two species of crayfish as environmental quality sentinels: the relationship between heavy metal content, cell and tissue biomarkers and physico-chemical characteristics of the environment.

In systems as heavily disturbed as rivers, the use of biological sentinels is a most interesting way of obtaining continuous assessment of environmental quality. This study seeks to establish the value of such sentinels of two species of crayfish: the native crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes, Lereboullet 1858) and an introduced species, signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus, Dana 1852), by comparing the habitat quality (water and sediments) and heavy metal contents in crayfish with the degree of stress manifested by the animals, measured by cell and tissue biomarkers. For this purpose a histological study of the digestive gland was carried out together with measurements of heavy metal contents in samples from various points of the river network of Bizkaia (Spain), selected on the basis of their degree of disturbance. The results establish a positive correlation between these environmental conditions, the cell and tissue biomarkers of the digestive gland (thinning of the digestive epithelium, enlargement of digestive lysosomes) and the heavy metal contents of the animals (converted to an index of pollutant load).

Animals↗