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Biomedical subjects

A Enguix

Publications and source records attributed to A Enguix.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Comparison of procalcitonin with C-reactive protein and serum amyloid for the early diagnosis of bacterial sepsis in critically ill neonates and children.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker of bacterial sepsis in critically ill neonates and children and to compare the results of PCT with those of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid (SAA). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, observational study in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. PATIENTS: A total of 116 divided into four groups according to age and diagnosis: neonates (aged 3-30 days) with sepsis (n = 20), neonates without sepsis (n = 26), children (aged 2-12 years) with sepsis (n = 32), and children without sepsis (n = 38). INTERVENTIONS: Serum PCT, CRP, and SAA were measured on admission or when a bacterial sepsis was suspected. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, optimum predictive values, and optimum diagnostic cut off values were evaluated. RESULTS: Admission PCT was significantly higher in neonates and children with sepsis than in the other groups. In the neonates the area under the ROC curve was 0.99 for PCT, 0.95 for CRP, and 0.98 for SAA; in the children it was 1 for PCT, 0.93 for CRP, and 0.96 for SAA. Cutoff concentrations for optimum prediction of sepsis in the neonates were PCT > 6.1 ng/ml (diagnostic efficiency: 93.8%), CRP > 23.0 mg/l (89.7%), and SAA > 41.3 mg/l (95.3%); in the children they were PCT > 8.1 ng/ml (100%), CRP > 22.1 mg/l (89.8%), and SAA > 67.2 mg/l (94.4%). CONCLUSION: In critically ill children PCT concentration is a better diagnostic marker of sepsis than CRP and SAA. In critically ill neonates, however, PCT, CRP, and SAA are similar diagnostic markers of sepsis. A PCT concentration higher than 8.1 ng/ml identified all children with bacterial sepsis.

Amyloid↗
PubMed2001

Effect of storage of plasma and serum on enzymatic determination of non-esterified fatty acids.

Many contradictory results have been published on the stability of total non-esterified fatty acids in blood, plasma and serum under different storage conditions. The present study was undertaken to investigate the stability of non-esterified fatty acids, measured with an enzymatic method, in samples of EDTA-treated plasma and serum under different temperature conditions. We conclude that EDTA-treated plasma and serum can both be used for analysis. Specific reference values should be established depending on the type of sample chosen. Samples that cannot be analysed immediately can be stored at -20 degrees C for at least 14 days without significant changes in the concentration of total non-esterified fatty acids. None of the other storage conditions and periods studied are suitable for the measurement of non-esterified fatty acid concentration.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The efficacy of iodine prophylaxis in the prevention of endemic goiter in the southwestern area of Asturias].

The aim of the present work was to assess the prevalence of the endemic goiter in Asturias southwestern area (46,000 inhabitants; 6,638 in school age), after 10 years of iodized salt introduction in diet. 317 schooling children were randomly chosen (stratified by age, sex and geographic area). We evaluated thyroid gland size and urinary iodine excretion (microgram of iodine per gram of creatinine = I/C). Previously, studies of infantile population suggested a 63% of prevalence. Our results indicate a decrease to 16.4% of endemic goiter prevalence. Nevertheless, the success of iodine prophylaxis was heterogeneous and not good in some case: point out Ibias population with a prevalence of 48.5% (2,000 inhabitants and 353 in schooling). Remainder population was prevalences between 6.9% and 19.8%. The mean of urinary iodine excretion increased to I/C = 106 (previously I/C = 53). The smallest index I/C become to Ibias population = 78. (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 with regard to Cangas del Narcea and Tineo population respectively). Only 2 of the 52 cases of goiter were hypothyroidism (but because of autoimmune thyroiditis). We conclude that iodine prophylaxis with salt was effective generally, in order to diminish the endemic goiter in the area.

Adolescent↗