Biomedical subjects

Alvaro Ruiz

Publications and source records attributed to Alvaro Ruiz.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Securing nasal tip rotation through suspension suture technique.

BACKGROUND: Multiple techniques have been described to produce tip rotation in rhinoplasty, including the use of sutures, a technique popularized by several authors and shown to be predictable, controllable, and nondestructive. The authors describe a simple procedure for nasal tip rotation with a suture suspension technique through a closed method that allows the nasal tip to be rotated while maintaining its appropriate position. METHODS: In each case, after the authors performed standard rhinoplasty techniques, the osteocartilaginous junction was used as an anchor for their suture suspension technique. This technique requires the use of a guide that positions the sutures across the medial side of both domes of the alar cartilages and osteocartilaginous junction. RESULTS: Between September of 2002 and September of 2004, this technique was used in 30 patients with nasal tip ptosis who requested improvement of this condition. There were 21 primary rhinoplasty and nine secondary rhinoplasty procedures. The results were satisfactory in all of the patients, but four patients had minimal asymmetries of the tip. In the follow-up of these patients, the projection of the nasal tip was maintained long term. CONCLUSION: With this suspension suture technique, the authors were able to maintain the optimal position of the nasal tip, using the osteocartilaginous junction as a pillar to provide long-term stability of the nasal tip.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

The DISCOVERY PENTA study: a DIrect Statin COmparison of LDL-C Value--an Evaluation of Rosuvastatin therapY compared with atorvastatin.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines emphasize the need to achieve recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in order to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, many patients with hypercholesterolemia fail to achieve LDL-C goals on treatment. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to compare the efficacy of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin for enabling patients to achieve National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) LDL-C goals. Secondary objectives were European LDL-C goal achievement, changes in the lipid profile, and safety. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This 12-week, multicenter, multinational, randomized, open-label trial compared the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin 10 mg with atorvastatin 10 mg in statin-naïve and switched patients with primary hypercholesterolemia from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal, and Venezuela. RESULTS: A total of 1124 patients with similar baseline characteristics were randomized to the two treatment groups. After 12 weeks of treatment, a significantly greater percentage of patients receiving rosuvastatin 10 mg compared with atorvastatin 10 mg achieved NCEP ATP III LDL-C goals (71.2% vs 61.4%, p < 0.001), 1998 European LDL-C goals (73.5% vs 59.2%, p < 0.001) and 2003 European LDL-C goals (58.9% vs 44.6%, p < 0.001). Rosuvastatin treatment was associated with significant reductions in LDL-C and total cholesterol (TC) and, in statin-naïve patients, a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with atorvastatin treatment. Both treatments were well tolerated with a similar incidence of adverse events. Clinically significant elevations in creatinine, creatine kinase or hepatic transaminases were low and similar between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rosuvastatin 10 mg is significantly more effective at achieving NCEP ATP III and European LDL-C goals, lowering LDL-C and TC in both naïve and switched patients and increasing HDL-C in naïve patients than atorvastatin 10mg, with a similar safety and tolerability profile. This study also provides evidence regarding the comparative effects of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in Latin American and Portuguese populations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Dating the Late Archaic occupation of the Norte Chico region in Peru.

The Norte Chico region on the coast of Peru north of Lima consists of four adjacent river valleys--Huaura, Supe, Pativilca and Fortaleza--in which archaeologists have been aware of a number of apparently early sites for more than 40 years (refs 1- 3). To clarify the early chronology in this region, we undertook fieldwork in 2002 and 2003 to determine the dates of occupation of sites in the Fortaleza and Pativilca valleys. Here we present 95 new radiocarbon dates from a sample of 13 of more than 20 large, early sites. These sites share certain basic characteristics, including large-scale monumental architecture, extensive residential architecture and a lack of ceramics. The 95 new dates confirm the emergence and development of a major cultural complex in this region during the Late Archaic period between 3000 and 1800 calibrated calendar years bc. The results help to redefine a broader understanding of the respective roles of agricultural and fishing economies in the beginnings of civilization in South America.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2002

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonization of pigs sired by different boars.

Differences in Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae colonization were evaluated in experimentally inoculated pigs sired by 3 different boars of the same genetic line. Forty-six pigs were used, including a treatment group and positive and negative control groups. The pigs were intratracheally inoculated with an M. hyopneumoniae suspension or with Friis media as a placebo. To evaluate differences in the magnitude of colonization during a 35-day period, nasal and tracheal swabs were collected weekly and tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (N-PCR). Temperature, weight and circulating antibodies were measured for 35 days. At 11 and 35 d postinoculation the pigs were necropsied and macroscopic and microscopic lesions were determined. A section of bronchus was tested by the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFAT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N-PCR. The N-PCR results from the nasal and tracheal swabs showed that the pigs sired by one boar (B3) had a distinctive colonization pattern, different from that of the pigs from the other 2 boars and from the positive controls. SEM studies demonstrated that at 35 d postinoculation a higher proportion of B3 pigs had lower numbers of mycoplasmas attached to the cilia compared with B1 and B2 offspring. No significant differences were observed in temperature and weight gain among groups by ANOVA; however, with use of a 2 x 2 table, temperature differences were observed between pigs sired by boars B1 and B2 at 4 d postinoculation. No pigs seroconverted, showed gross or microscopic lesions, or had positive IFAT results. These results provide evidence of differences in patterns of colonization between pigs sired by different boars, suggesting a possible genetic effect.

Animals↗