Biomedical subjects

C Ferrando

Publications and source records attributed to C Ferrando.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Polymerase chain reaction detection of the Dde I polymorphism in the factor 9 gene for fragile X linkage analysis.

We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze the 50 base pair (bp) insertion/deletion polymorphism in the coagulation factor 9 gene. This procedure is particularly applicable for DNA marker studies in fragile X families. The polymorphism, which can also be detected in Dde I digestions, was detected by the amplification of fragments of 298 and 348 bp. The alleles were distinguished directly by agarose gel electrophoresis. PCR detection of this polymorphism is much simpler, more accurate, and quicker than conventional analysis.

Alleles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of a nationwide limited prescribing list: preliminary findings.

In the Republic of Ireland, the state pays the cost of medical care for around 40 percent of the population through the General Medical Services (GMS). Doctors treating GMS patients are entitled to prescribe from an approved list of drugs. In October 1982, many antacids, cough and cold preparations, antihistamines, and mild analgesics were removed from the GMS prescribing list. The visiting rate and the amount of prescribing fell in the GMS during 1982-83. Drug utilization within the GMS was measured using prescription numbers and in the total population using data obtained from pharmaceutical wholesalers expressed as defined daily doses. These results showed substantial changes in GMS prescribing in the utilization of mefenamic acid, carbocysteine, and H2-receptor antagonists associated with the introduction of the limited list, suggesting a switch to these agents from delisted preparations. The therapeutic and economic implications of this policy are discussed.

Drug Prescriptions↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Functional consequences of chronic implantation of electrodes for electromyographic studies in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens.

The aims of this work were: A) to define the morphological and functional changes induced by chronic implantation of electrodes for electromyographic studies and B) to study the evolution of the gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity after electrode implantation. Four lots of animals were established: birds implanted with 7 and 5 triplets of electrodes in the gastroduodenal area (lots I5 and I7 respectively); sham operated birds (lot SH) and control (lot C). Body weight was not modified by surgery. Food intake, which was transiently decreased, returned to normal within the first week post-implantation. Gastrointestinal transit time (TT) was significantly increased in lots I7 and SH during the first week. In SH birds TT returned to normal in the second week after surgery, whereas in I7 birds this parameter was not normalized until the third week. Apparent hypertrophy of the duodenum was found in lot I7 but not in lots SH and C (P < 0.05). Qualitative electromyographical changes were found in lot I7 but not in lot I5, with no morphological changes. The evolution of the electrical signal (frequency and amplitude of spiking) was analyzed in lot I5. Frequency stabilized shortly after surgery (0.8-2 days). In contrast, amplitude increased progressively to reach a steady value 9-18 days after surgery. Our results indicate that the number of electrodes implanted for electromyographical studies may induce significant morphological as well as motor changes in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus there should be as few electrodes as possible in order to avoid the changes mentioned above.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Derangement of acid-base balance in uremia and under hemodialysis.

Uremic acidosis is due to impaired excretion of ammonium ions in the presence of unchanged acid production. However, the degree of acidosis is quite variable among uremic patients and pre-dialytic bicarbonate levels are mainly independent of dialytic base supply. These observations strengthen the suggestion that extra-renal mechanisms may play a significant role in controlling acid-base balance in uremic patients. The possible effects of diet, intestine, bone, intermediate metabolism, and the global acid-base balance are discussed. The metabolic and clinical effects of mild uremic acidosis are not well defined. In fact, no long-term clinical study have produced clear evidence for increased protein catabolism in humans. Some data provide evidence for reduced bone mineral content and osteomalacic lesions in uremic patients with severe acidosis. Overall, the impact of the present dialytic techniques on acid-base control is quite small, since no major difference is observed in uremic patients treated with different dialytic schedules. Furthermore, the base supply by dialysis does not seem to represent the main mechanism for acid-base correction by dialysis. In conclusion, at present time, metabolic acidosis of uremic patients is often mild and not accompanied by major symptoms. Probably, more attention needs to be paid to the possible noxious effect of over-correction of acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗

PubMedDate not supplied