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C González

Publications and source records attributed to C González.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Influence of age and geographical origin in the prevalence of high risk human papillomavirus in migrant female sex workers in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in migrant female sex workers (FSW) according to age and geographical origin. METHODS: Cross sectional study of migrant FSW attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Madrid during 2002. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive and sexual health, smoking, time in commercial sex work, history of STIs, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and genitourinary infections was collected. High risk HPV Infection was determined through the Digene HPV Test, Hybrid Capture II. Data were analysed through multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: 734 women were studied. Overall HPV prevalence was 39%; 61% in eastern Europeans, 42% in Ecuadorians, 39% in Colombians, 29% in sub-Saharan Africans, and 24% in Caribbeans (p = 0.057). HPV prevalence showed a decreasing trend by age; 49% under 20 years, 35% in 21-25 years,14% over 36 years% (p<0.005). In multivariate analyses, area of origin (p = 0.07), hormonal contraception in women not using condoms (OR 19.45 95% CI: 2.45 to 154.27), smoking, age, and an interaction between these last two variables (p = 0.039) had statistically significant associations with HPV prevalence. STI prevalence was 11% and was not related to age or geographical origin. CONCLUSIONS: High risk HPV prevalence in migrant FSW is elevated and related to age, area of origin, and use of oral contraceptives in women not using condoms. These data support the role of acquired immunity in the epidemiology of HPV infection and identifies migrant FSW as a priority group for sexual health promotion.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Pharmacokinetics of prednisolone in man during acute and chronic exposure to high altitude.

INTRODUCTION: The exposure to high altitude (H) produces several physiologic alterations which may induce changes in the pharmacokinetics of drugs. This hypothesis has been confirmed in previous studies which suggest that drugs which are highly bound to plasma proteins are most likely to exhibit altered pharmacokinetics. OBJECTIVES: To further elucidate the influence of H on pharmacokinetics, prednisolone was selected, since it is highly bound to plasma proteins, renally excreted and poorly bound to red blood cells. SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prednisolone (80 mg) was given orally to three groups of young healthy volunteers. One group was residing at sea level (L): the same volunteers were studied again after 15 hours of exposure to high altitude (3600 m, HA group), and volunteers living at H for at least six months (group HC). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters calculated from plasma data in the three situations studied. When calculated from whole blood data, however, AUC and Cmax were increased and both volume of distribution and clearance diminished after exposure to H, either acute or chronically. Binding to proteins increased significantly after H exposure from 57% in group L to 75% and 94% in group H and HC, respectively. Binding to erythrocytes also increased with H exposure from 43.7% in group L to 50.6% and 61.6% in group HA and HC, respectively. The prednisolone/prednisone ratio in urine was 11.1 in group L, 7.3 in group HA and 45.6 in group HC. CONCLUSION: Since prednisone has very little intrinsic glucocorticoid activity and has to be converted to prednisolone for therapeutic effect, the alteration of the prednisolone/prednisone ratio, as a result of high altitude exposure could be clinically relevant. Additional experiments are desirable to further evaluate this observation.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2004

Formation of atom wires on vicinal silicon.

The feasibility of creating atomic wires on vicinal silicon surfaces via pseudomorphic step-edge decoration has been analyzed for the case of Ga on Si(112). Scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations indicate the formation of Ga zigzag chains intersected by quasiperiodic vacancy lines or "misfit dislocations." This structure strikes a balance between the system's drive towards chemical passivation and its need for strain relaxation in the atom chains. Spatially fluctuating disorder, intrinsic to the reconstruction, originates from the two symmetry-degenerate orientations of the zigzag chains on vicinal Si.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Hospitalization and re-hospitalization of people with and without diabetes in La Plata, Argentina: comparison of their clinical characteristics and costs.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence, characteristics, and costs of hospitalization and re-hospitalization of diabetic and non-diabetic patients in La Plata, Argentina, and to compare the data with those of developed countries. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied all in-hospital registries of diabetic patients enrolled in a health maintenance organization of the Province of Buenos Aires (IOMA, November 1996). For each diabetic patient (127 persons), the characteristics of two other hospitalized non-diabetic patients matched by age and gender were simultaneously recorded. RESULTS: Of the 2200 recorded hospitalizations, 5.8% were for diabetic patients, accounting for 10.5% of the hospitalization cost. Cardiovascular diseases were the major cause of hospitalization in both groups. The per capita hospitalization cost of diabetic patients was significantly higher: 1628.5+/-1754.0 US dollars versus 833+/-842 US dollars; P=0.00002. Percent re-hospitalizations were five and a half times higher in diabetic patients (P=0.0001), and significantly associated with history of severe episodes of acute (odds ratio: 3.61; 95% CI: 1.11-11.70; P=0.03) and chronic (odds ratio: 4.26; 95% CI: 1.60-11.29; P=0.004) complications. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of higher and longer hospitalization rates and frequent re-hospitalizations resulted in increased costs for our diabetic population. Implementation of care programs based on education (for physicians and patients) could effectively decrease current and future costs of the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Longitudinal assessment of nutritional status in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Cuba.

Malnutrition has a deleterious effect on the results of therapy for malignant diseases in childhood. The impact of radiotherapy on growth is well known but the impact of cytotoxic drugs on nutritional status is more controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional status of a cohort of children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in Cuba. The study involved 49 children admitted to a single center and treated with a Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster-based protocol. Nutritional assessment included measurements of height, weight, body mass index and skin-fold thickness, made at diagnosis, after the intensive phase of treatment and at the end of therapy. Z-scores were used for height and comparison of percentiles for the rest of the variables. All the patients were above the third percentile in all the measurements. There were no statistically significant differences between the results at diagnosis, after intensive therapy and at the end of treatment. Although the sample was small, there was no demonstrable effect of chemotherapy on nutritional status in this Cuban paediatric population, in contrast to that reported in children with ALL in other developing countries.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2004

[Risk factors of readmission in acute exacerbation of moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVES: More effective management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and improved survival of COPD patients requires a better understanding of the risk factors for exacerbation. The aim of this study was to identify factors related to readmission in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety patients with moderate-to-severe COPD hospitalized consecutively for acute exacerbation were studied prospectively. At discharge, the following potential predictors were assessed: clinical and spirometric variables, arterial blood gases, and respiratory muscle strength determined noninvasively. The patients were followed for a period of 3 months. Readmission for exacerbation and time intervals free of hospitalization were recorded. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the presence of cor pulmonale (P<.05), long-term oxygen therapy (P<.05), hypercapnia (P<.05), and high inspiratory load--mean inspiratory airway pressure measured at the mouth exceeding 0.40 cm H2O and a pressure-time index greater than 0.25 (P<.05 for both variables)--increased the risk of hospitalization for exacerbation. Multivariate analysis showed that only cor pulmonale (P<.05) and a high pressure-time index (>0.25, P<.05) were independently related to risk of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Cor pulmonale and a high pressure-time index are independent risk factors for hospitalization for exacerbation of moderate-to-severe COPD.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

The role of age in the development of Schneiderian symptoms in patients with a first psychotic episode.

OBJECTIVE: The likelihood of developing psychotic symptoms greatly increases after puberty. In acute psychotic disorders, first rank symptoms (FRS) are prevalent and considered useful for the diagnostic process. The aim of this study was to test for a linear association between age and the probability of occurrence of FRS in patients with a first psychotic episode (FPE). METHOD: A total of 112 patients, consecutively admitted with an FPE, were included at baseline and evaluated yearly over a 3-year period using SCID-I and a checklist of 11 items of FRS. RESULTS: FRS were documented for 65.2% patients at baseline. There was a dose-response relationship in the association between age and FRS. There was no interaction with sex or with final diagnostic category. CONCLUSION: Variation in the expression of the core positive symptoms of psychosis is subject to the influence of underlying age-dependent maturational processes both in terms of occurrence and level of severity.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

[Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome].

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome or uveomeningitic syndrome is a disease affecting several organs: eye (bilateral uveitis, exudative retinal detachments), ear (tinnitus, dysacousia), skin and hair (vitiligo, alopecia, poliosis) and the nervous system (meningism, headache, pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid). The etiology remains unknown but it is probably a cell-mediated autoimmune disorder in individuals genetically susceptible to antigenic components of melanocytes. We report a 25 year old patient with VKH syndrome treated with intravenous steroid therapy and cycles of intravenous immunoglobulin with good clinical response. We concluded that treatment of the VKH syndrome should be early but definitely aggressive with high doses of systemic corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, assessing the maintenance of the latter by cycles.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A randomized study of intermediate as compared with high doses of interferon-alpha for chronic myeloid leukemia: no differences in cytogenetic responses.

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is a therapy of unquestionable efficacy in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients. The best dose of IFN-alpha in the treatment of CML still remains controversial. Our primary objective was to compare cytogenetic responses in patients treated with intermediate versus high doses of IFN-alpha. A multicenter randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 109 patients with untreated CML in chronic phase from 26 Spanish hospitals. Patients were assigned to receive either an intermediate (2.5 MU/m(2) per day) or high (5 MU/m(2) per day) target dose of IFN-alpha. Hydroxyurea was allowed in both groups. In total, 108 patients were analyzed, 53 in the intermediate- and 55 in the high-dose group. Median follow-up was 47.5 months. The dose of IFN-alpha actually given was lower in the intermediate-dose group (3.83 MU/day) than in the high-dose group (6.6 MU/day) ( p<0.001). The rate of complete cytogenetic response was 24.5% in the intermediate- and 12.7% in the high-dose group (NS). A partial cytogenetic response was obtained in 7.5% and 10.9%, respectively. Cox analysis did not reveal any influence of the randomization arm on cytogenetic response rate. Ten patients in each group discontinued IFN-alpha because of toxicity. Albeit not our primary objective, no differences were found in terms of survival or transformation rate between both groups. Median survival was 73 months; 64% of patients remained free of transformation at 5 years. In terms of cytogenetic response, intermediate doses of IFN-alpha are as effective as high doses in the treatment of CML.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Relationship between plasmatic levels of various cytokines, tumour necrosis factor, enzymes, glucose and venom concentration following Tityus scorpion sting.

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for measuring Tityus venom levels in plasma. The method proved capable of distinguishing patients with only local symptoms from controls, and was used to quantify venom in 205 accidental human envenomations. Our results show that the severity of envenoming is related to the patient plasma venom concentration. This depends on time elapsed between the sting and when the plasma was drawn. We observed that 46 and 49% of patients with moderate to severe symptoms (MS, n=41) showed hyperamylasemia and hyperglycemia, respectively. In addition, 39% of cases with MS symptoms had partial thromboplastin time values prolonged or shorted and 6.5% of patients with local symptoms (LS, n=164) had only prolonged prothrombin time values. Interleukin 6 (IL6) increased significantly in patients with MS symptoms. IL6 values increased with hyperamylasemia, envenoming severity and time hyperamylasemia.

Amylases↗
PubMed2003

Second mobilization of peripheral blood progenitor cells in patients with poor first mobilization.

The aim of this study was to analyse the efficacy of 2 second mobilization (MB) protocols in 2 groups of patients who failed to obtain enough peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) in the first MB. In 1 group (8 patients), 10 microg/kg of G-CSF was administered, and in the other group (8 patients), a double dosage (10 microg/kg twice a day) was administered. Both groups of patients received Cyclophosphamide (1.5 g/kg) 10 days before the apheresis. No difference was found among both groups of patients in diagnosis, previous chemotherapy, and time elapsed after the first MB. Administration of higher doses of G-CSF decreased the number of apheresis needed in the second MB to complete 2 x 10(6)/kg of CD34+ cells. It also increased the number of patients who achieved sufficient CD34+, namely, 75% versus 50%.

Blood Cells↗
PubMed2003

Complex partial status epilepticus of extratemporal origin in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The purpose of this case report is to describe the clinical, electroencephalographic and neuroimaging findings from a woman with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE) of neocortical temporo-parieto-occipital origin. The patient experienced complex visual hallucinations that initially were attributed to treatment with corticosteroids; however, an electroencephalogram (EEG) demonstrated the epileptic aetiology of her symptoms. CPSE should be considered as a possible cause of altered mental status in lupus. An urgent EEG is essential to make an accurate diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Subepithelial myofibroblasts and tenascin expression in microscopic colitis.

AIMS: To assess differences in the pattern of subepithelial myofibroblasts and the expression of tenascin as a marker of extracellular matrix production in collagenous and lymphocytic colitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Colorectal biopsies were studied from 122 patients with chronic diarrhoea and normal colonoscopy. The pathological diagnoses were collagenous colitis (n = 35), lymphocytic colitis (n = 37), mild non-specific chronic inflammation (n = 28) and normal mucosa (n = 18). Four cases showed features of collagenous colitis but with collagen bands <10 micro m thick. Normal mucosa from 14 patients without diarrhoea served as healthy control tissue. Immunohistochemical expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (myofibroblast marker) and tenascin was evaluated in well-orientated sections. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin was significantly increased in collagenous colitis compared with all the other groups. Strong tenascin subepithelial expression was seen in all cases of collagenous colitis, including the four without full-blown features. The mean thickness of tenascin bands was greater than that obtained by conventional stains. CONCLUSIONS: There are clear differences, with respect to extracellular matrix remodelling, between collagenous and lymphocytic colitis. These results support the theory of matrix overproduction in the genesis of collagenous colitis.

Actins↗
PubMed2003

A simple noninvasive pressure-time index at the mouth to measure respiratory load during acute exacerbation of COPD A comparison with normal volunteers.

We assessed the validity of the pressure-time index (PTI) measured at the mouth as a noninvasive and simplified alternative to conventional tension-time index for assessing respiratory load and inspiratory muscle force reserve. PTI was measured within 48 h of hospital admission and at 24 h before discharge in 37 consecutive patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using the equation PTI = (P(awo)/MIP)(T(I)/T(T)) 100, where P(awo) is the mean airway pressure measured at the mouth, MIP the maximal inspiratory pressure, and T(I)/T(T) the inspiratory time (T(I)) to total cycle length (T(T)) ratio. Controls were 30 normal volunteers with similar anthropometric features. Mean (+/- SD) PTI values were significantly higher in COPD patients (0.29 +/- 0.10) than in controls (0.11 +/- 0.04) (P < 0.001) primarily because MIP and T(I)/T(T) were significantly lower and P(awo) was higher in the COPD population than in controls. As a result of improvement of the respiratory condition, PTI values were significantly lower at discharge (0.20 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.29 +/- 0.10, P < 0.001) due to a drop in P(awo) and an increase in MIP. The accuracy of different PTI cutpoints was assessed by comparison of the receiver operating characteristics curves. Best cutpoint values for differentiating COPD patients on admission and at hospital discharge from controls were 0.13 (positive predictive value 76%) and 0.17 (positive predictive value 92%) respectively. Noninvasive PTI measured at the mouth provides a valid and easy method for assessing respiratory muscle load and reserve. Changes in PTI values reflect functional improvement following treatment of acute exacerbation of COPD.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Regulation of insulin receptor substrate-1 in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of rats throughout pregnancy.

The mechanism responsible for insulin resistance during pregnancy remains unclear. Considerable evidence indicates that insulin receptor substrate-1 could play an important role in insulin sensitivity. It seems possible that the gestational hormonal milieu could affect insulin receptor substrate-1. In the present study, measurements of tyrosine phosphorylation and protein content of insulin receptor substrate-1 and gene expression in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in the rat indicated that, during pregnancy, significant changes occurred in these parameters. We found in early gestation that muscle and adipose tissue were highly sensitive to insulin action, because the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 is greater than in late gestation. However, in late gestation the tissue most sensitive to insulin action, reflecting insulin receptor substrate-1 phosphorylation, was the liver. Our hypothesis was that these results are connected with the changes in concentrations of estradiol and progesterone observed during pregnancy. It was concluded that the present findings demonstrate that different concentrations of gestational hormones play an important role in insulin sensitivity in this period, and that each tissue responds in the most appropriate manner to guarantee the gestation in its entirety, controlling the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 in response to insulin receptor activation.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Dose- and time-dependent effects of 17beta-oestradiol on insulin sensitivity in insulin-dependent tissues of rat: implications of IRS-1.

Numerous studies have suggested that ovarian hormones are able to modulate insulin sensitivity, but their exact role remains unclear. We have investigated whether different doses of 17beta-oestradiol mediate changes in insulin sensitivity and if these changes could be related to modifications of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1). Female rats were ovariectomized and later separated into three groups: untreated; treated with a dose of 17beta-oestradiol sufficient to reproduce gestational plasma concentrations of 17beta-oestradiol (group E); and treated with a dose 100 times greater than that given to group E (group E2). A euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp was used to measure insulin sensitivity. Changes in IRS-1 were analysed by Western blotting and RT-PCR assays. In group E we found a decrease in insulin sensitivity between days 11 and 16 of treatment as in late gestation, whereas in the untreated group and group E2, development of insulin resistance was observed throughout the treatment. In contrast, whereas in group E2 insulin resistance throughout the hormonal treatment was related to diminished expression and phosphorylation of IRS-1, in group E the decrease in insulin sensitivity between days 11 and 16 of treatment was not related to a decrease in IRS-1 expression. Our results suggest that the effects of oestradiol on insulin sensitivity were dose-dependent and that the insulin resistance associated with a high dose of 17beta-oestradiol was related to downregulation of IRS-1 expression.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Characteristics of pollinosis caused by Betula in patients from Ourense (Galicia, Spain).

UNLABELLED: A retrospective study was performed to describe the features of the pollinosis caused by Betula in the area of Ourense, Spain. The pollen count was carried out with a Lanzoni volumetric Hirts spore trap (1993-2000). The Betula pollen represented 5% over the annual total (annual mean quantity: 965 grains). It was present in the air from March to mid-May. The highest peaks took place in April (maximum values mean: 131 grains/m3). The medical records of 222 patients (mean age 25.66 years) diagnosed with pollinosis (1998-2000), who lived at less than 30 km. from the spore trap, were reviewed. In all of them, the skin-prick test (SPT) was carried out with pollen allergens. The percentages of positive SPT were: Lolium perenne, 91.89% (16.6% monosensitized); Plantago lanceolata, 71.17% (1.26% monosensitized); Betula alba, 41.89% (10.75% monosensitized); Platanus hybrida, 34.95%; Olea europea, 10.36%; and Parietaria judaica, 6.3%. The mean age of Betula monosensitized patients was 44.7 years. The majority of them had symptoms in March-April, 40% had asthma symptoms, 80% had lived in Central Europe, and 30% of them presented an oral allergy syndrome to fruits. There were 41.93% of the patients with positive SPT to Betula pollen who had asthma symptoms, in comparison with 23.25% of the patients with negative SPT to Betula (p = 0.0034). There were 20.28% of the patients with positive SPT to Betula pollen, who had lived in Central Europe, in comparison with 4.27% of the patients with negative SPT to Betula, p: 0.00049. The relative risk of sensitization was 2.05. CONCLUSIONS: Betula pollen was the second cause of clinical pollinosis in our patients, after grass, being responsible of the symptoms in the early spring, in a small number of the patients in their forties. The presence of asthma was higher in Betula sensitized patients, and the residence in Central Europe was a sensitization risk factor.

Adult↗