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Biomedical subjects

C Ortega

Publications and source records attributed to C Ortega.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Generalized cutaneous depigmentation following sulfamide-induced drug eruption.

A 41-year-old male developed a generalized drug eruption following sulfamide therapy, with progressive albino-like generalized cutaneous depigmentation. Electron microscopy showed the absence of melanocytes, and clear cells with Langerhans cell characteristics were seen along the basal layer. The present case constitutes a unique reaction to sulfamides not previously reported in the literature.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

[Information program applied to the temporal study of pathological processes in animal populations].

WinEpi Tasas 2.0 is a new, globally accessible computer program, which has been developed as a research tool for the epidemiological study of the pathological processes which affect animal populations. This new version of the program, based on the experimental version, WinEpi Tasas 1.0, enables users to study the distribution and evolution of diseases in affected populations, over time. This information, combined with data on spatial distribution, is of fundamental importance for the establishment of appropriate control strategies and health policies. Such disease control measures are of particular significance in the current context of emerging and re-emerging diseases. The program can be run in either English or Spanish.

Animal Diseases↗
PubMed1999

[Factors influencing the prescription of insulin and oral antidiabetics in primary care].

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prescription of insulin and oral diabetic medication (ODM) in primary health care, and to evaluate which variables, depending on the prescribing doctor, work-place or population attended, explain quality and/or quantity variations in prescription. DESIGN: Crossover, observational study. SETTING: Málaga-Este Health District, Málaga. PARTICIPANTS: 21,166 prescriptions issued by 144 doctors in the Málaga-Este Health District during the first quarter of 1997 were analysed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Insulin consumption of 10.63 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants and day (DID) and ODM of 18.51 DID were calculated. No significant differences were observed in insulin or ODM prescription for sex, and few for age, job or doctors' specialty via MIR (intern) training. Working in a centre with MIR teaching and in a reformed centre were significantly associated with a greater use of insulin (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.02, respectively). Having a higher allocation of patients drawing pensions meant a greater consumption of insulin (p < 0.01) and even more of ODM (p < 0.0001). The population allocated being older was associated with greater consumption of ODM without any changes in insulin prescription. CONCLUSIONS: The personal features of doctors working in primary care affect very little the quantity and quality of insulin and ODM prescription. The characteristics of the work-place (reformed centre and centre entitled to teach) and the population attended (older and drawing a pension) are the main factors conditioning the amount of prescription of insulin and ODM, respectively. Nevertheless, in all cases ODM prescription quality is low.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Risk factors associated with the seroprevalence of leptospirosis among students at the veterinary school of Zaragoza University.

The prevalence and risk factors associated with leptospirosis were studied in veterinary students in Zaragoza. Sera were collected at the beginning and end of the academic year 1994 to 1995 and were tested by ELISA against a pool of Leptospira interrogans serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae and pomona antigens. At the beginning of the study the prevalence was 8.14 per cent and at the end it was 11.4 per cent. The incidence of the disease during the study was 0.0394. Risk factors associated with leptospirosis included: taking the course specialising in food inspection and technology, on-farm work, contact with pets in general, and particularly carnivores, and contact with animal traders. The symptoms associated with the disease were myalgia and fever, and the treatment of the symptoms provided some protection.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMed1998

[Use of reagent materials for self-monitoring in the metropolitan area of Malaga (1994-1996)].

OBJECTIVES: To find the evolution of consumption of self-analysis material used to control Diabetes (reactive strips of glucose) and the costs involved, in the metropolitan area of Málaga from July 1994 to the first quarter of 1996. DESIGN: Descriptive retrospective study. SETTING: Metropolitan area of Málaga (580, 586 inhabitants), which is divided in two HEALTH DISTRICTS: Málaga East and West. PATIENTS: All diabetics using reactive strips in the metropolitan area of Málaga which are charged to the National Health system. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The data base of the health districts of the metropolitan area of Málaga was used for the review of public prescriptions of reactive strips. Consumption in relation to the total population was analysed and the average consumption per diabetic was calculated. The total number of patients for whom reactive strips were prescribed increased considerably over the three years studied. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable increase in consumption of glucose reactive strips was observed in recent years in the metropolitan area of Málaga, mainly because of its generalised use among elderly patients. Consumption of urine strips was small and tended to fall.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Neural mechanisms accounting for the increase in blood pressure and heart rate during vagino-cervical stimulation.

The rise in blood pressure and heart rate produced by the mechanical stimulation of the uterine cervix (VS) was examined after adrenalectomy, after pelvic or hypogastric neurectomies or after spinal cord transection in anesthetized rats. Neither adrenalectomy, nor hypogastric neurectomy prevented the rise in heart rate and blood pressure produced by VS. After the spinal cord transection at T6 level, VS was still able to produce the rise in blood pressure. However, the rise in blood pressure was significantly lower than that produced in the same animals before the transection. No changes in heart rate were produced by VS after spinal cord transection. This result can be explained because this level of transection prevents the reach of the afferent inflow to the superior cervical ganglia. Pelvic neurectomy abolished completely the effects of VS on blood pressure and heart rate. Low intensity (1-2 times the threshold) electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerve produced a rise in blood pressure. Even though heart rate increased during electrical stimulation, the change in heart rate was not statistically different from the pre-stimulation value. These results suggest that the changes in blood pressure and heart rate produced by VS represent a neuronal reflex response mediated by the pelvic nerve. The fact that the effects of VS on blood pressure persist in spinal cord-transected animals suggests that the reflex is integrated at the spinal level. However, the cardiovascular responses to VS were significantly lower than before transection, suggesting that supraspinal centers are also involved in the reflex.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1996

Water quality parameters associated with Aeromonas spp-affected hatcheries.

This study investigates the role of water quality parameters as possible risk or protection factors in Aeromonas spp-affected rainbow trout hatcheries in northeastern Spain. The results revealed an association between oxygen concentration, ammonia concentration and total dissolved solids (TDS) with the prevalence of Aeromonas spp cases on the affected fish farms. The oxygen and ammonia concentrations acted as risk factors when their values were lower than 7.06 mg/L or higher than 0.05 mg/L, respectively, generating odds ratio (OR) values of 2.0 and 2.3. TDS levels, however, acted as a protective factor (OR = 0.39), from an epidemiological point of view but not statistically, when the values were outside the normal range, 199-261 mg/L. On a multivariate level, fish farms exposed to all the associated factors at the same time, had a risk of being affected by Aeromonas spp that was 1.74 times higher than farms with normal quality parameters; the risk increased when TDS had a normal value and it decreased when oxygen and/or ammonia concentrations had normal values.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1996

Furunculosis control using a paraimmunization stimulant (Baypamun) in rainbow trout.

The effect of Baypamun, a non-specific immune system stimulant, on the treatment and control of furunculosis was studied in experimentally infected rainbow trout. A statistically significant association between the Baypamun treatment and a reduction in cumulative incidence of the clinical symptoms of Furunculosis and the infection level, despite the presence of the bacteria in blood and organs was observed. A reduction in the mortality rate in Baypamun-treated fish was also observed but this was not statistically significant. The results suggest that the treatment of fish diseases with non-specific immune stimulants could be, in the future, a good defense strategy leading to a reduction in disease symptoms and a greater control of the asymptomatic carriers after an outbreak.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1995

Ecopathology in aquaculture: risk factors in infectious disease outbreak.

This paper describes a study of the risk factors associated with disease outbreaks in fish species of fish farms and rivers of north-east Spain. We focused our work on the isolation of fish pathogens (bacteria, virus), the water quality (physicochemical and microbiological quality) and management characteristics. We have observed 2 important viral diseases, infectious pancreatic necrosis and spring viraemia of carp, and 2 important bacterial ones, furunculosis (Aeromonas salmonicida) and bacterial kidney disease (BKD) (Renibacterium salmoninarum). Our preliminary results show that there are some potential risk factors associated with the main diseases of fish, such as fish age, fish species, production system, season and water temperature, but their role depends on the disease.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

[Anticardiolipin antibodies in parenteral drug addicts: relationship with HIV].

The IgG isotype of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) and its possible relationship with the immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were studied in 65 parenteral drug addicts (PDA). Thirty-seven patients were infected in the present study. Nineteen (51%) fulfilled diagnostic criteria of AIDS. Thirty-two of these 37 HIV-positive patients (86%) were IgG-aCL positive. Fourteen (50%) of the 28 HIV-negative patients were IgG-aCL positive. Our study reveals a lack of correlation between aCL and thrombocytopenia. None of the patients had thromboembolic complications. In AIDS patients no relationship was found between IgG-aCL levels and the presence of Pneumocystis carinii, other infections by opportunist microorganism, and clinical deterioration. Highly increased levels of IgG-aCL (> 80 GPL) were observed in three patients with AIDS and infectious endocarditis. In conclusion, given the non-specificity of aCL en PDA, it is our opinion that its measurement is of little help in daily clinical praxis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Diagnostic survey of viral haemorrhagic disease in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in four regions of Spain.

Samples of organs and serum were obtained from wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) found dead in the field, shot or captured by hunters, or introduced for repopulation in various provinces of Spain over a two-year period, for the purposes of an epidemiological study of viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) of rabbits. The efficacy of the haemagglutination test and the direct immunofluorescence test for the diagnosis of VHD was also examined.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Survey of rotavirus infection in a dairy herd: comparison between polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two commercial tests.

A survey of rotavirus infection in a dairy herd with a history of neonatal diarrhoea was carried out. Faecal samples taken from 15 cows before and after calving as well as faeces taken from their calves daily from birth to two weeks of life were tested for rotavirus by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and compared with an ELISA and a latex agglutination commercial test. Rotavirus excretion was not detected in faeces from cows around parturition by any of the three tests. However, all of their calves shed rotaviruses during the observation period. The onset of rotavirus excretion determined by PAGE ranged from day 2 to day 8 of life (day 4.8 +/- 1.8 on average) and lasted for 4 to 7 days (5.3 +/- 1.1 days on average). Chi-square test showed a significant association (P = 0.0001) between the presence of rotavirus and the altered consistency of calves faeces. All the three tests showed similar results (overall agreement 92.5%) but discrepancies were detected mainly at the beginning or at the end of the rotavirus excretion period. Results obtained with both commercial kits closely paralleled each other and parameters other than sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy or predictive values have to be considered as selection criteria.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Relationship of IL-2, IL-2R (CD25+), soluble IL-2R and IL-4 with disease activity in SLE patients.

The plasma levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-2 (IL-2), soluble receptor of IL-2 (IL-2R) and T cell expression of IL-2 receptor chain (CD25+) were determined in an attempt to relate these parameters with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). IL-4, IL-2 and sIL-2R plasma levels of SLE patients were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05) while CD25+ expression was similar in both groups. Only sIL-2R levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in active than in inactive patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The effect of experimental infection with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis on reproduction in adult ewes.

Fifteen ewes were inoculated subcutaneously with 2 x 10(6) cells of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis seven days before mating, during the embryonic stage of gestation and during the fetal stage of gestation. The clinical signs, antibody response and the consequences of the infection on reproduction were studied. None of the ewes showed any change in general condition during pregnancy. The effects of experimental infection during gestation were evident after incubation periods that ranged from 25 to 140 days after inoculation and were dependent on the time of the inoculation in relation to the period of gestation. Ewes inoculated before gestation can resolve infection. Ewes inoculated during the embryonic stage were severely affected and some aborted. In others lambs were stillborn or, if born alive, infected. Ewes inoculated during the fetal stage of gestation did not show reproductive disorders although some remained chronically infected.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1992

Three years' experience with tropisetron in the control of nausea and vomiting in cisplatin-treated patients.

The efficacy and tolerability of tropisetron in preventing cisplatin-induced nausea and vomiting was studied in 2 open trials and compared with the efficacy and tolerability of metoclopramide plus lorazepam in a randomised crossover trial. In the first study, tropisetron 10mg was administered intravenously over 15 minutes before the cisplatin infusion and a second 10mg dose was given after the 60-minute infusion of cisplatin (greater than 50 mg/m2) in 54 patients with advanced cancers, for a total of 165 courses. Good responses for nausea and vomiting were recorded in 83.0% and 87.9% of courses, respectively, with complete protection from nausea and vomiting in 44.8% and 66.1% of courses, respectively. In the second study in 25 patients whose characteristics and cisplatin schedule were comparable with those of the first study, very similar results were achieved in 104 courses of chemotherapy, despite a reduction in tropisetron dose to a single 5mg intravenous infusion 15 minutes before cisplatin. The efficacies of intravenous tropisetron 5mg and metoclopramide 2 mg/kg plus lorazepam administered 15 minutes before cisplatin in preventing acute and delayed nausea and vomiting were compared in a randomised crossover study involving 20 patients. Tropisetron was significantly superior (p less than 0.001) in controlling both acute and delayed (day 1) symptoms. In all studies, the tolerability of tropisetron was excellent. The most frequent side effect was mild to moderate headache, occurring in 5 to 7% of patients. In conclusion, our experience suggests that tropisetron is an effective and well tolerated antiemetic drug that improves the quality of life of cancer patients administered highly emetogenic chemotherapy regimens.

Adult↗