PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Domenech

Publications and source records attributed to E Domenech.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Persistence of fetal memory into neonatal life.

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that fetal memory persists into the neonatal period. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-one newborns that had been repeatedly stimulated by using fetal vibroacoustic stimulation were compared with 31 controls. The same vibroacoustic stimulator was used for both fetal and neonatal stimulation tests. For the neonatal test the stimulus was applied against the mastoid of the newborn with the interposition of a specifically designed solid-liquid interface to simulate intrauterine conditions. Student's t-test was used. RESULTS: Neonatal habituation rate (the number of consecutive stimuli applied before a baby stopped responding) was significantly higher in those newborns who had not participate in the fetal habituation study (7.0+/-5.4 stimuli) than in those who had (4.1+/-4.1 stimuli), p=0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Newborns who were stimulated in utero habituated earlier than those who had not previously experienced the stimulation. These results suggest that fetal memory persists into neonatal life.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2006

[Standard precautions: are these known? Are they applied?].

A study carried out among postgraduate nurses detected a high degree of confusion regarding standard precautions. This led to the formation of a multidisciplinary group from various sections of the health system to investigate this topic in greater detail. Our study observed a high degree of conceptual confusion and a lack of knowledge about standard precautions and the new recommendations regarding decontamination and hand washing in diverse health collectives. It is worrisome to detect at risk habits in relation to self-protective measures among one-third of those surveyed. Knowledge of standard precautions should be integrated with greater efficiency in the medical study programs as well as in continuing professional development programs for health professionals.

Guideline Adherence↗
PubMed2003

Role of cytokines (interleukin-1beta, 6, 8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and soluble receptor of interleukin-2) and C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

AIM: To investigate whether the serum levels of interleukin-1beta, 6, 8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and the soluble receptor of IL-2 are useful in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis, and whether their diagnostic power is increased when in combination with classical markers such as C-reactive protein and white blood cell count. METHODS: Blood samples were collected at admission from 40 neonates with suspected infection. Patients were included in different groups according to the bacteriological and laboratory results: Group I consisted of 20 newborns with positive blood cultures and other biological tests suggestive of infection. Group II included 20 neonates with negative blood cultures and biological tests not suggestive of infection. The control group included 20 healthy neonates with no clinical or biological data of infection. RESULTS: Mean values of C-reactive protein were significantly higher in Group I. No differences were found between the groups for white blood cell count, with the exception of the presence of leucocytosis in Group II. Levels of interleukin-1beta, 6, 8, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, soluble receptor of interleukin-2, and C-reactive protein were significantly higher in infected neonates than in the control groups. Detection sensitivity and specificity were 80 and 92% for C-reactive protein, 60 and 87% for interleukin-1beta, 61 and 80% for interleukin-6, 62 and 96% for interleukin-8, 54 and 92% for tumour necrosis factor-alpha and 63 and 94% for soluble receptor of interleukin-2. The discriminant analysis showed that the best combination for sepsis diagnosis was C-reactive protein + interleukin-8 + soluble receptor of interleukin-2, with a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 97.1%. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that no individual test can on its own identify infected neonates, and that although the combination of C-reactive protein, interleukin-8 and the soluble receptor of interleukin-2 exhibits a high specificity, its sensitivity is limited.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed2001

Oral sucrose compares favourably with lidocaine-prilocaine cream for pain relief during venepuncture in neonates.

UNLABELLED: To compare the relative efficacy of oral sucrose versus EMLA cream for pain relief during venepuncture, 51 full-term newborns (38M, 13F; postnatal age <4 d) in a stable condition were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: placebo (2 ml spring water); 2 ml sucrose 24% w/v; 1 g lidocaine-prilocaine 5% cream (EMLA); or EMLA plus sucrose. Water or a single dose of sucrose solution was administered orally 2 min before venepuncture. EMLA cream was applied in the antecubital fossa 45-60 min before venepuncture and covered by a Tegaderm dressing. A pacifier was given before skin puncture, but it was not actively held or replaced during the procedure or observation periods. In total, 55 venepunctures were performed blindly, always for clinical reasons. As indicators of pain, the total crying time was recorded and heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial oxygen saturation were measured blindly at baseline, immediately post-venepuncture, and 2 and 4 min afterwards. The main effects observed were: (i) time spent crying decreased significantly in the sucrose alone (p = 0.001) and EMLA plus sucrose (p = 0.008) groups; (ii) the above treatments attenuated significantly (p < 0.05) the immediate heart rate response to pain; and (iii) the concomitant use of EMLA did not increase further the analgesic efficacy of sucrose. CONCLUSION: This study shows that a 24% oral sucrose solution compares favourably with EMLA cream as a safe and cheap analgesic procedure to decrease pain responses to venepuncture in newborns.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Risk assessment and critical control points from the production perspective.

The implementation of a risk analysis program as risk assessment and critical control points (RACCP) is most necessary in order to accomplish the foodborne industries current objective of total quality. The novelty of this technique, when compared to actual hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) and its extension to incorporate elements of quantitative risk analysis (QRA), is that RACCP considers the risk of the consequences produced by the production process performance deviations, both inside and outside the company, and also identifies their causative factors. On the other hand, the techniques to be taken in order to prevent or mitigate the consequences of such deviations must be consistent with the former data, but the need for a cost-benefit assessment must not be ignored so that the chosen technique be most profitable for the company. An example developed in a mineral water bottling plant showed that RACCP application is feasible and useful. During this example case, RACCP demonstrated it could obtain a profitable production process that keeps quality and safety of the final product at its maximum, while providing protection to both company and consumer.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1999

Swallowing disorders.

Swallowing disorders affect a large and growing number of people in the United States, particularly the elderly. An appreciation of the anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of swallowing disorders allows the practitioner to assess these problems and to make arrangements for their treatment. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to give an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of swallowing disorders.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Study of renal metabolic disturbances related to renal lithiasis at school age in very-low-birth-weight children.

We studied 34 asymptomatic children who were born with a very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) and had no perinatal history of acute renal failure nor treatment with furosemide. The study was done at preschool or school age, looking for echographic changes and renal tubular disturbances which are known to predispose to renal lithiasis. The results were compared with those of a control group of 18 children who had been born at term with a body weight >2,500 g. One or more renal tubular disturbances were found in 64.70% of the VLBW children. Most frequently found were decreased ammonium excretion in response to furosemide (38.23%), enhanced N-acetylglucosaminidase excretion (35.29%), hypercalciuria (26.47%), and hypocitraturia (23.53%). Echography revealed renal cortical hyperechogenicity (17.65%) and renal lithiasis (8.82 %) in some of the VLBW children. We found a significant positive correlation (r = 0.7) between the perinatal level of plasma phosphate and the total amount of H+ excreted in response to furosemide at preschool or school age. Because these renal tubular anomalies may be precursors of future lithiasis, and the renal function and echography tests are not invasive, we suggest that renal tubular function be measured and followed up in every VLBW child, particularly when perinatal hypophosphatemia has occurred.

Calcium↗
PubMed1998

[Stapedectomies. Retrospective study of 120 ears].

This paper is a retrospective study of 120 stapedectomy cases with its outcomes and complications. With these technique we have achieved more than 80 percent of good results, being scarce the number of complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Breast-feeding and growth factors in preterm newborn infants.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the role that nutrition and the insulin-like growth factors IGF-I and IGFBP-3 play on neonatal growth. METHODS: Full-term and preterm infants with 1 and 3 weeks of postnatal life (n = 54 and n = 33, respectively) were studied. Anthropmetric variables, daily intake of energy and nutrients, and serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured. RESULTS: At the first week after birth, preterm infants had lower IGF-I levels than did those in the control group. At the third week of postnatal life, serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels showed a significant increase. Preterm infants born before 33 gestational weeks showed lower IGF-I (p < 0.02) and IGFBP-3 (p < 0.02) levels than those born between 33 and 37 gestational weeks. Preterm infants fed with human milk supplemented with a formula showed higher serum IGF-I levels than those fed exclusively with a milk formula (mean +/- SEM 48.2 +/- 9.5 micrograms/L vs. 25.4 +/- 4.4 micrograms/L, p < 0.05). IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were correlated between themselves and with energy and protein intake. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that energy intake and serum IGFBP-3 levels were the most predictable variables with regard to IGF-I levels at neonatal period. CONCLUSIONS: These feedings suggest that IGF-I levels during the neonatal periods are influenced by the maturity stage of the newborn, energy intake, and the type of lactation.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1996

Oral sweet solution reduces pain-related behaviour in preterm infants.

To evaluate the effectiveness of oral sucrose in the prevention of pain-induced crying in preterm infants, a sample of 28 healthy neonates (15M, 13F; gestational age at procedure less than 37 weeks) who were having routine blood drawn by arm venipuncture was studied. Infants were randomly allocated to receive by mouth, using a syringe, 2 ml of one of three solutions: spring water (group W) and sucrose 12 and 24% w/v (groups S12 and S24, respectively), all in water vehicle. After 2 min, while awake, arm venipuncture was performed and duration of crying was measured. The time spent crying was reduced in the group treated with the sweetest solution (S24, n = 8, mean = 19.1 s). No difference was observed between the S12 group (n = 8, mean = 63.1 s) and W group (n = 12, mean = 72.9 s). Physiological measurements were recorded at different time points to evaluate excessive basal and procedural distress.

Analgesia↗
PubMed1994

Magnesium hydrogen breath test using end expiratory sampling to assess achlorhydria in pernicious anaemia patients.

A modified magnesium hydrogen breath test, using end expiratory breath sampling, is described to investigate achlorhydria. The efficacy of this test in the diagnostic investigation of pernicious anaemia was compared with that of serum pepsinogen I. Twenty one patients with pernicious anaemia--that is, patients with achlorhydria--and 22 with healed duodenal ulcer and normal chlorhydria were studied. Magnesium hydrogen breath test, serum pepsinogen I, serum gastrin, and standard gastric acid secretory tests were performed in all subjects. The mean (SEM) hydrogen peak value was lower in patients with pernicious anaemia than in the duodenal ulcer group (21.7 (1.9) v 71.3 (5.2) ppm; p = 0.00005). The hydrogen peak value had a 95.2% sensitivity and a 100% specificity to detect pentagastrin resistant achlorhydria. Mean serum pepsinogen I concentrations were also significantly lower in patients with pernicious anaemia than in the duodenal ulcer group (10.7 (2.7) v 123.6 (11.8) micrograms/l p = 0.00005). Sensitivity and specificity to detect pernicious anaemia were both 100% for pepsinogen I. It is concluded that this modified magnesium hydrogen breath test is a simple, noninvasive, cost effective, and accurate method to assess achlorhydria and may be useful in the diagnostic investigation of patients with suspected pernicious anaemia.

Achlorhydria↗
PubMed1994

An unusual variant of Trichophyton tonsurans var. sulfureum.

A fungus, recovered from a skin lesion of a patient, produced velvety to powdery, white to deep yellow colonies on Sabouraud glucose agar. Microscopically, it produced a large number of cylindric, smooth-walled, three- to eight-celled macroconidia but failed to produce microconidia on a variety of nutritional media such as rice grains, cornmeal dextrose, potato dextrose, Sabouraud glucose, oatmeal and lactrimel agars. It hydrolysed urea in 7 days, perforated hair in vitro and required thiamine for growth. This isolate represents an atypical variant of Trichophyton tonsurans var. sufureum subvar. perforans.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1990

Factors that influence the distention of immature lung with artificial surfactant.

The exogenous therapy of respiratory distress syndrome with artificial surfactants is controversial. In the present work we treated premature rabbits with artificial ultrasonic obtained surfactant suspensions [dipalmitoyldiphosphatidylcholine:dipalmitoyldiphosphatidylglyc erol (DPPC:DPPG) 7:3] in various physical conditions produced by changing the carrier (saline solution and amniotic fluid) or incubating at 41 degrees C. Nonincubated samples (S0) were nonactive, the best effect on alveolar distention being found after 8 h incubation (S8), while 16 h incubated samples (S16) were less effective. Liposomal size of the mixtures correlated with their effectiveness; small unilamellar liposomes were nonactive, large unilamellar ones were active and in presence of large multilamellar liposomes the tensioactive effect decreased. Fifty-one percent of the alveolar distention, evaluated by morphometry, was due to treatment and 11% was linearly related to body weight. The ponderal effect of body weight was mathematically excluded in order to obtain more uniform results; the resulting parameter was called true treatment influence on alveolar distention (TIAD). 15% of TIAD varied due to the carrier, with significantly better results when saline solution was used as a carrier. These findings question the hypothesis of the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome by means of intraamniotic injection of surfactants.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
PubMed1989

Retroperitoneal fibrosis in a patient with Turner's syndrome.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis rarely affects children. Its clinical manifestations are protean, but if recognized early and properly treated, the prognosis is generally good. This is the report of a 14-year-old girl with Turner's syndrome and retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Growth of Haemophilus influenzae in simulated blood cultures supplemented with hemin and NAD.

The mean generation time of Haemophilus influenzae in simulated blood cultures is 103 to 107 min. With 0.56 to 0.58 doublings per h, even large inocula of 256 cells per ml reach only 2 X 10(6) cells per ml and produce no visible evidence of growth after 24 h of incubation. Hemin and NAD added to simulated blood cultures triple the rate of growth of H. influenzae, so that even small inocula produce visible turbidity after overnight incubation. With a mean generation time of 36 min, a single cell of H. influenzae in simulated blood culture supplemented with hemin and NAD undergoes 30 doublings in 18 h, producing 2(30) (1.07 X 10(9] cells and visible turbidity.

Blood↗