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E Figueredo

Publications and source records attributed to E Figueredo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A photometric redshift of z = 6.39 +/- 0.12 for GRB 050904.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and their afterglows are the most brilliant transient events in the Universe. Both the bursts themselves and their afterglows have been predicted to be visible out to redshifts of z approximately 20, and therefore to be powerful probes of the early Universe. The burst GRB 000131, at z = 4.50, was hitherto the most distant such event identified. Here we report the discovery of the bright near-infrared afterglow of GRB 050904 (ref. 4). From our measurements of the near-infrared afterglow, and our failure to detect the optical afterglow, we determine the photometric redshift of the burst to be z = 6.39 - 0.12 + 0.11 (refs 5-7). Subsequently, it was measured spectroscopically to be z = 6.29 +/- 0.01, in agreement with our photometric estimate. These results demonstrate that GRBs can be used to trace the star formation, metallicity, and reionization histories of the early Universe.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

[Identification of the epidural space: usual practice among Spanish anesthesiologists].

OBJECTIVE: To determine what methods are habitually used by Spanish anesthesiologists to identify the epidural space. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spanish anesthesiologists were asked to fill in an Internet questionnaire about the methods they had learned during residency training for identifying the epidural space, the method they currently use most often, and the one they consider best for residents to learn during training. RESULTS: Responses were received from 617 anesthesiologists. The techniques the respondents had learned during training were loss of resistance to air (LOR-A), 58.5%; LOR to saline (LOR-S), 31.9%; LOR and air bubble (LOR-B), 6.1%; and the hanging drop method, 2.4%. Those who had learned the LOR-A technique had changed in 14.2% of the cases, as had 28.4% of those who learned the LOR-S procedure. LOR-A is currently used by 59.2% of the respondents, LOR-S is used by 32.4%, and LOR-B by 6%. The respondents recommended that new residents physicians learn the LOR-A (48.5%) and LOR-S (37.8%) techniques. The LOR-B is recommended by 12.6% a much larger percentage of anesthesiologists than it is habitually used by. Of those who use the LORA technique habitually, 26.4% recommend that new residents use a different procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The procedure used most often by Spanish anesthesiologists to identify the epidural space is the LOR-A technique; however, over a quarter of Spanish users of LOR-A do not recommend it.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗
PubMed2004

[Analysis of bibliographic citations received by Spanish anesthesiologists for work indexed by Science Citation Index, 1988-2002].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the international impact of articles published by authors in Spanish anesthesiology departments. METHOD: Citable articles indexed by Science Citation Index between 1988 and 2002 and authored by members of Spanish departments of anesthesiology were considered. Citations were counted 2 years and 5 years after publication. Authors and institutions were ranked according to number of citations received. We also determined the journals Spanish anesthesiologists most often chose for publishing their work. RESULTS: Of the 322 citable articles identified, 61.8% were cited in the 2 years following publication (total 587 citations), and 79.5% were cited within 5 years (total 1472 citations). The most frequently cited articles received 17 citations in 2 years and 45 in 5 years after publication. Articles from the Department of Anesthesiology of Hospital Clinic i Provincial of Barcelona received the largest number of citations (333 citations in 5 years). The author with the highest rate of citations received 11.57 per article. The author with the largest number of citations received 86. Anesthesia & Analgesia was the journal publishing the largest number of articles by Spanish anesthesiologists (35 articles). CONCLUSION: This citation analysis shows the international impact of publications by Spanish anesthesiologists.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed2003

International publishing in anaesthesia - how do different countries contribute?

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of the international distribution in biomedicine research is a subject that creates expectations. This study assesses the recent evolution of world-wide distribution of research in the anaesthesiology field and discusses some of the possible factors which could give rise to changes in the interpretation of absolute results. METHODS: A search on Medline was run to obtain the source country of the journal articles (with abstract) from 10 important anaesthesia journals in the 1997-2001 period. The data were analysed and standardized to journal impact factor values of each publication and population size. Annual evolution in the number of publications in the countries with the largest scientific production was analysed. Furthermore, the distribution of articles by country of origin was studied for each journal. RESULTS: The 9724 publications came from 65 countries. In absolute numbers, the USA leads research in anaesthesiology (24.4%). The evaluation of the contribution of the more productive countries revealed a progressive increase in the German contribution (from 5.1% to 9.4%) and a decrease in the American contribution (from 28.6% to 21.8%) over the 5 years analysed. In relative terms, Finland, Sweden and Denmark were the most productive countries per million inhabitants (8.8, 7.2 and 6 publications/year, respectively). CONCLUSION: The geographic distribution of the publications on anaesthesiology must not only be analysed in absolute numbers, where the USA is the most productive. The North-European countries show the largest production/number of inhabitants ratio; whereas the largest percentage increase during the period is found in Germany.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMed2003

Identification of Cucumisin (Cuc m 1), a subtilisin-like endopeptidase, as the major allergen of melon fruit.

BACKGROUND: Allergenic components in melon extracts have not been described in spite of the fact that melon (Cucumis melo) is a frequent allergy-eliciting fruit. The aim of this study was to evaluate allergenic components in melon extract and to report the identification of cucumisin as a major melon allergen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera from 35 patients allergic to melon were selected on the basis of clinical symptoms, skin prick tests and oral challenge test. Allergenic components were detected by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Molecular characterization of IgE-binding bands was performed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. RESULTS: More than 10 IgE-binding bands, between 10 and 80 kDa, were identified in melon extract. Out of them, four IgE-binding bands were major allergens: 14 kDa, 36 kDa, 54 kDa and 67 kDa. These major allergens, except 14 kDa band, showed the same N-terminal sequence: T-T-R-S-W-D-F-L. Research conducted with protein databases identified this N-terminal sequence as cucumisin, an alkaline serine protease, which shares structural homology with microbial subtilisin. The molecular mass of the identified bands corresponds with different molecular forms of cucumisin produced during the processing or degradation of the enzyme: 67 kDa native cucumisin, 54 kDa mature cucumisin and 36 kDa NH2-terminal cucumisin fragment. CONCLUSION: Cucumisin (Cuc m 1) and several N-terminal cucumisin fragments are the major allergens of melon. The ubiquitous distribution of this protein family (cucumisin-like proteases) in many plant species and its high structural similarity suggest its potential role as a new panallergen in plant foods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Mites in Madrid.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed2002

[Spanish doctoral dissertations on anesthesiology and the scientific publications of their authors].

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether obtaining a doctorate is a factor that promotes the research careers of the authors. To analyze the dissemination of Spanish doctoral theses in anesthesiology by looking at the publications they generate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The TESEO data base was searched for theses on anesthesiology written between 1976 and June 2001. The Medline database was then searched for publications related to each author's thesis. The search identified papers related to each thesis as well as those in which the thesis director was a coauthor. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty-eight theses (9.12 theses/year) were found. Twenty-four authors were not anesthesiologists. The universities of Barcelona (28), Valencia (24), Navarra (23), Autónoma de Barcelona (21), Complutense de Madrid (18) and Cádiz (18) accounted for most of the theses read. The doctoral degree recipients also co-authored 1,833 publications, as the first authors of 649 articles, of which 216 (33.3%) were published before the corresponding thesis was read. Only 127 articles were related to theses. Ninety-seven authors (42.5%) published no article as first author and 22 (9.6%) accomplished no publication as co-author. The thesis director was listed in 154 of the 228 theses in the TESEO database. In this subgroup, 39 doctoral thesis authors published 58 related articles, with the director included among the co-authors in 41 of them. CONCLUSION: Spain produces few doctoral theses on anesthesiology. Most writers of doctoral theses do not publish the results in journals with international readerships. These findings call into question the efficacy of the doctoral thesis as a factor that promotes research.

Academic Dissertations as Topic↗
PubMed2001

Changes in the intracuff pressure of the laryngeal masks airway caused by repeated use.

PURPOSE: To observe the changes in permeability and elasticity in the cuff of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) caused by repeated use. METHODS: In vitro use was simulated on six # 4 LMAs on 140 occasions. Ambient air was insufflated into the cuff until a value of 200 mmHg intracuff pressure (ICP) was reached, and this was maintained for 50 min. After each simulation, the LMA was sterilized at 121 degrees C for 20 min. After every 20 simulations insufflation of 40 ml air was carried out to determine the maximum value of ICP (initial ICP), and after three hours, spontaneous deflation (final ICP) was measured. The values of initial and final ICPs throughout the eight tests were attributed to the elastance and the permeability of the cuff respectively. At the end of the study the thickness of the wall of the cuffs was measured using an optical microscope. RESULTS: The initial ICP with the new LMA (first test) was of 191 +/- 4.4 mmHg. This value increased from the fifth test onwards until the end of the study. The value of the final ICP in the first test was 111 +/- 3 mmHg and decreased with successive sterilizations. Between 80 and 100 simulations, initial ICP increased from 186.5 +/- 2.9 to 191.7 +/- 2.3 (P = 0.006). The thickness of the wall (694 +/- 17 microns) was inversely related with the elasticity and the permeability of the cuff. CONCLUSIONS: The "safe" life-span of the cuff of the LMAs, measured by the initial modifications of the physical properties of the silicone during simulations, was estimated to be 80-100 uses and was related to the thickness of its wall.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Assessment of the efficacy of esmolol on the haemodynamic changes induced by laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Adrenergic stress response induced by laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation (LTI) appears to be attenuated by esmolol, but its potential clinical benefits have not been fully weighed against possible adverse effects. METHODS: A systematic search up to May 2000 was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Cochrane library, manual searching and bibliographies in all languages. All randomised comparisons of esmolol with placebo on the haemodynamic changes elicited by LTI were obtained. Trials were included in the present meta-analysis if they recorded heart rate (HR), systolic pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP) or diastolic pressure (DBP) at three different stages: pre-induction, immediately prior to intubation, and in the post-intubation period. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the changes in the haemodynamic variables between treatment and placebo groups were calculated. RESULTS: Of 72 publications identified, 38 randomised controlled trials containing a total of 2009 patients were finally included. Eleven different regimens and doses of esmolol demonstrated effectiveness in the attenuation of HR and BP after LTI in a dose-dependent manner. The most effective regimen was a loading dose of 500 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) over 4 min followed by continuous infusion dose of 200-300 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) [WMD: 20.2 bpm (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.7)]. High bolus dose (200 mg) of esmolol produced a considerable decrease in DBP [WMD 10.1 mmHg (95% CI: 7.3 to 12.8)]. CONCLUSION: Esmolol is effective, in a dose-dependent manner, in the attenuation of the adrenergic response to LTI. To minimise its adverse effects it should be administered, when considered clinically appropriate, as a continuous infusion regimen.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2001

[Expected versus real impact factors of publications from Spanish departments of anesthesiology (1991-1996)].

OBJECTIVE: To identify publications by Spanish anesthesiologists in journals indexed by Journal Citation Report from 1991 through 1996; to count the number of citations received and compare the results with the impact factor (IF) of the journals in which they were published. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Articles for which the first author was a member of a Spanish anesthesiology department were searched for in MEDLINE, Science Citation Index and EMBASE. Only publications for which the IF was known were included for analysis. We then counted the number of citations each article received over the two years following publication, recording the source journal in which the citation appeared and country of origin of each citing author. We then calculated the real IF (RIF) of each article, the RIF of all the Spanish articles, and the mean RIF. Also calculated for each article was the expected IF (EIF), based on the IF of the source journal, the overall EIF and the mean EIF. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two articles were published; 49 of them were letters to the editors. Specialist anesthesiology journals published 72.7%. A total of 186 citations were received. American authors cited the articles more often than did other Spanish authors. Thirty-seven citations (19.9%) were self-citations. Ninety-two articles (53.5%) were never cited. With letters to the editor excluded, the RIF was 85.48 and the global EIF was 213.28; the mean EIF was 1.734 and the RIF was 0.695. Therefore, the rate of citation of the Spanish authors in the period studied was only 40% of the citation rate of the entire population of authors from all countries. The authors of the published articles worked mainly in hospitals in Barcelona, Madrid, La Coruña, Valencia, Cantabria and Murcia. Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol (Badalona, Barcelona) had the largest number of publications and the highest EIF (39.41). Hospital del Mar (Barcelona) had the highest mean RIF and the highest global RIF.A gradual increase in the annual productivity of Spanish scientists can be discerned in a progressive increase in the number of publications as well as their EIF and RIF. CONCLUSIONS: Research by Spanish anesthesiologists is concentrated in only a few hospitals. Although the number of publications is increasing, their international repercussion has still not reached the desired level.

Anesthesia Department, Hospital↗
PubMed2000

Occupational asthma caused by soybean flour in bakers--differences with soybean-induced epidemic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Soybean dust has been identified as the causative agent of occupational asthma and asthma epidemics. Two main soybean hull allergens responsible for asthma outbreaks, Gly m 1 and Gly m 2, have been identified and purified. OBJECTIVE: The soybean allergens causing occupational asthma in exposed bakers were investigated and compared with those involved in epidemic asthma. METHODS: We report four bakers or confectioners with work-related respiratory symptoms who were exposed to soybean flour used as a baking additive. The causative role of soybean flour was investigated by immunological tests and specific inhalation challenge tests. Soybean flour allergens causing occupational asthma were characterized by immunoblotting. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E-reactivity to Gly m 1 and Gly m 2 was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Sensitization to soybean flour was demonstrated by skin and serological tests and was confirmed by positive inhalation tests. Bronchial challenge test to soybean flour extract elicited immediate or dual asthmatic responses. Immunoblotting with soybean flour and soybean hull extracts showed IgE-binding mainly to high molecular weight (MW) allergens. There was an important individually different allergic response to inhalant soybean components. None of the patients showed IgE-reactivity against Gly m 1 and only one patient showed IgE-reactivity to the soybean hull allergen Gly m 2. CONCLUSION: These bakery workers had developed IgE-mediated occupational asthma to soybean flour. The allergens involved in occupational asthma caused by soybean flour are predominantly high MW proteins that are present both in soybean hull and flour, and they are different from the allergens causing asthma outbreaks, which are mainly low MW proteins concentrated in the hull.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Allergy to plant-derived fresh foods in a birch- and ragweed-free area.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to plant-derived fresh foods has often been reported in geographical areas where birch or ragweed pollens are frequent and has been attributed to cross-reactivity to pollens. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study has been to evaluate allergy to plant-derived fresh foods among pollen-allergic patients from a birch and ragweed-free area. METHODS: Ninety-five pollen-allergic patients took part in the study. The study consisted of a questionnaire, skin prick tests and challenge tests. Pollen skin tests to five grasses, eight trees and seven weeds were performed in duplicate. Prick tests (prick by prick) and challenge tests were carried out with the fresh foods. RESULTS: Most patients allergic to pollens were sensitized to grass (Lolium and Phleum; 97.9%), followed by tree (Olea; 82.1%) and weed pollens (Plantago; 64.2%). 35 of the 95 pollen-allergic patients had positive skin test responses to some plant-derived fresh foods, the highest percentage corresponding to several fruits in the Rosaceae family (peach and pear, 26.3%), followed by Cucurbitacea fruits (melon, 13.7%). The 21. 05% of the pollen-allergic patients were allergic to some type of plant-derived fresh food. Peach was the plant-derived fresh food which most frequently elicited allergy symptoms (12.6%), followed by melon (7.36%). The cluster of positive responses to Rosaceae fruits was higher for skin testing than for challenge testing. CONCLUSION: Peach was the most important allergy provoking fruit in a birch and ragweed free-area where apples were consumed at a rate of two times more than peaches and the patients allergic to pollen were principally sensitized to grass pollens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Postoperative nausea and vomiting. Controversies, evidence and new drugs].

In spite of the availability of drugs to control postoperative nausea and vomiting, emesis remains an unresolved problem for the anesthesiologist. The etiology of postoperative nausea and vomiting is multifactorial: some causes are well-defined whereas others continue to be the object of debate. Statistical methods applying logistical regression have proven valuable for assessing the risk of emesis in individual patients. Taking a preanesthetic case history to investigate the presence of factors that might lead to emesis allows the anesthesiologist to establish with a certain degree of credibility that a patient, a priori, is likely to experience nausea or vomiting. Various strategies for preventing or treating emesis can then be established in function of risk. Meta-analysis has been applied to the large body of literature that evaluates and/or compares a variety of drugs and anesthetic techniques, thus facilitating evidence-based decision-making. The therapeutic options available for postoperative nausea and vomiting are moderately effective and are distinguishable by their side effects and prices. Clinical trials with a new group of drugs (neurokinin receptor antagonists) are currently underway. With their wider spectrum of action and absence of side effects, these drugs may represent a qualitative advance in the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Antiemetics↗