Preliminary results with posterior lamellar keratoplasty for endothelial failure.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Guerrero.
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Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is a commonly used antibiotic in clinical practice. It is usually prescribed on an empirical basis and several cases of hepatotoxicity with cholestasis have been described. We report the case of a 42-year-old man who developed an acute hepatocellular lesion with progression to cirrhosis. The patient received amoxicillin-clavulanic acid twice with an interval of four months. Other causes of hepatic failure were excluded. Although amoxicillin-clavulanic acid-induced hepatotoxicity has been widely documented, there are no other reports describing its progression to cirrhosis in an adult.
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BACKGROUND: The role of physician variability in pain management is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of physician variability in the management of pain and provide quantitative data regarding the status of pain management in Michigan. DESIGN: A multi-item mail survey was used to determine the physician's perceived knowledge of pain management modalities, goals, satisfaction, and confidence with pain treatment. Participants. The focus of this report was a group of 368 licensed Michigan physicians who provide clinical care. RESULTS: Overall, 30% of the study group reported no formal education in pain management, although younger physicians reported more education (correlation coefficient = -0.252, P <.001). The physicians reported greater confidence in their knowledge of meperidine than other Schedule II opioids (P <.001 ). In regards to the opinion that prescribing strong opioids would attract a medical review, the physician responses ranged from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The median score for this scale was 4, accounting for 46% of the responses. The study group expressed less satisfaction with their treatment of chronic pain as well as lower goals for relief (mean: 3.8; 95% confidence interval: 3.7-3.9). CONCLUSIONS: Lower expectations for relief and less satisfaction in its management may contribute to the undertreatment of chronic pain. Perceptions of regulatory scrutiny may contribute to suboptimal pain management. These preliminary data highlight physician variability in pain decision making while providing insights into educational needs.
OBJECTIVE: The Protectaid sponge (Gefar Pharma, Switzerland) is a new feminine barrier contraceptive method containing three low-dose spermicidal agents. In order to evaluate its efficacy and safety profiles, an international, multicenter study has been conducted in four countries. METHODS: Healthy, presumably fertile and sexually active women were enrolled in this study and were followed at 15 days, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Contraceptive efficacy was assessed by a pregnancy test, while safety was evaluated by performing gynecological examinations as well as reporting adverse events. The 'acceptability' of the sponge by the women was assessed through a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 129 women were enrolled in the study, generating 1182 cycles of use of the sponge. The overall efficacy rate was 77%, with no significant influence of age or parity. Acceptability was high, with 85% of subjects being symptom- or problem-free while using the sponge. Finally, the safety profile was very good, with no clinically significant evidence of local or systemic adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: The new Protectaid sponge is a safe and effective non-hormonal contraceptive method for women.
Colombia is a country rich in natural resources, with a steadily developing economy. Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) education and practice have developed relatively recently in Colombia, mainly in response to a series of long overdue (and still partially implemented) reforms to the health care, social benefits, and education systems. Expansion in general and occupational health coverage of the Colombian population and development of OEM education and training were to be achieved through a clear stimulus to private sector initiatives. Despite some measurable overall progress, the goals remain elusive. This article discusses several aspects and the perspectives for further development of the specialty in this country, in the context of the socioeconomic factors involved in that process.
A study of 150 extracted maxillary first premolars from citizens of Seville, Andalusía, southern Spain, revealed 60 teeth with one root (40.0%), 85 teeth with two roots (56.7%) and five teeth with three roots (3.3%). The distribution of root canal shapes in the sample showed that all teeth with two or three roots had type I root canals (each canal had one apical foramen). Conversely, most of the single-rooted maxillary first premolars had root canal shape type II (two canals converging in the same apical foramen). Only 1.3% of the teeth had a unique orifice in the pulp chamber and only one root canal. These results emphasized the importance of good knowledge of the root canal morphology and the need for a careful radiographic examination as part of competent root canal therapy of maxillary first premolars.
The purpose of this paper is to assess the internal consistency of self-reported condom use among sex workers in Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. We examined the responses to questions about condom use among 4 cross-sectional samples of sex workers. We compared measures based on: (1) questions using always-to-never scales; (2) questions about use with the past 5 clients; and (3) questions about use in the past week obtained from a retrospective coital log. In each sample, more women reported 'always' using condoms with clients than with each of the past 5 clients. In 3 of the 4 samples, only about half of the women who reported 'always' using condoms used condoms with the most recent 5 clients and with all clients in the past week. Internal consistency was significantly higher when the comparison was limited to use with the most recent 5 clients and use in the past week. Self-reported measures of condom use can be difficult to interpret. Assessing the internal consistency of several measures of use provides insight into the strengths and weaknesses of each measure.
PURPOSE: To assess whether human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detection in cervical cancer specimens, or antibodies to selected HPV 16 peptides are predictors of tumor recurrence and long-term survival in patients with squamous cell invasive cervical cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Four hundred seventy-one cases included in two population-based case-control studies underwent follow-up evaluation. The survival and cause of death were ascertained for 410 cases (87%), with a median follow-up time of 4.6 years after diagnosis. HPV DNA was assessed using an L1 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based system and Southern hybridization (SH) on scraped cytologic specimens or biopsies. HPV 16 antibodies to E2, L2, and E7 peptides were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Clinical stage was the only independent prognostic factor for recurrence or survival. Although seropositivity to HPV 16 E7/3 peptide predicted a twofold excess risk of mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [HRa] = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 3.3), the association was restricted to stage I (HRa = 6.6; 95% CI, 1.2 to 37.6) and II (HRa = 5.9; 95% CI, 2.1 to 16.5) patients. The presence of HPV DNA (HRa = 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5 to 1.5), different estimates of the HPV viral load and the HPV type identified were not predictors of tumor recurrence or survival. CONCLUSION: The presence of antibodies to HPV 16 E7 proteins is of prognostic value in early-stage cervical cancer. Our results provide strong evidence that detection and typing of HPV DNA in cervical cells or tissues is not a prognostic factor for recurrence or survival.
BACKGROUND: It is now established that certain types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the sexually transmitted agents etiologically linked to cervical cancer. Studies assessing the contribution of the male's sexual behavior and genital HPV DNA status to the risk of development of cervical neoplasia in sexual partners have yielded inconsistent results. PURPOSE: This study evaluates the role of men's sexual behavior and the presence of HPV DNA in the penis on the development of cervical cancer in their sexual partners in Spain, a low-risk area for cervical neoplasia. METHODS: Husbands (n = 633) of women participating in two case-control studies of cervical neoplasia were interviewed to obtain information on lifestyle habits, including sexual practices. Cytologic samples were taken from the distal urethra and the surface of the glans penis of 183 husbands of case women and of 171 husbands of control women. These samples were analyzed by a polymerase chain reaction-based system using a generic probe and 25 type-specific probes for the detection and typing of HPV DNA. Serologic specimens were also obtained and analyzed for antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus type II, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. RESULTS: The presence of HPV DNA in the husbands' penis conveyed a fivefold risk of cervical cancer to their wives (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for HPV DNA positivity = 4.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9-12.6). The risk of cervical cancer was strongly related to HPV type (adjusted OR for HPV type 16 = 9.0; 95% CI = 1.1-77.5), to the husbands' number of extramarital partners (adjusted OR = 11.0; 95% CI = 3.0-40.0; for > or = 21 women versus one), and to the number of prostitutes as extramarital sexual partners (adjusted OR = 8.0; 95% CI = 2.9-22.2; for > or = 10 women versus none). Presence of antibodies to C. trachomatis (adjusted OR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.4-4.6) and an early age at first sexual intercourse of the husband (adjusted OR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.7-5.9; for < or = 15 years versus > or = 21 years) were also associated with cervical neoplasia in the wife. After adjustment for these variables and for the wife's pack-years of smoking, the husband's smoking was moderately associated with cervical cancer in his wife (adjusted OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.4-4.4; for > or = 26.2 pack-years versus none). CONCLUSIONS: The study supports the role of men as vectors of the HPV types that are related to cervical cancer. Life-time number of female sexual partners, number of female prostitutes as sexual partners, and detection of HPV DNA in the penis of husbands are all surrogate markers of exposure to HPV during marriage. IMPLICATIONS: Men who report multiple sexual partners or who are carriers of HPV DNA may be vectors of high-risk HPV types and may place their wives at high risk of developing cervical cancer. Prostitutes are an important reservoir of high-risk HPVs.
Vulvar vestibular biopsy specimens from 31 women with clinical and pathologic findings of vulvar vestibulitis were studied using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the identification of human papilloma virus (HPV). The PCR technique specifically probed for HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Of the 31 subjects, three were found to have HPV within the biopsy specimens; two had HPV type 11 and one had HPV 16. Five of the 31 cases had histopathologic features of koilocytosis consistent with HPV effect; three of these five were found to have HPV. The findings support the hypothesis that HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 are rarely associated with vulvar vestibulitis. The frequencies identified were similar to those seen with control patients. True koilocytosis is the most useful pathologic feature distinguishing HPV-related cases; it is rarely identified in typical vulvar vestibulitis. Nonspecific changes in the vestibular epithelium associated with glycogen effect should not be interpreted as koilocytosis.
A cross-sectional seroprevalence study of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was undertaken among 494 attendees in two Santo Domingo sexually transmitted disease clinics in 1989. All participants were evaluated for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, syphilis, and genital ulcers. Of the 494 participants, 15 (3.0%) were positive for HIV-1 and 14 (2.8%) were positive for HTLV-I. Twelve of 371 (3.2%) men were HIV-1 seropositive: 0 of 68 homosexual/bisexual and 12 (4.0%) of 302 heterosexual men (one seronegative male could not be classified). Three (2.4%) of 123 women were HIV-1 seropositive. One (1.5%) homosexual/bisexual man, five (1.7%) heterosexual men, and eight (6.5%) women were HTLV-I seropositive. Among heterosexual men, HIV-1 was associated with multiple lifetime sex partners (O.R. = 5.9; 95% C.I. = 1.4, 23; p = 0.007). HIV-1 was associated with genital ulcer disease among women (p = 0.004). Among women, HTLV-I was associated with professional sex work (O.R. = 18; 95% C.I. = 2.1, > 100; p = 0.001). These findings suggest the need for control of sexually transmitted diseases and targeted educational programs for prevention of HIV-1 and HTLV-I among individuals with high-risk behaviors in the Dominican Republic.
Transforming proteins E6 and E7 of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are consistently expressed in HPV-associated cervical cancers. In ELISA with four HPV-16 E6-E7 peptides, patients with HPV-16-associated invasive cervical cancer (group 1) had a greater seroreactivity than all other groups, which included patients with HPV-16-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, invasive cervical cancer patients without HPVs, and unaffected controls. A larger proportion of group 1 sera, as compared to sera of all other groups, was reactive with at least one peptide (49% vs 17-27%), and with two or more peptides (22% vs 0-6%). A clear difference between group 1 and all other groups was also found for high ELISA absorbance values to at least one peptide (22% vs 0-8%). This high seroreactivity of group 1 sera was confirmed by a radioimmunoprecipitation assay with in vitro transcribed and translated HPV-16 E7 protein. Sera from 50% of group 1 but only 3% of controls were reactive in this test. Antibodies to HPV-16 E6 and E7 proteins appear to be virus-specific and disease state-specific markers of HPV-associated cervical cancer.
In order to provide a reliable diagnosis for the presence and type of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in a case-control study of cervical cancer in Colombia and Spain, 926 cervical scrapes from female subjects were examined by ViraPap (VP) and Southern hybridization (SH), and 510 of these (263 cases and 247 controls) were also tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the HPV L1 consensus primers. HPV DNA prevalence was much higher in cases than in controls by each of the three tests. There was complete agreement between the results of the three tests for 64.9% of the 510 specimens; 53.5% were negative and 11.4% were positive (regardless of type) by all tests. An additional 29.0% of the specimens were positive by PCR: 19.4% by PCR alone, 6.7% by PCR and VP, and 2.9% by PCR and SH. SH and/or VP gave positive results for 6.0% of the specimens for which the PCR finding was negative: 2.7% by SH alone, 2.5% by VP alone, and 0.8% by both VP and SH. When specimens which were positive by VP alone or only by SH at low-stringency conditions were excluded, PCR confirmed all but four specimens which were positive by other tests. The concordance between type-specific diagnosis by SH and PCR was 86% when HPVs were typed in both tests. HPV-16 accounted for over 80% of the typed HPVs in each test. The presence of blood in case specimens did not appear to inhibit HPV positivity by VP or by PCR at the dilution tested. Low amounts of cellular DNA of specimens resulted in some underestimation of HPV positivity by VP and SH but not by PCR. Compared with that of PCR, the sensitivities for case specimens were 38% by SH and 50% by VP; the sensitivity for control specimens, although it could not be measured precisely because there were few positive specimens, appeared to be lower than for case specimens. It was concluded that PCR-based tests are best suited for epidemiological investigation of HPVs.
PCR-based hybridization methods have been used to show that some women with normal cytology are carriers of HPV DNA of the types strongly related to cervical cancer. How these women should be managed remains unclear. This chapter selectively reviews reports which have estimated type-specific HPV prevalence in relation to the presence or absence of morphological signs of HPV infection. Overall, these reports indicate that among women who were identified as carriers of HPV DNA (by PCR-based methods) and who also had a normal cytological smear, the HPV type detected in the majority of instances was a high-risk viral type for cervical cancer (HPV types 16/18 = 44.7%; HPV types 31/33/35 = 8.1%; other and unknown types = 37.9%). This suggests that screening programmes which include PCR-based HPV detection could reduce the false negative rates currently reported by screening programmes based on cytology alone.
Fenthion, an irreversible cholinesterase inhibitor, was used to study the role of the cholinergic system on the development of gizzard erosion. Fenthion increases the gizzard erosion score in a dose-dependent manner and this effect became significant at levels higher than .1 ppm (p less than .05). An inverse relationship between plasma cholinesterase activity and pesticide concentration was also observed at doses higher than 1 ppm (P less than .05). These results show the necessity to evaluate organophosphate pesticide levels during the selection of fish meals in poultry.
Familial amyloid polyneuropathy type 1 or Corino Andrade's disease (FAP 1) is classified amongst the hereditary systemic amyloidosis, being autosomically dominant and preferably affecting the peripheral nervous system. Our country is the fourth world focus with regard to incidence, preceded only by Portugal, Japan, and Sweden. Amyloid involvement is rare, generally following primary forms. There are only three cases described of these hereditary forms, none of which is of the FAP type 1. Our goal is to present a patient diagnosed of FAP type 1 who developed hemoptysis during the course of her disease, observing an amyloid bronchial infiltrate in the samples obtained by bronchoscopy. This is the first case described of pulmonary involvement in this type of amyloidosis according to the literature reviewed.
AIDS surveillance data from the Dominican Republic are described for 1983-89. A positive serologic test for HIV was required, and standard clinical criteria were used for defining AIDS. There were 1,202 AIDS cases (820 men, 372 women, 10 of unknown gender) reported to the Ministry of Health, for a cumulative case rate of 17 per 100,000 persons. Rapid growth of the epidemic is noted, with 43% of the total cases reported in 1989. Heterosexual exposure accounts for 53% (593) of all cases, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.2:1, resembling a World Health Organization Pattern I/II country. Prevalence is highest in and surrounding the urbanized tourist areas of Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata and in districts with a high concentration of sugar plantation barracks, where laborers from Haiti and the Dominican Republic work and live. The distribution of AIDS cases is described by transmission exposure category, age, sex, year of diagnosis, and district. The National AIDS Surveillance Program can be improved by validation of exposure transmission categories through selected case investigation and by better reporting through training of health care providers. Surveillance data will assist in targeting future public health efforts to regions and persons at highest risk.