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Biomedical subjects

E Toledo

Publications and source records attributed to E Toledo.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Early autonomic malfunction in normotensive individuals with a genetic predisposition to essential hypertension.

One of the primary pathologies associated with hypertension is a complex autonomic dysfunction with evidence of sympathetic hyperactivity and/or vagal withdrawal. We investigated the possibility for early detection of essential hypertension on the basis of the analysis of heart rate (HR) and blood pressure fluctuations, which reflect autonomic control. Young adult normotensive offspring of one hypertensive parent (KHT; n = 12) and normotensive offspring of two normotensive parents (YN; n = 14) participated in this study. ECG, continuous blood pressure, and respiration were recorded during steady-state conditions and under various autonomic challenges. Time-frequency decomposition of these signals was performed with the use of a continuous wavelet transform. The use of the wavelet transform enables the extension of typical HR variability analysis to non-steady-state conditions. This time-dependent spectral analysis of HR allows time-dependent quantification of different spectral components reflecting the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity during rapid transitions, such as an active change in posture (CP). During an active CP from the supine to standing position, KHT demonstrated a significantly greater increase in the low-frequency fluctuations in HR than YN, indicating enhanced sympathetic involvement in the HR response to CP, and a reduced alpha-index, indicating decreased baroreceptor sensitivity. On recovery from handgrip, vagal reactivation was more sluggish in KHT. These results indicate the early existence of malfunctions in both branches of autonomic control in individuals at increased risk of hypertension.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Very high frequency oscillations in the heart rate and blood pressure of heart transplant patients.

The authors studied the recently reported very high frequency (VHF) peaks in the heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) power spectra of heart transplant (HT) patients. These VHF peaks appear at frequencies much higher than the respiratory frequency, in addition to the typical low-frequency and high-frequency peaks. Twenty-five recordings obtained from 13 male HT patients (0.5-65 months following surgery) were compared with recordings from 14 normal male subjects. The ECG, continuous BP and respiration were recorded during 45min of supine rest. Eight recordings from HT patients were excluded owing to arrhythmias. Spectral analysis was performed on all other recordings. VHF peaks were found in the spectra of both BP and HR in nine recordings obtained from six HT patients. In some cases, the power in the VHF peaks was markedly higher than that of the high-frequency peak. No VHF peaks were observed in eight recordings obtained from four HT patients or in recording from any of the normal subjects. No correlation was found between the incidence of VHF peaks and time after transplant. It was proved that the VHF peaks were not artifactual, and their significance within the framework of the theory of communication systems is discussed. The presence of those peaks was attributed to vagal denervation.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A systematic review of socioeconomic differences in food habits in Europe: consumption of cheese and milk.

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences in cheese and milk consumption across socioeconomic groups in representative samples from several European countries. DESIGN: A meta-analysis of published and unpublished surveys of food habits performed in nine European countries between 1985 and 1999. Educational and occupational levels were used as indicators of socio-economic status. RESULTS: A higher socioeconomic status was associated with a greater consumption of cheese. The pooled estimate of the difference in cheese consumption between women in the highest vs the lowest educational level was 9.0 g/day (95% CI: 7.1 to 11.0). The parallel observation in men was 6.8 g/day (95% CI: 3.4 to 10.1). Similar results were obtained using occupation as an indicator of socioeconomic status. The pooled estimates of the higher cheese consumption among subjects belonging to the highest (vs the lowest) occupational level were 5.1 g/day (95% CI: 3.7 to 6.5) in women and 4.6 g/day (95% CI: 2.1 to 7.0) in men. No statistically significant associations were found for milk consumption concerning educational or occupational level. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that consumption of cheese is likely to be higher among subjects belonging to higher socioeconomic levels. We did not find enough evidence to support that milk intake is different according to educational or social levels.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Does synchronization reflect a true interaction in the cardiorespiratory system?

Cardiorespiratory synchronization, studied within the framework of phase synchronization, has recently raised interest as one of the interactions in the cardiorespiratory system. In this work, we present a quantitative approach to the analysis of this nonlinear phenomenon. Our primary aim is to determine whether synchronization between HR and respiration rate is a real phenomenon or a random one. First, we developed an algorithm, which detects epochs of synchronization automatically and objectively. The algorithm was applied to recordings of respiration and HR obtained from 13 normal subjects and 13 heart transplant patients. Surrogate data sets were constructed from the original recordings, specifically lacking the coupling between HR and respiration. The statistical properties of synchronization in the two data sets and in their surrogates were compared. Synchronization was observed in all groups: in normal subjects, in the heart transplant patients and in the surrogates. Interestingly, synchronization was less abundant in normal subjects than in the transplant patients, indicating that the unique physiological condition of the latter promote cardiorespiratory synchronization. The duration of synchronization epochs was significantly shorter in the surrogate data of both data sets, suggesting that at least some of the synchronization epochs are real. In view of those results, cardiorespiratory synchronization, although not a major feature of cardiorespiratory interaction, seems to be a real phenomenon rather than an artifact.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1998

Kasdah B'Rosh Tov: a description and evaluation of the Israeli bicycle helmet campaign.

In this article, the Israeli bicycle helmet campaign that began in 1993 and was accompanied both by increases in sales of helmets and by increases in their use by children is described and evaluated. Based on formative research, the authors designed a campaign by applying functional theories of attitudes. Evaluative research allowed testing the suitability of this application. Results supported functional predictions. Children's exposure to an initial pilot campaign was associated with changes in normative perceptions of helmet wearing and with increased willingness to wear a helmet. Their exposure to the subsequent comprehensive campaign was associated with changes in utilitarian beliefs but not with increased willingness to wear helmets. Parents' exposure to the comprehensive campaign was associated with changes in utilitarian beliefs, but their willingness to require their children to wear helmets was limited by their perceived ability to succeed in influencing their children's use of helmets.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Change in velopharyngeal valving after speech therapy in cleft palate patients. A videonasopharyngoscopic and multi-view videofluoroscopic study.

Thirty-one cleft palate patients with velopharyngeal insufficiency and compensatory articulation in association with hypernasality after palate closure were studied. Videonasopharyngoscopy and multi-view videofluoroscopy were performed to all patients before and after speech therapy for correcting compensatory articulation. The ratios of movement of velopharyngeal structures were significantly increased after compensatory articulation had been corrected. Furthermore, the size of the gap at the velopharyngeal sphincter during closure was significantly reduced. The results in this study support the statement that articulation disorders in association with hypernasality in cleft palate patients should be corrected prior to the implementation of surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency after palate closure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Successful removal of an acute brain stem hematoma in a young child.

Several days after receiving a blow to the occipital region, a 5-year-old boy presented with acute symptoms and signs of a space-occupying-lesion in the posterior fossa. A CAT scan revealed a mass with increased density in the region of the fourth ventricle. A suboccipital craniectomy disclosed a subependymal hematoma bulging into the fourth ventricle. The hematoma was evacuated, and the child subsequently made a complete recovery. It is stressed that surgical intervention should be considered in all such cases and particularly in young patients who show progressive neurological deficits.

Brain Stem↗
PubMed1981

Spinal subdural hematoma associated with anticoagulant therapy in a patient with spinal meningioma.

A case of spontaneous subdural hematoma in the cervicothoracic region associated with a small meningioma in a patient on anticoagulant therapy is presented. The neurological complications of anticoagulant therapy are discussed briefly. Progressive neurological deterioration in a patient on anticoagulant therapy should prompt the performance of an emergency myelogram and a possible laminectomy in spite of the potential risks of these procedures. Intraspinal bleeding occurs more frequently in the form of an epidural hematoma, but the clinical presentation may not allow differentiation from a subdural hematoma. The possible causal relation between the asymptomatic spinal meningioma, the anticoagulant therapy, and the formation of the subdural hematoma is discussed.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Brain abcess following dental infection.

A 48-year-old woman underwent root canal treatment of the upper left lateral incisor and lower right second premolar. Close to the conclusion of the endodontic treatment she complained about headaches. Later on, because of aggravation of her condition, with headaches, fever, malaise, weakness, and numbness of the right limbs, she was admitted to the hospital. The disease progressed to an epileptic state, with appearance of a right hemiparesis. A brain scan and carotid arteriogram revealed the presence of a mass occupying the left parietal space. Craniotomy disclosed an abscess containing yellow pus from which Streptococcus viridans was cultured. After thorough surgical cleansing of the area, removal of the bone for decompression, and treatment with ampicillin the patient improved gradually and slowly regained the mobility of her right side.

Brain Abscess↗
PubMed1976

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy and spinal epidural involvement: a case report and review of the literature.

A case of "sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphoadenopathy" (SHML) in which spinal epidural involvement caused paraplegia is described. The literature pertaining to this newly recognized entity is reviewed; this review indicates that the process is not necessarily restricted to the lymph nodes and may be progressive in nature. The case we report is the first with histologically proved bone involvement.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A functional perspective on social marketing: insights from Israel's bicycle helmet campaign.

This article examines the functional approach to attitudes for its potential contribution to improving models of attitude-behavior consistency and to demonstrate its potential application to social marketing. To this end, a study of children's attitudes toward bicycle helmets is reported on and its results examined. The study was undertaken to plan Israel's first-ever media campaign to encourage the use of helmets by children. Responses of the 783 Israeli children (ages 7 to 14 years) who participated in the study are analyzed to test the hypothesis generated by this application of functional theory--that children's attitudes toward wearing bicycle helmets serve primarily an expressive function. The results suggest cautious support for the functional hypothesis. In conclusion, possible extensions of this approach to other areas of social marketing are discussed.

Adolescent↗