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F Carrasco

Publications and source records attributed to F Carrasco.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Identification of missing persons: the Spanish "Phoenix" program.

In 1999, Spain was the first country to officially start a National Program to try to identify cadavers and human remains which could not be identified by the use of traditional forensic approaches. This attempt is called "Phoenix Program". Two independent mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) databases were generated, which can automatically compare and match identical or similar sequences. One is the Reference Database, with mtDNA sequences from maternal relatives of missing persons, who provide the samples (buccal swabs) voluntarily; the other is the Questioned Database, comprised of mtDNA data of unknown remains and cadavers. Although the first phase of the program (typing of all unidentified human remains) will probably not be completed until December 2003, positive identifications are being made in the interim. To date, more than 1,200 families have contacted Phoenix, and at least 280 reference samples and 48 questioned evidences have been analyzed. When mtDNA matches are found, another independent analysis is performed as a part of the quality control mechanism. Once a match is confirmed (so far in 6 cases), an attempt is made to analyze short tandem repeat (STR) loci. We call for international collaboration to make this effort valuable worldwide.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1998

Portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis in a patient heterozygous for a mutation (Arg506-->Gln) in the factor V gen (factor V Leiden).

In 30-50% of patients with portal thrombosis, no underlying etiology is found. The recent reports of new hereditary clotting defects are contributing to the understanding of this problem, but they only justify a small number of idiopathic cases. Instead, anticoagulant protein C resistance, caused by a mutation in the V factor gene, appears to be at least 10 times more common than any of the other known inherited deficiencies of anticoagulant proteins. In spite of that, extensive thrombosis of portomesenteric or hepatic venous circulation has been rarely described in this hereditary clotting defect. We report a typical case of familial and recidivant deep vein thrombosis in a young man heterozygous for the factor V Leiden mutation (Arg506-Gln), who developed an acute portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis. The patient was discharged with an oral anticoagulant treatment and remains asymptomatic 2 years later. In conclusion, the high prevalence of the factor V Leiden in young and aged patients with idiopathic vein thrombosis and the case here described makes it obligatory to consider this disorder in patients with portal and/or mesenteric vein thrombosis, especially in those without evident etiology.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Intrauterine contraception in nulligravid vs parous women.

The performance of MLCu-250 IUDs inserted in 525 nulligravid women was studied for four years and is compared to the results obtained in the same period from 2770 parous women using TCu-200, 7Cu-200 and Nova-T IUDs. In every case the choice of the particular IUD model took into account hysterometry and diameter of the inner cervical orifice in order to aim at the highest theoretical efficacy. The MLCu-250 in nulligravid women produced failure and expulsion rates below those of the other models in parous users; no difference was observed in the case of removal because of bleeding or pain. Finally, there was no case of subsequent infertility or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) recorded among nulliparae. These results suggest that an adequate choice of the IUD model for nulliparous women with low risk of PID gives as reliable results as in multiparous women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

New methods of mathematical analysis for studies of intrauterine contraception.

The authors present two new procedures of mathematical analysis to evaluate the incidents which arise during the use of any contraceptive method. These two new approaches, which the authors call the Probability Index (PI) and the Weighted Average Index (WAI), are compared to those by Pearl and Tietze. Their conclusions are that the PI, although the best estimator of real probability, is not as functional as the WAI. The latter is not only much easier to calculate than PI, but also presents a greater correlation, prediction accuracy and discriminant power than the Pearl and Tietze indexes.

Contraception↗
PubMed1995

Neurocysticercosis: optimal dose treatment with albendazole.

Albendazole has been used successfully in the treatment of cerebral cysticercosis for several years. The published dosage schedule has varied from 15 mg/kg/day for 8 days to up to 30 days. Fifty three patients with neurocysticercosis received 8, 15 or 30 days treatment with 800 mg of albendazole daily. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness in clinical and radiological terms of albendazole 800 mg/day for 8 days for the majority of patients affected with cystic or encephalitic parenchymatous cysticercosis. There was no apparent advantage of continuation of treatment for 15 or 30 days in this series. The routine use of high dose steroids limited the effects of parasite destruction. No toxicity attributable to albendazole was encountered.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Changes in protein repletion markers in undernourished patients receiving enteral nutrition and its relation with energy and nitrogen balance].

AIM: To study the relationship between the changes in protein repletion indicators and calorie and nitrogen balance in undernourished patients receiving enteral nutrition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients (11 female, age range 55-85 years old) with an initial serum albumin below 3.5 g/dl or serum transferrin below 200 mg/dl, which received enteral nutrition, were studied. On days one and ten of nutritional support, indirect calorimetry, nitrogen balance and serum levels of albumin, transferrin, pre-albumin and total lymphocyte count were measured. RESULTS: Initial resting energy expenditure was 25.1 +/- 5 Kcal/kg/day (115.4 +/- 20% of that predicted by Harris Benedict equations) and urinary urea nitrogen 5.4 +/- 3.7 g/day. Initial and final nitrogen balances were 66.9 +/- 71 and 81.4 +/- 105.9 mg N/kg/day and mean energy balance throughout the study was +9.0 +/- 7.2 Kcal/kg/day. During the ten days of nutritional support, albumin improved significantly in 0.35 +/- 0.43 g/dl (15.2 +/- 19.8%). Transferrin, pre-albumin and total lymphocyte count did not change significantly. The changes in these last parameters did not correlate with nitrogen or calorie balance. CONCLUSIONS: Probably other factors, besides nutritional balances, influence serum protein levels and these may not change despite an adequate nutritional repletion.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Cardiac amyloidosis secondary to multiple myeloma detected by echocardiography].

The authors present the clinical history of a 70-year-old male with arterial hypertension who sought medical advice because of dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea and episodes of paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. The electrocardiogram showed left arterial hemiblock and abnormalities of ventricular repolarization compatible with a left lateral endocardiac lesion. Echocardiography revealed a hypertrophied left ventricle with a small ventricular cavity, compatible with an infiltrative-restrictive myopathy. Blood chemistry showed creatinine 4.9 mg/dl, BUN 133 mg/dl and alkaline phosphatase 204 i.v. The patient expired because of intractable heart failure. The histopathological examination of a piece of myocardium (authorized by the family) stained with Congo red confirmed the presence of abundant, diffuse deposits of amyloid, as had been suspected because of the echocardiographic findings.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Acquired factor VIII inhibitor in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis].

In the present report we describe a 66 year-old-woman, diagnosed of rheumatoid arthritis, who suffered a severe haemorrhagic syndrome caused by the presence of a circulating inhibitor to factor VIII. Inhibitor quantitation was measured with Bethesda test. After treatment with corticosteroids and high-dose immunoglobulin, a good clinical response was obtained; factor VIII:C activity increased with the disappearance of detectable inhibitor. This response was observed more effectively and rapidly than with prednisone treatment alone.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[Indirect calorimetry and nitrogen balance in patients with elective craniotomy].

The aim of this study was to assess resting energy expenditure and nitrogen excretion in patients with cranial injury. In 25 patients subjected to elective craniotomy and 23 healthy volunteers, energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry and compared with estimations according to Harris-Benedict equations. During the second postoperative day, measured energy expenditure in patients was 100 +/- 19% (range 66-185) of estimation and 115 +/- 22% (range 76-159%) of measured values in control subjects. In sedated patients with flaccid muscular paralysis, measured energy expenditure was 82 +/- 12% of estimation and 94 +/- 15% of measured values in control subjects. Urinary urea nitrogen excretion in patients was 10.2 +/- 5.4 g/day and catabolic index was 6.8 +/- 5.1. Patients receiving corticoids had increased urinary urea nitrogen excretion and no differences in measured energy expenditure, compared to patients not receiving this medication. It is concluded that the great variability in measured energy expenditure and its lack of correlation with the degree of catabolism, set forth the need to perform an indirect calorimetry in these patients to plan an adequate nutritional support.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Protein and energy requirements in patients with severe head injury].

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of severe head injury over resting energy expenditure and nitrogen losses. Eight patients with severe head trauma (mean Glasgow scale of 4.9 +/- 1.6), subjected to emergency craniotomy were studied; four patients had septic complications and none received steroids. Energy expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry and nitrogen losses were assessed measuring 24 h urea nitrogen excretion on days 1, 4, 7 and 10 of the postoperative period. Twelve healthy males composed the control group. Measured energy expenditure in patients, evaluated in 22 occasions, was 35 +/- 9.8 Kcal/kg/day or 145 +/- 41% of the estimation according to Harris-Benedict equations, compared to 22.0 +/- 4.6 Kcal/kg/day or 89.9 +/- 17.5% in the control group (p < 0.001). 24 h urinary urea nitrogen excretion in patients was 18 +/- 12 g/day (range 5.2-46.9) and the catabolic index was 7.4 +/- 13.5. It is concluded that, due to the great individual variability in measured energy expenditure in these patients and their hypercatabolism, indirect calorimetry and nitrogen balance studies become useful tools to perform an adequate nutritional support.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Germ cell DNA quantification shortly after IR laser radiation.

The immediate effect of IR laser radiation on rat germ cells was studied by cytophotometric quantification of the nuclear DNA content in testicular sections. Two different levels of radiation were studied: one according to clinical application (28.05 J/cm2) and another known to increase the germ cell number (46.80 J/cm2). The laser beam induced changes in the germ cell DNA content depending on the cell type, the cell cycle phase and the doses of radiation energy applied. Following irradiation at both doses the percentage of spermatogonia showing a 4c DNA content was increased, while the percentage of these with a 2c DNA content was decreased. Likewise, the percentages of primary spermatocytes with a DNA content equal to 4c (at 28.05 J/cm2), between 2c and 4c (at 46.80 J/cm2) and higher than 4c (at both doses) were increased. No change in the mean spermatid DNA content was observed. Nevertheless, at 46.80 J/cm2 the percentages of elongated spermatids with a c or 2c DNA content differed from the controls. Data show that, even at laser radiation doses used in therapy, the germ cell DNA content is increased shortly after IR laser radiation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gaseous contaminant emissions as affected by burning scrap tires in cement manufacturing.

We studied the environmental impact (gaseous emissions) of using scrap tires as a fuel substitute at a cement plant that produces one million tons of cement per year. Using a combination of tires and coal as opposed to only coal caused variations in the pollutant emission rate. The study recorded a 37% increase in the rate of emission for CO, a 24% increase for SO2, an 11% decrease for NOx, and a 48% increase for HCl when tires were included. The rate of emission for metals increased 61% for Fe, 33% for Al, 487% for Zn, 127% for Pb, 339% for Cr, 100% for Mn, and 74% for Cu, and decreased 22% for Hg. On the other hand, the emission rate of organic compounds dropped by 14% for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 8% in naphthalene, 37% in chlorobenzene, and 45% in dioxins and furans. We used a Gaussian model of atmospheric dispersion to calculate the average pollutant concentration (1-h, 24-h, and annual concentrations) in the ambient air at ground level with the help of the ISC-ST2 software program developed by the USEPA. When tires were used, we observed (i) a 12 to 24% increase in particulate matter, this range considering the concentration variation depending on the average used (1-h, 24-h, and annual basis), 31 to 52% in CO, 22 to 34% in SO2, 39 to 52% in HCl, 12 to 27% in Fe, -3 to 8% in Al, 30 to 37% in Zn, and 270 to 885% in Pb; (ii) a decrease of 8 to 13% in NOx, 9 to 13% in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 6 to 7% in naphthalene, 32 to 39% in chlorobenzene, and 32 to 45% in dioxins and furans. The results obtained showed that the maximum ground-level concentrations were well within the environmental standards (for operation with only coal as well as for operation with a combination of coal and tires).

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of IR laser radiation on germ cell DNA content after one cycle of the seminiferous epithelium.

The effect of IR laser radiation on rat germ cells was investigated by cytophotometric quantification of the nuclear DNA content after a 15-day resting period. Two different doses of radiation energy were applied: 28.05 J/cm2 and 46.80 J/cm2. Both doses were found to increase the percentages of both spermatogonia with a 4c DNA content and primary spermatocytes with a > 4c DNA content. The elongating and elongated spermatids had a c DNA nuclear content, except for a small proportion (5%) of elongating cells that displayed a 2c DNA content at 28.05 J/cm2. Results revealed an increase in the germ cell DNA content after one cycle of the seminiferous epithelium after in vivo exposure to IR laser light. The laser sensitivity of the germ cells appeared to be related to their stage of differentiation and to the radiation energy applied, and the spermatogonia were the most sensitive. In all cases the lowest dosage induced the highest alteration.

Animals↗