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Biomedical subjects

F Infante

Publications and source records attributed to F Infante.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Calcium absorption from milk in lactase-deficient subjects.

Intestinal calcium absorption from milk containing lactose (+) and from another containing glucose (-) was studied in eight patients with normal lactase (NL) and seven lactase-deficient (LD) subjects to determine if lactase deficiency is implicated in Ca absorption. The results were compared with data obtained from Ca ingestion in a water solution. Ca absorption was measured by a double-isotope technique and the kinetic indices were obtained by a deconvolution method. With (-), Ca absorption was identical in NL and LD subjects and slightly higher than with water solution (15%, NS). With (+), Ca absorption in NL subjects was identical with that from water solution; in LD subjects it increased (23%, p less than 0.02). These data indicate that: Ca is absorbed equally well from milk as from water solution; (+) favors Ca absorption in LD subjects, which suggests that milk ingestion might be encouraged in LD subjects to avoid Ca deficiency; and (-) should be a valuable alternative for lactose-intolerant patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of absorbable and nonabsorbable sugars on intestinal calcium absorption in humans.

The effects of glucose, galactose, and lactitol on intestinal calcium absorption and gastric emptying were studied in 9, 8, and 20 healthy subjects, respectively. Calcium absorption was measured by using a double-isotope technique and the kinetic parameters were obtained by a deconvolution method. The gastric emptying rate was determined with 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and was expressed as the half-time of the emptying curve. Each subject was studied under two conditions: (a) with calcium alone and (b) with calcium plus sugar. Glucose and galactose increased the calcium mean transit time and improved the total fractional calcium absorption by 30% (p less than 0.02). Lactitol decreased the mean rate of absorption (p less than 0.001) and reduced the total fractional calcium absorption by 15% (p less than 0.001). The gastric emptying rate did not appear to influence directly the kinetic parameters of calcium absorption. These results show that both glucose and galactose exert the same stimulatory effect as lactose on calcium absorption in subjects with normal lactase whereas lactitol mimics the effects of lactose in lactase-deficient patients. Thus the absorbability of sugars determines their effect on calcium absorption.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Allergy to pollen grains from Amaranthaceae and Chenopodiaceae in Cordoba, Spain. Annual and daily variation of pollen concentration.

We have studied the annual and daily variation of pollen grains from Amaranthaceae and Chenopodiaceae for 3 consecutive years. Samples of pollen grains from both families, which make a stenopalynologic group, were collected by the volumetric method with the aid of a Burkard spore-trap. These pollen grains were found to occur in the atmosphere of the city of Córdoba virtually throughout the year, although their presence was continual only between April and October with maximum concentrations detected in the summer months. We have also studied the daily variation of pollen concentration, which peaked between 10 AM and 3 PM. In order to determine the incidence of pollinotic patients sensitive to pollen grains from Chenopodium, we reviewed 1000 clinical records available in the Allergy Unit and found 8.42% to be allergic. On evaluation of the time evolution of the symptoms we found that most patients continued to show them until September each year.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1989

Alaria nasuae (Trematoda: Diplostomidae) from domestic dogs.

Two stray dogs were found naturally infected with adult Alaria nasuae in Tamaulipas, Mexico. This is the first report of this species from a domestic dog, the first report of it from Mexico, and the first time the species has been recorded since its original description.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Nutritional profile of patients with cancer of the pancreas].

A case control study was carried out in the Geneva area from 1976 to 1980 to determine correlation between cancer of the pancreas and nutrition. The controls were randomly selected from the general population and 88 patients with pancreatic cancer were interviewed on their food habits by two experienced dietitians. Bias may always be suggested, but even Anglo-Saxon workers are increasingly adopting this method. Comparison between patients with pancreatic cancer and controls revealed different alimentary habits. Consumption of beer (2.9 times higher risk), of butter (2.1 times) and pasta (2.5 times) considerably increases the risk, whereas margarine, fruit and fresh vegetables are associated with a significant reduction of risk.

Beer↗
PubMed1987

Occurrence of Alternaria Nees ex Fr. in indoor and outdoor habitats in Cordoba (Spain).

We have studied the occurrence of a genus of allergic interest, Alternaria, in the outdoor and indoor atmosphere of 14 homes in Córdoba (Spain). The sampling was carried out by the method of sedimentation on a mycological medium twice a month for a period of one year. We detected an overall 3955 colonies of Alternaria belonging to seven different species of this genus (A . consortiale, A . crassa, A . dendritica, A . harzii, A . japonica, A.tenuis and A . tenuissima), some of which are proven allergenic agents. A . tenuis was by far the most frequent of the above mentioned species, both indoors and outdoors. Three of the species identified (A . consortiale, A . crassa and A . harzii) occurred in greater concentrations indoors than outdoors; the remaining four were found to occur preferentially outdoors.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1986

Mycoflora of potential sanitary interest present in illicit heroin.

The injection of heroin mixtures poses difficult problems in some cases to both pathologist and toxicologist in evaluating the cause of death. Direct heroin toxicity, allergic or idiosyncratic reactions, and bacterial and mycotic infections are different complications that can be found in these cases. The mycotic profile (mycoflora) present in illicit heroin from street samples (sachets) has been studied. The profile was obtained after incubating the samples at pH5 in 2% and 3% agar-maltose media. Only two samples (nos. 24 and 26) yielded negative results. Twenty-seven taxa were isolated. Penicillium and Aspergillus were the genera most frequently found in the samples. Other genera, such as Cladosporium, Absidia, Rhizopus and Micelia sterilia were also detected. Most of the fungi isolated presented a high allergenic potential and were liable to result in allergic reactions connected with "drug deaths". All the fungi found were commonly present in our environment.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1985

[Interaction of alcohol and nutrition factors in the etiology of hepatic cirrhosis in men].

Habitual food and alcohol intake throughout adult life were assessed by interview in 211 patients suffering of liver cirrhosis and 387 control subjects selected at random from the corresponding general population. In the cirrhotics only the habits prior to clinical disease were taken into account. A significant dose-response relationship between alcohol intake and relative risk of cirrhosis, as well as the protective effect of total caloric intake and of its protein fraction, was demonstrated by logistic regression analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Relationships among the results of coagulase, staphylococcal toxin, and thermonuclease tests on staphylococci from cow milk.

Production of staphylococcal alpha- or alpha-beta-toxins correlated well with production of coagulase or thermonuclease (or both) in 203 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from milk and should be reliable indicators of S. aureus in the absence of Staphylococcus intermedius. Failures to produce toxin, tube coagulase, or thermonuclease occurred in only 1 to 2% of S. aureus. Evidence of beta- or alpha-beta-toxins was not found among 321 other staphylococci isolated from milk. A few coagulase- or thermonuclease-positive isolates not producing beta- or alpha-beta-toxins were found among the Staphylococcus hyicus isolates.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A simple method for measurement of intestinal calcium absorption in humans by double-isotope technique.

We describe a method for the fast calculation of total fractional calcium absorption (TFCaA) by the double-isotope technique (45Ca orally and 47Ca intravenously). The gamma- and beta-activities of plasma or urine samples were measured simultaneously. 47Ca activity was obtained by a gamma-ray spectrometer after exclusion of scandium 47. The 45Ca activity was measured directly by subtracting the 47Ca plus 47Sc component from the total beta-activity. In addition, 45Ca activity was determined after 8 weeks, to allow for 47Ca and 47Sc decay. There was good correlation between these two methods of measuring 45Ca activity. TFCaA was calculated both by deconvolution taken as a reference method and from the equilibrium quotient 45Ca/47Ca observed in several blood or urine samples collected at different times. The most convenient sampling time for calculation of this ratio was reappraised, taking into account the type of solution ingested orally (water or milk). The results indicate that simultaneous counting of gamma- and beta-activities of an appropriate plasma or urine sample provides a good and rapid measure of the calcium absorption. This method is considered to be useful as a clinical tool.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Clinical value of determining pepsinogen I].

The serum values of PG I and gastrin have been established in a normal population and in several clinical diseases. The PG I is raised in duodenal, gastric, and pyloric ulcer even though the gastrin is normal. Both PG I and gastrin values are raised in renal insufficiency and the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. The PG I is lowered in atrophic gastritis and alcoholic cirrhosis, and is at the limit of detection in Biermer anemia and total gastrectomy. Insulin and sham-feeding are stimulants for PG I release by patients with duodenal ulcer, but no correlation is observed between PG I output and PAO in the studied group. The results show that PG I is able to distinguish between associated hypergastrinemia and hypoacidity (Biermer anemia type) or a hyperacidity (Zollinger-Ellison syndrome type), and that PG I is a good indicator for gastric hypoacidity. Overlapping between normal and ulcer subjects is comparable to those obtained in acid output determinations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Diagnosis of lactase deficiency with the expired hydrogen (H2) test].

To determine the sensitivity and specificity of breath hydrogen (H2) in detecting lactase deficiency, breath H2 collected by end-expiratory sampling and capillary blood glucose were measured after ingestion of 50 g of lactose in 36 patients with biopsy-proved isolated lactase deficiency, 42 with normal lactase activity and 6 with lactase deficiency secondary to mucosal lesions. All patients had digestive symptoms clinically compatible with lactose malabsorption. The maximum increase in breath H2 concentration was more than 1.1 mumol/l (25 ppm) in all patients with isolated lactase deficiency, and less than 0.88 mumol/l (20 ppm) in 88% of patients with normal lactase activity; there were 5 false-positive results, attributed in one case to small bowel colonization and in another case to rapid transit after gastric surgery. Secondary lactase deficiency was accurately detected by neither breath H2 nor blood glucose.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Significance of duodenal disaccharidases. A comparative study of duodenal and jejunal values.

Endoscopic biopsies at the inferior duodenal flexure from 36 patients were assayed for disaccharidases. Comparative studies in 8 patients were carried out from this location and from the duodenojejunal flexure. 16 patients with lactase values under 20 U/g protein and normal histology also underwent a lactose tolerance test. Evidence is presented that the easily performed duodenal biopsies give the same information as those from the angle of Treitz, at a level about 40% under the latter. Tolerance to lactose was in close relation with the lactase level in 16 patients, the limit being at about 5 U/g protein.

Biopsy↗