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Biomedical subjects

F J Alvarez

Publications and source records attributed to F J Alvarez.

137 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Alcohol-related problems and fitness to drive.

This paper analyses the alcohol consumption patterns in Spanish drivers, the incidence of alcohol-related problems and attempts to ascertain whether, in the end, drivers with alcohol-related problems are considered fit or unfit to drive. In accordance with Spanish and European Union legislation, driving licences cannot be issued or renewed to people suffering from alcohol-related problems. A medical, psychological and eyesight evaluation was performed to test the driving fitness of 8043 drivers attending 25 Medical Driving Test Centres on a national scale. Among other things, information was collected on the patterns of alcohol consumption, the AUDIT and CAGE tests, the incidence of alcohol-related problems (DSM-IV criteria for abuse, dependence and alcohol-induced disorder), as well as an evaluation of their fitness to drive. In all, 60.3% of drivers drink alcohol on a regular basis; 7.3% of drivers scored > or = 8 points in the AUDIT test, and 2% met criteria for DSM-IV alcohol abuse, dependence or induced disorder. Drivers with alcohol-related problems have been involved in traffic accidents (23.2%) and have infringed driving regulations (18.7%) more frequently (P < 0.0001) than those without alcohol-related problems. Of those with alcohol-related problems, 72.2% were considered fit to drive. The study reveals that alcohol consumption is common among drivers, that a significant number of drivers have alcohol-related problems, and that three in four of the latter were considered fit to drive.

Adult↗
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[Automatic analysis of interference pattern: principles and applications].

INTRODUCTION: The signals obtained during conventional needle examination are usually assessed subjectively by the neurophysiologist. Buchthal's approach allows quantification of several motor unit parameters during mild effort. DEVELOPMENT: The automatic methods of analysis of the EMG interference pattern (IP), in particular Turns/Amplitude, give us information concerning the number, firing rate, and morphology of the motor units, as well as the recruitment pattern at different degrees of effort. In pathological conditions, the changes in the IP allow distinction between myopathies and neuropathies. CONCLUSION: These methods, which complement other methods of motor unit analysis, have also proved to be excellent for follow up studies.

Electromyography↗
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Effect of psychotropic drugs on histamine H2-receptors in rat isolated uterus.

The effects of the monoamine oxidase inhibitors iproniazid, nialamide and phenelzine, the neuroleptics haloperidol and thioridazine, and the benzodiazepines diazepam and clonazepam on histamine H2-receptors were assessed on rat isolated uterus. The monoamine oxidase inhibitors showed a slight non-competitive antihistamine H2 activity, while diazepam and clonazepam were devoid of any action. Haloperidol and thioridazine inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the tonic component of KCl induced contraction, while thioridazine under the same conditions exhibited a slight antihistamine H2 activity. These data show that the drugs tested are devoid of or elicited only a slight antihistamine H2 activity at high non-therapeutic concentrations.

Animals↗
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Patterns of drug consumption among Spanish drivers.

We have analysed regular drug consumption by Spanish drivers. 675 properly completed questionnaires were received from drivers attending three medical traffic centres in Valladolid (Spain) for medical examination prior to obtaining or renewing of their traffic licence in 1990. Among those surveyed, 28.9% were taking regularly drugs, mainly analgesics (6.5%), antiallergic drugs (5.2%), oral contraceptives (4.6%), anti-inflammatory drugs (4.1%), antihypertensive drugs (3.6%), tranquillizers (3.4%), hypnotics (2.8%) and drugs for rheumatic disorders (2.7%). The study indicates the frequent consumption of drugs by Spanish drivers, and suggests the need to regulate drug consumption by drivers.

Adolescent↗
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Effects of antidepressants on histamine H1 and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in guinea-pig ileum.

The properties of some tricyclic and non-tricyclic antidepressants on antagonist histamine H1 and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors have been evaluated on guinea-pig ileum. They act like competitive antagonists on histamine H1 receptors. Some of them show a competitive antagonism and others a non-competitive antagonism on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. A few of them are very potent antagonists on histamine H1 and/or muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, while others, especially the non-tricyclic antidepressants, have a small potency. All antidepressants have a higher histamine H1 activity than muscarinic acetylcholine activity. These results cannot explain the therapeutic effect of these drugs, but they can account for some side effects and drug interactions.

Acetylcholine↗
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Effects of antidepressants on histamine H2 receptors in rat isolated uterus.

The antagonist effect of various antidepressants, both tricyclic and non-tricyclic, and of thiothixene on the histamine H2 receptors has been studied in the rat isolated uterus. All the drugs studied inhibit the effect of histamine, acting as competitive antagonists. Trimipramine and mianserin were the antidepressants which showed the highest activity, superior to cimetidine, whereas nomifensine, viloxazine, trazodone and maprotiline were those which showed the lowest antihistamine H2 activity. These results suggest that there is an interaction between antidepressants and histamine H2 receptors in rat isolated uterus similar to the interaction existing between antidepressants and histamine H2 receptors in brain and other tissues.

Animals↗
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[Cardiorespiratory evaluation of midazolam and thiopental during their use in patients undergoing translumbar aortography in decubitus prone position and ASA IV].

AIMS: To verify the cardiorespiratory effects of midazolam and thiopental in ASA IV patients undergoing translumbar aortography in the decubitus prone position. METHODS: A prospective double blind study was carried out on 26 patients (mean age, 65.9 yr) allocated randomly to receive either midazolam (0.13 mg/kg) or thiopental (4 mg/kg) i.v. Without being premedicated all the patients had fentanyl 1.5 micrograms/kg i.v. and were preoxygenated with 50% oxygen before induction of anaesthesia. Blood pressure was measured by oscilometry and blood oxygenation by pulseoxymetry. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the hemodynamic values (blood pressure, heart rate, double product) upon comparison of the two groups. Apnea was more frequent in the thiopental group 61.5% (8 out of 13 patients) than in the midazolam group 15.3% (2 out of 13 patients). Hypoxemia appeared only in the former group (61.5% of the cases). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing translumbar aortography midazolam and thiopental behaved similarly with regard to hemodynamics. Midazolam produced less apnea than thiopental.

Aged↗
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How benzodiazepines are prescribed in a primary health care setting in Spain.

This study looks into patterns of benzodiazepine prescription for patients attending a primary health care setting. Fifty one general practitioners and nurses were involved in the project. Information was recorded over a week, four times a year. In total, there was information available on 571 patients. Patients receiving benzodiazepine treatment tended to be females (68.5 per cent), aged over 40 (84 per cent), married (63.8 per cent) and with primary education level (77.1 per cent). Most patients received long acting (48 per cent) or short acting (36.7 per cent) benzodiazepine treatment. In 46 per cent of the cases the treatment was longer than one year. Benzodiazepines were prescribed for anxiety (44.8 per cent), insomnia (23.8 per cent) and depression (10.1 per cent). The study showed the need to improve rational prescription of these drugs.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Consumption of drugs for the digestive system and for the metabolism by the Spanish population: study from the Health National Survey in 1987 and 1993].

In the present study the consumption of drugs used for the digestive tract and metabolism in the Spanish population according to the information from the National Health Surveys of 1987 and 1933 is featured. Samples representative of the Spanish population over the age of 16 years were designed. In 1987 and 1993, 27,786 and 21,084 people were surveyed, respectively. The consumption of drugs in the 2 weeks prior to the survey was analyzed. The consumption of these drugs did not vary from 1987 to 1993: including medicines for digestive alterations, 3.5 and 3.3%, respectively; laxatives, 1.2 and 1.4%; slimming drugs, 0.3% in both years; reconstituents, 2.8 and 2.9%. Different consumption schedules were observed in relation to age and sex in each group of drugs. The intake of these groups of drugs without medical prescription was highest in the case of slimming drugs (51.4%) and laxatives (50%). These results demonstrate how frequent the consumption of drugs for the digestive tract and metabolism is in the Spanish population.

Adolescent↗