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Biomedical subjects

F López

Publications and source records attributed to F López.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationship between physicochemical properties of prussian blue and its efficacy as antidote against thallium poisoning.

In the present work we established a relationship between some physicochemical properties of two different batches of Prussian blue (PB) and their in vivo efficacy as an antidote against thallium poisoning. The physicochemical properties studied were crystallite size and thallium-adsorbing capacity. One of the batches was synthesized and the other was obtained from commercial sources. The synthesized PB batch with the smallest crystallite size had both the highest adsorption capacity and antidotal efficacy. Synthesized PB protected 100% of the animals against one LD50 thallium dose, whereas the commercial PB batch protected only 80%. Thallium content in blood and tissues (liver, kidney, brain) was also analysed after antidotal PB treatment in rats previously intoxicated with a sublethal dose of T1+. Animals treated with synthesized PB showed significantly less thallium in blood and tissue contents than those values of commercial PB-treated rats, indicating better antidotal properties of the synthesized PB. According to the present study we suggest an in vivo evaluation of the compound before distribution of the product to toxicological units, if X-ray diffractometric analysis is not available, in order to identify and determine the crystallite size of the compound as it plays an important role in the efficacy of PB.

Adsorption↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cranial fasciitis of the anterior fontanel.

The most common lesions found over the anterior fontanel in children are dermoid cysts. Cranial fasciitis is an uncommon subscalp tumor that occurs exclusively in children. All previous cases have been reported away from the midline. We have recently treated a 6-year-old boy with a nonmobile mass at the anterior fontanel. Its slow evolution and its clinical and radiological features were the classic ones described for anterior fontanel dermoid cysts. Only after histopathological study was the diagnosis of cranial fasciitis of childhood established. This is the first report of cranial fasciitis arising at the anterior fontanel.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage during CSF shunt revisions by means of a flexible coagulating electrode. A preliminary report.

We report the preliminary results of a prospective study in 19 patients (22 procedures) undergoing ventricular catheter replacement at the time of CSF shunt revision to determine the value of intraluminal coagulation by means of a flexible monopolar coagulating electrode in preventing ventricular hemorrhage following catheter removal. These patients had their first shunt implanted during infancy, and underwent shunt revision during the 1-year period between October 1996 and October 1997. Sixteen patients were found to have adherent ventricular catheters, that necessitated the use of diathermy for their removal. In 10 procedures electrocoagulation was applied to the stylet of the ventricular catheter thus permitting tube extraction. In the remaining 8 shunt revisions catheter removal was readily accomplished by coagulation applied to a flexible monopolar endoscopic electrode introduced into the lumen of the tube. Two patients developed mild intraventricular hemorrhage following the use of each of the two methods described above. Both coagulation techniques used during the routine withdrawal of ventricular catheters seem to be equally effective. The flexible coagulating electrode has the additional advantage over the stylet of being moldable, allowing its use in cases in which the catheter does not follow a straight course within the ventricular cavity.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Identification of doctors with high pharmaceutical expenditure].

OBJECTIVE: [corrected] To identify doctors with high pharmaceutical expenditure through multiple regression of variables not exclusively dependent on the doctor's decision. To compare the agreement with the method of the Spanish national health servicem which only considered the percentage of pensioners of the doctor's list. METHODS: Cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study of the pharmaceutical expenditure of 220 general practitioners in the health district of Toledo (Spain) in 1999. The following variables were collected: pharmaceutical expenditure for policy-holder/month (PEP-H); age; sex; habitat; size of the list; percentage of pensioners; frequency of attendance (consults/policy-holder-year) and workload (consultations per day). A multiple regression model with backwards elimination was constructed, taking like PEP-H as the dependent variable and the remaining as the independent variables. The resultant equation enabled calculation of the expected PEP-H for each doctor and the deviation of their real expenditure ofrom the expected. Doctors were considered to have high pharmaceutical expenditure when the deviation was more than the mean plus 1 standard deviation of this distribution. RESULTS: The mean PEP-H was 2,584.4 pesetas. Differences were found (F = 11.665; p < 0.005) in PEP-H per habitat (2,723.2 in rural, 2,521.4 in semi urban and 2,168.2 in urban). A significant correlation was found (p < 0.005) between PEP-H and percentage of pensioners (r = 0.728) and frequency of attendance (r = 0.607). Our final model included percentage of pensioners, frequency of attendance, and age (F = 102.33; p < 0.005; r = 0.767; r² = 0.588; β = 206.05; β₁ = 48.27; β₂ = 61.26; β₃ = 9.55). This model were identified 25 DHPC. With the INSALUD model the identification were of 31. The Kappa index showed that agreement between both methods was 0.706 (SE 0.056) and simple disagreement was found in the classification of 24 doctors (10.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of attendance and the percentage of pensioners on doctors' lists are iclosely related to PEP-H. The indicator currently used by the Spanish national health system to identify doctors with high pharmaceutical expenditure could be improved if other variables, such as frenquency of attendance and the doctors' age, were taken into account. The adoption of this method would make budget allocation more impartial and fair.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intersectorial activities for traffic accident prevention].

We describe priority issues and some of the results obtained from the implementation of the Prevention and Reduction of Traffic Accident Injuries program in a health area. Since 1999 the public health center has made a priority of identifying and recruiting partners from other sectors (the local police association and the local education authority), increasing its capacity for working together, and setting up an intersectorial working group. Teaching activities and meetings were held. A network of people was created from 17 of a total of 39 town halls that participate in activities supported by the intersectorial group. Ten are involved in educational activities and a further seven focus on ensuring compliance with the law. The intersectorial group promoted their visibility through the local media. These activities are not aimed at reducing injuries from road traffic accidents, but rather at creating an action framework through which all the sectors involved can be mobilized. The aim is to strengthen commitment among political, technical and civil sectors by focussing on social values of respect for a healthier life.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Topiramate therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy].

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to examine the result of administrating topiramate (TPM) to patients with epilepsy that is refractory to treatment with two or more antiepileptic agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients were evaluated, 90% of which had partial seizures (simple partial, complex partial and partial with secondary generalisation) and the remaining 10% suffered from generalised seizures. The most frequent aetiology was that which corresponded to the symptoms (52% of the cases). 98% of the patients were treated with two or three drugs. TPM was added with a dosage interval between 75 and 550 mg and follow-up visits were carried out throughout a period of nine months. RESULTS: 12 patients remained seizure-free for at least the first three months of the study; in 20 patients the number of seizures decreased by 50% or more; in 14 patients no changes were observed, and in the other four there was an increase in the number of seizures. The best results were obtained in cases of seizures with an idiopathic aetiology, while complex partial seizures offered the worst results. We also analysed the factors that might exert an influence on the different degrees of response. CONCLUSIONS: TPM was effective in all kinds of seizures. 24% of the patients became seizure free, and the total percentage of respondents rose to 64%. No patients dropped out of the study because of intolerance to the drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Performance analysis of a new anesthetic system: the Temel Supra--part I].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of a new anesthetic system that purports to provide novel advantages in ventilating the anesthetized patient. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A performance analysis was carried out in our respirator function laboratory using lung simulators to assess the system, its degree of compliance with current regulations, and the degree of compliance with the manufacturer's claims. RESULTS: The system is 100% effective. The internal compliance of the respirator was 0.13 +/- 0.01 mL/cm H2O, inspiratory resistance was 1.9 +/- 0.1 cm H2O/L/s, expiratory resistance was 3.1 +/- 0.3 cm H2O/L/s, and internal volume was 130 mL. CONCLUSIONS: The Temel Supra device is versatile and meets the anesthetic requirements of patients undergoing any type of surgery. The possibility of using an open circuit, a low flow, a closed circuit, or a continuous flow without having to change to another system allows the anesthesiologist to make use of the advantages of each circuit without its drawbacks. The efficacy of the circuit is 100%. The low internal volume means that internal compliance is negligible and time constants are low, guaranteeing that the volume programmed is the same as the volume delivered and facilitating alveolar redistribution of gases. The monitoring and warning systems assure safe patient ventilation and accurate dosing of gases and anesthetic agents.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hansenula anomala infection in acute leukemia].

Hansenula anomala infection is a clinical rarity which has only been reported in 21 cases. Although most reported cases had one or more of the risk factors of fungemia, only three developed in hematological patients. In the present study we report two cases of Hansenula anomala infection in acute leukemia, one in its teleomorphic form and another in the asexual form of this yeast, Candida pelliculosa. The sustained chemotherapy and steroid and antibiotic treatment were some of the risk factors of fungemia which were present in these patients, one of which was a carrier of a central venous catheter. As it has been suggested that Hansenula anomala has a low virulence and a high susceptibility to amphotericin B, we emphasize the potential morbidity and mortality that this organism can induce in patients with hematological disease.

Female↗