Biomedical subjects

F Ortiz

Publications and source records attributed to F Ortiz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Klotho gene polymorphism and male bone mass.

The Klotho gene codes for a protein that is thought to influence the homeostasis of several tissues, including bone, as well as the aging process. Although the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated, some studies in women have associated Klotho allelic variants to bone mineral density (BMD). The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of a common T/G polymorphism, resulting in a phenylalanine (F) to valine (V) substitution, with male bone mass. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 362 Spanish men aged 19-83 years. Klotho alleles were determined by a Taqman assay. Allele frequencies were 85% and 15% for the F and V alleles, respectively. In comparison with the most common FF genotype, young and middle-aged men (age less than 53 years) with FV/VV genotypes had higher age- and body mass index-adjusted BMD at the lumbar spine (1.059 +/- 0.017 vs. 1.016 +/- 0.011 g/cm(2), P = 0.036), the hip (1.077 +/- 0.017 vs. 1.033 +/- 0.011 g/cm(2), P = 0.028), and the calcaneus (0.599 +/- 0.125 vs. 0.547 +/- 0.108 g/cm(2), P = 0.012). Klotho alleles explained about 2-4% of BMD variance. However, Klotho genotype was not associated to BMD in older men. There were no Klotho-related differences in height, body weight, calcium intake, tobacco or alcohol consumption, or serum testosterone levels. In conclusion, these results suggest that allelic variants of Klotho constitute one of the genetic factors influencing BMD in male adults.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Acute renal failure associated with use of inhaled tobramycin for treatment of chronic airway colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity is a well-known clinical entity that complicates the course of infectious diseases treated under this antibiotic regime. Recently, a new administration form of tobramycin, inhaled tobramycin (TOBI), has been approved to improve the antibacterial activity and reduce nephrotoxicity. We describe the clinical case of a 73-year-old woman with chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who developed acute renal failure (ARF) after using TOBI. Clinical presentation and biochemical parameters were compatible with aminoglycoside-induced renal failure. Based on the clinical findings presented here, a surveillance program should be established to monitor the presence of factors predisposing to renal failure, and to measure serum levels of tobramycin.

Acute Kidney Injury↗

PubMed2004

Prediction of epileptic seizures using accumulated energy in a multiresolution framework.

Records of brain electrical activity from intracranial EEG of four patients with different types of epilepsy are analyzed to predict the epileptic seizure onset. A method based on the evolution of the accumulated energy using wavelet analysis is introduced. This is an efficient method to predict epileptic seizures: from 13 preseizure signals, the seizure onset in 12 of those are predicted.

Algorithms↗

PubMed2003

Tacrolimus in induction immunosuppressive treatment in renal transplantation: comparison with cyclosporine.

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of induction immunosuppression therapies based on tacrolimus or cyclosporine (CsA) in kidney transplantation. The 240 kidney allograft recipients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=94) received tacrolimus (.01 mg/kg per day), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, 2 g/d), and steroids (30 mg/d); and group 2 (n=146) CsA (6 mg/kg per day), MMF (2 g/d), and steroids (30 mg/d). Antilymphocyte serum was administered in cases of acute tubular necrosis. The acute rejection rate was higher among group 2 (30.6%) compared with group 1 patients (12.2%) (P=.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, gender, body surface area, serologic virus markers (in donor and recipient), baseline creatinine levels, cause of death, HLA incompatibilities, response to acute tubular necrosis, and number of dialysis sessions. We conclude that both immunosuppressive regimens are effective and safe in kidney transplantation. The survival rates of patients and grafts were similar, but the incidence and degree of acute rejection events were reduced in group 1; this finding may forecast a decreased incidence of chronic renal allograft nephropathy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2003

Significance of cytomegalovirus infection in renal transplantation.

The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between vascular lesion chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) and the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in kidney transplanted patients. We studied 259 consecutive kidney transplant recipients with a minimum follow-up of 6 months; the induction immunosuppressive therapy included a calcineurin inhibitor, mycophenolate mofetil, steroids, and the use of an antilymphocyte serum if the patients developed delayed graft function. CMV early antigen detection (pp65) was performed on a weekly basis between days 30 and 90 post transplantation. Prophylactic treatment was administered in the donor +/recipient-risk group, and preemptive therapy delivered for positive antigenemia namely 3 days of intravenous [IV] gancyclovir [GCV] plus 11 days of oral therapy [in the case of infection], or 14 days of IV GCV [in the case of disease]). An acute kidney allograft rejection episode preceded CMV in 64.3% of the patients, and CMV preceded acute rejection in 35.7% of the cases. We conclude that CMV disease is an independent risk factor for CAN. CMV infection is probably associated with CAN, suggesting that the greater the viral load, the higher the risk of CAN. It may be advisable to perform universal prophylaxis to lower the viral load and CAN.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗

PubMed2003

Use of recombinant human erythropoietin in kidney transplant patients with stable graft function.

The purpose of this work was to determine the necessity for rhuEPO for 50 kidney transplant patients with stable graft function. We analyzed the red cell series, blood pressure, renal function, anthropometric data of the donor and recipient, proteinuria, and relationship with other factors, including immunosuppressants, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). The patients were divided into three groups depending on renal function: group A (with plasma creatinine <150 micromol/L), group B (151-250 micromol/L), and group C (>250 micromol/L). All patients were studied for 1 year. Erythropoietin use did not affect renal function, proteinuria or number of antihypertensive drugs group. The degree of renal dysfunction determined the time necessary to reach an adequate hemoglobin level (>12 g/L) and and the mean dose of weekly rhuEPO needed. The use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs increased the rhuEPO requirements in each group.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed2001

Frequency of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in a community outreach sample of Hispanics.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia types in a community sample of Hispanics. DESIGN: This is a descriptive diagnostic study of a nonrandom community outreach sample utilizing established criteria for the diagnosis of dementia type. Recruitment involved direct community outreach with diagnostic evaluations conducted at a university-affiliated outpatient clinic. SETTING: Hispanic Neuropsychiatric and Memory Research Clinic at the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar, California. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred community-dwelling Hispanics age 55 and older without prior diagnosis or treatment of their cognitive symptoms. MEASUREMENTS: Each subject underwent a complete medical diagnostic evaluation, in Spanish, including neuropsychological tests, neurological examination, laboratory tests, and brain imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) to establish dementia type. Presence of dementia was established according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Diagnosis for probable or possible AD and vascular dementia (VascD) was established using criteria from the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association for probable AD and by research criteria from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement en Neurosciences for VascD, respectively. Frontotemporal dementia was diagnosed using recommendations set forth by the Lund and Manchester groups. RESULTS: Subjects were poor, with low acculturation levels despite long years of U.S. residence. Forty percent of subjects had had undiagnosed cognitive symptoms for 3 or more years. Of those demented, 38.5% had AD and 38.5% met criteria for VascD. The best predictors of VascD were hypertension and cerebrovascular disease, whereas apolipoprotein E4 allele best predicted AD. Other forms of dementia were also present. Twenty percent of the sample was clinically depressed but not demented. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with data from predominantly white populations, our proportion of AD cases was lower and that of VascD cases was considerably higher than anticipated. The percentage of clinically depressed older individuals was also high. These findings could have implications for differential cultural and genetic risk factors for dementia among diverse ethnic/racial groups. Further studies are needed to obtain accurate prevalence estimates of dementing disorders among the different U.S. Hispanic populations.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Effects of guanfacine on three forms of distraction in the aging macaque.

alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, such as clonidine and guanfacine, enhance attention in aged animals. According to one theory, alpha-2 receptor agonists improve attention by decreasing distractibility to task-irrelevant stimuli. In two healthy aging bonnet macaques, we investigated the effects of low-(0.001 mg/kg) and high-dose (0.05 mg/kg) acute intramuscular guanfacine versus saline control on accuracy (number of trials correct) in three tasks requiring attention: delayed matching-to-sample, one-target visual tracking (test of focused attention) and two-target visual tracking (test of divided attention). Each task employed distracting stimuli in a different paradigmatic context. One monkey responded to guanfacine at both doses with significant rises in accuracy on all three tasks. The second monkey showed significant accuracy improvement for high-dose guanfacine only. No sedation was observed. These results suggest that guanfacine improves attention and reduces distractibility in multiple task contexts in healthy aging primates.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

PubMed2000

The Spanish National Reference Database for Ionizing Radiations (BANDRRI)

The Spanish National Reference Database for Ionizing Radiations (BANDRRI) is being implemented by a reasearch team in the frame of a joint project between CIEMAT (Unidad de Metrologia de Radiaciones Ionizantes and Direccion de Informatica) and the Universidad Nacional de Educacion a Distancia (UNED, Departamento de Mecanica y Departamento de Fisica de Materiales). This paper presents the main objectives of BANDRRI, its dynamic and relational data base structure, interactive Web accessibility and its main radionuclide-related contents at this moment.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

Reduction of motoric agitation and restlessness by AF102B and tacrine in the macaque.

The cholinesterase inhibitor tacrine (THA) and the M1 muscarinic agonist AF102B (cevimeline), both reported to enhance cognition in animals and humans, were tested in 5 macaques for reduction of spontaneous, random movements. Monkeys were videotaped 1 hour after administration of normal saline vehicle, after low- and high-dose intramuscular AF102B, and after low- and high-dose oral THA. Two independent blind judges counted numbers of spontaneous movements made by each monkey over 12 consecutive 15-second segments for each drug condition. Both THA and AF102B reduced movement significantly at high doses without overt side effects, warranting further research on the agitation-reducing potential of cognition-enhancing cholinomimetic drugs.

Alzheimer Disease↗

PubMed1999

The incidence, prevalence, and severity of sarcoidosis in New York City firefighters.

OBJECTIVE: The etiology of sarcoidosis is unknown, but epidemiology suggests that environmental agents are a factor. Because firefighters are exposed to numerous toxins, we questioned whether sarcoidosis was increased in this cohort. SETTING: The New York City Fire Department (FDNY), employing > 11,000 firefighters and nearly 3,000 emergency medical services (EMS) health-care workers (HCWs). DESIGN: In 1985, FDNY initiated a surveillance program to determine the incidence, prevalence, and severity of biopsy-proven sarcoidosis in firefighters. In 1995, EMS HCWs were added as control subjects. RESULTS: Between 1985 and 1998, 4 prior cases and 21 new cases of sarcoidosis were found in FDNY firefighters. Annual incidence proportions ranged from 0 to 43.6/100,000, and averaged 12.9/100,000. On July 1, 1998, the point prevalence was 222/100,000. For EMS HCWs, annual incidence proportions were zero. Radiographic stage 0 or stage 1 sarcoidosis was found in 19 firefighters (76%), and stage 3 was found in 1 firefighter (4%). Pulmonary function (FVC, FEV(1), and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide) was normal in 17 firefighters (68%), and reduced to </= 65% predicted in 2 firefighters (8%). Maximum oxygen consumption (MVO(2)) was normal in 10 of 17 firefighters (59%), and reduced to 65% predicted in 3 firefighters (12%). Five of seven firefighters (71%) with abnormal MVO(2) had gas exchange abnormalities, and none had O(2) desaturation. All returned to fire fighting. CONCLUSIONS: Annual incidence proportions and point prevalence were increased in FDNY firefighters as compared to EMS HCWs and historical controls. Radiographs and physiologic measurements demonstrated only minimal impairment.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Expression of CD44 variant v6 in breast carcinoma and its relationship with other parameters of tumor biology].

BACKGROUND: The variant v6 of CD44 has been associated with metastatic behaviour in neoplasms such as lymphoma, colon carcinoma and breast carcinoma. The expression of CD44v6 in breast carcinoma by flow cytometry and its relationship with other tumor markers is studied in this paper. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of CD44v6 was studied in 46 fresh tissue specimens by flow cytometry using a monoclonal antibody which recognizes the variant v6. Ploidy and cell cycle were also studied by flow-cytometry using propidium iodide labelling. p 53, c-erbB-2 and estrogen receptor expression as well as cell proliferation by Ki-67 staining were performed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 46 tumors were CD44v6 positive, without correlation with other tumor markers. Levels of CD44v6 in 19 positive samples sligtly correlates with S-phase and hystological grade. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study there was not a correlation among the presence of the variant v6 of CD44 on tumor cells from breast carcinoma and the aggressivity of the tumor. The expression of CD44v6 by flow cytometry does not seem to be a good prognostic marker.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed1996

[An analysis of the evolution of consultation pressure in general medicine (1989-1993)].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the understanding of attendance pressure, its evolution over time and its relationship with the indicators of demand, use and age of the resources. DESIGN: Descriptive and retrospective. SETTING: Primary care centres with an appointment system in the Community of Valencia. There were 6,756 valid registers of the monthly attendance pressure (1989-1993) available. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Attendance pressure has an extremely dispersed distribution. Behaviour which is constant in its evolution over time does exist, which allows a characteristic curve, repeated every year, to be defined: descent in August, two peaks in October and January and a third "mobile" peak around March and April. Mathematical equality between attendance pressure and the product of three factors has been obtained: duration of use per procedure x intensity of repeated use per procedure x ratio equivalent day. The analysis of the monthly evolution of each one of these three "components" helps understand changes in pressure. These "components" are also modified by the type and age of centre. CONCLUSIONS: The wide dispersion of the results of technical productivity (attendance pressure), and the evidence of its change in composition over time and according to the care model offer important scope for management. It also creates the need for an explanatory model which includes the variables which determine both the attendance pressure and a method for altering it.

Community Health Centers↗

PubMed1996

Normative data stratified by age and education for the Neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS): Initial report.

Neuropsychological assessment of monolingual Spanish-speaking people in the United States is both a common practice and an ethical dilemma. Lack of appropriate tests, the absence of norms, use of interpreters, and the multiplicity of in-house translations of commonly used measures add to the problem of accurate assessment. This paper helps address the lack of appropriate measures for the neuropsychological assessment of Latinos in the United States by providing a standardization of the Neuropsychological Screening Battery for Hispanics (NeSBHIS). Normative data on a sample of 300 Hispanic subjects stratified by gender, age, and education are provided. Current results reveal that not one measure of cognitive functioning is free from education effects. Both nonverbal measures and psychomotor speed measures were highly related to education. Age effects were noted on measures of psychomotor speed, visuospatial reasoning, and visuoconstructive skills. Gender effects were found on measures of psychomotor speed and language, with males achieving higher scores than females. The limitations of the current findings are considered. Further research for the validation of the NeSBHIS with clinical populations, as well as further normative data collection at the national and international levels, is needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

["Ex-situ" reconstructive surgery of the renal arteries].

The paper sums up our experience with kidneys which have undergone "bench" extracorporeal arterial surgery. The reasons making this procedure necessary were: renal graft from corpse donor presenting multiple arteries or arterial lesions (12 cases); orthoptic kidneys with stenotic lesions or arterial aneurism (5 cases); transplanted grafts which developed renal artery stenosis (2 cases). Incidence of arterial thrombosis and ureteral fistula was significantly higher in the first group than in grafts where no "bench" surgery had been performed. Medium- and long-term actuarial survival, however, showed no difference. In the second and third groups, extracorporeal arterial reconstructive surgery is a technique with a high risk for the loss of the involved renal unit.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Irritable bowel syndrome treatment using pinaverium bromide as a calcium channel blocker. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the principal causes of days lost from work. As there has been no effective treatment up to now, sufferers turn to various doctors and try all sorts of medicines over extended periods that last for years. Thus irritable bowel syndrome has become a serious socio-economic problem that affects the family and the workplace. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among 40 consecutive irritable bowel syndrome patients (mean age: 31.4 +/- 1.8, range 17-52 year; females). Pinaverium bromide (50 mg) or placebo was taken orally t.i.d with food. RESULTS: Pinaverium bromide diminished pain duration from several hours to a few minutes (P Text:nav2]Conclusions. Pinaverium bromide is safe, and produce a significant benefit in the quality of the patients life, hence may be a valuable drug for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

[Differences in the cellular response of the immune system in patients with Paget's disease of bone after elcatonin and etidronate administration].

A cellular immunological defect is present in patients with Paget's disease of the bone. Low counts of CD4, high counts of CD8, and a low CD4/CD8 ratio were observed in 58 patients compared with controls. These findings were not correlated with the metabolic activity of the disease. After therapy with Elcatonine an improvement in the cellular immunological defect was observed in 15 patients. Etidronate improved the biochemical bone patterns but no changes were observed in the number of lymphocytic subpopulations. These changes can be related to the improvement in the bone metabolic disorder or be the result of an effect on the altered immunity in this disease.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

CD5+ B lymphocytes in HIV infection: relationship to immunological progression of disease.

We analyzed CD5+ B cells in HIV-seropositive individuals because there is accumulating evidence of the involvement of this subset in natural immunity against virus and bacteria. There are also arguments maintaining that CD5+ B cells play a role in autoimmunity and lymphoid malignancies, both phenomena which are strongly associated with HIV infection. Seventy-two HIV-positive subjects (58 drug abusers, 7 homosexual men, 4 heterosexuals, and 3 hemophiliacs) were included in a phenotypic study of mononuclear cells. A direct immunofluorescence with doubly conjugated monoclonal antibodies was performed, and analysis was carried out in a FACScan cytometer. HIV-infected patients showed a striking increase in the percentage of CD5+ B lymphocytes (54.7 +/- 19% of circulating B cells) compared with HIV-negative drug users (35.5 + 14%) and with healthy controls (17 +/- 5%), P < 0.01 and P < 0.0001, respectively. In addition, levels of CD5+ B cells were correlated with CD4+ cell counts (r = -0.50373), WR staging (r = 0.5295), lymphocytopenia (r = 0.57356), and T4/T8 ratio (r = -0.3151) and showed a close association with the progression of immune system damage by HIV. Patients who developed hypergammaglobulinemia, thrombocytopenia, or other autoimmune manifestations associated with HIV infection showed levels of CD5+ B cells increased over those of the remaining HIV-seropositive individuals (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.05).

Adult↗