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Biomedical subjects

H Gómez

Publications and source records attributed to H Gómez.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Acute toxicological effects in rats treated with a mixture of commercially formulated products containing methyl parathion and permethrin.

The study examined the interactions between a commercial formulation of methyl parathion (CF-MP) and a commercially formulated product of permethrin (CF-PMT) in male rats. The acute toxicity (LD50 values) and brain cholinesterase activity were investigated as toxicological endpoints. Results indicated that CF-MP modified the acute toxicity of CF-PMT. When animals were treated with a mixture, the addition of 380 mg/kg of CF-MP reduced the LD50 of CF-PMT by only 9.0%; however, when rats received CF-MP at 464 mg/kg, the LD50 of CF-PMT was reduced by 37% (P < 0.001). Also, CF-PMT decreased the CF-MP-induced inhibition of cholinesterase activity by 50% (P < 0.05). It was interesting to observe that xylene, which is the most abundant component in the vehicle of both formulations, had no effect on the CF-MP-induced inhibition of the cholinesterase activity. There was no relation between lethality and the inhibition of the brain cholinesterase activity in rats treated with mixtures containing CF-MP+CF-PMT or with either commercially formulated product alone. Considering the increased toxicity observed in rats treated with CF-PMT+CF-MP, it would be advisable to investigate further the interactions between both pesticides.

Animals

Genotoxic monitoring of workers at a hazardous waste disposal site in Mexico.

Chromosomal aberration and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) frequencies were determined in lymphocytes cultured from 12 high-risk individuals working at a landfill for hazardous waste disposal. Cell proliferation kinetics (CPK) was also determined. Compared with 7 control individuals, no effects were observed with respect to SCE nor on CPK. However, the workers exhibited significantly higher frequencies of chromatid and chromosomal deletions, the magnitude of which was related with exposure time. This study suggests that when high-risk exposure is suspected, determining biomarkers of genotoxic damage (e.g., chromosomal aberrations), is useful for risk assessments.

Cell Division

Ceftibuten and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for treatment of Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli disease.

In a prospective randomized study at two clinical sites, ceftibuten was compared with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), both given orally for a period of 5 days, for the treatment of dysentery. Twenty-two children were found to have bacillary dysentery caused by Shigella and/or enteroinvasive Escherichia coli. All organisms isolated were susceptible to ceftibuten; 6 of 20 Shigella strains and 4 of 5 enteroinvasive E. coli were resistant to TMP-SMX. The diarrhea persisted for a mean (+/- SD) period of 2.4 +/- 1.4 days in the ceftibuten-treated patients vs. 3.4 +/- 1.7 days in the TMP-SMX-treated patients. The duration of fever was similar for both treatment groups. Patients treated with ceftibuten or TMP-SMX had equivalent clinical responses unless the pathogen was found to be TMP-SMX-resistant. Those who were randomized to receive TMP-SMX but who were eventually found to have TMP-SMX-resistant organisms had significantly more stools at days 3, 4 and 5 (P less than 0.02 to less than 0.00006) with more watery consistency for these days (P less than 0.02 to less than 0.005) compared to patients treated with ceftibuten. No clinical relapses were reported and no drug-related side effects were observed. We conclude that ceftibuten is at least as effective as TMP-SMX in the treatment of diarrhea caused by Shigella and enteroinvasive E. coli in children.

Adolescent

Bone mineral density in patients with cervical and trochanteric fractures of the proximal femur.

The bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal femur, spine and radius shaft was determined in 75 women with atraumatic fractures of the proximal femur (FXf) (average age: 70.1 +/- 9.6 years) and 51 controls of similar age. Fractures were classified as either cervical (n = 36) or trochanteric (n = 39) on the basis of radiographic and surgical finding. The BMD of spine and proximal femur was determined by dual-photon absorptiometry (Lunar DP3) and the BMD of the radius shaft by single photon absorptiometry. The BMD of patients with FXf was significantly decreased over all skeletal sites compared to controls of similar age. No significant correlation was found between age and the BMD of the femoral neck in patients with FXf. Patients with trochanteric FXf were older and thinner (average: age, 72.9 +/- 9.4 years; weight, 53.1 +/- 7.8 kg) compared with patients with cervical fractures (age, 67.2 +/- 8.9 years; weight, 59.3 +/- 8.3 kg). Likewise the BMD of trochanteric FXf was lower at all measured sites: femoral neck, 0.548 +/- 0.066 g/cm2 vs 0.624 +/- 0.055 g/cm2 (P less than 0.001); L2-L4, 0.799 +/- 0.115 g/cm2 vs 0.925 +/- 0.106 g/cm2 (P less than 0.001); radius shaft, 0.454 +/- 0.057 g/cm2 vs 0.502 +/- 0.083 g/cm2 (P less than 0.05). Of the patients with trochanteric fractures 66% had concomitant vertebral fractures, while this occurred in only 28% of the patients with cervical fractures (P (Fisher) = 0.0007). In summary, females with trochanteric FXf are older, thinner, have less bone mass in all measured sites and suffer with a significantly greater frequency of vertebral fractures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorptiometry, Photon

Assessment of Venezuelan health services from a social development perspective.

This paper evaluates four health programs housed in the Venezuelan Ministry of Health and Social Assistance: malaria eradication, infant paralysis, highrisk pregnancy and child birth and community participation. For each of the programs the study (a) identifies key management features relating to structure and strategy; (b) examines program performance to assess its consistency with the declared objective of promoting social development; and (c) evaluates what structure and strategy features may have contributed to the social development of the target community. Also, the information mechanisms which link planners, executors and the 'clients', were examined. Lastly, the extent to which target population involved in the decisions made with respect to each program, was reviewed.

Community Health Services

Distribution of ABO blood groups and other genetic markers in mothers of infants with congenital malformations.

The distribution of ABO and Rh (antigen D) blood groups and of serum albumin, haptoglobin and transferrin variants, in a group of mothers of malformed newborns was investigated. In the first phase of the study, the results showed borderline statistical differences in the distribution of the transferrin types between the study group and a suitable control population. The second phase of the research, where only transferrin phenotypes were studied, showed the same trend as in the first one, but the results were not statistically significant. We conclude that probably there are no true distribution differences, but that it would be desirable to study this problem in a different ethnic group.

ABO Blood-Group System

[Cloverleaf cranial anomaly. Report of 2 cases].

Two cases of cloverleaf anomaly are presented. The first one was associated to complete spina bifida and flexion of elbows and knees, and the second to syndactyly of 3rd and 4th fingers of both hands; short, broad and swerved thumbs; rudimentary bilateral preaxial polydactyly, pes varus with broad first metatarsus. Authors agree with the opinion that this anomaly is a sign which may occur in disorders with early craniosynostosis and emphasise the importance of the identification of the underlying disorder because, knowing its pattern of inheritance, a proper genetic advice may be rendered. The neurosurgical procedure can be useful for cosmetic purposes and for encephalitic decompression, but the results are somewhat unsatisfactory because of the severity of the defect.

Abnormalities, Multiple