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Biomedical subjects

J Bacallao

Publications and source records attributed to J Bacallao.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Trends in infant mortality inequalities in the Americas: 1955-1995.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: s: To describe overall and income related trends in infant mortality inequalities in the Region of the Americas from 1955 to 1995. DESIGN: Infant mortality rates (IMRs) were computed and their trends assessed by ordinary least squares. Overall trends in IMR inequalities among countries were analysed by comparing 10 year period IMRs, Gini coefficients, and Lorenz curves. Income related trends in IMR inequalities were assessed using 10 year period IMR ratios between the highest and the lowest quintiles of the per capita gross national product (GNP) distributions (adjusted for purchasing power). SETTING: Aggregated country data were used for all countries with over 200 thousand inhabitants (33 geopolitical units). The 10 year period midpoint IMR estimates used for the 1955-1995 time series were those published by the United Nations in 1997. MAIN RESULTS: IMRs decreased from 90.34 to 31.31 per 1000 live births between 1955 and 1995 at an average of 15.3 every 10 years. In contrast, Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients were similar for the five 10 year periods. After grouping by adjusted GNP distribution, a similar decreasing trend of IMR was observed in all groups. The rate ratio between the group at the lowest quintile and that at the highest quintile ranged from 4 to 5. The analysis of variance for repeated observations showed that there is a significant reduction in the IMR (F=130.18; p<0.01), that trends did not differ significantly among groups (F=1.16; p=0.32), and that they were approximately linear (F=155.83; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a sizable reduction in the infant mortality, whether or not income related, levels of IMR inequality among countries have remained almost constant between 1955 and 1995 in the Region of the Americas. Further analysis and focused interventions are needed to tackle the challenges of reducing these persistent mortality inequalities.

Americas↗
PubMed1999

[Anthropometric characteristics of obese women before and after weight reduction].

Anthropometric changes in 53 premenopausal obese women, 25-45 year-old, after an obesity treatment, were analyzed. Before and immediately after treatment, midarm, abdomen, waist, hip, midthigh and midcalf circumferences, as well as tricipital, bicipital, suprailiac, subscapular, abdominal and calf skinfold thickness were measured. The later averaged over percentil 75th. All final measurements, except midcalf circumference, abdomen/waist and hip/midthigh indexes, were significantly lowers as compared with the initial values. Body weight decreased on average 8.9 kg, and skinfold thickness mean fell below the 75th percentile. Percentage body fat decreased 18.3%, and body mass index 11%. Initial principal component analysis results, exhibited three chief characteristics of obesity: general adiposity; trunk vs. extremity fatness, and upper vs. lower fatness. Body fat distribution pattern and body composition were modified as a result of the treatment. Therefore, the morbidity risk associated with them, was substantially reduced.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1996

Body mass index at different ages and its association with height at age 14 and with the whole growing process.

The relevance of the association of the body mass index (BMI) at 1,4,6, and 12 years of age with the growing process and its capacity for predicting height at age 14 was investigated in a sample of 354 adolescents (182 boys and 172 girls). Regression analysis showed that body bulk at various ages, as expressed by the BMI is closely related with the height attained at age 14, and longitudinal principal components analysis suggested that it is also associated with the whole growing process. The way in which BMI affects height could be related with the stage of sexual development, which seems to play an intermediate role in the pathway linking body bulk and height.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The relationship of birthweight with height at 14 and with the growing process.

The association of birthweight with length at 12 mo and with height at different ages was assessed in a sample of 260 healthy adolescents (130 boys and 130 girls). The longitudinal study included measures on body weight and height at 4, 6, 12, and 14 yr of age. Birthweight is highly correlated with stature at 14 years, particularly in male adolescents. Longitudinal principal components analysis (LPCA) showed that it is also correlated with the growing process. There is also strong evidence that birthweight can be a good predictor of the onset of the pubertal maturation process.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Influence of breast feeding on nutritional development of infants with persistent diarrhea].

The evolution of some nutritional anthropometric indicators was studied in a 115 breast-feeding infants (52 received breast-feeding during the first four months of life (120 days) exclusively and 63 mixed feeding). Breast feeding infants showed sustained weight increment during the four weeks of evolution. The multivariate repeated measures analysis performed, proved significant changes during evolution's time in all studied indicator in lineal form, as well as interaction between type of feeding and indicators evolution except the subescapular fat fold. Author concluded that it should be reinforced the breast-feeding practice promotion as an effective way for the nutritional recovery of breast-feeding infants with persistent diarrhoea.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed1994

Percentiles of the waist-hip ratio in Cuban scholars aged 4.5 to 20.5 years.

Values of the waist-hip ratio (WHR), expressed as percentiles and stratified by sex and age, were obtained from a simple judgment sample of 7285 schoolchildren and adolescents (3721 males and 3564 females) aged between 4.5 and 20.5 years. WHR is higher with age in males, and it changes more gradually chronologically also. The graph for males shows three relative maxima at 6, 11-12 and 15-16 years; and for females, two relative maxima at 10 and 13 years. In females, there are two sharp reductions between 10 and 13 and between 13 and 16 years of age. The changes in WHR are associated with age and sexual maturation in both sexes. We conclude that WHR might be useful in assessing body fat distribution in late childhood and adolescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Subscapular/triceps index: percentile values in Cuban children and adolescents].

The percentiles (3,10,25,50,75,90 and 97) of the subscapular/triceps Index (SS/TR), obtained in a sample of 7286 subjects (3721 males and 3765 females) aged 5 to 20 years, were calculated. Median values of SS/TR are generally higher in females up to the age of 13 years approximately, and show a pattern of peripheral distribution of fat during all the period of study. In males, a pattern of central distribution of fat develops starting from age fourteen and becomes more central as age increases. Values obtained were higher than those reported in the literature at all ages and in both sexes. The results reported in this paper show that SS/TR is useful for assessing changes in the pattern of fat distribution during childhood and adolescence.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1992

Adiposity and growth: relationship of stature at fourteen years with relative body weight at different ages and several measures of adiposity and body bulk.

A non-probabilistic sample of 354 healthy adolescents (182 boys and 172 girls) with ages ranging from 13.6 to 14.5 years was studied. Measurements of mid-arm muscle, thigh and leg circumferences, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, and records of body weight and height at one, four, six and twelve years of age were available. The sexual maturation stage of all subjects was also determined. Height at fourteen years was found to be significantly associated with relative body weight at different ages in both sexes, and particularly with the relative weight at twelve months. Height is more strongly related with indicators of lean body mass than with indicators of adiposity, especially in boys. The stage of sexual development is also an important determinant of stature at fourteen years of age. The results seem to support the hypothesis that the same factors which increase fat deposition, contribute to increase lean tissues and linear growth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Atherosclerosis in diabetes and hypertension. A comparative morphometric study of their progression using an atherometric system.

The three major epicardial coronary arteries of a set of 472 autopsy cases divided into four groups: a) non-diabetics and non-hypertensive, 322 subjects; b) hypertensive, 75 subjects; c) diabetics, 57 subjects and d) hypertensive and diabetic, 17 subjects, were studied. Classical pathomorphological procedures and an atherometric system (AS), suitable to characterize the atherosclerotic lesions, was used searching for differences between the level of atherosclerosis into these four groups and its eventual progression according to the time of evolution of these diseases. Raw data processing was full automated and some univariate and multivariate statistical procedures (means, standard deviations, ANOVA, MANOVA and principal components analysis) were performed using two commercial statistical packages: "NCSS" and "SYSTAT". The most remarkable findings were the following: Diabetes and hypertension have both strong impact upon the rate at which the atherosclerotic process takes place in subjects affected by these diseases. The time of evolution of both diseases correlates positively and independently of age with the velocity of the atherosclerotic process at the three coronary arteries. The impact of diabetes seems to be stronger and is particularly expressed by the severe plaques (Z) while the effect of hypertension is specially observable at the fibrous plaques (Y). There seems to be no significant interaction (synergism) between the two risk factors upon the measurement of the atherosclerotic lesions, that is, they have an additive effect. Two simple underlying factors can be used to account for interindividual differences. These two factors are "dominated", respectively, by fibrous (Y) and severe plaques (Z).

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Atherosclerotic lesion of the circle of Willis: its study applying an atherometric system using multivariate statistical techniques.

In 2043 autopsies divided into the high (HAG) and low (LAG) atherosclerosis group a set of variables of a new atherometric system (AS) was used to characterize the atherosclerotic lesion (AL) in the circle of Willis arteries: fatty streaks (X), fibrous plaques (Y), severe plaques (Z), index of stenosis (P) and index of benignity (B). Principal component analysis identified a first component of severity (Y, P and Z) and a second component of benignity (X and B). Fibrous plaques play the main role in the severity of AL in the circle of Willis. The new AS proved its usefulness in characterizing the state of AL, whereas discriminant analysis and AS distinguished between the HAG and the LAG. The classification was correct in 74.5% and 76.5% when using three (X, Y, Z) and five (X, Y, Z, P, B) variables, respectively.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed1989

Fiber and exercise in the treatment of obese adolescents.

The changes in body weight, body fat, lean body mass, and the efficiency index were studied in a sample of 80 obese males and females undergoing four different treatments, using two treatment components: an increase in dietary fiber, and energy expenditure through exercise. In both sexes there was a significant effect of exercise upon body weight and an improvement in the efficiency index. There was also a significant interaction between fiber and exercise in girls, but not in boys. This suggests that the eventual effect of dietary fiber is heightened by exercise, as corroborated by significant differences in some of the groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Coronary atherosclerotic lesion: its characterization applying an atherometric system, using discriminant analysis.

A given set of autopsies (total 2043) divided into high and low atherosclerosis groups (HAG, LAG) according to the primary cause of death 1171 and 872 cases, respectively, was studied by an atherometric system. The variables of this system characterize the pathomorphological changes, i.e. fatty streaks (X), fibrous plaques (Y) and severe (complicated and calcified) plaques (Z) of atherosclerosis. In the present study were also included two indices, stenosis (P) and benignity (B), applicable for estimation of the severity of the process. In order to verify the discrimination between the HAG and LAG groups the utility of the classification should be demonstrated. The three main branches of the coronary arteries, right (RC), left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LC), were examined. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the different vascular changes were made by means of a digitizer coupled to a personal computer NEC 9801 (Japan). The data were processed in a computer EC-1040 (GDR). The multivariate statistical techniques, including discriminant analysis were used applying the "SPSS" commercial statistical package programme. The atherometric system proved to be useful to distinguish between HAG and LAG. Correct classification was in all cases greater than 70% except for LC (68%). The three variables X, Y and Z were capable to separate the groups. The stenosis and benignity indices proved to be the most effective for discrimination. The sign of benignity index discriminating function is always the same of the LAG. This variable is indeed one to indicate benignity. The coherence and consistency of the atherometric system developed was proved by discriminant analysis.

Coronary Artery Disease↗
PubMed1987

Atherosclerotic lesion of the aorta: its study applying a biometric system using multivariate statistical techniques.

UNLABELLED: To study the atherosclerotic lesion (a.l.) in the two aorta segments (thoracic and abdominal) in a given set of autopsies (total 2043) performed during five years (1981-85) in one of the principal general hospitals in the city of Havana, a set of five variables was used as part of a new biometric system (BS), to characterize the a.l. in any vascular sector. Three of these variables represent the main types of a.l., fatty streaks (X), fibrous plaques (Y) and severe (complicated and calcified) plaques (Z), while the others were indices of stenosis (P) and benignity (B). Classical dissection and pathological laboratory procedures were performed. Qualitative and quantitative gross morphometric analyses were done by a digitilizer joined to a NEC (9801) personal microcomputer (Japan). These data were processed in a medium size computer EC-1040 (GDR). The multivariate statistical techniques, the principal component analysis (PCA) and the discriminant analysis (DA), were used applying the "SPSS" programme. CONCLUSIONS: (1) PCA revealed in the two aorta segments studied a first component of benignity, fatty streaks (X) and benignity index (B) and a second component of severity, severe plaques (Z) and stenosis number (P). Because of the dimensions of the two aorta segments (width and length) the dominant, first component, is benignity. So the BS is useful in characterizing and describing the lesional state of any aorta segments; (2) DA and BS proved to be useful to distinguish between the high atherosclerotic group (HAG) and the low atherosclerotic group (LAG). The correct classification rate exceed in all cases 70%. The three components of the lesional state vector (X,Y,Z) distinguish the groups. The stenosis (P) and benignity (B) indices proved to be most relevant. The sign of benignity index is always the same as that of the LAG. Thus this variable truly represents benignity. The coherence and consistency of the BS was also proved by DA.

Aorta, Abdominal↗
PubMed1987

The lesional state vector: a new approach to characterize atherosclerotic lesions.

A new approach to study the atherosclerotic lesions (AL) applying a vectorial system is presented. The "lesional state vector" (LSV) is formed by using as vectors the three main types of AL, e.g. fatty streak, fibrous plaque and severe plaque (complicated and calcified considered together) as the coordinates. This vectorial representation is part of a biometric system described in 1982 by Carlevaro and Fernández-Britto, to characterize the AL in any vascular sector or group of patients. The LSV is a suitable tool to study the AL since it conserves all the information available as primary data and it is extremely useful for comparative studies applying different statistical techniques, including multivariate approaches. To demonstrate its advantage, we studied the coronary vessels (right, left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries), the cerebral arteries (circle of Willis) and the aorta (thoracic and abdominal segments) in 2,043 autopsies performed during 5 years (1981-1985). The patients were classified according to the primary cause of death, as high atherosclerotic (HAG) or low atherosclerotic groups (LAG), comprising 1,171 and 872 cases, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative gross analysis were done by a digitizer joined to a personal computer (NEC 9801, Japan). These data were processed on computer ES 1040, GDR. The statistical techniques applied (including the multivariate analysis) were those available in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Applying the LSV to the arteries studied it was found that in the coronary arteries and in the circle of Willis, the severe plaque and the fibrous plaque played the most important roles, respectively. Graphic representation can make differentiation between HAG and LAG easy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Arteriosclerosis↗