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Biomedical subjects

J Ferrándiz

Publications and source records attributed to J Ferrándiz.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Spatial interaction between neighbouring counties: cancer mortality data in Valencia Spain.

The statistical analysis of geographical mortality data has usually been approached via regression models that include appropriate covariates. These models assume stochastic independence of mortality counts for neighbouring sites, a questionable assumption that spatial automodels (Besag, 1974, Journal of the Royal Statistical Society, Series B 36, 192-236) make unnecessary. This paper presents the use of the autopoisson distribution in order to detect spatial interaction between neighbouring sites. If this interaction results in being nonsignificant, the auto-Poisson distribution reduces to a usual Poisson regression model, a particular case of generalized linear models (McCullagh and Nelder, 1989, Generalized Linear Models, 2nd edition. London: Chapman and Hall) which can be analyzed with the GLIM package.

Colonic Neoplasms↗

[Point processes as a tool for analyzing possible sources of contamination].

Point pattern analysis pattern comprises a series of techniques that enables the distribution of a series of events occurring in the vicinity of a particular region of a map to be studied. In epidemiology, this problem arises when a potential source of environmental contamination, possibly leading to cases of a specific disease, is investigated.The present study provides a brief description of point pattern analysis. The approach is illustrated through determination of the environmental source and study of the areas of greatest risk of incidence of an outbreak of legionella pneumonia that occurred between the middle of September and beginning of October in the city of Alcoi in Alicante (Spain).Point pattern analysis was able to confirm the environmental source of the outbreak and identify the areas of the city at greatest risk. This provided the justification for an exhaustive inspection of the installations generating aerosols after which, to date, the epidemics ceased.

Environmental Microbiology↗

Detection of activated basophils using flow cytometry for diagnosis in atopic patients.

BACKGROUND: human basophils release mediators of allergy after cross-linking of IgE receptors by allergens. Specific activation of basophils is detectable through flow cytometry (FCM) using an anti-CD63 fluorescein-conjugated monoclonal antibody. OBJECTIVES: this study evaluate the detection of activated basophils by FCM in routine diagnosis of atopic diseases as regard to skin prick tests and specific immunoglobulin E antibodies. METHODS AND RESULTS: whole blood from twenty patients suspected of atopy was preincubated with interleukin-3 (IL-3), then incubated with specific allergens. After staining using anti-CD63 antibodies, activated basophils were detected through FCM. IL-3-preincubation increases the spontaneous expression of CD63 even at low concentrations (0.1 ng/ml) on the basophils of 2 patients out of 20. The sensitivity and specificity of FCM were respectively 0.56 +/- 0.17 (m +/- SD) and 1.0 +/- 0.0 for the detection of dust mite-activated basophils without IL-3 preincubation, and 0.73 +/- 0.13 and 1.0 +/- 0.0 for the detention of grass pollen-activated basophils. IL-3-preincubation increased the sensitivity in a dose-dependent manner but decreased the specificity fo FCM for detecting dust mite hypersensitivity. CONCLUSION: this method allow for rapid and easy detection of activated basophils from whole blood, and could be of interest for detecting allergies to non-conventional allergens such as pharmaceutical drugs.

Allergens↗

[Recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in health personnel of the Peruvian Institute of Social Security].

The immune response to cuban recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine was studied (sero conversion, sero protection, hyper response and geometric median) in 211 health workers from different general hospitals of Peruvian Social Security, along the coast of Perú. Vaccine was given by deltoid intramuscular injection at 0-1-2 months interval. Quantification of Anti HBS was done according to Organon Tecknica Methodology. Sero protection was obtained in 97% of people studied just at days of the first injection. Women less than 40 years old showed better immunogenic response. This Hepatitis B Vaccine program is recommended due to its symmetry, short time course and high immune protection obtained.

Adult↗

[Megaloblastic anemia associated with chronic diarrhea. A prospective and multicenter study in Lima].

Since 1986 we have been observing an increased number of patients with megaloblastic anaemia (MA) associated to chronic diarrhea. In 60% of the cases we could not identify any etiologic factor. In the last three years a prospective study in Lima (Peru) has been carried on aimed to investigate this aspect; patients with diseases recognized to be associated to MA were excluded. 45 patients were included age average 37.5 years, all of them have a confirmed diagnosis by bone marrow; 64% with low serum B12 and folic acid, 20% with low serum B12, and 16% with low serum folic acid. Gastric biopsies did not show atrophy in 67%; intragastric pH was lower than 4 in 50% duodenal content culture was positive in 35% (6/17) to aerobic gram negative agents; 62% (5/8) of duodenal biopsies, 83% (5/6) of jejunal biopsies, 4/4 (100%) of ileal biopsies, showed diverse structural changes; 100% did not show Diphyllobothrium pacificum. All these findings make us suggest that a significative number of patients with MA and chronic diarrhea in Lima are related to small bowel bacterial overgrowth. These bacteria can "sequestrate" or consume folates and cobalamines besides the direct damage they can cause to intestinal morphology. Future studies are needed to confirm our proposal and define if these cases belong to a variety of tropical sprue.

Adolescent↗