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J J Soler

Publications and source records attributed to J J Soler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A quantitative trait locus for recognition of foreign eggs in the host of a brood parasite.

Avian brood parasites reduce the reproductive output of their hosts and thereby select for defence mechanisms such as ejection of parasitic eggs. Such defence mechanisms simultaneously select for counter-defences in brood parasites, causing a coevolutionary arms race. Although coevolutionary models assume that defences and counter-defences are genetically influenced, this has never been demonstrated for brood parasites. Here, we give strong evidence for genetic differences between ejector and nonejectors, which could allow the study of such host defence at the genetic level, as well as studies of maintenance of genetic variation in defences. Briefly, we found that magpies, that are the main host of the great spotted cuckoo in Europe, have alleles of one microsatellite locus (Ase64) that segregate between accepters and rejecters of experimental parasitic eggs. Furthermore, differences in ejection rate among host populations exploited by the brood parasite covaried significantly with the genetic distance for this locus.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

[Prevalence of malnutrition in outpatients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in outpatients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) followed at a respiratory clinic. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In this prospective study, we assessed the nutritional status of consecutive outpatients with stable COPD by investigating various anthropometric parameters. Patients were malnourished (low body weight) if their body mass index was within the bottom quartile of a reference population. Muscle mass was determined from the midarm muscle area and if this mass was at or within the bottom quartile, muscle wasting was present. Albumin and transferrin plasma concentrations were used as a measure of visceral protein stores. Fat stores were assessed from body fat and if this value was at or within the bottom quartile, calorific malnutrition was present. All patients underwent arterial blood gas sampling at rest and spirometry. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients--one woman (0.6%) and 177 men (99.4%)--were enrolled in the study, with a mean (SD) age of 69 (9) years. We found low body weight in 19.1% of the patients, muscle wasting in 47.2%, visceral protein depletion in 17.4%, and fat depletion in 19.1%. Of the patients with normal weight, 62.9% showed muscle wasting. The proportion of patients with a body mass index or midarm muscle area at or within the bottom quartile increased significantly with increased bronchial obstruction (P<.001 and P=.015, respectively), though 35.7% of the patients showed muscle wasting even when COPD was mild. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients with stable COPD suffer malnutrition. Nutritional state is worse with more severe COPD. Depletion involves both fat stores and muscle and visceral protein stores, but the greatest effect is seen in muscle wasting. A significant number of patients with normal weight also suffer muscle wasting. Although changes in body composition were common in our patients, low body weight was less prevalent than has been reported for populations in countries that are socially and economically similar to Spain.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Parasitism, host immune defence and dispersal.

Host-parasite interactions have been hypothesized to affect the evolution of dispersal by providing a possibility for hosts to escape debilitating parasites, and by influencing the level of local adaptation. We used a comparative approach to investigate the relationship between a component of host immune function (which reflects the evolutionary history of parasite-induced natural selection) and dispersal in birds. We used a sample of 46 species of birds for which we had obtained field estimates of T-cell response for nestlings, mainly from our own field studies in Denmark and Spain. Bird species with longer natal, but not with longer breeding dispersal distances had a stronger mean T-cell-mediated immune response in nestlings than species with short dispersal distances. That was also the case when controlling for the potentially confounding effect of migration from breeding to wintering area, which is known from previous studies to be positively associated with dispersal distance. These relationships held even when controlling for similarity among species because of common ancestry. Avian hosts with a larger number of different breeding habitats had weaker mean T-cell-mediated immune responses than habitat specialists. This relationship held even when controlling for similarity among species because of common ancestry. Therefore, T-cell-mediated immunity is an important predictor of evolutionary changes in dispersal ability among common European birds.

Animal Migration↗
PubMed2003

Duration of length of stay in pneumonia: influence of clinical factors and hospital type.

Length of stay (LOS) in hospital for community-acquired pneumonia depends on the characteristics of the patient and hospital. The present study sought to identify these variables within the first 24 h of hospitalisation. Patients hospitalised for pneumonia in four hospitals (one teaching and three general hospitals) had their data analysed by univariate and multivariate statististics. The variables entered were LOS, demographical characteristics, referral source, comorbidity, initial severity of illness, laboratory analyses, initial radiograph findings and antibiotic treatment regimens. The study sample included 425 patients. The overall mortality was 8.2% and the median LOS was 9 days. Using LOS as a dependent variable, three multivariate linear regression analyses were performed with: 1) the whole cohort; 2) the low-risk classes (categories I and II of Fine); and 3) the high-risk classes (categories III, IV and V of Fine). The mathematical model identified hypoxemia, low diastolic pressure, pleural effusion, multi-lobe involvement and hypoalbuminaemia as associated with longer stays in risk classes III-V, while in the low-risk patients (I-II) only hypoxemia and pleural effusion appeared in the equation. Following adjustment for these clinical variables, the LOS remained lower in some hospitals. Several independent clinical factors increased the pneumonia-associated length of stay with significant differences between hospitals. Hypoxemia and pleural effusions were the predictive variables of length of stay in low-risk patients and, additionally, diastolic blood pressure, multi-lobe involvement and hypoalbuminaemia were significant in the higher-risk classes III-V.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Mafia behaviour and the evolution of facultative virulence.

Some organisms enforce "maladaptive" behaviours on others of the same or different species by imposing costs in the absence of compliance. Such enforcement is used by the enforcer to obtain benefits in the possession of the enforced individual. This mechanism is known as mafia behaviour in humans, but may be widespread in parasite-host relationships in nature, from the cellular level to societies. In this paper we describe the evolution of such mafia mechanisms, and we propose a fuzzy logic model where the mafia mechanism is based on enforcement of hosts by exponentially increasing the cost of resistance to the parasite. The benefits of host resistance can be counteracted by parasite virulence, or even a decrease in response to an increment in its resistance. This parasite response to the host defence increment can be used for the parasite to teach the host that it is better to pay part of its benefits than increase its extremely costly defence. This model differs from others because it takes into account the evolution of host defence related to the evolution of parasite virulence (host-parasite coevolution) and points out an optimum in host defence related to the facultative virulence of the parasite. We provide several potential examples of facultative virulence depending on the antiparasite responses of hosts, and we suggest that this kind of mafia behaviour may be a widespread mechanism in biological processes at a number of different levels.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Use of the Gamma nail in the treatment of fractures of the proximal femur.

Fractures of the proximal femur are, more than ever, an important challenge in the field of traumatology. The Gamma nail, a combination of advantages of the sliding screw with the intramedullary nail, represents an efficient technique in the management of these fractures. A series of 224 fractures of the proximal femur in which this nail was used is reported. The average age of the patients was 79.2 years. The mean healing time was 68.2 days in 99.4% of the cases. The incidence of perioperative complications was 10.3% showing that, in most of the cases, the complications occurred because of poor technique. Postoperative complications occurred with an incidence of 14.1%. Seven cases of migration of a proximal screw, six shaft fractures, and one broken nail were the most important complications. The device allowed for early mobilization and full weightbearing of the affected hip regardless of the type of fracture. With adequate surgical technique and experience, the advantages of the Gamma nail increases as the complication rate diminishes.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Reliability of the presurgical anatomopathologic diagnosis in primary bronchogenic carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: The specific cell type in primary lung cancer (LC) has important consequences, both for treatment and prognosis. Our objective has been to evaluate the degree of accuracy of several preoperative techniques in the LC diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 442 diagnostic techniques realized in 360 patients who underwent thoracotomy for LC in our hospital (1988-1994). Twelve sputum cytologies, 93 transthoracic needle biopsies (TNB), 73 bronchial aspirated cytologies, 30 bronchial brushing, 205 bronchial biopsies (BB) and 29 transbronchial biopsies were included. In each case the cellular type of LC, obtained through these techniques, was compared with the result derived from the study of surgical piece (reference diagnosis). To calculate the degree of concordance between both diagnoses we used the kappa coefficient (K). RESULTS: The overall concordance between the cellular type observed in the different preoperative techniques and the definitive result obtained by thoracotomy was 0.61. The worst test was TNB (K = 0.41). Sputum cytology and BB presented a good histopathological precision (K = 0.75 and 0.70 respectively). The rest of techniques showed moderate results. On the different histologies, the best result was obtained in squamous carcinoma (K = 0.68) and the worst in undifferentiated large cell carcinoma (LCC) (K = 0.39). Small-cell lung cancer only showed a moderate concordance (K = 0.58). The coexistence and coincidence of two or more tests with the same cellular type were associated with a higher proportion of accuracy (0.97 vs 0.73; p = 0.00002; odds ratio: 12.02). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative histopathological diagnoses should be interpreted with caution, especially those obtained by TNB and those where it is implied the LCC. In these two circumstances and in cases in which the knowledge of the cellular type have relevance, we think that the initial diagnosis should be reinforced with a second result. The precision of the preoperative diagnoses in small-cell lung cancer must be reevaluated.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

[Factors related to diagnostic reliability of bronchial biopsy in primary bronchogenic carcinoma].

To analyze the diagnostic reliability of bronchial biopsy (BB) in bronchogenic carcinoma and the impact of several factors, among them patient symptoms and condition, tumor characteristics and the endoscopist's and pathologist's experience. One hundred eighty-four BB from 151 patients diagnosed of bronchogenic carcinoma in our hospital in the years 1993 and 1994 were reviewed. We first performed single variable analysis, and later logistical regression analysis taking BB positivity or negativity as the dependent variable. The independent variables were age, tumor stage, histological type, lesion necrosis, number of biopsy fragments collected, size of the largest fragment, the endoscopist who performed the BB and the pathologist who studied the specimen. The diagnosis sensitivity of BB was 69.6%. The variables that significantly influenced diagnostic accuracy, in both the single variable and multiple factorial analyses, were clinical status (p < 0.0004) and necrosis (p < 0.0057) with odds ratios of 4.6088 and 0.3766, respectively. The patient's clinical status and the presence or absence of necrosis are the factors that most influence diagnostic accuracy in BB for bronchogenic carcinoma. The likelihood of obtaining a diagnosis is 4.6 greater when clinical status is severe, and 2.7 times greater in the absence of necrosis. The experience of the bronchoscopist, after a learning period, and of the examining pathologist, do not appear to have a decisive effect on diagnostic reliability in this technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Long-term effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure on ventilatory patterns of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

We studied 20 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) prospectively, before and after administering continuous positive airway pressure through a nasal mask (CPAPn) at night for 10 months, with the aim of determining the effects of ventilatory pattern of long-term treatment with CPAPn in OSAS patients. The following data were collected for all patients: anthropometric variables, lung function test results, arterial gasometric readings at rest, oxygen alveolar-arterial differential [Dif(A-a)O2)], central respiratory function variables at rest and during hypercapnic stimulus. Mean duration (range) of treatment with CPAPn was 12.5 (10-18) months. We observed a significant increase in PaO2 (p = 0.01) and a decrease in PaCO2 (p = 0.02) with slight variations in body weight and no changes in lung mechanics or in Dif(A-a)O2. The ventilatory pattern at rest showed an increased in VE and in respiratory frequency (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.033, respectively) with non significant changes in VT. The VT/Ti ratio increased (p = 0.015) and P0.1 decreased slightly (p = 0.025). We found no significant changes in the CO2 response slopes of VE or P0.1. In conclusion, CPAPn improves hypoxemia and hypercapnia in OSAS patients, above all by increasing baseline basal ventilation. The exact mechanisms implicated are poorly understood, but our data suggest a certain direct or indirect effect on respiratory muscles, reducing muscle fatigue, thus favoring greater availability during sleep.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Hemidiaphragmatic paralysis caused by cervical herpes zoster.

Although herpes zoster virus usually affects sensory nerves, it can also damage motoneurons. Injury to the phrenic nerve has been described previously, but only anecdotally. We report on a case of left hemidiaphragmatic paralysis with severe axonal degeneration secondary to cervical herpes zoster, and describe its clinical, radiological, pulmonary function and electromyographic evolution during an 18-month follow-up.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1996

[Right ventricular thrombosis and pulmonary thrombosis associated with venous-peritoneal diversion (Le Veen). Diagnosis with transesophageal echocardiography].

Central venous thrombosis (CVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are complications that have been reported in association with the use of venous-peritoneal shunts (Le Veen). CVT usually develops around the proximal end of the catheter; the clinical course is varied and usually requires venous imaging to confirm the diagnosis. We present a case of CVT associated with PE, in which the thrombus was located in the right ventricular cavity (distal to the catheter tip). Two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was used for diagnosis and follow-up.

Echocardiography, Transesophageal↗
PubMed1995

[The clinical characteristics of pleural tuberculosis in patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not there are differences in the characteristics of pleural tuberculosis (PT) related to whether patients are or are not infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of the medical histories of patients diagnosed of PT in our hospital between 1986 and 1993. RESULTS: We found no significant differences in the proportions of tuberculosis patients with or without HIV infection (8% versus 11%) who were diagnosed of PT. Of the 119 patients diagnosed of PT, 10% were also HIV positive. The HIV patients had more serious forms of PT, and among them there was a higher incidence of pleural discharge, more isolations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in sputum and pleural fluid (42% and 45% versus 13% and 15%, p < 0.05), and more deaths before end of treatment (17% versus 1%, p < 0.05). The HIV patients had a lower rate of positive results in Mantoux's intradermal reaction test (17% versus 67%, p < 0.01), however, and fewer positive results for pleural biopsy (36% versus 84% positivity for granulomas, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of PT was similar for subjects with and without HIV infection in our study. In patients with both HIV and PT pleural fluid and sputum cultures are more useful diagnostic tools than pleural biopsy, and the former tests should therefore be stressed.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1995

[Pleural thickening in tuberculous pleural effusion. The associated factors].

We aimed to determine which factors were related to the development of residual pleural thickening (RPT) after completion of prescribed treatment. Sixty-two patients with pleural tuberculosis (PTB) were assigned to 2 groups according to the presence or absence of RPT > 2 mm in the side and lower portion of a chest film after completion of prescribed treatment. No patient had been given corticoids. Thickening developed in 72.6%, more often in men (OR, 4.06; p = 0.034), in older patients (36 +/- 21 versus 27 +/- 12 years; p = 0.05). Smoking, size of effusion, duration of symptoms, encapsulation, PPD, pleural biopsy, bacteriology and pH, glucose, proteins and cholesterol in pleural fluids, as well as their respective pleura/serum coefficients, were similar in both groups. Pleural LDH (LDHp) and its pleura/serum coefficient (LDHp/LDHs) were 454.3 +/- 234.6 U/l and 3.21 +/- 1.67 U/l in the group with RPT and 306.0 +/- 137.2 U/l and 2.00 +/- 1.16 in the group with no sequelae (p = 0.004 and p = 0.016, respectively). Using 2.10 as the cutoff for LDHp/LDHs, sensitivity was 78.9% and specificity was 71.4%, giving a positive predictive value of 88.2% and a negative predictive value of 55.5%. We conclude that RPT a) is a frequent complication, b) is mainly found in men, c) is age-related and d) can be fairly safely predicted using 2.10 as the cutoff for LDHp/LDHs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Ventilatory pattern at rest and response to hypercapnic stimulation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

We studied the ventilatory pattern and mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1) at rest and the response to awake hypercapnic stimulation in 27 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The respiratory pattern was characterized by both increased P0.1 and VT/Ti (p < 0.05), with a higher VE (p < 0.01) due to a slight increase in VT. Ventilatory response to hypercapnic stimulation showed no significant differences with respect to the control group. Our findings reveal that OSAS patients show an increased minute output secondary to a mild degree of hyperstimulation on the baseline central ventilatory control and that there is a subgroup of patients with a decreased ventilatory response to CO2.

Adult↗