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Biomedical subjects

J Polo

Publications and source records attributed to J Polo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Efficacy of spray-drying to reduce infectivity of pseudorabies and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) viruses and seroconversion in pigs fed diets containing spray-dried animal plasma.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate viral inactivation by the spray-drying process used in the production of spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP). In Exp. 1, bovine plasma was inoculated with pseudorabies virus (PRV) grown in PK 15 cells. Three 4-L batches were spray-dried in the same manner and conditions of industrial SDAP production but with laboratory spray-drying equipment. Presence of infectivity was determined before and after spray-drying by microtiter assay in PK 15 cell cultures. Before spray-drying, all three samples contained 10(5.3) tissue culture infectious dose50 (TCID50)/mL of PRV. After four consecutive passages, no viable virus was detected in samples of spray-dried bovine plasma. In Exp. 2, bovine plasma was inoculated with porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) virus propagated previously in MARC cell culture to provide approximately 10(6.3) TCID50/mL. Three 4-L batches were spray-dried in the same manner as Exp. 1. Before spray-drying, samples contained TCID50 of 10(4.0), 10(3.5), and 10(3.5)/mL, respectively. After four consecutive passages in MARC cell cultures, no viable virus was detected in spray-dried bovine plasma. In Exp. 3, 36 weaned piglets (28 d of age) were fed a common diet for 14 d and were determined to be negative for PRV, PRRS, and porcine parvovirus titer. Afterwards, pigs were allotted to six pens with six pigs per pen and fed diets containing either 0 or 8% SDAP (as-fed basis) for 63 d. The SDAP used in the feed contained antibody (titer 1:400) against porcine parvovirus. Blood samples were collected from pigs on d 0 and 63 to determine whether feeding SDAP caused seroconversion and development of antibodies against parvovirus, PRRS, or PRV. Inclusion of SDAP in the diet improved growth of pigs without seroconversion. Spray-drying conditions used in this study were effective in eliminating viable pseudorabies and PRRS viruses from bovine plasma. In this study, feeding SDAP that contained functional antibodies did not promote seroconversion in naïve animals.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2004

Effects of sex on sleep-disordered breathing in adolescents.

This study was conducted to determine the influence of puberty on features of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in adolescents. The study was performed in a general population sample of 226 adolescents of both sexes (aged 11-19 yrs) recruited from the secondary school population of the city of Seville, Spain. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1) postpubertal, i.e. females who had undergone menarche and males in whom axillary hair development or peak height velocity had occurred > 1 yr before the study; and 2) peripubertal, i.e. females who had not undergone menarche and males who had not developed axillary hair nor reached peak height velocity, or subjects in whom these pubertal changes had appeared < 1 yr before the study. All subjects answered a questionnaire on SDB and underwent overnight cardiorespiratory polygraphy. There were 50 males and 40 females (mean +/- SD age 13.5 +/- 1.2 yrs) in the peripubertal group, and 54 males and 82 females (age 16.3 +/- 1.7 yrs) in the postpubertal group. Males exhibited significantly higher neck circumference/height index and waist/hip index than females in both the peripubertal and postpubertal groups. In the postpubertal group, snoring and polygraphic alterations (respiratory events and oximetric parameters) were significantly more frequent in males than in females. Postpubertal adolescents showed sex differences in clinical and polygraphic parameters that were not observed at earlier pubertal stages. These findings support the influence of sex hormones on sex differences in sleep-disordered breathing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Effects of spray-dried animal plasma on intake and apparent digestibility in dogs.

Effects of spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) on intake and apparent digestibility of major dietary components were determined using 22 adult Beagles. Trials 1 and 2 used six and eight dogs, respectively, in a switchback design using 10-d periods. Trial 3 used eight dogs in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 15-d periods. The final 5 d of each period were used for measurement of intake and fecal collections. In Trial 1, dry extruded dog food kibbles were coated with 5% tallow, 2% commercial flavor, and 0 or 2% SDAP (as-fed basis). In Trial 2, commercially available dry dog food, previously coated with fat and flavor were coated with 0 or 2% SDAP. In Trial 3, SDAP (0, 1, 2, or 3%) was blended with other ingredients and extruded (as-fed basis). Kibbles were subsequently coated with 5% poultry fat and 1% commercial flavor. Intake, fecal consistency, and apparent digestibility of nutrients were determined. Addition of SDAP did not markedly affect chemical composition of diets and did not affect intake. Digestibility of DM was improved (P < 0.04) an average of 3.2% when 2% SDAP was included in the diet for all trials. Organic matter digestibility was improved (P < 0.01) in Trials 2 and 3 by an average of 2.9%. Also, digestibility of crude fiber (Trials 1 and 2) or total dietary fiber (Trial 3) was increased with addition of SDAP to the diet (P < 0.01). Fecal DM excretion was decreased by an average of 15% across all trials with the addition of SDAP. Spray-dried animal plasma was an acceptable ingredient in dry dog food preparations, resulting in improved digestion and decreased fecal output. Changes in digestion that occurred with addition of SDAP suggested alteration in digestive capacity in dogs.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2003

Effect of fishmeal replacement with spray-dried animal plasma and colistin on intestinal structure, intestinal microbiology, and performance of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli K99.

We evaluated spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) as an alternative to antimicrobial medication with colistin sulfate in weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli K99. Forty-eight piglets weaned at 24 d of age were distributed into 12 pens, and each pen was assigned to one of four dietary treatments. All the piglets were given an oral dose of 5 x 10(7) cfu of E. coli K99 at weaning. The dietary treatments followed a factorial arrangement with two levels of SDAP (0 and 7%) and two levels of colistin (0 and 300 mg/kg of diet). The ADG and ADFI were measured on d 7 and 14 of trial. Three piglets from each treatment were killed on d 7 and 14 to remove the small intestine, and to obtain ileal and cecal digestive contents. The inclusion of SDAP improved ADG by 68 g (P < 0.05) and ADFI by 41 g (P < 0.10) in wk 1 of trial. During wk 2, SDAP improved ADG by 41 g (P < 0.10) and gain:feed ratio (G:F) by 25% (P < 0.01). On the other hand, whereas colistin had no effect on performance in wk 1, it improved ADG by 102 g (P < 0.01), ADFI by 62 g (P < 0.01), and G:F by 26% (P < 0.01) in wk 2. Over the 14 d of the trial, ADG was improved by 54 (P < 0.05) and 75 g (P < 0.05), and G:F was improved by 35 (P < 0.05) and 32% (P < 0.05) due to SDAP and colistin, respectively. There was interaction between colistin and SDAP for ADFI in wk 2 and between d 0 to 14 (P < 0.05), which indicates that their effects were not additive. The use of colistin was advantageous in the maintenance of the integrity of the intestinal mucosa of the pigs, as suggested by a small intestine that was 93 g heavier (P < 0.10) and with the tallest villi 106 microm longer (P < 0.10) than in pigs without colistin. The inclusion of SDAP in the diet favored the growth of lactobacilli in the ileum (P < 0.10) and the cecum (P < 0.05), whereas colistin reduced the number of enterococci in the cecum (P < 0.05) and of Escherichia coli both in the ileum and the cecum (P < 0.001). These results suggest that SDAP may be an alternative to medicated feed with antibiotics since it provided a level of protection against an experimental challenge with E. coli K99 similar to that obtained with colistin, an antibiotic of proven efficacy. The current situation in which the use of antimicrobials in animal feeding is being questioned should encourage further investigation into the use of SDAP as a means of preventing disease in pigs at weaning.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

[The special attention to re-admitted patients can be effective. Cost-benefit analysis of a new health care model].

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic conditions are commonly readmitted to hospital. A study was designed to improve their medical care. The cost/benefit analysis is presented to evaluate its efficiency. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients attended at the Internal Medicine Department in a hospital area who were readmitted three or more times in a year were included in the study. In a prospective study, patients were attended by means of a specific consultation with upon request care or through telephone care, with the possibility of elective admission. A comparison was made of costs of the new care program with costs of their usual care, and it was correlated with attending results. RESULTS: Patients were followed for 32 months with a 45% decrease in admissions, 50% in visits to the Emergency Department, and 26% in the hospital stay days. The new program involves monthly savings over 5 million pesetas for the attended population. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed health care program decreases the attending needs in these patients and costs derived from hospital care. An efficient alternative is shown.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2001

Brachial-jugular expanded PTFE grafts for dialysis.

The objective of this study was to analyze the long-term outcome of 51 patients with brachial-jugular grafts for dialysis. Age, presence of diabetic nephropathy, complications of the angio-access, and therapeutic methods of treating complications were analyzed. All surgical procedures were performed under local anesthesia in an ambulatory surgical setting. The duration of angio-access was analyzed using the life-table method. Our results showed that brachial-jugular grafts can be performed under local anesthesia and in an ambulatory surgical setting. This procedure can be an alternative to complex intrathoracic procedures, Dacron cuff catheters, or lower limb grafts, in cases of stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian vein.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Neurologic complications of herpes zoster. A retrospective study in 100 patients].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The neurologic complications associated with herpes zoster are infrequent except for postherpetic neuralgia. The aim of this study was to review the clinical profile and the distribution of these complications in a retrospective series of patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of the last 100 patients admitted with the diagnosis of herpes zoster with neurologic complications to our center from 1992 to 1999 by the Departments of Internal Medicine and Neurology was performed. The characteristics of the complications other than postherpetic neuralgia are reported. RESULTS: Aside from the 88 patients with postherpetic neuralgia, the 12 remaining patients presented other complications: seven different peripheral neuropathies, including three with Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, two meningitis, one encephalitis and one myelitis. In addition, one patient had ophthalmic herpes zoster with cerebral vasculopathy as ipsilateral Wallenberg's syndrome. Nine patients (75%) were males, four (25%) were under the age of 20 years and seven older than 60 years and only three were immunodepressed. The CSF was abnormal in six out of the eight patients in whom it was studied with lymphocytic pleocytosis being shown on analysis without qualitative or quantitative alteration in intrathecal synthesis of IgG. In the immunosuppressed patients the serology in the CSF of the varicela zoster virus was negative. All patients demonstrated regressive evolution following treatment with acyclovir. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologic complications other than postherpetic neuralgia occurred in 12% of the patients of this series, there was male predominance and peripheral neuropathies were the most frequent complications. Serology of the varicela zoster virus in immunosuppressed patients may be negative. In this series the prognosis was mainly satisfactory.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Brachiocephalic jump graft fistula: an alternative for dialysis use of elbow crease veins.

Elbow crease fistula can be an alternative for autologous vascular access. Either brachiocephalic or brachiobasilic fistulas could be chosen according to the venous anatomy at the elbow crease. When a median antecubital vein is not present, the cephalic vein is usually too far away from the brachial artery. Thus, a end-to-side fistula must usually be performed after an extensive dissection of the distal part of the vein. In this way, only the proximal cephalic vein can be used for dialysis. To overcome this drawback, a brachiocephalic jump graft fistula was designed. A short segment of polytetrafluoroethylene graft, 6 mm in diameter, is tunneled under the skin and anastomosed to the artery and vein through two short longitudinal skin incisions. From 1981 to 1995, 222 brachiocephalic graft jump fistulas were constructed. The mean age of the patients was 56.1 years, 20% had diabetic nephropathy, and 61.7% had a previously failed angioaccess. Follow-up was obtained in 92.4% of the patients, and overall follow-up was 6,665 fistula-months. Early failure was observed in 4% of the cases. The complication rate was two episodes per 100 fistula-months of follow-up. Primary patency rates (event-free patency) were 85%, 67%, 48%, and 34% at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years. Secondary patency rates (overall patency) were 85%, 72%, 56%, and 43% at 1,3, 5, and 7 years. There were no differences between primary and secondary curves. Brachiocephalic graft jump fistula is a reliable technical variation of elbow crease fistulas for dialysis and can be another alternative to graft access when the cephalic vein is dominant at the elbow crease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Prospective evaluation of fever of unknown origin in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Grupo Andaluz para el Estudio de las Enfermedades Infecciosas.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and aetiology of fever of unknown origin (FUO) in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), to assess the value of the tests used in its diagnosis, and to evaluate possible models of diagnosis for the causes found most frequently. One hundred twenty-eight (3.5%) of 3603 hospitalised HIV-positive patients evaluated from October 1992 to December 1993 had FUO, defined by established criteria. Eighty-six percent of patients with FUO had previously progressed to AIDS. The median CD4+ cell count was 46/mm3. A definite diagnosis was made in 96 (75%) of the 128 patients and a possible diagnosis in 24 (18.7%). whilst no diagnosis was made in eight cases (6.2%). Tuberculosis (48.3%), visceral leishmaniasis (16%), and infection by Mycobacterium avium complex (6.9%) were the diseases found most frequently. The most useful diagnostic tests were liver biopsy (68.9%) and bone marrow aspirate/biopsy (39.7%). It is not possible to predict clinically the cases of FUO due to tuberculosis, whilst thrombocytopaenia < 100,000 cells/mm3 alone is useful for differentiating the cases of visceral leishmaniasis, with a negative predictive value of 95.2%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Long-term follow-up of 6-8 mm brachioaxillary polytetrafluorethylene grafts for hemodialysis.

Eight millimeter expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) grafts, tapered to 6 mm at the arterial site, are used by our group in the upper arm in order to avoid midgraft stenosis observed with other graft sizes. Long-term results (1-12 years) on 157 6-8 mm brachioaxillary e-PTFE grafts (Gore-Tex) are analyzed. Early failure was found in 4 grafts (2.5%). The rate of late complications was 0.37 episodes per graft-year. Steal syndrome, found in 4 cases (2.5%), was successfully treated in 3 cases by graft banding. Neither midgraft nor arterial anastomotic stenosis was observed in the 63 grafts requiring surgical thrombectomy or fistulography. The primary patency rates were 73%, 53%, and 41% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The secondary patency rates were 91%, 80%, and 72% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Comparison between both curves by the log rank test was significant (p < 0.001) expressing the efficiency of rescue surgery. We conclude that a 6-8 mm graft can be successfully used for dialysis in the brachioaxillary position.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Microsurgery in gaining paediatric vascular access for haemodialysis.

One hundred and one surgical procedures performed in children for construction and maintenance of vascular accesses for haemodialysis were retrospectively analyzed. There were 86 operations performed to create a new fistula in patients without vascular access or with nonrecoverable failed angio-access. Fifteen surgical procedures were performed to treat fistula complications. The new fistulas were radiocephalic n = 60 (70%), ulnar-basilic n = 5 (5.8%), antecubital n = 9 (10.3%), and PTFE grafts n = 12 (14%). Microsurgical techniques were used in all cases, including PTFE graft fistulas. A microscope was used in 56 cases (55.4%) and magnifying loupes (x 2.5 magnification) in the rest of the operations. Early-failure rate for radiocephalic fistulas was 10%. Cumulative patency rates in radiocephalic fistulas were 79%, 75%, and 70% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. No statistical differences were found from the cumulative patency curve of 730 radial-cephalic fistulas performed in adults during the same period of time. Radiocephalic fistulas can be constructed in most paediatric cases using microsurgical technique. Elbow fistulas can be the second-choice vascular access, and PTFE grafts can be reserved for children with exhaustion of autologous veins. Brachial-jugular PTFE grafts can be used in cases of subclavian vein stenosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Antinociceptive effect of taurine and its inhibition by naxolone.

1. We have tested the effect of taurine on nociceptive stimulation provoked by chemical agent (acetic acid) and by the hot-plate test. 2. In the acetic acid test, taurine exerts an antinociceptive effect at every dose and time assayed. The observed effect was dose-related. 3. Naxolone pretreatment antagonizes the antinociceptive effect of taurine in the acetic acid test. 4. The results obtained in hot-plate test show that taurine did not significantly affect latency time for paw licking.

Acetates↗
PubMed1985

Serial waking-sleep EEGs and evolution of somatosensory potentials in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

We have analysed the serial sleep and waking EEGs of 3 patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), demonstrated by pathology studies. The presence of periodic complexes (PCs) was a constant finding in all the records, including those made on admission (1-3 months after the onset of symptoms) although at this stage the PCs were not as persistent of generalized as in the more advanced stages. The physiological states of sleep were replaced by cyclic changes which initially consisted of phases with PCs alternating with theta-delta activity. As the disease progressed, brief periods of suppression of background rhythm were added, followed by slower PCs. In case 3, the SEPs obtained on stimulating the median nerves were normal at the first test. However, 17 days later a further test revealed two types of abnormality. On the one hand, using a non-cephalic reference, the SEPs were of lesser amplitude and had become disorganized. On the other hand, with a cephalic reference, a potential of enormous amplitude was obtained unilaterally. On the contrary, the SEPs obtained with a cephalic reference on stimulating the posterior tibial nerves were of small amplitude and disorganized. These findings, in combination with the EEG anomalies, suggest a progressive dysfunction of the cerebral cortex. The recording of a giant potential only at C'3-Fz on stimulating the median nerve could be related to a pathological facilitation of long-loop transcortical stretch reflexes of the hand.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Nitrosamide carcinogenesis: nitrosation of amide linkages and facile decomposition of resulting nitrosamides.

Nitrite ions interact readily with N-methylacetamide and N-acetylglycine in aqueous buffer solution of pH less than 4 to give the transient nitrosamides, N-nitroso-N-methylacetamide and N-nitroso-N-acetylglycine. These nitrosamides could not be isolated under these conditions because they decompose rapidly, as demonstrated by ultra-violet spectroscopic traces. The gas chromatographic identification of the products indicates that diazo esters and diazoalkanes are the intermediates in these decompositions. The kinetic analysis of the nitrosation in buffered solution shows that the rate constants are proportional to the hydrogen ion concentration in the pH less than 4 range. Evidence in support of the participation of a carboxylate group in the nitrosation of N-acetylglycine is discussed. Possible implications of the presence of nitrite in carcinogenesis in digestive tracts are discussed on the basis of facile formation and decomposition of nitrosamides and the intermediacy of diazo compounds.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1980

Nitrosamides derived from peptide models: their preparations and chemical behavior.

N-Acyl alpha-amino acids have been nitrosated to yield the nitrosamides, which are virtually stable at room temperature, but are thermolysed in refluxing benzene or methanol. The corresponding carboxylates of these nitrosamides rearrange rapidly at room temperature to generate diazoalkane- and/or diazoacylate-type intermediates, which are good alkylating agents. Rate constants for the decomposition of the nitrosamide, N-acetyl-N-nitroso-D,L-phenylalanine, have been determined.

Chemical Phenomena↗