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Biomedical subjects

J Sáez

Publications and source records attributed to J Sáez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Removal of cadmium from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto orange waste.

The use of orange wastes, generated in the orange juice industry, for removing cadmium from aqueous solutions has been investigated. The material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and batch experiments were conducted to determine the adsorption capacity of the biomass. A strong dependence of the adsorption capacity on pH was observed, the capacity increasing as pH value rose. Kinetics and adsorption equilibrium were studied at different pH values (4-6). The adsorption process was quick and the equilibrium was attained within 3h. The maximum adsorption capacity of orange waste was found to be 0.40, 0.41 and 0.43 mmol/g at pH 4-6, respectively. The kinetic data were analysed using various kinetic models - pseudo-first order equation, pseudo-second order equation, Elovich equation and intraparticle diffusion equation - and the equilibrium data were tested using four isotherm models - Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips and Redlich-Peterson. The data were fitted by non-linear regression and five error analysis methods were used to evaluate the goodness of the fit. The Elovich equation provides the greatest accuracy for the kinetic data and the Sips model the closest fit for the equilibrium data.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2005

Improvement of coagulation-flocculation process using anionic polyacrylamide as coagulant aid.

A physicochemical treatment (coagulation-flocculation) was applied to a slaughterhouse wastewater, using anionic polyacrylamide as coagulant aid to improve the settling velocity of the flocs formed with the coagulants used: ferric sulphate, aluminium sulphate and polyaluminium chloride. The optimum speed and stirring time for the flocculation stage were ascertained along with the optimum pH and coagulant and coagulant aid doses. The speed and coagulation time were initially set according to recommendations in the literature concerning the treatment of this type of water. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand at 5 days (BOD5) and total suspended solids (TSS) were recorded at the beginning and end of each experiment in order to monitor the process. Once the optimal conditions had been established, several parameters were measured in order to assess the coagulation-flocculation process: particle number and size, sludge volume, nutrients (ammonia nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, albuminoid nitrogen, orthophosphate, total phosphorus) and the residual concentration of iron and aluminium in clarified water. Anionic polyacrylamide, when added with ferric sulphate or polyaluminium chloride led to a significant increase in the settling speed.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed2004

[Proteinuria and urinary beta 2-microglobulin as markers of tubular malfunction in the assessment of severity of acute pancreatitis].

INTRODUCTION: Proteinuria is a common finding in acute pancreatitis (AP). Increased urinary beta 2-microglobulin can be explained by renal tubular malfunction induced by substances released from the pancreas. The degree of renal tubular malfunction may reflect the severity of AP. AIM: To assess proteinuria and urinary beta 2-microglobulin as prognostic factors in AP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with AP with symptom onset within 24 hours before admission. Random urine specimens were obtained on days 1, 2 and 3 after admission. In a subgroup of 25 patients, urine samples could be obtained within 24 hours of symptom onset on day 1. The severity of AP was established using the Atlanta criteria. Proteinuria and beta 2-microglobulin were determined and were adjusted by urinary creatinine concentrations. RESULTS: We studied 51 patients with AP (26 men and 25 women; age: 59.6 (+/-16.7 years). Fifteen cases of AP were severe and 36 were mild. The most frequent etiology was gallstones (60.1%). Levels of proteinuria were (median and interquartile range) in mg/g creatinine: day 1: 180.5 (84.0-250.9), day 2: 164.3 (16.7-421.7), and day 3: 136.7 (24.0-371.29). Differences between severe and mild AP were significant on day 2 of admission: 339.7 (191.7-471.8) versus 120,1 (11.0-382.6); p = 0.04. Levels of urinary beta 2-microglobulin in AP on days 1 to 3 postadmission were: 9.7 (1.1-93.3), 27.6 (4.7-421.4) and 88.3 (7.3-415.2) microg/mg of creatinine, respectively. When urinary beta 2-microglobulin was compared between severe and mild AP, no significant differences were found among days 1, 2 and 3. Selection of only the subgroup of patients whose urine samples were obtained within 24 h of symptom onset, did not improve the results of these urine markers for the group as a whole. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Proteinuria was slightly increased in severe AP and was able to discriminate between mild and severe episodes on day 2 of admission. 2) Urinary beta 2-microglobulin as a tubular malfunction marker did not discriminate between mild and severe AP in patients in our study.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

A comparative study of the activation peptide of carboxypeptidase B and trypsinogen as early predictors of the severity of acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Serum and urine concentrations of the activation peptide of carboxypeptidase B (CAPAP) and urinary trypsinogen activation peptide (TAP) as prognostic markers in acute pancreatitis were compared. METHOD: Fifty-two patients with acute pancreatitis hospitalized within 24 hours after symptom onset were prospectively studied. Blood and urine samples were obtained during the first 3 days of the hospital stay. RESULTS: Pancreatitis was severe in 17 patients and mild in 35 (Atlanta criteria). Median serum CAPAP levels on days 1 and 2 and of urine CAPAP and TAP on days 1, 2, and 3 were significantly higher in severe pancreatitis than in mild disease. On the first day of admission, TAP was the most accurate predictor of severity (sensitivity, 92.3%; specificity, 80%; positive and negative predictive values, 63.2% and 96.6%, respectively), with a 4.61 positive likelihood ratio for a cutoff value of 18.10 nmol/L, whereas within 24 hours after symptom onset, urinary CAPAP was superior (sensitivity, 88.9%; specificity, 81.3%; positive and negative predictive values 72.7% and 92.9%, respectively), with a 4.72 positive likelihood ratio for a cutoff value of 15.45 nmol/L. CONCLUSION: Serum and urine CAPAP levels and urinary TAP are accurate in the early assessment of severity in acute pancreatitis. Urine CAPAP levels was the most accurate marker 24 hours after onset of symptoms.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2003

Microscopic observation of particle reduction in slaughterhouse wastewater by coagulation-flocculation using ferric sulphate as coagulant and different coagulant aids.

A coagulation-flocculation treatment has been applied to a slaughterhouse liquid effluent, using ferric sulphate as coagulant and activated silica, powdered activated carbon, cationic polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid and anionic polyacrylamide as coagulant aids in order to improve the settling time. Once the optimal conditions had been established (speed and time of stirring during flocculation step, pH, coagulant and coagulant aid doses), the efficiency of the coagulation-flocculation process was studied by comparing the particle size distribution before and after the addition of the coagulant. When ferric sulphate was used without the coagulant aids, particle removal efficiency varied with size, although overall efficiency was quite substantial (87%). The use of coagulant aids improved the removal efficiency, except in the case of activated silica, when it fell to 78%. In all other cases removal efficiency values between 93% (for polyvinyl alcohol) and 99% (for anionic polyacrylamide) were reached.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

Factors predicting mortality in severe acute pancreatitis.

UNLABELLED: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common disorder in which ensuing serious complications may lead to a fatal outcome in patients. BACKGROUND/AIMS: To describe a large series of patients with severe AP (SAP) who were admitted to our hospital and to identify factors predicting mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, all patients with SAP diagnosed between February 1996 and October 2000 according to the Atlanta criteria were studied. RESULTS: Out of a total of 363 AP patients, 67 developed SAP. The mean age of the patients was 69; the commonest etiology was biliary; 55.2% developed necrosis; the commonest systemic complication was respiratory failure (44.7%), followed by acute renal failure (35.8%) and shock (20.9%). A total of 31.3% of the patients died. Factors significantly related to mortality were age, upper digestive tract bleeding, acute renal failure, respiratory failure and shock by univariate analysis. However, pseudocysts seemed to have a protective effect. By multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors were age, acute renal failure and respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SAP mainly died due to systemic complications, especially acute renal failure and respiratory failure. Necrosis (in the absence or presence of infection) was not correlated with increased mortality. A pseudocyst was found to be a protective factor, probably because the definition itself led to the selection of patients who had survived multiorgan failure.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

Nutrient removal and sludge production in the coagulation-flocculation process.

Nutrient removal and sludge production in the coagulation-flocculation process, applied to a slaughterhouse effluent, have been studied. Fe2(SO4)3, Al2(SO4)3 and polyaluminium chloride were used as coagulants. Inorganic products were used as coagulant aids: activated silica, powdered activated carbon and precipitated calcium carbonate and synthetic polyelectrolytes: cationic polyacrylamide, polyacrilic acid, anionic polyacrylamide and polyvinyl alcohol. Performances were measured under optimum conditions for the products used. They were found after studying the different variables which influence the process. Phosphorus removal is very high (approximately 100% for the orthophosphate and between 98.93% and 99.90% for the total phosphorus). Ammonia nitrogen removal is very low although appreciable performances are observed for albuminoid nitrogen (73.9-88.77%). The use of coagulant aids reduces the volume of the sludge produced up to 41.6%.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2002

Antimalarial activity of neurolenin B and derivates of Eupatorium inulaefolium (Asteraceae).

Dried stems and leaves of Eupatorium inulaefolium (Austroeupatorium inulaefolium) (Asteraceae) were used to obtain four crude extracts (hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and ethanol). Two fractions were obtained from the hexane extract (S1 and S2) and three compounds (neurolenin B, lobatin A and lobatin B) from the dichloromethane extract. The ethanol, hexane, dichloromethane and methanol extracts, two fractions from the hexane extract (S1 and S2), and neurolenin B were evaluated in vitro against Plasmodium falciparum, FCB-2 strain. Two extracts (dichloromethane and methanol), the S2 fraction and neurolenin B showed statistically significant antiplasmodial activity.

Antimalarials↗
PubMed2001

Comparison of diagnostic methods for Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Accuracy of the most frequently used tests for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding of peptic origin is determined. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with endoscopically-proven upper gastrointestinal bleeding of peptic origin were included. The presence of H. pylori was considered when observed from the histology or, if negative, when serology and breath test were both positive. Accuracy of the rapid urease test was estimated in accordance with results obtained with other diagnostic methods. RESULTS: Lesions causing gastrointestinal bleeding were 56 duodenal ulcers, 13 gastric ulcers, 7 pyloric channel ulcers, 13 acute lesions of the gastric mucosa and 16 erosive duodenitis. H. pylori infection was present in 68 patients (87.2%). Forty-four patients had received non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The sensitivity/specificity (%) of the diagnostic methods was 48.5/100 for the rapid urease test, 91/77.8 for the breath test, 89.5/80 for serology and 86.3/100 for histology. The prior consumption of proton-pump inhibitors and antibiotics induced false-negative results in the rapid urease test and breath test, with no effect on serology and histology. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding from peptic lesions is high. Sensitivity of the rapid urease test for diagnosing H. pylori is low in this setting. Cases with negative rapid urease test need the combination of two or more additional tests if diagnosis is to be achieved. Cases with positive rapid urease test do not need further investigation for diagnosis.

Biopsy↗
PubMed2000

[Premature labor with intact membranes: microbiology of the amniotic fluid and lower genital tract and its relation with maternal and neonatal outcome].

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of idiopathic spontaneous premature labor or without an evident clinical cause, has not been reduced with tocolytic treatments, suggesting that premature labor has multiple causes and infections play a not well-defined role. AIM: To perform microbiological studies of the amniotic fluid and of the lower genital tract in women with idiopathic premature labor and intact membranes, relating these findings with maternal and neonatal outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Women with pregnancies between 24 and 34 weeks, with premature labor and without an evident clinical cause were enrolled. Amniotic fluid and genital tract samples were obtained for traditional microbiological cultures. This information was related with delivery events and neonatal outcome. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were included. The overall frequency of microbial invasion of amniotic cavity was 23.8% and of cervical or vaginal infection was 63.5% (in 39.7% there was only cervical or vaginal infection without involvement of the amniotic sac). Absence of infection was documented in 36.5% of women. Compared to patients without infection, women with microbial invasion of amniotic cavity had a higher rate of prematurity (73.3% p < 0.05), a higher rate of prematurity of less than 34 weeks (60% p < 0.01), a higher frequency of preterm rupture of membranes (40% p < 0.001), a shorter admission-to-delivery interval (median 3.0 days p < 0.01) and lower gestational age at delivery (median 33 weeks p < 0.01). Clinical chorioamnionitis and endometritis (20% p < 0.01) was observed only in patients with amniotic cavity infections. Severe asphyxia (26.7% p < 0.05) and neonatal admission to Intensive Care Units (46.7% p < 0.05) were more frequent and neonatal weight was less in the offspring of women with microbial invasion of amniotic cavity (2020 g median p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In preterm labor with intact membranes, intraamniotic infection is the most frequent cause of prematurity and is associated with a higher prevalence of maternal and neonatal problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Neurophysiological study in Alpers syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: Infantil progressive polydystrophy was described by Alpers in a child with psychomotor retardation, crises which were resistant to treatment and diffuse loss of cortical neurons. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the neurophysiological aspects of Alpers syndrome and their clinical correlation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present three children with subacute encephalopathy, progressive psychomotor retardation, myoclonic epilepsy which was resistant to treatment and crises of apnea, who had degeneration of the cerebral grey matter. Serial EEG, polysomnographs, auditory evoked potentials of the brain stem and visual evoked potentials were done. RESULTS: The electroencephalogram findings showed the presence of complex bursts of acute waves, small many-pointed or slow waves of great amplitude which were irregular and arrhythmical, lasting one to five seconds, separated by periods of inactivity on the tracing which lasted from three to ten seconds. The EEG was distinctive, changing over the course of the illness, and with increasing numbers and duration of the bursts of suppression of cerebral bioelectric activity. Polysomnography showed cerebral bioelectric activity which was markedly unstructured and with little difference between the tracings when asleep and when awake, together with a large number of apneas of obstructive and mixed types. The PEAT showed reduced amplitude and altered morphology in all the waves, and even absence of some of them. The visual evoked potentials were asymmetrical and with delay in the latency of the P100 wave. CONCLUSIONS: Although definite diagnosis of progressive neurone degeneration requires post mortem examination of the brain, clinico-pathological studies, including electrophysiological, radiological and biochemical studies are sufficiently characteristic to suggest the diagnosis during life.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1997

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the cardiac interatrial septum.

A case of lipomatous hypertrophy of the cardiac interatrial septum is reported in a 91-year-old man who attempted to commit suicide. The lesion was found incidentally at autopsy. Gross examination showed a 3.5-cm mass, yellow and firm. Histologic study showed a proliferation of mature fat cells and slightly hypertrophic cardiac muscle cells.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1997

[Neurophysiological aspects of Proteus syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: The Proteus Syndrome was defined in 1983 by Wiedeman. However, the first case mentioned in the literature was that of Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, presented by Sir Frederick Treves in 1884. It is a rare pathological condition. Its multiple clinical features include; partial gigantism of hands and/or feet, pigmented nevi, hemihypertrophy of the body, tumors, skeletal anomalies, growth disorders and visceral anomalies. Hereditary transmission has not been clearly defined. Diagnosis and treatment require the participation of experts from several medical and surgical specialties. CLINICAL CASE: We present a case sent to our hospital for the surgical correction of cranio-facial malformations. Epileptic crises post-operatively indicated the need for neurological and neuro-physiological study. This was done by means of conventional electro-encephalography: brainstem, somato-sensorial and visual auditory evoked potentials, together with imaging techniques which showed the structural and functional asymmetry of the central nervous system at both cerebral and brainstem levels. CONCLUSIONS: Few neuro-physiological studies are included in the literature we reviewed for this paper. Therefore we do not know whether the functional anomalies of the central nervous system which we describe should be considered to be part of the syndrome.

Adult↗