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Biomedical subjects

J Soto

Publications and source records attributed to J Soto.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Radioactivity in Spanish spas.

There are large number of spas in Spain and there is a lack of data concerning their radioactivity. The levels of radioactivity in a wide sample of Spanish spas were measured with special attention being paid to the radon and radium concentrations in the water, and to radon concentration in the indoor air of the spas. This study is primarily concerned with the radioactivity of the spas of one region in Spain--Cantabria--and particularly one spa where we measured radon levels in water as high as 824 Bq/l and over 5000 Bq/m3 in the air of the rooms. We then considered a wider sample including virtually all of the radioactive spas in the country. The results indicate that a fairly large number of spas have radon levels in water that are moderately high and they are used for the treatment of diseases without radiation protection measures for patients or staff at the spas.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗
PubMed1995

Successful treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis with a combination of topical paromomycin/methylbenzethonium chloride and injectable meglumine antimonate.

Colombian patients with New World cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated with a combination of a topical formulation (15% paromomycin sulfate/5% methylbenzethonium chloride, twice a day) and parenteral meglumine antimonate (20 mg of antimony [Sb]/kg.d]). Cohort 1 received topical therapy for 10 days and Sb for 7 days; 18 (90%) of the 20 patients were cured (follow-up, 12 months). Other clinical data suggested that neither the topical formulation alone nor the 7-day regimen of Sb alone would have cured many patients. In a subsequent cohort, which received topical therapy for 10 days and Sb for 3 days, the cure rate was 42% (eight of 19 patients). In Colombian cohorts (historical controls) treated with Sb alone for 10-15 days, the cure rate was 31%-36%. Side effects in cohort 1 patients consisted of local reactions to the topical formulation: burning and pruritus in 25% of patients and vesicle formation in 15% of patients. This is the first report that a regimen partially composed of topical antimicrobial agents can be highly effective for treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1995

Study of the occurrence of 222Rn and 226Ra in drinking water in Spain.

With the aim of determining the contribution of water to the background of natural radiation in Spain, the 222Rn concentration levels were measured in domestic drinking water from a large part of the country. The water analyzed, both surface and groundwater, was collected in two areas of very distinct geological characteristics, pre-selected for the likelihood of their containing high levels of 222Rn. This water was measured using a coaxial detector of high purity Ge. The overall results demonstrate a log-normal distribution of 222Rn levels, with a geometric and arithmetic means of 10 and 381 Bq L-1, respectively, and a range between detection limit of 2 Bq L-1 and a maximum of 31,000 Bq L-1. The 222Rn concentrations measured in surface water are generally below the detection limit. Significant differences have been found depending on the geological characteristics of the area of reference, although the very distinct concentration levels of 222Rn found in samples of similar lithology imply the influence of more complex factors in the solution of 222Rn in water. Due to the relationship between radon and 226Ra, the concentration of the latter was measured in the same water using radiochemical separation and a scintillation ZnS(Ag) detector. No significant correlation between 226Ra and 222Rn concentrations has been observed unless measurements carried out in a high background radiation region are considered separately.

Geography↗
PubMed1994

Hearing loss.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Hearing Disorders↗
PubMed1994

[The quality of clinical trials published in Spain: an evaluation by an analysis of 3 journals during the 1985-1991 period].

BACKGROUND: The evaluation by readers of a published clinical trial requires that the methodology used in its design and realization be specified in detail. In the present study the quality of clinical trials published in Spain during 1985-1991 has been appraised. METHODS: This is a revision of all clinical studies published from 1985 to 1991 in the following Spanish medical journals: Medicina Clínica, Revista Clínica Española and Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas; the studies were assessed by three persons through the use of a questionnaire (checklist) which contained 15 evaluation sections relative to the methodology used in carrying out a study. RESULTS: Only an average of 5.5 (+/- 2.8) aspects of the 15 evaluated aspects were considered adequate in the total of clinical trials. Three of the aspects evaluated: "objective of the study", "end point" and "criteria for assessment of outcome" were considered adequate in more than 75% of the cases. Aspects relative to "loss to follow-up", "statistical methods", "analysis of the results", "collection of adverse events", and "approval by an ethical committee" accounted for most methodological defects, being the percentage of studies with correct information below 20%. As to the remaining sections considered, they were found adequate in an intermediate to low percentage (near 30%). There were no differences in quality among the three journals. A slight increase in quality was observed during the last years. CONCLUSIONS: Major methodological deficiencies appear in the clinical studies published in Spain during the last seven years. The recently approved regulations on clinical trials plus the use of checklists by investigators and journal editors, where detailed ethic and methodological aspects are appraised, can contribute to an increase in quality.

Chi-Square Distribution↗
PubMed1994

Natural radioactivity in Spanish soils.

The program of studies and surveys of natural radiation and radioactivity in Spain organized by our research group at the end of the 1980s included a 4-y national survey to determine the concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil. Results obtained from measurements of soil samples collected nationwide at > 900 sampling sites are reported and discussed in this paper. Correlations between absorbed dose rates in air calculated from natural radionuclide concentrations in soil and terrestrial gamma dose rates measured experimentally outdoors are shown for the different autonomous regions of Spain. Assessment is also made of the dose to the Spanish population from outdoor exposure to terrestrial gamma rays.

Background Radiation↗
PubMed1994

Diltiazem treatment impairs theophylline elimination in patients with bronchospastic airway disease.

On the basis of reports that diltiazem may bind to the hepatic microsomal enzymes and inhibits the metabolism of some co-administered drugs, and to determine the effects of diltiazem on theophylline pharmacokinetics in patients with bronchospastic airway disease, we have investigated the effect of a 180-mg daily dose of oral diltiazem during 5 days on theophylline clearance in eight patients with that disease. Theophylline half-life increased 24%, from 5.7 +/- 1 to 7.5 +/- 1.8 h (p < 0.05), and total body theophylline clearance showed a decrease of 22%, from 87.3 +/- 20 to 68.3 +/- 18.6 ml/min (p < 0.05) after diltiazem therapy. The apparent volume of distribution was unchanged. This reduction in theophylline clearance is likely produced by inhibition of its metabolism by diltiazem. A clinically important drug interaction may occur with theophylline when diltiazem therapy is given concurrently in patients with bronchospastic airway disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of caffeine following oral drug administration: correlation with salivary and plasma concentrations.

Twelve hospitalized adult patients received 300 mg of oral caffeine 1 h before a diagnostic lumbar puncture. Caffeine concentrations were determined simultaneously in saliva, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Mean caffeine concentrations in plasma, saliva, and CSF were 5.9 +/- 2.1, 4.4 +/- 1.5, and 2.9 +/- 1.1 micrograms/ml, respectively, with coefficients of correlation plasma-saliva, saliva-CSF, and plasma-CSF of 0.89, 0.79, and 0.77, respectively, all statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Aged↗