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J Valverde

Publications and source records attributed to J Valverde.

83 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Complex viscoelasticity of normal and lectin treated erythrocytes using laser diffractometry.

A new method to find directly complex viscoelastic parameters (CVP) of red blood cells (RBC) is presented in this paper. Experimental determinations were carried out in an Erythrodeformeter (Rasia et al., 1986) operating in oscillating mode (0.5 to 3.5 Hz). The Erythrodeformeter performs direct determination of CVP of erythrocytes undergoing sinusoidal shear stresses by laser diffractometry. The measurements lead to the determination of mean values of the four components of erythrocyte complex viscoelasticity. The influence of the alterations induced on erythrocyte membrane by vegetable lactins (Ulex europaeus, wheat germ agglutinin and Enterolobium contorticilicum seeds) was analyzed to verify the sensitivity of this method. Differences observed between the CVP parameters of treated cells and the ones corresponding to control samples (non treated cells) are analyzed. Results obtained from cells treated with wheat germ agglutinin agree with observations published by Smith and Hochmuth (1982). Determinations of RBC complex viscoelasticity carried out by laser diffractometry could become an important tool to understand the influence of the factors associated with alterations of the rheologic properties of RBC membrane, which can affect the in vivo blood flow.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Brucellar spondylitis: a detailed analysis based on current findings.

Three hundred thirty-one cases of brucellosis included in a 10-year prospective protocol were reviewed to identify and follow up patients with spondylitis. Of 20 patients (17 male and three female; mean age, 54 years), spondylitis was diagnosed soon after onset of the brucellosis in 15, there were significant systemic symptoms in 17, and blood cultures were positive for Brucella melitensis in 14. The main symptom was vertebral pain. The commonest radiographic changes were narrowing of the disk and epiphysitis. The discrete character of radiographic alterations and negative uptake on bone scanning caused diagnostic delays in three patients. 99mTc bone scans finally became abnormal in all patients, but were not useful for follow-up because low uptake persisted after the clinical status stabilized. Three patients had paravertebral abscesses; in two of them fever and pain persisted despite antibiotic therapy until diagnosis and surgical drainage. Finally, all patients were cured, ten with sequelae. Brucellar spondylitis often had an acute clinical course with bacteremia. Because neither clinical nor radiographic changes one year after onset were significant, long-term follow-up is not considered necessary except when paravertebral abscess is suspected.

Abscess↗
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[Catheter sepsis: pathogeny and prevention with a new connection model].

A revision is made of the issue regarding sepsis related to central intravenous catheterization. A special point was made on the relevance of latest discoveries in the field of pathogenicity in order to prevent, diagnose and treat this entity. Preventive measures should be geared to avoid intralumen infection, and success may depend on new connection models and industrial preparation of nutrient mixtures. Infected catheters must be removed, but in highly selected patients local and systemic antibiotic therapy may be attempted.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗