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J Villalba-Caloca

Publications and source records attributed to J Villalba-Caloca.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Transmission electron microscopy findings in the respiratory epithelium of guinea pigs exposed to the polluted air of southwest Mexico City.

We evaluated the nature and the extent of the damage to the respiratory epithelium of guinea pigs after a 4-month exposure to the mixture of air pollutants in southwest Mexico City. Guinea pigs were placed outdoors on the roof of our facility, 8 hours daily, from February to May 1995. At the same time, control guinea pigs were kept indoors breathing filtered air. Air pollutants, temperature, and humidity data were obtained from the nearest station of the Environmental Monitoring Net. The airways and lung parenchyma were analyzed after 120 days using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). During the 4-month exposure period, ozone (O3) exceeded the norm during 511 hours, and suspended particles less than 10 microm in diameter (PM10) during 52 hours. Both pollutants reached peak levels of more than twice the norm. TEM revealed no important abnormalities in the control group. In the exposed group, there was loss of cilia, detachment of epithelial cells, and eosinophil and macrophage migration toward alveolar spaces through type I pneumocytes with destruction of their basal membranes. In six guinea pigs in the exposed group, we noted bacteria along the airways, with associated inflammatory response. We explain the colonization of the respiratory epithelium by bacteria as the result of the impairment on the defense mechanism caused by the exposure to environmental O3 and PM10.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1995

Reversal of digital clubbing after lung transplantation.

Digital clubbing is a common sign in a variety of lung diseases. Although its pathogenesis remains unclear, it is known that the degree of clubbing might vary and even disappear, particularly when the underlying disease is a malignant neoplasm that has been removed. By contrast, because of the short expectancy of life in patients with pulmonary fibrosis, it is unusual to observe regression of clubbing. In this work, we report a case of reversible clubbing after lung transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Urinary thromboxane B2 as an indicator of acute rejection in lung allotransplantation.

The behavior of urinary thromboxane B2 (TXB2) during acute rejection of lung allotransplants was evaluated. Unmatched mongrel dogs were submitted to a left lung orthotopic allotransplantation (groups I and II), or a sham operation (group III). All animals had an initial significant elevation of TXB2 excretion due to surgical trauma; however, in sham-operated animals (group III) this elevation returned to basal levels after 3 days. All transplanted animals (groups I and II) had persistent TXB2 elevation with 2 important peaks on postop days 5 and 9. The elevated TXB2 excretion persisted in spite of immunosuppressive treatment with azathioprine and prednisone (group II). Rejection was followed by means of an objective grading system applied to chest roentgenograms taken on all animals. It was found that TXB2 levels correlated directly with the grade of radiographic changes seen, thus indicating degree of rejection. TXB2 can be useful as a noninvasive indicator for surveillance of lung allograft rejection.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of cigarette smoking among employees of the Mexican National Institutes of Health.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking at the National Institutes of Health in Mexico (NIHM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey was performed among workers who voluntarily answered a questionnaire. Smokers were identified with two specific questions, and type of employment was classified as physicians, administrative staff, investigators and support personnel. RESULTS: Total prevalence smoking was 28% (of 4,422 answered questionnaires). It was significantly higher among females, among administrative staff, and common-law and separated workers. It was significantly higher at the Mexican Institute of Psychiatry than at the remaining Institutes, even after adjusting for confounding. The prevalence was also higher among physicians from the same Institute. Of the smokers, 46% do so in their work areas and 78% of them would like to quit. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of smokers at the NIHM is as high as in the general population and a broad educational program for tobacco control and prevention is needed.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Smoking among Mexican physician. A comparative analysis with smokers who are not physicians].

OBJECTIVES: To determine prevalence, addiction knowledge and attitude on tobacco smoking in a group of smoking physicians (MF) and to compare these variables with smoking non-physicians (FNM) and non-smoking physicians (MNF) from the National Institutes of Health in Mexico (Insalud). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of a questionnaire among the three groups were compared. RESULTS: The prevalence of MF (22%) was significantly lower than in FNM (28%), (OR = 0.72, CI = 0.61-0.85). No significant differences regarding addiction and attitudes were found between them. The MNF had better knowledge and attitudes and agreed that their Institute should be a non-smoking area. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of smoking is lower among physicians than among FNM and the similarities between them suggest that addiction can provoke them and that a program for tobacco control is required.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Surgical treatment of non-malignant tracheoesophageal fistula].

Tracheoesophageal fistula is a complication of endotracheal canulas with pressure balloon during mechanical ventilation, for which treatment is surgical closure. There are approximately 80 reported cases in the world literature. Here we report our experience at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Mexico. We performed surgical treatment of 7 patients (4 males, 3 females, 17 to 65 years of age) with tracheoesophageal fistula from 1991 to 1995, referred from other hospitals. Six had a history of prolonged orotracheal intubation, and the seventh had a traumatic lesion of the neck. Preoperatory management varied from 1 to 8 weeks, with treatment of malnutrition and infections. Esophagus was sutured with polyglactin 000 in two layers, the inner with interrupted, and the superficial with continuous sutures. The area was covered with a muscle strap. In six patients, simple suture of trachea was performed. In the seventh, due to an extensive tracheal defect, we decided to use a second muscle strap to occlude it. Six patients have had a follow up of 15 months to 5 years with satisfactory evolution. One patient died due to abdominal sepsis. We conclude that this technique provides a good prognosis for this disorder.

Adolescent↗