PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J de Pablo

Publications and source records attributed to J de Pablo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Alexithymia: a relevant psychological variable in near-fatal asthma.

Alexithymia is a psychological trait characterised by difficulty in perceiving and expressing emotions and body sensations. Failure to perceive dyspnoea could lead alexithymic asthmatics to underestimate the severity of an asthma exacerbation, and thereby increase the risk of developing a fatal or near-fatal asthma (NFA) attack. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of alexithymia in NFA patients and to analyse their clinical characteristics. Alexithymia was assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale in this multicentric prospective observational study. From 33 Spanish hospitals, 179 NFA patients and 40 non-NFA patients, as a control group, were enrolled. There was a higher proportion of alexithymia in the NFA group than in the non-NFA group (36 versus 13%). Patients with NFA and alexithymia were older than the rest of the NFA group, and had a lower level of education, a higher level of psychiatric morbidity, a higher proportion of severe persistent asthma and a greater number of prior very severe asthma exacerbations (49 versus 27%). Alexithymia, severe persistent asthma and a low level of education were identified as independent variables related to repeated very severe asthma exacerbations. The results show that alexithymia is more frequent in near-fatal asthma patients compared to the rest of asthmatics and is associated with recurrent very severe asthma exacerbations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The use of a high-FeO olivine rock as a redox buffer in a nuclear waste repository.

Due to the higher stability of the spent nuclear fuel (mainly composed of UO2) under reducing conditions, and in order to enhance the retention/retardation of some key radionuclides, the olivine rock from the Lovasjärvi intrusion has been proposed as a potential redox-active backfill-additive in deep high-level nuclear waste (HLNW) repositories. In this work, two different approaches have been undertaken in order to establish the redox buffer capacity of olivine rock: (1) The capacity of the rock to respond to changes in pH or pe has been demonstrated and the final (pH, pe) coordinates agree with the control exerted by the system Fe(II)/Fe(III). (2) The rate of consumption of oxygen has been determined at different pH values. These rates are higher than the ones reported in the literature for other solids, what would point to the possibility of using this rock as an additive to the backfill material in a HLNW.

Buffers↗
PubMed2004

Formation of studtite during the oxidative dissolution of UO2 by hydrogen peroxide: a SFM study.

Understanding the formation of alteration phases on the surface of spent nuclear fuel, such as those observed during leaching experiments, is necessary in order to predict the concentration of radionuclides in the near-field of a final repository. Hydrogen peroxide has been identified as one of the oxidants formed by the radiolysis of water in the presence of spent nuclear fuel; especially due to alpha activity. The presence of this species in solution can contribute to the formation of uranium peroxide secondary phases. In this work, we have studied the oxidative dissolution of synthetic UO2 disks in hydrogen peroxide solutions of two different concentrations (5 x 10(-4) and 5 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3)), both at pH 5.8 +/- 0.1. The solid surface evolution of the disks has been followed by means of ex-situ scanning force microscope (SFM) measurements, and uranium concentration in solution has been determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. During the first stage of the experiment, SFM images indicate that only UO2 dissolution is occurring. After 142 h, a secondary phase is observed on the surface of the solid at 5 x 10(-4) mol dm(-3) hydrogen peroxide concentration. This secondary phase has been identified by X-ray diffraction as studtite (UO4 x 4H2O). From the analysis of SFM topographic profiles at different elapsed times, a precipitation rate for the studtite has been estimated to be in the range of (8-32) x 10(-10) mol m(-2) s(-1).

Forecasting↗
PubMed2003

Sample cleanup by on-line chromatography for the determination of Am in sediments and soils by alpha-spectrometry.

A novel sample cleanup procedure for the Am determination in environmental samples by alpha-spectrometry is described. The method is based on the use of three analytical chromatographic columns. TEVA-Spec. from Eichrom has been packed in an analytical chromatographic column to carry out the lanthanide/actinide separation. A CS5A mixed-bed column from Dionex was used to separate Am from lanthanide impurities and other actinides. A TCC-II column from Dionex was used to connect the TEVA to the CS5A and act as a preconcentrator column for the trivalent ions. The behavior of the columns was studied by coupling the chromatograph to an ICPMS detector. A chromatographic fraction has been used for sample preparation for alpha-spectrometric determination of 241Am. The analytical procedure has been validated with certified reference materials (sediment and soil) and was applied to sediment core samples from the Irish Sea and compared with the classical radiochemical separation of Am.

Americium↗
PubMed2000

[Multinational European project and multicenter Spanish study of quality improvement of assistance on consultation-liaison psychiatry in general hospital: clinical profile in Spain].

BACKGROUND: In the frame of the European study on quality assurance in consultation liaison psychiatry and psychosomatics (supported by the BIOMED 1 program), the clinical < > of consultation-liaison psychiatry units pertaining to six Spanish general hospitals is analyzed. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A sample of 3. 608 consecutive patients referred to the consultation-liaison psychiatry units of five public general hospitals (Clínico of Zaragoza, Clínico of Barcelona, General of Alicante, Ramón y Cajal of Madrid, Princesa of Madrid) and one private gynecological hospital (Dexeus of Barcelona) was studied. The data were recorded with a standardized instrument (CL-BDoK-P), validated in a previous study. RESULTS: Consult request took place 10.6 days (on average) after the patients admission (< >), half the requests were urgent, and psychiatric consultants examined the patients 1.9 days (on average) after the request (< >). The most frequent reasons for referral were current psychiatric symptoms (50.3%), unexplained physical symptoms (15.2%), substance abuse (9.2%), psychiatric history (8.5%), suicide risk (6%) and coping with illness (5.8%). The main referral services were internal medicine (17.5%), traumatology (7.5%) and general surgery (7.3%). An important clinical activity is documented in patients frequently considered to be < >, with broad spectrum diagnostic and interventions processes and both in-hospital and out-patient follow-up. However, some problems were also detected in the clinical < >. CONCLUSIONS: The results outline the clinical importance of Spanish consultation-liaison psychiatry in the general hospital, but the possibility of improving its efficiency through the implementation of integrative models, organizational changes and modern models of < > is also emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Parenting style in relation to pathogenic and protective factors of Type A behaviour pattern.

BACKGROUND: Studies of type A behaviour pattern suggest that it can be promoted as a whole by certain parental rearing styles. However, the association of the different components of the type A behaviour with specific rearing practices has not been clarified. METHOD: The relationship between parents' rearing style and the different type A behaviour components of their children was analysed in a sample of 312 university students. Parental rearing style was assessed with the EMBU, a Swedish measure originally designed to assess one's recollections concerning one's parents rearing behaviour. Type A pattern was measured by the JAS, a self-administered questionnaire that gives the global type A score and three of its components. RESULTS: Hard Driving was related to Rejection and Favouring Subject in males. Speed-Impatience was related to Rejection and Control in both sexes, and Job Involvement was related to Control and Favouring Subject in females. In a discriminant factor analysis in males, Rejection, Control and Favouring Subject on the part of fathers classified correctly 80% of the subjects identified as having high or low Speed-Impatience and the variables of Rejection and Favouring Subject (also by fathers) classified correctly 69.23% of the subjects identified as high or low Hard Driving. In females, Control and Favouring Subject on the part of mothers and low Rejection by fathers classified correctly 70.37% of the subjects with high or low Job Involvement. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that different rearing characteristics are related to the various components of the type A behaviour pattern.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The Spanish Version of the Quality-of-Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31): translation, validity, and reliability.

PURPOSE: Spanish adaptation of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). METHODS: Internal consistency and construct validity of the Spanish translation of the QOLIE-31 were tested in 252 patients with epilepsy. Patients also were administered the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Two weeks after the first test, a subgroup of randomly selected patients were readministered the QOLIE-31 along with a new five-option question about change in health status. Patients reporting no change in health status were included in the study of temporal stability. Sensitivity to clinical change was assessed in 31 additional patients who had successfully undergone epilepsy surgery. RESULTS: The QOLIE-31 was highly correlated with the GHQ-28 (r = -0.63) and the NHP (r = -0.69), demonstrating construct validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.92, showing the items of the QOLIE-31 to be interdependent and homogeneous. For a 2-week test retest, both Pearson product-moment correlation and intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.90, indicating temporal stability. Sensitivity to clinical change was suggested by a significant mean difference between the global scores both before and after epilepsy surgery (-21.87, p<0.0001; 95% CI, -28.08 to -15.66). The standardized response mean of the global score was 1.67, and the effect size was 1.35, both indicating large clinical change as a result of seizure relief. CONCLUSIONS: The similarity of psychometric properties between the English and the Spanish versions of the QOLIE-31 supports their conceptual equivalence. The questionnaire's responsiveness to clinical change suggests its utility in outcome assessment of drug trials and epilepsy surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Evidence of the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is worldwide considered as the standard treatment of sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) although studies on the effectiveness of this treatment are limited. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of CPAP in improving SAHS-related symptoms, daytime function, perceived health status, and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe SAHS. The effect of conservative treatment (CT) measures-sleep hygiene and weight loss- was compared with CT + CPAP. We included 105 consecutive patients (13 females, age 53 +/- 10 yr, body mass index [BMI] = 32 +/- 6 kg/m2, apnea/hypopnea index [AHI] = 56 +/- 20, Epworth sleepiness scale [ESS] = 12 +/- 5) who met our criteria for CPAP treatment. Patients were randomly allocated in two groups of similar characteristics. Group 1 (n = 37) was asked to improve sleep hygiene and started a weight loss program. Group 2 (n = 68) received, in addition, treatment with CPAP. Both groups were followed through weekly telephone calls and appointments. Sleepiness, other symptoms related to SAHS, daytime function, perceived health status, and quality of life were assessed through questionnaires at inclusion and after 3 mo of treatment. The relief of sleepiness and other SAHS-related clinical symptoms and improvement in perceived health status was much greater in Group 2 receiving CT + CPAP compared with Group 1, only receiving CT. The odds of experiencing a treatment response with CPAP + CT compared with CT alone was 6.52 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.51 to 17.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]). CPAP is currently the treatment of choice. At this time, the indication of CPAP treatment in moderate to severe SAHS is adequately supported.

Body Mass Index↗
PubMed1997

Assessing rearing behaviour from the perspectives of the parents: a new form of the EMBU.

The EMBU (Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran) is a self-reporting questionnaire developed to assess memories of adults about their parents' rearing practices. In the present study, an exploratory factor analysis was carried out on items of the EMBU-P, a new version of the EMBU especially designed to obtain ratings from parents about their own rearing behaviour with their children. The factor analysis yielded a structure similar to that obtained with the original EMBU (Rejection, Emotional Warmth, Control Attempts and Favouring Subject), but composed of fewer items. The internal consistency was adequate for the three major scales. Some significant correlations emerged between the EMBU-P scales. The Rejection scale correlated negatively with the Emotional Warmth scale and positively with the Control Attempts scale. The latter also correlated positively with Emotional Warmth. There were no significant correlations between the scales and the age of the parents. The sex of the parents was significantly associated with the EMBU-P scores.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Acute stress markers in humans: response of plasma glucose, cortisol and prolactin to two examinations differing in the anxiety they provoke.

Although the endocrine response to psychological stressors has been extensively studied both in animals and humans, the sensitivity of these variables to the intensity of stress experienced by exposure to psychologically stressful situations has not been studied in humans. In the present work this was assessed by measuring plasma levels of glucose, cortisol and prolactin in female medical students just before taking two examinations clearly differing in the anxiety they provoke. It was found that both examinations increased anxiety just before taking them, but the physiology examination (EPh) caused higher anxiety than the psychology (EPs). Prolactin increased in response to both examinations as compared to the non-stress condition, but its levels were greater in the EPh than in the EPs. Cortisol followed the same pattern as prolactin, but increased only marginally in the EPs. Finally, glycemia rose to the same extent in response to both examinations. A significant positive correlation was found between anxiety and glucose, and between cortisol and prolactin when data from all situations were included. On the basis of these results, it appears that the three variables might be useful as putative markers of stress in humans, although glucose might reflect different underlying psychological processes than cortisol and prolactin. In addition, it was found for the first time that prolactin is able to discriminate between stressful situations of different intensity. The response of these physiological variables to other stressful situations differing both in quantitative and in qualitative terms merits to be studied in further work.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Postoperative psychiatric complications following liver transplantation].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to describe the psychiatric complications of the postoperative period of liver transplantation. METHODS: Sixty-three adult liver transplant recipients were seen weekly before surgery and during the postoperative period until discharge. They were assessed through Goldberg's Clinical Interview Schedule (CIS) and diagnosed according to DSM-III-R criteria. RESULTS: Psychiatric morbidity was 29%. Organic mental disorders were the most prevalent, especially delirium (13%), followed by adjustment disorders (8%), major depression (5%) and organic anxiety disorders (3%). One of the depressed patients showed subsequently a rapidly cycling bipolar course. Most patients had a good outcome of their psychiatric disorder at discharge. In contrast, patients with delirium presented a higher mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of short-term psychiatric complications in patients undergoing liver transplantation is close to 30%. Delirium, which is significantly related to mortality, is the most frequent of them, followed by adjustment disorders and affective disorders, which, in contrast, seem to have a good prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Psychiatric morbidity in elderly patients admitted to a general hospital. A day-prevalence study].

BACKGROUND: The most common psychiatric diseases in the geriatric population are depression, the acute confusional state or delirium and dementia. METHODS: A prevalence-day study of psychopathology was carried out in the elderly population admitted to the hospital for several medical and surgical conditions. The semistructured psychiatric interview (CIS), cognoscitive miniexamination (MEC) and Zung's depression scale (SDS) were administered. When appropriate, a diagnosis was established following the DSM-III-R criteria. 15% of the overall number of elderly patients were excluded because of severe medical disease or surgical operation on the study day. RESULTS: A 43% prevalence of psychiatric disorders was found. 21% of them had depression and 18% a mental organic disorder with cognitive deficit in the form of dementia (6%), delirium (10%), or both (2%). The depression symptoms were more marked with greater cognitive deterioration, and both were greater with increasing age. In only 10% of the patients considered as psychiatric cases the cooperation of the psychiatric interconsultation team had been requested. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of these diseases (depression, delirium and dementia) is very important because in the elderly population with these disorders a higher morbidity and mortality due to medical causes is found.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Examination-associated anxiety in students of medicine.

The authors studied 262 medical students who were in the second year at the University of Barcelona School of Medicine in 1988. The authors measured the students' anxiety as the students were taking each of two examinations on different subjects: one on medical psychology and one on physiology. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire, recently validated in Spanish, was used to measure the students' anxiety associated with the examinations. In addition, analog scales were used to obtain the students' assessment of each examination's difficulty and its importance to them. The findings showed different levels of anxiety in examinations of different subject matters, with a positive correlation between the importance attributed to the examination and the associated anxiety, and a negative correlation between the importance of the examination and the importance attributed to chance in the marking. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Predisposing factors to death after recovery from a life-threatening asthmatic attack.

The outcome of 49 asthmatics (20 men and 29 women) who had suffered a severe exacerbation of asthma requiring mechanical ventilation was investigated in a follow-up study ranging from 23 weeks to 10 years. Over this time, there were 6 fatalities, all female chronic asthmatics requiring treatment with bronchodilators, beclomethasone, and short courses of oral steroids. Three died at home as a consequence of a sudden attack. Another patient developed a cardiorespiratory arrest immediately after having received a sedative. In the remaining two cases, death occurred within hours or days of progressive deterioration. Four of the six women had required psychiatric treatment for an anxiety-depression syndrome. These findings support previous studies suggesting that psychological disturbances may be predisposing factors to death in bronchial asthma.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Psychogenic pain and psychological variables: a psychometric study.

A sample of 41 women suffering from psychogenic pain according to DSM-III diagnostic criteria were psychometrically studied, in order to ascertain if they showed specific psychological traits or mechanisms. Type A behavior, extraversion, neuroticism, psychoticism and dissimulation and hostility-aggressivity traits were the psychological variables studied both in the pain sample and in a matched control group. Psychogenic pain patients were significantly more neurotic and suspicious and less physically aggressive than healthy subjects and also scored significantly higher in dissimulation, which suggests a tendency to use defense mechanisms of denial.

Adult↗