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Biomedical subjects

L Alfonso

Publications and source records attributed to L Alfonso.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A comparison of the head and cervical posture between the self-balanced position and the Frankfurt method.

Head and cervical posture evaluation has been a concern for many years, not only because of the purported relationship that exists between head and cervical posture in the presence of temporomandibular disorders, neck pain and headache, but also because of the biomechanical relationship between the head and cervical spine and dentofacial structures. Many methods have been suggested in an attempt to establish the best way to evaluate the position of the head using teleradiographs and cephalometric analysis. However, there is still no agreement as to which procedure is the best. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences that exist between craniocervical measurements in lateral teleradiographs when comparing the position of the head in the self-balanced position to the position of the head using the Frankfurt method (Frankfurt plane parallel to the floor). Sixty-eight subjects who sought dental treatment in community health centres in Talca, Chile participated in this study. Rocabado analysis was used to measure the craniocervical variables. The Cobb analysis was used to measure cervical lordosis. A paired student t-test was used to evaluate the differences between both procedures, using an alpha of 0.05 and a power of 0.90. The use of the cephalostat changed only the craniocervical angle (P < 0.001). However, this change was minimal. No changes related to gender and age were found. More studies are needed to determine the variation between different procedures and to define a good procedure for evaluating head posture.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Epidermal growth factor-based cancer vaccine for non-small-cell lung cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND: The role that growth factors and their receptors play in human cancer growth and progression makes them interesting targets for novel treatment modalities. Our approach consisted of active immunotherapy with the epidermal growth factor (EGF). Two pilot clinical trials were conducted to examine the safety and immunogenicity of a five-dose immunization protocol and to compare different adjuvants and treatment designs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer were enrolled in both trials. They were randomized to be treated with aluminum hydroxide or montanide ISA 51 as adjuvants in the EGF vaccine preparation. The use of cyclophosphamide prevaccination treatment was evaluated in the second trial. RESULTS: Pooled data from both trials showed that the use of montanide as adjuvant increased the percentage of good antibody responders (GAR). Cyclophosphamide prevaccination treatment did not provoke improvements in antibody response. GAR had a significant increase in survival as compared with poor antibody responders. Response duration was also related to a significant improvement in survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination with five doses of EGF vaccine is safe and immunogenic. Montanide ISA 51 increased the percentage of GAR. There is a direct relationship between anti-EGF antibody titers and immune response duration with survival time.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

Use of molecular markers to differentiate between commercial strains of the button mushroom Agaricus bisporus.

Agaricus bisporus is an edible basidiomycete cultivated industrially for food production. Different spawn and mushroom producers use genetically related A. bisporus strains frequently marketed as different products. In this paper we show that the use of suitable molecular markers reveals the high level of genetic homology of commercial strains of A. bisporus, and allows, at the same time, to distinguish between them. In the course of this work, a molecular marker potentially linked to the agronomic character 'mushroom weight' has been identified by bulked segregant analysis.

Agaricus↗
PubMed1997

Genetic parameters for egg number, egg weight, and eggshell color in three Catalan poultry breeds.

Heritabilities for egg number, egg weight, and eggshell color (percentage light absorbance) at 39 wk of age, and the genetic correlations between them were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood in three Catalan poultry breeds: Penedesenca Negra (PN), Prat Lleonada (PL), and Empordanesa Roja (ER). Additive genetic differences between these breeds were also estimated. Data were from the IRTA Poultry Genetic Conservation Program and consisted of records from 1,309 PN, 1,466 PL, and 1,440 ER hens, which were obtained from 80 contemporary batches per breed hatched between 1987 and 1992. Estimates of heritability for egg number, egg weight, and eggshell color were, 0.20, 0.59, and 0.49 for PN, 0.31, 0.48, and 0.53 for PL; and 0.33, 0.50, and 0.27 for ER. Estimated genetic correlations between egg number and egg weight, egg number and shell color, and egg weight and shell color were, for PN, -0.22, -0.03, and 0.00; for PL, -0.21, -0.06, and 0.09; and -0.19, -0.29, and 0.30 for ER. Heritability for eggshell color and genetic correlation between eggshell color and other traits showed a different genetic pattern in ER breed. Significant additive genetic differences (P < 0.05) were found between ER and PN base populations for egg number (3.89), egg weight (0.91), and eggshell color (-3.50); and between ER and PL for egg number (6.69) and eggshell color (35.39). The PN and PL breeds differed significantly (P < 0.05) for eggshell color (38.22), which was darker in PN. These results could be taken as the expected genetic differences for these breeds.

Aging↗
PubMed1994

Clinical performance of the TCu 380A and TCu 220C IUDs in four developing country family planning clinics.

The clinical performance of the Copper T 380A (TCu 380A) and the Copper T 220C (TCu 220C) intrauterine devices (IUDs) were evaluated for 12 months in a group of women who had one of the two IUDs inserted. Results are from a randomized clinical trial conducted at four collaborating research sites located in two developing countries. The gross cumulative life-table pregnancy rate of the TCu 380A IUD was found to be lower than that of the TCu 220C IUD at 12 months (0.3 and 0.8, respectively), although this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Statistically significant differences between the two study IUDs were not found with regard to IUD expulsion or IUD removal due to bleeding/pain, personal reasons, medical reasons, or planned pregnancy. No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of experiencing menstrual disturbances (i.e., dysmenorrhea, intermenstrual pelvic pain or intermenstrual bleeding) between the two IUD groups. These data suggest that the TCu 380A and TCu 220C IUDs are both appropriate options for contracepting women. The TCu 380A IUD, however, may be a more appropriate option for those women wishing to space births over a longer period of time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Kidney injuries in children].

From 1972 to 1985 blunt renal injuries were recorded in 58 children up to the age of 14 years. Early evaluation and treatment of these children is essential in order to preserve maximum renal function. The majority responded well to careful conservative, nonoperative management. Some of those requiring surgical intervention, responded well to initial conservative treatment followed by surgical intervention conducted as an delayed procedure. The critical injuries need early operative intervention.

Accidents↗
PubMed1987

[Vesico-urethral injuries in patients with pelvic fractures].

Rupture of the bladder and posterior urethra is a serious complication of pelvis fracture. From 1972 to 1984, 61 patients were admitted for genitourinary injuries. We present a review of 5 cases of bladder and urethral posterior injuries associated with pelvic fractures. We assess some current issues in the treatment and diagnosis.

Fractures, Bone↗
PubMed1986

Biofiltration with bicarbonate as dialysate buffer.

The biofiltration with bicarbonate as dialysate buffer (BiBF) was used in 10 patients on RDT: the patients were treated for 10 months on standard BF and for 10 months on BiBF. The amount of fluid infused varied between 3 and 5 liters and Na-bicarbonate (100 mEq/h) was infused during BF. The dialytic protocol was 3 hours every other day. Cardiovascular stability, waste molecules and acid-base balance were investigated. No differences in vascular stability and no significant changes in the waste-molecules concentrations were found. Both protocols correct the metabolic acidosis; however, in standard BF 50% of patients showed acute hypocapnia at the end of dialysis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1985

[Congenital fibrosarcoma. Apropos of 2 cases].

Two cases of congenital fibrosarcoma are presented. Both tumors showed histological features of malignancy, but were successful treated with simple resections. Recurrent tumor does not seem to predispose to metastatic disease. Local excision is the initial treatment of choice for lesions occurring in newborns and infants.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1985

Favourable effects of bicarbonate dialysis on the body pool of phosphate.

An intravenous infusion of 3,430mg of PO4- has been given to 11 patients on acetate and to 11 patients on bicarbonate haemodialysis. The 'phosphate spaces' and dialytic removal were determined. The bicarbonate dialysis causes lower values of phosphate pool, total phosphate space, cellular space and phosphate cellular clearance. There is also a greater phosphate removal during bicarbonate dialysis. The better correction of metabolic acidosis and the absence of acetate metabolism are two factors which may be responsible for these phenomena.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1985

Muzolimine in advanced chronic renal failure.

27 patients with creatinine clearances ranging from 20 to 2 ml/min were treated daily with 6.9 mg/kg of muzolimine, for 10 to 25 days. The hyperhydration state with oedema decreased gradually in all patients without hypotensive phenomena. Muzolimine benefited hypertension in patients with expansion of the extracellular space and it also strengthened the effect of clonidine or minoxidil. Important diuretic and natriuretic effects were obtained. Metabolic acidosis improved. No subjective adverse reactions to the drug or side effects were noted. High-dose muzolimine appears to be efficacious and safe for short-term treatment in patients with severe chronic renal failure.

Acid-Base Imbalance↗