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Biomedical subjects

L Vera

Publications and source records attributed to L Vera.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

The diagnostic role of "in utero" magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic potential of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the management of ultrasonically diagnosed congenital anomalies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-two patients were included into the study after the ultrasonic diagnosis of an abnormality. Sixty-three of these patients were affected by an abnormality of the central nervous system (CNS) and 29 by abnormalities in other apparatuses. The GRE technique was used to obtain T1 and T2 star-weighted images. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Satisfactory imaging was obtained in all but one case. In order to define the "reliability" of MRI for a given condition, a diagnostic score was designed and separately given by the obstetrician and the radiologist involved in the case. MRI scored less than ultrasonography for abnormalities of the fetal contour and for large and complex distortion of the CNS as holoprosencephaly. For subtle midbrain anomalies, as well as for neuronal migration disorders, MRI definitely was superior to sonography. For other anomalies, as for example congenital diaphragmatic hernia, MRI was better than conventional techniques in assessing prognosis and outcome, but less reliable in assessing associated anomalies. MRI seems to be a valuable adjunct to us for prenatal diagnosis of only selected fetal anomalies and requires precise guidelines in a multidisciplinary approach to prenatal pathology.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1999

[Immune status against measles and rubella among 4 Chilean groups of different ages].

BACKGROUND: Results of clinical and epidemiological studies confirm that no cases of measles have occurred in Chile since 1993. However, since covering of vaccination programs do not exceed 95%, an immunological surveillance for this disease is warranted. AIM: To know the immune status against measles and rubella in the Chilean population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A serological census of a representative sample of communities with high (90% or more) or low immunization coverings was performed. Four sub samples along the country were selected: 122 children aged 18 months of age (stratum A), 1,276 children attending the first years of basic school (stratum B), 899 teenagers in their last high school year (stratum C) and 399 women attending a family planning clinic (stratum D). IgG antibodies against measles and rubella were measured using ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition techniques, respectively. RESULTS: Antibodies against measles and rubella were found in 96% and 94% of study subjects. No differences in these titres were found between different strata or communities with high or low vaccination covering. There is a high percentage of positive antibodies against measles among children of 18 months of age and a high percentage of antibodies against rubella among teenagers and women in family planning. Only 3% of the sample had not received any vaccine at the moment of the study. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of antibodies against rubella allows to conclude that it is not necessary to consider this antigen in the next vaccination campaign. Due to the high prevalence of antibodies against measles, only the population older than 20 years old should be affected by the disease if this virus enters the country.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Laboratory surveillance of measles. Chile, 1992-1995].

BACKGROUND: The first massive national measles vaccination campaign in Chile was done in 1992. Since then a laboratory surveillance of the disease has been undertaken at the Instituto de Salud Pública. AIM: To report the results of laboratory surveillance of measles between 1992 and 1995. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Paired serum samples from suspected cases of measles were received at the Institute. Measles specific IgG was determined with indirect immunofluorescence methods. IgG and IgM immunoenzymatic methods were used as complementary techniques, and rubella infections were ruled out by hemmaglutination inhibition tests. RESULTS: Sera from 1087 presumptive cases (489 in 1992, 196 in 1993, 180 in 1994 and 222 in 1995) were analyzed. Only two cases of wild imported measles were confirmed, one in Arica in 1992 and the other in Santiago in 1993. Five additional post vaccine cases were detected. Eighty eight percent of samples in 1992 and 75% in 1994 were seropositive. A high percentage of cases were confirmed as rubella (55% in 1992 and 19% in 1994). CONCLUSIONS: Absence of wild measles virus circulation in Chile from 1992 to 1995 emphasizes the importance of laboratory surveillance of the disease.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Eating and emotional disorders in adolescent obese girls with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To study eating and emotional disorders in adolescent insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) girls. METHODS: 98 adolescent girls, aged 13-19 years, were studied: 15 obese and 37 non-obese IDDM girls, 22 obese non-diabetic and 24 non-obese girls, DSM-III-R eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, eating disorders NOS) and eating habits (snacking, sweet compulsions) were evaluated by a semi-structured diagnostic interview (Kiddie-SADS-E and Eating Habits Interview). Emotional disorders were assessed using self-questionnaires (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children, Beck Depression Inventory, Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory). Psychological characteristics were correlated with BMI and, for IDDM girls, with HbA1C. RESULTS: IDDM and non-diabetic obese girls showed high rates of eating disorders NOS (sub-clinical bulimia: 60 and 41%, respectively) and they had more extra-snacks than non-obese girls, suggesting that obesity was the main risk factor for additional eating disorders. However, non-obese IDDM girls had more eating disorders NOS (sub-clinical bulimia: 27%) than did the normal girls (4%). Three IDDM girls had typical bulimia nervosa, while none of the non-diabetic did. The risk of depression was increased by both IDDM and obesity (16 and 18% dysthymia, respectively; 8% in normal girls); both factors cumulated in obese IDDM girls (47% dysthymia). Obesity was linked to marked changes in self-esteem scores and mild effects on anxiety. IDDM had little effect on anxiety and none on self-esteem; it even seemed to preserve the self-esteem of obese girls. Patients with bulimia nervosa had poorer metabolic control than other girls with IDDM. There was no correlation between HbA1C and eating or emotional disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent IDDM girls are at increased risk of eating and emotional disorders. Obesity appears to be an important factor for psychiatric complications; more obese IDDM girls suffered from eating disorders NOS sub-clinical bulimia), dysthymia, anxiety disorders, depression and low self-esteem (Family Satisfaction SEI sub-score) than did non-obese IDDM girls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Feelin' groovy.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Health Promotion↗
PubMed1993

[Eating disorders in an adolescent population with insulin-dependent diabetes].

The existence of a relationship between Insulin-Dependent Diabetes and eating disorders has recently been observed, but its prevalence and impact on somatic functioning remain poorly understood. These dimensions were evaluated in a population of 52 insulin-dependent diabetic adolescent girls and compared with evaluations of matched subjects from the general population. Results showed that the occurrence of anorexia nervosa is rare, the occurrence of unspecified eating disorders is frequent (35%) and the occurrence of bulimia nervosa is nearly six percent. Poor metabolic control as reflected in blood levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C) was found in bulimic subjects and a tendency to be overweight was found in subjects with an unspecified eating disorder. Since such disorders frequently involve dietary restrictions, the role of a restrictive pattern in the occurrence of eating disorders is raised.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Antibody response to Nocardia brasiliensis antigens in man.

A crude extract from N. brasiliensis cells grown in brain heart infusion culture was analyzed. It showed a complex mixture of at least 37 bands when resolved with the discontinuous buffer system of Laemmli in a gradient SDS-PAGE. Western blot analysis of 16 sera from N. brasiliensis-infected individuals always showed the recognition of six bands of 61, 49, 45, 42, 26, and 24 kilodaltons (kDa). Some other bands also reacted but with less intensity. Sera from tuberculosis and leprosy patients reacted strongly with the 49, 45, and 42 kDa bands but weakly or not at all with the 61, 26, and 24 kDa. Sera from healthy control volunteers reacted with some bands but little or not at all with those three identified by the sera from mycetoma patients. These three immunodominant antigens (61, 26 and 24 kDa) may be of clinical value in the serodiagnosis of mycetoma by N. brasiliensis.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Separation anxiety: a new category of anxiety disorders in children?].

The separation anxiety disorder is defined as an excessive anxiety when the child is separated from significant persons. It needs however to be distinguished from normal development separation anxiety because of the later age at onset, its persistence and general impact. We shall discuss the clinical aspects of this disorders, its complications and the issues raised by its outcome. The interesting characteristics of separation anxiety disorder are its frequency and different treatments available.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[HIV infection. Diagnosis in the national network of laboratories in Chile].

A national network including 114 blood banks and laboratories performs screening for HIV infection on approximately 250,000 blood donors a year. This represents 100% coverage of blood transfusions performed in Chile. Up to December 1990. 4956 samples had been sent to the National Reference Center for AIDS for supplementary studies. HIV infection was confirmed in 1465 (29.6%). A prior study covering the first semester of 1989 showed a 26.9% confirmation rate for HIV infection on 845 serum samples. Technical errors including sample contamination, poor cleaning, decreasing titers of controls and erratic criteria regarding the need for supplementary studies may explain the low confirmation rate reported in this study.

Blood Donors↗
PubMed1990

[Patients with an indeterminate serological diagnosis of HIV-1 infection].

Western blot is the technique most frequently used to determine the presence of HIV-1 antibodies. However, some patients remain with an indeterminate diagnosis for HIV-1 according to the technique. We followed 8 such patients for 2 to 18 months. Immunologic studies included standard ELISA, immunofluorescence and Abbott anti-p24 ELISA. We found selective reactivity for certain viral proteins such as isolated p24, p24 plus p51 or p55, gp41 plus gp 120, p17 plus p24 and p25.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1989

Mini-pill in lactating women.

A non-comparative study of the progestogen-only oral contraceptive, norgestrel 0.075 mg, in breast-feeding women was conducted at the Centro de Investigaciones Regionales, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. The study was designed to evaluate the overall acceptability and contraceptive efficacy of norgestrel in breast-feeding women. This report includes a survey of 200 women, all of whom were less than 26 weeks postpartum at admission; 113 were interval patients and 87 were postpartum. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 2, 6 and 12 months after admission. Overall, women experienced an increase in intermenstrual bleeding, amenorrhea, vaginal discharge and breast discomfort. The discontinuation rate at 12 months was 32.5 and the corresponding lost to follow-up rate was 22.5; this is a measure of acceptability. The 12-month life-table rate for pregnancy was 3.4 with a standard error of 2.0. Three women discontinued use of the mini-pill due to accidental pregnancy. One pregnancy was attributed to user failure and the woman conceived 9 months after entering into the study; the other two were attributed to method failure, one woman conceived 3 months after admission and the other conceived 6 months after admission.

Adult↗