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Biomedical subjects

M Berrocal

Publications and source records attributed to M Berrocal.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Biological upgrading of wheat straw through solid-state fermentation with Streptomyces cyaneus.

The biological upgrading of wheat straw with Streptomyces cyaneus was examined through the analysis of chemical and structural changes of the transformed substrate during solid-state fermentation. Analysis of enzymes produced during the growth of S. cyaneus showed that phenol oxidase was the predominant enzyme. The reduction in Klason lignin content (16.4%) in the transformed substrate indicated the ability of this strain to delignify lignocellulose residues and suggests a role for phenol oxidase in the bacterial delignification process. Microscopic examination of the transformed substrate showed that the initial attack occurred at the less lignified cell walls (phloem and parenchyma), while xylem and sclerenchyma were slowly degraded. The pattern of degradation of sclerenchymatic tissues by S. cyaneus showed delamination between primary and secondary walls and between S1 and S2 due to partial removal of lignin. In the later stages of the decay a disorganization of the secondary walls was detected on account of fibrillation of this layer. A comparison of the properties of the pulp from wheat straw transformed by S. cyaneus with untreated wheat straw showed that pretreatment improved the characteristics that determine the quality of pulp. This was indicated by an increase in pulp brightness and by a decrease in the kappa number. These changes occurred without significantly affecting the viscosity, a measure of the quality of the cellulose fibres. These results support the potential application of this organism or its oxidative enzymes in biopulping.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1997

Burns and epilepsy.

This is a report of the first descriptive analytic study of a group of 183 burn patients, treated in the Burn Unit at the University Hospital of Cartagena, Colombia during the period since January 1985 until December 1990. There is presented experience with the selected group of 24 patients in whom the diagnosis of burn was associated with epilepsy. There is also analysed and described the gravity of the scars sequels, neurological disorders, the complication of the burn and an impact of this problem on the patient, his (her) family and the community. It is very important to report that there was found Neurocisticercosis in 66.6% of the group of burn patients with epilepsy, and it is probably the first risk factor of burn in this group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Self application of preventive measures and opinion about applying them to the population at the health centers of Cantabria].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the degree of fulfillment of preventive measures and health promotion recommended by the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine for medical staff; to determine the opinion for medical staff about the application to these preventive measures in the general population and to analyse the relationship between the self application and the recommendation to the population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional observational through questionnaire. SETTING: Health Centers in Cantabria. PARTICIPANTS: Medical staff of Health Centers. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A response of 67.9% (146 out of 215) was obtained. The results of the self application had been: smokers, 35.6%; know their TA, 89.5%; know their weight, 99.3%; know their cholesterol, 81.5%; tetanus vaccinated, 41.4%; influence vaccinated, 33.6%; hepatitis B vaccinated, 38.6%; consume alcohol in excess, 5.6%; make breasts annual exploration, 44.4%; mammography, 33.0%; cervical cytology, 73.1% protected against german measles, 87.2%. The opinion of the medical staff about the application of the preventive measures in the general population of was positive in more of 90% the respondent. We found a significant relation (p < 0.01) between self application and recommendations to the population; and the population recommendation also showed an inverse relationship with the number of years of experience in First Aid (p < 0.01). However, the statistical was low for these variables (0.2). CONCLUSION: The self application of the preventive measures in the Health Centers of Cantabria is in general better than in other Spanish regions and although, we found relations between self application and recommendation to the population the statistics potency was low for this variable.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The protective properties of liquid perfluorocarbons in phacofragmentation of dislocated lenses.

PURPOSE: In vitro and animal experiments were performed to evaluate the character of retina and pigment epithelium (RPE) damage induced by ultrasonic stream from the tip of a phacofragmentor and to establish the protective properties of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL). METHODS: During mechanical vitrectomy in 12 rabbit eyes, the retina were exposed to ultrasound from different distances and with different powers, with and without PFCL. Electron microscopic examination was then performed to assess damage. RESULTS: Ultrasound failed to penetrate the layer of PFCL in vitro. In eyes not injected with PFCL, exposure to the stream from 2 mm and 4 mm at both 50% and 100% powers led to retinal hole formation within 45 to 155 seconds. Damage to the RPE was found in the projection of the hole and within 1 mm from its edge under intact retina. After exposure from 6 mm and in eyes injected with PFCL, the retina and RPE were unchanged. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the ultrasonic stream from a phacofragmentor may damage the retina sufficiently to cause tears, but that the interface between perfluoro-n-octane and intraocular fluid provides a reflective surface that protects the posterior pole from the stream induced by ultrasound.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Experimental studies of the combined use of vitreous substitutes of high and low specific gravity.

The combined use of high and low specific gravity liquid vitreous substitutes has been studied in the rabbit. Eyes having undergone 1) vitreous replacement with silicone liquid combined with a perfluoropolyether liquid of high viscosity; 2) replacement with the perfluoropolyether or silicone alone; or 3) vitrectomy only (control) were compared under conditions of a cell-injection model of traction retinal detachment. Some of the control eyes (3 out of 9) and silicone-filled eyes (2 out of 10) developed total retinal detachments involving all quadrants; in the silicone-filled eyes the detachments extended behind the silicone globule. Conversely, in the eyes undergoing replacement with the two liquids or with the perfluoropolyether liquid alone, retinal detachments never extended to the inferior quadrants underlying the perfluoropolyether globule. In other experiments, the tendency toward emulsification of a low-viscosity perfluorocarbon liquid was reduced when it was used in combination with silicone liquid, in comparison to when this liquid was used alone.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

The effects of lipid lowering on diabetic retinopathy.

The effect of lipid lowering on hard exudates was determined in six consecutive patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Diet and hypolipidemic drug therapy including the use of pravastatin, a new inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase, were used to treat patients for one year. The total cholesterol concentration decreased from a mean baseline value of 231 mg/dl to a treatment mean value of 165 mg/dl. The mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration decreased from 157 mg/dl to 93 mg/dl. Masked grading of fundus photographs indicated an improvement in hard exudates in all six patients and a decrease in microaneurysms in four patients. Visual acuity improved in one patient and did not change (one line or less change) in five patients. No remarkable side effects resulting from treatment were observed. Our pilot study suggests that aggressive therapy of diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia may have a beneficial effect on background retinopathy.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Usefulness of laryngeal stroboscopy].

The extended use of optic fibers and TV cameras and videos make easier the stroboscopic exploration of the vocal folds. The ENT surgeons must stress the use of this unique method which allows us the study of the laryngeal voice function. This exploration is based on a fictional slow motion movement of the vocal fold that lets us see the mucosal wave. The most useful clinical implications of the laryngeal stroboscopic study are: phonatory function, differential diagnosis between benign and malignant lesions and laryngeal paresis.

Biophysical Phenomena↗