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Biomedical subjects

M J Barranco

Publications and source records attributed to M J Barranco.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

[Effects of CO2 on the rat diaphragm in vitro].

Acidosis produced by an increase in CO2 concentration decreases contractility and increases the tendency to fatigue in striated muscle. It is not clear a what levels of CO2 this effect takes place, or in what experimental models it can be observed. In this study we examine the effect of increasing concentrations of CO2 on contractility and fatigue in strips of rat diaphragm in vitro. Six strips of diaphragm from a rat of low-weight were kept in organ bath and supramaximal stimuli of 1, 10, 50 and 100 Hz were applied while CO2 concentration was changed from 5% (29 mmHg), to 10% (48.3 mmHg) to 20% (102 mmHg). To study fatigue we applied 45 series of 50 Hz stimuli per minute for 15 minutes. We obtained these results: a) Contractility. Force of contraction was less with 20% CO2 than with 5% under a stimulus of 1 Hz. No significant differences were found for other concentrations or frequencies. b) Fatigue. Force of contraction decreases as CO2 concentration increased and significant differences were found for all 3 concentrations. The conclusions were: a) an increase in CO2 from 5% to 20% produces a significant decrease in force of contraction under conditions of low-frequency stimuli and b) increases in CO2 concentration from 5% to 10 to 20% increase the muscle's susceptibility to fatigue.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1994

[The primary ciliary dyskinesia syndrome. A frequent pathology].

The prevalence of primary ciliary dyskinesia syndrome (PCDS) in Western countries is of 1/40,000 but is 13% in patients with bronchiectasis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of PCDS in patients with bronchiectasis and sinusitis, including whether or not these patients present specific clinical signs. Eighteen patients with these two conditions from an area with 750,000 inhabitants in Valencia (Spain), were studied for 2 years. Radiologic and clinical information was recorded and mucociliary motility was measured with albumin marked with radioactive technetium. The structure of the nasal mucosa cilia was also studied. In 14 patients (77%) mucociliary motility was suppressed and in 13 ultrastructural changes typical of PCDS were observed. Only male infertility and situs inversus were more frequent in patients with PCDS; other clinical signs were equally severe and frequent in patients with PCDS and in those in whom no cause for bronchiectasis and sinusitis could be found. We conclude that 1) the prevalence of PCDS in patients with bronchiectasis and sinusitis is 77%; 2) in these patients a test of mucociliary motility is sufficient for diagnosis (structural study not being required); 3) the prevalence of PCDS in our population seems to be greater than that described; and 4) clinical signs are similar in patients with PCDS and in those with bronchiectasis of unknown genesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Wegener's granulomatosis. Apropos of a new case and review of the literature].

A case of Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is presented, high-lighting the long-term evolution of affliction of the upper airways without diagnosis, as well as the rapid evolution after detection of the rest of the compounds of the syndrome. We show the difficulties in making a differential diagnosis and the clinical improvement with immunosuppressor treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Pulmonary tuberculosis with normal chest radiography and infection by human immunodeficiency virus].

We report 16 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis with normal chest x-ray film associated with infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These patients belong to a sample of 125 cases of tuberculosis and HIV infection observed during the same study period. The clinical features and the diagnostic methods are described. The unusual character of the finding and its relevance are discussed, as the presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis with normal chest x-ray film was relatively common in patients with HIV infection (12.8%) in our series. This possibility should be considered in the whole population of patients with HIV infection.

False Negative Reactions↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Behçet's syndrome with neurological involvement: value of magnetic resonance].

Behçet's syndrome is a rare inflammatory, multisystemic disease of unknown etiology and chronic relapsing course, manifested chiefly by ocular and mucocutaneous lesions. Among its neurologic complications, a cerebral vasculitis can occasionally been observed, upon which there is little information at present. A 31-year-old man presented with fever, weight loss, oral and genital ulcers, blurred vision and memory loss during the last two months. The cerebrospinal fluid contained 170 lymphocytes/microliters. Computed Tomography and cerebral angiography were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed small hyperintense lesions in the corticomedullary and periventricular regions. The patient's condition improved with corticosteroids. We stress upon the importance of MRI to detect small-vessel vasculitis in Behçet's disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiologic outbreak of Legionnaire's disease in an open community: 10 years later].

AIM: The aim of this study was to describe an outbreak of pneumonia due to L. pneumophila in Llutxent (Valencia) and to know the evolution of these patients 10 years after. METHODS: The definition and identification of cases was carried out with the use of IFI techniques. An environmental and epidemiological study was performed for determining the origin and route of disease dissemination. The patients were clinically, functionally and serologically reviewed 10 years after. RESULTS: From July to August 1983, 35 cases of pneumonia were reported in Llutxent (rate = 1.5%). L. pneumophila serotype 1 was serologically identified and was also found in shower heads and toilet tanks (in the context of the entry of sand into the drinking water supply). Ten years after, the patients had no respiratory symptoms with titers of antibodies versus Legionella sp. being under 1/64. CONCLUSIONS: The authors emphasize the involvement of the distribution system for drinking water to the population in this first outbreak of Legionnaires disease in an open community. The health care measures taken were effective as demonstrated by no further pneumonias being recorded and after normalization of the rate of antibodies on a 10 year review.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗