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M Rodríguez

Publications and source records attributed to M Rodríguez.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Epidemic outbreak of shigellosis following water intake].

BACKGROUND: To describe the clinical, epidemiologic and microbiologic characteristics of an outbreak of shigellosis. METHODS: Twenty-six patients affected by shigellosis were studied. Upon identification of the outbreak, a questionnaire was carried out in relatives to determine the attack-rate. Studies of the isolated strains included biotype, antibiotype, and in 8 selected strains, plasmid and ribotyping profile. RESULTS: From September 23 to October 21 1991, 26 patients (42% males, 54% under the age of 14 years), 23 of whom drunk water from two nearby fountains were attended for acute gastroenteritis and positive stool culture with isolation of Shigella sonnei strains with identical biochemical pattern and sensitivity. Only 2 required hospital admission and all recovered well. Forty-five percent of the 80 individuals who had drunk water from the fountains were affected. The attack-rate was higher in children (67%) than in adults (27%) (p < 0.001). The plasmid profile was identical in the strains studied. The only discriminative endonuclease used for the ribotyping was Sal I, which allowed the strains corresponding to the outbreak to be differentiated from those used as controls. CONCLUSIONS: An outbreak of shigellosis due to water ingestion is herein reported. The usefulness of plasmid profile as an epidemiologic marker of Shigella is confirmed. Only one of the four enzymes used for the ribotyping was discriminative. A greater susceptibility to infection was observed in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Comparative study of clonidine and lidocaine on the attenuation of the intraocular pressure increase associated with laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation].

OBJECTIVE: To verify and compare the efficacy of clonidine and lidocaine for attenuating the ocular hypertensive response generated by manipulation of the laryngoscope and endotracheal intubation (EIT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective double blind study 45 patients undergoing non-ocular surgery were divided into 3 groups according to pretreatment protocol: A, approximately 3 micrograms/kg clonidine orally 90-120 min before surgery; B, 1.5 mg/kg intravenous lidocaine 1 min before EIT and C, control group. On all patients we recorded intraocular pressure (IOP), mean arterial pressure and heart rate at the following times: basal, just before EIT, immediately after EIT, 5 minutes later and 10 minutes later. RESULTS: The patients pretreated with clonidine had significantly lower IOP levels than did the control group at all measurements times; patients pretreated with lidocaine had lower IOP after induction and after intubation. IOP was significantly lower in patients who received lidocaine than in control group patients after EIT, although IOP levels with lidocaine were higher than with clonidine. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with oral clonidine is an effective method for preventing increases in IOP after EIT, is more effective than pretreatment with lidocaine, and should therefore be used for that end. Intravenous lidocaine represents a valid alternative in emergency cases when the approximate wait time of 2 hours is contraindicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Relationship between the duration of the clinical course of human brucellosis and the avidity of specific IgG antibodies].

The aim of this work was to relate the avidity of specific IgG antibodies with the time of evolution of human brucella infection. IgG anti-brucella antibodies were measured using an ELISA assay with 8 M urea in 17 patients with recent active brucellosis (group I), 31 patients with chronic active brucellosis (group II) and 120 asymptomatic patients with past brucellosis (group III). Twelve patients of group I (70.6%), three of group II (9.7%) and none in group III had low avidity antibodies against Brucella. It is concluded that these antibodies have a high diagnostic efficiency for recent Brucella infections.

Agglutination Tests↗
PubMed1995

Contribution of the proximal and distal nerve stumps to peripheral nerve regeneration in silicone chambers.

The specific contribution of the proximal and distal nerve stumps across an 8 mm gap within silicone chamber regeneration models was studied. For this, proximal and distal (Group A), distal and distal (Group B) and proximal and proximal (Group C) nerve stumps were placed in opposite ends of silicone chambers. In all the groups, a tissue cable forms between the nerve stumps, demonstrating that, without distinction, proximal or distal stumps can stimulate the growth of other proximal or distal stumps. Furthermore, in Group B, the newly formed pseudo-nerve, in the absence of regenerating axons, contains a number of Schwann cells significantly similar to Group A, which confirms that proliferation and migration of Schwann cells do not require axonal presence or contact. Likewise, the findings demonstrate that, with the exception of the axons, the distal stump contributes to the peripheral nerve regeneration in the same way as the proximal stump. Finally, when proximal stumps are placed in both the opposite ends of the silicone chamber, Schwann cells and regenerating axons grow into the chamber gap from both inserts, and myelination also proceeds from both ends to the centre of the chambers.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[The prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among blood donors in Asturias. A clinical-epidemiologic study].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to know the prevalence, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and analytical changes present in anti-HCV positive blood donors detected in Asturias. METHODS: A prospective analysis of the incidence and prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in the blood donations carried out in Asturias from October 1989 to October 1991 was performed, as was a clinical and analytical study of the anti-HCV positive cases who attended a clinic specifically created for the same. RESULTS: The prevalence of the anti-HCV was 0.87% of the donors (372/42,789) and 0.50% of the donations (372/73,831) being higher among new donors (1.77%, 165/9,322). Of the 288 cases studied (77.4%), only 51 (17.7%) had been transfused and 105 (36.5%) lacked the previous parenteral risk factor. Only 31 (10.8%) presented symptoms or signs of liver disease and the positivity of the anti-HBc was not associated to any relevant analytical change. The existence of previous major surgery or transfusion was variable with the independent predictive value versus a negative anti-HCV control group. The mean follow up was 12.4 +/- 7.3 months (6-30 months) with an increase in aminotransferases (ALT) being detected in 108 cases (52.7%). A good correlation was found between this data, an ELISA-2 score greater than 5 and RIBA-2 positivity: of the 177 cases in whom RIBA-2 was determined this was found to be positive in 109 (61.6%); 84 cases (77.1%) had an increase in ALT and 100 (91.8%) an ELISA-2 score greater than 5. CONCLUSIONS: In Asturias the prevalence of anti-HCV positivity among blood donors is almost 1% and is greater if new donors are considered, being confirmed by RIBA-2 in 61% of the cases. The subjects are usually asymptomatic and up to one third of the same lack any known risk factor, while almost half have hypertransaminasemia during follow up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[A comparative analysis of blood donors with antibodies to the hepatitis C virus, positivity for the hepatitis B surface antigen and hypertransaminasemia in Asturias].

BACKGROUND: A comparative study of the differences with respect to prevalence, epidemiologic risk factors, clinical and analytical status and histologic data of blood donors with different liver diseases detected in the same geographical area and time period was carried out. METHODS: HBsAg or anti-HCV positive blood donors detected in Asturias (Spain) from October 1989-1991, and a third group of 115 consecutive donors with negative viral markers and an increase in ALT, as well as a fourth control group with no alterations were compared with a BMDP statistical program and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-HCV+ donors was greater than that of those with HBsAg+ in both general donors (0.87% vs 0.28%) as well as in new donors (1.77% vs 1.2%) with a constant incidence of HBsAg+ cases of around 0.16% of the donations with a decrease being observed in the anti-HCV+ (ELISA 1) cases from 0.76% to 0.25%. The mean age was significantly higher among the anti-HCV+ donors with respect to the remaining groups (41 vs 36 years). Likewise, the cases of anti-HCV+ presenting parenteral risk factors, such as intravenous drug addiction, transfusion or surgery were significantly higher, with the latter two having an independent predictive value. Signs or symptoms of liver disease were more frequently detected in the anti-HCV+ (10.8%) vs the HBsAg+ (2.3%) as were an increase in ALT (52.8% vs 12.7%) and histologic signs of chronic hepatitis (36.4% vs 6.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-HCV+ blood donors more frequently present previous parenteral risk factors, signs or symptoms of chronic liver disease, hypertransaminasemia or histologic data of chronic hepatitis, thus its detection in al altruistic blood donor indicates a high probability of chronic subjacent liver disease. This is in contrast to donors with HBsAg+ which do not normally present liver disease and those with hypertransaminasemia with negative viral markers who generally have slight liver lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

High level expression of the B. microplus Bm86 antigen in the yeast Pichia pastoris forming highly immunogenic particles for cattle.

Recently, a gene coding for the Bm86 tick gut glycoprotein was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and shown to induce an immunological response in cattle to damage ticks engorging on these animals (Rand et al., 1989). We report here the increased expression of the Bm86 antigen from the cattle tick Boophilus microplus in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant protein was obtained with a purity higher than 95% by a procedure with a high yield. The conducted biochemical studies demonstrated the antigen to be glycosylated and found to form particles of around 17 to 45 nm in diameter with enhanced immunogenic properties. Ticks engorging on vaccinated cattle were significantly damaged as a result of the immune response against the recombinant antigen. This system permits the obtainment in a high yield of the tick Bm86 antigen, in a glycosylated and particulated form.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

[Blood donors with positive HBsAg in Asturias: its current prevalence and significance].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to know the current prevalence of HBsAg positivity in Asturias blood donors and to carry out a clinical study of the carriers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) accidentally detected in a blood donation program. METHODS: A prospective study of incidence and prevalence of HBsAg positivity in blood donations performed in Asturias over two years from October 1989 and 1991 was carried out and the epidemiologic, clinical, and analytical characteristics, as well as histologic liver lesions in the HBsAg positive cases were determined. RESULTS: Among the 42,789 blood donors during this above mentioned period in Asturias 119 cases of HBsAg positivity were found, representing a prevalence of 0.16% of the donations and 0.28% of the donors, generally new donors (95.8%) with a prevalence of 1.2% in this subgroup. No risk factors or known source of contagion were found in 43.6% of the cases and in most occasions the donors were asymptomatic HBsAg carriers (96.5%) with normal transaminases (87.3%) with 4.6% of the cases being HBeAg positive and 3.5% being mutant "e minus" carriers. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HBsAg was almost limited to new donors with a higher prevalence being observed with respect to other regions. Most of the cases may be considered as "apparently healthy" and in the group with positive replicative markers a similar number of positive HBeAg carriers and "e minus mutants" were present.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Characterization of Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. isolated from Iberian ham throughout the ripening process.

The Iberian dry cured ham is an uncooked meat product highly appreciated because of its characteristic flavour. This product is obtained from highly marbled Iberian pig hindlegs after 18-24 months of maturation under natural environmental conditions. The role of Micrococcaceae in the development of the aroma characteristics of this products remains unclear. Identification of Gram-positive, catalase-positive cocci isolated from Mannitol Salt Agar plates showed that Staphylococcus xylosus followed by Staphylococcus equorum are the predominant organisms, even after 16 months of maturing. A remarkable variety of types of both staphylococci and micrococci are detected at any sampling time. The metabolic activities of these organisms could contribute to the characteristics of the final product.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Efficacy and tolerance of oral dipyrone versus oral morphine for cancer pain.

In a double-blind, randomised and parallel clinical trial, two oral doses of dipyrone (1 and 2 g) administered every 8 h were compared with 10 mg of oral morphine given every 4 h for the relief of chronic cancer pain. A total of 121 patients with cancer pain without gastric involvement participated in a 7-day treatment course and were allocated to receive either dipyrone 1 g (n = 41), dipyrone 2 g (n = 38) or morphine (n = 42). Drug efficacy was analysed according to the degree of pain relief using a 100-mm visual analogue scale, and the number of patients who decided to increase the dose of the analgesic drug on day 4. The analgesic effect of dipyrone, 2 g every 8 h, was similar to that of morphine. The efficacy of both schedules was significantly greater than that of dipyrone, 1 g every 8 h. Dipyrone at either 1 or 2 g doses tended to be better tolerated than morphine, although the differences were not statistically significant.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Acute poisoning caused by hydrogen sulphide: clinical features of 3 cases].

We describe three cases of acute intoxication by hydrogen sulphide which were produced after remaining between 50 and 60 minutes inside a cellulose tank. The three patients had loss of conscience. One of the patients developed a persistent vegetative state; another patient recovered although with neurological post-anoxic sequelas and the third case completely recovered one week after his hospitalization. The patients underwent symptomatic treatment and the environmental concentrations of hydrogen sulphide were measured at the site of the accident. Finally, the application of preventive measures is stressed.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Ulcerative colitis with Coombs+ autoimmune hemolytic anemia. A report of a case with favorable response to medical treatment].

We report the case of a patient with ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, that improved with steroid therapy, and during the follow-up showed analytical changes of iron deficiency anemia and anemia of chronic disorders. We discuss the possible etiologies of the anemia in patients with ulcerative colitis, and the treatments suggested for the associated Coombs-positive hemolytic anemia in these cases, stressing the good response to steroids in our patient.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗
PubMed1994

[Usefulness of endoscopic hemostasis in Dieulafoy's vascular disease].

We report three cases of "Dieulafoy's gastric erosion" or "Exulceratio simplex", which is rarely recognized but is not an uncommon cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, usually very dangerous, as it's an arterial bleeding. In all cases an emergency endoscopy was performed, and treatment with combination of local sclerosis and vessel's electrocoagulation was successful. We insist in the potential benefits of endoscopic treatment in all these occasions, if it's possible, since even exact diagnosis of the bleeding site is very difficult in some patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted in 22 patients with type II primary hypercholesterolaemia to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of two successive dose increases of policosanol. Patients with elevated serum low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol after a diet-only period received randomly, under double-blind conditions, placebo or policosanol at 5 mg once-a-day for 8 weeks. After this period, dosage was doubled to 5 mg twice-a-day for the next 8 weeks and then again doubled to 10 mg twice-a-day. It was found that the LDL-C was reduced significantly by 11.3%, 21.9% and 31.2%, while total cholesterol was also reduced significantly by 8%, 14.1% and 23% respectively in these three periods. Serum high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased by 7.8%, 7.2% and 8.7%, respectively, while in the placebo group a downward shift was observed. The LDL-C to HDL-C ratio was reduced significantly by 15.3%, 25.6% and 34.6%, while the total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio was also reduced significantly by 12.5%, 18.4% and 27.1%, respectively. Triglycerides and VLDL-C values did not change significantly. The reduction of LDL-C, total cholesterol, LDL-C to HDL-C, and total cholesterol to HDL-C ratios showed a dependence on the successive dose increases. Policosanol was very well tolerated. No patient discontinued the trial. No disturbances of clinical or blood biochemistry variables attributable to treatment were observed. Adverse effects reported were mild and transient, and no significant differences between groups were found.

Adult↗