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Biomedical subjects

O Brunser

Publications and source records attributed to O Brunser.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Application of a model for predicting morbidity in children from a low socioeconomic level].

An instrument to be used at a primary health care level was built on the basis of a predictive model for diarrhea obtained during a previous study. The instrument was applied to 720 mothers or caregivers of infants living in the Southeastern area of Santiago. 83 infants who fulfilled the requisites of the instrument were surveyed during July-August 1989 and compared to age, nutritional and socioeconomic status matched children not fulfilling the same requisites. Infants selected by the predictive instrument suffered 4 times more morbid episodes and respiratory infections and 5 times more diarrheal episodes than controls. Symptoms were present in them during 50% of the survey period as opposed to 14% in controls. Mothers of children at risk had inadequate behaviors in respect to health care of their children and did not follow many of the National Health programs available for their families. The predictive instrument tested may be useful to identify children at high risk of morbidity, creating the possibility for special interventions in them.

Child Welfare↗
PubMed1991

Persistent diarrhoea in the community. Characteristics and risk factors.

In 58 previously well-nourished patients who were fed cow's milk and who later developed persistent diarrhoea (greater than or equal to 15 days), data obtained during the first 8 days of acute diarrhoea were compared with those of patients whose episodes lasted less than or equal to 8 days. Children with persistent diarrhoea weighted less at birth, passed greater than or equal to 6 stools/day during the first 48 hours, received early treatment with antibiotics. Their milk feedings were stopped during the first 48 hours, they had a past history of digestive diseases and hospitalizations, they were brought in for consultation after 5 days of symptoms and their nutritional status deteriorated more (p less than 0.003, p less than 0.03, p less than 0.0001, p less than 0.0001, p less than 0.0001, p less than 0.002, p less than 0.0001, and p less than 0.03, respectively). Their mothers were significantly younger (p less than 0.0013), had better schooling (p less than 0.037), and fewer children (p less than 0.044), and were separated from the index child during the day more often (p less than 0.056). After persistent diarrhoea was diagnosed, enteropathogens in stools or lactose intolerance or both were demonstrated in 75.9%. Treatment induced remission in all cases. Using logistic regression a predictive model was established which enables us to identify, among patients with acute diarrhoea, those at risk of prolonging their illness.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

[Health education for food handlers].

A study to evaluate hygiene of food handlers and their sites of work was carried out. The hygienic habits of food handlers were evaluated by personal interview at the job site. Hygiene of the establishment was evaluated according to a standard score. Both workers and establishments were found inadequate in this respect. After a short educational intervention, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in knowledge about hygienic habits was demonstrated in food handlers. Prevention of food transmitted diseases requires constant educational efforts directed to food handlers.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effect of an acidified milk on diarrhoea and the carrier state in infants of low socio-economic stratum.

The effect on diarrhoeal disease of an acidified, modified powdered cow's milk infant formula (Pelargon) was evaluated in 82 infants (Group I) for six months; 104 infants who received the same formula but non acidified, served as controls (Group II). Nutritional status remained satisfactory in both groups throughout the observation period. Some children rejected the taste of the acidified milk. The incidence of diarrhoea was lower in Group I (p less than 0.001). The proportion of days in which the children suffered from acute diarrhoea, and the duration of the episodes were also lower in the children given the acidified milk (p less than 0.001). The rate of detection of enteropathogens and the species identified were comparable in both groups. Carrier rates for bacterial enteropathogens fell over time in Group I while they rose in Group II (p less than 0.001). Carrier rates for enteric parasites were comparable to those expected in our setting for this age group. These results suggest that acidified milk exerts a protective effect against diarrhoeal disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Faecal excretion of rotavirus and other enteropathogens in newborns of the high and low socio-economic stratum in Santiago, Chile.

Faecal excretion of enteropathogens was studied in newborns in their first week of life. Rotavirus was investigated in 225 neonates, of whom 107 belonged to the low socio-economic stratum (SES) and 118 to the high SES. Half of each group were delivered by caesarean section. Rotavirus was detected in 10 infants (4.4%). Eight of them had been in the same ward and excreted the same viral electrophoretype. Enteropathogenic bacteria were isolated from 8 out of 57 (14.0%) newborns. Positive cultures were equally distributed by SES and route of delivery. Giardia lamblia was the only parasite detected, in one infant (2.6%) of the high SES. None of the children developed symptoms. Faecal excretion of enteropathogens ended spontaneously within a week in all cases. It is suggested that the lack of symptomatology and the spontaneous termination of the faecal excretion are related to immaturity of the small intestinal mucosa, that does not allow the completion of the steps that must take place during a successful infectious event.

Chile↗
PubMed1987

Effect of structured dietary fiber on bioavailability of amoxicillin.

The effect of structured dietary fiber on the bioavailability of amoxicillin (AMX) was evaluated. Ten healthy volunteers ingested one of two isocaloric, isonitrogenous diets providing 7.8 gm/day (diet I) and 36.2 gm/day (diet II) of structured fiber for 3 days. Then they ingested one tablet (500 mg) AMX after breakfast. The other diet was administered for an additional 3 days and the study was repeated. Plasma and urinary AMX concentrations were measured at 9 and 24 hours, respectively, by a microbiologic technique. An open one-compartment model was used for pharmacokinetic analysis. AMX was absorbed more slowly when ingested with diet I than with diet II: the absorption rate constant was 1.04 +/- 0.37 and 1.75 +/- 0.75 (P less than 0.05); lag time for absorption was 0.34 +/- 0.13 hours and 0.29 +/- 0.11 hours (P less than 0.05). The first-order rate constant and elimination half-life were similar. Bioavailability was higher with diet I: the AUC was 12.17 +/- 3.04 vs. 9.65 +/- 2.64 micrograms/ml/hr with diet II (P less than 0.05). A higher content of dietary fiber increased AMX absorption rate and decreased the amount of drug absorbed.

Absorption↗
PubMed1987

Chronic environmental enteropathy in a temperate climate.

Forty-three apparently healthy young adult male volunteers underwent an evaluation of their nutritional status, blood chemistry and faecal excretion of enteropathogens, which did not reveal current malnutrition or illnesses. Ten of them were further studied for small intestinal histology, culture of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in the duodenal juice, disaccharidase activities, glucose absorption and faecal excretion of fat and nitrogen. The study revealed mild morphological changes associated with the appearance of anaerobic bacteria in the upper intestine, decreased glucose transport and increased faecal losses of nitrogen. Although all these changes were rather mild, they may be significant for people whose diet is of borderline nutritional quality.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Acute diarrhoea and asymptomatic infection in Chilean preschoolers of low and high socio-economic strata.

Preschoolers who belonged to the high (Group I, n = 112) or the low (Group II, n = 90) socio-economic stratum were followed prospectively for six months. Mean monthly incidence of diarrhoea was 3 and 7 episodes per 100 children for Group I and Group II respectively (p less than 0.001). Episodes were shorter and affected a smaller proportion of children in Group I (p less than 0.002 and p less than 0.05), respectively). Bacterial enteropathogens were recovered in 12.6% and 13.5% of the episodes in Group I and Group II and parasites in 15.4% and 62.8%, respectively. Rotavirus was detected once in each group. Asymptomatic carrier rates for enteropathogenic bacteria were 12.0% in Group I and 7.2% in Group II. The corresponding figures for parasites were 28.2% and 62.8% (p less than 0.001). Nutritional status was normal in all children. These results suggest that socio-economic stratum plays an important role in the characteristics of diarrhoeal illness in the groups which conform the population of the less developed countries. Acute diarrhoea is less frequent in preschoolers living in Santiago than in other developing areas. Rates of asymptomatic infection are high.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Acute diarrhoeal disease in children under 7 years of age in a peri-urban slum of Santiago, Chile.

A group of 168 families who lived in a peri-urban slum in Santiago were surveyed for 9 months. All of them had a child under 7 years of age. Medical activities and data collection were carried out at a Field Station and by means of twice-weekly visits to each home, at which time cases of diarrhoea were recorded and investigated. Faecal samples for bacteriological, parasitological and rotavirus studies were obtained during each episode. The characteristics of clinical course, hygienic practices in the family, and monthly anthropometric measurements of infants and toddlers were also recorded. The mean monthly incidence of diarrhoea was 7.1 episodes per 100 children. Of the episodes, 44.2% were associated with pathogenic bacteria, 14.4% with rotavirus, 38.4% with parasites and in 27.9% no enteropathogens were identified. It was found that adequate hygienic habits were not associated with a decreased risk of developing diarrhoea and that about 60% of children did not have diarrhoea throughout the study period. The nutritional status was adequate in most cases: weight-for-age was below the 5th percentile in 11.5% of subjects and the height-for-age was normal in all. No moderate or severe cases of malnutrition were detected.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1984

Safety evaluation of sweet lupine (Lupinus albus cv. Multolupa). II. Nine-month feeding and multigeneration study in rats.

Sweet lupine Lupinus albus cv. Multolupa) flour containing 41.7% protein and 0.025% lupanine was fed for 9 months to two generations of rats (F1 and F2) at a level that provided 20% dietary protein. The diets were supplemented with 0.2% DL-methionine. The control diet provided the same dietary protein level from defatted soya-bean flour, fish meal and dried skimmed milk. The lupine diet had no effect on the general condition, mortality or behaviour of the animals. The growth rate of males fed sweet lupine was significantly higher than that of the controls. Haematological parameters and tests of liver function were normal in all treatment groups. At autopsy there were no significant changes in the weight of the heart, kidney, spleen, brain and gonads. However, the relative weight of the liver of lupine-fed rats was significantly lower than that in the controls. The histology of the liver, like that of the other organs examined, was normal. The reproduction study did not reveal any adverse effect on fertility or lactation that could be attributed to ingestion of sweet lupine. This investigation did not disclose any deleterious effects through two generations of rats that were fed sweet lupine at a level that provided 20% dietary protein for 9 months.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1983

Enteropathogen carriage by healthy individuals living in an area with poor sanitation.

Faecal carriage of bacterial enteropathogens (enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), shigellae and salmonellae) was studied in 265 individuals: 65 infants 3-6 months of age (50 bottle-fed and 15 breast-fed), 100 school-age children 8-10 years of age and 100 adults 21-50 years of age. All were apparently healthy, did not have gastrointestinal symptoms, had not received antibiotics in the preceding fortnight and were not malnourished. Enteropathogens were isolated from the faeces of 24 individuals (9.1%). Cultures were positive for enteropathogens in 20% of the infants (both breast- and bottle-fed), 8% of school-age children and 3% of the adults. EPEC was the most frequent isolate. Twelve different serotypes were detected. The highest recoveries were E. coli 026:K60 and 044 . K74. Shigella was detected only in school-age children (2%) and salmonella only in adults (1%). Campylobacter jejuni and Yersinia enterocolitica were studied only in the school-age children: there was one isolate of each of them. Most enteropathogens isolated were susceptible to the majority of the antibiotics tested. Only four E. coli strains, isolated from bottle-fed infants, could be considered multi-resistant. Two of the strains wer E. coli 044:K74 and 020a020c:K61. The remainder were E. coli 0111:K58 and wee capable of transferring some of their antibiotic resistance traits to a recipient strain.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Comparative effects of semisynthetic D-5-vinyl-2-thiooxazolidone and water-extracted rapeseed meal in the rat.

The toxic effect of two levels of semisynthetic D-5-vinyl-2-thiooxazolidone (VTO) (0.006 and 0.0012%) was compared in rats with that of 0.005% of the same substance present in 'detoxified' rapeseed meal (DRSM). Diets containing 10% protein as casein (control group) or DRSM were tested. Growth rates and protein efficiency ratio with DRSM were slightly less than in the controls. VTO did not affect the growth rate and seems to increase the protein efficiency ratio. Liver and thyroid weights were normal in rats fed DRSM. VTO increased liver weight independently of the concentration in the diet. The The effect on thyroid weight was proportional to VTO concentration, and the glands reached weights twice or three times that of normal. Both levels of semisynthetic VTO led to damage of the hepatic parenchyma. Liver weight was increased. Animals receiving DRSM did not show differences either in liver weight or histology compared to the controls. Thyroid histology of animals fed VTO or DRSM showed smaller follicles lined by tall cells and reduction of lumenal colloid. These changes were more severe in animals fed VTO. It is postulated that both VTO and isothiocyanate may decrease thyroid hormone production which in turn stimulates TRH and TSH release leading to glandular hyperplasia and hypertrophy.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Histological maturation of astroglial cells in the archicortex of early malnourished rats.

The maturation of fibrous astrocytes was studied in the archicortex (hippocampus) of rats subjected to early postnatal malnutrition. A decrease in the number of protoplasmic processes and end-feet in fibrous astrocytes from the cortical molecular layer was observed. In animals refed after weaning the number of protoplasmic processes returned to normal while that of end-feet remained unchanged. The diameter of the perikaryon was reduced. It is postulated that early malnutrition, induced immediately after birth, impairs differentiation of astroglia in the archicortex of the rat brain, probably as a response secondary to altered neuronal and capillary development.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Long-term acceptance of low-lactose milk.

Low-lactose milk was produced by incubating cow's milk with yeast lactase. Sixteen lactose tolerant and 15 intolerant volunteers ingested 500 ml of the product twice daily for 1 month. During the testing period all subjects received on three occasions the same volume of unmodified milk in double-blind tests. Symptoms recorded throughout the study and for an additional 15 day base-line observation period were: diarrhea, abdominal pain and distention, flatulence, heartburn, and headache. Low-lactose milk acceptance was excellent. No significant differences were found between tolerants and intolerants during the base-line period and while ingesting low-lactose milk. By contrast, unmodified milk induced severe symptoms only in the intolerants. Availability of low-lactose milk and of its by-products allows consumption of greater volumes of this highly nutritious food by subjects with lactose intolerance with none or less symptoms compared to unmodified milk.

Adolescent↗