Biomedical subjects

P Cuesta

Publications and source records attributed to P Cuesta.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Schizophrenic syndromes and clozapine response in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Relationships between symptom profile and clozapine response were studied. Symptom scores on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms and the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) in a group of 66 treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients, 49 of whom were treated with clozapine. Factor scores were compared among responders, non-responders and partial responders. The PCA yielded a four-factor solution, with positive symptoms, negative symptoms, cognitive disorganization and behavioral disorganization components. Cognitive and behavioral disorganization syndrome scores showed significant differences across groups. Cognitive disorganization was higher in non-responders, while behavioral disorganization was higher in partial responders. The results support the possibility of using clinical profiles to predict therapeutic response to clozapine.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Biogenic amine production by wild lactococcal and leuconostoc strains.

Two qualitative and one quantitative HPLC methods were evaluated for the detection of biogenic amine producers among wild dairy lactococcal and leuconostoc strains. High tyramine producers ranging from 370 to 807 mg l-1 were detected by qualitative methods and confirmed by HPLC analysis. Tyramine levels detected throughout the incubation time depended on the concentration of the amino acid precursor available and no tyramine production was observed when strains were grown in milk. However, increasing amounts of tyramine were detected in cultures grown in milk supplemented with different concentrations of tyrosine. Qualitative methods failed to detect weak producers so that tryptamine production (< 7 mg l-1) could only be determined by HPLC. None of the tested strains was able to produce histamine. Simultaneous production of different amines was observed by HPLC although no colour change was observed in the specific decarboxylase media. Thus, it was concluded that the amine forming ability should be taken into account when selecting starters for milk fermentations. Qualitative methods could be used as a first screening step to eliminate the highest amine producers while the quantitative methods would detect any producing strain.

Aromatic-L-Amino-Acid Decarboxylases↗

PubMed1998

Immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 and PCNA in canine mammary tumors: relationship to clinical and pathologic variables.

The objectives of this study were to measure the proliferation indices in canine mammary tumors using immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), to determine the relationship of these antigens to clinical and pathologic variables, and to investigate the usefulness of these antigens as prognostic indicators. Ninety-six female dogs with 115 primary nonmetastasized spontaneous mammary tumors and dysplasias were included in the study. Immunostaining was performed using MIB-1 and PC10 monoclonal antibodies against Ki-67 and PCNA, respectively. Ki-67 and PCNA proliferation indices were determined. Dogs were followed for 18 months, with clinical examinations every 3-4 months. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 and PCNA indices in the dogs with dysplasias and benign tumors but not in the dogs with malignant tumors. The clinical stage at first presentation was related to the proliferative index measured with Ki-67 but not to that measured with PCNA. Proliferation indices were significantly lower in the nonmalignant tumors and dysplasias than in the malignant tumors. In malignant tumors, the PCNA index had a positive correlation with the histologic malignant grade and the nuclear grade. High index values of Ki-67 were positively correlated with metastasis, death from neoplasia, low disease-free survival rates, and low overall survival rates. PCNA displayed no significant association with these variables. Multivariate analyses concerning metastasis, disease-free survival, and overall survival revealed that the Ki-67 index had prognostic value.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

A computer program based on parallel line assay for analysis of skin tests.

A computer program for the analysis of differences or changes in skin sensitivity has been developed. It is based on parallel line assay, and its main features are its ability to conduct a validation process which ensures that the data from skin tests conform to the conditions imposed by the analysis which is carried out (regression, parallelism, etc.), the estimation of the difference or change in skin sensitivity, and the determination of the 95% and 99% confidence intervals of this estimation. This program is capable of managing data from independent groups, as well as paired data, and it may be applied to the comparison of allergen extracts, with the aim of determining their biologic activity, as well as to the analysis of changes in skin sensitivity appearing as a consequence of treatment such as immunotherapy.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1995

Impact of changes in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an experience of 30 years.

Two hundred and twenty-eight patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated in a single institution in a 31-year period. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and complete response (CR) rates were analyzed. In addition, survival and control rates from 1960 to 1975 and from 1976 to 1991 were evaluated. In the latter group, a comparative study was performed between patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) before radiotherapy (RT) (45) and patients treated with radiotherapy alone (45). OS at 5 and 10 years were 42 and 34%, and DFS rates were 35 and 30%, respectively. CR was achieved in 184 patients (81%). Tumor progression and survival were strongly associated with T-category. Use of fashioned blocks, age and T-category were the most important factors influencing survival in a multivariate analysis. In the patients treated with NCT, rates of CR and OS were not significantly different when compared with the concurrent RT alone group. Ninety-nine patients had recurrence (54%) and 58 received rescue treatment. Modern radiotherapy techniques have greatly assisted in the improvement of tumor control rates. Chemotherapy must be further evaluated and new treatments for relapsed patients are needed.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

[Detection campaign for hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias among school children in northern Extremadura].

PURPOSE: To detect carriers of thalassaemia and haemoglobin variants among the northern Extremadura school population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out in the Plasencia health service area, comprising about 120,000 people. All children between 4 and 15 years of age were offered to take part in the programme. The first-stage screen was mean corpuscular volule (MCV) measured in a Coulter STKS automatic counter. When low VCM was detected, ferritin estimation was carried out; if ferritin was normal, hemoglobin A2 was quantified. Haemoglobin electrophoresis at pH 8.4 was performed in all samples whatever the MCV, and patients were classified into the following groups: iron deficiency, beta-thalassaemia, Hb Lepore, structural haemoglobin variant, or atypical microcytosis. RESULTS: Out of 22 schools from 20 towns, 2,818 children were studied, the participation reaching 75.48%. Lower than normal MCV was found in 162 children (5.74%), who were grouped as follows: thalassaemia, 15 cases (0.53%), Hb Lepore, 8 cases (0.28%), iron deficiency, 77 cases (2.73%), atypical microcytosis, 55 cases (1.95%), and structural variants 7 cases (0.24%). These variants were further identified as HbS (3), Hb Hofu (1), in natives, and HbC (3) in children from Morocco. Higher prevalence of anomalies was seen in some places: Riolobos, 1.5%, Galisteo, 2.5%, Jaraiz de la Vera, 3.02%; a significant group of Hb Lepore carriers was detected in this last town. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of abnormalities seen in some small towns or villages grants this type of programmes as such places, which could be considered as isolated communities, might provide a number of high-risk couples.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1987