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Biomedical subjects

R Aznar

Publications and source records attributed to R Aznar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

R plasmids in environmental Vibrio cholerae non-O1 strains.

The occurrence of drug resistance and its plasmid-mediated transferability was investigated in 140 environmental strains of Vibrio cholerae non-O1 and 6 strains of Vibrio cholerae, both O1 and non-O1, of clinical origin. Of the 146 strains tested, 93% were resistant to at least one drug and 74% were resistant to two or more antibiotics. The O1 strains were susceptible to all antibiotics used. A total of 26 of 28 selected resistant wild strains carried R plasmids that were transferable by intraspecific and intergeneric matings. The most common transmissible R factor determined resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfanilamide (30%), followed by resistance to ampicillin and amoxicillin (13%) and resistance to ampicillin, amoxicillin, phosphomycin, and sulfanilamide (9%). Comparison of the three methods of plasmid analysis showed that the method of Birnboim and Doly (Nucleic Acids Res. 7:1513-1523, 1979) without EDTA and lysozyme was optimal for isolation of both large and small plasmids in environmental V. cholerae strains. Most strains harbored more than one plasmid, and the molecular sizes ranged from 1.1 to 74.8 megadaltons. The plasmids of high molecular size (around 74 megadaltons) were responsible for the resistance pattern transferred and were maintained with high stability in the hosts.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1987

Estimates of post-partum bleeding.

Post-partum bleeding was estimated during the first 72 hours in 106 women with normal delivery at term, all had live child with a body weight between 2.5 and 3.5 Kg. Three groups of women were studied: Group 1 comprised 41 volunteers with normal deliveries to whom no medication had been administered; Group 2 comprised 39 volunteers receiving 20 IU of oxytocin in 250 ml of a 5% glucose solution, immediately after delivery; and in Group 3, 26 volunteers received 0.2 mg of ergonovine maleate, orally three times daily for three days. The average post-partum blood loss in Group 1 during the first 72 hours after delivery was 151.5 +/- 12.5 ml; for Group 2, 155.9 +/- 13.9 ml; and for Group 3, 135.5 +/- 15.9 ml. There were no significant differences among the groups and, most of the blood loss occurred during the first 24 hours after delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Combination of passive and active immunization in honeybee venom immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy with honeybee venom (HBV) is effective under optimal conditions, but many untoward systemic reactions are observed when venom doses are increased, especially with rush protocols. Although there were large interpatient variations, the levels of serum been venom specific IgG were found to significantly correlate with the protection of the allergic patients. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out to determine whether passive immunization with fractionated IgG from a beekeeper's serum pool was able to protect patients undergoing a rush immunotherapy program with HBV against untoward systemic reactions, and to observe if the active immunization with HBV could elicit an active IgG immune response toward venom allergens. Hyperimmune IgG was obtained from a pool of sera of beekeepers (Cohn fractions II to III) that was subsequently treated with pepsin for intravenous use. All IgG subclasses were found to be present in the preparation. Twenty-seven patients, highly allergic to HBV, were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. Twenty patients received 10 to 15 gm of fractionated IgG, and seven other patients received saline in a double-blind fashion. The next day, a 3-hour rush protocol attempted to reach a cumulative venom dose of 200 micrograms; 16/20 patients who received the fractionated IgG reached this dose without any systemic reaction, whereas none of the seven subjects who received saline could attain it, and all patients had a systemic reaction. The active immunization with HBV elicited a significant (p less than 0.05; Wilcoxon W Test) increase in venom IgG after 1 week of treatment in the patients who reached the maintenance dose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Mineral deposits formation in bioactive IUD's.

Mineral organic deposits have been observed in inert IUDs. The authors studied the presence of these deposits in bioactive IUDs. Inert, progesterone, and copper-releasing IUDs were removed at 12,24, and 36 months postinsertion. When the devices were cut between their vertical (body) and horizontal (arms) branches, both parts were processed independently. After laxly bound organic material was eliminated, the devices were extracted at 60 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes with 3N HC1, and finally all undissolved material was dissolved in 1N NaOH. In each fraction, protein and inorganic ions were measured. Mineral organic deposits were formed in all types of IUDs. The deposits increased with time in utero in a characteristic device-dependent pattern. The deposits were essentially made of proteins, sodium, and calcium ions and were higher on the inert Lippes Loop D (7.0 +or- 2.4 mg proteins; 2.8 +or- 0.85 mg calcium, and 0.138 +or- 0.048 mg sodium/device); less in the copper IUD (5.7 +or- 1.36 mg proteins, 0.89 +or- 0.12 mg calcium, and 0.180 +or- 0.046 mg sodium/device at 24 months); and even less in the progesterone-releasing IUDs (1.6 +or- 1.3 mg protein, 0.235 +or- 0.028 mg calcium, and 0.262 +or- 0.063 mg sodium/device).

Calcium↗
PubMed1987

Enumeration of salmonellas by most probable number method from sewage and sewage-polluted natural waters, comparing the use of preenrichment versus direct enrichment in NR10 at different temperatures.

Crude sewage and sewage-contaminated natural waters were analysed for the presence of Salmonella by Most Probable Number Procedures, Direct enrichment in NR10 at 37 degrees C and 43 degrees C was compared with preenrichment in buffered peptone water at these two temperatures, followed by selective enrichment in NR10 at 37 degrees C and 43 degrees C. The growth of competing bacteria on Hektoen agar plates was also recorded and quantified. Direct enrichment in NR10 gave higher numbers in both types of waters. The temperature of 37 degrees C was more favourable for the less heavily contaminated waters, whereas 43 degrees C was more efficient for crude sewage. The growth of competing bacteria was restricted at 43 degrees C and enhanced at 37 degrees C. With direct enrichment in NR10/43 degrees C, pure Salmonella cultures can be obtained after 48 h incubation.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1987

[What does circulating beta 2 microglobulin signify in uremic patients on maintenance dialysis?].

The authors report a 2 years prospective study on s beta 2M variations observed in a large uremic population (237 patients, 159 M, 78 F, age: 51.1 +/- 5.9 y.o.). The study consisted in two parts. A long term follow-up of s beta 2M in patients regularly treated with various dialysis modalities; hemodialysis (HD), hemofiltration (HF), hemodiafiltration (HDF), intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). s beta 2M was found elevated in the overall population (41.4 +/- 10.2 mg/l) with a 12.5% variation over time observation in stable patients, not influenced by sex, causal nephropathy, and dialysis mode in anuric patients, beta 2M was inversely correlated with residual diuresis. Residual kidney function preserved longer and in a higher proportion of PD patients was the only significant fact explaining for the difference observed in s beta 2M levels between HD (46 +/- 5) and PD (33 +/- 3) patients. Intercurrent inflammatory and tumoral states increased significantly s beta 2M level in uremic patients. The short term study showed that highly permeable membranes (AN69, polysulphone) used either in HD, HF or HDF were able to decrease s beta 2M from 50 to 60%, and to remove 150 to 200 mg per session, while on the opposite HD/cuprophane increased s beta 2M from 10 to 15%. beta 2M dialysate/plasma equilibrium ratio for peritoneal membrane after a 6 hour dwelling time was 0.20, permitting a net removal of 45 +/- 4 mg/24 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Female↗
PubMed1984

Clinical and immunologic survey in beekeepers in relation to their sensitization.

Beekeepers often present allergic symptoms and represent a natural and experimental model of anaphylaxis and specific immunotherapy. Two hundred BKs were investigated. Both allergic and nonallergic subjects were selected very carefully in terms of immunologic status and exposure to bee stings. They were surveyed by a questionnaire, the titration of total serum IgE, and bee venom-specific IgE and IgG. Skin tests to HBV were performed in 176 subjects. Skin test sensitivity to HBV and allergic symptoms were significantly (p less than 0.0001) related to the estimated number of annual stings. BKs did not have allergy for more than 200 bee stings received in a year, and skin tests were negative in all cases. Many subjects who received between 50 and 200 annual stings had positive skin tests, and 9% of them had a systemic allergic history. Systemic anaphylaxis was present in 20% of BKs who received between 25 to 50 annual stings, and in 45% of BKs who are stung less than 25 times a year. Specific IgE was present in 42% of BKs whatever the number of stings received, but the titer was lower when the number of stings increased. The presence of specific IgE in subjects who are stung numerous times and who do not present allergic symptoms at the time of the stings suggests that outbreaks of anaphylaxis may be possible in nonallergic BKs. Specific IgG titrated by the Pharmacia IgG-RAST was less than 150 U/ml in most allergic subjects and over this level in most nonallergic BKs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1983

Effect of naproxen on IUD-induced hypermenorrhea.

48 volunteers using either a Lippes Loop D or a T Cu 220C IUD who subjectively observed an increase in menstrual bleeding associated with IUD use received 250 mg naproxen 3 times/day during, or for 5 days of, their menstrual period. Results were compared with those on administration of placebo. Of the 48 women studied, 14 had hypermenorrhea (average 133.4 ml/menstrual cycle; heavy bleeding group) and 34 had blood loss within the normal range (average 47 ml; normal group). The study consisted of measuring menstrual blood loss (MBL) during the 1st (control cycle). During the 2nd cycle, the women received placebo medication 3 times/day for the 5 days of menses; results were not significantly different from control values. Naproxen was administered during the 3rd and 4th cycles (treatment); a significant reduction in the amount of MBL was observed in the group of women with heavy bleeding. During the 1st treatment cycle, a reduction of 42.8% was observed and during the 2nd treatment cycle, the reduction was 24.2%. In the group of women with MBL within the range of normal, no significant change in the amount of menstrual bleeding was observed in the treatment cycles as compared with the control cycle or placebo administration.

Contraception↗
PubMed1982

Menstrual blood loss estimates in women using copper 7 and multiload-250 intrauterine devices.

An estimate of the menstrual blood loss (MBL) in 29 women using the Cu-7 and in 33 women using the ML-250 IUDs was carried out. None of the women who took part in the study used hormonal contraceptives or IUDs for six months previous to the study. Before the insertion of the IUD, the MBL of each woman was measured for one or two cycles. Once the IUD was inserted, the MBL was measured at intervals of 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after insertion. After this, the IUD was removed and the MBL measured each month thereafter for 3 months. In the pre-insertion period, the MBL was similar in both groups: 39.3 +/- 5.9 for the group with the Cu-7, and 41.6 +/- 5.5 ml for the one with the ML-250. After the insertion of the Cu-7, either a slight increase or no increase at all of MBL was observed during the 12 months of IUD use. When the IUD was removed, the menstrual blood loss level returned to normal, i.e. to the pre-insertion level.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Treatment of hypermenorrhea with mefenamic acid in women using IUDs.

49 women using either Lippes Loop D or copper T220C IUDs who were complaining of increased menstrual bleeding, were treated with mefenamic acid at a dosage of 500 mg 3 times/day for 5 days during their menstrual periods. Menstrual bleeding of each patient was quantified before initiation of the treatment and figures so obtained were used as pretreatment control values; during their 2nd cycle they received 1 placebo tablet 3 times/day for 5 days, the next 2 cycles utilized treatment with mefenamic acid, followed by a 5th cycle on placebo, and a 6th one without treatment. Of the 49 women admitted to the trial, 20 had pretreatment menstrual bleeding of more than 80 ml and 29 had less than 80 ml; groups 1 and 2, respectively. For group 1, a significant decrease in menstrual bleeding of 49.5% and 37.4% was observed during the 2 treatment cycles. Group 2, subjects with menstrual bleeding within the normal range, showed no decrease in menstrual bleeding.

Biology↗
PubMed1981

Effects of a progesterone-releasing intrauterine contraceptive device on endometrial blood vessels: a morphometric study.

The concentration of microscopically detectable blood vessels was significantly lower in endometrium exposed to progesterone-releasing intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) than in control endometrium (mean vessel density 2.39 and 3.92, respectively). The percentage of vessels with defects was significantly higher in IUD samples (35.0%) than in control samples (13.4%). There was no significant difference in hemostatic response to vessel injury between the IUD and control samples. Although they were more defective than in controls, the blood vessels of progesterone IUD-exposed endometrium were far fewer in number, which may account for significantly less uterine blood loss in the users of these devices. In addition, the progesterone IUDs do not appear to inhibit hemostasis in the endometrium so that blood loss from injured vessels may be minimized.

Endometrium↗
PubMed1981

Polyurethane contraceptive vaginal sponge: product modifications resulting from user experience.

A preliminary study of a new contraceptive vaginal sponge containing the spermicide nonoxynol -9 (N-9), was undertaken to assess acceptability of the method among a group of sexually active volunteers in Mexico City. Numerous modifications of the product and its packaging resulted from user experience and feedback to the physicians and bioengineers conducting the study. Although determining efficacy of the sponge was not an objective, it quickly became clear that spermicide is a crucial component of the intravaginal sponge contraceptive system; a high incidence of pregnancies led us to increase the spermicide level from 10% to 20%, then to the current 30% of dry sponge weight, or about 1.0 gram per sponge. (It should be noted that the high pregnancy rates were consistent with our experience using other vaginal contraceptive methods in the same clinic population). This initial evaluation of the contraceptive sponge has resulted in significant modification which should increase its acceptability to a small but important group of contracepting women. The sponge is currently being evaluated by the International Fertility Research Program (IFRP) in multicentered comparative clinical trials to determine use-effectiveness and acceptability in various cultures.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1981

Intrauterine release of progesterone: changes in RNA patterns of endometrium.

The changes induced in the relative concentrations of the different species of RNA (messenger, ribosomal, transfer and heterogenous) which regulate the metabolic behavior of tissues were studied in the endometrium of normal women and in women wearing a progesterone T IUD for 6-12 months. It was observed that the intrauterine release of progesterone is accompanied by a significant decrease in the content of total RNA (from 78 +or- 8.4 to 64 +or- 6.7 mcg/mg of protein) and in the RNA/DNA ratio (from 0.85 +or- 0.10 to 0.73 +or- 0.08). Although the protein decreased significantly (from 102 +or- 11 to 82 +or- 14 mg/g wet wt.), the DNA content and the Prot/DNA ratio were not altered. Using the affinity chromatography technique in poly(u)Sepharose it was found that the relative concentrations of RNA types were in general drastically modified: mRNA and rRNA decreased (from 2.6 +or- 0.31 to 1.28 +or- 0.15 and from 65.5 +or- 8.0 to 54.8 +or- 6.7 mcg/mg of protein respectively). tRNA content was increased (from 6.2 +or- 0.9 to 11.0 +or- 1.3) while hRNA was unchanged. The probable inhibitory effects of these changes in relation to the normal hormonal stimulation of the human endometrium, as a possible explanation of the mechanism of action of this device, are discussed.

Biology↗