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Biomedical subjects

R Huertas

Publications and source records attributed to R Huertas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Heavy metal levels in fish from coastal waters of Uruguay.

Copper, mercury, and zinc levels were determined in muscle and liver (N = 163) of seven fish species caught in coastal waters off Montevideo and Piriapolis (control site): Odontesthes spp., Mugil platanus, Micropogonias furnieri, Urophycis brasiliensis, Cynoscion guatucupa, Menticirrhus americanus, and Mustelus schmitti. The local population commonly uses these species for consumption. Heavy metal concentrations determined in this study were generally below those obtained for fish caught in Argentinean and Brazilian coastal waters, with some exceptions in the case of mercury and zinc. Based on copper, mercury, and zinc levels in muscle tissue, we conclude that the fish studied here are acceptable for human consumption. Nevertheless, it is recommended not to consume the fish liver (up to 466 microg Zn g(-1) dry weight in liver) nor large specimens of the investigated species. Regional programs involving the neighboring countries should be established to assess the fisheries resources and potential risks for human health.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Time course of tissue plasminogen activator-induced recanalization in acute cardioembolic stroke: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The relationship between arterial recanalization, infarct size, and outcome in patients treated with intravenous thrombolytics remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to determine the time course of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA)-induced recanalization in patients with cardioembolic stroke treated <3 hours from symptom onset and to investigate the relationship between arterial recanalization, infarct volume, and outcome. METHODS: We prospectively studied 72 patients with an acute cardioembolic stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory: 24 treated with rtPA at <3 hours and 48 matched controls. Serial transcranial Doppler examinations were performed on admission and at 6,12, 24, and 48 hours. Infarct volume was measured by use of CT at day 5 to 7. Modified Rankin Scale score was used to assess outcome at 3 months. RESULTS: Rate of 6-hour recanalization was higher (P<0.001) in the rtPA group (66%) than in the control group (15%). Five (20.8%) rtPA patients and 15 (31.2%) controls recanalized between 6 and 12 hours, and 2 (8.3%) patients and 12 (25%) controls between 12 and 48 hours, respectively. At 48 hours, 75% of rtPA patients and 27% of controls had improved (P<0.001). Infarct volume was 50.2+/-40.3 cm(3) in rtPA patients and 124.8+/-81.6 cm(3) in controls (P<0.001). Moreover, infarct volume was associated strongly (P<0.001) with duration of middle cerebral artery occlusion. At 3 months, 14 (58%) rtPA patients and 11 (23%) controls (P=0.037) became functionally independent (modified Rankin Scale score </=2). A close relationship (P=0.002) existed between modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months and time to reperfusion. In addition, clinical outcome was associated strongly (P=0.001) with degree of 6-hour recanalization. Logistic regression analysis identified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score <17 (odds ratio 12.1, 95% confidence interval 2.8 to 68, P=0.001) and early recanalization (odds ratio 23.4, 95% confidence interval 5.4 to 96, P=0.001) as independent predictors of functional independence at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous rtPA is associated with early recanalization, which leads to lower infarct size and better clinical outcome. Early recanalization is a powerful independent predictor of functional independence at 3 months.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

History of health, a valuable tool in public health.

The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of the history of public health for public health research and practice itself. After summarily reviewing the current great vitality of the history of collective health oriented initiatives, we explain three particular features of the historical vantage point in public health, namely the importance of the context, the relevance of a diachronic attitude and the critical perspective. In order to illustrate those three topics, we bring up examples taken from three centuries of fight against malaria, the so called "re-emerging diseases" and the 1918 influenza epidemic. The historical approach enriches our critical perception of the social effects of initiatives undertaken in the name of public health, shows the shortcomings of public health interventions based on single factors and asks for a wider time scope in the assessment of current problems. The use of a historical perspective to examine the plurality of determinants in any particular health condition will help to solve the longlasting debate on the primacy of individual versus population factors, which has been particularly intense in recent times.

Epidemiologic Methods↗
PubMed1998

N-borane-N-(trimethylsilyl)morpholine.

The title compound, C7H20BNOSi, features an N,N-disubstituted six-membered morpholine ring in a chair conformation, with the trimethylsilyl group in the equatorial position and the borane group in the axial position. The least-squares plane formed by the four C atoms of the morpholine ring has a mean deviation of 0.013 (2) A. The O and N atoms are 0.672 (2) and 0.650 (2) A above and below the plane, respectively.

Boron Compounds↗
PubMed1998

Mitochondrial gene expression and respiratory enzyme activities in cardiac diseases.

Respiratory enzyme activities and steady-state level of two mitochondrial-encoded transcripts were quantified in heart muscle biopsies from patients suffering various types of cardiomyopathies unrelated to mitochondrial primary disorders. We have found that although the mitochondrial DNA copy number and the concentration of COI and ND4 transcripts remain fairly constant, there is an important increase (up to 6-fold) in respiratory enzyme activities affecting to several oxidative phosphorylation complexes. Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy shows the greatest increase, followed by ischemic heart and ventricular hypertrophy due to aortic stenosis. The results suggest an energetic compensatory mechanism in the heart muscle, in the absence of mitochondrial proliferation or activation of mitochondrial gene expression.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗
PubMed1998

[Degenerate Children: mental medicine and "regenerationism" in Spain at the end of the 19th century].

The aim of this paper is to analyse some aspects of the psychiatric and medical-social discourse on the relationship between childhood and insanity in Spain at the end of nineteenth century and during the first third of the twentieth century. We study the principal theories about degenerate children (delinquent childhood and anormal childhood) based on two of the most paradigmatic works of the Spanish medical literature: Estudio medico-social del nino golfo by Jose Sanchis Banus and Los ninos mentalmente anormales by Gonzalo Rodriguez Lafora.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[The category "abnormal infancy" in the construction of a social taxonomy in the first third of the 20th century].

The present paper tries to study some of the basic rudiments that contributed to the change of paradigm about mental deficiency produced in the first decades of the XXth century. Taking as main sources the Binet and Simon's contributions from France, and the Sante de Sanctis' from Italy, it's analysed the construction of the category "abnormal childhood", relating it to the new and privileged space of observation that supposed the obligatory School. It concludes with a reflection about the fallacious use of the "intelligence" as "prejudice" in order to establish social taxonomies and meritocracies that they don't make but to justify the human inequality.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMed1995

Atrioventricular sequential pacing using transesophageal atrial pacing in combination with a temporary DDD pacemaker for atrial tracking and ventricular pacing.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether atrioventricular (A-V) sequential pacing can be accomplished using transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP) in combination with a temporary DDD pacemaker for tracking the TAP stimuli and pacing the ventricle via temporary epicardial electrodes. DESIGN: Prospective; patients enrolled consecutively. SETTING: Nonuniversity teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ten adults undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. INTERVENTIONS: Two to six hours after the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass, atrial pacing was initiated via TAP. The atrial system of a temporary DDD pacemaker was connected to surface electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes. If the temporary pacemaker could track the TAP stimuli and emit pacing stimuli resulting in ventricular capture, A-V sequential pacing was considered to have occurred. The patients were immediately restudied in the same manner with the change that the temporary DDD pacemaker sensed the TAP stimuli via temporary atrial bipolar epicardial electrodes rather than surface ECG electrodes. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Dual pacemaker A-V sequential pacing was accomplished in 17 out of 20 attempts. The atrial system of the temporary DDD pacemaker was able to sense the TAP stimulus via temporary atrial bipolar epicardial leads in 10 out of 10 patients and directly from surface ECG electrodes (right arm/left arm) in 7 out of 10 patients. CONCLUSIONS: This report demonstrates that it is possible to A-V sequentially pace using TAP in combination with a temporary DDD pacemaker for tracking the TAP stimulus and pacing the ventricle via temporary epicardial leads. This technique may be useful when A-V sequential pacing is needed and functional temporary atrial leads are not available.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The effect of nasal or oral gastric tubes on transesophageal atrial pacing thresholds.

This study was performed to evaluate whether the presence of either nasal or oral gastric tubes (GTs) would affect the ability to accomplish transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP). After endotracheal intubation, pacing esophageal stethoscopes were placed and the TAP thresholds were measured in 20 patients. With the PES fixed in position, GTs were inserted and pacing thresholds were remeasured. TAP was accomplished in all patients pre- and postinsertion. The mean +/- SD, range, and median TAP thresholds (mA) were 13.7 +/- 5.8, 7-25, and 12 preinsertion and 13.9 +/- 5.2, 5.5-25, and 13 postinsertion. The preinsertion-postinsertion differences ranged from -6 to 5 mA with a mean of the difference of -0.2 mA (95% confidence interval, -1.61-1.21 mA). No significant difference between the pre- and postinsertion groups was detected by the paired t-test, P = 0.77. In summary, the presence of GTs does not significantly affect TAP thresholds. Attempts to achieve TAP are expected to be successful in patients with either a nasal or oral GT in place.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[The role of mental health during the first attempts to transform psychiatric care in Spain].

This article analyzes the role of mental health in the definition of a new model of psychiatric care, which incorporated principles of prophylaxis and public health, and was intended to replace the previous paradigm of confinement. We study the main theoretical and organizational proposals that arose in Spain during the 1920's, both in Catalonia and in Madrid, and also investigate the major piece of related legislation, which was included in the Second Republic's attempts at psychiatric reform.

History, 20th Century↗
PubMed1994

Effects of L-carnitine on the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and carnitine palmitoyl transferase activities in muscle of endurance athletes.

The effects of L-carnitine on the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex and carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) were studied in muscle of 16 long-distance runners (LDR). These subjects received placebo or L-carnitine (2 g orally) during a 4-week period of training. Athletes receiving L-carnitine showed a dramatic increase (P < 0.001) in the PDH complex activities. By contrast, the levels of CPT, both 1 and 2, were unchanged. No significant changes were observed after placebo administration. We previously reported [Huertas R. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 188 (1992) 102-107] that L-carnitine induces an increase in the activities of complexes I, III and IV of the respiratory chain in muscle of LDR. Taken together, our data suggest that the improvement in (maximal oxygen consumption) VO2max observed in LDR after L-carnitine administration is based on these biochemical findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Plasma carnitine insufficiency and effectiveness of L-carnitine therapy in patients with mitochondrial myopathy.

Plasma carnitine "insufficiency," (plasma esterified carnitine to free carnitine ratio above 0.25) was found in 21 of 48 (43.8%) patients with mitochondrial myopathy, of whom 4 also showed both total and free carnitine deficiencies in plasma. In addition, plasma levels of SCAC and LCAC were higher in patients with mitochondrial myopathy than in controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Patients diagnosed as having plasma carnitine insufficiency or deficiency were treated with L-carnitine (50-200 mg/kg per day in four daily doses). Muscle weakness improved in 19 of 20 patients, failure to thrive in 4 of 8, encephalopathy in 1 of 9, and cardiomyopathy in 8 of 8 patients. Plasma carnitine "insufficiency" provides an additional clue to the diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy and an indication for L-carnitine therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Muscle carnitine deficiency and lipid storage myopathy in patients with mitochondrial myopathy.

Abnormal carnitine distribution in muscle was found in 22 of 77 patients (29%), with mitochondrial myopathy. Furthermore, total (TC) and free (FC) carnitine levels in muscle were lower in patients than in controls (P < 0.01). Muscle long-chain acylcarnitines (LCAC) were significantly increased in these patients (P < 0.01). Muscle carnitine deficiency was found in 31.5% of patients with lipid storage myopathy (LSM) and in 25.6% of patients with ragged-red fibers (RRF). Therefore, carnitine deficiency can be found in patients with mitochondrial myopathy even in the absence of LSM. Muscle levels of TC and FC were lower in patients with respiratory chain defects than in those with normal respiratory chain (P < 0.01). In contrast, LCAC levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Carnitine levels did not differ significantly, among patients with different respiratory-chain defects. Consequently, these patients, owing to their biochemical block, reduce progressively the muscle carnitine pool and subsequent LCAC rise, due to long-chain fatty acid (LCFA) accumulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Socio-economic model and the quality of life: an approximation to the concept of social health].

After a brief analysis of the principal contradictions in the model of the National Health Service in the industrialised, capitalist countries which, after the second world war, acceded to the Welfare State, we shall study, within the framework of the so-called "epidemiological revolution", the way in which a degradation of the medical model of Social Security and the configuration of an ideological view directed at the individualisation of health problems, is recorded following a crisis in the Welfare State. Finally the concept of Social Health shall be expounded as a category of analysis which may permit the understanding of the methodological inexactitude which involves creating the characteristics and possibilities of a health service outside the socio-economic model.

Health↗