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Biomedical subjects

R Rico

Publications and source records attributed to R Rico.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Effectiveness of a divalent vaccine for sole, Solea senegalensis (Kaup), against Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

The protection of cultured sole, Solea senegalensis, against Vibrio harveyi and Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida was evaluated following the use of a divalent vaccine prepared with formalized whole cells and extracellular products of virulent strains of both pathogenic microorganisms and administered by the immersion route. Two prolonged immersions of 5-10 g fish in the divalent bacterin at a 1-month interval gave high levels of protection similar to those obtained when the respective monovalent vaccines were administered by the intraperitoneal route [relative percentage of survival (RPS) values >70%], which indicates that the former procedure can be a useful strategy with small fish. The high protection afforded by the divalent vaccine in sole lasted for 4 months after which the RPS values against both pathogens decreased significantly.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Gastroenteritis-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome on the Caribbean island Curaçao.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) who have been observed in Curaçao, the Netherlands Antilles, may be increasing. METHODS: Clinical and serologic data were obtained from records of patients admitted between 1987 and 1999 and fulfilling National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke criteria for GBS. When possible, serum and stool samples were collected. The results were compared with a large Dutch epidemiologic study. RESULTS: The authors identified 49 patients, an overall crude incidence rate (IR) in Curaçao of 2.53/100,000 inhabitants (95% CI 1.87 to 3.35) (Dutch study 1.18, rate ratio (RR) of 2.14, p < 0.001). The IR in Curaçao increased from 1.62 in 1987 to 1991 to 3.10 in 1992 to 1999, RR 5.22 (95% CI 2.48 to 10.2, p = 0.02). The IR showed a curvilinear shape within a year. In comparison with the Dutch group, patients from Curaçao had a more severe course of the disease, with a mortality rate of 23% (3.4% in the Dutch group, p < 0.001), a higher percentage of preceding gastroenteritis (p < 0.001), and less sensory involvement (p < 0.001). In 8 of 10 serum samples, evidence was found for a recent infection with Campylobacter jejuni. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found a steady increase in incidence of GBS over the years in association with a more pronounced seasonal preponderance and a more severe course. The clinical characteristics suggest a role for C jejuni.

Campylobacter Infections↗
PubMed1999

Antigens and antibodies in sera from human cases of epilepsy or taeniasis from an area of Mexico where Taenia solium cysticercosis is endemic.

Human neurocysticercosis is an important parasitic disease in developing countries. Most epidemiological studies on the disease have used antibody-based assays that allow the detection of transmission 'hot spots' and the identification of the main risk factors for transmission. However, such assays have low predictive value in the detection of active cases of neurocysticercosis. The screening potential of the most commonly used antibody-detection technique, the electroimmunotransfer blot assay (EITB), has now been compared with an antigen-capture assay, in an endemic region of Mexico. The subjects were 68 patients with late-onset epilepsy, 35 cases of taeniasis and a randomly selected, control group of 133 individuals from the same region. Parasite-specific antibodies and antigens were more common among the epileptics and taeniasis cases than among the controls. The antigens appeared to be associated with late-onset epilepsy and the antibodies with the presence of subcutaneous nodules. The sensitivities of both tests, to detect epilepsy or taeniasis, were low, but the specificity and the positive predictive value of the antigen-capture assay was high when used with the epileptics. As late-onset epilepsy and neurocysticercosis seem to be associated in endemic regions, antigen-capture assays are probably the most reliable method of detecting active cases of neurocysticercosis in epidemiological studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Concealed homicidal strangulation by burning.

Compression of the neck, either with the hands or by a ligature, is not an uncommon method of homicide. Burning of the body to try to conceal the homicide may complicate the situation by making it difficult to interpret the findings. We hereby report two cases of homicidal ligature strangulation with extensive burning of the bodies. In both cases, external findings included the presence of a soft piece of fabric around the neck that, when removed, disclosed a portion of pale, unburned skin that vividly contrasted with surrounding areas. Osteocartilaginous lesions were present in only one case. Carboxyhemoglobin levels in both cases were very low, and the histopathologic examination of distal airways for soot particles was negative.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

International collaboration in health technology assessment: a study of technologies used in management of osteoporosis.

A collaborative study was undertaken by members of the International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (INAHTA). The evidence of the effectiveness of bone density measurement and selected treatments in preventing fractures in later life was reviewed. There was fair evidence that bone density measurement can predict risk of fractures and that hormone replacement therapy and intranasal salmon calcitonin preserve bone mass and decrease the risk of fractures. However, it was estimated that only 1-7% of hip fractures would be prevented if these technologies were used in a screening program for menopausal women. Results of the assessment were endorsed by 13 INAHTA members, disseminated widely and provided input to policy and further work in this area. The project demonstrated the feasibility of international collaborative health technology assessment.

Bone Density↗
PubMed1998

The effectiveness of bone density measurement and associated treatments for prevention of fractures. An international collaborative review.

This review assesses the evidence regarding the effectiveness of bone density measurement (BDM) screening and related interventions--hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and intranasal salmon calcitonin (SCT[N])--in menopausal women to prevent fractures in later life. Data sources included systematic reviews of evidence and relevant primary studies identified through literature searches on MEDLINE and EMBASE. Study selection included trials of BDM screening programs, prospective studies examining the predictive value of BDM, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case-control studies of HRT and SCT (N). The evidence was evaluated using a classification system incorporating study design and quality. Outcomes were measured in terms of relative risk of fracture for a 1 SD decrease in bone mineral density below the age-adjusted mean, relative risks or odds ratios for fractures associated with treatments, and proportion of hip fractures potentially prevented by BDM screening linked to treatments. Fair evidence from prospective cohort studies suggests that BDM can predict the risk of fractures, but not with high accuracy. Fair evidence from low-quality randomized controlled trials and observational studies suggests that HRT and SCT(N) are efficacious in preventing fractures. Good evidence supports the efficacy of these treatments in preserving bone mass, but there is fair evidence that the effect wears off after cessation of therapy. There is little evidence on the impact of screening menopausal women with BDM in association with HRT or SCT(N) treatment. Estimates based on combining existing evidence regarding the predictive value of BDM and efficacy of HRT suggests that 1-7% of hip fractures might be prevented.

Administration, Intranasal↗
PubMed1993

Nimesulide in the treatment of menstrual migraine.

In a controlled double-blind clinical trial, 30 patients aged 18 to 45 years, with menstrual migraine, were randomly assigned to 2 parallel treatment groups of 15 patients each. One group received granular nimesulide 100mg 3 times daily and the other group received placebo. Each treatment was given for 10 days, starting from the onset of migraine symptoms, and was repeated for the 2 following menstrual cycles. The overall assessment of efficacy in the 2 groups was based on hourly self-evaluation of pain during each study day. In patients treated with nimesulide, pain intensity and duration were significantly reduced compared with placebo (p = 0.0001) during all the menstrual cycles in the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Gc globulin and prealbumin serum levels in patients with cancer and benign inflammatory diseases and in asymptomatic smokers.

Gc globulin and prealbumin serum levels were determined in a coded serum panel from the National Cancer Institute-Mayo Clinic. Serum samples came from 100 patients with cancer (lung, prostate gland, or gastrointestinal tract), from 50 patients with benign inflammatory diseases from the same organs as those of the cancer patients, and from 50 clinically healthy smokers. No differences were observed among groups in the Gc globulin (vitamin D carrier) serum concentrations; however, prealbumin (vitamin A carrier) serum levels were decreased for patients with benign inflammatory diseases and for cancer patients; the cancer group showed the greatest decrease.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1978

Distinct glycosylation of serum proteins in patients with cancer: brief communication.

Concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin, lectins that interact with serum glycoprotein in a manner similar to the antigen--antibody reaction, were used as "antibodies" in a single radial immunodiffusion technique to test a coded serum panel (from the National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md., and the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.) containing a) 99 serum samples from patients with different types of malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, prostate gland, and lung, b) 50 samples from patients with benign diseases of the same organs as those affected in the cancer patients, and c) 50 samples from apparently healthy smokers. The resulting precipitation rings were not correlated to serum protein concentration, and the differences (demonstrated by Student's t-test and with a generalization of the one-sided two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistic for evaluating diagnostic tests) established that serum glycoproteins are glycosylated differently in cancer patients than in people without cancer.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Direct determination of alkaloid contents in Fumaria species by GC-MS.

The isoquinoline alkaloids protopine, cryptopine, sinactine, stylopine, bicuculline, adlumine, parfumine, fumariline, fumarophycine, fumaritine, dihydrofumariline, parfumidine and dihydrosanguinarine have been determined and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in Fumaria agraria, F. bastardii, F. capreolata, F. sepium, F. densiflora, F. faurei, F. officinalis subsp. officinalis, F. parviflora, F. petteri subsp. calcarata and F. macrosepala. The chemotaxonomic significance of the results is discussed.

Alkaloids↗