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Biomedical subjects

R Suárez

Publications and source records attributed to R Suárez.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

The costs and effectiveness of three vitamin A interventions in Guatemala.

The purpose of the study presented in this paper was to estimate, using secondary sources of data, the cost and effectiveness of three programs to combat vitamin A deficiency in Guatemala-the national sugar fortification program, a targeted capsules distribution program and the promotion of home food production combined with nutrition education and to draw conclusions concerning priorities for Guatemala. Data on the costs and coverage were collected from implementing agencies in Guatemala. Coverage data were converted into a common set of impact indicators. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on variables whose precise value was uncertain. Potential impacts of improvements in program performance operations were also explored. The analysis found the cost per high-risk person achieving adequate vitamin A to be US $0.98 for fortification, US $1.68-1.86 for capsule distribution and US $3.10-4.16 for food production/education. Fortification is the most efficient option if vitamin A levels in sugar are maintained at reasonable levels. Where fortified sugar is not consumed and vitamin A deficiency is highly prevalent, small-scale, targeted, complementary interventions such as capsules and food production education may be appropriate for sustained broader impacts.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1996

Diabetes education in the elderly: a 5-year follow-up of an interactive approach.

A continuing interactive educational model was established for elderly patients with diabetes mellitus. The effects were studied in 148 diabetic patients aged > or = 60 years who participated in 60 monthly scheduled interactive meetings over a 5-year period. The meetings were performed as group discussions, cultural activities, dining out, and the like. Empowering patients with skills, perceptions and feelings to cope with diabetes and metabolic control was emphasized, rather than clinical aspects. Comparison between pre-programme and 5 years later demonstrates a significant increase (P, 0.001) of knowledge and skills to deal with treatment requirements, and a reduction in body weight and antidiabetic medication (daily doses of insulin and oral compounds; P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). HbA1c levels improved significantly (P < 0.02). There were less diabetes related conditions requiring emergency services and hospital admission.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Multiple hidrocystomas.

Apocrine hidrocystoma is a cyst from the secretory portion of the apocrine sweat gland and tends to occur as a solitary facial lesion. We report a 66-year-old woman with multiple, cystic lesions on her face. Histopathology revealed cystic spaces lined by a row of secretory cells showing decapitation secretion. We emphasize the multiple character of the case and discuss its distinction from so-called eccrine hidrocystomas.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Levels of L-carnitine in the Venezuelan infant population].

The L-carnitine blood serum and amniotic fluid levels were measured in 133 samples obtained from clinically healthy patients: 39 pregnant women with a fetal gestational age ranging from 14 to 40 weeks, 13 newborn children less than a day old, 19 newborn children between the ages of 1 and 30 days, 8 breast-feed babies and 19 children over two years of age. No significant statistical differences were seen in the maternal blood serum and amniotic fluid samples for the different gestational ages considered in the study. The average values were found to be 22.6 +/- 5.1 nmol/mL for maternal blood serum and 25.3 +/- 9.4 nmol/mL for amniotic fluid. The blood serum levels were found to be greater in the group between the ages of 1 to 30 days, reaching levels of 43.1 +/- 7.4 nmol/mL. In the group aged 1 month-18 years, the serum levels were on the average 34.3 +/- 6.7 nmol/mL. The variations found among these groups reflect characteristics specific of our population. These values should be further researched since they differ from those values reported by the Anglo-Saxons. L-carnitine concentration; blood serum level; amniotic fluid level.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1988

[Spermatogonia types in tepezcuintle (Cuniculus paca). Ultrastructural study].

Ultrastructural studies of different types of spermatogonia by thin section techniques and transmission electron microscopy showed that Cuniculus paca has two types of Type A spermatogonia (A-O and A-1). Samples were taken at different stages of the cycle in the seminiferous tubule epithelium presented a similar pattern as those of other rodents. Type B spermatogonia are similar to those of the rat, the difference being that the heterochromatic zones are larger and more numerous. Both characteristics differentiate them from preleptotenic spermatocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[Contributions to the surgical technique of external dacryocystorhinostomy (author's transl)].

The authors describe some modifications of the surgical technique of external dacryocystorhinostomy. The preliminary exploration methods and their evaluation are considered. An arched skin incision is used for a more anatomical dissection to approach the lacrimal sac. The following bone trepanation is then made with burrs designed by Burch Barraquer. It should be rather large (15-20 mm), backwards and downwards in the nose bone. A running suture, with three external skin stiches as pexia, is used to tie the anterior muco-mucosal flaps together. This suture is them removed after approximately 12 days. Management and procedures in special cases as well as in reoperations are also discussed.?Author

Humans↗
PubMed1975

[Persistent iridoplegia and filamentary keratitis complications following cataract extraction (author's transl)].

In a series of 3,222 cataract operations where enzymatic zonulolysis with Alphachymotrypsin was employed, the authors describe two complications which are thought to be due to the effects of the enzyme. They are the persistent iridoplegia in 18 cases (0.05) and the filamentary keratitis in 34 patients (1.05%). The clinical picture of an acute enzymatic intraocular pressure increase and the appearance of a persistent iridoplegia are discussed. Furthermore, these complications are brought together in tables and associated with other which are also thought to be caused by Chymotrypsin.

Adult↗
PubMed1970

Effect of Peruvosid (CD412) on excitability and functional refractory period of atrial and ventricular tissues in cardiomyopathy caused by Trypanosoma cruzi.

Attempts were made to produce myocarditis by Trypanosoma cruzi inoculation in healthy dog puppies 6 to 8 weeks old. Significant electrocardiographic abnormalities were produced, coinciding with interstitial inflammatory processes in the cardiac tissue and with degenerative changes in the myocardial fibres. In puppies showing these changes, profound changes in the excitability and the functional refractory period of the atrial and ventricular muscular tissue were observed. The administration of Peruvosid in doses of 0.0240 to 0.0647 mg./kg. tended to diminish the excitability, previously increased by the inflammatory process, at the same time increasing the functional refractory period duration which had previously been shortened. The fact that Peruvosid corrects these fundamental factors in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias suggests that the drug may be useful in the treatment of cardiac insufficiency produced by Chagas' myocardiopathy, in which arrhythmias are one of the basic characteristics.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Semen analyses in adolescent diabetic patients.

We studied the semen quality and plasma testosterone levels (T) in 32 adolescent patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and in an aged-matched control group. Semen volume, motility and morphology were significantly lower in diabetics whereas seminal fructose and glucose were significantly higher. Even though the sperm count was lower in these adolescent diabetics, the difference was not significant when compared to the control group. No difference was observed in plasma testosterone levels. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of retinopathy and neuropathy, and degree of metabolic control. Spermiogram parameters, seminal fructose and glucose were lower in diabetics with neuropathy. No difference was observed in spermiogram parameters between diabetic patients with or without retinopathy, but seminal fructose, and glucose were lower in the former. All spermiogram parameters, as well as seminal fructose were lower in diabetics with poor metabolic control but seminal glucose was higher. No correlation was detected between clinical parameters (age at onset and duration of diabetes mellitus and time since first ejaculation), semen parameters, plasma T, glycemia and glycosuria. In conclusion, a deterioration of the quality of human semen occurs in adolescent diabetic patients. Neuropathy and poor metabolic control seem to be important factors of this deterioration. The presence of retinopathy does not correlate with T and semen quality.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pain caused by brachial plexus injury during coronary revascularization. Report of 3 cases].

We report three cases of injury of the brachial plexus after coronary revascularization surgery. During the postoperative phase all patients presented plexopathy involving the left C8 and D1 roots. The symptoms were pain, paresthesia, and motor deficits. The proposed mechanisms for injury of the brachial plexus during cardiac surgery are: hyperabduction of the arm, direct traumatism produced by the needle during catheterization of the internal jugular vein, and traction and compression associated with sternal retraction. In the three patients we ruled out alterations during cannulation of the internal jugular vein and malposition of the arms. We think that in our cases the fundamental mechanism was an excessive and assymetrical opening of sternal and Favoloro's separators that were used in all cases during dissection of the left internal mammary artery. We conclude that injury of the brachial plexus can be minimized by reducing the opening of both separators and by placing Favaloro's separator in a lower position.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patterns in sun exposure and sunscreen use among Puertorrican adolescents.

A survey of 245 adolescents visiting different San Juan area beaches was conducted to determine the frequency with which they used sunscreens lotions. Seventy-two percent of the teenager in the survey stated that they spent most weekends in the sun; however, only 68% always used sunscreen, while 31% never did. Prevalence factors found to be associated with the sunscreen use included male sex (odd ratio = 1.01 P < 0.01), having a friend who routinely used the lotion (odds ratio = 0.06, P < 0.05), and having parents who strongly recommend the sunscreen use, (odds ratio = o.g, P > 0.05). This survey substantiates poor compliance with sunscreen lotion use by teenagers despite increasing evidence of the dangers of sun exposure.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute non-calculous cholecystitis in non-hospitalized patients].

The increase of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) in out-patients produces the review of clinic files of 810 cases of cholecystectomy because of acute cholecystitis; 27 were acalculous (3.3%). AAC was predominant in female sex (20/27) in which the mean age was 37 years. In twelve patients (44%) the cholecystitis was associated with diabetes and hypertension. The clinical manifestations were similar to patients with cholelithiasis and preoperative diagnosis was made in only 33% by ultrasonography. The surgical findings were: Edematous gallbladder without stones, wall thickness and necrosis, as well as perivesicular adherences. In all patients the treatment was immediate cholecystectomy, with morbidity of 14.4% and no mortality. AAC is not only present in critically ill patients, but also is present in patients not hospitalized, and immediate cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice.

Acute Disease↗