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Biomedical subjects

S Davila

Publications and source records attributed to S Davila.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

High household infestation rates by synanthropic vectors of Chagas disease in southern Ecuador.

Entomological surveys were conducted in five rural communities (138 domiciliary units [DUs]) in the southern Andes of Ecuador. Adobe walls and ceramic tile roofs were predominant construction materials. A 35% house infestation rate with Panstrongylus chinai (Del Ponte, 1929) (0.7%), Panstrongylus rufotuberculatus (Champion, 1899) (0.7%), Rhodnius ecuadoriensis (Lent & León, 1958) (27%), and/or Triatoma carrioni (Larrousse, 1926) (7%) was found. Adults and nymphs of R. ecuadoriensis and T. carrioni were found in intradomiciliary and peridomiciliary areas. Breeding triatomine colonies were present in 85% of infested DUs, and the average insect crowding was 52+/-113 triatomine bugs per infested house. T. cruzi-like organisms were found by microscopic examination in the feces or hindgut but not the salivary glands of 4% of examined R. ecuadoriensis and 12% T. carrioni. Serological tests detected a general anti-T. cruzi antibody seroprevalence of 3.9% (n = 1136). Only 2% of individuals had heard of Chagas disease, and although triatomines were reported as a major nuisance by the population they were not considered vectors of disease. Additional baseline field research is needed for the design and implementation of a Chagas disease control program in the region.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Long-term outcomes of clavicular pseudoarthrosis therapy.

BACKGROUND: Clavicular pseudoarthrosis is a rare condition, the management of which should not be underestimated because it requires re-operations and causes serious morbidity or even a lifelong handicap. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed a series of 13 patients with non-union of a clavicular fracture who underwent a surgical treatment from the year 1993 to 2002. Twelve fractures were a result of trauma and one was a result of osteomyelitis. Twelve non-unions were located in the middle third of the clavicle, while only one was in the lateral third. Seven non-unions were atrophic and six were hypertrophic. The average age of patients was 33 years (range: 14-52 years). Average post-operative follow-up time was 4.7 years (range: 1-11 years). In the study, we used intramedullar osteosynthesis such as Kirschner wire, different kinds of plates and screws, followed by autogeneous or heterogeneous bone grafting. Constant scoring system was used to evaluate mobility and strength of the upper extremity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A single operation was adequate in seven cases; two operations were adequate in four cases and three operations were adequate in one case. Fractures healed properly in 11 cases, but in some cases mild-to-moderate symptoms still persisted post-operatively. The results of 13 patients who underwent various surgical procedures show that a reconstruction plate should be the first choice of osteosynthesis, followed by a dynamic-compression plate, and a semitubular plate should be the last choice. To conclude, with this kind of treatment of clavicular pseudoarthrosis, we achieved a high degree of patient satisfaction, as well as objective improvements in status reports.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Modifier effect of ENOS in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

A significant phenotypical variability is observed in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). ADPKD is associated with altered endothelial-dependent vasodilation and decreased vascular production of nitric oxide (NO). Thus, ENOS, the gene coding for the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), could have a modifier effect in ADPKD. In order to test this hypothesis, we genotyped 173 unrelated ADPKD patients from Belgium and the north of France for the Glu298Asp, intron 4 VNTR and T-786C polymorphisms of ENOS and looked for their influence on the age at end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In males (n = 93), the Glu298Asp polymorphism was associated with a lower age at ESRD (Glu/Asp + Asp/Asp: 49.0 +/- 1.2 years, n = 53; Glu/Glu: 53.5 +/- 1.5 years, n = 40; simple regression, P = 0.02; multiple regression, P = 0.006). This effect was confirmed in a subset of males linked to PKD1 and reaching ESRD before age 45, and by a cumulative renal survival analysis in PKD1-linked families. Further studies demonstrated that NO synthase (NOS) activity was decreased in renal artery samples from ADPKD males harbouring the Asp298 allele, in association with post-translational modifications and partial cleavage of eNOS. No significant effect of the other polymorphisms was found in males, and no polymorphism influenced the age at ESRD in females. In conclusion, the frequent Glu298Asp polymorphism of ENOS is associated with a 5 year lower mean age at ESRD in this subset of ADPKD males. This effect could be due to a decreased NOS activity and a partial cleavage of eNOS, leading to a further decrease in the vascular production of NO.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2001

War injuries of the talus.

Twenty-eight patients with war fractures of the talus were reviewed to determine the incidence of infection and late functional results. The average age of our patients was 37.5 years. Twenty-one injuries were explosive fractures that resulted from shell fragments or mines; seven fractures resulted from gunshot missiles. Seven patients had isolated talus injuries, whereas 21 patients had associated fractures of other bones of the foot or lower leg. All patients were initially treated with debridement, tetanus immunization, intravenous antibiotics, and stabilization, either with cast immobilization or an external fixator. Five days after injury, wound cultures were positive in 25 of 28 feet. Infection was eventually eradicated in all patients, allowing for soft tissue coverage. One patient eventually required a below-knee amputation. The patients were reviewed for functional outcome at 36 to 60 months after injury. Most patients reported a certain degree of residual complaints. The overall result can be considered excellent in only one patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Effects of propranolol, clonidine and hydrochlorothiazide treatment and abrupt discontinuation on central and peripheral noradrenergic activity in essential hypertension.

This study was undertaken to investigate further the CNS actions of commonly employed antihypertensive drugs. Measurements of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma catecholamines (CA) were made in an attempt to estimate the activity of central and peripheral noradrenergic neurons during treatment with or after abrupt discontinuation of treatment with clonidine (CLO), propranolol (PRO), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) or placebo, in patients with essential hypertension. A randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled, single-blind design was employed. BP reductions equal to or greater than 10 mmHg were observed with CLO (0.36 +/- 0.07 mg daily), PRO (160 mg +/- 0 mg daily) or HCTZ (70 +/- 12 mg daily). CLO reduced plasma norepinephrine (NE) by 64% and PRO increased it by 25%. Neither HCTZ nor placebo modified plasma NE. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was reduced by PRO (51%, P less than 0.01) and CLO (35%, P less than 0.05). CSF-NE levels (pg/ml) were significantly lower in the CLO group (CLO: 175 +/- 23; PRO: 278 +/- 35; HCTZ: 255 +/- 34; placebo: 203 +/- 7).

Adrenergic Fibers↗
PubMed1982

[Use of biomechanics in traumatology].

The application of biomechanics in traumatology is unavoidable and it can be seen today at every scientific analysis and evaluation of achievements in the prevention and medical treatment. Only interdisciplinary team work allows the right attitude toward certain problems. It should be insisted upon that every traumatologist in his education should adopt the knowledge of biomechanics so that he could approach every single case from the biomechanical point of view. Through this many mistakes and failures will be avoided.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of pseudarthroses of the olecranon with the anatomical hook plate].

We report the results in seven patients treated surgically for nonunion of the olecranon. Four nonunions occurred after primary treatment with tension band wiring and three nonunions occurred after open reduction internal fixation with plates and screws or lag screws only. All patients were treated with cancellous bone grafting and open reduction internal fixation using anatomical hook plates. All nonunions united within 6 months after the treatment. In all patients the range of motion of the elbow improved significantly.

Bone Plates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Analysis of results of surgical treatment of malleolar fractures].

Late results of operatively treated malleolar fractures were analyzed. 101 patients were operated on, 58 (57.4%) were available for follow-up. There were 5 patients with A-type fractures according to Weber's classification, 28 with type-B and 25 with type-C fractures. One year or more after the treatment the patients were evaluated on follow-up checks where ranges of ankle dorsiflexion, plantar extension, pronation and supination were recorded, circumference of the injured ankle was measured and the patients were interviewed about subjective complaints. Normal range of motion of the injured ankle (normal range of motion represented by the healthy ankle) was found only in patients with type-A fractures while in other two groups the patients had significantly decreased motility of the injured ankle (P < 0.05). The circumference of the injured ankle was increased in most patients with 25.9% patients ankles being 20 mm or more thicker than the uninjured side. Only seven patients (12.1%) were without subjective complaints while other patients experienced pain with load, pain with weather changes, swelling of the ankle etc. Malleolar fractures still represent a significant surgical problem and only an early operation, anatomic reduction and fixation as well as proper rehabilitation guarantee good results.

Ankle Injuries↗