Biomedical subjects

S Ruiz

Publications and source records attributed to S Ruiz.

113 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of intermittent ozone exposure on peak expiratory flow and respiratory symptoms among asthmatic children in Mexico City.

In a panel study of Mexican children (5-13 y of age) with mild asthma, the authors studied the relationship between ozone exposure and the course of childhood asthma. Decrements in peak expiratory flow rate were associated with ozone, and respiratory symptoms were associated with both ozone level and ambient particulate matter (< 10 microm) level. After the authors adjusted for minimum temperature and autocorrelation in the data, they determined that an increase of 50 ppb in a daily ozone 1-h maximum was related to an 8% increase in cough (95% confidence interval = 2, 15); a 24% increase in phlegm (95% confidence interval = 13, 35); and an 11% increase in low respiratory symptoms index (95% confidence interval = 5, 19). The authors concluded that children with mild asthma who resided in the south of Mexico City were affected adversely by the high ozone ambient levels observed in this area.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neonatally administered capsaicin induces functional disturbances in the carotid afferent pathway to the nucleus tractus solitarius.

The effect of neonatal capsaicin treatment on chemo- and/or barosensory input to the medulla was studied in 35-40-day-old rats. By means of responses evoked in the nucleus tractus solitarius by stimulating the ipsilateral sinusal nerve, the excitability of slow-conducting carotid afferent fibers and the effect of substance P microinjection into the fourth ventricle were evaluated. Neonatal capsaicin resulted in reduced amplitude of the late component of the evoked responses, increased chronaxie values in the strength-duration paradigm, and increased sensitivity of evoked responses to the inhibitory effect of intracerebroventricular administered substance P. The results indicate that capsaicin given early in life leads to functional disturbances of chemo- and/or barosensory input to the nucleus tractus solitarius, involving both the slow-conducting primary afferents and the receptors for substance P of the second-order cells of the sensory pathway.

Afferent Pathways↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Magnetic resonance arthrography of the ankle.

Magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography is a useful technique in evaluating the articular structures of the ankle. With intra-articular administration of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA), visualization and delineation of anatomic structures, that would not be depicted by other traditional imaging techniques, are achieved. It is a technique that proves to be advantageous as it does not require the use of ionizing radiation, nor iodinated contrast material as other conventional diagnostic modalities. MR arthrography also allows multiplanar imaging and provides excellent resolution.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Venlafaxine extended release for the treatment of chronic pain. A series of 50 cases].

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to investigate analgesic effectiveness and safety of venlafaxine extended release in chronic pain of any etiology. METHODS: Six month, observational, open study, carried out in two pain units. Initially, a daily dose of 75 mg of venlafaxine extended release was administered, increasing it to 150 mg, following clinical criteria. Treatment response was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), rest and mobilization, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and an adverse event sheet to record adverse events occurring during the study. RESULTS: The study was carried out in a 50 patient sample with a mean age of 57.1 +/- 1.8 years, with chronic pain. A total of 85-90 % of the patients was maintained with a daily dose of 75 mg of venlafaxine extended release. This produced a gradual reduction of the VAS scores at rest (significant reduction of 5.2 +/- 1.1 to 2.7 +/- 1.5 points; (p<0.0005) and mobilization (significant reduction of 5.5 +/- 0.8 to 3.1 +- 1.6 points; p<0.0005). Pain relief increased progressively. Regarding physical activity measured by the ECOG scale, there was a reduction of the percentage of patients and increase of outpatients. Tolerability to venlafaxine was "excellent", "very good" or "good" for 72% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Extended release venlafaxine can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment in patients with chronic pain of any etiology, although it must be investigated in depth.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neuroleptic dosing in Asian and Hispanic outpatients with schizophrenia.

Recent studies suggest that minorities may have higher plasma levels caused by ethnic variations in pharmacokinetics under standard neuroleptic treatment; they would be at increased risk for extrapyramidal side effects and more likely to be treatment noncompliant. This study examined the prescribing pattern of antipsychotic medication to minority schizophrenics in outpatient psychiatric programs developed to meet their treatment needs. A computer search was conducted of registered clients in a Hispanic and Asian outpatient clinic(s). Hispanic and Asian patients with schizophrenia were identified and for purposes of comparison, a third sample of consecutively drawn outpatients with a diagnosis of "schizophrenia" registered in the outpatient clinic proper were selected. All outpatient medical records were secured and neuroleptic dosing patterns extracted and quantified. Neuroleptic doses were converted to chlorpromazine equivalents and corrected for body weight to a standard of 68 kg. One way analysis of variance procedures were used to compare both the actual and standardized neuroleptic doses across the three samples and revealed a significant main effect for both actual (p < 0.05) and standardized dose (p < 0.05). With regard to the former secondary analysis yielded significant differences between the clinic sample and the Hispanic (p < 0.05) and Asian (p < 0.05) samples, which did not differ significantly from each other but which received significantly less drugs than the other patient population. These results were similar to the standardized dose comparison. The findings replicate previous inpatient reports and have implications for cross-cultural treatment programs.

Adult↗