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Biomedical subjects

S Suárez

Publications and source records attributed to S Suárez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Application of the pupal/demographic-survey methodology in an area of Havana, Cuba, with low densities of Aedes aegypti (L.).

Between the April and December of 2004, an Aedes aegypti (L.) pupal/demographic survey was conducted in the Playa municipality of Havana. The aims were to identify the key types of container in the production of the adult mosquitoes (and so provide a basis for targeted control) and assess transmission risk in terms of the number of pupae/person. Pupal abundance, as measured in the survey, was compared with traditional Stegomyia indices. The immature stages of Ae. aegypti were only found in 70 of the 15,153 containers that were investigated and the pupae of this species were only seen in 52 of the containers. Ground-level water-storage tanks yielded 74.1% of all the pupae, with a further 19.0% found in miscellaneous small containers. The utility of the pupal/demographic-survey methodology in the evaluation of dengue risk in the study area, and other areas of Cuba with low densities of Ae. aegypti, is discussed.

Aedes↗
PubMed2005

Removal of pharmaceutically active compounds in nitrifying-denitrifying plants.

The behaviour of nine pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) of different diagnostic groups is studied during a nitrifying-denitrifying process in an activated sludge system. The compounds selected cover a wide range of frequently used substances such as anti-epileptics (carbamazepine), tranquillisers (diazepam), anti-depressants (fluoxetine and citalopram), anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac) and estrogens (estradiol and ethinylestradiol). The main objective of this research is to investigate the effect of acclimation of biomass on the removal rates of these compounds, either by maintaining a high sludge retention time or at long-term operation. The removal rates achieved for nitrogen and carbon in the experimental unit exceed 90% and were not affected by the addition of PhACs. Carbamazepine, diazepam and diclofenac were only removed to a small extent. On the other hand, higher removal rates have been observed for naproxen and ibuprofen (68% and 82%), respectively.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2002

Identification and partial purification of K88ab Escherichia coli receptor proteins in porcine brush border membranes.

Six receptor proteins, with molecular masses ranging from 94 to 27 kDa, that bind to Escherichia coli K88ab fimbriae were recovered from brush border membranes and were detected after solubilization with Triton X-114. The recovery of these receptor proteins in the aqueous phase suggests their peripheral localization. The 63-, 60- and 33-kDa K88ab binding proteins were recovered using gel-filtration chromatography of the aqueous phase.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Does temperature affect the outcome of larval competition between Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus?

The superior larval competitive ability of Aedes albopictus has been proposed to explain the recent displacement of Aedes aegyptiby the former species inparts of the southeastern U.S. Ae. aegypti persists, however, in sympatry with Ae. albopictus in urban areas of southern Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, and the impact of larval competition between these species has not been investigated at higher temperatures that may be characteristic of these urban environments. We compared growth and survivorship of the two species at controlled temperatures of 24 degrees and 30 degrees C in water-containing tires under conditions of intra- and interspecific competition and with or without leaf litter. When other variables were controlled statistically, the estimated finite rate of increase (lambda') was significantly higher for both species at the higher temperature, and the proportional increases in lambda' did not differ between species. Therefore, our experiment predicts that by itself, temperatures between 24 degrees and 30 degrees C would not alter the outcome of larval competition. Overall, response measures of Ae. albopictus were more sensitive than those of Ae. aegypti to the litter and species/density variables, although the development ofAe. aegypti females was uniquely retarded by a high density of its own species.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed2001

Mutagenic potential of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and its hydrolysis-derived products in the Ames Salmonella assay.

The mutagenicity of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), its first and second hydrolysis products (the diol epoxide and bis-diol of BADGE, respectively) and the bis-chlorohydrin of BADGE were investigated using the Ames Salmonella assay with strains TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537. The assays were performed in the absence and presence of various concentrations of rat liver S9 fraction. The results obtained confirm the mutagenic power of BADGE in strains TA100 and TA1535 and show a positive response to the diol epoxide of BADGE in these strains, although the latter compound was approximately 10 times less potent than the former. A lack of mutagenic activity of the bis-diol of BADGE and the chlorohydrin under study is also shown. These findings suggest that BADGE and, to a much lesser extent, the diol epoxide of BADGE may constitute a genotoxic hazard, but not the bis-diol or bis-chlorohydrin of BADGE.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Genotoxicity of the coating lacquer on food cans, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), its hydrolysis products and a chlorohydrin of BADGE.

The epoxy resin bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), its hydrolysis products and a chlorohydrin of BADGE (BADGE.2HCl), were examined for their genotoxicity in the micronucleus test (MNT) with human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro, in presence and in absence of an exogenous metabolizing system S9 rat liver. The treatment was done using different compound concentrations up to cytotoxic doses. The concentrations tested ranged between 12.5 to 62.5microg/ml of BADGE, 12.5 to 62.5microg/ml of first BADGE hydrolysis product (BADGE.H(2)O), 25.0 to 100.0microg/ml of second BADGE hydrolysis product (BADGE.2H(2)O) and 6.25 to 50.0microg/ml of BADGE.2HCl. These compounds are able to induce both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects, as revealed by the increases observed in cytokinesis block proliferation index (CBPI) and in micronuclei (MN) frequencies, respectively.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Cytogenetic biomonitoring of Spanish greenhouse workers exposed to pesticides: micronuclei analysis in peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal epithelial cells.

In the present study, we evaluate whether or not occupational exposure to a complex mixture of pesticides results in a significant increase of micronuclei (MN) in both peripheral blood lymphocytes and buccal cells. Sixty four greenhouse workers from Almería (Southeastern Spain), together with 50 men from the same area, without indication of exposure to pesticides, that served as controls were used in this investigation. The results obtained indicate that there are no statistically significant differences in the MN frequencies between the two groups. Each donor was assessed for the presence or absence of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1), to look for relationships between the genotypes and the cytogenetic reponses. According to the GSTT1 genotype, there is a difference between both groups only for the cytokinesis-block proliferation index (CBPI). Neither GSTM1 nor smoking habit and age showed any effect in the overall analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Sequence analysis of the boundaries of the tandem duplication from the white-ivory mutant of Drosophila melanogaster and two chemically induced revertants.

We have previously shown that revertants obtained from the white-ivory mutants of Drosophila melanogaster, both spontaneous and induced, have lost a DNA fragment of 2.9 kb that is duplicated in tandem in the white-ivory mutation. To prove the accuracy of the deletion in revertants obtained after treatment with alkylating agents, we have sequenced DNA fragments previously amplified by PCR. These fragments correspond to the ends of the remaining 2.9 kb copy of these revertants and the internal region of the junction of both copies, which constitutes the duplication in the white-ivory mutant. These sequences are compared with those from white-ivory mutants. Our results show slight differences from the published sequence of the white-ivory mutation and with the wild-type sequence of the white locus. The sequences of the two revertants analysed show that excision of the duplicated fragment is very precise. We hypothesize the mechanism of excision in terms of intrachromosomal recombination induced by double-strand break repair after treatment with alkylating agents.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed2000

[Vancomycin and teicoplanin use as antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery: pharmacoeconomic study].

BACKGROUND: To assess the economical impact of vancomycin use versus teicoplanin use as antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing cardiac surgery for valve replacement (VR) and coronary artery by-pass (CABS) procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an ancillary cost minimization analysis of a double blinded, parallel groups, randomised clinical trial (RCT), with the main objective of comparing the safety and efficacy of these antibiotics. 500 patients were included in the study; 267 in the CABS group and 233 in the VR group. The CABS patients received 1 g vancomicin or 400 mg teicoplanin, plus 150 mg netilmicin. The VR group received a second dose of each drug after extracorporeal circulation. In order to calculate the costs we considered the direct cost of the drug, the i.v. mix and the administration costs, together with personnel and structure costs. We considered two different situations: the administration of drugs within the surgical room theatre and in the medical ward. RESULTS: The demographic data of both groups were comparable. The frequency of severe adverse drug reactions (ADR) were similar (0.4%) in both groups, as well as the post-operative infection rates (8.6%). Differences were seen in the frequencies of low severity ADRs: 20.4% in the vancomycin group and 1.6% in the teicoplanin group. When the antibiotics were administered in the surgical room, among CABS patients the costs were 8,265 pts. for the teicoplanin group and 12,005 pts. for the vancomycin group; while among VR patients, costs were respectively 11,661 pts. and 14,528 pts. Administration costs of teicoplanin and vancomycin within a medical ward setting, however, the costs were 6,740 pts. and 2,809 pts. for CABS patients, and 5,308 pts. and 10,140 pts. for VR patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The costs of antibiotic prophylaxis among cardiac surgery patients heavily depends on the setting and circumstances of drug administration. The minimization cost analysis indicates that teicoplanin is the most cost-effective option if the drug is administered within the surgical area, while vancomycin is the less costly option when administered within the medical ward. However, if the second option is to be chosen, it is necessary to assure the right plasmatic drug levels of the antibiotic at the beginning of the surgical procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Comparison of several ELISA tests for detecting the presence of IgG and IgM against herpes simplex viruses.

Four enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays designated test 1 (ETI-HSVK-G 1/2); test 2 (ETI-HSVK-M 1/2); test 3 (ETI-HSVK-G 2), and test 4 (BioElisa HSV2 IgG) were studied to evaluate different stages of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Samples (50 sera and 14 cerebrospinal fluid) were included in four groups. Group 1 consisted of samples from patients with primary HSV infections; group 2 comprised samples from patients with recurrent HSV infections; group 3 were samples nonreactive to HSV; and group 4 were samples from patients with infections by other herpes viruses (4a, chickenpox; 4b, herpes zoster; and 4c, infectious mononucleosis by Epstein-Barr virus). The percentages of agreement between tests 1 and 2 were 100 and 72.1%, respectively. The total diagnostic values of tests 1 and 2 were: 100 and 50% sensitivity, respectively; and 100 and 89% specificity, respectively. Few positive results for HSV-2 infection were found, and so, tests 3 and 4 were not evaluated. The results of tests 3 and 4 for a chickenpox patient, and a herpes zoster patient were not in agreement.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1999

Molecular analysis of mutants obtained by treatment with alkylating agents in a quadruplicated white-ivory strain of Drosophila melanogaster.

The use of a white-ivory (wi) strain of Drosophila melanogaster carrying four copies of this allele, (wi)4, has proved to be useful in detecting somatic mutation in genotoxicity testing. Nevertheless, until now very little information exists about the nature of the genetic effects detected in such a strain. This work presents molecular data on the changes that have taken place in different germinal mutants obtained after treatment with alkylating agents. Three different phenotypes were obtained: wild-type red eyes, dark red eyes and eyes lighter than (wi)4. Our results show that, in at least one of the four copies of the allele, the wild-type red eye phenotypes are due to a precise excision of the 2.96 kb duplicated region characteristic of the wi allele. These data agree with previous results obtained in a strain carrying only a single copy of the wi allele. The dark red eye mutants analysed seemed to be generated as a cluster and all proved to be caused by deletions at the 3'-end of the duplicated wi region in two of the copies of the (wi)4 genome. Finally, the light eye mutants (obtained at high frequencies) failed to show alterations at the molecular level, although we cannot discard the possibility that they might have originated by the loss of some of the wi copies of the (wi)4 strain.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed1998

[Electronic repellents against mosquitoes: the propaganda and the reality].

A bibliographic review about the use of electroacoustic devices with a supposed repellent action on the females of different species of hematophagous mosquitoes is presented. 15 direct references and 2 indirect ones are given, in which it is concluded that these devices do not protect those who have them from the stings of mosquitoes. The names of 9 of the tested devices as well as of 16 of the main species of mosquitoes present in the field tests are mentioned. These tests have been carried out in very different ecological conditions from Alaska to Equatorial Africa. It is also stressed that the high intensity ultrasonic frequencies emitted by these devices produces a potentially harmful effect on man.

Acoustics↗
PubMed1998

[The effect of insecticide resistance on the demographic parameters of 3 strains of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) under laboratory conditions].

The life tables of 3 strains of Culex quinquefasciatus were studied under laboratory conditions: Slab, susceptible to reference; Old Havana, treated with cypermethrin until its fourth generation; and Cotorro, from the field. It was found that the different levels of resistance to organophosphate insecticides and pyrethroids present in the Cotorro and Old Havana strains did not influence either on the duration of the period of development of the immature stages or in the sexual proportion of the emerged adults, but they had a favorable and directly proportional effect on the survival and longevity of the adults. However, they exerted a negative and inversely proportional influence on the reproduction and population growth of these strains. Useful data for the use and management of insecticides within the strategies of control of Culex quinquefasciatus, an important vector of lymphatic filariasis, are provided.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Acquired intrathoracic kidney.

A 63 year old female with neurofibromatosis was referred to the Pulmonary Clinic of the University Hospital for evaluation of a right thoracic mass. Physical examination revealed subcutaneous nodules over the trunk area, café au lait spots, and dullness to percussion with decreased breath sounds at the right lung base. The chest X ray showed a 4 cm mass at the right lung base. Computerized tomography of the chest demonstrated a right posterior diaphragmatic hernia with displacement of the liver and kidney into the thoracic cavity. Renal scan confirmed the location of the kidney in the right hemithorax showing normal renal cortical function. Intrathoracic kidney is a very rare finding, most are found in males and are asymptomatic. They are usually found in the left hemithorax and associated to a normal diaphragm. Only 0.25% are associated with a diaphragmatic hernia. In our patient, there was a history of mild trauma five years earlier, but this did not clearly explain how the kidney became ectopic. Acquired intrathoracic kidney should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a lung mass to avoid an unnecessary thoracotomy and nephrectomy.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Metabolic changes in red cells in response to adhesion of porcine K88 fimbriated Escherichia coli.

Red cells glycolytic enzymes attached and nonattached to K88+ Escherichia coli were assayed. Hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase activities, were measured. E. coli with K88ab fimbriae, E. coli with K88ac fimbriae, and isolated K88ab fimbriae were investigated for their effect on the above enzymes. Different changes were obtained with K88ab + bacteria compared with K88ac + bacteria. Purified fimbriae gave a third set of responses.

Animals↗