Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal 

About: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal is an academic journal published by University of Puerto Rico. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Population & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 0738-0658. Over the lifetime, 1253 publications have been published receiving 12261 citations. The journal is also known as: PRHSJ.

Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in the Americas.

Abstract: There has been a constant increase in the incidence of dengue in the Americas over the past 15 years. This has been caused by increased frequency of epidemic activity in most countries, as a result of increased numbers of virus serotypes circulating in the region. The change in disease ecology has resulted in the emergence of dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) in the region, first with a major epidemic in Cuba, followed by increased occurrence of sporadic cases of DHF/DSS in many countries. The sequence of events in the Americas in the 1980's has been nearly identical to the pattern observed in Southeast Asia in the 1950's. Prospects for prevention of epidemic DHF/DSS in the American region, therefore, are not good. In the absence of Aedes aegypti eradication, the only hope for effective prevention and control is to develop more effective active surveillance for DHF/DSS and combine that with both emergency and community-based vector control programs.

The use of biochemical markers of bone turnover in osteoporosis.

Abstract: Objective: Present evidence-based recommendations on the use of biochemical markers of bone turnover in the management of osteoporosis. Methods: The English literature from 1999 to 2005 was reviewed by using data sources from MEDLINE. Results: Measurement of biochemical markers of bone turnover helps us identify a high bone turnover rate. Elevated levels of these markers points towards a pathology and at an accelerated loss of bone mass. Its main utility is in documenting the response to therapy. They have a limited role in the follow-up of patients with osteoporosis. To be useful, bone markers must be measured at baseline and periodically after the beginning of therapy. A fall of on fifty (50%) percent in the levels of resorption markers between the third and sixth month of therapy predicts a good response. Bone markers can not be used to establish the diagnosis of osteoporosis. Neither do they measure bone mass. Markers are not capable of predicting future loss of bone mass in an individual nor do they correlate with the occurrence of previous fractures. The greatest limitation of these measurements is not being able to measure bone remodeling in the individual subject. Bone resorption markers are more frequently used than those of formation. The levels of the markers can identify the failures to the therapy and responses to therapy. Lack of reduction in the resorption markers could indicate lack of compliance with therapy, problems of absorption of the medication or lack in response to treatment. There may be problems with the measurement and the interpretation of results of bone remodeling markers. Variability between individuals and intra-individual variability exist as well as inter-assay and intra-assay variability. Conclusion: Biochemical markers of bone turnover along with measurements of bone density can help optimize the management of osteoporosis. The use of the bone markers is not recommended in a routine form, but they can be of utility in situations of poor compliance with the therapy or when there are difficulties in the management of the treatment of osteoporosis.

Are adults diagnosed with diabetes achieving the American Diabetes Association clinical practice recommendations

Abstract: Objective: This study assessed the proportion of adults with previously diagnosed diabetes mellitus (DM) who met selected preventive practices and treatment goals according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) standards of medical care. Methods: A secondary analysis of data collected for a previous epidemiologic study that used a probability cluster design to select 859 persons aged 21-79 years in the San Juan metropolitan area was undertaken. This study focused on 136 (15.8%) adults who self-reported DM. The Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes published by the ADA in 2011 were used to determine the proportion of adults achieving selected clinical practice recommendations. Results: Less than half of adults achieved recommended treatment goals for LDLcholesterol (47.8%), HDL-cholesterol (44.1%), blood pressure (41.2%) and HbA1c (28.7%). The percentage of adults achieving recommended levels of HbA1c, blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol simultaneously was 6.6%; the percentage achieving HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin-to-creatinine ratio target levels was only 2.2%. More than half (60.2%) reported daily self-monitoring of foot ulcers and HbA1c testing at least twice over the past year (52.3%). However, less than half reported annual dilated eye examination (49.2%), annual comprehensive foot examination (43.8%), daily self-monitoring blood glucose (37.5%), moderate or vigorous physical activity (33.8%), and self-management DM education (28.9%). Conclusion: This study showed that a substantial proportion of adults with DM did not achieve ADA recommendations on selected preventive practices and treatment goals. Strategies to improve DM medical care and surveillance of preventive-care practices and treatment goals among affected individuals are essential for planning further initiatives that contribute to reduce the burden of DM complications.

Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Medicine: Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia

Abstract: Nanoparticle systems are an intense subject of research for various biomedical applications. Colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles are of special interest, particularly in bioimaging, and more recently, in Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH). MFH promises to be a viable alternative in the treatment of localized cancerous tumors. The treatment consists of locally injecting magnetic nanoparticles in fluid suspension into the tumor site and exposing the site to an oscillating magnetic field, where nanoparticles dissipate energy in the form of heat, causing a localized rise in temperature and tumor cell death. Here we will review methods of magnetic nanoparticle synthesis, and the role of the nanoparticle surface coating in achieving colloidal stability, minimizing toxicity, and targeting. Finally, we review in vitro and in vivo MFH experiments, and clinical studies in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme and prostate cancer.