Publications

previous exposure to anesthesia and autism spectrum disorder (asd): a puerto rican population-based sibling cohort study.	autism spectrum disorder (asd) is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior, that begins usually before a child is three years old.1 researchers have shown that prevalence rates in the u.s. may be as high as 1 in 68.52 a number of studies have examined the effects of early exposure to anesthesia on brain development and subsequent impairment in neurocognitive function; yet, little is known about the possible effects of anesthetic ag ...	2016	26742193
molecular detection of atrazine catabolism gene atza in coastal waters of georgia, puerto rico and trinidad.	in this study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting the atrazine catabolism gene, atza, was used to detect the presence of atrazine degrading bacteria as an indicator of atrazine contamination in 11 sites in georgia, nine coastal sites in puerto rico and 11 coastal sites in trinidad. the atza gene was detected in five stations in georgia (oak grove island entrance, blythe island recreation park, jekyll island., village creek landing and dunbar creek sea island rd bridge). in puerto r ...	2013	23422065
prevalence of childhood obesity in a representative sample of elementary school children in puerto rico by socio-demographic characteristics, 2008.	childhood obesity is a worldwide epidemic; its prevalence has quadrupled in the us among children from 6-11 y/o. in the us, hispanic children have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to non-hispanic whites. no representative data was available for puerto rican children from first to sixth grades in puerto rico or the us. the aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of childhood obesity among puerto rican children from first to sixth grade by different socio-demographic characteristics ...	2010	21261174
utilization of health services and prescription patterns among lupus patients followed by primary care physicians and rheumatologists in puerto rico.	to examine the utilization of health services and prescription patterns among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (sle) followed by primary care physicians and rheumatologists in puerto rico.	2008	18646350
aids-defining neoplasm prevalence in a cohort of hiv-infected patients, before and after highly active antiretroviral therapy.	malignant disorders have been linked to the hiv epidemic from its onset. implementation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (haart) has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the hiv/aids morbidity and mortality. the present study evaluates the neoplasm prevalence before and after the implementation of haart.	2008	18646347
profile of puerto rican hiv/aids patients with early and non-early initiation of injection drug use.	early initiation of injection drug use (idu) increases the risk of hiv infection.	2008	18646329
self-reported prevalence of endometriosis and its symptoms among puerto rican women.	to determine the prevalence of endometriosis and its symptoms in a puerto rican cohort, and to describe the menstrual, obstetric, and clinical profiles of the women.	2008	17976623
prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus and associated comorbidities in puerto rico.	to examine the prevalence of systemic lupus erythematosus (sle) and its associated comorbidities in patients from puerto rico using a database from a health insurance company.	2007	17762454
organization and operation of the marine ornamental fish and invertebrate export fishery in puerto rico.	this fishery was examined utilizing public records, stakeholder interviews, and operational site visits to describe the fishery for the puerto rico coral reef advisory committee as a first step toward development of policies for the effective management of these natural resources. the fishery is not large, including fewer than 20 licensed fishers operating primarily on the west end of the island. only three operators export product, with the remaining fishers providing specimens to the exporters ...	2005	17465154
development of management policy for the marine ornamental fish and invertebrate fishery in puerto rico: a case study.	in recent years the collection of tropical marine organisms for the aquarium trade has become perceived as an activity with an unsustainable history as well as obvious potential for rehabilitation through resource-based fisheries management and consumer-oriented product certification. in the case of puerto rico, collection of ornamentals has existed for decades, though unregulated due to a weak fisheries law dating from the 1930's. the new fisheries law 278 of 1998 enabled new regulatory approac ...	2005	17465153
clinical and prognostic value of autoantibodies in puerto ricans with systemic lupus erythematosus.	the aim of this study was to determine the association between lupus autoantibodies and the clinical manifestations and outcome in a cohort of puerto ricans patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (sle). all patients fulfilled the american college of rheumatology classification criteria for sle. demographic parameters, clinical manifestations over time and damage accrual were obtained at the last study visit. disease damage was assessed with the systemic lupus international collaborating clin ...	2006	17211998
assessing the risk of infection and rejection in hispanic renal transplant recipients by means of an adenosine triphosphate release assay.	because of the necessary immunosuppression, transplant recipients have a high risk of infection. conversely, underimmunosuppression carries with it the risk of rejection. it would be quite useful to have a test that could differentiate between infection and rejection in renal transplant patients and better still, to predict which patients are at risk of complications. a new assay, which measures adenosine triphosphate (atp) synthesis by cd4+ t cells in response to stimulation by phytohemagglutin ...	2006	16647510
an empirical test of the information, motivation and behavioral skills model of antiretroviral therapy adherence.	nearly perfect adherence to demanding antiretroviral therapy (art) is now recognized as essential for hiv-positive patients to realize its life sustaining benefits. despite the dire consequences of non-adherence, a large number of patients do not follow their art regimen. while many factors influence adherence, the literature is dominated by studies on only one or a small set of them. multivariate, theory-based models of adherence behavior are of great interest. the current study tested one such ...	2005	16036253
differences between patients with non-hodgkin's lymphomas in a cohort of hiv/aids patients in puerto rico.	the close association between aids and non-hodgkin's lymphoma (nhl) is well known. few studies are available that evaluate the profile of nhl in a cohort of hiv-infected patients who reside in puerto rico. the present study was performed in a cohort of 2,843 hiv-infected patients followed in the retrovirus research center at bayamón, puerto rico, evaluated between january 1992 until december 2000. nhl prevalence was determined and differences between aids defining and non-aids defining nhl were ...	2003	14682397
[gynecologists-obstetricians and pediatricians: knowledge and experience concerning breast feeding].	the objective of this study was to identify the level of knowledge and the experience towards breastfeeding of medical personnel (obstetricians and pediatricians) in two private hospitals in metropolitan san juan, puerto rico. an exploratory research design was used for the study. the studied population consisted of obstetricians and pediatricians practicing in those hospitals. the sample was non-probabilistic and was selected according to availability for participation among the physicians who ...	1999	10547869