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Biomedical subjects

A S Ramos

Publications and source records attributed to A S Ramos.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Specific aspects of erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injury.

According to preliminary studies, the overall incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI; traumatic and medical) in Spain is estimated to be between 12 and 20 per million inhabitants, and almost 80% of these injuries occur in young men. SCI causes organic changes in men leading to erectile dysfunction (ED), impaired ejaculation, and changes in genital orgasmic perception. A vast majority of men with both complete and incomplete SCI will require treatment for ED, and the therapeutic options should include sexual counseling so that the patient can be informed about his disorder and can adjust his sexual behavior accordingly. The first-line treatment of choice is oral drugs, such as phosphodiesterase inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil). Sildenafil has been shown to be highly effective and well tolerated in men with ED of various etiologies, including SCI. Data are also presented on sublingual apomorphine, which has limited indications for the treatment of ED in SCI, and on constrictive rings and vacuum systems. Second-line treatments include intracavernous injections of prostaglandin E(1), papaverine, and phentolamine, alone or in combination, which have been shown to be highly effective in the treatment of ED in men with SCI. Finally, for third-line treatments, the indications for surgical methods are given, including penile prostheses and neuroprosthesis of anterior sacral roots. These devices should be reserved for the cases when the above-mentioned methods have repeatedly failed. Historically, the treatment of ED among patients with SCI has been managed by clinicians in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Thus, the criteria for referral and the competencies of these specialists are established, and they should be included as an integral part of the rehabilitation program.

Erectile Dysfunction↗
PubMed2003

Biological evaluation of recombinant human erythropoietin in pharmaceutical products.

The potencies of mammalian cell-derived recombinant human erythropoietin pharmaceutical preparations, from a total of five manufacturers, were assessed by in vivo bioassay using standardized protocols. Eight-week-old normocythemic mice received a single subcutaneous injection followed by blood sampling 96 h later or multiple daily injections with blood sampling 24 h after the last injection. Reticulocyte counting by microscopic examination was employed as the end-point using the brilliant cresyl blue or selective hemolysis methods, together with automated flow cytometry. Different injection schedules were investigated and dose-response curves for the European Pharmacopoeia Biological Reference Preparation of erythropoietin were compared. Manual and automated methods of reticulocyte counting were correlated with respect to assay validity and precision. Using 8 mice per treatment group, intra-assay precision determined for all of the assays in the study showed coefficients of variation of 12.1-28.4% for the brilliant cresyl blue method, 14.1-30.8% for the selective hemolysis method and 8.5-19.7% for the flow cytometry method. Applying the single injection protocol, a combination of at least two independent assays was required to achieve the precision potency and confidence limits indicated by the manufacturers, while the multiple daily injection protocol yielded the same acceptable results within a single assay. Although the latter protocol using flow cytometry for reticulocyte counting gave more precise and reproducible results (intra-assay coefficients of variation: 5.9-14.2%), the well-characterized manual methods provide equally valid alternatives for the quality control of recombinant human erythropoietin therapeutic products.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Morphology of the testis of the one-humped camel in relation to reproductive activity.

Histological and morphometric studies on the camel testis have been carried out systematically at regular monthly intervals during a period of one year. The testicular weight was minimal during summer, while the maximum weight was attained during the coldest months from November until March. Diameters of the seminiferous tubules were multiphasic with a tendency to be wider during summer. The ratio of the area occupied by seminiferous tubules to that occupied by interstitial tissue revealed that the latter occupied a larger area than that of the seminiferous tubules during winter, while a reversed relationship occurred from March onwards and was especially marked after April, i.e. in summer. In addition, spermatogenesis was noted in all testes examined throughout the year; however, there was a difference in the quality and quantity of spermatogenic cells between the monthly groups evaluated. November, December and January were the months in which spermatogenic activity was most striking. A correlation was established between testicular weight, amount and quality of testicular interstitial tissue, spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm content and, hence, testicular function on the one hand and season of the year on the other hand. The cyclic structural changes in the testis appeared to be in parallel with the rutting activity of the camel. It was suggested also that the camel is not a typical seasonal breeder as it does not go through sexual quiescence. The reproductive activity of the camel builds up during September and October, and the animal is in actual rut during November, December, January and February, with a drop in March and thereafter.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Ultrastructural and histochemical observations on the principal cells of monkey epididymis.

A correlative ultrastructural and histochemical study of the epididymal principal cells was carried out on six normal mature macaque monkeys with known reproductive histories. The outstanding cytologic feature of the principal cells was the abundance of infranuclear electron-dense granules (0.2-0.5 micronsm). These cellular inclusions are found in close proximity with large clusters of small mitochondria and to the subepithelial and periductular capillaries surrounding the basal epithelium. Histochemical tests revealed that these granules do not contain acid phosphatase, are not lipid, but do contain mucopolysaccharides and glycoprotein moieties. This intriguing morphological characteristic of the infranuclear region of the principal cells is similar throughout the entire length of the epididymis and appears to be unique in the monkey. The close relationship of these secretion type granules to mitochondria and their proximity to basal epithelial capillaries is in agreement with the concept of epididymal secretion and a possible endocrine function of the mammalian epididymis must be considered.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1980

Duration of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection in gnotobiotic pigs.

Sixteen gnotobiotic pigs raised in flexible plastic isolators (four pigs per isolator) were inoculated with a culture of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. One pig was killed and underwent necropsy at weekly intervals for the following 16 weeks. Macroscopic lesions were observed in the lungs of 13 of 16 pigs and microscopic lesions were found in 14 of 16 pigs. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was cultured from the trachea or lungs from 10 of the 16 pigs. Scanning electron microscope studies showed areas of damage to the cilia, collections, of leucocytes and mucus, and mycoplasma in the trachea as well as the bronchi. These conditions were found in all the pigs seen at necropsy from nine to 16 weeks postinoculation and there was no evidence of noticeable regression or recovery during this 16 week period.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Morphologic variations along the length of the monkey vas deferens.

Gross and microscopic morphology of the vas deferens of sexually mature macaque monkeys were studied with special reference to the changes and modifications occurring throughout its entire length. The vas deferens was subdivided into four regional segments designated proximal, middle, distal, and ampulla. Each segment showed morphologic variations and it seemed to correspond roughly to the region located in a different part of the body which it traverses. The longitudinal folds of the epithelium are simple in the proximal region but gradually become more complex towards the distal region. In the ampulla, they often branch and form crypts. Stereocilia of epithelial cells are taller and more uniform in the proximal portion in comparison with the short, irregular stereocilia found in the more distal segment of the vas deferens. The luminal epithelial cells of the proximal part apparently have no granules or cytoplasmic blebbings, while the principal cells in the distal portion contain large numbers of cytoplasmic granules and apical blebs. Cells in the middle segments possess cytological features intermediate to the proximal and distal regions. These structural variations along the length of the vas deferens sug gest that this segment of the excurrent duct of the testis performs functions other than just as a passageway for spermatozoa.

Animals↗
PubMed1972

Seasonal polymorphism of the adrenal cortex in the male mink.

Adrenal glands of adult and young male mink were examined for a period of twelve months from July, 1970 and the seasonal variations in the relative widths of the cortex and medulla were investigated using histometric procedures. The medulla to cortex ratio in adult mink was noted to be increased during the months immediately following the breeding season although no consistent change was noted in the total size of the adrenal gland. Histochemical analysis using periodic acid Schiff reagent (PAS) for carbohydrates, and Oil red-0-stain for lipids revealed focal accumulations of pigment cells in the zona reticularis during the post breeding season. The presence of strands of PAS positive cells in the outer zones of adrenal cortex just before the peak of the breeding season indicates that these cells may be in the process of migration and infiltration from the zona glomerulosa to the zona reticularis where they become encased by a thin layer of connective tissue. The aggregation of PAS and Oil red-0 positive cells in the zona reticularis, previously assumed to be a response to hormone treatment, may be a normal feature associated with the onset of testicular quiescence in sexually mature mink.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sexually transmitted diseases in the elderly. Review of 28 cases.

Sir, People over the age of 65 represent an increasingly large proportion of the population. In fact, ageing brings about some decrease in sexual arousal and activity [1] related to physical illness or medication needed to control a health condition [2]. Nevertheless, it is encouraging to find out that many elderly continue to be sexually active until their sixties, seventies and even eighties [3]. Information concerning the incidence of sexually transmitted infections in old people is sparse. Six retrospective studies have been published before [4-9]. They confirmed that the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in patients over 65 years was significant for both newly acquired disease and for residual complications. Beyond that, there are sporadic case reports of HIV infection in older persons [10, 11], emphasising the persistence of risk behaviour in this population.

Age Distribution↗