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A Vela

Publications and source records attributed to A Vela.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Parasomnias].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Vascular dynamics in isolated systolic arterial hypertension.

With a growing elderly population, the incidence of isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) has increased. This study characterizes dynamic vascular changes that occur with advanced age and with ISH. Fifty-five healthy individuals and seven with ISH were distributed in seven age groups from the second to the seventh decade. An index of aortic stiffness (delta P/delta V) was derived using a mercury sphygmomanometer to obtain pulse pressure, and ultrasonographic measurements were used to estimate aortic volumes applying the "cylinder formula." The mathematic derivation of this formula is explained in detail. Pulse pressure showed no significant change with age, but showed a significant increase with ISH. A decrease in volume change from systole to diastole was found with advanced age. Normotensive subjects aged 65 +/- 2 years had a 2.6-fold increase in aortic stiffness compared with young individuals. Elderly patients with ISH had a 7-fold increase in aortic stiffness compared with Group 1 (15 +/- 2 years) (p < 0.001) and a 2.7-fold increase compared with Group 6 (normotensive subjects aged 65 +/- 2 years). A strong correlation between systolic pressure and arterial stiffness was observed (r = 0.953) (p < 0.001). The proposed stiffness index was compared with the one described by Hirai, obtaining a high correlation, that is, r = 0.989 (p < 0.001). When compared with Stefanadis' index of distensibility, our index showed a correlation of r = 0.932 (p < 0.003). It is concluded that while systolic pressure is a main determinant of arterial stiffness, the delta P/delta V is a more sensitive method to estimate dynamic changes in elastic arteries such as the aorta.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Neural tube defect and amniotic band sequence.

A 28-years-old pregnant woman was examined by fetal ultrasonography at 18 weeks' gestation. Anencephaly was diagnosed, followed by prostaglandin induced abortion and fetotomy. Fetal fragments showed a very small head, bilateral anophthalmy, absence of nasal structures and calvarium, intact cranial skin and a very small cranial cavity. The right lower limb was reduced to a few toes covered by a large amniotic adhesion. The left lower limb showed an amniotic band from sole to thigh. The abdominal wall was absent. The diagnoses were amniotic adhesion syndrome and cephalic pole induction failure. The pathogenesis of these defects has been the subject of controversy. Vascular disruption and secondary reduction of the paraaxial mesodermal cells can explain the anomalies observed in this case.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1984

Modern goniosynechialysis for the treatment of synechial angle-closure glaucoma.

A new and successful technique for goniosynechialysis is described. The essentials of the technique include: (1) use of the chamber deepening procedure to provide a wide, safe entrance to the angle; (2) use of sodium hyaluronate to hold the deepened configuration and to stop and localize bleeding, thus maintaining visibility; (3) use of an irrigating cyclodialysis spatula to hold the deepened chamber, to stop bleeding and to perform the lysis; and (4) direct visualization of the angle. Four cases with severe synechial angle closure of one year's duration or less were cured. An additional case of longer duration was significantly improved. The procedure should be considered for those patients who have developed significant synechial angle closure and high pressure, and in whom the synechiae have not been present for a prolonged period of time.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

The heredity and treatment of angle-closure glaucoma secondary to iris and ciliary body cysts.

Three families with peripheral iris and ciliary body cysts are described. The cysts were multiple in 10 of the 11 affected patients, and they were bilateral in 8 of the 11. Angle closure glaucoma secondary to the cysts was present in 4 of the 11 cases. The management of this glaucoma requires a high index of suspicion, careful gonioscopic evaluation and proper medical and/or surgical treatment. Laser therapy for the angle closure caused by pigmented cysts may be curative. Nonpigmented ciliary body cysts are refractory to argon laser treatment and carry a poor prognosis. The cases described suggest an autosomal dominant hereditary pattern. The importance of examination and follow up of healthy relatives of patients with iris and ciliary body cysts is stressed, as early detection and treatment by laser cystotomy may prevent or cure angle closure glaucoma if the disease is diagnosed prior to the establishment of synechial closure.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Is there right hemisphere dysfunction in major depression?

A line-bisection test was applied in order to detect the presence of right hemisphere dysfunction in patients with Major Affective Disorder (Nonpsychotic Major Depression). Depressive patients and control subjects did not differ in perception of the midpoint of the line. Both groups differed in dispersion to the mean value with the depressive patients showing less precision. These data are not supportive of the notion of a right hemisphere dysfunction in the depressive disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Selective inhibition of sleep related growth hormone release by Phe-4-somatostatin.

We have compared the effects of somatostatin (SS) and the somatostatin analog Phe-4-SS on nocturnal GH secretion in three normal male volunteers, 20 to 23 years of age. Subjects were studied in our sleep laboratory on 5 consecutive nights. Nights 1 and 2 were used for adaptation. On the third night (control night), all patients exhibited a typical GH peak accompanying slow-wave sleep, with maximum GH levels from 9.2 to 27 ng/ml. Insulin, glucagon and glucose levels were episodic and sleep-independent. On night 4, subjects received SS infusion at a rate of 3 micrograms/min, which inhibited GH levels consistently below 2.4 ng/ml. In two cases a post-infusion rebound of GH levels was observed. During SS infusion all three subjects showed a significant decrease in insulin levels (p less than 0.0005), followed by an immediate rebound after infusion was stopped. Glucagon levels fell significantly during infusion (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.025 and p less than 0.00025 respectively). Glucose was significantly higher than on control night in subject No. 3 (p less than 0.0005) and similar to control night in subjects 1 and 2. On the fifth night, Phe-4-SS was infused at a rate of 0.75 microgram/min. GH levels decreased significantly as compared to control night in all three subjects and remained virtually constant throughout the night. Insulin levels were diminished in subject No. 1 (p less than 0.0005), but were comparable to control values in subjects 2 and 3. Cessation of analog infusion was followed by a rebound in insulin levels in all three subjects. Glucagon values were not significantly lowered and the rebound effect was not apparent. Glucose levels were higher in response to Phe-4-SS than on control night, and fell below infusion values (p less than 0.001) after administration was discontinued. It was concluded that Phe-4-SS inhibits nocturnal secretion of GH more selectively than SS, but its effect is not more prolonged than that of SS.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Action of bromazepam on sleep of children with night terrors. I. Sleep organization and heart rate.

Bromazepam was administered in a single dose of 1.5 mg one-half hour before bedtime to study its short-term action and the effect of its discontinuation on the sleep of 6 children suffering from night terrors. On the third night of the drug's administration, a statistically significant reduction in slow-wave sleep was observed which was maintained after the drug had been discontinued. The other sleep parameters were not significantly affected, although a slight increase in REM sleep was seen after discontinuation of bromazepam, with a statistically significant increase in the second third of the night on the first 2 nights 'off medication'. A comparison of the individual nights yielded no significant change in heart rate, although certain internal changes were observed during the second night 'on medication' and during the nights 'off medication'. These changes can be explained by the changing relationship between cardiac variability and sleep organization. There were insufficient episodes of night terror during the short duration of the study to allow any conclusions to be drawn on the effect of the drug on this aspect.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1980

Mexican-American folk medicine: implications for the family physician.

Literature of Mexican-American folk medicine and on Mexican-American utilization of conventional medical services suggests that folk medicine and utilization of conventional medical services are related. This study reports on interviews with 40 Mexican-American families randomly selected from the community. The results indicate that choice of conventional medical care and/or folk medicine is dependent upon the symptom, that families often use both folk and conventional medicine, that they are more likely to seek medical help for anxiety than for depression, and that knowledge of folk medicine is best acquired by asking about specific folk diseases. These findings have application in family practice.

Aged↗