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Biomedical subjects

B Rodríguez

Publications and source records attributed to B Rodríguez.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Absence of mitochondrial dysfunction in polymyalgia rheumatica. Evidence based on a simultaneous molecular and biochemical approach.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular and biochemical profile of skeletal muscle mitochondria of patients with isolated polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included patients with a recent diagnosis of PMR and as control healthy individuals submitted to orthopedic surgery. Skeletal muscle was obtained from quadriceps, thus was mitochondria immediately isolated. Long polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot transference were performed to detect deleted mtDNA molecules. Mitochondrial oxidative activity using different substrates and individual enzyme activity of respiratory chain complexes were assessed to search for any biochemical dysfunction. RESULTS: Fifty-one individuals (PMR=25, controls=26) were included. Mean age was 72 (11) years; 45% were females. We found no significant increase of deleted mtDNA molecules in PMR patients compared to controls. Both groups differed neither on oxygen consumption (p=NS for all substrates) nor enzymatic activity (p=NS for all complexes). CONCLUSIONS: Skeletal muscle mitochondria are molecularly and biochemically unaffected in PMR.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗
PubMed1998

Some biogenetic-type transformations of neoclerodane diterpenoids from Scutellaria species.

Treatment of scutebaicalin (1) with K-t-BuO yielded both the (13S)- and (13R)-8beta,13-epoxyclerodanes 2 and 3, respectively, by a Michael-type heterocyclization reaction. Identical treatment of scutalpin B (4) gave the corresponding (11E)-11-deacetoxy-12-dehydro derivative 5 by an elimination reaction. Side chains at C-9, such as those of compounds 1-5, are frequent among the neoclerodanes found in Scutellaria species, and these transformations suggest a plausible biogenetic pathway for these diterpenoids.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1997

[Berger's disease and acquired sensorineural hearing loss].

A relation between kidney and inner ear disease, specifically neurosensorial hearing loss, has been established. Likewise, the role of tonsillitis in certain glomerulonephritides is well known. A case of post-streptococcal mesangial glomerulonephritis with IgA deposit (Berger's disease) and neurosensorial hearing loss is reported. The absence of any relevant family or personal history suggests an immunological origin for both disorders.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Pfeiffer syndrome associated with clover-leaf skull: 1st case described in Venezuela].

In 1964, Pfeiffer described a syndrome consisting of craniosynostosis, broad thumbs, broad great toes, and partial soft tissue syndactyly of the hands and feet. It belongs to acrocephalosyndactyly syndromes. We describe a male baby product of an eighth full-term uncomplicated uncontrolled pregnancy, mother and father normal and unrelated, 32 and 50 years old, respectively. He had all diagnostic and prognostic criteria of Subtype 2 Pfeiffer's Syndrome. The clinical, radiological, tomographic, and genetic aspects are discussed.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗
PubMed1997

Behavioral changes associated with different apolipoprotein E genotypes in dementia.

Behavioral dysfunction is a problem in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), and is apparent in up to 67% of individuals. Such changes are a primary cause of individual institutionalization and often lead to their functional disability. As AD progresses, the worsening of behavioral dysfunction becomes increasingly evident and is linked with decreased patient survival. Unfortunately, some of the more common drug therapies used in AD patients to stabilize other facets of their disease worsen behavioral dysfunction. Behavioral changes are associated with endogenous and exogenous factors such as disease stage, environmental factors, other medical conditions, drug regimen, and AD genotype. The most commonly examined and important genotype in AD is the apolipoprotein E (APO E) series, and APO E genotyping is also a useful diagnostic tool. The most frequent APO E genotypes encountered in AD are APO E-4/4, APO E-3/4, and APO E-3/3. In the current study, AD behavioral dysfunction, anxiety, and psychoses were commonly associated with the APO E-3/3 genotype, whereas disorientation, agitation, depression and motor disorders were common among patients with the APO E-4/4 and APO E-3/4 genotypes. These differences were not statistically significant but they suggest that different APO E genotypes influence the phenotypic expression of specific noncognitive symptoms, including behavioral function, in AD.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Complementary health care models: a neglected component in the health care systems reform].

Complementary health care models represent a neglected and scarcely studied area of the health services structure. Within them a myriad of medical therapies of various origins are included. Lately, their importance has grown by means of the increase in demand for such services, both in industrialized and developing countries. It is urgent to reinforce research in the area aiming at understanding the processes through which the population demands these services and the processes through which complementary practitioners are able to maintain their presence in a market environment where the forces of supply and demand are significant. The context created by the health services reform should be used to review the therapeutic value of these models, to promote its regulation, and to amplify the availability of therapeutic options for the population.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed1996

A rearranged abietane diterpenoid from Plectranthus hereroensis.

A new abietane diterpenoid has been isolated from the aerial parts of Plectranthus hereroensis, together with two known diterpenes. The structure of the new substance, 3 beta-acetoxy-6 beta,7 alpha,12-trihydroxy-17(15-->16);18(4-->3)-bisabeo-abieta-4(1 9),8,12,16-tetraene- 11,14-dione, was established by spectroscopic means and by comparison with closely related compounds. This diterpene showed moderate antibacterial activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1996

[PSA and hormone-refractory period in prostatic cancer].

Study of the characteristics of the hormone-refractory period in 32 patients with disseminated prostate cancer who had achieved a complete response to total androgen suppression, appreciating in all of them a subclinical or asymptomatic stage and a clinical or symptomatic one. The subclinical stage was characterized by raised PSA levels and ranged between 3-35 months; at 12 months 59% of patients had advanced to the symptomatic stage, while at 24 months this percentage is 84%. The clinical stage extends from appearance of symptoms to the patient's death, ranging from 3 to 32 months; at 12 months 41% has died; and 91% at 2 years.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1996

[Wünderlich syndrome caused by metastatic gastric sarcoma in the kidney. Report of a case].

Contribution of one case of Wünderlich Syndrome secondary to a simple metastasis to the right kidney from a gastric sarcoma operated three years earlier. Pain, palpable mass on the side and decreased haematocrit were the primary symptoms. Diagnosis was confirmed by Computerized Axial Tomography. The therapeutical approach was radical nephrectomy. At 5 years, this female patient remains alive showing no evidence of tumoral disease in the follow-up controls performed.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

APOE-related frequency of cognitive and noncognitive symptoms in dementia.

Although memory disorders and the aphaso-apraxo-agnosic syndrome are the most relevant clinical symptoms in dementia, behavioral changes, mood-related disturbances and sleep disorders are the major cause of institutionalization and caregiver concern. In the present study we have investigated the frequency and progression of cognitive and noncognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as the APOE-related frequency of clinical symptoms in dementia. Memory decline (100%), aphasia (94%), apraxia (99%), agnosia (94%) and motor dysfunction (90%) appeared in practically all cases with mild (GDS-3), moderate (GDS 3-4) and severe (GDS 6-7) dementia. The most frequent noncognitive symptoms include anxiety (76%), depression (68%), behavioral changes (67%), psychotic symptoms (43%), sleep disorders (43%), incontinence (23%) and cerebrovascular symptoms (75%). Anxiety, depression, behavioral changes, psychotic symptoms, motor dysfunction and cognitive deterioration paralleled the severity of dementia, increasing their frequency from mild to severe dementia. The most important sleep disorders were irregular sleep-wake pattern (67%) and insomnia (47%). Disorientation (90%) and drug administration (88%) appeared to be the most important factors in causing sleep disorders in dementia. Disorientation, agitation and motor disorders were slightly more frequent in patients with APOE-4/4, while anxiety and sleep disorders appeared more frequently in APOE-3/4. Behavioral changes and psychotic symptoms did not show any clear association with specific APOE subtypes. In conclusion, our results suggest that noncognitive symptoms are very important clinical events in the disease progression and in decision making for therapeutic intervention and institutionalization. Furthermore, it is likely that some brain dysfunctions leading to particular clinical symptoms might be associated with specific AD genotypes.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

An antimicrobial abietane from the root of Plectranthus hereroensis.

A new abietane diterpene, 16-acetoxy-7 alpha, 12-dihydroxy-8,12-abietadiene-11,14-dione, has been isolated from the acetone extract of the root of Plectranthus hereroensis and its structure established by spectroscopic means. This compound showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio cholerae, and antiviral activity against Herpes simplex type II.

Abietanes↗
PubMed1995

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and haematological effects of aethiopinone, an o-naphthoquinone diterpenoid from Salvia aethiopis roots and two hemisynthetic derivatives.

Aethiopinone (1), an o-naphthoquinone diterpene from Salvia aethiopis L. roots and two hemisynthetic derivatives 2 and 3 have been evaluated for toxicity, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, and haemostatic activities. The compounds tested showed low toxicity and a pharmacological profile similar to other NSAI substances on reducing the edema induced by carrageenan and contractions induced by phenyl-p-quinone; the most active compounds were 1 and 2. In the same way and as expected with these types of substances, the bleeding time increased. In the TPA-induced ear inflammation model, the three compounds showed a moderate reduction of edema, and 1 produced a significant increase in the reaction time against thermal painful stimuli in the tail immersion test. The results demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory, peripheral and central analgesic properties for 1, as well as antiedematose topical action and peripheral analgesic properties for 2 and 3.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1995

Opiates or cocaine: mortality from acute reactions in six major Spanish cities. State Information System on Drug Abuse (SEIT) Working Group.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe temporal and geographical variations in mortality from acute reactions to opiates or cocaine and the demographic and toxicological characteristics of persons who died from these in major Spanish cities between 1983 and 1991. DESIGN: Descriptive study. Data were obtained retrospectively from pathologists' reports. SETTING: Cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, and Bilbao. SUBJECTS: Deaths from acute reactions to opiates or cocaine were defined as those in which pathologists' reports did not indicate any other cause of death and in which evidence was found of recent consumption of these drugs. MAIN RESULTS: The mortality rate from acute reactions to opiate/cocaine per 100,000 population in the six cities as a whole rose from 1.2 in 1983 to 8.2 in 1991. Average annual rates for the whole period ranged from 1.7 in Seville to 4.9 in Barcelona. The male/female rates ratio was 5.9:1. The mean age of persons who died rose from 25.1 years in 1983 to 28 years in 1991. In more than 90% of the cases in whom toxicological tests were undertaken opiates were detected, and the proportion in which benzodiazepines or cocaine were detected increased during the period studied. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1983 and 1991 mortality from acute reactions to opiates/cocaine rose dramatically in major Spanish cities and significant differences in mortality between cities were found. Deaths were concentrated among men and young people. Acute drug reactions became one of the leading causes of death in persons 15-39 years of age, representing 11.1% of mortality from all causes in 1988 for this age group. Future studies should examine the relationship between the temporal and geographical variations in this type of mortality and various personal, environmental and social factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Polypoid cystitis mimicking bladder tumor].

Presentation of one case of polypoid cystitis in a 38 year-old male, with no urological history. The form of clinic presentation and the endoscopic exploration induced to suspect the existence of a bladder tumour. Diagnosis was confirmed by the result of the histopathological study of the piece.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Structure and antimicrobial activity of diterpenes from the roots of Plectranthus hereroensis.

Two abietane-type diterpenoids have been isolated from the roots of Plectranthus hereroensis (Labiatae), one being the already known horminone [1] and the other a new substance, 7 alpha,12-dihydroxy-17(15-->16)-abeo-abieta-8,12,16-triene-11 ,14-dione [2], whose structure was established by spectroscopic means. Compounds 1 and 2 showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae, Candida albicans, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Abietanes↗
PubMed1994

[Controversies and progress in the diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Personal experience].

Historically, non surgical procedures awakened little interest among urologists because surgery represented a definite solution with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. Currently, the diagnosis and management of BPH is pointed towards a greater understanding of those prostate conditions with a trend to obstruction, using more refined methods to assess the severity of the obstruction, identification of predictive parameters of the therapeutical response, and evaluation of the various treatment alternatives based on safety and cost-efficiency parameters.

Humans↗