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Biomedical subjects

C García

Publications and source records attributed to C García.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

[Comparative study of 3 techniques for total intravenous anesthesia: midazolam-ketamine, propofol-ketamine, and propofol-fentanyl].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the characteristics of induction, maintenance and awakening for three techniques of combined total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA): propofol-ketamine, midazolam-ketamine and propofol-fentanyl. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to three TIVA groups. Group 1 (n = 20) received midazolam, ketamine and vecuronium. Group 2 (n = 20) received propofol, ketamine and vecuronium. Group 3 (n = 20) received propofol, fentanyl and vecuronium. The variables compared were hemodynamic changes during induction and maintenance and upon awakening; time until awakening; and the incidence of postanesthetic complications. We also assessed whether propofol was better than midazolam at preventing the psychomimetic effects of ketamine. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics of the three groups were similar. Hemodynamic variables were most stable in group 2. Perfusion of midazolam-ketamine was accompanied by a significantly higher number of hypertensive peaks. Time to awakening was significantly shorter in Group I (11.8 +/- 5 min) than in group 2 (20.2 +/- 12.5 min); in group 2 time to awakening was 16.6 +/- 5.6 min. Eight patients in group 1, 5 in group 2 and 1 in group 3 reported having bad dreams, the difference between groups 1 and 3 reaching statistical significance. No patient experienced hallucinations and all reported satisfaction with the anesthetic technique used. CONCLUSIONS: TIVA with ketamine and propofol is comparable to the most commonly used combination of propofol and fentanyl and may be an appropriate choice when hemodynamic stability is of great importance; withdrawal 15 min before ending surgery prevents prolonged awakening. Perfusion of midazolam-ketamine is not recommendable for scheduled surgery because it induces too many hypertensive peaks. Although neither midazolam nor propofol completely prevents the psychomimetic effects of ketamine, such effects are not so severe that patients reject the anesthetic technique used.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Calcium intake among school children in Badajoz].

BACKGROUND: The intake of calcium has been studied in the diet of adolescents from a school in Badajoz (Spain) determining their BMI and their living habits (sport, consumption of tobacco and alcohol). METHODOLOGY: By means of an aleatory sampling, a sample n was selected = 207 (49.76% males and 50.24 females) with an average age of 14.14 +/- 2.08 years. They were weighed and measured to calculate their BMI. A questionnaire was carried out on consumption of products rich in calcium: milk and dairy produce, vegetables, fruit, chied fruits. The statistical analysis was carried out by means of Student t and ANOVA. RESULTS: The results was BMI < 25 (thin or standard) in 86.47%; BMI 25-30 (overweight) in 10.63% and BMI > 30 (overweight) 2.9%. The consumption of daily calcium was of 1304 +/- 702 g/ppd, higher (p < 0.001) in boys (10.45 +/- 5.51) than in girls (7.82 +/- 3.84). There is not correlation between BMI and calcium consumption. The boys observe the NIH recommendations. But girls usually don't. Milk products provide 87% of the consumed calcium. The boys who practice some sports consume 9.88 +/- 5.23 g/pps, the other ones 7.09 +/- 2.95 g/pps. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The weekly intake of calcium by surveyed students is 9.13 g/pps, smaller in girls than in boys. 2. Milk products provide 87% of the consumed calcium. 3. A 10.63% of them is overweight and a 2.9% is very overweight. 4. A 10.63% usually smokes and a 20.29% consumes alcohol. 5. A 26.27% doesn't practice any sports and consumes less calcium (p < 0.001) than the recommended quantity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Multidisciplinary management of malignant hepatic tumors in children: a recent national experience].

BACKGROUND: Malignant hepatic tumors (Mht) are rare in children. Among them hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common. AIM: To report the results of the multidisciplinary management in 6 consecutive children: five HB and one metastatic Wilms tumor (MWT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The mean age of patients was 42 months. All HB patients had elevated serum alfafetoprotein (median 150,000 ng/ml). All patients received preoperative chemotherapy: HB patients received carboplatin/doxorubicin alternating with cisplatin, and the MWT patient, vincristine alone. Surgery included two formal right and two formal left hepatectomies, one extensive central resection with partial left segmentectomy, and one lateral segmentectomy. Extracorporeal circulation was used in the child with atrial involvement. All patients received postoperative chemotherapy. RESULTS: All tumors had variable regresion on preoperative chemotherapy. Complete resection with negative margins was achieved in all patients. The degree of tumor necrosis on histology ranged from 60% to 90%. Alfafetoprotein levels fell to under 10 ng/ml in all HB cases, one to three months after surgery. All patients survive free of disease at a median follow up of 19 months. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary approach including the well timed used of chemotherapy and surgery is highly effective in the management of pediatric malignant tumors.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Central olfactory structures in Pax-6 mutant mice.

During the development of the olfactory system, cells located in the olfactory placode/olfactory pit send their axons toward the rostral part of the telencephalic vesicles (TVs). Some of these enter the TV inducing the formation of the olfactory bulbs (OBs), whereas, mitral and tufted cell axons form the lateral olfactory tract (LOT). Our recent studies have shown that the beginning of the central olfactory projections is independent of the arrival of olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) axons to the TV. Here we have used the mouse carrying a mutation in the Pax-6 gene to study whether the nasal olfactory structures intervene in the formation of central olfactory structures. This mutant as well as lacking a nose and eyes, is reported to lack olfactory epithelium and OB. However, we have found an ovoid cellular structure localized in the rostral part of the brain, and some cells in this structure project axons toward the piriform cortex forming a presumptive LOT. We conclude that the referred structure is an OB, which fails to develop because the mutation in the Pax-6 gene affects the formation of nasal structures. As such, fibers of the ORNs are necessary for the protrusion and layered formation of the OB, but these inputs are not necessary for the establishment of the central olfactory projections.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Disruption of the antiproliferative TGF-beta signaling pathways in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Resistance to TGF-beta1 occurred in pancreatic cancer cells suggesting that inactivation of TGF-beta inhibitory signaling pathways may play an important role in human pancreatic cancer. The aim of our study was to determine the presence of alterations in the main putative components of the TGF-beta inhibitory signaling pathways (p15, Smad4, Smad2, TGFbeta-RII, CDC25A). A panel of human carcinomas of the exocrine pancreas orthotopically implanted and perpetuated in nude mice and pancreatic cancer cell lines were studied. p15 gene alterations, mainly homozygous deletions that involved exons 1 and/or 2, were found in the 62.5% (5 of 8) of pancreatic xenografts whereas Smad4 gene aberrations were found in one of eight xenografts and in two of seven cell lines. Additional aberrations in these genes were acquired during in vivo perpetuation and distal dissemination. Paradoxically, TGFbeta-RII overexpression and a decrease in CDC25A protein levels were found in all tumors and cell lines. In one cell line, resistance to TGF-beta1 occurred in the absence of alterations in the genes analysed so far. We conclude that all human pancreatic tumor cells analysed herein have non-functional TGF-beta pathways. The majority of cells harbor alterations in at least one of the putative components of TGF-beta pathways, mainly in p15 and Smad4 genes. These results suggest that inactivation of TGF-beta signaling pathways plays an important role in human pancreatic tumorigenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

In situ detection of AE2 anion-exchanger mRNA in the human liver.

Na+-independent anion exchangers, a family of membrane proteins that mediate electroneutral exchanges of chloride and bicarbonate ions across the cell membrane, are considered to be involved in intracellular pH regulation as well as in transepithelial acid/base transport. Previous immunohistochemical data have shown that anion-exchanger-2 (AE2) protein is expressed in the liver parenchyma, localizing at both the canaliculi and the luminal surfaces of intrahepatic bile ducts, where it may have a role in the biliary secretion of bicarbonate. In the present study, we have carried out in situ hybridization experiments on biopsies of human liver using three overlapping antisense anion-exchanger-2 riboprobes. Anion-exchanger-2 mRNA signals were localized mainly in the cytoplasm of terminal and interlobular bile-duct cells, whereas weaker signals were observed in bile-duct cells of larger intrahepatic ducts. Furthermore, some hepatocytes, mostly periportal, contained detectable anion-exchanger-2 mRNA signals in their cytoplasm. No hybridization signals were observed in controls with sense riboprobes, with omission of the antisense probe, or with treatment of the sections with RNase before hybridizations. Finally, intense anion-exchanger-2 hybridization signals were observed in lymphomononuclear cells in sinusoids and in portal infiltrates. Immunocytochemical data from reverse-phase sections suggest that these cells correspond to some of the CD45R+ (UCHL1+) T lymphocytes resident in the liver.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

What is the relationship between spermatozoa per milliliter at adulthood and the tubular fertility index at surgical age for patients with cryptorchidism?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find out the relationship in the patient with cryptorchidism between the number of spermatogonia at surgical age and spermiogram data at adulthood. METHODS: Between 1971 and 1996 the authors surgically treated 1,550 children for 2,249 undescended testis. In 21 unilateral and 41 bilateral cryptorchidism patients, both testis were biopsied at surgical procedure during childhood. We currently have spermiogram data for a patient at adulthood. RESULTS: By using the best Tubular Fertility Index (TFI) figures of both testis, the Sperman correlation index between the two parameters is r = 0.22, statistically nonsignificant. The TFI test sensitivity is 0.68 and the specificity is 0.60. The likehood ratio for a positive test result is 0.84 and the likehood ratio for a negative test result is 0.37. CONCLUSION: Although the authors have only one spermiogram, and there are few cases, they suspect the TFI is not a good index to predict the potential fertility in cryptorchidism patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The detection of hemorrhagic proteins in snake venoms using monoclonal antibodies against Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) serum.

Most snakes and a few warm-blooded animals have a resistance to snake venoms because of naturally occurring antihemorrhagins found in their sera. The antihemorrhagins in serum of Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) neutralize hemorrhagic activity by binding to hemorrhagins in snake venoms. The binding characteristic of antihemorrhagins in D. virginiana serum was used to develop a five-step western blot. The detection of hemorrhagic proteins were measured indirectly with antihemorrhagins in Virginia opossum serum and with DV-2LD#2, a monoclonal antibody specific for Virginia opossum antihemorrhagins. Snake venoms were separated by native-PAGE, transferred to a Millipore Immobilon-P membrane and then incubated with crude Virginia opossum serum. The hemorrhagins in snake venom bind to antihemorrhagins in Virginia opossum serum which react with DV-2LD#2 a monoclonal antibody that is specific for Virginia opossum antihemorrhagins. DV-2LD#2 monoclonal antibody inhibits antihemorrhagic activity in Virginia opossum serum when mixed in equal amounts. The inhibition of antihemorrhagins by DV-2LD#2 monoclonal antibody suggests specificity. DV-2LD#2 monoclonal antibody does not recognize antihemorrhagins in gray woodrat (Neotoma micropus) serum. The five-step western blot reveals two well-defined bands which represent hemorrhagins found in Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom. Venoms from 15 different snake species were examined to determine the usefulness of the five-step western blot. Other hemorrhagic venoms (Great Basin rattlesnake (C. viridis lutosus), Prairie rattlesnake (C. viridis viridis), Tancitaran dusky rattlesnake (C. pusillus), Northern Mojave rattlesnake (C. scutulatus scutulatus type B) and Northern Pacific rattlesnake (C. v. oreganus)) had one single band in the five-step western blot. DV-2LD#2 did not bind to the non-hemorrhagic venoms and reacted with 50% of the hemorrhagic venoms used in this study. The monoclonal antibody, CAH, reacted with all the hemorrhagic venoms except for the venom of the King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) and did not react with the non-hemorrhagic venoms. The hemorrhagic binding site of CAH monoclonal antibody and the antihemorrhagin in Virginia opossum are different binding sites. The five-step western blot will be a very useful assay for determining hemorrhagic activity without using live animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

"Alone, I wouldn't have known what to do": a qualitative study on social support during labor and delivery in Mexico.

This article presents some of the most relevant qualitative results of a trial to evaluate the effects of the provision of psychosocial support to first-time mothers during labor, childbirth and in the immediate postpartum period in a social security hospital in Mexico City. The article focuses on the experiences of mothers who have received psychosocial support from a doula (the term doula is used to identify a woman who provides continuous support to a woman during labor. delivery and the immediate postpartum period) and compares them with the experiences of those women who gave birth following normal hospital routine. Sixteen in-depth interviews were held with women in the immediate post partum period (eight of whom had been accompanied by a doula and eight who had not) before they were discharged from hospital, and the results were analyzed using qualitative techniques. The interviews showed that the women accompanied by a doula had a more positive childbirth experience. The differences between both groups related to their perceptions of the childbirth experience; the treatment they received from hospital staff; the information they were given and how well they understood it; their perception of hospital routines; their feelings about cesarean sections and, spatial and temporal perceptions. The most important difference between the two groups was the way they expressed their feelings about their own labor, their sense of control and their self-perception.

Delivery, Obstetric↗
PubMed1998

Microalbuminuria in normotensive patients with autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Microalbuminuria (MA) is present in hypertensive autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients, but has not been reported in normotensive ADPKD patients. We examined the prevalence of MA and the effect of different determinants on urinary albumin excretion in a group of 42 normotensive ADPKD patients. Metabolic parameters, plasma renin activity and aldosterone and serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity were determined. A 24-h urine sample two or three times over a 6-month period was collected to evaluate MA. Each patient underwent an echocardiography to measure left ventricular mass. Eight patients (19%) showed MA (61.6 mg/day, range 37-164), whereas 34 patients (81%) were normoalbuminuric (8.8 mg/day, range 2-29). The groups were matched for all possible confounding variables, but microalbuminuric patients showed a tendency towards greater systolic blood pressure, plasma renin activity and left ventricular mass. There was no correlation between MA and age, sex, body mass index, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, plasma renin activity, serum ACE levels or left ventricular index. The present study demonstrates a high prevalence of MA in normotensive ADPKD patients. MA may be a predictor of early renal and vascular damage in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Recovery of minimal change nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure in a patient withRenal cell carcinoma.

We describe a 78-year-old patient with nephrotic syndrome due to minimal-change glomerulopathy, associated with a renal adenocarcinoma. Oliguric acute renal failure requiring hemodialysis was also observed. Surgical removal of the tumor and corticosteroid therapy resulted in resolution of the nephrotic state and improvement of the renal function. Nephrotic syndrome is an unusual complication of renal cell carcinomas, and the association of minimal-change glomerulopathy (MCG) and solid tumors is particularly uncommon. In spite of this, MCG should be considered in the nephropathies causing nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure in patients with renal malignancies.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1998

[Oxidative effect of hepatic copper overload].

To explain the cytotoxicity of excessive free radical production in the liver of rats, the lipoperoxidation in subcellular structures and some antioxidants systems were evaluated. We measured Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn-SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and lipid peroxidation in homogenates and subcellular fractions of hepatocytes. Female Wistar rats were given a 0,2 per cent solution of CUSO4 in water, to induce the Cu toxicity. Serum copper levels and acid phosphatase (AP) activity were determined at frequent intervals. Six treated rats were euthanased to the twelfth week of begun the assay. During the sixteenth week, at time of the increase of serum AP activity the others treated rats also were killed. We found high liver Cu content and evidence of lipid peroxidation. In whole homogenate, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions, the thiobarbituric acid reacting substances were increased. This was correlated with an increase in the Cu-Zn-SOD activity and with decrease of the GSH levels. It could be argued that high copper status might have increased the Cu-Zn-SOD activity and induced lowest levels of GSH. Additionally, lipid peroxidation was induced by Cu-overload.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1998

[Comparison of lidocaine and urapidil for prevention of hemodynamic response to tracheal intubation in patients in general good health].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of endovenous administration of 0.5 mg/kg-1 of urapidil to 1 mg/kg-1 of lidocaine for attenuating hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study of 40 ASA I and II patients with normal blood pressure undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with orotracheal intubation. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either 0.5 mg/kg-1 of urapidil or 1 mg/kg-1 five minutes before anesthetic induction. Anesthesia was provided with 0.04 mg/kg-1 of midazolam, 2 micrograms/kg-1 of fentanyl, 2 mg/kg-1 of propofol, 0.1 mg/kg-1 of vecuronium before proceeding to orotracheal intubation, after electromyographic determination of neuromuscular response with T1 less than 5%, and laryngoscopy. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean pressures, and the product of heart rate and mean arterial pressure (HR x MAP) were recorded at the following times: baseline (before administering either lidocaine or urapidil), after induction, after laryngoscopy and intubation, and 3 minutes and 5 minutes after intubation. RESULTS: ASA classification, age, sex and weight were similar in the two groups. Heart rate immediately after intubation, and after 3 and 5 minutes was significantly lower in the lidocaine group. Likewise HR x MAP immediately after intubation and 3 minutes later was significantly lower in the patients who received lidocaine. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy ASA I and II patients with normal blood pressure, a dose of 1 mg/kg-1 of lidocaine provided better protection against the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation than does 0.5 mg/kg-1 of urapidil.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

General pharmacological profile and effects of E-4716, a novel histamine receptor blocker, on the central nervous system.

The general pharmacological profile and effects of E-4716 on the CNS have been investigated in comparison with other histamine receptor blockers. In in vitro studies with isolated organs and in binding studies on numerous receptors, E-4716 had no activity even at high concentrations, except for the selective blockade of H1 receptors. No activity was observed in pharmacological trials in vivo, such as the Irwin test or analgesia induced by phenylbenzoquinone or electroshock, suggesting a depressant activity on the CNS. In tests potentiating hypnosis induced by barbiturates, benzodiazepines and ethanol in mice, E-4716 always showed milder potentiating effects than the other reference drugs. In monkeys, no sedating effects were observed at 200 mg/kg, p.o. These results suggest that E-4716 exhibits good clinical efficacy without any secondary effects.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Lipid composition of eggs from hens fed with marine protein and fat products].

This study describes the composition of shell eggs produced by hens fed marine sources of feeds and eggs from hens fed only vegetable ingredients, as a control group. The nutritional characteristics of eggs, yolk fatty acids profile and their cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid contents, were determined. Hens fed marine feeds produced eggs with significantly less cholesterol and more triglycerides and phospholipids, than those produced by hens fed only vegetable feeds. Even though there were no significant differences between saturated, mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, marine products significantly increased n-3 fatty acids (7.13 +/- 0.83 in marine fed hen's eggs vs. 1.77 +/- 0.55 g/100 g in vegetable fed hen's eggs) and n-6 fatty acids (15.71 +/- 2 in marine fed hen's eggs vs. 20.88 +/- 2.32 g/100 in all vegetable fed hen's eggs). The eggs produced from hens fed marine products compares favorably with eggs known as "enriched" can have an important place in the diet especially for high risk population groups.

Animal Feed↗