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Biomedical subjects

C Grob

Publications and source records attributed to C Grob.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in children exposed to methamphetamine in utero.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the possible neurotoxic effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on the developing brain using 1H-MRS. METHODS: Methamphetamine-exposed children (n = 12) and age-matched unexposed control subjects (n = 14) were evaluated with MRI, localized 1H-MRS, and a Child Behavior Checklist. Metabolite concentrations of N-acetyl-containing compounds (NA), total creatine (Cr), choline-containing compounds, myoinositol, and glutamate + glutamine were measured in the frontal white matter and striatum. RESULTS: Despite an absence of visible structural abnormalities in either group, children exposed to methamphetamine in utero had higher [Cr] (+10%, p = 0.02) in the striatum. [NA], primarily a measure of N-acetylaspartate, was normal in both regions, which suggests no significant neuronal loss or damage in the two brain regions examined. There were no differences in reported behavior problems among the methamphetamine-exposed children relative to the unexposed group. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found increased [Cr] in the striatum with relatively normal [NA] in children exposed to methamphetamine. These findings suggest an abnormality in energy metabolism in the brains of children exposed to methamphetamine in utero.

Brain↗

[The Universidad Austral de Chile Medical School: a regional commitment].

The Universidad Austral de Chile Medical School was created in 1966. Its general goal was to train a general physician with capacities to integrate biological, psychological and social issues, to deal with prevalent diseases as well as with the non referable casualties, to analyze health situations and to manage health teams. From its beginning, it incorporated anthropological and the public health contents to medical curriculum. Moreover, the formal teaching formation was reduced to 5 years, increasing the internship cycle to 2 years, with an important practice on primary health care in regional hospitals, that included a research project on health administration. A revision of the School curriculum showed the need of a better horizontal and vertical integration of medical education. Consequently, global courses were organized to gather knowledge that, until now, was delivered in a fragmented form. Our Medical School has a major impact in the southern region of the country and over 60% of its graduates have settled in this zone, improving its physician/inhabitant relationship and the number of specialists.

Chile↗

Tissue factor initiation of disseminated intravascular coagulation in filovirus infection.

Filovirus infections in humans and primates cause intrinsic activation of the clotting cascade. Tissue factor, the normal activator of the clotting cascade, is released into the bloodstream from activated leukocytes and viral budding from infected cells. This release of tissue factor, a trans-membrane protein found in large amounts in cells preferred by filoviruses for replication, initiates the hemorrhagic complications characteristic of filovirus infection. These complications contribute to the high mortality rates of filovirus infections. Directing chemotheraputic measures at the release of tissue factor, which causes the hemorrhagic complications, will result in significant reductions of mortality rates in man and primates.

Animals↗

Hyperpigmentation induced by argon laser therapy of hemangiomas. Optical and electron microscope studies.

The technique of argon laser treatment of port wine hemangiomas has been greatly improved since first used in the medical field. Complications may however occur and the authors report in this paper their experience and special studies performed on hyperpigmentation. This complication is due to an increase in melanic normal production as it has been proved by optical and electron microscope studies on pigmented skin biopsies.

Adolescent↗

Shamans, sacraments, and psychiatrists.

This article reviews the role of psychedelic drugs as potential tools for psychiatric research and practice. The decline in the utilization of these substances is linked to social reactions, which led to psychedelics being scheduled as controlled substances and consequently unavailable for human research. Three different paradigms for the use of psychedelics in psychiatry are reviewed: the psychotomimetic, the psycholytic, and the psychedelic approaches. The psychotomimetic paradigm, which viewed hallucinogens as agents for temporarily inducing psychoses, proved to be of limited value to the understanding and treatment of mental illness. The psycholytic approach, which was derived from the psychoanalytic paradigm, is a technique employing low doses of psychedelic drugs to reduce psychological defenses and to release unconscious information. The high-dose psychedelic paradigm frequently produced reports of mystical or spiritual experiences, thus recasting the psychiatrist as the modern-day shaman. This paradigm has alienated many in the psychiatric profession and has led to a reaction against the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy. If the opportunity should arise to pursue sanctioned clinical research with these unique psychoactive substances, however, it will be imperative to learn from the traditional models of shamanic healers in order to optimally assess true clinical efficacy and safety.

Hallucinogens↗