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Biomedical subjects

J F Navarro

Publications and source records attributed to J F Navarro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Molecular epidemiology of tuberculosis in Elche, Spain: a 7-year study.

The epidemiology of tuberculosis in Elche (Spain) was studied by restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP) typing of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis over a 7-year period. A total of 165 isolates was typed and the clinico-epidemiological data of the patients were studied retrospectively. An overall cluster aggregation of 52.4% was found, rising to 71.43% in HIV-positive patients. There was greater aggregation in younger patients, but no statistically significant differences when other variables were analysed. The percentage of aggregation was higher than in other studies in Spain and this may be due to the longer time period of this study. The high percentage of aggregation in young patients and in thosewho were HIV-positive suggests increased recent transmission in both groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

MDMA ("ecstasy") exhibits an anxiogenic-like activity in social encounters between male mice.

Recent studies have suggested that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy"), a synthetic amphetamine derivative, might exhibit an anxiogenic-like activity in rodents. In this work, we examined the effects of MDMA (1, 8 and 15 mg kg(-1), i.p.) on social encounters between male mice using an ethopharmacological approach. Likewise, we compared the behavioural profile of MDMA with that induced by FG 7142 (15 mg kg(-1), i.p.), an anxiogenic benzodiazepine receptor ligand. Individually housed mice were exposed to anosmic standard opponents 30 min after drug administration, and the encounters were videotaped and evaluated using an ethologically based analysis. MDMA (8 and 15 mg kg(-1)) produced a behavioural pattern characterized by a marked decrease of aggression (threat and attack) as well as social investigation, body care and digging behaviours, without affecting immobility. Moreover, avoidance/flee and defence/submission behaviours were significantly increased by the drug. A very similar behavioural profile was observed in FG 7142-treated animals. Overall, these findings might indicate that MDMA has anxiogenic-like properties in male mice.

Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors↗
PubMed2001

Androgen therapy for anemia in elderly uremic patients.

Androgens were the mainstay of treatment of renal anemia prior to the introduction of recombinant human erythropoietin. With the introduction of this recombinant hormone, the protocols of treatment of anemia were completely modified, and the use of androgens was relegated to the background. However, several authors have continued showing interest in the use of androgenic steroids for the treatment of anemia. This review examines several aspects of aging on androgenic hormones and hematopoiesis, the effects of androgen administration on hematological parameters, the side effects of these compounds and the future of this treatment for anemia in renal patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Attitudes toward animal research among psychology students in Spain.

Animal research plays a central role in psychology, and its use, prevalence and quality depends on the attitudes of students who enter psychology in Spain. Attitudes among psychology students about the use of laboratory animals are not known, so the aim of this work was to analyze the attitudes of Spanish psychology students toward animal research. An attitude questionnaire of 15 items was given to 661 undergraduate students of the School of Psychology at the University of Málaga, Spain. Several results were found: (a) 65.7% of the respondents strongly agreed or agreed with animal research. General support for animal research was significantly higher by men than by women. (b) Support for animal research was higher for senior students, suggesting that the psychology curriculum or self-selection to remain in the program might influence students' attitudes. (c) Attitudes toward animal research were similar among students independent of the type of animal being used for research in biological or psychological studies. (d) 58% considered that laboratory animals never or almost never are inappropriately handled. (c) 55.6% indicated that research in psychology on animals could be generalized to humans. Overall, these results suggest that among Spanish psychology students animals research is considered important for the advancement of the science. Likewise, a majority of students displayed positive attitudes toward animal research.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Acute and subchronic effects of pimozide on isolation-induced aggression in male mice.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of pimozide (0.25-1.25 mg/kg), administered acutely or subchronically for 10 days, on agonistic behavior elicited by isolation in male mice. Individually housed mice were exposed to anosmic "standard opponents" 90 min after pimozide injections, and the encounters were videotaped and evaluated using an ethologically based analysis. 3. After acute treatment pimozide did not affect significantly aggression and immobility. However, mice treated subchronically with pimozide (0.75 and 1.25 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in offensive behaviors (threat and attack) and an increase of immobility (1.25 mg/kg). The antiaggressive and motor actions of pimozide were more marked after subchronic treatment than after acute treatment. It might reflect an accumulation of the drug over time, an effect also described with other neuroleptics such as amisulpride.

Aggression↗
PubMed2000

Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) on anxiety in mice tested in the light-dark box.

1. The effects of acute administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") on anxiety tested in the light/dark box were examined in albino male mice of the OF.1 strain. 2. Animals were evaluated in the light/dark test 30 min after injection of MDMA (1, 8, and 15 mg/kg, i.p) or saline. The following parameters were recorded (for 5 min); (a) number of exploratory rearings in the light and dark sections; (b) number of transitions between the lit and dark areas; (c) time spent in the light and dark areas; (d) latency of the initial movement from the light to the dark area, and (e) locomotor activity in light area. 3. MDMA (8 and 15 mg/kg) produced a significant reduction in exploratory activity (rearings and transitions), without decreasing motility, in comparison with saline-treated mice. However, time spent in lit/dark compartments was not significantly affected by the drug, which could be a consequence of the anti-exploratory properties of MDMA. 4. Overall, the behavioral profile found in the light/dark test indicates an anxiogenic-like activity of MDMA in mice. It is suggested, however, that animal models of anxiety which emphasize a social interaction could be more sensitive to the effects of this substance.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Amino acid losses during hemodialysis with polyacrylonitrile membranes: effect of intradialytic amino acid supplementation on plasma amino acid concentrations and nutritional variables in nondiabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients. Amino acid (AA) losses during the dialysis procedure may be a contributing factor. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were 1) to prospectively evaluate AA losses and their effect on plasma AA concentrations during dialysis with polyacrylonitrile at baseline and after administration of AAs by intradialysis and 2) to investigate the effects of intradialytic AA supplementation on nutritional status. DESIGN: Seventeen stable patients without diabetes who were receiving hemodialysis were studied. In the first phase, AA losses were evaluated over 2 wk in 10 patients randomly assigned to receive AA supplementation. AA losses were analyzed during the first week without supplementation and during the second week with AA administration. In the second phase, the patients' nutritional status was investigated after 3 mo of AA supplementation and was compared with those in 7 patients not receiving AAs. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD) AA losses during a 4-h dialysis session were 12 +/- 2 g; there was a significant decrease in plasma AA concentrations (386 +/- 298 micromol/L for essential and 902 +/- 735 micromol/L for nonessential AAs). After administration of AAs, the losses increased to 28 +/- 4 g. However, this procedure produced a positive net balance of AAs (10.6 +/- 5.6 g for total AAs), preventing a reduction in plasma concentrations. After 3 mo of AA administration, there was a significant increase in protein catabolic rate and serum albumin and transferrin. This improvement occurred without any change in the dialysis dose, ruling out the possibility that an increase in dialysis efficiency played a role. CONCLUSIONS: Intradialysis adequately provides AA supplements, prevents reductions in plasma AA concentrations, and favorably affects the nutritional status of patients receiving hemodialysis.

Acrylic Resins↗