Rhinitis and nasal continuous positive air pressure?
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Air↗
Biomedical subjects
J L Delgado
Publications and source records attributed to J L Delgado.
17beta-estradiol prevents oxidative stress and decreases blood pressure in ovariectomized rats.
In this study, we tested whether estrogen deficiency is associated with oxidative stress and decreased nitric oxide (NO) production, which could be responsible for an increased blood pressure in ovariectomized rats. Hemodynamic studies were performed on conscious, chronically instrumented rats. Chronic estrogen replacement on ovariectomized rats lowered blood pressure approximately 13 mmHg, from 119 +/- 3 mmHg in ovariectomized rats to 106 +/- 3 mmHg in ovariectomized-treated rats; it was also accompanied by an increase in cardiac index and vascular conductance, achieving hemodynamic values similar to those shown by sham-operated rats. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester administration lowered significantly less the vascular conductance (0.14 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.22 +/- 0.03 and 0.26 +/- 0.01 ml. min(-1). mmHg(-1)/100 g; P < 0.05) in ovariectomized rats than in the sham-operated and estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats, respectively. Estrogen replacement prevented the lower plasma levels of nitrites/nitrates observed in ovariectomized rats. The lower plasma total antioxidant status and reduced thiol groups and the increase in plasma lipoperoxides presented in ovariectomized animals were reestablished with the estrogen treatment. These results show that estrogen administration decreases blood pressure and increases vascular conductance in ovariectomized rats. This effect may be related to an increase in NO synthesis and/or preventing oxidative stress, then improving endothelial function.
Animals↗
Effect of N-acetylcysteine on vascular endothelium function in aorta from oophorectomized rats.
1. Experiments were performed to examine and to compare vascular endothelial function in aortic rings from oophorectomized and from ovary-intact rats and to test the effect of thiol compound as N-acetylcysteine on endothelial function. 2. In precontracted aortic rings from oophorectomized and intact rats, vascular endothelial function was evaluated by measuring changes in isometric force in response to cumulative doses of superoxide dismutase, acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside. 3. In studies designed to assess the tone-related release of nitric oxide from aortic rings moderately precontracted with phenylephrine, superoxide dismutase produced a lower concentration-related relaxant response in aortic rings from oophorectomized rats than from ovary intact rats. 4. Acetylcholine caused a concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxation of less magnitude in aortic rings from oophorectomized animals compared with those from ovary-intact rats. Addition of N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester eliminated the relaxation induced by both superoxide dismutase and acetylcholine. 5. No differences between groups were noticed in the concentration-relaxation curve induced by sodium nitroprusside. 6. Preincubation with N-acetylcysteine normalized the depressed vasorelaxant response to acetylcholine in the aortic rings from oophorectomized rats, whereas the concentration-response curve for acetylcholine in aortic rings from ovary-intact rats did not alter. 7. These results suggest that the absence of ovary estrogens is associated with a vascular endothelium dysfunction that can be reverted by addition of N-acetylcysteine, a thiol-containing compound with a free radical scavenger effect.
Acetylcholine↗
Hemodynamic effect of 17 beta-estradiol in absence of NO in ovariectomized rats: role of angiotensin II.
Previous reports correlate plasma levels of estrogen with increased nitric oxide (NO) production. To investigate whether the hemodynamic effects of estrogens are mediated by NO, we compared the hemodynamic changes induced by 17 beta-estradiol (100 micrograms/kg) in the absence and presence of the NO synthesis inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). All protocols were performed in ovariectomized, conscious rats. Estradiol alone resulted in no significant changes in cardiac index (CI) or mean arterial pressure (MAP). However, in the presence of L-NAME, estradiol induced a significant increase in total peripheral resistance (TPR) of 37.3 +/- 11.7% and a decrease in CI of 27 +/- 4.9%, without changes in MAP. Previous blockade of angiotensin II AT1 receptors with losartan prevented any change in CI and TPR induced by 17 beta-estradiol in the presence of L-NAME. These observations suggest that NO is necessary to offset a vasoconstrictor action of angiotensin II, which is stimulated by estradiol administration.
Angiotensin II↗
[Diagnostic criteria of infective endocarditis: from Von Reyn to Duke. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography].
The Von Reyn criteria determine only a small number of definitive diagnoses of infectious endocarditis, while it is mainly diagnosed by histopathological confirmation in surgery or autopsy. This necessitates carrying out a new diagnostic scheme with accurate sensitivity and specificity based on rigorous clinical support. This scheme is provided by the Duke University criteria, which enhance the role of conventional and transesophageal echocardiography, in the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis. Echocardiography is the only accurate procedure for a non invasive diagnosis of vegetation, the main lesion in this pathology. Often, tissue destruction causes regurgitation, which is responsible for hemodynamic impairment or allows the spread of the infectious process to perivalvular tissue and can form an abscess. These complications and many others, which are difficult to treat, require an early diagnosis of this disease. Sensitivity of transesophageal technique to detect vegetations and complications is higher than that observed in conventional echocardiography, above all in patients with prosthetic valves. If the transesophageal study is negative, the existence of an infectious endocarditis is quite unlikely. Nevertheless, we need to consider clinical features, as the specificity of this technique is moderate.
Echocardiography↗
Fronto-striato-thalamic perfusion and clozapine response in treatment-refractory schizophrenic patients. A 99mTc-HMPAO study.
Several studies with functional and structural brain-imaging techniques support the hypothesis that responders and non-responders to clozapine could show a different pattern of cerebral dysfunction. Thirty-nine neuroleptic-refractory schizophrenic patients were studied with 99Tc-labelled hexamethyl-propylene-aminoxime (HMPAO) and SPECT, while on classical neuroleptics and after 6 months of treatment with clozapine. The perfusion differences between responders and non-responders to clozapine were studied in the regions included within the dorsolateral and orbitofrontal fronto-striato-thalamic circuits, as well as the predictive value of these parameters. These values were compared to those of a normal database, and between both treatments within the two groups. On-neuroleptic perfusion in non-responders was lower in the thalamus, basal ganglia and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Thalamus and right prefrontal perfusion regions were selected as response predictors by a discriminant analysis. Thalamic and left basal ganglia activities while on neuroleptics were lower only in non-responders with respect to the normal subjects. Perfusion changes were only observed in the responder group in thalamus and basal ganglia. Study of regional perfusion may contribute to the prediction of clozapine response.
Adult↗
Environmental health and Hispanic children.
There are numerous indicators that Hispanics face a disproportionate risk of exposure to environmental hazards. Ambient air pollution, worker exposure to chemicals, indoor air pollution, and drinking water quality are among the top four threats to human health and are all areas in which indicators point to elevated risk for Hispanic populations. These data, juxtaposed with data on the health status of Hispanics, tell us that the environmental health status of Hispanics and their children is poor. At the same time, significant inadequacies in the collection of data on Hispanics make it difficult to make improving Hispanic environmental health status a priority. These inadequacies include the failure to use Hispanic identifiers in data collection and failure to collect sample sizes large enough to allow for breakouts of data by Hispanic subgroup. In addressing environmental justice issues, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) should prioritize improving the quantifiability of environmental exposures and risk based on race or ethnicity. However, improving data should not be the prerequisite to significant, affirmative steps by DHHS and U.S. EPA to address environmental and environmental health problems facing Hispanic communities. In particular, a health-based approach to environmental justice should be the priority.
Air Pollution↗
Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: methodological considerations.
The Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) was the first special population survey undertaken by the National Center for Health Statistics. The HHANES was designed to assess the health and nutritional status and needs of Mexican Americans, mainland Puerto Ricans and Cuban Americans. Data were collected using five data collection techniques: direct physical examinations, diagnostic testing, anthropometry, laboratory analyses, and interviews. Unlike other surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, the HHANES was not designed as a national survey. The HHANES was a survey of three Hispanic subgroups of the population in selected areas of the United States with a survey universe that included approximately 76 percent of the 1980 Hispanic-origin population in the United States. This article discusses statistical issues that should be addressed by researchers when analyzing HHANES data. Specifically, analysts need to account for the complex sample design, nonresponse bias, potential non-coverage bias, and the regional nature of the HHANES sample.
Acculturation↗
Massive pericardial effusion produced by extracardiac malignant neoplasms.
Twelve patients with extracardiac malignant neoplasms and signs of severe systemic venous hypertension were admitted during the last three years to our service. It was the initial manifestation of malignant disease in six patients. Echocardiograms revealed large pericardial effusion in the 12 patients and six patients met the clinical criteria of cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was a safe procedure to give temporary relief to their problem. Cytologic examination of the pericardial fluid disclosed malignant neoplasms in 11 cases (91.6%), enabling us to make histological diagnosis in five. The most frequent site of origin was the lung (eight cases), adenocarcinoma being the predominant histologic feature. We conclude that metastatic pericardial disease must be considered as a frequent cause when a patient is initially seen with a massive pericardial effusion and/or cardiac tamponade that worsens with prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Hemolytic anemia caused by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
Results are reported concerning quantitation of glucose -6- phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme activity where in one of the members of a family a clinical diagnosis of acute hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency had been established. In the propositus, G6PD levels were found to be less than 10 per cent thus confirming diagnosis; the same enzymatic deficiency was identified in one of the siblings without a history of hematologic pathology and in a maternal cousin with a history of neonatal jaundice as well as two obliged carriers. Electrophoretical enzyme phenotype was similar to A variant in three affected males. Advantages of prevention and medical care possible with early diagnosis of G6PD deficiency are discussed.
Adolescent↗
Reaching Hispanics with messages to prevent alcohol and other drug abuse.
Hispanics are often labeled a "hard-to-reach" population in the context of health communications, yet there are indicators that corporate interests increasingly are reporting successes in designing advertising and promotional campaigns targeting Hispanic markets. The authors suggest research priorities designed to promote more effective communications programming in the substance abuse field, and they identify three key target audiences: children and adolescents, women of childbearing age, and heavy-drinking men. The significance of the diversity within the Hispanic community; the opportunities to reinforce attitudes, norms, and behaviors that counter substance use; and the centrality of family are discussed as approaches to communications planning and message development.
Adolescent↗
Improving data collection strategies.
The authors examined 21 major health data systems of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and concluded that data on Hispanics are not included in several Departmental national health data collection systems, and that even when collected, data on Hispanic subpopulations are found in few of the systems. Of the 21 data systems, 6 do not collect Hispanic population data, including the Medicare statistical system. Only the National Vital Statistics System was found to collect data for all major Hispanic subpopulation groups. Seventeen of the 21 data systems do not collect sample sizes adequate for analyzing any one of the four major Hispanic subpopulation groups. To address that lack, Hispanic health leadership agendas have recommended collecting data on Hispanics in all systems, where possible, to provide samples of a size adequate for detailed analysis of Hispanic subpopulation groups, for support of researchers and a Hispanic research infrastructure, and for broad dissemination of data findings, including dissemination in useful formats to Hispanic community-based organizations.
Data Collection↗
Locally released retinoic acid leads to facial clefts in the chick embryo but does not alter the expression of receptors for fibroblast growth factor.
Systemic administration of retinoic acid (RA) affects the growth of the upper beak of chick embryos; however, the mechanism for generating a cleft upper beak is not known. In the present study, we wished to elucidate the molecular basis of the retinoid-induced lip clefting. In order to ensure that facial prominences were locally exposed to levels of retinoid known to affect gene expression, we implanted beads soaked in different concentrations of RA in the right nasal pit or in the centre of the frontonasal mass. Beads soaked in 5 mg/ml RA placed in the right nasal pit caused full clefting of the upper beak with a deviation of the midline toward the right side of the face. The asymmetry was principally due to a decrease in size or total elimination of the right lateral nasal prominence. RA-soaked beads placed in the centre of the frontonasal mass created full bilateral clefts that were more symmetrical than those produced by beads in the nasal pit. Lower concentrations of retinoic acid produced less severe facial abnormalities. Control experiments show that the implanted bead itself has no effect on growth or fusion of the facial prominences. The specific effects of retinoids on facial growth may be due to a localized decrease in responsiveness to growth factors. Gene expression patterns for two fibroblast growth factor receptors (Cek-2, Cek-3, [chicken embryo kinase]) in normal and RA-treated embryos were examined by in situ hybridization. In normal embryos, Cek-2 and Cek-3 transcripts are expressed at very high levels in the mesenchyme directly adjacent to the eye. Cek-3 is additionally expressed in the centre of the frontonasal mass. The application of beads to the right nasal pit did not change the level of expression or distribution of transcripts for Cek-2 or Cek-3. This data suggests that retinoic acid may be affecting other aspects of the FGF receptor-ligand interaction.
Animals↗