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Biomedical subjects

J L Pacheco

Publications and source records attributed to J L Pacheco.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Allatinhibin, a neurohormonal inhibitor of juvenile hormone biosynthesis in Manduca sexta.

The corpora allata (CA) of Manduca sexta larvae become incapable of synthesizing juvenile hormone (JH) early in the wandering stage of the last larval stadium. They then switch to the synthesis and release of JH acids. This change in CA activity is induced by an inhibitory factor--allatinhibin (AI)--from the brain. AI activity is present in the fifth (Vth) instar hemolymph from about Day 4 (day of wandering) until Day 7 (early prepupa). CA of early fifth instar larvae (uninhibited) incubated in vitro with brain-corpora cardiaca-corpora allata (Br-CC-CA) complexes or brain alone from wandering larvae are inhibited as demonstrated by bioassay. On the basis of these observations, an in vitro-in vivo assay for AI was developed. Br-CC-CA or Br alone were first incubated in tissue culture medium overnight. Day 0 (0d) Vth instar CA incubated for 16 hr in such medium will lose the ability to induce a larval molt in allatectomized 0d IVth instar larvae if the medium contained AI activity. The highest AI activity was exhibited by the medium obtained from incubations of brain from wandering larvae whereas the medium from incubation of 0d Vth and 0d pupal brains showed no AI activity. Dose-response data show that AI is active at 0.03 brain equivalents/200 microliters medium. CA must be exposed to AI for 12-16 hr for manifestation of inhibition. AI causes a stable inhibition of CA. AI is heat-labile, protease sensitive, has a molecular size between 1.0 and 3.5 kDa, and is clearly distinct from the allatostatins described by others.

Animals

A somatotypical study of the geographic variations between two Spanish populations.

Morphological differences between university students from Bilbao (Basque Country) and Madrid (Spanish Meseta) have been studied. The sample sizes are 99 and 119, respectively, and the age ranges from 18 to 22 years. The main differences between the two groups under study were observed concerning the skinfold thicknesses. Body weight, stature and limb girths do not show remarkable differences. The physiques, as judged from anthropometric somatotypes, differ in the first component (endomorphy): Basques have higher values.

Adult

[Indomethacin in the treatment of acute cholecystitis and biliary colic].

Prostaglandins GE2 produces on the gallbladder a rise in intraluminal pressure, an increase in in intraluminal secretion, improves gallbladder contraction and decreases its absorption capacity. In this study, patients who received indomethacin twice a day by rectum, showed a significant reduction in volume and area of gallbladder after 24 and 48 hours (P < 0.05). The gallbladder volume after 24 hours had SEM 9.13 cm3, 95% CI 55.28 + 73.49 (P < 0.05). Score pain reduction after 24 hours was also significant (P < 0.001). The patients who underwent the classical Baralcina treatment of one IV vial BID showed a reduction in diameter and area of gallbladder but this was not statistically significant (P < 0.10). Reduction of volume at 24 hours was SEM 5.34 cm3 95% CI - 64.72 + 76.60 P 0.10 NS; and at 48 hours SEM 3.5 cm3, 95% CI 59.52% + 66.52 P 0.40. Score pain reduction was only significant at 48 hours P 0.001. The number of patients without pain at 24 hours was significantly higher in the indomethacin group ESP 0.21; 95% CI 0.46 + 0.88 P 0.001. In conclusion indomethacin is a useful medication in the treatment of acute cholecystitis and biliary colic due to its anti-prostaglandin effect on the gallbladder.

Acute Disease

[Value of emergency endoscopy in upper digestive hemorrhage].

The present study analyses 197 patients with acute upper GI bleeding; 161 men and 36 women, with mean age of 48 years (range, 2-89). Endoscopy showed a sensitivity of 98.35%; specificity of 33.33%; predictive positive value 94.71%; predictive negative value 62.50%; false positive rate 5.29% and false negative rate 37.50%. 8.93% of patients had been bleeding by two lesion and 0.57% had three or more lesion bleeding simultaneously. 42.65% of bleeding patients had other potential bleeding lesions: 32.96% had one 8.02% two and 1.67% more than three. 5.83% were Forrest I-A; 14.56% I-B; 74.76% II and 4.85% Forrest III. The greatest mortality rate was associated with high volume of transfused blood p < 0.05. No statistical differences was demonstrated between medical and surgical treatment (p > 0.05). The general mortality rate without intensive care was 12.37%; for peptic ulcer 9.18%; congestive gastritis 4.76%; esophageal varices 70% and acute gastritis 6.06%.

Adolescent