PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Rotta

Publications and source records attributed to L Rotta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Chronic postnatal administration of methylmalonic acid provokes a decrease of myelin content and ganglioside N-acetylneuraminic acid concentration in cerebrum of young rats.

Levels of methylmalonic acid (MMA) comparable to those of human methylmalonic acidemia were achieved in blood (2-2.5 mmol/l) and brain (1.35 umol/g) of rats by administering buffered MMA, pH 7.4, subcutaneously twice a day from the 5th to the 28th day of life. MMA doses ranged from 0.76 to 1.67 umol/g as a function of animal age. Control rats were treated with saline in the same volumes. The animals were sacrificed by decapitation on the 28th day of age. Blood was taken and the brain was rapidly removed. Medulla, pons, the olfactory lobes and cerebellum were discarded and the rest of the brain ("cerebrum") was isolated. Body and "cerebrum" weight were measured, as well as the cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in blood and the content of myelin, total lipids, and the concentrations of the lipid fractions (cholesterol, glycerolipids, phospholipids and ganglioside N-acetylneuraminic acid (ganglioside-NANA)) in the "cerebrum". Chronic MMA administration had no effect on body or "cerebrum" weight, suggesting that the metabolites per se neither affect the appetite of the rats nor cause malnutrition. In contrast, MMA caused a significant reduction of plasma triglycerides, but not of plasma cholesterol levels. A significant diminution of myelin content and of ganglioside-NANA concentration was also observed in the "cerebrum". We propose that the reduction of myelin content and ganglioside-NANA caused by MMA may be related to the delayed myelination/cerebral atrophy and neurological dysfunction found in methylmalonic acidemic children.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Prediction of the effect of a triphasic contraceptive agent with norgestimate on acne].

OBJECTIVE: Prediction of complexion changes in users of triphasic oral contraceptive containing norgestimate. DESIGN: Analysis of data from a prospective multicentre open study. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Charles University, Prague. METHODS: Acne severity was evaluated in users of a triphasic norgestimate-containing contraceptive within a six month period. Based on subjective evaluation of acne, three subgroups of patients were selected: A) users where acne improved or disappeared; B) users in whom acne deteriorated, C) users who newly developed acne. Differences between group A and the other groups were established in the proportion or distribution of parameters related to the etiology of acne: age, weight, weight changes during the study, presence of hirsutism, presence of a regular menstrual cycle prior to the start of hormonal contraception use, and smoking. RESULTS: The effect of the pill use on acne was assessed in a total of 3,990 women. Out of 1,201 women with acne before the start of the study, improvement or disappearance of acne during the study was reported by 940 users (subgroup A) (78.27%). In 221 women (18.40%), the extent of acne remained unaltered whereas it increased (subgroup B) in only 30 women (2.50%). Acne newly developed during the study in 49 women (subgroup C), i.e., in 1.2% of the whole group. Users showing deterioration of acne (subgroup B) were found to have hirsutism less frequently. The subgroup even showed a decrease in mean weight during the study. Users with newly developed acne were--compared with subgroup A--significantly older, had a lower weight at the start of the study, and showed a higher frequency of regular menstrual cycles prior to starting hormonal contraception. The differences in the incidence of clinical parameters in the subgroups reached only borderline statistical significance and, hence, are not relevant. CONCLUSION: An extensive multicentric study confirmed the beneficial effect of a triphasic norgestimate-containing contraceptive on complexion. The presence of clinical parameters related to the etiology of acne does not allow to predict the individual response of the skin to hormonal therapy.

Acne Vulgaris↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical study of a triphasic contraceptive preparation (Norgestimate 180/215/250 micrograms + ethinylestradiol 35 micrograms) in a population of Czech women].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy, acceptability and safety of triphasic oral contraceptive pill containing norgestimate 180/215/250 micrograms and ethinylestradiol 35 micrograms. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, open-label, non-comparative, multicenter study in 409 centers in the Czech Republic. METHODS: Body weight, blood pressure, bleeding pattern, headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, acne, pregnancies and side effects were monitored before the start of the treatment, after three and six cycles of oral contraceptive use. Liver function tests were carried out before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Evaluating 26,432 cycles in 4,720 women the theoretical Pearl index was 0.15. There were no significant changes in body weight (61.45 kg before vs 61.58 kg after the treatment). There were clinically significant changes neither in the blood pressure nor in the liver function tests. Evaluating the bleeding pattern there were similar incidences of irregular bleeding/spotting before the treatment and up to the third treatment cycle (16.15%, resp. 17.86%); then the incidence dropped down (8.41% after the third cycle). Amenorhea was very rare (0.41% resp. 0.35% up to, resp. after the third cycle). Decreasing incidences compared to pretreatment state were observed for headache, breast tenderness and acne. The effect on acne was remarkable (28.3% of women complaining of acne before the treatment vs 6.51% after the six treatment cycles). There were no serious adverse events observed during this study. CONCLUSION: Triphasic oral contraceptive pill containing norgestimate and ethinylestradiol proved in a large multicenter study high both efficacy and acceptability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Injuries due to seat belts. Comments on a clinical case].

The authors report a case of associated injuries (thoracoabdominal trauma with multiple rib and sternum fractures, perforation of the small intestine, abdominal cutaneous ecchymosis) caused by a seat belt, and describe the possible seat-belt mechanisms of lesion in road accidents. Some clinical aspects are discussed; in particular the diagnostic problems concerning a seat-belt syndrome as well as the limits of effectiveness in the use of belts.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1992

[One-year follow-up of women treated with transdermal administration of estrogen for post-castration and climacteric syndromes].

Having gained preliminary knowledge in a selected group of 64 patients treated for three months by a transcutaneous form of estrogen therapy (Estraderm TTS) for postcastration and climacteric syndromes, the authors report in this paper on the results of a one-year follow-up of a series of 42 patients treated by ETTS 25 and 50 for the same diagnoses. Administration of ETTS makes it possible to take advantage of the therapeutic transdermal system for the transfer of 17 beta-estradiol directly into the blood stream. Estradiol in a daily dose of 25, 50 or 100 microgrammes is deposited in ethanol gel as a reservoir in a special sticking tape. From there it is absorbed across a microsporous membrane by molecular diffusion into the subcapillary plexus at a constant speed till an equilibration of the diffusion gradient between skin and the system is attained. For the aim of this study is to evaluate both the recession of the subjective as well as objective complaints in patients suffering from postcastration and climacteric syndromes and the reflection of the treatment in the blood levels of gonadotropins, estrogens, gestagens and cortisol and likewise the vaginal hormonal cytology. Both the systemic and local side-effects of treatment are subject to a careful study. On the basis of a comprehensive statistical study of these changes in every patient as well as in the whole series in the course of one year the authors reach the conclusion that the ETTS administration strikingly improves the subjective as well as objective complaints of the patients, and, in agreement with the literary data, objectively influences the laboratory results concerning especially the circulating levels of gonadotropins and of estradiol. In conclusion, the authors comment on the favourable contribution of this form of treatment to gynaecological practice in the therapy of postcastration, climacteric and estrogen-losing syndromes. A special modification of the record was prepared for this study when the running subjective evaluations of the effect of the treatment by the patient, as obtained in the course of directed interviews, as well as objective results of somatic and laboratory changes including the aggregate yearly evaluation of the effect of the treatment in every individual woman of the series are clearly arranged.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1992

[Transdermal administration of estrogens in women with the postcastration and climacteric syndromes].

The authors report on the results of a follow-up of 64 women aged 25-64 years, to whom oestrogens were administered transdermally by means of the preparation Estraderm TTS 25 or 50 for three months. 55 women were treated for postcastration syndrome and nine women for climacteric syndrome. The authors deal with the problems of dosage of the transdermal oestrogen therapy, study the side-effects of treatment and evaluate the results of therapy. In conclusion, they recommend the transdermal form of treatment by Estraderm TTS because of its very good therapeutic effect, acceptability by the patients, and only minimal local and general side-effects.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1992

[Determination of the fertile period during the menstrual cycle in women by monitoring changes in crystallization of saliva with the PC2000 IMPCON minimicroscope].

The authors tested the possibility of assessment of fertile and infertile days during the menstrual cycle by investigating the crystallization of saliva by means of a minimicroscope PC 2000 IMPCON. They followed up for five months a total of 58 women where they assessed by a combination of at least three classical examination methods ovulatory and anovulatory cycles. They monitored a total of 120 cycles and examined 1649 specimens of saliva. Some women had to be eliminated on account of virosis during a flu epidemic (a total of 11 cycles). During the periovulatory period the authors recorded in ovulatory cycles the foreseen crystalline structures in saliva in 78.57%. In anovulatory cycles agreement between the expected character of the saliva specimen and anovulation was found in 84% of the examined cycles. In addition to structures suggesting fertile or infertile days, the authors identified also intermediary types. In the discussion the authors analyze various aspects as regards evaluation of the correlation between salivary and serum levels of gonadotropins and ovarian steroids. They evaluate physical and chemical changes of saliva and vaginal secretion and discuss the problem of crystallization of the saliva during the menstrual cycle. Based on their findings, when testing the minimicroscope PC 2000, they supplement the list of factors with influence the results of examinations. They consider PC 2000 a suitable modern equipment which extends the range of contraceptives and at the same time helps to assess the optimal time for conception in planned pregnancies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Acute phase proteins during labor and surgical stress in women with normal pregnancy and late gestoses].

The authors investigated within the framework of non-specific immunity reactions proteins of the acute phase during spontaneous delivery and Caesarean section up to the 5th day after delivery and on the 1st, 5th and 10th day after delivery in forty women, half of them healthy and half suffering from late gestoses. Half the women had spontaneous deliveries, half had deliveries by Caesarean section. The proteins of the acute phase reacted sensitively to the stress of childbirth during spontaneous delivery and their activation was inhibited by general anaesthesia in deliveries by Caesarean section. After spontaneous delivery the elevated proteins of the acute phase returned to baseline values by the 5th day, after operation their levels rose further up to the 5th day, orosomucoid to the 10th day after operation. In late gestoses with spontaneous delivery or by Caesarean section there were significantly elevated alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-2-macroglobulin and orosomucoid levels, whole in patients with late gestoses in the prealbumin levels were reduced. The elevated levels of proteinase inhibitors in late gestoses support the view on a possibly impaired coagulation equilibrium in late gestoses, and the high ceruloplasmin levels suggest an enhanced catecholamine breakdown during the stress alarm reaction.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1991

[Activation of certain stress axes in spontaneous and surgical deliveries in healthy women and in women with late gestoses].

Within the framework of the stress theory the authors investigated total cortisol levels in the maternal serum during spontaneous delivery and 24 hours after delivery in 20 women half of whom had a non-complicated pregnancy and half had an EPH gestosis. They investigated also cortisol levels in 20 women during delivery by Caesarean section; half of them had a normal pregnancy and half had suffered from gestosis. At the onset of delivery and operation resp. women with gestosis had significantly elevated cortisol levels, as compared with healthy women. During spontaneous delivery the levels of this hormone had a rising trend with the peak during delivery of the foetus and return to pre-delivery values after 24 hours. During Caesarean section the cortisol levels rose only insignificantly and in gestoses they declined already at the end of the operation. In the discussion the authors draw attention to the activation of the stress axes during delivery and attempt to explain the elevated cortisol levels during delivery and in late gestoses.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[The effect of calcium on the contractility of uterine strips in vitro].

Using a standard isometric method, the authors investigated the effect of some cations and nifedipine on the contractility of isolated strips of the human uterus in vitro. Evidence was provided that the contractility depends on the extracellular surface concentration of the calcium cation. Under the experimental set-up used intracellular calcium does not play any part and the contractions of the uterine strip depend on the state of the calcium channels.

Calcium↗