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Biomedical subjects

M L Cruz

Publications and source records attributed to M L Cruz.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

High infectious morbidity in pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes: an understated complication.

Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes are prone to infection, possibly related to poor metabolic control. Relative immune deficiency exists in pregnancy. We hypothesized that pregnant patients with insulin-dependent diabetes are at an increased risk for infection and that infection is related to poor glycemic control. We matched 65 pregnant women with insulin-dependent diabetes to 65 nondiabetic pregnant controls. At least one episode of infection before delivery occurred in 83% of the women with insulin-dependent diabetes (26% in control group). The rate of postpartum infection was five times higher in the group with insulin-dependent diabetes and they were susceptible to more kinds of infections. Although there was no overall difference among the indices of glycemic control, hemoglobin A1 obtained before the infection was higher than during infection. We conclude that a high rate of infection exists in pregnant women with diabetes; infection and poor glycemic control may be associated, but it is unclear whether improvement in metabolic control will reduce this high infection rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986].

The most important aspects of the federal law entitled "Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986" are discussed in general terms by the author from the point of view of hospital entities in Puerto Rico. In addition, aspects of suspension of privileges, obtention of immunity protection and the obligation to solicit and report information to the National Data Bank under the federal law are also discussed.

Delivery of Health Care↗
PubMed1989

Facilitation of the effect testosterone on male sexual behavior in rats deprived of REM sleep.

The possibility of rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (REMd) altering the effect of testosterone on masculine sexual behavior was investigated. Adult castrated male Wistar rats with no sexual experience were randomly assigned to the following three groups: REMd (using the water tank technique) for 7 days, large platform control for 7 days, and undisturbed sleep control. All subjects were treated with 1 mg testosterone propionate daily for 14 days. Masculine sexual behavior was assessed 3 consecutive days prior to steroid administration and was evaluated daily during the treatment. Frequencies and latencies of mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations, as well as the postejaculatory refractory period were recorded. One hundred percent of the REMd subjects presented mounts, intromissions, and ejaculations sooner than the control group. In almost all parameters, a clear facilitation of sexual activity was observed in the REMd group.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Determination of incompetency and the functions of the legal guardian in decision processes regarding medial treatment for the ward].

In this article the author gives a general overview of the classification of incompetent persons, the determination of competency, and the role of the guardian or tutor according to the Civil Code of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The article takes into consideration the special characteristics of the hospitals and the medical profession. Finally, the author gives his recommendations as to how hospitals and physicians should act in situations that involve incompetent patients in order to minimize the risk of possible legal responsibility.

Persons with Disabilities↗
PubMed1986

Facilitation of lordosis behavior in ovariectomized estrogen-primed rats by medial preoptic implantation of 5 beta, 3 beta, pregnanolone: a ring A reduced progesterone metabolite.

The effect on lordosis behavior of progesterone (P) and some of its ring A reduced metabolites (5 beta pregnane 3 alpha ol 20 one, 5 beta pregnane 3 beta ol 20 one and 5 alpha pregnanes 3 beta ol 20 one) was studied in estrogen primed overiectomized rats by unilaterally implanting them in two brain areas related to the control of lordosis behavior: the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) and the medial preoptic area (mPOA). Of the four pregnanes studied only 5 beta 3 beta pregnanolone consistently induced lordosis behavior when implanted into the mPOA. The present results show that some 5 beta reduced P metabolites can facilitate with a short latency the display of lordosis behavior, probably by depressing the activity of telencephalic neurons inhibitory to sexual behavior.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effect of progesterone upon adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP levels on brain areas.

Changes induced by progesterone on adenylate cyclase activity and cAMP levels were determined in brain areas involved in the integration of sexual behavior in ovariectomized estradiol benzoate primed rats. Adenylate cyclase and cAMP concentrations were assayed in: preoptic area, ventromedial hypothalamus and cerebral cortex. Our results show a significant increase in both enzyme activity and cAMP levels at 2 and 4 hours after progesterone administration in all brain areas studied. These data suggest that the facilitatory effect of progesterone on sexual behavior involves an activating mechanism of this steroid upon the adenylate cyclase enzyme which results in an intraneuronal cAMP enhancement.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1984

Phasic paradoxical sleep precipitates focal motor and limbic seizures.

The facilitatory or inhibitory effect of paradoxical sleep (PxS) was investigated in two models of focal epilepsy: focal motor seizures induced by alumina cream in the frontal cortex and limbic seizures produced by intra-amygdaloid kainic acid microinjections in cats. We found that phasic episodes of PxS could trigger both types of seizures. Interictal spikes were generally blocked during PxS. We conclude that PxS exerts facilitatory or inhibitory effects depending on the particular event under analysis and the degree of epileptogenicity. The capacity of phasic PxS to precipitate focal ictal discharges may depend on ponto-limbic excitatory influences.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗