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Biomedical subjects

M Ramirez

Publications and source records attributed to M Ramirez.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Segmental aplasia of the uterine horn in a cat.

A 4.5-year-old female domestic longhair cat with a history of intermittent abdominal distention following estrus and infertility was admitted for routine vaccinations. Radiographs revealed 2 large blunt-ended tubular structures overlapping each other in the abdomen. Segmental aplasia of the right uterine horn was diagnosed following exploratory laparotomy and ovariohysterectomy.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Reconstruction of the nipple: a new technique.

We propose a simple one-stage procedure for nipple reconstruction. The fundamental basis, the technique itself, and the results obtained demonstrate that a single-flap reconstruction achieves a nipple that will keep its shape 15 months later.

Breast↗
PubMed1978

Increased granulocyte counts in recipients of plasma from leukapheresed rats: a dose response study.

Humoral factors are elaborated by animal and human donors during filtration leukapheresis. Plasma obtained from rats after leukapheresis (PPP) increases granulocyte yields when given to donors prior to leukapheresis. In our studies, it appears that (1) the effect of PPP is dose-related, and (2) the granulocytosis and the titer of neutrophil releasing activity are proportional to the duration of leukapheresis. On the basis of our findings, we recommend initiation of clinical studies using postleukapheresis plasma to improve granulocyte harvests and that a dose of 1.5 ml of PPP/kg appears to be a reasonable starting point.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Double-masked, multicenter study of an estradiol matrix transdermal delivery system (Alora) versus placebo in postmenopausal women experiencing menopausal symptoms. Alora Study Group.

This 12-week, double-masked, double-dummy, randomized, parallel-group study compared the efficacy and safety of an estradiol matrix transdermal delivery system (Alora) in two strengths (50-microgram/d estradiol and 100-microgram/d estradiol) with placebo in postmenopausal women who were experiencing at least 60 moderate-to-severe hot flushes per week. In 273 postmenopausal women, the reduction in the frequency of moderate-to-severe hot flushes was significantly better than placebo within 2 weeks of initiating therapy in the 100-microgram/d group and within 3 weeks of initiating therapy in the 50-microgram/d group. The reduction in hot flushes for both active treatment groups remained significantly different from placebo throughout the 12-week trial. Improvement in vaginal cytology profile (maturation index) was observed in both active treatment groups. Serum estradiol concentrations were elevated to early-to mid-follicular levels, in proportion to dose, and the estradiol/estrone ratio remained within the expected premenopausal range. The incidence of estrogen-related side effects was modest but greater in the active treatment groups than in the placebo group: Breast pain was reported in 4.5% of the patients in the 50-microgram/d group, 5.3% of patients in the 100-microgram/d group, and none of the patients in the placebo group. Breakthrough bleeding occurred in 3.4% of women in the 50-microgram/d group, 20.2% of women in the 100-microgram/d group, and 4.4% of women in the placebo group. Only 3 (1.1%) patients terminated treatment because of skin reactions. This study demonstrates that this estradiol matrix transdermal delivery system is effective in the treatment of menopausal symptoms, while providing the skin tolerability desired by patients.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stability of neutrophil-releasing activity of plasma obtained from leukapheresed rats and stored at 4 C.

When granulocyte-donor rats were treated prior to pheresis with plasma obtained from previously leukapheresed rats (PPP), granulocytosis and a significant increase in granulocyte yield were observed. Previous studies have demonstrated that such plasma stored at -150 C for up to two weeks preserved the neutrophil-releasing activity. This study demonstrates that neutrophil-releasing activity was satisfactorily preserved when plasma from previously leukapheresed rats was stored at 4 C for three weeks.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey of personal exposures to benzene in Mexico City.

Benzene is a widely distributed environmental contaminant that causes leukemia. It is an important component in gasoline, it is used frequently as a solvent or chemical feedstock in industry, and it is emitted as a product of incomplete combustion. In Mexico City, investigators suspect that benzene exposure might be elevated and may pose a risk to the population; however, no published data are available to confirm or disconfirm this suspicion. We, therefore, conducted a survey in 3 occupational groups in Mexico City. Forty-five volunteers who used portable passive monitors measured their personal exposure to benzene during a workshift. None of the participants smoked during the monitoring period. Benzene exposure was significantly higher among service-station attendants (mean = 359.5 microg/m3 [standard deviation = 170.4 microg/m3]) than among the street vendors (83.7 microg/m3 and 45.0 microg/m3, respectively) and office workers (45.2 microg/m3 and 13.3 microg/m3, respectively). However, the benzene exposure levels observed among office workers were substantially higher than levels reported elsewhere for general populations. Our results highlight the need for more complete studies by investigators who should assess the potential benefits of setting environmental standards for benzene in Mexico.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil, lard, or coconut oil on oxytocinase activity in the testis of mice.

Oxytocin (OT), locally synthesized in the testis, is involved in androgen biosynthesis. The use of polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., fish oil) in the diet may improve the fertilizing ability in mammals. Cystinyl aminopeptidase (oxytocinase) activity plays a major role regulating the functional status of OT. Sex steroids and the type of the fatty acid used in the diet modify aminopeptidase activities in serum. In the present study, the authors compared the effect of a fish oil supplemented diet with two other diets supplemented with saturated oils (lard and coconut) on oxytocinase activity in the testis of mice. The enzymatic activity was determined fluorometrically using cystinyl-beta-naphthylamide as substrate. The results demonstrated higher levels of oxytocinase activity in mice fed the diet supplemented with fish oil than in those that were fed diets containing lard or coconut oils. The testicular functions in which OT is involved may be attenuated by the use of fish oil in the diet.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment with the interleukin-I receptor antagonist and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein does not prevent endotoxin-induced preterm parturition in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the administration of anticytokine agents, the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein (sTNFR-Fc), prevents endotoxin-induced preterm delivery in mice. METHODS: C3H/HeN pregnant mice at 15 days of gestation (70% gestation) were randomized to receive phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (50 micrograms/mouse) intraperitoneally (i.p.). Randomly selected PBS- or LPS-treated mice were additionally treated intravenously (i.v.), i.p., or subcutaneously (s.c.) every 3 hours with IL-1ra (1-50 mg) or every 12 hours with sTNFR-Fc (200-400 micrograms) beginning 1 hour before LPS injection. Animals were observed for vaginal bleeding and preterm delivery. RESULTS: Mice treated i.p. with 50 micrograms LPS (n = 13) had a shorter injection-to-delivery interval than mice treated similarly with PBS (n = 19) (median 13.5 hours, range 10-105 versus median 86.8 hours, range 53-120, respectively; P < .001). Saline-treated mice given 10 mg IL-1ra every 3 hours i.p. (n = 3) or 200 micrograms sTNFR-Fc every 12 hours i.v. (n = 4) had similar injection-to-delivery intervals as PBS-treated control mice (median 70 hours, range 70-76 versus median 58 hours, range 50-120, respectively). Similarly, LPS-treated mice given PBS every 3 hours (n = 20) had injection-to-delivery intervals comparable to LPS-treated mice (n = 13) (median 15.5 hours, range 9.8-92 versus median 13.5 hours, range 10-105, respectively). Lipopolysaccharide-treated mice given i.p. injections of 1 (n = 4), 10 (n = 31), or 50 (n = 15) mg of IL-1ra every 3 hours did not have longer injection-to-delivery intervals compared with LPS-treated mice (n = 13) (medians 11.6, 15, 14.5 and 13.5 hours; ranges 10.8-12, 8-95, 11-92, and 10-105, respectively). Lipopolysaccharide-treated mice given i.v. injections of 200 (n = 4) or 400 (n = 9) micrograms sTNFR-Fc every 12 hours did not have longer injection-to-delivery intervals compared with LPS-treated mice (n = 8) (medians 23.3, 22.5, and 21.9 hours; ranges 14.8-33, 15-95.5, and 15.5-44, respectively). The median injection-to-delivery interval of LPS-treated mice given both IL-1ra (10 mg) every 3 hours i.p. and sTNFR-Fc (200 micrograms) every 12 hours i.v. (n = 5) was not different from that of LPS-treated mice (median 26 hours, range 24.5-72 versus median 13.5 hours, range 10-105, respectively; P > .05). CONCLUSION: The anticytokine agents IL-1ra and sTNFR-Fc did not prevent preterm delivery or prolong pregnancy in endotoxin-induced preterm labor in mice.

Animals↗