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Biomedical subjects

V Romero

Publications and source records attributed to V Romero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Allele frequencies for 15 autosomal STR loci and admixture estimates in Puerto Rican Americans.

Allelic frequencies of 15 short tandem repeats (STR) markers (CSF1PO, FGA, THO1, TPOX, VWA, D3S11358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, D19S433 and D2S1338) were determined using the AmpFl STR Identifiler PCR Amplification Kit in Puerto Rican American individuals (N=205) from Massachusetts. The FGA, D18S51 and D2S1338 loci had a high power of discrimination (PD) with values of 0.967, 0.965 and 0.961, respectively. Significant deviations from the Hardy-Weinberg (HW) equilibrium were not detected. An important genetic contribution of Caucasian European (76.4%) was detected in Puerto Rican Americans. However, comparative analysis between Puerto Rican American and other neighboring populations from United States mainly with African and Caucasian Americans, revealed significant differences in the distribution of STR markers. Our results are important for future comparative genetic studies of different American ethnic groups, in particular a cultural group called Hispanic-Americans and should be helpful for forensic and paternity testing.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2005

[Chronic idiopathic lithoptysis].

Broncholiths, which usually arise from calcified peribronchial lymph nodes, can be found by radiography or bronchoscopy. We describe the case of a 19-year-old man who had experienced lithoptysis of bronchial hydroxyapatite calculi for over 6 months and who reported having sandy expectoration since childhood. Exhaustive clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic diagnostic studies detected no calcified lesions in the thorax that could explain the origin of the broncholiths. Therefore, we propose that broncholiths may form by mechanisms similar to those involved in calculi formation in other locations.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Can a generalized kindling seizure induce a reward state?

The postictal behavioral depression (PBD), characterized by behavioral immobility and unresponsiveness to environmental stimuli, observed after a stage 5 kindling seizure is opioid dependent. Morphine injection prolongs while naloxone and naltrexone (opioid antagonists) reduce or eliminate PBD. Opioids have clear rewarding actions that can be easily detected by place preference conditioning (PPC). In the present study, we evaluated if the opioid release after a stage 5 kindling seizure that produces PBD could induce PPC. Male rats were kindled in the medial preoptic area (MPOA), the amygdala (AMG) or insular cortex (IC). After kindling was established their initial preference in a three-compartment chamber was determined. During conditioning, subjects received a standard kindling stimuli that evoked a stage 5 seizure. At the end of the after discharge and during the PBD the animals were placed in the non-preferred chamber for 30 min. On alternate days they were placed without stimulation in the preferred chamber. At the end of conditioning the kindled groups showed a clear change of preference. This change of preference was completely blocked by injection of naloxone. These results suggest that opioid release after a stage 5 kindling seizure can induce a positive affect of sufficient intensity and duration to induce conditioning.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1996

(+/-)-1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylthiophenyl)-2-aminopropane (ALEPH-2), a novel putative anxiolytic agent lacking affinity for benzodiazepine sites and serotonin-1A receptors.

Serotonergic behavioral responses, effects on motor activity and core temperature, and binding properties of the novel putative anxiolytic amphetamine derivative (+/-)1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylthio-phenyl)-2-aminopropane (ALEPH-2), were examined in rodents in order to elucidate the mechanism underlying its anxiolytic-like effect. After peripheral administration in rats, ALEPH-2 induced some symptoms of the serotonergic syndrome, e.g. forepaw treading and flat body posture. Additionally, a decrease in motor activity was observed. No significant effects on the number of head shakes were observed after injection, although high inter-subject variability was noted. Higher doses of ALEPH-2, in the range exhibiting anxiolytic properties (4mg/kg), elicited significant hypothermia in mice. The affinity of the drug for 5-HT2A/2C receptors ([3H]ketanserin sites) was in the nanomolar range (Ki = 173 nM), whereas for 5-HT1A, benzodiazepine sites, and GABAA receptors, the affinity was micromolar of lower. Based on these results the mechanism of action and the anxiolytic-like properties of ALEPH-2 are discussed.

DOM 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine↗
PubMed1996

Subarachnoid hemorrhage secondary to a ruptured inflammatory aneurysm: a possible manifestation of neurocysticercosis: case report.

We report a case of a 32-year-old man who presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage. As revealed by lumbar puncture, the cerebrospinal fluid had low glucose, high protein levels, and pleocytosis with 5% of eosinophils. Cultures were negative. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and complement fixation reactions for cysticercosis in cerebrospinal fluid were positive. An angiogram revealed an aneurysm of the right anteroinferior cerebellar artery. At surgery, the aneurysm was found to be surrounded by thickened leptomeninges, which histologically presented dense inflammation and remains of Cysticercus. The aneurysm could not be clipped, and it was wrapped. Postoperatively, the patient had dizziness and right ear tinnitus. He received prednisone therapy on alternate days and subsequently received albendazole for subarachnoid cysticerci. At the 4-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic and had normal cerebrospinal fluid. Although we cannot rule out a congenital aneurysm, its location inside an area of severe arachnoiditis around a cysticercus suggests an inflammatory origin. This type of vascular lesion not reported before should be suspected in patients with chronic cysticercotic meningitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinico-pathological correlation in dementias.

The object of this study is to investigate whether or not there are clinical signs and symptoms in patients with dementia that, by themselves or jointly, can be associated with the pathological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Twelve patients with dementia were studied, in whom the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was made according to established criteria. A sample of leptomeninges, cortex and subcortical white matter was obtained from each patient and was processed for light and electron microscopy. In the cases in whom neuritic plaques and neurofibrilary tangles were present, pathological changes were quantified. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was confirmed in 5 cases, whereas in 3 patients spongiform encephalopathy was present. In the remaining patients, the number of neuritic plaques was within normal limits for the age of the subjects. Comparison of the data in Alzheimer (n = 5) and non-Alzheimer (n = 7) groups showed an increased, statistically significant incidence of acalculia, abnormalities of judgment, impairment of abstraction and primitive reflexes in the former. Although good fitting models were obtained, none achieved perfect discrimination. The model that included alterations of judgment and acalculia gave the best fit.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Cavernous hemangiomas of the dura mater at the convexity. Report of a case and therapeutical considerations.

A rare case of cavernous angioma of the dura mater at the convexity is presented. In comparison with the more common cavernous hemangiomas that arise from dural sinuses, the ones on the convexity have a much better prognosis. They do not seem to be associated with spontaneous hemorrhage, their removal is simpler and, transoperatory bleeding, if it occurs, is scanty. Computerized tomography detects the presence of cavernous angiomas of the convexity in only 70% of the cases, magnetic resonance imaging in 100%.

Aged↗