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Biomedical subjects

A Cruz

Publications and source records attributed to A Cruz.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

[Double blind study of migraine therapy with etilefrine pivalate].

In a double-blind trial of 3 months 24 hypotensive patients suffering from migraine were treated with etilefrine pivalate (K 30 052, Ep, 20 mg p.o.) or dihydroergotamine (DHE, 5 mg) or placebo. The number of attacks of migraine was significantly reduced after the 3-month treatment with Ep resp. DHE comparing with placebo. Duration of attacks, intensity and number of additional analgetic drugs were also clearly reduced after medication of Ep and DHE - in contrast to placebo medication. Effectiveness and tolerance of Ep were estimated well and occurring side-effects were only of short duration. Thus the antihypotonics Ep and DHE offer an effective therapeutic scheme for migraine in hypotensive patients. This is in accordance with the fact that hypotension plays an important role in the occurrence of migraine.

Adult↗

Influence of chorioamnionitis on long-term prognosis in low birth weight infants.

The contribution of obstetric management to quality of life of surviving low birth weight infants is unclear. A possible association between maternal chorioamnionitis and development outcome was evaluated. One hundred twenty-seven mother/infant pairs with infant birth weight less than 2000 g were studied. The antenatal course was complicated by chorioamnionitis, premature rupture of membranes without chorioamnionitis, premature labor, or abruptio placenta. Analysis of variance was performed using these four diagnosis groups. After potentially confounding variables were taken into account, the overall difference in the four groups in Mental Development Index (Bayley Scales) was borderline (P = .138). However, significant differences remained between the group with chorioamnionitis and the group with premature rupture of membranes without chorioamnionitis (P = .017). The potential advantage of leaving infants in utero after premature rupture of membranes may be offset by disadvantage of chorioamnionitis with respect to future development in surviving infants.

Abruptio Placentae↗

Systemic acyclovir in pregnancy: a case report.

Disseminated herpes simplex infection in pregnancy presents serious risk to mother and fetus. Although an uncommon problem, the high maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity accompanying disseminated herpes infection warrants aggressive new treatment. Specific antiviral chemotherapy is now possible for selected cases. The present report describes the use of acyclovir during the third trimester for disseminated herpes simplex infection. The treatment protocol used and pregnancy outcome are described for this case. Acyclovir therapy and potential toxicities are described.

Acyclovir↗

A global model of the neural mechanisms responsible for visuomotor coordination in toads.

A model of how the nervous system of toads processes visual information to control motor behaviour is proposed. The problem of visuomotor coordination in toads is studied through the integration of two different approaches: a top-down approach through schema theory developed in the studies of cognitive psychology, artificial intelligence and brain theory; and a bottom-up approach through the integration of physiological, anatomical, ethological, and neural modelling. The model proposes that visual information is processed in a parallel distributed way through different brain layers whose interaction defines the proper motor response for that specific situation. It is postulated that visual processing of information is organized into main schemata, which set the goal to be attained and, depending on the specific circumstances of the animal, activates different brain layers; the main schemata may use other schemata to solve a specific subproblem to reach the schemata, and a programme of schema co-ordination. With this model we have simulated how toads plan their route to reach a prey or the route to go away form a predator, depending on the state of their three-dimensional world. The model postulates specific hypotheses that could be tested experimentally on the processing of information in the toad's nervous system.

Animals↗

Prothrombin Habana: a new dysfunctional molecule of human prothrombin associated with a true prothrombin deficiency.

A Cuban family with a new congenital dysprothrombinaemia is described. The propositus was a 5-year-old female who presented with umbilical bleeding after birth followed by easy bruising and bleeding tendency throughout her life. The main laboratory features of the defect included prolongation of prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time. Prothrombin activity was less than 10% in several one- and two-stage systems. However, the staphylocoagulase-complexed prothrombin level and immunologic methods yielded levels of about 50%. The migration of the abnormal prothrombin was more anodic in single and bidimensional immunoelectrophoresis system and did not change by the addition of calcium. Family studies revealed that the father had approximately 50% prothrombin activity and antigen, whereas the mother had 45% prothrombin activity but about 100% prothrombin antigen. We suggest that the propositus is heterozygous for an abnormal prothrombin and heterozygous for true prothrombin deficiency.

Child, Preschool↗

Biochemical abnormalities of the human diabetic glomerular basement membrane.

Since the biochemical composition of the diabetic glomerular basement membrane is still a controversial area, a study was carried out using kidneys from seven diabetic and seven nondiabetic subjects. In diabetic membranes, the glycine, hydroxylysine, glucose, galactose, and hydroxylysine-linked disaccharide unit content was increased together with a decrease in the half-cystine and sialic acid content. These findings support the view of a biochemical alteration in the human diabetic glomerular basement membrane.

Adult↗

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Asia↗

C-peptide in conditions other than diabetes mellitus.

Measurement of serum and urinary C-peptide has been shown to be of value in several conditions other than diabetes mellitus. It is particularly useful because it can distinguish endogenous beta cell secretion from exogenously administered insulin and because circulating insulin-binding antibodies do not interfere with its measurement. Because the liver removes little, if any, C-peptide, peripheral blood values may more accurately reflect beta cell secretion than do peripheral insulin levels. Clinically, serum C-peptide has been most useful in diagnosing hypoglycemic disorders. Diagnosis of insulinomas is facilitated in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, and surreptitious insulin injection is readily detected. In studies of insulin regulation, circulating C-peptide has been used to demonstrate suppression of endogenous insulin secretion by exogenous insulin. Peripheral insulin and C-peptide levels have been compared in studies of the role of the liver in states of altered insulin homeostasis. Because of its higher urinary clearance, determination of urinary C-peptide is preferable to urinary insulin measurement in situations where frequent blood sampling is impossible or difficult to accomplish.

Blood Glucose↗

Biochemical studies on glomerular basement membrane in human diabetic microangiopathy.

Biochemical modifications of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) in diabetes mellitus have been investigated in human subjects. Amino acid analysis and electrophoretic study of unfractioned GBM from diabetic and non diabetic kidneys showed an increase in hydroxylysine, hydroxyproline and glycine and in the glycosylgalactosyl-hydroxylysine (G-G-H) content of diabetic GBM. A decrease in 1/2 cystine was also demonstrated in diabetes. Fractionation of GBM showed the increase in G-G-H observed on unfractioned GBM to reflect a quantitative increase of the "collagen" fraction in diabetes, the amino acid composition of this fraction remaining unchanged. The decrease in 1/2 cystine demonstrated on unfractioned GBM was located in the non collagenous fractions of this structure.

Amino Acids↗

The acute effects of Dramamine on uterine contractability during labor.

The acute effects of intravenously administered Dramamine or placebo on uterine activity were studied in 32 primigravida patients during the active phase of spontaneous labor. Uterine activity was monitored by invasive quantitative techniques. The results showed no change in uterine activity in the placebo group, but there was a significant increase in activity in the Dramamaine-treated women. The increased activity was primarily the result of an increase in the frequency of contractions.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

The effect of indomethacin of HMG-HCG induced ovulation in the phesus monkey.

The investigation was designed to study the influence of indomethacin on gonadotropin induced ovulation in the rhesus monkey. Six mature female monkeys were treated with HMG-HCG for at least 2 control ovulatory cycles at dosage levels adjusted to induced ovulation while avoiding superovulation. Ovulation was confirmed by observation of the ovaries for fresh ovulation points at laparotomy. Following establishment of an appropriate dosage schedule, treatment was begun with indomethacin (5 mg/kg/day) starting 5 days prior to HCG and continuing to the time of laparotomy. In a second treatment cycle, indomethacin was administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.i.d. together with the established dose of HMG-HCG. Ovarian inspection was carried out as in the control cycles. Venous blood was obtained on treatment days 4, 7, 10 and 11 for determination of serum estrone, estradiol and progesterone. Indomethacin administration resulted in ovulation inhibition at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day when ovulation inducing doses of gonadotropins were administered. Peripheral blood steroid levels suggest that follicle maturation and estrogen production was unimparied by indomethacin. These findings indicate that the ovarian synthesis of prostaglandin may be essential in the process of ovulation.

Animals↗