Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Morales

Publications and source records attributed to F Morales.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in homosexual men who remain seronegative for prolonged periods.

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), as demonstrated by viral cultures, has been described in some patients before antibodies to HIV-1 can be detected, but the duration and frequency of such latent infections are uncertain. We selected prospectively a cohort of 133 seronegative homosexual men who continued to be involved in high-risk sexual activity, and we cultured 225 samples of their peripheral-blood lymphocytes, using mitogen stimulation to activate the integrated HIV-1 genome. HIV-1 was isolated in blood samples from 31 of the 133 men (23 percent), 27 of whom have remained seronegative for up to 36 months after the positive culture. The other four men seroconverted 11 to 17 months after the isolation of HIV-1. In three of them, we studied cryopreserved lymphocytes obtained earlier, using the polymerase chain reaction to amplify small amounts of viral DNA, and we demonstrated that HIV-1 provirus had been present 23, 35, and 35 months before seroconversion. We conclude that HIV-1 infection in homosexual men at high risk may occur at least 35 months before antibodies to HIV-1 can be detected. A prolonged period of latency in such infections may be more common than previously recognized; the degree of infectiousness during such periods is unknown.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Use of intrathecal baclofen administered by programmable infusion pumps in resistent spasticity.

On the basis of previous experimental and clinical studies patients with severe spasticity due to spinal cord damage from multiple sclerosis in 8 cases and postraumatic paraplegia in 6 and resistent to all conservative treatments were selected for a trial with morphine and baclofen administered intrathecally through a catheter placed in the spinal subarachnoid space rostral to the affected segments and attached to a subcutaneous reservoir. Whereas morphine single injection did not show any benefit, baclofen bolus injection 30 to 60 micrograms, revealed a marked decrease of spasticity and associated symptoms in 8 cases. After checking the clinical effect during 3 weeks and changes in electroneurophysiological studies and bladder manometry the catheter was attached to a subcutaneous programmable pump able to be refilled percutaneously and administered baclofen continuously or more often following a multistep complex programme in total doses of 90 to 150 micrograms per day. After a mean follow-up of 5 months all cases showed an absence of spasms and pain, a notable improvement for bettering of sphincter functions and a marked muscle relaxation that improves motor capacity, leading to increased ambulation or mobility. Neither complications nor side-effects were observed.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Cross-sectional study of reverse transcriptase-inhibiting antibody as a marker of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

A cross-sectional study of 128 individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was conducted to determine the correlation of reverse transcriptase-inhibiting (RTI) antibody to clinical disease. Thirty-two individuals were studied in each of four clinical groups: asymptomatic individuals, those with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, those with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex, and those with AIDS. Our study showed that 78% of asymptomatic individuals, 53% of those with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy, 50% of those with AIDS-related complex, and only 25% of those with AIDS have RTI antibody. Concurrent measurement of measles antibody level was used as an indicator of the immune status of these individuals. Measles antibody did not decline in persons with clinical disease, but asymptomatic individuals had lower antibody titers, possibly due to hypergammaglobulinemia associated with advanced HIV infection. These results indicate that more HIV-infected asymptomatic individuals than symptomatic individuals have RTI antibody. This suggests either that the RTI antibody level decreases with the progression of disease in HIV infection or that symptomatic individuals do not produce RTI antibody. The presence or absence of RTI antibody can thus be used as a marker of advanced disease.

AIDS-Related Complex↗
PubMed1989

Effects of age, parity, season of calving, and sire on milk yield of Carora cows in Venezuela.

Age-parity-season of calving, mature equivalent factors were developed for the Carora breed of Venezuela from more than 13,000 244-d milk yield records from the Venezuelan milk recording program from 1975 to 1986. Age-parity-season interactions with parity-age were most important for young cows and seasonal effects most important for old cows. Multiplicative factors were verified as useful to adjust milk yields of Carora and Brown Swiss crossbred cows. Repeatabilities for mature equivalent adjusted milk were .47, .36, and .38 between pairs of repeated records through fourth lactation. Heritability of milk in first lactation by REML procedures was 12% based on 44 Carora sires with 14 effective daughters per sire. Small population size for Carora cattle hinders usefulness and cost effectiveness of progeny testing as the primary investment in genetic gain. Greater potential economy is likely from exploiting the dams of sires genetic pathway.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1987

Antibody that inhibits human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase and association with inability to isolate virus.

Most individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, produce an antibody against the viral reverse transcriptase (RT). Our studies show that 67% of HIV-seropositive individuals (33 of 49) produced an antibody that specifically inhibited viral RT enzyme activity. We were able to isolate HIV from only 18% of these individuals (6 of 33). On the other hand, virus was readily isolated from 63% of HIV-seropositive individuals (10 of 16) who did not demonstrate this antibody. Further examination of this RT-inhibiting antibody and its role during virus infection is needed, as it may prove to be of diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic value in this study and treatment of acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1984

[Craniosynostoses: importance of the measurement of intracranial pressure and the application of J Jane's surgical technic].

We report the studies, treatment and follow-up of two children with the diagnosis of craniosynostosis for early closure of sagittal and coronal sutures. We paid special attention to the intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. Prognosis of the mental functions (Gessell's test) is related with findings of ICP and surgical treatment. We have performed as neurosurgical approach, a modification of the Jane's technic. The advantages of this technic and our results are discussed.

Craniosynostoses↗
PubMed1983

'Luxury perfusion syndrome' in a patient with reversible ischemic neurological deficits.

A 28-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with difficulty in speech and motor weakness of the right arm of sudden onset. Twelve years previously a grade I oligodendroglioma had been removed. The CT scan showed a low density area without enhancement in the left frontal region that appeared to communicate with the left lateral ventricle. An increased flow through the left middle cerebral-artery and a focal avascular area in the left hemisphere was noted during a dynamic study by angioscintigraphy. A radionuclide cerebral control study showed reduced flow through the left middle cerebral artery. The patient was discharged 25 days after admission with the diagnosis of (1) reversible ischemic neurological deficits associated a hyperperfusion and (2) porencephaly.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

A study of respiratory infections in the elderly to assess the role of respiratory syncytial virus.

A prospective study was performed from 1 December 1981 to 31 May 1982 in two departments of geriatric medicine in Edinburgh. This yielded 159 cases of acute respiratory tract infection (RTI). Twelve of these were undoubtedly associated with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 14 with influenza A and 18 with influenza B (as established in each case by a fourfold or greater increase in antibody titre). Eighty-five of the 159 patients with RTI and RSV titres of 32 or greater. Their significance is discussed. The undoubted RSV infections all involved the lower respiratory tract and were associated with prolonged illness. This epidemic of RSV infection was confined to one of the two hospitals. It lasted less than four weeks and was probably hospital-acquired.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Postsynaptic control of lumbar motoneuron excitability during active sleep in the chronic cat.

A correlated intracellular and extracellular study of lumbar motoneuron excitability during sleep and wakefulness was performed in the chronic, unanesthetized, undrugged, normally respiring cat. Experiments were designed to reveal the extent to which hypotonia during active sleep in mammals is dependent on postsynaptic inhibition of somatic motoneurons. Variations in the antidromic field potential, antidromic and orthodromic spike, EPSP, membrane input resistance and rheobasic current were studied. No change in motoneuron excitability occurred when quiet wakefulness was compared to quiet sleep. A decrease in excitability was present, due to postsynaptic inhibition, during active sleep. Further phasic decreases in excitability, also due to postsynaptic inhibition, occurred during active sleep in conjunction with clusters of rapid eye movements.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1979

[Spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula: angiogammagraphic findings and computer analysis (author's transl)].

The case of a 74-year-old woman with a carotid-cavernous fistula is reported. She was admitted to hospital with oliguria and generalized edema. After improvement of the edematous condition she suddenly presented intense, pulsatile, frontal cephalea. It was more intense on the right side and was accompanied by nausea and vomiting and swelling of the right eye with reddening, sharp pains, difficulty of movement, and loss of vision. Cerebral angiogammagraphy was practiced in anterior-posterior and right lateral view. A righ carotid-cavernous fistula was discovered with drainage through the superior ophthalmic vein and the deep venous system. The angiogammagraphic findings can be considered characteristic; it is important to obtain activity/time curves from various areas of interest in order to evaluate the degree of shunting and the pathway of drainage from the fistula. There was a good coorelation with the arteriographic findings. Eight cases of carotid-cavernous fistulas diagnosed with radionuclids have been published previously, though the activity/time curves were not determined by computer for any of them.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

[Personal experience in monitoring examination of intracranial pressure].

In our Department of Neurosurgery, during the last two years, we have measured the intracranial pressure (IPC) with an extradural transducer, in cases of head trauma, subarachnoid haemorrhages, pseudotumor cerebri, dilated ventricles and microcephalies. We remark the importance of the continuous measuring of the ICP and its value in relation with the use of hyperosmolar solutions in the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of this patients.

Adult↗