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Biomedical subjects

F Ramos

Publications and source records attributed to F Ramos.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Possible association between Taenia solium cysticercosis and cancer: increased frequency of DNA damage in peripheral lymphocytes from neurocysticercosis patients.

Helminths, particularly some Schistosoma species, have been associated with cancer in humans. Neurocysticercosis, produced by cysticerci of the helminth Taenia solium, has been associated with the emergence of brain tumours and haematological malignancies. Local tumours, such as glioblastoma, could be explained by the induction of DNA damage in cells surrounding the cysticercus and chronically exposed to an inflammatory host response. However, systemic effects such as haematological malignancies are not easy to understand. The present work was conducted in Mexico to find out whether DNA damage arises in peripheral lymphocytes in patients with neurocysticercosis. We utilized a highly sensitive technique to analyse chromosomal aberrations, in-situ hybridization with probes against chromosomes 1, 2 and 4, and in addition the blocked-cytokinesis technique was used to determine the formation of micronuclei, a peculiar form of DNA damage. The study was made in lymphocytes from 8 patients before and after the administration of praziquantel, 1 of the 2 drugs used for neurocysticercosis treatment. The frequencies of chromosome aberrations and micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes were higher in the infected patients as compared to those observed both in healthy donors and in the group of patients after praziquantel therapy. Our results suggest that chromosome aberrations induced in peripheral cells during neurocysticercosis could be associated with the development of haematological neoplasias.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of formalin fixation on the polymerase chain reaction characterization of Entamoeba histolytica.

Formalin fixation is the most common storage, transportation and preservation method for stool samples. However, fixation dramatically reduces our ability to extract from stool samples DNA that is a suitable template for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based diagnostic tests. In this study we evaluated the effects of formalin concentration and of the time stored in fixative on the success of PCR amplification. We found that the deleterious effects of formalin are both time and concentration dependent and may result from fragmentation of fixed DNA during its purification.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Determinants of HIV mother-to-child transmission in Catalonia, Spain [1997-2001]: is it possible to eliminate it?].

OBJECTIVES: To identify and describe the factors that have led to new cases of HIV infection through mother-to-child transmission since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-seropositive pregnant women (1997-2001) in Catalonia. METHODS: Systematic review of cases identified in the pediatric services of all the hospitals in Catalonia. RESULTS: Twenty-eight cases of pediatric HIV infection were identified: 9, 9, 8, 2 and 0 per year of birth from 1997 to 2001, respectively. Of 16 mothers with a diagnosis of known HIV infection before or during pregnancy, nine underwent antiretroviral prophylaxis during pregnancy (compliance was good in five, unknown in one and poor in one) and seven did not undergo prophylaxis (six refused it and no information was available in one). Of 12 mothers diagnosed after delivery, pregnancy was not monitored in five and was little or well-monitored in the remaining seven. Of mothers with well-monitored pregnancy, a serological HIV test was not performed in six and was negative in the first trimester in one. CONCLUSIONS: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV has decreased in the last few years in Catalonia, but infections have sometimes occurred through poor implementation of preventive measures. Pregnant women should be offered an HIV diagnostic test not only in the first trimester but also at the end of pregnancy if HIV exposure is suspected. In women with unmonitored pregnancies, rapid diagnostic tests for HIV should be used in the delivery room.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acute sensory neuropathy associated with a varicella-zoster infection].

INTRODUCTION: Sensory neuropathy is a clinical entity which has been considered to be found in relation to neoplasia, Sjogren's syndrome, long-term pyridoxine treatment, or to be idiopathic. CLINICAL CASE: We present the case of a 33 year old woman who developed acute sensory neuropathy after being diagnosed as having varicella. She had no previous history of weight loss or other signs of neoplasia, no dryness of the mucous membranes or history of arthritis and had taken no toxic substances or pyridoxine, thus ruling out other causes of sensory neuropathy. The acute varicella infection was apparent from the clinical characteristics and the presence of specific IgM in serum. CONCLUSION: The clinical signs, in the absence of other circumstances which might have been related, together with the presence of acute varicella-zoster virus infection seems to indicate that the two conditions were related.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of children's neuropsychological syndromes].

INTRODUCTION: A new instrument of neuropsychological assessment, the Luria Neuropsychological Diagnostic Battery, has recently become available in Spain. This battery is based on a revision of the Luria Neuropsychological Diagnostic (Christensen, 1975) and has been standardized by Manga and Ramos (1991) to be used with children from 7 through 10 years old. DEVELOPMENT: This battery will be very useful for the neuropsychological evaluation of learning disabled and brain damaged children because profiles obtained based on it can be used to organize the treatment program based on the strengths and weaknesses of the child. A programme of psychological and pedagogical individualized intervention must start from a comprehensive evaluation, from an evaluation of the children as a whole person. The aim of our research is to produce several intervention (rehabilitation) principles for children with brain dysfunction, brain damaged and others clinical disorders, arose from neuropsychological assessment and from research works of psychological processes. We have realized clinical research with developmental dyslexic children, hyperactive children and epileptic children.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis in chronic alcoholic patients].

Eleven male chronic alcoholics without cirrhosis but with clinical features of alcoholism were studied. Ten healthy men of similar age served as controls. After suppressing hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17-beta-oestradiol (E2) and testosterone were determined in basal conditions and after administration of clomiphene citrate in each case. Basal levels of FSH, LH and E2 were higher and the testosterone level lower in the alcoholic group. After stimulation, there was no difference in gonadal hormone levels between both groups, suggesting a normal hypothalamic-pituitary axis with an adequate gonadal response.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hypothalamic-hypophyseal-gonadal axis in patients with liver cirrhosis of alcoholic origin].

Plasma levels of testosterone, 17-beta-oestradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone were estimated in 19 males with alcoholic cirrhosis and in 10 healthy age matched controls in basal conditions and after administration of clomiphene citrate. The gonadal hormone response is normal in the cirrhotic group after stimulation with clomiphene citrate, suggesting a normal functional reserve of the gonad of the cirrhotic patients. It is emphasized the direct damage that the alcohol produces in the Leydig cell.

Clomiphene↗