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Biomedical subjects

G Molina

Publications and source records attributed to G Molina.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Control of breathing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients at rest and after beta-2 agonist inhalation.

Ventilatory function tests, ventilatory cycle analysis, mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1) and effective inspiratory impedance (P0.1/Vt/Ti) were measured in 11 healthy subjects and in 26 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD patients these measurements were repeated 20 min after inhalation of 400 micrograms of fenoterol. In patients we observed an increase of mean inspiratory flow (Vt/Ti), and a decrease of inspiratory time (Ti) and inspiratory duty cycle (Ti/Ttot). P0.1 and effective inspiratory impedance were significantly increased. Moreover, we found a direct correlation between forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and ventilatory cycle components (Ti/Ttot, Ti) and an indirect correlation between FEV1 and Vt/Ti.P0.1 was directly correlated with Vt/Ti and indirectly correlated with ventilatory cycle components. These observations lead us to speculate on the possible role of two opposite mechanisms acting on the control of breathing of COPD patients. While the 'intensity' component of the ventilatory cycle would be set to maintain the tidal volume at a constant level, the 'timing' component would act in order to prevent inspiratory muscle fatigue. Furthermore, in patients responsive to beta 2-agonist drugs, fenoterol inhalation would act in synergy with the timing component of ventilatory cycle, lowering P0.1 and the effective inspiratory impedance.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Adrenocorticotropic hormone and catecholamines in maternal, umbilical and neonatal plasma in relation to vaginal delivery.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vaginal delivery on both ACTH and catecholamines (DA, NE, E) secretion in the mother, the fetus (umbilical artery) and the newborn. Blood samples were obtained from 19 normal pregnant women and the corresponding umbilical cords, and from the newborns. Seventeen normal nonpregnant women, matched for age and parity, were also included in the study as "nonpregnant controls". The results demonstrate that in the mother, plasma catecholamines (CA) concentrations during labor and delivery are elevated above the values reported for normal nonpregnant women and there is a predominant E response. The concentrations of CA in umbilical arteries are very high compared to those in the corresponding mother and they fall rapidly after birth. Unlike that in the mother, the predominant CA response to parturition in the fetus and newborn infant is NE. The extraction rate of DA, NE and E from placenta is approximately 60%. The peripheral plasma levels of ACTH in pregnant women during labor are twice and 10 times as high as those observed in the corresponding umbilical arteries and in nonpregnant women respectively. At delivery they increase further. No significant differences are found between the values measured in the arterial cord blood and those in the venous cord blood and in the newborns. A way of explaining the prevalence of E and the higher ACTH/E ratio found in the mother in comparison with the fetus could be that in the mother the stress response to parturition is regulated mainly by the pituitary-adrenal axis, whereas in the fetus there is a prevalent stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Mortality and cancer rates among workers in the Swedish PVC processing industry.

Personnel lists from four PVC-processing industries were collected on production of employees with at least three months of employment at the beginning of 1945 and the last day of employment December 31, 1974. Of 2073 persons, 103 could not be followed up, because they had moved abroad. The remaining persons comprise the cohort of 1970 individuals who were analyzed and compared with the national population with respect to mortality from various diseases and cancer morbidity. The death risk from myocardial infarction is elevated in the cohort. This elevation is most clearly apparent in the subcohort which had at least two years of exposure time and where the analysis was directed at circumstances chronologically close to the time of exposure. The myocardial infarction risk related to vinyl chloride exposure is discussed in relation to earlier studies on the vascular effects of vinyl chloride. An indication of an elevated risk of morbidity and mortality from tumors in the digestive organs is also present. However, this is not statistically confirmed. A few future follow-ups of the present study are necessary in order to clarify any possible elevated risk of tumors in the PVC-processing industry.

Adolescent↗

Endoscopic placement of enteral feeding tubes.

The techniques for placement of feeding tubes using fiberscopes are described and an evaluation of the results obtained in the last 12 months is made. The techniques are discussed and compared with other methods of enteral feeding known at present. It is concluded that placement of feeding tubes by endoscopy can be achieved easily, that it is possible to choose the site of enteric liberation of nutrients under conditions which previously represented contraindications, and that this procedure is free of complications even during long periods of time.

Adult↗

[Diagnosis of pulmonary maturity in the fetus].

The various biochemical and biophysical methods to assess fetal lung maturity are reviewed. So far the most widely used biochemical method is the L/S ratio, but in complicated pregnancies mainly in diabetes mellitus, the determination of the lung profile (including PG) must be carried out to reduce false immature ratios. Biophysical methods, like foam stability tests and optical density, are easy and quick, but less precise.

Amniotic Fluid↗