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Biomedical subjects

J Garcia

Publications and source records attributed to J Garcia.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Role of temporal order and odor intensity in taste-potentiated odor aversions.

The role of the temporal order of odor and taste was studied in two experiments, and a third experiment studied the role of odor intensity in flavor-toxicosis conditioning with thirsty rats licking water spouts in a "wind tunnel." In all experiments, odors and tastes were presented for 2 min to rats, and 30 min later, a toxin (lithium chloride) was intubated. In Experiment 1, an odor was presented 90 s before, during, or 90 s after a taste to independent groups. Experiment 2 was a within-subjects partial replication of the first. Each rat was presented with one odor, then a taste, then a second odor with each stimulus separated by 45 s. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 indicated that (a) odor alone is not associated with illness under our conditions, (b) presenting an odor and a taste at the same time potentiates the odor component so that it is associated with illness, (c) 45-s and 90-s intervals between odor and taste eliminate potentiation, and (d) taste and odor interact asymetrically; that is, odor has little affect on the development of taste-illness associations. In Experiment 3, an odor and a taste were presented simultaneously, and odor intensity varied. As odor intensity increased, the strength of the taste-potentiated odor aversion increased, whereas the aversion to the taste remained constant. However, even at the highest intensity, odor presented in the absence of taste did not result in odor aversions.

Animals↗

Norwalk-like gastroenteritis epidemic in a Toronto hospital.

An epidemic of gastroenteritis in a teaching hospital affected 57 patients and 69 staff over a 26-day period. The index case was a patient admitted with acute abdominal pain and diarrhea two days prior to the outbreak. The epidemic curve indicated person-to-person transmission. The incubation period, duration and types of symptoms were typical of Norwalk gastroenteritis, and Norwalk-like virus particles, serologically different from the prototype Norwalk virus strain, were observed in 17 of 20 fecal specimens examined by immune-electron microscopy.

Disease Outbreaks↗

Chemotherapy of advanced gastric carcinoma (stage IV): a randomized study of FAM versus 5-FU plus BCNU.

Forty-six patients with advanced gastric carcinoma (Stage IV) were evaluated in a prospective randomized comparison of two chemotherapy regimens (FAM versus 5-FU plus BCNU) to identify therapeutic activity. Treatment groups were well balanced with respect to known prognostic factors. Thirty-three patients had measurable disease and thirteen had only microscopic residual disease in the resection margins. The overall median survival of the entire group was 13.2 months. Two (6%) patients with measurable disease reached complete response (CR), 1 (3%) partial response (PR), 12 (36%) had stable disease (SD) and 18 (56%) had progressive disease (PD). The responders had not reached the median survival yet, the patients with SD had a median survival of 14.7 months and the PD 9.5 months. In the FAM arm there were 3 (18%) responders (2 CR and 1 PR), 7 (41%) SD and 7 (41%) PD, versus O responders, 5 (31%) SD and 11 (69%) PD in the 5-FU plus BCNU arm. In the FAM arm the median survival was 15.7 months versus 9.9 months in the other therapeutic arm. The statistical analysis indicated that survival associated with FAM regimen was superior to that reached with the 5-FU plus BCNU regimen. Thirteen patients with unmeasurable disease had a median survival of 15.9 months.

Adult↗

Ruptured arterial aneurysms in the area of the celiac trunk.

Three cases of ruptured aneurysms of the digestive arteries are reported and the different available radiological methods leading to the diagnosis are discussed. Computed tomography and selective arteriography seem to be the methods of choice in this condition. Since the patients do not usually present typical signs until the aneurysm ruptures, the diagnosis is late. Early management of these patients is necessary in order to decrease the mortality rate.

Aneurysm↗

Skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels.

Ca2+ channels are widely distributed among different cell types. We shall describe in this paper kinetic properties of voltage-dependent slow Ca2+ channels in mammalian and frog skeletal muscle fibres. In addition, recent data on a fast-activated Ca2+ channel will be presented. Finally, the possible physiological role of the channel will be considered.

Action Potentials↗

Hungry, but not thirsty, rats prefer flavors paired with ethanol.

The present experiments examined the reinforcing effects of an ethanol (EtOH) unconditioned stimulus (UCS) on conditioned flavor preferences in food-deprived rats and in water-deprived rats. In Experiment 1A food and water deprived animals received distinct conditioning treatments. One half of the animals were intragastrically intubated with EtOH (0.5 g/kg), and thereafter allowed 20 min free access to similar flavored drinking solutions. Remaining animals were intubated with distilled water. All animals received 15 presentations of an EtOH-paired flavor. A two-bottle preference test was subsequently used to evaluate preferences or aversions to flavors paired with EtOH in food-deprived and water-deprived animals. Results of Experiment 1A showed that food-deprived animals preferred the flavor associated with EtOH. Conversely, preferences for EtOH-paired flavors were not established in water-deprived animals. In Experiment 1B deprivational states of animals used in Experiment 1A were reversed without further drug training. Following a two week habituation period to deprivation state animals again received a two-bottle preference test to re-evaluate preferences or aversions to the EtOH-paired flavors. Results of those manipulations indicated that an ethanol aversion was established in the water-deprived animals. Those results indicated that water-deprived animals of Experiment 1B reversed their EtOH-paired flavor preference when the caloric need associated with food deprivation conditions was eliminated. Since deprivational state determined the development of EtOH preferences, the present results indicate that caloric need may play an initial role in establishing conditioned preferences for EtOH.

Alcohol Drinking↗

Flavor-illness aversions: the role of the amygdala in the acquisition of taste-potentiated odor aversions.

In the present experiments the role of the amygdaloid complex and its specific nuclei were tested in the conditioning of taste potentiated odor aversions. In the first experiment two groups of rats were given either large electrolytic lesions in the amygdala (AMX) or sham operations (SH). Postoperatively, these rats were trained to avoid either a taste, an odor, or a taste-odor compound using LiCl illness. Subsequent tests with odor and taste alone showed that the SH group developed strong taste and odor aversions; however, the AMX group failed to display either an odor or taste aversion. In the second experiment, another four groups of rats received either lesions in the medial and basomedial nuclei (M), central nuclei (C), lateral and basolateral (L), or sham operations (SH). The results from postoperative conditioning showed that all groups had strong taste and odor aversions, except group L which displayed a significant disruption of odor aversion learning. In conclusion, these data indicate that the amygdala is involved in the acquisition of taste, odor and potentiated odor aversions learning. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the lateral and/or basolateral nuclei are particularly involved in the development of potentiated odor aversions learning.

Amygdala↗

A randomized comparison of glycerol-impregnated chromic catgut with untreated chromic catgut for the repair of perineal trauma.

Glycerol-impregnated chromic catgut and untreated chromic catgut were compared in a randomized controlled trial involving 737 consecutive women who required repair of perineal trauma following spontaneous vaginal delivery. Medical staff preference was equally divided between the two materials. More untreated chromic catgut sutures required removal both by 10 days and by 3 months postpartum. Women whose perineal trauma was repaired with glycerol-impregnated chromic catgut were 10% more likely to have perineal pain at 10 days and 33% more likely to suffer from dyspareunia in the 3 months following delivery. The high rates of maternal morbidity associated with glycerol-impregnated chromic catgut appear to preclude its use for perineal repair.

Catgut↗

[Radiology of the carpus].

Accurate Diagnosis of bone and soft-tissue lesions in the carpal area is possible by different radiological techniques. A thorough knowledge of the semiology and the limits of these techniques is important. The use of radiology, arthrography, scintigraphy, sonography and CAT Scan in the carpal pathology is described by the authors.

Arthritis↗