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Biomedical subjects

L Morales

Publications and source records attributed to L Morales.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effects of unilateral or bilateral superior ovarian nerve section in infantile rats on follicular growth.

We report the effects that sectioning the superior ovarian nerve of infantile female rats has on their follicular development at different ages before puberty. Compared with the control group, sham-operated animals showed a significant decrease in the number of measured follicles in right and left ovaries, although no difference in the follicular atresia ratio was observed. Animals with a sectioned left superior ovarian nerve (SON), killed 12 days after surgery had a significant increase in the number of follicles in the ovaries. Most of the follicles were atretic. Sectioning the right SON induced contrasting effects in the ovaries of animals killed 4 and 16 days after surgery. Rats with a denervated (right) ovary showed a decrease in the number of follicles and a greater number of atretic follicles compared with the control group, whereas the innervated (left) ovary showed an increase in measured follicles compared with the control group. Bilateral sectioning had no apparent effect on the total number of follicles measured, although an increased number of atretic follicles in both ovaries was observed. Animals with a unilateral section of the SON, killed 8 and 12 days after surgery, showed a decrease in serum concentrations of estradiol. In turn, animals killed 16 days after surgery showed a significant increase in estradiol and a decrease in the progesterone serum concentration. These results suggest that sympathetic innervation of the ovary via the SON has a stimulatory role in the regulation and differentiation of follicular growth.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Advantages of primary rhinoplasty in the treatment of lip fissure].

Congenital cleft lip is always associated to nasal deformity. The classical approach has been not to treat the severe nose defects during childhood, in the fear that early surgery would interfere with nasal growth. However, long term follow-up in patients with early conservative rhinoplasty has shown the nose to hold its new shape and its growth to be normal. During the period between november 1996 and november 1998, 22 infants affected with cleft lip underwent early rhinoplasty according to McComb's technique. During the follow-up period (6 months to 30 months) the children had a good nasal growth. The nose tip is in the medial position in all cases, and only the inferior view of the nose shows a discrete nosetril assimetry in some patients.

Cleft Lip↗

[Progressive bone elongation of the maxillo-facial area: mandibular distraction].

Thanks to the distraction osteogenesis technique, it is nowadays possible to create new bone in the facial area. Between january 1997 and march 1999 we have performed 20 such procedures, from which 15 were mandibular. We present our experience in 10 patients with this new technique, 5 unilateral and 5 bilateral. Those were 7 boys and 3 girls, aged 2 to 14 years, affected with hemifacial microsomia, Goldenhar syndrome: 3; retrognatism with severe malocclusion: 4; facial assimetry due temporomandibular joint abnormalities: 2; and facial assimetry: 1. The proposed elongation was achieved in all cases. There was not only a skeletal improvement, but also growth and remodeling of the facial soft tissues. Distraction osteogenesis is the early treatment of the mandibulofacial deformities and offers a great deal of advantages to the growing patient.

Adolescent↗

[Temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMA) in children].

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a degenerative disease that produces a limitation of mouth opening. In children, TMJ ankylosis usually presents with facial asymmetry, difficulty in feeding and rarely upper way obstruction. Ankylosis is commonly associated with trauma, infections, systemic and congenital diseases. Diagnosis must be clinical, being CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the most important methods to evaluate this disease. The treatment of TMJ ankylosis requires excision of the involved structures and reconstruction. We present our experience in treatment of the temporomandibular joint ankylosis. We have analysed the following parameters: age, sex, etiology, surgical technique, pre and postoperative oral opening.

Adolescent↗

[Fractures of the orbit floor].

Fractures of the floor are not common during childhood, their main cause being trauma. The mechanism is an increased pressure in the orbital cavity, which breaks at is weakest point, the floor, where soft tissue may be trapped- periorbitary fat, inferior rectus muscle, and inferior oblique muscle. Symptoms are diplopia, enoftalmos, eyelid ptosis and soft tissue haematoma. The diagnosis is made on the clinical and imaging findings, CT-Scan being the most reliable technique. Surgical treatment is necessary when symptoms do not subside and when the muscles or the infraorbitary nerve are compromised. We present four cases of orbit floor fracture which were completely resolved with conservative management (2 cases) or with surgical release of the muscular structures and orbit floor reconstruction (2 cases).

Adolescent↗

[Post-traumatic aneurysm of humeral artery].

Aneurysms are uncommon in the pediatric age-group. Unlike adults, in which aneurysms appear after alteration of the arterial wall due to systemic diseases, in children the traumatic etiology has to be considered: blunt trauma may disrupt the arterial wall and cause false aneurysm (pseudoaneurysm). Most aneurysms are asymptomatic, or they present as a pulsatile mass on an arterial traject. Diagnosis is confirmed with Doppler ultrasound and angiography. We present the case of a girl who, after blunt trauma of the right upper limb developed a pulsatile mass on the traject of the right humeral artery. Doppler ultrasound and angiography confirmed aneurysm of the humeral artery. She was successfully treated with surgical resection of the aneurysm and reconstruction of the arterial wall.

Aneurysm↗

Effects of histamine H3 receptor ligands in experimental models of anxiety and depression.

Histamine H3 receptor ligands have been proposed to be of potential therapeutic interest for the treatment of different central nervous system disorders; however, the psychopharmacological properties of these drugs have not been studied extensively. In this work, we investigated the possible involvement of histamine H3 receptor function in experimental models of anxiety (elevated plus-maze) and depression (forced swimming test). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated i.p. with the histamine H3 receptor agonist R-alpha-methylhistamine (10 mg/kg) or the histamine H3 receptor antagonist thioperamide (0.2, 2 and 10 mg/kg) and 30 min afterwards the time spent in the open arms of an elevated plus-maze was registered for 5 min. The immobility time of male OF1 mice in the forced swimming test was recorded for 6 min, 1 h after the i.p. administration of R-alpha-methylhistamine (10 and 20 mg/kg), thioperamide (0.2, 2, 10 and 20 mg/kg) or another histamine H3 receptor antagonist, clobenpropit (5 mg/kg). The locomotor activity of mice was checked in parallel by means of an activity meter. Both saline controls and active drug controls were used in all the paradigms. Neither thioperamide nor R-alpha-methylhistamine significantly changed animal behaviour in the elevated plus-maze. R-alpha-methylhistamine and the higher dose of thioperamide assayed (20 mg/kg) were also inactive in the forced swimming test. By contrast, thioperamide (0.2-10 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased immobility, the effect being significant at 10 mg/kg (33% reduction of immobility); clobenpropit produced an effect qualitatively similar (24% reduction of immobility). None of these histamine H3 receptor antagonists affected locomotor activity. These preliminary results suggest that the histamine H3 receptor blockade could be devoid of anxiolytic potential but have antidepressant effects. Besides, the stimulation of these receptors does not seem to be followed by changes in the behavioural parameters studied.

Analysis of Variance↗

Long-term follow-up of nineteen cystic lymphangiomas treated with fibrin sealant.

BACKGROUND: Surgical exeresis is regarded as the first choice treatment for cystic lymphangioma. Surgery may be extremely complex, giving rise to complications. Several therapeutic methods have been described to avoid the complications derived from the conventional surgical approach. The idea of treating lymphangioma by means of suction and injection of fibrin sealant (Tissucol), is an alternative to surgery. METHODS: The authors present 19 cases of cystic lymphangioma, treated with fibrin sealant injected into the lesion, during the 1991 to 1997 period. Two of the patients had been treated surgically and experienced recurrence of the tumor previous to treatment. In the other 17 cases, puncture was the only therapy applied. One patient required 3 punctures, another 6 patients required 2 punctures, and only 1 of them, after 2 unsuccessful punctures, was treated with surgical resection. The rest of the 10 cases subsided after the first puncture. Follow-up ranged between 3 and 72 months, with a mean of 40 months. RESULTS: The ultrasonographic (US) follow-up showed a complete remission in 17 patients treated with puncture. One patient remained with a small intermittent tumor, the appearance of which is related to catarrhal processes, and another patient rejected further puncture after the second one. No complications appeared. CONCLUSION: These results support the fact that the puncture, aspiration, followed by injection of Tissucol, is a choice in the surgical treatment of cystic lymphangioma.

Child, Preschool↗

[Interferon treatment of giant hemangioma].

As many as 10% to 20% of patients with disseminated hemangiomas involving vital organs fail to respond to conventional treatment with steroids, radiotherapy, laser or cyclophosphamide. For the last years, interferon-alpha-2 has been successfully used to treat complicated giant hemangiomas, because of its ability to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. We report the case of a 3-months-old infant presenting with a giant cervicofacial hemangioma with extension to the chest wall and larynx, causing episodes of severe respiratory distress. CT scan and MRI revealed a second vascular lesion measuring 24 x 16 mm in the liver. Initial treatment with corticosteroids (prednisolone at a dose of 1-3 mg/kg/daily) and endoscopic laser barely improved the symptoms and the patient presented more episodes of shortness of breath requiring admission to the ICU. Interferon therapy was started at a dose of 3 million units/m2/every other day and was continued for 9 months. At the completion of the therapy, there was complete regression of the hemangioma. Four months later, the patient is asymptomatic. No side-effects were presented for hyperthermia when the treatment was started resolved with antithermics. Blood tests were always within the normal range.

Facial Neoplasms↗

[Treatment of severe scrotal hypospadias with onlay-type urethroplasty using mouth mucosa].

Failure in repairing severe hypospadias complicated with fistula and cutaneous retraction is often associated with lack of subcutaneous tissue and skin providing protection to the neourethra. We report the results of treatment in 6 patients with scrotal hypospadias with severe deviation and scarce dorsal prepuce. A neourethra was created by the onlay technique applying an oral mucosa graft and preserving in all cases the dorsal preputial skin for the island cutaneous flap. All patients had hypospadias without previous repairs excepting one of them, who had had one first time hypospadias repair in other hospital. Patients age ranged between 2 years and 3 months, and 4 years (mean: 2 years and 9 months). In all cases, hypospadias was scrotal type with severe deviation and scarce dorsal prepuce. All patients had prior hormone stimulation with dehydrotestosterone 3%. Surgical repair was performed in one-stage. Urethroplasty included preservation of the urethral plate, oral mucosa graft to provide ventral coverage, and island cutaneous flap with the dorsal preputial skin. In all cases, the chord was dissected behind the urethral plate. In 3 patients a dorsal Nesbit plication was necessary to obtain a complete straighten penis. Results in all 6 cases were satisfactory. Only one patient had a small leakage at the previous neomeatus. The other five patients are asymptomatic. Follow-up ranges from 6 months to 2 years. We conclude that urethroplasty in association with a well vascularized island flap of dorsal preputial skin decrease the incidence of fistulae. In patients with severe hypospadias with scarce dorsal prepuce urethroplasty should be completed with oral mucosa grafts preserving dorsal preputial skin for the ventral cutaneous plasty.

Child, Preschool↗

[Post-traumatic facial deformity. Globulomaxillary cyst].

The case of a child treated for globulomaxillary cyst is presented. He first consulted because of progressive deformity of the face and upper gum, starting several months before. He had a history of facial contusion at the time the deformity began.

Adolescent↗

[Chronic granulomatous disease: the surgical aspects].

Chronic granulomatous disease is characterized by recurrent infections that have an aggressive course in spite of medical treatment. Surgery is necessary, starting early in life, to treat the infections episodes. We present four patients affected by recurrent infections episodes needing a variety of treatments, who were finally diagnosed with chronic granulomatous disease. Our aim is to emphasize the importance of clinical suspicion in order to make an early accurate diagnosis, and to underline the role of surgery in the resolution of the infection spells that occur along the file of the pediatric patients affected by this disease.

Abscess↗

Histamine H3 receptor desensitization in the guinea-pig ileum.

Histamine H3 receptor ligands are usually tested in guinea-pig intestine preparations. A possible desensitization of agonist-induced twitch inhibition was studied in longitudinal muscle-myenteric plexus from ileal segments. A cumulative concentration-response curve for R-alpha-methylhistamine was made; when a second curve was made 30 min afterwards, a marked decrease of pD2 and a more modest decrease of Emax were observed without changes in tissue sensitivity to electrical stimulation or morphine inhibition. At 120 min, pD2 and Emax were not different from those for the first curve. Receptor desensitization seems homologous and reversible and could interfere with repetitive testing of histamine H3 receptor ligands.

Animals↗

Effects of a lesion in the dorsal raphe nuclei performed during the juvenile period of the female rat, on puberty.

The present study examined the effect of thermic lesions on the dorsal raphe nuclei (DRN) of the female rat, performed at various ages during the prepubertal period (21, 24, or 27 days), on puberty, and at first ovulation. In comparison with sham-operated animals, the age of vaginal opening and first vaginal oestrus was delayed in rats with a DRN lesion performed at the end of the infantile period (day 21) (45.6+/-0.94 vs. 89.9+/-1.03, p < 0.05), whereas differences were not observed in animals with lesions performed during the juvenile period (day 24 or 27). The number of ova shed by ovulating animals was greater in those rats with lesions performed on day 24 or 27 (9.7+/-0.4 vs. 7.4+/-0.4; 9.5+/-0.5 vs. 7.7+/-0.4, p < 0.05). Ovarian follicular atresia in these animals was significantly lower than in control and sham-operated ones. On the day of first vaginal oestrus and 48 h after the lesion, the serotonin-hypothalamic concentration decreased in all lesioned animals. Present results support the idea of the participation of the serotoninergic system, arising from the DRN, in the neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating the onset of puberty and the first ovulation, with variations depending on animal maturity.

Aging↗

Articulation and nasality changes resulting from sustained palatal fistula obturation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine differences in articulation and nasality with obturation over time in children with a palatal fistula. DESIGN: Articulation and nasality were measured with the fistula open, immediately after obturation, and 4 to 7 weeks postobturation. SETTING, PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS: Subjects were 15 patients with a palatal fistula secondary to a repaired cleft palate who were seen through the Orofacial Program, Utah Department of Health, ranging in age from 4 years 6 months to 13 years 1 month. INTERVENTIONS: Acrylic palatal obturators were designed to provide coverage specific to the unique shape and location of each child's fistula. Obturators were cemented to molar teeth using wire clasps for control of usage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements consisted of listener judgments of hypernasality, hyponasality, and nasal emissions; instrumental ratings of nasalance using the Nasometer 6200-2; and performance on a standardized articulation test. RESULTS: Significant improvement occurred only on nasal emission measures from the preobturation condition to immediate postobturation. However, significant improvement was found in articulation, listener judgments of hypernasality, nasal emissions, and Nasometric Nasal Sentence mean scores from the preobturation condition to 4 to 7 weeks postobturation and from the immediate postobturation condition to 4 to 7 weeks postobturation. No significant differences were found between conditions for listener judgments of hyponasality and Nasometric Zoo and Rainbow Passage scores. Obturation of the palatal fistula over a 4- to 7-week period resulted in no adverse effect on articulation ability, perceptual ratings of nasality, or instrumental ratings of nasalance. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical management of patients with a palatal fistula can be enhanced with treatment using obturation over time. For subjects who continue to exhibit hypernasality immediately postobturation, sustained obturation is advocated prior to consideration of surgical intervention for treatment of a palatal fistula and/or velopharyngeal dysfunction.

Acrylic Resins↗

Effects of unilateral or bilateral superior ovarian nerve section in prepubertal rats on the ovulatory response to gonadotrophin administration.

The modulating effects of ovarian innervation reaching the ovary through the suspensory ovarian nerve on the reactivity of the ovaries to gonadotrophins were analysed. Juvenile rats (32 days old), with or without unilateral or bilateral section of the superior ovarian nerve, were injected with 8 iu of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG), 10 iu of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or with 8 iu of PMSG followed 56 h later with 10 iu of hCG. Treatments were given immediately after surgery or 4 days later, and the rats were killed on the day of first vaginal oestrus. In rats with unilateral section, treatment with PMSG did not induce full ovulatory response by the denervated ovary whether the treatment was applied immediately or 4 days after surgery (0/11 rats treated immediately ovulated vs 5/5 (sham) and 11/12 (control, P < 0.05 Fisher's exact probability test), and 4/19 did when treatment was done 4 days after surgery vs 8/10 (sham) and 11/12 (control, P < 0.05). The rats with bilateral section receiving the same hormonal treatment, PMSG administration, ovulated. The number of ova shed by the left ovary was similar to those of the control, while the right ovary released fewer ova. Stimulation with hCG immediately after unilateral section did not induce ovulation in normal or denervated ovary. When the treatment was applied 4 days after surgery, ovulation was observed only in the innervated ovary. In the rats with bilateral section, hCG injection induced ovulation in both ovaries. In those rats with unilateral section of the superior ovarian nerve, the treatment with PMSG + hCG given immediately after surgery resulted in a compensatory ovulation by the innervated ovary (the number of ova shed/ovulating animal was significantly higher than those released by control or sham-operated animals: left section, number of ova shed by the right ovary 7.6 +/- 0.3 vs 5.5 +/- 0.8 and 4.9 +/- 1 respectively, P < 0.05; right section, number of ova shed by the left ovary 10.2 +/- 0.6 vs 4.4 +/- 1.1 and 7.0 +/- 0.9, P < 0.05), while the denervated one showed a lower ovulation rate as well as a smaller number of ova shed than those by the control animals. When the hormonal replacement was given 4 days after surgery, such compensatory ovulation was observed in the left ovary of those rats with a section of the right nerve (14.3 +/- 2.6 vs 4.4 +/- 1.1 and 6.5 +/- 1.1, P < 0.05). When the PMSG + hCG treatment was applied to animals with bilateral section of the superior ovarian nerve, the ovulation rate by the right ovary was significantly lower than in control and sham-operated treated animals (2/10 vs 11/11 and 6/7, P < 0.05). Because the ovaries receive innervation through the superior ovarian nerve, the ovarian plexus and the vagus nerve, the results obtained in unilateral denervated animals suggest that the innervation of the ovary via the superior ovarian nerve regulates in a stimulatory way the effects of gonadotrophin resulting in ovulation. The ovulation induced by hormonal treatment of rats with bilateral section of the superior ovarian nerve suggests that the effects of bilateral section on ovulation are not the addition of the effects of left and right denervation, implying the existence of a modulatory effect in gonadotrophin action on ovulation via other neural pathways.

Analysis of Variance↗