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Biomedical subjects

M Castro-Gago

Publications and source records attributed to M Castro-Gago.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

[Individualization of the dosage of oral theophylline with regular increase method and serum level control in 55 asthmatic children (author's transl)].

Authors have adjusted oral theophylline requirements in 55 asthmatic children, whose ages ranged from 19 months to 14 years, following a preconceived plan. The procedure is practical and useful. It's easily understood by parents and realizable in an ambulatory way. The average necessities of oral theophylline in children under nine years in their group have been lower than those signaled by other authors. This and the fact that oral requirements of theophylline in two pair of univitelin twins were identical, make the authors think that it is necessary probably to modificate protocols previously proposed for the different groups of population.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1980

[Allopurinol in progressive muscular dystrophy (author's transl)].

Authors have treated with allopurinol ten children with progressive muscular dystrophy, whose ages were between 15 months to eleven years. An initial and monthly clinical evaluation of muscular strength, Gowers's sign and pseudohypertrophy was performed. Monthly determinations of CPK, LDH, aldolase, GOT and serum urate; every two months electromyography was also made. In three patients a complete recovery of strength, Gowers's sign was found and at the same time pseudohypertrophy diminished; the age average was three years and four months. In four patients a partial recovery was found; the age average was nine years and four months. In three patients there was no answer to treatment, they were contracted and had deformities, being age average ten years. No variations on monthly controls of CPK, LDH, aldolase and GOT were observed. On these facts their opinion is that allopurinol is an effective drug in the treatment of progressive muscular dystrophy and that its' effectivity is better when treatment is initiated early and, of course, before patients present deformities and contractures.

Allopurinol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Rett's syndrome in the Spanish population].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Rett syndrome was described in 1966 and became known through the English medical literature in 1983. There are typical and atypical forms. The objective of this study was to record the cases diagnosed in Spain and discover their clinical characteristics in order to describe its phenotype and geographical distribution. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We know of 207 cases and have obtained the records of 168 of these patients. A protocol and data collection programme has been developed giving the criteria for inclusion, and data which support or exclude this. Data collection was by post and the data for identification were the date of birth and the initials of the name and two surnames. With these variables, double-registering of patients was almost impossible. A statistical study with descriptive analysis and a study of continuous and alternating variables was immediately done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results gave the main characteristics, the differences between typical and atypical cases and a comparative study of variables. It has given clinical data which may be useful for prognosis of the condition in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Severe form of juvenile type II glycogenosis in a compound-heterozygous boy (Tyr-292--> Cys/Arg-854-->Stop)].

INTRODUCTION: Type II glycogenosis is a glycogen storage disease inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. This molecular and clinically heterogeneous condition is due to a deficiency in a lysosomal acid 1,4-alpha-glucosidase. OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical, enzymatic and molecular characterization of a mulatto child, born to healthy Dominican mother and Caucasian father, affected by the juvenile phenotype form of type II glycogenosis. CLINICAL CASE: This 16-month-old male presented from 10 months with motor delay, limb-girdle hypotonia, prominence of calves, increased CPK value, mixed myotonic/myopathic pattern on EMG, intense glycogen muscle storage (775 micrograms/mg of protein) and severe deficiency of 1,4-alpha-glucosidase activity (< 0.03 mU/mg of protein). At 24 months he developed a rapidly progressive hypotonia and respiratory failure. The patient was found to be compound heretozygote for the novel mutation Tyr-292-->Cys, coming from the father, and Arg-854-->Stop, coming from the mother and previously reported in two Afroamerican patients, one with the adult phenotype and the other with the juvenile one. CONCLUSIONS: The present case corresponds to a severe form of type II juvenile glycogenosis. The severity of this condition may be related to the observed mutations and the associated extremely low muscle enzymatic activity.

Codon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Late infantile and juvenile form of GM2-gangliosidosis variant B1].

INTRODUCTION: Variant B1 is a rare form of GM2-gangliosidosis characterized by the presence of a mutation in the hexosaminidase A gene (HEXA) leading to a defect in the catalytic region of the alpha-subunit of beta-hexosaminidase A (alpha beta heterodymer). The mutated Hex A has almost normal activity against the natural synthetic substrates (4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine, 4MU-NAG) but is unable to hydrolyse GM2-ganglioside and the sulphated synthetic substrates (4MU-NAGS). The first and more frequent mutation described in the alpha-subunit gene associated to B1 variant GM2-gangliosidosis was a G533-->A transition (DN allele) resulting in Arg178His substitution. CLINICAL CASES: Here, we report the clinical, enzymatic and molecular characterization in two variant B1 late infantile and juvenile cases. Both cases presented regression of mental skills leading to dementia, epilepsy and severe motor impairment with dystonic involuntary movements and quadriplegia. In the late infantile case (death at 5 years and 8 months), cherry-red spot was also present. Enzymatic assays were performed in fibroblasts, leukocytes and serum and confirmed the abnormally low beta-hexosaminidase A activity against sulphated substrate despite a normal or nearly normal total hexosaminidase activity (unsulphated substrates). The patient with the late infantile phenotype was found to be compound heterozygote for the DN allele whilst the juvenile form was homozygote for that mutation. CONCLUSION: Variant B1 form of GM2-gangliosidosis is a rare and heterogeneous condition that must be kept in mind when evaluating neurodegenerative disorders associated with speech or gait disturbances, dystonia, seizures and pyramidal features.

Age Factors↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Early mitochondrial encephalomyopathy due to complex IV deficiency consistent with Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome: report of two cases].

INTRODUCTION: Complex IV or cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency is the most common disorder involving complexes of the respiratory chain in the pediatric age. Exceptionally, it has been reported in association with Alpers syndrome or Alpers disease, and with its variant named progressive neuronal degeneration with liver disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. OBJECTIVE: To report the cases of two infants with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy due to COX deficiency in whom the clinical, biochemical, neurophysiologic and neuroimaging characterization suggested an associated Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome. CLINICAL CASES: Two no-related males, one with noncontributory family history and the other with third-grade consanguineous parents developed refractory seizures from age 20 and 60 days, respectively. Additionally, myoclonic fits accounted on evolution of the condition. In the first case, serial EEG recordings showed low amplitude polyspikes, polyspike waves and very slow waves of high amplitude alternating with a trace of burst-suppression activity. In the second case, a right preponderant but also bilateral low amplitude polyspikes, polyspike waves and occasional desynchronization of basal trace were recorded. In both, a rapidly progressive cerebral atrophy, neurological deterioration with pyramidal signs, and tendency to microcephaly, ensued. Accompanying to this clinical picture, minor hepatic dysfunction, elevated protein levels in the CSF, lactic acidosis and COX deficiency in muscle homogenate were demonstrated. In the first case, moreover, cortical blindness and severe hepatic failure occurred while receiving valproate, in spite of concomitant L-carnitine therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the reported cases are consisted with Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome associated with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy due to COX deficiency. Nevertheless, early myoclonic encephalopathy, a condition related in same cases with poliodistrophy, must be keep in mind as a possible diagnosis in case 1.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mitochondrial encephalopathies].

OBJECTIVE: We carry out a review of the current basic genetic, biochemical, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of mitochondrial cytopathies due to deficiencies in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, which appear clinically during childhood and/or adolescence. DEVELOPMENT: The clinical description has been divided into two groups: mitochondrial cytopathies secondary to alterations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and mitochondrial cytopathies secondary to alterations of the nuclear DNA (nDNA); we also consider about the importance of such conditions at this age.

Brain↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (tomaculous neuropathy). Clinical, electrophysical and molecular study of two affected families].

INTRODUCTION: Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal-dominant disorder of peripheral myelin characterized by episodes of recurrent mononeuropathies usually involving nerves at common sites of entrapment and compression. Additional features include evidence of a diffuse demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy on nerve conduction studies, focal myelin thickening (tomacula) on sural nerve biopsy, and a 1.5 Mb deletion on 17p11.2 encompassing the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene in most families. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two girls, aged 10 and 12 years, presented with peroneal nerve palsy and peroneal nerve palsy plus tibial nerve palsy, respectively. In none case, a clear causal factor was recognizable. Neurophysiological studies: both cases showed diffuse sensory and motor nerve conduction velocity slowing and prolongation of distal motor latencies. In addition, features of focal entrapment neuropathy were obtained at proximal peroneal nerve level. Sural nerve biopsy: large axons demyelination, redundant myelin and intraaxonal looping (case 1) and tomaculas (case 2). Molecular genetics: 17p12-p11 deletion was demonstrated in both affected girls, the mother and two maternal uncles of case 1 and in the father, paternal grandfather and two paternal uncles of case 2. CONCLUSIONS: NHPP should be suspected in cases of peripheral neuropathy without clearly recognizable cause. Electrophysiological and molecular studies permit both delineation of the condition and identification of otherwise clinically normal family members.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Benign congenital myopathy associated with a partial deficiency of complexes I and III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain]].

INTRODUCTION: Isolated or combined enzyme deficiencies of the mitochondrial respiratory chain results in a number of clinical heterogeneous conditions. When presented in the neonatal period or early in the infancy the course is usually severe, although isolated cases with benign evolution have also been described. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of a child with a benign form of mitochondrial myopathy due to a combined deficiency of the complexes I and III of the respiratory chain. CLINICAL CASE: A 40 days-old male, the second son of a young non-consanguineous couple, presented with axial congenital hypotonia, asymmetrical macrocephaly, mild enlargement of the liver, mild coarsening of facial features, increased CK serum values, persistently elevation of serum lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio and external hydrocephalus. Electromyogram and histological muscle examination were normal but analysis of the respiratory chain disclosed a deficiency of the complexes I and III. From 13 months-age onwards clinical detailed abnormalities progressively ameliorated and also did it serum CK, lactate and external hydrocephalus. CONCLUSION: We think that on clinical, basic biochemical and histological grounds there are some similarities between this case of congenital unspecific myopathy and benign reversible form of mitochondrial myopathy, arguing in favor of a possible relationship between both conditions.

Electron Transport Complex III↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Early onset adhalinopathy (LGMD2D) mimicking congenital muscular dystrophy].

INTRODUCTION: The recent discovery of the dystrophin-associated complex of glycoproteins led to the delineation of sarcoglycanopathies, a phenotypically similar to dystrophinopathies group of clinically heterogeneous and progressive muscular dystrophies. The objective of this paper is to report the clinical, biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical and molecular genetics characteristics observed in a case of adhalinopathy (alpha-sarcoglycanopathy or LGMD2D) presenting in early months of life and resembling congenital muscular dystrophy. CLINICAL CASE: An 12-year old school boy, the third son of a healthy, young, non consanguineous couple, presented at birth with bilateral cleft lip, cleft palate and mild hypotonia. At age 6 months it was believed he suffered from a benign form of congenital muscular dystrophy on the basis of clinical, biochemical, electrophysiological and histological findings. From 5 years onwards he had frequent falls and climbing stairs had become increasingly difficult. Also, a positive Gowers 'sign, mild calf hypertrophy, high serum creatine-phosphokinase level and myopathic electromyographic features were present; otherwise, cardiological evaluation and intelligence were normal. A repeated muscular biopsy at 10 years showed dystrophic features as well as selective deficiency of adhalin on immunostaining. DNA analysis demonstrated the patient being homozygote for a R77C mutation. Actually, a marked lumbar lordosis and waddling gait, an impossibility of climbing stairs and arising from the floor in addition to absent rotulian reflexes and mild Achilles retraction are present. CONCLUSIONS: LGMD2D may present in the first months of life mimicking congenital muscular dystrophy. It seems reasonable that biopsies of all new cases of muscular dystrophies be selectively immohistochemical analyzed, and when it is possible the diagnosis should be confirmed by DNA analysis.

Biomarkers↗