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Biomedical subjects

M Cuesta

Publications and source records attributed to M Cuesta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Functional sex differences in the accessory olfactory bulb of the rat.

The aim of this study is to determine whether sex-related differences exist in the biosynthetic activity of the mitral cells within the mitral layer of the AOB. Possible functional changes over the estrus cycle and the potential effects of castration and androgenization are assessed. Biosynthetic activity was measured using silver staining of the argyrophilic proteins associated with the nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NOR). Assisted by stereological methods, the following parameters were studied: mean number, percentage and mean area of Ag-NOR in estrus and diestrus females, intact males, castrated and androgenizated rats. We detected sex differences in a histochemical marker related to synthetic activity, an estrus cycle effect and changes resulting from the perinatal treatments. We conclude that this structurally dimorphic region is also functionally dimorphic.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Age-related changes of the nucleolar organizer regions without neuron loss in medial mamillary bodies (hypothalamus) in old rats.

Age-related morphological and functional changes were studied in the medial mamillary nuclei of the hypothalamus (MMN). The number of nerve cells and the volume of MMN were estimated in both groups of Wistar rats, adult and old (3 and 22 months, respectively) using stereologic methods such as the optical fractionator and Cavalieri's method respectively. The number of neurons and glial cells remain inalterable with ageing but there was an age-dependent reduction in MMN volume. In the second experiment, functional changes in the MMN neurons were observed although there was no loss in neuron number. Several functional parameters of the Ag-NORs were quantified by a computer analysis system: area and number of Ag-NORs per neuron; number of neurons with one or several Ag-NORs and also surface of neuronal nucleus. The present study shows how ageing causes volumetric and functional changes in the MMN whereas the number of neurons and glial cells remain unchanged in the mamillary region. All these results confirm the effects of age on proteic synthesis activity in neurons of the MMN, showing a decreased neuronal activity in this region.

Aging↗
PubMed1999

Unbiased estimation of the total number of nervous cells and volume of medial mammillary nucleus in humans.

In this study, we demonstrate that aging does not provoke any changes in neuronal number or in the glial cells of the medial mammillary nucleus (MMN) in humans. Three age groups were used: young (age 17-35), adult (age 50-57), and aged (age 70-88). Furthermore, no age-dependent volumetric changes were observed in the MMN. All the estimations were performed with stereological methods: an optical fractionator and Cavalier's principle. The total number of neurons cells was estimated using an optical fractionator and amounted to 32x10(3) in the young group, 24x103 in the adult group, and 29x103 in the aged group. The number of glial cells was 164x10(3), 187x103, 185x103, respectively. Thus, all three age groups had a neuron/glial ratio of about 1:5, 1:8, and 1:6, respectively. The MMN volume was estimated using the Cavalier's principle. The total volume was 6.98 mm3 in the young group, 6.66 mm3 in the adult group, and 6.80 mm3 in the aged group. We have demonstrated that neither the total number of neurons and glial cells nor the volume of MMN are affected by age.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Cytomegalovirus colitis mimicking a colonic neoplasm or ischemic colitis 4 years after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a polymorphous disease presenting in immunodepressed patients in a variety of clinical forms that can delay diagnosis and therapy. We report the case of a patient who presented with abdominal pain 4 years after heart transplantation; clinical and x-ray findings were suggestive of a neoplastic or ischemic stenosis, and histopathological examination likewise initially suggested an ischemic etiology. METHODS: Tissue samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, cut, and stained with hematoxylin/eosin and periodic acid-Schiff-Alcian Blue. Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies was performed using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. RESULTS: CMV colitis was eventually diagnosed and resolved with surgery and specific anti-CMV therapy. CONCLUSIONS: CMV colitis should be suspected in any heart transplant patient with signs or symptoms of abdominal pathology, even without classical signs or symptoms of CMV infection. If stenotic lesions are present, surgery may be required not only to remove the obstruction but also to rule out malignancy.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
PubMed1997

Massive pleural effusion as isolated manifestation of metastatic spread of salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a low-grade malignant neoplasm that arises preferentially in the major and/or minor salivary glands. While it has a tendency to spread locally, distant metastases have been described occasionally. This case report describes a patient with a massive pleural effusion as primary manifestation of metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma. This is a very uncommon, yet treatable, occurrence.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic↗
PubMed1997

Olanzapine in treatment-refractory schizophrenia: results of an open-label study. The Spanish Group for the Study of Olanzapine in Treatment-Refractory Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Clozapine is currently the treatment of choice for neuroleptic-resistant schizophrenia. Olanzapine is a new antipsychotic drug that has shown efficacy against positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, with minimal extrapyramidal side effects. However, the effectiveness of olanzapine has not yet been reported among treatment-refractory schizophrenic patients. METHOD: A total of 25 schizophrenic patients (DSM-IV criteria) with documented lack of response to two conventional antipsychotic drugs entered this 6-week prospective, open-label treatment trial with olanzapine 15 to 25 mg/day. An optional extension up to 6 months was provided. RESULTS: As a group, the olanzapine-treated patients showed statistically significant improvement (p < .05) in both positive and negative symptoms by the end of 6 weeks of therapy. Overall, 9 of the patients (36%) met the a priori criteria for treatment-response (> or = 35% decrease in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale [BPRS] total score, plus posttreatment Clinical Global Impression-Severity < or = 3 or BPRS total < 18). Only one patient discontinued treatment because of an adverse event during the study. Despite the relatively high dosages of olanzapine used, there were no reports of parkinsonism, akathisia, or dystonia, and no patients required anticholinergic medication. CONCLUSION: This open study suggests that olanzapine may be effective and well tolerated for a substantial number of neuroleptic-resistant schizophrenic patients. Further blinded, controlled trials are needed to confirm our results.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Aesthetic and functional reconstruction with the trapezius osseomyocutaneous flap and dental implants in oral cavity cancer patients.

The trapezius osseomyocutaneous flap is the only pedicled flap that is able to transfer vascularized bone for mandibular reconstruction as well as skin for intra-extra oral reconstruction. The trapezius muscle also helps to fill the defect created by the neck dissection and covers the vessels of the neck. This flap has been used in our maxillofacial surgery service during the past 14 years. In spite of having incorporated microvascular flaps in our reconstructive techniques it continues to be one of the flaps we use in selected patients for bone and soft tissue compound defects of the oral cavity. We describe in this article our experience using this flap with dental implants in order to achieve a functional reconstruction. We also discuss when we use this flap for mandibular reconstruction and when a free vascularized flap is used.

Acromion↗
PubMed1996

Antegrade colonic enema (ACE): a new therapeutic approach to chronic constipation.

Continent appendio-cecostomy is a recently developed operation for the therapy of chronic constipation, refractory for other treatment modalities. Two patients are described in whom the operation led to a dramatic improvement of their quality of life. Technical details of the operation are offered as well as some data on the possible mechanism of colonic motility in this pathological disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Antiperinuclear factor: a useful test for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The objective of this study was to determine: (1) the diagnostic value of antiperinuclear factor (APF), (2) the types of immunoglobulins involved in the reaction and (3) the presence of the antibody in paired samples of serum and synovial fluid (SF). We studied 408 serum samples from the following: healthy controls (n = 68), patients with rheumatoid arthritis RA; n = 160, 106 RF-positive and 54 RF-negative and patients with other rheumatic diseases (n = 180). We examined paired serum and SF samples in 27 patients (8 with RA and 19 with other rheumatic conditions). APF was determined by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. A group of 30 APF-positive serum samples was incubated with fluorescent-labelled antisera against IgG, IgM and IgA independently. APF was positive in 55.7% of patients with RF-positive RA, in 35.2% of patients with RF-negative RA, in 11.1% of patients with other rheumatic diseases and in 5.9% of healthy controls. Statistical differences were found between RF-positive RA and the other three groups (P = 0.02, P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001, respectively) and between RF-negative RA and the groups of other rheumatic diseases (P = 0.0001) and healthy controls (P = 0.005). The specificity of the test for RA was 90.2%. APF was present in three SF samples from RA patients (37.5%). The reaction was mediated by immunoglobulins of the IgG class in 100% of those tested, and, in addition, 30% were of IgA and 6.7% of IgM classes. We concluded that APF is a good diagnostic test that could be included in the classification criteria of RA, it can be present in SF and it is predominantly an antibody of the IgG class.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Localized fibrous tumor of the pleura: immunohistochemical and flow-cytometric DNA study.

This report describes three cases of localized fibrous tumor of the pleura (LFTP) with clinical and pathological differences. Case 1 presented with symptoms; the tumor size was 6.5 cm and it was attached to the lung and chest wall; histologically it was composed of spindle cells with pleomorphism, mitoses, hemorrhage and necrosis. Cases 2 and 3 were casual findings and consisted of well-circumscribed tumors of 3 and 8.5 cm, respectively; histologically both showed hypocellularity. All cases exhibited positive stains for vimentin and negative for keratin. These results, added to histological features, suggested a mesenchymal origin. Flow cytometry quantitation of DNA disclosed a diploid pattern in all three cases with a small "near diploid" cell population additionally in Case 1; the S-phase fraction was low in all cases. These findings, that could be considered favourable prognostic signs, and the complete tumoral resection performed in the three tumors, could explain the absence of recurrences after 32, 27 and 19 months, respectively.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[The treatment of liver metastases of colorectal tumors using intra-arterial fluorouracil via hepatic artery, administered with a completely implantable access system and a portable infusion pump].

Thirty-seven patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer were treated with hepatic arterial infusion of 5-FU. Before therapy an arterial access device (Port-A-Cath) was implanted. Treatment was given on an outpatient basis with a portable infusion pump. 5-FU was administered as a continuous infusion at a dose of 1000 mg/sq.m. per day during 5 or 6 days. Cycles were repeated every three weeks. In 12 (37.5%) of the 32 evaluable patients a partial remission was achieved. Median duration of remission was 11 months and median duration of survival was 16 months. Side effects of chemotherapy were usually mild. In 11 patients thrombosis of the hepatic artery was observed, occurring after a median period of 5 months after implantation of the access device. Further study is required to improve the treatment results in this disease with its unfavourable prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Polyostotic coexisting fibrous dysplasia and aneurysmal bone cyst of the chest wall.

A case of a 39-year-old woman with a palpable mass in the right hemithorax is presented. The mass had been growing during the last 16 years. Radiographs and computed tomography showed two lesions in the right thoracic wall: the greater was in the anterior and lateral portion of the 7th rib, the minor lesion in the 6th rib costovertebral joint. Both lesions were surgically removed. Histological examination demonstrated the association of fibrous dysplasia and aneurysmal bone cyst in the two lesions. The coexistence of these two lesions supports the theory that aneurysmal bone cyst may represent a secondary change due to haemodynamic alterations of the vascular bed caused by fibrous dysplasia.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The impact of intraoperative ultrasonography of the liver on the surgical strategy of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies and hepatic metastases.

Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) of the liver is a very useful tool during surgery for gastrointestinal tumors or hepatic tumors. In a prospective study of 82 elective operations for 57 gastrointestinal tumors and 25 hepatic tumors or metastases, we compared IOUS with preoperative ultrasonography, CT-scanning and MRI. IOUS supplied additional information in 38% of the operations. In 22% of the cases, this had a major impact on the intraoperative strategy with an alteration of the procedure. IOUS has a higher detection rate of intrahepatic lesions, discriminates better between solid or cystic nature of the tumor and offers the possibility of performing a safe and radical hepatic resection by its ability to localize lesions in relation to vascular structures. IOUS is a safe and simple technique which will be more cost-effective than extensive preoperative evaluation of the liver. It provides a more complete clinical staging of patients for whom adjuvant therapy is considered after resection of a colorectal carcinoma.

Adult↗