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Biomedical subjects

Raul Gonzalez

Publications and source records attributed to Raul Gonzalez.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Computerized reaction time battery versus a traditional neuropsychological battery: detecting HIV-related impairments.

In recent years, interest in the use of computerized neuropsychological (NP) assessment measures has increased. However, there are limited data regarding how performance on these measures relates to performance on more traditional, clinical instruments. In the present study, 82 HIV+ men, who were all believed on clinical grounds to have neurobehavioral impairment, completed a traditional NP battery (TNB) and the California Computerized Assessment Package (CalCAP, a collection of computerized reaction time tests). Summary scores based on a TNB, as well as those based on the CalCAP, demonstrated significant associations with both degree of immunosuppression (CD4 count) and detectable viral load in cerebrospinal fluid, but not with detectable viral load in plasma. Established norms on the TNB and CalCAP batteries resulted in classifying 57% and 49% of the HIV+ sample as impaired, respectively. When using the TNB as the "gold standard," impairment classifications based on CalCAP summary scores exhibited a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 77%. Overall agreement on impairment classifications between batteries was low (kappa = .44). Data from this study suggest that traditional NP batteries and computerized reaction time tests do not measure the same thing, and are not interchangeable in examining HIV-related NP impairments.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed2003

Non-acute (residual) neurocognitive effects of cannabis use: a meta-analytic study.

The possible medicinal use of cannabinoids for chronic diseases emphasizes the need to understand the long-term effects of these compounds on the central nervous system. We provide a quantitative synthesis of empirical research pertaining to the non-acute (residual) effects of cannabis on the neurocognitive performance of adult human subjects. Out of 1,014 studies retrieved using a thorough search strategy, only 11 studies met essential a priori inclusion criteria, providing data for a total of 623 cannabis users and 409 non- or minimal users. Neuropsychological results were grouped into 8 ability domains, and effect sizes were calculated by domain for each study individually, and combined for the full set of studies. Using slightly liberalized criteria, an additional four studies were included in a second analysis, bringing the total number of subjects to 1,188 (i.e., 704 cannabis users and 484 non-users). With the exception of both the learning and forgetting domains, effect size confidence intervals for the remaining 6 domains included zero, suggesting a lack of effect. Few studies on the non-acute neurocognitive effects of cannabis meet current research standards; nevertheless, our results indicate that there might be decrements in the ability to learn and remember new information in chronic users, whereas other cognitive abilities are unaffected. However, from a neurocognitive standpoint, the small magnitude of these effect sizes suggests that if cannabis compounds are found to have therapeutic value, they may have an acceptable margin of safety under the more limited conditions of exposure that would likely obtain in a medical setting.

Cannabis↗
PubMed2003

Effects of alcoholism and gender on brain metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to evaluate gender influences on alcohol-associated changes in brain metabolism. METHOD: Concentrations of N-acetylaspartate, choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol, and creatine plus phosphocreatine in frontal lobe gray matter and white matter were estimated in eight women and 17 men who were recently detoxified from long-term alcoholism. Twelve women and 13 men with no history of alcoholism were used as a comparison group. RESULTS: In male and female alcoholics, frontal lobe white matter concentrations of N-acetylaspartate were significantly lower (-8.8%) than those seen in nonalcoholic comparison subjects. In the frontal lobe gray matter region, a significant alcoholism status-by-gender interaction and follow-up analyses revealed that female alcoholics had significantly lower N-acetylaspartate concentrations (-10.73%) relative to female comparison subjects, while male alcoholics and male comparison subjects had similar levels of this metabolite (<1% difference). CONCLUSIONS: Lower concentrations of white matter N-acetylaspartate, which may indicate neuronal loss or dysfunction, is equally severe in men and women with comparable alcohol abuse histories. However, female alcoholics exhibited significantly less N-acetylaspartate in frontal gray matter relative to female nonalcoholic comparison subjects, which could mean that female alcoholics are more susceptible to gray matter injury than their male counterparts. However, this finding could also be explained by higher-than-expected levels of N-acetylaspartate in the healthy female comparison group.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Nonacute (residual) neuropsychological effects of cannabis use: a qualitative analysis and systematic review.

Because there is a possibility that cannabis or cannabis-like molecules might be used as treatments for certain conditions in the future, it becomes important to consider the possible adverse effects of these compounds. In this paper, the authors review the evidence for persisting effects of nonacute cannabis use on the central nervous system, as reflected by alteration in neuropsychological performance. From the 40 articles that met criteria for inclusion in this review, the authors could not detect consistent evidence for persisting neuropsychological deficits in cannabis users; however, 22 of the 40 studies reported at least some subtle impairments. The inability to reach a firm conclusion results largely from methodological limitations inherent in most studies. These are considered in detail to inform future studies on (nonacute) consequences of cannabis consumption on cognitive abilities.

Cognition Disorders↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Treating the banana fold with the dermotuberal anchorage technique: case report.

The banana fold, or the infragluteal fold, is a fat deposit on the posterior thigh close to the gluteal crease and parallel to it. A banana fold may form for different reasons, among which an iatrogenic cause is recurrent. Although banana fold is a common problem, unrelished by most women, few procedures are targeted specifically to fight it. This report presents a severe case of iatrogenic banana fold corrected by a modification of the dermotuberal anchorage buttock-lifting technique, as reported by the author for gluteal ptosis. The operation is performed by tucking in part of the banana fold tissue caudal to the gluteal crease, sliding that tissue, after depithelization, under the buttock, and pulling it up toward the ischial tuberosity until the redundant skin on the posterior thigh is tight and the banana fold is reduced. Assessment of the results 1 year after surgery showed that the technique provided a good scar kept within the subgluteal crease, and that it satisfactorily corrected the patient's major complaint: the banana-shaped fold.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Augmentation gluteoplasty: the XYZ method.

Gluteal implants offer a good way not only to correct hypoplasias, but also to remodel and give rounded shape to buttocks, achieving beauty and sensuality. However, until recently, only a few surgeons have used this procedure. An intramuscular introduction of the implants may be a good means of reaching this goal, but because the undermining is performed without direct view, difficulties may occur in obtaining a symmetric and safe plane, and this can lead to unpleasant results. This report presents an intramuscular method based on geometry, in which three points (X, Y, and Z) and a line (G) in the pelvis define the plane in which the dissection must be performed, allowing more precise and safe undermining. From 1986 to 2003, 746 patients underwent surgery using this technique, achieving good results. This technique has proved to be a safe and reproducible way of performing augmentation gluteoplasty.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Etiology, definition, and classification of gluteal ptosis.

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing interest in aesthetic surgery of the buttocks and posterior body contouring, there is no clear definition of gluteal ptosis nor any classification enabling standardized diagnoses and treatments of the problem. The author proposes a classification to differentiate between pseudo-ptosis, PRE-ptosis, and true ptosis. The classification includes five degrees of severity and two factors (the length of the lower gluteal crease and the measurement, in centimeters, of posterior gluteal tissue exceeding the crease at a sagittal line that passes through the middle of the thigh, seen from behind, which the author proposes to call the "M" line). The article exposes the anatomy involved in ptosis and presents a theory about the mechanism through which gluteal ptosis is formed. METHODS: During a 1-year period, 87 patients, eligible for different types of body aesthetic surgery, were assessed according to the proposed classification. Their ages ranged from 16 to 64 years, and their weight ranged from 43 to 82 kg. Body mass index was used to classify overweight patients. Weight loss was considered in 10% increments. RESULTS: The authors were able to classify all the patients according to the proposed classification. Weight, age, and weight loss were directly related to the severity of the ptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed classification is easy to apply and has the ability to standardize diagnoses and treatments for gluteal ptosis. This study also shows that weight gain, aging, and weight loss are etiologic agents of ptosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Late intracapsular seroma in subfascial buttock augmentation: a case report.

Late intracapsular seroma and hematoma have been described frequently as a complication of breast augmentation surgery. However, there are few reports of late intracapsular seroma in buttock augmentation. Textured and polyurethane implants have been used for subfascial enlargement of the buttocks. In this article, the authors report a large late intracapsular bilateral seroma caused by a retrofascial polyurethane-covered implant used for buttock augmentation: 1,200 ml on one side and 300 ml on the other. This patient's intracapsular seroma was of sudden onset 2 years and 6 months after surgery, and apparently had no relation to any trauma, use of medication, or physical exercise. Local tissues, including the gluteal fascia, were distended such that the implant was replaced inside the muscle and there was no relapse of the seroma. Late intracapsular hematomas or seromas from implants for buttock and breast augmentation may have the same etiology, and textured implants seem to be involved. All the reports on the matter are associated with textured implants. Any late seroma or hematoma caused by a smooth implant is related to an additional factor that may be considered as the etiologic agent. Further studies aimed at a large-scale assessment of the cause and actual incidence of late seromas and hematomas from textured implants are required.

Buttocks↗