Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

S M Ramos

Publications and source records attributed to S M Ramos.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Fos expression in female hamsters after various stimuli associated with mating.

Detection of the expression of c-fos mRNA or its protein product, Fos, has been used to indicate differences in neuronal response to exogenous stimuli. Factors contributing to differences in Fos expression as a result of various stimuli associated with mating have been extensively studied in the female rat. Less is known about the factors that contribute to Fos expression in female hamsters. Female hamsters differ from female rats in several aspects of sexual behavior; therefore, it seems likely that Fos expression may also differ. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors associated with mating selectively affect Fos expression in the female hamster. Animals were ovariectomized, hormone treated, and then exposed to several behavioral conditions. Fos expression in several brain areas was then assessed via immunocytochemistry (ICC). As has been found by others, mating increases Fos immunoreactivity in a number of brain regions. Specifically, vaginal-cervical stimulation (VCS) was determined to be the salient factor contributing to Fos expression in the preoptic area (POA) and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) of ovariectomized hormone primed female hamsters that received a mating interaction.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Protein synthesis in the medial preoptic area is important for the mating-induced decrease in estrus duration in hamsters.

Sexual receptivity in female hamsters potentially lasts for about 16 h. However, vaginal cervical stimulation (VCS) from a male during mating eventually reduces receptivity and can shorten the duration of behavioral estrus. The process by which this change in response to the male takes place is unknown. Recently, detection of the Fos protein has indicated that the medial preoptic area (POA) is one of the brain regions particularly responsive to VCS. Additionally, the POA may have an inhibitory effect on sexual receptivity. To determine if protein synthesis in the POA is required to initiate the VCS-induced decrease in estrus duration, a protein synthesis inhibitor (anisomycin, 0.50 microg) or a control substance (cholesterol) was applied bilaterally to the POA of steroid-primed ovariectomized female hamsters. Females were tested with a sexually active male at five time points following the initial test for sexual receptivity (hour 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24). Half of the females tested were allowed to receive VCS from a male, while half were fitted with vaginal masks to prevent penile intromission. Each group receiving VCS showed a significant decrease in lordosis duration evident between hour 2 and hour 6, except the group which received anisomycin in the POA. In this respect the POA anisomycin group was similar to animals which did not receive VCS. Hamsters with vaginal masks and the anisomycin/POA animals allowed to receive VCS exhibited their first decrease in lordosis duration between hour 6 and hour 12. These results indicate that protein synthesis is important for VCS-induced decrease in estrus duration in the POA.

Aggression↗
PubMed1999

Edema volume, not timing, is the key to success in lymphedema treatment.

BACKGROUND: There are currently between 1 and 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Is the advocated, early intervention the key to successful treatment, or are there other, more important factors? METHODS: Responses to combined decongestive therapy (CDT) for 69 women were analyzed with regard to duration of lymphedema, differences in arm circumference, percent differences in arm volumes, volume of edema, reduction of edema volumes, and duration of treatment. RESULTS: Two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) analyses showed little correlation between duration and volume of edema or between duration and response and treatment. However, they did show a correlation between initial volumes of fluid in the tissues and responses. Patients with initial volumes of 250 mL or less had a mean reduction of 78% with CDT, whereas those with initial volumes between 250 and 500 mL had a mean reduction of 56%. CONCLUSION: The key to predicting successful lymphedema treatment is the initial volume of edema in the tissues regardless of whether the intervention is early or late.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Molecular diagnosis of alkaptonuria mutation by analysis of homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase mRNA from urine and blood.

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is caused by lack of homogentisate 1, 2 dioxygenase (HGO) activity. From the complete sequence of a human HGO cDNA, primers were designed in order to obtain reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction products from tissues with ectopic transcription amenable to diagnostic analysis. A search for mutations in HGO cDNA was performed in an AKU family using urine and blood samples. The results show complete cosegregation (Z = 6.32; theta = 0) between a C-->T transition at position 817 of the human HGO cDNA and AKU. This mutation predicts a Pro-->Ser replacement at amino acid 230, and generates an EcoRV site.

Alkaptonuria↗
PubMed1987

Renorrhaphy using knitted polyglycolic acid mesh.

Surgical techniques for treatment of penetrating trauma to the kidney have ranged from simple drainage to nephrectomy, depending on the severity of the injury. Based upon successful experience in the surgical management of splenic injuries using knitted polyglycolic acid mesh, we report a case in which absorbable mesh was used to repair a laceration of the kidney.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Predictors of preclinical and clinical performance of minority medical students.

Although several studies have examined the relationship between minority students' admissions profiles and performance in the preclinical curriculum, there is a dearth of information about the ability of admissions variables to predict performance in the clerkships and on National Boards, Part II. Consistent with other research, a study of 59 minority students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT) chemistry score is the most consistent predictor of performance on internal examinations in years 1 and 2, and on National Boards, Part I. On the Part II examination, however, the only significant correlation is with the MCAT reading score, while the MCAT quantitative score and the recommendation of the premedical advisor are the best predictors of clerkship grades. Since students' mean MCATs and grade point averages (GPAs) are similar to those of all minority students accepted to medical schools in 1982, these findings may be generalized to that larger population.

Achievement↗
PubMed1986

Free falls from heights: a persistent urban problem.

In order to determine the significance and implications of falls from heights in the North Central Bronx Hospital (NCBH) patient population area, the records of 203 patients who fell from heights of 5 to 72 feet and who died or were admitted to NCBH over a five-year-period were reviewed. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed for 192 of those patients. The findings show a male-to-female ratio of two to one, an age range of four months to 86 years, and a disproportionately high incidence of falls among minority group children.Seventy-six percent of patients had skeletal, 12 percent abdominal, and 10 percent skull fractures and cerebral edema. Twenty-two percent of juveniles (0 to 17 years) and 5 percent of adults had craniocerebral trauma. Thirty-one percent required surgery. Ten percent of the admitted patients had permanent disabilities. A trauma scoring system, the Injury Severity Score, correlated directly with height fallen. Overall mortality was 28 percent but only 6.6 percent in the juvenile group. Most of the falls were accidental (45 percent) or suicide attempts (22 percent).Although recognized as a health problem at least since 1965, falls from heights continue to be a cause of morbidity and mortality in urban people 20 years later. Renewed efforts at education and the passage and enforcement of public health laws are needed if their numbers are to be decreased.

Accidents↗
PubMed1984

Hemoperitoneum secondary to exogastric leiomyosarcomas and leiomyoblastomas.

A case report and review of the literature on hemoperitoneum secondary to gastric leiomyosarcomas and leiomyoblastomas are presented. Hemoperitoneum is a rare and usually unsuspected complication of exogastric tumors. At present there is no evidence that intraperitoneal bleeding from these neoplasms leads to peritoneal seeding and worsened survival.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Inexpensive, safe and simple nasoenteral intubation--an alternative for the cost conscious.

The efficacy and safety of nasoenteral feedings via small bore, flexible tubes have been extensively studied and reported. Most of the tubes currently used have similar characteristics including a high price ($7.00-$17.30 per tube). Our study using inexpensive ($0.55 each), polyvinyl pediatric feeding tubes and reusable guide wires in 21 patients shows that a weighted tip is not necessary for the passage of tubes into the duodenum (19/27 tubes passed) and that with proper nursing care and patient cooperation, the tubes can remain in place and patent for periods up to 71 days. The cost savings using the ubiquitous pediatric feeding tube and a reusable guide wire are significant (between $6.25 and $16.55 per tube used) and make this a more cost conscious alternative.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Women surgeons: a national survey.

In order to add to the data on women surgeons as well as to clarify concerns raised in the literature, a questionnaire survey of fully trained women surgeons was conducted between 1983 and 1986. The 386 responses were analyzed and the results are presented here. Findings show that women surgeons are young (median age 37), board certified (77%), and practicing in varied settings. They work a median of 60 hours per week, are progressing academically (54% assistant, 20% associate, and 7% full professors), and are involved in professional organizations (98%). They feel that their family responsibilities have enhanced their lives and benefited their careers. The majority (88%) would choose to be surgeons again. Worrisome findings warranting further investigation are the disparity in earnings between male and female surgeons and the gender related problems still experienced by significant numbers of women during the application and residency process. Additional studies are needed to define and clarify the career patterns of women surgeons.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hematologic disorders in trauma patients during parenteral alimentation with lipids.

Total parenteral nutrition with lipids is a well-accepted modality of metabolic support in seriously ill trauma patients. Intolerance to lipid administration is unusual when dosage limits are not exceeded, and few hematologic disturbances have been recorded with modern fat emulsions. In the course of intravenous alimentation of six adults admitted for traumatic lesions, eosinophilia with or without leukocytopenia was noticed after periods of four days to five weeks. Principal clinical events and hematologic derangements were documented in this population. Sepsis was not always present in the patients by the time of the complication, and in those that did require antibiotics and other drugs, the prescription remained unchanged along the episode. Discontinuation of the nutritional regimen with lipids was followed by normalization of the hematologic profile, suggesting that an acute or sub-acute allergic reaction was responsible. The appearance of skin rash in two occasions reinforces this hypothesis, and the possibility of hemophagocytosis merits consideration in two of the cases who displayed reversible acute leukocytopenia. It is concluded that blood cell aberrations are possible during intravenous feeding with lipids in trauma subjects, but tend to respond to suppression of the lipid-containing nutritional prescription.

Adolescent↗