O. Rodríguez

Bio: O. Rodríguez is an academic researcher from University of California, Los Angeles. The author has contributed to research in topics: Multidimensional scaling & Genome-wide association study. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 10 publications receiving 431 citations. Previous affiliations of O. Rodríguez include University of Costa Rica & University of Zulia.

Follow-up of loci from the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease Project identifies TRIP4 as a novel susceptibility gene.

Abstract: To follow-up loci discovered by the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease Project, we attempted independent replication of 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a large Spanish sample (Fundacio ACE data set; 1808 patients and 2564 controls). Our results corroborate association with four SNPs located in the genes INPP5D, MEF2C, ZCWPW1 and FERMT2, respectively. Of these, ZCWPW1 was the only SNP to withstand correction for multiple testing (P=0.000655). Furthermore, we identify TRIP4 (rs74615166) as a novel genome-wide significant locus for Alzheimer's disease risk (odds ratio=1.31; confidence interval 95% (1.19-1.44); P=9.74 × 10(-)(9)).

Effect of rates of freezing, thawing and level of glycerol on the survival of bovine spermatozoa in straws.

Abstract: Extended semen from six Hereford bulls was placed in .25-ml Continental straws and frozen in the vertical position. Treatments were arranged factorially with glycerol levels of 5, 7, 9 or 11%; semen cooled from 5 to 1 3 0 C in 3.5 (fast), 20 (moderate) or 40 min (slow); and thawed in water at 5 C for 3 min, 35 C for 12 sec, 55 C for 8 sec, 75 C for 7 sec or 90 C for 5 seconds. Fast freezing resulted in greater postthaw motil i ty than moderate (P < .05) or slow rates (P < .01), regardless of thawing method. Glycerol levels of 7 to 11% provided opt imal survival when averaged over rates of freezing and thawing (P < .05). Post-thaw moti l i ty improved as the temperature of the thawing bath was increased from 5 to 55 C (P < .01). Further increases in thawing bath temperature to 90 C did not enhance survival. The post-thaw motil i ty of spermatozoa frozen rapidly in straws and thawed at 55 to 90 C exceeded that for ampules from split-ejaculates frozen in 1.0-ml ampules (P < .01). Semen from one Angus, two Hereford and three Charolais bulls was frozen in a second study at the fast, moderate and slow rates in straws maintained in the horizontal or vertical position. The final extended semen contained 5, 7, 9 or 11% glycerol; and all semen was thawed in 75 C water for 7 seconds. Fast freezing resulted in post-thaw moti l i ty equal to

Scorpion envenoming in two regions of Colombia: clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic aspects

Abstract: To determine clinical and epidemiological features of scorpion stings in two departments of Colombia, a descriptive study was performed in the hospitals of 10 towns from Antioquia (2 256 071 inhabitants) and five from Tolima (630 424 inhabitants). One hundred and twenty-nine cases were admitted during one year, 51 in Antioquia, 78 in Tolima and 41 were children less than 15 years old. Most stings (70.5%) occurred inside the house; 27.9% were on the hands and 26.4% on the feet. The scorpion species involved were Tityus pachyurus (51), Centruroides gracilis (31), T. fuehrmanni (29), T. asthenes (7) and Chactas spp. (1). In 10 cases the scorpion involved was not identified. Systemic envenoming signs (e.g. vomiting, tachypnea) were significantly more frequent in children than in adults (P < 0.05). Four children had hypertension, but none developed pulmonary oedema. One 3-year-old girl, stung by T. asthenes, had acute oedematous pancreatitis. Ninety-eight patients had mild envenoming. Moderate (27 patients) and severe (four patients) envenoming was significantly more frequent in children than in adults (P = 0.003; relative risk = 2.97). A pepsin-digested anti-Centruroides spp. antivenom was administered to 19 of 31 patients presenting systemic envenoming signs. No adverse reactions to antivenom were observed.

Postoperative follow-up of pituitary adenomas after trans-sphenoidal resection: MRI and clinical correlation.

Abstract: Our purpose was to correlate the morphological changes seen on MRI studies of the sellar region after trans-sphenoidal resection of pituitary adenomas with clinical and hormonal studies. Between January 1993 and March 1994, 16 patients with a pituitary adenoma (9 macroadenomas and 7 microadenomas) were subjected to trans-sphenoidal resection and included in a prospective study. The protocol consisted of MRI, hormonal and visual studies at the following times: immediately postoperative (1st week), 1st month, 4th month and 1st year after surgery. The evolution of the contents of the sella turcica (tumour remnant, packing material and gland tissue), effects on the infundibulum, optic chiasm, cavernous sinus and sphenoid sinus were correlated with the clinical and hormonal studies. Stabilisation of the postsurgical changes occurred by the 4th month. Tumour remnants were noted in the immediate postoperative period in macroadenomas. Compression of the infundibulum was the only reliable indicator of possible involvement. Optic chiasm compression, defined as close contact between the chiasm and the tumour, was the only morphological finding that indicated visual impairment. There was no standard repneumatisation pattern in the sphenoid sinus, since mucosal changes resembling sinusitis were one of the postsurgical changes. We found MRI not to be useful for follow-up of microadenomas.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas: an intermediate review of its safety, efficacy, and role in the neurosurgical treatment armamentarium.

Abstract: Object. Pituitary adenomas are very common neoplasms, constituting between 10 and 20% of all primary brain tumors. Historically, the treatment armamentarium for pituitary adenomas has included medical management, microsurgery, and fractionated radiotherapy. More recently, radiosurgery has emerged as a viable treatment option. The goal of this research was to define more fully the efficacy, safety, and role of radiosurgery in the treatment of pituitary adenomas. Methods. Medical literature databases were searched for articles pertaining to pituitary adenomas and stereotactic radiosurgery. Each study was examined to determine the number of patients, radiosurgical parameters (for example, maximal dose and tumor margin dose), duration of follow-up review, tumor growth control rate, complications, and rate of hormone normalization in the case of functioning adenomas. A total of 35 peer-reviewed studies involving 1621 patients were examined. Radiosurgery resulted in the control of tumor size in approximately 90...