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Biomedical subjects

A Cruz

Publications and source records attributed to A Cruz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Fat distribution in European men: a comparison of anthropometric measurements in relation to cardiovascular risk factors.

It has been proposed that subcutaneous fat patterning assessed by skinfolds is measuring different aspects of fat distribution compared to circumferences and circumference ratios. In this study in 510 men born in 1950 selected from six European towns we compared the associations between five skinfolds, eight circumferences and several skinfold and circumference ratios and metabolic risk factors after adjustment for body mass index (BMI). All skinfolds were independently of BMI positively related to diastolic blood pressure. Waist circumferences at most levels were independently of BMI positively related to blood pressure and triglycerides and negatively to HDL-cholesterol. Circumferences at the levels of chest, hips, thigh and arm were not related to any of the risk factors studied. Waist/thigh ratios were generally more strongly and more consistently related to risk factors than waist/hip ratios. The partial correlations of anthropometric variables with risk factors were relatively weak and never exceeded r = 0.20. The results give an indication, however, that subcutaneous fat patterning is related to different risk factors compared to waist/hip ratios. Moreover, waist/thigh and waist circumference alone (measured either as the minimal circumference or midway between the lower rib margin and the iliac crest) were stronger correlates of cardiovascular risk factors compared to waist/hip ratio.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

Double targeted gene replacement for creating null mutants.

We have used double gene targeting to create homozygous gene replacements in the protozoan parasite Leishmania major, an asexual diploid. This method uses two independent selectable markers in successive rounds of gene targeting to replace both alleles of an endogenous gene. We developed an improved hygromycin B-resistance cassette encoding hygromycin phosphotransferase (HYG) for use as a selectable marker for Leishmania. HYG-containing vectors functioned equivalently to those containing the neomycin phosphotransferase (NEO) cassette previously used for extrachromosomal transformation or gene targeting. Drug resistances conferred by the NEO and HYG markers were independent, allowing simultaneous selection for both markers. A HYG targeting vector was utilized to replace the single dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) gene remaining in a line heterozygous for a NEO replacement at the dhfr-ts locus (+/neo), with a targeting efficiency comparable to that seen with wild-type recipients. The resultant dhfr-ts- line (hyg/neo) was auxotrophic for thymidine. The double targeted replacement method will enable functional genetic testing in a variety of asexual diploids, including cultured mammalian cells and fungi such as Candida albicans. Additionally, it may be possible to use Leishmania bearing conditionally auxotrophic gene replacements as safe, improved live vaccines for leishmaniasis.

Alleles↗
PubMed1991

Body fat distribution in relation to physical activity and smoking habits in 38-year-old European men. The European Fat Distribution Study.

The authors studied 512 European men all born in 1950 from six different towns in the period October 1988 to May 1989. Anthropometric measurements were taken, including weight, height, and circumferences (waist, hip, thigh). Educational level, activity scores and information on smoking habits were obtained from a questionnaire. Higher educational level was associated with lower body mass index, waist/hip ratio, and waist/thigh ratio. The sports activity score was negatively related to waist/hip ratio (beta +/- standard error of the mean (SEM): -0.009 +/- 0.003) and waist/thigh ratio (-0.041 +/- 0.007), and this could be attributed to a negative relation with waist circumference and a positive relation to thigh circumference. Smoking habits were not related to body mass index but heavy smokers had larger waist circumferences (difference +/- SEM: 1.4 +/- 0.5 cm) as well as higher waist/hip ratios (difference +/- SEM: 0.014 +/- 0.005) and waist/thigh ratios (0.043 +/- 0.013) compared with men who never smoked. These associations between activity scores and smoking habits and fat distribution remained after adjustment for each other and for body mass index and educational level. The authors conclude that physical activity and smoking are independently related to indicators of fat distribution and may be potential confounders in the relations between fat distribution, risk factors, and disease.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

Leishmania donovani chagasi: new clinical variant of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Honduras.

During surveillance for endemic visceral leishmaniasis on an island off the Pacific coast of Honduras, an unusual form of cutaneous leishmaniasis was encountered. By clinical and laboratory criteria, 17 cases were identified over 5 months; children aged 4 to 15 years were primarily affected. Lesions were generally few in number, small, always papular, and non-ulcerative, even when present for several years. Patients with skin lesions seemed otherwise healthy and were well nourished. Montenegro skin tests with Leishmania mexicana and L major antigens were positive in 10 of 17 patients tested, and lesions from 9 patients were positive by culture. Since the summer of 1988, cases of atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis continue to occur on the island (8) as well as on the mainland of southern Honduras (23). A total of 9 parasite isolates from skin lesions, 4 from bone marrow of patients with kala-azar, and 2 from sandflies were identified as L donovani chagasi and were indistinguishable from one another by isoenzyme analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Body fat distribution in relation to serum lipids and blood pressure in 38-year-old European men: the European fat distribution study.

A study on 512 38-year-old European men selected from 6 different towns was conducted. There were significant differences between the centers in averages of anthropometric variables (except for thigh circumference), serum lipids (except for LDL-cholesterol), and blood pressure. In the pooled material, body mass index (BMI) as well as waist circumference, waist/hip ratio and waist/thigh ratio and subscapular skinfold were positively correlated to serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure and negatively with HDL-cholesterol. After adjustment for BMI, waist, waist/hip, and waist/thigh were all still significantly correlated with serum triglycerides (P less than 0.001). In addition, waist/hip and waist/thigh ratio showed significant partial correlations with total cholesterol (r = 0.16, P less than 0.001, r = 0.10, P less than 0.05 respectively), and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.10, P less than 0.05, r = 0.09, P less than 0.05 respectively). In addition, waist/hip was, independently of BMI, correlated to LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.12, P less than 0.01), and waist/thigh ratio with HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.12, P less than 0.01). The partial association between waist/thigh with HDL cholesterol became insignificant after adjustment for smoking habits and physical activity. Adjustment for differences in anthropometric measurements did not explain the differences in serum lipids and blood pressure between the centers. The authors conclude that indicators of body fat distribution are associated with unfavorable risk profiles for cardiovascular disease in European men covering a large geographical and cultural variety and a wide range of body measurements and cardiovascular risk factors.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1991

A fatal case of parenteral paraquat poisoning.

The chief clinical and analytical aspects of the suicide of a 21-year-old male with psychiatric problems by parenteral administration of a 200 g/l aqueous solution of paraquat are described. Paraquat levels were determined in plasma, urine, kidney, liver and lung after autopsy. Tissue damage was studied by electron microscopy. The death ensued from pulmonary dysfunction 15 days after hospital admission.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Urinary incontinence in the elderly: clinical and urodynamic review of 195 cases].

One hundred ninety-five male and female patients over 65 years old presenting with urinary incontinence were evaluated by clinical and urodynamics. Urinary incontinence was in the form of urgency-incontinence in 68% of the cases, incontinence at cough in 26%, and urinary incontinence which the patient referred to no specific situation in 6%. Among the different urodynamics data, bladder instability was the most common (73%). Urinary stress incontinence was observed in 35% of the cases. Bladder instability was demonstrated in 77% of the cases with urgency-incontinence and in 69% of the cases with incontinence not referred to a specific situation. All the male patients with lower urinary tract obstruction had urgency-incontinence. Stress incontinence was demonstrated in 60% of the cases with incontinence at cough. Stress incontinence was not observed in male patients without associated diseases. The associated neurological disorder was accompanied by bladder hyperreflexia in 90% of the cases. A prior adenomectomy or hysterectomy was associated with a greater number of cases with stress urinary incontinence, accounting for 62% in both males and females.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1990

Gene replacement in parasitic protozoa.

Trypanosomatid protozoa frequently cause severe diseases in humans. Many molecules likely to have a role during the infectious cycle have been identified, yet proof of their function is often lacking. We describe studies in Leishmania major of homologous gene targeting, a powerful method for testing gene function in other organisms. Following introduction of a construct containing dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (dhfr-ts) flanking sequences fused to neomycin phosphotransferase, 45% of the colonies contained the planned homologous replacement; this frequency rose to nearly 100% in transfections using low amounts of DNA. Integrative transfection in Leishmania thus resembles that of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in giving predominantly homologous events. To facilitate studies of folate metabolism and chemotherapy the sole dhfr-ts copy in a heterozygous deletion line was replaced, yielding lines that were functionally DHFR-TS-. Although most genes are diploid in trypanosomatids, methods exploiting the high frequency of homologous recombination should permit complete replacement of any parasite gene.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis.

Three cases of rheumatoid neutrophilic dermatitis, a specific entity that occurs in association with rheumatoid arthritis, are presented. Clinically, the condition presents as papules and nodules on the dorsal aspect of the fingers, the extensor aspect of the forearms, and the thighs. Like some other neutrophilic dermatitides, it is characterized histologically by a dense, diffuse infiltrate of neutrophils throughout the dermis. The cause of this neutrophilic infiltrate is not known.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Familial articular chondrocalcinosis in Spain.

One hundred and one first degree relatives of 35 patients with chondrocalcinosis were examined for the presence of familial disease. Eleven subjects from nine families showed radiological chondrocalcinosis, a prevalence of familial disease of 26%. Two different patterns of disease were noted--the older generation was more commonly affected, and the younger generation and second degree relatives were exempt. Clinical and radiological differences were found between the early and late onset groups, but not between late onset and sporadic forms of chondrocalcinosis. These findings support the suggestion that the true prevalence of familial disease. is underestimated. A dominant, autosomal transmission with variable penetrance is consistent with our findings, which suggests that homozygous patients with familial chondrocalcinosis may present a more severe form of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Acral PUVA--induced pigmented macules.

This report describes four patients with chronic psoriasiform dermatitis of the palms and soles who developed pigmented macular lesions after localized photochemotherapy (PUVA) to these areas. These lesions had varied histopathologic presentations including lentigines, atypical melanocytic proliferation and a junction nevus suggesting a wide clinico pathologic spectrum in the PUVA-induced pigmented macules.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Associations of early childhood infections and reduced hemoglobin levels in a historic cohort of Alaska Native infants.

A retrospective study was carried out to determine the effect of common childhood infectious diseases on the hemoglobin level of a cohort of Alaskan Eskimo children born between 1960 and 1962. Hemoglobin and health records were available on 308 children between 6-11 and 12-17 months of age. Additional records were available on 187 of these children at 18-23 months of age. Episodes of chickenpox, measles, pertussis, and lower respiratory infections were reviewed. Between 38 and 50% of infants between 6 and 23 months of age had hemoglobin levels below 11.0 g/dl. The mean hemoglobin level of infants 6-11 and 12-17 months of age decreased with increasing number of total infectious episodes occurring within the 3 months before hemoglobin measurement. This trend was not apparent for infants in the 18-23 months age interval nor were low hemoglobins predictive of illness during the 3 months after the hemoglobin determination. At the 6-11 and 12-17 month age interval the number of lower respiratory infectious were most significantly associated with a decreased hemoglobin value. These observations are consistent with more recent reports that document iron deficiency anemia among children with antecedent infections and again emphasize the role of infection in the development and maintenance of anemia in children about 1 year of age.

Alaska↗
PubMed1989

Direct carboxyhemoglobin determination by derivative spectroscopy.

A fast and sensitive method for the determination of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in blood using derivative spectroscopy is described. The addition of sodium dithionite as a reducing agent is not required. The concentration interval studied was from 0.5% to 100% COHb.

Carboxyhemoglobin↗