Biomedical subjects

A Escobar

Publications and source records attributed to A Escobar.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Responsiveness and clinically important differences for the WOMAC and SF-36 after total knee replacement.

OBJECTIVES: To study responsiveness and establish the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) and minimal detectable change (MDC) in patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). METHODS: Prospective observational study in three public hospitals of all consecutive patients on waiting lists to undergo TKR intervention with diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Patients were asked to complete before the intervention and at 6 months and 2 years afterward the SF-36 and the WOMAC health-related quality of life questionnaires (HRQoL), and additional transition questions which measured the changes in their joint at 6 months. In both questionnaires the possible range of values is from 0 to 100 points. RESULTS: In WOMAC improvement at 6 months after a TKR was between 27 (stiffness) and 31 points (pain). The SF-36 showed improvements between the 28.3 points of role physical and 2.79 of general health. From 6 months to 2 years, WOMAC improvements were between 2 and 6 points. The MCID ranged from 14.52 (stiffness) to 22.87 (pain) on the WOMAC and in the physical domains of SF-36 from 11.56 (physical function) to 16.86 (bodily pain). On the WOMAC, the MDC ranged from 13.11 (function) to 29.12 (stiffness), and on SF-36 from 19.50 (physical function) to 41.23 (social functioning). CONCLUSIONS: The MCID for TKR is around 15 on WOMAC, while with the SF-36 of at least 10 points. These values should not be considered as absolute thresholds.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Effect of patient characteristics on reported outcomes after total knee replacement.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of pre-intervention factors in patient-reported outcomes at 6 months post-operatively following total knee replacement. METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out using two questionnaires sent to patients while they were on the waiting list for surgery: a generic questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and a specific questionnaire, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Six months after intervention, patients again received the same questionnaires. The dependent variables were the scores of the three domains of the WOMAC and the eight domains of the SF-36. RESULTS: We recruited 640 patients. The mean age was 71 yrs and 73.6% of the patients were females. The multivariate analysis, in which the pre-intervention scores for each domain were added as covariates, showed that the most significant pre-intervention predictors were the baseline scores of each domain. Besides that, the social support, low back pain and the baseline score of the mental health domain (SF-36) were the pre-intervention predictors in the three WOMAC domains. With regard to the SF-36 domains the main predictors were the baseline mental health score, comorbidities, low back pain and social support. CONCLUSIONS: The main predictor of outcome at 6 months post-operatively in all eleven domains was the pre-intervention score of each domain. Presence of social support, absence of low back pain and higher baseline SF-36 mental health score were related to the improvement in the health-related quality of life post-operatively.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

[Intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone determination as a predictive factor of hyperparathyroidism resolution].

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were: a) to evaluate the effectiveness of intraoperative intact parathyroid hormone (PTHi) determination as a marker of hyperparathyroidism resolution; b) to establish the minimum number of blood samples required; and c) to determine whether cervical manipulation increases baseline PTHi levels. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a prospective study in 45 patients. Three intraoperative blood PTHi determinations were performed: at baseline and at 10 and 25 minutes after excising the lesion. To analyze the effects of cervical manipulation, in 19 patients, 2 further determinations were made after 2 minutes of massage on both sides of the neck. A decrease of > 50% in PTHi values between postexeresis samples and the baseline sample (gradient > 50%) was used as diagnostic and therapeutic criteria and normalization of calcemia was used as a criteria for complete resolution. RESULTS: Whenever the lesion causing hyperparathyroidism was extirpated, PTHi levels decreased at 10 and 25 minutes after exeresis. This decrease was predictive of complete resolution when the gradient was > 50. Cervical manipulation (massage) did not increase PTHi values. In patients with complete resolution, blood calcium levels also returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Intraoperative PTHi determination with a gradient > 50 is an excellent prognostic marker of resolution. 2. Only 2 PTHi samples are required: one at baseline and another at 10 minutes after exeresis. 3. Preoperative cervical manipulation does not increase PTHi values.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Responsiveness and clinically important differences for the WOMAC and SF-36 after hip joint replacement.

OBJECTIVES: To study responsiveness and establish the minimal clinically important differences (MCID) and minimal detectable change (MDC) in patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study in three public hospitals of all consecutive patients with a diagnosis of hip osteoarthritis (OA) on waiting lists to undergo THR. Patients completed the SF-36 and the WOMAC (subscales transformed to 0 to 100), which measured the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), before intervention and 6 months and 2 years later, and additional transitional questions, which measured the changes in the joint 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Improvements at 6 months after a THR were between 37 (stiffness) and 39 points (pain), depending on the WOMAC domain. The SF-36 domains also showed improvements: physical function (31.91), physical role (33.71), and bodily pain (29.77). From 6 months to 2 years, improvements ranged from 2 to 5 points, except for role physical (13.25). A ceiling effect was detected on some WOMAC domains as well as a floor effect on the SF-36. The MCID ranged from 25.91 (stiffness) to 29.26 (pain) on the WOMAC and from 10.78 (physical role) to 20.40 (physical function) on the SF-36. The MDC ranged from 21.38 (pain) to 27.98 (stiffness) on the WOMAC and from 18.99 (physical function) to 42.05 (social function) on the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: These values indicate expected gains after THR. However, the MCID and MDC values must be viewed cautiously due to the uncertainty of these estimators and should not be considered as absolute thresholds.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Dendritic cell immunizations alone or combined with low doses of interleukin-2 induce specific immune responses in melanoma patients.

Dendritic cell (DC)-based therapy has proved to be effective in patients with a variety of malignancies. However, an optimal immunization protocol using DCs and the best means for delivering antigens has not yet been described. In this study, 20 patients with malignant melanoma in stages III or IV were vaccinated with autologous DCs pulsed with a melanoma cell lysate, alone (n = 13) or in combination with low doses of subcutaneous (s.c.) interleukin (IL)-2 injections (n = 7), to assess toxicity, immunological and clinical responses. Monocyte-derived DCs were morphological, phenotypic and functionally characterized in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), harvested from patients either prior to and after the treatment, were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT). After vaccination, 50% of the patients tested (seven of 13) from the first group and (three of seven) from the second, showed an increase in interferon (IFN)-gamma production in response to allogeneic melanoma cell lines but not to controls. Four of five tested human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A2(+) patients with anti-melanoma activity also showed specific T cell responses against peptides derived from melanoma-associated antigens. Delayed type IV hypersensitivity reaction (DTH) against melanoma cell lysate was observed in six of 13 patients from the group treated with DC vaccines only and four of seven from the group treated with the combination of DCs and IL-2. Significant correlations were found between DTH-positive responses against tumour lysate and both disease stability and post-vaccination survival on the stage IV patients. There were no toxicities associated with the vaccines or evidence of autoimmunity including vitiligo. Furthermore, no significant enhancement was observed as a result of combining DC vaccination with IL-2. Our data suggest that autologous DCs pulsed with tumour lysate may provide a standardized and widely applicable source of melanoma specific antigens for clinical use. It is safe and causes no significant side effects and has been demonstrated to be partially efficient at triggering effective anti-melanoma immunity.

Antigen Presentation↗

PubMed2004

[Evaluation of a pharmaceutical care program to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the impact of a pharmaceutical care program on the improvement of adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and on patient immunologic and virologic outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter, observational, prospective study in a HIV-infected patient cohort under treatment with antiretrovirals selected by random sampling in 19 Spanish hospitals. The study lasted 12 months, in which the program was applied through a baseline preprocedural visit and 4 quarterly visits. Adherence estimation was based on pill counting. An adherence > or = 90, or > or = 95% was considered adequate (in two time points). RESULTS: 541 patients were included, most of them were males (68.8%) between 20 and 78 years of age. Major risk groups included injecting drug users (43.4%) and heterosexuals (29.4%). Sixty percent had already received treatment for more than 3 years. Mean baseline viral load and CD4 count values were 32,866 copies/ml and 485 cells/mm3, respectively. Throughout the study a slight increase in the percentage of adherent patients was seen; however, statistical significance was not reached (64.3 and 79.2% of patients showed an adherence > 95 and > 90%, respectively, during the fourth quarter, versus 59.8 and 75.5% at baseline). A statistically significant decrease in viral load and increase in CD4 cells was seen following program application. The percentage of patients with a viral load < 200 copies/ml was 72.2, 76.7, and 75.0% at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters, respectively, versus 64.2% at baseline. CD4 cell counts increased by 50 cells/mm3 on average from the start to the end of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients included in the program had a good immunologic and virologic outcome, and a trend towards an increased percentage of patients with good adherence was also seen. These results confirm the need to implement follow-up programs for patients receiving antiretrovirals in order to ensure maximum therapeutic benefits.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Tissue distribution and differential expression of melanocortin 1 receptor, a malignant melanoma marker.

The melanocortin 1 receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor, described to be expressed on melanomas and melanocytes. Subsequent RT-PCR studies demonstrated the presence of melanocortin 1 receptor mRNA in other tissues such as pituitary gland and testis. Previously, we have demonstrated that three HLA-A2 binding nonamer peptides derived from melanocortin 1 receptor can elicit peptide-specific CTL which can recognize target cells transfected with the melanocortin 1 receptor gene and MHC class I matched melanoma lines. The potential of targeting melanocortin 1 receptor in therapy and diagnosis will depend on a preferential expression of this receptor in the majority of primary and metastatic melanomas vs normal tissues. We tested a panel of melanomas, carcinomas and other cell lines for the presence of melanocortin 1 receptor, using two monoclonal antibodies. The receptor was detected in 83% of the tested melanoma cell lines but not in other carcinoma lines. Immunohistochemistry revealed a strong expression of melanocortin 1 receptor in all tested primary and metastatic melanomas, but also demonstrated low levels of expression in adrenal medulla, cerebellum, liver and keratinocytes. Flow cytometry studies showed that melanocortin 1 receptor was expressed in in vitro activated monocytes/macrophages and in the THP-1 monocytic leukaemia line at levels of about 1 in 3 to 1 in 5 of that found in melanomas. Peripheral blood-derived dendritic cells, also express melanocortin 1 receptor in vitro. This extensive analysis of melanocortin 1 receptor tissue distribution may be of relevance not only for melanoma immunology, but also for research on the pathogenicity of inflammatory conditions in the skin and neurologic tissues. It remains to be seen if the over-expression of melanocortin 1 receptor in melanomas is sufficiently high to allow a 'therapeutic window' to be exploited in cancer immunotherapy.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed2002

Angiographic outcome after intracoronary X-Sizer helical atherectomy and thrombectomy: first use in humans.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the early angiographic outcome in the first human subjects who underwent intracoronary atherectomy and thrombectomy using the X-Sizer helical cutting and aspiration system. Percutaneous coronary interventions in patients with thrombo-occlusive disease or friable degenerative saphenous vein grafts are associated with considerable periprocedural morbidity and mortality, predominantly related to microscopic distal embolization. X-Sizer catheter system is a novel atherectomy and thrombectomy device that consists of a helix cutter connected to a handheld motor drive unit and a vacuum collection chamber for aspiration of excised atheroma, thrombus, and debris. Quantitative coronary angiography was obtained in 14 patients before and after X-Sizer extraction atherectomy with adjunctive balloon angioplasty and stenting. Thirteen native coronary arteries and one saphenous vein graft were treated. Mean preprocedural reference vessel diameter was 3.06 +/- 0.66 mm. There were 71.4% AHA/ACC type B2 and C lesions. Preprocedural thrombus was present in nine patients and total occlusion in 64% of cases. Minimal luminal diameter was increased from 0.29 +/- 0.47 mm to 1.32 +/- 0.64 mm, a gain of 1.04 +/- 0.69 mm after atherectomy. Final total gain was 1.47 +/- 0.61 mm. Mean diameter stenosis was reduced from 89.3% to a final residual stenosis of 14.4%. Postatherectomy distal embolization occurred in one patient who had heavy preprocedural thrombus burden. No episodes of perforation, distal coronary spasm, abrupt closure, or slow/no-reflow occurred. The angiographic analysis of the first cohort of human subjects suggests that X-Sizer helical atherectomy is a feasible method of removing occlusive tissue or thrombus in coronary artery disease with a low angiographic complication rate. A large-scale randomized phase II clinical trial is underway to determine the ultimate safety and efficacy of this device in thrombo-occlusive native coronary arteries and saphenous vein grafts.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed2002

Validation of the Spanish version of the WOMAC questionnaire for patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index.

The aim of this study was to validate a translated version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire in Spanish patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA). The WOMAC questionnaire and the SF-36 were administered to a sample of 269 patients on the waiting list for hip or knee replacement. We studied the convergent validity and the item-scale correlation using Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's pi. For the reliability study we used another sample of 58 patients who received the WOMAC twice within 15 days. The Pearson's, Spearman's pi, and intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach's alpha. The responsiveness study was carried out by resending the two questionnaires to all patients 6 months after surgical intervention; responsiveness was measured by means of the paired t-test, the effect size I and the standardised response mean. The Pearson's coefficients for the convergent validity ranged from -0.52 to -0.63. The coefficients obtained for the item-scale correlation of the pain area were 0.74 or higher, 0.91 or higher for stiffness, and 0.61 or higher for function. When measuring the test-retest reliability, the coefficients ranged from 0.66 to 0.81. Internal consistency yielded a Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.81 to 0.93. The responsiveness showed an effect size I ranging from 1.5 to 2.2 in patients who underwent hip replacement; for those who underwent knee replacement the range was 1 to 1.8. The standardised response mean ranged from 1.3 to 1.9 for patients with hip OA; those with knee OA ranged from 0.8 to 1.5. The Spanish version of WOMAC is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument in patients with hip or knee OA.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Daily production of human tumor necrosis factor in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated ex vivo blood culture assays.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with immunological and neuroendocrine activities. A useful tool for studying TNF is the measurement of its in vitro and/or ex vivo over-expression, induced by a variety of stimuli on isolated peripheral mononuclear cells or whole blood, respectively. The capacity to over-express TNF, in ex vivo LPS-stimulated whole blood from 18 normal individuals, showed inter-individual variations ranging from high (3 ng/ml) to low (0.7 ng/ml) producers. Although at a lower level, a similar situation was observed in the spontaneous production of the cytokine. In order to detect cyclic effects in these variations, blood samples were taken at 08:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00 hours, from nine healthy volunteers, and cultured in the ex vivo system. TNF and cortisol were measured by immunometric assays. Both, LPS-stimulated whole blood and plasma showed important, individual variations in TNF levels. Although cortisol levels presented a normal circadian cycle, these individual patterns in TNF production were basically conserved during the day (p > 0.05), and no correlation was observed between the levels of the hormone and those of the cytokine. When total TNF levels were determined at 20:00 hours, a moderate, temporary variation pattern of the cytokine production was found. These results suggest that cortisol does not play a predominant role in determining the ex vivo capacity of blood to produce TNF. Presumably, the variable capacity to produce the cytokine may have a strong genetic component.

Humans↗

PubMed2001

Surgical microbiology in risk patients undergoing abdominal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Incidence of surgical infection is greater among elderly patients undergoing surgery than among the general population, with a serious compromise regarding morbidity and mortality in this group of patients with increased risk. AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the microbiological features of surgical infections in patients over 65 years of age compared with those younger than 65. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over the past 2 years, 2,064 patients underwent surgery in our Department. One thousand three hundred sixty seven of those patients (66.7%) had 65 years of age or less and 688 (33.3%) were over 65. Patient characteristics regarding the type of surgery (degree of contamination) and the nature and type of the condition requiring surgery are reported. One hundred five hundred sixty two samples were submitted for microbiological study. The microbiological infectious pathogens and their characteristics were determined. The Chi-square test was used for the analysis of potential differences related to the age of the patient. RESULTS: The rate of samples sent for microbiological study is higher among patients over 65. In addition, these patients show both quantitative and qualitative differences in their infectious microbiological spectrum, mainly in clean-contaminated, contaminated and dirty surgical procedures. Fungal infections play a significant role in this group of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Facultative gram-negative bacilli, aerobic gram-positive cocci, and fungi are the main pathogens responsible of surgical infections in elderly patients, compared to all other patients, thus requiring specific antibiotic prophylactic and therapeutic regimes.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2000

Anxiolytic-like actions of melatonin, 5-metoxytryptophol, 5-hydroxytryptophol and benzodiazepines on a conflict procedure.

Male Wistar rats (120-230 g) were used in these experiments. Some rats were deprived of water for 48 h before testing in a conflict procedure. Then, after 20 licks from a water bottle with a metal drinking tube, the animal received an electric shock (0.5 mA/500 msec). The effects of two classical anxiolytic drugs, DIAZ (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/Kg b.wt), and CDP (5.0 and 10.0 mg/Kg b.wt) were compared to those produced by MEL (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/Kg b.wt), 5-MTOPHOL (1.0 and 2.0 mg/Kg b.wt), 5-HTOPHOL (1.0 and 2.0 mg/Kg b.wt) and vehicle solution. Anxiolytic drugs as well as MEL produced a dose-dependent increase in the number of shocks received. The results suggest that the three pineal indoles are involved in the modulation of the stress responses. MEL showed a higher potency than the other indoles.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Immunocytochemical, ultrastructural and neurochemical evidences on synaptogenesis and dopamine release of rat chromaffin cells co-cultured with striatal neurons.

The results reported herein address the question of synaptogenesis between adrenal chromaffin cells and striatal neurons. The release of dopamine from chromaffin cells in the presence of striatal neurons was also examined. Co-culture of newborn rat chromaffin cells and striatal neurons at 1:1 ratio was made. Cultures were examined morphologically using immunocytochemistry and ultrastructural techniques (transmission electron microscopy), while quantitation of dopamine in the culture media by HPLC-ECD was also determined. Neurite outgrowth from chromaffin cells was enhanced in the presence of striatal neurons and numerous synaptic-like contacts between these two cell types were observed. Higher concentration of dopamine was also present in the co-culture medium as compared with those containing only chromaffin cells. The development of synapses between these two types of cells may give support to the functionality of transplants in human cases of Parkinson disease (PD).

Animals↗

PubMed2000

The combined effect of age and premedication on the propofol requirements for induction by target-controlled infusion.

In this prospective study, we evaluated the combined influence of age and premedication on propofol requirements for the induction of anesthesia and their hemodynamic effects using a target-controlled infusion. We studied 180 patients separated into three age groups: 20-39 yr, 40-59 yr, and more than 59 yr. In each age group, patients were randomly allocated to receive either no premedication (n = 20), fentanyl (2 microg/kg) (n = 20), or midazolam (0.03 mg/kg) plus fentanyl (2 microg/kg) (n = 20). The concentration of propofol targeted for the induction was 5 microg/mL, to be reached in 2 min. The dose, time, and predicted plasma concentration of propofol at hypnosis were measured. Baseline and postinduction heart rate and arterial blood pressure were registered. Computer simulation was used to calculate the effect site propofol concentration at hypnosis. The concentration of propofol, effect site propofol concentration, time, and induction dose and their hemodynamic effect were significantly different among groups with respect to age and premedication. The combined effect of the two factors was additive, but without significant interaction. The propofol requirements were significantly less in the midazolam-fentanyl groups, regardless of age, and among the premedicated patients older than 60 yr compared with the other age groups. We conclude that the combined effect of age and premedication on the requirements of propofol for the induction of anesthesia should be considered when the concentration is targeted with a target-controlled infusion system.

Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗

PubMed2000

[Efficacy of a single dose of urapidil for preventing arterial hypertension during the pre-bypass period in coronary surgery].

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of a single prophylactic dose of urapidil for arterial hypertension during the period before start of extracorporeal circulation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with good ventricular function (ejection fraction < 40%) scheduled for coronary surgery were enrolled for prospective study. The patients were randomly assigned to receive 0.5 mg/kg of urapidil (group U, n = 22) or nothing (group N, n = 22) 3 min before skin incision. If hypertension developed sodium nitroprusside was administered, starting with a dose of 0.5 microgram/kg/min. Monitoring of arterial pressure, heart rate and ST segment (DII and V5) was continuous. The study ended with cannulation of the aorta. RESULTS: The demographic features, cardiovascular history, medication and duration of surgery were comparable in the two groups. Six patients in group U (27%) and 19 in group N (86%) developed arterial hypertension (p < 0.001), the duration of which was 2.23 +/- 4.49 min in group U and 9.64 +/- 9.7 min in group N (p < 0.05). Arterial hypotension was observed in 13 group U patients and 7 group N patients (NS). No significant differences in duration of tachycardia, bradycardia or myocardial ischemia were found. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a single dose of urapidil prevents arterial hypertension during the phase before extracorporeal circulation for coronary surgery and reduces the need for nitroprusside. No clinically relevant side effects are evident.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Blood metabolites and their relationship with production variables in dual-purpose cows in Venezuela.

A survey was carried out on 79 lactating Bos taurus/indicus cross-bred cows on three dual-purpose cattle farms to measure the blood concentration of metabolites and to evaluate possible relationships with nutritional status and productive variables. A rotational grazing system on Star grass and other tropical pastures (10-12% CP in leaves) was used and 2-3 kg/cow/day of concentrate were fed on two farms. Restricted calf suckling was used in two herds. Average milk yield sold per farm was 6 kg/day/cow and body condition scores (BCS) were between 3.0 and 3.8 on a scale of one-to-five. On two farms, the average interval from calving to conception (ICC) was more than 145 days. Mean blood concentrations of albumin, globulin, urea, beta-hydroxybutyrate and phosphorus were generally within reference values, but a significant group of cows had low levels of albumin and urea and high levels of globulin. Packed cell volume (PCV) was below normal values, with anemia in 63% of cows during the second trimester of lactation, which was negatively correlated to milk yield. The high incidence of anemia could be related to factors such as hematophagic parasites, not evaluated in this study. ICC values were negatively related to albumin level and could be associated with protein deficiency in the diet or with disease, as globulin values were high in many cows. Based on these diagnoses, an experiment was carried out on one of the farms to evaluate the influence of supplementation with 0.5 kg/cow/day of fish meal. Total milk yield was not influenced by the fish meal and reproductive efficiency was high in the two supplemental treatments. It was shown that supplementation with undergraded protein is not required in these cows.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗

PubMed1999

Comparison between inhibitory indirect ELISA and HPLC methods to quantify free and adducted aflatoxins in human urine.

HPLC and Inhibitory Indirect ELISA (I.I. ELISA) methods for quantitation of aflatoxins (AF) in human urine were compared in terms of specificity, sensitivity, easiness and cost. I.I. ELISA was optimized in kind of antibody in use, type of plastic plate, adduct synthesis technique, peroxidase and antibody dilutions, etc. Both polyclonal (Cuban) and monoclonal (British) anti-AF antibodies were statistically studied and the process was standardized. HPLC and electrophoresis were performed while synthetizing AFB(1)-DNA and AFB(1)-Cl-Ovalbumin (AFB(1)-Cl-Ov) adducts. Costar polystyrene plate had the best adherence. Optimum coating dilution was 10 ng of AFB(1)-Cl-Ov per well. Dilutions of 1:1000 of monoclonal antibody from purified culture or 1:300 from monoclonal antibody from tissue culture and 1:1000 of peroxidase anti-mouse conjugate were the best. Optimum separation with HPLC was obtained isocratically with 60% MeOH and 40% distilled water mobile phase. ELISA had a sensitivity of 1 pg mL(-1) AFB(1) and HPLC sensitivity was 0.1 ng mL(-1) AFB(1) with fluorescence detector and 4.5 ng mL(-1) with UV detector. Monoclonal antibody gave more accurate results for determination of free and adducted AFB(1) in urine analysis.

Aflatoxins↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of allergic diseases, mainly pollinosis, has increased within the last decades. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of sensitization to Poaceae pollen in the Basque Country. This is a region of northern Spain, with an area of 7261 km2 and a population of 2109009 inhabitants. Two different climatic regions may be distinguished in the Basque Country (the Atlantic and the Oceanic). METHODS: A transversal study was carried out on 2216 subjects, aged 10-40 years. A personal interviewwas carried out in order to compile study data, by means of a questionnaire that had been previously validated with a clinical history and an allergy study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our results show the prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country to be 10.6% (C.I. 95% 9.35-11.96%) without significant differences between men and women. The prevalence in the Atlantic climate area (9.71%) was lower than in the Oceanic climate area (13.61%). There were no differences between persons living in a rural environment (10.87%) and those living in an urban setting (10.51%). Pollinosis was more frequent in individuals aged 10-20 (11.41%) and 20-30 (12.54%) than those aged 30-40 years (7.43%). Three features significantly distinguished pollinic from nonpollinic patients: 1) a more common complaint of symptoms after ingestion of Rosaceae fruits or nuts (10.2%) 2) a family history of atopy (8.8%) 3) a greater occurrence of bronchial asthmatic symptoms (23%).

Adolescent↗