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Biomedical subjects

A Maya

Publications and source records attributed to A Maya.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Diabetes mellitus is strongly associated with tuberculosis in Indonesia.

SETTING: Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB), but no studies have been reported from South-East Asia, which has a high burden of TB and a rapidly growing prevalence of diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To examine if and to what extent diabetes is associated with an increased risk of TB in an urban setting in Indonesia. DESIGN: Case-control study comparing the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (fasting blood glucose level >126 mg/dl) among newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients and matched neighbourhood controls. RESULTS: Patients and control subjects had a similar age (median 30 years) and sex distribution (52% male), but malnutrition was more common among TB patients (median body mass index 17.7 vs. 21.5 kg/m2). HIV infection was uncommon (1.5% of patients). Diabetes mellitus was present in 60 of 454 TB patients (13.2%) and 18 of 556 (3.2%) control subjects (OR 4.7; 95%CI 2.7-8.1). Adjustment for possible confounding factors did not reduce the risk estimates. Following anti-tuberculosis treatment, hyperglycaemia reverted in a minority (3.7%) of TB patients. CONCLUSION: Diabetes mellitus is strongly associated with TB in young and non-obese subjects in an urban setting in Indonesia. This may have implications for TB control and patient care in this region.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Incidence of fragile X in 5,000 consecutive newborn males.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the commonest cause of inherited mental retardation in males. Even though this affirmation is repeated in virtually all papers referring to FXS, the precise frequency of this syndrome in the general population is unknown. We present a general population screening analyzing an anonymous series of 5,000 consecutive newborn males from the neonatal screening program of the population of Catalonia in Spain. The aim of the study is to determine the incidence of FXS via a simple and economical methodology based on the nonamplification of the fragment containing the CGG repeats of the FRAXA locus in the samples carrying alleles over 52 repeats. From the initial 5,000 samples, 4,920 were in the normal range, 15 gave rise to bands with more than 52 repeats (11 corresponded to intermediate alleles and four premutated alleles). After further studies, two samples were considered to be carriers of full mutations. According to these results, the incidence of FXS affected newborn males is 1 in 2,466, and 1 in 1,233 males is a carrier of the premutation. We can deduce that 1 in 8,333 is an affected female with clinical manifestations and 1 in 411 will be a premutation carrier woman. Upon reviewing the literature, there seems to be variability in the frequencies found by the different groups. Therefore, given that our study is limited to the Catalan population in Spain, these results should be taken as valid for the Catalan region and should only be extrapolated to other populations with caution.

Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1↗
PubMed2001

Determining the accuracy of articulator interchangeability and hinge axis reproducibility.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: It has been reported that articulators are interchangeable, which means that a clinician should be able to use one articulator and send casts to a dental laboratory with the assurance that the casts will be remounted with positional accuracy on a similar articulator. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine whether mounted casts could be transferred from 1 articulator to another with positional accuracy and whether the hinge axis was reproducible in each of the articulators tested. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study compared left and right second premolars and first molar occlusal contact areas with respective contact areas of like-mounted casts. Five calibrated Whip Mix 3040, 5 calibrated Girrbach Artex AL, and 5 calibrated KaVo Protar articulators were tested. Impact-resistant resin casts mounted in occlusion on 1 articulator were transferred to 4 like articulators. Each of the 5 articulators of each brand was opened and closed 10 times. Ten vinyl polysiloxane right and left posterior interocclusal records of the occluded casts were made for each articulator. The use of a computerized image analysis program provided quantitative measurements of light transmitted through the occlusal records. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used for each of the 4 independent variables of the study (molar differences, premolar differences, left differences, right differences). By using a calibrated grid, a numerical assessment of positional changes was made in millimeters. RESULTS: None of the articulator systems was found to be exact, and no single articulator was an exact duplicate of another (P<.01). The Whip Mix articulator showed greater deviation both in hinge axis repeatability and in articulator interchangeability than the KaVo. The Artex articulator provided the most consistent hinge axis repeatability and interchangeability of the 3 brands of articulators. CONCLUSION: The Artex brand reproduced dental cast positions more consistently than the other articulators tested.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed2001

An evaluation of occlusal contact marking indicators. A descriptive quantitative method.

BACKGROUND: Dentistry needs an accurate means of recording occlusal contacts. The authors undertook a study to evaluate the accuracy of occlusal contact marking indicators and the reproducibility of their results. METHODS: The authors recorded occlusal contact areas using occlusal indicators made of paper, film and silk. They studied 10 indicators by testing them on articulator-mounted, impact-resistant casts and measuring the surface area of the resultant contact marks made on impact using a video camera, a frame grabber and a computer-linked image analyzer. RESULTS: All indicators differed in surface area markings between and within groups. The indicator's thickness and color and the material from which it was made separately and interactively had an effect on the size of the markings. Measurements were evaluated at a P = .05 significance level. The authors used Bonferroni-adjusted cutoffs when computing post hoc pairwise comparisons. The data were grouped into four categories: descriptive statistics, comparison of indicators by surface area marked, indicator thickness and repeatability. CONCLUSIONS: Indicators vary, and their markings may not be repeatable even when they are used alike. Further study is required, as is the development of an indicator measuring standard. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Indicators are used to determine occlusal disharmony and to establish occlusal harmony. Since the accuracy of the markings can be questioned, the interpretation of the markings may be correct but the accuracy of the markings themselves may be misleading.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

[Prevalence of maternal HIV infection in Catalonia (1994): results of non-related anonymous neonatal screening. VIHNADO Group].

BACKGROUND: Spain has the highest incidence rate of AIDS in Europe. Catalonia contributes with around 30% of the AIDS cases detected in Spain. From 1990 to 1994 the AIDS heterosexual transmission category increased from 9.6% to 14.6% in Catalonia. The objective of the study was to determine the HIV prevalence in a heterosexual population of pregnant women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Unlinked anonymous HIV screening by means of an agglutination assay and an enzyme immunoassay of eluates of dried blood spots from nearly half of the neonates born in Catalonia during 1994. RESULTS: HIV testing was done on 21,074 neonates. Overall HIV prevalence was 0.32% (95% CI: 0.25-0.40). It varied from 0.45% in Barcelona, 0.38-0.29% in the health regions around Barcelona, to 0.20-0.09% in the rest. The mean age of HIV infected women was younger (27) than that of the seronegative ones (29) (p < 0.001). The highest prevalence was 0.61% in women aged 20-24 years. CONCLUSIONS: The HIV prevalence in the heterosexual population of pregnant women in Catalonia is among the highest in Europe. Preventive efforts must begin with schoolchildren and be directed to adolescents and young women. It is convenient that women who want to become pregnant and mothers receiving antenatal care have access to voluntary confidential HIV testing.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Determining the accuracy of stock and custom tray impression/casts.

A study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of casts made from stock tray and custom tray impressions using polysiloxane impression material. The results indicate that all casts distort but that impressions made from custom trays were more accurate and consistent in reproduction than were stock tray impressions.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1997

Necrosis of lung epithelial cells by filarial parasitic protein via an early induction of c-H-ras and TNF alpha expression.

The direct interaction of filarial proteins with lung epithelial cells was examined to determine the possible mechanism of inducing cell death, an event that is observed in patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia. Exposure of lung epithelial cells to filarial parasitic proteins, Brugia malayi (BmA), Setaria digitata (Sd), and recombinant filarial protein (pGT 7) in vitro for more than 2 days, causes the appearance of DNA fragments both in the cytoplasm and culture supernatants, while no fragmentation was observed in the untreated controls. The release of DNA fragments both in the cytoplasm and the culture supernatants simultaneously, indicates that cell death is induced by a necrotic event rather than apoptosis. Fluorescent-labelled studies also indicate the fragmentation of DNA increasing in a time-dependent manner. Normal cellular function is controlled through several oncogenes. The modulation of specific proto-oncogenes like myc, ras and TNF alpha during exposure to filarial parasitic proteins reveal elevated levels of expression of ras and TNF alpha as early as 2 hours, implicating their involvement prior to DNA fragmentation leading to pathogenesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Mitogenic stimulation of primary cultures of lung epithelial cells by linoleic acid.

The role of linoleic acid (18:2 n-6) in stimulating proliferation of normal lung epithelial cells in vitro is investigated. When 18:2 n-6 is present with insulin (I) and cholera toxin (CT), growth is stimulated synergistically. In the presence of indomethacin (10 mu M), an inhibition of proliferation is observed in I,CT, and 18:2 n-6, which can be reversed by the addition of exogenous prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). Incorporation of [(14)C]18:2 n-6 with lipid-independent I, CT, and cortisol and lipid-dependent I, CT, and 18:2 n-6 conditions suggests differences in mobilization of 18:2 n-6 from the phospholipid (PL) fractions between 2 and 8 days. The decline of [(14)C]18:2 n-6 in PL fractions with lipid-dependent condition suggests that free 18:2 n-6 may be available for metabolism by the cyclooxygenase pathway. In non-proliferative cultures, an accumulation of the label in the PL fraction is observed. Proliferation in lipid-dependent conditions appears to be due to the mobilization of 18:2 n-6 whereas proliferation in lipid-independent conditions appears to be independently controlled.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Interaction of filarial proteins on growth regulation of normal lung epithelial cells in vitro.

An in vitro model to examine the effects of filarial proteins on lung epithelial cells has been developed. Several of these proteins appear in circulation of infected individuals. A close association between tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) and filariasis has been reported by several workers. [3H]-thymidine studies do indicate that when optimum concentration of these filarial proteins were added to lung cultures in proliferating and basal/maintenance media a further increase in growth stimulation was observed early in culture. However, on longer exposures and at higher concentrations an inhibitory effect with distinct morphological changes were noted. The dual role of these proteins on lung epithelial cells in vitro may highlight the possibility of a direct interaction of these proteins with lung cells during disease also contributing to tissue damage.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

IL-4- and IL-5-secreting lymphocyte populations are preferentially stimulated by parasite-derived antigens in human tissue invasive nematode infections.

Helminth infections in humans and animals are associated with strong T helper 2 (Th2) responses. To determine whether parasite-derived Ag preferentially expand a Th2-like cell population, a filter immunoplaque assay was used to enumerate the frequencies (F0) of PBMC and CD4(+)-enriched PBMC from individuals with helminth infections secreting selected cytokines in response to parasite-derived (PAg) and nonparasite antigens (NPAg). In 20 individuals with lymphatic filariasis, frequency analysis of PBMC secreting IL-4 and IFN-gamma indicated that the F0 of PAg-specific IL-4-secreting cells (geometric mean F0 (GM): 1/12,100) was 57-fold higher than the corresponding F0 of NPAg-reactive cells (GM: 1/692,000; p < 0.02). In marked contrast, the F0 of IFN-gamma-secreting cells responding to PAg (GM: 1/2,700) did not differ from those of cells specific for NAPg (GM: 1/3,400; p = 0.83). In another group of helminth-infected individuals, the F0 of highly enriched CD4+ cells secreting IL-4 and IL-5 in response to PAg (GMs: 1/2,600 and 1/5,600 CD4+ cells, respectively) were also found to be significantly higher than those specific for NPAg (GMs: 1/291,000 and 1/303,000 CD4+; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas the corresponding F0 of IFN-gamma- and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF-secreting cells were equivalent for PAg and NPag. Furthermore, the proportion of PAg-specific IL-4- and IL-5-secreting CD4+ cells relative to all cells secreting the given cytokine were approximately 29-fold higher than the proportion of NPAg-specific cells secreting these cytokines. Again, the corresponding proportions of Ag-specific IFN-gamma-and GM-CSF-secreting CD4+ cells were equivalent for PAg and NPAg. Thus, in this ex vivo system, a circulating population of IL-4- and IL-5-secreting (Th2-like) cells has been shown to exist in humans; PAg appears to expand these cells preferentially.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Methylmalonic aciduria with homocystinuria: biochemical studies, treatment, and clinical course of a Cbl-C patient.

A patient with infantile onset methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinuria (Cbl-C mutant) is described. Therapy with hydroxycobalamin, folate and vitamin B6 improved his condition. As hypomethioninaemia and homocystinaemia persisted, he was treated with intramuscular methylcobalamin, but without success. Treatment with betaine started at 25 months of age, normalized plasma methionine and elicited disappearance of homocystinaemia. Results of biochemical studies in cultured fibroblasts paralleled those described for other Cbl-C patients except that methylmalonyl-coenzyme A mutase activity in disrupted fibroblasts was in the normal range.

Betaine↗
PubMed1986

Medicolegal aspects of infanticide in Hokkaido District, Japan.

Since 1978, a total of 55 infanticides were investigated by our department (16.9% of the total number of medicolegal autopsies). This article describes the infanticides in the Hokkaido district of northern Japan. The characteristic finding for the cause of death was drowning in the toilet. This mode of killing seems to be chosen because of the style of toilet in the district, which includes a collecting tank for feces and urine under the commode.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1985

Studies on asphyxia: on the changes of the alveolar walls of rats in the hypoxic state.

The morphological changes of the alveolar wall of adult rats in the hypoxic state were studied by light and electron microscopy. The remarkable findings were the appearance of a large amount of lamellar, lattice- and thread-like structures together with a massive homogeneous substance on the surface of the alveoli which seemed to be closely connected with each other and with the surface of the cells lining the alveolus, especially in the 5%-group. The appearance of the above-mentioned structures with the homogeneous substance is considered to be the reaction of lung tissue to the decreased content of oxygen in the inhaled gas.

Animals↗
PubMed1976

Histidinuria: a renal and intestinal histidine transport deficiency found in two mentally retarded children.

Two siblings presenting slight mental retardation showed an abnormal elimination of histidine, their blood levels for the same amino acid being normal. The percentage of tubular resorption of histidine was calculated in both boys, and the values were 40.1 per cent (case 1) and 52.8 per cent (case 2). All other amino acids essayed were normal. After an oral overload test with histidine, a low intestinal absorption was found in the two boys, the values of this test in the parents being intermediate between those of the children and of the three normal controls and corresponding to heterozygosity. In view of the studies carried out on the two boys, it is possible to conclude that they are suffering from an impairment in their histidine membrane transport system which affects the kidney and intestines. Since they are siblings a genetically determined trait may be suspected.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗