PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Mena

Publications and source records attributed to A Mena.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

In vivo immunostimulatory effects of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide in cattle and sheep.

Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing cytosine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG) motifs have been shown to activate the innate immune system and protect mice and chicken from bacterial and viral infections. Unfortunately, similar studies in other veterinary species are lacking. In this study we assessed the in vivo immunostimulatory effects of CpG ODN 2007, an ODN with previously demonstrated in vitro biological activity. The in vivo effects of ODN 2007 were compared in two closely related outbred species, sheep and cattle, to determine if there were common biological responses. We demonstrated that subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of the CpG ODN induces an acute phase response in the form of a transient fever, a mild transient increase in circulating neutrophils and elevated serum haptoglobin in both sheep and cattle. Sheep injected with CpG ODN also exhibited increased serum 2'5'-oligoadenylate (2'5'-A) synthetase activity, but no increase in serum 2'5'-A synthetase was detected in cattle. The ODN-induced responses were stronger in animals injected with CpG ODN formulated in 30% emulsigen than phosphate buffer saline (PBS) alone. These in vivo data demonstrate for the first time that a CpG ODN induces acute phase immunostimulatory responses in sheep and cattle. However, CpG ODN-induced antiviral effector molecule 2'5'-A synthetase was detected only in sheep but not in cattle.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed2004

Breast metastasis of primary colon cancer.

Metastatic tumors to the breast from colon adenocarcinoma are very rare. They are usually indicative of disseminated disease, and the prognosis is poor. Generally, radical operation should be avoided unless needed for palliation. This case report described a patient with breast metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma treated by simple mastectomy.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2003

Biological activity of immunostimulatory CpG DNA motifs in domestic animals.

Bacterial DNA contains a much higher frequency of CpG dinucleotides than are present in mammalian DNA. Furthermore, bacterial CpG dinucleotides are often not methylated. It is thought that these two features in combination with specific flanking bases constitute a CpG motif that is recognized as a "danger" signal by the innate immune system of mammals and therefore an immune response is induced when these motifs are encountered. These immunostimulatory activities of bacterial CpG DNA can also be achieved with synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN). Recognition of CpG motifs by the innate immune system requires engagement of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9), which induces cell signaling and subsequently triggers a pro-inflammatory cytokine response and a predominantly Th1-type immune response. CpG ODN-induced innate and adaptive immune responses can result in protection in various mouse models of disease. Based on these observations, clinical trials are currently underway in humans to evaluate CpG ODN therapies for cancer, allergy and infectious disease. However, potential applications for immunostimulatory CpG ODN in species of veterinary importance are just being explored. In this review, we will highlight what is presently known about the immunostimulatory effects of CpG ODN in domestic animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Safety of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides in veterinary species.

Bacterial DNA and synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG motifs in particular sequence contexts (CpG ODN) are recognized as a danger signal by the innate immune system of vertebrates. For this reason, CpG ODNs have a potential application as both an adjuvant and nonspecific immune modulator and are currently being evaluated in a number of human and veterinary clinical trials. Given their potent immunostimulatory activity, CpG ODNs could possibly induce adverse reactions. As all adjuvants and immune modulators must be nontoxic to meet safety requirements, it was essential to address the safety aspects of CpG ODNs. The current review summarizes experiments carried out to date to establish the safety of CpG ODNs in animals.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2002

[Intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas: diagnostic and therapeutic approach].

OBJECTIVES: Literature review of the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas and report of a new case. CASE REPORT: We present the case of an 85-year-old man treated in our center for steatorrhea and weight loss. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) showed a heterogeneous pancreatic mass, affecting the hilus, surrounding the superior mesenteric artery and producing dilatation of the biliary tract. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a polypoid neoformation in the lower part of the duodenum and leakage of mucus through the papilla. Biopsy revealed pancreatic adenoma. CONCLUSION: Intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas is potentially curable with an uncertain prognosis. Correct diagnosis is required for optimal treatment. One of the greatest problems in this entity continues to be the difficulty of predicting the presence of an infiltrating component, which significantly worsens prognosis. The various diagnostic methods used are abdominal CT, echoendoscopy, ERCP, endoscopy of the Wirsung duct, intraoperative ultrasonography and study of the intraoperative pancreatic resection margin. Treatment requires complete resection of the lesion, although if this provokes pancreatic failure, only tumors with invasive components should be extirpated.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗
PubMed2001

Rapid dissemination of intramuscularly inoculated DNA vaccines.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccination offers the prospect of novel, safe vaccines that can stimulate cell-mediated immunity as well as antibody. An understanding of how and where transfection occurs in vivo will assist strategies to enhance their efficacy. Plasmid DNA encoding for the expression of firefly luciferase was injected intramuscularly into sheep. The DNA was rapidly disseminated and could be detected in efferent lymph within 5 min. At the earliest time that cells were tested separately from lymph plasma (1 h), DNA was found to be present in both the lymph plasma and within lymph cells. Although plasmid DNA could be detected intracellularly in lymph and in muscle tissue at the site of inoculation, no luciferase gene expression could be detected. The results suggest that, in addition to the internalization of plasmid DNA, other factors may limit gene expression, possibly the rate of DNA migration into the nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

The immune response to a polyoma virus replicon-based DNA vaccine.

DNA vaccination has proven to be effective against a number of tumours and microbial diseases. As DNA vaccines are unable to replicate, plasmid copy number per cell is dependent on in vivo transfection efficiency, which is usually quite low. Consequently, immune responses generated are likely to be sub-optimal due to low antigen expression levels in transfected cells. During this study, replicating DNA vaccines delivered intra-epidermally by gene gun, were assessed for their ability to more efficiently generate immune responses in mice. The data demonstrate that, using a polyoma virus-based system of replication, 10-fold less DNA expressing the haemagglutinin gene of influenza virus, was required to stimulate a humoral immune response, compared to an equivalent non-replicating vaccine. This observation suggests that the use of replicating DNA vaccines in some delivery systems may enhance the effectiveness of immune responses.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Symptoms at perimenopausal period: its association with attitudes toward sexuality, life-style, family function, and FSH levels.

We studied the association of symptoms with attitudes toward sexuality, life-style, family functioning, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in perimenopausal women. We collected data on depression, anxiety, nonspecific index of depression, and the empty nest syndrome in 222 women with a mean age of 47.7 (47.2-48.2, 95% CI) years (102 of them were at menopause). Family functioning was evaluated with the McMaster model, and attitudes toward sexuality with questions about women's opinions on sexuality. Scores of depression were higher in women with more than 1 year of menopause. Attitudes to sexuality was significantly associated with all four symptoms. For family function, affective involvement, control of behavior, the roles of the members in the family, and communication were associated with some symptoms. Serum FSH was associated with body mass index, abdomen/hip ratio, and depression. We concluded that: (1) Attitudes toward sexuality was the main regressor for symptoms; (2) the function of the family is also associated with some symptoms; and (3) FSH levels may be lower in obese menopausal women and higher in women with depression or anxiety.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Symptoms at the menopausal and premenopausal years: their relationship with insulin, glucose, cortisol, FSH, prolactin, obesity and attitudes towards sexuality.

The symptoms of 81 premenopausal and 70 menopausal women were studied to determine the association with obesity, attitudes towards sexuality (ATS), and diverse hormone values: fasting and postprandial glucose (FG, PG) and insulin (FI, PI), cortisol, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The mean age of the women studied was 49.1 years. The frequency of symptoms was 35.4% for depression, 34.3% for nonspecific symptoms of depression (NSSD), 38.6% for empty nest syndrome (ENS), and 42.3% for anxiety. NSSD, ENS, FSH and cortisol levels all possessed higher values at late-menopausal stage. A multiple regression analysis revealed the following results; NSSD was associated to ATS (negative); sleep alterations were correlated to prolactin, FSH, PI/PG, FI/FG and waist/hip ratio; FSH was associated with both a decreased sexual interest and depression. In the study of hormone levels it was found that cortisol, insulin and FI/FG were associated with ATS; PI, cortisol, FI/FG and PI/PG were associated with body mass index (BMI) and FSH; prolactin and FI/FG were associated with age. We concluded that: (1) data indicative of insulin resistance correlated to both depression and sleep alterations; (2) overweight is related to NSSD, sleep alterations, and hormonal changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Evaluation of stomatological care in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, stage 1].

In Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, a study was done of the status of dental care with the long-run aim of reforming the system and increasing the integration of education and service. The study centered on the current status of that integration, which is taking place between the Federal Secretary of Public Health and Social Welfare and the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, respectively the service and education establishments concerned. The study is being done in two stages. In the first, carried out in 1983 and described in the article, the chief aim was to assemble information on the system considered. The methodology consisted in the selection of a sample of 61 patients treated at three centers of basic dental care in the area; use of the techniques of direct observation, interviews, measurement of the time spent on each operation, and the building up of files; and a study of all the variables that could have influenced an assessment of the situation at the time and of projections for the future. Some of the variables were the priority group, the age group, health status, progress of the treatment, and the reason for seeking care and choosing the center. It was found that 81,97% of the patients were under 14 years of age and 78,69% were between 5 and 14 years old. Most of the patients said they were in good health, although a high percentage reported having had certain diseases. Of all patients studied, 73,77% were discharged--a satisfactory figure. The main reasons for coming to the center were personal initiative and the recommendation of another, not medical referral, and the reason for choosing the center was its proximity to the patient's home. On the basis of the study the research team recommended a revision of the standards for dental services nationwide, adaptation of the work done to the physical premises, planning for the integration of education and service, the encouragement of innovative attitudes in service and education professionals and, lastly, extension of the manpower training program--with the integration of education and service--to the communities and instead of confining it to intramural instruction.

Dental Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adherence to treatment and social support in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.

We carried out a cross-sectional study to investigate factors associated with adherence to diet and medication in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. A total of 200 patients not seeking treatment from clubs for diabetics from two hospitals in León, Mexico, accepted inclusion. Patients interviewed had a mean age of 58.8 (53.3-56.4, 95% C.I.) years. We evaluated adherence to diet and medication, knowledge on diabetes, social support, family's structure and functioning (with a modified McMaster model), metabolic control, and complications. Stepwise multiple regression procedure showed that adherence to diet was associated with years since diagnosis (p = 0.003) and with social support (p = 0.007). Adherence to medication was associated with social support (p = 0.002), and the age of the spouse (p = 0.016). Adherence to medication was lower in patients from families with rigid control than in the group with Laissez-faire type of control (p = 0.010) or the group with flexible control (p = 0.002). Social support was lower in the group with chaotic control than that in the group with flexible control (p < 0.001). Compliance to diet was associated with peripheral neuropathy and plasma creatinine, and adherence to medication with plasma glucose and peripheral neuropathy. We concluded that (1) adherence to treatment in NIDDM patients is associated with social support; (2) some aspects related to the family, such as the age of the spouse and the control of behavior, were also associated with compliance to treatment; and (3) it is important for the practicing physicians, and for institutional programs, to consider factors associated with adherence to treatment.

Adult↗