Biomedical subjects

A Núñez

Publications and source records attributed to A Núñez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Proprioception in the ACL-ruptured knee: the contribution of the medial collateral ligament and patellar ligament. An in vivo experimental study in the cat.

In the absence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), secondary restraints such as menisci, ligaments, and tendons restrict anterior knee laxity. Strain detection at these sites could define the contribution of this alternative signalling system to knee proprioception after ACL injury. The hypothesis in this study questions if measurements of anterior tibial translation (ATT) from surface strain gauges on the insertions of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the patellar tendon (PT) are sufficiently sensitive and specific to differentiate normal, stable knees from acutely unstable knees due to ACL section. Twelve cats received miniaturized strain gauges on the surface of MCL and PT distal insertions. A purpose-made receiver transformed into measurements any voltage variation obtained during passive knee flexion-extension and anterior tibial translation manoeuvres. Variables under evaluation included first peak latency, normalized amplitude, and slope of voltage along time. Femorotibial displacements were video recorded, digitized, and used as the ATT reference. The proposed system detected significant changes in the slope of the voltage/time signal, with higher specificity and sensitivity during ATT after experimental ACL section. Changes were not significant during flexion or extension. It was found that a pattern of earlier and more intense strain in MCL and PT distal insertions was found during ATT in the ACL deficient knee. Enhanced pattern recognition learning from these structures could be a future target for proprioceptive training after ACL injury.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Fatal toxoplasmosis and concurrent Calodium hepaticum infection in Korean squirrels (Tanias sibericus).

Four Korean squirrels (Tanias siberius) imported in Spain from People's Republic of China died 2 days after their arrival at a pet shop. They had neurological signs associated with generalized toxoplasmosis involving brain, lungs, liver, and the heart. Toxoplasma gondii-like tachyzoites and tissue cysts were found in organs of all four squirrels. The protozoa stained positively with T. gondii polyclonal antibodies and were ultrastructurally similar to T. gondii. Calodium (Capillaria) hepaticum infection was found in the liver of one squirrel.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Neuropathologic study of experimental classical swine fever.

The aim of this study was to report on the lesions occurring in the central nervous system (CNS) during experimental classical swine fever (CSF) to clarify the spatial and chronologic distribution of the lesions and virus antigen in the CNS. To learn more about the pathogenetic mechanisms of the lesions during CSF in the CNS and to investigate the role of the virus in these mechanisms, cellular infiltrates and infected cells have been characterized. Twenty-eight pigs were inoculated with the virulent CSF virus isolate Alfort 187 and slaughtered from 2 to 15 postinoculation days; 4 animals of similar background served as a control group. Immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and the transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling method were used to detect viral antigens and apoptosis. The results showed the presence of nonpurulent meningoencephalitis, occasional microhemorrhages, and apoptosis of the lymphocytes forming the perivascular and interstitital infiltrate in swine with CSF. Macrophages appeared to display little involvement in CNS lesions. The infected cells observed at the early stage of disease were lymphocytes and microglial cells in the rostral portion of the telencephalon, with infection of these cells in other areas in the next stages. The relationship between these lesions and the presence of viral antigen varied according to the type of lesion: hemorrhages were not associated with the presence of antigen in endothelial cells, but infiltrate-cell apoptosis was temporally and spacially associated to viral infection. However, the link between viral infection and the presence of cell infiltrate was far from clear.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Exploration of the anterior segment by optical coherence tomography-3].

PURPOSE: To show the utility of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for studying the anterior segment and to explain its potential advantages as compared to ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have described the findings in 5 patients with different pathologies of the anterior segment, all of whom were studied with UBM and OCT-3 adjusted for the anterior segment. There were 2 cases of an acute attack of closed angle glaucoma, 1 case of rubeosis iridis, 1 case of penetrating ocular trauma and 1 case of a primary stromal iris cyst. RESULTS: OCT was found to be as useful as UBM in detecting angle closure in patients affected by an acute attack of glaucoma. In addition, OCT was more comfortable for the patient and faster than UBM in obtaining images, with the exploration mean time using OCT being less than five minutes while that with UBM was over ten minutes. OCT has also been demonstrated to be a safe and valuable non-contact examination in other iris pathologies such as rubeosis iridis, for checking the permeability of iridotomies and even for studying iris masses such as primary stromal iris cysts. In these entities OCT may reach a higher resolution than ultrasonic biomicroscopy. CONCLUSION: OCT-3, with an adjustable focus, can obtain images from the scleral angle, as well as from other ocular structures like the iris, thus assisting in the diagnosis of numerous pathologies.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Retention of phosphorus by iron and aluminum-oxides-coated quartz particles.

The capacity of adsorption of P on Fe and Al-oxides-coated quartz sand has been studied. The adsorption process has been described as Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. In all cases Langmuir equation yields better fits than Freundlich equation. The covering quartz particles with Fe and Al oxides provide a high capacity adsorption and immobilization of P from natural and waste waters. The values obtained for adsorption, desorption and adsorption/desorption cycles show that Al oxides particles provide an excellent material for construction of a P removal system for waste waters. The characteristics of this material would allow the design of a complementary filtration system to reduce P levels in the effluent, reducing contamination risks and combating eutrophication of nearby watercourses.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Evolution of T lymphocytes and cytokine expression in classical swine fever (CSF) virus infection.

This study characterized the cell-mediated immune response in pigs inoculated with the Alfort 187 isolate of classical swine fever (CSF) virus. Quantitative changes in the T-lymphocyte population (CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+)) and qualitative changes in cytokine expression (IL-2, IL-4 and IFNgamma) by these cells in serum, thymus and spleen were demonstrated. These changes coincided spatially and temporally with previously described quantitative and qualitative changes in monocyte-macrophage populations, thus demonstrating the contribution of the two cell populations to lymphoid depletion. Moreover, examination of cytokine expression in thymus and spleen samples revealed a type 1 cell-mediated immune response in the early and middle stages of the experiment, giving way to a type 2 immune response towards the end of the experiment; these findings, which accorded with the serological results and lymphopenia, may influence the delayed humoral response characteristic of CSF.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Proinflammatory cytokines induce lymphocyte apoptosis in acute African swine fever infection.

Twenty-one pigs inoculated with a highly virulent isolate (E70) of African swine fever (ASF) virus were killed 1-7 days later; a further three animals served as uninfected controls. An early increase in TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 expression was detected in lymphoid organs from infected animals, together with an increase in the serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. These changes were accompanied by increased apoptosis of lymphocytes, and the presence of infected and uninfected macrophages showing changes indicative of secretory and phagocytic activation. The present study demonstrated an increase in the number of macrophages expressing TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 in proximity to lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis, supporting previous suggestions that in acute ASF proinflammatory cytokines induce lymphocyte apoptosis.

African Swine Fever↗

PubMed2005

Expression of proinflammatory cytokines by hepatic macrophages in acute classical swine fever.

Fourteen pigs were inoculated with the 'Alfort 187' strain of classical swine fever (CSF) virus and killed in pairs at 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14 or 17 days post-inoculation for histopathological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical examination. For the latter method, the antibodies used were those against viral antigen Gp55, porcine myeloid marker SWC3, IL-1alpha, IL-6, TNF-alpha and Factor VIII-related antigen. Activation and increase in the number of hepatic macrophages was observed following viral detection in liver, as well as an increase in IL-1alpha and IL-6 production, mainly by Kupffer cells. Maximum detection of viral antigen was observed in the middle stage of the experiment coinciding with overexpression of the three cytokines studied, with IL-6 production by interstitial macrophages prominent at the end. Additionally, the labelling of platelets for Factor VIII-related antigen and the ultrastructural study of the sinusoids revealed activation and aggregation of thrombocytes close to Kupffer cells at the beginning of the infection. The liver seems to play a prominent role in the origin of the thrombocytopenia that occurs in CSF and contributes to the overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines considered responsible for the disorders observed during the course of the disease.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Lymphocyte apoptosis and thrombocytopenia in spleen during classical swine fever: role of macrophages and cytokines.

Thirty-two Large White x Landrace pigs, 4 months old, were inoculated with the classical swine fever (CSF) or hog cholera virus strain "Alfort" in order to identify the mechanism responsible for the lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia observed in the spleen during the experimental induction of disease, by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques. Results showed a progressive depletion of splenic lymphoid structures and evidence of platelet aggregation processes. Lymphoid depletion was due to lymphocyte apoptosis, which could not be ascribed to the direct action of the virus on these cells; direct virus action could play only a secondary role in the death of these cells. Absence of severe tissue and endothelial damage, together with moderate procoagulant cytokine levels in the serum, suggest that these pathologies can be ruled out as the cause of platelet aggregation and thrombocytopenia in CSF. Monocyte/macrophages were the main target cells for the CSF virus, and they exhibited phagocytic and secretory activation leading to the synthesis and release of tumor necrosis factor alpha, which proved to be the chief mediator, followed by IL-6, IL-1alpha, and C1q complement component. In view of their characteristics, TNF-alpha and, to a lesser extent, IL-1alpha and IL-6 appear to be the major cytokines involved in the pathogenesis of lymphocytopenia and thrombocytopenia; a clear spatial and temporal relationship was observed between these two phenomena.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Immunohistochemical detection of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by ovine pulmonary macrophages.

The aim of this study was to determine the expression of three proinflammatory cytokines by pulmonary macrophages of sheep in paraffin wax-embedded tissue. Samples of lung from seven healthy sheep were fixed by immersion in either 10% neutral buffered formalin, acetic formalin, paraformaldehyde-lysine-periodate or Bouin's solution and processed for structural and immunohistochemical studies. The expression of interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) and alveolar macrophages (AMs) was detected by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase (ABC) technique. Bouin's solution proved to be the most suitable fixative and Tween 20 the most effective pretreatment for increasing permeability. Constitutive expression of IL-1alpha, IL-6 and TNF-alpha by both macrophage populations was detected. The number of PIMs expressing IL-1alpha (the predominant cytokine in ovine lung) was higher than that of AMs, while the expression of IL-6 was greater in AMs. No differences between PIMS and AMs were found in respect of TNF-alpha expression. The evaluation of cytokine expression represents a valuable tool for studying the pathogenesis of disease in the ovine lung.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in haemodialysis patients: relation between oedema and mortality.

In this work, bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method is used in a sample of haemodialysis patients in stable (without oedema) and critical (hyperhydrated and malnutrition) states, in order to establish the relation between hyperhydration (oedema) and mortality. The measurements obtained were single frequency (50 kHz), tetrapolar (hand-foot) complex impedance measurements (vector components are: resistance R and reactance Xc). The impedance components were standardized by the height H of the subjects, (R/H and Xc/H) to obtain de impedance vector Z/H, that is represented in the RXc plot (abscise R/H, ordinate Xc/H). Measurements were performed on a sample of 74 patients (30 men and 44 women, 18-70 year, body mass index (BMI), 19-30 kg m(-2)) at the Saturnino Lora University Hospital in Santiago de Cuba. The 46 stable patients comprised 28 men and 18 women; the 28 critical patients 16 men and 12 women. The reference population consisted of 1196 healthy adult subjects living in Santiago de Cuba (689 men and 507 women, 18-70 year, BMI 19-30 kg m(-2)). We used the RXc plot with the BIVA method to characterize the reference population using the 50%, 75% and 95% tolerance ellipses. Student's t-test and Hotelling's T2-test were used to analyse the separation of groups obtained by means of clinical diagnosis and those obtained by BIVA. We obtained a significant difference (P < 0.05) in R/H, Xc/H and phase angle (PA) in men as in women between the location of Z/H vectors in the RXc graph and the separation made by the doctors between stable and critical patients. Critical (hyperhydrated) patients were located below the inferior pole of the 75% tolerance ellipse, whereas stable patients were within the tolerance ellipses. Some cases classified as stable by the clinic were classified as hyperhydrated by BIVA with 100% sensitivity and 48% specificity. In conclusion, the BIVA method could be used to classify patients by hydration state and to predict survival. Advantages of the method are its simplicity, objectivity and that it does not require the definition of patient dry weight.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Apoptosis of thymocytes in experimental African Swine Fever virus infection.

This paper report on the lesions occurred in the thymus in experimental acute African swine fever (ASF). Twenty-one pigs were inoculated with the highly virulent ASF virus (ASFV) isolate Spain-70. Animals were slaughtered from 1 to 7 days post infection (dpi). Three animals with similar features were used as controls. Thymus samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for histological and immunohistochemical study and in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for ultrastructural examination. For immunohistochemical study, the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex (ABC) technique was used to demonstrate viral protein 73 and porcine myeloid-histiocyte antigen SWC3 using specific monoclonal antibodies. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by the TUNEL assay. Blood samples were taken daily from all pigs and were used for leukocyte counts. The results of this study show a severe thymocyte apoptosis not related to the direct action of ASFV on these cells, but probably to a quantitative increase in macrophages in the thymus and their activation. A decrease in the percentage of blood lymphocytes was observed at the same time No significant vascular changes were observed in the study. With these results we suggest that ASFV infection of the thymus does not seem to play a critical role in the acute disease. Although severe apoptosis was observed, animals died because of the severe lesions found in the other organs.

African Swine Fever↗

PubMed2004

[Post-transplant diabetes mellitus associated with acute hepatitis C virus infection in a renal transplant recipient].

There are some controversial reports about the pathogenic role of hepatitis C virus infection on diabetes mellitus in renal graft recipients. We report a case of a renal transplanted who developed diabetes mellitus post-transplantation during an acute hepatitis C virus infection. We discuss the multifactorial etiology of post-transplant diabetes mellitus, and the possible interaction between tacrolimus and an acute virus C infection on its pathogenesis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2003

Coinfection by Cryptosporidium parvum and porcine circovirus type 2 in weaned pigs.

Routine histopathological diagnosis of one representative 3-month-old pig from a group suffering from diarrhoea revealed a massive degree of parasitation by Cryptosporidium parvum, with a concomitant infection by porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), that was confirmed by immunohistochemical procedures. The areas of intestine where parasites were more numerous presented abundant PCV2 infected cells in mucosa and submucosa. The concurrence of C. parvum, a rare primary intestinal pathogen in post-weaning and growing pigs, and PCV2 infections suggest an increased susceptibility as a result of an immunosuppression state.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Immune complex-associated thrombocytopenic purpura syndrome in sexually mature Göttingen minipigs.

Eleven cases of thrombocytopenic purpura (TP) in sexually mature male or female Göttingen minipigs occurred sporadically over 3 1/2 years in a closed breeding colony protected by strict barrier conditions. Typical clinical signs of TP, including extensive subcutaneous haemorrhages, were seen in all affected animals. Haematological abnormalities included marked thrombocytopenia and anaemia. A consistent histopathological finding was the presence of membranoproliferative lesions in the renal glomeruli. Immunohistochemically, glomerular deposits were positively labelled for complement factor C1q and often also for immunoglobulins. Bone marrow findings consisting of increased numbers of immature and apoptotic megakaryocytes were compatible with a state of increased platelet consumption. Based on the combined presence of thrombocytopenia and renal immune complexes, it is suggested that the syndrome was related to a type III hypersensitivity reaction. However, further studies are needed to verify this hypothesis.

Anemia↗

PubMed2003

African swine fever and classical swine fever: a review of the pathogenesis.

This paper describes major pathogenetic mechanisms of African and Classical Swine Fever virus infections. The interactions between both viruses and the monocyte-macrophage-system result in the release of mediator molecules, which are important for the further progression of the diseases. The causes of the thrombocytopenia and the mechanisms of the haemorrhages, which are characteristic in both infections, are described. Apoptotic cell death is regarded as the predominant cause of lymphopenia in both virus infections.

African Swine Fever↗

PubMed2002

Firing activity and postsynaptic properties of morphologically identified neurons of ventral oral pontine reticular nucleus.

The ventral part of the oral pontine reticular nucleus (vRPO) is an important region for the generation and maintenance of REM sleep. Firing activity and synaptic response properties of morphologically identified vRPO neurons have been investigated in urethane-anaesthetized cats. Extracellular recordings were performed through recording micropipettes and neurons were extracellularly stained with biocytin. Two types of neurons were identified under spontaneous conditions: type I neurons (77%) are characterized by non-rhythmic firing; type II neurons (23%) display single spikes firing rhythmically at between 7 and 22 Hz. Type I neurons displayed ellipsoid somata with thick dendritic trunks and axons that arose from either the soma or the initial dendritic segment; these axons could not be clearly followed. Type II neurons showed polygonal somata with radial dendrites; their axons branched at a small distance from the soma. Electrical stimulation of the contralateral vRPO elicited responses in both neuron types (57% and 31%, respectively); this effect was blocked by the non-NMDA glutamatergic receptor antagonist CNQX. Electrical stimulation of the PpT evoked orthodromic responses in type I neurons (41%) and inhibited the firing rate of all type II neurons for 50-100 ms. Both effects were blocked by the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine. The cholinergic agonist, carbachol, increased the firing rate in most type I neurons and inhibited most type II neurons in these animals. The results demonstrated that the activity of vRPO neurons is modulated through the postsynaptic activation exerted by extrinsic afferents on cholinergic and glutamatergic receptors.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2002

Apoptosis of thymocytes related to cytokine expression in experimental classical swine fever.

Atrophy of the thymic cortex and loss of thymocytes were studied in 32 pigs inoculated with the virulent strain "Alfort" of classical swine fever (CSF) virus and killed at intervals from 2 to 15 days after infection. Immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, ELISA and TUNEL methods were used. The results suggested that direct action of CSF virus on thymocytes played no more than a minor role. The massive lymphoid depletion observed in the thymus, may, however, have been associated with the numerical increase in monocytes-macrophages in this organ, and their secretory activation, leading to synthesis and release of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1alpha and C1q complement component as main chemical mediators, and IL-1beta and IL-6 as minor mediators. These cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha) may have played a role in the apoptosis of thymocytes, demonstrated by TUNEL and ultrastructural methods. The pathogenetic mechanism outlined may contribute to the lymphoid depletion observed in others organs in CSF and may explain the lymphopenia characteristic of the disease.

Animals↗