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Biomedical subjects

A Robles

Publications and source records attributed to A Robles.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Tansitional vesical cell carcinoma metastatizing to the sphenoid sinus].

Secundary tumors of the paranasal sinus are very uncommon with only one hundred cases reported in the literature up to 2001. The commonest site of the primary tumor is the kidney. The maxillary sinus is most often involved. The Sphenoid sinus is the rarest site. We report a rare case of metastasis to the sphenoid sinces from a transitional cell bladder tumor in a 69-year-old man who died after treatment with chemotherapy and we also review the liteature.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Trends in the use of emergency contraception: an epidemiological study in Barcelona, Spain (1994-2002).

We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of women requesting emergency contraception (EC) at our emergency department over a 9-year period (1994-2002). EC accounted for 5.9% of all visits (n = 95,288) and increased from 1.26% in 1994 to 9.82% in 2002 (p < 0.001). Reasons for EC were condom problems in 79.5% of cases. EC was used only once by 93% of women. The mean daily number of visits was significantly higher in August (2.46), July (2.01) and September (2.02) than in other months (p < 0.05), and was more frequent on Sunday (3.26), Saturday (2.92) and Monday (2.05) compared to other week days (p < 0.001). New Year's Day and the St. John's Night registered the highest number of visits (mean of 17.2 and 11.7, respectively), with significant differences compared to the remaining days of the year (p < 0.001).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Proposal of criteria for clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer's disease].

The most widely accepted criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis (NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV) do not allow to differentiate accurately between AD and other degenerative dementias which have recently formulated criteria for its clinical diagnosis. Therefore, it is necessary to bring AD diagnostic criteria up to date in order to optimise their specificity, by assessing its most specific clinical manifestations, its most representative markers and those features typical of other diseases which are usually taken into account for a differential diagnosis. According to the latest reports on the subject, the disturbances suffered by memory, behaviour and the rest of cognitive and executive functions must be equally considered when establishing the syndromic diagnosis of dementia; this will always require the coexistence of an evident functional impairment. Due to this, the concepts of "dementia" and "mild cognitive impairment" should be clearly distinguished. For the time being, AD can only be diagnosed when dementia has been proved and this shows a series of cognitive, behavioural and neurological features which are representative of it. Nevertheless, some diagnostic markers appear to be precocious and specific enough to try to identify those patients who suffer from mild cognitive impairment due to an incipient stage of AD. We are suggesting some criteria for the clinical diagnosis of dementia, mild cognitive impairment and AD that seem to be more detail

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2001

Oxidative stress in the neonate.

The aim of this study is to determine the oxidative state of term and preterm neonates at the moment of birth and during the first days of life, and the influence of exposure to oxygen on the premature neonates.A total of 20 neonates were selected. Group A: 10 healthy full-term neonates, and Group B: 10 preterm neonates with no other pathology associated, requiring oxygen therapy. Venous samples were taken in cord at 3 and 72 h in Group A, and in cord at 3, 24 and 72 h and 7 days in Group B.Hydroperoxides, Q10 coenzyme (Co Q10) and alpha-tocopherol were measured within the erythrocyte membrane. Levels of hydroperoxides present in erythrocyte membrane were higher than normal both in Group A and in Group B at birth. This increase was greater in the group of premature neonates. Levels of alpha-tocopherol at birth increase significantly at 72 h in term neonates. Among the premature newborns, alpha-tocopherol levels are two to three times lower at birth and do not rise to higher levels as in the term neonate group. Fall in levels of Co Q10 in erythrocyte membranes is observed, and perhaps is due to the role of Co Q10 in maintaining the pool of reduced tocopherol. At birth, the neonate presents an increase of markers of oxidative stress and a decrease of their antioxidant defenses. This difference is greater as gestational age decreases. The application of oxygen therapy resulted in these levels which remain low throughout the study period.

Aging↗
PubMed2001

Production, purification, and properties of an endoglucanase produced by the hyphomycete Chalara (Syn. Thielaviopsis) paradoxa CH32.

The hyphomycete Chalara (syn. Thielaviopsis) paradoxa produces endoglucanase activity during the late trophophase. The low molecular mass (35 kDa) endoglucanase purified from cultured broths works optimally at 37 degrees C and pH 5.0. The enzyme inactivates at pH below 3.0 and also at temperatures of 50 degrees C or higher, but it is stable at lower temperatures, including refrigeration temperature and freezing. The enzyme is inhibited by detergents, by EDTA, and by the divalent cations Hg(2+) and Ag(2+). It is also inhibited to some extent by 10 mM Zn(2+), Fe(2+), and Mg(2+), but it is stimulated by Mn(2+). Enzyme activity is not affected by reducing agents. In the presence of low concentrations of water miscible organic solvents (20%) endoglucanase activity is inhibited by 7% (for methanol) to 50% (for acetonitrile), and it is totally inhibited at higher solvent concentrations (50%). Enzyme activity is not affected by the water immiscible solvent ethyl acetate. Carboxymethylcellulose is the preferred substrate (K(m(app)) = 8.3 g/L; V(max(app)) = 1.1 microM/min). Hydrolysis of crystalline cellulosic substrates is very limited, but it is greatly enhanced by phosphoric acid swelling. The purified enzyme shows no activity toward disaccharides or aryl-glucosides. Its activity is inhibited by cellobiose.

Acetonitriles↗
PubMed2000

Phenol-oxidase (laccase) activity in strains of the hyphomycete Chalara paradoxa isolated from olive mill wastewater disposal ponds.

Production of laccase activity by nine strains of Chalara paradoxa isolated from olive mill wastewater disposal ponds were studied. Enzyme extracts obtained from cultured broths by adsorption on hydroxyapatite showed a single band of laccase activity on ABTS after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). They showed small mobility differences, with molecular masses of 67 to 68 kDa. Enzymes from the different strains oxidized a variety of phenolic and non-phenolic substances, and they could be divided into two groups according to their relative activities on substrates. All laccases showed a dual pH dependence of activity, with a maximum in the range of pH 3.0 to 4.5 for ABTS, o-dianisidine and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, and pH 6.0 (Group 1) or pH 6.5 (Group 2) for syringaldazine and other substrates. Optimal temperatures were in the range of 10 to 28 degrees C for two strains (maximum at 10 degrees C) and 10 to 37 degrees C for the rest. The different enzymes were partially inactivated by heating at 60 degrees C and totally inactivated at 70 degrees C. Laccases were stable in a pH range of 3.0 to 9.0 (except for strain 36A, which was partially inactivated at pH 3.0), but became inactivated at pH 2.0. Altogether these data suggest that Ch. paradoxa strains produce different laccase isoenzymes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

The co-occurrence of correct and incorrect HIV transmission knowledge and perceived risk for HIV among women of childbearing age in El Salvador.

This article examines the co-occurrence of correct and incorrect knowledge about documented and undocumented modes of HIV transmission among women of childbearing age in El Salvador, and the relationship between HIV transmission knowledge and perceived risk. Incorrect beliefs about HIV transmission co-occur at high levels with, and are largely independent of, accurate knowledge about documented modes of transmission. The co-occurrence of correct and incorrect HIV transmission knowledge was shown to have important implications for perceived risk. Both correct and incorrect HIV transmission knowledge increased the odds of risk perception; uncertainty about risk was decreased among those with higher levels of correct knowledge and increased among those with higher levels of incorrect knowledge. Among those who considered themselves to be at some risk for HIV, higher levels of correct knowledge reduced uncertainty about the degree of risk, while higher levels of incorrect knowledge increased the degree of risk perceived. High levels of endorsement of the documented modes of HIV transmission do not necessarily indicate accurate or adequate knowledge about HIV transmission in the population. Co-occurring inaccurate beliefs about undocumented modes of transmission reflect cultural understandings of contagion and disease, and influence how individuals make sense of medical-scientific information about transmission. Our results suggest that the co-occurrence of correct and incorrect HIV transmission knowledge shapes individual-level risk perceptions. Given the independence of accurate knowledge and inaccurate beliefs. HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs must seek to directly undermine inaccurate beliefs about HIV transmission as part of their efforts to promote behavior change.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A study on the microbiota from olive-mill wastewater (OMW) disposal lagoons, with emphasis on filamentous fungi and their biodegradative potential.

The microbial composition of olive mill wastewater (OMW) from four disposal ponds has been studied. Such OMW samples contained a variable (but high) number of bacteria, yeasts and molds. Among the latest, members of twelve different genera (Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chalara, Fusarium, Lecytophora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Phoma, Phycomyces, Rhinocladiella and Scopulariopsis) were found. Members of five genera (Chalara, Fusarium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium and Scopulariopsis) were widely distributed, and they were able to grow efficiently in undiluted OMW as a sole source of nutrients. Strains of Fusarium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium and Scopulariopsis showed a marked capacity for OMW detoxification, depleting its antibacterial activity almost completely.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2000

Does literacy have an effect on stick construction tasks?

Since constructional apraxia is often concomitant with brain lesions, the study of constructional tasks in the non-brain-damaged population might be useful in helping to disentangle other causal factors. This paper explores the performance of illiterate individuals (N = 29) as compared to that of semiliterates (N = 21) and literates (N = 23) in order to see the effect of reading and writing abilities on constructional tasks. Each participant was asked to construct 4 figures based upon models having varying degrees of complexity. A global criterion of lack of fidelity and several analytic criteria (related to distortion, rotation, and disarticulation errors) were used to evaluate performance. Although illiterates generally made more errors than semiliterates and semiliterates more than literates, only some of these differences were statistically significant. Significant differences were found for lack of global fidelity and disarticulation errors when all 4 figures were considered together. Subtler data emerged with respect to single figures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Beta-glucosidase from Chalara paradoxa CH32: purification and properties.

The hyphomycete Chalara paradoxa CH32 produced an extracellular beta-glucosidase during the trophophase. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by ion-exchange and size-exclusion chromatography. The purified enzyme had an estimated molecular mass of 170 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography and 167 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme had maximum activity at pH 4.0-5.0 and 45 degrees C. The enzyme was inactivated at 60 degrees C. At room temperature, it was unstable at acidic pH, but it was stable to alkaline pH. The purified enzyme was inhibited markedly by Hg(2+) and Ag(2+) and also to some extent by the detergents SDS, Tween 80, and Triton X-100 at 0.1%. Enzyme activity increased by 3-fold in the presence of 20% ethanol and to a lesser extent by other organic solvents. Purified beta-glucosidase was active against cellobiose and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside but did not hydrolyze lactose, maltose, sucrose, cellulosic substrates, or galactopyranoside, mannopyranoside, or xyloside derivatives of p-nitrophenol. The V(max) of the enzyme for p-NPG (K(m) = 0.52 mM) and cellobiose (K(m) = 0.58 mM) were 294 and 288.7 units/mg, respectively. Hydrolysis of pNPG was inhibited competitively by glucose (K(i) = 11.02 mM). Release of reducing sugars from carboxymethylcellulose by a purified endoglucanase produced by the same organism increased markedly in the presence of beta-glucosidase.

Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose↗
PubMed2000

Biochemical and functional characterization of the Tn-specific lectin from Salvia sclarea seeds.

SSL, the lectin isolated from Salvia sclarea seeds, recognizes the Tn antigen (GalNAcalpha-O-Ser/Thr), a specific marker of many human carcinomas. Two-dimensional electrophoresis, amino-acid and amino-sugar analysis, and MALDI-TOF MS showed that SSL is an acidic (pI 5.5), 60-61-kDa dimeric glycoprotein composed of apparently identical subunits linked by a single disulfide bond. The apparent molecular mass of SSL in solution determined by equilibrium sedimentation analytical ultracentrifugation was 59 +/- 9 kDa. This value did not change in the pH range 2.5-8.5, indicating that SSL does not associate into higher order structures. Tandem mass spectrometry and methylation analysis of N-glycans released from SSL by hydrazinolysis indicated that SSL possesses 2-3 glycosylation sites occupied with the typical plant glycans Manalpha1-6[(Manalpha1-3)(Xylbeta1-2)]Manbeta1-4 -GlcNAcbeta1-4(Fucalp ha1-3)GlcNAc and [(Manalpha1-3/6)(Xylbeta1-2)]Manbeta1-4-GlcNAcbeta1 -4(Fucalpha1-3)Glc NAc. The influence of adjacent Tn structures on the binding of two Tn-specific lectins (SSL and the isolectin B4 from Vicia villosa) and an anti-Tn monoclonal antibody (mAb 83D4) was evaluated using synthetic Tn glycopeptides. The binding of both lectins to the synthetic Tn glycopeptides was independent of the density of Tn structures. On the other hand, mAb 83D4 only reacted with glycopeptides displaying two or three consecutive Tn structures.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1999

Interaction of a monoclonal antibody against hEGF with a receptor site for EGF.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) has been detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in different body fluids such as serum, amniotic fluid, and urine. Human tumor tissues with EGF receptors (EGF-Rc) may be saturated with EGF, which may be of prognostic value. An RIA was envisaged to measure human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) levels using EGF-Rc as capture agent and a monoclonal antibody anti-hEGF (MAb anti-hEGF) labeled with 125Iodine as a marker for this binding. The purpose of this work was to study the feasibility of MAb anti-hEGF to detect the receptor binding sites and to investigate the interaction between MAb anti-hEGF and the EGF-Rc. Various binding experiments were performed to study possible interference and interactions in the complex MAb anti-hEGF and the receptor. Affinity constants were determined by means of Scatchard plot analysis to interpret the complex stability challenged with other compounds for a better understanding of the interaction process. Binding constants were of the same order for all the ligands tested separately involving the EGF-Rc, but were significantly higher (t = 15.7, p < 0.05) for hEGF in its binding to MAb anti-hEGF. It was possible with equilibrium studies and competition experiments to evaluate the interaction of EGF and MAb anti-hEGF with the EGF receptor. This observation makes the MAb anti-hEGF a potential tracer for the quantitation of receptors in vitro, and possibly for the detection of membrane receptors on tumor cells in vivo.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Economic evaluation of Viaflex with vial adapter in a unit-dose drug distribution system.

The cost of parenteral admixtures has an important impact on the hospital budget. Recently, a Viaflex with vial adapter (named 'minibag plus' in some countries) has been commercialized in order to facilitate parenteral admixture preparation. In the present study a preparation using Viaflex with a vial adapter has been economically compared with a preparation with a traditional Viaflex (without adapter) in a centralized unit or in nursing wards in a unit-dose drug distribution system. A cost-analysis was conducted from the hospital point of view. Direct costs were considered: these included supplies and human resources. Differences in the whole process between the two types of Viaflex were analysed. The process included: purchasing, reception, storage, medical order record, preparation in the Pharmacy Service (PS), delivery from the PS to the nursing unit, preparation by the nurse, return of unused material to the PS. Human resource costs were estimated by time counting and multiplying by the average salary. To estimate wasted material, drug and supplies delivered from the PS and returned to the PS were counted during 26 days. With the new Viaflex costs are reduced by 30% in comparison with drug dilution using the traditional Viaflex in a centralized unit of the PS, and by 13.4% in comparison with preparation with the traditional Viaflex in the nursing ward. In addition it can be estimated that contamination risk with the new Viaflex is lower than preparation in the nursing ward with the traditional Viaflex. Therefore, owing to its lower cost we recommend the use of Viaflex with vial adapter for drug dilution for those vials that are compatible with the system.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1999

Can accurate data on birthweight be obtained from health interview surveys?

BACKGROUND: Because hospital records rarely exist for a representative sample of the population in developing countries, researchers frequently rely on birthweight data from surveys. Yet, the quality of these data has rarely been evaluated. This study explores the accuracy of birthweight information in six demographic and health surveys in Latin America conducted in the early 1990s: two in Guatemala, and one each in Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Peru. METHODS: The quality of the birthweight reports is assessed by examining the plausibility of estimates of the proportion of newborns reported to have been weighed and estimates derived from the numerical weights, by characteristics of the delivery and maternal education. RESULTS: The estimates suggest that a substantial proportion of women whose newborns were probably never weighed report a birthweight. For all of the surveys, with the possible exception of Costa Rica, the average birthweights appear to be too high, and the estimates of the prevalence of low birthweight too low. In addition, the data reveal anomalous patterns, such as higher birthweights for home as compared with hospital deliveries. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that estimates of low birthweight derived from surveys in developing countries are likely to portray an overly optimistic picture of children's and women's health status. More information about the underlying source of these data are needed not only to provide additional insight into the degree of error characterizing existing estimates, but also to improve data collection strategies in future health interview surveys.

Birth Weight↗