PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Rodriguez

Publications and source records attributed to A Rodriguez.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Molecular characterization of non-B HIV type 1 subtypes from Africa in Spain.

All of the known HIV-1 subtypes are present in sub-Saharan Africa. The B subtype is predominant in the United States and Europe, but previous studies have revealed that other subtypes are also in circulation. We report here on the genetic characterization of eight non-B subtype VIH-1 virus strains detected during 1999 in patients living in Spain and having epidemiological relationships with African countries. Five isolates clustering with recombinant form CRF02-AG came from West and Central Africa. One isolate was characterized as being of the D subtype in the gp41 region, and clustered with subtype A outside the CRF02-AG recombinant form, in regions C2V3 and p17. Another isolate was a G subtype, and the remaining isolate was an O subtype. In Spain, the B subtype is the most frequently detected HIV-1 subtype, although in more recent years non-B subtypes have been introduced through immigrant HIV-1-infected individuals coming from African countries, or through infected persons having relationships with endemically affected areas.

Africa↗
PubMed2000

Circulating monocytes in patients with diabetes mellitus, arterial disease, and increased CD14 expression.

Low serum concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and elevated levels of acute-phase reactans are frequently found in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and cardiovascular disease. Changes in the phenotype of circulating monocytes have been reported with both of these circumstances in nondiabetic subjects. In the present study, we explored the possibility that similar changes may occur in circulating monocytes of patients with NIDDM and arterial disease. Two groups of subjects with NIDDM were studied: patients with cardiovascular disease (n = 25) were compared with a group without cardiovascular disease (n = 26); both groups were age- and sex-matched, had the same length of diabetes duration, and degree of glycemic control. Healthy nondiabetic volunteers of comparable age and sex (n = 35) formed the control group. There was no significant difference in the numbers of the CD14+/CD16+ monocyte subpopulations between the 3 groups. However, a significant graded increase of the mCD14 intensity expression values was observed among the groups, with the highest levels in patients with NIDDM patients and the lowest in nondiabetic subjects. The serum C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly higher in the group with arterial disease compared with those without arterial disease or healthy controls. In the group of patients as a whole, relative mCD14 intensity expression was significantly correlated with HDL cholesterol levels (inversely) and with serum concentrations of C-reactive protein. Serum HDL cholesterol levels and the C-reactive protein concentrations were also significantly correlated. We concluded that the increased mCD14 intensity expression on circulating monocytes may be an important contributor to the increased inflammatory response observed in patients with NIDDM and arterial disease, and eventually, to atherogenesis.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis: a new minicircle class exclusive to this specie isolated from a DNA cosmid library useful for taxonomic purposes.

A new minicircle class exclusive to this specie isolated from a DNA cosmid library useful for taxonomic purposes. Experimental Parasitology 94, 143-149. In this paper we describe a new minicircle class exclusive to Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis. The minicircle class was obtained with the aid of a total DNA cosmid library. The library was screened with an EcoRI fragment isolated from L. (V.) guyanensis (M4147). After screening seven clones were selected which showed strong hybridisation. Clones were digested and hybridised with the same probe. After hybridisation only one clone containing the desired fragment was positive. The fragment sized around 1000 bp was subcloned into pBluescript for sequencing. Sequence analysis using the GCG programme showed no substantial homology with any sequences previously reported, apart from the expected homology with the conserved region of Leishmania kDNA sequences. The probe hybridised strongly only to L. (V.) guyanensis kDNA after medium stringency washing.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Juvenile papillomatosis of the breast in male infants: two case reports.

Juvenile papillomatosis of the breast ("Swiss cheese disease") is a benign localized proliferative condition of the breast which occurs almost exclusively in young adult women. Patients with this lesion often have a family history of breast carcinoma, and rarely carcinoma may coexist with the lesion at the time of diagnosis. We present two cases of male infants with juvenile papillomatosis of the breast. The pathology and clinical management of this novel lesion is discussed.

Breast Neoplasms, Male↗
PubMed2000

Effects of 3-chloro-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives on Trypanosome cruzi epimastigotes.

A series of 3-chloro-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives produced different degrees of inhibition of parasite growth and respiration on clone Brener, LQ and Tulahuen strains of Trypanosome cruzi epimastigotes. Respiratory chain inhibition appears to be a posible determinant of the trypanosomicidal activity of this compounds. No difference in the action of these derivatives was found among the different parasite strains. For comparative purposes, the inhibitory effects of felodipine and nicardipine are also reported. A good correlation between toxic effects and the easiness of oxidation of the dihydripyridine ring was found. The presence of a fused ring on the dihydropyridine moiety significantly diminished the inhibitory effects.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Quality of life measures in the Miami HIV-1 infected drug abusers cohort: relationship to gender and disease status.

PURPOSE: This study examined activity, daily living, health, support, and outlook in HIV+ drug users. METHODS: Using the physician-administered Spitzer Index, the study assessed 75 HIV-1 seropositive men (n = 51) and women (n = 24) enrolled in the Miami HIV-1 Infected Drug Abusers Study (MIDAS). RESULTS: Total composite scores were significantly lower in the HIV-1 infected women than the men (p = .03). Significant gender differences were observed in activity assessment, independent of disease status, with women six times as likely to have lower activity scores (p = .0038). Most women (45%) in this category were homeless or marginally housed, compared to 11 percent of the men. Additionally, women with low activity scores had less social support than women with high activity scores. Cocaine use was significantly related to reports of normal activity, and varied across genders; more men used cocaine than women (p = .03). Compared to non-AIDS participants, AIDS patients were more likely to have lower scores in health (p = .009) and poorer outlook (p = .03). IMPLICATIONS: These findings reveal specific deficits in areas of psychosocial capacity, particularly in HIV-1 infected women who abuse drugs, that may need to be strengthened in order to enhance function and adherence to treatment, as well as well-being.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2000

Alpha linolenic acid in cholesterol esters: a marker of alphalinolenic acid intake in newborns.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (18∶3 n-3) and linolenic acid (LA) (18∶2 n-6) in cholesterol esters (CE) as markers of ALA and LA dietary intakes in preterm infants. SUBJECTS: Forty-five preterm infants: two groups fed different formulas, the third fed human milk. DESIGN: ALA and LA dietary intakes were precisely recorded in each infant to accurately determine the cumulative amount of ingested ALA and LA during two intervals: (i) between the second day after the first significant formula intake (D0) and the fifteenth day (D15); and (ii) between D0 and the first day of the 37th week of post-conception age (W37). The corresponding amounts of ingested ALA and LA were related to ALA and LA levels determined by capillary column gas-liquid chromatography in plasma cholesterol esters at D15 and W37, respectively. RESULTS: ALA in CE was very significantly correlated to D0-D15 and D0-W37 ALA intakes (0.66; P=0.0001 and 0.70; P=0.0001), respectively. LA in CE was weakly correlated to D0-D15 LA intakes (0.03; P=0.01) and whatever the group (human milk or enriched formula) the correlation was lost at W37. CONCLUSION: In preterm infants, ALA in CE can be considered as representative of ALA dietary intakes, whereas LA in CE appears as a poor marker of LA intakes.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed2000

Heparinless partial cardiopulmonary bypass for the repair of aortic trauma.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that partial cardiopulmonary bypass with a heparin-bonded system would be a technically simple, effective adjunct for reducing paraplegia during repair of traumatic aortic rupture. It avoids the risk of heparin, but, unlike left atrial-arterial bypass, it can heat, cool, oxygenate, and rapidly infuse volume if needed. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients admitted for aortic trauma from July 1994 to December 1999. Bypass consisted of femoral venous (right atrial) cannulation, a centrifugal pump, and an oxygenator-heater/cooler. Arterial return was to the femoral artery or distal aorta. The entire system was heparin-bonded and no systemic heparin was given. RESULTS: Heparin-bonded partial bypass was established in 50 patients (mean age 43 +/- 17 years). Crossclamp time was 32 +/- 11 minutes (range 14-70 minutes), mean flow 3.0 +/- 0.8 L/min, and bypass time 64 +/- 43 minutes. During repair, 58% of patients received volume through the system (mean 1.1 +/- 1.9 L). Core temperature rose slightly (35.9 degrees C +/- 0.7 degrees C to 36.3 degrees C +/- 0.8 degrees C). Three of the 15 patients who underwent percutaneous femoral arterial and venous cannulation concomitant with their angiograms had vessel injury, with one limb loss, and this procedure was discontinued. Thirty-five patients underwent percutaneous femoral vein and direct distal aortic cannulation without event. The mortality rate for patients supported by bypass was 10%, and all deaths were due to other injuries. There were no new cases of paraplegia and no worsening of intracranial or pulmonary injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Heparin-bonded bypass is technically simple to use and avoids the risk of anticoagulation. Paraplegia was avoided. The ability to correct hypothermia, oxygenate, and rapidly infuse volume may simplify management and improve outcomes.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The Drosophila caspase Dredd is required to resist gram-negative bacterial infection.

The Drosophila innate immune system discriminates between pathogens and responds by inducing the expression of specific antimicrobial peptide-encoding genes through distinct signaling cascades. Fungal infection activates NF-kappaB-like transcription factors via the Toll pathway, which also regulates innate immune responses in mammals. The pathways that mediate antibacterial defenses, however, are less defined. We have isolated loss-of-function mutations in the caspase encoding gene dredd, which block the expression of all genes that code for peptides with antibacterial activity. These mutations also render flies highly susceptible to infection by gram-negative bacteria. Our results demonstrate that Dredd regulates antibacterial peptide gene expression, and we propose that Dredd, Immune Deficiency and the P105-like rel protein Relish define a pathway that is required to resist gram-negative bacterial infections.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of blunt aortic injury: an EAST Practice Management Guidelines Work Group.

In summary, BAI is a lethal result of severe blunt trauma. It should be considered in all patients who sustained injury by a deceleration or acceleration mechanism, especially in the face of physical or radiographic findings suggestive of mediastinal injury. Angiography remains the "gold standard" for diagnosis, although CT scanning is taking more of a role, especially for screening. Diagnosis should be followed by prompt surgical repair using some method of distal perfusion to minimize renal and spinal cord ischemia. If prompt repair is not feasible because of other injuries or comorbidities, medical control of blood pressure is warranted in the interim.

Angiography↗
PubMed2000

p53 expression predicts progression and poor survival in T1 bladder tumours.

OBJECTIVES: Histological grade (G) is the only parameter proved to have prognostic value for progression in T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, although it is considered inaccurate to make clinical decisions on individuals. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic relevance of p53 expression in T1 TCC of the bladder. METHODS: Clinical records of 207 patients with T1 TCC of the bladder were reviewed for clinical parameters reported to influence the evolution of superficial bladder cancer. Among these 207 patients, 40 developed muscle-invasive disease (20 G2 and 20 G3). A retrospective case-control study was then carried out comparing the latter 40 tumours with 40 control tumours matched by grade, sex, age, number and size of the tumours, chemical exposure and presence of carcinoma in situ. p53 immunostaining with monoclonal antibody was performed in these two groups. RESULTS: Histological grade was the only clinical parameter that influenced evolution. p53 expression correlated with tumour progression, since it was observed in 21 out of 24 p53-positive tumours and in only 20 of 56 p53-negative tumours (p<0.0001), showing a specificity of 93. 5% and a sensitivity of 53%. p53 expression correlated as well with patient survival, being 39% in patients with p53-positive tumours and 80% in patients with p53-negative tumours at 60 months (p<0. 0001). CONCLUSIONS: p53 protein expression has prognostic value for survival and progression in T1 bladder tumours and can be used for early detection of poor-prognosis T1 bladder tumours.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Bcl-2 molecular analysis in paraffin-embedded biopsies from diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.

Translocation t(14; 18) has been observed in 50-85% of follicular and in 30% of diffuse non-Hodgkin lymphomas. About half of follicle center lymphoma (FCL) undergo histological conversion at relapse to more aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This report correlates the molecular bcl-2/IgH rearrangement by PCR and Bcl-2 immunohistochemical (IHC) expression in a series of high grade DLBCLs with and without FCL remnant. Twenty-three paraffin-embedded lymph nodes from DLBCL patients were analyzed. Eleven patients showed FCL remnant (Group A) and 12, did not (Group B). Single PCR from paraffin extracted DNA followed by Southern transfer of products, hybridisation with internal oligoprobes for the MBR/JH and MCR/JH bcl-2 rearrangements and IHC analysis of Bcl-2 expression, were performed. PCR analysis was positive in 34.8% of patients. Bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangements were observed in 8 (34%) cases and 7 (30%) showed Bcl-2 expression on large noncleaved B-cells (centroblasts). All patients from Group A showed IHC positive reaction on FCL remnant (small cleaved cells) but only 2 (18%) were positive in DLBCL areas, suggesting either the loss of the bcl-2 expression on the transformed lymphoma, or, alternatively, the development of a second disease when the first lymphoma transforms. Group B patients showed a clear correlation between PCR and IHC studies. Our results suggest a similar frequency of t(14; 18) in DLBCLs to that reported in Europe and USA series. The discordance observed between PCR and IHC, particularly in Group A, points out the necessity to perform both studies in order to detect bcl-2 gene involvement in DLBCLs.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Medullary carcinoma of the stomach].

The aim of this work is to show the important histiocytic oblation present in a case of stomach medullary carcinoma, marked with silver technique of Del Río Hortega. This carcinoma is poor differentiated with a predominant lymphoid infiltrate, of better prognosis, that shares many characteristic with medullary carcinoma of breast, lung, nasopharynx, thymus and salivary gland. Histologic techniques: Hematoxilin & Eosin, PAS, PAS-Alcian blue, Alcian blue, Masson's trichrome, macrophagues Del Río Hortega-Polak, and reticulin Del Rio Hortega silver impregnations techniques. Gastric medullary carcinoma shows an important lymphoid infiltration T and B, and dendritic, plasmodials and giant multinucleated macrophagues in close relations with neoplasic cells. The results suggest that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) becomes associated with gastric medullary carcinoma.

Carcinoma, Medullary↗