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Biomedical subjects

A Soria

Publications and source records attributed to A Soria.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Life-threatening adverse drug reaction to paclitaxel. Postmarketing surveillance.

The mechanism of action of hypersensitivity reactions from paclitaxel has not been fully understood. It has not even been defined if they are secondary to paclitaxel, its vehicle or the premedication. Postmarketing pharmacovigilance is predominantly based on spontaneous reporting. These reports albeit biased and incomplete serve to detect previously unrecognised adverse events. We report a life threatening adverse event related to paclitaxel without any evidence of histamine release. It consisted of a cardiac arrest probably secondary to bradiarrhythmia or branch block.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Non-heart-beating donors: an excellent choice to increase the donor pool.

A specific program was adopted to obtain organs, for transplant purposes from people who die at home or in the street from sudden or unexpected death (type I non-heart-beating donors [NHBD] according to the Maastricht classification). The objective of our program was to increase the donor pool by obtaining organs from well-selected potential donors who die at home, work, or in the street and are maintained on advanced life support (ALS) until hospital arrival. The great number of people who die in a previously healthy situation constitute an excellent source of organs for transplant purposes. Our program includes pre- and in-hospital attendance. Prehospital attendance is based on application of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in situ and ALS until arrival at hospital. In hospital, specific preservation maneuvers must be performed and family assessment and judge permission obtained. In the last 15 years, we developed a kidney transplant program with better results than transplants performed with organs obtained from encephalic death donors (EDD). A specific NHBD subprogram for lung transplant was developed with excellent results as well. We are now improving the liver transplant program. NHBD are an important source of human tissues, including pancreas islets. It is clear that NHBD are a great source of organs and tissues for transplant, and that this kind of program must be established in all countries in which legal regulations allow it.

Cadaver↗

Once-daily saquinavir and ritonavir in treatment-experienced HIV-1-infected individuals.

To assess the efficacy of 48 weeks' treatment with saquinavir 1600 mg and ritonavir 100 mg, both given once daily (SQVOD), in drug-experienced HIV-infected patients, a SQVOD-based therapy was offered to 100 treatment-experienced patients via their own physicians. The patients starting this regimen were followed up for 48 weeks. HIV-RNA was assessed by means of NASBA (limit of quantification = 80 copies/mL). Fifteen patients received the SQVOD-based therapy. Six discontinued before week 48 because of failure, toxicity or intolerance due to the high pill burden and gastrointestinal side effects. The median baseline CD4+ cell counts and plasma HIV-RNA levels were 317 cells/microL (range 44-698) and 4.18 log copies/mL (range 2.65-6.18). At week 4, there was a mean decrease of 1.96 log copies/mL (P < 0.0001) in HIV-RNA, with 75% of the patients having fewer than 400 copies/mL; seven of the nine patients treated for 48 weeks reached fewer than 400 copies/mL. No substantial change in cholesterol or triglyceride values was observed over 48 weeks. As this SQVOD-based regimen had considerable short-term virologic activity in treatment-experienced HIV-infected patients, it may be a reasonable option when non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors cannot be administered and once-daily dosing is preferred by the patient. However, the high pill burden and frequent gastrointestinal side effects of the soft gel capsule formulation of saquinavir may limit its long-term efficacy.

Adult↗

Modulation of rat liver cytochrome P450 by protein restriction assessed by biochemical and bacterial mutagenicity methods [corrected].

Protein restriction (PR) significantly inhibits spontaneous and chemical carcinogenesis. Several factors seem to be involved in this effect, including a decrease in body weight, cellular proliferation and DNA damage and an increase in antioxidant defenses. The current study was designed to determine modifications in some hepatic cytochromes P450 (CYPs) due to a hypoproteic diet and to investigate its implications on chemical mutagenesis. Western blot analysis showed decreases of 73, 40 and 74% in CYP1A, CYP2B and CYP2E1 protein concentrations in hepatic microsomes from animals fed a protein-restricted (6% protein) diet for 6 weeks in comparison with microsomes from rats fed a 24% protein diet during the same period. In the same way, low protein fed animals showed a 3.5-fold decrease in hepatic CYP1A1-associated ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activity, a 6-fold decrease in CYP1A2-associated methoxyresorufin O-demethylase activity, a 1.7-fold decrease in CYP2B1-associated penthoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity, a 9-fold decrease in CYP2B2-associated benzyloxyresorufin O-dealkylase and, finally, a 3.4-fold decrease in CYP2E1-associated 4-nitrophenol hydroxylase activity. As a result of decreased CYP hepatic protein concentrations and enzymatic activities, liver S9 from rats fed a hypoproteic diet was less efficient in activating promutagens than S9 prepared from rats fed a 24% protein diet in the Ames test. Mutagenic potency obtained with protein-restricted S9 was reduced 25-fold for 2-aminoanthracene, 1.5-fold for N-nitrosodipropylamine, 12.5-fold for N-nitrosodibutylamine, 2-fold for cyclophosphamide and N-nitrosopyrrolidine and 71-fold for N-nitrosodimethylamine. However, the mutagenic potency of benzo[a]pyrene was the same (4 revertants/ microg) with S9 derived from rats fed either a 6 or 24% protein diet.

Animals↗

Duration of feeding on a sucrose-rich diet determines metabolic and morphological changes in rat adipocytes.

In this work, we studied the effect of a short-term (3 wk) and a long-term (15 wk) administration of a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) to Wistar rats on the morphological aspects and metabolic function of the epididymal adipose tissue that may contribute to the mechanism underlying the impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. The present work showed the following. 1) There was both a moderate increase of basal lipolysis and a decrease of the antilipolytic action of insulin in the adipocytes of rats fed a SRD for 3 wk. Neither size alterations nor increases in adipose tissue mass were recorded in this period. 2) There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase of epididymal weight after 15 wk on a SRD as well as a hypertrophy of adipocytes with a clear alteration in the cell size distribution. This was accompanied by a significant increase (P < 0.05) of basal and stimulated lipolysis and a marked decrease (P < 0.05) of the antilipolytic action of insulin. Moreover, these changes appear together with a worsening of both impaired glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance. Our results also indicate that the length of time on the SRD plays an important role in the evolution of the adiposity and metabolic changes observed in the fat pad. Furthermore, the latter precedes the detection of adiposity.

Adipocytes↗

[Lesion caused by ischemia-reperfusion in lung transplantation].

OBJECTIVES: To assess the existence or not of a relation between the characteristics of lung donor and/or recipient and the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). We also review the latest experimental findings on the biophysical conditions pf graft preservation. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective study of 74 lung transplants performed in our hospital from 1993 to 1998. Donor and recipient screening and anesthetic and surgical techniques were performed following established protocols. Various degrees of IRI were determined according to hemodynamic and gasometric criteria. We analyzed the statistical relation between donor and recipient variables and IRI. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The incidence of IRI was 70.2% (52 cases), with 12 cases categorized as mild, 22 as moderate and 18 as severe. IRI was significantly related only to the start of extracorporeal circulation. CONCLUSIONS: The development of IRI in lung transplantation is linked to such donor and/or recipient characteristics as the biophysical conditions of graft preservation. At present, greater prevention of this type of early dysfunction of the lung graft requires not only use of adequate screening criteria for donors and receivers but also adequate measures for graft preservation with the use of drugs and handling that have been shown to be effective.

Adolescent↗

[Paraplegia after surgery for aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta].

Postoperative paraplegia caused by ischemic injury of the spinal cord is the most disabling complication of thoracoabdominal surgery, particularly when repair of the descending thoracic aorta is involved. We describe the case of a 59-year-old man who underwent emergency surgery for placement of a Dacron prosthesis to repair a ruptured descending thoracic aorta aneurysm, using an aortic cross-clamping technique plus aortic-femoral partial bypass with normothermia and an ischemic time of 165 minutes. The early postoperative course included complete spinal syndrome with motor and sensory loss below T5, with consequent respiratory insufficiency of neuromuscular origin. The result was a difficult postoperative course including prolonged mechanical ventilation and recurrent respiratory infections. Possible causes include prolonged time of ischemia, inadequate monitoring of distal aortic pressure and inappropriate surgical technique related to the absence of angiographic data on spinal vascularization. We conclude that ischemic time should be kept to under 30 minutes whenever possible. In cases of prolonged ischemia, bypass techniques with outflow to the distal aortic segment are more effective whenever mean blood pressure at this point rises to 60 mmHg or more. Vasodilator use should be reserved for cases of severe arterial hypertension and left ventricular failure and/or life-threatening increases in aortic wall stress even if not leading to dangerous decreases in distal aortic pressure. Finally, angiographic study to obtain anatomical details of spinal blood flow is advisable.

Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic↗

Over-expression of NGF in skin causes formation of novel sympathetic projections to trkA-positive sensory neurons.

Previous studies have shown that transgenic mice over-expressing NGF in the skin have novel sympathetic 'basket-like' projections to sensory neurons similar to that seen in models of chronic pain. Since only a subset of sensory neurons in the NGF-transgenic mice received the sympathetic projections, we hypothesized that sympathetic sprouting was targeted to those neurons affected by increased levels of NGF. To test this, double-label immunohistochemistry for the NGF receptor (trkA) and sympathetic baskets was performed. Thirty-nine percent of all neurons in transgenic trigeminal ganglia were trkA-positive. Moreover, of the population of sensory neurons that received sympathetic input, 84% were trkA-positive. These results indicate that retrogradely transported NGF can induce and direct growth of sympathetic axons in vivo.

Animals↗

Dietary fish oil normalize dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance with unchanged insulin levels in rats fed a high sucrose diet.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the lipid-lowering effects of fish oils and concomitant consequences on glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in an experimental animal model of hypertriglyceridemia induced by high sucrose intake. To achieve this goal, male Wistar rats were fed a semi-synthetic sucrose rich diet (SRD) (w/w: 62.3% sucrose, 8% corn oil, 17% protein) for 90 days. At the time, a well established and permanent hypertriglyceridemia accompanied by glucose intolerance was present. After that, one half of the animals continued on the SRD up to 120 days. The other half received an SRD in which the source of fat was substituted by cod liver oil (w/w 7% CLO plus 1% corn oil) from day 90 to 120 (SRD+CLO). Control rats were fed a semi-synthetic diet (CD) (w/w: 62.5% corn starch, 8% corn oil, 17% protein) throughout the 120 days experimental period. Results obtained after the experimental period show that the hypertriglyceridemia and glucose intolerance ensuing long term feeding normal rats with a sucrose-rich diet could be completely reversed mediating no change in circulating insulin levels by shifting the source of fat in the diet from corn oil to cod liver oil. These findings suggest that manipulation of dietary fats may play a role in the management of the lipid disorders associated with glucose intolerance and insulin resistance.

Animals↗

Effects of tamoxifen on serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer.

Serum lipids and apolipoprotein levels were measured in twenty postmenopausal women with primary breast cancer, before and three months after tamoxifen therapy (10 mg twice a day). Tamoxifen caused a significant reduction in total serum cholesterol (10%; P < 0.02), and in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (17%; P < 0.01), and a significant 47% increase in the subclass 2 of the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01). In addition, tamoxifen caused a 16% increase in apolipoprotein A-I, a 12% decrease in apolipoprotein B (P < 0.05), and a 37% reduction in the serum concentration of lipoprotein (a) (P < 0.01). These results show that tamoxifen brings about an important improvement in serum lipid profile.

Aged↗

A sucrose-rich diet affects triglyceride metabolism differently in pregnant and nonpregnant rats and has negative effects on fetal growth.

A sucrose-rich diet (SRD) causes hypertriglyceridemia in nonpregnant rats. To determine whether a SRD further enhances gestational hypertriglyceridemia, female rats were divided into the following two groups: 1) rats fed a SRD (63 g sucrose/100 g), and 2) rats that received the same diet except that the sucrose was replaced by an equal amount of cornstarch (CD). Half of the rats were mated and studied at d 20 of gestation. Body weight increase did not differ between virgin rats fed either diet, but the final body weight of pregnant rats fed SRD was lower than that of rats fed CD due to fewer fetuses per litter and lower fetal and placental weights. The SRD enhanced plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in virgin but not in pregnant rats; plasma triglycerides and FFA concentrations and the rate of triglyceride secretion into the plasma were higher in pregnant than in virgin rats fed SRD, but the increase in liver triglycerides due to SRD was higher in virgin rats. Both removal rate of a fat emulsion and adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity (LPL) were lower in virgin rats fed SRD than in those fed CD. They were lower in pregnant than in virgin rats fed CD. Placental and fetal liver triglyceride concentration and placental LPL were higher in rats fed SRD than in those fed CD. Both the increased triglyceride secretion by the liver and the decreased triglyceride removal from blood resulting in maternal hypertriglyceridemia may contribute to the negative effect of SRD on the developing fetus.

Adipose Tissue↗

Immunoglobulin G subclass measurements in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

We have measured serum levels of IgG subclasses and total IgG, IgA and IgM in a group of 34 recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients. At the time of blood collection, 23 of the 34 patients had active oral lesions. The remaining 11 patients were at an inactive stage. All measurement were performed in the Beckmann 360 Array Protein System. Serum levels of IgG2 subclass were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the whole group of patients (34) when compared to the control group. This relationship was still significant (P < 0.05) when only the 11 patients without active oral lesions were considered but disappeared in patients at an active stage. We conclude that low serum levels of IgG2 may play a role in the pathogenesis of RAS, just as in other recurrent infectious diseases, and that serum levels of this immunoglobulin subclass, as well as total IgA, may undergo transient changes, depending on the different periods of activity and quiescence of the disease.

Adolescent↗

Low protein concentration in cirrhotic ascites is related to low ascitic concentrations of immunoglobulins G and A.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the differences in ascitic and serum levels of immunoglobulins and albumin between two groups of cirrhotic patients (with ascitic total protein levels higher and lower than 10 g/l). DESIGN: A prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 39 cirrhotic patients with sterile ascites. The patients were classified into two groups: group A (18 patients) comprised those with an ascitic total protein level less than 10 g/l and group B (21 patients) those with an ascitic total protein level higher than 10 g/l. Ascitic and serum levels of albumin and immunoglobins G, A and M were analysed. RESULTS: Ascitic immunoglobulin G and A levels in group B were higher than ascitic immunoglobulin G and A levels in group A. Ascitic levels of these immunoglobulins correlated linearly with ascitic total protein levels. The serum levels of immunoglobulins G and A in groups A and B were not significantly different. Ascitic and serum immunoglobulin M concentrations in the two groups were similar. Transfer of immunoglobulins G and A and albumin from plasma to ascites seemed to be similar in group B. Transfer of immunoglobulins G and A seemed to be impaired in group A. Differences in ascitic immunoglobulin levels between groups A and B were also observed in the presence of diuretic treatment. Differences in ascitic immunoglobulin levels were related to the Child-Pugh score. CONCLUSION: Patients with a low ascitic total protein level show low ascitic immunoglobulin G and A concentrations. The low ascitic immunoglobulin G and A levels could be related to an impairment in the transfer of these immunoglobulins from plasma in those patients who have poor liver function. Ascitic immunoglobulin M is not related to ascitic total protein, and its origin is not clear. The putative transfer of immunoglobulin M to the peritoneal cavity is not related to the mechanism of transfer of albumin or of immunoglobulins G and A from serum. The physiological significance of ascitic immunoglobulin M is unclear.

Adult↗

Multiphasic metabolic changes in the heart of rats fed a sucrose-rich diet.

Long term feeding a sucrose-rich diet (SRD) to normal Wistar rats led to multiphasic changes in the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDH), characterized by a significant decrease in PDHa (active form) in the short term on SRD (3 weeks) when compared to control rats fed the standard chow (STD). Although PDHa returned spontaneously to control values in the medium term (6-8 weeks) on SRD, an even more pronounced decrease was recorded when rats were kept long term on the SRD (15 weeks). Low PDHa levels recorded in the short and long term were accompanied by a two fold increase in heart acetyl-CoA concentration and the acetyl-CoA/CoASH ratio. Tissue long-chain acyl-CoA and triacylglycerol levels were also significantly higher in SRD fed rats. Spontaneous normalization of all the above metabolic parameters was observed during the medium term on SRD. Glucose-6-phosphate levels remained within control values during the short and medium term, in contrast to a two fold increase recorded in the long term on SRD. Glycogen concentrations were found moderately elevated only in the long term. Citrate concentrations were slightly increased in the short and greatly in the long term, and the fructose-2,6-bisphosphate/citrate ratio was found significantly decreased only during the long term on SRD. After 3 weeks on SRD, the protal vein Insulin/Glucagon (I/G) molar ratio was three times higher in SRD than STD rats, as opposed to an unchanged I/G ratio found in the long term.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

[HIV-1 infection in patients with hemophilia. The Argentinian experience from 1983 to 1990].

We present studies on the evolution of HIV-1 infection in 638 hemophilic patients receiving commercial antihemophilic concentrates (CAH) at the Institute of Hematological Research and the Argentine Foundation of Hemophilia between 1983 and 1990. Positive serology for HIV-1 was detected in 30% of the patients studied. Prevalence of HIV-1 infection was higher (about 70%) in the group with severe hemophilia requiring more CAH, but there were no differences between patients with hemophilia A or B. Sexual transmission was demonstrated in 8/64 women (13%) with stable sexual relationship with HIV-1 + hemophilic patients. Three of them became pregnant, and HIV-1 infection was demonstrated in two of the three children. In general, the clinical evolution, as well as the hematologic and immunologic parameters of infected patients were similar to those described for the hemophilic population in other occidental countries. Opportunistic infections were also those observed elsewhere (with predominance of P. carinii pneumonia and disseminated Candida infections). However, the presence of fatal chagasic encephalitis in two of the patients with AIDS is unusual. Thus, central nervous system localization of T. cruzi (which can be observed during the acute period of T. cruzi infection or in immunosuppressed patients), must be considered as a possible severe complication of HIV-1 disease in T. cruzi infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Effect of casein on the temporo-spatial organization++ of the contractile activity of the small intestine in the dog].

Some observations in man and experimental animals have demonstrated that casein decreases intestinal transit speed. However, its effects on intestinal motility have not been studied previously in a systematic fashion. The aim of this work was to study the temporospatial distribution of small bowel motility before and after the administration of calcium caseinate. Studies were performed in fasting dogs using 6 catheters perfused with a pneumo-hydraulic system. After the administration of 300 ml of a 10% solution of calcium caseinate, a global decrease in motor activity was observed, specially of grouped propulsive contractions, they were reduced in 64.9 to 19.5%. On the contrary, a significative increase, in 1.4 to 22%, of individual wave, non propulsive motor activity was observed. These quantitative changes in contractions, specially in their organization and temporo-spatial distribution, may be responsible for the decrease in intestinal transit after the administration of casein.

Animals↗

[Gastric metastasis of renal cell adenocarcinoma].

Gastric metastases are rare, usually discovered at autopsy. The most frequent ones are breast and bronchial cancer, as well as malignant melanoma. The case of a patient with upper gastroenterological hemorrhage due to an ulcerated metastasis from a renal cell carcinoma is presented.

Aged↗

[Amyloid colitis].

A patient is reported who had urolithiasis and pyonephrosis of the right kidney. In the terminal phase of his disease he developed chronic diarrhea and hematochezia. Sigmoidoscopy showed changes in the colo-rectal mucosa compatible with ulcerative colitis with moderate activity. Histology demonstrated large amyloid deposits of the AA type in the lamina propia around the vessels and with atrophy and ulceration if the epithelium.

Amyloidosis↗