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A Zuñiga

Publications and source records attributed to A Zuñiga.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Characterization of GIST/GIPACT tumors by inmunohistochemistry and exon 11 analysis of c-kit by PCR.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST/GIPACT) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are characterized by the constant immunohistochemical expression of CD117. In recent years, sporadic and germ line mutations in the c-kit gene have been described in GIST/GIPACT tumors, resulting in a constitutive activation of the gene. The most prevalent mutation is located in exon 11 of the c-kit gene, involved in the transcription of the juxta-membrane domain of the c-kit protein. There are conflicting reports with respect to the association between exon 11 mutations and the biological behavior of GIST/GIPACT tumors. This work studies eight patients with tumors diagnosed as GIST/GIPACT, both morphologically and immunohistochemically for CD117, CD34, a-smooth muscle actin, desmin and S-100 protein primary antibodies. The DNA of the eight cases was also studied by PCR for mutation of exon 11 of the c-kit gene. All cases were CD117 positive, but only two showed mutation of exon 11. These last two cases did not show morphological characteristics of malignancy. The most aggressive case, with early death of the patient, did not show the mutation. In conclusion, there was no correlation between the mutation of exon 11 of the c-kit gene and the malignant behavior of GIST/GIPACT tumors in our series.

Aged↗

Active constituents isolated from Psoralea glandulosa L. with antiinflammatory and antipyretic activities.

The antiinflammatory and antipyretic activities of the petroleum ether extract (PEE), dichloromethane extract (DME) and methanol extract (ME1) of the aerial part of Psoralea glandulosa L. (Papilionaceae) were studied. The bioactivity-guided fractionation of the active extracts yielded the isolation of bakuchiol (Bk) from the petroleum ether as the active compound, cyclobakuchiols A and B (Cbk), and angelicin (Ang) from DME.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗

Increased Na,K,Cl cotransporter and Na, K-ATPase activity of vascular tissue in two-kidney Goldblatt hypertension.

The properties of the Na/K pump and Na,K,Cl cotransporter were studied in vascular tissue of two-kidney Goldblatt hypertensive rats. These transport systems were measured as ouabain-sensitive and bumetanide-sensitive 86Rb/K uptake in aortic rings, left ventricular muscle and soleus skeletal muscle fibers of control and hypertensive Sprague-Dawley rats. A dramatic increment in Na/K pump activity was observed in intact aortic rings from the hypertensive group. The same was true for the Na,K,Cl cotransporter. The transport parameters related to the left ventricular muscle and soleus skeletal muscle were not significantly altered in the hypertensive rats. Measurements of the catalytic isoforms of the Na+, K(+)-ATPase in the aortic rings indicated that both isoforms (alpha 1 and alpha 2) were elevated in the same proportion in the hypertensive rats. The results also indicate that the endothelium plays an important role in both transport systems: in the absence of endothelium, a much lower 86Rb/K uptake was observed than in intact aortic rings, either from control or hypertensive vascular tissue. Nevertheless, when the 86Rb/K transport activity was measured in denuded aortic rings, a significantly higher ouabain and bumetanide sensitive 86Rb/K uptake was also observed in the hypertensive rats. These data also show no alteration in the endothelium of the hypertensive rats as compared to control animals. The presence of endothelium had a more striking effect on the alpha 2 catalytic isoform activity than on the alpha 1 isoform. We conclude that there is a significant increment in the Na/K pump and Na,K,Cl cotransporter in two kidney-Goldblatt hypertension, that is specific for vascular smooth muscle.

Animals↗

[Crohn's disease: clinical presentation and results of surgical treatment].

Surgery has an important role in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). The objective of this communication is to assess the results of surgical treatment in CD, trying to identify recurrence risk factors. A retrospective review of the charts of 120 patients with CD seen between 1963 and 1990 was made. One third of these patients required surgical treatment. The series was divided in two groups. Group A comprised patients treated from 1963 to 1977. Of these, 30% had ileal localization of the disease and 20 patients were submitted to 20 surgical procedures. The major surgical indication was intestinal obstruction and resection was performed in 85% of patients. Morbidity was 20% and mortality 10%. Group B comprised patients treated from 1978 to 1990. Nineteen patients were submitted to 22 surgical procedures. The disease was localized in the ileon in 50% of these patients. Twenty one surgical procedures were resective with a 9% complication rate and no surgical mortality. Eighty percent of patients in this group has a complete follow up. In 47% the disease recurred 37 months (as a mean) after surgery. No effect of age, sex or localization of the disease on the risk of recurrence was observed. It is concluded that morbidity and mortality of surgical treatment for Crohn's disease has decreased and a prolonged control of symptoms has been achieved. No recurrence risk factors were identified in this study.

Adult↗