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C Cuadrado

Publications and source records attributed to C Cuadrado.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Synaptic behaviour of hexaploid wheat haploids with different effectiveness of the diploidizing mechanism.

Haploids of three cultivars of Triticum aestivum (Thatcher, Chris, and Chinese Spring) were obtained from crosses with Zea mays. The level of chromosome pairing at metaphase I and the synaptic behaviour at prophase I was studied. There were differences in the meiotic behaviour of the haploids from different cultivars. Thatcher and Chris haploids had significantly higher levels of pairing at metaphase I than Chinese Spring haploids. This metaphase I pairing was correlated with higher levels of synapsis achieved in the Thatcher and Chris prophase I nuclei than in the Chinese Spring nuclei. Variation in the effectiveness of the diploidizing mechanism among cultivars of wheat is proposed to have a genetic origin and the role of the Ph1 locus in the different haploids is discussed.

Chromosome Pairing↗

[Comparison of 4 anesthetic techniques for in vitro fertilization].

UNLABELLED: Little is known of the effect on oocytes of anesthesia administered during retrieval. The main objective of this study was to compare the prolactin and stress hormone responses to surgical stimulus under 4 anesthetic techniques and to determine whether there is an effect of technique on the number and quality of oocytes retrieved. METHODS: We designed a clinical trial to determine the plasma and follicular levels of prolactin and cortisol in patients in an assisted reproduction program. The patients were randomized to 3 anesthetic groups: general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, or sedation with alfentanil and midazolam plus paracervical block. Patients were consecutively assigned to the fourth group to receive sedation with remifentanil plus paracervical block. RESULTS: We studied 90 patients. The patients receiving general anesthesia had the greatest increase in prolactin by the end of the procedure. Follicular cortisol increased in the paracervical block group in which remifentanil was used for sedation. The only significant difference between groups was seen for the rate of gestation of 0% in the group receiving sedation with alfentanil and midazolam before a paracervical block. Adverse effects were few with all the techniques. All patients reported a high degree of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma increases in prolactin and hormonal responses to follicular puncture were fully attenuated by spinal anesthesia and partially attenuated by the techniques requiring sedation. None of the anesthetic techniques proved harmful to oocytes or embryos. Nor was the effectiveness of the in vitro fertilization technique affected by any of the anesthetic techniques studied.

Adult↗

Purification and characterization of a phytate-degrading enzyme from germinated faba beans (Vicia faba Var. Alameda).

A phytate-degrading enzyme was purified approximately 2190-fold from germinated 4-day-old faba bean seedlings to apparent homogeneity with a recovery of 6% referred to the phytase activity in the crude extract. It behaves as a monomeric protein of a molecular mass of approximately 65 kDa. The phytate-degrading enzyme belongs to the acidic phytases. It exhibits a single pH optimum at 5.0. Optimal temperature for the degradation of sodium phytate is 50 degrees C. Kinetic parameters for the hydrolysis of sodium phytate are K(M) = 148 micromol L(-1) and k(cat) = 704 s(-1) at 35 degrees C and pH 5.0. The faba bean phytase exhibits a broad affinity for various phosphorylated compounds and hydrolyzes phytate in a stepwise manner. The first hydrolysis product was identified as D/L-myo-inositol(1,2,3,4,5)pentakisphosphate.

6-Phytase↗

The synaptic behaviour of the wild forms of Triticum turgidum and T. timopheevii.

Different wild allopolyploid species of Triticeae show extensive bivalent formation at zygotene while a considerable number of multivalents is present in cultivated polyploid wheats. To study the chromosome behaviour at early meiotic stages in wild forms of tetraploid wheats Triticum turgidum and T timopheevii (2n = 4x = 28) we have analysed the synaptic pattern in fully traced spread nuclei at mid- and late zygotene and at pachytene of wild accessions of these species. The mean number of synaptonemal complex (SC) bivalents at mid-zygotene ranged from 12.22 to 13.14 among the accessions studied indicating a strong restriction of synapsis initiation to homologous chromosomes. The mean of bivalents increased at pachytene because of the transformation of multivalents into bivalents. Ring bivalents observed at metaphase I support that SC bivalents were formed by homologous chromosomes. The average values of SC bivalents at mid-zygotene in the wild forms are much higher than the average values observed in the cultivated tetraploid wheats but similar to that of a mutant line of T turgidum with a duplication that includes Ph1, the major homoeologous pairing suppressor locus. These results suggest that the efficiency of the mechanism operating in the homologous recognition for synapsis is higher in wild wheat populations than in cultivated varieties. Apparently, a relatively detrimental modification of the pairing regulating genetic system accompanied the domestication of the wild wheat forms.

Cell Nucleus↗

Activities of daily living in the Spanish elderly. Association with mortality.

The ability to manage basic activities of daily living (ADL) is a significant predictor for being housebound, placement in a nursing home and death. The aim of the study was to assess the capacity to perform activities of daily living in the Spanish sample (30 men and 49 women aged 80-85 y) from SENECA's Finale study (1999) and changes respect to the same sample ten years ago. The total ADL score (assessed by 16 questions) and the partials (mobility ADLm and self-care ADLc) show that the total ADL average in 1999 has been 23.9+/-10.2 (p<0.05) and 25.3+/-9.6 (p<0.001), being in 1989, 18.8+/-4.4 and 19.9+/-4.8 for men and women respectively. The ADL score from deceased subjects participating in 1989 was significantly worse (p<0.01 in men and p<0.001 in women) than ADL score from survivor subjects. Activities of daily living as a measurement of functionality decline with increasing age and in our study a better ADL score was found as survival factor.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Lens culinaris, Phaseolus vulgaris and vicia faba lectins specifically trigger IL-8 production by the human colon carcinoma cell line CACO-2.

Cultured Caco-2 cells were stimulated with Lens culinaris, Phaseolus vulgarisandVicia fabalectins. The production of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 was measured by ELISA and RT-PCR. IL-8 production appeared to be specifically triggered upon stimulation with all three lectins used, since none of the other cytokines tested were produced. The IL-8 secreted may induce the extravasation of activated neutrophils and generate tissue damage. A similar mechanism may be implicated in the lesions observed after infection by some enteric pathogens, with lectin-like domains on their membrane. Finally, this model may be suitable one to study the regulation of IL-8 production.

Caco-2 Cells↗

Effect of soaking, cooking and germination on the oligosaccharide content of selected Nigerian legume seeds.

The identity and quantity of and effect of processing on raffinose oligosaccharides in raw, mature seeds of lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus), pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), African yam beans (Sphenostylis sternocarpa) and jackbeans (Canavalia ensiformis) were investigated. Sucrose, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose were identified by HPLC in all the legume seeds. The total alpha-galactoside contents of the seeds in decreasing order were African yam beans 3.84 mg/100 mg; white lima beans 3.62 mg/100 mg; cream pigeon peas 3.51 mg/100 mg; red lima beans 3.37 mg/100 mg; jackbeans 2.83 mg/100 mg and brown pigeon peas 2.34 mg/100 mg. The predominant oligosaccharide was verbascose in pigeon peas and stachyose in the other three legumes. Cooking unsoaked seeds brought about a greater reduction in the total alpha-galactoside content than soaking for nine hours. The removal of oligosaccharides was higher in legumes cooked in alkaline solution than in water. Germination quantitatively reduced raffinose, stachyose and verbascose while sucrose was increased in all seeds except red lima beans and jackbeans.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Body perceptions and slimming attitudes reported by Spanish adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the desire to lose weight, body parts wanted to be reduced and weight-loss practices. DESIGN: A standardized questionnaire was self-completed by the participants. Anthropometric measurements were obtained by a research assistant. SUBJECTS: Forty males and 105 females from 12 to 18 y old randomly selected from education centers in Madrid, Spain. RESULTS: Body dissatisfaction in 56% of the females and the 27% of the males was observed. In spite of the low prevalence of overweight (10% males and 6% females), many adolescents reported themselves to be overweight: more girls (27%) than boys (12.5%) (P < 0.05) by Q2 (6.26) were cognitively inclined to weight loss even though they were not overweight (body mass index, BMI > 25 kg/m2). Adolescents desired a slimming of the abdomen (82% males and 52% females), thighs (18% boys and 39% girls), hips (6% and 18% males and females, respectively) and buttocks (23% males and 42% females). Methods selected to lose weight were: physical activity or sport (73% boys and 68% girls), not to have snacks (66% girls and 23% boys), select foods with low energy content (42% boys and 37% girls), follow own diet (31% girls and 23% boys), follow medical advice (31% boys and 17% girls) and trying to be amused to forget foods (13% girls and 11% boys).

Adolescent↗

Anti-nutritional constituents of six underutilized legumes grown in Nigeria.

Six underutilized legume seeds grown in Nigeria namely, red and white lima beans, brown and cream pigeon pea, African yam bean and jackbean were analysed for different anti-nutritional factors Sojasapogenol B was identified as the predominant sapogenol in lima beans and jackbeans by capillary gas chromatography. The content of total inositol phosphates and individual inositol phosphates (IP6, IP5, IP4 and IP3) were analysed by ion-pair HPLC, being in the range of other legumes. Trace quantities of lupanine were identified as the alkaloid in jackbean. alpha-Galactosides were present in all the legume seeds, stachyose being the predominant galactoside in lima beans, African yam bean and jackbean, and verbascose in pigeon pea. The haemagglutinating activity was estimated as a measure of the lectin content of the samples. African yam bean was found to have the highest heamagglutinating activity. Tannins were found to be in low quantities. The presence of these anti-nutrients in relation to the nutritional value of the legume is discussed.

Alkaloids↗

Effect of natural fermentation on the content of inositol phosphates in lentils.

The effects of natural fermentation upon phytic acid and less phosphorylated inositol phosphates of Lens culinaris var vulgaris cultivar Magda-20 were investigated. Seven fermentation runs were made following a 2(2) complete factorial design with three replicated centre points to study the effect of different conditions of temperature (28, 35 and 42 degrees C) and broth concentration (79, 150 and 221 g/l). Samples were taken for each of them at daily intervals (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h). The pH value declined sharply in the first 24 h of fermentation, becoming stabilized from this time. The relation between lactic acid and titratable acidity presented important differences between the different fermentations, ranging from 30-80%. Phytic acid (IP6), inositol pentakis (IP5), tetrakis (IP4) and tris-(IP3) phosphates were quantitatively determined. The content of total inositol phosphates showed a maximum reduction of 63% at 72 h under the fermentation conditions of 42 degrees C and 79 g/l.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

[Antigenic retrieval using a pressure cooker].

This technical note describes antigen retrieval procedures using a pressure cooker. These procedures are perfectly adapted to routine immunohistochemistry and improve the overall quality of immunostaining.

Antigens↗

Variation of favism-inducing factors (vicine, convicine and L-DOPA) during pod development in Vicia faba L.

Changes in the concentrations of vicine, convicine and L-DOPA in two cultivars of Vicia faba L. seeds in different stages of pod development were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The vicine and convicine content was highest in fresh green cotyledons (moisture content about 80%) and gradually declined until a constant level was reached when seed dry matter percentage was around 40%. A similar pattern of variation in glucoside concentration was observed for the seed coat. The pods contained neither vicine nor convicine but they were particularly rich in L-DOPA. These compounds were not homogeneously distributed in the seeds.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Distribution of oncofetal fibronectin in human mammary tumors: immunofluorescence study on histological sections.

Two types of human fibronectin have been detected by the reactivity of specific monoclonal antibody FDC-6: (a) those present in normal plasma and adult tissues, which do not react with FDC-6 (normal fibronectin or norFN); and (b) those present in fetal tissues and in tumoral cell lines, which do react with FDC-6 (oncofetal fibronectin or onfFN) (H. Matsuura and S. I. Hakomori, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82: 6517-6521, 1985). We compared the distribution of norFN and onfFN in normal breast tissue (15 samples), breast fibroadenoma (ten samples), and breast adenocarcinoma (80 samples), using an immunofluorescence technique with monoclonal antibody FDC-6. A polyclonal antiserum against human normal fibronectin was used as a control. While norFN was diffusely present in normal gland and in benign and malignant tumors, onfFN was absent in normal gland and in benign tumors. In carcinomas, however, its presence was frequent, as we found it in 60% of cases. Among classical prognosis factors in breast carcinomas, onfFN distribution was significantly correlated with histological grade. Indeed, the presence of FDC-6 labeling was significantly linked with intermediary and high malignancy grades, while its absence was significantly linked with low malignancy grade. onfFN could be considered a marker of the neoplastic state; its immunohistological detection may represent a new prognosis factor in breast carcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Comparative distribution of fibronectin and vitronectin in human breast and colon carcinomas. An immunofluorescence study.

Distribution of two extracellular matrix components, vitronectin and fibronectin, was studied by immunofluorescence in 40 breast infiltrating duct carcinomas and in 15 colonic adenocarcinomas. Blood vessels, especially in peritumoral colonic submucosa, gave markedly different images after staining by antivitronectin antibody and antifibronectin serum. The former exclusively decorated the elastic laminae, whereas the latter gave a reaction much closer to the endothelium, probably localized at the basement membrane of the endothelium. Strong labeling of colonic and mammary stroma carcinomas by polyclonal antiserum against fibronectin was observed, whereas monoclonal antibody against vitronectin gave much more restricted labeling in the stroma of these tumors. In the stroma of colonic carcinomas, vitronectin was often situated in areas in which elastic fibers were visualized by orcein counterstaining. In breast stroma carcinomas it was always localized only in elastosis areas. Thus, it is likely that antivitronectin binds with glycoprotein(s) associated with elastic fibers. However, vitronectin staining also was seen in areas in which no elastic fibers were characterized by the orcein method.

Adenocarcinoma↗

An azoospermic male with a Y/autosome translocation.

This report describes an azoospermic male carrying a Y/autosome translocation. The patient had a 46,X,t(Y;10)(q12;p13) chromosome complement in a lymphocyte culture. The cytogenetic study of this patient is described, together with testicular histology, spermiogram, hormone levels, and clinical history.

Adult↗