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Biomedical subjects

C García

Publications and source records attributed to C García.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

The effect of cyclosporin A on Hg(2+)-poisoning mitochondria. In vivo and in vitro studies.

The protective effect of cyclosporin A on the damage induced by Hg2+ in kidney mitochondria was studied. Cyclosporin, added in vitro at a concentration of 0.5 microM, reversed the deleterious effects of Hg2+ on transmembrane potential and Ca2+ accumulation. However, when injected in rats, together with Hg2+, cyclosporin failed to protect against Hg2+ poisoning. Due to the low activity of cyclophilin found in kidney mitchondria, it is proposed that the protection of cyclosporin in vitro must be exerted through an independent mechanism different from its binding to cyclophilin.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗
PubMed1994

Cytokine-induced inhibition of lipid synthesis and hormone secretion by isolated human islets.

Interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-6 inhibit insulin release and may be cytotoxic to isolated pancreatic islets. These cytokines have been postulated to play an important role in the beta cell destruction characteristic of type 1 diabetes. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of the above cytokines on insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone secretion by isolated human islets. In addition, we have investigated if cytokine-induced modifications in hormone secretion are accompanied by modifications in the ab initio synthesis of any specific lipidic fraction. All three cytokines studied, although not modifying insulin and somatostatin release to glucose 5 mmol/L, inhibited the response of both hormones to glucose 20 mmol/L. On the other hand, the cytokines almost completely blocked islet basal glucagon release, without affecting thyrotropin-releasing hormone secretion. The added cytokines also suppressed 20 mmol/L [U-14C]glucose incorporation into both phospholipids and diacylglycerol. Our results demonstrate a beta-, alpha-, and delta-cell, sensitivity to cytokine action. Additionally, they suggest that ab initio lipid synthesis might be implicated in the mechanism of insulin release in human islets.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced inhibition of phosphatidylcholine synthesis by human type II pneumocytes is partially mediated by prostaglandins.

TNF alpha seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of adult respiratory distress syndrome. We studied the effect of TNF alpha on phospholipid synthesis by isolated type II pneumocytes and attempted to characterize the role of arachidonate metabolites and the influence of pentoxifylline on such an effect. Lung tissue obtained from both multiple organ donors (n = 14) and lung cancer patients (n = 11) was used for cell isolation. Surfactant synthesis was measured by the incorporation of D-[U-14C]glucose into phosphatidylcholine (PC). The basal PC synthesis was higher in the donor group than in the malignant group (3.44 +/- 0.19 vs 2.15 +/- 0.15 pmol/microgram protein x 120 min, P < 0.01), and, in the presence of 100 ng/ml of TNF alpha, the incorporation of labeled glucose into PC was reduced significantly in both donor (1.13 +/- 0.11 vs 3.44 +/- 0.19 pmol/microgram protein x 120 min, P < 0.01) and cancer (0.99 +/- 0.11 vs 2.15 +/- 0.15 pmol/microgram protein x 120 min, P < 0.01) groups. Indomethacin was able to completely block the cytokine-induced decrease in PC synthesis by pneumocytes from the malignant group and to attenuate the inhibitory effect of TNF alpha in those from donors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid having a similar effect. The TNF alpha effect can be blocked by pentoxifylline (100 micrograms/ml), a substance which can even succeed in reverting the basal secretory inhibition of cancer patients' pneumocytes to levels similar to those of the donor group. TNF alpha may contribute to the pathophysiology of adult respiratory distress syndrome by inhibiting the synthesis of surfactant. TNF alpha might be produced in lung tumors, resulting in chronic paracrine or systemic exposure of pneumocytes to low concentrations of the cytokine. The TNF alpha effect was not prevented completely by the blockage of the arachidonic acid metabolism, hence other mediators should also be implicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of pentoxifylline and somatostatin on tumour necrosis factor production by human pulmonary macrophages.

Cytokines seem to act predominantly in a paracrine manner when producing their deleterious effects during sepsis. Therefore, local TNF alpha release by pulmonary macrophages would have a central role in the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). By contrast, pentoxiphylline (PTXF) can reduce lung damage in septic animal models, and somatostatin (SS-14) has been shown to down-regulate TNF alpha-receptor expression in monocytes, suggesting an immunomodulatory action for this hormone. The aim of this work was to study the effect of PTXF and SS-14 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF alpha release by human pulmonary macrophages. Macrophages were obtained from multiple organ donor lungs. Donors with either a recent history of tobacco smoking, more than 72 hr of mechanical ventilation, or any radiological pulmonary infiltrate were not included in this study. After 1 hr of culture, LPS stimulated TNF alpha release in a dose-dependent manner (2.34 +/- 0.20 and 11.32 +/- 1.38 pg/microgram protein, P < 0.01, in response to 2.5 and 10 micrograms/ml LPS, respectively). This response was significantly inhibited by both PTXF, 100 micrograms/ml (0.24 +/- 0.07 vs. 2.43 +/- 0.20, P < 0.01, and 1.30 +/- 0.08 vs. 11.32 +/- 1.38, P < 0.01, pg/micrograms protein, 2.5 and 10 micrograms/ml LPS, respectively) and SS-14, 0.4 ng/ml (0.26 +/- 0.07 vs. 2.43 +/- 0.20, P < 0.01, and 0.60 +/- 0.19 vs. 11.32 +/- 1.38, P < 0.01, pg/micrograms protein, 2.5 and 10 micrograms/ml LPS, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae: virulence and gene cloning.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is the causal agent of porcine contagious pleuropneumonia (PCP). The infection produces important economic losses in porciculture due to its high morbidity and mortality. Survivors are asymptomatic carriers infectious to other pigs and have low alimentary conversion. The causative agent possesses several virulence factors: adhesion fimbriae, lipopolysaccharide of the outer membrane, capsule, and cytolysins. In addition, our group has reported secretion proteases of a wide pH range of activity. These proteases degrade different substrates such as porcine gelatin, hemoglobin and IgA, and bovine or human hemoglobin. To control PCP dissemination, farmers require serodiagnostic tests which detect carriers and discriminate between vaccinated and infected animals. Bacterines used as immunogens are serotype specific and do not prevent the infection. Genes have been cloned that codify a cohemolysin, cytolysins, and an iron-binding protein. We have cloned A. pleuropneumoniae genes using the expression plasmids pUC19 and Bluescript, in Escherichia coli Q358 and DH5 alpha; the screening for antigen production was made in four groups of pigs (vaccinated, experimentally infected, naturally infected, and from slaughterhouses); two E. coli clones expressed polypeptides recognized by sera from all the groups.

Actinobacillus Infections↗
PubMed1994

[Psychopathology of malaria. History and nosologic topics with reference to protean symptomatology].

The literature dealing with the psychiatric consequences of malaria is the result of the experience of physicians in former colonial countries and in both World Wars. The psychopathological categories employed in their descriptions, whether due to a lack of psychiatric expertise or the influence of the noncommittal Anglo-Saxon psychopathological nomenclature of that time, are of a wide and heterogeneous spectrum. A detailed critical comparison demonstrated that there are two fundamental forms of psychic disorders caused by malaria: 1) the pseudo-neurotic or pseudo-psychopathic alterations evidencing a varied phenomenological character, with no delimitation to the psychoses; on the contrary, with frequent transitions to them, and 2) the exogenous malaria-psychoses caused by the illness itself or occasionally resulting from a liver insufficiency or from one of many forms of cerebral involvement. The latter can terminate in either a lethal coma or a demential state. Furthermore, both endogenous psychoses apparently triggered by malaria and exogenous psychoses caused by anti-malaria drugs still exist.

Europe↗
PubMed1993

Cloning and characterization of cDNAs that code for Na(+)-channel-blocking toxins of the scorpion Centruroides noxius Hoffmann.

With the purpose of studying the organization and characteristics of the genes that code for toxins present in the venom of the Mexican scorpion, Centruroides noxius Hoffmann (CnH), we prepared a lambda gt11 cDNA library from the venom glands. Using specific oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligos) designed according to known amino acid (aa) sequences of CnH toxins (STox), we detected several positive clones, determined their nucleotide (nt) sequences and deduced their aa sequences. A comparative analysis of these sequences with previously reported STox revealed that CnH cDNAs code for a family of very similar STox. The cDNA coding for a known STox, II-10, was cloned. Additionally, three other complete (new) nt sequences were obtained for cDNAs encoding peptides similar to STox 1 from CnH or variants 2 and 3 from Centruroides sculpturatus Ewing. Southern blot genomic DNA analysis showed a minimum size of approximately 600 bp as EcoRI fragments for elements of this family. PCR amplifications of CnH genomic DNA and hybridization of PCR products with specific probes indicated that the genomic structural regions that code for these genes do not contain introns, or at least not large introns.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Polyclonal 111In-IgG, 125I-LDL and 125I-endothelin-1 accumulation in experimental arterial wall injury.

To test iodine-125 labelled low-density lipoprotein (125I-LDL), polyclonal indium-111 labelled immunoglobulin G (111In-IgG) and iodine-125 labelled endothelin-1 uptake in metabolically active atheromatous plaques after arterial wall injury, we performed balloon de-endothelialization of carotid arteries or abdominal aortas in 24 New Zealand male rabbits which were fed with a normal diet (n = 14) or a hypercholesterolaemic diet (n = 10) after surgery. Six weeks later the animals were injected with 200 microCi of 125I-LDL and/or with 100 microCi of 111In-IgG or with 9 microCi of 125I-endothelin-1. Forty-eight hours later the animals were sacrificed. Carotid arteries and aortas were removed, counted and fixed for autoradiography and light microscopy examination. Contralateral carotid arteries and thoracic aortas served as controls. Significant 111In-IgG uptake was observed in the injured arteries at autoradiography, with localization mainly in the healing edges, and at well counting. The percentage of the injected dose per gram (%D.inj/g) was 0.0188 +/- 0.06 versus 0.0059 +/- 0.003 in controls (P < 0.05). There was no difference in 111In-IgG uptake between arteries with injury alone and those with active atheroma formation at the site of the injury. Significant 125I-LDL uptake was observed only when lipid deposition was present at light microscopy (%D.inj/g of 0.0024 +/- 0.0005 vs. 0.0010 +/- 0.0003 in controls, P < 0.05). 125I-endothelin-1 accumulation was observed in four of five injured aortas both at autoradiography, with diffuse localization, and at well counting (%D.inj/g of 0.0012 +/- 0.0004 in the abdominal aortas vs 0.0008 +/- 0.0003 in the thoracic aortas).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[The supplemental motor area].

Following an introduction dealing with the developments which led to the discovery of the supplementary motor area (SMA), its anatomy and neuronal connections are described. Subsequently, a report concerning the pathology of the SMA (epilepsy, tumours, ablations, defects and possible neuroleptic effects) and related experimental findings is presented. This is followed by a description of the motor function, and especially the speech motor function of the SMA. The article concludes with an exposition of Sir John C. Eccles' interpretation of the SMA as providing the basis for a naive solution of the mind-body dualism.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Minimal-change glomerulopathy and carcinoma. Report of two cases and review of the literature.

We describe 2 patients with minimal-change glomerulopathy (MCG) associated with an undifferentiated carcinoma of unknown origin and urothelial carcinoma. Oliguric acute renal failure and histopathological changes consistent with acute tubular necrosis were also observed. Fourteen other cases of MCG complicating solid tumors reported in the literature are reviewed. MCG should be included in the nephropathies which cause nephrotic syndrome in adult patients with carcinoma.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1993

Quantitative cultures of endotracheal aspirates for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and protected specimen brushing (PSB) are the most commonly used methods for diagnosing ventilator-associated (VA) pneumonia although they require bronchoscopy. Endotracheal aspiration (EA) is a simple and less costly technique than PSB or BAL. The purpose of our study was to investigate the diagnostic value of EA quantitative cultures and to compare the results obtained using EA with those obtained using PSB and BAL in mechanically ventilated patients with or without pneumonia. We prospectively studied 102 intubated patients divided into three diagnostic categories: Group I (definite pneumonia, n = 26), Group II (uncertain status, n = 48), and Group III (control group, n = 28). All patients received prior antibiotic treatment. EA, PSB, and BAL were obtained sequentially in all patients. When comparing Group I with Group III and using 10(5) cfu/ml as a threshold, we found that EA quantitative cultures represented a relatively sensitive (70%) and relatively specific (72%) method to diagnose VA pneumonia. The specificity of BAL and PSB (87% and 93%, respectively) was better than that of EA. The negative predictive value of EA cultures was higher (72%) when compared with that obtained using PSB (34%) (p < 0.05). EA quantitative cultures correlated with PSB and BAL quantitative cultures in patients with definite pneumonia. Although EA quantitative cultures are less specific than PSB and BAL for diagnosing VA pneumonia, our results suggest that the former approach may be used to treat these patients when bronchoscopic procedures are not available.

Bacteria↗