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Biomedical subjects

C Montero

Publications and source records attributed to C Montero.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Eccentric muscular contraction: implications in treatment of athletes].

OBJECTIVES: To review the research on the effects and indications of eccentric muscular contraction in the athlete. METHODS: We searched the Medline database using the key words eccentric and negative work for reports of eccentric muscular contraction published from 1993 to 2004. RESULTS: The physiologic features of eccentric contraction remain unknown but significantly differ from concentric contraction. Eccentric contraction has a specific effect: during sports practice, it permits the muscular and tendinous complex to support strain and strengthens the muscular action of articular stabilization. But eccentric contraction produces injuries: delayed-onset muscle soreness, and muscle rupture and tendinous injuries such as luxation, rupture, and tendinitis. CONCLUSION: Treatment and prevention must have controlled protocols. In therapy, eccentric contraction must be realized at progressive speeds and resistances. Prevention of tendinous injury necessitates quantifying eccentric activity during training.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed2004

[Pancoast syndrome and endobronchial tumor infiltration as the first manifestation of Hodgkin lymphoma].

The most common cause of Pancoast syndrome is bronchogenic carcinoma. Other less common causes are solid tumor metastases, other chest tumors, infections, and hematologic neoplasms. Pancoast syndrome due to lymphoma is very rare, and cases described in the literature are essentially associated with non-Hodgkin lymphomas. In a review of the literature we found a single case of Pancoast syndrome secondary to a Hodgkin lymphoma; however, the syndrome manifested during recurrence of disease in that patient. We report a case of nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma which first manifested clinically as Pancoast syndrome and which was initially diagnosed by bronchial biopsy.

Bronchial Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Improving postharvest resistance in fruits by external application of trans-resveratrol.

As it is well-known, one of the main problems of modern agriculture is the postharvest fruit losses due to pathogen's attack and natural senescence during storage. Well established solutions to improve this situation, such as, for example, storage under controlled conditions and the use of synthetic pesticides, are not free of problems due to human health risks and environmental effects caused by chemical pesticides. A new strategy to solve these problems consists of developing methods to improve the natural plant resistance by using, upon their identification, the plant's own defense molecules, in other words, applying methods based on the plant's own natural processes of pest suppression to control spoilage. This requires the identification of components of the natural defense response in plants, which, in turn, demands highly sensitive, fast, and versatile analytical methods especially for trace, nonvolatile, compounds. In this work a laser-based technique has been applied for screening the postharvest elicitation of resveratrol by Botrytis cinerea in grapes. Besides antifungal character, resveratrol is known to present important antioxidant properties, which could also have positive effects on fruit conservation during storage. Consequently, several experiments were carried out in which exogenous application of resveratrol to several fruits maintained their postharvest quality. The quality of both resveratrol-treated and untreated fruits has been studied by the assessment of the biochemical composition and sensory analysis. Indeed, the present work demonstrates that the external application of resveratrol does not alter the sensorial and biochemical properties of the fruit.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

[Lung cancer in the health care area of A Coruña (Spain): incidence, clinical approach and survival].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence, clinical approach, diagnostic delay and survival for bronchogenic carcinoma (BC) in the public health area of A Coruña (Spain). PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a retrospective study of patients with a diagnosis of BC made in 1995 and 1996 in a health care area with 509,000 inhabitants. For analysis we gathered demographic, clinical and cyto-histologic data and analyzed diagnostic delay, extension of disease and time of death. Crude, age-specific and age-standardized incidences were calculated. RESULTS: BC was diagnosed in 378 patients (95% men and 5% women). The crude incidence was 37 per 100,000 inhabitants (73.7 per 100,000 men and 3 per 100,000 women) and the age-standardized incidence was 21.7 per 100,000. Diagnosis was by cyto-histology in 87% of the cases, and the most frequent biopsy finding was epidermoid carcinoma. Diagnosis was by clinical or radiologic findings for 13.7%, and patients in that group were older and had greater comorbidity. No symptoms were present in 13% and in those patients diagnosis was earlier, with non-small BC predominating and 60% treated surgically. The diagnostic delay (time from the first symptom to histologic confirmation) was 2.5 months (median, 2.1), and length of delay did not affect survival. Surgery was performed in 23% of the patients with non-small BC. The median survival was 7.1 months (5.2 months for patients who were not treated surgically, and 37.6 for those who were). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BC in men in our study is consistent with that reported for other Spanish regions, although the incidence we observed for women is much lower. Diagnostic delay did not affect survival. The percentage of patients with surgical-stage disease is very low and survival is very short. These findings support the need for early diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

trans-Resveratrol and grape disease resistance. A dynamical study by high-resolution laser-based techniques.

Two modern laser-based techniques were synchronously applied to study the dynamics of the trans-resveratrol activity in Botrytis cinerea-infected grapes. Direct analysis of trans-resveratrol in both infected and noninfected grapes (Vitis vinifera, Aledo variety) was performed by using an analytical technique incorporating laser desorption coupled with laser resonant ionization and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. On the other hand, one of the most sensitive on-line methods for trace gas detection, laser photoacoustic spectroscopy, was used to investigate the involvement of the plant hormone ethylene (C(2)H(4)) in the B. cinerea grapes interaction and its temporal relationship with the trans-resveratrol content upon infection. The trans-resveratrol content and the ethylene released by noninfected grapes showed an opposite behavior. In this case, a high trans-resveratrol content corresponds to a low ethylene emission. For the B. cinerea-infected grapes, ethylene emission rises up after 48 h when the analogous content of trans-resveratrol started to decrease irreversibly. Moreover, the activity of trans-resveratrol as natural pesticide has been investigated by exogenous application on grapes. A short submerge (5 s) of the grapes in 1.6 x 10(-4) M solution of trans-resveratrol delays the increase of C(2)H(4) emission with about 48 h and produces a decrease of the C(2)H(4) concentration and its emission rate. The treatment has positive effects on fruit conservation during storage; it doubled the normal shelf-life of grapes at room temperature, maintaining their post-harvest quality within 10 d.

Botrytis↗
PubMed2001

Analysis of trans-resveratrol by laser desorption coupled with resonant ionization spectrometry. Application to trans-resveratrol content in vine leaves and grape skin.

A method has been developed for nonvolatile compound analysis in fruits, namely, trans-resveratrol in grapes and vine leaves. This has been accomplished by the combination of laser desorption with resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection. After the optimization of the experimental conditions and the finding of the resonant wave-length of the substance, the full validation of the technique (i.e., linearity, repeatability, reproducibility, accuracy, detection limit, and quantification limit) was carried out with satisfactory results. Essential features of the method are as follows: (1) an enhanced desorption yield due to the mixing of the analyte with metal powder and (2) a high resolution and sensitivity and a low detection limit due to laser resonant ionization and mass spectrometric detection. Application to the analysis of trans-resveratrol in vine leaves and grape skin demonstrated the capabilities of the analytical method reaching detection limits of only few ppb.

Lasers↗
PubMed2001

The evaluation of yeast derivatives as adjuvants for the immune response to the Bm86 antigen in cattle.

BACKGROUND: The Gavac vaccine against the cattle tick Boophilus microplus has proven its efficacy in a large number of controlled and field experiments. However, this vaccine could be further improved by searching for new alternative adjuvants that would induce a stronger long-lasting immune response. We conducted several experiments to assay the adjuvant effect of fractions of the recombinant yeast Pichia pastoris in mouse and cattle models. In previous experiments, the combination of the yeast membrane with saponin was the most effective formulation in stimulating the humoral immune response in mice, eliciting a response higher than Montanide 888. The response was predominantly of the IgG1 isotype. Here, we evaluated the response in cattle and compared the results with that obtained in mice. RESULTS: Bm86 on the membrane of P. pastoris plus saponin produced high antibody titers in cattle, though the protection level against tick infestations was lower when compared to Gavac, probably due to a decrease in the IgG1/IgG2 ratio. The predictive value of the mouse model was studied through correlation analysis between the isotype levels in mice and the efficacy of formulations in cattle. Good correlation was established between the level of antibodies in mice and cattle, and between the amount of anti -Bm86 IgG1 in mice and the degree of protection in cattle. CONCLUSION: Mouse model have the potential to predict immunogenicity and efficacy of formulations in cattle. These results also support the use of the yeast expression system for recombinant vaccine formulations, enabling the prediction of more cost--effective formulations.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2001

Intrinsic resistance of Mycobacterium smegmatis to fluoroquinolones may be influenced by new pentapeptide protein MfpA.

The fluoroquinolones (FQ) are used in the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but the development of resistance could limit their effectiveness. FQ resistance (FQ(R)) is a multistep process involving alterations in the type II topoisomerases and perhaps in the regulation of efflux pumps, but several of the steps remain unidentified. Recombinant plasmid pGADIV was selected from a genomic library of wild-type (WT), FQ-sensitive M. smegmatis by its ability to confer low-level resistance to sparfloxacin (SPX). In WT M. smegmatis, pGADIV increased the MICs of ciprofloxacin (CIP) by fourfold and of SPX by eightfold, and in M. bovis BCG it increased the MICs of both CIP and SPX by fourfold. It had no effect on the accumulation of (14)C-labeled CIP or SPX. The open reading frame responsible for the increase in FQ(R), mfpA, encodes a putative protein belonging to the family of pentapeptides, in which almost every fifth amino acid is either leucine or phenylalanine. Very similar proteins are also present in M. tuberculosis and M. avium. The MICs of CIP and SPX were lower for an M. smegmatis mutant strain lacking an intact mfpA gene than for the WT strain, suggesting that, by some unknown mechanism, the gene product plays a role in determining the innate level of FQ(R) in M. smegmatis.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Sulfoxide-controlled S(N)2' displacements between cyanocuprates and epoxy vinyl sulfoxides.

Two short and convergent routes have been devised for the preparation of enantiomerically pure acyclic epoxy vinyl sulfoxides. These substrates undergo highly regio- and stereoselective S(N)2' displacements with lithium cyanocuprates to give alpha'-alkylated, gamma-oxygenated Z alpha,beta-unsaturated sulfoxides in moderate to good yields and with good to excellent diastereoselectivities. The absolute configuration of the newly formed carbon-carbon bond is primarily controlled by the chiral sulfur atom, which in a nonreinforcing situation can override the intrinsic anti tendency of the vinyl oxirane moiety and forces the cuprate to undergo syn addition. The hydroxy vinyl sulfoxide functionality of the resulting adducts should allow for subsequent asymmetric transformations thus enhancing the synthetic usefulness of this methodology.

Copper↗
PubMed2000

Control of ticks resistant to immunization with Bm86 in cattle vaccinated with the recombinant antigen Bm95 isolated from the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus.

The recombinant Bm86-containing vaccine Gavac(TM) against the cattle tick Boophilus microplus has proved its efficacy in a number of experiments, especially when combined with acaricides in an integrated manner. However, tick isolates such as the Argentinean strain A, show low susceptibility to this vaccine. In this paper we report on the isolation of the Bm95 gene from the B. microplus strain A, which was cloned and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris producing a glycosylated and particulated recombinant protein. This new antigen was effective against different tick strains in a pen trial, including the B. microplus strain A, resistant to vaccination with Bm86. A Bm95-based vaccine was used to protect cattle against tick infestations under production conditions, lowering the number of ticks on vaccinated animals and, therefore, reducing the frequency of acaricide treatments. The Bm95 antigen from strain A was able to protect against infestations with Bm86-sensitive and Bm86-resistant tick strains, thus suggesting that Bm95 could be a more universal antigen to protect cattle against infestations by B. microplus strains from different geographical areas.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Application of the critical molar concentration concept to heat-mediated antigen retrieval in immunohistochemistry.

Previously we have applied Scott's critical molar concentration concept to show that divalent cations, especially Mg2+ may be used to measure the affinity of a known monoclonal antibody for its antigen. In this paper we report the application of this same procedure to a study of a series of antigens (three globular proteins and three intermediate filaments). The concept was applied to samples without any previous treatment or after the application of heat-mediated antigen retrieval (using a pressure cooker). Our findings suggest that heat-mediated antigen retrieval sets free protein side-chain(s) that have been masked by formaldehyde fixation. This is reflected in a higher affinity of the antibody for the antigen in question.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed2000

Antiviral and antiluteolytic activity of recombinant bovine IFN-omega1 obtained from Pichia pastoris.

The gene coding for bovine interferon-omega1 (BoIFN-omega1) was recently cloned and expressed at high levels in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The recombinant BoIFN-omega1 protein shows antiviral activity in different cell lines and has an antiluteolytic effect in cyclic ewes. In this article, we describe a method for purification of BoIFN-omega1 expressed in the methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris and characterization of its activity in vivo. The recombinant protein secreted to the culture medium had low activity because of self-aggregation. BoIFN-omega1 was solubilized using urea and desalting and finally purified by ion exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose Fast Flow. The yield of purified product was approximately 300 mg/L of fermentation culture, with a specific antiviral activity of 10(8) IU/mg. Its purity was at least 80%. The biologic characterization of purified BoIFN-omega1 was determined by induction of an antiviral state on ewes challenged with 100 lethal doses (LD) of Aujeszky virus and by the extension of the corpus luteum life span and interestrous interval in cyclic cows. Ewes treated with 2 x 106 IU/kg BoIFN-omega1 were protected from Aujeszky virus infection. In cows receiving an intrauterine infusion of 1 mg BoIFN-omega1, equally distributed between the two uterine horns, twice daily from day 14 to day 22 of the experimental estrous cycle, the lifespan of the corpus luteum (25 vs. 19 days) and the interestrous intervals (26 vs. 21 days) were extended when compared with a control group (p < 0.05). We show that recombinant BoIFN-omega1 purified from P. pastoris has high antiviral activity and is an effective antiluteolytic agent in cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Reproductive and safety assessment of vaccination with Gavac against the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus).

Recent developments in cattle tick control have incorporated the use of recombinant Bm86 vaccines against this ectoparasite. The vaccine developed by our group (Gavac) contains an antigen expressed in Pichia pastoris, and has been successfully employed for the control of tick infestations and transmission of tick-borne diseases. Here, we examined the safety and effect of the Gavac vaccine on reproductive parameters in cattle. Toxicity tests in mice and guinea pigs demonstrated the safety of Gavac. To study the adverse effects of vaccination on reproduction, a field trial involving 9,500 animals in Cuba was conducted. The cattle at 3 farms were vaccinated while those on a fourth farm were left unvaccinated and served as the control. Following vaccination, the control of tick infestation and the transmission of babesiosis were used to demonstrate the efficacy of the vaccine. No adverse effects were observed in any of the reproductive parameters studied when comparing the data before and after vaccination with Gavac and between the vaccinated farms and the control farm. These results demonstrate that under the conditions of our study vaccination with Gavac is safe for use on cattle.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed1999

Vaccination against ticks (Boophilus spp.): the experience with the Bm86-based vaccine Gavac.

The control of tick infestations and the transmission of tick-borne diseases remain a challenge for the cattle industry in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Traditional control methods have been only partially successful and the parasites continue to result in significant losses for the cattle industry. Recently, vaccines containing the recombinant B. microplus gut antigen Bm86 have been developed. Our vaccine formulation (Gavac, Heber Biotec S.A., Havana, Cuba) has been registered and is commercially available in Cuba, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Mexico. In controlled pen trials, Gavac has been effective for the control of artificial infestations of B. annulatus, B. decoloratus and chemical-sensitive and resistant B. microplus strains from Australia, Africa, America and Iran. In controlled field trials in Cuba, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, Gavac has shown a 55-100% efficacy in the control of B. microplus infestations in grazing cattle 12-36 weeks after the first vaccination. Field trials under production conditions have been conducted in Cuba, Colombia, Brazil and Mexico in pure and cross-bred cattle herds. The application of Gavac has increased the time between acaricide treatments by an average of 32 /-21 days (P = 0.0005) resulting in important savings for the cattle industry. In Cuba, a cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted in more than 260000 animals. The cost-effectiveness analysis showed a 60% reduction in the number of acaricide treatments, together with the control of tick infestations and transmission of babesiosis, which resulted in savings of 23.4 dollars animal(-1) year (-1). These results clearly demonstrate the advantage of vaccination and support the application of Gavac for the control of Boophilus spp. infestations.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Integrated control of acaricide-resistant Boophilus microplus populations on grazing cattle in Mexico using vaccination with Gavac and amidine treatments.

Throughout most of the twentieth century, tick infestations on cattle have been controlled with chemical acaricides, typically administered by dipping or spraying. This approach can cause environmental and residue problems and has created a high incidence of acaricide resistance within tick populations in the field. Recently we developed a vaccine against Boophilus microplus employing a recombinant Bm86 antigen preparation (Gavac), (Heber Biotec S.A., Havana, Cuba) which has been shown to induce a protective response in vaccinated animals. Here we show for the first time under field conditions a near 100% control of B. microplus populations resistant to pyrethroids and organophosphates, by an integrated system employing vaccination with Gavac and amidine treatments. This method effectively controls tick infestations while reducing the number of chemical acaricide treatments and consequently the rise of B. microplus populations resistant to chemical acaricides.

Amidines↗
PubMed1998

The bovine IFN-omega 1 is biologically active and secreted at high levels in the yeast Pichia pastoris.

The gene coding for bIFN-omega 1 was isolated from bovine genomic DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Recombinant bIFN-omega 1 was expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris and high levels of the recombinant protein (0.4 mg ml-1) were secreted to the culture media. The obtained bIFN-omega 1 showed a cross-species antiviral activity on four mammalian cell lines of calf, pig, hamster and human origin, but this activity was absent on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. A delivery carrier was developed to permit a better release of bIFN-omega 1. When compared with a control group, an increase in 6 days in the corpus luteum lifespan was obtained in cyclic ewes following three interferon (IFN) intrauterine administrations on days 9, 10 and 11 post-estrus. In summary, these results demonstrated for the first time that biologically active recombinant bIFN-omega 1 was highly secreted by P. pastoris showing antiviral activity in different cell lines and an antiluteolytic effect in cyclic ewes, with no detrimental effects on the animals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗