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Biomedical subjects

C Moreno

Publications and source records attributed to C Moreno.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Delayed-type hypersensitivity elicited by synthetic peptides complexed with Mycobacterium tuberculosis hsp 70.

Four synthetic peptides bearing dominant CD4+ T-cell epitopes of the 19,000 and 38,000 MW proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were used to provoke a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in mice previously immunized with recombinant 19,000 and 38,000 MW proteins. It was found that an effective enhancement of the DTH reaction was obtained if the peptides were administered as a complex with M. tuberculosis hsp 70 protein. The increase in reactivity was not obtained when hsp 70 and peptide were co-injected at the same site, but not in complex, or when the specific peptide was displaced from the complex by an irrelevant peptide with high capacity to bind hsp 70. One of the antigenic peptides whose capacity to complex with hsp 70 is low, failed to show the enhancement of DTH when injected together with hsp 70.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Acquired drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates recovered from compliant patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated tuberculosis.

We describe five compliant patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis (TB) that relapsed, with acquisition of resistance by the original Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Both the first and second isolates from each patient had the same IS (insertion sequence) 6110-based DNA fingerprint patterns. Three of the five patients developed TB that was resistant to rifampin alone; no mutation in the region of the rpoB gene was detected by a line probe assay in two of the isolates from these patients. We discuss several factors presumably associated with acquired drug resistance in HIV-infected patients, including exogenous reinfection, drug interactions, malabsorption of drugs, and the presence of a large organism burden.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1997

Accidental exposure to daily long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue administration and pregnancy in an in-vitro fertilization cycle.

A case of successful pregnancy in an in-vitro fertilization cycle, in spite of an accidental exposure to daily long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue administration, is reported. The patient underwent two intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with thawed epididymal spermatozoa, in which, due to a pharmacist's mistake, ovarian stimulation was carried out by a combination of long-acting gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (leuprolide depot) and gonadotrophins. A successful singleton pregnancy was achieved after intrauterine embryo transfer with the birth of a healthy boy after 38 weeks. We describe the circumstances and results of this clinical case, as well as reviewing the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Time trend and age-period-cohort effects on gastric cancer incidence in Zaragoza and Navarre, Spain.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe time trends in gastric cancer incidence in Zaragoza and Navarre, and to investigate time period and birth cohort as determinants of such trends. DESIGN: Cases from two registries were grouped into five year intervals and the following were calculated: age specific and sex specific incidence rates, and the male to female ratio. Log linear models including age, period of diagnosis, and birth cohort were fitted. SETTING: The Zaragoza Cancer Registry covers the province of Zaragoza, which has a population of 824,776 (403,755 men and 421,021 women). The Navarre Cancer Registry covers the province of Navarre which has 512,512 inhabitants (254,786 men and 257,726 women). In both cases population figures were based on the late census. PATIENTS: These comprised incident cases of gastric cancer reported to the Zaragoza Cancer Registry in 1963-87 and to the Navarre Cancer Registry in 1973-87. MAIN RESULTS: Navarre registered higher adjusted and cumulative rates than Zaragoza for both sexes. In both provinces, there were relative declines in the rates for men and women of 3% and 4% respectively per year. In Zaragoza, the risk of developing stomach cancer fell in generations born between 1888 and 1933, and rose in subsequent birth cohorts in both sexes, while in Navarre the cohort effect showed an approximately linear risk for both sexes. Both provinces recorded increases in risk associated with cohorts born between 1933 and 1943. CONCLUSION: The incidence rates of gastric cancer fell in both Zaragoza and Navarre. The reason for the greater incidence of gastric cancer in Navarre remains unknown. Trends in rates seem to be mainly linked to birth cohort. Increases in risk in generations born after 1933 may be ascribable to nutritional deficiencies in the early years of life.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

A simple method for the eradication of Legionella pneumophila from potable water systems.

In this paper we describe a simple method, noncorrosive to pipes, for the eradication of Legionella pneumophila from potable water systems. This method is based on the systematic purging of the pipe networks with cold water containing 1-1.5 mg residual chlorine/L. In the hot water system, a new pipe bypassing the water heater was installed, whereas in the air conditioning system, the circuit is purged with water from the tap water system. The feasibility of this method was studied in two hotels in which the presence of Legionella was detected despite treatment of the water by the hyperchlorination method. The evolution of the presence of Legionella was studied by culture and polymerase chain reaction. Eighty samples from hotel A and sixty-seven samples from hotel B were analyzed during the time that the eradication method was applied. Our results showed that this method permitted the effective elimination of L. pneumophila after 5 months in hotel A and 7 months in hotel B.

Chlorine↗
PubMed1997

Subcellular changes in the tonsils of pigs infected with acute African swine fever virus.

A study of the pathogenesis of acute African swine fever (ASF) was carried out in pigs inoculated with a highly virulent strain of ASF virus to determine the sequential development of the subcellular changes in a particular lymphoepithelial organ, the tonsil. The apoptosis of the lymphocytes and the inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation were the main changes that occurred in the tonsillar lymphoid structures. This may explain the early lymphopenia observed in acute ASF. Moreover, vascular changes, consisting of increased vascular permeability, activation of endothelial cells and loss of these cells, might have been the cause of the characteristic haemorrhages found in the lymphoid organs during this disease. Virus replication has been observed in the epithelial cells, fibroblasts and reticular cell beginning on day 5 post-infection. The activation of the endothelial cells, apoptosis of lymphocytes, decreased lymphocyte mitosis and virus replication in non-mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) cells all occurred after an intense proliferation and activation of the tonsillar macrophages and coincide with virus replication, which occurs in the macrophages 5 days post infection.

African Swine Fever↗
PubMed1997

[Determination of the cytokine level during storage of partially leukocyte-depleted (<0.5 x 10(9)) or totally leukocyte-depleted (<0.5 x 10(6)) platelets].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) during the storage of pools of PCs obtained after removing the buffy-coat, in comparison with the amount of leukocytes present in these components. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blood was collected in quadruple-bag-system containing 63 mL of CPD as anticoagulant and 100 mL of SAG-M solution as additive for the red cells. Approximately twelve hours after collection, blood separation was made automatically by Compomat (NPBI) and platelet concentrates were prepared from the buffy-coat fraction. Five or six PCs were mixed to obtain a pool (n = 28). Eight pools were WBC reduced by filtration (PXL-8, Pall España). Before storage a sample of each pool was obtained in order to count platelets and WBC as basal values. All kind of pools were stored at room temperature with continuous agitation during a period of 10 days. Volumes were measured by weight and specific gravity. Platelets and leukocytes were counted in the Coulter-counter (STKR Counter. Izasa) or in Nageotte chamber for the filtered products. On days 1, 4 and 7 interleukins were measured by ELISA (EASIA Kits, Medgenix Diagnostics, Brussels), Lecture was done at 450 nm using a spectophotometer (ANTHOS 2001). Lower limits of sensitivity were 2 pg/mL for IL-1 beta and 3 pg/mL for IL-6 and TNF-alpha according to the manufacturer. Wilcoxon test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The average volume of the pools was 460 mL and 374 for the filtered ones. The total platelet amount was 3.63 x 10(11) and 2.8 x 10(11) respectively, with a WBC contamination of 380 x 10(6) and 0.54 x 10(6) for the filtered. The yield of platelets after filtration was 84% with a loss of 99.90% of WBC (3-log). The measures of interleukins were not homogeneous, but a great variability was found shown among the different pools, not always in relationship with the amount of leukocytes. The levels of IL-1 beta were 3.58 pg/mL on day 1, 6.36 pg/mL on day 4 and 8.76 pg/mL on day 7 (p < 0.005). For the IL-6 we found 13.08 pg/mL on day 1, 15.43 pg/mL on day 4 and 19.77 on day 7 (p < 0.05). For the TNF-alpha, 13.65 pg/mL an day 1,24.33 pg/mL on day 4 and 30.10 pg/mL on day 7 (p < 0.05). In the filtered pools the detections of IL-1 beta and IL-6 were always under the sensibility threshold, but there was an increment of TNF-alpha on day 7 (16.91 pg/mL). Microbiologic cultures were always negative. CONCLUSION: The accumulation of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha is not prevented by the fact of removing the buffy-coat layer when preparing PCs, although these levels are considerably lower in comparison with those obtained by the PRP technic. Filtration of pooled PCs avoids the presence of these cytokines except TNF-alpha, where a low amount can be detected.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1997

Age-period-cohort modeling of colorectal cancer incidence and mortality in Spain.

Spain registers a much lower rate of colorectal cancer incidence and mortality than do other European countries, yet the rises observed in the adjusted rates over recent decades led us to attempt to monitor the trends over time using Poisson log-linear models. Incidence data were furnished by the Zaragoza and Navarre population-based cancer registries, whereas mortality data corresponded to Spain as a whole. For trend evaluation purposes, we made use of invariant parameters from age-period-cohort models (net drift and curvature) and a restriction of the cohort-effect slope range. The results suggest the presence of a marked rise in incidence of colorectal cancer for both sexes and across all age groups in the provinces studied. The rise in mortality was less pronounced than the rise in incidence and seemed to coincide with a marked cohort effect present throughout the study period. Both in incidence and mortality, the increases were more pronounced among men. When studied jointly, incidence and mortality trends tend to be complementary, rendering an approach of this nature especially important in sites with better survival, such as the case in point.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of a 7Fe ferredoxin isolated from the marine denitrifier Pseudomonas nautica strain 617: spectroscopic and electrochemical studies.

A 7Fe ferredoxin, isolated from the marine denitrifier Pseudomonas nautica strain 617, was characterized. The NH2-terminal sequence analysis, performed until residue number 56, shows a high similarity with the 7Fe ferredoxins isolated from Azotobacter vinelandii, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas stutzeri. EPR and NMR spectroscopies identify the presence of both [3Fe-4S] and [4Fe-4S] clusters, with cysteinyl coordination. The electrochemical studies on [Fe-S] clusters show that a fast diffusion-dominated electron transfer, promoted by Mg(II), takes place between the ferredoxin and the glassy carbon electrode. Square wave voltammetry studies gave access to the electrosynthesis of a 4Fe center formed within the [3Fe-4S] core. The [3Fe-4S] cluster exhibited two reduction potentials at -175 and -680 +/- 10 mV and the [4Fe-4S] cluster was characterized by an unusually low reduction potential of -715 +/- 10 mV, at pH 7.6

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Duplication of genes encoding the immunodominant 38 kDa antigen in Mycobacterium intracellulare.

Mycobacterium avium is a causative agent of mycobacterioses in systemically immunocompromised individuals, whereas Mycobacterium intracellulare is responsible for causing infections in relatively immunocompetent hosts. In an attempt to identify components that could be involved in virulence, we characterised the 38 kDa-encoding gene of M intracellulare that is absent in M. avium. This antigen cross reacts immunologically with a major 38 kDa antigen of M. tuberculosis, and both antigens are homologues of the phosphate transport subunit S (PstS) of the pst complex of Escherichia coli. Unlike the M. tuberculosis complex the M. intracellulare coding gene was found to be duplicated. We also identified and characterised other pst genes that may constitute an operon. Considering that multiple isoforms of PstS are present in mycobacteria the possible role of pstS1 genes for pathogenesis is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Lung cancer mortality among males of Catalonia and Spain compared with other European countries between 1975-1977 and 1987-1989.

This study compares the lung cancer mortality rates among males in the years 1975-1977 and 1987-1989 in Catalonia and Spain with other European countries selected for their geographical proximity. Adjusted calculations using the direct method have been made for male lung cancer mortality. Adjusted truncated rates for the age groups 0-44, 45-64 and more than 65 years were also calculated, as well as percent differences between the mortality rates of each period studied. Lung cancer mortality rates for males in Catalonia and Spain show relative increments of 46.58% and 52.41%, respectively. In contrast, lung cancer mortality in countries such as England-Wales and Switzerland have decreased. Moreover, the 0-44 year age group in Catalonia and Spain shows the absolute highest rates in the 1987-1989 period among all the countries analyzed. The marked contrast of the lung cancer mortality rate evolution in Catalonia and Spain compared with some other European countries and the considerable increase of the mortality in younger age groups indicate the need to intensify lung cancer control measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The safety and effectiveness of stepwise and low-dose administration of follicle stimulating hormone in WHO group II anovulatory infertile women: evidence from a large multicenter study in Spain.

PURPOSE: Our goal was to investigate the safety, effectiveness, and feasibility for the practicing physician of stepwise and low-dose administration of FSH in WHO group II anovulatory infertile women. METHODS: Infertile female patients (n = 234) suffering from WHO group II anovulation, and who failed to became pregnant with clomiphene citrate, were included in a multicenter, prospective, clinical study of treatment with a protocol of chronic low-dose and small incremental rises with urinary purified or highly purified FSH. Follicular development was monitored with ultrasonographic scans. RESULTS: The 234 patients received a total of 534 cycles of treatment, for a mean number of 2.3 treated cycles per patient. hCG was withheld in 65 (12.2%) cyles because of no response and in 28 (5.2%) cycles because of hyperresponse. Of the remaining 441 cycles, 419 (95%) were ovulatory, and in 198 (47.3%) of these cycles a single dominant follicle developed. There were 93 pregnancies (39.7% per patient), for a cycle fecundity rate of 17.4%. Cumulative conception rate after two treated cycles was 33.5%. There were 14 (15%) pairs of twins and 10 (10.8%) spontaneous miscarriages. The prevalence of complications was low with no cases of severe OHSS. Basal LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in the pregnant group of patients than in nonpregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Stepwise and chronic low-dose administration of FSH is a safe and effective method for treatment of WHO group II anovulatory infertility, mainly in those patients having high LH/FSH ratios.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Immunogenicity of peptides for B cells is not impaired by overlapping T-cell epitope topology.

The epitope specificity of T-cell help to B cells and of surface immunoglobulin-mediated B-cell-binding of antigens usually involves topographically distinct antigenic determinants. The possibility of cross-recognition of the same peptide sequence by both T cells and antibodies has been a matter of conflicting opinions. We investigated this subject by detailed mapping of T- and B-cell epitopes within four immunogenic mycobacterial peptides. The identified core sequences of T- and B-cell epitopes showed different topology within each peptide: they were partially overlapping or adjacent in two P38-derived peptides, but entirely overlapping in two P19-derived peptides. The critically important result using the two truncated peptides (P19/67-78 and P19/146-155) containing only the fully overlapping epitope cores was, that they retained full potency for inducing antibody responses. However, despite this desirable overlap of determinants, antipeptide sera failed to block the proliferation of corresponding T-cell hybridomas. We conclude, that our study, in contrast to previous findings, suggests that overlapping topology of T- and B-cell epitopes within synthetic peptides does not necessarily impair B-cell immunogenicity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Synthetic peptides non-covalently bound to bacterial hsp 70 elicit peptide-specific T-cell responses in vivo.

We have examined the immunogenicity of complexes formed by non-covalent association of a synthetic peptide corresponding to influenza A virus nucleoprotein, residues 206-229 (pNP) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat-shock protein 70 (hsp 70). One or two injections of these complexes given to BALB/c mice without any additional adjuvant, were capable of eliciting very strong peptide-specific proliferative T-cell responses in the spleen. These responses were dependent on the stability of the complex since immunogenicity was lost when dissociated with ATP prior to immunization. T-cell responses to hsp 70 were easily generated by immunization with the purified chaperone alone, either after primary or secondary immunization. Injection of pNP-hsp 70 complexes, however, although generating good primary responses, resulted in very much decreased proliferative responses to the hsp 70.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1996

Distinct conformations of a peptide bound to HLA-DR1 or DRB5*0101 suggested by molecular modelling.

The conformation of peptides when bound to different HLA class II molecules is of interest in the study of specificity and function of responding T cells. Here, we report the investigation of the HLA-DR binding profiles of an immunodominant and HLA-promiscuous mycobacterial peptide, p38G. Its binding affinities were found to be high for DR1, moderate for DR2, DR7 and DR8, low for DR4, DR5, DR6 and DR9, and below detection for DR3. The minimum peptide length required for binding was, in the majority of cases, nine residues and 11 in two instances (DR2 and DR4). Peptide binding to DR2 was attributed to the DRB5*0101 and not to the DRB1*1501 gene product. Substitution analysis of the amino acid residues involved in binding to DR1 and DRB5*0101 identified F-354 as the common primary contact residue (P1), while allele-specific differences were found in positions P4, P6 and in the C-terminal anchor residue (valine at P9 for DR1 or lysine at P10 for DRB5*0101). Computer-assisted evaluation of these empirical data produced a molecular model, suggesting that the peptide binds to DR1 in an elongated conformation, similar to that of other peptide MHC class II complexes. In contrast, the DRB5*0101 bound peptide is likely to be kinked, which so far was considered characteristic only for peptides within MHC class I complexes. The different conformations imposed on the same peptide by distinct HLA alleles may represent an important mechanism for the control of T cell responses.

Alleles↗
PubMed1996

[Usefulness of DR, PGRS, and spoligotyping in the typing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Comparison with IS6110].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate 4 markers (IS6110, DR, PGRS and spoligotyping) to differentiate the strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated in our surroundings, most specially in those which contain a reduced number of IS6110 copies. In addition, to confirm the identity of the strains that share the same IS6110 restriction-hybridization pattern. METHODS: We selected 37 strains from a previous study: 25 had a unique IS6110 pattern and 12 grouped in 3 clusters (8 strains with 11 bands, 2 with 17 bands and 2 which shared the same six-band pattern). The PGRS and DR-RFLPs were obtained by AluI restriction and synthetic oligonucleotides specific to these sequences. The polymorphism of the DR region spacers was analyzed by spoloigotyping. For the amplification of the spacers we used the DRa and DRb primers. Detection was done hybridizing the PCR products on a membrane in which 43 specific spacers had been previously immobilized. RESULTS: Twenty-three different PGRS patterns and 18 spolygotyping patterns were obtained from 25 strains with unique IS6110 pattern. Eight patterns resulted from the 10 strains studied by DR. The 8 strains which shared an 11-band pattern, as well as the 2 strains which shared a 17-band pattern, resulted identical by the other markers. However, 2 strains which shared a 6-band pattern were different by both PGRS and DR or spoligotyping. CONCLUSIONS: 1) IS6110 resulted the most discriminative marker of all. 2) The clonality of clusters with a low number of bands has to be confirmed with alternative markers.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1996

Increased numbers of CD5+ B cells in the thymus of estradiol benzoate-treated rats.

In the present work we combine both flow cytometry and in situ immunohistochemical techniques to study the changes affecting a minor B cell population described within the normal rat thymus, after treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB). Our results, in agreement with previous data, show that the vast majority of these intrathymic B cells are CD5+. The existence of CD5+ B cells was confirmed flow cytometrically in both cervical lymph nodes and spleen of control, adult Wistar rats. Moreover, after EB administration intrathymic B cells increased significantly especially in those rats receiving 500 micrograms of EB, constituting cell masses around the blood vessels of cortico-medullary area and in the thymic medulla. We discuss the significance of this increased number of intrathymic CD5+ B cells, which is probably due to a selective cell migration from the periphery into the thymus, from the view of the effects of estradiol on the thymic vascular permeability.

Animals↗