[Actinobacillus ureae isolated from a patient with chronic bronchitis].
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Actinobacillus↗
Biomedical subjects
C Rodríguez
Publications and source records attributed to C Rodríguez.
A PCR-based assay for the identification of the fish pathogen Renibacterium salmoninarum.
By means of a one-step one-tube extraction from less than 1 mg of tissue it is possible to identify, via the polymerase chain reaction, Renibacterium salmoninarum in salmon with bacterial kidney disease. A 149-bp DNA sequence unique to R. salmoninarum was specifically amplified and its nature confirmed by Southern hybridization using a non-isotopically labelled probe. The sensitivity of the approach allowed the detection of 22 R. salmoninarum cells. The procedure was successfully applied in the identification of the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease in kidney tissue from infected fishes.
Animals↗
[Prevalence of obesity in Spain].
BACKGROUND: Obesity constitutes a severe public health problem due to both its complications as a morbid entity and its association to different chronic diseases. The aim of the present study was to calculate the prevalence of obesity in the Spanish adult population. METHODS: With the information concerning weight and height of a representative population sample of Spanish adults over the age of 20 obtained from the computerized data base of the National Survey of Spanish Public Health, Quetelet's index was calculated as an estimation of obesity. RESULTS: 7.8% of the Spanish adult population may be considered as obese. Obesity is more frequent in individuals from 55 to 64 years of age, in females and in those with a lower education. CONCLUSIONS: From estimations performed from self declared data concerning weight and height, obesity was found to be more frequent in the population from 45 to 74 years of age, in females and in those of low socioeconomic levels.
Adult↗
Risk of thrombosis during pregnancy and post-partum in hereditary thrombophilia.
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Blood Coagulation Disorders↗
Porphyrin accumulation in the harderian glands of female Syrian hamster results in mitochondrial damage and cell death.
BACKGROUND: The Harderian glands of female Syrian hamsters contain very high concentrations of protoporphyrin (in the range of micrograms per mg of tissue) which accumulate in the tubulo-alveoli of the gland. We have studied the process of synthesis, accumulation, and secretion of this cyclic compound by the secretory cells of the hamster Harderian glands. METHODS: The animals used were female Syrian hamster of 15, 35, 75, 180, and 360 days of age. Items first examined were (1) percentage of the "clear cells," (2) area occupied by intraluminal porphyrins, and (3) histological characteristics of "clear cells" by light and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In a second study the total content of porphyrins was determined. Finally, the levels of mRNA for the enzyme aminolevulinate synthase (ALV-S) were measured. RESULTS: In the glands of female hamsters, both the tissue concentration and the intraluminal area occupied by protoporphyrin correlate with the appearance of a special type of cell (clear cells) which show signs of cell degeneration. In addition, the expression of the gene for ALV-S, which is the limiting enzyme in porphyrin production, also parallels the relative number of clear cells. Analyzed under TEM, these clear cells display dilated mitochondria and short and swollen endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. In a late phase of necrosis, the nuclear envelope appears disorganized with scarce chromatin. The mitochondria undergo complete destruction, resulting in electron-dense bacillary formations which progressively coalesce in large and dense areas of protoporphyrin. The cell dies after this accumulation, being secreted by a "cytogen" mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: In view of our results, the Harderian gland of female Syrian hamster may provide a useful model for the study of the mechanism by which the anomalous accumulation of protoporphyrin induces cell damage in human protoporphyria.
5-Aminolevulinate Synthetase↗
Androgenic control of porphyrin in the Harderian glands of the male Syrian hamster is modulated by the photoperiod, which suggests that the sexual differences in porphyrin concentrations in this gland are important functionally.
BACKGROUND: The porphyrin concentrations of the Harderian glands of Syrian hamsters show marked sexual differences, with male levels being much lower than those of females. Porphyrinogenesis is inhibited by androgens, so orchidectomy leads to elevated male porphyrin concentrations; however, a number of other procedures (some of which also lower androgen levels) prevents this. We studied the effects of short-day photoperiods and melatonin on Harderian porphyrin concentrations. METHODS: Intact, castrated, or pinealectomized hamsters of both sexes were exposed to long-day or short-day photoperiods. Intact or castrated hamsters were given melatonin injections in the morning or the afternoon, or were given beeswax pellets containing melatonin. After a variable period, Harderian glands were dissected and porphyrins were measured. RESULTS: Prolonged short-day exposure (13 weeks) led to increased Harderian porphyrin concentrations and this rise was prevented by pinealectomy. The rise in Harderian porphyrins following short-day exposure was small, compared with that following castration. Short-day photoperiods also prevented the rise in porphyrin levels associated with castration and this effect was prevented by removal of the pineal. Melatonin injections, whether given in the morning or in the afternoon, had no effect on Harderian porphyrin concentration of castrated male hamsters. Continuous release melatonin pellets reduced the postcastrational rise in porphyrin levels in one experiment, while having no effect in another. In female hamsters, neither short photoperiods nor melatonin pellets influenced Harderian porphyrin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that a factor from the pineal gland helps maintain the low levels of porphyrin which are characteristic of male Harderian glands, despite the decrease in androgen levels which typically results from exposure to short days. Morning and afternoon injections of melatonin and continuous release melatonin pellets failed to resolve the question of whether this pineal factor is melatonin. Our results demonstrated that low male and high female porphyrin levels are maintained in Syrian hamsters, despite seasonal variations in the hormonal milieu, suggesting that these sexual differences are important for the (still unestablished) function of the Harderian glands in this species.
Animals↗
Human tonsil, blood and bone marrow in vivo-induced B cells capable of spontaneous and high-rate immunoglobulin secretion in vitro: differences in the requirements for factors and for adherent and bone marrow stromal cells, as well as distinctive adhesion molecule expression.
Human B cells capable of spontaneous IgG secretion are commonly found in circulation and in lymphoid tissues such as tonsil and bone marrow (BM). The present study compares the mechanisms that regulate tonsil, blood and BM B cells capable of spontaneous IgG secretion. The BM cell subset produced IgG during a markedly longer period of time (14 days) than did tonsil and blood cell subsets (2-3 days). Blood and BM, but not tonsil, B cell IgG secretion depended on the presence of adherent cells, as demonstrated by adherent cell depletion and re-addition experiments. Stromal BM cells supported linear IgG secretion by non-adherent BM cells for 2 weeks, but were unable to prolong the short-term IgG secretion by tonsil and blood cells. Different factors induced IgG secretion in each of the three B cell populations as optimal IgG secretion by tonsil, blood or BM cell subsets required either tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 or fibronectin + interleukin-6, respectively. Finally, these populations also showed differences in the expression of adhesion molecules; the tonsilar cell subset was PNA+/- CD44+ CD49d+ CD49e- Leu-8+/-, the blood cell subset was PNA- CD44+/- CD49d+ CD49e- Leu-8+ and the BM cell subset was PNA- CD44+/- CD49d+ CD49e- Leu-8-. These results suggest that the mechanisms controlling the final differentiation and the expression of adhesion molecules in these B lymphocytes exhibit territorial specificity.
Antibody-Producing Cells↗
A health-sanitary evaluation of lacteal desserts for consumption in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The consumption of lacteal desserts in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is notably high. However, there are no legal standards in Spain regarding microbiological quality. For this reason, we have decided that it would be of interest to carry out a health-sanitary study of these products, with the aim of discovering their microbial content. 330 samples of lacteal desserts on sale in the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife have undergone analysis. They have been divided into three groups: cream caramel (egg and vanilla) (80), mousse (60) and the third group, known as "other desserts", which includes custard and the rest of lacteal desserts not included in the previous groupings (190). Neither E. coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., nor Staphylococcus aureus have been detected in any of the samples analysed. In spite of the fact that the results obtained do not reflect high microbiological contamination, we consider it necessary to lay down legal standards, with reference values, for these lacteal products, which will guarantee good microbiological quality.
Bacteria, Aerobic↗
Late recurrent metastasis in Wilms' tumour.
Recurrence of Wilms' tumour after 5 years of disease-free survival is rare. We present the case of a 26-year-old man who had been diagnosed of Wilms' tumour at the age of 6 years treated by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy and who remained disease free for 8 years, after which lung metastases were detected. Second complete remission was attained with surgery and chemotherapy and 20 years after initial diagnosis he again presented with lung metastases, similarly achieving complete remission with surgery and second-line chemotherapy. The clinical and biological aspects of late metastasis in this neoplasm are discussed.
Adult↗
Urine excretion of androgen hormones in professional racing cyclists.
This study was performed on 16 professional racing cyclists to examine changes in urine concentrations of androgen hormones (testosterone, epitestosterone, androsterone, etiocholanolone, 11-hydroxy-androsterone and 11-hydroxy-etiocholanolone) and plasma sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) after training and after competition. The urinary concentrations of androgen hormones decreased during the period of training and increased during competition, this being the reverse of what happened to SHBG plasma concentrations. These changes would suggest that physical activity may have an influence on the elimination of androgen hormones and on the synthesis of its transporting protein SHBG.
Androgens↗
Congenital panhypopituitarism of late onset.
A 29-year-old male was diagnosed congenital panhypopituitarism due to pituitary hypoplasia, absence of pituitary stalk and ectopic neurohypophysis. This report, together with bibliographic review, may induce to reconsidering isolated GH failures, partial hypopituitarisms and panhypopituitarisms which have up to now been interpreted as idiopathic. The availability of new image techniques has allowed a better definition of the anatomic substrate of these alterations, and more subtle hormonal studies have pointed out, in some cases, their possible hypothalamic origin. On this basis, some of these cases may be interpreted as presenting the same alteration as those described in necropsy of newborns dead due to severe panhypopituitarism. Therefore, a unique clinical picture with various degrees of severity may be postulated.
Adult↗
New species-specific alleles at the primate MHC-G locus.
Six different ape MHC-G DNA sequences (four in humans: HLA-G*01011, HLA-G*II, HLA-G*0103, and HLA-G*IV; one in chimpanzees: Patr-G*I; and one in gorillas: Gogo-G*1) have been obtained. Only synonymous or conservative ("Thr"-to-"Ser") substitutions are allowed between the four human alleles. One allele of MHC-G exon-2 sequences has been found both in gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). The Patr-G*I DNA sequence shows two nonsynonymous substitutions when compared with the human HLA-G*01011 sequence: "CGG"-to-"TGG" ("Arg"-to-"Trp") at codon 35 and "ATG"-to-"ATA" ("Met"-to-"Ile") at codon 76. One nonsynonymous "GAG"-to-"GGG" ("Glu"-to-"Gly") substitution is observed in the Gogo-G*I exon-2 DNA sequence, when compared with the human *01011 allele. None of these three different substitutions have been observed in humans and are, thus, considered species specific. Also, evidence is provided that the human HLA-G*II and G*0103 may have been originated after human speciation. Finally, phylogenetic relationships among the six MHC-G alleles, tamarins G-"like" alleles, and other human class I genes (both "classical" and "nonclassic") are discussed.
Alleles↗
Fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole in vitro activity against Candida spp.
The in vitro activity of fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole against 625 Candida yeast strains from patients treated at the University Hospital of the Canaries, by means of a micromethod of dilution in broth enriched with Yeast Nitrogen Base (YNB), and buffered to pH7, has been assessed. Species distribution was as follows: Candida albicans (388), Candida tropicalis (84), Candida glabrata (84), Candida parapsilosis (69). Our results show 10.0% and 8.8% of C. albicans resistant to itraconazole and fluconazole, respectively, and 1.8% resistant to ketoconazole; 39.5% of C. tropicalis were resistant to itraconazole, 34.5% to fluconazole and 2.4% to ketaconazole. 19.1% of C. glabrata were resistant to fluconazole and 13.1% to itraconazole; 4.4% of C. parapsilosis were resistant to fluconazole and 1.5% to itraconazole. In general C. tropicalis was the most resistant strain and C. parapsilosis the most sensitive. The greatest percentages of resistance in vitro were seen with the two triazols.
Candida↗
Effects of verapamil, sodium nitroprusside, tetrodotoxin and caffeine on the electrical transmural stimulation induced contraction in the reticular groove smooth muscle of adult cattle.
The effect of electrical transmural stimulation (ETS) on smooth muscle strips in the floor of reticular groove of adult cattle was studied. The mechanical activity of the muscle strips was recorded isometrically. ETS (4 ms, 5 s, supramaximal voltage) caused frequency dependent (2-30 Hz) contractions of this smooth muscle. An increase in cytoplasmatic free calcium concentration can be achieved by release of the cation from intracellular store sites or by an influx of extracellular Ca2+ through calcium channels. The contractile response of the muscle strips was inhibited about 66% when it was incubated in a calcium-free EGTA-containing solution. The excitatory effect of ETS was not antagonized by verapamil (10(-6) mol/l), sodium nitroprusside (10(-6) mol/l) or tetrodotoxin (10(-6) mol/l). The electrically-evoked contraction was inhibited strongly (92%) by caffeine (30 mmol/l). The contractions of the smooth muscle from the reticular groove smooth muscle are dependent on the concentration of free calcium in the cell cytosol. This response was intracellular Ca2+ ion dependent.
Animals↗
Effects of softened and unsoftened fabrics on sensitive skin.
The effects of softened fabrics on the skin were evaluated by a forearm wet and dry test, under conditions simulating real-life skin contact with fabrics. 15 volunteers with sensitive skin according to dermatological assessment and their own recognition entered a double-blind 12 day, 3 sessions per day, forearm wetting and drying test, using cotton fabrics washed with a powder detergent and softened or not with a liquid fabric conditioner. To simulate conditions of skin damage, a dilute solution of sodium lauryl sulfate was applied under patch to the forearm before the start of the study. Skin effects were evaluated by visual grading (redness, dryness and smoothness), by noninvasive skin stripping and measuring of Chroma C* (squamometry), and by instrumental measurements (capacitance, transepidermal water loss, and colorimetry). Both the unsoftened and softened fabrics induced no deleterious effects on control or previously irritated skin. Furthermore, a mild beneficial effect was observed with the softened fabrics, particularly on previously irritated skin. The study findings suggest that softened fabrics may exert a reduced frictional effect on the skin.
Adult↗
Relationship between epidermal growth factor in mouse submandibular glands, plasma, and bile: effects of catecholamines and fasting.
The epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in bile is high (approximately 150 fold higher than that in plasma), but little is known about its physiological control. Acute administration of the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (1.7 mg/kg, iv) to male mice produced a rapid increase in the EGF concentration in bile. We suggest that this EGF originates in submandibular glands and not in the liver. The bases for this are: 1) this increase was parallel to the increase in plasma, and the EGF content of the submandibular glands decreased after phenylephrine injection; and 2) the EGF concentrations in plasma and bile did not increase after phenylephrine administration to sialoadenalectomized mice. The concentration of EGF in bile is not only under pharmacological control, but is also regulated physiologically. Thus, the EGF concentrations in plasma, bile, and submandibular glands increased in fasted mice. All of these changes were reversed by refeeding. As 1) [125I]EGF binding to liver membranes decreased only after 2 days of fasting, but the level of circulating EGF was already increased in 1-day fasted mice, and 2) EGF secretion by submandibular glands from 1-day fasted mice incubated in vitro increased, we suggest that the increase in EGF concentrations in plasma and bile is the consequence of increased endocrine secretion by submandibular glands. Taken together, our results suggest that there is a flux of EGF from submandibular glands to bile in mice, which is under physiological control.
Animals↗
Risk factor analysis of peri-neonatal mortality in rural Guatemala.
Peri-neonatal mortality is a serious health problem in Guatemala, especially in rural areas where most deliveries occur at home and are overseen by traditional birth attendants (TBAs) who function in the role of midwives. The three aims of the work reported here were to identify important predictors of peri-neonatal mortality within a rural area of Guatemala; to assess the effects of traditional and modern health care providers on such mortality; and to find ways of identifying high-risk women who might benefit from transfer to a hospital or clinic. For these purposes a case-control study was conducted of 120 women in the rural department of Quetzaltenango who had lost their babies from the 20th week of pregnancy through the 28th day of life. These women and 120 controls were interviewed in their homes by trained physicians, using questionnaires in Spanish or the appropriate Indian dialect, and the results were analyzed through a series of statistical tests. It was found that the complications of pregnancy and delivery with the greatest statistical significance were prematurity, malpresentation, and prolonged labor. Population-based attributable risks of these complications demonstrated that they accounted for significant proportions of the observed peri-neonatal mortality. While these conditions cannot be eliminated, within the rural Guatemalan context it appears that early referral of women with these complications to more specialized care settings could result in improved delivery outcomes.
Adolescent↗
[Familial thrombophilia due to resistance to activated protein C].
Resistance to activated protein C (RAPC) has been described recently as a cause of trombophilia; this may justify up to 50% of thromboembolic disease without predisposing cause in patients under 45 years. A 29 years-old male with a previous deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower left limb three years earlier, developed a DVT in the right lower limb after a trauma of the knee that required immobilization, was associated to pulmonary thromboembolism diagnosed by gammagraphic methods. The phlebographic study showed femoro-iliaco-caval venous thrombosis. The proband's father and a younger brother had a previous history of thrombotic episodes. The following tests, were performed in the proband and relatives: prothrombin time, aPTT, thrombin time, fibrinogen, (Von Clauss), antithrombin III (chromogenic), protein C and protein S (coagulometry and ELISA), plasminogen (chromogenic) and lupus anticoagulant (ITT, dRVVT, aCL). RAPC was evaluated in two different samples. The proband study was performed under oral anticoagulation treatment (OAT). Control groups were: 21 blood donors and 12 OAT patients. The results showed a decreased response to APC in the proband (ratio 1.5) and relatives: father (1.4), brothers (1.5 and 1.5), while the mother was within the normal range (> or = 2). In normal controls and OAT patients the ratio was over 2. No other abnormalities were detected in the assays performed. It is concluded that RAPC is the cause of this familial trombophilia. RAPC should be included in the evaluation study of trombophilia.
Adolescent↗