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D Pinto

Publications and source records attributed to D Pinto.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

[The innervation of the digestive tract: its morphofunctional and neurochemical aspects].

The innervation of the alimentary tract (or enteric nervous system, ENS) represents the third division of the autonomic nervous system and it appears to be unique for its intrinsic ability to mediate reflex activity even when disconnected from the central nervous system. Enteric nerve cells can be classified in subclasses according to combined classic morphological criteria (Dogiel type I, II and III) and electrophysiological properties (type S and AH). A further major feature of the ENS lies in the variety of chemical messengers expressed in its neuronal elements. These substances can act either as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. A common finding of enteric neurons is to synthetize and store several chemical messengers, a phenomenon known as neurochemical coding. As a consequence, neurotransmission involves the release and action of more than one messenger, an event referred to as plurichemical transmission. Recently, the use of combination of methods (such as immunohistochemical, pharmacological and electrophysiological techniques) has led to the identification of specific functionally distinct categories of enteric neurons. Thus, inhibitory and excitatory motor neurons, interneurons, vasomotor and sensory neurons are now recognized to constitute the complex network of the ENS. These neuronal elements are synaptically connected to form microcircuits which play a pivotal role to control digestive functions, including motility, blood flow, secretion and absorbtion.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Mechanism of selective inhibition of the inducible isoform of prostaglandin G/H synthase.

Selective inhibition of the inducible isoform of prostaglandin G/H synthase (cyclooxygenase-2; COX2; EC 1.14.99.1) can be achieved with compounds of the general form of aryl methyl sulfonyls and aryl methyl sulfonamides. DuP 697 and NS-398 are representative examples of these compounds. Both inhibit the constitute (COX1) and inducible (COX2) isoforms of the enzyme with equal potency shortly after mixing, but their potencies increase with time for COX2 selectively. This time-dependent inhibition follows first-order kinetics, and the rate constant for inactivation of COX2 is dose dependent for both compounds. Kinetic analysis allows us to determine KI and kinact (the maximal rate of inactivation) for each inhibitor. The potency of both compounds is substrate concentration dependent, as expected for time-dependent competitive inhibitors. COX2 that has been incubated with these inhibitors, and then extensively dialyzed against buffer, shows no recovery of enzyme activity, while complete recovery of activity is seen for COX1. Thus, these inhibitors irreversibly inactivate COX2 with time, while showing minimal reversible inhibition of COX1. We isolated these inhibitors after long incubation with excess enzyme and subsequent denaturation of the enzyme. Both inhibitors showed no loss of potency resulting from interactions with COX2, suggesting that inhibition is not mediated by covalent modification of the enzyme. These data suggest that binding of these inhibitors to COX2 induces a slow structural transition of the enzyme that results in its selective inactivation.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Lack of isotype exclusion and expression of aberrant lambda light chain on secreted MOPC-315 myeloma proteins.

The presence of aberrant lambda 1 light (L) chain fragment (lambda 1 F) on the secreted myeloma protein of MOPC-315 has been demonstrated by serological and immunochemical methods. We developed a highly sensitive radioimmunoassay that utilizes exquisitely specific xenogeneic anti-lambda 1 antibodies to detect the minute amounts of lambda 1 F on lambda 2-bearing MOPC-315 myeloma proteins. In addition, structural evidence that lambda 1 F is present on MOPC-315 myeloma protein was demonstrated by subjecting 125I-labeled MOPC-315 myeloma protein to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under reducing conditions followed by autoradiography. The relative amounts of lambda 1 F and lambda 2-chain on MOPC-315 myeloma were measured by two independent methods. The molar ratio of lambda 1 F to lambda 2 was calculated to be 1:68 by radioimmunoassay and 1:80 by analytical SDS-PAGE. This represents the first demonstration that an aberrant L-chain fragment combines with a heavy chain and is secreted in association with antigen-binding myeloma proteins. The implications of these results on L-chain isotype exclusion are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Prognostic value of tumour thickness in cutaneous malignant melanoma.

The relation between survival and histological features in 91 patients with malignant melanoma was studied and the results were analysed by Clayton's method for interpretation of censored survival data. There was a significant correlation between tumour thickness and survival. The risk of dying from malignant melanoma after 10 years of follow up was less than 15% if the primary tumour was less than 1.5 mm thick but more than 80% if the lesion was thicker than 8 mm. The type of melanoma, level of invasion, mitotic rate, and presence of ulceration also correlated with survival, but these variables are related to tumour thickness.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Contrast computed tomography in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

Computed tomography (CT) has the ability to detect small variations in tissue density. Meglumine diatrizoate was given intravenously to four patients with clinical acute cholecystitis as part of the CT scanning procedure. The enhancement of the thick gallbladder wall, together with an enlarged gallbladder and the presence of stones, confirmed the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Our present experience indicates that, after contrast medium administration, CT has a distinct place in the assessment of acute inflammation of the gallbladder.

Acute Disease↗