Biomedical subjects

E Boix

Publications and source records attributed to E Boix.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Secretion of mammalian ribonucleases from Escherichia coli using the signal sequence of murine spleen ribonuclease.

A nucleotide sequence identical with that of the recently identified murine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNAase) was isolated from a murine spleen cDNA library. Active RNAase was expressed and secreted from Escherichia coli lon-htpr- transformed with a plasmid containing the E. coli trp promoter followed by the murine RNAase gene sequence, including the original eukaryotic 26-amino-acid signal sequence. Approx. 1 mg of properly matured RNAase protein/litre was secreted into the medium of a fermentor culture after the promotor was induced by tryptophan starvation. When the signal sequence was deleted from the plasmid, intracellular RNAase activity was very low and there was no significant supernatant RNAase activity. Even higher RNAase yields were obtained with a synthetic gene for bovine pancreatic ribonuclease cloned after the signal sequence of the murine gene. About 2 mg of correctly processed RNAase A/litre was isolated from the growth medium, and a further 8-10 mg of correctly processed RNAase/litre could be isolated from the soluble fraction of the cells. Thus this eukaryotic signal sequence is both recognized by the E. coli transport and processing apparatus and gives efficient secretion, as well as export, of active, mature mammalian RNAases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of two low-calorie diets: a prospective study of effectiveness and safety.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness and safety of two distinct low calorie diets (LCD). DESIGN: Prospective controlled study. METHODS: 67 obese patients [body mass index (BMI) 40 kg/m2] were included in two study groups. Group A: 26 patients followed a 458 kcal diet given in three meals for 1 month. Group B: 41 patients followed a 800 kcal diet for 3 months and with outpatient control. MEASUREMENTS: Anthropometric, cardiovascular risk and nutritional profile changes were evaluated, as well as total direct and indirect costs, and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: No significant initial differences were observed between the two study groups. Eighty-six point two per cent of the patients completed the therapy correctly. After treatment a significant decrease was observed in the following variables for both groups, but no differences were detected between Groups A and B: mean weight loss (A= 9.28 kg, B= 8.7 kg), ponderal loss percentage (A/B= 7.2/6.8%), glycemia (A/B= 18.6/12.1 mg/dl), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (A/B= 11.8/6.5 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (A/B 5.9/6.8 mmHg), and final insulin-resistance (IR) index (A= 4.4, B= 4.3). Group A had the highest drop in total cholesterol (37.7 vs 8.1 mg/dl) and triglycerides (54.4 vs 2.5 mg/dl). No changes were observed in ureic acid, renal function and serum albumin. Thirty-six patients (55.3%) suffered trivial complications associated to the VLCD (16.9% gastrointestinal, 20% anxiety), with no differences between groups. Group A patients were on sick leave due to asthenia, and two patients in this group had serious complications (transient ischemic attack and atrial fibrillation). The total cost of Group A treatment was 3018.9 against 582.6 euros for Group B. CONCLUSIONS: The 3-month 800 kcal/day VLCD was more cost-effective and safer than the 1-month 458 kcal/day diet.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Prognostic morbidity and mortality factors in hospital enteral nutrition: prospective study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic factors that may best for see the outcome of an enteral nutritional intervention and to assess the assistance quality of a nutrition unit. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Patients that required enteral nutrition during hospital admission at a third level center. INTERVENTIONS: Observational prospective study in which 160 patients were included by means of consecutive sampling, for a 6-months follow-up period. Underlying pathology, disability degree, nutritional assessment, type of enteral nutrition, complications, nursing care, and clinical course of patients were determined. RESULTS: severe caloric and protein hyponutrition was diagnosed in 48.4 and 52.9% of patients; stress degree was moderate in 52.2% and severe in 36.5%. In 88.2% of patients variation of protein parameters was unchanged or improved, with a 0.26 g/dL increase in albumin levels and 2.4 m/dL in prealbumin (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis adjusted for plasma albumin at admission showed that besides this biochemical parameter, a severe stress degree, a decreased alertness level, and worsening of protein variation during admission are independent prognostic mortality factors during an enteral nutritional intervention in the hospitalized patient (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: alertness level, degree of caloric hyponutrition, stress degree, plasma albumin levels, and variation of protein parameters during nutritional support are independent prognostic factors for the nutritional intervention outcomes. The development of global monitoring systems of assistance activity and quality of Nutrition Units is paramount in order to improve the efficiency of enteral nutritional support at the hospital setting, to advance in patients care and promote the development of nutritional therapy.

Enteral Nutrition↗