PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Huguet

Publications and source records attributed to E Huguet.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Allele frequencies of the 15 AmpF/Str Identifiler loci in the population of Metztitlán (Estado de Hidalgo), México.

The 15 AmpF/STR Identifiler loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) were analyzed in the sample of 180 unrelated autochthonous healthy adults born in Meztitlán City from the valley of Metztitlán (Estado de Hidalgo, México). The agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was confirmed for all loci. From the forensic point of view, the heterozygosity value, power of discrimination and the a priori chance of exclusion were calculated.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2006

The few virus-like genes of Cotesia congregata bracovirus.

The origin of the symbiotic association between parasitoid wasps and bracoviruses is still unknown. From phylogenetic analyses, bracovirus-associated wasp species constitute a monophyletic group, the microgastroid complex. Thus all wasp-bracovirus associations could have originated from the integration of an ancestral virus in the genome of the ancestor of the microgastroids. In an effort to identify a set of virus genes that would give clues on the nature of the ancestral virus, we have recently performed the complete sequencing of the genome of CcBV, the bracovirus of the wasp Cotesia congregata. We describe here the putative proteins encoded by CcBV genome having significant similarities with sequences from known viruses and mobile elements. The analysis of CcBV gene content does not lend support to the hypothesis that bracoviruses originated from a baculovirus. Moreover, no consistent homology was found between CcBV genes and any set of genes constituting the core genome of a known free-living virus. We discuss the significance of the scarce homology found between proteins from CcBV and other viruses or mobile elements.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Information about liver transplantation on the World Wide Web.

Orthotopic liver transplant (OLTx) has evolved to a successful surgical management for end-stage liver diseases. Awareness and information about OLTx is an important tool in assisting OLTx recipients and people supporting them, including non-transplant clinicians. The study aimed to investigate the nature and quality of liver transplant-related patient information on the World Wide Web. Four common search engines were used to explore the Internet by using the key words 'Liver transplant'. The URL (unique resource locator) of the top 50 returns was chosen as it was judged unlikely that the average user would search beyond the first 50 sites returned by a given search. Each Web site was assessed on the following categories: origin, language, accessibility and extent of the information. A weighted Information Score (IS) was created to assess the quality of clinical and educational value of each Web site and was scored independently by three transplant clinicians. The Internet search performed with the aid of the four search engines yielded a total of 2,255,244 Web sites. Of the 200 possible sites, only 58 Web sites were assessed because of repetition of the same Web sites and non-accessible links. The overall median weighted IS was 22 (IQR 1 - 42). Of the 58 Web sites analysed, 45 (77%) belonged to USA, six (10%) were European, and seven (12%) were from the rest of the world. The median weighted IS of publications originating from Europe and USA was 40 (IQR = 22 - 60) and 23 (IQR = 6 - 38), respectively. Although European Web sites produced a higher weighted IS [40 (IQR = 22 - 60)] as compared with the USA publications [23 (IQR = 6 - 38)], this was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). Web sites belonging to the academic institutions and the professional organizations scored significantly higher with a median weighted IS of 28 (IQR = 16 - 44) and 24(12 - 35), respectively, as compared with the commercial Web sites (median = 6 with IQR of 0 - 14, p = .001). There was an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.89 and an associated 95% CI (0.83, 0.93) for the three observers on the 58 Web sites. The study highlights the need for a significant improvement in the information available on the World Wide Web about OLTx. It concludes that the educational material currently available on the World Wide Web about liver transplant is of poor quality and requires rigorous input from health care professionals. The authors suggest that clinicians should pay more attention to take the necessary steps to improve the standard of information available on their relevant Web sites and must take an active role in helping their patients find Web sites that provide the best and accurate information specifically applicable to the loco-regional circumstances.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

Selective use of ultrasonographic vascular mapping in the assessment of patients before haemodialysis access surgery.

BACKGROUND: Use of routine preoperative ultrasonography to determine the optimum site for haemodialysis access surgery increases the number of distal arteriovenous fistulas formed and improves overall patency rates. Nevertheless its use in all patients is time consuming and costly. This study examined whether clinical parameters could be used to determine the requirement for preoperative ultrasonography. METHODS: Between March 2002 and October 2003, 145 consecutive patients were reviewed in the vascular access clinic. Patients were first assessed clinically, a site for vascular access surgery was proposed, and the need for radiological mapping studies recorded. A second, blinded, clinician determined the site for vascular access surgery using ultrasonography. The correlation between clinical and ultrasonographic findings was then examined. RESULTS: Ultrasonography was considered unnecessary using clinical criteria in 106 patients. Subsequent ultrasonographic mapping altered the management of only one patient. In contrast, the management of 18 of the 39 patients in whom ultrasonography was thought necessary was influenced by radiological imaging. A 1-year primary patency rate of 77.0 per cent was achieved following vascular access surgery on the study population. CONCLUSION: Clinical parameters could be used to determine the need for preoperative vascular ultrasonographic mapping; imaging was not required in the majority of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A RhoGAP protein as a main immune suppressive factor in the Leptopilina boulardi (Hymenoptera, Figitidae)-Drosophila melanogaster interaction.

To protect its eggs, the endoparasitoid wasp Leptopilina boulardi injects immune suppressive factors into Drosophila melanogaster host larvae. These factors are localized in the female long gland and reservoir. We analyzed the protein content of these tissues and found that it strongly differed between virulent and avirulent parasitoid strains. Four protein bands present in virulent long glands were eluted and their immune suppressive effect was assessed in vivo, allowing demonstrating a major effect of one of these proteins. The corresponding cDNA encodes a predicted 30 kDa subunit containing a Ras homologous GTPase Activating Protein (RhoGAP) domain, suggesting a possible involvement in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton changes. Using Western-blot experiments, we showed that this protein is abundant in virulent female long glands but is undetectable in virulent females deprived of long glands or in long glands from avirulent wasps. Its potential role in modifying the morphology and the adhesive properties of the host lamellocytes, involved in Drosophila cellular immune responses, is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

A virus essential for insect host-parasite interactions encodes cystatins.

Cotesia congregata is a parasitoid wasp that injects its eggs in the host caterpillar Manduca sexta. In this host-parasite interaction, successful parasitism is ensured by a third partner: a bracovirus. The relationship between parasitic wasps and bracoviruses constitutes one of the few known mutualisms between viruses and eukaryotes. The C. congregata bracovirus (CcBV) is injected at the same time as the wasp eggs in the host hemolymph. Expression of viral genes alters the caterpillar's immune defense responses and developmental program, resulting in the creation of a favorable environment for the survival and emergence of adult parasitoid wasps. Here, we describe the characterization of a CcBV multigene family which is highly expressed during parasitism and which encodes three proteins with homology to members of the cystatin superfamily. Cystatins are tightly binding, reversible inhibitors of cysteine proteases. Other cysteine protease inhibitors have been described for lepidopteran viruses; however, this is the first description of the presence of cystatins in a viral genome. The expression and purification of a recombinant form of one of the CcBV cystatins, cystatin 1, revealed that this viral cystatin is functional having potent inhibitory activity towards the cysteine proteases papain, human cathepsins L and B and Sarcophaga cathepsin B in assays in vitro. CcBV cystatins are, therefore, likely to play a role in host caterpillar physiological deregulation by inhibiting host target proteases in the course of the host-parasite interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2004

The Fang population of Equatorial Guinea characterised by 15 STR-PCR polymorphisms.

Allele frequencies for 15 STR loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D19S433, HUMVWA31A, HUMTPOX, D18S51, D3S1358, HUMTHO1, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D5S818 and HUMFGA) were analysed in the Fang population of Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. No deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found for all loci. Statistical parameters demonstrated the forensic utility of the analysed systems.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2004

Characterisation of three Amerindian populations from Hidalgo State (Mexico) by 15 STR-PCR polymorphisms.

The purpose of this study is to report allele frequency data of three ethnic Amerindian population samples: the Otomi (Hna-hnu) from eastern Sierra Madre and Ixmiquilpan valley and the Huasteco from La Huasteca. These groups were characterised by 15 STR-PCR polymorphisms (HumTH01, HumvWA, D18S51, HumTPOX, D19S433, D16S539, D13S317, D8S1179, D7S820, D5S818, HumFGA, CSF1PO, D2S1338, D3S1358 and D21S11). No significant deviations in observed allelic frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found for all the studied systems. From the forensic point of view, the heterozygosity value, power of discrimination and the a priori chance of exclusion were calculated.

DNA Fingerprinting↗
PubMed2003

Polydnavirus genome: integrated vs. free virus.

Polydnaviruses are unique because of their obligatory association with thousands of parasitoid wasp species from the braconid and ichneumonid families of hymenopterans. PDVs are injected into the parasitized hosts and are essential for parasitism success. However, polydnaviruses are also unique because of their genome composed of multiple dsDNA segments. Cytological evidence has recently confirmed the results of genetic and molecular analyses indicating that PDV segments were integrated in the wasp genome. Moreover a phylogenetic study performed using the age of available fossils to calibrate the molecular clock indicated that the polydnaviruses harboured by braconid wasps have resided within the wasp genome for approximately 70 million years. In the absence of horizontal transmission, the evolution of the PDV genomes has been driven exclusively by the reproductive success they have offered the wasps. The consequences of this particular selection pressure can be observed in the gene content of certain PDV genomes from which increasing sequence data are available. Molecular mechanisms already identified could be involved in the acquisition and loss of genes by the PDV genomes and lead us to speculate on the definition of the virus genome.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed2002

Polydnavirus replication: the EP1 segment of the parasitoid wasp Cotesia congregata is amplified within a larger precursor molecule.

Polydnaviruses are unique viruses: they are essential for successful parasitism by tens of thousands of species of parasitoid wasps. These viruses are obligatorily associated with the wasps and are injected into the host during oviposition. Molecular analyses have shown that each virus sequence in the segmented polydnavirus genome is present in the wasp DNA in two forms: a circular form found in the virus particles and an integrated form found in the wasp chromosomes. Recent studies performed on polydnaviruses from braconid wasps suggested that the circular forms were excised from the chromosome. The different forms of the EP1 circle of Cotesia congregata polydnavirus during the pupal-adult development of the parasitoid wasp were analysed. Unexpectedly, an off-size fragment formerly used to diagnose the integration of the EP1 sequence into wasp genomic DNA was found to be amplified in female wasps undergoing virus replication. The EP1 sequence is amplified within a larger molecule comprising at least two virus segments. The amplified molecule is different from the EP1 chromosomally integrated form and is not encapsidated into virus particles. These findings shed light on a new step towards EP1 circle production: the amplification of virus sequences preceding individual circle excision.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The Bubi population of Equatorial Guinea characterised by HUMTH01, HUMVWA31A, HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, D3S1358, D8S1179, D18S51 and D19S253 STR polymorphisms.

Allele frequencies for eight STR loci (HUMTH01, HUMVWA31A, HUMCSF1PO, HUMTPOX, D3S1358, D8S1179, D18S51, D19S253) have been analysed in the Bubi population of Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. For all loci, no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was found. Data obtained were compared with that of Caucasian and African populations. Significant differences were found for all systems between all the black populations compared and the Caucasoid population. Similarities were observed between the Bubi and Zimbabweans, and also with African American populations. Also, more affinities were observed between Zimbabweans and Ugandans and Ovambos than between these groups and the Bubi population. From these comparisons it is suggested that in Africa, as in other continents, there is a certain genetic heterogeneity.

Black People↗
PubMed2000

Drosophila resistance genes to parasitoids: chromosomal location and linkage analysis.

Insect hosts can survive infection by parasitoids using the encapsulation phenomenon. In Drosophila melanogaster the abilities to encapsulate the wasp species Leptopilina boulardi and Asobara tabida each involve one major gene. Both resistance genes have been precisely localized on the second chromosome, 35 centimorgans apart. This result clearly demonstrates the involvement of at least two separate genetic systems in Drosophila resistance to parasitoid wasps. The resistance genes to L. boulardi and A. tabida are not clustered as opposed to many plant resistance genes to pathogens cloned to date.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Generation of genetically modified mice by spermatozoa transfection in vivo: preliminary results.

Mouse vas deferens were injected with a plasmid DNA encoding the GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein). The night after injection males were mated with normal oestrus females, and the offspring were analyzed. From 53 newborns, 4 were found positive by PCR for the GFP gene. In these positive animals, some tissues showed expression for GFP as evidenced by a strong green cytoplasmic fluorescence. GFP expression was particularly patent in the liver (hepatocytes), kidney (renal corpuscle and tubules), abdominal wall, and lung. These preliminary results indicate the possibility to use this method as a simple alternative procedure to create transgenic animals, and it could be especially helpful in species in which the microinjection procedure is not feasible.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Population study of Aymara Amerindians for the PCR-DNA polymorphisms HUMTH01, HUMVWA31A, D3S1358, D8S1179, D18S51, D19S253, YNZ22 and HLA-DQalpha.

Allele and genotype frequencies for eight DNA polymorphisms (HUMTH01, HUMVWA31A, D3S1358, D8S1179, D18S51, D19S253, YNZ22 and HLA-DQalpha) were determined in a population sample of Aymara Indians from Bolivia using PCR. No deviations of the observed allelic frequencies from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found for all the systems studied. Significant differences in the allele frequencies were found between the Aymara and Quechua populations only for HUMVWA31A, which suggests a certain degree of genetic differentiation between the two populations.

Alleles↗
PubMed2000

Allelic distribution of four tetranucleotide repeat loci (D3S1358, D18S51, D19S253, and FGA) in a population from Porto (North Portugal).

Allele frequencies for four short tandem repeat loci were determined in a population sample from Porto (North Portugal), using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in order to investigate possible genetic differences between populations from the center and north of Portugal. After denaturing PAGE electrophoresis, nine alleles were identified for D3S1358 (n = 256), 13 alleles for D18S51 (n = 235), 10 alleles for D19S253 (n = 238), and 15 alleles for FGA (n = 181). No deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found. The allele frequencies observed are similar to those of the Portuguese population compared except for the D3S1358 system.

Alleles↗
PubMed1999

Haplotype frequencies of eight Y-chromosome STR loci in Barcelona (North-East Spain).

Haplotype frequencies for eight Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci were determined in paragraph signa population sample from Barcelona (NE Spain). After PCR amplification and denaturing PAGE electrophoresis, DYS19, DYS388, DYS389 I/II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and DYS393 loci were typed. Complete eight paragraph signY-chromosomal STRs haplotypes could be formed for 223 subjects, among which 137 different haplotypes were observed. The most common haplotype was shared by 13% of the sample, while 108 haplotypes were unique. The discrimination capacity was 61.5% and the gene diversity was 0.978. From the forensic point of view the combined polymorphisms provide a high diagnostic efficiency.

Base Sequence↗