Metastatic melanoma causing spinal cord compression in a horse.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
F Rodríguez
Publications and source records attributed to F Rodríguez.
Colchicine-induced myopathy with myotonia.
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Colchicine↗
Tail and eye movements evoked by electrical microstimulation of the optic tectum in goldfish.
This work studies the tail and eye co-ordinated movements evoked by the focal electrical stimulation of the tectum in goldfish. The aim of the study is to understand better those tectal sites and mechanisms that either remain functionally unaltered or are adaptively modified across vertebrates. Stimulation was applied in various tectal zones, and the characteristics of evoked tail and eye movements were examined as a function of the stimulation site over tectal surface and the stimulus parameters. Two types of response were electrically evoked: the former turned the body and the eyes contraversively towards the source of natural stimulus; the second produced initial ipsiversive turning of the body and eyes, followed by several tail beats. Evoking one or other response depended on both the site and parameters of stimulation, and responses were interpreted as orienting- and escape-like, respectively. Depending on the stimulation site, four different zones in the tectum were distinguished: in the medial zone the stimulus elicited eye and tail movements whose size increased with the distance to the rostral pole. The stimulation of the antero-medial zone evoked contraversive or ipsiversive eye saccades but tail movements were similar, irrespective of eye movements. Stimulation within the extreme antero-medial zone evoked convergent eye movements, and tail displacements turning the body either ipsiversively or contraversively. Stimulation of the posterior zone often evoked complex tail movements and pure horizontal eye saccades. Both orienting- and escape-like responses were also dependent on the stimulus parameters. The relationships between stimulus parameters and tail- and eye-orienting movement characteristics suggest that the velocity and duration might be encoded in different aspects of the tectal activity. Current strength also modified the number of tail beats that appeared during escape-like response. In conclusion, the present data suggest the involvement of the optic tectum not only in orienting but also in escape responses and that movements of eye and tail mediating such responses depend on the tectal active locus together with its level of activity.
Animals↗
Incidence and risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in 967 patients with cirrhosis.
PURPOSE: To determine the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis and to examine the influence of age and sex, and the contribution of etiological factors. METHODS: 967 patients with liver cirrhosis and free of hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled in this longitudinal, retrospective and observational study. Monitoring for hepatocellular carcinoma was scheduled at 3- to 6-month intervals. The mean (+/-SD) length of follow-up was 60.3+/-51.7 months (range 6 258). RESULTS: During the observation period, hepatocellular carcinoma developed in 64 patients. The calculated annual incidence was 2.1%. The probability of being free of liver cancer was 92% at 5 years, 80% at 10 years, and 69% at 15 years. Age was the only independent risk factor for the development of malignancy in the multivariate analysis. There were no differences according to male sex, alcohol abuse, and chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection. CONCLUSIONS: The annual incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma was 2.1%. These results, although confirming that age is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis, indicate that alcohol abuse, male sex, and concurrent hepatitis B and C virus infection do not involve a higher risk of developing liver cancer.
Adult↗
Endometriosis and spontaneous abortion rate: a cohort study in infertile women.
OBJECTIVE: To ascertain if there is an association between endometriosis and spontaneous abortion. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Medical School Hospital. POPULATION: 174 infertile women laparoscopically diagnosed with endometriosis and 174 infertile women in which endometriosis was ruled out by laparoscopy, in the same period of time. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Spontaneous abortion. Non-progressive gestational sac and/or histological study. RESULTS: Per woman abortion rate was 7.47% (13/174) in the endometriosis group, similar to 5.74% (10/174) in the infertile women without endometriosis (RR=1.32: CI=0.53-3.36). Nor were there any differences in the per pregnancy abortion rate: 20.96% (13/62) in endometriosis vs. 16.94% (10/59) in non-endometriosis (RR=1.3; CI=0.47-3.57). The abortion rate was similar in the different AFS stages: 22.86% (8/35) in stage I, 16.67% (3/18) in II, 25% (1/4) in III and 20% (1/5) in IV. In stage I no differences were observed in patients who were managed expectantly or with medical treatment. CONCLUSION: Endometriosis is not associated with an increased abortion rate. The severity of disease expressed by AFS staging is not associated with an increase in the abortion rate. In stage I the treatment of endometriosis did not decrease abortion rates.
Abortion, Spontaneous↗
Functionality and cell anchorage dependence of the African swine fever virus gene A179L, a viral bcl-2 homolog, in insect cells.
The African swine fever virus gene A179L has been shown to be a functional member of the ced9/bcl-2 family of apoptosis inhibitors in mammalian cell lines. In this work we have expressed the A179L gene product (p21) under the control of the baculovirus polyhedrin promoter using a baculovirus system. Expression of the A179L gene neither altered the baculovirus replication phenotype nor delayed the shutoff of cellular protein synthesis, but it extended the survival of the infected insect cells to very late times postinfection. The increase in cell survival rates correlated with a marked apoptosis reduction after baculovirus infection. Interestingly, prevention of apoptosis was observed when recombinant baculovirus infections were carried out in monolayer cell cultures but not when cells were infected in suspension, suggesting a cell anchorage dependence for p21 function in insect cells. Cell survival was enhanced under optimal conditions of cell attachment and cell-to-cell contact as provided by extracellular matrix components or poly-D-lysine. Since it was observed that cytoskeleton organization varied depending on culture conditions of insect cells (grown in monolayer versus grown in suspension), these results suggested that A179L might regulate apoptosis in insect cells only when the cytoskeletal support of intracellular signaling is maintained upon cell adhesion. Thus, cell shape and cytoskeleton status might allow variations in intracellular transduction of signals related to cell survival in virus-infected cells.
African Swine Fever Virus↗
Renal changes induced by nitric oxide and prostaglandin synthesis reduction: effects of trandolapril and verapamil.
The benefits of the simultaneous administration of low doses of a calcium antagonist and a converting enzyme inhibitor in the treatment of hypertension and renal vasoconstriction are well established. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the administration of low doses of a calcium antagonist and a converting-enzyme inhibitor have beneficial effects in treating the renal alterations induced by the acute administration of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor when nitric oxide synthesis is reduced. These effects were examined in anesthetized dogs before and during an acute sodium load. It was found that the intrarenal infusion of meclofenamate (5 microg x kg[-1] x min[-1]), simultaneously with a low dose of NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (1 microg x kg[-1] x min[-1]), produced a 40% decrease of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate and a reduction in the renal excretory response to the sodium load. In a second group of dogs, intrarenal verapamil (0.5 microg x kg[-1] x min[-1]) was effective in blocking the effects of nitric oxide and prostaglandin synthesis inhibition on sodium excretion and glomerular filtration rate but did not modify the effects on renal blood flow. An intrarenal infusion of trandolapril (0.3 microg x kg[-1] x min[-1]) was effective in a third group of dogs in reducing the renal hemodynamic effects but not in preventing the antinatriuretic effect observed in the first group. Finally, in a fourth group, the simultaneous administration of verapamil and trandolapril was effective in treating all the renal changes induced by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor when nitric oxide synthesis was reduced. These results suggest that the combination of low doses of trandolapril and verapamil has additive effects in treating the renal vasoconstriction and antinatriuresis induced by the acute administration of a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, when nitric oxide synthesis is reduced.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
Participation of angiogenesis from rat femoral veins in the neovascularization of adjacent occluded arteries.
The neovascularization of the arterial wall in human and experimental pathology has been demonstrated. The occlusion of the of the rat femoral artery is a suitable model for the study of these angiogenesis processes. Newly formed capillaries growing into the arterial wall have been described in this model. The origin of these ingrowing capillaries has been attribute to the preformed surrounding venules and capillaries. The contribution of the adjacent femoral vein with a supplementary population of vascular sprouts could also be possible. To test this hypothesis in half of the occluded arteries, the adventitia was removed from the side facing the femoral vein. Between 1 and 3 days after surgery several alterations were found both in the endothelial cells and the smooth muscle cells of the tunica media. Between 3 and 6 days, solid or canalized endothelial sprouts were observed arising from the femoral vein. By days 4 and 6, newly formed capillaries grew into the adventitia and tunica media of the femoral artery. Some of them, penetrated the internal elastic lamina. This microvascular penetration from the femoral vein was more prominent in the area of the ostium of the collateral and when the adventitia was removed. Some ingrowing capillaries were in continuity with the endothelial cells of the arterial neointima. At days 7 and 8, regressing capillaries were observed in the neomicrovasculature network between artery and vein, with a selective loss of the smaller vessels. From day 9 onwards, fewer and larger vascular channels were present between the femoral vein and the femoral artery. An arterial neolumen contained what appeared to be circulating "fresh" blood. Quantitatively, the venous neocapillary density increased from days 4 to 6 and then declined significantly by day 8. The arterial neocapillary density increased form days 4 to 8 and declined significantly by day 12. Moreover, both densities were significantly greater when the arterial adventitia was removed. The perfusion with barium solution showed the presence of the contrast material in the newly formed vessels, the lumen of the femoral vein, and the neolumen of the occluded arterial segment. The present findings indicate that putative angiogenic molecules released form the occluded arterial segment may reach the adjacent wall of the vein inducing neovascularization from it. The vein vascular sprouts are connected to the ingrowing capillaries in the occluded arterial wall and to the neocapillaries form the preexisting pericytic microvasculature. When the arterial adventitia were removed up to 2 times greater vein neocapillary's density was observed suggesting an easily access of the putative angiogenic factors to the vein.
Animals↗
[Coronary surgery without extracorporeal circulation: 5-year experience].
INTRODUCTION: Coronary surgery without extracorporeal circulation is now an accepted technique of myocardial revascularization. A progressive increase in operations has recently been observed. OBJECTIVE: We report our total experience with this technique in a consecutive series of patients operated on since 1991. This series is compared with other series of patients who underwent coronary surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From December 1991 to July 1996, thirty patients underwent myocardial revascularization without cardiopulmonary bypass through median sternotomy at our institution. This group was retrospectively compared with 22 patients who received isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass (excluding reoperations) during the same period of time. RESULTS: There were two hospital deaths and one case of myocardial infarction during the early postoperative period which required urgent reintervention. There were two variables showing a statistically significant difference between the groups with and without cardiopulmonary bypass. Incidence of non-fatal preoperative myocardial infarction increased (53% vs 23%), whereas minor mechanical ventilation time was reported (7 +/- 5 vs 14 +/- 9 h) in the group without cardiopulmonary bypass. Follow-up (1 to 55 months after operation, mean 29 months) was completed. There were no cardiac-related deaths. No return of angina nor any new myocardial infarctions were recorded. New myocardial revascularizations were not necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial revascularization without extracorporeal circulation obtained good results that were similar to conventional procedures and were cost-effective.
Adult↗
[Acute cerebellar inflammation due to rubeola virus].
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Acute Disease↗
[Favorable evolution of a myocardial abscess using medical treatment in an HIV-positive patient].
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Abscess↗
AIDS-associated cholangiopathy in a series of ten patients.
OBJECTIVE: To present the clinical, biological, radiologic and cholangiographic findings in patients with clinical suspicion of AIDS associated cholangiopathy in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have revised the clinical charts of 10 patients admitted in our hospital from 1991 to 1995. RESULTS: Ultrasonography and/or abdominal CT were carried out on all the patients. Biliary tract dilatation was observed in 11 cases. From the 12 ERCP, biliary tract was fulfilled in 11. In 5 cases papillary stenosis was diagnosed, sclerosing cholangitis in 2, normal biliary tract in 3 and acute cholangitis in one case. Sphincterotomy was done in 5 patients, with clinical improvement. In one case, another sphincterotomy was needed because of reestenosis. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is very important in the diagnosis of AIDS associated cholangiopathy. Endoscopic sphincterotomy relieves abdominal pain in these patients. Cholangiopathy occurs in very immunocompromised HIV positive patients. Survival is very short.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
[Application of RUG-T18 classification system to elderly patients admitted to a university hospital].
BACKGROUND: Among case mix classifications, the best for hospitalized elders is the Resource Utilization Groups (RUG) system, which allows a better location of patients, resource administration and the design of health care strategies for elderly people. AIM: To report the results of RUG-T18 classification of elderly patients admitted to an university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: RUG-T18 classification was applied to 210 patients aged 75.2 +/- 7.2 years old, 108 male, admitted to the Clinical Hospital of the Catholic University of Chile. RESULTS: The clinical classification of assessed patients was rehabilitation in 50.9% of cases, special care in 10.5%, clinically complex in 37.1% and reduced physical functions in 0.5%. None had behavioral alterations. There were no differences between subjects older or younger than 75 years old. Daily life activities showed that help was required for sphincter control in 46% of patients, for feeding in 44% and for mobilization in 64% (28% of patients required help from two or more people). Geriatric assessment showed that, since 1993, the proportion of elders with greater functional derangement increased from 18 to 28%, and the proportion of those with mental disturbances from 4 to 12%, specially among those over 75 years old. CONCLUSIONS: Most elders admitted to the hospital are classified in the superior categories of the RUG-T18 system and have severe mental and functional limitations. These patients require a multidisciplinary approach with a great emphasis in rehabilitation.
Aged↗
The action of anfepramone on neurochemical and behavioral markers in rats.
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3-Mercaptopropionic Acid↗
Double-labelling immunohistochemical study of megakaryocytes in African swine fever.
Bone marrow samples from pigs infected with the highly virulent Malawi'83 or moderately virulent Dominican Republic (DR'78) isolates of African swine fever virus were studied by means of a double labelling immunohistochemical technique which stained the major structural protein VP73 of the virus and megakaryocytes simultaneously. In pigs infected with the highly virulent Malawi'83 isolate, 2.2 per cent of megakaryocytes were VP73+ five days after inoculation, and at six and seven days 2.5 and 9.5 per cent of megakaryocytes were VP73+. Some infected and uninfected megakaryocytes showed pyknosis and karyorrhexis, particularly at seven days after inoculation. However, in comparison with uninfected pigs, the number of megakaryocytes decreased only at seven days after inoculation. In pigs infected with the moderately virulent DR'78 isolate, only 0.2 per cent of megakaryocytes were VP73+ at eight days after inoculation. However, at eight, nine and 10 days after inoculation the total number of megakaryocytes was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than in control uninfected pigs, and the majority of the megakaryocytes showed signs of cell death such as pyknosis and karyorrhexis. The fact that this greater destruction of megakaryocytes was associated with the lower rate of infection of this cell type suggests that indirect damage to megakaryocytes is an additional mechanism of thrombocytopenia in acute and subacute African swine fever.
African Swine Fever↗
Neutralization susceptibility of African swine fever virus is dependent on the phospholipid composition of viral particles.
In this study we have investigated the generation of African swine fever (ASF) virus variants resistant to neutralizing antibodies after cell culture propagation. All highly passaged ASF viruses analyzed were resistant to neutralization by antisera from convalescent pigs or antibodies generated against individual viral proteins which neutralized low-passage viruses. A molecular analysis of neutralizable and nonneutralizable virus isolates by sequencing of the genes encoding for neutralizing proteins revealed that the absence of neutralization of high-passage viruses is not due to antigenic variability of critical epitopes. A comparative analysis of phospholipid composition of viral membranes between low- and high-passage viruses revealed differences in the relative amount of phosphatidylinositol in these two groups of viruses, independent of the cells in which the viruses were grown. Further purification of low- and high-passage viruses by Percoll sedimentation showed differences in the phospholipid composition identical to those found with the partially purified viruses and confirmed the susceptibility of these viruses to neutralization. The incorporation of phosphatidylinositol into membranes of high-passage viruses rendered a similar neutralization susceptibility to low-passage viruses, in which this is a major phospholipid. In contrast, other phospholipids did not interfere with high-passage virus neutralization, suggesting that phosphatidylinositol is essential for a correct epitope presentation to neutralizing antibodies. Additionally, the removal of phosphatidylinositol form a low-passage virus by a specific lipase transformed this virus from neutralizable to nonneutralizable. These data constitute clear evidence of the importance of the lipid composition of the viral membranes for the protein recognition by antibodies and may account in part for the past difficulties in reproducibly demonstrating ASF virus-neutralizing antibodies by using high-passage viruses.
African Swine Fever Virus↗
High level expression of the major antigenic African swine fever virus proteins p54 and p30 in baculovirus and their potential use as diagnostic reagents.
At present, the eradication of African swine fever (ASF) in affected countries is based only on an efficient diagnosis program because of the absence of an available vaccine. The highly antigenic ASF virus proteins p54 and p30, encoded by genes E183L and CP204L respectively, were expressed in baculovirus for diagnostic purposes. A sequence comparison analysis of these genes from different field virus strains which are geographically diverse and isolated in different years, revealed that both genes are completely conserved among the isolates. Partially purified baculovirus-expressed proteins were used in ELISA and Western blot for ASF antibody detection in sera from experimentally inoculated pigs and field sera from ASF innaparent carriers. These comparative analyses showed that p54 presents better reactivity than p30 in Western blot. However, recombinant p30 was more efficient for antibody detection by ELISA, improving the discrimination between positive and negative sera by this technique. These data suggest the convenience of using p30 as ELISA antigen, while p54 should be the selected antigen for ASF virus antibody detection by Western blot. The combined use of both antigens for serodiagnosis of ASF disease will improve the sensitivity of innaparent carriers detection, facilitating also the interpretation of the tests, and eliminating the use of ASF virus in antigen production.
African Swine Fever↗
Bacteria associated with enzootic pneumonia in goats.
A histological and microbiological study of lung samples from 83 slaughtered goats (33 kids and 50 adults) drawn from a flock with a history of pleuropneumonia caused by mycoplasmas of the M. mycoides group was carried out. A total of 82% (27/33) of kids and 36% (18/50) of adult goats presented pulmonary lesions characteristic of enzootic pneumonia: lesions took the form of bronchointerstitial pneumonia with peribronchial and peribronchiolar proliferation of lymphocytes. Microbiological analysis confirmed a range of mycoplasma species, including Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. mycoides Large Colony (MmmlC) (3.70%; 1/27), Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. capri (Mmc) (7.40%; 2/27), Mycoplasma putrefaciens (22.2%; 6/27), Mycoplasma arginini (3.70%; 1/27) and Mycoplasma sp. (7.40%; 2/ 27), as well as Pasteurella multocida (14.8%; 4/27), associated with enzootic pneumonia lesions in younger animals, whereas Mycoplasma sp. was associated with enzootic pneumonia in adult goats (22.0%; 4/18). Cilia-associated respiratory (CAR) bacillus found by histochemical examination was associated with enzootic pneumonia in kids (25.9%; 7/27) and goats (44.4%; 8/18), being the first description of this bacterium in adult goats.
Animals↗