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H Ramírez

Publications and source records attributed to H Ramírez.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Epithelial cells isolated from chicken jejunum: an experimental model for the study of the functional properties of amino acid transport system b(0,+).

The transport of lysine has been investigated in epithelial cells isolated from chicken jejunum. The kinetics of lysine transport and the pattern of interaction with zwitterionic amino acids were consistent with system b(0,+) activity, the broad-spectrum and Na(+)-independent amino acid transporter. The half-saturation constant for lysine entry (K(m)+/-S.E.) was 0.029+/-0.002 mM and the flux was not affected significantly by Na(+) replacement with choline. Lysine influx was inhibited by L-leucine both in Na(+) and choline medium with inhibition constants (K(i)+/-S.E.) 0.068+/-0.006 mM (in Na(+)) and 0.065+/-0.009 mM (in choline). Other inhibitory amino acids (K(i)+/-S.E.) were (mM): L-tyrosine (0.073+/-0.018), L-methionine (0.15+/-0.015), L-cystine (0.42+/-0.04), L-cysteine (1.1+/-0.07), L-isoleucine (1.1+/-0.09), L-glutamine (1.8+/-0.16) and L-valine (2.5+/-0.13). Lysine exit was trans-accelerated (approx. 20 fold) by 2 mM L-lysine and L-leucine. The flux was resistant to pretreatment of the cells with p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate (0.2 mM), which is an inhibitor of system y(+)L, the broad-spectrum and cation-modulated transporter.

Amino Acid Transport Systems↗

Differential expression of sialic acid on porcine organs during the maturation process.

Sialylated structures play important roles in cell communication, and change in a regulated manner during development and differentiation. In this work, we report the main glycosidic modifications that occur during the maturation of porcine tissues, involving the sialylation process as determined with lectins. Sialic acids were identified at several levels in a broad range of cell types of nervous, respiratory, genitourinary and lymphoid origin. Nevertheless, the most contrasting was the type of glycosidic linkage between 5-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and galactose (Gal) expressed in central nervous system (CNS). Newborn CNS abundantly expressed Neu5Acalpha2,3Gal, but weakly or scarcely expressed Neu5Acalpha2,6Gal/GalNAc. Maturation of CNS induced drastic changes in sialic acid expression. These changes include decrease or complete loss of NeuAcalpha2,3Gal residues, mainly in olfactory structures and brain cortex, which were replaced by their isomers Neu5Acalpha2,6Gal/GalNAc. In the brain cortex and cerebellum, the increase of Neu5Acalpha2,6Gal/GalNAc molecules was paralleled by an increase of 5-N-acetyl-9-O-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2). In addition, terminal Gal and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) residues also increased their expression in adult CNS tissues, but this was more significant in structures forming the encephalic trunk. Our results show that sialylation of porcine CNS is finely modulated throughout the maturation process.

Aging↗

Immunity to porcine rubulavirus infection in adult swine.

The immune response against the porcine rubulavirus was analyzed in experimentally infected adult pigs. High titers of virus neutralizing and hemagglutinating inhibitory antibodies were identified in infected animals. The antibody specificity was directed towards HN, M, and NP rubula virion proteins; immunodominance of HN proteins was demonstrated. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from infected, but not from non-infected pigs proliferated in vitro in response to virus antigenic stimuli, showing a bell-shaped plot with the highest peak at 5 weeks post-infection. Virus-induced lymphoblasts expressed CD4+ CD8+ phenotype, whereas lectin-induced lymphoblasts were mainly identified as CD4+ CD8- cells. Phenotype analysis of freshly prepared PBMC revealed increased number of both monocytes (PoM1+) and total T lymphocytes (CD2+) early during infection, with reduced values of B lymphocytes at 4 weeks post-infection. Decrease in CD4+ CD8- blood cells was observed at 3 weeks post-infection, whereas both CD4- CD8+ and CD4+ CD8+ cells increased 1 and 4 weeks post-infection, respectively. This work discusses the relevance of CD4+ CD8+ T cells in the control of porcine rubulavirus infection.

Animals↗

Helicobacter pylori infection in the Colombian Andes: a population-based study of transmission pathways.

In 1992, the authors studied Helicobacter pylori infection and exposures relevant to person-to-person, waterborne, foodborne, and zoonotic transmission in a census sample of 684 2-9-year-old children in Aldana, Nariño, a rural community in the Colombian Andes. H. pylori prevalence, as determined by the 13C-urea breath test, was 69%, and prevalence increased from 53% in 2 year-olds to 87% in 9 year-olds. Beginning at 3 years of age, a higher percentage of males compared with females were infected. Odds ratios were estimated by multivariate logistic regression to control for mutual confounding by transmission-pathway proxy variables and socioeconomic indicators. Among transmission-pathway proxies, the strongest predictor of H. pylori status was the number of persons who lived in the home, with the number of children apparently being of greater importance than the number of adults. Swimming in rivers, streams, or pools increased the odds of infection, as did using streams as a drinking water source. Children who frequently consumed raw vegetables were more likely to have the infection, and children who had contact with sheep also had increased prevalence odds. Because the results did not implicate a single mode of transmission, the possibility of multiple pathways is indicated.

Age Distribution↗

[Amebic liver abscess in Tarapoto-Peru].

UNLABELLED: In order to know the incidence and epidemiologic features of the Amebic Hepatic Abscess we realized this study in the medicine service. 86.67% were males, the average age was 41.38 +/- 18.60 years old being more frequent between 30 and 69 years old (74.48%). The more affected were farmers (60%), students (10%) and Housekeepers (6.67%). The average time of the disease was 12.12 +/- 6.35 dias. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant (96.66%), Hepatomegaly (83.33%), Fever (82.22%), Diarrhea (37.77%), Nausea (36.66%), Jaundice (33.33%). The initial diagnosis was AHA (45.55%), acute cholecystitis (14.44%), generalized infectious syndrome (7.77%), acute hepatitis (6.66%). The most frequent studies was: echography (98.85%). AHA alone was in the right lobe (84.05%), left lobe (14.49%). The bigger abscess was of 12 cm in diameter. The treatment was metronidazole + antibioticos (37.78%), metronidazole + antibiotico+percutaneous drainage (24.45%), Metronidazole + surgical drainage (3.33%). The complications were right pleural effusion (8.89%), peritonitis (5.56%) and pioneumothorax (1.11%). The hospitalization time was 14 +/- 8.02 days. There was one death (1.11%). CONCLUSION: The AHA was ones of each 76 deliveries in our medicine service.

Adolescent↗

A procedure for the simultaneous determination of lipid and protein in biomembranes and other biological samples.

Very small sample sizes frequently become the limiting factor in biochemical and biomembrane studies in which routine quantification of protein and bulk lipids are required. The procedure described here allows the simultaneous determination of protein and lipid without initial, multiple aliquots. The method is based on the quantitative precipitation of proteins from a defined hexane/isopropanol mixture. The liquid phase resulting after decanting and concentrating to dryness can then be used to assay the lipid content directly. Quantitative assay of protein can be achieved after resuspension of the pelleted material by addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (0.1%) and deoxycholate (1%). The method is also applicable to other types of lipid- and protein-containing samples with a broad range of protein/lipid ratios and lipid compositions, as they occur, for example, in serum lipoproteins.

1-Propanol↗

A procedure for eliminating interferences in the lowry method of protein determination.

A modification of the Lowry assay for the quantitative protein measurement in the presence of interfering materials has been developed. The method is based on a precipitation with a single-phase hexane:isopropanol solvent system and later resuspension of protein pellets with sodium dodecyl sulfate and deoxycholate. The new procedure eliminates the interference caused by Triton X-100, phospholipids, or dithiothreitol providing yields higher than 95% and seems to be especially suitable for protein determination on membrane preparations in samples with small volumes and/or very low protein concentrations.

Animals↗

[Genital prolapse].

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Combined Modality Therapy↗