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Biomedical subjects

I Blanco

Publications and source records attributed to I Blanco.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Major fruit and vegetable contributors to the main serum carotenoids in the Spanish diet.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the main sources of serum carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene) among the fruits and vegetables in the Spanish diet, to be used in the design of food questionnaires and to provide useful information for epidemiological and comparative studies. DESIGN: A Family Budget Survey from the National Institute of Statistics (1990-1991); an open questionnaire dealing with foods consumed over a one-week period; physical amounts consumed annually and during three-month periods. Calculation of the percentage contribution of each food on the basis of a standard portion as well as the carotenoid concentrations previously reported by our laboratory. SETTING: Nationwide (urban and rural). SUBJECTS: Twenty-one thousand, one hundred and fifty-five (21 155) randomly selected, private households throughout Spain (72279 subjects). RESULTS: Nine vegetables (potato, tomato, green bean, green and/or red pepper, carrot, artichoke, spinach, lettuce and beet) and five fruits (orange, tangerine, banana, peach and watermelon) account for more than 96% of the intake of the major six carotenoids in serum, both on a yearly and on a seasonal basis. Fruit and vegetables provide between 3.0mg (in autumn) and 4.3mg (in summer) of these carotenoids per day. CONCLUSIONS: In our population, a small number of fruits and vegetables can provide significant information on carotenoid intake (both annually and seasonally) to be used in the design of questionnaires for epidemiological studies, minimizing misclassification and errors. The marked seasonality of some products causes wide differences in the supply of, above all, beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene.

Carotenoids↗
PubMed1996

Conformationally biased analogs of human C5a mediate changes in vascular permeability.

A panel of conformationally constrained, decapeptide agonists corresponding to the C-terminal "effector" region of human C5a (C5a65-74 or ISHKDMQLGR) was evaluated for the ability to increase vascular permeability. One constrained analog, acyl-YSFKPMPLaR, expressed between 2 and 10% of full C5a activity in increasing vascular permeability, as measured by the extravasation of Evans blue dye in guinea pig skin. This analog was at least 10-fold more potent than its unconstrained sister analog C5a65-74465, F67++ (YSFKDMQLGR), which was used as an internal standard in these assays. Neither acyl-YSFKPMPLaR nor YSFKDMQLGR changed the transvascular equillibrium of an electrolyte, 86Rb, at the peptide injection site. However, both peptides effected a significant increase in the extravasation of two macromolecules, 125I-labeled bovine serum albumin and 131I-labeled monoclonal antibody BL-3. The extravasation of Evans blue dye mediated by 0.03 to 0.1 nmol of acyl-YSFKPMPLaR was nearly abolished by 1 to 10 nmol of the antihistamine diphenhydramine. For YSFKDMQLGR, however, the sensitivity toward diphenhydramine was observed only at low concentrations of the peptide (1 nmol). When incubated in human and mouse sera, acyl-YSFKPMPLaR was shown to be stable toward the actions of serum carboxypeptidases. However, the unconstrained analog YSFKDMQLGR was rapidly converted to the des-Arg form under the same conditions. Taken together, these results support a growing body of evidence that unique topochemical features expressed in conformationally constrained agonist analogs of C5a contribute favorably to their ability to modulate vascular permeability and to their stability in serum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

[Activity and subcellular distribution of lysosomal enzymes in acute pancreatitis induced by CDE diet in mice].

The aim of the present study was to analyze the activity and subcellular distribution of the lisosomal enzymes and the stability of the lisosomes in acute pancreatitis induced by CDE diet in mice. The activity and the latency of the catepsin-B1 enzymes, acid phosphatase, beta-hexosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase in normal pancreas and in pancreatitis induced by CDE diet were determined. The distribution of the acid phosphatase lisosomal marker was determined in subcellular fractions obtained by differential centrifugation. The activity of the catepsin-B1 enzyme increased 47% in the pancreas of mice with pancreatitis induced by CDE diet. The acid phosphatase activity was not modified and the beta-hexosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase was decreased. The specific activity of the acid phosphatase lisosomal marker also increased in the subcellular fraction containing the zimogene granules and decreased the latency (parameter indicative of lisosome stability) of all the lisosomal enzymes analyzed in the pancreatic homogenate. These results suggest that the lisosomal enzymes, specially the catepsin-B1, and the decrease in the stability of the lisosomes may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

Amylase, lipase, pancreatic isoamylase, and phospholipase A in diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.

To determine the utility of serum amylase (AMY), lipase (Lp), pancreatic isoamylase (isoA), phospholipase A (PLA), and urine AMY in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, samples of serum and urine were obtained on admission and every day thereafter for 5 days from 384 patients with acute abdominal pain. Diagnostic accuracy, determined as the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, was > 0.975 for serum AMY, Lp, isoA, and urine AMY. For each of these enzymes, a threshold value (twice to sixfold the upper limit of the reference values) offering diagnostic efficiency > 95% could be determined. In contrast, accuracy and efficiency of serum PLA were low. The profiles of these enzymes in acute pancreatitis decreased in a parallel fashion over 5 days except for PLA. We conclude that diagnostic utilities are similar for serum AMY, Lp, isoA, and urine AMY for acute pancreatitis, provided that an appropriate threshold is established.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Hyper-beta-carotenemia unrelated to diet: a case of brain tumor.

In addition to the provitamin A function of some carotenoids, many of them exhibit antioxidant activity. Epidemiological studies show that high serum levels and/or elevated intake of carotenoids have a protector effect against several chronic and degenerative diseases. We determined the levels and studied the behavior of the major carotenoids and retinol in serum of a brain tumor patient receiving standard (carotenoid-free) artificial enteral nutrition for eight months. After nearly two months on this diet, the retinol level was in the upper region of normal range and the beta-carotene concentration was unusually high. Analyses after several months on this diet showed a decrease in retinol, whereas the beta-carotene concentration had doubled (up to 203 micrograms/dl). Other carotenoids usually found in serum were present in very small amounts or not at all. We conclude that, although diet is an important factor in the presence and proportion of carotenoids in serum, the case we report here appears to indicate that other factors related to the development of certain diseases may be relevant determinants of changes in the carotenoid profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Clinical care in a recovery room. Triennial review].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate clinical practice in our intensive care unit over a period of 3 consecutive years (January 1991-December 1993). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective computer analysis of clinical data recorded for the 1157 patients admitted during the study period. RESULTS: Seven hundred thirteen men and 443 women were admitted. Mean age was 58.8 years. Eighty-nine percent had undergone elective or emergency surgery, 7% were non surgical emergency admissions and 4% were transferred from other hospital wards. The mean stay was 3.8 days, though the mean stay for elective surgery patients was significantly shorter (p < 0.001). We assess the usefulness of the APACHE-II scale applied during the first 24 hours of admission, finding that mean scores were significantly lower (p < 0.001) for the 1089 survivors (10.2 +/- 4.7) than for the 68 patients who died (23.6 +/- 9.4). The score on the APACHE II scale was above 16 for 82% of those who died. Overall mortality for the unit was 5.9%, though the proportion was statistically higher (p < 0.001) in emergency patients. Complications developed in 299, though the number of complications was significantly lower (p < 0.001) for elective surgery patients. The patients who died required more use of invasive monitoring and mechanical ventilation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our review shows that mortality, lengthy of stay in the unit and number of complications were all greater among emergency admissions. The patients who died had higher mean APACHE-II scores and required more care. Computerized data collection and later analysis is a useful way to assess clinical practice and facilitate future studies.

APACHE↗
PubMed1994

Seasonal and sex-related variations in six serum carotenoids, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol.

We report the results of a study on the influence of season and sex on serum concentrations of six carotenoids, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol, as determined by reversed-phase HPLC. The subjects were 111 healthy individuals (54 females, 57 males); 18 additional subjects (10 females, 8 males) were assessed for within-subject longitudinal seasonal variations. Men presented significantly higher retinol concentrations (P = 0.002) and lower concentrations of provitamin A carotenoids--alpha carotene (P = 0.006), beta-carotene (P < 0.001), and beta-cryptoxanthin (P < 0.001)--than women. There were no significant differences between the sexes with respect to nonprovitamin A carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene) or alpha-tocopherol. Significant seasonal increments (P < 0.05) in serum concentrations of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene (in summer) and of beta-cryptoxanthin (in winter) were detected in both sexes; in males, lutein was higher in summer whereas in females it rose in spring. No sex-related or seasonal variations were observed in alpha-tocopherol, zeaxanthin, or lycopene. Serum concentrations of provitamin A carotenoids vary according to the individual's sex and season of the year.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Follicular mantle lymphoma: clinicopathologic and cell proliferation of 11 cases].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present was to study the biologic behavior of the lymphomas of the follicular mantle by analysis of different indexes of neoplastic cell proliferation and their relation with the clinical symptoms, prognosis and survival of the patients. METHODS: Light microscope, ultrastructural, and frozen and paraffin immunohistochemical studies were performed including the proliferative markers Ki-67 and PC10, flow cytometry and analysis of cell cycle in biopsy samples. Clinical data of 11 patients were collected in addition to therapeutic response and survival. RESULTS: Lymphoma of the follicular mantle is constituted by small sized cell elements with a variable pattern of tumoral growth in the lymph nodes. In normal lymphocytes of the follicular mantle the immunophenotype shows expression of IgM + IgD and a light chain in the cell surface. From a clinical point of view, massive splenomegaly and disseminated stage are the most outstanding characteristics. One third of the cases analyzed presented an aneuploid neoplastic population. According to the PC10 marker, the proliferative index ranged from 2.9 to 14.7% of neoplastic cellularity (mean 7.0). The percentage of cells in the phases S, G2 and M of the cell cycle by flow cytometry varied from 14 to 35 (mean 23%). Neither the cell ploidy nor the tumoral proliferative index were related with the survival of the patients (53 +/- 51 months). CONCLUSIONS: Lymphoma of the follicular mantle is a clinical pathological entity of low biologic aggressivity. Cell aneuploidy or ploidy and the tumoral proliferative index did not establish differences in prognosis or survival in this series.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Splenic hematoma in acute pancreatitis. Role of coagulation disorders.

Splenic hematomas are infrequent complications of acute pancreatitis. In some cases, local factors that may play a role in the pathogenesis of the hematoma (thrombosis of the splenic artery or veins, intrasplenic pseudocysts, perisplenic adhesions, enzymatic digestion) are found. In the absence of local factors, the etiology of splenic hemorrhage remains unknown. We report two cases of splenic hematoma occurring during an acute necro-hemorrhagic pancreatitis associated with renal failure that required renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis and continuous arteriovenous hemodialysis). In both cases, more than half of splenic parenchyma was affected by multiple infarctions. No local factors responsible for the splenic abnormalities were detected in either case. Thrombosis of the splenic arterial microcirculation and a coagulation disorder consistent with disseminated intravascular coagulation was detected in one patient. In the second patient, coagulation disorders secondary to either liver disease, pancreatitis and its septic complications, or extracorporeal circuit heparinization for renal replacement therapy were present. Coagulation disorders should be considered whenever a splenic hematoma is found in a patient with acute pancreatitis. Disseminated intravascular coagulation may be the etiology of a splenic hematoma in acute pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

[The treatment of a simple pancreatic pseudoaneurysm or one associated with hemosuccus pancreaticus].

When a permanent communication occurs between an artery and a pancreatic pseudocyst, the pseudocyst becomes a pseudoaneurysm. Pancreatic pseudoaneurysms are primarily found in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Fistulization of a pseudoaneurysm into the main pancreatic duct results in ductal hemorrhage. From 1980 to 1990, 43 cases of pancreatic pseudoaneurysm and 24 cases of ductal hemorrhage (15 of these secondary to pancreatic pseudoaneurysm) have been published. Pancreatectomy, ligation of the affected vessel (alone or in combination with a drainage procedure), or intraarterial embolization have all been used to treat pancreatic pseudoaneurysms. We herein describe two patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudoaneurysm; one patient presented with ductal hemorrhage. The inferior pancreatico-duodenal artery was the affected vessel. Both patients were treated with suture-ligation; an internal drainage was added to the patient presenting with ductal hemorrhage.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1991

A comparative study of histamine and K+ effects on (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase activity in synaptosomes.

Histamine (10(-4) M) and 60 mM K+, but not 60 mM Na+ or 60 mM choline+, increased the maximal synaptosomal (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase activity by 15 and 36% respectively and decreased the extrasynaptosomal Ca2+ concentration necessary to reach it. Histamine and K+ enhanced the synaptosomal (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. In synaptic plasma membranes histamine (10(-4) M) and 60 mM choline+ were not able to alter the enzymatic activity, however 60 mM K+ and 60 mM Na+ elevated (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase activity by 20 and 15%, respectively, without altering the affinity for Ca2+. Histamine effects in synaptosomes were mediated by H2 receptor stimulation. 3-Isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (10(-4) M) potentiated (15%) the maximal histamine effect. The slow Ca2+ channel antagonists verapamil and diltiazem, both at 10(-6) M, completely inhibited K+ effects in synaptosomes, however histamine effects were only blocked by verapamil. The data suggest that K+ and histamine effects on synaptosomal (Ca(2+)-Mg2+)-ATPase activity are mediated by increases of intrasynaptosomal Ca2+ levels. Moreover, histamine effects on synaptosomal enzyme activity were mediated by cAMP.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed1991

Calcium effects on the solubilization of membrane-bound histidine decarboxylase in the rat brain.

In a previous work we have shown that histidine decarboxylase (HD) activity is found in a soluble and a membrane-bound form. A major part (82%) of the membrane-bound HD activity in the crude mitochondrial fraction (P2) was present in the synaptic plasma membrane-containing subfraction. Physiological concentrations of Ca2+ had no direct effect on HD activity but caused a solubilization of approximately 50% of membrane-bound HD in the P2 fraction. Mg2+ had similar but lower effects (20% solubilization) than Ca2+. Incubation with depolarizing concentrations of K+ in the presence of 1 mM CaCl2 caused a significant (30%) solubilization of HD.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

[Phenotypic characteristics of 100 strains belonging to the mesophilic aeromonas group isolated from feces].

Phenotypic characteristics of 100 strains pertaining to the group of mesophilic aeromonas isolated in feces of patients with diarrhea (23 A. hydrophila, 34 A. sobria, 19 A. caviae, and 24 considered atypical because produced a the negative esculin reaction and a positive gas formation from glucose [TSI]). The percentages obtained in the different biochemical tests support the hypothesis that in this group there is a taxonomic complexity. We observed variations in the following tests: LDC, arabinose, Voges-Proskauser, lactose, and motility and hemolytic activity. We compared manual and automatic procedures in detecting esculinase and beta-galactosidase activity (ONPG). The study of constitutional enzymatic activity by means of API ZYM system can not be used to differentiate the distinct species although the enzyme beta-glucosidase is detected preferentially in A. hydrophila.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1990

Histamine increases ornithine decarboxylase activity in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells.

The effect of histamine on the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) of cerebellar granule neurons was studied using primary cultures grown both in serum-containing medium and in chemically defined medium. In comparison with granule neurons grown in chemically defined medium, the activity of ODC was about twice as great in the neurons grown in serum-containing medium. Treatment of cultured cerebellar neurons with histamine caused a dose-dependent increase in ODC activity. The maximum elevation was observed at 500 nM of histamine, when the increase in ODC activity was about 50% and 120% over controls in granule cells grown in serum-containing medium and in chemically defined medium, respectively. Histamine had no significant effect on the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in these cultures. The present findings provided direct evidence for the involvement of histamine in the regulation of ODC-related non-mitotic growth of granule neurons in the cerebellum.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Synaptosomal (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPASE activity modulation by cyclic AMP.

Dibutyryl cyclic AMP, in a concentration-dependent manner, increased synaptosomal (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity, but in synaptic plasma membranes lacked any effect. The maximal enzyme activity in synaptosomes was increased by 38%, leaving unaltered the extrasynaptosomal Ca2+ concentration necessary to reach it. In the presence of 5 microM cyclic AMP, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase increased (30%) maximal (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity in synaptic plasma membranes, but the apparent affinity for Ca2+ was not modified. This effect was partially inhibited (60%) by a cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor. The data suggest that synaptosomal (Ca2+-Mg2+)-ATPase activity is modulated by a cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation reaction.

Animals↗