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J A Aguilar

Publications and source records attributed to J A Aguilar.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The atu and liu clusters are involved in the catabolic pathways for acyclic monoterpenes and leucine in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Evidence suggests that the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 gnyRDBHAL cluster, which is involved in acyclic isoprenoid degradation (A. L. Díaz-Pérez, N. A. Zavala-Hernández, C. Cervantes, and J. Campos-García, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70:5102-5110, 2004), corresponds to the liuRABCDE cluster (B. Hoschle, V. Gnau, and D. Jendrossek, Microbiology 151:3649-3656, 2005). A liu (leucine and isovalerate utilization) homolog cluster was found in the PAO1 genome and is related to the catabolism of acyclic monoterpenes of the citronellol family (AMTC); it was named the atu cluster (acyclic terpene utilization), consisting of the atuCDEF genes and lacking the hydroxymethyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (CoA) lyase (HMG-CoA lyase) homolog. Mutagenesis of the atu and liu clusters showed that both are involved in AMTC and leucine catabolism by encoding the enzymes related to the geranyl-CoA and the 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA pathways, respectively. Intermediary metabolites of the acyclic monoterpene pathway, citronellic and geranic acids, were accumulated, and leucine degradation rates were affected in both atuF and liuD mutants. The alpha subunit of geranyl-CoA carboxylase and the alpha subunit of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (alpha-MCCase), encoded by the atuF and liuD genes, respectively, were both induced by citronellol, whereas only the alpha-MCCase subunit was induced by leucine. Both citronellol and leucine also induced a LacZ transcriptional fusion at the liuB gene. The liuE gene encodes a probable hydroxy-acyl-CoA lyase (probably HMG-CoA lyase), an enzyme with bifunctional activity that is essential for both AMTC and leucine degradation. P. aeruginosa PAO1 products encoded by the liuABCD cluster showed a higher sequence similarity (77.2 to 79.5%) with the probable products of liu clusters from several Pseudomonas species than with the atuCDEF cluster from PAO1 (41.5%). Phylogenetic studies suggest that the atu cluster from P. aeruginosa could be the result of horizontal transfer from Alphaproteobacteria. Our results suggest that the atu and liu clusters are bifunctional operons involved in both the AMTC and leucine catabolic pathways.

Acyclic Monoterpenes↗
PubMed2004

Isolation and characterization of two families of satellite DNA with repetitive units of 135 bp and 2.5 kb in the ant Monomorium subopacum (Hymenoptera, Formicidae).

Analyzing the satellite DNA in the ant species Monomorium subopacum we found two unrelated families of satellite DNA. Because these satellite DNA families were isolated using the two enzymes HaeIII and EcoRI we called the two families HaeIII and EcoRI family, respectively. The HaeIII family proved to be organized in a 135-bp basic unit repeat, the EcoRI family in a 2.5-kb basic unit repeat. The latter represents perhaps the longest satellite DNA isolated up to now in insects. The HaeIII family apparently comprises about 10% of the total genomic DNA whereas the EcoRI family represents only about 1-2%. A comparative analysis of the two satellite DNA sequences showed no homology between the two families although both sequences possessed long A and T stretches. Eight of the 34 chromosomes showed hybridization with the HaeIII family and hybridization signals are visible in six chromosomes with the EcoRI family. Analysis of the electrophoretic mobility of satellite DNA on non-denaturing polyacrylamide showed that the HaeIII family is only slightly curved. However, the unit of the EcoRI satellite DNA family has curvature, especially the first 1000 bp of the monomeric repeat, in which this DNA is AT rich and has numerous A and T stretches. There are also internal inverted subrepeats in each family. The sequences of satellite DNA families found in Monomorium subopacum are different from the sequences of other satellite DNAs cloned in insects, including other species of ants.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Anion binding with two polyammonium macrocycles of different dimensionality.

A comparative study of the binding of nitrate and sulfate with a polyammonium monocycle L(1), (3,6,9,17,20,23-hexaazatricyclo[23.3.1.1(11,15)]-triaconta-1(29),11,13,15(30),25,27-hexaene), and the corollary bicycle L(2), (1,4,12,15,18,26,31,39-octaazapentacyclo-[13.13.13.1(6,10).1(20,24).1(33,37)]-tetratetraconta-6,7,9,20(43),21,23,33(42),34,36-nonaene), is reported. Potentiometric studies indicated negligible binding for L(1) and nitrate, but high affinity was observed for sulfate (log K(H5L(SO4)/H5L-SO4) = 3.53(1), log K(H6L(SO4)/H6L-SO4) = 4.36(1)). Stronger binding was observed for the cryptand L(2) with both nitrate and sulfate (log K(H6L(NO3)/H6L-NO3) = 3.11(5), log K(H7L(NO3)/H7L-NO3) = 3.55(5); log K(H6L(SO4)/H6L-SO4) = 4.43(1), log K(H7L(SO4)/H7L-SO4) = 4.97(5)). Five crystal structures are reported: the nitrate (1) and sulfate (2) salts of L(1), the free base (3) of L(2), and the nitrate (4) and tosylate (5) salts of L(2). Structural results for L(1) indicate relatively planar monocycles with cis and trans orientations of the phenyl groups for 2 and 1, respectively, with the anions above and below the monocycle rings. For L(2), key features include an encapsulated water and intricate water network in 3, two encapsulated and four external nitrates and two external water molecules in 4, and six external tosylates with sulfonate groups pointing into the cavity and eight external waters in 5.

Aza Compounds↗
PubMed2000

Intracardiac thrombus in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

In this report we describe the case of a 19-year-old woman who had right-sided hemiparesis. In search of a source of embolism, we performed transthoracic echocardiography, which showed a large, complex, and irregular multilobulated left ventricle mass adherent to the endocardial surface. Open-heart surgery was performed. The mass was removed, and histologic examination confirmed the thrombotic material with focal regions of calcification. The diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibodies syndrome was confirmed by an anticardiolipin antibodies test.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Prevalence of hypertension in IDDM patients in the northern Grand Canary Island, according to the WHO/ISH and JNC-V/ADA criteria.

UNLABELLED: In order to establish the prevalence of hypertension (according to both the JNC-V/ADA and the WHO/ISH criteria) in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), a group of 142 unselected young adults with IDDM from Northern Gran Canaria Island was cross-sectionally studied. The relationship of hypertension to diabetic nephropathy and lipid profile was also studied. Blood pressure, urinary albumin excretion and plasma lipids (total cholesterol with VLDL, LDL and HDL fractions, triglycerides and Lp(a)) were measured. The prevalence of hypertension was 11.9% (95% CI 6.5-17.3) with the WHO criteria (> 160/95 mmHg) versus 58.7% (50.5-66.9) with the JNC-V criteria (> 130/85 mmHg). The respective prevalences were 3.8 (0.0-8.1) versus 49.4% (38.0-60.7) in patients with normoalbuminuria (< or = 20 micrograms/min), 17.9 (2.7-33.0) versus 71.4% (53.6-89.3) in patients with microalbuminuria (21-200 micrograms/min), and 44.4 (9.0-69.9) versus 83.3% (64.3-100) in patients with macroalbuminuria (> 200 micrograms/min). The presence of hypertension and of micro or macroalbuminuria was associated with a worse lipid profile. IN CONCLUSION: the new JNC-V criteria drastically increase the figures of prevalence of hypertension in young insulin-dependent diabetic adults. Early and aggressive antihypertensive treatment benefits at least those patients with incipient nephropathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Lipoprotein (a) levels in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Most researchers have found increases of lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in uremic patients, as well as in those undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The mechanisms for this increase remain unclear. We studied 71 patients undergoing CAPD, 48 men and 23 women. According to the time spent on CAPD, the patients were divided into three groups: group 0: 29 patients at the starting off point of dialysis treatment; group I: 22 patients with an average stay of 15.2 months; group II: 20 patients with an average stay of 69.3 months on CAPD. We have only observed significant increases of Lp(a) levels in those patients initiating the dialysis, but no significant differences are found in the other groups undergoing CAPD for longer periods when compared to the control group. We found no significant relation between Lp(a) levels and peritoneal protein loss, and not with absorption of glucose from the dialysate either. We have found a positive and significant correlation between Lp(a) levels and urinary protein loss (r = 0.41; p < 0.001). It is possible that an element associated with proteinuria might have an effect on the metabolism of Lp(a) in CAPD patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Infective endocarditis in intravenous drug addicts].

Infective endocarditis is a frequent complication in intravenous drugs abusers. It is evident that in recent years this problem has increases as a consequence of the growing number of drug addicts. We review the clinical files of patients who entered the Regional General Hospital No. 20 IMSS in the City of Tijuana Mexico between May 1994 and May 1998 with diagnosis of infective endocarditis and had evidence intravenous abuse. Eight patients were included in the study. None of them had preexisting valve abnormalities. The infection involved right-sided values in 62.5% of cases left-sided values in 12.5%, and both sides in 12.5% of cases Staphylococcus aureus was the infecting germ in 50% of the cases. Survival of patients with right infective endocarditis was 75% and only 25% of them required surgical intervention. The mortality of infection in left side was 75% and 100% if infection involved both sides. Infective endocarditis in drugs abusers has a favorable prognosis when right sided valves are affected. Mortality rates are higher in patients with left-sided involvement.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pericarditis caused by coccidioidomycosis. Report of a case].

A 33 year-old man developed coccidioidomycosis which resulted in pericarditis associated with congestive heart failure. A pericardial effusion developed and progressed to constrictive pericarditis. A pericardiectomy was performed and revealed that the pericarditis was due to Coccidioides immitis. The patient died after surgery. This is the second case of coccidioidomycosis with pericarditis reported in Mexico's literature.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cholesterol biliary lithiasis (risk factors)].

The prevalence of gallstone disease in the world is heterogenous, it exist a wide range between different geographic areas, sex and age groups. Its distribution seems to be influenced by various factors such as age, sex, socieconomic class, genetic and ethnic influences and diseases like diabetes mellitus and obesity. Therefore, in this study, we will analyse the importance of each of those factors in the development of cholesterol gallstone disease.

Cholelithiasis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Calculation of the mitral valve area with the proximal convergent flow method with Doppler-color in patients with mitral stenosis].

In this study we evaluate prospectively a new color Doppler method for calculating the mitral valve area based on identifying a blue-red aliasing interfase proximal to the orifice, corresponding to the flow convergence region (FCR). This method can be used to calculate areas using the continuity equation. We studied 61 patients with stenosis. The mitral valve area was calculated using pressure half-time (PHT) Doppler method which were compared with values that obtained by the FCR method, according to the following formula. AVM (cm2) = 2 pi r2 x VN/Vmax; where "r" is the FCR radius measured from the orifice to the first color aliasing (blue-red interface); VN is Nyquist velocity and Vmax is the peak flow velocity by continuous wave Doppler. Twenty three patients had pure mitral stenosis and 38 double mitral lesion. Twenty patients were on sinus rhythm while 41 in atrial fibrillation. Calculated mitral valve area using the FCR method correlated well with mitral valve area determined by PHT method at a correlation coefficient of r = 0.96 (y = 0.097 x + 54.9, SEE = 0.10 cm2, p < 0.001). MVA by FCR ranged from 0.4 to 2.5 cm2 (mean = 1.19 cm2). MVA by PHT ranged from 0.42 to 2.48 cm2 (mean = 1.15 cm2). Color Doppler FCR method provides an accurate estimate of effective mitral valve area and may be useful as an alternative to the pressure half-time method. The calculated mitral valve area by the FCR method is not influenced by the presence of mitral regurgitation nor atrial fibrillation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction caused by accessory mitral valve tissue].

An asymptomatic 15-year-old woman was studied because of a systolic ejection murmur. The echocardiogram showed a mobile, leaflet-like structure attached to the ventricular surface of the anterior mitral leaflet, chordae tendineae and papillary muscle. This structure moved to the left ventricular outflow tract during systole occupying the subaortic area. Conventional Doppler examination revealed left ventricular outflow obstruction caused by the accessory mitral valve tissue that produced a pressure gradient of 25 mmHg between the aorta and left ventricle. The diagnosis was not obvious clinically and was based on the echocardiographic data.

Adolescent↗