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J F Julián

Publications and source records attributed to J F Julián.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Engraftment of islets obtained by collagenase and Liberase in diabetic rats: a comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Islet transplantation is an attractive solution for type I diabetes, but the results are at the present discouraging. Collagenase, the enzyme used to obtain islets for transplantation, presents interbatch variability and endotoxin contamination that induces inflammatory cytokine production. Liberase (Roche, Basel, Switzerland), a new mixture of purified enzymes, has the same composition in all batches and is endotoxin-free. AIMS: To compare the engraftment of islets obtained using either enzyme in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODOLOGY: Collagenase- or Liberase-isolated islets were transplanted under the kidney capsule of diabetic rats. Collagenase islets restored glycemia and insulinemia in all animals at 24 hours, and both parameters were maintained in 45% of rats over 90 days; however, Liberase islets failed to reverse diabetes in all subjects. RESULTS: In vitro experiments showed that Liberase islets did not maintain active insulin secretion. Cytotoxicity assays showed toxicity of Liberase to islets; both enzymes induced inflammatory cytokine production by macrophages. CONCLUSION: In summary, in our model, Liberase is not a good substitute for collagenase as an islet-isolating reagent. A major effort and investment in developing enzymes for tissue dispersion is needed to improve the outcome of islet transplantation.

Animals↗

[Survey of residents on their satisfaction after obtaining a hospital post].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the degree of satisfaction of the resident physicians in an university hospital by the election of the speciality and the hospital, after the takeover of the workplace and in the course of their period of residence. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to the 164 residents of the hospital to know the concordance between the initial expectations of the residents and the degree of current satisfaction, about the specialty and the chosen hospital. RESULTS: 149 out of 164 residents (90.8%) answered the survey. In what is referring to the elected speciality, 57% (85 residents) expressed to be satisfied or very satisfied by their election; 22% (33 residents) felt indifferent, and 21% (31 residents) were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied. In what concerns to the chosen hospital, 43% (64 residents) were satisfied or very satisfied; 29% (43 residents) indifferent, and 28% (42 residents) were unsatisfied or very unsatisfied. With respect to the degree of satisfaction by the exercise of the profession at the moment of accomplishing the survey, 98% (143/149) of the residents answered, and of these, 30% (43 residents) expressed to be satisfied or very satisfied; 28% (40 residents), indifferent, and 42% (60 residents), unsatisfied or very unsatisfied. In the degree of satisfaction influenced in a statistically significant way the group of speciality chosen (medical, surgical or central services) after the examination and the moment of accomplishing the survey; the number of order of the residents examination; to have or not to have a speciality wished before of the residents examination, and the year of residence underway. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of satisfaction of the resident physicians by the election of the speciality and of the hospital is relatively low. This fact outlines the suitability of the election system of the specialty.

Adult↗

Syngeneic islet transplantation into seminal vesicles of diabetic rats.

Pancreatic islet transplantation has been proposed as an attractive option for the treatment of type I diabetes. Transplantation into different sites has been investigated, among them those that are immuno-logically privileged (e.g., thymus, uterus, brain, anterior eye chamber, and testicle). Because of their characteristics, seminal vesicles could be considered as immunologically privileged organs, but there is no worldwide experience that can confirm it. The purpose of the present study is to assess the viability and functionality of islet transplantation into seminal vesicles of diabetic rats. One hundred ninety inbred adult male syngeneic Lewis rats were used as donors (n = 72), receptors (n = 36), and controls(n = 11). Diabetes was chemically induced through a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Groups of 1200 purified islets were introduced in the right seminal vesicle of diabetic rats. Diabetic control rats were sham transplanted. Body weight and glycemia were monitored every 2 d. Of transplanted rats, 16.7% achieved a good function due to islet engraftment, while 30.6% achieved a partially good response, and 52.7% were considered as nonresponding. This is the first report about islet transplantation into seminal vesicles of diabetic animals. Our results indicate that islet transplantation into rat seminal vesicles is technically possible, and that islets can function normally after engraftment into the wall of the seminal vesicle.

Animals↗