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J Lora

Publications and source records attributed to J Lora.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

ICOS is critical for T helper cell-mediated lung mucosal inflammatory responses.

We examined the requirement for and cooperation between CD28 and inducible costimulator (ICOS) in effective T helper (TH) cell responses in vivo. We found that both CD28 and ICOS were critical in determining the outcome of an immune response; cytolytic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4-immunoglobulin (CTLA-4-Ig), ICOS-Ig and/or a neutralizing ICOS monoclonal antibody attenuated T cell expansion, TH2 cytokine production and eosinophilic inflammation. CD28-dependent signaling was essential during priming, whereas ICOS-B7RP-1 regulated TH effector responses, and the up-regulation of chemokine receptors that determine T cell migration. Our data suggests a scenario whereby both molecules regulate the outcome of the immune response but play separate key roles: CD28 primes T cells and ICOS regulates effector responses.

Abatacept↗
PubMed1999

Urbanisation of yellow fever in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Reinvasion by Aedes aegypti of cities in the Americas poses a threat of urbanisation of yellow fever. After detection of yellow-fever infection in a resident of the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in December, 1997, we investigated all subsequent suspected cases. METHODS: We introduced active surveillance of yellow fever in the Santa Cruz area. Hospitals and selected urban and rural health centres reported all suspected cases. Patients were serologically screened for yellow fever, dengue, hepatitis A and B, and leptospirosis. We collected clinical and epidemiological information from patients' records and through interviews. We also carried out a population-based serosurvey in the neighbourhood of one case. FINDINGS: Between December, 1997, and June, 1998, symptomatic yellow-fever infection was confirmed in six residents of Santa Cruz, five of whom died. Five lived in the southern sector of the city. Two had not left the city during the incubation period, and one had visited only an area in which sylvatic transmission was deemed impossible. Of the 281 people covered in the serosurvey 16 (6%) were positive for IgM antibody to yellow fever. Among five people for whom this result could not be explained by recent vaccination, there were two pairs of neighbours. INTERPRETATION: Urban transmission of yellow fever in Santa Cruz was limited in space and time. Low yellow-fever immunisation coverage and high infestation with A. aegypti in the city, and the existence of endemic areas in the region present a risk for future urban outbreaks. We recommend immediate large-scale immunisation of the urban population, as well as tightened surveillance and appropriate vector control.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Elevated gastric lesions].

Elevated gastric lesions, represent an important group among gastric pathology. To establish its incidence in our experience, we studied the endoscopic reports of two important hospitals in La Paz city: Instituto de Gastroenterología Boliviano Japonés and Hospital Obrero No. 1. In order to make a good endoscopic diagnosis among different elevated lesions we use some parameters like: location, shape, size, diameter, surface of the lesion and surrounding mucosa and characteristics of the falls. 10.472 endoscopic reports were reviewed, 497 elevated gastric lesions were found, 475 corresponded to mucosal lesions (352 benign lesions and 123 malignant lesions), 11 to submucosal and 11 extragastric lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Alcoholic hepatitis: prospective clinical study of 20 cases].

Twenty cases of alcoholic hepatitis were registered in a Gastroenterology Service during a two year span (from February 1980 to February 1982). The obstructive clinical pattern was predominant in an important number of the cases her reported. This is a remarkable situation for a clinical pathological correlationship to avoid indicating surgery for this type of patients. It is noticeable that the quantities and time of alcohol ingestion are below the levels indicated in medical papers used as reference. It is suggested that altitude hypoxia may be the cause for our patients being more liable to alcohol injury. Symptoms and laboratory findings were similar to the accepted patterns of reference works.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Megacolon at high altitude.

Megacolon occurs frequently in high altitude areas. This report describes observations made in 60 cases seen in La Paz, Bolivia (3,600 meters above sea level). Motility of both the large and small bowel was found to be increased and the feces had a low pH. No histologic abnormalities were noted in the nervous plexus or smooth muscle. It is assumed that megacolon in these circumstances is acquired and not congenital.

Altitude↗
PubMed1982

[Digestive changes in cholecystectomized patients].

An important number of cholecystectomized patients after some years of complete well-being, begin complaining of symptoms such as periodic diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, regurgitation, vomiting, etc. The purpose of this study is to try to identify an alteration or lesion in the stomach or colon in cholecystectomized patients of more than five years standing, which may be causing the aforementioned condition. The forty patients under observation, free of biliary tract post-operative lesions, were subjected to: hemogram, amylasemia, either infusion cholangiograph or ERCP, fecal parasitological-tests, upper digestive and colon X Ray series, esophagus, stomach and duodenal endoscopy with biopsies. Additionally, ten underwent a colonoscopy which also included biopsy. The result of the radiological, amylasemia and hemogram studies was normal in all cases. The parasitological tests were negative. In every case, a moderate to severe superficial, chronic gastritis was found as well as minor histopathological alterations in the colon mucosa. The presence of bile in both duodenum and colon in interdigestive periods, alterations in the enterohepatic circulation as well as in the biliary composition itself, are suggested as the possible causes of the patients symptoms.

Adult↗