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Biomedical subjects

J M Moreno

Publications and source records attributed to J M Moreno.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Immunodeficiency associated with anorexia nervosa is secondary and improves after refeeding.

Several studies have addressed the question of starvation effects on immune function by means of changes in lymphocyte subsets, cytokine induction or lymphocyte activation. Anorexia nervosa (AN) patients are severely malnourished and contradictory results have been obtained regarding the accompanying immunodeficiency, including its assignation as a part of the primary nervous disorder. In the present work, an extensive immunological function examination was carried out on 40 AN patients who were compared with a control group of 14 healthy girls. The AN patients were also classified according to their nutritional status (by the Body Mass Index: BMI), this being critical for a better understanding of these secondary immunodeficiency bases. Moreover, another immune system study was performed on five patients after refeeding. Lymphocyte subsets and function, cytokine induction and peripheral blood concentrations, and innate as well as humoral immunity were evaluated. Deregulation in the cytokine network, owing to the interaction of the central nervous (CNS) and immune systems, seems to be the initial immune alteration in AN immunodeficiency but it has not been disproved that the immunodeficiency is a direct consequence of the original psychiatric perturbation. Spontaneous high levels of circulating interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) have been observed; this is probably one of the causes of the anomalies found in the T-cell subpopulations (mainly the naive CD4+CD45RA+ reduction and the cytotoxic CD8+ increase) and T-cell activation status (mainly the down-regulation of the CD2 and CD69 activation pathways). This finally leads to an impairment, not only in T-cell function but also in T-cell to B-cell co-operation. The AN specificity of these results is confirmed by the fact that these immune alterations improve after refeeding and when nutritional status becomes less critical, which also suggests that AN immunodeficiency is indeed secondary to malnutrition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A six-domain structural model for Escherichia coli translation initiation factor IF2. Characterisation of twelve surface epitopes.

The Escherichia coli translation initiation factor IF2 is a 97 kDa protein which interacts with the initiator fMet-tRNAfMet, GTP and the ribosomal subunits during initiation of protein biosynthesis. For structural and functional investigations of the factor, we have raised and characterised monoclonal antibodies against E. coli IF2. Twelve epitopes have been localised at the surface of the protein molecule by three different methods: Interactions of the monoclonal antibodies with nested deletion mutants of IF2, comparison of the relative location of the epitopes in a competition immunoassay and cross-reactivity analyses of the monoclonal antibodies towards IF2 from Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter cloacae, Proteus vulgaris, and Bacillus stearothermophilus. These data are combined with predicted secondary structure and discussed in relation to a six-domain structural model for IF2. The model describes IF2 as a slightly elongated molecule with a structurally compact C-terminal domain, a well-conserved central GTP-binding domain, and a highly charged, solvent exposed N-terminal with protruding alpha-helical structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Sensitization to Zygophyllum fabago pollen. A clinical and immunologic study.

Zygophyllum fabago is a herbaceous plant found widely in the Mediterranean area. There are no previous reports of its allergenicity. An aerobiologic and clinical survey was conducted in Murcia, southern Spain, to determine the quantity of airborne pollen and establish the possible role of this pollen as a cause of allergic symptoms. With a Hirst volumetric trap, we determined the atmospheric concentrations of this pollen in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. Of 1180 patients tested, 181 (15.34%) had a positive skin test. To determine its allergenicity, we divided 47 patients into three groups: in group 1, all the patients had symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis plus asthma; in groups 2 and 3, rhinoconjunctivitis. In group 1, we performed a bronchial provocation test (BPT); in groups 2 and 3, we performed nasal provocation (NPT) and conjunctival provocation (CPT) tests, respectively. SDS-PAGE was used to characterize the antigenic fractions and RAST inhibition to determine cross-reactivity with other pollens. The pollen dispersion period is from May to September (445 grains/m3). BPT was positive in 13 of 15 patients, NPT in 14 of 16 patients, and CPT in 13 of 16 patients. RAST inhibition revealed cross-reactivity with Mercurialis, Ricinus, Olea, and Betula. SDS-PAGE identified 25 IgE antibody-binding components, five of which (60, 65, 41, 38, and 15.5/14.7 kDa) were recognized by 40% of the sera. By SDS-PAGE immunoblotting with sunflower antiprofilin rabbit serum and affinity chromatography we established that the Z. fabago extract has profilin. This study shows that this pollen becomes airborne and elicits an IgE response which triggers respiratory symptoms in allergic subjects.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Kinins mediate the inhibition of atrial natriuretic peptide diuretic effect induced by pepsanurin.

Pepsanurin is a peptidic fraction resulting from pepsin digestion of plasma globulins, that inhibits ANP renal excretory actions. We studied whether kinin-like peptides mediate the anti-ANP effect by testing if pepsanurin: 1) was blocked by the kinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE-140, 2) was produced from kininogen, and 3) was mimicked by bradykinin. Anti-ANP activity was assessed in anesthetized female rats by comparing the excretory response to two ANP boluses (0.5 microgram i.v.) given before and after i.p. injection of test samples. Pepsanurin from human or rat plasma (1-5 mL/kg), and bradykinin (5-20 micrograms/kg), dose-relatedly inhibited ANP-induced water, sodium, potassium and cyclic GMP urinary excretion, without affecting arterial blood pressure. The same effect was exerted by pepsin hydrolysates of purified kininogen, whereas hydrolysates of kininogen-free plasma had no effect. HOE-140 (5 micrograms, i.v.) did not alter baseline, or ANP-induced excretion, but blocked the anti-ANP effects of pepsanurin. Histamine (15 micrograms/kg) plus seroalbumin hydrolysates did not affect ANP response, despite inducing larger peritoneal fluid accumulation as compared with pepsanurin or bradykinin. We concluded that kinins cleaved from kininogen mediate the anti-ANP effects of pepsanurin by activation of kinin B2 receptors, independently of changes in systemic arterial pressure or peritoneal fluid sequestration.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1997

[Lafora and neuropathology].

This article wants to be a memory to the figure and neuro-pathologic work of D. Gonzalo Rodríguez-Lafora. The tediousness of its neurological work allows to divide it in its slopes neurophatologic, neurophysiologic, clinic and therapy. Also, it embraces other topics outside of the field of the neurology, centered fundamentally in the psychiatry. It is without a doubt the facet neuro-histopathologic the one that provides him bigger national and international prestige and it contributes to deepen in the histopathology of the senility, picking up in a definitive way in their work critical valuation of the discoveries histopathological in the senility (1952) their thought in this respect. Mention separated deserves its more important discovery: The inclusions amylaceous in cells ganglionars, in a certain type of epilepsy myoclonic that today takes its name. Other entities like the illness of Wernicke, the hemorrhages hipofisarias, the Parkinson (for scarce months he is not early to Levy in an important discovery), or the alterations of the malaria in the cerebral fabric plows object of their attention, of the work of Lafora highlights its anatomo-pathologics works next to figures as Kraepelin, Alzheimer, Vogt, Openheim or Brodmann. Professor Lafora's figure is known internationally as neuropathologist, recognizing its contribution, collection in the world literature, to the study of the myoclonic epilepsy: 'Lafora disease. A form of progressive myoclonus epilepsy.

Brain↗
PubMed1996

Clinical management of hyperglycaemic patients receiving total parenteral nutrition.

We evaluated the course of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) therapy in patients with hyperglycaemia. We studied 1) incidence of hyperglycaemia, 2) amount of glucose and insulin provided and 3) incidence of metabolic problems in patients receiving TPN who required insulin to attain metabolic control. The group included 91 patients, 38 women (64 +/- 15 years) and 53 men (64 +/- 12 years), who developed glycaemia higher than 200 mg/dl. Nine patients had a previous diagnosis of IDDM, 36 NIDDM and 46 secondary hyperglycaemia.. Total caloric requirements were initially supplied at 132 +/- 20% the basal energy expenditure (Harris-Benedict formula), and 1.4 +/- 0.3 g/kg of amino-acids. Initially, TPN provided 150-200 g/day of glucose (2.1 mg/kg/min). Regular insulin was added to the bag. The annual incidence of hyperglycaemia was estimated to be 121 per 1000 patients. Mean insulin requirements were 50 U/day (25 to 150 U/day), 0.7 +/- 0.3 U/kg. Comparing with prehospitalization insulin dose, 22% needed similar doses, and 11% lower doses. IDDM patients needed 1.7 times their pre-admission dose (1-4.5 times). The ratio of insulin:glucose in TPN was 0.3 +/- 0.1 U/g (0.1-1.2 U/g). Patients with renal failure had similar insulin requirements (56 +/- 26 U/day) than patients with normal renal function (49 +/- 19 U/day). None of the patients developed glycemic complications. In conclusion, diabetic patients receiving TPN have an acceptable metabolic control if individualized prescriptions and supplemental insulin are used.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1994

The carpal tunnel syndrome. Relationship between median distal motor latency and graded results of needle electromyography.

Needle Electromyography (NEMG) was performed in 228 patients who had been diagnosed by means of motor and sensory median nerve conductions of having Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Evaluating abnormal spontaneous muscle activity (fibrillations, positive sharp waves, fasciculation potentials and myokymic discharges) and recruitment pattern, 51.7% of them showed abnormal NEMG. According to the amount of abnormality found, the studies were classified into: normal, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3. Median Distal Motor Latency (DML) to APB was prolonged beyond the upper confidence limit in 155 (68%) hands, showing a mean value of 5.69 +/- 2.79 msec. Statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) of DML mean value among patients with a NEMG "normal", "grade 1" or "grade 2" have been found. We revise previous reports about NEMG on the CTS and discuss practical consequences of our findings.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1993

[Hyperkalemia and its electrocardiographic consequences in professional cyclists at the end of a bicycle race].

The plasma potassium levels were measured in 15 cyclists during the "Vuelta Ciclista al País Valenciano" (700 km, 6 days), both at the start and at the end of the last stage. Plasma potassium levels increased from 4.3 +/- 1.9 mmol/l (resting) to 7.3 +/- 3.2 mmol/l at the end of the stage. The increase in plasma potassium levels was related to changes in other plasma electrolyte levels and it led to electrocardiographic T wave and QRS abnormalities.

Bicarbonates↗
PubMed1992

[Strategy for monitoring and implementing methods for correcting child growth and development in rural areas of Sonora. Mexico].

An appropriate health technology to facilitate child growth and development in a rural area is presented and documented. Because mother's adequate behavior related to child's care does not produce immediate behavioral or physical changes it is necessary to create a long term social system of consequences. This was achieved joining a longitudinal measurement system with a program to train mothers to identify and deal with health and development issues. During four years, data were collected on weight-length development and morbidity twice a year and simultaneously skills were taught to diagnose treatment and prevent growth and development problems. After the third session child development and anthropometry data became the base of a system to assess maternal behavior, providing consequences for links in the behavior chains associated with child care. This system made organization and participation of the community in primary health care programs more likely, which implied a better score in each child growth and development chart.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Hydrolysis of nucleic acids in single-cell protein concentrates using immobilized benzonase.

Hydrolysis of nucleic acids for single-cell protein concentrates has been carried out in one step using immobilized benzonase on corn cob. The immobilization is carried out by tosylation of primary alcohols of cellulose of corn cob. The immobilized benzonase is more stable vs pH changes than native benzonase, but the same optimum values of [Mg(II)] and temperature are obtained. The DNase activity is greater than the RNase activity. The percentage of DNA is reduced to 3-6% and that of RNA to 50%. The protein loss is negligible (1%). The enzymatic activity per weight unit of enzyme is greater in the case of benzonase that in reported data for other nucleases insolubilized on corn cob by the same procedure.

DNA, Fungal↗
PubMed1989

[Inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract at the University Hospital, Medical Center, Puerto Rico. 1980-87].

Although ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have been known for a long time, the etiology is still unknown, and at times it is difficult to distinguish one from the other. In addition, the characteristics of the disease make their epidemiologic study difficult. We have reviewed 70 cases with the diagnosis of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, and compared our results with those published from other parts of the world. We found a high proportion of ulcerative colitis to Crohn's disease, 5.36:1. There was no difference in affected age groups or most frequent symptoms; but we found Crohn's disease to be more frequent in the colon. We also found a very low incidence of extraintestinal manifestations. We believe an adequate standard protocol should be followed for the evaluation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease, including complementary studies to assess disease patterns and complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Splenomegaly as a cause of fecal incontinence. A new problem in an old disease.

Eight patients with fecal incontinence were seen. All eight patients had massive splenomegaly secondary to myelofibrosis and myeloid metaplasia. Six of the eight patients underwent splenectomy for hypersplenism. Five of the six had total improvement of the fecal incontinence. One died two weeks postoperatively and could not be evaluated. In our opinion, the fecal incontinence was related to the splenomegaly. The possible mechanism is discussed. If absolutely necessary for control of fecal incontinence in this situation, splenectomy should be considered.

Aged↗