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Biomedical subjects

J Planas

Publications and source records attributed to J Planas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Correlation between the biopsies in marginal donor kidneys for transplantation: is it necessary to biopsy both kidneys?

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between histological findings in both transplanted kidneys from marginal donors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the histological information on 92 kidneys obtained between January 2001 and January 2004, corresponding to 46 marginal donors. Criteria for biopsy were age greater than 55 years, hypertension, diabetes, and proteinuria. Scores were established by the pathologist including glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, and arteriosclerosis. The score for each lesion was classified as 0 if absent; 1 if <20%; 2 if >20% and <50%; and 3 if >50%. Finally, we defined an index of renal severity damage (RSD) in order to classify the kidneys for single transplantation (0), double transplantation (1), and unsuitable for transplantation (2). RESULTS: Of the kidneys studied, 82.6% of both kidneys showed similar degrees of glomerulosclerosis (<20% in 71.7% and >20% in 10.9%), while 17.4% showed discrepancies (> vs <20%; P=.008). On the other hand, RSD correlated in 82.6% of both kidneys (in 69.6% RSD=0; in 8.7% RSD=1; and in 4.3% RSD=2), while 17.4% showed discrepancies (P=.001). In one case (2.2%), a great discrepancy was observed; one kidney was valid for single transplantation, and the other one not valid for any transplantation, single or double. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a correlation between the biopsy findings in both kidneys in 82.6% of marginal organ donors. However, in 17.4% of cases we observed discrepancies. The degree of glomerulosclerosis seemed to be a powerful parameter to define renal severity damage. According to these results we would recommend biopsy of both kidneys.

Biopsy↗

Novel polymer-polymer conjugates for recovery of lactic acid by aqueous two-phase extraction.

A new family of polymer conjugates is proposed to overcome constraints in the applicability of aqueous two-phase systems for the recovery of lactic acid. Polyethylene glycol-polyethylenimine (PEI) conjugates and ethylene oxide propylene oxide-PEI (EOPO-PEI) conjugates were synthesized. Aqueous two-phase systems were generated when the conjugates were mixed with fractionated dextran or crude hydrolyzed starch. With 2% phosphate buffer in the systems, phase diagrams with critical points of 3.9% EOPO-PEI-3.8% dextran (DEX) and 3.5% EOPO-PEI-7.9% crude starch were obtained. The phase separation temperature of 10% EOPO-PEI solutions titrated with lactic acid to pH 6 was 35 degrees C at 5% phosphate, and increased linearly to 63 degrees C at 2% phosphate. Lactic acid partitioned to the top conjugate-rich phase of the new aqueous two-phase systems. In particular, the lactic acid partition coefficient was 2.1 in 10% EOPO-PEI-8% DEX systems containing 2% phosphate. In the same systems, the partitioning of the lactic acid bacterium, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, was 0.45. The partitioning of propionic, succinic, and citric acids was also determined in the new aqueous two-phase systems.

Biotechnology↗

Amine-based aqueous polymers for the simultaneous titration and extraction of lactic acid in aqueous two-phase systems.

The partitioning of 10% (w/w) lactic acid in ethylene oxide propylene oxide (EOPO) random copolymers and dextran T500 aqueous two-phase systems was studied. An analysis of variance design was applied to investigate the effect of pH, polymer concentration, and addition of polyethyleneimine to the aqueous two-phase systems. The lowest lactate partition coefficient of 0.09 was obtained at pH 6 in the systems containing 7.2% (w/w) polyethyleneimine. The use of polyethyleneimine as titrating base during the fermentative production of lactic acid was evaluated in batch fermentations with 100 g/l glucose. Yield and productivity of polyethyleneimine titrated fermentations compared with those obtained in fermentations titrated with NaOH and KOH.

Chemistry Techniques, Analytical↗

Ovarian receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and effects of IGF-I on steroid production by isolated follicular layers of the preovulatory coho salmon ovarian follicle.

In this study, receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in isolated theca-interstitial layers and granulosa cells of the coho salmon preovulatory ovary were characterized, and the effects of IGF-I on ovarian steroidogenesis were examined. Specific receptors for insulin and IGF-I were found in granulosa and theca-interstitial layers. In both follicular layers, IGF-I receptors were greater in number and higher in affinity than insulin receptors. The effects of IGF-I on in vitro production of testosterone (T) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17OH-P) by theca-interstitial layers and of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and 17 alpha, 20 beta-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20 beta-P) by granulosa cell layers were evaluated during the preovulatory period. Both human and salmon recombinant IGF-I inhibited the basal and GTH II-stimulated T and 17OH-P production by theca-interstitial layers throughout the preovulatory period. In contrast, IGF-I stimulated the production of both E2 and 17,20 beta-P by granulosa cell layers prior to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) but only stimulated the production of 17,20 beta-P by granulosa cell layers after GVBD. The inhibitory effects of IGF-I on steroid production by the theca-interstitial layer and the opposite stimulatory effects on steroid production by the granulosa cell layer, coupled by the presence of specific IGF-I receptors in both follicular layers, suggest that IGF-I may play a role in the regulation of steroidogenesis in the preovulatory coho salmon ovary.

Animals↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Vpu modifies viral cytopathic effect through augmented virus release.

We characterized two human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) strains, HIVMCK and HIV213, which have different cytopathic effects in infected cells. HIV213 was highly cytopathic, whereas HIVMCK was not. Biological analyses of chimeric viruses from the cloned infectious DNAs of HIVMCK and HIV213 showed that the Vpu region was responsible for the differing cytopathicity of these viruses. Although HIVMCK expressed Vpu protein, HIV213 did not because of a mutation at the start codon for Vpu. The amounts of envelope glycoprotein and virus particles associated with the cell surface were significantly increased on cells infected with Vpu-deficient viruses compared with Vpu-positive viruses. These data suggest that the highly cytopathic effects of HIV213 (Vpu-deficient) are due to an accumulation of envelope glycoprotein at the infected-cell surface, which would be caused by the retention of progeny virions in the absence of Vpu-facilitated virion release.

Base Sequence↗

Nitrendipine and enalapril in the treatment of diabetic hypertensive patients with microalbuminuria.

A trial to study the efficacy, safety and tolerability of nitrendipine and enalapril in the treatment of diabetic hypertensive patients with microalbuminuria (MA) was performed to compare the effects of both drugs in the prevention of the renal impairment. Twenty-eight valid patients [13 with nitrendipine (N) and 15 with enalapril (E) with NIDDM, hypertension (diastolic blood pressure between 90 to 114 mm Hg) and MA (urinary albumin between 30 to 300 mg/24 hr) were recruited in a double blind, randomized trial. Following a placebo run-in period of two to four weeks, all eligible patients were randomly allocated to either N or E treatment. Treatment lasted six months, with two different visits at three and six months in which blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), renal function and MA were measured. No statistically significant differences on BP and metabolic parameters were found between both treatment groups. The geometric mean of final glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in the N group was 34.5% higher than in the E group, while the reduction on MA was most important in the E group. Eleven patients reported adverse events (AEs) and there were four dropouts, three of them due to AEs. We conclude that both treatments are a good choice for treating diabetic hypertensive patients with early altered renal function, as they reduce BP without altering metabolic parameters, increase GFR and reduce MA with a low frequency of AEs.

Adult↗

Abundant insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor binding in fish skeletal muscle.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptors were quantified in glycoprotein fractions prepared by wheat germ agglutinin-agarose affinity chromatography from skeletal muscle of several species of salmonid fish and carp. Insulin binding in fish skeletal muscle was lower than insulin binding found in rat. IGF-1-specific binding was two- to sixfold higher than insulin binding (16.0 +/- 3.0 versus 5.8 +/- 0.75%/50 micrograms glycoprotein in brown trout, 15.5 +/- 0.9 versus 2.2 +/- 0.5%/50 micrograms in coho salmon, and 39.7 +/- 7.6 versus 16.0 +/- 3.0%/50 micrograms in carp muscle). Specific IGF-1 binding in fish skeletal muscle presented values similar to those in rat muscle. IGF-1 receptor binding was, in addition, highly specific. Cold IGF-1 displaced radiolabeled IGF-1 binding in doses 100- to 1000-fold lower than cold insulin (ED50 of IGF-1 binding to carp receptor preparations was 0.24 +/- 0.04 nM when displaced with cold IGF-1 and 368 +/- 83 nM when displaced with insulin). On the other hand, cold insulin displaced radiolabeled insulin binding at concentrations 10- to 100-fold lower than cold IGF-1. Receptor tyrosine kinase activity was stimulated over basal values in a dose-dependent manner by both insulin and IGF-1, although IGF-1 was more potent than insulin. Basal rates of phosphorus transferred to the artificial exogenous substrate poly(Glu4:Tyr1) were similar in all salmonid species (200-320 fmol P/micrograms protein) and higher in carp (1840 +/- 300 fmol P/micrograms protein). Maximum percentage of stimulation of tyrosine kinase activity by insulin and IGF-1 was in the same range in all salmonid species and carp (130-200% for insulin, 160-232% for IGF-1). Abundance of IGF-1 receptors in fish skeletal muscle contrasts with the pattern observed in higher vertebrates, in which insulin receptors prevail over IGF-1 receptors.

Animals↗

Insulin/IGF-I binding ratio in skeletal and cardiac muscles of vertebrates: a phylogenetic approach.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) receptor binding and tyrosine kinase activity were characterized in cardiac and skeletal muscles of several vertebrates. Specific insulin binding per unit weight of skeletal muscle was clearly higher in pigeon and rat than in ectothermic vertebrates (32 +/- 5 and 25 +/- 2.7%/100 mg initial tissue in pigeon and rat, respectively, vs. 4.4 +/- 0.2%/100 mg in carp samples). Insulin binding clearly predominated over IGF-I binding in skeletal muscle of endotherms (IGF-I binding was 7.7 +/- 0.5%/100 mg in rat). In ectothermic vertebrates the situation was reversed, and IGF-I binding was higher than insulin binding. In cardiac muscle, specific binding of both insulin and especially IGF-I was higher than the values found in skeletal muscle of the same species (IGF-I binding was 60 +/- 4, 103 +/- 2, and 20 +/- 3%/100 mg in carp, turtle, and rat, respectively). The tyrosine kinase activity of insulin and IGF-I receptors of all species studied presented basal phosphotransferase rates (250-1,600 fmol P.micrograms protein-1.30 min-1) and percentage of stimulation (150-520%) with clear differences between species. The present data suggest that insulin and IGF-I binding to skeletal and cardiac muscles change through the vertebrate scale in both quantity and activity.

Animals↗

Up-regulation of insulin binding in fish skeletal muscle by high insulin levels.

The effects of insulin titres on regulation of receptor binding were studied in several fish species. Insulin receptors were semi-purified by affinity chromatography (WGA-agarose) from skeletal muscle of carp, brown trout and rainbow trout that had been subjected to increases in insulinemia produced either by arginine injection, food administration, or adaptation to an experimental diet (extruded diet with high-digestibility carbohydrates). Arginine injection provoked acute hyperinsulinemia in both carp and trout. Specific binding of insulin to the skeletal muscle was significantly increased 3 h after injection (from 5.8 +/- 0.3 to 9.6 +/- 0.9%/10 micrograms protein in carp and from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 1.5 +/- 0.4%/10 micrograms in trout). The same effect was observed in carp liver preparations (from 6.0 +/- 0.75 to 9.9 +/- 1.25%/10 micrograms). No alterations in tyrosine kinase activity of the receptors were detected in either carp or trout preparations: basal activities of the receptors were maintained (3100 +/- 200 fmol P/fmol receptors/30 min and 3700 +/- 400 fmol P/fmol receptors/30 min, in carp and trout, respectively), as were the percentage of stimulation over basal levels obtained by incubation with insulin (227 +/- 25% and 160 +/- 10% respectively). Food ingestion raised plasma insulin levels more steadily. Specific binding also increased in skeletal muscle preparations, especially in carp (from 5.7 +/- 0.3 to 11 +/- 1.7%/10 micrograms at 4 h and 10 +/- 0.7%/10 micrograms at 8 h). Tyrosine kinase activity was maintained without significant changes. Rainbow trout adapted for 2 months to an extruded diet presented higher insulin titres and higher glycogen reserves in liver and muscle. Insulin binding to skeletal muscle preparations was also significantly increased (from 0.36 +/- 0.02 to 0.77 +/- 0.1%/10 micrograms), as was tyrosine kinase activity (from 132 +/- 4% to 156 +/- 6%, without alterations in the basal activity). Results showed that fish can respond to both acute and maintained increases in insulinemia by increasing the number of insulin receptors. Tyrosine kinase activity, in contrast, is only modified after long-term adaptation.

Analysis of Variance↗

Lung cancer and cigarette smoking in women: a case-control study in Barcelona (Spain).

A case-control study on lung cancer and the habit of cigarette smoking was carried out in Barcelona (Spain). Cases were 103 women newly diagnosed with primary lung cancer in 10 hospitals from the study area. Histologic confirmation was given in 101 cases, of which 53 were adenocarcinoma, 19 squamous-cell carcinoma, 9 small-cell carcinoma and 20 other types. Two controls per case were selected, matched by age, residence and hospital. Compared with the never-smokers, the odds ratios (OR), with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), were 1.61 (0.4 to 6.9) for ex-smokers and 3.61 (1.6 to 8.3) for current smokers. The risk of lung cancer showed a good dose-response relationship with duration of the habit, average number of cigarettes smoked daily and cumulative cigarette consumption. The risk of lung cancer increased by 62% for each 10 pack-years. Depth of inhalation also showed a remarkable effect, independently of the intensity of the habit. Although mortality and incidence rates of lung cancer among women in Spain are lower than in other developed countries, the risk of lung cancer is that which would be expected according to the pattern of the smoking habit in Spanish women.

Adult↗

Differential apomucin expression in normal and neoplastic human gastrointestinal tissues.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The cloning of genes encoding human mucins is the basis for the study of their normal tissue distribution and the alterations associated with cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the normal and tumor tissue expression of MUC1, MUC2, MUC5B, and MUC5C. METHODS: The reactivity of apomucin-specific antibodies with fresh normal and tumor tissues was analyzed using immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: Anti-MUC1 antibodies reacted with most glandular epithelia. Anti-MUC2 antibody was mainly reactive with intestinal goblet cells and cervical mucous cells. Anti-MUC5B was reactive with a wide range of epithelial tissues whereas anti-MUC5C was reactive with stomach, trachea, and endocervix. Double-labeling experiments showed coexpression of MUC1/MUC2 and MUC2/MUC5C in colonic tissue. Multiple apomucins were detected in colon cancers, but no relationship to histochemical mucus stains was observed. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that (1) each apomucin shows a distinct tissue expression pattern; (2) multiple apomucins are present in a single tissue and at the single cell level; and (3) altered apomucin expression takes place in pathological colonic tissue.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Insulin binding and receptor tyrosine kinase activity in skeletal muscle of carnivorous and omnivorous fish.

We characterized the insulin receptors in skeletal muscle from several fish species with different nutritional preferences: brown trout (Salmo trutta fario), gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), tilapia (Tilapia mossambica), and carp (Cyprinus carpio), semipurified by affinity chromatography (wheat germ agglutinin-agarose). Total specific binding and number of receptors per unit weight of piscine white skeletal muscle were lower than those values found in mammalian skeletal muscle. The same parameters in carp muscle receptor preparations were severalfold higher than in trout muscle (binding capacity 440 +/- 47 fmol/mg glycoprotein in carp and 82 +/- 23 fmol/mg glycoprotein in trout). Piscine insulin receptors phosphorylated exogenous substrate poly(Glu,Tyr) but less so than mammalian receptors. Tyrosine kinase activity of receptors, calculated as percent of 32P incorporated into substrate in the presence of insulin compared with basal incorporation, was also highest in carp (210 +/- 4%) and lowest in trout (150 +/- 2%). In both trout and carp deprived of food for 15 days, specific binding of insulin decreased. Nevertheless, differences between the two species were retained. Our results demonstrate that particular properties of insulin receptors in fish skeletal muscle may be related to nutritional preferences. This finding coincides with the phenomenon of differential glucose tolerance in fish: carnivorous fish, such as trout, are less tolerant, whereas omnivorous fish, such as carp, readily utilize a carbohydrate-rich diet.

Animals↗

Nostril and alar reshaping.

The authors recommend, when necessary, the use of external excisions for correcting variations in the shape of the nostrils and alae in the cleft lip-nose deformity, in primary rhinoplasties, and in secondary rhinoplasties. Their experience in the use of external incisions was originally stimulated by Millard's paper of 1960 which recommended different types of remodeling external excisions in his analysis of how to handle variations in the shape of the nostrils and alae.

Adolescent↗

Iron absorption by small intestine of chickens.

Iron (Fe) absorption by three segments (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) of the small intestine of chickens was studied by a perfusion technique in vivo in closed circuit using 59Fe Cl3 and was related to the histological characteristics of each segment. The serosal transfers of Fe for the duodenum and jejunum were the same (14%/cm), but significantly different (p < 0.05) from those of the ileum (9%/cm), which may be explained by the morphological and histological properties of the gut of chickens. However, the presence of Fe in blood and in liver was significantly lower after perfusion of the jejunum and ileum than after perfusion of the duodenum. It is concluded that chickens show an early adaptation of small intestine to Fe absorption in response to the considerable loss of Fe suffered during the laying process.

Animals↗