PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J de Miguel

Publications and source records attributed to J de Miguel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Identification of Cucumisin (Cuc m 1), a subtilisin-like endopeptidase, as the major allergen of melon fruit.

BACKGROUND: Allergenic components in melon extracts have not been described in spite of the fact that melon (Cucumis melo) is a frequent allergy-eliciting fruit. The aim of this study was to evaluate allergenic components in melon extract and to report the identification of cucumisin as a major melon allergen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera from 35 patients allergic to melon were selected on the basis of clinical symptoms, skin prick tests and oral challenge test. Allergenic components were detected by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting. Molecular characterization of IgE-binding bands was performed by N-terminal amino acid sequencing. RESULTS: More than 10 IgE-binding bands, between 10 and 80 kDa, were identified in melon extract. Out of them, four IgE-binding bands were major allergens: 14 kDa, 36 kDa, 54 kDa and 67 kDa. These major allergens, except 14 kDa band, showed the same N-terminal sequence: T-T-R-S-W-D-F-L. Research conducted with protein databases identified this N-terminal sequence as cucumisin, an alkaline serine protease, which shares structural homology with microbial subtilisin. The molecular mass of the identified bands corresponds with different molecular forms of cucumisin produced during the processing or degradation of the enzyme: 67 kDa native cucumisin, 54 kDa mature cucumisin and 36 kDa NH2-terminal cucumisin fragment. CONCLUSION: Cucumisin (Cuc m 1) and several N-terminal cucumisin fragments are the major allergens of melon. The ubiquitous distribution of this protein family (cucumisin-like proteases) in many plant species and its high structural similarity suggest its potential role as a new panallergen in plant foods.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Seroprevalence of delta virus and hepatitis C virus in patients with chronic infection with hepatitis B virus].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of hepatitis delta and hepatitis C viruses (HDV and HCV) in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) with and without risk behaviors for the infection by these viruses and by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and serological study (January 1990-December 1992) at Medicine Service at Galdacano Hospital of 109 patients with positive hepatitis B surface antigen and without clinical or serological evidence of acute hepatitis, 60 without risk behaviors for the infection, 45 parenteral drug abusers (PDA) and 4 homosexual males. RESULTS: Chronic HDV infection was observed in 60% of PDA and more frequently among HIV-positive patients (p < 0.05). In six of these patients the serological determination of HDV-Ag was positive. Chronic HDV and HCV infection rates in patients without risk behaviors were 1.6% and 16%, respectively. Eighty-eight percent of PDA had anti-HCV; no differences were observed between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients (p = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: HDV was particularly associated with parenteral drug abuse, with a similar prevalence to other surveys conducted in Spain. The higher frequency of HDV and HDV-Ag among HIV-positive patients could indicate a greater susceptibility to HDV in clinical conditions associated with immunosuppression. HCV infection occurs at early stages and is common among PDA infected with HBV, with no apparent association with patient's age, years of drug abuse or HIV infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Pyogenic liver abscess. Study of 20 patients treated with percutaneous drainage].

We conducted a descriptive study of pyogenous hepatic abscesses (PHA) and their treatment with percutaneous drainage and antibiotherapy in the general hospital of Galdácano between 1989 and 1992. We assessed prevalence, clinical characteristics, responses to treatment, evolution and complications. We studied 20 PHAs in adults confirmed through puncture guided with echography and/or computerized tomography. We considered as causal germs those isolated in the abscess and/or hemocultures. All the patients were treated with catheter drainage and antibiotics. After discharge, follow-up and regular TC controls were performed at least for 6 months. The average age of the patients was 56 +/- 3 years and the men/women rate was 2.5:1. The most frequent origin of the infection was cholecystitis/cholangitis in 50% of patients and hydatidic cysts in 20%. Twelve patients had isolated abscess and 8 patients, multiple abscesses. The diagnostic sensitivity was 95% for the echography and 100% for CAT. The most frequent germs were E. Coli, Streptococcus, K. pneumoniae and Salmonella spp. In three cases, it was not possible to bacteriologically identified the germ. After drainage, the abscesses disappeared in 16 patients. The average duration of percutaneous drainage was 10 days. Three patients required surgery after drainage due to complications or incomplete drainage; two other patients required extirpation of hydatidic cysts. The mortality rate was 10%, although it was not related to PHA. We did not observe any differences between isolated or multiple abscesses with regard to prognosis. The drainage guided by echography and/or CT, associated to antibiotic therapy, is a successful technique for the treatment of PHAs in most patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Serum alpha-fetoprotein in liver cirrhosis].

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has been determined in 86 cirrhotic patients who simultaneously underwent a complete clinical and analytical evaluation. 25.6% of patients had increased levels (19.1% of Child A, 21.9% of B and 33.3% of C) without any significative differences between Child groups. A correlation between AFP and some analytical findings has been found, being GPT included among the latter (r = 0.24, p = 0.023). No correlation has been found with different laboratory and clinical data. Our data suggest that hepatocyte lesion and/or regeneration play a role in the raise of AFP, although other mechanisms must be implied. Extremely high values, especially with a non active cirrhosis, hardly could be attribute to it, that is why AFP is still a good marker of malignant degeneration in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Psoas abscess. The diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in 5 patients].

Five cases of psoas abscesses are discussed, four pyogenes and one tuberculous, the current etiology of this process, together with its pathogenesis and clinical manifestations are discussed. In all of them the guided punction through Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT) has been the way to diagnose and treat the process. Utility of this technique considering both aspects is discussed because it allows to determine the etiology and avoids the surgical drainage; even tough this therapy should be individualized in each case, probably is in primary staphylococci abscesses where this therapeutic option is best indicated.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Moraxella catarrhalis bacteremic pneumonia in adults: two cases and review of the literature.

Moraxella (formerly Branhamella) catarrhalis is a gram-negative coccus now recognized as one of the common pathogens in respiratory infections. Documented cases of bacteremic pneumonia due to this organism, however, have been a rarity. Two cases of Moraxella catarrhalis bacteremic pneumonia in immunosuppressed adult patients are reported. The clinical characteristics of these patients together with those of the seven adult and the six pediatric patients reported to date in the literature, are analyzed. All patients had an underlying condition and most were male. The mean age was 64.9 years. No adult patient had skin lesion, although purpuric rash was frequent in children. The overall morality rate was only 13.3%, in spite of the underlying diseases. In three patients the pneumonia was nosocomial. The seasonal recovery of Moraxella catarrhalis in respiratory infections is significantly increased during the late fall through early spring period. Because most strains are beta-lactamase positive, empiric use of penicillin, ampicillin or amoxicillin for this organism can no longer be recommended.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The oxytocin positive elements in the hypothalamic magnocellular nuclei of rats treated with histamine.

The oxytocin positive elements of the hypothalamic supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei, were instigated in 160 male rats through immunohistochemical, morphometric and statistical methods. The rats subdivided into five groups: 20 control rats; 20 rats treated with physiological saline intraperitoneal via (ip); 20 rats treated with physiological saline intracerebroventricular via (icv); 20 histamine (HA) treated rats, ip; and 20 HA treated rats, icv. Some labeled nerve cells appear, mainly, in the lateral part of the SON and the PVN of the control animals. These neurons have central nucleus and oxytocin positive cytoplasmic granulations. After the treatment with physiological saline, ip or icv, no alterations were observed. In HA treated rats, icv, numerous neurons and pathways were observed strongly labeled. Large droplets appear in the SON and in the PVN of these animals. In HA treated rats, ip, the oxytocin positive material is similar to that observed in the control rats. The morphometric and statistical studies confirm these findings. The results are discussed in this paper.

Animals↗