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Biomedical subjects

Javier Pérez

Publications and source records attributed to Javier Pérez.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

From diphosphane to diphosphodiide gold(III) derivatives of 1,2-diphosphinobenzene.

Treatment of 1,2-diphosphinobenzene with [Au(C6F5)3(tht)] leads to the diphosphane derivative [{Au(C6F5)3}(1,2-PH2C6H4PH2)] (1), which further reacts with other pentafluorophenylgold(III) reagents in the presence of acetylacetonate as deprotonating agent to afford phosphane-phosphide complexes. The noncyclic PPN[{Au(C6F5)3}2(1,2-PHC6H4PH2)] (2; PPN = bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium) has been shown to be a useful starting material for the synthesis of higher nuclearity cyclic or noncyclic diphosphide or even diphosphodiide derivatives through similar reactions. The crystal structures of the trinuclear anionic NBu4[{Au(C6F5)3}(1,2-PHC6H4PH){Au(C6F5)2Cl}{mu-Au(C6F5)2}] (3) and the hexanuclear [{Au(C6F5)3}(1,2-PC6H4P){Au(C6F5)3}{mu-M(dppe)M}2] (M = Au (12), Ag (13)) have been established by X-ray diffraction methods, the last complexes having a bicyclic ring containing three intramolecular interactions between the M(I) centres.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Outpatient thoracic surgical programme in 300 patients: clinical results and economic impact.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical aspects, results and the economic impact of the outpatient thoracic surgery programme (OTSP) developed in our Department. METHODS: Prospective study of 300 patients who entered in the OTSP from April 2001 to March 2005. The procedures performed were video-mediastinoscopy (MC), video-thoracoscopic lung biopsy (LB) and video-thoracoscopic bilateral thoracic sympathectomy (TS). All procedures were performed under general anaesthesia and patients were discharged in 4-6h. We analyse demographic data, the substitution index (SI), the admission rate (AR) and readmission rate (RR) after the procedure. We calculate the economic impact of stay expenses on our hospital and on other Spanish hospitals. RESULTS: The female/male ratio of the 300 patients was 83/217, with a mean age of 58.1 years (range: 15-85 years). There were no deaths. Mediastinoscopy was performed as outpatient procedure in 210 patients (mean age: 65.6 years) out of 244 total MC (SI=86.1%). Two patients were admitted (AR=0.95%) to observe a minimal pneumothorax and because of late night end. There were no readmissions after MC (RR=0%). We included 32 ambulatory patients for lung biopsy (mean age: 61.5 years) out of 64 total LB (SI=50.0%). One patient was admitted because of air leak (AR=3.1%) and there were no readmissions after LB (RR=0%). Fifty-eight patients were included in the OTSP for bilateral sympathectomy (mean age: 27.1 years) out of 83 total TS (SI=69.9%); there were no admissions (AR=0%) and one patient was readmitted after 9 days because of a hemothorax (RR=1.7%). Sixty-four patients out of the 91 not included in the OTSP were included in an 'afternoon surgical programme' and dismissed the morning after surgery, without contraindication for their inclusion in the OTSP. The hospital's total stay saving was 12,668 euros (88,226 euros if performed elsewhere), 42 euros per patient (294 euros per patient if performed elsewhere). CONCLUSION: Video-assisted mediastinoscopy, lung biopsy and bilateral sympathectomy can be included safely in outpatient thoracic surgical programmes. The impact of the economic benefit of OTSP over the conventional hospitalisation depends on the Department's previous policy on hospital stays. Further experience is needed to increase the substitution index and expand the OTSP to other procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A family of Au-Tl loosely bound butterfly clusters.

By treatment of the polymeric species [AuTl(C6Cl5)2]n with ketones or with acetylacetone and 4,4'-bipyridine, the new tetranuclear complexes [Au2Tl2(C6Cl5)4] x L (L = PhMeC=O, acacH) or [Au2Tl2(C6Cl5)4(bipy)] x (acacH) have been prepared. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods and they all present a central Au2Tl2 core formed via one Tl...Tl and four Au...Tl unsupported interactions resulting in a loosely bound butterfly cluster. These complexes are strongly luminescent in both the solid state and solution showing an optical behavior in agreement with the maintenance of the Tl...Tl contact even in solution.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Solution X-ray scattering evidence for agonist- and antagonist-induced modulation of cleft closure in a glutamate receptor ligand-binding domain.

Agonist-induced conformational changes in the ligand-binding domains (LBD) of glutamate receptor ion channels provide the driving force for molecular rearrangements that mediate channel opening and subsequent desensitization. The resulting regulated transmembrane ion fluxes form the basis for most excitatory neuronal signaling in the brain. Crystallographic analysis of the GluR2 LBD core has revealed a ligand-binding cleft located between two lobes. Channel antagonists stabilize an open cleft, whereas agonists stabilize a closed cleft. The crystal structure of the apo form is similar to the antagonist-bound, open state. To understand the conformational behavior of the LBD in the absence of crystal lattice constraints, and thus better to appreciate the thermodynamic constraints on ligand binding, we have undertaken a solution x-ray scattering study using two different constructs encoding either the core or an extended LBD. In agreement with the GluR2 crystal structures, the LBD is more compact in the presence of agonist than it is in the presence of antagonist. However, the time-averaged conformation of the ligand-free core in solution is intermediate between the open, antagonist-bound state and the closed, agonist-bound state, suggesting a conformational equilibrium. Addition of peptide moieties that connect the core domain to the other functional domains in each channel subunit appears to constrain the conformational equilibrium in favor of the open state.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2004

A detailed study of the vapochromic Behavior of [Tl[Au(C6Cl5)2]]n.

The linear-chain polymer [Tl[Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)]](n), 1, reacts in the solid state and in solution with different volatile organic compounds such as tetrahydrofuran, acetone, tetrahydrothiophene, 2-fluoropyridine, acetonitrile, acetylacetone, and pyridine. Solid-state exposure of 1 to vapors of the above VOCs produces a selective and reversible change in its color that is perceptible to the human eye and even deeper under UV irradiation, allowing 1 to function as a sensor for these VOCs. Heating the samples exposed to the VOCs for a few minutes at 100 degrees C regenerates the original material without degradation, even after several exposure/heating cycles. The reversibility is further confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurements of complex 1 before and after exposure to vapors and again after heating the samples. The products obtained by reactions of complex 1 with the above VOCs as ligands in solution contain extended linear chains of alternating gold and thallium centers with two molecules of the organic ligands attached to each thallium atom. The stoichiometry of these materials has been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [Tl(THF)(2)[Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)]](n), 3, and [Tl(acacH)(2)[Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)]](n), 5. Comparison of FT-IR, UV-vis, and luminescence spectra at room temperature and at 77 K of the solid samples of complexes 2-9 with the spectra of complex 1 after its exposure to VOCs suggests interaction occurs between the organic VOCs and thallium in each case. Thermogravimetric analyses data indicate that all the thallium centers in these derivatives of complex 1 are neither fully nor equally coordinatively saturated. The materials formed appear to be intermediates between complex 1 with no VOCs attached and complexes 3-9 which contain two organic ligands coordinated to each thallium. A crystal structure analyses of one of these intermediates, [Tl(THF)(0.5)[Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)]](n), 1.0.5THF, confirms this. Density functional calculations are in accord with the observed experimental results. Analysis reveals a substantial participation of the metal atoms in transitions that give rise to the observed emissions. Crystallographic data are as follows. For 1.0.5THF: triclinic, P1, a = 8.9296(1) A, b = 11.2457(1) A, c = 21.2465(3) A, alpha = 96.7187(7) degrees, beta = 92.5886(6) degrees, gamma = 98.5911(8) degrees, V = 2090.87(4) A(3), and Z = 2. For 3: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 26.4163(6) A, b = 12.1619(2) A, c = 28.0813(6) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 161.9823(6) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 2790.51(10) A(3), and Z = 4. For 5: monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 9.8654(2) A, b = 29.8570(5) A, c = 11.6067(2) A, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 114.5931(6) degrees, gamma = 90 degrees, V = 3108.64(10) A(3), and Z = 4.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Structure of Spa15, a type III secretion chaperone from Shigella flexneri with broad specificity.

Type III secretion (TTS) systems are used by many Gram-negative pathogens to inject virulence proteins into the cells of their hosts. Several of these virulence effectors require TTS chaperones that maintain them in a secretion-competent state. Whereas most chaperones bind only one effector, Spa15 from the human pathogen Shigella flexneri and homologous chaperones bind several seemingly unrelated effectors, and were proposed to form a special subgroup. Its 1.8 A crystal structure confirms this specific classification, showing that Spa15 has the same fold as other TTS effector chaperones, but forms a different dimer. The presence of hydrophobic sites on the Spa15 surface suggests that the different Spa15 effectors all possess similar structural elements that can bind these sites. Furthermore, the Spa15 structure reveals larger structural differences between class I chaperones than previously anticipated, which does not support the hypothesis that chaperone-effector complexes are structurally conserved and function as three-dimensional secretion signals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

[Primary hyperhidrosis: prospective study in 338 patients].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of this report is to study the clinical aspects of the patients with primary hyperhidrosis (PH) and the social and occupational distressing condition. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From January 1998 to October 2002, 338 patients with PH completed a preoperative questionnaire to register: age, gender, profession, associated diseases, familiar hyperhidrosis history, sweating location, associated dermatological lesions and social embarrassesment. 179 patients were asked about their general symptomatology. RESULTS: In 86% of the patients PH started during infancy, 71.5% were female (mean age 28.8 years). A few patients had others diseases and 42.5% had some associated dermatological lesions. In 47.9% of the patients there is family history of PH. 96.4% reported palmar hyperhidrosis, 80.7% plantar PH and 71.3% reported axillary PH, being less frequent in others regions of the body. The most frequent clinical founding associated is facial blushing in 60.3%, 52.3% heart palpitations, 48% muscle stress, 31.8% reported trembling of the hands and 30,8% headache. In reference to social embarrassesment, we observe that relations between friends and professional environment are the most problematic situation. CONCLUSIONS: PH is a pathologic condition starting in infancy, family history of PH is frequent and most patients have some associated dermatological lesions. Excessive sweating is especially common in palms but no exclusively of this region as it extends to others regions with the same intensity. It can be associated with symptomatology suggestive of hyperexcitability of the sympathetic activity like facial blushing, trembling or headache, symptoms difficult to consider whether they are cause or consequence.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Simple and reliable multiplex PCR assay for detection of blaTEM, bla(SHV) and blaOXA-1 genes in Enterobacteriaceae.

Third-generation cephalosporin resistance is often mediated by TEM- and SHV-type beta-lactamases in Enterobacteriaceae. TEM-type and OXA-1 enzymes are the major plasmid-borne beta-lactamases implicated in amoxicillin-clavulanic acid resistance in Escherichia coli isolates. We have developed a rapid and simple multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which discriminates bla(TEM), bla(SHV) and bla(OXA-1) genes by generating fragments of 516, 392 and 619 bp respectively. Multiplex PCR analysis of 51 amoxicillin-clavulanate resistant E. coli isolates detected bla(TEM) and bla(SHV) genes in 45 and two strains, respectively, and only one strain harboured a bla(OXA-1) gene. Twenty-three of the 40 cefotaxime-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates produced amplicons with a size compatible with the presence of bla(TEM) (13 strains), bla(SHV) (six strains) genes or the association of both genes (four strains). These results were verified by colony hybridisation. Therefore, multiplex PCR is a suitable tool for initial rapid screening of bla genes in Enterobacteriaceae.

Amoxicillin↗
PubMed2003

(Tl[Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)])(n): A vapochromic complex.

The X-ray structure of (Tl[Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)])(n), 1, consists of 1-D linear polymer chains parallel to the crystallographic z axis. The crystal structure of 1 has channels that run parallel to these chains with interatom distances in the range 3.231-4.076 A. There are holes in these channels with diameters as large as 10.471 A, which can accommodate a variety of solvents. Complex 1 displays reversible vapochromic emission and absorption spectral behavior when the solid is exposed to a variety of organic vapors such as acetone, acetonitrile, triethylamine, acetylacetone, tetrahydrothiophene, 2-fluoropyridine, tetrahydrofuran, and pyridine. Complex 1 is luminescent at room temperature and at 77 K in the solid state. UV excitation at 495 nm leads to an emission at 531 nm.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Theoretical and photoluminescence studies on the d10-s2 AuI-TlI interaction in extended unsupported chains.

The reactions of solutions of TlPF(6) and OPPh(3) in tetrahydrofuran or acetone with NBu(4)[AuR(2)] (R=C(6)Cl(5), C(6)F(5)) gave the new complexes [Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)](2)[Tl(OPPh(3))][Tl(OPPh(3))(L)] (L=THF (1), acetone (2)) and the previously reported [Tl(OPPh(3))(2)][Au(C(6)F(5))(2)] (3). The crystal structures of complexes 1 and 2 display extended unsupported chains with short intermolecular interactions between alternating gold(I) and thallium(I) centres. Moreover, the Tl(I) centres show two different types of geometrical environments, such as pseudotetrahedral and distorted trigonal-bipyramidal, due to the presence of solvent molecules that act as ligands in the solid-state structure. Quasirelativistic and nonrelativistic ab initio calculations were performed to study the nature of the intermetallic Au(I)-Tl(I) interactions and are consistent with the presence of a high ionic contribution (80 %) and dispersion-type (van der Waals) interaction with a charge-transfer contribution (20 %) when relativistic effects are taken into account. All complexes are luminescent in the solid state at room temperature and at 77 K. Complexes 1 and 2 show site-selective excitation, probably due to the different environments around the Tl(I) centres. The DFT and time-dependent (TD)-DFT calculations are in agreement with the experimental excitation spectra for all complexes and confirm the site-selective excitation behaviour as a function of the Tl(I) geometrical environment.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Expression of multidrug resistance proteins P-glycoprotein, multidrug resistance protein 1, breast cancer resistance protein and lung resistance related protein in locally advanced bladder cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: biological and clinical implications.

PURPOSE: Resistance to chemotherapy is a major obstacle to overcome in the conservative treatment of patients with locally advanced bladder cancer (LABC). We investigated the predictive value of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and prognosis of the expression of multidrug resistance (MDR) related proteins, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance protein 1 (MRP1), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and lung resistance related protein/major vault protein (LRP/MVP) in LABC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry we studied the expression of MDR proteins in tumors from 83 patients with LABC treated with NACT using a bladder sparing approach. Expression was related to the response to NACT, bladder preservation and prognosis. RESULTS: P-gp, MRP1, BCRP and LRP/MVP were expressed at high levels in 53%, 59%, 28% and 70% of cases, respectively. P-gp expression correlated with shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.04) but not with overall survival. Surprisingly MRP1 expression correlated with a higher response (p = 0.005) and a higher probability of bladder preservation following NACT (p = 0.001). BCRP did not show any prognostic impact. High LRP/MVP expression was significantly associated with a worse response to NACT and a decreased probability of bladder preservation (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that MRP1 and LRP/MVP may be useful in combination with other clinicopathological prognostic factors for selecting patients with LABC to be candidates for bladder preservation after NACT. A large prospective study is warranted to confirm the prognostic value of these MDR proteins.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗
PubMed2002

Do aurophilic interactions compete against hydrogen bonds? Experimental evidence and rationalization based on ab initio calculations.

[M(C6F5)(N(H)=CPh2)] (M = Ag (1) and Au (2)) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 shows a ladder-type structure in which two [Ag(C6F5)(N(H)=CPh2)] units are linked by a Ag(I)-Ag(I) interaction in an antiparallel disposition. The dimeric units are associated through hydrogen bonds of the type N-H...F(ortho). On the other hand, gold(I) complex 2 displays discrete dimers also in an antiparallel conformation in which both Au(I)-Au(I) interactions and N-H.F(ortho) hydrogen bonds appear within the dimeric units. The features of these coexisting interactions have been theoretically studied by ab initio calculations based on four different model systems in order to analyze them separately. The interactions have been analyzed at HF and MP2 levels of theory showing that, in this case, even at larger distances. The Au(I)-Au(I) interaction is stronger than Ag(I)-Ag(I) and that N-H.F hydrogen bonding and Au(I)-Au(I) contacts have a similar strength in the same molecule, which permits a competition between these two structural motifs giving rise to different structural arrangements.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Synthesis, structure, and photophysical studies of luminescent two- and three-dimensional gold-thallium supramolecular arrays.

The reactions of tetrahydrofuran solutions of NBu(4)[AuR(2)] (R = C(6)F(5), C(6)Cl(5)) with TlPF(6) and 4,4'-bipyridine lead to the synthesis of the luminescent materials [Tl(bipy)](2)[Au(C(6)F(5))(2)](2) 1 and [Tl(bipy)][Tl(bipy)(0.5)(thf)][Au(C(6)Cl(5))(2)](2) 2 in high yield. The structures of these complexes, as analyzed by X-ray diffraction, consist of planar polymers formed by repetition of Tl-Au-Au-Tl (1) or Tl-Au-Tl'-Au (2) moieties linked through bidentate bridging bipy ligands. In complex 1 these layers are associated via Tl...F contacts between atoms of adjacent planes, whereas in complex 2 each two polymeric layers are linked through additional bridging bipy molecules. Both complexes are strongly luminescent at room temperature and at 77 K in the solid state, losing this characteristic in solution even at high concentrations. The luminescence is attributed to interactions between metal atoms which are strongly affected by their structural dispositions. DFT calculations are in accord with the observed experimental behavior, showing the nature of the orbitals involved in each transition. Detailed analyses reveal a substantial participation of the metals in the transition giving rise to the emission maxima, and also other more energetic bands in which the ligands are involved and which also give rise to these emissions. The obtained theoretical excitation spectra clearly match the experimental results.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Dynamic transition associated with the thermal denaturation of a small Beta protein.

We studied the temperature dependence of the picosecond internal dynamics of an all-beta protein, neocarzinostatin, by incoherent quasielastic neutron scattering. Measurements were made between 20 degrees C and 71 degrees C in heavy water solution. At 20 degrees C, only 33% of the nonexchanged hydrogen atoms show detectable dynamics, a number very close to the fraction of protons involved in the side chains of random coil structures, therefore suggesting a rigid structure in which the only detectable diffusive movements are those involving the side chains of random coil structures. At 61.8 degrees C, although the protein structure is still native, slight dynamic changes are detected that could reflect enhanced backbone and beta-sheet side-chain motions at this higher temperature. Conversely, all internal dynamics parameters (amplitude of diffusive motions, fraction of immobile scatterers, mean-squared vibration amplitude) rapidly change during heat-induced unfolding, indicating a major loss of rigidity of the beta-sandwich structure. The number of protons with diffusive motion increases markedly, whereas the volume occupied by the diffusive motion of protons is reduced. At the half-transition temperature (T = 71 degrees C) most of backbone and beta-sheet side-chain hydrogen atoms are involved in picosecond dynamics.

Biophysical Phenomena↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The antimetabolite ara-CTP blocks long-term memory of conditioned taste aversion.

We examined the hypothesis that processes related to DNA recombination and repair are involved in learning and memory. Rats received intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions of the antimetabolite 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine triphosphate (ara-CTP) or its precursor cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) 30 min prior to conditioned taste aversion (CTA) training. Both ara-CTP and ara-C caused significant impairments in long-term memory (LTM) of CTA. Control experiments indicate that the effect of ara-CTP on CTA memory is related to interference with learning. Furthermore, as it was previously demonstrated for the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin, ara-CTP had no effect on CTA memory when it was injected 1 h after training. Importantly, although both ara-CTP and anisomycin significantly blocked LTM in the task, short-term memory (STM) measured 1 h after training was not affected by either of the drugs. Finally, ara-CTP had no effect on in vitro transcription, but it did effectively block nonhomologous DNA end joining (NHEJ) activity of brain protein extracts. We suggest that DNA ligase-mediated DNA recombination and repair processes are necessary for the expression of LTM in the brain.

Animals↗