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Biomedical subjects

L A García

Publications and source records attributed to L A García.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Variability of genetic alterations in different sites of head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Tumors arising from different sites of the head and neck area have different clinical behavior. However, most of the studies on genetic alterations in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas do not make a distinction between the sites within this area. The objective of this study is to compare the genetic alterations in three different sites of the head and neck (larynx, oropharynx, and hypopharynx). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Thirty-eight laryngeal, 29 oropharyngeal, and 37 hypopharyngeal carcinomas were studied. DNA from tumor and healthy tissue was evaluated for amplification of the oncogenes at 11q13 region (CCND1, FGF3, FGF4 and EMS1) and of the oncogenes MYC and ERBB1; for integration of the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6b and 16; for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at p53 and NAT2; and for the cellular DNA content. RESULTS: FGF3 and FGF4 showed a significantly higher frequency of amplification in hypopharyngeal tumors (P =.006 and P =.0002, respectively). CCND1 amplification had a nearly statistically significant (P =.072) higher frequency of amplification in hypopharyngeal tumors. Aneuploid tumors were found in a significantly lower proportion in the larynx (P =.03) compared with the other sites. For the other genetic alterations, no significant differences among the three sites were found. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cancers originating from different sites in the head and neck may have different tumor biology. Therefore, they should be considered as different entities.

Aneuploidy↗
PubMed2000

Analysis and description of the evolution of alginate immobilised cells systems.

Different immobilised cells models, including very simple ones, can be useful in the fitting of experimental results. However, goodness or the ability to extrapolate results needs to be in accordance with basic observations and these will also suggest models to be proposed. In this paper, observations of calcium alginate/bacteria systems are used to show the ability of basic models to fit classic observations, as well as how new observations, in this case from electronic microscopy, oblige us to think about more complex mechanisms and mathematical treatments. Nevertheless it is not only important to discuss the model type, but also the type of kinetics assumed in the interior of the beads, as well as the internal structure, the boundary conditions related to bead shredding and cell escape and finally, geometrical effects.

Alginates↗
PubMed2000

EMS1 gene amplification correlates with poor prognosis in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

The relationship between CCND1 and/or EMS1 amplification and disease outcome was studied in a prospective series of 104 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas treated by surgical resection. The CCND1 and EMS1 copy number in tumor samples was estimated by differential PCR. The presence or absence of amplification was analyzed in relation to clinicopathological variables, tumor recurrence, and patient survival. CCND1 amplification occurred in 32 cases (31%) and was associated with increased lymph node stage (P = 0.005) and advanced disease stage (P = 0.003). EMS1 amplification was identified in 21 cases (20%) and was related with advanced T stages (P = 0.001), increased lymph node stage (P = 0.02), advanced disease stage (P = 0.041), poor histological differentiation (P = 0.018), recurrent disease (P = 0.0004), and reduced disease-specific survival (P < 0.0001). Coamplification of both genes occurred in 11 cases (11.5%). Multivariate analysis confirmed that in addition to regional lymph node status, EMS1 amplification is an independent predictor of death from the tumor (P = 0.0027). CCND1 amplification was not prognostic. These data indicate that EMS1 amplification, but not CCND1 amplification, predicts early recurrence and reduced survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The prognostic significance previously attributed to CCND1 amplification may be attributable to its frequent coamplification with EMS1.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗
PubMed1992

Diffusion of proteases in calcium alginate beads.

Diffusion of proteases from Bacillus subtilis and Serratia marcescens within calcium alginate beads has been assayed, and the experimental data fitted into a mathematical model for diffusion into a finite volume liquid medium. Values of effective diffusivity were calculated for the studied proteases and compared with the available data in the literature for molecules of lower molecular weight.

Alginates↗
PubMed1991

Nd:YAG laser bronchoscopy. The first two successful cases in Puerto Rico.

Two patients underwent bronchoscopic laser photoresection of tumors in the tracheobronchial tree with no mortality or significant morbidity. One patient had an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea and the other a pleomorphic adenoma of left main stem bronchus. These were the first two cases performed in Puerto Rico at San Pablo Medical Center. Both patients are symptomless at this time. We can conclude that laser is a safe and cost effective alternative in experienced hands to other procedures in properly selected patients with tumors of tracheobronchial tree in Puerto Rico.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[Effect of polyphenols of coffee pulp on iron absorption].

The effect of the polyphenols of coffee pulp on iron absorption was studied using the method of ligated segments in rats. Optimal conditions to measure iron absorption, were determined using as criteria the concentration of Fe59 and the time that produced the highest value of blood radioactivity. A concentration of 0.4 uCi/dose of Fe59 and a 3-hr period were chosen to measure iron absorption. Experimental groups were formed assigning six rats randomly to each group. Each group was injected with a solution of 59Fe and either with the standard polyphenol solution or with the coffee pulp extract, except the control group which was injected with the Fe59 solution only. The effect of two polyphenol concentrations was also studied. Iron uptake from the duodenum was found to be the best indicator of iron absorption when compared to the sum of iron uptake by the tissues (blood, liver, spleen, kidneys, heart and carcass). Therefore, this indicator was used to interpret the results obtained. Catechin, tannic acid and the coffee pulp extract decreased significantly iron absorption when compared with the control group. The level of polyphenols used in these experiments is similar to the amounts consumed by animals fed coffee pulp at a 10% level. Therefore, we can conclude that the antinutritional effect of coffee pulp polyphenols may be partially due to their capacity to bind iron.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

[In vitro interaction of polyphenols of coffee pulp and some proteins].

The in vitro interaction of pure polyphenols and polyphenol extracts of coffee pulp with pure proteins was studied. The polyphenols used for the assays were tannic acid, chlorogenic acid and catechin, and the proteins were gelatin, casein and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Different pHs and different polyphenol/protein ratios were used in the experiments. Extracts of coffee pulp in methanol, methanol-water (50:50), ammonium hydroxide 3%, and calcium hydroxide 1%, were used. In general, the maximum binding of polyphenol with protein was obtained at a polyphenol/protein ratio of 1/2, at a pH of 5.0. The higher binding percentages were found with the ammonium hydroxide extract and with tannic acid. The lowest binding percentage was obtained with the methanol-water extract. The other extracts presented intermediate binding degrees. The results herein reported demonstrate that the polyphenols of coffee pulp have capacity to bind proteins in vitro at the pHs assayed. This phenomenon may be the cause of the deficient protein utilization when coffee pulp is included in the animals' diet.

Coffee↗
PubMed1985

[Extraction and quantification of polyphenols from coffee pulp].

The polyphenol content of coffee pulp extracts was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. The use of polyvynilpirrolidone (PVP) was introduced in order to eliminate interferences. Condensed polyphenols in the extracts were determined by the method of acidified vanillin. Chlorogenic acid and catechin were used as standards for Folin-Ciocalteau and Vanillin methods, respectively, and a calibration curve was constructed for each solvent. The solvents used were methanol, methanol-water (50:50), ammonium hydroxide (3%) and calcium hydroxide (1%), using times of extraction of 10 minutes and 1 hour. No differences were found in the amount of polyphenols extracted by the different solvents at the two extraction times. After 10 minutes, the alkaline solvents NH4OH (3%) and Ca(OH)2 (1%), extracted more polyphenols than the other two solvents. Nevertheless, ammonium hydroxide (3%) was more efficient in extracting condensed polyphenols. The results herein presented suggest that treating coffee pulp with mild alkaline solvents may improve its nutritive value.

Ammonium Hydroxide↗