Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to L Alonso.
The megalourethra is an uncommon congenital anomally. It is a consecuence of the abnormal development of the corpus spongiosum and, occasionally, also the abnormal development of the corpora cavernosum. It is specially common in association with the Prune-Belly syndrome, and with upper tract abnormalities. We present a bizarre case because of its association with a VACTER syndrome.
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study is to calculate direct, indirect and intangible costs of a relapse in multiple sclerosis (MS) in our cohort of patients. METHODS: Data from patient questionnaires, hospital charts, Catalan Public Healthcare System tariffs and Catalan Statistics Institute. We employed a cost-of-illness method. The human capital approach was used to estimate indirect costs, and quality-of-life measurements were used to estimate intangible costs. RESULTS: 148 MS patients monitored in our MS-Unit consecutively answered the questionnaire elaborated. We calculated 1,498.5-1,537.9 euros for direct costs (hospital admission and outpatient, respectively) and 1,530.6 euros for indirect costs. We estimated an average total cost of 3,048.8 euros per patient/relapse. We also calculated intangible costs, 539 euros per patient and relapse, which should be added to the previous figure. CONCLUSIONS: The total cost of a MS relapse in our population (3,048.8 euros) is lower than the cost reported in the literature. The economic impact of MS is due to its disabling progression rather than to relapses
PURPOSE: To analyze the corneal endothelial cell density in healthy adult emmetropic subjects. METHODS: We analyzed the corneal endothelial cell density of a group made up of 225 emmetropic subjects (n=225). As age-matched control groups we analyzed two other groups, one made up of myopic subjects (n=209) and the other made up of hyperopic subjects (n=203). We recorded the mean of three consecutive measurements of the corneal endothelial cell density using the Topcon SP-2000P non-contact specular microscope (Topcon Corp., Tokyo, Japan). RESULTS: The mean age was 38.6+/-11.8 years, 40.7+/-12.2 years, and 39.2+/-10.5 years for emmetropic, myopic and hyperopic subjects respectively (p=0.994). No significant differences (p=0.920) in endothelial cell density values were found between emmetropic (2985+/-245 cells/mm2), myopic (2936+/-258 cells/mm2) and hyperopic eyes (2946+/-253 cells/mm2). Lower corneal endothelial cell density values were found in older emmetropic (p<0.001), myopic (p<0.001), and hyperopic subjects (p<0.001). A significant correlation between endothelial cell density and age was found in emmetropic (r=-0.958; p<0.001), myopic (r= -0.954; p<0.001) and hyperopic subjects (r= -0.948; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In healthy emmetropic subjects there is a reduction in corneal endothelial cell density with age although there are no differences in corneal endothelial cell density values between emmetropic, myopic and hyperopic subjects.
PURPOSE: To study the corneal thickness and the inter-observer variability of corneal thickness measurements by means of Orbscan pachymetry. METHODS: We analysed the central and para-central corneal thickness of 30 subjects, whose age ranged from 19 to 38 years (mean 27.27, S.D. 5.25), with the Orbscan Topography System II (Orbscan, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA). The mean of five consecutive measurements of the corneal thickness were obtained by two different observers and the results obtained were compared. RESULTS: No significant differences in mean corneal thickness between observers were found at central (p=0.749), nasal (p=0.931), supero-nasal (p=0.847), infero-nasal (p=0.930), temporal (p=0.918), supero-temporal (p=0.912) and infero-temporal (p=0.760) regions of the cornea. The maximum mean corneal thickness was found most commonly at the supero-nasal cornea (14 of 30 eyes for observer 1, and 16 of 30 eyes for observer 2). The difference between the central thickness and the maximum para-central thickness was 117 (S.D. 22) and 117 (S.D. 23) microns for observers 1 and 2 respectively (p=0.974). The difference between the central thickness and the minimum para-central thickness was 40 (S.D. 20) and 39 (S.D. 19) microns for observers 1 and 2 respectively (p=0.846). The difference between the minimum and the maximum para-central thickness was 76 (S.D. 24) and 77 (S.D. 23) microns for observers 1 and 2 respectively (p=0.895). CONCLUSIONS: Orbscan pachymetry allows central and para-central corneal studies to be carried out by different observers without any significant differences being found between them.
A gas chromatography (GC) procedure is assayed for analysis of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers cis-9, trans-11-octadecadienoic (c9t11); trans-10, 12 cis-octadecadienoic (t10c12); and trans-9, trans-11-octadecadienoic (t9t11) in culture broth by GC using NaOH-BF3 in methanol for methylating and a long capillary (100 m) high-polarity column. Repeatability of the method is assessed; the coefficient of variation for CLA isomers ranges from 4.62 for c9t11 to 8.19 for t9t11. Recovery ranges between 88.01 and 89.76, with a mean value of 89.06 for all CLA isomers studied. This method may be considered advantageous for analysis of CLA isomers in probiotics cultures samples.
PURPOSE: To study the differences in the corneal anatomy in a pair of 31-year-old monozygotic female twins, one of whom has been a contact lens wearer for the past 15 years and the other is a nonwearer. METHODS: We analyzed the corneal thickness and the corneal endothelial cell density of the monozygotic twins and of two age-matched control groups, one made up of non-contact lens wearers (35 eyes of 35 patients; mean age, 29.32 +/- 2.83 years) and the other made up of soft contact lens wearers (30 eyes of 30 patients; mean age, 33.08 +/- 3.72 years; mean duration of contact lens use, 10.62 +/- 4.32 years). Five corneal thickness measurements were carried out with the Orbscan Topography System II. Three consecutive measurements of the corneal endothelial cell density were carried out with the Topcon SP-2000P noncontact specular microscope. RESULTS: Lower central corneal endothelial cell densities were found in both eyes of the monozygotic contact lens-wearing twin. The greater corneal thickness was shown at superonasal cornea except in the right cornea of the monozygotic contact lens twin. Moreover, significant differences in corneal thickness values were found between the monozygotic twins. CONCLUSIONS: The differences between the monozygotic twins seem to confirm that daily use of soft contact lenses can modify normal corneal anatomy.
BACKGROUND: Growth factors seem to play a major role in corneal wound healing and TGF-beta seems to be associated with abnormal healing after corneal surgical procedures. Few studies have analysed the role of NGF and TGF-beta on corneal wound healing during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to create an animal model to evaluate the expression of NGF and TGF-betas during corneal wound healing in two groups: control and pregnant rats. METHODS: Corneal mRNA for NGF and the three isoforms of TGF-beta were analysed by RT-PCR, in a time-course experiment on different days after epithelial wounding (2, 7, 14 days) in pregnant and control groups RESULTS: The results show high corneal mRNA expression for NGF and TGF-beta1 without any variation throughout the healing process or pregnancy evolution. However, we detected a different expression of corneal mRNAs for TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 in the control group. This data was not detected in the pregnant group. DISCUSSION: Our results suggested that pregnancy could have a relevant role on TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta3 mRNA expression during the corneal wound healing process. Additional research should be performed to corroborate these findings.
A gas chromatographic procedure was used for analysis of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers cis-9, trans-11-octadecadienoic; trans-10, cis-12 octadecadienoic; and trans-9, trans-11-octadecadienoic (c9t11, t10c12, t9t11) produced by lactobacilli. Four different cultures, two strains each of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei were tested for their ability to produce CLA from free linoleic acid in MRS broth supplemented with linoleic acid. Different concentrations of linoleic acid (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mg/ml) were added to MRS broth, inoculated with the lactobacilli, and incubated at 37 degrees C. Viable counts and amounts of individual isomers of CLA (c9t11, t10c12, t9t11) were measured at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. All the cultures were able to produce free CLA in media supplemented with linoleic acid. Maximum production of CLA (80.14 to 131.63 microg/ml) was observed at 24 h of incubation in broth containing 0.02% of free linoleic acid. No significant (P > 0.05) increases in total CLA levels were observed after 24 h of incubation. The ability of the cultures to produce CLA in skim milk supplemented with 0.02% free linoleic acid also was studied. In this medium, the total amounts of free CLA after 24 h of incubation ranged from 54.31 to 116.53 microg/ml. The use of lactic acid bacteria able to form free CLA in cultured dairy products may have potential health or nutritional benefits. Free CLA in the products likely would be more readily available for absorption from the digestive tract than if it were incorporated into the cells of the starter culture.
Thirty-three rural Mexican women (age, 18-36y; weight, 50.3+/-3 kg; height, 148.3+/-2 cm) were studied under metabolic balance conditions. The objectives were to study the metabolic balances of calcium and phosphorus at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months of lactation and postweaning and to determine the incorporation of calcium and phosphorus in milk. Subjects were divided into 5 groups of 5 to 10 each, representing: the 1st, 3rd, and 6th month of lactation, postweaning, and a control group of nonpregnant, nonlactating women. Metabolic balance was determined using identical diets and analysis of 24-hour urine (3 d), 72-hour feces, and 24-hour milk samples. Calcium content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and phosphorus by a colorimetric method. Calcium content in milk was similar at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months. Positive calcium balances were observed in the control group, while balances were very negative in all lactation groups (-721.6+/-248 mg/d). Calcium urinary excretion was higher in the control and postweaning groups (P < 0.05), suggesting a regulatory mechanism to conserve calcium during lactation. No differences were observed in phosphorus content in milk at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months. Positive balances were observed in the control and postweaning groups (331+/-139 and 87.1+/-130 mg/d, respectively, mean +/- SD), while the lactation groups presented more subjects (approximately 75%) in negative balance (mean +/- SD of -180.6+/-392 to -439+/-146 mg/d). High fecal calcium and phosphorus excretion (approximately 1,500 mg/d) likely contributed to the negative balance during lactation.
BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors in metastatic breast cancer continue to be identified. Previous adjuvant chemotherapy appeared to have poor prognosis in some studies but, despite this, the prior use of anthracyclines in the adjuvant setting has not been clearly established as an adverse prognostic factor once metastatic disease develops. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 1,436) with stages I-IIIa breast cancer were surgically treated with/without radiotherapy and/or systemic adjuvant treatment. Of these, 297 patients who relapsed with metastatic disease constitute the sample population of this retrospective study. Survival, as a function of time since diagnosis of metastatic disease, was assessed in relation to the following factors: age, size of the primary tumor, grade, number of positive axillary nodes, type of surgery, type of adjuvant treatment administered, time to relapse, number of metastatic sites, presence of visceral metastases and type of treatment employed at the time of relapse. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis three factors remained significant predictors of short survival time: more than 1 site of metastases (p = 0.00003), shorter time to relapse (p = 0.003) and the previous administration of anthracyclines as adjuvant therapy (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The prior use of adjuvant anthracyclines, with other known clinical prognostic factors, confers a poorer outcome in metastatic disease, perhaps as a result of resistant clones selection or by induction of de novo resistance.
The aim of this experiment is to develop a rapid, simplified, direct gas chromatographic (GC) method for the analysis of volatile flavor compounds in yogurt combining a headspace with constant heating temperature and GC with a mass spectrometric detect ion. Repeatability of the method is assessed. The relative standard deviation for individual flavor compounds range from 3.5% for acetaldehyde to 8.4% for acetone, with a total mean value of 52.4 +/- 2.2 mg/kg for all of the studied aroma components. Recovery for individual flavor compounds range from 63.7% for acetone to 82.4% for acetic acid.
Energy theory posits three processes that link local abundance of ectotherms to geographical gradients in temperature. A survey of 49 New World habitats found a two order of magnitude span in the abundance (nests m(-2)) of ground nesting ants (Formicidae). Abundance increased with net primary productivity (r2=0.55), a measure of the baseline supply of harvestable energy. Abundance further increased with mean temperature (r2=0.056), a constraint on foraging activity for this thermophilic taxon. Finally for a given mean temperature, ants were more abundant in seasonal sites with longer, colder winters (r2 = 0.082) that help ectotherm taxa sequester harvested energy in non-productive months. All three variables are currently changing on a global scale. All should be useful in predicting biotic responses to climate change.
Peptide nucleic acid technology (PNA) has become an extremely useful tool and promises to impact on molecular biology and diagnostics. These synthetic DNA analogues pair with DNA and RNA molecules according to Watson and Crick base pairing rules. This paper describes a sensitive and quick fluorescent in situ hybridisation (ISH) technique to determine DNA telomere repeat sequences (TTA GGG)n using epifluorescence microscopy. Telomeres are special, repeated structures at the end of each eukaryotic chromosome and serve as protective caps to prevent DNA rearrangements and fusion of chromosomes. A model system has been developed, using stimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes, which facilitates simultaneous detection of telomeres in metaphase as well as in interphase nuclei. A fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled PNA probe (18 mer) directed against complementary telomeric sequences at the end of each chromosome is used. In addition, a simple, easy to perform PNA-ISH protocol is described that overcomes common hybridisation problems encountered using DNA and RNA oligoprobes. Furthermore, the usefulness of a chromogenic immunocytochemical detection system is shown for PNA-ISH.
This study was designed to investigate (a) the presence of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), ubiquitin, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the neuroendocrine and secretory epithelium of the human normal prostate and its secretions, and (b) the changes in immunoreactivity to these proteins in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Western blotting and light microscopic immunohistochemistry techniques were used and the numerical density of immunoreactive neuroendocrine cells, and the volume fractions of immunostained secretory epithelium were evaluated. Western blotting revealed the presence of the three antigens in both tissue homogenates and prostate secretion. Some neuroendocrine cells immunoreacted to PGP 9.5 and NPY in all the prostate regions of control specimens. Ubiquitin immunoreactivity was detected in the nuclei from both basal cells and secretory epithelial cells. The cytoplasm of the secretory cells and the glandular lumen also showed immunostaining for the three proteins. The numerical densities of both PGP 9.5 and NPY neuroendocrine cells were lower in hyperplasia than in controls. No differences in the volume fraction occupied by epithelial immunostaining to both proteins was found between hyperplastic and control prostates. We concluded that (a) PGP 9.5 and NPY, but not ubiquitin, are common antigens in both neuroendocrine and secretory prostate cells, (b) the three immunoreactive proteins contribute to the prostate secretions, and (c) the secretion of ubiquitin is markedly diminished in the hyperplastic epithelium.(J Histochem Cytochem 48:1121-1130, 2000)
OBJECTIVES: We sought a noninvasive estimation of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (Pw) by means of the information obtained from transmitral pulsed Doppler and color M-mode Doppler flow propagation velocity (FPV). BACKGROUND: Pulsed Doppler parameters have limited accuracy for the estimation of Pw because they are determined by left atrial pressure and other parameters such as ventricular relaxation. Recently, a good correlation has been found between the rate of ventricular relaxation (tau, tau) and FPV measured by color M-mode Doppler echocardiography. METHODS: We studied 20 patients who underwent invasive hemodynamic monitoring. By multilinear regression analysis, the relationships between Pw and Doppler parameters, FPV, and a noninvasive estimate (P(est)) based on the Weiss' equation (substituting tau for 1/FPV) were determined. A simplified index based on the results obtained was then tested in an additional group of 34 patients. RESULTS: By multiple regression analysis only isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (p = 0.0096) and P(est) (p = 0.0043) were related to Pw. A derived empirical index, 10(3)/([2 x IVRT] + FPV), was strongly correlated with Pw in the entire group according to the regression equation Pw = 4.5 x (10(3)/[[2 x IVRT] + FPV]) - 9 (r = 0.89, p < 0.0001, [standard error of the estimate] SEE = 3.3 mm Hg). The sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of Pw > 15 mm Hg were 90% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of FPV as a surrogate for tau and IVRT permits a close prediction of Pw.
The fatty acid composition of caprine milk fat was studied using capillary gas chromatography. Milk was obtained from five goat herds belonging to different breeders in the Murcia region (Spain) and collected monthly (from November to May). The results showed significant differences among herds mainly in long-chain fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0, and C18:2). There were five branched-chain fatty acids (iso- and anteiso-C15:0, iso- and anteiso-C17:0, and iso-C16:0) with > 0.1% of the total fatty acid methyl esters and another 31 (the most monomethylated) with < 0.1%, including 4-ethyloctanoate, which is implicated in goat-like flavors. To study the content of trans unsaturated fatty acids, the fatty acid methyl esters were previously fractionated by AgNO3-thin layer chromatography. The mean contents of trans-C16:1 and trans-C18:1 were 0.16 and 2.12%, respectively. The distribution profile of trans-C18:1 was also studied.
BACKGROUND: One of the best-defined mechanisms for the induction of apoptosis involves signaling via the cell surface molecule Fas, after binding of Fas ligand. Expression of Fas ligand is tightly regulated, being expressed primarily by T cells after activation, where it serves as a self-regulatory mechanism for immune responses. Fas ligand has also been found to be expressed constitutively at sites of immune privilege such as the testes and the anterior chamber of the eye. Recently, co-transplantation of Fas ligand-transfected myoblasts in association with islet cell allografts was shown to prolong islet allograft survival but only rarely led to indefinite graft survival. Graft rejection was associated with loss of Fas ligand on the myoblasts, suggesting that direct expression of the transgene on the islets might be more effective. METHODS: A replication-defective adenoviral construct containing murine Fas ligand (Ad/MFL) was prepared by homologous recombination. NIH 3T3 cells, rodent splenocytes, and murine islets were infected with Ad/MFL and examined in vitro for functional murine Fas ligand expression. Survival of Ad/MFL-infected islets was subsequently evaluated in vivo in both syngeneic and allogeneic islet transplantation models. RESULTS: Cell lines and islet allografts transfected with Ad/MFL expressed a functional Fas ligand, capable of inducing apoptosis (confirmed by three distinct assays for DNA fragmentation) in Fas+ targets, but not in Fas- controls. Furthermore, Ad/MFL was able to modify allogeneic immune responses in vitro, as addition of this virus, but not a control adenovirus, significantly reduced proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Surprisingly, however, transplantation of islet allografts transfected with Ad/MFL resulted in long-term allograft survival in only 1 of 30 recipients. Moreover, adenoviral-mediated Fas ligand gene transfer was complicated by transient, dose-dependent islet dysfunction, perhaps contributing to the lack of long-term engraftment. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that adenoviral-mediated Fas ligand expression may impair normal islet function in vivo, and indicate that alternative strategies for Fas ligand transgene delivery may be required in this setting.
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