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Biomedical subjects

L Alvarado

Publications and source records attributed to L Alvarado.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

A primitive enzyme for a primitive cell: the protease required for excystation of Giardia.

Protozoan parasites of the genus Giardia are one of the earliest lineages of eukaryotic cells. To initiate infection, trophozoites emerge from a cyst in the host. Excystation is blocked by specific cysteine protease inhibitors. Using a biotinylated inhibitor, the target protease was identified and its corresponding gene cloned. The protease was localized to vesicles that release their contents just prior to excystation. The Giardia protease is the earliest known branch of the cathepsin B family. Its phylogeny confirms that the cathepsin B lineage evolved in primitive eukaryotic cells, prior to the divergence of plant and animal kingdoms, and underscores the diversity of cellular functions that this enzyme family facilitates.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Parent, teacher, and peer ratings of physically abused and nonmaltreated children's behavior.

Behavior ratings by parents, teachers, and classmates of physically abused fourth to sixth graders, identified from the New York City Maltreatment Register, and case-matched classroom controls, showed substantial concurrence among informants: Parents and teachers both rated significantly more behavioral disturbance in the abused children, and peers' ratings were significantly correlated with adults' ratings, especially those by teachers. Children's exposure to spouse or partner physical abuse, which had a substantial prevalence among both child-abusing and control families, reduced the difference in disturbance ratings between children who were themselves physically abused and those who were not. Overall, we conclude that physically abused children show pervasive behavioral disturbance, in that parents, teachers, and classmates all see higher levels of behavior problems and lower levels of socially desirable behavior in them compared to their nonmaltreated peers.

Child↗
PubMed1992

[Psychopathology and psychosocial functioning of adults with epilepsy. Preliminary evaluation].

To examine the relationship between psychosocial functioning and psychopathology in epilepsy, a total 37-outpatient sample was assessed by means of both the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Patients came from an epilepsy program of the Hospital psiquiátrico, Chile. Disorders in several areas pertaining to psychosocial functioning and psychopathology were observed: Their distribution was quite similar to disorders previously reported when using both instruments. The WPSI scales showed a positive correlation with the MMPI's--a relevant correlation as far as the Overall Psychosocial Functioning, and Emotional adjustment sub-scales are concerned. The relationship between psychopathology and psychosocial functioning in epilepsy is discussed as well as the usefulness of the WPSI as a screening-test for the psychosocial assessment of epileptic subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Psychosocial functioning in adults with epilepsy].

The Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) was used in the assessment of psychosocial functioning of epileptic subjects in Chile. A total sample of 116 outpatients coming form an Epilepsy Program at a Public Health Service was evaluated. Disturbances in several areas relevant to psychosocial adjustment were noted. Their distribution was similar to that previously reported using the WPSI, although a greater severity of disturbances was noted. Peak score scales were financial status, emotional and interpersonal adjustment and overall psychosocial functioning. Rehabilitation measures could play a substantial role in the prevention and treatment of psychosocial disorders in epilepsy.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

[Lucid alternating epileptic psychosis. Identification of neuropsychological deficit using the Luria-Nebraska neuropsychological battery].

The Luria-Nebraska neuropsychological battery (LNNB) was applied to 15 epileptic patients with clear consciousness episodic alternating psychoses. 73% of patients showed psycho-organic impairment. Epileptic patients with combinations of focal and generalized seizures had greater mental impairment (87%) compared to those who presented only focal seizures. Rythm, memory and intellectual processes were affected most. The right parieto-occipital and left frontal zones were the areas showing greater involvement. These results show a close relationship between neuropsychological impairment and the presence of clear consciousness episodic alternating epileptic psychoses.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Characterization of the antitumor activity of a polyantigenic immunomodulator (PAI): I--Utilization of cimetidine and cyclosporine A.

Cimetidine (CMT), cyclosporine A (CsA), interleukin 2 (IL 2), were used to characterize the anticancerous effect of a polyantigenic immunodulator (PAI). PAI consists of a mixture of inactivated bacteria and influenza virus in a peanut oil-arlacel A-aluminum monoesterate emulsion. Antitumoral activity was tested on Ehrlich's ascites tumor (EAT) implanted into Swiss-Webster (allogeneic) or C57BL/6J (syngeneic) mice. PAI antitumor activity was enhanced by CMT acting synergistically by reducing substantially the tumor growth and increasing the percentage of surviving mice, while CsA suppressed this activity. PAI or its individual components were able to induce significant lymphocyte blastogenesis in mouse (C57BL/6J)-spleen lymphocytes and IL-2 enhanced considerably this lymphoproliferative response. The results suggest that PAI acts at the level of cellular immunity.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychosocial evaluation of adults with epilepsy in Chile.

The Washington Psychosocial Seizure Inventory (WPSI) was used to assess psychosocial functioning of 116 epileptic outpatients being treated in an epilepsy program at a public health service (PHS). Disturbances in several areas of psychosocial adjustment were noted. Although the distribution was similar to those previously reported using the WPSI, the severity of the observed disturbances was greater. Peak-score scales were Financial Status, Emotional and Interpersonal Adjustment, and Overall Psychosocial Functioning. Rehabilitation measures in epilepsy could play a substantial role in prevention and treatment of psychosocial disorders.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrastructure of the eggshell of hatched and non hatched eggs of Kinosternon angustipons (Testudinata: Kinosternidae)].

The ultrastructure of eggshells of Kinosternon angustipons is described and compared with the ones of K. leucostomum and K. scorpoides. Four eggs from captive turtles (30 sections) were studied with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). the shell has three layers, cuticle or external, calcereous or intermediate and testacean or internal. Hatched and non-hatched eggs have similar characteristics in their external surface: fanned units and proteic fibers superposed at random. They differ in the presence of spongelike structures and more external porosity in non-hatched eggs. The intermediate and testacean layers of the hatched eggs have lance point like spaces and are thin in the proteic fibers. The ultrastructural evidence shows that during the embryonic development the thickness of the peal decreases. Non-hatched K. angustipons shells are thicker than in the other two kinosternon species of costa Rica.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The premorbid personality in depressive disorders].

This paper deals with the possible relationships between premorbid personality and depressive disorders, with special emphasis in the involved methodological issues, the most influent theoretical frameworks and also the currently data that support these hypotheses. Methodological issues concerning premorbid personality and depression are analyzed. It is pointed out that different operational definitions regarding both personality and depression, the deficient nosological differentiation of depressive disorders, the choice of assessment evaluation tools and also the temporal point of evaluation could explain some of the observed disagreement in this field. Finally, currently data about premorbid personality and depressive disorder is critically reviewed. Available data shows that unipolar depressive subjects seems to be psychologically and socially more disturbed than bipolars (BP). Furthermore, assessed by different psychometric tests, BP subjects are almost undistinguishable from control groups. Further research should also take into account the subtle differences between the subtypes of depressive disorders in order to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of this problem.

Depression↗