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Biomedical subjects

M A Bernal

Publications and source records attributed to M A Bernal.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Fruit development in Capsicum annuum: changes in capsaicin, lignin, free phenolics, and peroxidase patterns.

Pepper fruits, of Capsicum annuum cv. Padron, undergo changes in content of capsaicinoids, lignin, and free phenolics during the maturation process. Although capsaicinoids increase with development, the maximal levels of free phenolics and lignin are observed during the early stages of development. A decrease of peroxidase activity was observed during maturation, and this was related with a decrease in other physiological parameters studied, namely chlorophylls and pH. Subcellular fractionation studies reveal that most peroxidase activity is localized in the soluble fraction throughout development. The changes in the peroxidase activity were accompanied by changes in the different isoenzymes. Acidic isoenzymes increased whereas the basic isoenzymes decreased over the same period, and the changes in these isoenzymes were related with capsaicin metabolism.

Capsaicin↗
PubMed2000

Urinary excretion of trace elements in humans after sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate challenge test.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of intravenous sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate (DMPS, Dimaval) on urinary excretion of essential trace elements in subjects who received this chelating agent as a mercury challenge test. SUBJECTS: Eleven subjects sought medical attention due to concern with the toxicity of mercury released from dental amalgam fillings. DESIGN: The subjects were given DMPS 3 mg/kg intravenously. Spot urine samples were collected 1 hour before and 1 hour after the DMPS dose for laboratory analysis. In addition to mercury, the urinary excretion of copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, chromium, cobalt, and aluminum were measured. RESULTS: A significant increase in urinary excretion of mercury (3- to 107-fold) was observed after the DMPS dose. The DMPS treatment led to a 2- to 119-fold increase in copper excretion; 3- to 43.8-fold in selenium excretion; 1.6- to 44-fold in zinc excretion; and 1.75- to 42.7-fold in magnesium excretion. The excretion of manganese, chromium, cobalt, aluminium, and molybdenum remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, an intravenous DMPS challenge test produced a significant increase in mercury excretion and also led to an increased excretion of copper, selenium, zinc, and magnesium.

Chelating Agents↗
PubMed1999

[Embryonic quality in the use of urofolitropin vs recombinant FSH for in vitro fertilization].

There were no differences in both groups as tho the age of the patients; received doses of both types of FSH, nor HMG; but there was as to the amount of captured ovocytes, amount, and quality, embrionary, in special 1+ 2+ in favor of the group that received urofolitropine, specially under 35 years of age. In this study there was better qualy and amount, embrionary, obtained with the use of urofolitropine, as compared with FSH recombinant for in vitro fertilization.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Apparent heterogeneous distribution of progesterone receptors in certain cases of endometrial carcinoma].

The progesterone receptor contents in the cytosol of two of three samples of same tumor was measured in 19 cases of endometrial cancer. The receptor concentration in one sample of each tumor was calculated by Scatchard analysis of specific binding data; in the other, one or two samples of each tumor, the receptor concentration was calculated by using a single point. All tumors did have receptors at least in one of the two or three samples. Ten tumors showed certain consistency in the receptor content in the two or three samples. On the other hand, a striking variability in the receptor content between the two or three samples of each of the remaining tumors was found, ranging from zero to several hundred femtomoles/mg of protein. In seven cases, follow-up was possible during 66 months, and the response to progestagen treatment was independent from the progesterone-receptor content. Our results suggest that the analysis of a single site of a tumor would reveal values that might not be representative of the tumor and, furthermore, it would explain, at least partially, the uncertain response to progestagen therapy that has been frequently described.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Purification of a basic peroxidase isoenzyme from Capsicum fruits and the immunoinhibition of its capsaicin oxidation capacity by antibodies raised against horseradish peroxidase.

Pepper fruits contain a peroxidase isoenzyme of basic pI, the peroxidase isoenzyme B6, located in vacuoles and the principal component of peroxidase polymorphism in the whole fruit. This isoenzyme was purified by preparative isoelectric focusing in glycerol-stabilized 3.0-10.0 pH gradients and characterized for its ability to oxidize capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide). Spectrophotometric studies illustrated that the capsaicin oxidation by pepper peroxidase isoenzyme B6 was H2O2-dependent and was totally abolished by antibodies raised against horseradish peroxidase. From these studies, it can be concluded that capsaicin is oxidized by pepper peroxidase isoenzyme B6, thus confirming a role for this peroxidase isoenzyme in capsaicin turnover and degradation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Asymptomatic cholelithiasis: indications for cholecystectomy based on the levels of acute phase proteins].

Prophylactic cholecystectomy for asymptomatic gallstones is still controversial. Aim of the study was to assess whether the determination of serum acute phase proteins (APP) could be utilized as a criterion for cholecystectomy, as they are suggestive of the presence in the blood of cytokines released from the inflamed gallbladder wall, even when clinical signs are missing. In 75 cases of gallstones, free from other coexistent inflammatory processes, red cell sedimentation rate, plasmatic cortisol, immunoglobulin (IgA, IgG, IgM), electrophoresis of the proteins, CPR, fibrinogen, haptoglobin, alfa-1-antitrypsin and bile culture have been detected. The patients have been subdivided into two groups: patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic disease and patients with a clear clinical pattern of acute cholecystitis. In the latter alfa-1-globulin, alfa-2-globulin, ESR, CPR and cortisol turned out to be significantly elevated, while in 20-30% of the former CPR, beta-globulin and cortisol were increased, too. The study demonstrates that among the patients with asymptomatic gallstones there is a population having PFA values higher than normal. This is suggestive of a cytokines activation which, when other inflammatory processes can be excluded, is likely due to gallbladder inflammation and surgery will likely be indicated.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Tuberculous myocarditis. Presentation of a case and review of the literature].

We report a case of a 22 year-old drug addict man with overt heart failure and cardiomegaly. The patient had no prior history of tuberculosis and not clinical features to suggest this diagnosis. Tuberculosis myocarditis was found at the necropsy. It is important to point out the frequency of this pathology, the uncommon clinical presentation of this case; as well as the lack of immunologic response to the tuberculous bacillus.

Adult↗