[Elevated magnesium levels treated successfully in a woman with pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
M Beltrán
Publications and source records attributed to M Beltrán.
Prevalence of obesity in south-east Spain and its relation with social and health factors.
Recent studies have confirmed important regional differences in the prevalence of obesity, as well as a tendency for this prevalence to increase. Determination of the social factors involved in obesity may be very useful to design intervention and prevention strategies. This transverse study was undertaken in Pizarra (Malaga, Spain) from a random sample of the population between 18 and 65 years of age (n = 1226). All participants were interviewed and given a physical examination. Standardized anthropometrical measurements were made, and a baseline blood sample was taken after an oral glucose tolerance test. The overall prevalence of obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) was 28.8%. This figure increased continuously from 10% in the group aged 18-25 years to above 50% in the groups aged over 55 years. This prevalence is higher than that reported in most other studies in Spain. The obese persons ate differently, at least from a qualitative viewpoint, probably more saturated fats and fewer unsaturated fats, and had a different behaviour concerning alcohol and smoking. Marital status was related with the rate of obesity, and the close relation between the level of education and the risk of obesity was confirmed (OR = 3.8 for being obese and having no education compared to having university studies). The most important consequence of the study was that all these factors are potentially modifiable and preventable. An increased level of general education in the population may well contribute decisively to a reduction in the prevalence of obesity.
Adolescent↗
Oleic acid from cooking oils is associated with lower insulin resistance in the general population (Pizarra study).
AIM: To evaluate the relation between type of dietary fatty acid and degree of insulin resistance. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Anthropometrical data were measured in 538 subjects, aged 18-65 Years, selected randomly from the municipal census of Pizarra (Spain). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was given to all subjects and measurements were made of glycemia, insulinemia and the proportion of fatty acids in plasma phospholipids. Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated by homeostasis model assessment. Samples of cooking oil being used were obtained from the kitchens. The strength of association between variables was measured by calculating the odds ratio (OR) from logistic models, and the relationships were measured by linear correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Insulin resistance was significantly less in people who used olive oil compared with those who used sunflower oil or a mixture. Statistical significance remained in the group of people with normal OGTT after adjusting for obesity. In the whole sample, IR correlated negatively with the concentration of oleic acid (r=-0.11; P=0.02) and positively with that of linoleic acid (r=0.10; P=0.02) from the cooking oil. In subjects with normal OGTT, IR correlated negatively with oleic acid from cooking oil (r=-0.17; P=0.004) and from plasma phospholipids (r=-0.11; P=0.01) and positively with the concentration of linoleic acid in cooking oil (r=0.18; P=0.004) and plasma phospholipids (r=0.12; P=0.005). The risk (OR) of having raised IR was significantly lower in people who consumed olive oil, either alone (OR=0.50) or mixed (OR=0.52) compared with those who consumed only sunflower oil. CONCLUSION: There is an association between the intake of oleic acid, the composition of oleic acid in plasma phospholipids and peripheral insulin action.
Adolescent↗
A sero-epidemiological study of Rickettsia typhi infection in dogs from Soria province, central Spain.
Data relating to Rickettsia typhi infection in Spain are scarce. The seroprevalence of canine infection with this species has now been investigated, in dogs from the central province of Soria. The results of indirect immunofluorescence assays indicated that nine (12.3%) of the 73 dogs checked were carrying antibodies against R. typhi. The gender, age and breed of the dog, and whether it was used for hunting, shepherding, guarding or simply as a pet, apparently had no significant affect on the probability of it being seropositive. Being infested with fleas or having a history of such infestation was, however, significantly associated with seropositivity. The present results confirm that dogs may be infected with R. typhi and indicate their potential usefulness as sentinels in epidemiological studies of the pathogen. The results of wide-scale, serological studies of dogs may allow the geographical distribution of R. typhi to be mapped relatively simply.
Animals↗
Serological study of hantavirus in man in the Autonomous Community of Madrid, Spain.
Data relating to hantavirus infection in Spain are scarce and limited to rural areas. The aim of this work was to study the seroprevalence of hantavirus infection in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (ACM), a region containing both rural and urban populations in different ecological settings. Sera from 3852 individuals (1849 male, 2003 female) were screened by indirect inmunofluorescence, with Vero E6 cells infected with Puumala, Hantaan and Seoul viruses as antigens. Screen-positive results were confirmed by Western blot with recombinant Seoul virus nucleocapsid protein as antigen. Antibodies against hantavirus were detected in 12 sera (0.31%). No statistical differences were found according to sex and age. The highest prevalence was found in the southeastern area, significantly higher than the central and north-western areas. The most frequent serological pattern was reactivity against all three viruses used (33.3% of all positive sera). Therefore, this study confirms the presence of hantavirus infection in the ACM, including for the first time an urban area of Spain, but with the highest prevalence in a rural area. Serological evidence suggests that there is more than one circulating serotype.
Adolescent↗
Information about occupational exposure to asbestos given to cases in an etiological study: ethical aspects.
The aim of the study is to consider some ethical aspects of the provision of information, to the cases or their families, about the assessment of occupational asbestos exposure obtained in a case-control study of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura. An informative letter with the result of the evaluation of their occupational exposure to asbestos was sent to the participating cases (and/or their family). Those whose exposure was classified as certain/probable were also informed of the legislation regarding occupational diseases. Of the 132 cases, 32.6% of subjects and/or their families made telephone calls expressing interest in the content of the informative letter. Among the 63 cases classified as certain/probable exposure, this proportion was 47.6%. Out of 43 cases in which the age at diagnosis was < or = 65 years and the exposure to asbestos was certain/probable, only two (4.6%) were signed off work owing to occupational disease. Only one of the mesothelioma cases was recognized by the Spanish National Institute for Social Security (INSS) as having an occupational disease. The process of communication of the results of an epidemiological research should include the provision of information on the exposure data to each one of the subjects, and/or their families. There is a great disparity between the number of cases of certain/probable exposure to asbestos identified in our study, and the number registered as an occupational disease by the INSS.
Asbestos↗
Prevalence of antibodies to Rickettsia typhi in an area of the center of Spain.
It was the aim of the present work to evaluate Rickettsia typhi antibody prevalence in 'Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid' (CAM), an area in the centre of Spain. A total of 640 serum samples from the general population were tested by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. Specific R. typhi antibodies were found in 44 (6.8%) of the samples. The present survey results demonstrate the occurrence of R. typhi human infections in this area.
Adult↗
Sarcoma of the thyroid region mimicking Riedel's thyroiditis.
Because sarcomas of the anterior lower neck region occur so infrequently, they are not usually considered in the differential diagnosis of Riedel's thyroiditis. Riedel's thyroiditis itself may be confused on clinical grounds alone with malignant neoplasms because of its invasive features. Sarcomatoid carcinoma is the main entity to be discarded in this regard. This is accomplished through histological examination by the finding of carcinomatous areas and/or reactivity with epithelial markers. These features also set apart sarcomatoid carcinoma from true sarcomas. This report concerns a patient with a sarcoma of the anterior lower neck region which was initially suspected to be Riedel's thyroiditis or sarcomatoid carcinoma on clinical and radiological grounds. A peroperative biopsy was interpreted by two independent pathologists as consistent with Riedel's thyroiditis. The subsequent clinical course and postmortem examination demonstrated a high grade sarcoma with metastasis to both lungs and the pleura, and invasion of adjacent neck structures. Nevertheless, some areas of the postmortem material showed a microscopic pattern similar to mediastinal fibrosis, raising the possibility of the malignant transformation of a fibrosclerotic lesion.
Aged↗
Occupation and risk of malignant pleural mesothelioma: A case-control study in Spain.
BACKGROUND: The association of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure is well known, but some data suggest that probably many people are still being exposed to asbestos without knowing it. METHODS: Between 1993 and 1996, 132 cases (77% males) of histologically confirmed malignant pleural mesothelioma and 257 controls, residents in two provinces of Spain (Barcelona and C¿adiz), were interviewed. They were classified according to their probability and intensity of occupational asbestos exposure by a panel of industrial hygienists, based on a detailed occupational history. RESULTS: Age and sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the highest probability of exposure to asbestos was 13.2 (95% confidence interval 6.4-27.3), and 27.1 (9. 28-79.3) for high intensity. A dose-response trend was observed for both, probability and intensity. Overall, 61% of cases and 42% of controls had ever worked in an occupation with risk of asbestos exposure, with an OR of 2.59 (1.60-4.22). In our population 62% of cases could be attributed to occupational asbestos exposure. CONCLUSIONS: A high risk of pleural mesothelioma due to occupational asbestos exposure is confirmed, but there is still a sizeable proportion for which no evidence of occupational exposure was found. Most of these cases could be due to other sources of asbestos exposure, mainly domestic or environmental.
Adult↗
Study of the interaction between a histidine-deoxyguanosine hybrid and cisplatin.
A histidine-2'-deoxyguanosine hybrid, Phac-Hse(p5'dG)-His-OH (I), was synthesized, and its reaction with cisplatin was monitored by reversed-phase HPLC and 1HNMR. Two new compounds, II and III, were observed to be simultaneously formed, II in larger proportion than III. These products were isolated after HPLC purification and extensively characterized. Both II and III contained platinum, had the same mass and showed a bathochromic displacement of their absorption maxima with respect to that of I. Both remained undegraded upon enzymatic digestion and yielded I when treated with NaCN. From these data and the information provided by 1HNMR analysis, we inferred that II and III were constitutional isomers, in particular chelates in which platinum was coordinated to the N7 of guanine and either the N pi or the N tau imidazole nitrogens, respectively. No preference of the metal for either of these N-donors was observed.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
Randomised double-blind study comparing tropisetron alone and in combination with dexamethasone in the prevention of acute and delayed cisplatin-induced emesis.
In a randomised, double-blind and parallel-design multicentre study, 282 chemotherapy-naive cancer patients received tropisetron 5 mg intravenously (i.v.) before high-dose cisplatin on day 1, and oral tropisetron 5 mg daily on days 2-6, in combination with either placebo (n = 143) or dexamethasone (n = 135), given i.v. on day 1 and orally on days 2-6. Complete protection from acute vomiting/nausea was achieved in 76.3%/79.3% of patients receiving the combination and in 55.2%/61.5% of those receiving tropisetron alone. Complete protection on days 2-6 from delayed vomiting/nausea was obtained in 60%/60% and 39.2%/40.6%, respectively. Tropisetron in combination with dexamethasone is safe and more effective than tropisetron alone in the prevention of both acute and delayed cisplatin-induced emesis.
Administration, Oral↗
[Ocular sensation of foreign body and generalized pruritus in a young Guinean woman].
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adolescent↗
Apotransferrin and holotransferrin undergo different endocytic cycles in intestinal epithelia (Caco-2) cells.
Previous studies have demonstrated that diferric transferrin and apotransferrin compete for the binding to basolateral transferrin receptors and that transferrin-mediated iron uptake by Caco-2 cells is inhibited by apotransferrin to a larger extent than that predicted solely by receptor competition. This inhibition can have important implications in determining the net exchange of iron between intestinal cells and the basolateral milieu. Accordingly, we further characterized the endocytic cycles of apotransferrin and diferric transferrin in Caco-2 cells. We found that after internalization both apotransferrin and diferric transferrin recycled to the cell exterior, but that apotransferrin had a protracted endocytic cycle. Confocal microscopy studies revealed a different cellular distribution of apotransferrin and diferric transferrin; both were found in a compartment close to the basal membrane, but apotransferrin reached as well regions closer to the apical membrane. Moreover, the intracellular distribution of transferrin receptors was influenced by the iron load of transferrin; cells incubated with apotransferrin presented a more apical distribution of transferrin receptors than cells incubated with diferric transferrin. These results indicate for the first time that the endocytic cycle of transferrin receptors in intestinal epithelial cells is determined by the iron content of transferrin. They explain also the marked inhibitory effect of apotransferrin on transferrin-mediated iron uptake by Caco-2 cells, since incubation of cells with apotransferrin resulted in the actual sequestration of the receptor in the cell interior.
Apoproteins↗
Onychoprotothecosis due to Prototheca wickerhamii.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
[Bacterial vaginosis. Relation between the vaginal flora and the vaginal epithelial cells under different treatments. Ultrastructural study].
At this study we analyzed morphologic relation with vaginal ephitelium, in women with bacterial vaginosis, in pre-treatment; first post-treatment and second post-treatment using metronidazol (oral), and clindamycine (intra-vaginally). From 20 patients with bacterial vaginosis, 10 received oral metronidazol, 500 mg/b.i.d. during seven days; the other patients received, clindamycine 2% intravaginal, once a day, during seven days. Couples received metronidazol. In pre-treatment, cellular prolongations produced greater adhesion of bacteria, and rests of cellular unions with adhered bacteria. There was penetration of some bacteria to epithelial cells, confirming this with serial cuts and discarding superposition in the cells. This penetration was found in five cases y persisted during the first and second post-treatment. In the first post-treatment, cellular groups without bacteria, were found. The presence of lactobacillus was low, increasing afterwards. The presence of yeasts was in the first post-treatment, and in some cases persisted. It is important to differentiate intracellular bacteria and to know the related characteristics with bacterial penetration, for an adequate prescription and a better use of medication, avoiding possible damage. The presence of bacteria may be one of the causes for bacterial vaginosis reincidence.
Adult↗
Vaccine evaluation studies of replication-defective SIVsmB7.
Non-infectious virus-like particles of SIVsmB7 that expresses env and gag gene products but are defective in pol and vpx/vpr were assessed for their ability to induce protective immunity against infection with pathogenic SIVsmE660 in rhesus macaques. Animals were immunized in three groups: group A was primed with cell-associated SIVsmB7 and boosted with cell-free SIVsmB7; group B was primed with cell-free SIVsmB7 and boosted with cell-free SIVsmB7 conjugated to iron oxide microbeads; group C was primed with cell-free SIVsmB7 mixed with Titer Max adjuvant and boosted with cell-free SIVsmB7 mixed with SAF-M adjuvant followed by secondary boosting with cell-free SIVsmB7 conjugated to microbeads. Animals were challenged intravenously with 20 animal infectious doses of SIVsmE660 grown in rhesus peripheral blood mononuclear cells 3 weeks after final boosting. All animals became infected as evidenced by quantitative virus cultivation. Sera from immunized animals contained low-titer antibodies by ELISA and low or undetectable neutralizing antibodies on the day of challenge but strong anamnestic antibody responses were observed following challenge. Interestingly, 2 of 3 animals in group A showed evidence of transient viremia and more stable CD4 counts following challenge as compared to the other immunized animals and to non-immunized controls. Thus, immunization with cell-associated SIVsmB7 did not provide sterilizing immunity against challenge with a highly pathogenic SIV strain but might have caused virus clearance later in infection.
Animals↗
Luminal pH regulated calcium release kinetics in sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles.
Calcium binding to triads isolated from rabbit skeletal muscle followed a single hyperbolic function in the pH range 5.5-8.0. Maximal binding was obtained at pH 8.0; decreasing the pH decreased the binding capacity and, at pH < or = 6.0, increased Kd 2-fold. These results indicate that lowering the pH diminished calcium binding to calsequestrin, since this protein is the primary source of calcium binding sites in triads. Luminal pH had a marked effect on calcium release induced by 2 mM ATP, at pCa 5.0, pH 6.8. At a constant luminal [Ca2+] of 0.1 mM, release rate constants (k) and initial rates of release increased steadily as a function of decreasing luminal pH; at luminal pH 7.5, values of k < 0.4 s-1 were found, whereas at pH 5.5 values of k approximately 10 S-1 were obtained. Increasing luminal [Ca2+] from 0.05 mM to 0.7 mM had no effect on the k values measured at luminal pH 5.5. In contrast, at pH 6.8, increasing luminal [Ca2+] produced a marked increase in k values, that reached maximal values of k approximately 10 S-1 at 0.7 mM luminal [Ca2+]. Control experiments using fluorescent pH indicators showed that luminal pH did not change significantly during calcium release. It is proposed that luminal protons or calcium induces conformational changes in calsequestrin that in turn promote activation of the calcium release channels.
Animals↗
[Hantavirus infection in Spain: seroepidemiologic study in the province of Soria].
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present was to study the seroprevalence of Hantavirus infection in the province of Soria, Spain. METHODS: Total specific antibodies against Hantavirus (Hantaan and Puumala virus) were studied by indirect immunofluorescence in 537 sera (251 males and 286 females) of a population from the province of Soria, distributed proportionally to the number of inhabitants from the health care areas. The age range of the population was from 1 to 95 years, the group mode ranging between 25 to 30 years and with a mean age of 36.4 years. The sera with antibody titers equal to or higher than 1/32 were considered as positive. RESULTS: Significant titers of antibodies against Hantaan or Puumala virus were detected in 2.2% of the total of sera studied (12 positive sera); 1.75% in women (5/286) and 2.8% in men (7/251). Of these 12 positive sera, 8 reacted against both virus (1.5%-8/537), 3 exclusively to Puumala and 1 only to Hantaan. Seroprevalence against Puumala was 2% (11/537) and 1.7% against Hantaan (9/537). The age of the subjects with positive sera ranged from 3 to 73 years with a mean of 33.8 years with higher prevalence in the group from 30 to 40 years of age (4.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study confirm the existence of infection by Hantavirus in Spain.
Adolescent↗