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Biomedical subjects

M López

Publications and source records attributed to M López.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

[Pneumatocele as a form of presentation of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia].

Pulmonary infection by Pneumocystis carinii in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can result in different radiological patterns with an ever expanding spectrum. A 40-year-old male, infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), presented with toxic symptoms and multiple pulmonary cystic lesions in the context of a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The rarity of this radiological presentation is discussed and literature is reviewed. In addition, the possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed, and emphasis is made on the need for higher suspicion index in similar presentations in patients at risk of HIV infection.

Adult↗

Epidemiological aspects of Mendelian syndromes in a Spanish population sample: I. Autosomal dominant malformation syndromes.

Using a sample of 710,815 liveborn infants throughout Spain, monitored from April, 1976, to December, 1988, by the Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECEMC), we estimated the prevalence of each recognized autosomal dominant malformation syndrome for a total prevalence figure of 12.1 per 100,000 live births, including all detected autosomal dominant malformations syndromes. We estimated that the mutation rate for those syndromes was 48.5 per 1,000,000 gametes. The geographical distribution of these syndromes was homogeneous in the Spanish Regions.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Epidemiological aspects of Mendelian syndromes in a Spanish population sample: II. Autosomal recessive malformation syndromes.

From April, 1976, to December, 1988, the Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECEMC) monitored a total population of 710,815 liveborn infants in 16 of 17 Spanish Regions and identified 14,439 (2.0%) with congenital defects. Among the malformed children, we identified 73 with well recognized autosomal recessive syndromes, for an overall prevalence rate of 10.3 per 100,000 livebirths and a total carrier frequency of 1/49. Considering the Spanish Regions (Comunidades Autónomas), we analyzed the geographical distributions of these syndromes that were homogeneous. We studied the place of birth of the grandparents to determine the distribution of the gene as well as the gene flow.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Aging and lung antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, and lipid peroxidation in the rat.

The five major antioxidants enzymes, cytochrome oxidase (COX), GSH, and GSSG, and endogenous and in vitro stimulated lipid peroxidation (TBA-RS) were assayed in the lung of old (28 months) and young (9 months) adult rats due to the almost total absence of data of this kind in this tissue, which is normally exposed to relatively high pO2 throughout life. Catalase, selenium (Se)-dependent GSH peroxidase (GPx), GSH reductase, GSH, GSSG, GSSG/GSH, and in vivo and in vitro TBA-RS showed similar values in old and young animals. The decrease observed for non Se-dependent GPx disappeared when the values were expressed in relation to COX activity. Only superoxide dismutase showed a clear decrease when referred both to protein and COX activity. These results suggest that lung aging is not accelerated in old age due to a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the tissue. Nevertheless, they are compatible with a continuous damage of the lung tissue by free radicals throughout the life span.

Aging↗

Effect of chronic underfeeding on uterine glycogen of rats. Influence of indomethacin and nordihydroguaiaretic acid.

Glycogen values in uterine strips isolated from normal-fed estrous or diestrous rats, or from rats fed a restricted diet (50% of normal food intake for 25 days) were measured. Determinations were made immediately after killing (0 time or post-isolation) as well as after incubation in glucose-free medium (60 min time or post-incubation). The post-incubation levels of glycogen in the uteri from normal-fed animals diminished significantly in comparison to post-isolation values, and this decrement was not modified by the addition of indomethacin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid or exogenous prostaglandins E1, E2 or F2 alpha. In rats fed a restricted-diet, the initial glycogen values (0 time) were significantly lower than in normal-fed controls, but did not decline further after incubation in glucose-free medium (60 min time). The addition of indomethacin, acetylsalicylic acid or of nordihydroguaiaretic acid led to a significant fall in the glycogen levels, and exogenous PGE1, PGE2 or PGF2 alpha failed to alter the effects of the inhibitors. The values of PGE and PGF prostaglandins release to the medium by the uterus from restricted-diet rats did not differ from those obtained in the experiments with normal-fed animals. Administration of 17-beta estradiol to restricted-diet rats led to suppression of the effects of this diet on the glycogen concentration. The above results indicate that in rats subjected to a prolonged period of dietary restriction, the uterine glycogen becomes responsive to the effects of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase inhibitors, suggesting the operation of some regulatory mechanism during critical periods of nutrition.

Alprostadil↗

Respiratory and immunological reactions among Shiitake (Lentinus edodes) mushroom workers.

Four workers, the total work force employed at a Shiitake farm, developed cough and sputum production following a variable period of exposure to Shiitake mushrooms. All four had abnormal diffusing capacity and three had abnormal spirometry values. Chest roentgenograms demonstrated an interstitial pattern in one worker. Pulmonary function tests performed before and during several days of work demonstrated a significant decrease (greater than 20%) in forced vital capacity (FVC) and/or maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) in three workers. Although specific antibodies to an extract of Shiitake spores were detected in sera from three workers none were IgE. High levels of Shiitake spores were detected in growing rooms (greater than 10(6)/m3) as well as other locations at the farm. Shiitake spore airborne antigen, detected by an immunochemical assay, was present in dust collected with a volumetric sampler from different locations at the farm. Antigenic determinants of Shiitake spore antigens, in common with antigens from other cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus and Pleurotus) were demonstrated by ELISA inhibition assay. This study demonstrates that workers exposed to high levels of Shiitake spores develop symptoms and laboratory findings suggestive of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP). Strict environmental control and the wearing of a face mask is probably needed to reduce the high risk of sensitization and possible development of immunological lung disease. Shiitake spores must be considered as an aetiological agent of mushroom workers' lung.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗

Rapid fluorescence method for screening Salmonella spp. from enteric differential agars.

Four hundred thirty-two lactose-negative colonies isolated from human feces on stool differential agar media were flooded with one drop of MUCAP Test reagent (Biolife Italiana S.r.I., Milan, Italy) and observed under a Wood lamp for the development of a blue fluorescence over or around the colony. On the basis of manual and automated conventional tests for the screening of Salmonella spp., the MUCAP Test yielded the following results: 79 true-positives, 314 true-negatives, 35 false-positives, and 4 false-negatives (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 90%; positive predictive value, 69%; negative predictive value, 99%). The specificity of the test performed on colonies isolated on MacConkey agar (95%) was higher than that performed on colonies isolated on SS agar (88%; P less than 0.03). The MUCAP Test is an easy, rapid, and sensitive method for the screening of colonies suspected of being Salmonella spp., reducing the number of biochemical tests needed.

Agar↗

Hb O Padova in a Spanish Family.

Haematological and biochemical aspects of a new family with heterozygous Hb O Padova [alpha 30(B11) Glu----Lys] is described. This variant has been found on a screening programme of abnormal haemoglobin in cord blood. It was separated by cellulose acetate, isoelectric focusing, citrate agar, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and by cation exchange high-performance liquid chromatography. The heat stability and the functional properties were found to be normal. This is the third family with Hb O Padova reported, all from the Mediterranean region.

Amino Acids↗

Effect of partial starvation on in vitro spontaneous activity and glycogen levels of uterine smooth muscle from pregnant and non pregnant rats.

Effects of a restricted-diet (50% of the normal feeding) given during 14 days, on the isometric developed tension (IDT) of uterine horns isolated from pregnant and non pregnant (diestrous) rats, incubated in a KRB-medium without glucose, were explored. In 14 days-pregnant rats, dietary restriction did not alter the contractile activity with respect to normal-fed controls. Besides, levels of uterine glycogen, immediately after killing the animals or after 60 min incubation, remained unaltered. In advanced pregnancy partial starvation led to decay of spontaneous contractile activity after 60 min incubation. However, the considerable increment in the levels of tissue glycogen at 0 time was not modified, nor its decrease at the end of the in vivo experimental period. In non-pregnant rats, a reduced feeding did not alter the development of contractile tension, but exerted a pronounced effect on the glycogen levels: these were significantly lower than controls at 0 time but suffered no changes after 60 min on in vitro activity. Indomethacin appeared to have no effect on the spontaneous contractile activity of 14 days-pregnant rats. It significantly depressed contractility in 21 days-pregnant rats. Indomethacin did not modify the levels of glycogen in any of the experimental groups.

Animals↗

[Symptomatic cluster headache? Apropos of 4 case reports].

Four patients were referred to our headache unit with characteristic clinical features of cluster headache which was subsequently attributed to other underlying conditions. To the previously reported occurrence of meningioma of the lesser wing of the sphenoid and cerebral arteriovenous malformation, we may now add for the first time two cases of maxillary sinusitis. In addition to accurate history taking, some factors are relevant for the diagnosis of these symptomatic forms of cluster headache, such as the occurrence of neurological abnormalities during or between the attacks; these should prompt the clinician to carry out neuroradiological studies, in spite of the low prevalence of these symptomatic forms in our series of 100 patients. We review the several etiologies reported in the literature, and we discuss the pathogenetical mechanism whereby these conditions may result in a type of headache of such peculiar chronological features.

Adult↗

The use of nonradioactive DNA probes for the characterization of Leishmania isolates from Peru.

We describe conditions for dot blot DNA hybridization studies using biotinylated kDNA probes from Leishmania. The sensitivity and specificity attained with biotinylated or 32P-labeled probes were equivalent. The lower level of detection obtained was 100 parasites that were blotted on nitrocellulose paper and then treated with Proteinase K. Studies were performed with 112 Leishmania isolates from Andean (uta) and sylvatic mucocutaneous (espundia) patients and all were determined to belong to the Leishmania braziliensis complex.

Animals↗