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Biomedical subjects

N Maldonado

Publications and source records attributed to N Maldonado.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Bioactive oleanolic acid saponins and other constituents from the roots of Viguiera decurrens.

The bisdesmoside oleanolic acid saponin, 3-0-(methyl-beta-D-glucuronopyranosiduronoate)-28-0-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-oleanolate along with nine known compounds (two diterpenic acids, one chromene, three triterpenes, one steroidal glycoside, and two monodesmoside oleanolic acid saponins), were obtained from Viguiera decurrens roots. The chemical structure of the bisdesmoside oleanolic saponin was determined by chemical and NMR spectral evidence. A mixture of monodesmoside saponins displayed cytotoxic activity against P388 and COLON cell lines (ED50= 2.3 and 3.6 microg/ml, respectively). Two of the known compounds showed insecticidal activity against the Mexican bean beetle larvae (Epilachna varivestis).

Asteraceae↗

Dealing with diversity: recruiting churches and women for a randomized trial of mammography promotion.

There is little documentation about the recruitment process for church-based health education programs. In this study, the authors recruit African American, Latino, and white churches and women members (age 50 to 80) for a randomized church-based trial of mammography promotion in Los Angeles County. Efforts to enhance recruitment began 10 months before churches were invited to participate and included a variety of community-based strategies. Subsequently, 45 churches were recruited over a 5-month period through group pastor breakfast meetings and church-specific follow-up. In close collaboration with the 45 churches, the authors administered church-based surveys over 6 months and identified 1,967 age-eligible women who agreed to be contacted by the program team. It was found that an extended resource intensive period of relationship-building and community-based activities were necessary to conduct church-based programs effectively, particularly among older and ethnically diverse urban populations.

Aged↗

Urinary assays for desmosine and hydroxylysylpyridinoline in the detection of cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis have great potential for both the diagnosis and therapy of liver disease and cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of urinary amino acids desmosine (DES) and isodesmosine (IDES) derived from the breakdown of elastin and hydroxylysylpyridinoline (HP) and lysylpyridinoline (LP) derived from fibrillar collagen in diagnosing chronic liver disease. METHODS: We studied 48 patients with chronic liver disease who had varying degrees of liver fibrosis, graded 0-6 using a modified Knodell score, and 20 control subjects without liver disease. Urinary DES (microg/g creatinine) and HP (nmol/mmol creatinine) were measured by an isotope dilution, high performance liquid chromatography method. For liver disease patients, aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIINP) and alanine aminotransferase were determined. The urine and serum markers were correlated to degree of fibrosis and inflammation on liver biopsies. Differences between groups were analyzed by ANOVA and multiple linear regression was applied to determine independence of variables. Sensitivity, specificity and receiver operating curves were derived for each marker. RESULTS: In the 17 patients with liver fibrosis score of 5-6, mean urinary DES, IDES, HP and LP were all significantly greater than in the control group (p<0.05). Urinary DES and IDES correlated best with fibrosis score, r=0.61 for both markers. The correlation coefficient between serum PIIINP and fibrosis score was 0.47. Urinary DES and HP each had an overall diagnostic accuracy of 77% for fibrosis. Combining markers improved accuracy to over 80%. No correlation was seen between the urinary markers and inflammation scores. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary DES and HP are potentially useful clinical markers for liver fibrosis, especially when used in combination or in association with PIIINP.

Adult↗

Hemostatic abnormalities associated with monoclonal gammopathies.

To confirm and expand previous observations about the association of monoclonal gammopathies with hemostatic defects, a prospective evaluation was made in 42 patients with lymphoplasmacytic disorders. The incidence of bleeding complications was low, despite the diversity of abnormal hemostatic tests observed in these patients. Patients with myeloma frequently had abnormal coagulation tests, including thrombin time (64%), fibrin degradation products (32%), platelet aggregation tests with different agonist (30% to 55%), and bleeding time (22%). The lack of platelet response to ristocetin and normal ristocetin cofactor activity in four patients with myeloma may suggest a Bernard-Soulier-type defect. Serum viscosity was negatively correlated with platelet aggregation with collagen, ristocetin, and adenosine diphosphate. In patients with immunoglobulin myeloma, there was a positive correlation between an increased viscosity and a prolonged thrombin time. This study demonstrates the wide variety of coagulation abnormalities in lymphoplasmacytic disorders, usually without significant clinical implications.

Adult↗

Self-disclosure of HIV infection: preliminary results from a sample of Hispanic men.

We examined self-disclosure of HIV infection among 101 seropositive Hispanic men residing in Los Angeles. Results indicated that disclosure was highly selective and presumably influenced by the social, psychological, and material consequences of informing others about one's medical condition. Subjects tended to inform significant others such as parents, friends, and lovers than less significant others such as employers, landlords, and religious leaders. There was a relatively high rate of disclosure (75%) to doctors/dentists who were not treating subjects for HIV infection. Gay and bisexual subjects (89% of the sample) were more inclined to disclose their HIV serostatus to homosexual or bisexual others than to heterosexuals and to inform those who were aware of their sexual orientation. Disclosure increased with severity of disease independently of length of time since testing seropositive. Self-rated negative changes in appearance correlated with disclosure to less significant others. The role of cultural attitudes and values in self-disclosure of HIV infection is discussed.

Adolescent↗

Self-disclosure of HIV infection to sexual partners.

Self-disclosure of HIV infection to current sexual partners was examined in 138 seropositive men, mostly lower income Hispanics, from Los Angeles. Forty-five percent had been sexually active since learning their serostatus. Of these, 52% had kept their infection secret from one or more partners. The likelihood of disclosure decreased in direct proportion to the number of partners. Nondisclosure occurred in conjunction with unprotected receptive and insertive anal intercourse. Potential factors promoting nondisclosure are discussed.

HIV Seropositivity↗

Bile salt metabolism in tropical sprue.

Mean and peak jejunal bile salt concentrations during digestion of a standard fat meal were found to be significantly lower in six Puerto Rican patients with untreated tropical sprue, all of whom had steatorrhoea, than in six asymptomatic subjects who had normal fat absorption. Bile salt pool size and turnover time did not differ significantly in the two groups.It is suggested that bile salt concentrations may be reduced in the proximal small intestine of patients with tropical sprue as a result of excessive dilution by intestinal fluid. The finding of low bile salt concentrations in two asymptomatic subjects indicates that bile salt lack alone may not be sufficient to produce steatorrhoea.

Adult↗