Spatial distribution of Culicoides imicola, the main vector of bluetongue virus, in Spain.
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Animals↗
Biomedical subjects
N Moreno
Publications and source records attributed to N Moreno.
Seasonal effect on zebu embryo quality as determined by their degree of apoptosis and resistance to cryopreservation.
In order to optimize the production of embryos under tropical conditions and to test a possible seasonal effect on embryo quality, 40 Zebu cows were superovulated during the dry season (April to May) and during the rainy season (July to August). A total of 116 (average 2.7/cow) and 83 embryos (3.5 average/cow) were obtained during the respective seasons. After classification as good, fair or poor quality, embryos were tested based on their ultrastructural differences (n = 53 dry season 16 good, 20 fair and 17 poor and n = 61 rainy season 21 good, 20 fair and 20 poor) and their degree of apoptosis using the TUNEL technique (n = 30 during the dry season and n = 55 in the rainy season). Structural characteristics determining embryo quality varied between good and fair quality embryos. No difference, however, was observed between good, fair and poor quality embryos from the two seasons. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was different among embryos (p < 0.001), being lower in labelled cells of good quality embryos regardless of the season. Fewer apoptotic cells were observed in embryos assigned in all three quality levels during the rainy season (p < 0.001). Ultrastructural evaluations confirmed the results obtained by TUNEL. Cryopreserved embryos of good (n = 25 in each season) and fair quality (n = 11 dry season; n = 17 rainy season) showed a significant decrease of TUNEL-positive cells during the rainy season (p < 0.05). Results suggest that embryos collected in the dry season have more cellular damage in contrast; embryos cryopreserved in the rainy season appeared morphologically better equipped to result in a pregnancy following transfer.
Animals↗
Clinical epidemiology of childhood cancer in Central America and Caribbean countries.
BACKGROUND: Countries with scarce resources have the right to appropriate essential health care but very few reports discuss how this can be achieved. We assessed the survival of a large cohort of pediatric oncological patients to provide hard data on which to base realistic evaluation and planning schemes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective survey covered consecutively diagnosed and treated patients admitted to eight national level hospitals in seven countries in Central America and the Caribbean. The research protocol was discussed extensively, so the data to be collected and the criteria for their evaluation were clearly pre-defined. We analysed 2214 patients diagnosed between 1996 and 1999 with various cancers, classified as hemato-oncological disorders (70%) and solid tumors (30%). RESULTS: Three-year overall survival was 48.4% [standard error (SE) 1.3]. Detailed analysis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia highlighted the wide intercountry variability: 3-year survival was 62.2% (SE 5.3) in Cuba, 74.2% (SE 3.3) in Costa Rica, 61.7% (SE 4.9) in Nicaragua, and lower in the other four countries. CONCLUSIONS: The yield of diagnostic-therapeutic protocols depends largely on the context of care in which they are applied. This paper documents the importance of including epidemiological research in interventions for cooperation in complex health areas such as pediatric oncology.
Caribbean Region↗
Influence of delays on survival in the surgical treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma.
The objective of the study was to find out whether the delay in time from when bronchogenic carcinoma is diagnosed until a therapeutic thoracotomy is performed affects patient survival. The population analysed comprised 1082 patients with clinical stage I and II, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who had been operated on between October 1993 and September 1997, and were registered in the Bronchogenic Carcinoma Cooperative Group of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery (GCCB-S). In this series, the median therapeutic delay was 35 days (1-154), with a median survival rate of 52 months (45.6-58.3). A statistical study was developed that, in addition to the delay, included the variables of age, histology, clinical stage, and pathological stage of the disease. Therapeutic delay was included in the multivariable analysis as a quantitative and qualitative variable and a comparison among the different intervals of delay in days (1-20 vs. 21-40 vs. 41-60 vs. > 60) was performed in order to ascertain its influence on survival. Univariate and multivariate Cox's regression analyses showed that age (> 70 years), clinical stage (I vs. II), and pathological stage influence survival. As for the histology and the delay, no significant differences were observed in the survival of any of the intervals even when compared against the intervals at the extremes (1-20 vs. > 60). In conclusion we found no influence of delay upon the survival.
Adult↗
Development of NADPH-diaphorase/nitric oxide synthase in the brain of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl.
In the present study, the ontogenesis of nitrergic neurons has been studied in the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl by means of NADPH-diaphorase (NADPHd) histochemistry and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunohistochemistry. Embryonic and larval stages were studied. Except for the olfactory fibers and glomeruli, both methods were equally suitable to reveal nitrergic structures in the brain. The earliest positive neurons were observed in the inferior reticular nucleus (Ri) in the caudal rhombencephalon at embryonic stage 30. At stage 33b, weakly reactive cells appeared in the tegmentum of the mesencephalon and isthmus, in the ventral hypothalamus (VH), and in the proximity of the solitary tract (sol). At initial larval stages (stages 34-38), two new groups appeared in the caudal telencephalon (future amygdaloid complex (Am)) and in the middle reticular nucleus (Rm) of the rhombencephalon. During the active larval life (stages 39-55c) the nitrergic system developed progressively both in number of cells and fiber tracts. At stages 39-42 reactive cells were found in the inner granular layer (igl) of the olfactory bulb, the telencephalic pallium, the pretectal region, the optic tectum (OT) and retina. New populations of nitrergic cells appear during the second half of the larval period (stages 52-55). Rostrally, reactive cells were found in the telencephalic diagonal band (DB) nucleus, medial septum and in the thalamic eminence (TE), whereas caudally cells appeared in the raphe (Ra) and the descending trigeminal nucleus (Vd). The last changes occurred during the juvenile period (metamorphic climax), when cells of the spinal cord (sc) and the preoptic area became positive. The sequence of appearance of nitrergic cells revealed a first involvement of this system in reticulospinal control, likely influencing locomotor behavior. As development proceeds, cells in different sensory systems expressed progressively nitric oxide synthase in a pattern that shows many similarities with amniotes.
Animals↗
Utilization of zeolites synthesized from coal fly ash for the purification of acid mine waters.
Two pilot plant products containing 65 and 45% NaP1 zeolite were obtained from two Spanish coal fly ashes (Narcea and Teruel Power Station, respectively). The zeolitic product obtained showed a cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 2.7 and 2.0 mequiv/g, respectively. Decontamination tests of three acid mine waters from southwestern Spain were carried out using the zeolite derived from fly ash and commercial synthetic zeolite. The results demonstrate that the zeolitic material could be employed for heavy metal uptake in the water purification process. Doses of 5-30 g of zeolite/L have been applied according on the zeolite species and the heavy metal levels. Moreover, the application of zeolites increases the pH. This causes metal-bearing solid phases to precipitate and enhances the efficiency of the decontamination process.
Cations↗
Comparative analysis of adrenomedullin-like immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of amphibians.
Adrenomedullin (AM) is a novel neuropeptide with special significance in the mammalian hypothalamo-hypophysial axis. By using an antiserum specific for human AM, we have studied the localization of AM-like immunoreactive (AMi) cell bodies and fibers in the hypothalamus and hypophysis of the amphibians Rana perezi (anuran), Pleurodeles waltl (urodele), and Dermophis mexicanus (gymnophionan). Distinct AMi cell groups were found for each species. In the anuran, six cell groups were localized in the preoptic and infundibular regions, whereas only three and one were found in the urodele and gymnophionan, respectively. A comparative analysis of AMi cells and cells expressing arginine vasotocin (AVT), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) revealed strong differences between species. Thus, colocalization of AVT/AM is most likely to occur in the preoptic magnocellular nucleus of urodeles and it is reflected by the intense AM immunoreactivity in the neural lobe of the hypophysis. Colocalization of NPY/AM seems to be possible in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of anurans. In the gymnophionan, cells containing AVT and NPY are distinct from AMi cells. Only in anurans, the ventral aspect of the suprachiasmatic nucleus possesses a small population of AMi cells that express also TH immunoreactivity and most likely also express NPY. The results strongly suggest that AM in amphibians plays an important regulatory role in the hypothalamo-hypophysial system, as has been demonstrated in mammals. On the other hand, substantial differences have been found between species with respect to the degree of colocalization with other chemical substances.
Adrenomedullin↗
The MADS-box gene srfA is expressed in a complex pattern under the control of alternative promoters and is essential for different aspects of Dictyostelium development.
srfA displays a complex temporal and cell type-specific pattern of expression in Dictyostelium and is expressed by most of its cell types at some stage of their development. This complexity is achieved by the use of alternative promoters. The promoter activity of the proximal region was found to be restricted to a subset of prestalk cells. Little or no associated expression was observed in the lower cup and basal disc during culmination. The middle promoter region was preferentially active in prestalk cells under usual conditions of filter development. Interestingly, during slug migration, the activity of this promoter in posterior prespore cells was strongly induced. The distal region displayed a dual pattern of expression. Thus, before culmination, this region drove lacZ expression in a few cells scattered along the entire structure. However, intense lacZ staining was found in the spores by the end of culmination. We have previously reported that srfA expression is essential for spore differentiation (R. Escalante and L. Sastre, Development 125, 3801-3808). Our novel finding of the expression of the gene in prestalk cells before culmination suggested that it might play additional roles in Dictyostelium development. The study of knockout strains revealed that srfA is also required for proper slug migration. Spore differentiation and slug migration defects were rescued by reexpression of srfA in the null mutant background, under the appropriate promoter control. The expression of srfA under the activity of the distal promoter region was able to rescue spore differentiation but not slug migration. Conversely, reexpression under the control of the middle promoter rescued slug morphogenesis and migration. Our results demonstrate that the correct spatial and temporal pattern of expression of srfA is essential for the different functions that this transcription factor plays in development.
5' Untranslated Regions↗
[Heart rate and isolated clinical tachycardia in hypertensive patients].
BACKGROUND: There is poor information for isolated clinical tachycardia (ICT), that is to say, office tachycardia but normal ambulatory heart rate (HR). Our objective was to describe it and to know differences between hypertensive subjects with and without ICT. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Comparative study after a diagnostic intervention (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, ABPM, SpaceLabs 90202-90207), with convenience sampling of non-treated hypertensive patients attended in primary care. We excluded subjects with heart, thyroid or lung disease. ICT were defined on the basis of office and daytime HR percentile 90 of the whole sample. RESULTS: A total of 256 subjects were included, 128 (50%) women, age 49.1 (16.1) years, with mean office blood pressure (BP) 151 (17.1)/92 (11.9) mmHg. The prevalence of ICT was 7.03% (CI 95%, 4.03-11.07) (n = 18). We didn't find any association between isolated clinical hypertension and ICT (p = 0.87). Patients with ICT have lower office and systolic night time BP, lower night time variability, higher night time BP fall, although higher 24 hours-HR and daytime-HR in comparison with non ICT hypertensive patients. In the multivariate analysis only office diastolic BP (OR, 0.93 [CI 95%, 0.87-0.98], for each mmHg increment) and office HR (OR, 1.2 [CI 95%, 1.11-1.28], for each beat for minute increment) were predictive of ICT. CONCLUSIONS: In this study 7.03% of non treated hypertensive patients present ICT, which suggest a profile of more favorable cardiovascular risk than that without ICT. Only office diastolic BP and office HR were predictive variables of ICT.
Adult↗
Lamivudine therapy of hepatitis B virus-related liver disease: cirrhosis, posttransplantation recurrence, and de novo infection.
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Adult↗
Response to hepatitis B virus vaccine in patients transplanted for HBV-related liver disease under specific gammaglobulin prophylaxis.
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Disease-Free Survival↗
[Application of the polymerase chain reaction to the diagnosis of sickle cell anemia in Venezuela].
Application of polymerase chain reaction technology to detect sickle cell patients and heterozygous carriers in a group of patients suspect for sickle cell disease was carried out. The sample was composed of 102 normal individuals, and 102 unrelated out patients who were attending in the Hematology Service at the Maracay Central Hospital in the State of Aragua in Venezuela. All patients were interviewed. Results of their medical histories and the physical examination, made during the clinical visit, were recorded. The blood samples were collected in EDTA by venopuncture and genomic DNA was extracted from leucocytes. An amplified 536 base pairs fragment of the beta-globin gene containing codon 6, was digested with an isoschizomer of Mst II, Bsu36 I and electrophoresed in 3% agarose. We have established the technical conditions in our laboratory for the detection of sickle cell disease using a PCR assay. 32 patients having haemoglobin SS (HbSS) and 70 patients in the heterozygous state (HbAS) were identified. We confirm that the normal controls have the HbAA genotype. The standardization of a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic test for sickle cell disease permited us to identify the normal controls, the homozygotes and heterozygotes. This methodology is one of the fundamental technical bases for establishing a newborn screening programme in the Central Region of Venezuela and also has application in research related with other genetic diseases that affect the Venezuelan people.
Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
[Localized fibrous tumor in the parenchyma. Report of 2 cases, one of them multiple and bilateral].
Localized fibrous tumor is an uncommon neoplasm that is usually located in the visceral pleura. Histologically these tumors are composed of randomly arranged fascicles or networks of fusiform cells, among which there is a varying amount of collagen. Most authors consider that these cells originate in submesothelial mesenchymal cells. The condition is normally silent, though hypoglycemia, hypertrophic osteoarthropathy or other symptoms sometimes result. The treatment of choice is total resection and imaging techniques are extremely helpful for establishing surgical strategy, even though surgery is often performed before a histopathologic diagnosis is available. We present 2 patients with intrapulmonary fibromas that were histologically identical to localized fibrous pleural tumors. These tumors are rarely found in the parenchyma and multiple bilateral presentation is exceptional, having been described only once in the literature. One of our patients had a single pulmonary node that happened to be noticed on an X-ray. The other had multiple bilateral nodes that required several surgical procedures; the intraparenchymatous location for this type of tumor has not been described to date. We discuss clinical, therapeutic and histopathological aspects of these tumors and review the literature.
Female↗
Insecticidal neolignans from Piper decurrens.
2,3-Dihydro-2-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5(E)-propenylbenzofuran (conocarpan) (1), 2-(4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5(E)- propenylbenzofuran (eupomatenoid-5) (2), and 2-(4'- hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-5(E)-propenylbenzofuran (eupomatenoid-6) (3), three known neolignans found for the first time in a species of the Piperaceae, were isolated from Piper decurrens via insecticidal bioassay-guided fractionation, along with a small quantity of a new related compound, 2,3-dihydro-5-formyl-2-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methylbenzofuran (decurrenal) (4), and 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2(E)-hexadecen-1-ol (trans-phytol).
Animals↗
Proliferative responses of lymphocytes from malaria patients and healthy controls to isolated, Plasmodium falciparum schizont antigens.
The specificity of lymphocyte proliferative responses of malaria patients and healthy control subjects was analysed using antigen fractions from soluble extracts of purified Plasmodium falciparum schizonts. Fractions of 14-250 kDa were separated by SDS-PAGE, blotted to nitrocellulose membranes and eluted for use in lymphocyte stimulation studies. Lymphocyte proliferation following stimulation with the separated protein fractions demonstrated that the fractions were recognized only by patients' T cells. Moreover, only the fractions including proteins of 36-250 kDa were immunogenic to the T cells. The pattern of response against each fraction differed between patients, indicating an HLA-dependent genetic restriction in the T cell activation.
Animals↗
Infective aortic endocarditis after percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty.
Infective aortic endocarditis developed in an elderly patient after a percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty. The transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a perivalvular abscess. The patient underwent surgical replacement of the infected valve, but later succumbed to renal failure. The development of infective aortic endocarditis should be recognized as a potentially fatal complication of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty. The important measures in preventing bacteremia during percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty and the appropriate role of operation are discussed.
Aged↗
[Infections during the hospitalization of patients with liver cirrhosis].
We studied retrospectively the clinical records of 291 hospital patients with liver cirrhosis, 95% of which was alcohol related. Within this group, 114 patients presented 155 episodes of infection in 144 separate hospital admissions. In a previous communication, we pointed out that although infection was the fourth cause of admission, it was the main cause of death in this group. The main incidence of infection was among the female group. The most common infections episodes were respiratory and bacterial spontaneous peritonitis (BSP). On admission, 57% of the patients were diagnosed as belonging to the C Child group; 38% presented sepsis and 22% were hospitalary infections. The most frequent infections were respiratory and BSP. We obtained bacteriologic documentation in 55% of the episodes with prevalence of Gram negative bacilli (E. coli), with high relative frequency of neumoccocus. The most frequent complications were related to hepatic insufficiency. Global death rate was 27.1%, while nosocomial death rates were 42.1% and 40.9% for patients with Child C. We observed the highest incidence of mortality in patients with SBP and non localized bacteriemia. Survival rates were 42% for 2 years and 18% for 5 years. In summary, we stress the relevancy of checking the presence of infection systematically in every cirrhotic patient with encephalopathy and/or renal insufficiency without justifiable cause.
Adult↗
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) ORI1yt enhancer is not B-cell specific and does not respond synergistically to the EBV transcription factors R and Z.
The Epstein-Barr virus DR promoter is located upstream of the PstI repeats, and in addition to the TATA box, it contains an upstream region (positions -69 to -220) responsive to EB1 (Z) (the BZLF1-encoded transcription factor) and an enhancer with two functionally distinct domains, A and B. Domain B has been described as a B-cell-specific EB1-responsive element (P. M. Lieberman, J. M. Hardwick, and S. D. Hayward, J. Virol. 63:3040-3050, 1989) activated synergistically by EB1 and R, an EBV early product encoded by the open reading frame BRLF1 (M. A. Cox, J. Leahy, and J. M. Hardwick, J. Virol. 64:313-321, 1990). We show here that domain B is an R-responsive element in HeLa cells and is therefore not an EB1-responsive B-cell-specific element. However, there is an EB1-binding site (ZRE-B) located within the R-responsive enhancer region. ZRE-B can be deleted without affecting the R-dependent enhancer activity. Moreover, there is no cooperation or synergy between R and EB1 when activating the B domain (ZRE-B plus the R-responsive element) positioned as an enhancer. ZRE-B is therefore not part of the R-inducible enhancer. We have tested several subregions of the DR enhancer B domain, either alone or in combination, for their capacity to transmit the R-activating signal to the rabbit beta-globin promoter. We found that the R-responsive element is composed of four protoenhancers that span the whole B domain. These protoenhancers alone are weakly or not responsive to R. One of the protoenhancers contains the overlapping palindromes 5'-TTGTCCcgtGGACAAaTGTCC-3'. However, one palindrome, either alone or duplicated, or the overlapping palindromes did not respond to R.
B-Lymphocytes↗