Biomedical subjects

P De la Torre

Publications and source records attributed to P De la Torre.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Taxonomic study of the Phyllosoma complex and other triatomine (Insecta: Hemiptera: Reduviidae) species of epidemiological importance in the transmission of Chagas disease: using ITS-2 and mtCytB sequences.

The purpose of this work was to clarify the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationship of the Phyllosoma complex and other important vectors in Mexico. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS-2) of rDNA and the cytochrome B gene of mtDNA (mtCytB) were analyzed for the following species of triatomine: Triatoma bassolsae, T. longipennis, T. mazzottii, T. mexicana, T. pallidipennis, T. picturata, and T. phyllosoma belonging to the Phyllosoma complex, as well as T. dimidiata, T. rubida, T. infestans, and Rhodnius prolixus. The results obtained with the analysis of the ITS-2 sequences showed that the Phyllosoma complex species could not be phylogenetically separated, since T. bassolsae and T. pallidipennis, as well as T. phyllosoma and T. mazzottii were indistinguishable. In contrast, the mtCytB gene separates each one of these triatomine species. The results support the proximity of all seven species currently included in the Phyllosoma complex as well as the exclusion of T. dimidiata. For the first time T. lecticularia and T. rubida were analyzed and were also shown to be related to the Phyllosoma complex.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

G proteins are involved in the suppression of collagen alpha 1 (I) gene expression in cultured rat hepatic stellate cells.

We analyse the role of the G proteins in regulating collagen gene expression by measuring collagen alpha 1(I) mRNA levels in cultured hepatic stellate cells in basal conditions and after stimulating or inhibiting the major intracellular signalling pathways. Stimulation of Gs protein and adenylyl cyclase or the addition of 8Br-cAMP to the cells led to a decrease in collagen alpha 1(I) mRNA levels, while blocking protein kinase A abolished this effect. Blocking Gi protein, phospholipase A2 and C, calcium channels and calmodulin resulted in a significant increase in collagen mRNA levels. PKC stimulation led to a marked decrease in these levels. These results suggest that collagen gene expression is inhibited by a number of intracellular pathways. A Gs and a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein seem to initiate cellular response. Transcription factors, acting in these pathways, must be identified. However, it seems that they do not need to be synthesised.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

PubMed1995

[Acalculous cholecystitis and intestinal cryptosporidiosis: frequent association in HIV patients].

Five cases of acalculous cholecystitis associated with Cryptosporidium intestinal infection in HIV infected patients are reported. Clinical, Biological and Microbiological features as well as imaging studies are described. All the patients were males. Risk factors for HIV infection included previous I.V. drug abuse (3), homosexuality (1) and unknown (1). On admission a similar history of weight loss, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anorexia and asthenia, together with biological data of cholestasis, was present in all patients. Ultrasound studies showed a distended gallbladder without calculi and a thickened wall, the bile duct being dilated in four of five cases. Cryptosporidium were found in stool specimens of all patients as well as histologically in one of two patients who underwent surgery while CMV was shown in the other one. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed in four cases showing a congestive, edematous and protruded papila in three patients, being normal in the fourth with a choledocal stenosis.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[High flow priapism. Case report].

OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a patient consulting with a four-year history of priapism, its diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic management. METHODS: We reviewed the literature for etiology, types of presentation, discussion of the clinical and radiological findings, and differential diagnosis. RESULTS: The patient underwent the embolization of the internal pudendal artery with excellent results. CONCLUSIONS: The embolization of the internal pudendal artery is an effective treatment for the resolution of high flow priapism secondary to arterial venous fistula.

Blood Flow Velocity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Scrotal ultrasound in inflammatory lesions].

Ultrasounds were performed in 45 patients with scrotal inflammatory processes. 12/15 patients with epididymitis had hypoechoic areas and 3/15 hyperechoic ares in the epididymis; hyperechoic areas were seen in 13/15 cases with epididymo-orchitis, while in 2/15 patients we found hypoechoic areas in the testicle and hyperechoic in the epididymis; and in 15/15 cases with epididymo-testicular abscesses the areas found were hypoechoic of heterogeneous patterns.

Abscess↗