PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Corral

Publications and source records attributed to R Corral.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A novel synthetic adjuvant effectively enhances the immunogenicity of the influenza vaccine.

Influenza vaccination is a key intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality provoked by this disease. To date, the challenge of improving its efficacy remains unmet. The immunogenic synthetic peptide GK1 from Taenia crassiceps cysticerci was tested herein in its capacity as adjuvant, co-administered with the inactivated anti-influenza vaccine before and after challenge with influenza virus in both young and aged mice. Co-administration of GK1 with the influenza vaccine increased levels of anti-influenza antibodies in aged mice before and after infection, reduced the local inflammation that accompanied influenza vaccination itself and favored virus clearance after infection in both young and aged mice.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1998

A defect in the regional deposition of adipose tissue (partial lipodystrophy) is encoded by a gene at chromosome 1q.

Partial lipodystrophy (PLD), also known as "Dunnigan-Kobberling syndrome," is transmitted as a highly penetrant autosomal dominant disorder that is characterized by a dramatic absence of adipose tissue in the limbs and trunk, more evident in females than in males. In contrast, fat is retained on the face, in retro-orbital space, and at periserous sites. Associated metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia, are referred to as "metabolic syndrome X" (Reaven 1988). Despite the intense interest in the genetic determinants underlying fat deposition, the genes involved in the lipodystrophic syndromes have not been identified. We ascertained two multigeneration families, with a combined total of 18 individuals with PLD, and performed a genomewide search. We obtained conclusive evidence for linkage of the PLD locus to microsatellite markers on chromosome 1q21 (D1S498, maximum LOD score 6.89 at recombination fraction .00), with no evidence of heterogeneity. Haplotype and multipoint analysis support the location of the PLD locus within a 21.2-cM chromosomal region that is flanked by the markers D1S2881 and D1S484. These data represent an important step in the effort to isolate and characterize the PLD gene. The identification of the gene will have important implications for the understanding of both developmental and metabolic aspects of the adipocyte and may prove useful as a single-gene model for the common metabolic disorder known as "syndrome X."

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1994

HTLV type I and HTLV type II infection among Indians and natives from Argentina.

Endemic foci for HTLV-II infection have been identified in several Amerindian populations. To determine HTLV-I and/or HTLV-II infection among Amerindians living in Argentina we studied 454 sera or plasmas from Indians and natives from different areas of our country. All samples were tested by the particle agglutination technique, and positive reactions were confirmed by the immunofluorescence assay (IFA). IFA titration was used to differentiate HTLV-I and HTLV-II antibodies. Twenty-three of 222 samples (10.4%) were found positive among the Tobas Indians; 22 samples were typed as HTLV-II and 1 as HTLV-I. Antibodies for HTLV-I were found in the serum and CSF of three natives from Salta with a TSP diagnosis. No positive samples were found among 96 Mapuche Indians and 133 natives from San Luis. Our results indicate that HTLV-II is endemic among the Tobas Indians. In this study, infection by these retroviruses in Argentinian Amerindians seems to have a marked geographic distribution.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Trypanosoma cruzi: cloning and expression of an antigen recognized by acute and chronic human chagasic sera.

Here we describe the characterization of a Trypanosoma cruzi DNA sequence (clone A13) that codes for a polypeptide recognized by IgM and IgG antibodies from sera of acute and congenital chagasic patients. Antibodies to A13 antigen are also detected in the sera of chronic patients with different clinical forms of Chagas' disease, but not in sera of patients with leishmaniasis or other parasitic diseases. The antigenic determinants encoded by clone A13 are found in amastigotes and trypomastigotes of several T. cruzi strains, but not in the noninfective epimastigotes. The DNA sequence of the recombinant clone reveals one open reading frame encoding 251 amino acids without tandemly repeated sequences. Our data suggest that the A13 antigen may be useful for the development of serodiagnostic procedures.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1989

Rapid determination of Trypanosoma cruzi urinary antigens in human chronic Chagas disease by agglutination test.

Detection of Trypanosoma cruzi in man becomes particularly difficult during the chronic stage of Chagas disease because of the low parasitemia. We were able to develop a simple and straightforward method for determining the concentration of T. cruzi antigens in urine using nitrocellulose micellar suspension (Nitrocell-Mr, Polychaco Argentina) and for their subsequent detection through a "latex" type agglutination test. The latex used was an esferocell nitrocellulose suspension (Esferocell-Mr, Polychaco). Specific antigens for T. cruzi were detected in 54 of 58 urine samples from chronic chagasic patients. The antigens characterized by affinity chromatography and SDS-PAGE were glycoproteins with apparent molecular weights (and pIs) of 100 kDa (pI 5 to 5.5), 80 kDa (pI 6.0), and 50 kDa (pI 6.5 to 7.0). This method is practical and fulfills the requirement of large-scale epidemiological studies. It is also helpful in cases of conflictive serology.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Tropical spastic paraparesis in Colombia.

A high-incidence focus of tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) occurs on the South Pacific coast of Colombia. Of 55 patients studied, 52 (94.5%) had IgG antibodies to the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid. Control groups did not show similar high positivity. Our results suggest that HTLV-I or other antigenically related retroviruses may be the cause of TSP in Colombia. Similar clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological findings have been reported in widely remote geographical regions of the world, with very similar clinical pictures of TSP in all high-incidence regions. The demonstration of IgG antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with TSP in the Caribbean and Seychelles Islands, southern Japan, and the Ivory Coast indicate that the HTLV-I retrovirus could be the cause of this "tropical" myeloneuropathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Epidemiology of tropical spastic paraparesis in Columbia and associated HTLV-I infection.

The clinical syndrome earlier designated as paraparesia espástica del Pacífico is an isolated form of tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) that was reported in 1981 in the southern Pacific lowlands of Columbia in and near Tumaco. The clinical features are similar to those of TSP reported in Jamaica, Martinique, the Seychelles, and the Ivory Coast of Africa and resemble also those clinical features of the human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy described in southern Japan. Since HTLV-I infection is closely associated with TSP, we conducted a case-control study to evaluate the role of HTLV-I-associated risk factors among patients from the endemic focus in Tumaco, Colombia, and the seroprevalence rates of this virus in other geographical areas of the Pacific Colombian lowlands with and without TSP. From our seroprevalence study of antibodies to HTLV-I among TSP index patients, matched controls, household contacts (first- and second-degree relatives), and healthy controls from these areas, we found a strong association between HTLV-I and TSP. Also, there is a high seroprevalence of HTLV-I among sexual partners of patients and to a lesser extent among their offspring and other relatives some of whom had an early mean acquisition of antibodies to HTLV-I. Heterosexual promiscuity and other close interpersonal contact may play an important role in the transmission of TSP in the Pacific lowlands of Colombia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Ventilatory muscle dysfunction in patients with bilateral idiopathic diaphragmatic paralysis: reversal by intermittent external negative pressure ventilation.

Bilateral idiopathic diaphragmatic paralysis (BIDP) may result in progressive ventilatory failure. To test the hypothesis that this is in part due to dysfunction of overtaxed inspiratory muscles, we studied 3 patients with BIDP before and after 2, 5, and 18 wk of daily intermittent external surface negative pressure ventilation (ENPV). The patients were evaluated using a zero to 10 functional score (FS) that graded dyspnea, orthopnea, capacity to perform activities of daily living, and ability to work. Pleural (Ppl), abdominal (Pab), and transdiaphragmatic (Pdi) pressures were used as an index of respiratory muscle function. All patients improved their functional score (FS increased 2, 6, and 6, respectively) and their pressure generating ability (Pplmax increased -18, -37, and -46 cm H2O, respectively). Forced vital capacity and functional residual capacity increased in the 2 patients ventilated for longer than 2 wk. These results indicate that ventilatory muscle dysfunction may result from chronic increased work of the inspiratory muscles and that it may improve after periods of intermittent ENPV. This may occur as early as 2 wk after initiation of therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Chylomicron metabolism by normal and injured isolated rat lungs.

Since the lung is the first highly vascularized organ to which chylomicrons are exposed, we sought to determine whether the lung vasculature is capable of metabolizing triglyceride contained in circulating, native chylomicrons. In addition, since acute lung injury can depress other endothelial cell associated metabolic functions, we determined whether acute injury due to alpha-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) changed chylomicron triglyceride metabolism by lungs. We compared the hydrolysis of radiolabelled chylomicrons from rat mesenteric lymph by perfused lungs isolated from rats pretreated with ANTU; with the vehicle, Tween 80, alone; or untreated control rats. In all groups of lungs, we found that perfusate content and concentration of triglyceride decreased over 30 minutes of perfusion, while that of free fatty acid increased, indicating that isolated lungs are able to hydrolyze chylomicron triglyceride. Despite enhancement of hydrolysis by perfusates containing 6 gm/100 ml of bovine serum albumin, there were no differences among the groups of lungs in the extent or rate of triglyceride metabolism. The [1-14C]-oleate from chylomicron triglyceride was taken up into lung tissue during 30 minutes of perfusion and incorporated into neutral lipid, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine to a similar degree by ANTU-injured and control lungs. Lipoprotein lipase activity in homogenates of lungs from ANTU and Tween treated rats did not differ. We conclude that lungs are capable of hydrolysis of triglyceride contained in chylomicrons and that this endothelial cell associated metabolic function is not altered by acute lung injury caused by ANTU.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Pleural effusion after plasmapheresis in Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Transudative pleural effusion developed after plasmapheresis in a patient with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia and hyperviscosity. When albumin was added to the apheresis, the effusion resolved. We therefore suspect that rapid removal of high-molecular-weight IgM led to an abrupt decrease in intravascular colloid oncotic pressure and transudation of fluid into the pleural space. Plasmapheresis can cause pleural effusions in patients who were previously hemodynamically compensated at high levels of colloid oncotic pressure.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of an ELISA technique for detection of antigens and circulating immune complexes of Trypanosoma cruzi by a field study in an endemic zone of Argentina].

The ELISA technique for detection of T. cruzi circulating antigens (cAg) and immune complexes (CIC) in the sera of chronic chagasic patients was field-tested in a well-known endemic area of Argentina (San Luis province). Of 215 individuals screened, 51 were positive for ELISA-CIC and 45 for ELISA-cAg. Seventy four subjects were considered por T. cruzi-infected, as they showed serologic reactivity at least by two different techniques. In this group, 49 (66.21%) were ELISA-CIC positive, whereas in 43 (58.11%) of them cAg was found by ELISA. Unspecific reactions were observed in only 2 cases with reactive serology for Chagas disease. Within the group considered as noninfected, a false-positive outcome was obtained at low dilution by one of the serologic tests in 16 (11.35%) of 141 individuals. These sera yielded consistently negative results by ELISA-CIC and cAg, showing the utility of antigen detection in situations of conflictive serology. While antibody determination merely provides an indirect proof of infection, our ELISA tests for demonstration of T. cruzi-specific antigenic fractions in the host's circulation allow a parasitologic diagnosis in chronic patients, with higher sensitivity than that exhibited by traditional methods for detection of the whole parasite.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Emphysematous cholecystitis (author's transl)].

A case of emphysematous cholecystitis is reported. The gallblader size in this case was 25 x 12 cms. The patient underwent successful cholecystectomy and responded adequately to cloramphenicol, peniciline and metronidazol. The late antibiotics are usually recommended due to the prevalence of Clostridia and Escherinchia bacterial infections in the gallbladder of patients with this illness.

Aged↗