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R Tortosa

Publications and source records attributed to R Tortosa.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Molecular profiling and comparison of field transmissible spongiform encephalopathy cases diagnosed in Catalunya.

Molecular profiling of the proteinase K resistant prion protein (PrP(res)) is a technique that has been applied to the characterisation of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) strains. An interesting example of the application of this technique is the ability to differentiate, at the experimental level, between bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and scrapie infection in sheep, and to distinguish between classical and atypical BSE and scrapie cases. Twenty-six BSE cases and two scrapie cases from an active TSE surveillance program and diagnosed at the PRIOCAT, TSE Reference Laboratory (Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain) were examined by Western blotting. Molecular profiling was achieved by comparing the glycosylation profile, deglycosylated PrP molecular weight and 6H4/P4 monoclonal antibody binding ratio. The results obtained during the characterisation of these field cases indicated an absence of atypical BSE cases in Catalunya.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Immunohistochemical approach to the pathogenesis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in its early stages.

An immunohistochemical and histochemical study was carried out on the brains of nine cases of BSE-diagnosed cattle as part of the surveillance plan in Catalonia, Spain. The animals had no clinical symptoms reported and were thus at early stages of the disease. The first part of the study consisted of a characterization of PrP(BSE) deposits throughout the encephalon. The behaviour of the different immuno-labelling patterns was analysed and tropism of some patterns towards certain brain areas was described. This tropism is principally directed to the brain stem region; however, an association of the stellate pattern was found with areas where PrP(BSE) is deposited less abundantly, such as the cerebral cortex. Secondly, distinct pathogenesis mechanisms that take place in the early stages of BSE, which would include these cases were investigated. This study describes the glial response to the presence of PrP(BSE) (using antibodies against astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein and lectin from Griffonia simplicifolia to identify microglia), the presence of mild oxidative stress phenomena (antibodies against metallothioneins I and II and against nitrated aminoacidic residues: nitrotyrosine), the apparent absence of apoptotic cellular death (cleaved caspase 3) and the preservation of synaptic proteins synaptophysin and small synaptosome-associated 25 kDa protein immuno-labelling. Finally, no alteration of the extra-cellular matrix was detected with the use of Wisteria floribunda agglutinin, a marker for perineuronal nets.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Treatment of painful hand neuromas by their transfer into bone.

Painful neuromas in the hand are not only very disabling for the patient, but difficult to treat. We present the results of 20 painful neuromas treated by burying the neuroma in the bone. Eighteen of the 20 neuromas operated on had acceptable results, according to the criteria of Herndon et al. We present our technique and compare our results with other treatments in the literature.

Adult↗