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Biomedical subjects

V García-Nieto

Publications and source records attributed to V García-Nieto.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular cloning, tissue distribution, and chromosomal mapping of the human epithelial Ca2+ channel (ECAC1).

Functional and morphological analyses indicated that the epithelial Ca2+ channel (ECaC), which was recently cloned from rabbit kidney, exhibits the defining properties for being the gatekeeper in transcellular Ca2+ (re)absorption. Its human homologue provides, therefore, a molecular basis for achieving a better understanding of Ca2+ mal(re)absorption. By applying the RACE technique, the full-length cDNA of human ECaC (HGMW-approved symbol ECAC1) was obtained. It consisted of 2,772 bp with an open reading frame of 2,187 bp encoding a protein of 729 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 83 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that this highly selective Ca2+ channel exhibits a low level of homology (<30%) to other Ca2+ channels, suggesting that it belongs to a new family. hECaC was highly expressed in kidney, small intestine, and pancreas, and less intense expression was detected in testis, prostate, placenta, brain, colon, and rectum. These ECaC-positive tissues also expressed the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-sensitive calcium-binding proteins, calbindin-D9K and/or calbindin-D28K. The human ECaC gene mapped to chromosome 7q31.1-q31.2. Taken together, the conspicuous colocalization of hECaC and calbindins in organs that are not prime regulators of plasma Ca2+ levels could illustrate new pathways in cellular Ca2+ homeostasis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Bone mineral density in pediatric patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria.

It is well known that some patients with renal lithiasis due to idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) may exhibit decreased bone mineral density (BMD). We have studied a large group of children in IH and related their BMD values to several renal function parameters and calcium and bone metabolism markers. Children with IH had higher osteocalcin and calcitriol levels and higher urinary excretion of magnesium and prostaglandin E2, as well as lower tubular reabsorption of phosphate, urinary excretion of ammonium, maximum urinary PCO2, and BMD compared with control group of children. In children with IH we observed a negative correlation between BMD and age. We found osteopenia in 22 of 73 children with IH (30.1%); these children showed lower citraturia levels and higher fractional excretion of uric acid than children with normal BMD. In osteopenic children there was a negative correlation between BMD and calcitriol levels. Several possible pathogenetic factors have been proposed for the bone mass loss. Our results demonstrate that, at least in some cases, it may be related to high levels of calcitriol, which has a well-known resorption ability. Whether a certain degree of intracellular acidosis or a higher production of prostaglandin E2 could play a role in some cases is still an open question. In children with normal BMD we observed a direct correlation between osteocalcin and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase levels; this correlation did not hold for children with osteopenia.

Adolescent↗

Standards for ultrasound guidance of suprapubic bladder aspiration.

We performed a prospective study of 40 infants with suspended urinary tract infection to determine standards for ultrasound guidance of suprapubic bladder aspiration (SBA). Only transverse bladder diameter showed a significant correlation with bladder volume (r = 0.83, P < 0.001). Urine was obtained in 36 patients (90%). The mean transverse diameter was 4.4 +/- 0.8 cm (range 3-6.1 cm). In the 4 patients (10%) in whom urine was not obtained, the transverse diameter was 3.2 +/- 0.2 cm (range 2.9-3.5 cm). Our findings indicate that a SBA is more likely to be successful when the transverse diameter is above 3.5 cm, whereas when the diameter is lower than 3 cm the procedure is less likely to be successful.

Female↗

Hemodialysis urea rebound and membrane biocompatibility: accuracy of Kt/V estimations.

To date, the magnitude, causes, and factors that govern urea rebound are not clearly defined. This study was undertaken to determine the possible influence of the biocompatibility of dialyzer membrane on urea rebound and to assess the participation of rebound in the calculation of Kt/V-urea by different methods. Blood urea samples were obtained before, and at 2, 30, and 60 min posthemodialysis in 8 patients undergoing dialysis with 2 different membranes, Cuprophan and polyacrylonitrile (24 sessions with each membrane). Urea rebound was documented in all patients. The degree of rebound was large, 20%, and it was achieved within 30 min after the end of dialysis. Urea rebound was observed with both Cuprophan and polyacrylonitrile membranes, without significant differences. Kt/V-urea significantly decreased (p < 0.001) by all methods when urea rebound was incorporated. We conclude that urea rebound is clinically very important and is not influenced by the biocompatibility of the dialyzer membrane. This phenomenon must be taken into account in the calculation of Kt/V; otherwise, it might be overestimated.

Acrylic Resins↗

Serum magnesium concentration and PTH levels. Is long-term chronic hypermagnesemia a risk factor for adynamic bone disease?

The observation that some subjects with low PTH had elevated plasma magnesium (Mg) levels prompted us to analyze in 41 patients on maintenance hemodialysis for 44 +/- 36 months, their serum Mg concentrations, and the relationship between plasma Mg and PTH levels. The mean serum Mg concentration was 2.4 +/- 0.2 mg/dl. Twenty-four out of the 41 subjects (58.5%) had hypermagnesemia (serum Mg above 2.5 mg/dl). Patients were classified into 3 groups according to their PTH level: Group A, low PTH (below 120 pg/ml); group B, adequate PTH (120-250 pg/ml); and group C, high PTH (above 250 pg/ml). There were no differences among groups according to number of subjects, age, sex, time on dialysis, renal disease, serum calcium, phosphorus, bicarbonate, vitamin D or aluminum concentrations. Doses of calcium carbonate and aluminium hydroxide were also similar in all groups. Curiously, although the differences were not statistically significant, the total cumulative intake of calcium and aluminium were less in group A than in the other groups. Interestingly, patients with low PTH had a significantly higher serum Mg concentration than patients with adequate or high PTH (2.8 +/- 0.2 mg/dl vs 2.3 +/- 0.1 mg/dl and 2.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dl, respectively, p < 0.01). Moreover, regression analysis showed a negative linear correlation between serum PTH level and plasma Mg concentration (r = -0.6059, p < 0.001). Based on these findings, chronic hypermagnesemia could have a suppressive effect on PTH secretion, and it could be a risk factor for the development of adynamic bone disease in dialysis patients.

Adult↗

Hypouricemia and cancer. A study of the mechanisms of renal urate wasting in two cases.

Two cases of hypouricemia in association with malignant diseases are presented. One patient had metastatic breast cancer and the other an undifferentiated retroperitoneal sarcoma of the childhood. Uric acid renal handling was studied with the pyrazinamide and benzbromarone tests. Both patients had reduced postsecretory reabsorption of uric acid. The increase of serum uric acid levels in both patients, after a partial response to chemotherapy, indicates the possible paraneoplastic origin of hypouricemia. Our results are discussed and compared with other reports in the literature.

Adolescent↗