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Biomedical subjects

V Muñoz

Publications and source records attributed to V Muñoz.

87 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Photoreceptor Pigment for Blue Light in Neurospora crassa.

Irradiating the mycelium of Neurospora crassa with moderate intensities of blue light causes a reversible photoreduction of a b-type cytochrome. The action spectrum for the photoreduction of cytochrome b is very similar to the absorption spectrum of flavin pigments. Prolonged irradiation of the mycelium with strong blue light irreversibly bleaches flavin-like pigments and as these pigments are bleached the photoresponse of cytochrome b is lost. We conclude from these and other data that a flavin is the photoreceptor pigment for the photoreduction of cytochrome b. The close similarity between the action spectrum for the photoreduction of cytochrome b and action spectra for a number of physiological photoresponses suggests that this photoreceptor pigment controls a wide variety of photobiological processes in a wide diversity of organisms.

Journal Article↗

[Isolation and synthesis of espintanol, a new antiparasitic monoterpene].

The in vitro leishmanicidal and trypanocidal activities of a petroleum ether extract of Oxandra espintana have been investigated. Four aromatic monoterpenes were isolated, of which two are novel: espintanol [3a], responsible for the antiparasite activity, and O-methylespintanol [4]. Espintanol was tested in vitro on 20 strains of Trypanosoma cruzi and 12 strains of Leishmania spp. Its structure was determined by spectroscopic methods and confirmed by its preparation starting from carvacrol.

Animals↗

[A method for permanent fixation of eggs of enteroparasitic helminths].

The results using the Hoyer method for examining eggs of helminths enteroparasites are presented. This method is particularly suited for teaching and on research purposes. Using this technique in fecal sample containing eggs of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura, Uncinaria sp., Taenia sp., Diphyllobothrium sp., H. nana, H. diminuta and F. hepatica allowed the correct identification of then after 24 hours up to 180 days after the samples were obtained.

Animals↗

[Environmental contamination with Toxocara sp. eggs in public squares and parks from Santiago, Chile, 1999].

Most of cases of visceral larva migrans syndrome are caused by Toxocara canis larvae. Man acquires the infection by accidental ingestion of ripe eggs of the helminth. In order to find out the frequency of the presence of Toxocara sp. eggs in dog fecal specimens from public places of Santiago city in 1999 july-september a study was carried out in 84 squares and 12 parks from 32 counties. Three fecal samples were collected in each of these places, making a total of 288. Each sample was processed according to a modified Telemann method and three smears of each were microscopically examined. Toxocara sp. eggs were found in 39 (13.5%) fecal specimens. In 28/84 (33.3%) squares and in 8/12 (66.7%) parks these eggs were detected. These results make necessary the control of dogs and cats populations with the aim of reduce the presence of animals without responsible owners. It should be advisable to prevent dogs and cats defecation in public areas grounds, trying to exclude these animals from recreation areas.

Animals↗

[Frequency of allergens in immediate, late, and dual allergic skin response at the National Institute of Pediatrics].

We studied 126 children with allergic illness in Instituto Nacional de Pediatria. We applied cutaneous test to determine the early, late and dual response. The results were 68% for the early response, 6% late response and 26% dual response. The allergens more frequently found in the early and late response were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae and house dust. Approximately the third part of the children studied presented late cutaneous response (dual response more isolated late response). It is important to make the evaluation of the late response in patients with allergy disease for a good etiologic diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

[Quality control of total parenteral nutrition in the 1991-1992 biennium].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of compliance with standards defined for Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) quality control in our hospital in the two-year period 1991-1992. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All available information was assessed concerning 52 patients (32 men and 17 women) for whom a TPN course was prescribed in relation with certain pre-set indications. These patients received a total of 1140 TPN units with the TPN lasting an average of 21.9 days (range, 1-73 days). Monitoring was done by the Nutrition and Diet Section. The degree of compliance was assessed with the standards model proposed by the Providence Medical Center, Portland (USA) (PMCP) with 24 parameters (PM): indications, initiation in the first 24 hours, nutritional assessment in the first 24 hours, period of the TPN, metabolic complications (14 PM), septic complications (3 PM), nutritional consequences (2 PM) and TPN losses. All parameters were appraised and admitted, except for urea, which was corrected to standard values of our Laboratory (< 44 mg/dl), with Transferrin evaluation instead of iron binding capacity (TIBC), taking as compliance standard a figure of > 190 mg/dl. All analytical calculations were carried out in our Central Laboratory Service. RESULTS: Of all the parameters, the following were discarded, not being calculated on a routine basis: total CO2, serous magnesium, urinary uric nitrogen, nitrogen balance, positive hemocultures, catheters and TPN losses. Levels of compliance varied between 31.9% and 100%, with 8 parameters within the standards (Initiation, 100%; evaluation in first 24 hours, 100%; extent, 100%; creatinine, 100%; total bilirubin, 92.2%; cholesterol, 99.5%; transferrin, 35.9%). Seven parameters fell short (Na, 88.1%; K, 92.9%; Cl, 89.3%; Urea, 54.4%; Glucose, 96.4%; P, 94.1%; Triglycerides, 71.9%). CONCLUSIONS: We infer from our study that there is a need to make use of a large part of the indicators described in the literature as indicators for quality guarantee of a TPN program, and the use of new parameters must be assessed in normal monitoring.

Adolescent↗