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Biomedical subjects

V Rodríguez

Publications and source records attributed to V Rodríguez.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Health services accessibility among Spanish elderly.

The paper aims to identify the variables that best explain the use of health services by people aged 65 and over in Spain. The data comes from the 1993 Spanish National Health Survey (ENSE 93). The conceptual framework is the model proposed by Andersen, who suggests that utilisation is a function of predisposition to use the services, the ability to use them and of need. A bivariate and multivariate analysis (SPSS-X Discriminant Procedure) is conducted to define the predictors that best discriminate users and non-users. The use of each health service is explained by a different set of variables. The need variables play a more important role in predicting the use of non-discretionary services that are more closely related to healing processes (medical consultations, emergencies and hospitalisation). The predisposing and enabling variables are more relevant in explaining the use of dental services, indicating a certain degree of inequity of these discretionary services.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Two groups of TH-like immunoreactive neurons in the frog (Rana pipiens) retina.

The morphology and distribution of TH-like immunoreactive (TH-IR) cells in the retina of Rana pipiens were studied in retinal whole mounts and in radial and horizontal sections. A large majority (96%) of the immunoreactive cells were found in the inner nuclear layer while a few cells were found in the ganglion cell layer. All TH-IR cells had round to oval somata with average diameter of 10 microm. The 2-4 primary processes of these cells distributed extensively to sublamina 1 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) and sparsely to sublamina 5. Two groups of TH-IR cells were distinguished: one, designated thin cells, had only thin (<2 microm diameter) primary processes; the second, designated thick cells, had one or more primary processes with diameter(s) exceeding 2 microm for a distance of 5 microm or more from the soma. The thin cells did not significantly differ from the thick cells in soma diameter, number of primary processes, horizontal spread of processes or vertical lamination of processes. Nearest neighbor analyses of the two types revealed that the population of TH-IR cells (thick and thin together) have an orderly distribution while the thick cells alone are more randomly distributed, indicating that the thick cells do not comprise a functional population. The total number of TH-IR cells varied between retinas; the variability was due principally to variation of thin cell density. It is hypothesized that the thick cells are a subpopulation of the TH-IR cells which are in a particular physiological state at the time of fixation.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Particle-induced X-ray emission and scanning electron microscopic analyses of the effects of CO2 laser irradiation on dentinal structure.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the physico-chemical changes present on the dentinal surface after using CO2 laser irradiation, and to determine whether or not it is possible to seal the dentinal tubules. METHODS: Thirty human-extracted first premolars were obtained for this study. A Class V cavity was prepared on the buccal surface of all the specimens with a carbide pear-shaped bur, using a conventional high speed handpiece. Fifteen premolars (experimental group) were irradiated with a CO2 laser (with a wavelength of 10.6 microm, 2 W, 10 J, 0.2 s, 25 pulses). The remaining 15 premolars were used as the control group. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy showed that the effect of laser energy on dentin varied from charring, cratering, poring, fissuring, fracturing and cracking up to melting; also, the dentinal tubules were not sealed, in contrast with the control group in which the dentinal surfaces were more homogeneous. Particle-induced X-ray emission results showed that the irradiated dentinal surface presented a decrease in calcium content and an increase in phosphorous content, possibly due to a vaporization process which occurred during the irradiation. CONCLUSION: The physicochemical changes observed on the irradiated dentinal surface suggest that changes in the hydroxyapatite crystal structure take place, and that these structural changes may be responsible for the observed effects.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed1999

Capillary electrophoretic method for quality control of phospholipid products.

A practical, low cost capillary electrophoretic method for phospholipid products employed in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries with quality control purposes is described. The phospholipid components of the samples were hydrolyzed prior to their electrophoretic separation. The carrier electrolyte to determine choline, ethanolamine and serine consisted of 5 mM imidazole, pH 3.0 using indirect UV detection at 214 nm. Inositol was quantified employing a buffer of 40 mM sodium borate, pH 10.0 at 40 degrees C and detection at 185 nm. Analytical parameters were evaluated and the results obtained of phospholipid composition in commercial samples from soybeans and animal sources showed acceptable values.

Electrophoresis, Capillary↗
PubMed1997

Iopentol (Imagopaque 300) compared with iopromide (Ultravist 300) in abdominal CT. A multi-centre monitoring trial assessing adverse events and diagnostic information--results from 518 patients in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: Iopentol (Nycomed Imaging AS, Oslo, Norway) and iopromide (Schering AG, Berlin, Germany) are low-osmolar, non-ionic, iodinated contrast media (CM) used in abdominal CT examinations. The intravenous safety profile and radiological efficacy of iopentol and iopromide were studied in 518 patients. Specifically, frequency of adverse events (AEs), subjective change in quality of diagnostic information, and quantitative enhancement characteristics were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicentre, parallel-group study was conducted at 8 hospitals. Patients received 100 ml of either iopentol 300 mg I/ml or iopromide 300 mg I/ml. RESULTS: The incidence of patients with AEs was statistically significantly lower in the iopentol group compared to the iopromide group (2.3% vs. 8.9%, p < 0.001). Discomfort was frequent in both groups (44.8% vs. 49.4%, p = 0.33), sensation of heat and warmth being most common. Overall, diagnostic information was similar in both groups. Both CM gave high percentages of examinations rated as optimal (87.1% vs. 90.5%, p = 0.34) and in which diagnostic confidence was increased (87.5% vs. 91.1%, p = 0.22). No significant differences between the two CM were found concerning quantitative enhancement characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: In this study iopentol was significantly safer than iopromide for contrast enhanced CT examination of the abdomen. Radiological efficacy was similar with both CM.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1997

The proliferative response of HIV+ T-cells (CD4+ and CD8+) are severely suppressed via CD28 coactivation.

Several studies have suggested that regulation of expression of the costimulatory molecule CD28 on the T-cell surface may play an important role in AIDS pathogenesis. In a study of T-cells from HIV+ donors, we find that activation with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 results in a mitogenic response which was approximately 86% suppressed for both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells when compared to normal control cells. With PMA costimulation (instead of anti-CD28), the anti-CD3 response was suppressed much less, by 64 and 61%, respectively. With Con A as opposed to CD3 stimulation, the degree of suppression was less with either coactivator but still more severe with CD28 than with PMA coactivation. It has been reported that the CD28 subset of CD8+ T-cells is diminished in HIV+ individuals and could account for these results. It is possible as well that the CD28 costimulatory pathway in the CD4+ T-cells particularly is altered due to intervention by the HIV. While our data do not differentiate between these two possibilities, it show that the immune status is compromised in the HIV+ individual not only in terms of number of CD4+ T-cells, but in their activation response as well.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

13C NMR spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic study of the role played by mitochondrial cytochrome b5 heme propionates in the electrostatic binding to cytochrome c.

The role played by the outer mitochondrial membrane (OM) cytochrome b5 heme propionate groups in the electrostatic binding between OM cytochrome b5 and horse heart cytochrome c was investigated by 13C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. To achieve these aims, 13C-labeled heme OM cytochrome b5 was expressed in Escherichia coli as previously described [Rivera M., Walker, F.A. (1995) Anal. Biochem. 230, 295-302]. Assignment of the resonances arising from the heme propionate carbons in ferricytochrome b5 was carried out by a combination of one- and two-dimensional NMR experiments. Titrations of [13C]heme-labeled OM cytochrome b5 with horse heart cytochrome c were carried out in order to monitor the resonances arising from the heme propionate carbonyl carbons in OM cytochrome b5. The results from these titrations clearly show that only the heme propionate located on the exposed heme edge in OM cytochrome b5 participates in the electrostatic stabilization of the complex between OM cytochrome b5 and horse heart cytochrome c. Similar experiments carried out monitoring 13C resonances arising from several other heme substituents demonstrated that the stoichiometry of the complex is 1:1. A conditional binding constant, K which equals 3.8 x 10(4) +/- 1.4 x 10(4) at mu = 0.02 M, was obtained for the formation of the complex by fitting the binding curves obtained experimentally to a model based on this stoichiometry. The X-ray crystal structure of rat liver OM cytochrome b5 solved to 2.7 A resolution shows that the structures of bovine liver microsomal cytochrome b5 and rat liver OM cytochrome b5 are almost identical when compared at medium resolution. The similarity between the two structures, combined with the findings that only the heme propionate located on the exposed heme edge of OM cytochrome b5 participates in the electrostatic binding to cytochrome c and that the stability of this complex is similar to that measured for the association between microsomal cytochrome b5 and cytochrome c, clearly indicates that the site of interaction on OM cytochrome b5 is almost identical to the one elucidated for microsomal cytochrome b5. It is therefore possible to conclude that the large body of information gathered by many investigators for the nonphysiological interaction between microsomal cytochrome b5 and cytochrome c (recently reviewed) [Mauk, A. G. Mauk, M. R., Moore, G. R., & Northrup, S. H. (1995) Bioenerg. Biomembr. 27, 311-330] has indeed biological as well as pedagogical validity.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The IgG isotypes of specific antibodies in patients with American cutaneous leishmaniasis; relationship to the cell-mediated immune response.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) presents a spectrum of clinical and immunological manifestations. Since the nature of the cellular response appears to play a fundamental role in determining the characteristics of the immunoglobulin isotype of specific antibody responses, we have compared the relative levels of specific antibodies of the four IgG isotypes against Leishmania in sera from patients with different clinical manifestations of ACL. Using a specific antibody capture assay, significant levels of antibodies of the IgG1, 2 and 3 isotypes were detected in localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL); the average level of IgG4 antibodies was low and they were not detected in 10/20 sera. Sera from muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) gave a comparatively strong IgG1 response. Sera from diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL), the rare form characterized by antigen-specific anergy of cell-mediated immunity, showed highly significant levels of IgG4 antibodies compared to antibody levels of this isotype in the other groups; IgG1 and IgG2 levels were also elevated. Based on other studies of the relationship between the IgG isotype response and cell-mediated immunity, these results confirm a Th1-like CD4+ T cell response in LCL and MCL and a significant Th2-like response in DCL.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Determination of noscapine, hexylresorcinol and anethole in cough lozenges by liquid chromatography.

A liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous separation and determination of noscapine hydrochloride, hexylresorcinol and anethole in cough lozenges. Analysis was performed on a phenyl column with phosphate buffer- acetonitrile as mobile phase and the separated components were detected at 282 mm. Recoveries obtained for the analytes were of 94.6% for noscapine hydrochloride, 99.1% for hexylresorcinol and 96.3% for anethole. The values of the relative standard deviation were 0.8% for noscapine hydrochloride, 1.5% for hexylresorcinol and 1.1% for anethole. The analytical method was validated and a system suitability test was accomplished for the chromatographic method.

Anethole Trithione↗
PubMed1992

Stevisalioside A, a novel bitter-tasting ent-atisene glycoside from the roots of Stevia salicifolia.

A new acetylated ent-atisene glycoside, stevisalioside A [1], has been isolated as a bitter-tasting principle from Stevia salicifolia roots. The structure was established by the interpretation of spectral data, with the nmr assignments of this compound being based on 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C HETCOR, and selective INEPT experiments. A rearrangement product 4 of the aglycone moiety obtained by alkaline hydrolysis supported the structure of 1. This is the first report of the occurrence of an atisane-type diterpene from the genus Stevia.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Auxiliary liver by transplanted frozen-thawed hepatocytes.

Among the therapeutic alternatives to orthotopic liver transplantation, hepatocyte transplantation (HT) offers the best potential in a number of liver diseases, mainly inborn errors of metabolism. Nevertheless, HT presents several inconveniences such as the scarce knowledge of the functionality of the transplanted hepatocytes, which has given rise to controversy about the specificity or unspecificity of the transplant, and the lack of a suitable system for preserving the cells. This study was designed to test a system for cryopreserving hepatocytes and to assess their functionality over prolonged periods after their ectopic transplantation. A medium and a freezing schedule which are reproducible and yield elevated viability have been used, and a number of hepatospecific parameters have been assessed: the activity of ornithine carbamoyltransferase--an enzyme of primary importance in the urea cycle--lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis, glucose-6-phosphatase and cytochrome oxidase activities, the presence of albumin--as an index of plasma protein synthesis--and IDA uptake and metabolism, showing the UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity. As dedifferentiation markers, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and alpha-fetoprotein have been studied. From the results, it can be deduced that hepatocytes can be cryopreserved and transplanted and that under these conditions they maintain hepatic features for a long time. Following transplantation, several specific liver functions appear or are enhanced in the spleen. Freshly isolated and cryopreserved transplanted hepatocytes have similar behaviors, although a difference in the expression of the function can be observed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Prevention of the formation of arterial thrombi using different antiplatelet drugs: experimental study in dogs.

We have induced the formation of arterial thrombosis in dogs by means of an intima lesion produced by continuous current. The platelets were labeled with 111-In-oxine. Groups of 7 mongrel dogs received treatment for 7 days prior to the trial: Group I, control; Group II, 5 mg/kg body weight/day acetylsalicylic acid; Group III, 20 mg/kg body wt/day acetylsalicylic acid; Group IV, 15 mg/kg body wt/day triflusal + 5 mg/kg body wt/day dipyridamole; Group V, 15 mg/kg body wt/day triflusal; and Group VI, 5 mg/kg body wt/day acetylsalicylic acid + 5 mg/kg body wt/day dipyridamole. The only effective treatment for arterial thrombosis prevention was that employed in Group II (p less than 0.05).

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effect of pinealectomy on liver insulin and glucagon receptor concentrations in the rat.

The studies described here were undertaken to characterize the hepatic insulin and glucagon receptors of control (C), pinealectomized (Pn), and melatonin-treated pinealectomized (Pn + Mel) rats. Compared with C rats, an increase in plasma glucose and glucagon levels and a reduction in circulating concentrations of insulin in Pn animals were observed. Melatonin treatment of Pn rats reverses all three parameters toward the normal values. In liver membranes, insulin binding was lower in Pn than in C rats, and glucagon binding was greater in Pn than in C animals; in Pn + Mel rats both insulin and glucagon binding reverse toward the normal values that were observed in C rats. The modifications in hormone binding reflect changes in the number of receptors but not in the affinity constants. The time courses of hormone association and dissociation from liver membranes were similar in all three experimental groups. The degradation of both hormones by liver membranes was similar in all three groups. Insulin receptor degradation also was similar in the three groups, while glucagon receptor degradation was similar in the liver membranes of C and Pn rats but smaller in Pn + Mel animals. These findings suggest that the pineal gland may modulate the circulating levels and liver receptor concentrations of insulin and glucagon. In addition, our results indicate that insulin and glucagon did not induce a down-regulation of liver receptors in Pn rats.

Animals↗