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Biomedical subjects

A Blanco

Publications and source records attributed to A Blanco.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Catalytic properties of the sperm-specific lactate dehydrogenase (LDH X or C4) from different species.

A comparative study of catalytic properties of the sperm-specific lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isozyme X or C4 from a variety of animals (boar, bull, goat, Guinea pig, man, mouse, pigeon, rabbit, and rat) is presented. Optimum concentration and Km values for pyruvate, inhibition by substrate, and activity against analog substrates (alpha-ketoacids with linear and branched chains from 4 to 6 carbon atoms) for isozyme X of different species showed significant differences. The observed properties are correlated with available evidence on the metabolic role of the enzyme.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effect of gossypol upon motility and ultrastructure of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Gossypol, a polyphenolic compound from the cotton plant, immobilizes and structurally alters cultured Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes. Ultrastructural changes observed in gossypol-treated parasites were first detected in the kinetoplast and mitochondrion. At 50 microM concentration, much disorganization was evident after 5 min of incubation. With 25 microM gossypol, the same effect occurred after 30 min. Most epimastigotes were rounded, containing various membranous structures that could not be related to known cell components.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

[Efficacy and failure of phenobarbital in the prevention of febrile convulsions. Importance of familial antecedents].

The authors analyze the value of phenobarbital for prophylaxis of new convulsions in a group of 370 patients who had previously had febrile seizures. Percentage of recurrences in phenobarbital treated cases (4 +/- 0,6 mg/Kg/d) was 18,67%, versus 55,89% in untreated children (p less than 0.001). The presence of family history of epileptic or febrile seizures is a risk factor (p less than 0.01) that facilitates failure of phenobarbital prophilaxis in future febrile seizures.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Studies in vitro on shuttle systems of mouse spermatozoa.

Observations on systems reconstituted in vitro with different starting substrates (2-hydroxy-acids, 2-oxo-acids or leucine) indicate that a branched-chain 2-hydroxy-acid/2-oxo-acid shuttle for the transfer of reducing equivalents from cytosol to mitochondria may be operational in mouse sperm. Evidence is presented suggesting that the 2-oxo-acids produced by intramitochondrial oxidation of 2-hydroxy-acids ingressed from the cytosol can recycle back into the external phase. Observations in vitro demonstrate that, in addition to the branched-chain 2-hydroxy-acid/2-oxo-acid shuttle, the malate/aspartate system is also active in mouse sperm. On the contrary, the lactate/pyruvate redox couple does not appear to function as part of a shuttle system in mouse sperm mitochondria. The glycerol 3-phosphate shuttle probably is not functionally significant in mouse spermatozoa, since the activity of the 'soluble' glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase is very low.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Inhibitory action of gossypol on enzymes and growth of Trypanosoma cruzi.

Gossypol, a phenolic compound isolated from the cotton plant, is a powerful inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-linked enzymes (alpha-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase) of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas' disease. Parasites at the epimastigote stage that were incubated for 5 minutes with 100 micromolar gossypol were completely immobilized. Concentrations of gossypol as low as 0.01 micromolar markedly reduced the growth rate of T. cruzi in culture.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1982

Effect of sexual steroids upon ontogeny of alpha-amylase of rat parotid gland.

The effect of gonadectomy (at the 10th day of life) and treatment with sexual steroids (during the first month) upon development of alpha-amylase activity in rat parotid gland has been studied. Alpha-amylase specific activity of parotid glands from 20-day-old orchidectomized rats and from 25-day-old ovariectomized animals was significantly higher than that of intact male and female rats of the same age respectively. Spayed males treated with testosterone (10 microgram/day on the 13th, 15th, and 17th day) and ovariectomized rats treated with oestradiol (2.5 microgram/day from the 16th to the 22nd day) showed values of enzymic activity similar to those of normal animals. Results indicate that oestradiol and testosterone have an inhibitory effect upon the increase of alpha-amylase activity in parotid gland during a very defined period of development.

Aging↗
PubMed1982

[Appendicular peritonitis: antibiotics and complications (author's transl)].

A retrospective study of the complications and bacteriologic findings in a group of 500 appendectomies in children under seven years is reported. A prospective trial on 64 appendiceal peritonitis revealed that there were no significant differences between two antibiotic policies (clindamycin plus gentamycin vs. cefoxitine alone) in regard to postoperative septic complications. Nevertheless, both policies significantly decreased the number of intraabdominal abscesses as compared with the treatments applied during the years of the retrospective study. No improvement was observed in the number of wound infections.

Abscess↗
PubMed1981

Properties of alpha-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase isozymes from Trypanosoma cruzi.

Whole cell extracts of culture epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi (Tulahuén strain) have alpha-hydroxyacid dehydrogenase activity which catalyzes the NAD-linked reaction alpha-ketoacid in equilibrium with alpha-hydroxyacid, with a variety of substrates. Two molecular forms of the enzyme have been separated by means of gel electrophoresis. These isozymes were partially purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and ammonium sulfate precipitation. Molecular weights were estimated and some catalytic properties were determined with purified isozymes. The faster migrating fraction (isozyme I) has a molecular weight of 85 500 and showed significant activity against linear 3-5 carbon chain substrates. The lowest Km value was obtained for pyruvate. Isozyme II (MW 60 500) utilizes linear and branched chain substrates with 4-6 carbon atoms. Its highest activity and lowest Km value were recorded with alpha-keto-isocarproate as substrate.

Alcohol Oxidoreductases↗
PubMed1981

[Infantile cortical hyperostosis and fatal varicella (author's transl)].

We report a male, prematurely born, affected by an Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis. He had very frequent infections in skin, ear, meninges, gastrointestinal and respiratory system. He died at 13 months during a varicella, and an immunological defect was suspected, but could not be proved. Our patient showed some remarkable peculiarities. He was premature, uncommon fact, and associated constant infections, undernutrition and fatal varicella. This case support the relationship between Infantile Cortical Hyperostosis and infection.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1981

[Irregular behavior of complement in coeliac disease (author's transl)].

Ninety-six sera from coeliac children were studied, 55 were taken during a normal diet and 41 with a gluten-free diet. C'3, C'4, C'5, C'3, PA, C'1 INH and C'3b INA were measured. No significant differences were found between coeliac patients and normal controls. Results were also similar for gluten-free diet coeliac childrens and for active patients. A challenge was performed with 20 g. of gluten in 14 active patients. The levels of C'3, C'3 PA had a large variability, increasing and decreasing, but no similar and constant pattern was found. Activation products of C'3 appeared, specially between 4 and 24 hours, and disappeared about 48 hours. These results support an alteration of complement in coeliac patients but there is not a constant and steady pattern. Our hypothesis is that complement activation is not a pathogenic mechanism of coeliac disease. Maybe is just a consequence or epiphenomenon.

Celiac Disease↗
PubMed1981

[Total colic aganglionosis (author's transl)].

Eleven cases of total colic aganglionism are presented in a series of 130 patients with Hirschsprung's disease. Five patients survived, four were operated according to the Duhamel-Roviralta technique and the fifth according to the simpre procedure of Duhamel. Two others, also operated using the Duhamel-Roviralta technique died, one in the immediate postoperatory period and the other at three months due to hepatitis. The four remaining cases died, two after having effected the ileostomy and two due to the inability of applying an immediate solution because the results of the biopsies were lacking. Death was due to septic processes in the immediate postoperatory period. Advantages of the Duhamel-Roviralta operation makes it the selected technique for the greater part of cases, due to its' quickness and simplicity.

Child↗
PubMed1981

[Thoracic and abdominal trauma in children: study of 122 cases (author's transl)].

Authors present a review of patients under 7 years of age affected with thoracic and/or abdominal trauma not due to birth injuries, observed in the period 1966-1979. In these 122 patients, they observed 154 injuries, including 63 abdominal, 58 renal, 28 thoracic and 5 vertebral. Automobile accidents, falls and penetrating injuries, in this order are the etiological factors. Six patients died due to brain injuries (66%) and the rest of septic and hemorrhagic shock. Authors observed a high incidence of multiple injuries involving thehead, skeleton, abdomen and chest and the importance of recognizing these coexisting injuries to improve the prognosis. Finally, they point out that the pediatric surgeon's function is not only to treat the patient but to prevent the injuries through interdisciplinary meetings.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1980

Expression of lactate dehydrogenase isozyme X in haploid cells of pigeon testis.

Electrophoretic patterns of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) from adult testes show the existence of three different phenotypes for the isozyme X or C4 in populations of racing homer pigeons. These phenotypes are the expression of two different alleles at the Ldh c locus. Analysis of electrophoretic patterns of lactate dehydrogenase from lysates of mature spermatozoa isolated from pigeons heterozygous at the Ldh c locus indicates that the two different alleles are expressed in haploid cells. It is concluded that transcription of the gene coding for isozyme X must occur only in pre-meiotic cells.

Animals↗