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Biomedical subjects

A Blanco

Publications and source records attributed to A Blanco.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Comparative efficacy and side effects of the treatment of euthyroid goiter with levo-thyroxine or triiodothyroacetic acid.

Euthyroid goiter is usually treated with TSH-inhibitory doses of levo-T(4) (L-T(4)). Because triiodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) decreases TSH levels, the following study was perfomed: 36 euthyroid goitrous female patients (no cancer or chronic thyroiditis) were randomized to TRIAC (19.6 micro g/kg) (n = 19) or L-T4 (1.7 microg/kg) (n = 17) treatment during 11 months. Goiter volume; lumbar and femoral bone mineral density; serum osteocalcin; deoxypyridinoline; TSH; free T(4); total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; and triglycerides were measured before and after the study period. Student's t test and chi(2) analysis were performed. TSH values (microunits per milliliter) in the TRIAC and L-T(4) groups were: 1.91 +/- 0.6 (basal) and 0.180 +/- 0.1 (after) and 2.1 +/- 2.5 (basal) and 0.180 +/- 0.3 (after), respectively. Thyroid volume decreased 37.9 +/- 35.4% in the TRIAC patients and 14.5 +/- 39.5% in the L-T(4) group (P = 0.069). Forty-two percent of the goiters with TRIAC reduced more than 50% their initial volume vs. 17.7% with L-T(4) (P = 0.15). With TRIAC, patients experienced fewer side effects. No differences in the changes of bone mineral density, serum deoxypyridinoline, osteocalcin, or the lipid profile were observed between both groups. The present results show that TRIAC is more effective than L-T(4) in the reduction of goiter size, with comparable effects on peripheral parameters.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cutaneous lesions in experimental acute and subacute African swine fever: an immunohistopathological and ultrastructural study.

Histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural cutaneous changes are described in acute and subacute forms of experimental African Swine Fever (ASF). Fourteen 3-month-old Large White cross pigs were infected intramuscularly with the Dominican Republic 78 (DR78) ASF virus isolate and euthanized in pairs on alternatives days (3 to 17) post-inoculation (dpi). Three pigs were found dead at 8, 10 and 13 dpi, respectively. Antibodies against viral antigen Vp73, human fibrinogen, glycoprotein IIIa and Factor VIII-ra were used to evaluate viral antigen distribution, fibrin microthrombi and platelets in dermal vessels, respectively. Cutaneous lesions were characterised by vascular changes ranging from hyperaemia, mild oedema, scarce fibrin microthrombi and microhaemorrhages in euthanized animals, to generalized fibrin microthrombosis and microhaemorrhages in dead pigs. Secondary pustules and superficial folliculitis were observed in two animals dead at 10 and 13 dpi. Diffuse cytoplasmic Vp73 labelling was found in numerous intravascular monocytes and dermal macrophages. Ultrastructural studies showed mature viral particles in the lumen of dermal vessels but viral replication was not observed; nonetheless, microtubuloreticular structures were observed in the cytoplasm of some endothelial cells and macrophages which showed cytopathic effects, signs of cell activation or degeneration. Morphological and immunohistochemical evidences of platelet activation, degranulation and consumption were observed from 5 dpi onward.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

[Nutritional anemia in nursing women in Costa Rica].

It is reported the prevalence, magnitude and determinant factors of nutritional anaemia in a sample of nursing women (NW), collected during the National Nutrition Survey, of Costa Rica done in 1996. Nutritional anaemia was determinate through measurements of haemoglobin, and plasma ferritin, folates, cianocobalamin and retinol. Methodologies used were cianometahaemoglobin, solid phase immunoradiometric assay, solid phase radioimmunoassay and high-pressure liquid chromatography. WHO cut-off points were used. Anaemia was present in 22.1% of the women. Iron and folate deficiency were found in 48.7 and 84.2% NW, respectively. The magnitude of anaemia was mild and iron and folate deficiencies were severe. Vitamin B12 and A deficiencies were 5.3 and 4.9%, respectively and did not represent a public health problem in this group. Prevalent deficiency was mixed (iron and folates, 46.6%) followed by exclusive folates deficiency (32%). Anaemia was caused by a combined deficiency of iron and folates (61.1%) and most iron deficiencies were accompanied by folates (92%). The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that low socio-economic level of NW and their families was the principal factor determining the appearance of nutritional anaemia, and educative interventions to the mother are possibly recommended. In conclusion anaemia in NW is a moderate health problem of nutritional type, that is more important when severe folates and iron deficiencies are present in Costa Rica. These problems have remained constant throughout the last three decades; although recently, possibly an improvement has occurred because the prevalence of neural tube defects in the infant population has reduced, maybe due to food iron and folates fortification public health policies implementation.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Size of the collateral intercostal artery in adults: anatomical considerations in relation to thoracocentesis and thoracoscopy.

No detailed descriptions exist of the collateral intercostal artery which can provide an accurate anatomical basis for ensuring a low rate of vascular complications during thoracocentesis and thoracoscopy. Consequently the present study was undertaken to provide information on the origin, size and topographic relationships of the collateral intercostal artery. Ninety cadaveric adult intercostal spaces were dissected using standard procedures. The collateral intercostal arteries were exposed throughout their full length and measured at the points within the intercostal spaces considered to be the most important for clinical purposes. The posterior intercostal arteries and their collateral branches were observed to decrease in size from posterior to anterior; however, no significant differences were present in their size in the first four intercostal spaces. Based on these findings the usual thoracocentesis or thoracoscopy technique, in which it is recommended that puncture is done as close as possible to the superior margin of the inferior rib, may lead to collateral intercostal artery laceration and considerable bleeding. A subtle, but important, modification to this technique is suggested aimed at achieving safer access to the intercostal space. In the modified technique, the puncture should be made in the middle of the intercostal space, thereby reducing the possibility of laceration of the collateral intercostal artery.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Spinal meningeal melanocytoma simulating neurinoma: case report].

Meningeal melanocytomas are infrequent tumors that when located in the spinal cord and because of their close relationship to the nerve root can resemble a neurinoma. The MRl can help to differentiate them from the neurinomas preoperatively. The case of a female patient harboring a cervical meningeal melanocytoma involving the C7 nerve root, and diagnosed preoperatively as an hourglass neurinoma is presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a clinical, histopathological, immunophenotypic and molecular genetic study of 22 cases.

BACKGROUND: Primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZCL) has recently been described. Differentiation from follicular centre cell lymphomas and lymphocytomas is often difficult due to insufficient experience and a lack of large series of patients. OBJECTIVES: To characterize primary cutaneous MZCL better, we report clinical, histopathological, immunophenotypic and molecular genetics features in a series of 22 patients. METHODS: All patients were treated and followed up at the same institution. Diagnosis of MZCL was based on the World Health Organization classification criteria. All samples were routinely tested with a wide panel of monoclonal antibodies. DNA was extracted from every sample following standard methods. IgH rearrangement and t(14;18)(q32;q21) studies were performed in all samples. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (20 men, two women; mean age 50 years, range 24-77) were included. The mean follow-up was 43 months. Seventy per cent of patients presented with characteristic skin lesions on the trunk or extremities, consisting of deep red to violaceous infiltrated plaques, nodules or tumours frequently surrounded by diffuse or annular erythema. Four patients presented with lesions on the head and neck area. Two patients had disseminated skin lesions. The main histopathological features were non-epidermotropic, dense lymphocytic infiltrates mainly distributed in a nodular pattern. Adnexal involvement was usually present, with eventual formation of lymphoepithelial complexes. Cytologically, the infiltrate was polymorphous with marginal zone B cells and B-monocytoid cells. Blastoid CD30+ cells were often observed. Colonized reactive germinal centres and lymphoplasmocytoid differentiation were frequently present. Neoplastic cells were CD20+, CD79a+, CD5- and CD10-. Monotypic expression of light chains was observed in 18 cases (13 kappa; five lambda). Clonal IgH rearrangements were detected in 14 cases. The bcl-2 mutation t(14;18)(q32;q21) was demonstrated in two cases. Most patients were treated with local radiotherapy. Complete response rate with this approach was 100%. Six patients (27%) had skin recurrences from 6 months to 8 years after first treatment. Five patients (23%) had extracutaneous involvement. Two of them had a large cell transformation and one died of lymphoma. Three of four patients with head and neck presentation developed extracutaneous disease. CONCLUSIONS: MZCL appears to be a well recognizable entity, clinically, histologically and immunophenotypically. Although prognosis is generally good, the disease has potential for skin as well as extracutaneous recurrences. Large cell transformation and head and neck presentation may be associated with a worse prognosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Effects of anabolic implants of oestradiol alone or in combination with trenbolone acetate on the ultrastructure of mammary glands in female lambs regarding their interference in prolactin secretion.

The side-effects of anabolic steroid implants on mammary gland ultrastructure were evaluated in female lambs treated with oestradiol (n = 10) and with oestradiol plus trenbolone acetate (n = 10). Ten non-implanted lambs were used as controls. Apart from the ultrastructural study of the mammary gland, an assessment of the prolactin pituitary cell population was carried out by immunological methods. Our results showed that oestrogenic implants exert stimulating effects on mammary gland development, both by activating the synthesis process at mammary gland cell levels and by increasing prolactin pituitary production. Nevertheless, there was no evidence of secretory products in the lumen of the gland. Implants containing trenbolone acetate counteracted the mammary stimulus of oestrogens showing ultrastructural images of cell autolysis and necrosis.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed2002

Testicular damage from anabolic treatments with the beta(2)-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol in pigs: a light and electron microscope study.

The morphological consequences of anabolic clenbuterol treatment on the testicular parenchyma were investigated in 30 pigs at morphological and ultrastructural levels. Clenbuterol was given with food (1 ppm). In the first group (n=10), treatment was maintained until slaughter (experimental period 3 months). In the second group (n=10), clenbuterol was withdrawn 2 weeks before slaughter (experimental period 2.5 months). A third group (n=10) of pigs not fed with clenbuterol served as controls. Animals were slaughtered at 9 months of age and samples of testicular parenchyma were collected for light and electron microscope studies. In the clenbuterol-treated groups, the interstitial cells showed a considerable increase in the organelles involved in testosterone production, with an increased development of the mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lipid droplets compared to the control group. The seminal epithelium displayed many lipid vacuoles and evident signs of tubular involution, such as degenerating and multinucleate germ cells. Sertoli cells gave evidence of metabolic alterations such as large lipid deposits and cytolysosomes.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2002

[Anterior sacral meningocele with Currarino's syndrome: report of two cases].

The anterior sacral meningocele is the congenital hernia of the thecal sac into the pelvis through a bone defect of the anterior wall of the sacrum. The association of anorectal anomaly, anterior sacral defect and presacral mass, known as Currarino's triad, can be diagnosed during the first decade of life in the eighty per cent of the cases However, in the incomplete syndrome, the symptoms appear in adults. In order to avoid late complications and due to the clear genetic origin of this uncommon pathology, the investigation of the family is of paramount importance for the early diagnosis and treatment. We review the literature and add two cases of anterior sacral meningocele with rectal fistula and incomplete Currarino's syndrome. In one of the cases the pathology is also present in another member of the same family and is complicated with meningitis. The importance of early diagnosis and treatment of these malformations and the need for fammily genetic investigation are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Gains of chromosome 22 by fluorescence in situ hybridization in the context of an hyperdiploid karyotype are associated with aggressive clinical features in meningioma patients.

BACKGROUND: Meningiomas usually are considered to be benign tumors; however, 10-20% of cases recur. Few disease characteristics have proved to have prognostic impact for predicting disease free survival. The objective of the current study was to explore the prognostic value of numeric abnormalities of chromosome 22 for meningioma patients. METHODS: In this study, the authors prospectively analyzed the incidence of numeric chromosome abnormalities of chromosome 22 by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization, using a specific probe for the bcr gene located in chromosome 22q11.2, on a total of 88 consecutive meningioma patients. The authors also analyzed its correlation with both the clinicobiologic characteristics at presentation and the patient's outcome. RESULTS: The authors' results show that monosomy 22 was present in 49% of the cases and that this numeric chromosomal abnormality is not associated with other prognostic features of the disease. In contrast, gains (trisomy/tetrasomy) of chromosome 22 were detected in 8 (9%) cases who simultaneously showed gains for other chromosomes and represent an adverse prognostic factor regarding disease free survival (P = 0.001); in addition, trisomy/tetrasomy 22 was more frequently related to younger patients (P = 0.001), aggressive histopathologic features (P < 0.000), a greater incidence of DNA aneuploidy (P =0.006), and a higher proportion of S-phase tumor cells (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the authors conclude that loss of a copy of chromosome 22 is a frequent finding in meningioma tumors, but it does not affect the clinical outcome of these patients. In contrast, gains (trisomy/tetrasomy) of chromosome 22, in the context of an hyperdiploid karyotype, although much less frequent, are associated with a more aggressive disease course.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Molecular cloning and characterization of a multidomain endoglucanase from Paenibacillus sp BP-23: evaluation of its performance in pulp refining.

The gene celB encoding an endoglucanase from Paenibacillus sp. BP-23 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The nucleotide sequence of a 4161 bp DNA fragment containing the celB gene was determined, revealing an open reading frame of 2991 nucleotides that encodes a protein of 106,927 Da. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of endoglucanase B with known beta-glycanase sequences showed that the encoded enzyme is a modular protein and exhibits high homology to enzymes belonging to family 9 cellulases. The celB gene product synthesized in E. coli showed high activity on carboxymethyl cellulose and lichenan while low activity was found on Avicel. Activity was enhanced in the presence of 10 mM Ca2+ and showed its maximum at 53 degrees C and pH 5.5. The effect of the cloned enzyme in modifying the physical properties of pulp and paper from Eucalyptus was tested (CelB treatment). An increase in mechanical strength of paper and a decrease in pulp dewatering properties were found, indicating that CelB treatment can be considered as a biorefining. Treatment with CelB gave rise to an improvement in paper strength similar to that obtained with 1,000 revolutions increase in mechanical refining. Comparison with the performances of recently developed endoglucanase A from the same strain and with a commercial cellulase showed that CelB produced the highest refining effect.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2001

[Postsurgical meningitis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii: study of 22 cases and review of the literature].

BACKGROUND: Postsurgical Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis is associated with relevant morbidity and mortality. It has been related to neurosurgery, intraventricular catheters (IC) or CSF fistula. Thus, features, epidemiology and clinical course of this infection were studied. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 22 episodes of nosocomial postsurgical Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis. Twenty episodes occurred in males. The mean age of patients was 46 years (range: 16-83 years). RESULTS: All patients were admitted to the ICU. In 50% of patients a history of intraventricular hemorrhage was recorded, 36% had had a skull fracture and the remaining patients had a brain tumor. In 18 cases the portal of entry was considered to be IC, in two an epidural catheter, and in two a CSF fistula. Patients showed a clinical picture indistinguishable from other types of meningitis, fever being the most common symptom (100%). CSF findings were consistent with bacterial meningitis. In one case the microorganism was recovered from blood. Fifteen patients recovered, three died as a direct result of the infection, and the remaining patients relapsed. Non recovery of patients was significantly associated with non removal of catheter (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Postsurgical Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis occurs frequently in patients previously colonized with this microorganism in other sites and is enhanced by the presence of an IC. Catheter removal is essential for recovery of patients.

Acinetobacter Infections↗
PubMed2001

A real-coded genetic algorithm for training recurrent neural networks.

The use of Recurrent Neural Networks is not as extensive as Feedforward Neural Networks. Training algorithms for Recurrent Neural Networks, based on the error gradient, are very unstable in their search for a minimum and require much computational time when the number of neurons is high. The problems surrounding the application of these methods have driven us to develop new training tools. In this paper, we present a Real-Coded Genetic Algorithm that uses the appropriate operators for this encoding type to train Recurrent Neural Networks. We describe the algorithm and we also experimentally compare our Genetic Algorithm with the Real-Time Recurrent Learning algorithm to perform the fuzzy grammatical inference.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2001

The decade 1989-1998 in Spanish psychology: an analysis of research in social psychology.

In this study, a detailed exploration is carried out of the production of research and theory in social psychology in the Spanish context. The main research areas are: Work and organizational psychology, social health psychology, community and social services psychology, environmental research, judicial and political psychology, psychosocial theory and meta-theory, social psychology of language, research on emotion, group processes and social identity. The growing importance of social psychology within the framework of Spanish psychology is emphasized, and the relation with specific social problems from the national context, and the paradoxically scarce originality of the theoretical perspectives and the leading research, strongly influenced by Anglo Saxon social psychology, is commented upon.

Bibliometrics↗
PubMed2001

Morphological and quantitative study of the Leydig cells of pigs fed with anabolic doses of clenbuterol.

The effects of clenbuterol administered at anabolic doses on the testicular interstitium were studied in 30 pigs allocated to three experimental groups. The diet of two groups was supplemented with clenbuterol (Clb) (1 ppm), but whereas in the Clb+ group the treatment was given until slaughter (treatment period: 3 months), in the Clb- group the clenbuterol was withdrawn 2 weeks before slaughter (treatment period: 2-5 months); in the control group, the pigs were fed without clenbuterol. For histological procedures, a fractional sampling scheme was applied and routine techniques for light and transmission electron microscopy were used. The results of subjective morphology and morphometrics showed slight differences between the treated and the control groups. Conversely, the stereological results identified a prominent hyperplasia of the Leydig cells and ultrastructural analysis of these cells revealed a conspicuous increase in the organelles related to testosterone production, suggesting a functional activation of the interstitial cells in response to the clenbuterol treatment.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2001

Solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography applied to the determination of quinapril and its metabolite quinaprilat in urine.

Quinapril is an antihypertensive drug that belongs to the family of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. It is metabolized to quinaprilat, which is the compound that is really responsible for the therapeutic action. In this study, a rapid and simple liquid chromatographic method with photometric detection is described and applied to the determination of quinapril and quinaprilat in urine. The cleanup procedure for the urine samples consists of a solid-liquid extraction using C8 cartridges. Under these conditions, both compounds and the internal standard (enalapril maleate) are separated in less than 9 min. Recoveries for quinapril and quinaprilat are greater than 80%. The method is sensitive enough (detection limit of 60 ng/mL for quinapril and 50 ng/mL for quinaprilat) to be applied for the determination of quinapril and quinaprilat in urine samples obtained from four hypertensive patients after the intake of a therapeutic dose.

Antihypertensive Agents↗
PubMed2001

Stereological study of normal and apoptotic cell populations in the adrenal gland in calves.

Morphometrical features of the adrenal gland in calves were assessed using stereological methods for normal and apoptotic cells. Adrenal glands were obtained from calves (n = 16) after they were slaughtered in a commercial abattoir. Quantitative data of nuclear size showed the highest values in the noradrenaline-storing region for all parameters, whereas the nuclei of the zona fasciculata were significantly larger than those of the other cortical regions. Data of nuclear size and shape of apoptotic cells reflected their morphometrical features; as expected, a notable decrease in the nuclear size and a more irregular shape were found in apoptosis with respect to the normal nuclei in all adrenal regions. The volume fraction data supplied the percentage of the adrenal gland occupied by each histological zone, highlighting the zona fasciculata as being the most extensive one. A significant increase in V(V)(nucl/tis), S(V)(nucl/tis), and Nv(nucl/tis) was observed in cortical regions with respect to the medullar regions. A comparison between normal and apoptotic nuclei indicated a highly significant decrease in V(V)(nucl/tis), S(V)(nucl/tis), and Nv(nucl/tis) for the apoptotic nuclei in all the adrenal zones. The apoptotic nuclei figures found in all the adrenal regions suggest that a process of cell renovation occurred in all the zones, although the higher number of apoptosis in zona reticularis is in agreement with previous results that have pointed out this zone as being a cell senescence region. The results of discriminant analyses gave the parameter required and the percentage of correct classifications for discriminating between normal nuclei, between apoptotic nuclei and between normal and apoptotic nuclei.

Adrenal Glands↗