Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Blanco

Publications and source records attributed to A Blanco.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Circulating levels of endothelial function are modulated by dietary monounsaturated fat.

BACKGROUND: For the most part, the benefits of monounsaturated-rich diets (MUFA-diet) have been related to their action on plasma lipid levels. However other non-lipidic effects could also be involved in their protective effects. One of these involves the decrease in plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), the main inhibitor of fibrinolysis. Given that the PAI-1 is of endothelial origin, one hypothesis is that the MUFA-diet could protect against CHD by modulating some endothelial components. METHODS AND RESULTS: Healthy male subjects (n = 25) received three different consecutive diets, each lasting 28 days: a low fat NCEP-I-diet, with 28% calories as fat, 10% saturated fat (SAT), 12% monounsaturated (MUFA) and 6% polyunsaturated (PUFA); a MUFA-diet, with 38% calories as fat, 10% SAT, 22% MUFA and 6% PUFA; and a SAT rich-diet (SAT-diet), with 38% calories as fat, 20% SAT, 12% MUFA and 6% PUFA. After each dietary period, the plasma lipid profile was determined, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total triglyceride, apo A1, apo B plasma levels and conjugated diene formation, after incubation of LDL particles with Cu 5 microM/l. Endothelial products measured in plasma were von Willebrand factor (vWF), E-selectin, Thrombomodulin and Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI) levels. We observed a decrease in vWF, PAI-1 and TFPI plasma levels and an increase in lag time of conjugated diene formation after the MUFA-diet. There was a positive correlation between the decreases in TFPI and vWF and the changes in total cholesterol, LDL-C, apo B plasma levels. The decrease in TFPI was negatively correlated with the increase in lag time of conjugated diene formation. PAI-1 plasma levels were positively correlated with total cholesterol, LDL-C and triglycerides and negatively correlated with HDL-C. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of a Mediterranean-type MUFA-diet produces a decrease in plasma levels of vWF, TFPI and PAI-1 plasma levels in young healthy males. Given that these substances are of endothelial origin, one could suggest that the MUFA of the diet has a beneficial effect on endothelial function resulting in protective changes against thrombogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Intussusception: the accuracy of ultrasound-guided saline enema and the usefulness of a delayed attempt at reduction.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic value of ultrasound (US)-guided saline enema for intussusception and the usefulness of a delayed attempt after at least 30 minutes when reduction has not been complete. METHODS: One hundred ninety-five cases of intussusception were diagnosed with ultrasonography. US-guided saline hydrostatic reduction was performed in 194 with an additional attempt after at least 30 minutes in those cases in which only partial resolution had been achieved. The method was changed (the volume of the reservoir bag and the caliber of the catheter were increased) so we analyze two different periods; 85 cases are included in the first period and 110 in the second. RESULTS: The global rate of successful reduction was 81.9% (159 of 194 cases), and it raised to 88.2% (97 of 110 cases) in the second period. In 15.5% cases (30 of 194) reduction was achieved in a delayed attempt at least 30 minutes after the initial partial resolution. The rate of recurrence was 9.7%. No perforation was seen. CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of US-guided saline enema in achieving intussusception reduction is high, similar to other methods, avoiding radiation exposure. A delayed attempt after a period of rest increases the rate of reductions.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Processing of amorphous carbon grains produced in hydrogen-rich atmosphere.

Recent laboratory experiments, compared with observations, have strongly suggested that the amount of hydrogen, present in the grain formation regions, around C-rich stars, can play a major role in the definition of the spectral characteristics of the freshly formed carbon dust particles. Such spectral characteristics could also be modified, during the thermal processing, due to the shock waves and/or the strong radiation field, that the grains undergo after their formation. In this work we report about a series of laboratory tests, during which submicronic dust particles of amorphous carbon, condensed in an hydrogen-rich atmosphere, have been processed, by means of two different methods. Some samples have been annealed into an oven at different temperatures, while others have been exposed to strong ultraviolet radiation. Their spectra have been obtained before and after the processing in the full range from ultraviolet (200 nm) to far infrared (0.1 mm). The results of the experiment are presented and discussed, together with their astrophysical implications.

Argon↗
PubMed1999

Mini-ICE regimen as mobilization therapy for chronic myelogenous leukaemia patients at diagnosis.

Between April 1996 and May 1998, 20 consecutive patients with Ph chromosome-positive CML in first chronic phase without an HLA-identical sibling received the mini-ICE regimen shortly after diagnosis to mobilize progenitor cells into the peripheral blood (PBPCs). The sex distribution was 12 males and eight females and the median (range) age 48.5 (22-62) years. The time interval between diagnosis and mobilization was a median (range) of 2 (0-5) months. Leukaphereses were initiated during recovery from chemotherapy-induced aplasia. A median number of 3 (1-7) aphereses per patient were performed to collect >/=2.0 x 106 CD34+cells/kg. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on the aphereses products of 18 patients. Complete cytogenetic Ph chromosome negativity was observed in four patients, nine had a partial negativity, three a minimal negativity and two no negative cells. Southern blot for bcr-abl was negative in the remaining two patients but the polymerase chain reaction analysis was positive. Following reinfusion, severe neutropenia was present for a median of 8.5 (3-19) days and severe thrombocytopenia lasted a median of 8 (3-18) days. Ten patients did not develop febrile neutropenia with four of them being treated on an outpatient basis. Treatment-related mortality was not observed. In conclusion, our experience demonstrates the feasibility of mobilizing PBPCs shortly after the diagnosis of CML with a safe regimen. Of note, mini-ICE allowed the collection of apheresis products with at least a major component of Ph-negative cells in almost 75% of the patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cardiac involvement and molecular staging in a fatal case of mycosis fungoides.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of T-cell receptor-gamma gene rearrangement was used for molecular staging in a case of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with fatal evolution. Although initial evaluation was negative for systemic involvement, the patient died due to heart failure. Autopsy findings revealed lymphomatous myocardial infiltration, but other tissues and organs examined, including lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung and bone marrow, appeared to be free of disease. Molecular analysis from frozen samples obtained during the initial evaluation, as well as paraffin-embedded material obtained during autopsy, revealed the presence of clonal rearranged bands in all tissues examined except the bone marrow. Subsequent hybridization of PCR products with a tumour-specific oligoprobe confirmed the PCR results, suggesting widespread dissemination of the lymphomatous process. The use of molecular analysis can add significant information about the extent of disease in patients with CTCL and may be helpful in the establishment of therapeutic options.

Fatal Outcome↗
PubMed1999

Enzymatic method for branched chain alpha-ketoacid determination: application to rapid analysis of urine and plasma samples from maple syrup urine disease patients.

A new method for the determination of branched-chain alpha-ketoacid concentration using lactate dehydrogenase (E C 1.1.1.27) isozyme C4 (LDH C4) from mouse testes is proposed. The assay is performed on urine and plasma without previous treatment. Alpha-ketoglutarate and pyruvate are determined on the same sample using glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, EC 1.4.1.2) and lactate dehydrogenase isozyme A4 (LDH5) respectively and subtracted from the total alpha-ketoacid concentration obtained with LDH C4. This value corresponds to the branched chain alpha-ketoacid. Results were linear within the concentration range 8 to 170 mumoles/L. Detection limit was 8 mumoles/L. Analytical recovery was higher than 91%. For microplate assays, recoveries were higher than 84% and the detection limit was 20 mumoles/L. Determinations performed with GDH, LDH A4 and LDH C4 allow differentiation of E3 deficiency from other clinical phenotypes of maple syrup urine disease. The method is simple and fast, and adaptation to microplates would allow screening of newborns.

3-Methyl-2-Oxobutanoate Dehydrogenase (Lipoamide)↗
PubMed1998

[Thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura. Retrospective study of 22 consecutive occurrences in 16 patients].

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is an uncommon clinical syndrome with high mortality rate in the absence of treatment. Despite the therapeutic efficacy of plasma exchange, patients often relapse even after long periods of time in remission. Over the last few years, late relapses in previously diagnosed patients have been seen in our hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively 22 episodes of TTP in 16 patients diagnosed during a four-year period. We reviewed the clinical features at diagnosis as well as the therapeutic results. In all but one, the treatment included daily plasma exchange. Other treatments, including vincristine, were also used in addition to plasma exchange, in 18 of 21 episodes. RESULTS: A complete remission was obtained in eighty-two percent of the episodes treated by plasma exchange. The median number of plasma exchange to achieve a complete remission was 6. In 4 episodes, 20 or more plasma exchange were required before achieving a satisfactory response. A complete remission was obtained in 78% of episodes where vincristine was used, versus 84% response rate in episodes where vincristine was not used. In four patients the cause death was directly related to TTP, while a fifth patients died of progressive lymphoma without evidence of TTP. Five of the eleven surviving patients relapsed with a median time to relapse of 24.6 months. Relapsing episodes presented with a less severe clinical picture including less clear signs of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), when compared with the initial ones. All patients in relapse responded promptly to treatment. The variables analyzed failed to predict either the response to treatment or the probability of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic efficacy of plasma exchange in the treatment of TTP has been demonstrated in our series as previously observed by many other groups. We have observed some slow responders where the prolongation of treatment by plasma exchange succeeded in achieving a complete remission. The use of vincristine did not show any therapeutical advantage in our experience.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Cloning of a new endoglucanase gene from Bacillus sp. BP-23 and characterisation of the enzyme. Performance in paper manufacture from cereal straw.

The gene ce1A, encoding an endoglucanase from the strain Bacillus sp. BP-23, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The nucleotide sequence of a 1867-bp DNA fragment containing the ce1A gene was determined, revealing an open reading frame of 1200 nucleotides that encodes a protein of 44,803 Da. The deduced amino acid sequence of the encoded enzyme shows high homology to those of enzymes belonging to subtype 4 of the family-A cellulases. The ce1A gene product synthesized in E. coli showed activity on carboxymethylcellulose and lichenan but no activity was found on Avicel. Activity was enhanced in the presence of 10 mM Mg2+ and Ca2+ and showed its maximum at 40 degrees C and pH 4.0. Study of the performance of Ce1A on paper manufacture from agricultural fibres showed that treatment with the enzyme improved the properties of the pulp and the quality of paper. Ce1A treatment enhanced the physical properties (stretch and tensile index) of paper from wheat straw, while dewatering properties were slightly diminished. Electron-microscope analysis showed that the surface of straw fibres was modified by Ce1A.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

The SstI polymorphism of the apolipoprotein C-III gene determines the insulin response to an oral-glucose-tolerance test after consumption of a diet rich in saturated fats.

The S2 allele of the SstI polymorphism of the apolipoprotein (apo) C-III gene has been associated with elevated triacylglycerol concentrations, high blood pressure, and increased risk of coronary artery disease, all of which are characteristic of an insulin-resistant state. To study the effect of this mutation on carbohydrate metabolism in healthy persons, we gave 41 male subjects 3 consecutive diets. The first was rich in saturated fat [15% protein, 47% carbohydrate, 38% fat (20% saturated)], the second was a National Cholesterol Education Program Step 1 diet [15% protein, 57% carbohydrate, 28% fat (< 10% saturated)], and the last was rich in monounsaturated fat [15% protein, 47% carbohydrate, 38% fat (22% monounsaturated, < 10% saturated)]. At the end of each dietary period, subjects received an oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT). Apo C-III genotype significantly affected basal glucose concentrations (P < 0.045) and insulin concentrations after the OGTT (P < 0.012). APOC3*S1/APOC3*S2 subjects (n = 13) had higher insulin concentrations after the OGTT than APOC3*S1/APOC3*S1 subjects (n = 28) in the 3 periods (diet 1: P < 0.0004; diet 2: P < 0.01; diet 3: P < 0.008). Multiple regression analysis showed that this polymorphism predicted the insulin response to the OGTT (P < 0.031) and the difference between basal insulin concentrations and insulin concentrations after the OGTT (P < 0.002) with the saturated fat diet. In summary, our results suggest that the mutation in the apo C-III gene affects insulin response to an OGTT, which could result in reduced sensitivity to insulin, especially when persons consume diets rich in saturated fat.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1998

Plasma lipid response to hypolipidemic diets in young healthy non-obese men varies with body mass index.

Lipid response to dietary fat is highly variable among individuals of a population. The aim of this study was to establish whether being overweight is one of the factors that determines this response. Forty-one non-obese healthy men were divided into two groups according to body mass index as follows: controls, <25 kg/m2; overweight, >25 kg/m2 but <30 kg/m2. After consuming a saturated fat-rich diet (SAT diet: 38% fat, 20% saturated) for 4 wk, subjects were switched to a low fat diet [National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-I diet: 28% fat, 10% saturated] for 4 wk and then to a monounsaturated fat-rich diet (MUFA diet: 38% fat, 22% monounsaturated) for 4 wk. Data were analyzed by Student's t test and two-way ANOVA for repeated measures. After consuming the NCEP-I diet, the overweight subjects had a smaller decrease relative to the SAT diet period in plasma total cholesterol [-0.30 vs. -0.67 mmol/L (-7 vs. -16%), P < 0.02] and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations [-0.24 vs. -0.55 mmol/L (-9 vs. -21%), P < 0.04] than controls. However, in the overweight subjects, the MUFA diet produced a greater decrease in plasma triglycerides than in the controls relative to the SAT diet period [-0.36 vs. -0.03 mmol/L (-26 vs. -4%), P < 0.006] and to the NCEP-I diet period [-0.29 vs. 0. 01 mmol/L (-22 vs. 1%), P < 0.01). Plasma cholesterol concentrations changed to a lesser extent, and triglyceride concentration to a greater extent, in overweight but non-obese young men than in those of normal weight in response to changes in dietary fat composition. Our data suggest that in the diet treatment of obese hyperlipemic subjects, it is more important for them to lose weight than to change the fat composition of their diets.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Usefulness of SPECT in the study of Alzheimer's disease].

Single-photon emission photometry (SPECT) images of the brains of 60 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were compared with the brain scans of 16 healthy controls of the same sex and similar ages. SPECT was repeated one year later in 16 of the AD patients. Perfusion indices for frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital regions of patients and controls were compared (Student's tests). Flow alterations were located and symmetry examined. The correlation between perfusion index for each cortical area and MMSE score was assessed (Pearson's r). Perfusion alterations were present in all except one AD patient, and in 65% of AD patients such alterations were in the parietotemporal cortex. Severity of cognitive impairment in AD patients was related to perfusion changes in the left posterior temporal region. Forty-four AD patients showed asymmetrical distribution of tracer and in 73% perfusion changes were predominantly in the left hemisphere. Altered brain blood flow is common in AD and onset is early. The parietotemporal location of defective perfusion is of great diagnostic value. Asymmetry is common and the left hemisphere is most often affected.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Dietary fat clearance is modulated by genetic variation in apolipoprotein A-IV gene locus.

Previous studies have shown that the A-IV-347Ser polymorphism is associated with the variability in low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol response to dietary therapy. The present study was designed to evaluate the association of this polymorphism with the individual variability observed in postprandial lipemic response. This polymorphism was characterized in 50 healthy male subjects homozygous for the apolipoprotein (apo)E3 allele. All subjects were subjected to a vitamin A-fat load test. Blood was drawn at time 0 and every hour over a period of 11 hours. Cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) in plasma and lipoprotein fractions of CH, TG, and retinyl palmitate (RP) were determined. Data from the postprandial lipemia revealed that subjects with the A-IV-347Ser allele (n = 14) have a lower postprandial response in total TG (P < 0.025), large triglyceride rich lipoproteins (TRL) TG (P < 0.02), and small-TRL TG levels (P < 0.007), and a higher postprandial response in large-TRL apoA-IV (P < 0.006) and apoB-100 (P < 0.041) levels than subjects homozygous for the A-IV-347Thr subjects (n = 36). In conclusion, the modifications observed in postprandial lipoprotein metabolism associated with this polymorphism within the apoA-IV gene locus may be involved in the variability in LDL-CH response observed in subjects consuming high saturated fat diets.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Tonsillectomy by electrical dissection versus blunt dissection: a study of 838 cases (Randomized trial of 207 cases and non-randomized prospective study of 631 cases].

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations performed in the world and various techniques and instruments have evolved for this purpose. We report the results of two prospective studies: in the first study, blunt dissection was compared with electrodissection tonsillectomy (207 cases), and in the second study, 631 patients had their tonsils removed using only the electrodissection technique. Although electrodissection tonsillectomy is not common in Spain, in our experience it is simple, reliable and easy to learn. Its advantages include minimal bleeding, shorter operating time, and less postoperative hemorrhage. The postoperative morbidity is similar to that of blunt dissection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Jugular thrombosis and adenocarcinoma of the prostate: a state of hypercoagulability?].

The association between cancer and hypercoagulability states is well known. It usually presents as a complication of gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas. We present the case of patient diagnosed of prostatic adenocarcinoma who was admitted because of pain and inflammation in the left side of the neck. The ultrasound study showed a jugular vein thrombosis. In the bibliographic review (MEDLINE 1990-1995), we have not found any similar reports Jugular vein thrombosis is a rare complication and usually is secondary to central vein catheter insertion, although it has been also described with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, infections, head and neck tumors and rarely in other neoplastic diseases. The physiopathologic process is not well known, although it is known that neoplastic cells interact with the thrombin and plasmin generating systems and that there is also a decrease in coagulation inhibitors, all of which leads to prothrombin activation in the absence of the corresponding increases in thrombin inhibitor complexes.

Adenocarcinoma↗