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Biomedical subjects

A Castro

Publications and source records attributed to A Castro.

At least 289 records · Page 16Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Genetic typing with HUMTH01, HUMVWA31A and HUMFES/FPS short tandem repeat loci, D1S80 variable number tandem repeat locus and HLA-DQ alpha of recent and from XII-XIII centuries spongy bone.

The genetic analysis of ancient populations through DNA from bone remains, requires use of short sized loci that can be amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for which the short tandem repeat (STR) loci are most suitable. These techniques can also be applied to genetic identification in forensic casework. In this study three STR loci, HUMFES/FPS, HUMTH01, and HUMVWA31A, were selected to estimate their usefulness when applied to recent and ancient spongy bone DNA typing. In addition, loci D1S80 and HLA DQ alpha were also tested in the analysis of recent spongy bone DNA. The recent remains studied were constituted by ten spongy bone samples of postmortem material from one individual buried for 1 year. The ancient remains are composed by 8 spongy bone samples from the heads of left femurs from a XII-XIII Centuries Basque Country population. Adequate amplification and typing results could only be obtained with cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-extracted DNA, without any further purification after precipitation. Genotypes of the one year post-mortem material and those of his son and his wife were obtained at the D1S80, HLA-DQ alpha, and STR loci. In all these systems, no exclusion was observed, with a combined probability of paternity of 0.9997. This demonstrates the reliability of the obtained results. The genetic typing of HUMTH01 in spongy bone from the XII-XIII Centuries Basque Country individuals was also performed. This will allow the genetic analysis of ancient bone remains and therefore, to carry out evolutionary population studies.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Population study of 3 STR loci in the Basque Country (northern Spain).

The tetrameric STRs, HUMTH01, HUMVWA31A and HUMFES/FPS, were studied in a population from the Basque Country (northern Spain) for their frequency distribution and applicability to identity and paternity testing. All systems conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; pairwise comparisons demonstrated the allelic independence between loci, and furthermore, all systems seemed to be in agreement with expectations from the Stepwise Mutation Model (SMM) of the mutation-drift theory, which indicates the homogeneity of the population and suggests a replication slippage mechanism as a possible model for generating alleles. A comparison with other population groups appeared to indicate that frequencies are well conserved in Caucasians, but differ from other racial groups. The calculated parameters "a priori probability of exclusion" (PEX) and "index of discrimination" (ID), show the informativeness of these loci for the determination of identity and relatedness of individuals.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Efficacy and safety of alpha-interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients. HIV-Hepatitis Spanish Study Group.

The efficacy and safety of recombinant alpha-interferon (IFN) therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was assessed in 57 HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ T cells above 200/mm3 and compared to the response obtained in 21 HIV-negative patients with CHC. IFN 5 megaU was given three times a week subcutaneously for 3 months. In responding patients, IFN 3 megaU three times a week was additionally administered for 9 months. After 8 months follow-up in HIV-infected patients, 38% (22/57) achieved normal (complete response, CR) alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values. Partial response (PR) was seen in 21% (12/57), and 40% (23/57) did not respond. Patients with CD4+ cells above 500/mm3 achieved CR in 58% (14/24) of cases compared to 24% (8/33) among those having a lower CD4+ count (P < 0.01). Females attained CR in 60% (9/15) of cases, and men in only 30.9% (13/42) (P < 0.01). No serious side effects or opportunistic infections were observed during the study period. However, three (5.2%) patients showed a dramatic fall in total CD4+ T cell count after beginning IFN therapy. Among 21 HIV-negative patients, after 8 months follow-up, CR was achieved in 10 (47%), PR in four (19%), and seven (33%) did not respond. We concluded that IFN therapy seems to be well tolerated and useful in HIV-infected patients suffering CHC. The rate of CR was not significantly different compared to that observed in HIV-negative patients (38% vs. 47%), relative risk (RR) = 0.67 (0.19-2.37).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Transthoracic DC shock may represent a serious hazard in pacemaker dependent patients.

External defibrillation is widely used for the termination of various atrial and ventricular tachyarrhythmias, including pacemaker patients. Our study was intended to evaluate the effects of DC shocks in 36 patients with unipolar pacemakers implanted in the right pectoral region (25 DDD, 10 VVI, 3 AAI). The shocks were delivered with paddles on the anterior surface of the thorax, as far as possible away from the pacemaker. The pacing output was programmed at 0.5 msec and 5 V (25 patients), 4 V (1 patient), and 2.5 V (10 patients). Transient loss of capture occurred in 18 patients (50%). These patients, compared with those without capture failure, received higher peak and cumulative shock energies, respectively, 216 +/- 99 versus 123 +/- 50 joules (P < 0.002) and 352 +/- 62 versus 147 +/- 98 joules (P < 0.004) and had a lower pacemaker pulse amplitude (4.0 +/- 1.2 vs 4.6 +/- 1.0 V, P = 0.11). Failure to capture lasted from 5 seconds to 30 minutes (mean 157 sec). In 15 patients the ventricular stimulation threshold was measured before and serially after cardioversion. A six-fold threshold increase was observed 3 minutes after the shock (P < 0.004) with gradual recovery to nearly baseline values at 24 hours. Transient sensing failure occurred in 7 of the 17 patients in whom it could be evaluated (41%). Furthermore, three cases of shock induced pacemaker malfunctions were observed requiring replacement of the stimulator in two patients. In conclusion, the incidence of loss of capture in pacemaker patients subjected to electrical cardioversion/defibrillation is high.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Exogenous myeloperoxidase enhances bacterial phagocytosis and intracellular killing by macrophages.

It is well documented that myeloperoxidase (MyPo) contributes to the bacterial activities of neutrophils and monocytes. Since mature macrophages (M phi) are devoid of this enzyme, its participation in M phi-mediated phagocytes and bacterial killing has not been completely defined. The present study demonstrates the exogenously added MyPo, at physiological levels, enhances both phagocytosis and killing of Escherichia coli. Murine peritoneal M phi were exposed to various concentrations of MyPo for different time intervals. Viable opsonized E. coli was added either prior to or after addition of MyPo. Thioglycolate-induced but not resident M pho exhibited an increase in the number of phagocytizing cells. Both resident and thioglycolate-induced M phi demonstrated increased bactericidal activity. Physiological levels of soluble MyPo also induced a significant increase in chemiluminescence. Since luminol-dependent chemiluminescence measures reactive oxygen intermediate production, studies were done to determine whether superoxide anion or H2O2 was involved in MyPo-induced M pho killing. Both superoxide dismutase and catalase ablated MyPo-induced bactericidal activity. The above data suggest that soluble MyPo, released from neutrophils at a site of infection or inflammation, can enhance both phagocytosis and killing of microorganisms.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2 infection among Spanish drug users measured by HTLV-1 assay and HTLV-1 and -2 assay. HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 Spanish Study Group.

The prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2 infection in 1992 and 1993 was determined by testing 2,152 specimens from injection drug users living in 11 geographic areas in Spain. Results obtained by an authentic HTLV-1 and -2 test were compared with those obtained by an HTLV-1 assay. HTLV infection was identified in 7 of 11 regions, with an overall prevalence of 2.5% (range, 0.4 to 11.5%). Fourty-four (81%) of 54 subjects were infected with HTLV-2; the viral strains in the remaining 10 subjects could not be serologically typed. Underestimation of HTLV infection because of the low sensitivities of HTLV-1 enzyme immunoassays for HTLV-2 antibody was relatively low (< 20%). Therefore, previous epidemiologic findings generated with HTLV-1 enzyme immunoassays appear to be reasonably accurate. Our results suggest that the rate of HTLV infection may have been increasing recently among Spanish drug users.

Cross Reactions↗
PubMed1995

Malignant hidroacanthoma simplex. A case report and literature review.

A 73-year-old woman with a malignant hidroacanthoma simplex on her right lower limb is reported. The lesion was immunohistochemically studied. Carcino-embryonic antigen and epithelial membrane antigen were found in the luminal border of ductal structures within the aggregations of neoplastic cells. We review the literature on this subject.

Acrospiroma↗
PubMed1995

D1S80 locus typing by micro thermal cycler. Application to genetic identity testing.

Based on a micro thermal cycler apparatus, a new protocol for amplification of the D1S80 locus has been developed. The advantages of this system consist of a reduction in time and costs of the amplification process, which greatly facilitates the analysis of the D1S80 locus at the population level and considerably increases its applicability in forensic samples. Using this protocol, an allele distribution study of the D1S80 locus has been carried out in a sample of 257 individuals residing in the Basque Country. In this study, up to 22 different alleles, ranging from 17 to 40 repetitions have been observed; moreover, the 35 and 38-repetition alleles, not reported in the european populations analyzed to date, have been detected. The sample studied fits Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the observed heterozygosity being 0.74, and the expected heterozygosity 0.804 +/- 0.012. The Chance of Exclusion and Index of Discrimination are 0.638 and 0.072 respectively. Moreover, the gene frequency distribution from the Basque resident population does not show significant differences when compared to other European and U.S. Caucasian populations.

Alleles↗
PubMed1995

Further evidence for a peripheral sympathicolytic action of the antihypertensive cicletanine in rats.

The site and mechanism of action of the antihypertensive agent cicletanine have been studied. In the pithed rat model, intravenous (i.v.) cicletanine was able to reduce the elevated blood pressure induced by continuous infusion of the alpha 1-adrenergic agonist, methoxamine, in a dose-related manner. In strip preparation of the aorta from deoxycorticosterone (DOCA)-salt-treated rats, cicletanine was found to prevent the contraction induced by 1 microM noradrenaline. When subeffective doses of phentolamine (0.25 mg/kg p.o.) plus cicletanine (3 mg/kg p.o.) were given together, a clear-cut antihypertensive effect was observed in DOCA-salt rats. Moreover, subchronic administration of cicletanine (30 mg/kg p.o.), during the one month period of DOCA-salt administration to produce high blood pressure readings, was able to prevent cardiac noradrenaline depletion. These data suggest that the antihypertensive effect of cicletanine, which is clinically well tolerated, may be due to a multifactorial mechanism of its action, through which it might alter a number of physiological mediators while exercising a slight potency on each of them.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1995

[Value of endocervical curettage in colposcopic diagnosis of cervix diseases].

The present study was undertaken to determine the credibility of endocervical curettage as a part of evaluation of patients with abnormal Pap smears. A series of 108 patients were carefully examined with colposcopy, ectocervical biopsies and endocervical curettage, and all of them underwent cervical conization following diagnostic study. The histologic diagnosis results between endocervical curettage and cervical cone was compared. The estimate was 85% for sensitivity, 35% for specificity, 62% for positive predictive value and 65% for negative predictive value of cervical curettage. The observations suggest that endocervical curettage credibility is poor and we need to asses the outpatient evaluation and treatment carefully.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Use of a monoclonal antibody against the antigen B of Echinococcus granulosus for purification and detection of antigen B.

A monoclonal antibody directed against the 8 kDa subunit of antigen B of Echinococcus granulosus was raised. This antibody was used for purification of antigen B by affinity chromatography. SDS-PAGE and immunological analysis of the purified antigen B demonstrated that the 8 kDa antigen B subunit was purified to homogeneity. The purified antigen retained its strong immunoreactivity in ELISA using human hydatid sera. Furthermore, a sandwich ELISA was established for detection of antigen B from hydatid cysts. The usefulness of this test system was demonstrated by the detection of antigen B in human hydatid cyst fluids, thus confirming the diagnosis of an echinococcal disease.

Animals↗