Priapism in an infant caused by post-operative analgesia through epidural catheter.
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Analgesia, Epidural↗
Biomedical subjects
A Conesa
Publications and source records attributed to A Conesa.
Blast2GO goes grid: developing a grid-enabled prototype for functional genomics analysis.
The vast amount in complexity of data generated in Genomic Research implies that new dedicated and powerful computational tools need to be developed to meet their analysis requirements. Blast2GO (B2G) is a bioinformatics tool for Gene Ontology-based DNA or protein sequence annotation and function-based data mining. The application has been developed with the aim of affering an easy-to-use tool for functional genomics research. Typical B2G users are middle size genomics labs carrying out sequencing, ETS and microarray projects, handling datasets up to several thousand sequences. In the current version of B2G. The power and analytical potential of both annotation and function data-mining is somehow restricted to the computational power behind each particular installation. In order to be able to offer the possibility of an enhanced computational capacity within this bioinformatics application, a Grid component is being developed. A prototype has been conceived for the particular problem of speeding up the Blast searches to obtain fast results for large datasets. Many efforts have been done in the literature concerning the speeding up of Blast searches, but few of them deal with the use of large heterogeneous production Grid Infrastructures. These are the infrastructures that could reach the largest number of resources and the best load balancing for data access. The Grid Service under development will analyse requests based on the number of sequences, splitting them accordingly to the available resources. Lower-level computation will be performed through MPIBLAST. The software architecture is based on the WSRF standard.
Computational Biology↗
Vaccination coverage in adults undergoing splenectomy: evaluation of hospital vaccination policies.
Vaccination coverage in 595 adult patients undergoing total splenectomy in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona during 1992-2002 was studied. The rates of cover for pneumococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b and meningococcal vaccines were 63, 63 and 61% respectively, during 2000-2002; 32, 17 and 22% in 1997-1999; and 24, 9 and 8% in 1992-1996. Multivariate analysis showed a greater risk of no vaccination in splenectomies due to trauma, malignant neoplasms of solid organs and incidental splenectomy compared with both neoplastic and non-neoplastic haematological disease, and those patients undergoing splenectomy before 2001. Coverage (>/=1 vaccine) since 1997 in patients with haematological diseases was 83.5% (71/85), haematological neoplasias 69.2% (18/26), solid organ neoplasms 38.3% (36/94), incidental splenectomy 35.6% (16/45), and traumas 28.4% (21/74). Mandatory hospital admission of patients undergoing splenectomy offers a good opportunity for vaccination of these patients. Specific vaccination policies should be developed to take advantage of this circumstance.
Adult↗
Development of a citrus genome-wide EST collection and cDNA microarray as resources for genomic studies.
A functional genomics project has been initiated to approach the molecular characterization of the main biological and agronomical traits of citrus. As a key part of this project, a citrus EST collection has been generated from 25 cDNA libraries covering different tissues, developmental stages and stress conditions. The collection includes a total of 22,635 high-quality ESTs, grouped in 11,836 putative unigenes, which represent at least one third of the estimated number of genes in the citrus genome. Functional annotation of unigenes which have Arabidopsis orthologues (68% of all unigenes) revealed gene representation in every major functional category, suggesting that a genome-wide EST collection was obtained. A Citrus clementina Hort. ex Tan. cv. Clemenules genomic library, that will contribute to further characterization of relevant genes, has also been constructed. To initiate the analysis of citrus transcriptome, we have developed a cDNA microarray containing 12,672 probes corresponding to 6875 putative unigenes of the collection. Technical characterization of the microarray showed high intra- and inter-array reproducibility, as well as a good range of sensitivity. We have also validated gene expression data achieved with this microarray through an independent technique such as RNA gel blot analysis.
Citrus↗
A comparative study of milnacipran and imipramine in the treatment of major depressive disorder.
The antidepressant efficacy and safety of milnacipran, a dual action antidepressant drug which inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline, was compared with that of the tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine, in a multi-centre, double-blind, randomised, parallel group, comparative trial in 5 hospital centres in Spain. One hundred patients hospitalised with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatry Association (third revision), with a minimum score of 25 on the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale were treated for 6 weeks with milnacipran (100 mg/day) or imipramine (150 mg/day). Both treatments showed similar efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms. The frequency of most adverse events in the milnacipran-treated patients was lower than that observed in the imipramine group, particularly those related to anticholinergic symptoms. Dysuria and shivering, however, were more common with milnacipran. The results of this study support others which have demonstrated that milnacipran has equivalent efficacy but superior tolerability to a tricyclic antidepressant such as imipramine.
Adolescent↗
C-terminal propeptide of the Caldariomyces fumago chloroperoxidase: an intramolecular chaperone?
The Caldariomyces fumago chloroperoxidase (CPO) is synthesised as a 372-aa precursor which undergoes two proteolytic processing events: removal of a 21-aa N-terminal signal peptide and of a 52-aa C-terminal propeptide. The Aspergillus niger expression system developed for CPO was used to get insight into the function of this C-terminal propeptide. A. niger transformants expressing a CPO protein from which the C-terminal propeptide was deleted failed in producing any extracellular CPO activity, although the CPO polypeptide was synthesised. Expression of the full-length gene in an A. niger strain lacking the KEX2-like protease PclA also resulted in the production of CPO cross-reactive material into the culture medium, but no CPO activity. Based on these results, a function of the C-terminal propeptide in CPO maturation is indicated.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
[Impact of hospital admissions for pneumonia in a tertiary Spanish hospital].
BACKGROUND: Impact of hospital admissions for pneumonia during 1998 in the Hospital Clínic, Barcelona. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective information on the hospitalizations for pneumonia was collected. RESULTS: During 1998 a total of 626 adult were admitted with a hospital diagnosis of pneumonia (72% were >/= 65 years). The average length of stay was 10 days. Half of these patients were previously hospitalized during the preceding 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital admissions due to pneumonia (17 cases per 1.000 hospitalizations) accounted for an estimated cost of 2.3% of the cost of all the hospitalized patients.
Aged↗
Expression of the Caldariomyces fumago chloroperoxidase in Aspergillus niger and characterization of the recombinant enzyme.
The Caldariomyces fumago chloroperoxidase was successfully expressed in Aspergillus niger. The recombinant enzyme was produced in the culture medium as an active protein and could be purified by a three-step purification procedure. The catalytic behavior of recombinant chloroperoxidase (rCPO) was studied and compared with that of native CPO. The specific chlorination activity (47 units/nmol) of rCPO and its pH optimum (pH 2.75) were very similar to those of native CPO. rCPO catalyzes the oxidation of various substrates in comparable yields and selectivities to native CPO. Indole was oxidized to 2-oxindole with 99% selectivity and thioanisole to the corresponding R-sulfoxide (enantiomeric excess >98%). Incorporation of (18)O from labeled H(2)18O(2) into the oxidized products was 100% in both cases.
Aspergillus niger↗
The secretion pathway in filamentous fungi: a biotechnological view.
The high capacity of the secretion machinery of filamentous fungi has been widely exploited for the production of homologous and heterologous proteins; however, our knowledge of the fungal secretion pathway is still at an early stage. Most of the knowledge comes from models developed in yeast and higher eukaryotes, which have served as reference for the studies on fungal species. In this review we compile the data accumulated in recent years on the molecular basis of fungal secretion, emphasizing the relevance of these data for the biotechnological use of the fungal cell and indicating how this information has been applied in attempts to create improved production strains. We also present recent emerging approaches that promise to provide answers to fundamental questions on the molecular genetics of the fungal secretory pathway.
Animals↗
Studies on the production of fungal peroxidases in Aspergillus niger.
To get insight into the limiting factors existing for the efficient production of fungal peroxidase in filamentous fungi, the expression of the Phanerochaete chrysosporium lignin peroxidase H8 (lipA) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) H4 (mnp1) genes in Aspergillus niger has been studied. For this purpose, a protease-deficient A. niger strain and different expression cassettes have been used. Northern blotting experiments indicated high steady-state mRNA levels for the recombinant genes. Manganese peroxidase was secreted into the culture medium as an active protein. The recombinant protein showed specific activity and a spectrum profile similar to those of the native enzyme, was correctly processed at its N terminus, and had a slightly lower mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Recombinant MnP production could be increased up to 100 mg/liter upon hemoglobin supplementation of the culture medium. Lignin peroxidase was also secreted into the extracellular medium, although the protein was not active, presumably due to incorrect processing of the secreted enzyme. Expression of the lipA and mnp1 genes fused to the A. niger glucoamylase gene did not result in improved production yields.
Aspergillus niger↗
[Hospitalizations due to pneumococcal pneumonia in a general hospital].
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Aged↗
Increased peroxide production by polymorphonuclear cells of chronic hepatitis C virus-infected patients.
To evaluate the oxidative burst in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells isolated from 15 chronic HCV-infected patients and 11 controls was assessed by flow cytometry in a time kinetic. Under nonstimulated and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-stimulated conditions, H2O2 production was higher in HCV-infected patients than in controls (P <0.05) at the time points of 20, 30, and 40 min. A positive correlation between H2O2 production by PMA-stimulated cells and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase was found in the HCV-infected patients (r = 0.877, P <0.01 and r = 0.9351, P <0.001, respectively). RT-PCR analysis of purified mononuclear (MN) and PMN cells from HCV-infected patients revealed the presence of HCV RNA in 60% of MN and 27% of PMN cell samples. These results suggest that a functional alteration of PMN cells is manifested in this chronic viral infection which may represent an additional factor in the development of liver lesions.
Adult↗
[Hospital readmissions as an indicator of quality].
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Hospitals↗
Lysis-centrifugation method in peritonitis diagnosis.
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Aged↗
[The quality perceived by the consumers of the outpatient consultation services of a university hospital].
With the objective to know the perceived quality of the assistance by the customers of the outpatient facilities in a teaching hospital, the information gathered in 1,970 self-administered, volunteer, anonymous questionnaires was analyzed, being obtained from the 4,756 consultations done in the outpatients department during a one week period. Different aspects of the physician's visit are discussed, together with the attention received from the paramedic personnel and other viewpoints pertaining to the organization and conditions of the waiting area. There is a high level of satisfaction among the users of the outpatients department, more pronounced in the "medical" area, in relation with the physician's consultation as well as with the attention from paramedics or in the adherence to appointments. The results suggest that in those physicians' offices where the relationship of the patient with the unit is less frequent, users show more criticism in comparison with those offices where almost all patients consult because of chronic ailments. We underline the importance of this type of perceived quality studies within the quality control policies, as a complement of the analysis of technical quality.
Adolescent↗
Long term follow-up of 100 patients with portal hypertension treated by a modified splenorenal shunt.
One hundred consecutive Child's A or B patients with portal hypertension who survived the index episode of variceal bleeding were electively treated by a distal splenorenal shunt modified by a retroperitoneal approach. The operative mortality of the whole series was 11 per cent, but fell from 16 per cent in the first 50 patients to 6 per cent in the second half of the series. The median survival probability (68 months) and the 5 year survival rate (52 per cent) of Child's A patients differed significantly from those of Child's B patients (8 months and 15 per cent respectively; P less than 0.001). The probabilities of freedom from rebleeding and hepatic encephalopathy at 5 years were also significantly greater in Child's A patients (70 per cent and 70 per cent respectively) than Child's B patients (25 per cent and 30 per cent respectively). These results suggest that the modified distal splenorenal shunt is an effective and relatively safe procedure for the elective treatment of variceal bleeding in Child-Campbell 'A' patients but that patients in group B should be considered for other forms of therapy.
Adolescent↗
[Analysis and classification of hospital emergencies through Ambulatory Patient Groups].
AIM: To assess the feasibility and results of application of Ambulatory Patient Groups (APG) patient's classification system to the case-mix of patients seen at the Emergency Departments (ED) of 6 Barcelona metropolitan area hospitals. METHODS: Development of a minimum discharge data set specific for the Emergency Departments (CMBDAU). Gathering of relevant variables from a random sample of patients seen at the ED using the ED discharge reports. Use of the APG classification system to those episodes. RESULTS: A total of 11.188 episodes were codified and grouped with the APG system. Fifteen diagnostics identified 25% of all episodes. Nearly 50% of all procedures performed at the ED were common and simple procedures. Fifteen APG's grouped 50% of all cases seen at the ED. CONCLUSIONS: The ED Uniform Discharge Data Set (CMBDAU) developed is a valid instrument for describing the case-mix seen at the ED, and its grouping by means of the APG system provides consistent and meaningful results. The widespread use of systems like APG in the ED requires a former validation of relative weights assigned in the US system. The availability of human and technical resources must also be assessed, in order to guarantee the quality and sustainability of such a system.
Adolescent↗