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Biomedical subjects

B Garcia

Publications and source records attributed to B Garcia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Nuclear DNA density of parathyroid lesions.

Nuclear DNA density analysis was carried out on six normal control human parathyroid glands and forty-six pathological lesions of human parathyroid tissue. The pathological glands had originally been classified as twenty hyperplasias, twenty-one adenomas, and five carcinomas in accordance with clinical-pathological information. Specimens had been obtained through the Surgical Pathology Department of the University Hospital, London, in the form of either imprints from the cut surface of a lesion, or as cell separation samples from a paraffin block. Nuclear DNA ploidy analysis of the normal glands showed, as expected, a diploid cell population. Sixty-one percent of nuclei of the carcinomas were above 2C, extending to 7C. There was a significant difference in nuclear DNA content between normal and benign tissue versus tissue classified as carcinoma. No significant difference in nuclear DNA ploidy could be established between the benign adenoma and hyperplasia tissue; however, marked significant DNA ploidy differences were found between tissue from the latter two and carcinoma. DNA ploidy from cell image analysis using Feulgen's reaction can be useful in establishing a differential diagnosis between carcinoma and benign lesions.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Metalloproteinase activities expressed during development and maturation of the rat prostatic complex and seminal vesicles.

The objective of this study was to characterize proteinase activities expressed during development and maturation of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles of the rat by using gelatin-and casein-containing SDS polyacrylamide gel zymography. The prostatic complexes of 2- and 10-day-old animals and the individual lobes of the prostate (ventral, dorsolateral, and anterior [coagulating gland]) and the seminal vesicles of 15-day-old animals expressed prominent gelatinolytic activities of approximately 64, 71, and 76 kDa. These activities had properties of metalloproteinases; i.e., they were stimulated by Ca2+ and inhibited by EDTA and EGTA. They were greatly diminished by 52 days of age (immediately postpuberty) and were not detected in the dorsal lobe of the adult. Less active gelatinolytic proteinases with molecular masses of approximately 34 and 43 kDa were expressed in the developing prostatic complexes and individual lobes and seminal vesicles, but they were not detected in postpubertal animals. Weak gelatinolytic activities of 82, 85, and 89 kDa were found in the prostatic complexes; these activities were greatly diminished in all prostate lobes with sexual maturation but were expressed in the seminal vesicles at all ages. A large-molecular-mass Ca(2+)-independent proteinase of 130 kDa or greater was first detected in the dorsolateral prostate at 21 days of age. This activity was expressed in both the lateral and dorsal lobes of the adult but was greater in the lateral lobe. Proteinase activities of about 22 and 26 kDa that were not stimulated by Ca2+ were detected in the ventral prostate at 15 days of age by means of both gelatin and casein gels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Histological and immunopathological analysis of recovered encapsulated allogeneic islets from transplanted diabetic BB/W rats.

Allogeneic islets encapsulated in an alginate/poly-L-lysine membrane and transplanted into diabetic BB/W rats resulted in graft failure within 2 weeks of transplantation. Graft failure was associated with a dense pericapsular infiltrate (PCI) that resulted in necrosis of the encapsulated islets. The PCI could be inhibited by immunosuppressive agents, including cyclosporine and dexamethasone, and this resulted in a significant increase in graft survival. Immunopathological characterization of the PCI indicated that there was a predominance of macrophages. T helper cells also appeared to be present in this PCI. Empty capsules were also found to induce a similar PCI that was identical in composition to that found around encapsulated islets. Thus alginate/poly-L-lysine capsules do not appear to be biocompatible and may account for the variable results in islet graft survival found with these capsules.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Mechanisms of rejection during OKT3 therapy: propagation and characterization of CD3 resistant allospecific cytotoxic T cells from a rejecting liver allograft.

Allograft rejection remains the single largest impediment to success in the field of transplantation. While OKT3 therapy has proven to be a significant advancement, many grafts are still lost. Late treatment, subtherapeutic OKT3 levels, anti-OKT3 antibodies, and OKT3-induced class II antigen expression are possible explanations. To determine the mechanism of OKT3 resistant rejection we propagated and characterized infiltrating T cells from the biopsy of a liver transplant patient who was rejecting while on prophylactic OKT3. The T lymphocytes demonstrated allospecific proliferation and interleukin 2 (IL2) production and showed a high degree of cytolysis of donor splenocytes. CD3 epsilon monoclonal antibodies (Mab) in concentrations up to 100 micrograms/ml did not inhibit lysis. In contrast, T lymphocytes derived from rejecting allografts of patients receiving cyclosporine and prednisone were readily inhibited from killing by CD3 epsilon Mab at doses of 1 microgram/ml. Furthermore, allospecific proliferation and IL2 production were not inhibited in the OKT3-treated patient by the addition of CD3 epsilon MaB. Incomplete modulation of the CD3-TCR complex was noted after a 72-hr incubation with CD3 epsilon Mab. The T cells did demonstrate other intact CD3-mediated functions such as a rise in intracellular calcium and CD3-dependent cytotoxicity. These results should alert clinicians that CD3 resistant cytotoxic T cells can emerge during OKT3 therapy and may cause rejection. Immunotherapy that targets additional cell surface structures may be of benefit.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1979

[Cholestyramine and digoxin intoxication: therapeutic efficacy?].

Plasma levels of digoxin were measured in a patient after massive intoxication. Pharmacokinetic analysis of the data as compared with other cases of digoxin intoxication reveals that in these situations oral administration of cholestyramine may be of benefit to the patient.

Cholestyramine Resin↗
PubMed1978

Adult onset nemaline myopathy.

A 47-year-old man had symptoms of nemaline myopathy for approximately 1 year. There were marked elevations of creatine kinase, a feature not previously described. Examination of the nervous system at autopsy failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

[Decrease of intestinal absorption of 47-calcium in chronic alcoholism].

Intestinal 47-calcium absorption has been studied in 34 chronic alcoholics, 17 of whom were cirrhotics (group A) and 17 non-cirrhotics (group B). These patients were compared with 44 normal subjects (group C). In group C, the 47Ca 2 h plasma % of the dose showed a significant negative correlation to the total body weight (p less than 0.001) and a positive correlation with the serum albumin (p less than 0.05). The mean intestinal absorption of 47Ca expressed as 2 h plasma % of the dose multiplied by total body weight was 131 +/- SD 52 in group A and 136 +/- SD 71 in group B. These two means are significantly low (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.002 respectively) in relation to that found in group C (168 +/- SD 32). These results suggest that intestinal calcium absorption is diminished in chronic alcoholism even in the absence of hepatic cirrhosis.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1977

[25-hydroxy vitamin D deficiency with reduction of intestinal calcium absorption and bone density in chronic alcoholism].

Plasma levels of 25-hydroxycalciferol (25-OH-D), 47-calcium intestinal absorption, bone mineral content and the biologic parameters of phospho-calcium metabolism were studied in 30 chronic alcoholics, 15 with Laennec's cirrhosis (group A) and 15 without (group B). These patients were compared with 27 normal subjects. In group A, the mean 25-OH-D plasma level was 23.7 +/- SD 18.5 microgram/l and in group B 35.2 +/- SD 21.8 microgram/l. These mean levels were lower than those of the control group, which were 57.2 +/- SD 22.5 microgram/l (p less than 0.001). The mean value of the 47Ca intestinal absorption, measured as the percentage of the ingested dose per litre of plasma and multiplied by the body weight, was also significantly lower in group A, which was 140 +/- SD 47 (p less than 0.01), and in group B, which was 145 +/- SD 69 (p less than 0.05), compared with the normal subjects whose average was 182 +/- SD 45.6. Similarly, the total plasma calcium was low: 1.99 +/- SD 0.24 mmol/l in all the alcoholics, while that of the control group was 2.22 +/- SD 0.18 mmol/l (p less than 0.001). For the 30 chronic alcoholics there was a positive correlation between 25-OH-D and 47Ca intestinal absorption, (r = 0.484; p less than 0.004). This suggests that in chronic alcoholism the deficiency of 25-OH-D induces a diminution of the intestinal absorption of calcium which, in the long term, can result in bone demineralization evidenced in the patients studied by a bone mineral content lower than normal (p less than 0.001).

Adult↗
PubMed1977

[Study of vitamin D deficiencies in the aged].

Plasma levels of 25-hydroxycalciferol (25-OH-D) and the biological parameters of phosphocalcium metabolism were determined in 55 patients institutionalized in a geriatric hospital in Geneva. They were compared with two control groups, one of the same age and the other younger. The mean plasma 25-OH-D level of the hospitalized patients was 22.7 +/- SD 13.6 microgram/l, which is significantly lower (p less than 0.001) than the mean level obtained from both the control group of the same age (46.2 +/- SD 20.1 microgram/1 25-OH-D) and the control group of young subjects (48.6 +/- SD 16.8 microgram 25-OH-D/1). Among the 55 hospitalized patients, 27 (49%) had a deficient 25-OH-D plasma level lower than 20 microgram/1. Compared to the control group of the same age, the group of hospitalized subjects had lower mean plasma level of inorganic phosphate (27.1 +/- SD 4.34 mg/1; p less than 0.01) and an elevated mean plasma level of alkaline phosphatase (46.9 +/- SD 16.5 UI/1; p less than 0.005). For those 27 patients deficient in 25-OH-D, a positive correlation exists between the plasma values of 25-OH-D and the total calcium (r = 0.584). The high incidence of biological indicators of osteomalacia found in the group of hospitalized patients suggests that vitamin D deficiency is a current problem of the elderly in Switzerland necessitating a review of the prophylactic measures now in use.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Effect of infection on food intake and the nutritional state: perspectives as viewed from the village.

Data from a prospective study of a Guatemalan village population revealed an exceedingly high force of infection which may effect nutrition and growth from gestation onward. Maternal morbidity was higher and fetal antigenic stimulation was more frequent than in industrial societies. Infection of the young child was a common occurrence and although a great many infections were silent, morbidity rates were extremely high, particularly during the protracted weaning period (6 to 24 months). Infectious disease was found to be an important cause of weight loss, arrest in height, and impaired physical growth. Also, it was a common precipitating factor of severe malnutrition and death. Analysis of the dietary data of fully weaned children did not reveal a deficit in protein intake. Most children, however, had very low calorie intakes. Infectious disease was a common cause of anorexia and of marked reduction in calorie intake, followed by weight loss and impaired physical growth. A strong inverse correlation was detected between infectious disease and calorie intake in the 2nd year of life, when children were being weaned. Infection is the most important isolated factor in the causation of malnutrition in the village. A reorientation of health and nutrition policies seems in line in view of failures of food supplementation programs, particularly with protein, in many parts of the world.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1976

Antenatal events and postnatal growth and survival of children in a rural Guatemalan village.

The biological features of all pregnant women and newborn infants in a typical rural village of Guatemala have been studied form 1964 to the present; 458 pregnancied have been analysed. The mothers averaged 143.1 cm in height 52.9 kg in weight and 9 mm in triceps skinfold. The diet of most was adequate in percentage protein but inadequate in iron and other nutrients. Infection was common, two or more episodes occurring in 40 per cent of pregnancies. The newborn population had a birthweight averaging 2533 g and length 45.6 cm. Thirty-four per cent were less than 2501 g at 37 weeks gestation or over; seven per cent were pre-term. The infants' growth was followed till age six years. Survival correlated strongly with birth weight and gestational age. Pre-term infants showed the poorest survival in neonatal and postneonatal infancy; but the survivors thrived therafter. The term-small-for-gestational age infants had poor survival in infancy and during the second and third years. Term infants with adequate weight-for-gestational age had the best survival rate. Postnatal physical growth correlated with birth weight and gestational age but pre-term adequate-for-gestational age infants showed a rate of growth as good as that of term infants.

Adolescent↗