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Biomedical subjects

C Blanco

Publications and source records attributed to C Blanco.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Impairments of attention in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

To investigate the status of attention in multiple sclerosis (MS) we administered tests of focused and divided attention to 39 MS patients and 18 age- and education-matched control subjects. In addition, a test of vigilance and a test of automatic information processing was administered. MS patients performed as well as controls on the automatic processing task and on most measures of focused and divided attention when accuracy but not speed was the dependent variable. By contrast, the MS patients performed significantly worse than controls on the more effortful measures of attention, especially those that engaged working memory or emphasized speeded responding. These results indicate that deficits of attention in MS patients are most likely to be evident on tasks which require concentrated cognitive effort.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Anaphylaxis after ingestion of wheat flour contaminated with mites.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis after ingestion of flours contaminated with mites has been recently reported. OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to determine whether four-induced reactions in the absence of food sensitivity may result from mite contamination. METHODS: Patients with systemic reactions after ingestion of foods containing wheat flour and without food sensitivities were included in a prospective study. The flours were examined microscopically, and major Dermatophagoides allergens were quantified by monoclonal antibody techniques. Skin prick tests and IgE determinations to mites and flours were performed. Single-blind, placebo-controlled oral challenges were also performed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were included in our protocol. They showed respiratory allergies to dust mites (100%) and intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid (87%). Microscopic examination of four flours implicated in allergic reactions revealed a high degree of mite contamination: Dermatophagoides farinae in one case and Thyreophagus entomophagus in three cases. Our patients' skin test and specific IgE responses to the flours implicated in the reactions were positive. A high level of Der 2 was found in the flour infested by D. farinae. Three of six food challenges with contaminated flours resulted in systemic reactions. Good tolerance to control flours was shown in our patients. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of foods contaminated with mites may induce systemic anaphylactic reactions in patients with respiratory allergy to mites.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Anaphylactoid reactions due to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: clinical and cross-reactivity studies.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylactoid reactions due to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs have been described. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics of 21 patients with anaphylactoid reactions due to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and to determine the cross-reactivity to non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs not involved in the previous reactions nor structurally related by means of single-blind, placebo-controlled drug challenges. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients who exhibited clinical evidence of anaphylactoid reactions after nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs were recruited for the study at the time of admission in Emergency Unit of our Hospital, Single-blind, placebo controlled oral challenges with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (except those reported by the patient as being responsible for the previous reaction), were performed in all patients. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were woman and six man, with a mean age of 35.7 years (range 18 to 62 years). Thirteen patients (60%) were normal subjects without concomitant diseases. No increase in frequency of atopy in comparison to the general population was observed. Pyrazole derivatives were the most common nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs involved (71.3%). A tolerance to drugs included in drug challenge protocol was noted in all patients. CONCLUSION: In our population, pyrazole derivatives were the most common nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs involved in anaphylactoid reactions. Most patients appeared to be otherwise normal subjects without concomitant disease and no cross-reactivity with other non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs not involved in the anaphylactoid reaction nor structurally related was found.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Transient Accumulation of Glycine Betaine and Dynamics of Endogenous Osmolytes in Salt-Stressed Cultures of Sinorhizobium meliloti.

The fate of exogenously supplied glycine betaine and the dynamics of endogenous osmolytes were investigated throughout the growth cycle of salt-stressed cultures of strains of Sinorhizobium meliloti which differ in their ability to use glycine betaine as a growth substrate, but not as an osmoprotectant. We present (sup13)C nuclear magnetic resonance spectral and radiotracer evidence which demonstrates that glycine betaine is only transiently accumulated as a cytoplasmic osmolyte in young cultures of wild-type strains 102F34 and RCR2011. Specifically, these strains accumulate glycine betaine as a preferred osmolyte which virtually prevents the accumulation of endogenous osmolytes during the lag and early exponential phases of growth. Then, betaine levels in stressed cells decrease abruptly during the second half of the exponential phase. At this stage, the levels of glutamate and the dipeptide N-acetylglutaminylglutamine amide increase sharply so that the two endogenous solutes supplant glycine betaine in the ageing culture, in which it becomes a minor osmolyte because it is progressively catabolized. Ultimately, glycine betaine disappears when stressed cells reach the stationary phase. At this stage, wild-type strains of S. meliloti also accumulate the disaccharide trehalose as a third major endogenous osmolyte. By contrast, glycine betaine is always the dominant osmolyte and strongly suppresses the buildup of endogenous osmolytes at all stages of the growth cycle of a mutant strain, S. meliloti GMI766, which does not catabolize this exogenous osmoprotectant under any growth conditions.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

Intolerance to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: results of controlled drug challenges in 98 patients.

BACKGROUND: Controlled oral challenge is the only definitive way to detect the different clinical manifestations of intolerance to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to describe the clinical manifestations of drug challenges in a population with histories of intolerance to NSAIDs. METHODS: Two-hundred forty subjects were included in a single-blind, placebo-controlled drug challenge protocol. RESULTS: Eighty patients exhibited a positive response to drug challenge: 52 had isolated periorbital angioedema, 13 had cutaneous rashes, eight had bronchial asthma (7 with associated periorbital angioedema), three had nasoocular reactions, and four had systemic anaphylaxis. In another 18 patients who were referred for treatment because of a reaction suggesting systemic anaphylaxis, the implicated drug was not given, but tolerance to other NSAIDs was found. The mean age of patients with isolated periorbital angioedema was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that of the other groups of NSAID reactors. A significant increase (p < 0.001) in atopy was found among patients with isolated periorbital angioedema (100%) in comparison with other patients with NSAID intolerance (45.6%). NSAID cross-reactivity was a common finding, but cross-reactivity was not found in two cases of periorbital angioedema, one case of urticaria, one case of bronchial asthma, and 18 cases of systemic anaphylaxis. CONCLUSION: In atopic subjects, isolated periorbital angioedema constitutes the most frequent manifestation of NSAID intolerance. Such patients are younger than other NSAID reactors and commonly have intolerance to several NSAIDs.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of the Erwinia chrysanthemi osmoprotectant transporter gene ousA.

Growth of Erwinia chrysanthemi in media of elevated osmolarity can be achieved by the uptake and accumulation of various osmoprotectants. This study deals with the cloning and sequencing of the ousA gene-encoded osmoprotectant uptake system A from E. chrysanthemi 3937. OusA belongs to the superfamily of solute ion cotransporters. This osmotically inducible system allows the uptake of glycine betaine, proline, ectoine, and pipecolic acid and presents strong similarities in nucleotide sequence and protein function with the proline/betaine porter of Escherichia coli encoded by proP. The control of ousA expression is clearly different from that of proP. It is induced by osmotic strength and repressed by osmoprotectants. Its expression in E. coli is controlled by H-NS and is rpoS dependent in the exponential phase but unaffected by the stationary phase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Genetic characterization of site-specific integration functions of phi AAU2 infecting "Arthrobacter aureus" C70.

All the essential genetic determinants for site-specific integration of corynephage phi AAU2 are contained within a 1,756-bp DNA fragment, carried on the integrative plasmid p5510, and are shown to be functional in Escherichia coli. One open reading frame, ORF4, encoding a protein of 266 amino acids was shown to represent the phi AAU2 integrase. The nucleotide sequence of the phi AAU2 attachment site, attP, and the attB, attL, and attR sequences in the host "Arthrobacter aureus" C70 were determined. Identical nucleotide sequences were shown to be responsible for the integration of p5510 in the chromosomes of Corynebacterium glutamicum, Brevibacterium divaricatum, and B. lactofermentum, and a sequence almost identical to attB was found to be present in these three strains. In contrast to other phage site-specific recombination systems, a plasmid encompassing only int-attP failed to integrate into the host chromosome. This led to the identification of an 800-bp noncoding region, immediately upstream of int, absolutely required for site-specific integration of p5510.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Pathological gambling and platelet MAO activity: a psychobiological study.

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and psychological characteristics of male pathological gamblers. METHOD: Twenty-seven male pathological gamblers were compared with a group of healthy individuals who were matched by age, sex, and tobacco consumption. Measures included platelet MAO activity and scores on the MMPI and Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale. RESULTS: Platelet MAO activity and scores on several MMPI scales for the two groups were significantly different, but measures of sensation seeking were not. No correlations of biological significance were found between platelet MAO activity and psychological ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Low platelet MAO activity may be a biological predisposition for impulsivity in pathological gamblers. Although no psychological pattern is characteristic of pathological gamblers, they differ from healthy individuals in some personality traits. No significant relationship could be established between platelet MAO activity and psychological measures.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Anaphylaxis to subcutaneous neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin with simultaneous sensitization to protamine and insulin.

We report an insulin-treated diabetic patient who suffered, in a 2-month period, three severe anaphylactic reactions immediately after self-administered subcutaneous injections of neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) human recombinant-DNA insulin. These reactions consisted of local and systemic symptoms, including dyspnea and hypotension. A simultaneous sensitization to human insulin and to protamine was demonstrated, both by skin tests and by the determination of serum specific IgE. Suspecting protamine allergy, we performed a test dose to human lente insulin with perfect tolerance. After a 1-year follow-up with lente-insulin treatment, no reactions have occurred, despite treatment interruptions. Therefore, protamine IgE-mediated allergy probably caused our patient's reactions. In conclusion, protamine sensitization should be ruled out in any patient with a history of reactions to subcutaneous protamine-containing insulins, even if insulin sensitization is present.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and bronchial asthma due to Phoenix canariensis pollen allergy.

We report a case of occupational bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis caused by Phoenix canariensis (PC) pollen. The canary palm is a type of palm tree, belonging to the Arecaceae family, which is widely distributed in frost-free regions as an ornamental tree. Our patient was referred because he suffered symptoms of bronchial asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and contact urticaria when pruning dried leaves from PC during the pollination months. The skin prick test (SPT) with a PC pollen extract was positive, as was the specific IgE to PC pollen determined by Phadezym RAST, indicating an IgE-mediated sensitization. The nonspecific bronchial provocation test (BPT) performed with methacholine disclosed a mild bronchial hyperreactivity, and specific BPT with PC pollen elicited an immediate fall of 25% in FEV1 with respect to baseline. On RAST inhibition studies, a significant cross-reactivity was found between PC pollen and date palm (P. dactylifera) pollen. These results suggest that PC pollen could be a potential allergen in PC-growing areas.

Asthma↗
PubMed1995

[Presence of Helicobacter pylori in the duodenum, antrum, and fundus in control subjects and patients with duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastritis, or erosive duodenitis. Histological analysis of 357 subjects].

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was studied in 152 subjects with a normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, 125 with duodenal ulcer, 25 with gastric ulcer, 46 with erosive gastritis and 9 with erosive duodenitis. Two biopsies from duodenum, antrum and fundus were obtained from each subject during endoscopy for histological diagnosis and Helicobacter pylori search. None of the patients with normal endoscopy and 2% of patients with duodenal ulcers had Helicobacter pylori in duodenal biopsies. These last patients had a significantly higher frequency of Helicobacter pylori in the antrum (71%) than the rest of the studied groups. Five percent of subjects with normal endoscopy and 5% of those with duodenal ulcers had Helicobacter pylori in the antrum. An active gastritis was demonstrated in almost all patients with Helicobacter infection. Intestinal metaplasia occurred almost exclusively in the absence of Helicobacter pylori infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Effect of varying protein intake on energy balance, protein balance and estimated weight gain composition in premature infants.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the effect of varying only protein intake on energy balance, protein balance and estimated weight gain composition in premature infants fed either a formula with a protein content of 2.0 g/100 ml (F2) or a protein content of 1.5 g/100 ml (F1.5). DESIGN: Premature infants were randomly allocated to receive F1.5 or F2. Weight gain composition was estimated from protein and energy balances. Energy expenditure was measured with doubly labelled water. PATIENTS: F1.5, n = 8; gestational age 32 +/- 3 weeks, birth weight 1716 +/- 560 g. F2, n = 8; gestational age 32 +/- 3 weeks, birth weight 1544 +/- 488 g. RESULTS: Infants fed F2 showed a significantly higher protein accretion (P = 0.003) and weight gain (P = 0.011) when compared to the infants fed F1.5. There were no differences in the energy balance. The estimated weight gain composition was different between both groups. CONCLUSION: The F2 fed infants had an estimated weight gain composition comparable to the reported intrauterine values, while the F1.5 fed infants showed a weight gain composition more comparable to the reported values of the full term infant. The impact of nutrient composition in premature infant formulas on body composition and growth is discussed.

Body Composition↗