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Biomedical subjects

C Gimenez

Publications and source records attributed to C Gimenez.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Sephadex filtration and human serum albumin gradients do not select spermatozoa by sex chromosome: a fluorescent in-situ hybridization study.

Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) of decondensed sperm nuclei has been used directly to evaluate the enrichment efficiency of human sperm separation using Sephadex gel filtration and human serum albumin (HSA) gradients. Control and processed spermatozoa were fixed and their nuclei decondensed. In-situ hybridization was carried out with a Y-specific DNA probe (DYZ1). Sephadex filtration yielded 52.5% Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa, HSA separation resulted in 49.4% Y-chromosome-bearing spermatozoa and in the untreated control sample the percentage of Y spermatozoa was 49.3%. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences between the selection methods employed and the controls, and no real enrichment for X- or Y-bearing spermatozoa was detected for any of the selection methods assayed. The usefulness of the protocols reported for selection of spermatozoa by sex chromosome in couples at risk for X-linked diseases is discussed.

Cell Separation↗
PubMed1992

Regulation of Photosynthetic Rate of Two Sunflower Hybrids under Water Stress.

The effect of short-term water stress on photosynthesis of two sunflower hybrids (Helianthus annuus L. cv Sungro-380 and cv SH-3622), differing in productivity under field conditions, was measured. The rate of CO(2) assimilation of young, mature leaves of SH-3622 under well-watered conditions was approximately 30% greater than that of Sungro-380 in bright light and elevated CO(2); the carboxylation efficiency was also larger. Growth at large photon flux increased assimilation rates of both hybrids. The changes in leaf composition, including cell numbers and sizes, chlorophyll content, and amounts of total soluble and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) protein, and in Rubisco activity and amount of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) were determined to assess the factors regulating the differences in assimilation of the hybrids at high and low water potentials. The amounts of chlorophyll, soluble protein, Rubisco protein and the initial activity of Rubisco and its activation state did not differ significantly between hybrids. However, unstressed leaves of SH-3622 had more, smaller cells per unit area and 60% more RuBP per unit leaf area than that of Sungro-380. Water stress developing over 4 days decreased the assimilation of both hybrids similarly. Changes in the amounts of chlorophyll, soluble and Rubisco protein, and Rubisco activity and activation state were small and were not sufficient to explain the decrease in photosynthesis; neither was decreased stomatal conductance (or stomatal "patchiness"). Reduction of photosynthesis per unit leaf area from 25 to 5 micromoles CO(2) per square meter per second in both hybrids was caused by a decrease in the amount of RuBP from approximately 130 to 40 micromoles per square meter in SH-3622 and from 80 to 40 micromoles per square meter in Sungro. Differences between hybrids and their response to water stress is discussed in relation to control of RuBP regeneration.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition of high-affinity gamma-aminobutyric acid uptake in primary astrocyte cultures by phorbol esters and phospholipase C.

The effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of protein kinase C (PKC), on high-affinity Na(+)-dependent gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) uptake were investigated in primary cultures of neurons and glial cells from rat brain cortex. Incubation of glial cells with PMA led to concentration- and time-dependent decreases in the GABA transport in glial cells. This effect could be completely suppressed by addition of the PKC inhibitor H7. The PMA effects could be mimicked by oleoylacetylglycerol, the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59022 and exogenous phospholipase C. Treatment with PMA did not affect GABA transport in neuronal cells.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1990

Arachidonic acid inhibits glycine transport in cultured glial cells.

The effects of arachidonic acid on glycine uptake, exchange and efflux in C6 glioma cells were investigated. Arachidonic acid produced a dose-dependent inhibition of high-affinity glycine uptake. This effect was not due to a simple detergent-like action on membranes, as the inhibition of glycine transport was most pronounced with cis-unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, whereas saturated and trans-unsaturated fatty acids had relatively little or no effect. Endogenous unsaturated non-esterified fatty acids may exert a similar inhibitory effect on the transport of glycine. The mechanism for this inhibitory effect has been examined in a plasma membrane vesicle preparation derived from C6 cells, which avoids metabolic or compartmentation interferences. The results suggest that part of the selective inhibition of glycine transport by arachidonic acid could be due to the effects of the arachidonic acid on the lipid domain surrounding the carrier.

Arachidonic Acid↗
PubMed1989

Na+ dependence of tyrosine transport across the synaptosomal membrane reflects changes in the morphology of synaptosomes.

The Na+ dependence of tyrosine uptake into rat brain synaptosomes and synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) was examined in the present study. At low tyrosine concentrations, the isoosmotic substitution of Na+ by sucrose in the incubation medium led to an increase of tyrosine uptake in synaptosomes and to a decrease in SPMV. The removal of extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ and addition of isoosmotic sucrose completely prevented the augmented tyrosine uptake in Na+-free incubated synaptosomes. Morphological differences were found at the electron-microscopic level when synaptosomes were incubated in Na+-free and Na+-containing media. The internal volume measured for synaptosomes incubated in a Na+-free medium was almost half of that obtained in a Na+-containing medium, in good agreement with the observations made with the electron microscope. Also, the omission of Ca2+ and Mg2+ resulted in a specific swelling of only the synaptosomes incubated in Na+-free medium. When synaptosomes and SPMV were preloaded with several neutral amino acids, the tyrosine uptake rate was greatly increased, indicating fully operational exchange mechanisms for these amino acids. We propose that the enhancement of high-affinity synaptosomal tyrosine uptake observed in Na+-free medium is a consequence of a specific shrinkage of the synaptosomes and a parallel increase of the exchange rate with endogenous neutral amino acids.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Effects of systematically administered lithium on tryptophan transport and exchange in plasma-membrane vesicles isolated from rat brain.

The effect of lithium on the sodium-dependent high-affinity system for tryptophan uptake was examined in plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain. We demonstrated that Na+ could be replaced by lithium in the external medium and the presence of lithium produced an increase in the Vmax of the tryptophan transport whereas it had no significant effect on the Km for the substrate. Plasma membrane vesicles derived from synaptosomes obtained from long-term lithium-treated rats are able to accumulate tryptophan to a greater extent than normal rats and maintain a more negative membrane potential than controls. Our data support the idea that the stimulation by lithium of the high-affinity uptake system for tryptophan by maintaining adequate membrane potentials across the membrane, could lead to the stabilization of serotonin production, as has been demonstrated in long term-lithium treatment.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Characterization of glycine uptake in plasma membrane vesicles isolated from cultured glioblastoma cells.

C6 glioblastoma cells in culture were employed to isolate plasma membrane vesicles. After disruption of the glioblastoma cells by homogenization, membrane fractions were obtained by centrifugation on a discontinuous Ficoll density gradient. Fragmented membranes were found mainly in vesicular form. Transport of glycine has been demonstrated in membrane vesicles, using artificially imposed ion gradients as the sole energy source. The uptake of glycine is strictly dependent on the presence of Na+ and Cl- in the medium, and the process can be driven either by an Na+ gradient (out greater than in) or by a Cl- gradient (out greater than in) when the other essential ion is present. The process is stimulated by a membrane potential (negative inside) as demonstrated by the effect of ionophore valinomycin and anions with different permeabilities. The kinetic analysis shows that glycine is accumulated by two systems with different affinities.

Biological Transport↗
PubMed1986

Developmental studies on the uptake of tyrosine by synaptosomes and plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain. Effect of thyroid hormones.

The uptake of L-tyrosine at various stages of development was examined in synaptosomes and in plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain. The total uptake has two components, Na+-dependent and Na+-independent, respectively. The Na+-dependent component of the transport system appears around the 5th postnatal day and increases with age. The affinity of the transport system for tyrosine does not vary substantially during development. The Vmax increases more than six-fold between day 15 and adulthood. Plasma membrane vesicles derived from T3-treated rats accumulate more tyrosine than those obtained from the control animals. The results support the view that thyroid hormones during development promote the establishment of the systems implicated in neurotransmission in the developing nervous system.

Aging↗
PubMed1985

Ontogenetic studies on tryptophan transport into plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain synaptosomes: effect of thyroid hormones.

The uptake of tryptophan at various stages of development was examined in plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain. The total uptake has two components Na+-dependent and Na+-independent respectively. The Na+-dependent component of the transport system appears around the 5th postnatal day and increases with the age. The Km value of the system does not vary during development. The Vmax increases five-fold between 14 and 35 day of postnatal life. Plasma membrane vesicles derived from T3-treated rats are able to accumulate nearly three-fold more tryptophan than nontreated rats. The results support the idea that thyroid hormones at the earlier stages of life, promote the establishment of neurotransmission in the developing nervous system.

Aging↗
PubMed1984

beta-Alanine transport into plasma membrane vesicles derived from rat brain synaptosomes.

Transport of beta-alanine has been demonstrated in membrane vesicles isolated from rat brain, using artificially imposed ion gradients as the sole energy source. The uptake of beta-alanine is strictly dependent on the presence of Na+ and Cl- in the medium, and the process can be driven either by an Na+ gradient (out greater than in) or by a Cl- gradient (out greater than in) when the other essential ion is present. The process is stimulated by a membrane potential (negative inside) as demonstrated by the effect of ionophore valinomycin and anions with different permeabilities. beta-Alanine uptake is inhibited by the presence of GABA.

Alanine↗
PubMed1984

Thromboembolism with low profile bioprosthesis.

Low profile bioprosthesis late follow-up indicates a low incidence of thromboembolism. For the entire series of 415 consecutively operated patients (rigid and flexible stents) the actuarial probability of freedom at 6 years is 90.3% (87.8% for MVR and 92.27% for AVR and 95.24% for MVR + AVR). The linearized incidence for MVR, is 2.5 +/- 0.62 per one hundred patients per year. For AVR this is 1.2 +/- 0.49 per one hundred patients per year. The probability of freedom of thromboembolism of the new flexible stent series (247 patients) at 48 months is 90.92% for MVR, 96.6% for AVR and 100% for MVR + AVR. Endocarditis for the entire series of patients (rigid/flexible stents) at 6 years is low: the linearized incidence for both MVR and AVR is 0.54 per one hundred patients per year. Tissues degeneration, after 5 years follow-up, in patients over 35 years old carrying LPB mounted on flexible stents was not observed. In the series of MVR patients, 17/209 presented thromboembolic complications. In the group of 17 patients, 88% had atrial fibrillation before surgery and 47% of the same group were on warfarin anticoagulation therapy when the embolic accident occurred. The indications for permanent anticoagulation therapy following bioprosthetic MVR in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation is still uncertain.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1983

Inhibition by L-phenylalanine of tryptophan transport by synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles: implications in the pathogenesis of phenylketonuria.

Phenylalanine is accumulated in the genetically linked deficiency phenylketonuria. The effect of L-phenylalanine on the transport of tryptophan was studied using membrane vesicles from rat-brain synaptosomes. Phenylalanine at similar concentrations to those found in phenylketonuric patients competitively inhibits tryptophan uptake, with a Ki of the same order as the Km for tryptophan. This inhibition could be responsible for the depletion of serotonin found in phenylketonuria.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Glycine transport into plasma-membrane vesicles derived from rat brain synaptosomes.

1. Transport of glycine has been demonstrated in membrane vesicles isolated from rat brain, using artificially imposed ion gradients as the sole energy source. 2. The uptake of glycine is strictly dependent on the presence of Na+ and Cl- in the medium, and the process can be driven either by an Na+ gradient (out greater than in) or by a C1- gradient (out greater than in) when the other essential ion is present. 3. The uptake of glycine is stimulated by a membrane potential (interior negative), as demonstrated by the effects of the ionophores valinomycin and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone and anions of different permeabilities. 4. The kinetic analysis shows that glycine is accumulated by two systems with different affinities. 5. The presence of ouabain, an inhibitor (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase, does not affect glycine transport. 6. The existence of a high-affinity, Na+-dependent glycine-uptake system in membrane vesicles derived from rat brain suggests that this amino acid may have a transmitter role in some areas of the rat brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Thyroid hormones and the precocious induction of hepatic glucokinase in the neonatal rat.

1. Oral intubation of glucose is more effective than intraperitoneal injection in inducing the premature appearance of hepatic glucokinase in suckling rats. 2. The inducing effect of glucose is enhanced by treatment of the animals 12 h or more earlier with 1 microgram triiodothyronine/g body weight. 3. Low but significant activities of glucokinase appear at the normal time of development in hypothyroid neonatal rats. Intubation of glucose into 13-day-old and 24-day-old hypothyroid results in the rapid appearance of glucokinase similar to that in normal animals treated likewise. 4. The enhancing effect of thyroid hormones on glucokinase induction by glucose does not necessarily mean that the normal postnatal increase in plasma thyroid hormones is essential for the normal appearance of glucokinase activity at the time of weaning. Other possible explanations are discussed.

Animals↗