Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Muñoz

Publications and source records attributed to C Muñoz.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

[Pulmonary valvular agenesis treated with cryopreserved pulmonary homograft].

We report successful treatment of pulmonary valve agenesia with pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defect by infundibular resection, patch-closure of the VSD and implantation of a cryopreserved pulmonary homograft. Cases with mild to moderate hypoplasia of the pulmonary annulus are particularly well suited for direct pulmonary homograft implantation, while cases with severe hypoplasia and high right ventricular pressure after correction may be better treated with aortic homografts. Some technical aspects of homograft implantation (doing first the proximal suture, preserving the normal configuration of the valvular sinuses and using the subvalvular homograft tissue to enlarge the right ventricular outflow tract) may prevent significant valvular incompetence.

Cryopreservation↗

[Cerebral venous thrombosis and hereditary protein C deficiency].

Protein C together with its plasmatic cofactor protein S and antithrombin III probably represent the most important plasmatic inhibitor in coagulation. Protein C deficiency constitutes a high risk factor for venous thrombosis. Cerebral venous thrombosis is a manifestation which is scarcely referred to in protein C deficiency. The case of a 32 year old patient with protein C deficiency is presented. The patient was admitted for an endocraneal hypertension syndrome. CT and MR demonstrated multiple hemorrhagic cerebral infarctions. Arteriography confirmed vertebral venous thrombosis. Only six cases sufficiently documenting cerebral venous thrombosis due to protein C deficiency were found in the literature. In most cases coadjuvant factors exist predisposing thromboembolic disease. The present clinical case demonstrates the importance of considering protein C deficiency in the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis in young adults.

Adult↗

[Usefulness of studies of susceptibility of ampicillin, carbenicillin, cefalotin and colistin as a presumptive identification system for the Aeromonas sp. group].

We have studied the restricted antibiotic susceptibility tests for 180 strains belonging to mesophilic Aeromonas sp. isolated from stools samples. Strains has been identified as follows: A. caviae (64.6%), A. hydrophila (17.7%) and A. sobria (17.7%). Antibiotics tested were ampicillin (10 micrograms), carbenicillin (100 micrograms), cephalotin (30 micrograms) and colistin (10 micrograms), by means of agar diffusion tests (disk-plate). We identified four different patterns of antibiotic susceptibility. The most frequent pattern (pattern #1) (77.8%) is characterized by susceptibility only to colistin, and was predominant among A. caviae strains (80%). Pattern #2 (susceptibility to cephalotin and colistin) was found in 18.9% of strains, being predominant in A. sobria (88.2%). We confirm the higher susceptibility of A. sobria sp. to cephalotin as well as the possibility that these different patterns might be used as screening method for species identification among mesophilic group of Aeromonas.

Aeromonas↗

Echinococcus granulosus: antigen characterization by chemical treatment and enzymatic deglycosylation.

Parasite antigenic fractions obtained by biochemical purification of sheep hydatid fluid were subjected to enzymatic digestion. The relative mobilities of the 5 and B antigens, before and after treatment, were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot. Antigenic fractions transferred to nitrocellulose were also treated with sodium metaperiodate and concanavalin A. The results indicate that antigen 5 contains a substantial amount of carbohydrates covalently linked to a polypeptide backbone, which strongly bind to concanavalin A and is removed by N-glycosidase F (PNGase F). Antigen 5 possesses complex N-linked oligosaccharides (PNGase F sensitive), without terminal N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues (N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase nonsensitive) and has no high-mannose oligosaccharides (endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H nonsensitive). In contrast, the antigen B of low molecular weight is not susceptible to either enzymatic digestions (PNGase F, Endo H, and N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase) or sodium metaperiodate oxidation and it does not bind to concanavalin A. Polyclonal antibodies prepared against the two antigens reacted with the deglycosylated antigen 5 in Western blot. The dominant epitopes are, therefore, polypeptides, although the presence of carbohydrate epitopes in the native glycoproteins cannot be excluded.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Immunochemical localization of major hydatid fluid antigens in protoscoleces and cysts of Echinococcus granulosus from human origin.

Monospecific rabbit antisera obtained through experimental immunization with previously purified proteins were used in the structural localization of two hydatid fluid antigens, antigen 5 and antigen B, in cyst membranes and protoscoleces of E. granulosus from human origin. The antigen-antibody reaction was revealed by an avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. Antigen 5 was not evident in the laminated membrane of the cyst wall, but it was associated with the germinal membrane of the cyst wall and brood capsules. The parenchyma of invaginated and evaginated protoscoleces was heavily labelled. The tegument, the calcareous corpuscles, the suckers and the hooks did not contain antigen 5. Degenerated protoscoleces were also labelled. Antigen B localization was essentially identical to antigen 5, but degenerated protoscoleces were not recognized by anti-antigen B antiserum. Technical aspects and differences with previously published work are discussed.

Animals↗

Immunogenicity of Salmonella typhi Ty21a vaccine for young children.

An attenuated Salmonella typhi Ty21a vaccine was administered to 18 infants and toddlers (less than or equal to 24 months old) to determine its safety and immunogenicity. The vaccination (10(9) CFU per dose, three doses) was well tolerated. However, after the vaccination there was no evidence of a humoral or cellular immune response to S. typhi. The vaccine used was known to be immunogenic for older children and adults. The results support the view that the immunogenicity of Ty21a is age dependent.

Administration, Oral↗

[Molecular epidemiological markers of Legionella pneumophila in the Valencian Community (II). Restriction enzyme profiles of chromosomal DNA].

Restriction enzyme profiles of chromosomal DNA obtained from 96 Legionella pneumophila strains isolated from environmental and clinical isolates and digested with Hind III have been analyzed. A method to obtain chromosomal DNA to be use in restriction studies and its electrophoretic analysis have been developed. Studying the fragments showing higher differences when comparing the profiles obtained, 5 subtypes are defined and correlated with the isolation areas. There are similar restriction profiles independent of the plasmid contents.

Biomarkers↗

[Molecular epidemiological markers of Legionella pneumophila in the Valencian Community (I). Plasma levels].

We have investigated the presence of plasmids in 96 Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples from the Valencia area. Our results show a higher incidence of a 83 MD plasmid present in clinical as well as in environmental isolates, and a 120 MD plasmid with lower incidence and observed exclusively in strains isolated from one area. The variability in plasmid detection from L. pneumophila and the effect on it in a hospital after disinfection treatment is considered.

Biomarkers↗

[Molecular epidemiological markers of Legionella pneumophila in the Valencian Community (III). Peptide profiles].

Electrophoretic profiles using soluble peptides obtained from Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 have been studied to be used as epidemiological markers. Using 8.5% polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE) a unique profile common to environmental and clinical isolates has been detected showing 2 differential bands: a 150 kD and a 230 kD band present in only one clinical isolate. In order to achieve better resolution in the peptide profile 10 to 20% gradient SDS-PAGE has been used, confirming the existence of a common profile and 2 subtypes as well as another profile present in a smaller number of strains.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Effect of methoxyethanol, cyclophosphamide and cadmium on metallothionein levels during prenatal development in the mouse.

Three known teratogenic agents--methoxyethanol (ME), cyclophosphamide (CP) and cadmium (Cd)--are possible inducers of metallothionein (MT) in the embryo and/or in the fetus. Their effect on the MT levels of forelimbs, brain and liver during prenatal development and in dam's liver was studied in the mouse to elucidate whether MT could be used as an early biochemical indicator of teratogenicity. Pregnant mice were injected with 2 doses of each teratogen at different days of the middle gestational phase and their embryos and fetuses were obtained thereafter. Quantitative estimation of MT in the S9 from homogenates of the embryo/fetal tissues and organs and maternal liver showed major alterations in the dam's hepatic MT content but only small changes in prenatal MT levels. These results do not support MT as an early indicator of teratogenicity. However, a causal relationship between the maternal MT changes induced by the tested agents and their teratogenic effect could be possible.

Animals↗

The monoclonal antibody GRC1 produced against human cornea recognizes a common determinant of collagen.

The monoclonal antibody GRC1 was obtained by immunizing BALB/c mice with human cornea. Screening was performed by indirect immunofluorescence in cryostatic sections of several tissues: cornea, skin, placenta, hyaline cartilage, blood vessels, and nerves. GRC1 was seen to recognize fibrillar structures in all of these tissues. The pattern of reaction was interstitial and membranous. On cornea, GRC1 reacts definitely with Bowman's membrane and diffusely with the stroma, while on skin it shows strongly positive reactivity with the papillary dermis and with the basement membrane. It also reacts on hyaline cartilage at the periphery of the condrocytic lacunae. These immunohistologic results suggest that GRC1 recognized human collagen. In order to investigate further the subtype of collagen defined by GRC1, an ELISA was performed with purified collagens of several types: I, II, III, IV, and V. The monoclonal antibody GRC1 defines a common determinant in types III, IV, and V.

Animals↗

Characterization and development of metallothionein in fetal forelimbs, brain and liver from the mouse.

The presence of the low molecular weight protein metallothionein (MT) has been investigated in fetal forelimbs, brain and liver from the mouse with the aim of using the protein as a biochemical marker for the early recognition of potential teratogenic agents in the future. Forelimbs, brain and liver were taken from mouse fetuses at ages ranging from 12 to 18 d. Each type of organ was homogenized and centrifuged at 9000 x g. The analysis of MT in the supernatants (S9) with the Cd-heme saturation method detected in all three cases the presence of a low molecular weight, Cd-binding protein whose concentration increased with the age of the fetus. Analysis of the S9 fractions using gel- and anion exchange-chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated the existence of a protein analogue to the hepatic MT in forelimbs and brain.

Animals↗

Functional capacity of colostral leukocytes from women delivering prematurely.

The phagocytic, bactericidal, and metabolic activity of colostral leukocytes from mothers delivering preterm infants was compared with that of colostral leukocytes from mothers of term infants. In addition, the proliferative capacity of colostral lymphocytes was compared. Preterm adherent colostral leukocytes had a significantly higher phagocytic index than term colostral adherent leukocytes. Mean +/- SEM values were 5.4 +/- 0.5 versus 2.7 +/- 0.2, respectively (p less than 0.001). Bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli and nitroblue tetrazolium reduction of preterm and term colostral leukocytes were comparable. Lymphocyte proliferative response was equivalent in preterm and term milk. We conclude that colostral leukocytes from preterm mothers are at least as functional in their antimicrobial activity and possibly phagocytose even better than the colostral cells of mothers of term infants.

Adult↗

[Characterization of immunogenic proteins from Echinococcus granulosus with the immunoblot technique].

The serological response to Echinococcus granulosus was evaluated by immunoblotting in 20 patients with hydatid disease. In non-reducing conditions, the highest reactivity corresponded to 80, 66 and 56 kd proteins, while in reducing conditions only one 36 kd protein was detected. A low molecular weight component which moved with the migration front of gels was also detected. In reducing conditions the activity was less marked. Immunoblotting permits the identification of specific immunogenic proteins and the improvement of the serologic diagnosis of hydatid disease, as it eliminates the problem of low titer nonspecific reactions with serological tests using complex antigens.

Animals↗

Influence of 6-hydroxydopamine on ethanol narcosis in mice.

The effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) i.c.v. on ethanol-induced narcosis were studied in mice, either untreated or pretreated with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (AMPT), p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) or 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Mice treated with 6-OHDA 200 micrograms i.c.v., exhibited longer ethanol narcosis time than untreated controls. This effect was significantly increased when mice treated with 6-OHDA received AMPT (inhibitor of catecholamine biosynthesis) or 5-HTP (precursor or serotonin biosynthesis). After administration of PCPA (inhibitor of tryptophan hydroxylase) 6-OHDA did not prolong ethanol narcosis. Alcohol blood levels at awakening time were not significantly influenced by 6-OHDA. These results are consistent with the idea that a decrease in brain noradrenaline as well as an increase in brain serotonin enhance the narcotic action of ethanol, while both, the increase in brain noradrenaline and the decrease in brain serotonin shorten ethanol narcosis.

Analysis of Variance↗

Lateralized functional relationship between the preoptic area and lateral hypothalamic reinforcement.

Electrical self-stimulation in the lateral hypothalamus of both hemispheres was recorded in 14 rats before and after administration of a unilateral ibotenic acid lesion of the cell bodies in the region of the lateral preoptic area. A significant decrease in the rate of self-stimulation at each of two stimulation intensities was found when the electrode was placed in the hemisphere in which the ibotenic acid lesion was made. This decrease remained constant over 21 days of testing. No changes were detected in rate of self-stimulation in the intact contralateral hemisphere. These results provide evidence for a role in lateral hypothalamic self-stimulation of intrinsic neurons located in the region of the lateral preoptic area.

Animals↗