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Biomedical subjects

C Ramos

Publications and source records attributed to C Ramos.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Experimental pulmonary fibrosis induced by paraquat plus oxygen in rats: a morphologic and biochemical sequential study.

Changes in lung structure and collagen metabolism were studied at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks in a model of pulmonary fibrosis induced in rats with paraquat plus hyperoxia. Morphologic examination of the lungs revealed that the earliest lesions consisted of severe and irreversible endothelial and alveolar epithelial cell damage. Afterward, an inflammatory process took place, initially dominated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and then by mononuclear cells, but with the constant presence of granulocytes. From the fourth week on there were fibroblast proliferation and a moderate increase of mast cells. In the early stages alveolitis was focal, but from the second week the lungs were diffusely affected with severe distortion of the architecture. Collagen content was moderately increased in the first 2 weeks and then showed a progressive increment until the end of the experiment. Collagen synthesis was significantly elevated from the fourth week, coinciding with interstitial fibroblast proliferation, although there were some animals that showed increased collagen production from the first week. Collagenolytic activity occurred in 3 stages: at 2 weeks there was increased collagen degradation, at 3, 4, and 6 weeks the values showed a trimodal behavior, and at 8 weeks almost all experimental rats presented an important decrease of collagenolysis. Thus, the development of lung fibrosis was associated first with increased rates of collagen synthesis and later with a decrease of collagen degradation.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Effects of gamma interferon on syntheses of DNA and proteins by Entamoeba histolytica.

To define the participation of cell-mediated immunity in resistance to amebic infection through the action of soluble mediators or lymphokines (LKs), including gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), we studied their effect on Entamoeba histolytica. Supernatants from cultures of lymphoid cells, which had been stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A and were rich in lymphokines (LRSNs), and recombinant IFN-gamma were used. LRSN and recombinant IFN-gamma inhibited the growth of E. histolytica trophozoites in vitro. These LKs did not show a cytotoxic effect on the ameba, but they did inhibit rather significantly protein and DNA syntheses of the protozoa. Interestingly, LRSN incubated at 4 degrees C in the presence of trophozoites lost the ability to inhibit the replication of vesicular stomatitis virus. IFN-gamma inactivated at pH 2 had no effect on DNA synthesis by the ameba, thus suggesting that IFN-gamma is responsible for the observed inhibition of parasite growth. Furthermore, the IFN-gamma inhibitory effect was abolished by a monoclonal antibody specific for this LK. The results suggest that IFN-gamma may participate in protection against amebiasis infection through the activity of mediators released by lymphocytes during infection.

Absorption↗
PubMed1989

Lung collagenase inhibitors and spontaneous and latent collagenase activity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

In order to analyze the mechanisms involved in the decreased collagenolytic activity previously observed in interstitial lung fibrosis, we studied the inhibitory collagenase activity and the latent activable collagenase in lung samples from five patients with IPF, six with HP, and three control subjects. Our results showed that in both diseases, the inhibitor levels were significantly higher than in control subjects. Findings suggest that in IPF low amounts of collagenase plus excessive enzyme-inhibitors may be operating to decrease collagen catabolism. In contrast, HP lungs seem to contain adequate amounts of the enzyme but higher levels of inhibitors play a role in the abnormal degradation observed in some patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Prenatal diagnosis in a family carrying the fragile X syndrome using recombinant DNA technics].

The prenatal diagnosis in a family carrying the Fragile Chromosome X Syndrome (sex linked mental retardation) has been performed using Recombinant DNA techniques. The use of these techniques together with cytogenetics and prenatal diagnosis using chorial biopsy, have enabled the diagnosis of the disease on a male foetus on the twelfth week of pregnancy. Similarly, we have been able to confirm the carrier state of the mother (proven) and the grand mother, and furthermore, the non affected condition of an older son to this mother. The results obtained reveal the importance of the new molecular techniques applied to the diagnosis of certain diseases with a genetic origin.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Collagen metabolism in experimental lung silicosis. A trimodal behavior of collagenolysis.

In spite of several studies, both in vivo and in vitro, the pathogenesis of silicosis remains unclear, mainly in those mechanisms related to fibrogenesis. In this study, we analyzed the concentration, biosynthesis, and degradation of collagen in silica-treated rats 7, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after instillation. Our results showed a significant increase in collagen content and biosynthesis from the 15th day onward. However, our most remarkable finding was related to collagenolytic activity. In this sense, the silicotic rats presented a trimodal behavior: some animals showed an increased degradation, others had similar values to those of the controls, and others exhibited a decrease of collagenolytic activity. Altogether, these results suggest that collagen deposition in silicotic lungs is due to a rise in biosynthesis and, at least in some animals, to a decrease in degradation. Nevertheless, the steps of collagenolysis must be studied in more detail.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Lung collagen metabolism and the clinical course of hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

We studied lung collagen metabolism in 18 patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis to determine if changes at this level could explain the different clinical courses followed by these patients. Collagen concentration, biosynthesis and degradation were measured in lung tissue samples obtained before treatment. Four patients healed, eight improved and six did not improve or worsened. All patients who healed showed an important increase in collagenolysis; patients who improved had normal or high values, but significantly less than those obtained in patients who healed. Finally, five out of the six patients who did not improve or worsened had a significant decrease in degradation. These findings support the notion that a diminution of local collagenolysis may play a role in the progression to fibrosis in some patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis and can also be a useful tool to predict the prognosis of this disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Leukemic transformation in patients with the 5q- alteration: analysis of the behavior of the 5q- clones in preleukemic to leukemic phases.

Serial cytogenetic studies have been performed in four patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. In all four a 5q- alteration was present, but with a different pattern of presentation. One patient presented 5q- as the only alteration since diagnosis; two patients acquired this alteration during the course of the disease; and the fourth showed a 5q- plus other alterations since the first cytogenetic study. Likewise, three of the four patients showed a clone with trisomy 8 and without 5q-. According to these observations and others from the literature with similar cytogenetic behavior, we have analyzed the following points: 5q- as a primary event and as the only alteration, 5q- as a secondary event, 5q- plus other alterations, and presence of cytogenetically different clones. Analysis of these points suggests that the 5q- alteration can represent an early mutation conferring a slow capacity of expansion to the affected clones, with the possibility of cytogenetic evolution during the progression of the disease (about 30% of the patients). Likewise, the association of trisomy 8 clones with 5q- clones can be a nonrandom event.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Frequency of constitutional chromosome alterations in patients with hematologic neoplasias.

From 1978 to 1985 cytogenetic studies were performed on 718 patients with different hematologic diseases. Nine (1.25%) had a constitutional chromosome alteration. One patient had trisomy 21, four had balanced translocations and four had sex chromosome anomalies. Although the frequency of constitutional alterations was twice that seen in the newborn population, an analysis of these data and also from the literature shows a random association between constitutional chromosome alterations and hematologic neoplasias, except for patients with Down's syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Chromosomal patterns in human malignant astrocytomas.

Cytogenetic analysis by direct and/or in vitro preparations was performed on 34 malignant astrocytomas. Thirty tumors showed near-diploid chromosome numbers, whereas, tritetraploid chromosome complements were present in four tumors. The most frequent chromosomal changes implied numerical deviations by a gain of chromosomes #7, #19, and #20, and by losses of #10, #22, and Y. Structural rearrangements were present in stem- or side lines of 24 tumors. Although no common chromosomal rearrangement seems to exist among those tumors, chromosomes #1, #6, #7, and #9 were predominantly involved. Polysomy and structural rearrangements of chromosome #7 could be related to the overexpression of epidermal growth factor gene, previously observed in some malignant gliomas.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Treatment of massive haematuria with aluminous salts.

Fifteen patients with massive vesical haematuria were treated with a 1% aluminium potassium sulphate solution in sterile distilled water, using continuous intravesical lavage with a double channel catheter. The haematuria was caused by vesical tumours in 13 patients, radiation cystitis in one and transurethral resection in one. Immediate side effects were few and none were noted in the long term, as judged by randomised biopsies from vesical mucosa. A complete response was noted in 66% of the patients, partial response in 15% and failure in 20%. This treatment is recommended for intractable bleeding from radiation cystitis and bladder tumours.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Increase of biosynthesis and degradation of collagen in normal lungs induced by soluble factors obtained from experimental pulmonary silicosis.

We have studied the effects of soluble factors obtained from rat lungs with experimentally-induced pulmonary fibrosis of 2 months duration on the in vitro rates of biosynthesis and degradation of collagen in normal rat lung preparations. Factors soluble in phosphate-buffered saline were prepared from the minced lungs of normal controls and of silicotic animals. The in vitro rate of collagen biosynthesis of normal rat lung explants was measured as the rate of incorporation of radioactive proline into total and collagenous protein. The in vitro rate of collagen degradation in normal rat lung homogenates was measured as the rate of release of hydroxyproline-containing materials of less than 100,000 daltons to the supernatant. Our results suggest that in this experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis there are soluble factors that stimulate both collagen biosynthesis and collagen degradation in in vitro preparations of normal rat lung.

Animals↗