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Biomedical subjects

E Campos

Publications and source records attributed to E Campos.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A screening method for abnormally high lipoprotein(a) concentrations by agarose lipoprotein electrophoresis.

A routine electrophoretic method detecting plasma lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is described. Plasma lipoproteins were electrophoresed using an agarose gel film containing cations which retard migration of beta-, prebeta- and alpha-bands. When present, the Lp(a)-band was detected between prebeta- and alpha-bands. This extra-band lipoprotein has been demonstrated to be Lp(a), by an immunofixation technique using anti-Lp(a) antibodies. This original procedure allows a distinct separation of Lp(a) from prebeta even after samples have been stored at 4 degrees C for several days, or in cases of hyperlipemic samples with increased prebeta lipoproteins. The reliability of this detection test has been tested in comparison with an Lp(a) electroimmunoassay. Both these techniques have been performed on 719 randomly selected subjects. With electrophoresis, the Lp(a)-positive subjects accounted for 34.2% of the subjects and although this method does not distinguish between different levels of positivity (depending on the sample), the presence of Lp(a)-band was always perceptible at concentrations that belong to the upper 15th percentile of values as determined by electroimmunodiffusion; inversely, all Lp(a)-positive plasma was measurable. In consequence, since it is reliable and relatively inexpensive, this detection test on modified agarose gel appears very useful for revealing the presence of abnormally high values of Lp(a) in populations.

Adolescent↗

Cholesterol in remnant-like lipoproteins in human serum using monoclonal anti apo B-100 and anti apo A-I immunoaffinity mixed gels.

We have developed a simple, rapid assay method for apo E-rich lipoproteins (d < 1.006 g/ml), using an immunoaffinity gel mixture of anti apo B-100 and apo A-I antibodies coupled to Sepharose 4B. The immunoaffinity mixed gels adsorb normal lipoproteins containing apo A-I quantitatively as well as most lipoproteins containing apo B-100. Unbound lipoproteins are quantified by assay of cholesterol. Characterization of the unbound lipoproteins of d < 1.006 g/ml (J Lipid Res 1992; 33: 369-380) has shown that they represent chylomicron and VLDL remnant-like particles (RLP). RLP-Cholesterol(C) levels in plasma have been determined in 363 male and female normolipidemic subjects (mean +/- S.D.: 72 +/- 16 mg/l) and have been found to be higher in patients with coronary heart disease and familial dysbetalipoproteinemia. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins may well contain both atherogenic and non-atherogenic particles that can be separated by this simple immunoadsorption assay.

Adolescent↗

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in schoolchildren of a tropical community.

Information about Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections in tropical countries is scarce. This study reports the prevalence of anti-M. pneumoniae antibodies among schoolchildren from the tropical community of Palmares, Costa Rica. The serum samples were collected in July 1983 from 2021 children who represented 99% of the county's schoolchildren. Immunofluorescence (IFA) and in some cases ELISA serological methods were applied. IFA seropositivity was high (53%) and ranged from 22% to 79% depending on the district. Marked differences in the prevalence of antibodies in children attending schools of neighboring communities, suggest that the school may be epidemiologically important as a focus to spread mycoplasma infections among children. The presence of a low percentage of antibodies (IgG, IgM and IgA) against the 168 kd- M. pneumoniae antigen suggested that there were few cases of active or recent infections.

Child↗

[Automated method for yeast identification: ATB 32 C].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ATB 32 C (API system) automatic medium for identifying yeasts in clinical samples. A total of 101 yeasts strains were studied, representing 8 genera and 18 different species, identified by conventional means. All 32 microdomes of the track, including dehydrated substrates, were inoculated in a semi-solid media (C medium). After their incubation at 30 degrees C for 48 hours, the reading device ATB 1520 and the computer of ATB system the reading and automatic interpretation of the results. Using the ATB method, 85 strains were identified (84%) at species level, 9 at genus level and a non-conclusive or unacceptable profile was recorded in 7 strains. From all clinically important yeasts species, a total of 96% were identified by ATB method according to conventional methods. From all non clinically relevant species, ATB 32 C identified correctly 23 strains (78%). ATB 32 C method is a good alternative approach to conventional techniques for identifying yeasts in clinical samples.

Automation↗

Properties of an apolipoprotein E-enriched fraction of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins isolated from human blood plasma with a monoclonal antibody to apolipoprotein B-100.

A monoclonal antibody to apolipoprotein (apo) B-100 (JI-H) with unique binding properties has been used to separate a population of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from blood plasma of normotriglyceridemic individuals and patients with various forms of hypertriglyceridemia. This antibody fails to recognize an apoE-rich population of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) containing apoB-100 as well as all triglyceride-rich lipoproteins containing apoB-48, but it binds other VLDL that contain apoE and almost all lipoproteins that contain apoB-100, but no apoE. The unbound triglyceride-rich lipoproteins separated by ultracentrifugation after separation from plasma by immunoaffinity chromatography contained 10-13% of the apoB of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from three normotriglyceridemic individuals, 10-29% of that from five patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia, 40-48% of that from three patients with familial dysbetablipoproteinemia, and 65% of that from a patient with lipoprotein lipase deficiency. In all cases, the unbound triglyceride-rich lipoproteins contained more molecules of apoE and cholesteryl esters per particle than those that were bound to monoclonal antibody JI-H, and they were generally depleted of C apolipoproteins. These properties resemble those described for partially catabolized remnants of chylomicrons and VLDL. The affinity of the unbound lipoproteins for the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor varied widely, and closely resembled that of the total triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from individual subjects. Our results demonstrate that remnant-like chylomicrons and a population of remnant-like VLDL can be isolated and quantified in blood plasma obtained in the postabsorptive state from normotriglyceridemic and hypertriglyceridemic individuals alike.

Adult↗

[Evaluation of an agglutination method of latex particles sensitized for the detection of vaginal candidiasis].

We assayed clinically and experimentally a rapid method for detection of Candida in vagina by slide latex agglutination test (SLA). A total of 50 vaginal swabs from women with clinical evidence of candidiasis were examined for yeast by microscopical examination, mycological culture and compared with the Candida antigen test. We also studied experimentally the sensibility of the SLA test. We found better results with SLA than microscopy for rapid diagnosis. Of the women with certain vaginal candidiasis, 60% were diagnosed by microscopy and 100% by SLA. SLA provided similar information than culture, but is faster and the clinician can use its information choosing the appropriate antifungal treatment.

Candida↗

New treatment for frontal sinus hypertrophy.

A new treatment of frontal sinus hypertrophy is described. The anterior wall is removed, inverted, and attached again. The resulting depression is filled with bone dust. Details are discussed, and a case is presented.

Adult↗

Susceptibilities of species of the Bacteroides fragilis group to 10 antimicrobial agents.

A total of 94 clinical isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group was tested for susceptibility to metronidazole, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, cefoxitin, cefotetan, cefmetazole, moxalactam, mezlocillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and imipenem. All the strains tested were susceptible to imipenem, metronidazole, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, and chloramphenicol. The rate of resistance to clindamycin was 21%. The results of this study demonstrate a difference in resistance rates from one species of the B. fragilis group to another.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Vergence movements in comitant strabismus.

Vergence movements induced by base-out prisms were recorded, with an infrared eye tracker, for 6 patients with comitant esotropia (i.e., convergent strabismus) and anomalous retinal correspondence and for 6 normal subjects. Vergence movements of strabismic subjects were much slower and showed characteristics different from those of controls. It may be argued that vergence movements are induced by disparity and represent the motor fusion component left over in strabismus. In fact, in this study accommodative as well as proximal vergence had been ruled out. Therefore, the movements recorded can be considered the objective representation of the well-known phenomenon of prism compensation or adaptation, found in many strabismic patients.

Accommodation, Ocular↗

[Binocular vision in concomitant strabismus].

It was discovered that in a small angle concomitant squint there occurs a kind of binocular vision maintained by abnormal retinal correspondence. This phenomenon may be discovered by a campimetric examination, by VEP and by other psychophysical tests. There appear accomodational movements which tend to maintain a stable angle of deviation which enables a binocular vision. Analysis of these movements is presented.

Adolescent↗

Stability of St. Louis encephalitis viral antigen detected by enzyme immunoassay in infected mosquitoes.

The use of enzyme immunoassay to detect St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) viral antigen in vector mosquitoes enhances the effectiveness of surveillance because infected mosquitoes can be identified more rapidly than with conventional virus isolation systems and because it is a simple and accessible procedure. Infectivity among mosquitoes experimentally infected with SLE virus was lost within 24 h after the mosquitoes were stored at 27 degrees C and 80% relative humidity; however, viral antigen remained stable under these conditions and could be detected by enzyme immunoassay 2 weeks later. Desiccation further extended the period during which antigen could be detected to 6 weeks. Absorbances were higher in infected mosquitoes stored at 27 degrees C than in mosquitoes frozen continuously. Absorbances in infected mosquitoes also increased after repeated freezing and thawing and sonication. Both phenomena may be related to the release of antigen from decaying or disrupted cells. The relative stability of SLE viral antigen at ambient temperatures lends flexibility to schemes which use direct antigen detection to identify vectors. Surveillance systems can be designed without regard to collecting living mosquitoes, and a cold chain in unnecessary to preserve specimens, thus reducing the cost of surveillance and expanding the geographic areas to which it is accessible.

Animals↗

Distribution of lipids and apolipoproteins in human plasma by vertical spin ultracentrifugation.

A study on the fractionation of human plasma into various lipoprotein classes was performed by single spin vertical ultracentrifugation. Detailed apolipoprotein (A-I, A-II, B, C-III, and E) and lipid (cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and triacylglycerol) analyses were performed on the fractions obtained by single spin vertical ultracentrifugation. ApoB was located primarily in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction whereas Lp(a) was detected in the fractions extending into the high-density lipoprotein region. The distributions of ApoA-I and ApoA-II varied among individuals, suggesting heterogeneity in the composition of HDL, and this was confirmed by the distributions of ApoC-III, ApoD, and ApoE. ApoC-III and ApoD were associated primarily with HDL3 while ApoE showed the most variation among subjects, spreading across the entire density spectrum. Distributions of cholesterol and cholesterol ester coincided with the elution of major apolipoproteins A-I and B while the distribution of triacylglycerol was variable. An immunoassay for lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) demonstrated that the majority of LCAT was present in the high- to very high-density lipoprotein region, but LCAT was also detected in LDL and the immunoreactivity extended into the very low-density lipoprotein region. The presence of apolipoproteins A-I and A-II, as well as LCAT in the intermediate lipoprotein density region (LDL1) was consistent with these species representing lipolytic remnants. This study indicated that rapid (3 h) single spin vertical ultracentrifugation offers insights into the heterogeneity of lipoproteins and offers a useful tool for monitoring perturbations of the plasma lipid transport system. In conjunction with immunosorbers, immunoassays, and micro lipid analyses, this procedure offers a method to isolate and characterize various lipoprotein subspecies.

Apolipoproteins↗