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Biomedical subjects

E Garcia

Publications and source records attributed to E Garcia.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Oral immunization of rats with proteinoid microspheres encapsulating influenza virus antigens.

Influenza virus antigen microspheres were prepared by a pH-dependent process using a protein-like polymer (proteinoid) made by thermal condensation of amino acids. The efficacy of these preparations to induce specific IgG responses when used as oral vaccines in rats was evaluated. A single enteric dose of M1 entrapped in proteinoid microspheres was able to induce a significant IgG response to M1 as early as 2 weeks postdosing, while rats dosed orally with the same M1 total dose (no microspheres) showed no detectable antibody response. An unencapsulated hemagglutinin and neuraminidase (HA-NA) preparation induced a moderate anti HA-NA IgG response. A single enteric dose of HA-NA spheres induced a response in 33% of the rats; this response was up to eight times higher than that observed in the rats dosed with unencapsulated antigen.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

The influence of workload on the mental state of the primary health care physician.

The work factors involved in physicians' mental workload were analysed. The study settings were 116 physicians (general practitioners, paediatricians and residents in family programmes working in out-patient clinics) (Primary Health Care Centres) in Spain. The questionnaire used measured the mental workload and the work activity over a period of 5 days. The mental workload covered seven dimensions: mental effort, physical effort, difficulty, priority, modify standards of visit, overlap, and stress. Its Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.80. The mental workload correlated positively with all variables measuring the workload activity. However, when the multiple regression analysis (stepwise met) was assessed, only the number of room visits, the referrals by nurse to physician, the room emergencies, the level of administrative tasks, the patients with complex pathologies, and the workload adequacy remained significant. The physicians' years of experience did not correlate with mental workload. The influence of diverse work activities in each of the mental workload dimensions was investigated. We conclude that the number of patient visits and organizational factors determine physicians' mental workload.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Cardiotomy suction versus red cell spinning during repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Two consecutive series of patients undergoing repair of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms with partial cardiopulmonary bypass and low systemic heparinization (activated coagulation time: ACT greater than 180 sec) for proximal unloading and distal protection were analyzed. During the surgical procedures, thoracic shed blood was recovered either with a red cell spinning autotransfusion device (n=10) or two pump suckers and Duraflo II heparin surface coated cardiotomy reservoirs (n=10). There were 5/10 acute lesions and 1/10 ruptures for the autotransfusion group versus 5/10 acute lesions and 2/10 ruptures for the cardiotomy group (NS). Extension of aortic resection (range 1-8) was 3.6+/-1.2 for autotransfusion versus 3.5+/-1.4 for cardiotomy suction (NS). Mean number of reimplanted patches for intercostal and visceral reperfusion was 0.3+/-0.6 for autotransfusion versus 0.6+/-1.0 for cardiotomy (NS). Perfusion time was 41+/-17 min for autotransfusion versus 60+/-19 min for cardiotomy (p less than 0.05) and cross clamp time was 33+/-14 min for autotransfusion versus 43+/-17 min for cardiotomy (p less than 0.01). Total heparin dose was for 9500+/-2100 IU for autotransfusion versus 9800+/-1300 IU for cardiotomy (NS). The mean of the lowest ACTs measured during perfusion was 281+/-121 sec for autotransfusion versus 258+/-58 sec for cardiotomy (NS). The total protamine dose given was 7800+/-2100 IU for autotransfusion versus 9700+/-1900 IU for cardiotomy (p less than 0.05). The volume of washed red cells prepared was 3186+/-1318 ml for autotransfusion versus 0 for cardiotomy (p less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Low-dose heparin versus full-dose heparin with high-dose aprotinin during cardiopulmonary bypass. A preliminary report.

Perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass with low-dose heparin (activated clotting time, > 180 sec) versus full-dose heparin (activated clotting time, > 480 sec) combined with high-dose aprotinin was evaluated prospectively. Fifteen patients undergoing elective myocardial revascularization were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. No significant differences between the groups were found for age, sex, body surface area, preoperative hematocrit level, duration of cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic cross-clamp time, mean number of bypasses per patient, or mean number of arterial grafts per patient. In all patients, heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass equipment was used, including heparinized hollow-fiber membrane oxygenators and tubing sets. In each group, protamine sulfate was given equivalent to the heparin loading dose; additional doses were administered according to the ACT. The mean total dosage of heparin was 9.5 +/- 1.4 x 10(3) IU for the group given low systemic heparinization (Group 1) compared with 34.6 +/- 3.4 x 10(3) IU for the group given full systemic heparinization in combination with high-dose aprotinin (Group 2) (p < 0.0001). The mean amount of aprotinin administered in Group 2 was 5.6 +/- 0.3 x 10(6) KIU; aprotinin was not used in Group 1. The mean protamine dosage necessary in Group 1, 7.0 +/- 0.9 x 10(3) IU, was significantly less than the 22.9 +/- 3.2 x 10(3) IU needed in Group 2 (p < 0.0001). In Group 1, shed blood recovery was achieved by a red-cell spinning device; in Group 2, cardiotomy suction was used. The total chest tube drainage (i.e., postoperative blood loss) per patient in Group 1 totaled 432 +/- 162 mL/m2; in Group 2, it was 311 +/- 111 mL/m2 (difference not significant). Transfusion requirements comprised a mean volume of 143 +/- 165 mL/m2 concentrated homologous red blood cells per patient in Group 1 and 416 +/- 128 mL/m2 in Group 2 (p < 0.01). Heparin-coated perfusion equipment allowed a significantly lower dosage of systemic heparin and protamine in Group 1 than that in Group 2, and a lower dosage in Group 2 than that in previous studies. Postoperative blood loss appeared to be similar between groups. The combination of heparin-coated perfusion equipment with low systemic heparinization and a red-cell spinning device provides promising results.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Inhibition of visceral protein synthesis by certain amino acid supplements.

This study was focused on the effects produced by diets with different amino acid proportions on visceral protein synthesis (liver and jejunal mucosa). Eight groups of rats received an enteral modular diet supplemented with different amino acids (Group 1: Ile, Leu, Val; Group 2: Phe, Met, Gly; Group 3: Glu, Arg, Gly; Group 4: Gly, Group 5: Orn-Asp, Cys, Pro; Group 6: Lys, Ser, Thr; Group 7: Tyr, His, Ala). Group 8 was the control group. Rats were fed for four days. At the end of this period a flooding dose of 14C-Leu was injected and animals were killed. Liver and jejunal mucosa were removed and protein synthesis rate was determined. Results show a decreased liver protein synthesis in group fed with aromatic amino acids (53.8 +/- 8.4 vs. 88.6 +/- 12.1) and Glu-Arg (68.6 +/- 10.9). In jejunal mucosa there was a decrease of protein synthesis in groups fed with aromatic amino acids (98.7 +/- 16 vs 160.5 +/- 49). These changes seem to be related to the intracellular amino acid pool size and its influence on protein metabolism.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1993

Orally administered omeprazole versus injection therapy in the prevention of rebleeding from peptic ulcer with visible vessel. A multicenter randomized study.

Endoscopic injection therapy significantly reduces the risk of bleeding relapse in patients with digestive hemorrhage due to peptic ulcers associated with a visible vessel. Profound and sustained acid inhibition by proton pump inhibitors may generate optimal conditions for clotting and prevent bleeding relapse. Over a one-year period, 52 patients presenting with digestive hemorrhage, in whom emergency endoscopy showed a peptic ulcer with a non-bleeding visible vessel, were enrolled in a multicenter randomized study comparing oral omeprazole, 40 mg per day (n = 31) vs adrenaline (1:10,000) plus polidocanol (1%) injection associated with oral ranitidine 300 mg per day (n = 21). Rebleeding occurred in 15/52 (29%) patients: 8/31 (26%) in the omeprazole group with 6 major hemorrhages (19%), and in 7/21 (33%) in the injection group with 3 major hemorrhages (14%); the differences were not significant. No difference was observed between omeprazole and injection group in terms of volume of transfused blood (2.03 +/- 1.5 vs 3.1 +/- 0.9 blood units), need for hemostatic surgery (9.6% vs 14.3%), mortality (19.3% vs 14.3%) and mean hospital stay (11.5 days both groups). This study suggests that oral omeprazole, 40 mg per day, has an efficacy comparable to injection therapy in reducing the bleeding relapse from non bleeding peptic ulcers associated with visible vessel.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

Automated production of high density cosmid and YAC colony filters using a robotic workstation.

We report here on a system for automated preparation of high-density colony filters of arrayed libraries using the high density replicating system (HDR) for the Beckman Biomek 1000 robotic workstation. This system, consisting of a 96-pin tool, a sterilization station and controlling software, transfers samples from microplates onto target membranes in arrays up to 36 times the density of a 96-well microplate. The transfer operation can be completely automated with the addition of the Biomek Side Loader System, which consists of a robotic arm capable of transferring plates and filters between the Biomek working tablet and a storage area. Using the complete system, we are able to plate 32 replica filters (8 x 12 cm), each containing the clones from 16 different microplates (i.e., 1536 clones per filter), in a 16-h overnight run without any operator intervention. We describe conditions used for transfer of bacterial yeast colonies and fixation of DNA to the membranes, and we illustrate hybridization results obtained with cosmid and YAC filters.

Biotechnology↗
PubMed1992

Interleukin 10 is a potent growth and differentiation factor for activated human B lymphocytes.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10), originally identified as a TH2 helper T-cell product able to inhibit cytokine production by TH1 cells, is highly homologous to BCRF1 (viral IL-10), an open reading frame in the Epstein-Barr virus genome. Here, we show that human and viral IL-10 stimulate DNA replication of B lymphocytes activated either via their antigen receptor or via their CD40 antigen. IL-4 and IL-10 display additive effects and induce a strong increase in the number of viable cells. Moreover, IL-10 induces activated B cells to secrete large amounts of IgG, IgA, and IgM, and the combination of IL-10 and IL-4 results in the secretion of the four immunoglobulin isotypes. Thus, IL-10 may play an important role in the amplification of humoral responses.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1992

Immobilization and single-step purification of fusion proteins using DEAE-cellulose.

We have developed a new single-step system, using a DEAE matrix, to immobilize and/or purify fusion proteins containing the choline-binding domain of the Streptococcus pneumoniae murein hydrolases. We have constructed a choline-binding-domain--beta-galactosidase chimera, which can be purified by this procedure and shows a high beta-galactosidase activity when immobilized in the column. A vector plasmid, pCUZ1, containing the lppp-5/lac promoter as well as 13 restriction sites, was constructed to facilitate the cloning and expression of gene fusions. This plasmid also allows the selection of recombinants by the well-known blue/white 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactoside procedure. A chimera between the choline-binding domain and the pneumococcal hemolysin was also constructed and purified using pCUZ1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

The value of fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of inflammatory pancreatic masses.

In order to determine the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of inflammatory pancreatic masses (pseudocyst and abscess), we reviewed 91 FNAC specimens performed during 1985-1989 at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center. All specimens were collected under computed tomographic guidance. A sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 98% were recorded in the diagnosis of inflammatory pancreatic masses. The sensitivity and specificity of the method in the diagnosis of malignant neoplasms were 79.5% and 100%, respectively. We conclude that fine-needle aspiration cytology of pancreas is not only an important diagnostic tool in patients with pancreatic cancer, but can also be used to diagnose inflammatory masses of the pancreas. In fact, aspiration of such masses may not only be diagnostic, but also therapeutic in some patients.

Abscess↗
PubMed1992

Ventricular injection of nerve growth factor increases dopamine content in the striata of MPTP-treated mice.

Experimental depletion of dopaminergic striatal neurons was induced in mice with the neurotoxin MPTP. To investigate a possible effect of nerve growth factor on the damaged neurons, we injected 4 micrograms into the right cerebral ventricle of mice three days after the last administration of MPTP. We found a significant increase of dopamine and homovanillic acid in the striatum of MPTP treated mice after NGF administration when compared with dopamine and HVA levels in MPTP-treated control mice (p less than 0.001). The increase of dopamine and homovanillic acid seems to be related to a partial restorative effect of NGF on the damaged dopaminergic cells, since ventricular administration of NGF to normal mice did not increase dopamine or homovanillic acid contents above the levels measured in untreated controls. It appears that administration of nerve growth factor produces a beneficial effect on damaged dopaminergic neurons; this effect could be due to stimulation of neuron sprouting from neurons that survived the toxic effect of MPTP. The increase of dopamine levels was seen 8 days after injection of nerve growth factor and was maintained at least until day 25, showing a lasting persistence of the restorative effect.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1992

Nucleotide sequences of the major subunits of F9 and F12 fimbriae of uropathogenic Escherichia coli.

An Eco RV-Cla I fragment containing the gene encoding the F9 fimbrial subunit of the human uropathogenic Escherichia coli strain C1018 and a PstI-PstI fragment containing the F12 fimbrial subunit gene of the dog uropathogenic strain 1442 have been cloned and the nucleotide sequence of the fragments determined. The structural gene of the F9 fimbriae (FniA) codes for a protein of 165 amino acid residues with a signal peptide of 25 amino acids. The F12 fimbrial gene (FtwA) codes for a protein of 155 amino acids which is preceded by a single peptide of 21 amino acids. The amino acid sequences of the FniA and FtwA proteins deduced from the nucleotide sequence were compared with sequences of other known P-fimbrial subunit proteins. As expected, most differences between the various proteins were found in the hypervariable regions defined by van Die et al. (1987). The N-terminal sequence of the FtwA protein differs from the one published by Klemm et al. (1983). FtwA contains two deletions found in comparison to the other fimbrial subunits.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Perfusion with low systemic heparinization during resection of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms.

Two series of 20 consecutive patients with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta (TAA) and thoraco-abdominal aorta (TAAA) underwent multisegmental aortic repair using either simple normothermic crossclamping and rapid reanastomosis (historic) or partial cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with heparin coated perfusion equipment and low systemic heparinization (actual). Chronic lesions were present in 14/20 patients (70%) for simple versus 13/20 (65%) for CPB (NS). Acute lesions (symptomatic less than 24 h) were present in 6/20 patients (30%) for simple versus 7/20 (35%) for CPB (NS). Dissecting lesions were observed in 4/20 patients (20%) for simple versus 8/20 (40%) for CPB (NS). Aneurysmal lesions were found in 16/20 patients (80%) for simple versus 12/20 (60%) for CPB (NS). Mean number of aortic segments (n = 8) resected was 3.2 +/- 1.1 for simple versus 4.0 +/- 1.2 for CPB (P less than 0.01). Replacement of the transdiaphragmatic aorta was performed in 10/20 patients (50%) for simple and 13/20 patients (65%) for CPB (NS). A heparin loading dose of 5000 IU for simple versus 100 IU/kg bodyweight for CPB was used. In the latter group, the activated clotting time was kept above 180 s during a mean perfusion time of 46 +/- 28 min at a mean pump flow of 2.2 +/- 0.7 l/min. Thirty-day survival for all (transdiaphragmatic) was 12/20 (5/10) patients for simple versus 20/20 (13/13) for CPB (P less than 0.002, P less than 0.01). One-year survival (all) was 11/20 patients (55%) for simple versus 19/20 (95%) for CPB (P less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Horizontal gene transfer of the Escherichia coli pap and prs pili operons as a mechanism for the development of tissue-specific adhesive properties.

Escherichia coli strains bind to Gal alpha 1-4Gal-containing glycolipids via P pili-associated G-adhesins. Three functional classes of adhesins with different binding specificities are encoded by conserved G-alleles. We suggest that the Class I papG-allele of strain J96 is a novel acquisition possibly introduced via horizontal gene transfer into one of the two P pili gene clusters carried by this strain. Closely related strains in the ECOR collection of natural E. coli isolates carry either a Class II or a Class III G-adhesin. Data indicate that genetic exchanges involving either entire pap or prs gene clusters or individual pap/prs genes have occurred. We propose that the retention and spread of pap/prs DNA among E. coli is the result of selection pressure exerted by mammalian intestinal isoreceptors.

Adhesins, Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1992

Influence of changes in protein binding on the central activity of antidepressants.

The central effect (expressed as analgesic response), protein binding and brain uptake of mianserin were measured in mice receiving drug intraperitoneally. A significant decrease of the central effect of mianserin (30 mg kg-1) was seen in mice with experimental inflammation when compared with control animals (reaction time (s) = 12.12 +/- 1.22 vs 25.56 +/- 2.92; P less than 0.001) and the dose-analgesia response curve (10-60 mg kg-1) was significantly shifted to the right in mice with inflammation. In serum of mice with inflammation, unbound concentration of mianserin was decreased from 19.37 +/- 0.73 to 17.83 +/- 0.30% (P less than 0.05) and seromucoid levels were significantly increased (P less than 0.001). Following the intraperitoneal administration of 30 mg kg-1 of mianserin, brain uptake decreased in diseased mice when compared with control animals (P less than 0.02), suggesting that the decrease in analgesia was secondary to a decrease in drug delivery to the brain because of increased protein binding.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effect of acetazolamide on cerebral blood flow and capillary patency.

This study investigated the effects 2 h after administration of acetazolamide on cerebral blood flow and the pattern of cerebral capillary perfusion. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, arterial blood gases, and pH were recorded in two groups of rats along with either regional cerebral blood flow or the percentage of capillary volume per cubic millimeter and number per square millimeter perfused as determined in cortical, thalamic, pontine, and medullary regions of the brain. Blood pressure, heart rate, and arterial PCO2 were not significantly different between the rats receiving acetazolamide (100 mg/kg) and the controls. Arterial blood pH was significantly lower in the acetazolamide rats. Blood flow increased significantly in the cortical (+ 102%), thalamic (+ 89%), and pontine (+ 88%) regions receiving acetazolamide. In control rats, approximately 60% of the capillaries were perfused in all of the examined regions. The percentage of capillaries per square millimeter perfused was significantly greater in the cortical (+ 52%), thalamic (+ 49%), and pontine (+ 47%) regions of acetazolamide rats compared with controls. In the medulla the increases in blood flow and percentage of capillaries perfused were not significant. Thus in the regions that acetazolamide increased cerebral blood flow, it also increased the percentage of capillaries perfused.

Acetazolamide↗