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Biomedical subjects

E Gomez

Publications and source records attributed to E Gomez.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Analysis of sperm movement in relation to the oxidative stress created by leukocytes in washed sperm preparations and seminal plasma.

The addition of luminol to unprocessed semen samples resulted in the generation of chemiluminescent signals, the intensity of which was highly correlated with the level of leukocyte contamination. Despite the spontaneous oxidant-generating capacity of seminal leukocytes, no correlations were observed between leukocyte contamination and the fertility status of the subjects or any aspect of the semen profile, including the motility of the spermatozoa or their performance in a hyaluronate penetration assay. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence and leukocyte contamination were also correlated in washed sperm suspensions prepared either by repeated centrifugation or on discontinuous Percoll gradients. However, in such sperm suspensions, the spontaneous generation of oxidants by contaminating leukocytes (> 2 x 10(4) leukocytes/ml) was invariably associated with a decreased capacity for movement. Moreover, causative associations between leukocyte contamination, reactive oxygen species generation, lipid peroxidation and impaired sperm motility were revealed by experiments involving the selective addition or removal of activated leukocytes. From these observations we can conclude that low concentrations of leukocytes are a common feature of the human ejaculate and can impair sperm function, particularly in the absence of seminal plasma. These findings have implications for our understanding of the importance of leukocytospermia in defining the fertility of human spermatozoa in vivo and in vitro.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1995

Changes in the analgesic effects of mianserin associated with altered plasma protein binding in experimental cancer.

In a group of mice bearing experimentally induced tumors, the protein binding of mianserin in vitro was measured and compared with a control group. The analgesic effect and the brain uptake of drug was also compared with a control group after an intraperitoneal dose of mianserin. The unbound percentage of mianserin in the plasma of mice with experimental cancer decreased with respect to control animals (5.20 +/- 0.12 vs 6.06 +/- 0.26; p<0.05) and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AAG) levels, measured as plasma mucoprotein concentrations, were significantly increased (p<0.05). The brain/plasma drug concentration ratio of mianserin decreased in mice with experimental cancer when compared with control mice (1.11 +/- 0.03 vs 1.42 +/- 0.10; p<0.02). In both groups of mice, the mianserin analgesic effect was evaluated by the hot plate test after intraperitoneal drug administration. When the analgesia response-dose curve (0-60 mg/kg) was studied, a significant decrease in the response in mice with experimental cancer versus control mice was observed. These results suggest that resistance to the mianserin analgesic response may occur in animals with cancer disease. This resistance may be associated, in part, with an altered plasma protein binding, but other mechanisms could be involved.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1994

The effect of directly observed therapy on the rates of drug resistance and relapse in tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis has reemerged as an important public health problem, and the frequency of drug resistance is increasing. A major reason for the development of resistant infections and relapse is poor compliance with medical regimens. In Tarrant County, Texas, we initiated a program of universal directly observed treatment for tuberculosis. We report the effect of the program on the rates of primary and acquired drug resistance and relapse among patients with tuberculosis. METHODS: We collected information on all patients with positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Tarrant County from January 1, 1980, through December 31, 1992. Through October 1986, patients received a traditional, unsupervised drug regimen. Beginning in November 1986, nearly all patients received therapy under direct observation by health care personnel. RESULTS: A total of 407 episodes in which patients received traditional treatment for tuberculosis (January 1980 through October 1986) were compared with 581 episodes in which therapy was directly observed (November 1986 through December 1992). Despite higher rates of intravenous drug use and homelessness and an increasing rate of tuberculosis during this 13-year period, the frequency of primary drug resistance decreased from 13.0 percent to 6.7 percent (P < 0.001) after the institution of direct observation of therapy, and the frequency of acquired resistance declined from 14.0 percent to 2.1 percent (P < 0.001). The relapse rate decreased from 20.9 percent to 5.5 percent (P < 0.001), and the number of relapses with multidrug-resistant organisms decreased from 25 to 5 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of therapy for M. tuberculosis infection under direct observation leads to significant reductions in the frequency of primary drug resistance, acquired drug resistance, and relapse.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Neuronal vacuole formation in the rat posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex after treatment with the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate).

Cytoplasmic vacuoles appear in neurons of the posterior cingulate/retrosplenial cortex (PC/RS) of rats after treatment with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Prominent dilatation of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum has been described within 2 h; however, the ultrastructural features of vacuole formation are unknown. To investigate this, the present study examined the PC/RS cortex of male rats (age 60-70 days) at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after subcutaneous treatment with 1 mg/kg of the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 (dizocilpine maleate, 5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a,d] cyclohepten-5,10-imine). Subtle mitochondrial dilatation was identified in a few neurons as early as 15 min postdose (MPD). By 30 MPD, dilatation was more pronounced in mitochondria and also involved the endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear space. Ribosomal disaggregation and degranulation were also evident by 30 MPD. At all subsequent time points, dilatation of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum progressed in severity. Although the relative involvement of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum varied, glia were not involved. These ultrastructural data suggest that after treatment with MK-801, mitochondrial dilatation precedes involvement of endoplasmic reticulum in vacuolization of susceptible PC/RS cortical neurons. The early mitochondrial effects identified in this study suggest an initial metabolic insult that rapidly progresses to affect endoplasmic reticulum and ribosomes. This strengthens the relationship between the ability of certain NMDA antagonists to induce energy perturbations and neuronal vacuoles in the same region of the rat cerebral cortex.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

An additional set of phages to characterize epidemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains from Spain (1989-92).

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates in Spain have increased dramatically; in 1986 there were only 1.2% MRSA amongst all nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolates, by 1989 this percentage had risen to 44% in some hospital causing a very serious epidemic situation in the country. We have characterized these isolates by direct, reverse and Fisk phage typing and we have also looked for an additional local set of phages to help us to differentiate these strains. We have been able to differentiate an epidemic strain from other MRSA strains which cause sporadic hospital outbreaks, and we have also distinguished between some variants of the epidemic strain.

Bacteriophage Typing↗
PubMed1994

A biomechanical analysis of articular cartilage of the human elbow and a potential relationship to osteochondritis dissecans.

A cadaveric study of the articular surfaces of the radiocapitellar joint was undertaken to identify a biomechanical mechanism of osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral capitellum. The articulating radial head and capitellum of fresh anatomic specimens were dissected and tested for intrinsic mechanical properties. Significant differences exist in the mechanical properties and thickness of cartilage topographically in the capitellum and radial head, and between the two surfaces. The medial portion of the radial head is the softest of all radiocapitellar osteochondral segments tested. Comparing medial to lateral sites of the capitellum, there is a trend of decreased stiffness; lateral segments are softer than medial ones. The central section of the radial head is significantly stiffer than the lateral capitellum. There is no significant difference between the stiffness of the radial head sites and the medial capitellum. The disparity in the mechanical properties of the central radial head and lateral capitellum would increase strain in the lateral capitellum. During high-valgus stress activities such as throwing, this increased strain may be a factor in the initiation and localization of the dissecans lesion observed in osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The periodontal treatment needs of Malagan adults.

The Periodontal treatment needs of 908 subjects aged 18-64 years in Málaga, Spain were assessed using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN). The percentage of subjects scored periodontally healthy decreased with age, 18-64 yrs., from 22% to 3%. Conversely periodontal pocketing increased with age from 2% to 55%. Calculus was a very prevalent score at all ages, about 60% overall. No significant differences in periodontal treatment needs were identified among the three defined socio-economic groups, but the health professional group had fewer periodontal pockets than the other two groups. Treatment needs increased significantly with age in all groups. For the WHO standard age group 35-44 yrs 8% of 180 were scored healthy, 66% were scored for calculus or bleeding only, 23% with shallow pockets and 3% with deep pockets. An average of 2 out of 6 sextants were found health and 2.6 (43%) had calculus or other retentive factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Short report: effect of two prokinetic drugs on the electrical and motor activity of the small bowel in dogs.

The effects of trimebutine and domperidone, on the electrical and motor activity of the upper small bowel in dogs, were studied simultaneously by means of a suction electrode and a manometric catheter. Trimebutine, given during phases I and II of the migratory motor complex, was followed by a period of regular spike potentials and contractions; the increased motor activity was significantly greater when the drug was given during phase II. Domperidone, when injected in phase I, was followed by an irregular pattern of spike potentials and contractions of low amplitude. By contrast, activity was not augmented when the drug was given during phase II. We conclude that the effects of drugs, such as trimebutine and domperidone, on the canine small bowel are influenced by the phase of the migratory motor complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Nucleolar organizer regions as markers of incipient cellular alterations in squamous epithelium.

Transcriptionally active nucleolar organizer regions identified by silver staining (AgNOR) vary in number with cellular activity and/or malignant transformation and have been used as a diagnostic tool. A morphometric study of AgNORs was performed in an experimental model of irradiated squamous epithelium (Wistar rat sole skin) 4, 8, and 14 hours and 1, 2, 5, and 7 days post-irradiation with 50 Gy of x-rays. A statistically significant and progressive rise in AgNOR average volume of up to 238% and reduction in AgNOR number/nucleus of up to 40% were detected as a function of post-irradiation time. A statistically significant 46% increase in AgNOR volume was detected as early as 8 h post-irradiation, when no histological changes were observable in routine preparations. These results suggest that AgNORs may be useful as a quantitative marker of incipient changes in cellular activity and caution against the indiscriminate use of AgNORs in the follow-up of lesions which may have been exposed to radiotherapy. Furthermore, this study suggests the possibility of using AgNORs as a sensitive biological dosimeter in cases of uncontrolled exposure to radiation.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Trypanosoma cruzi ribosomal RNA genes: a review.

Our research work group has been interested in the study of the ribosomal RNA and 5S gene systems from Trypanosoma cruzi. Our contributions span from the general description of a multifragmented molecular system, to the sequence analysis of some ribosomal RNA coding regions. From the latter, we have constructed phylogenetic trees of the Trypanosomatidae family, and our data indicate that the molecular inferences do not sustain the traditional classification of these species. Our published findings are here reviewed along with recent unpublished observations of ribosomal RNA and 5S gene structures.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Structure of tBuCO-Val psi [NH-CO]NHtBu.

N-Isobutylidenedipivalamide, C14H28N2O2, Mr = 256.39, orthorhombic, P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 16.656 (2), b = 9.751 (2), c = 10.583 (2) A, V = 1718.8 A3, Z = 4, D chi = 0.99 g cm-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.5418 A, mu = 4.56 cm-1, mu Rmax much less than 1, F(000) = 568, T = 293 K, R = 0.081 for 887 observed reflections. The geometrical parameters of this retro-peptide molecule are quite similar to the standard values for peptides. Conformational angles are phi = -101 (1), phi' = 99 (1) degrees.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Structure of MeCO-Gly psi [NH-CO]NHMe.

N,N'-Methylenediacetamide, C5H10N2O2, Mr = 130.15, orthorhombic, Pna2(1), a = 17.218 (1), b = 4.489 (1), c = 18.124 (1) A, V = 1400.8 A3, Z = 8, D chi = 1.23 g cm-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.5418 A, mu Rmax much less than 1, mu = 7.19 cm-1, F(000) = 560, T = 293 K, R = 0.044 for 1318 observed reflections. This retro-peptide molecule assumes two nearly identical conformational states (A phi = 93.2, phi' = 77.0; B phi = 90.6, phi' = 79.6 degrees) with planar trans amide functions. The bond lengths and bond angles are very close to the standard dimensions of the peptide group.

Acetamides↗
PubMed1992

Structure of MeCO-psi[NH-CO]Val-NHMe.

N,N'-Dimethylisopropylmalonamide, C8H16N2O2, Mr = 172.23, orthorhombic, Pbcm, a = 4.859 (1), b = 13.523 (2), c = 15,469 (2) A, V = 1016.4 A3, Z = 4, Dx = 1.12 g cm-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.5418 A, microRmax much less than 1, mu = 5.88 cm-1, F(000) = 376, T = 293 K, R = 0.060 for 665 observed reflections. Dimensions of this retropeptide molecule are quite similar to the standard values for peptides. The C alpha and C beta atoms are in a mirror (z = 1/4), so conformational angles are psi' = -psi = -110.4 degrees (2).

Amino Acid Sequence↗