Search PubMedSearch

Biomedical subjects

E Zamora

Publications and source records attributed to E Zamora.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Sero-epidemiological survey of porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV) infection in breeding herds in southeastern Spain.

In 1987 we conducted a sero-epidemiological survey in the Murcia Region (South-East Spain) to discover the prevalence and spread of PRCV-infection among breeding pigs and farms and determine the association between herd size and geographical zone with PRCV-infection. The Murcia Region was divided into four geographical zones and the farms classified by size in four categories. The random sample was statistically representative of both the breeding stock and farms in each geographical zone. We analysed 6,000 breeding pigs from 480 farms. The immunological techniques employed were indirect ELISA and blocking ELISA. The prevalence (P +/- IC) of PRCV-seropositive breeding pigs and infected breeding farms was 14.53 +/- 0.89% and 21.87 +/- 7.83% respectively. On 55% of the infected farms, the prevalence of seropositive breeding pigs was 60-100%. PRCV-infection appears spread throughout the four geographical zones of the Murcia Region. However, a significant association (p less than 0.01) was observed between geographical zone and the prevalence of PRCV-infection. A herd size of greater than 50 breeding pigs had a greater risk (p less than 0.01) of PRCV-infection.

Animals

Role of growth hormone-releasing hormone on pentagastrin-induced growth hormone release in normal subjects.

In order to investigate the mechanisms by which gastrin cause GH release in humans we measured the GH response to pentagastrin alone (1.5 micrograms/kg/hour from 120 to 210 min) and following pretreatment with GHRH (GHRH 1-29,250 micrograms, iv at 0 min) in normal male subjects. Prior GHRH administration abolished the GH response to the second bolus of GHRH (1 micrograms/kg) administered two hours later. Pentagastrin infusion induced a rise in GH levels maximal at 60 min (9.1 + 0.6 ng/ml, mean + SE), but this rise was abolished by pretreatment with GHRH. Finally, we found that gastrin did not modify basal GH release or GH responses to GHRH by rat anterior pituitary cells in monolayer culture. Taken together, these data suggest that gastrin regulates GH secretion by acting at hypothalamic level.

Adult

Postlymphography linear dermatitis.

Cutaneous effects secondary to lymphography are rare events. We herein report a patient with Hodgkin's disease who developed a linear dermatitis in both lower limbs 6 days after a pedal lymphography. Histopathologic examination of the lesions demonstrated a subacute dermatitis. Patch tests with the substances used in the lymphography yielded negative results. We discuss the possible pathogenic mechanisms of this striking linear dermatitis.

Adult

[Effect of cimetidine on free fatty acid liberation].

Certain studies have brought to light the relationship between the administration of cimetidine and alterations of the lipidic metabolism. The changes in cholesterol levels observed after cimetidine administration have not yet been satisfactorily explained, at least in certain aspects. This paper studies free fatty acid behavior in a group of healthy volunteers who were given a 600 mg infusion of cimetidine. A significant drop (p less than 0.05) in fatty acids was found in these subjects in comparison with isolated physiological saline solution infusion. Our results imply that this fatty acid process may be involved in the lipid metabolism changes brought on by cimetidine administration.

Adipose Tissue

[Changes in the activity of plasma renin and aldosterone induced by a pattern of increasing administration of zinc sulphate in normotensive individuals].

The behavior of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was evaluated in response to an increasing zinc intake. This oligoelement can modify the activity of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE). Six healthy normotensive volunteers received 30 mg of zinc sulphate orally for 4 days and 600 mg for 4 additional days. On the first, fifth and ninth days plasma renin activity (PRA) and serum aldosterone were measured, and the possible changes in blood pressure were evaluated. PRA and aldosterone showed significant increases, with a stepwise distribution throughout the zinc overload. On the first day, PRA was 0.40 +/- 0.08 ng/ml/h; on the fifth day it was 0.80 +/- 0.21 ng/ml/h, and on the ninth day 1.39 +/- 0.34 ng/ml/h (1st-5th day; p less than 0.05; 1st-9th day: p less than 0.02). On the first day, the aldosterone levels were 81 +/- 17 pg/ml, on the fifth day they were 119 +/- 26 pg/ml, and on the ninth day 164 +/- 30 pg/ml (1st-5th day: nonsignificant difference; 1st-9th day: p less than 0.02). The values of arterial pressure did not change significantly after zinc overload. It is concluded that zinc overload can modify PRA and aldosterone levels, and that these changes are dose-related.

Adult

Focal subdermal toxicity with subcutaneous opioid infusion in patients with cancer pain.

Few significant side effects have been reported from the treatment of cancer pain by subcutaneous infusion of opioids. In this prospective year-long study, 8 of 13 patients treated by this technique experienced painful chronic focal toxicity, manifested by induration, erythema and subdermal necrosis during subcutaneous analgesia therapy. A hydraulic-irritation effect is suggested.

Adult

Dysfunction of the mononuclear phagocytic system in sepsis.

An in vivo study has been undertaken of the Fc(IgG) receptor-mediated phagocytic capacity of macrophages (clearance of anti-rhesus D-coated-51 Cr-labelled autologous erythrocytes, expressed as half-lives) in 15 cases of sepsis to establish its behaviour and correlate this function to levels of circulating immune complexes (anti-Clq-nephelometry). Five patients with low activity (2261 +/- 859 minutes) developed septic shock; the other ten showed high activity (5.8 +/- 1.5 minutes) and did not develop septic shock. Differences from the control group (30 +/- 12 minutes) were found (p less than 0.001). Receptor activity was related to the presence of circulating immune complexes (p less than or equal to 0.001; delta = 0.862) but not to age, sex, or the presence/absence of splenomegaly during the illness. Eight patients responded favourably; seven patients died; but the receptor activity was not related to this. During sepsis it is possible to find higher Fc(IgG) receptor-mediated phagocytic capacity of macrophages. Excessive formation of circulating immune complexes has a negative influence on Fc(IgG) receptor-mediated phagocytosis. This activity of macrophages, measured at the start of the sepsis, was not associated with the final outcome of the patients' illness (cure or death).

Antigen-Antibody Complex

[Toxic skin reaction caused by hydantoins in a patient with AIDS].

A case of clinically characteristic hypersensitivity reaction to phenytoin in a AIDS patient with cerebral toxoplasmosis is reported. There was response to therapy with systemic steroids. Laboratory data and histopathologic features of the skin are reported.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

[Acneiform eruption induced by amineptin (Survector)].

We report a case of acne secondary to amineptine (Survector) in a 54-year-old woman. Clinical picture and relationship with excessive drug intake of this drug define this new iatrogenic acne. To our knowledge, this is the first case described in Spain.

Acne Vulgaris

Complement and sepsis.

The present study is an evaluation of changes undergone in the serum of factors C3 and C4 of the complement, IgG, IgA, IgM and circulating immune complexes during the initial phase of sepsis and throughout its development in 53 patients, with the object of establishing their prognostic value. During the initial phase of sepsis the determination of the serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), C3 and C4 complement components and circulating immune complexes lack prognostic interest. Nevertheless, the disappearance of circulating immune complexes, together with an intensive reduction in concentration of IgG, IgM, and C3 and C4 complement components below the range of normality, during the evolutive course, is an indication of a bad prognosis.

Adult