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Biomedical subjects

F Araujo

Publications and source records attributed to F Araujo.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Role of beta interferon in resistance to Toxoplasma gondii infection.

The role of recombinant murine beta interferon (rMuIFN-beta) and recombinant human IFN-beta (rHuIFN-beta) in resistance to Toxoplasma gondii was examined. rMuIFN-beta protected mice against a lethal infection with the parasite. The protective effect appeared to depend on the concomitant release of gamma interferon. rMuIFN-beta did not activate murine peritoneal macrophages to inhibit or kill T. gondii whether used alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). rHuIFN-beta did not activate human monocyte-derived macrophages to inhibit or kill T. gondii when 5-day-old monocyte-derived macrophages were used. In contrast, significant killing of T. gondii was noted when 10-day-old monocyte-derived macrophages were used. The addition of LPS enhanced this effect. These results revealed a role for IFN-beta in the mechanisms of defense against T. gondii and suggest its potential use in the treatment of toxoplasmosis in humans.

Animals↗

Chemical composition of lipopolysaccharide from Moraxella bovis.

Lipopolysaccharide from Moraxella bovis was isolated and its components characterized by paper and gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The endotoxin showed a small amount of protein and contained 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonic acid glucose, mannose, glucosamine, heptose and phosphate. Six fatty acids (palmitic, palmitoleic, margaric, stearic, oleic and arachidic acids) were also identified. Margaric acid was the most prevalent fatty acid present in the lipid fraction.

Animals↗

[Giant evoked potentials].

INTRODUCTION: There are many, diverse nosological entities with the common factor of the genesis of cortical evoked potentials of great amplitude, commonly known as giant evoked potentials. In most cases they are conditions with the common clinical condition of myoclonic of cortical origin, such as progressive myoclonic epilepsy, generalized idiopathic epilepsy, myoclonias of toxic, infectious or postanoxic origin. Giant potentials have been shown both in studies of focal hemisphere lesions and in some cases of patients with corticobasal degeneration. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper was to show, by presenting interesting cases, some of the conditions mentioned and to review some concepts concerning the mechanisms which may be involved in the production of these electrophysiological responses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 6 patients aged between 2 and 22 years, in whom multimodal evoked potentials, electroencephalograms and imaging studies had been done. RESULTS: Giant somatosensory potentials were shown in the patients with obvious myoclonia. Visual potentials of great amplitude were common to the other patients presented, with or without myoclonia. CONCLUSION: Giant evoked potentials respond to a state of cortical hyperexcitability which may have various causes.

Adolescent↗