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Biomedical subjects

F García

Publications and source records attributed to F García.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

A nosocomial outbreak of influenza during a period without influenza epidemic activity.

The objective of this study was to describe a nosocomial outbreak of influenza during a period without influenza epidemic activity in the community. Outbreak investigation was carried out in an infectious diseases ward of a tertiary hospital. Presence of two or more of the following symptoms were used to define influenza: cough, sore throat, myalgia and fever. Epidemiological survey, direct immunofluorescence, viral culture, polymerase chain reaction, haemagglutination-inhibition test in throat swabs and serology for respiratory viruses were performed. Twenty-nine of 57 healthcare workers (HCW) (51%) and eight of 23 hospitalised patients (34%) fulfilled the case definition. Sixteen HCW (55%) and three inpatients (37%) had a definitive diagnosis of influenza A virus infection (subtype H1N1). Among the symptomatic HCW, 93% had not been vaccinated against influenza that season. Affected inpatients were isolated and admissions in the ward were cancelled for 2 weeks. Symptomatic HCW were sent home for 1 week. On the seventeenth day of the outbreak the last case was declared. The incidence of cases in this outbreak of influenza, which occurred during a period without influenza epidemic activity in the community, was notably high. Epidemiological data suggest transmission from healthcare workers to inpatients. Most healthcare workers were not vaccinated against influenza. Vaccination programmes should be reinforced among healthcare workers.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2002

Distribution of intrachromosomal telomeric sequences (ITS) on Macaca fascicularis (Primates) chromosomes and their implication for chromosome evolution.

The intrachromosomal location of the telomeric sequence in the crab-eating macaque, Macaca fascicularis (F. Cercopithecidae, Catarrhini) has been analysed by fluorescent in situ hybridisation with a long synthetic (TTAGGG)(n) probe. A total of 237 metaphases was analysed. As expected, all telomeres hybridised with the probe and 90 intrachromosomal loci with different hybridisation frequencies were also detected. The chromosomal location of interstitial telomeric sequences in M. fascicularis and in Homo sapiens was then compared, 37 sites (41.11%) being found to be conserved. Some of these sequences can be derived from rearrangements, such as inversions (MFA13q23) or fusions (MFA2p13 and MFA13p12), that have taken place during karyotype evolution.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Chromosomal homologies between Cebus and Ateles (primates) based on ZOO-FISH and G-banding comparisons.

ZOO-FISH (Fluorescent "in vitro" hybridization) was used to establish the chromosomal homology between humans (HSA) and Cebus nigrivitatus (CNI) and Ateles belzebuth hybridus (ABH). These two species belong to different New World monkey families (Cebidae and Atelidae, respectively) which differ greatly in chromosome number and in chromosome morphology. The molecular results were followed by a detailed banding analysis. The ancestral karyotype of Cebus was then determined by a comparison of in situ hybridization results, as well as chromosomal morphology and banding in other Platyrrhini species. The karyotypes of the four species belonging to the genus Cebus differ from each other by three inversions and one fusion as well as in the location and amounts of heterochromatin. Results obtained by ZOO-FISH in ABH are in general agreement with previous gene-mapping and in situ hybridization data in Ateles, which show that spider monkeys have highly derived genomes. The chromosomal rearrangements detected between HSA and ABH on a band-to-band basis were 27 fusions/fissions, 12 centromeric shifts, and six pericentric inversions. The ancestral karyotype of Cebus was then compared with that of Ateles. The rearrangements detected were 20 fusions/fissions, nine centromeric shifts, and five inversions. Atelidae species are linked by a fragmentation of chromosome 4 into three segments forming an association of 4/15, while Ateles species are linked by 13 derived associations. The results also helped clarify the content of the ancestral platyrrhine karyotype and the mode of chromosomal evolution in these primates. In particular, associations 2/16 and 5/7 should be included in the ancestral karyotype of New World monkeys.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Fragile sites in human and Macaca fascicularis chromosomes are breakpoints in chromosome evolution.

We have analysed the expression of aphidicolin-induced common fragile sites at two different aphidicolin concentrations (0.1 micromol/L and 0.2 micromol/L) in three female and one male crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis, Cercopithecidae, Catarrhini). A total of 3948 metaphases were analysed: 1754 in cultures exposed to 0.1 micromol/L aphidicolin, 1261 in cultures exposed to 0.2 micromol/L aphidicolin and 933 in controls. The number of breaks and gaps detected ranged from 439 in cultures exposed to 0.1 micromol/L aphidicolin to 2061 in cultures exposed to 0.2 micromol/L aphidicolin. The use of a multinomial FSM statistical model allowed us to identify 95 fragile sites in the chromosomes of M. fascicularis, of which only 16 are expressed in all four specimens. A comparative study between the chromosomes of M. fascicularis and man has demonstrated that 38 human common fragile sites (50%) are found in the equivalent location in M. fascicularis. The analysis of the rearrangements that have taken place during chromosome evolution has revealed that the breakpoints involved in these rearrangements correspond significantly (p < 0.025) to the location of M. fascicularis fragile sites.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Neonatal pemphigus vulgaris with extensive mucocutaneous lesions from a mother with oral pemphigus vulgaris.

The clinical phenotype of pemphigus is well explained by the combination of desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and Dsg3 distribution pattern and antiDsg autoantibody profile (Dsg compensation theory). It has been reported that neonatal skin has a similar Dsg distribution pattern to adult mucosal epithelia. We describe a newborn girl with mucocutaneous pemphigus vulgaris (PV) from a mother with mucosal dominant PV. The mother had had painful oral erosions for at least 7 months. Histopathological examination and direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies confirmed the diagnosis of PV and neonatal PV in the mother and daughter, respectively. The mother had a high titre of anti-Dsg3 IgG and a low titre of antiDsg1 IgG, while the neonate had only a high titre of anti-Dsg3 IgG, but no detectable antiDsg1 IgG. AntiDsg3 IgG, which caused the oral dominant phenotype in the mother, induced extensive oral as well as cutaneous lesions in the neonate. Our case provides clinical evidence for the Dsg compensation theory in neonatal PV.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Histopathologic and histochemical characterization of calcified structures in hamsters inoculated with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

In pathogenicity studies of 31 Paracoccidioides brasiliensis isolates preserved using Castellani's method we intraperitoneally inoculated 104 young adult hamsters and found laminated concentric structures and calcified appearance that resembled Schaumann bodies, in 43 of them, especially in animals with apparently good condition. We characterized these structures histologically and histochemically using different stains (PAS, Grocott, haematoxylin-eosin, Von Kossa). The Von Kossa staining revealed calcium in these structures. Similar structures have been described in patients with sarcoidosis and also in hamsters inoculated with P. brasiliensis. We found no correlation between the presence of these calcifications and serum calcium levels.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Identification and characterization of the peptidic component of the immunomodulatory glycoconjugate Immunoferon.

Inmunoferon is a glycoconjugate of natural origin, formed by the noncovalent association of a protein from Ricinus communis and a polysacharidic moiety, and endowed with immunomodulatory as well as pharmacological activities. This study investigated the nature of polypeptidic component of Inmunoferon. Through biochemical procedures and comparison with protein databases, the isolated protein was identified as the processed form of the seed of Ricinus communis 2S storage polypeptide, which has been termed RicC3. Further analysis of the isolated protein has revealed that it is composed of two different subunits, alpha and beta, which form an heterodimer of high stability and resistance to denaturation, acidic pH and proteolytic cleavage. These findings confirm the excellent properties of the product after oral administration and provide additional support for the pharmacological activities of Inmunoferon.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed2002

[Prolonged clinical pattern of brain death in patients under barbiturate sedation: usefulness of transcranial Doppler].

INTRODUCTION: Throughout the world, is fully accepted that a person is dead when brain death exists. In most situations, neurological criteria permit the diagnosis of brain death, but in some instances, as when high-dose barbiturate therapy has been used, confirmatory testing are required by law. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a 17 year-old women who suffered high-dose barbiturate therapy due to post traumatic intracranial hypertension. During the period of the barbiturate infusion and until six days after the suppression of this therapy, neurological exploration and EEG findings seem to confirm brain death, while transcranial Doppler (TCD) study remained normal. CONCLUSIONS: TCD is a fast, simple and accurate confirmatory testing in the determination of brain death and its findings are not affected by high-dose barbiturate therapy. We think that TCD must be present in all hospitals where mechanical ventilation and support of patients are carried out.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Lymphoid tissue viral burden and duration of viral suppression in plasma.

OBJECTIVES: To assess virological response in lymphoid tissue and its impact on the durability of response in plasma in HIV-1-infected persons who achieved sustained suppression of plasma viraemia with different antiretroviral regimens. METHODS: Consecutive patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy were included if they had a plasma HIV-1 RNA viraemia < 20 copies/ml within the last 6 months and tonsillar tissue accessible for biopsy. First-line therapy contained two nucleoside analogues: alone (2NRTI group, n = 3); plus a HIV-1 protease inhibitor (PI group, n = 11) or plus nevirapine (NVP group; n = 16). Patients were followed until virus was detectable in plasma, they changed therapy or were lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Tonsillar HIV-1 RNA could be detected (> 100 copies/mg) in 10 patients: one in the PI group (9%), six (38%) in the NVP group and in all three patients in the 2NRTI group. Primary resistance mutations could be detected in only 2 of these 10 patients. After a median of 9 months after the biopsies, viral suppression in plasma had failed in 6 of these 10 patients whereas failure had only occurred in 1 out of 20 with initially undetectable viral load in lymphoid tissue (P = 0.01; log rank test). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with sustained viral suppression in plasma, triple therapy including a HIV-1 protease inhibitor was more potent than triple therapy containing nevirapine or dual therapy with nucleoside analogues to reduce viral burden in lymphoid tissue. A worse response in lymphoid tissue could not be explained by local selection of resistance and was associated with a less durable virological response in plasma.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

The virological and immunological consequences of structured treatment interruptions in chronic HIV-1 infection.

BACKGROUND: Some individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection have discontinued their drug therapy with consequent plasma virus rebound. In a small number of patients, a delayed or absent rebound in plasma virus load has been noted after drug cessation, apparently associated with prior drug interruptions and autologous boosting of HIV-1 specific immune responses. We hypothesized that cyclic structured treatment interruptions structured treatment interruptions (STI) could augment HIV-1 specific immune responses in chronic HIV-1 infection, which might help to control HIV-1 replication off therapy. METHODS: We initiated an STI pilot study in 10 antiretroviral treatment-naive HIV-1 chronically infected subjects with baseline CD4 T-cell counts > 500 x 10(6) cells/l and plasma viral load > 5000 copies/ml who received highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for 1 year with good response (plasma viral load < 20 copies/ml for at least 32 weeks). Three cycles of HAART interruption were performed. RESULTS: In all of the patients viral load rebounded, but doubling times increased significantly between the first and third stops (P = 0.008), and by the third stop, six out of nine subjects had a virological set-point after a median 12 months off therapy that was lower than baseline before starting HAART (ranging from 0.6 log(10) to 1.3 log(10) lower than baseline) and in four it remained stable below 5000 copies/ml. Those subjects who controlled viral replication developed significantly stronger HIV-1 specific cellular immune responses than subjects lacking spontaneous decline (P < 0.05). During viral rebounds no genotypic or phenotypic changes conferring resistance to reverse trancriptase inhibitors or protease inhibitors was detected, but mean absolute CD4 T-cell counts declined significantly, although never below 450 x 10(6)/l and the mean value at 12 months off therapy was significantly higher than the pre-treatment level (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that STI in chronic HIV-1 infection might augment HIV-1-specific cellular immune responses associated with a spontaneous and sustained drop in plasma viral load in some subjects but at the potential cost of lower CD4 T-cell counts.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

A note on the effects of calf stimuli on the response of Zebu cows to Synchro-mate-B.

The effect of Synchro-mate-B (SMB) was measured on the estrous response and the establishment of cyclicity using different calf stimuli. Multiparous Zebu cows, were divided in three groups. In the first, 32 animals were treated with SMB leaving the calves present (SMB+CP). In the second, 33 cows were treated with SMB and calves partially removed (fence-line contact) for 48h (SMB+CPR). In the third group (n=33), cows received SMB and calves were removed for 48h (SMB+CCR) with no visual or olfactory contact. A control group (CG, n=33) involved neither SMB or calf separation. Blood samples for progesterone assessment were obtained at 11 and 4d prior to SMB treatment and on days 7 and 11 after the average return to estrous for each group. All animals were observed continuously for mounting activity during 72h after SMB implant removal. A significant difference (P<0.05) in estrous response was found between SMB-treated and non-treated animals, regardless of calf management (56 versus 8%, respectively). Cows with SMB+CCR and SMB+CPR came into estrous sooner (P<0.05) (26.5+/-2.6 and 18.1+/-4.94h, respectively), than those that remained with their calf present (40.4+/-12.8h). Cows with SMB+CCR displayed longer (P<0.05) periods of mounting behavior (13.0+/-4.4h) in comparison with SMB+CPR and SMB+CP (7.4+/-1.8 and 8.1+/-4.0h), respectively. Furthermore, 84% (P<0.05) of the cows in the SMB+CCR had high concentrations of progesterone after mounting behavior was displayed, in comparison with 68 and 54% in the other two groups, respectively. No difference was found (P>0.05) in the number of mounts per hour in estrous. It was concluded that: (1) SMB increases the number of cows that display estrous; (2) temporary weaning shortens the period from SMB implant withdrawal to mounting activity, and (3) SMB+CCR, increases the length of sexual receptivity and the number of cows that continue to cycle.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

In vivo proteolytic degradation of the Escherichia coli acyltransferase HlyC.

Escherichia coli hemolysin (HlyA) is the prototype toxin of a major family of exoproteins produced by Gram-negative bacteria known as "repeats in toxins." Only fatty acid-acylated HlyA molecules at residues Lys564 and Lys690 are able to damage the target cell membrane. Fatty acylation of pro-HlyA is dependent on the co-synthesized acyltransferase HlyC and the acylated form of acyl-carrier protein. By using a collection of hlyA and hlyC mutant strains, the processing of HlyC was investigated. HlyC was not detected by Western blot in an E. coli strain encoding hlyC and hlyA, but it was present in a strain encoding only hlyC. The hlyC mRNA pattern, however, was similar in both strains indicating that the turnover of HlyC does not occur at the transcriptional level. HlyC was detected in Western blots of cell lysates from an E. coli strain encoding HlyC and a HlyA derivative where both acylation sites were substituted. Similar results were obtained when HlyC was expressed in a hlyA mutant strain lacking part of a putative HlyC binding domain, indicating that this particular HlyA region affects HlyC stability. We did not detect HlyC in cell lysates from hlyC mutants with different abilities to acylate pro-HlyA, suggesting that the degradation of HlyC is not related to the HlyA acylation process. The protease systems ClpAP, ClpXP, and FtsH were found to be responsible for the HlyA-dependent processing of HlyC.

Acylation↗
PubMed2001

A novel Cys212Tyr founder mutation in parkin and allelic heterogeneity of juvenile Parkinsonism in a population from North West Colombia.

We report the molecular characterization of three multiplex families and a sporadic case of juvenile Parkinsonism identified in the province of Antioquia (Colombia). Linkage and haplotype analysis using markers in 6q25.2-27 indicated that Parkinsonism in the pedigrees is linked to the parkin gene (maximum LOD-score of 3.85) but that they carry two different mutant haplotypes. Sequence analysis revealed a novel G to A transition in exon 6 at position 736 (G736A) of parkin. This change results in a non-conservative cysteine for tyrosine substitution. All affected individuals from two families were homozygous for this mutation, which was not detected in 100 normal controls. Patients from the family carrying the second haplotype and the sporadic case were homozygous for a GT insertion in exon 3. This mutation has been previously identified in French families with juvenile Parkinsonism. The concomitant presence of founder effects and allelic heterogeneity in Antioquia might relate to the founding admixture at the origin of this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The water channel aquaporin-8 is mainly intracellular in rat hepatocytes, and its plasma membrane insertion is stimulated by cyclic AMP.

We previously found that water transport across hepatocyte plasma membranes occurs mainly via a non-channel mediated pathway. Recently, it has been reported that mRNA for the water channel, aquaporin-8 (AQP8), is present in hepatocytes. To further explore this issue, we studied protein expression, subcellular localization, and regulation of AQP8 in rat hepatocytes. By subcellular fractionation and immunoblot analysis, we detected an N-glycosylated band of approximately 34 kDa corresponding to AQP8 in hepatocyte plasma and intracellular microsomal membranes. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy for AQP8 in cultured hepatocytes showed a predominant intracellular vesicular localization. Dibutyryl cAMP (Bt(2)cAMP) stimulated the redistribution of AQP8 to plasma membranes. Bt(2)cAMP also significantly increased hepatocyte membrane water permeability, an effect that was prevented by the water channel blocker dimethyl sulfoxide. The microtubule blocker colchicine but not its inactive analog lumicolchicine inhibited the Bt(2)cAMP effect on both AQP8 redistribution to cell surface and hepatocyte membrane water permeability. Our data suggest that in rat hepatocytes AQP8 is localized largely in intracellular vesicles and can be redistributed to plasma membranes via a microtubule-depending, cAMP-stimulated mechanism. These studies also suggest that aquaporins contribute to water transport in cAMP-stimulated hepatocytes, a process that could be relevant to regulated hepatocyte bile secretion.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Bronchial carcinoid tumor and scintigraphy of somatostatin receptors: detection of bone metastasis].

UNLABELLED: Surgery is the treatment of choice for bronchial carcinoid tumor (BCT), whenever the staging is adequate. There is little information about the capability of the somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) to detect bone metastases in the carcinoid tumor. AIM: This work has aimed to evaluate retrospectively the diagnostic accuracy of the SRS in the detection of bone metastases in BCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on their clinical indication, the patients were classified into two different groups: Group A (n = 4), staging of a known BCT; and Group B (n = 6), treatment control. The SRS results could be correlated with the CT results in all 4 patients from the group A, and in one patient from the group B, and the SRS results were compared with the clinical follow up during at least one year in the other 5 patients. RESULTS: The SRS scan detected the 4 BCT from the group A; in 2 of them the patient staging was superior when the SRS was used than with the CT, whereas the scan overestimated the tumor stage (BCT + sarcoidosis) in another patient. During the clinical course, one of these patients developed bone and liver metastases. The SRS was normal in 5 asymptomatic patients from group B, whereas the scan showed disseminated metastatic disease (liver, bone, spleen and lymph nodes) in another patient. In the 2 patients with bone metastases, the total number of bone metastases detected by the bone scan was 12, and by the SRS 8. The four lesions that were not detected by SRS were located in the ribs (n = 3) and 12-D (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: The capability of the SRS to detect bone metastases makes it more useful in BCT staging. Over the next few years, the role of the bone scan and SRS in the detection of bone metastases in carcinoid tumors needs to be established.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Analysis of the impact of Archivos de Bronconeumología through the Science Citation Index].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the impact factor of Archivos de Bronconeumología from 1997 until 2000 and to identify the patterns of citation of the journal and topics having the greatest impact. METHOD: SCISEARCH was used to locate citations of articles published by Archivos de Bronconeumología between 1995 and 1999. The following data were collected for each article: year of publication, authors, journal, country of publication, language, specialty or specialties, institution(s), residence of the first author and topic. The impact factor was calculated as the ratio of citations received in one year by articles published in Archivos de Bronconeumología during the two previous years and the total number of articles published by Archivos de Bronconeumología over the two years under study. RESULTS: The impact factor of Archivos de Bronconeumología was 0.107 in 1997, 0.089 in 1998, 0.105 in 1999 and 0.119 in 2000. Citations were found in a wide range of source journals, with respiratory system publications having little weight. Citations were made mainly by Spanish authors (75%) and self-citation was restrained (21.1%). Topics related to tuberculosis and respiratory infections (23.6% of the citations received) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (12.5%) made the greatest impact. CONCLUSION: The impact factor of Archivos de Bronconeumología is modest, although higher than those of some other publications included in Journal Citation Reports.

Databases, Bibliographic↗