Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Moya

Publications and source records attributed to F Moya.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Characterization and gene cloning of Drosophila syntaxin 1 (Dsynt1): the fruit fly homologue of rat syntaxin 1.

A monoclonal antibody, mAb 44D5, has been used to identify and clone Drosophila syntaxin 1 (Dsynt1), an homologue of rat syntaxin 1. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Dsynt1 cDNA cloned is highly homologous to rat syntaxin 1A. Dsynt1 contains 291 amino acid residues and like other members of the syntaxin family is an integral membrane protein, with a transmembrane region at its carboxy-terminus and several regions of the molecule predicted to be in a coiled-coil conformation. The protein is specific to the nervous system and localized in synaptic areas of both central nervous system (CNS) and neuromuscular junction. The same antibody used to clone Dsynt1 cDNA stains synaptic areas in rat cerebellum and a neurospecific antigen in rat and human tissues with identical relative mobility to rat syntaxin 1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Effect of interstitial lung disease macrophages on T-cell signal transduction.

Some types of interstitial lung disease (ILD) are characterized by an abnormal proliferation and activation of lymphocytes in the alveolus and interstitium. Recent data have suggested that membrane signals on alveolar macrophages (AM) in normal lung play a crucial role in limiting lymphocyte activation by altering early events in receptor-mediated signal transduction in lymphocytes. In the current study fixed AM from normal volunteers and from patients with either sarcoidosis or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were compared for the ability to inhibit CD3-mediated increases in intracellular calcium concentration [(Ca2+)i]. All normal AM inhibited CD3-mediated increases in (Ca2+)i, whereas seven of 10 ILD AM were permissive of this early event in T-lymphocyte activation. Patients with ILD and permissive AM displayed significantly greater mean BAL lymphocytes than did those with suppressive AM (42 versus 12%, respectively). The inhibitory effect of normal AM could be partially duplicated by incubation of lymphocytes with surfactant (SF) obtained from normal lungs. Analysis of one SF component, SF protein A, in normal and in ILD AM membranes disclosed reduced SF protein A in ILD AM. These results demonstrate alterations in AM in patients with ILD and a lymphocytic alveolitis that renders AM permissive for early events in T-cell activation.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1993

Circulating levels of IGFs and IGF binding proteins in human cord serum: relationships to intrauterine growth.

Cord sera were obtained from 44 term, human infants exhibiting various patterns of intrauterine growth and were assayed for IGF-1, IGF-2, and IGFBP-1, 2, and 3 by specific RIAs. Serum levels were correlated with birth weight (BW), ponderal index (PI), and placental weight (PW). Total IGF-1 levels correlated significantly with BW (r = 0.392), PW (r = 0.351), and PI (r = 0.481). By contrast, the correlation of IGF-2 with birth weight was not statistically significant (r = 0.264, P = 0.091). The association of IGF-2 with PI, however, was significant (r = 3.348, P = 0.024). IGFBP-3 exhibited significant correlations with BW, PI, and PW, similar to those seen with IGF-1. IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2, however, were not significantly related to growth parameters. IGF-1 levels correlated strongly with IGFBP-3 levels (r = 0.646, P = 0.001). By contrast, IGF-1 correlated with the reciprocal of both IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-2. Based upon in vitro affinity constants, theoretical concentrations for each [IGF/IGFBP] complex, free IGFs, and free IGFBPs were calculated for each infant. Multiple regression analysis was performed including all 11 calculated variables and correlated with each growth parameter. This analysis revealed that an integrated expression of IGF activity exhibited stronger correlations with growth than each individual peptide species (BW, r = 0.681; PI, r = 0.660; PW, r = 0.658). These data further support roles for IGF related peptides (IGFRPs) in human fetal and placental growth and suggest regulatory/counterregulatory roles for the IGFBPs. It also supports the hypothesis that individual IGFRPs interact in a complex manner to define 'net IGF activity' in relation to fetal growth and/or metabolic status.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1993

A phosphorylation epitope on MAP 1B that is transiently expressed in growing axons in the developing rat nervous system.

We have isolated a monoclonal antibody (150) that recognizes a phosphorylation epitope on the microtubule-associated protein (MAP) 1B. Immunoblot analysis of the developing rat central nervous system shows that monoclonal antibody 150 is directed against a protein of approximately 325 kDa (MAP 1B) that copolymerizes with microtubules through successive cycles of temperature-dependent assembly and disassembly. Furthermore, immunoprecipitated MAP 1B contains the epitope recognized by monoclonal antibody 150. Removal of phosphate from blotted proteins using alkaline phosphatase abolishes the binding of monoclonal antibody 150 to MAP 1B, indicating that the epitope is phosphorylated. In the developing rat nervous system, immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibody 150 shows that the phosphorylation epitope on MAP 1B is transiently expressed in growing axons but not in dendrites. For instance, in the neonatal rat cerebellum, the parallel fibres of granule cells are stained only during elongation and not after synaptogenesis. The monoclonal antibody 150 epitope is also transiently expressed in radial glial fibres and in certain cell nuclei. All immunostaining of sections with monoclonal antibody 150 was completely abolished by alkaline phosphatase treatment. These observations and previous ones made by us in cell culture (Mansfield et al., J. Neurocytol., 20, 654-666, 1991) suggest that the phosphorylation epitope on MAP 1B recognized by monoclonal antibody 150, which has not been previously detected in vivo, may be important in axonogenesis.

Aging↗
PubMed1993

Sacral stress fracture after liver transplantation.

Sacral insufficiency fractures have been related to osteoporosis and steroid therapy, however only one case has been reported following liver transplantation. We describe three patients who developed insufficiency fractures of the sacrum following liver transplantation, these fractures could be overlooked or confused with inflammatory processes involving the sacrum.

Female↗
PubMed1993

Phosphorylated MAP1b, alias MAP5 and MAP1x, is involved in axonal growth and neuronal mitosis.

Microtubule-associated protein 1b, also named MAP5 and MAP1x, is essential for neuronal differentiation. In kitten cerebellum, this protein is partially phosphorylated. During early postnatal development, a phosphorylated form was localized prominently in growing parallel fibres and in mitotic spindles of neuroblasts in the germinal layer, whereas a non-phosphorylated MAP1b form was found in dendrites, perikarya and axons. The MAP1x epitope showed the same immunohistochemical distribution, as seen for phosphorylated MAP1b, while its recognition on immunoblots was independent of phosphorylation. It is concluded that post-translational modifications and conformation of MAP1b influence the immunological detection of MAP1b, and are essential in the neuronal growth processes and mitosis. The antibody against the phosphorylated MAP1b may represent a good marker to identify dividing neurones.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Solubility and disintegration of zinc phosphate cement.

The mechanism of erosion of a zinc phosphate cement was studied using two experimental procedures: discs of dental cement were immersed in distilled water under unrenewed conditions as defined by ISO standard; or discs were immersed under continuously running distilled water to simulate the oral environment. Both experiments revealed no physical disintegration mechanism, and suggest that erosion is only controlled by dissolution.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1992

Medial meniscal cyst as a cause of bone erosion.

A case of a medial meniscal cyst which was so extensive that it caused erosion of the medial tibial condyle is described. Clinical data and roentgenographic features of this case are discussed.

Bone Resorption↗
PubMed1991

Effect of maternal administration of thyrotropin releasing hormone on the preterm fetal pituitary-thyroid axis.

We evaluated the response of preterm fetuses to maternal intravenous injection of 400 micrograms of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) between 30 minutes and 5 hours before delivery (n = 12). An additional seven mothers received saline solution and served as control subjects. There were no statistically significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, or Apgar scores between groups. At delivery, concentrations of maternal thyrotropin were elevated in the TRH group compared with the control group (12.0 +/- 1.6 vs 5.6 +/- 0.5 mU/L; p less than 0.005); however, maternal triiodothyronine (T3) values remained unchanged. Significant elevations of fetal thyrotropin and T3 were observed after maternal administration of TRH compared with control subjects (45.8 +/- 7.7 vs 8.4 +/- 0.9 mU/L (p less than 0.002) and 1.3 +/- 0.07 vs 0.7 +/- 0.04 nmol/L or 87 +/- 5 vs 49 +/- 3 ng/dl (p less than 0.001), respectively). Fetal thyroxine (T4) and prolactin values were also elevated after exposure to TRH (135 +/- 5 vs 86 +/- 10 nmol/L or 10.5 +/- 0.4 vs 6.7 +/- 0.8 micrograms/dl (p less than 0.001) and 212 +/- 31 vs 105 +/- 28 micrograms/L (p less than 0.05), respectively). Two hours after birth, a significant increase in T3 but not T4 levels was observed in both groups of infants. These data indicate that fetal exposure to a single dose of TRH via maternal administration of this hormone results in marked stimulation of the preterm fetal pituitary-thyroid axis, as in the fetus at term, and that this treatment does not inhibit the early postnatal surge of T3.

Female↗
PubMed1990

Characterization and gene cloning of neurotactin, a Drosophila transmembrane protein related to cholinesterases.

Monoclonal antibodies have served to characterize neurotactin, a novel Drosophila protein for which a role in cell adhesion is postulated. Neurotactin is a transmembrane protein, as indicated by epitope mapping and amino acid sequence. Similarly to other cell adhesion molecules, neurotactin accumulates in parts of the membrane where neurotactin-expressing cells contact each other. The protein is only detected during cell proliferation and differentiation, and it is found mainly in neural tissue and also in mesoderm and imaginal discs. Neurotactin has a large cytoplasmic domain rich in charged residues and an extracellular domain similar to cholinesterase that lacks the active site serine required for esterase activity. The extracellular domain also contains three copies of the tripeptide leucine-arginine-glutamate, a motif that forms the primary sequence of the adhesive site of vertebrate s-laminin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

Studies of the initiation of myelination by Schwann cells.

The rapid morphologic changes in Schwann cells and in their relationships to axons during the transition from the premyelinating to the myelinating state have been known for more than 15 years. The sorting of axons by dividing Schwann cells, the establishment of a 1:1 relationship between a postmitotic Schwann cell, and the onset of myelin sheath formation have all been described in detail. However, the chain of molecular events and mechanisms by which these morphologic changes are regulated has not been elucidated. In this chapter we have reviewed results that strongly suggest that the adhesion molecule L1 is one of the important determinants that mediate the elongation of the Schwann cell along the axon, and the extension of Schwann processes to engulf axons. Thus, L1 functions to promote the spreading of the Schwann cell process over the surface of the axon. L1 does not appear to be exclusively involved in the adhesion of Schwann cells to axons, in the activation of Schwann cell proliferation by axons, or in the induction of synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. The results from the anti-L1 blocking experiments further provided clues for an understanding of how the expression of GalC and MAG, which are both likely to be involved in the initiation of myelination, are regulated. These results imply that the overall regulation of expression of these early myelin components could require controls other than a single signaling mechanism derived from contact with axons. We propose that the deposition of basal lamina or one of its components could also be involved. Finally, the results from anti-GalC-blocking experiments indicated that GalC is involved in the mechanism of early growth of the myelin spiral.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Rearrangement of microtubule associated protein parallels the morphological transformation of neurons from dorsal root ganglion.

In primary cultures of dorsal root ganglion cells from rat embryos, neurons undergo a morphological transformation from a bipolar to a differentiated pseudo-unipolar shape, resembling their developmental stages in vivo. Cells present in these cultures are characterized here by immunological criteria using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against microtubule associated proteins MAP1 and MAP2 and against tubulin. After development for seven days in culture, antibodies against microtubule associated proteins MAP1 brightly labeled cells with neuronal morphology and lightly stained cells with the shape of Schwann cells. In addition, an extended network of neuronal processes was labeled with this antibody. Anti-microtubule associated protein MAP2 stained only neurons and a more restricted network of neuronal processes. The compartmentalization of microtubule associated protein MAP2 during the maturation process was followed by double-labeling with antibodies to microtubule associated proteins MAP1 and MAP2. Initially, microtubule associated protein MAP2 was present in the cell body and the two processes of bipolar neurons. Subsequently, the labeling of both processes changed, depending on neuronal morphology. In neurons in which both processes were approaching one another, one of these neurites was stained predominantly with anti-microtubule associated protein MAP2. Finally, in pseudo, unipolar neurons, anti-microtubule associated protein MAP2 labeling was found in the cell body and excluded from the more distal processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Experimental observation of silver and gold penetration into dental ceramic by means of a radiotracer technique.

A radiotracer technique was used to study silver and gold diffusion into dental porcelain under experimental conditions close to the real conditions in prosthetic laboratories for porcelain bakes. It was clearly shown that these non-oxidizable elements were able to diffuse into the ceramic as well as oxidizable ones. The penetration depth varied widely according to the element. The ratio DAg/DAu was about 10(3) around 850 degrees C. In contrast to gold, the silver diffusion rate was high enough to allow silver, from the metallic alloy, to be present at the external ceramic surface after diffusion into the ceramic. Hence, the greening of dental porcelains baked on silver-rich alloys could be explained mainly by a solid-state diffusion mechanism.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1987

Persistent pulmonary hypertension: assessment of perinatal risk factors.

Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate, a disease of unknown etiology, is associated with a mortality rate as high as 50%. We conducted a retrospective study (1979-1983) to identify antenatal events that may be associated with this disease. Thirty-seven mothers of neonates with this disorder were compared with 150 randomly selected control patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed that meconium, maternal fever (caused by urinary tract infection, upper respiratory infection, chorioamnionitis, and unknown causes), maternal anemia (caused by abruptio placentae, placenta previa, and unknown causes), and maternal pulmonary disease (caused by asthma and/or pneumonia) were associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate. The computed odds ratios for the variables associated with this disease were increased significantly above the controls. In addition, cesarean section, nonvertex presentation, fetal distress, and vaginal bleeding were found to be significant on univariate analyses. The cesarean section rate in the study group was 59%, with the primary indications of fetal distress and/or third-trimester bleeding in 77.3% of instances. These data suggest that antenatal risk factors and the computed odds ratio may help identify pregnancies likely to produce infants at high risk for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate.

Asphyxia Neonatorum↗
PubMed1986

Changes in physical and chemical properties of a dental palladium-silver alloy during metal-porcelain bonding.

The hardening ability of a dental palladium-silver (Pd-Ag-Sn-In) bonding alloy has been investigated, and the distribution of the elements along the metal-ceramic interface have been studied by microprobe analysis. The alloy was found to be highly heterogeneous in its 'as-cast' condition, but homogenized alloy was obtained after heating the alloy at 1000 degrees C for 2 h. Hardening occurred after annealing at 650 degrees C for 1 h. A longer thermal treatment caused the hardness to decrease (over-ageing). The change in hardness could be attributed to an internal oxidation phenomenon. The additional elements tin and indium segregated towards the ceramic-metal interface, with a diffusion of indium only into the porcelain. Diffusion of silver in the ceramics, supposed to be the cause of the 'greening' of dental porcelains baked on silver-rich alloys, has not been detected by the microprobe across the interface.

Chemical Phenomena↗
PubMed1986

Response of the maternal, fetal, and neonatal pituitary-thyroid axis to thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) readily crosses the placenta and stimulates the fetal pituitary. We studied the response of the maternal and fetal pituitary-thyroid axes to TRH and the influence of prenatal exposure to TRH on the physiological postnatal increase in thyrotropin (TSH) and triiodothyronine (T3) in the neonate. Twenty-six pregnant women received TRH (400 or 600 micrograms) intravenous or saline (controls) either 2 or 12 h before elective cesarean section at term. Administration of 400 micrograms of TRH resulted in significant elevations of maternal TSH (15.7 +/- 2.9 versus 3.2 +/- 0.4 microU/ml, p less than 0.01) and prolactin (416 +/- 94 versus 223 +/- 41 ng/ml, p less than 0.05) 2 h later. Maternal T3 remained unchanged. A higher dose of TRH (600 micrograms) produced comparable results. Maternal administration of TRH (400 micrograms) 2 h before delivery resulted in significant increases in fetal TSH and T3 over controls (21.1 +/- 3.7 versus 4.8 +/- 1.0 microU/ml, and 132 +/- 12 versus 64 +/- 9 ng/dl, p less than 0.01, respectively). Cord blood hormone levels 12 hours after TRH administration were similar to controls. Higher doses of TRH did not produce further increases in fetal TSH or T3. Control and treated neonates demonstrated similar physiological postnatal increases in TSH and T3, suggesting that prior exposure to TRH did not blunt this response. These data suggest that maternal administration of TRH is an effective way of increasing fetal T3 levels, and that this treatment does not inhibit the postnatal surge in TSH and T3.

Female↗