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Biomedical subjects

F Salamanca

Publications and source records attributed to F Salamanca.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

In vitro leukemic cell differentiation and WT1 gene expression.

Cell differentiation and four WT1 isoforms were assessed in CD34(+) cells from patients with acute myelogenous leukemia in presence or absence of recombinant human GM-CSF and G-CSF, on days 0, 10 and 20 of culture. We found that WT1 isoforms expression was consistently higher in AML-derived CD34+ cell-enriched cell fractions, as compared to their normal counterparts, and interestingly, in both cases, cells had differentiation towards the myeloid lineage with WT1 expression different patterns. This data suggest that WT1 expression seems to be modulated by the presence of cytokines, especially on day 20 of culture.

Antigens, CD34↗

Expression analysis of the SG-SSPN complex in smooth muscle and endothelial cells of human umbilical cord vessels.

Recently, participation of the sarcoglycan (SG)-sarcospan (SSPN) complex in the development of cardiomyopathy in patients with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy has been shown, and presence of the complex in smooth muscle may be important for the contraction/dilation process of vessels. However, there are few studies determining the SG-SSPN complex in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells of vessels. In this study, we analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence the expression of different components of the complex in vein/artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells of the human umbilical cord. By RNA analysis, we observed expression of alpha-, beta-, gamma-, delta-, epsilon-SG, and SSPN in smooth muscle cells. In endothelial cells, RNA expression was restricted to beta-, delta-, epsilon-SG, and SSPN. At protein level, we observed in smooth muscle the presence of beta-, delta-, epsilon-SG, and SSPN. In endothelial cells, immunostaining only evidenced the presence of epsilon-SG and SSPN. However, colocalization of SGs and SSPN with dystrophin and utrophin was noted. These results, interestingly, suggest that the SG-SSPN complex may either form with dystrophin or utrophin in smooth muscle cells, and with utrophin in endothelial cells. Additionally, we also observed in some smooth muscle regions the colocalization of the SG-SSPN complex with caveolin, with colocalization being more pronounced between epsilon-SG-SSPN and caveolin in endothelial cells.

Carrier Proteins↗

Role of P53 functionality in the genotoxicity of metronidazole and its hydroxy metabolite.

P53 mediates several biological processes for preservation of genetic stability such as the induction of cell cycle arrest, DNA repair or apoptosis in response to DNA damage. The antiparasitic drug, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole (metronidazole, MTZ) is able to increase lymphocyte proliferation inducing at the same time chromosomal aberrations. Trying to understand this unexpected event we used cell lines with different P53 functionality, determining the proliferation capacity and the induction of micronuclei (MN) after the treatment with MTZ or its hydroxy metabolite. Our results show that MTZ increased proliferation in a dose response manner in all P53 functional cell lines without inducing changes on the levels of P53 nor MN. However, MTZ hydroxy metabolite induced a dose response increase of P53 and MN, while cell proliferation was not increased. Several studies have shown that the hydroxy metabolite is more potent than MTZ itself. Only in cell lines that do not have a functional P53, MTZ and its metabolite increased both cell proliferation and MN. MTZ use is increasing and its carcinogenicity has not been discarded. Our data indicate that MTZ hydroxy metabolite is potentially a carcinogen and needs to be further studied.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

PCR-PRINS-FISH analysis of structurally abnormal sex chromosomes in eight patients with Turner phenotype.

According to cytogenetic analysis, about 50% of Turner individuals are 45,X. The remaining cases have a structurally abnormal X chromosome or are mosaics with a second cell line containing a normal or abnormal sex chromosome. In these mosaics, approximately 20% have a sex marker chromosome whose identity cannot usually be determined by classical cytogenetic methods, requiring the use of molecular techniques. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), primed in situ labeling (PRINS), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses were performed in 8 patients with Turner syndrome and 45,X mosaic karyotypes to determine the origin and structure of the marker chromosome in the second cell line. Our data showed that markers were Y-derived in 2 patients and X-derived in the remaining 6 patients. We were also able to determine the breakpoints in the two Y chromosomes. The use of cytogenetic and molecular techniques allowed us to establish unequivocally the origin, X or Y, of the marker chromosomes in the 8 patients with Turner phenotype. This study illustrates the power of resolution and utility of combined cytogenetic and molecular approaches in some clinical cases.

Adolescent↗

(AC)n dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in 5' beta-globin gene in native and Mestizo Mexican populations.

Repeated sequences are dispersed along the human genome. These sequences are useful as markers in diagnosis of inherited diseases, in forensic medicine, and in tracking the origin and evolution of human populations. The (AC)n repeated element is the most frequent in the human genome. In this paper, the (AC)n repeated element located in the 5' flanking region of the beta-globin gene was studied by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Four ethnic Mexican groups (Mixteca, Nahua, Otomí, Purépecha) and a Mestizo population were analyzed. We observed three alleles, A [(AC)16, B [(AC)14], and C [(AC)18], with a frequency of between 68.2% and 86.9%, 13.1% and 18.2%, and 6.7% and 13.7%, respectively. Allele C was present only in Purépecha and Mestizo groups. The absence of this allele in the other ethnic groups studied suggests that there is low genetic admixture of Purépecha and that this is a relatively isolated population. However, it could be that the C allele occurs in low frequencies in the other groups as a result of small sample sizes. The (AC)n repeat polymorphism in the beta-globin gene has not been previously studied in Amerindian populations.

Alleles↗

Pattern of deletions of the dystrophin gene in Mexican Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy patients: the use of new designed primers for the analysis of the major deletion "hot spot" region.

We have analyzed 59 unrelated Mexican Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy patients (DMD/BMD) using PCR analysis of the 2 prone deletion regions in the DMD gene. Thirty one (52%) of the patients had a deletion of one or several of the exons. Most of the alterations (87%) were clustered in exons 44-52, this being the highest percentage reported until now. In order to improve the molecular diagnosis in the Mexican population, we designed a new multiplex assay to PCR amplify exons 44-52. This assay allowed for the identification of a greater number of deletions in this region compared with the 9 and 5-plex assays previously described and to determine most of the deletion end boundaries. This is a reliable alternative for the initial screening of the DMD patients in the Mexican population.

Dystrophin↗

[Development of specimen banks for research in molecular epidemiology].

In recent years, methodology has been implemented with the purpose to establish DNA diagnostic banking by means of transformed cell lines, direct extracted DNA, cryopreserved blood or other tissues and the study of samples embedded in paraffin. The objectives of the storage of individual DNA samples are for academic and research purposes, principally for gene mapping, and for diagnostic services to those who are at genetic risk and may be interested in family-based linkage testing, for establishing forensic DNA data bank, and for tissue transplantation. These developments implicate important legal and ethical issues, and institute rights and obligations of the donors and of the persons that conduct the banks.

Biological Specimen Banks↗

Carrier detection in Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy using dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms. A study in Mexican families.

In order to improve carrier detection of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, dinucleotide sequences repeats (CA) of introns 44, 45, 49 and 50 were used as well as two markers located at the 5' and 3' ends of the dystrophin gene. Haplotypes of the unaffected and affected persons of ten DMD/ BMD Mexican families were determined. Fifty eight females were studied, 30 of whom were at-risk STR haplotypes. Furthermore, it was possible to identify a recombination event in the dystrophin gene in one family, and a gonadal mosaicism was found in another family.

Genetic Carrier Screening↗

Mothers at risk of alloimmunization to the Rh (D) antigen and availability of gamma-globulin at the Mexican Institute of Social Security.

Hemolytic disease of the newborn develops mainly when an Rh negative (D-) mother becomes sensitized and produces anti-Rh positive (anti-D) antibodies capable of hemolysing D+ fetal erythrocytes. Maternal alloimmunization can be prevented by the administration of anti-D gamma-globulin immediately after the birth of each Rh positive child. In order to identify the frequency of prevention of alloimmunization at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), the amount of mothers at risk of sensitization from 1985 to 1995 was estimated from Rh and ABO blood group frequencies and with the number of deliveries and abortions at the Medical Institutions. Also, information in regard to the dose of gamma-globulin units purchased by the Institute of Social Security from 1985 to 1993 was obtained. The number of mothers at risk steadily increased from 16,616 in 1985 to 21,071 in 1995, amounting to a total of 203,203 in the 10-year period, while only 120,800 gamma-globulin units were purchased in that same period. The findings in this study suggest the need to define reasonable policies for the acquisition of gamma-globulin lots to prevent alloisoimmunization of mothers at risk.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Molecular studies of Mendelian disorders, embryonic neoplasias, and polymorphisms in selected samples of the general population. A contribution to the genetic characterization of the Mexican population.

Molecular studies using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzymes, as well as intragenic STRs and newly designed primers, were performed in patients with Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, retinoblastoma, and nephroblastoma. The usefulness of these methodologies in the precise identification of mutational changes, in carrier detection and in the understanding of neoplastic transformations, as well as its applications in genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis, are discussed. In addition, genetic polymorphisms in the beta globin gene cluster and in mtDNA were investigated. All these studies, the first performed in our population, contribute to establish the genetic origin and to a better characterization of the Mexican population.

Adolescent↗

Red cell acid phosphatase types and GC polymorphisms in Mérida, Oaxaca, León, and Saltillo, Mexico.

Red cell acid phosphatase types and GC polymorphisms were studied in Mérida and Oaxaca, Mexico. GC polymorphisms were also investigated in León and Saltillo. The ACP*A, ACP*B, and ACP*C gene frequencies were 0.215, 0.770, and 0.015 respectively, in Mérida and 0.205, 0.788, and 0.002, respectively, in Oaxaca. In Oaxaca the ACP*R gene had a frequency of 0.005. The results are similar to other Mestizo groups studied in Mexico; it is concluded that the ACP*C and ACP*R genes were introduced by admixture of native Amerindians with whites and blacks, respectively. The GC*1S, GC*1F, and GC*2 gene frequencies were 0.489, 0.289 and 0.222, respectively, in León; 0.500, 0.272, and 0.228, respectively, in Mérida; 0.454, 0.337, and 0.209, respectively, in Oaxaca; and 0.505, 0.356, and 0.139, respectively, in Saltillo. These results are similar to what has been obtained in other Mestizo populations and Indian groups in Mexico, probably because the main ethnic component in both is Amerindian.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Methods for the analysis of cellular kinetics in PHA-stimulated blood lymphocytes using BrdU incorporation. A comparative study.

The cellular cycle (cc) span was measured by using differential sister-chromatid staining (DSCS) and applying the following methods: cellular cycle time (cct) according to the graphic method of Dutrillaux and Fosse (G-cct); the analytical equation (A-cct) proposed in the present paper, and the average generation time (AGT) suggested by Ivett and Tice. The mean values obtained by the three methods were 12.5, 12.7, and 19.5 h, respectively. A-cct is the more precise method, since the equation of the analytical procedure allows the utilization of numerical data, and when the graphical method is used, the values plotted in a graph may vary according to the employed scale. Cct is the choice over AGT because the first evaluates actively dividing cells and only considers those at M2 or M3. It will be useful to study cell proliferation kinetics in genetic pathological conditions and to investigate with accuracy the effect of cytostatic and cytotoxic drugs.

Adolescent↗

Analysis of dystrophin gene deletions in patients from the Mexican population with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy.

Forty unrelated Mexican patients with Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy were analyzed for intragenic DMD gene deletions, using the multiplex amplification of 15 deletion-prone exons described by Chamberlain et al. and Beggs et al. The percentage of deletions was 52.5%, and the majority of them (86.3%) were located at the hot spot deletion region which encompasses exons 44-55. This frequency is higher than that found in American and European populations. There were no correlations between deletion size, location and clinical severity.

Dystrophin↗

Isolated congenital heart defects in first degree relatives of 185 affected children. Prospective study in Mexico City.

Parents (n = 355) and siblings (n = 313) of 185 index cases (IC) with congenital heart disease (CHD) were cardiologically evaluated. In the consecutive sample (2 years) Mendelian and chromosome syndromes were excluded. Four patients and nine siblings had CHD. The frequency of affection in siblings was 2.6% (8 in 313 siblings). All affected relatives are under medical care at the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, IMSS. In 10 of the 12 affected relatives found, the type of CHD was discordant from that of the IC. Discordance was found also in 9 of 36 IC with two or more CHD. An interpretation is given: if the mutated gene(s) has its effect in early embryological stages, affected relatives may have any type of CHD, but if the alteration occurs later, concordance is expected to be found. This model contributes also in explaining the remarkable genetic heterogeneity that exists in CHD.

Adolescent↗