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Biomedical subjects

G García

Publications and source records attributed to G García.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antibodies from patients with dengue viral infection mediate cellular cytotoxicity.

Acute and late convalescent sera (collected at day 5 of disease onset and 1 year later) from dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome (DHF/DSS) laboratory confirmed cases, were tested for antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity using dengue 1 (DENV-1) or dengue 2 (DENV-2) infected cells as target. All patients experienced their first dengue virus (DENV) infection 20 years before. ADCC activity was detected in acute sera from DHF/DSS but not in sera from DF patients. However, 1 year after illness, ADCC activity was observed in all cases. This preliminary report represents one of the few studies of ADCC in dengue patients and suggests that ADCC could be implicated in dengue pathogenesis.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed2004

5Alpha-reductase inhibition activity of steroids isolated from marine soft corals.

The aim of this study is to determine the 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity of several new steroidal compounds PR-01-PR-07 by measuring the conversion of [3H]T to[3H]DHT in Penicillium crustosum broths. These compounds were obtained from marine soft corals collected on the coasts of Andaman and Nicobar at Hori, Natkal and Kalipur (Diglipur) Islands and identified as Sinularia grandilobata Verseveldt, Sinularia crassa Tixier- Durivault, Sinularia gravis Tixier- Durivault, Sinularia sp., Lobophytum sp., Lobophytum crassum and Cladiella sp. PR-01-PR-04 significantly inhibited the conversion of [3H]T to [3H]DHT (P < 0.05) whereas PR-05 and PR-06 did not show an appreciable difference (P > 0.05) in this model. On the other hand PR-07 stimulated (P < 0.05) the enzymatic reaction.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed2004

Weight gain and cardiovascular risk factors during smoking cessation with bupropion or nicotine.

Weight gain is frequent after smoking cessation, and may limit patient's will to quit and long-term success. Nicotine and bupropion are effective drugs for smoking withdrawal. However, their influence on weight gain, insulin resistance and other cardiovascular risk factors, as well as possible differences in obese and lean subjects, have not been fully evaluated. We randomised 25 lean and 25 obese smokers to receive either bupropion or nicotine patches. Clinical evaluation and lipid profile were performed at baseline and after treatment. Insulin resistance was also assessed at the end. Weight, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and diastolic blood pressure increased (p < 0.005), whereas lipid profile improved (p < 0.001) after smoking cessation independently of obesity at baseline or drug used. Obese patients had higher insulin resistance at the end (p < 0.05) regardless of drug used. Weight gain was inversely related to age (beta= - 0.125, R = 0.38, p = 0.046), and insulin resistance was related to obesity at baseline (beta = 0.85, R = 0.46, p = 0.02). In conclusion, weight gain after smoking cessation is not dependent on obesity or drug taken. A beneficial lipid profile is achieved after quitting smoking with either bupropion or nicotine patch in both obese and lean subjects.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed2004

Acute and chronic otitis media and Turicella otitidis: a controversial association.

Turicella otitidis is a non-fermenting Gram-positive bacillus isolated almost exclusively from ear exudates. Its significance in acute or chronic otitis media is controversial. Over a 12-month period, T. otitidis was isolated from nine ear exudates from seven patients. Most of these were cases of spontaneous drainage following recurrence of otitis media after antimicrobial therapy that was ineffective against T. otitidis. The MICs of penicillin, levofloxacin, linezolid and vancomycin were very low for all the isolates studied, but most isolates displayed high resistance to macrolides and lincosamides.

Actinobacteria↗
PubMed2002

[Galantamine: a novel cholinergic agent for Alzheimer's disease].

Galantamine has been recently approved for the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Apart from inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, galantamine modulates the nicotinic receptors, although the clinical significance of this action remains uncertain. Through a broad research program, it has been shown that galantamine produces a cognitive, functional and behavioral benefit in patients with either mild or moderate AD. Initially, the maintenance dose must be 16 mg a day. Later on, 24 mg dose attempts are justified on an individual patient basis. A clinical stabilization for almost one year is observed. After that time, treated patients deteriorate at a similar pace than the non-treated ones, but they remain above the non-treated during at least one more year. Additional data suggest that positive effects of galantamine spread both caregiver burden and pharmacoeconomic areas. Tolerability is good, provided that titration is made slowly. The only contraindications of this drug are atrioventricular blockade and uncontrolled bronchospasm. Galantamine has also shown efficacy in mixed dementia. New possible indications are mild cognitive impairment and vascular dementia.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2001

Pulmonary gas exchange and sputum cellular responses to inhaled leukotriene D(4) in asthma.

Inhalational challenges with inflammatory mediators may provoke lung function disturbances similar to those shown in spontaneous acute asthma. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) have recently been established as mediators of bronchoconstriction in asthma but their effects on pulmonary gas exchange in asthma have not been assessed. We therefore investigated the effects of leukotriene D(4) (LTD(4)) challenge resulting in a significant decrease in FEV(1) (mean +/- SE, by 32 +/- 3%) in 13 nonsmoking, mild asthmatics. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs), and respiratory and inert gases were measured before and immediately after, and at 15 and 45 min after challenge. After bronchoprovocation, Rrs increased (by 106 +/- 12%), Pa(O(2)) decreased (by 25 +/- 4 mm Hg), and ventilation-perfusion distributions moderately to severely deteriorated, as shown by increases in the dispersions of pulmonary blood flow (Log SDQ, by 59 +/- 12%) and alveolar ventilation (Log SDV, by 65 +/- 20%) (p < 0.05 each). Sputum eosinophils (p < 0.05) and urinary LTE(4) (p < 0.005) increased after challenge. Despite the lack of mathematical correlations between spirometric and Rrs changes and gas exchange indices, the pattern of improvement of the functional variables after challenge ran in parallel. These findings support the evidence that CysLTs, in addition to being potent bronchoconstrictors, also provoke profound disturbances of pulmonary gas exchange in asthma.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed2001

Chromosome evolution in the annual killifish genus Cynolebias and mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis.

Extensive chromosome variation involving Robertsonian and non-Robertsonian changes were proposed to explain chromosomal evolution within killifishes of the aplocheiloid group belonging to the order Cyprinodontiforms. In the present work we describe the karyotypes of four Cynolebias species and analyze chromosome changes by means of mitochondrial phylogenetic studies, including 10 taxa of this genus. Diploid numbers varied from 48 to 44 and the number of chromosome arms from 50 to 54. Molecular phylogenetic analyses allow us to corroborate previous hypothesis about chromosome evolution in aplocheiloid fishes. The tree topology based on a combined dataset of mitochondrial cytochrome b and 12S genes shows that recent cladogenetic events within the genus Cynolebias could have occurred by allopatric or 'in-situ' differentiation involving chromosomal rearrangements. Our analyses of approximately 10% of mitochondrial genome can be helpful in determining these recent cladogenetic events but it showed limited phylogenetic resolution at intermediate levels of divergence. This can be explained in part by the high levels of DNA sequence divergence (ranging from 0.015 to 0.245) detected at intrageneric level. Different methodological approaches suggest that chromosomal changes in Cynolebias have occurred during their differentiation, supporting the hypothesis that the unresolved basal polytomy could be the result of rapid speciation events, like a true 'star polytomy'.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Bacteremia by Dermabacter hominis, a rare pathogen.

Dermabacter hominis is a gram-positive, catalase-positive, glucose-fermenting rod, which, as it grows forms small greyish-white colonies with a characteristic pungent odor. Previously known as coryneform Centers for Disease Control and Prevention groups 3 and 5, it was catalogued as D. hominis in 1994. Various strains isolated in blood cultures, abscesses, or wounds in the 1970s were retrospectively characterized in referral centers as D. hominis. In this report we describe two patients with severe underlying pathology who developed bacteremias by D. hominis within the context of their clinical pictures.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed2001

Focal arterial injuries of the proximal extremities: helical CT arteriography as the initial method of diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To present our experience with helical computed tomographic (CT) arteriography as the initial diagnostic examination in patients suspected to have focal arterial injuries of the proximal extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During 19 months, 142 arterial segments in the proximal portions of the extremities of 139 patients with trauma were evaluated with helical CT arteriography. CT arteriograms were interpreted on site by the radiologist in charge of emergency procedures and retrospectively with consensus interpretation between two radiologists. CT study quality and the presence of arterial injuries were noted. CT arteriographic findings were compared with those of surgery, conventional arteriography, and/or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Five (3.6%) patients had nondiagnostic studies and underwent conventional arteriography. In the remaining 137 arterial segments in 134 patients, helical CT arteriography demonstrated arterial injuries in 61 segments and normal arteries in 76 segments. These segments were treated initially with surgery (55 segments) or endovascular intervention (four segments) or were observed (78 segments); 77 of the 78 observed segments remained stable at 3-18 months (mean follow-up, 5.2 months). There were no differences between the on-site and consensus interpretations (kappa = 1.0). The sensitivity of CT arteriography was 95.1%, and the specificity was 98.7%. CONCLUSION: Helical CT arteriography can be performed as the initial diagnostic method in most patients suspected to have focal arterial injuries of the proximal portions of the extremities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Inhibitory role of antibodies in the development of Taenia solium and Taenia crassiceps toward reproductive and pathogenic stages.

Untreated Taenia solium cysticerci obtained from different naturally infected pigs vary notably in their capacity to develop into intestinal tapeworms in prednisolone-treated hamsters, whereas cells derived from Taenia crassiceps cysticerci after 2 mo of infection almost always develop to cysticerci in the peritoneal cavity of susceptible BALB/cAnN mice. Preincubation of whole cysticerci or parasite cells with mice immunoglobulins raised against an 18-mer peptide epitope (GK-1) common to both parasites significantly interferes with both transformations. These crippling effects of antiparasite antibodies suggest new forms of immunological interference with parasite biology other than simple killing. Antibodies that cripple biological functions of the parasite, e.g., their development to reproductive or pathogenic stages, make them important protagonists in taeniasis/cysticercosis disease as classic parasitocidal antibodies. Different serum levels of crippling antibodies in the infected pigs could be responsible for the varied ability of cysticerci to convert to tapeworms. Antigens capable of inducing crippling antibodies, e.g., GK-1, could be useful as a therapeutic vaccine for pigs in order to reduce parasite transmission.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

[Precut Vater's papilla. Prospective evaluation of frequency of use, effectiveness, complication and mortality. Cooperative study in the northwest of the province of Buenos Aires].

INTRODUCTION: Precut papillotomy, has been considered a potentially dangerous procedure. In spite of this, numerous national and foreign referral centers have reported good results with the use of this technique that increases the cannulation rate and permits additional therapeutic procedures. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the procedure in terms of frequency of use, effectiveness, complications and mortality. PATIENT AND METHODS: Between January 1, 1996 and December 31, 1999, 419 ERCP were performed in our centers. We used precut papillotomy in 51 patients. Inclusion criteria for precut papillotomy protocol were: 1 precut papillotomy indication. 1-1 failure to cannulate the papilla, 1-2 appropriate indication, 1-3 Expert endoscopist, 2 complete follow up, 3 informed consent. The experimental design of the study was prospective. When the patients entered into the protocol, they underwent a needle-knife sphincterotomy according to Huibregise's technique. The follow up was done during 30 days, with a clinical examination, laboratory test and ultrasonography all of them weekly, to determine the possible complications according to Cotton's criteria and the mortality. RESULTS: 4-1) Precut frequency: 51 patients (pts.) (12.1%). 4-2) Follow up: 49 pts. (96.1%) fulfilled the weekly controls; 2 pts. (3.9%) did not come for the controls. 4-3) Sex and Age: Women 29 pts. (56.9%). Age 62.5 +/- 1.74 years. Men: 22 pts. (43.1%) Age +/- 3.35 years. 4-4) INDICATIONS: Jaundice, diagnosis and treatment: 44 pts. (86.3%), post-cholecystectomy pain; 4 pts. (7.8%), and idiopathic abdominal pain: 3 pts. (5.9%). 4-5) Effectiveness: First attempt 35 pts. (71.4%), second attempt: 10 pts (20.4%). Definite effectiveness: 45 pts. (98.1%), failure: 4 pts. (8.1%). 4-6) Complementary treatment: in 43 pts. we performed the following procedures: papillotomy and stone extraction: 26 pts. (53%), papillotomy and prosthesis: 9 pts. (18.4%), Prosthesis: 8 pts. (16.3%, only pre-cut papillotomy: 6 pts. (12.2%). 4-7 Final diagnoses: Coledocholithiasis 41 pts. (83.6%); Malignant obstruction of biliary duct: 4 pts. (8.2%), Pancreatic Cancer: 1 pts. (2%); Ampullary Cancer 1 pts. (2%). Oddi sphyncter dysfunction: 1 pts. (2%). 4-8. COMPLICATIONS: Total 9 pts. (18.4%). mild Haemorrhage: 7 pts. (14.4%). Acute pancreatitis: 2 pts. (4%), mild: 1 pts. (2%), severe: 1 pts. (2%) 4-9-Mortality: not recorded. CONCLUSIONS: 5-1 Precut papillotomy is used by us with the same frequency native authors use it, but less than foreign authors. 5-2 Age, sex, indications, complementary treatment and final diagnoses are similar to those repo. 5-3 reported by other authors. 5-3- High rate of follow up. 5-4- High percentage of effectiveness which coincide with consulted studies. Precut papillotomy was the only therapy in 12.2% of the cases. 5-5 Low percentage of complications and, when present, of minor importance coinciding with other authors. 5-6 No mortality. 5-7 In our experience, precut papillotomy was a safe and effective technique to cannulate the papilla.

Ampulla of Vater↗
PubMed2000

Vaccination against Taenia solium cysticercosis in underfed rustic pigs of México: roles of age, genetic background and antibody response.

Vaccination of pigs of mixed genetic make-up, raised as rustically as done in rural Mexico, resulted in effective protection to experimental challenge against Taenia solium cysticercosis. Maximum protection was achieved if pigs were immunized at 70 days of age. There was large variation of viable parasite load within vaccinated pigs and controls, which is suggestive of significant genetic factors influencing susceptibility, besides immunization. Our results strengthen the advisability of pig vaccination for control of T. solium cysticercosis, since it lowers the number of viable cysticerci capable of transforming into tapeworms.

Age Factors↗