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Biomedical subjects

H Rico

Publications and source records attributed to H Rico.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Zinc, biochemical markers of nutrition, and type I osteoporosis.

Having observed previously that the reduction of levels of biological markers of nutrition in postmenopausal osteoporosis may be related to zinc deficiency, we measured plasma and urinary zinc concentrations in 30 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and in 30 healthy postmenopausal women who served as controls. Plasma zinc levels did not differ between groups, but urinary zinc excretion was significantly higher in the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (p = 0.002). The relation between total body bone mineral content corrected for body weight (TBBMC/W) and markers of nutrition was significant (multiple regression analysis: p < 0.0001) in the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis but not in the healthy postmenopausal controls. Likewise, the relation between TBBMC/W and plasma and urinary zinc levels also was significant in the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis but not in the controls (multiple regression analysis: p = 0.0022). Neither group showed any correlation between plasma or urinary zinc concentrations and levels of biological markers of nutrition. Urinary zinc concentration correlated significantly with serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase level (simple linear regression analysis: r = 0.583, p < 0.001) in the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis but not in controls. TBBMC correlated with urinary zinc concentration significantly in the women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (simple linear regression: r = 0.567, p = 0.0015), but the correlation was nonsignificant in healthy postmenopausal controls. These findings indicate that the elevation of urinary zinc elimination in osteoporosis is dependent on bone resorption.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Rheumatoid arthritis-like deformities in an early 16th-century painting of the Flemish-Dutch school.

Hand deformities resembling those of rheumatoid arthritis have been depicted in a painting by an anonymous artist of the Flemish-Dutch School, mid-15th to early 16th century. The painting is presently in the Escorial Museum near Madrid, Spain. This observation, like other earlier observations of rheumatoid deformities in paintings of the Middle Ages, suggests that rheumatoid arthritis is not a modern disease; it had, indeed, appeared several centuries before Landré-Beauvais' description in 1800.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1992

[The 4-component model of body composition].

BACKGROUND: Given the importance of knowing the corporal composition according to the model of the four components (fat, mineral, fat free and aqueous) the same was calculated in 220 women and 130 men, considered as normal, between the ages of 15 and 49. METHODS: The corporal components were determined with double energy x-ray densitometry with the component corresponding to water being obtained from the fat free component, thereby evaluating the four principal parts of corporal composition. RESULTS: In the men all of the values except those of fat were greater than in the women (p less than 0.001), with the fat in the latter being (p less than 0.001). The values of mineral content demonstrated sexual differences in reaching of the peak of osseous mass and were maintained stable in women up to the age of 49. CONCLUSIONS: With regards to the mineral component, there is a sexual difference in achieving the maximum value. While the fat values in men are super-impossible to those referred in the literature for ther media and with other techniques they are not so in women, in whom superior values are observed leading to reanalysis of how the physical constitution, habits and way of life of women in this country may have repercussions in this sense.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1992

Crush fracture syndrome in senile osteoporosis: a nutritional consequence?

Osteoporosis is a very important age-related health problem. The body's composition changes with age, and these changes are a true reflection of aging and of the individuals's nutritional status. Mineral content changes have been reported in vertebral osteoporosis. Interestingly, enough, there have not been reports on concomitant water, fat, and fat-free mass changes associated with this condition. In this report, changes in the latter parameters are compared between patients with osteoporosis and controls. The four components (water, mineral, fat, and fat-free mass) were found significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) in osteoporosis. Serum albumin and protein mass were also reduced (p less than 0.001).

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Sex differences in the acquisition of total bone mineral mass peak assessed through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry evaluation of total body bone mineral content (TBBM), total bone mineral density (TBMD), and regional bone mineral content (BMC) (head, trunk, arms, and legs) was carried out in order to assess sex differences of bone in 120 women and 121 men aged 15-29 years. Subjects from both sexes were divided into 5-year groups (15 through 19, 20 through 24, and 25 through 29 years old, respectively). Significantly higher values for TBBM, TBMD, and regional BMC were observed in males compared with females in the 20 to 24 and 25 to 29-year-old groups (P less than 0.001), but not in the group aged 15-19. After adjusting TBBM for lean body mass (LBM), we observed significantly lower values of TBBM/LBM in the males compared with females in all the age groups. A positive and significant correlation was observed between TBBM and age in the males of all the groups (r = 0.624, P less than 0.001), but not in the females. These data suggest that total bone mass peak acquisition takes place earlier in women than in men, leading to more reduced bone mass value, which in turn may be an osteoporosis predisposing factor.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1992

Is pelvic bone mineral content assessed through dual energy X-ray absorptiometry an appropriate anatomical area for bone mass estimation in women?

Bibliographic references seem very controversial regarding the most appropriate anatomical area for bone mass estimation. Since some overlapping in the different bone mass measurements among normal and osteoporotic females has been observed, we have studied the bone mineral content of the pelvic bone through DEXA, and have correlated it with the total body bone mineral content, a highly discriminating measure, in order to observe whether pelvic bone mineral may be a useful measure in bone mass assessment. Pelvic and total body bone mineral values did not decrease until menopause in 104 normal premenopausal females aged 20 to 49 years. On the other hand, these values decreased in normal postmenopausal women (n = 44) aged 50 to 65 years (p < 0.001), with a 16% pelvic bone mineral content and an 11% total body bone mineral content decrease. Osteoporotic females (n = 30), showed lower values for both levels than normal postmenopausal ones (p < 0.001), with a 54% pelvic and a 24% total decrease. A 15% overlap was observed when pelvic values between normal postmenopausal and osteoporotic females were compared. The greater percentage decrease in pelvic BMC compared to total body bone mineral content and the lower overlap observed suggest that the pelvis may be an ideal anatomical area for bone mass evaluations.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1992

Salmon calcitonin reduces vertebral fracture rate in postmenopausal crush fracture syndrome.

The effectiveness of calcitonin on the vertebral fracture rate in postmenopausal osteoporosis was assessed through the skeletal deformity index (SDI) and the new vertebral fracture rate per 100 patient-years in a group of 32 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated by us with 100 IU of salmon calcitonin and 500 mg of elemental calcium for 10 consecutive days each month, and in another group of 28 women with postmenopausal osteoporosis treated with 500 mg of elemental calcium only for 10 consecutive days each month. Both groups were age-matched. The follow-up was a retrospective randomized study over 24 months. Thirty of the 32 women of the calcitonin group and 27 of 28 women of the calcium group finished treatment. The SDI was stabilized after six months in the calcitonin group (0.57 +/- 0.13, 0.62 +/- 0.18, 0.63 +/- 0.16 and 0.64 +/- 0.17, at base line, 6, 12 and 24 months respectively). The calcium group showed a significant increase only at 12 months (P less than 0.01) and 24 months (P less than 0.05) (0.61 +/- 0.16, 0.63 +/- 0.16, 0.69 +/- 0.16, and 0.73 +/- 0.15, at base line, 6, 12 and 24 months respectively). At 24 months, the new vertebral fracture rate decreased by 60% (20%, 14% and 8% at 6, 12 and 24 months respectively) in the calcitonin group and increased by 35% (31%, 33% and 42%, at 6, 12 and 24 months respectively) in the calcium group (P less than 0.025). These results show that calcitonin induced a significant reduction in postmenopausal osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Total and regional bone mineral content in relation to menopause.

Total body bone mineral content (TBBM) and anatomical region bone mineral content (head, trunk and extremities) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 188 women aged 60 +/- 6 years, of whom 154 were normal and 34 were osteoporotic. Of the 154 normal subjects, 90 were premenopausal (40 aged 44 +/- 3 years and 50 aged 34 +/- 8 years), the remaining 64 being postmenopausal and aged 58 +/- 7 years. There were no TBBM or regional changes in the premenopausal women, whereas there was a significant reduction in bone mineral content in the postmenopausal as compared with the premenopausal women in all regions. The osteoporotic subjects showed a general decrease (P < 0.001) in all measurements which was more marked in the trunk. The rate of TBBM reduction was 16% in the normal postmenopausal women and 29% in the osteoporotic subjects. All the postmenopausal women (both normal and osteoporotic) showed lower TBBM values than those in the Wisconsin trial, similar results being obtained in the case of the premenopausal group. Such differences can only be explained by hardship experienced by these now postmenopausal women during their childhood and adolescence.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1992

Long-term influence of anticonvulsant agents on calcitonin, parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin.

It has been reported that anticonvulsant drugs decrease serum calcitonin; this effect may be dose dependent and/or hypocalcemia dependent. The objective of the present study is to assess such a dependence and to evaluate other parameters in relation to calcitonin. Serum calcitonin, parathyroid hormone and osteocalcin were determined through RIA, and serum calcium, total protein and alkaline phosphatase through an autoanalyzer in 17 patients undergoing long-term treatment with phenytoin and phenobarbital. At the same time, 20 normal subjects were studied and served as controls. In the patients, no changes were observed in calcitonin, parathormone, osteocalcin and calcemia corrected for protein, and there was a statistically significant increase in alkaline phosphatase values (p < 0.001). Calcemia correlated positively with calcitonin (p < 0.01) and negatively with parathormone (p < 0.05). There was no calcitonin correlation with the anticonvulsant dosage or with the total doses ingested. Increased alkaline phosphatase levels in the presence of normal osteocalcin figures suggest a hepatic origin of the former. The fact that there were no calcitonin level changes but a correlation did exist between calcitonin and calcemia leads us to think that any hormonal changes induced by anticonvulsant agents may act indirectly through changes induced in serum calcium.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Characterization of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe morphological mutant altered in the galactomannan content.

In a search for Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutants resistant to the antifungal agent papulacandin B, a morphological mutant was isolated. The mutant is round shaped in contrast to the rod shaped parental strain. This morphological defect segregated as a recessive Mendelian character and was not observed in other papulacandin B resistant mutants belonging to the same complementation group. The mutation mapped in the right arm of S. pombe chromosome III very close to pap1 marker. Mutant cell walls were more susceptible to alkali extraction and Novozyme degradation than those from the wild-type. A specific reduction in the cell wall galactomannan fraction was the only significant difference detected as compared to the wild-type strain. Levels of beta (1,3)-glucan and mannan synthases as well as other enzymic periplasmic mannoproteins were very similar in wild type and mutant strains.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1991

Candida albicans mycelial wall structure: supramolecular complexes released by zymolyase, chitinase and beta-mercaptoethanol.

Different techniques released from the wall of Candida albicans mycelial cells high molecular weight mannoprotein materials with different levels of complexity. SDS solubilized among others one protein of 180 kDa which reacted with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific of a O-glycosylated protein secreted by regenerating mycelial protoplasts [Elorza et al. (1989) Biochem Biophys Res Commun 162:1118-1125]. Zymolyase, chitinase and beta-mercaptoethanol, released different types of high molecular highly polydisperse mannoprotein materials (greater than 180 kDa) that also reacted with the same MAb. These materials had N-glycosidically linked sugar chains, in addition to the O-glycosidically bonded sugars, as their molecular masses were significantly reduced by Endo H digestion. Besides, the specific materials released by either zymolyase or chitinase seemed to be the same throughout the process of germ tube formation. Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections of cells and walls showed that mannoproteins and chitin are evenly distributed throughout the entire cell wall structure.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed1991

An electron microscopy study of wall expansion during Candida albicans yeast and mycelial growth using concanavalin A-ferritin labelling of mannoproteins.

Depending upon growth temperature, Candida albicans can exhibit two different morphologies, a budding yeast or a mycelium. By studying the distribution of concanavalin A-ferritin particles on the cell wall surface during bud and germ tube formation, we have elucidated the way cell wall extension occurs. Both processes initially require the localized lysis of the wall in order to allow the incorporation of the newly synthesized material. Later on, the cell wall behaves as an elastic structure, allowing extension by an intussusception process and, as a consequence, cell growth.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1991

Total and regional bone mineral content in normal premenopausal women.

In the present, cross-section study, a total of 185 normal premenopausal females--aged 15 through 19 years (n = 40), 20 to 29 years (n = 60), 30 through 39 years (n = 40) and 40 to 49 years (n = 45)--were assessed in order to observe and evaluate the total body bone mineral content and the regional body mineral content of different anatomical regions (head, trunk, arms and legs), when the bone mass peak is established in women and its course during premenopause. All subjects underwent bone densitometry with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry with a Norland XR-26 bone densitometer. No differences between groups were found in total body bone mineral and regional bone mineral content values. Total body bone mineral values (mean +/- SD) were 2546 +/- 461 g and 2691 +/- 499 g in the 15-19 year-old group and 40-49 year-old group respectively. The regional bone mineral content values for the same age group were 495 +/- 75 g and 499 +/- 89 g for the head, 1007 +/- 254 g and 1043 +/- 212 g for the trunk, 327 +/- 74 g and 336 +/- 81 for the arms, and 860 +/- 167 g and 811 +/- 146 g for the legs. The results of this study indicate that the peak bone mass is reached at the age of 20 years and that it remains stable in the premenopausal eugonadal females.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1991

Reversion of the steroid-induced decrease of serum osteocalcin with sodium fluoride.

Osteopenia observed in corticotherapy is due, among other causes, to a decrease in bone formation as can be shown by a steroid-induced osteocalcin decrease. Although various treatments have been proposed there is no agreement as to which one is the best. Two such treatments, sodium fluoride and vitamin D administration increase osteocalcin levels. We treated a group of 12 patients under corticoid therapy (mean dose 16 mg per day) with 50 mg/day p.o. sodium fluoride, and determined osteocalcin levels before and two weeks after sodium fluoride treatment. Similarly, another group of 9 patients with a similar mean steroid dose was treated with 0.5 micrograms/day of 1 alpha (OH)2D3 in order to assess the effect of this vitamin on osteocalcin and to determine which was the best treatment. Both groups were compared with respective control groups. A significant osteocalcin increase was observed in the control groups (p less than 0.001); similar significance was observed in the sodium fluoride group, whereas a lower significance (p less than 0.01) was observed in the vitamin D group. These results suggest that sodium fluoride could be more effective than vitamin D in the treatment of steroid-induced osteopenia.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1991

The value of bone scintigraphy in the follow-up of vertebral osteoporosis.

In an open study, we have assessed the bone/soft tissue uptake index in recent osteoporotic vertebral collapse using scintigraphy. The evolution of these cases was followed-up at 6 months in 22 patients treated with 100 IU of salmon calcitonin plus 500 mg of elemental calcium/10 days per month and in 18 patients treated with 500 mg of elemental calcium only on a daily basis. There were no index differences between groups prior to treatment. At six months, the group treated with calcitonin plus calcium showed a significant decrease from 10.2 +/- 6.4 to 3.2 +/- 1.1 (p less than 0.001), while the calcium only group did not show any significant changes (12.1 +/- 6.6 vs 9.2 +/- 4.6), considering that there were significant differences between groups (p less than 0.001). On a mid-term basis, these results have shown the values of the bone/soft tissue index in the follow-up of osteoporotic vertebral collapse.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

The measurement of osteoporosis in clinical practice.

It has been reported that metacarpal morphometry does not correlate with iliac crest histomorphometry in patients with hip fractures. Such disagreement led us to study the correlation between both types of measurements on 35 patients who had suffered hip fracture. We observed a significant correlation between metacarpal morphometry and iliac crest cortical width (p less than 0.001), and to a lesser degree with the trabecular bone volume (p less than 0.01). The same was also true if we assessed separately the patients with cervical or trochanteric hip fractures.

Aged↗