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Biomedical subjects

J Conde

Publications and source records attributed to J Conde.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Occupational allergy in greenhouse workers: sensitization to Tetranychus urticae.

BACKGROUND: Tetranychus urticae (TU) is a macroscopic mite which is found infesting a large number of plants of economic interest. It has rarely been described as a cause of occupational allergic disease in agricultural workers. OBJECTIVE: To describe TU sensitization in greenhouse workers attending the outpatient allergy unit and its clinical associations, and to characterize the allergens involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive carnation greenhouse workers with allergy-related symptoms, referred to our outpatient clinic during a 6-month period, were included. We made the diagnostic extract from carnation leaves heavily infested with TU. Skin-prick test, specific IgE measurement and bronchial provocation test with TU extract were carried out in all subjects. Allergen characterization was achieved by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and immunoblotting. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (66%) presented positive skin-prick test and specific IgE and were diagnosed allergic to TU. Fifteen patients suffered from bronchial asthma, 14 rhinitis and five urticaria. Twelve exhibited positive bronchial provocation test to the TU extract. On RAST-inhibition studies, there was no evidence of crossreactivity between TU extract and D. pteronyssinus. An allergen at 19 kDa was determined in the TU extract by SDS-PAGE immunoblotting studies. CONCLUSION: TU could be an important occupational allergen in greenhouse workers showing allergic symptomatology. There is no crossreactivity between this mite and the house dust mite D. pteronyssinus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Enhancement of Antigen-specific functional responses by neutrophils from allergic patients.

It has been demonstrated that neutrophils from healthy donors or from patients with inflammatory disorders can bind immunoglobulin (Ig) E proteins through binding to Mac-2/epsilon bp. Functional responses to allergens were assessed by measuring the respiratory burst and intracellular Ca2+ levels, and binding of allergens to neutrophils was assessed by flow cytometry analysis and fluorescence microscopy. In this article, we demonstrate that neutrophils sensitized to specific allergens (from allergic patients), but not from healthy donors, are sensitive to allergens of the same type as those that produce clinical allergic symptoms. The activation of neutrophils was analyzed by the induction of a respiratory burst that was detected with luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Intracellular Ca2+ levels increased parallel to those of the inducing allergens. In addition, the specific binding of allergens on the cell surface was revealed by flow cytometry and allergen-FITC-labeled staining analyses. The present data suggest a restricted recognition of allergen by sensitive neutrophils, probably associated with the specific binding of the allergen to its corresponding IgE molecule, which is bound to the Mac-2/epsilon bp structure. These findings demonstrate a functional role of allergen-associated neutrophils during the allergic state.

Allergens↗
PubMed1996

Protection from nicotinamide inhibition of interleukin-1 beta-induced RIN cell nitric oxide formation is associated with induction of MnSOD enzyme activity.

We have studied the long-term effects of nicotinamide (NIC) on the synthesis of NO by insulin producing cells. NIC delays the formation of nitrite by interleukin (IL)-1 beta-(IL-1, 25 U/ml)-stimulated RINm5F cells, and previous exposure of cells to IL-1 for 15 h prevents this effect. The delay is associated with a lack of cytokine-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme activity in cell extracts. NIC (20 mM) inhibits NO synthase (NOS) activity in extracts from cells incubated with IL-1 for 6 h and 24 h, and oxyhemoglobin counteracts this inhibition. Hence, NIC could scavenge O2- and allow NO to inhibit the enzyme. The NO donor SIN-1 inhibits in a concentration-dependent manner iNOS activity, and the effect is potentiated by NIC. In intact cells, protection from NIC is associated with IL-1-induced expression of MnSOD activity, and reversible blockade of iNOS expression with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate counteracts the NIC effect. We conclude that O2- plays a role in preventing NO inhibition of iNOS. The loss of this action coincides with the induction of MnSOD enzyme activity. In addition, the stimulation by NIC of IL-1-induced nitrite production in pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate-treated cells is a novel action that should be considered when the drug is proposed as potential agent for the prevention of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Usefulness of bone marrow examination in patients with advanced HIV infection].

A bone marrow investigation is a common examination in HIV infected patients for the study of cytopenia, febrile syndromes of unknown origin and extension of neoplastic disorders. A study was made of bone marrow specimens from 35 patients with advanced HIV infection (stage IC or C, CDC, Atlanta) for morphologic and culture investigations (aerobes, anaerobes, fungi, and mycobacteria). In nine patients cytopenia accounted for the investigation of bone marrow specimens (9 aspirates and 3 biopsies); in only two cases did the investigation orientate towards a possible etiology: in the first patient a parvovirus B19 infection and in the second patient a hemophagocytic syndrome. In twenty-five patients the bone marrow specimen was studied because of fever of unknown origin (23 aspirates and 10 biopsies) and only in one case was the identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis obtained. The other patient was studied for lymphoma staging and aspirate and biopsy examinations were normal. A high percentage of patients had eosinophilia, plasmacytosis, increased iron reserves, fibrosis, and changes consistent with myelodysplasia. In conclusion, in our experience the investigation of bone marrow specimen was of little help to clarify the possible etiology of cytopenia and febrile syndromes of unknown origin in patients with advanced HIV infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Peripheral blood T lymphocytes in seasonal bronchial asthma.

Variations in T lymphocytes in asthmatic patients are related to disease severity. However, the effects of natural exposure to pollens on peripheral blood T lymphocytes have not been clarified. In this paper, the effects on peripheral blood CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes from pollen-sensitive subjects and from nonatopic donors were studied during and outside the pollen season. In patients who suffer from seasonal asthma, we found an increase in the CD4/CD8 bright ratio and a decrease in the mean number of CD4 receptors per cell during the pollen season. No variation was observed in healthy subjects. These results suggest that CD4 lymphocytes may be causally linked to the pathogenesis of seasonal bronchial asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Severe gastrointestinal complication of Behcet's disease].

We describe a case of Behçet's syndrome with ileoceal affection of the gastrointestinal track, torpid course evolving to an intermittent febrile syndrome and associated to clinical signs of acute abdomen and latter septic complication due to a fecaloid fistula after surgery. We discuss the similarities with the inflammatory intestinal disease and the problem of the diagnosis and treatment of this particular implication of Behçet's syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma caused by Tetranychus urticae (red spider mite). A case report.

This paper highlights a clinical case of a patient suffering bronchial asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis due to sensitization to Tetranychus urticae (TU), commonly known as the red spider mite, which belongs to the Prostigmata sub-order of the Tetranychidae family, in relation to a work environment (a carnation nursery). Both prick and intradermal skin tests were positive, as well as specific bronchial challenge tests with TU extract. Specific IgE was demonstrated by RAST (Class 3). Unspecific bronchial provocation with methacholine was negative. Sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) immunoblotting revealed the presence of seven main IgE binding proteins, the more intense bands being those appearing at 21, 17 and 15 kDa. This indicates a case of immediated type hypersensitivity to Tetranychus urticae with a clear correlation to occupational environment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Pleural effusion in multiple myeloma.

We report the first case of IgA-kappa multiple myeloma presenting as a myelomatous and eosinophilic pleural effusion with increased adenosine deaminase activity. In a review of the literature, 80 percent of myelomatous pleural effusions are due to IgA multiple myeloma.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

[Malformations of the anterior thoracic wall].

The different anomalies of the anterior Chest Wall are exposed. We emphasize the deformities of the sternum--Depression and Protusion Deformities--because they are the most common and the most difficult ones to treat. Based in the results of 73 patients operated upon by the author, and in the review of the bibliography, we also comment on some aspects of the surgical indication, assessment methods, surgical technique, complications and results.

Child↗
PubMed1994

[Boix Ochoa's antireflux procedure returns patients to normalcy: 24 hour esophageal pH monitoring of 21 cases].

A great controversy exist concerning the surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux (GER). It is well known that Nissen procedure produces a hypercorrection of the gastroesophageal competency and often a "gas bloat syndrome". On the other hand, the Boix Ochoa's technique is more physiological but corrects GER allowing the persistence of a "radiological" reflux. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the accuracy of this procedure. 287 pediatric patients were studied because of GER and abnormal barium upper gastrointestinal series. 24 hours esophageal pH monitoring was performed in all this patients and in 21 the results were clearly pathological. They were operated on and six months later were new evaluated with upper GI series and continuous 24 hours esophageal pH monitoring. The results were compared with those previous to operation and also with a control group. Statistical great significance was found between presurgical and postsurgical data, what determine the efficacy of the procedure. No statistical significance was found between postsurgical data and the control group, what means that Boix Ochoa's procedure resolve GER without hipercorrection.

Gastroesophageal Reflux↗
PubMed1993

Branchio-oto-renal syndrome: incidence in three generations of a family.

It is well known that the persistence of alterations in the normal embryological development of branchial arches can lead to preauricular and cervical fistulas within a family. However, until 1970, there were no reports of dysplasia affecting the branchial, otic, and renal systems (BOR syndrome) with dominant autosomic inheritance. The authors report on a family with BOR syndrome of different expressivity in three generations, and describe an unusual case of bilateral fistulas of the first and second branchial arches in a newborn.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1990

Misreporting of maternal mortality in Puerto Rico.

Maternal mortality (MM) continues to be a problem that plagues many developed and underdeveloped countries around the world. It has been estimated that the minimum amount of underreporting in the U.S. to be 20%, resulting in MM rates that may be substantially higher than reported. The national goal for the MM for the year 1990 has been set at 5/100,000, and at the present trend it is expected that this may be achieved among the white population, but not among minorities. P.R. reported a maternal mortality rate of 5/100,000 in 1975. It was suspected that such a low rate was due to underreporting, a study was undertaken to investigate that possibility. The results indicated that there was severe underreporting of maternal deaths during 1978 = 79. Recently, there has been a growing concern that the level of underreporting in PR continues to be high. Since there has been no evidence that the surveillance has improved, the Dept. of Health requested from the Dept. of Ob-Gyn of the University of Puerto Rico Medical School and the Dept. of Maternal and Child Health to conduct a study to find out if the previous findings held true for recent years. The study was based on the review of selected medical records corresponding to deaths of women of childbearing age whose causes of death, as coded in the death certificate, were considered as having a high probability of masking a misreported maternal death. It was decided to investigate those deaths occurring in 1982, to see if the results of the previous study had caused any impact on the surveillance of maternal deaths in Puerto Rico.

Death Certificates↗