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Biomedical subjects

J Crespo

Publications and source records attributed to J Crespo.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Value of plasma P-selectin for vascular complications in liver transplantation.

Recent data suggest that plasma P-selectin, an adhesion molecule, may be a clinically useful marker for thrombosis. Hepatic vessel thrombosis is one of the most serious complications following liver transplantation. To assess the contribution of the soluble P-selectin to this complication, we measured plasma P-selectin levels in 32 orthotopic liver transplantations, pre-, intra-, and post-operatively. We found that levels of circulating P-selectin were not different between cirrhotic patients and healthy subjects. Of the 32 patients, 8 had vascular complications. We found a significant increase in the plasma P-selectin concentration in the thrombotic group in early postoperative period compared with the non-thrombotic group (p < 0.002). It measurement may facilitate the diagnosis of thrombosis in the early postoperative period after liver transplantation, and therefore the management of these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Anti-interleukin 4 antibody and indomethacin synergistic effect on B16 melanoma tumor progression.

B16 melanoma-bearing mice were treated with anti-interleukin 4 antibody, indomethacin or its combination to evaluate the ability of the primary tumor to induce lung metastasis and the antitumor host response. Flow cytometry of tumor cells incubated with sera from tumor-bearing mice showed B16 melanoma to induce a significant antitumor humoral response (39.0 +/- 1.1% positive cells versus 1.8 +/- 0.9% in the control). The treatment of tumor-bearing mice with antimouse anti-interleukin 4 monoclonal antibody plus indomethacin significantly increased (P < .01) the mean value of lung metastasis (from 6.1 +/- 3.0 in the controls to 50.8 +/- 21.8). Also, a significant increase in natural cytotoxicity against tumor cells was observed when both peripheral blood mononuclear cells and splenocytes were used as effector cells. In contrast, an antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity decrease was found with effector cells from both normal and tumor-bearing mice. In the former, the antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity decrease was 49.4% and 58.4% (P < .05) for peripheral blood mononuclear cells and splenocytes, whereas in the second case the decrease was 40.7% (P < .05) and 29.1% (P < .01), respectively. These results suggest that an efficient antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity response might be necessary to secure an effective host antitumor immune response.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Antimetastatic effect of immunization with liposome-encapsulated tumor cell-membrane proteins obtained from experimental tumors.

Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with tumor-derived membrane-proteins encapsulated in sized liposomes (0.2 microgram/mouse) and composed by phosphatidylcholine or sphingomyelin, significantly reduced the mean values of spontaneous lung metastasis from both B16 (0.7 +/- 0.5 and 1.2 +/- 0.6, respectively) and 3LL (4.8 +/- 2.5 and 7.2 +/- 4.1, respectively) tumors, with respect to control (HEPES) groups (4.8 +/- 1.1 and 19.0 +/- 4.4, respectively). However, no significant antimetastatic effect was observed using free tumor-derived proteins (2 micrograms/mouse) or liposome vehicle alone. Specific humoral immune response after the vaccination was studied by flow cytometry of tumor cells incubated with a pooled sample from each group of immunized mice and FITC-conjugate antimouse immunoglobulins. The results showed that the highest number of positive tumor cells was identified using sera from immunized mice with sized liposomes encapsulating tumor-derived proteins whereas the immunization with the protein fraction in free form failed to induce this effect. In addition, an increased cytotoxicity towards 3LL and B16 tumor cells can also be observed when tumor cells were incubated with spleen effector cells plus specific immunosera. In conclusion, our results show that antitumor active vaccination, using sized liposomes as adjuvants, induces an antitumor host response and a significant inhibition of tumor progression.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cost considerations of implementing OSHA tuberculosis regulations.

The resurgence of tuberculosis and the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations has health care organizations struggling to budget for the cost of implementing The Enforcement Guidelines for Occupational Exposure to Tuberculosis in Health Care Facilities. One acute care hospital spent approximately $102,487 implementing the OSHA standards. Nurses and other health care providers need to become more aware of the regulation requirements to assist the institution in maintaining compliance, minimizing occupational exposure, and containing health care spending.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed1994

Expression of human alpha 1-antitrypsin in mouse after in vivo gene transfer to hepatocytes by small liposomes.

A plasmid (pTG7101) containing the full-length human alpha 1-antitrypsin gene was encapsulated in small liposomes and used for "in vivo" gene transfer to mouse hepatocytes, by i.v. injection (100 ng DNA/mouse and dose). The expression of human protein was evaluated by microspectrophotometry after human alpha 1-antitrypsin immunoperoxidase reaction on liver cryosections and the presence in mouse plasma of de novo synthesized protein was detected by ELISA analysis. Our results indicate that a single dose of encapsulated plasmid induces the expression of human alpha 1-antitrypsin in mouse hepatocytes and a large effect (70%) remains two weeks after treatment. However, no effect was observed when mice were treated with buffer or free plasmid (100 ng/mouse) plus an equivalent lipid dose of empty liposomes. In addition, whereas no additive effect was observed after repetitive treatment-doses, the partial hepatectomy three hours after a single treatment-dose, significantly increased the presence of human alpha 1-antitrypsin in mice plasma.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Analysis of the DNA of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the serum and mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood in subjects with chronic infection by the HBV].

BACKGROUND: Viral replication is one of the determining factors of the natural history of infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The clinical significance of the viremia and the DNA-HBV findings in mononuclear cells was therefore analyzed. METHODS: The epidemiologic history, liver function tests and the Knodell index were analyzed in 117 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 33 healthy HBV carriers. The DNA-HBV was studied in serum and mononuclear cells by dot-blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The DNA-HBV was detected by dot-blot in 62/117 subjects with and in CHB 3/33 healthy carriers. Viremis was determined by PCR in 107/117 patients with CHB and in 22/23 healthy carriers. Both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and the Knodell index were greater in the patients with positive DNA-HBV dot-blot. No significant differences were observed in the liver function tests and Knodell index with regard to the viremia detectable exclusively by PCR. In the mononuclear cells of peripheral blood, DNA-HBV was observed in 62% by dot-blot and in 95% by PCR. The presence of DNA-HBV by dot-blot in these cells was associated to greater disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: The activity of chronic hepatitis B was correlated with the presence of high viremic levels with no direct relation being observed between low grade viremia and disease aggressivity. The finding of DNA-HBV by dot-blot in mononuclear cells was associated with a greater activity of chronic hepatitis B, with these results being in agreement with the serologic data reported.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Correlation between hepatitis B viremia and the clinical and histological activity of chronic delta hepatitis.

To analyze the serological, clinical and histological significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication among a group of patients with chronic delta hepatitis (CDH), we have studied the clinical and the histological activity in 49 patients with CDH. The HBV-DNA was analyzed by dot-blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Concomitant infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) was analyzed by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR, HDV replication by dot-blot, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The subjects were divided into three groups according to HBV-DNA status: group I: 14 patients HBV-DNA dot-blot positive; group II: 29 patients HBV-DNA positive only by PCR, and group III: 6 patients HBV-DNA negative by dot-blot and PCR. We have found HBV-DNA by dot-blot in 28.5% of patients, and by PCR in 87.7%. Also 22 patients were anti-HCV positive (86.3% had HCV-RNA by RT-PCR). The first group (HBV-DNA dot-blot positive) had significantly higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than those in the second and third groups. Likewise, serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in the second group (HBV-DNA positive by PCR) than in those of the third group. Histological inflammatory activity was significantly higher in the group of patients with HBV-DNA detectable by dot-blot. The prevalence of serum HDV-RNA and IgM anti-HDV were similar in the three groups. These results were similar in the anti-HCV-positive and -negative patients. In conclusion, these data suggest that: (1) persistence of HBV replication is a major determinant of severe liver damage in chronic delta hepatitis, and (2) HCV and HIV infections do not influence the natural history of CDH.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Prevalence and significance of hepatitis C viremia in chronic active hepatitis B.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence and significance of HCV infection in patients with chronic active hepatitis B. METHODS: We studied clinical and histological activity in 132 patients with chronic active hepatitis B, 17 of whom were co-infected by HCV. Serum HBV-DNA was determined by dot-blot hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and serum HCV-RNA was determined by ELISA-2, RIBA-2, and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). RESULTS: HBV-DNA was detected by dot-blot in five of 17 (29.4%) patients in the HCV-RNA-positive group and in 64 of 115 (55.6%) in the HCV-RNA-negative group (p < 0.05). The low levels of HBV replication (assessed by PCR) were similar in both groups. Mean levels of serum AST, ALT, and gamma-globulin, as well as mean scores of liver damage, were significantly higher among HCV-RNA-positive patients than among HCV-RNA-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Concomitant HCV infection occurs frequently in patients with chronic active hepatitis B; 2) co-infection of HBV and HCV is more common in the absence of HBV-DNA detected by dot-blot hybridization; 3) liver disease seems to be more severe in patients with concomitant HBV and HCV infection, even though the number of replicative HBV patients was lower in the group of HCV-infected patients. This suggests that the role of HCV is probably important as the cause of persistent liver disease. 4) The detection of HBV-DNA by dot-blot and HCV-RNA by PCR could help to establish whether HBV, HCV, or both contribute to liver injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Influence of hepatitis C virus infection and human immunodeficiency on the natural history of chronic delta hepatitis].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prevalence and clinical significance of HCV an HIV infections among a group of patients with chronic delta hepatitis. METHODS: We have studied the clinical and the histological activity and the serological profile the HBV DNA was analyzed by dot blot and PCR and the HDV RNA by dot blot) in 46 patients with chronic delta hepatitis. These results were correlated with HCV infection (assessed by ELISA-2, RIBA-2 and RT-PCR) and HIV infection (ELISA and immunoblot). RESULTS: HBV DNA and HDV RNA was detected by dot in 28.2% and 71.4% of patients respectively, and by PCR, 89.1% of patients had HBV DNA in their serum. Twenty two of 46 patients with chronic delta hepatitis were anti-HCV positives (with HCV RNA detectable in sera by RT-PCR in 19 cases). Anti-HIV positivity was detected in 19 of 46 patients. The mean aminotransferase level, histological activity and serological profile was similar in the anti-HCV positive and negative patients. Likewise, clinical and histological activity and serological profile was similar in the anti-HIV positive and negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant infection with HCV or HIV does not seem to significantly modify the clinical course of chronic delta hepatitis. In addition, no significant serological difference has been noted in patients with chronic delta hepatitis with anti-HIV or anti-HCV antibodies.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Acute hepatitis by Listeria monocytogenes in an HIV patient with chronic HBV hepatitis.

We report a young male IVDA with CAH caused by HBV who was infected with HIV and who contracted listeriosis in the form of acute hepatitis and bacteremia, with epithelioid granulomas in the liver. Treatment with ampicillin and a aminoglycoside for 3 weeks was followed by rapid and maintained improvement. Involvement of the liver is unusual in listeriosis and, as far as we are aware, it has not been described previously in patients with HIV infection.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗