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Biomedical subjects

J Gutiérrez

Publications and source records attributed to J Gutiérrez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Role of insulin, insulin-like growth factors, and muscle regulatory factors in the compensatory growth of the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

To examine the various mechanisms involved in compensatory growth in Oncorhynchus mykiss, an experimental protocol involving 1, 2 or 4 weeks of fasting followed by a single ad libitum re-feeding period of 4 weeks was designed for alevins. Morphological parameters including body weight, specific growth rates (SGR), and coefficient factor decreased significantly during fasting. Re-feeding accelerated growth and restored final body weight in groups previously fasted. Plasma insulin and glucose decreased in fasting, while normal levels were restored in all re-fed groups. The expression profile of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in liver and of the main muscle growth regulators in white muscle was examined using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Fasting decreased the expression of IGF-I mRNA in both tissues, while re-feeding restored expression to control values. In contrast, IGF-II expression was not affected by any treatment in either tissue. Insulin- and IGF-I-binding assays in partial semi-purifications (of soluble proteins) in white skeletal muscle showed that insulin binding was not affected by either fasting or re-feeding, whereas fasting up-regulated IGF-I binding. The expression of IGFRIb mRNA in white skeletal muscle also increased with fasting, while IGFRIa increased with re-feeding, indicating that the two receptor isoforms are differentially regulated. The mRNA expression of myogenic regulator factors and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) was not affected throughout the experiment, except for myogenin, which first decreased and then showed a rebound effect after 4 weeks of fasting. Myostatin mRNA expression did not change during fasting, although re-feeding caused a significant decrease. In conclusion, re-feeding of previously fasted trout induced compensatory growth. The differential regulation in muscle expression of IGF-I, IGF-I receptors, and myostatin indicates their contribution to this compensatory mechanism.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2006

How healthy are clones and their progeny: 5 years of field experience.

There is considerable concern regarding the health of cloned cattle and their safety as a source of food. The objective was to summarize 5 years of commercial experience with cloning in three countries (United States, Argentina and Brazil). Overall, only 9% of transferred embryos resulted in calves; efficiency ranged from 0 to 45% (most were from 1 to 10%, but 24% of cell lines never produced live calves). There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate following transfer of one versus two embryos. Before 90 days of gestation, two ultrasound markers for embryo death were found, either crown rump length (CRL) or heart beat less than 7.5mm and 150bpm, respectively, were observed alone or together in 27% of clones that died. In addition, after 100 days of pregnancy, placental edema, hydrops fetalis and increased abdominal circumference size were used as ultrasound findings of a fetus at risk of loss. At 114 days of gestation, abdominal circumference in clones that died was statistically larger than in clones that survived alive to term and from MOET- and IVF-derived pregnancies (P<0.05). Since elective cesarean section (C-section) was partially replaced by natural or assisted parturition, C-section rates decreased from 100% in 2000 to 54% in 2005. On average, 42% of cloned calves died between delivery and 150 days of life; the most common abnormalities were: enlarged umbilical cord (37%), respiratory problems (19%), calves depressed/prolonged recumbency (20%) and contracted flexor tendons (21%). From 11 blood parameters evaluated during the first week of life, lactate decreased twice and glucose doubled its original value from 24h to 7 days. Adult cloned females had normal breeding and calving rates and cloned bulls produced good quality semen and had normal fertility when used for AI or natural mating. In conclusion, cloning had no risks qualitatively different from those encountered in animals involved in modern agricultural practices, although the frequency of the risks appeared to be increased in cattle during the early portions of the life cycle of cattle clones.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed2006

Activity of tigecycline against clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in Granada, Spain.

We evaluated the in vitro activity of tigecycline using the Etest and disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines against clinical isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) as well as for CTX-M-9 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and SHV ESBL-producing E. coli. All isolates were susceptible to tigecycline according to US Food and Drug Administration cut-off points. There were no differences in the activity of tigecycline between MSSA and MRSA isolates or between the presence of either type of ESBL. For each type of microorganism studied, we established the equation relating the minimum inhibitory concentration to the diameter of the zone of inhibition.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2006

BSE infection in bovine PrP transgenic mice leads to hyperphosphorylation of tau-protein.

We observed the changes in the central nervous system (CNS) of transgenic mice expressing bovine prion protein (Bo-PrP) as a contribution to our knowledge of the pathogenesis of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). The main result was the detection of hyperphosphorylated tau. This protein was detected for the first time, using immunohistochemical techniques, in the neurons and glial cells of mice experimentally infected with BSE. The results highlighted the involvement of tau protein in the pathogenesis of BSE and the close link between hyperphosphorylated tau deposits and prion protein. Ultrastructural examination revealed a novel arrangement of intraneuronal tau deposits not hitherto reported.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of the GenoType Mycobacteria Direct assay for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and four atypical mycobacterial species in clinical samples.

We evaluated GenoType Mycobacteria Direct (GTMD), a novel commercial assay based on nucleic acid sequence-based amplification technology, for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, M. avium, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, and M. malmoense directly from clinical specimens. A total of 134 respiratory and extrapulmonary samples from 65 patients were processed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values for GTMD were 92, 100, 100, and 77%, respectively. The GMTD technique is useful, reliable, and rapid when used during the normal routine of a clinical laboratory.

Abscess↗
PubMed2005

Cloning, production and functional expression of enterocin P, a sec-dependent bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium P13, in Escherichia coli.

The cloning and expression of enterocin P (EntP), a sec-dependent bacteriocin produced by Enterococcus faecium P13, was studied in Escherichia coli. PCR-amplified products of the preenterocin P gene (entP) or entP plus the putative EntP immunity gene (entiP), were cloned in plasmid pETBlue-1 under the control of the inducible T7lac promoter. Although target genes in derivative plasmids pJG01 (entP) and pJG02 (entP plus entiP) did not generate products with antimicrobial activity after an in vitro combined transcription/translation reaction, they were expressed as biologically active products following transformation and induction in the E. coli Tuner(DE3)pLacI host. The use of specific antibodies and an ELISA permitted the detection and quantification of EntP in the supernatant (SN), cellular soluble protein fraction (CSF), and inclusion bodies (IB) of E. coli Tuner(DE3)pLacI cells transformed with either pJG01 or pJG02. Functional EntP from the supernatants of E. coli Tuner(DE3)pLacI (pJG01) cultures grown in a complex medium was recovered, at a high efficiency, by immunoaffinity chromatography in a single step. A purification method based on hydrophobic adsorption and reverse-phase chromatographies also permitted the recovery of active EntP from the supernatants of the same cultures grown in a minimally defined medium. The E. coli Tuner(DE3)pLacI (pJG01) cells would merit consideration as an alternative experimental model for the heterologous production and functional expression of EntP, as well as for the fast and efficient recovery of this bacteriocin from the supernatant of this recombinant producer.

Bacteriocins↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of the SYBR Green and the hybridization probe format for real-time PCR detection of HHV-6.

A comparative study was conducted of a novel real-time quantitative PCR test (LightCycler System) with FastStart DNA Master(PLUS) SYBR Green I dye to detect DNA of human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6). Results were compared with those of a real-time quantitative PCR with hybridization probe (HP) formats using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer method, and with those of a single qualitative PCR test. The detection limit of the test with SYBR Green I dye was 20 copies of the virus, similar to that of the other two tests. The reproducibility was satisfactory. The new test has the same advantages as real-time PCR with HP formats and offers a greater versatility at lower cost.

Benzothiazoles↗
PubMed2005

Nutritional and hormonal control of lipolysis in isolated gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) adipocytes.

We examined the effects of diet composition and fasting on lipolysis of freshly isolated adipocytes from gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). We also analyzed the effects of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone (GH) in adipocytes isolated from fish fed with different diets. Basal lipolysis, measured as glycerol release, increased proportionally with cell concentration and time of incubation, which validates the suitability of these cell preparations for the study of hormonal regulation of this metabolic process. Gilthead seabream were fed two different diets, FM (100% of fish meal) and PP (100% of plant protein supplied by plant sources) for 6 wk. After this period, each diet group was divided into two groups: fed and fasted (for 11 days). Lipolysis was significantly higher in adipocytes from PP-fed fish than in adipocytes from FM-fed fish. Fasting provoked a significant increase in the lipolytic rate, about threefold in isolated adipocytes regardless of nutritional history. Hormone effects were similar in the different groups: glucagon increased the lipolytic rate, whereas insulin had almost no effect. GH was clearly lipolytic, although the relative increase in glycerol over control was lower in isolated adipocytes from fasted fish compared with fed fish. Together, we demonstrate for the first time that lipolysis, measured in isolated seabream adipocytes, is affected by the nutritional state of the fish. Furthermore, our data suggest that glucagon and especially GH play a major role in the control of adipocyte lipolysis.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2005

A positive association of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) and Chlamydophila (Clamydia) pneumoniae.

The relationship between Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cp) infection and peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) was studied by analyzing clinical samples from 95 patients with PAD and 100 controls. The following investigations were conducted: IgG and IgA against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and against purified Cp-specific antigens from elementary bodies (EB) with ELISA; anti-EB IgG, with MIF; Cp DNA in arterial biopsy and peripheral blood mononuclear cells with heminested PCR; LPS with ELISA; and bacteria culture in HEp-2 cells from arterial biopsy. A significantly higher ratio of anti-EB IgG was detected in patients. There were no significant differences in anti-LPS IgG, anti-LPS IgA and anti-EB IgA between cases and controls. Cp DNA findings in the vascular wall biopsy showed significant differences between cases and controls. We obtained results that significantly involve Cp infection with PAD through the detection of anti-EB IgG from serum and bacterial DNA from arterial biopsy.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Epidemiology of transfusion-transmitted infections among multi-transfused patients in seven hospitals in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs) constitute a major health problem worldwide where routine screening of blood or blood products is improperly done, and where non-medical injecting medications and/or drug use are prevalent. Prevalence and risk factors vary by geographic location and by the specific TTI (including HIV-1, HBV, HCV and HTLV-I). OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with TTIs among a sample of multi-transfused adult patients in Peru. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional multi-center study was conducted across seven major hospitals in Peru from February 2003 to September 2004. Self-reported behavior information (medical procedures, number of sexual partners, and drug use history) was analyzed, along with a review of exposure history from hospital medical records. Prevalences were calculated by TTI for different exposures, along with unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for infection risk. RESULTS: Overall, 192 (54.7%) of 351 multi-transfused patients were found infected with one or more TTIs. Number of transfusion units, years of transfusion history (6 or more), and number of treatment facilities (2 or more) were associated with HCV infection. Hemodialysis history was a common risk factor associated with HBV, HCV and HTLV-I infection. HIV infection was associated only with total number of transfusion units received. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalences of HBV and HCV infection were found among Peruvian multi-transfused patients and were associated with a past history and number of blood transfusions, as well as with past hemodialysis procedures. TTIs continue to represent a significant public health problem in Peru. Continued vigilant attention to blood safety procedures, including universal screening and health care provider education, is recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

A case-control study for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: risk factors in four European countries.

The aim of this study was to detect risk factors for multidrug resistance in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in four European Union countries: France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. A prospective epidemiological case control study was conducted, made up of patients with clinically diagnosed and microbiologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in the four countries between 1997 and 2000. A total of 138 cases and 276 controls were studied. Considering the four countries as a whole, the most statistically significant risk factors were as follows: intravenous drug use (OR 4.68); asylum-seeker support (OR 2.55) as income factor; living in a nursing home (OR 2.05); previous tuberculosis (OR 2.03) with pulmonary location; prison (OR 2.02); known tuberculosis contacts (OR 2.01); immunosuppression other than human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (OR 1.96); acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (OR 1.96); current tuberculosis with pulmonary location (OR 1.77); and health-care worker (OR 1.69). These risk factors will have to be taken into account in the European Union as a whole, as well as in each individual country, to establish a health policy of monitoring and control for these cases of multidrug resistance. Although rare, their seriousness makes them particularly important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Panic anxiety, under the weather?

The relationship between weather conditions and psychiatric disorders has been a continuous subject of speculation due to contradictory findings. This study attempts to further clarify this relationship by focussing on specific conditions such as panic attacks and non-panic anxiety in relation to specific meteorological variables. All psychiatric emergencies attended at a general hospital in Barcelona (Spain) during 2002 with anxiety as main complaint were classified as panic or non-panic anxiety according to strict independent and retrospective criteria. Both groups were assessed and compared with meteorological data (wind speed and direction, daily rainfall, temperature, humidity and solar radiation). Seasons and weekend days were also included as independent variables. Non-parametric statistics were used throughout since most variables do not follow a normal distribution. Logistic regression models were applied to predict days with and without the clinical condition. Episodes of panic were three times more common with the poniente wind (hot wind), twice less often with rainfall, and one and a half times more common in autumn than in other seasons. These three trends (hot wind, rainfall and autumn) were accumulative for panic episodes in a logistic regression formula. Significant reduction of episodes on weekends was found only for non-panic episodes. Panic attacks, unlike other anxiety episodes, in a psychiatric emergency department in Barcelona seem to show significant meteorotropism. Assessing specific disorders instead of overall emergencies or other variables of a more general quality could shed new light on the relationship between weather conditions and behaviour.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A new microimmunofluorescence test for the detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae specific antibodies.

To evaluate a microimmunofluorescence (MIF) test (Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG, Vircell, Spain) that detects IgG against Chlamydophila pneumoniae (Cp), MRL Diagnostics MIF was used as reference test. Cross-reactivity against Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) and Chlamydophila psittaci (Cps) was investigated. Eighty sera were analysed from 22 subjects with vascular disease, 38 with multiple sclerosis and 20 healthy individuals. Vircell and MRL MIF tests assessed 58.75% and 60% of the samples as positive, respectively, and their results coincided (positive/negative) in 98.75% of samples. One major (>1 IgG titre) and 32 minor (1 titre) discrepancies were observed. Correlation between tests was significant. Vircell MIF test demonstrated 97.9% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Differences in simultaneous reactivity to Ct and Cps between the tests were not significant. Vircell MIF test showed a good performance to detect the IgG against Cp.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[A study of clinical response to antibiotic treatment in subjects with chronic bacterial prostatitis].

A study was carried out on the clinical response to antibiotics in 105 patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Two groups of patients were compared in a retrospective study. The results of rectal examination, ultrasound scan, microbiological analysis, and response to different antibiotic therapy regimens were compared. There was a high incidence of perineal-testicular pain and sexual potency reduction; prostate congestion and pain on rectal examination were frequently reported. All the patients had positive microbial cultures, with Gram-negative microorganisms being predominantly isolated. Following the administration of different antibiotic therapy regimens, symptoms either disappeared or diminished, irrespective of whether positive cultures remained. A poorer clinical response was observed in patients with positive prostate ultrasound and rectal examination, and with isolated Gram-negative bacilli. No differences were observed between either group in clinical response to different antimicrobial regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Metabolic responses to glucoprivation induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose in Brycon cephalus (Teleostei, Characidae).

The effects of functional cytoglucopenia provoked by 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) were studied in adult Brycon cephalus, an omnivorous fish from the Amazon Basin in Brazil. Glycogen content in liver and muscle as well as plasmatic glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), insulin, and glucagon were measured. After 48 h fasting, an intraperitoneal saline injection (NaCl 0.6 g/100 ml) was administered to control fish, whereas the experimental group received 2-DG, dissolved in saline, in the dosage of 80 mg/kg (0.487 mmol/kg) or 150 mg/kg (0.914 mmol/kg) body weight; injection volume was 5 ml in all treatments. Blood and tissue samples were taken immediately before, and 2, 8, 10, and 24 h after administration of the drug or saline. Fish injected with both doses of 2-DG showed a marked increase in glycemia levels. Liver and muscle glycogen decreased after 2-DG administration and reached their lowest values 10-24 h after injection, while in control animals no significant changes were observed. Elevation in plasma glucagon was observed only in response to the maximum dosage of 2-DG administered, especially 10 h and 24 h post-injection. Plasma insulin levels were lower in animals treated with the glucose analogue but only statistically significant 24 h after drug administration. In conclusion, the administration of the non-metabolizable glucose analogue 2-DG in B. cephalus is a stimulus to generate responses towards an increase in the glucose available to tissues, which is a characteristic of a fasting situation. All the above data support the interest of 2-DG administration as a model to study carbohydrate metabolism adjustment mechanisms in fish.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

ELISA test to detect Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgG.

A new ELISA test (Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgG, Vircell, Spain) to detect Chlamydophila pneumoniae IgG was evaluated. The micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) test was used as reference method. Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila psittaci elementary bodies were also assayed. Two hundred and sixteen sera were included in the study: 66 from patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (Panel 1), 68 from adults with pneumonia (Panel 2), 44 from healthy adults (Panel 3) and 38 from patients with a sexuality transmitted disease by C. trachomatis (Panel 4). In Panel 1, 51 sera (77%) had antibody titres between 32 and 128; 4 out of 15 sera with IgG titres < 32 were positive by ELISA test and 2 sera with 32 IgG titres were uncertain by ELISA; the remaining 60 sera were correctly classified, giving a 91% concordance between the techniques. In Panel 2, 55 sera (81%) had IgG titres between 32 and 512; 2 out of 13 sera with IgG titres < 32 were positive by ELISA and 2 sera with 32 titres were uncertain by ELISA; the remaining 64 sera were correctly classified, giving a 97% concordance. In Panel 3, 22 sera (50%) had IgG titres between 32 and 64; only 1 out of 22 sera with IgG titres < 32 was positive by ELISA, giving a 97% concordance between the techniques. In Panel 4, there were 24 (63%) negative, 10 (26%) uncertain and 4 (10%) positive results by ELISA, giving an 86% concordance. The C. pneumoniae ELISA test demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 85% specificity. The IgG ELISA test demonstrated a good concordance with the MIF test without the drawbacks associated with the latter assay. We conclude that the ELISA test could be an alternative to the MIF test.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗