In this work, we explored the relevance of a 35 kDa glycoprotein (Gm) of the outer membrane from E. histolytica in the diagnosis of the amoebic liver abscess (ALA) through ELISA and immunoblotting. We were interested in defining the relevance of this antigen in the immune response in patients with amoebic liver abscess and in exploring whether the mouse monoclonal antibody against this 35 kDa glycoprotein recognises the same epitope. We found that 87% of ALA patients had raised antibody levels to Gm antigen, whereas none of the healthy control subjects presented this same increase. We also found 90% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 90% negative predictive value, and 90% prevalence value for this Gm antigen. Nonetheless, we did not find any statistically significant differences in the levels of immunoglobulins against Gm, although IgG showed a tendency to increase, probably because we are dealing with a secondary immune response. Using electroimmunotransfer blot assay, we found that sera from ALA patients recognise the 35 kDa Gm protein in the same way as it is recognised by the mouse monoclonal antibody, suggesting that is a relevant molecule for the diagnosis of amebiasis, and eventually could lead to its use as protection against the disease.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Intracellular signals involved in glucose control].

Many proteins are involved in glucose control. The first step for glucose uptake is insulin receptor-binding. Stimulation of the insulin receptor results in rapid autophosphorylation and conformational changes in the beta chain and the subsequent phosphorylation of the insulin receptor substrate. This results in the docking of several SH2 domain proteins, including PI 3-kinase and other adapters. The final event is glucose transporter (GLUT) translocation to the cell surface. GLUT is in the cytosol but after insulin stimulation, several proteins are activated either in the GLUT vesicles or in the inner membrane. The role of the cytoskeleton is not well known, but it apparently participates in membrane fusion and vesicle mobilization. After glucose uptake, several hexokines metabolize the glucose to generate energy, convert the glucose in glycogen and store it. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high glucose levels and insulin resistance. The insulin receptor is diminished on the cell surface membrane, tyrosine phosphorylation is decreased, serine and threonine phosphorylation is augmented. Apparently, the main problem with GLUT protein is in its translocation to the cell surface. At present, we know the role of many proteins involved in glucose control. However, we do not understand the significance of insulin resistance at the molecular level with type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Conjugate vaccines against bacterial infections: typhoid fever].

Capsular polysaccharides have been studied as possible vaccines against infectious diseases. However, they are capable to induce only short-run protection because of their T-independent properties and they would not be protective against infection in high-risk populations. The alternative to face this problem is to develop methods to join covalently the polysaccharide and proteins to both increase the immunogenicity of and to confer the property of T-dependence to this antigen. In order to obtain a conjugate vaccine against typhoid fever, in our laboratory we have tried to synthesize a conjugate immunogen between the Vi antigen and porins from Salmonella typhi.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Factors of Salmonella typhi virulence in relation to the development of new vaccines].

Although many vaccines against typhoid fever have been developed, none have been adapted for their further application on developing countries. In order to get better vaccines, the virulence factors of both S. typhi and S. typhimurium have been studied. Thus, some protection assays have been made using surface antigens involved on virulence or using live attenuated vaccines of bacteria mutated on virulence genes. Here we present a brief review about virulence factors studied so far for the development of new vaccines.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Immune response induced by phosphofructokinase from E. histolytica in hamsters].

The enzymatic activity of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) dependent phosphofructokinase became manifest in the supernatant obtained by centrifugation in a homogenate of E. histolytica strain HMI-IMSS at 700,000 g. Partial purification of the enzyme was achieved by column chromatography with Ultrogel AcA-34. Ten protein elution spikes were obtained: five showed enzymatic activity. Elution spikes I and II attained the highest values of specific enzymatic activity 6.45 and 6.98 U/mg of protein, respectively. Next were spikes X and III with similar values 2.55 and 2.63 U/mg of protein, and spike IV presented the lowest value of 0.86 U/mg of protein. The five spikes were used to immunize hamsters which were challenged intrahepatically, four weeks later, with 3 x 10(5) trophozoites of E. histolytica. A control group of animals not immunized underwent intrahepatic challenge with the same number of amebae. The proteins with enzymatic activity contained in elution spikes I and II conferred immunologic protection in 100% of the animals, while elution spikes X and III were protective in 50 to 63%, and spike IV gave the lowest value of 37%. It can be assumed that there is an antienzyme antibody responsible for the absence of hepatic abscesses in the immunized hamsters.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The return of the Cruz-Badiano Codex to Mexico].

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History, 16th Century↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Medical education].

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Education, Medical↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Wilms' tumor, multiple intestinal parasitosis and typhoid fever].

The case was that of a 21-month-old infant who presented a great inoperable Wilm's tumor that was treated with vincristine to the point of practically disappearing. Severe typhoid fever that was complicated by multiple intestinal parasitoses (ascariasis, trichuriasis, giardiasis and strongyloidiasis) appeared. Possibly, tumoral necrosis, salmonellosis and the parasitoses formed a sac that opened to the hepatic angle of the colon. Finally, multiple liver metastases were discovered and confirmed pathologically. The patient died 36 hours after surgical reexamination and liver biopsies, from causes not clearly explained. Comments are made on the diagnostic problems originated by rareness of the association of typhoid fever resistant to chloramphenicol, intestinal parasitoses and a great Wilms' tumor and the possible influence of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the evolution of the case.

Biopsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The national addictions survey of Mexico].

A probabilistic household survey was made with the following objectives: to estimate the prevalence of consumption of tobacco, alcohol and legal and illegal drugs; to identify attitudes and values, risk factors and problems associated with the consumption of addictive substances in a population from 12 to 65 years old, which resides in the urban areas of Mexico. This survey forms part of the National Health Surveys System, and its sample design is based on the Master Sample Framework of the National Health Surveys System, which gathered information representative of the national population and for seven regions. In the elaboration of the questionnaire indicators proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), validated for Mexico, were used as well as previous knowledge about the topic. Thirteen thousand and five interviews were made, of which 96.7 per cent were complete and 2.6 per cent were rejected. In the group from 12 to 17 years old, 32 per cent of the men and 23 per cent of the women already consumed alcoholic drinks. The age group with the largest proportion of men who were frequent drinkers is from 30 to 39 years of age, with 36.3 per cent. For women 34.0 per cent of the frequent drinkers were found in the 40 to 49 year age group. It was found that six per cent of the population from 18 to 65 years of age is alcohol dependent, 12.5 per cent of men and less than one per cent of women. The population which smokes reaches 26 per cent of the total, with 38.3 per cent of men and 14.4 per cent of women. Forty two and four per cent of smokers are from 18 to 29 years of age. Among the daily smokers, 17 per cent were considered dependent on cigarettes. Only 4.8 per cent of the population admits having consumed some type of drug on at least one occasion, with the men from 12 to 34 years old being the age group which is most affected by the use of drugs (8.5%). Active users in the last year made up 2.1 per cent and in the last month the proportion of active users was less than one per cent. The most frequently used drug was marihuana (1%), the second used were tranquilizers (0.4%), and the third most frequently used were inhalants (glue, thinner) (0.26%). The most commonly consumed drug by male users was marihuana and by female users the most commonly used drug was stimulants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Nutritional status of pre-school children and women in Mexico: results of a probabilistic national survey].

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Elaboration of an immunosorbent for the purification of porins from Salmonella typhi 9, 12, Vi:d].

The current work was undertaken to purify porins of Salmonella typhi, which are outer membrane proteins (OMPs) that induce protection in mice against challenge with the bacteria in mucin. OMPs, isolated with a non-ionic detergent, had a 4% contamination with LPS (endotoxin) and molecular sizes ranging from 17 to 70 KDa. Porins (Mw 38-41 KDa) were isolated from OMPs preparative SDS-PAGE. Anti-porins antisera were raised in rabbits and specific IgG was purified, which was coupled to Sepharose-CNBr. This immunosorbent was used to purify LPS-free porins.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Differences in the synthesis of IgA antibodies against T-dependent antigens in males and females].

Rats immunized with T-dependent antigens revealed a greater specific IgA and IgM antibody response in females. There was no significant difference in the IgG antibody response. Quantitative differences in the IgA and IgM antibody response between males and females may be explained by genetics and hormonals factors. Greater IgA response in females may be another factor explaining the majority of female survival.

Animals↗