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Biomedical subjects

J Martinez

Publications and source records attributed to J Martinez.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources
PubMed1980

In vivo immunomodulating properties of two synthetic agents: azimexon and tuftsin.

Mice were submitted to various immunologic tests at different times after a single intravenous (IV) injection of azimexon or tuftsin in order to determine the mode of action of these chemically defined immunomodulators. Azimexon, (BM 12,531) an aziridine derivative, potentiated antibody responses to both thymus-dependent (TNP-KLH) and thymus-independent (TNP-LPS) antigens and DTH reaction to oxazolone when injected at least 1 day before the antigen. It activated macrophages, rendering them cytostatic for tumor cells, but depressed ADCC activity of spleen cells directed against antibody-coated CRBC. Tuftsin, a basic tetrapeptide, potentiated antibody response to TNP-KLH when injected at least 3 days before the antigen. The response to TNP-LPS was stimulated on days 1 and 3, but was slightly depressed on day 7. It rendered macrophages highly cytostatic for tumor cells but, as observed with azimexon, the activation process required 7 days to develop. ADCC was enhanced throughout the period of observation.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1980

Proteins specified by African swine fever virus. II. Analysis of proteins in infected cells and antigenic properties.

Infection of MS cells with African swine fever virus (ASFV) produces inhibition of protein synthesis which is detectable from 4.5 hours after infection. At least 34 viral polypeptides have been indentified with molecular weights ranging between 9500 and 243,000 daltons. Three of these proteins show affinity for the cell nucleus and nine are in both the nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. Ten early proteins were found, and most of the structural proteins were late proteins. Most of the proteins are synthesized within the first 8 hours after infection. At least nine proteins induced antibodies in the natural infection. Six of these proteins are structural proteins. The antigenic determinants of VP172, VP162, VP146, VP73, VP34, and IP23.5 are in the primary structure of the proteins.

African Swine Fever Virus↗
PubMed1980

Cutaneous and renal geotrichosis in a giant tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus).

A case of cutaneous and renal geotrichosis in a giant tortoise, Geochelone elephantopus, at the Zoological Park of Barcelona is reported. Fungal hyphae and spores were seen in skin and kidney. Culture of these tissues yielded Geotrichum candidum. This fungus was isolated from the faeces of 5 other giant tortoises that were housed with the dead animal and from specimens of corn hydroponic culture which is part of their diet. Arthrospore suspensions of the 2 strains isolated from the dead animal's skin and kidney were experimentally inoculated into mice and turtles (Testudo horsfiedi) in order to determine the pathogenicity of G. candidum for animal tissues. Our results confirm its low pathogenicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Synthesis of analogs of the serum thymic nonapeptide, "facteur thymique serique" (FTS). Part II.

New analogs of FTS (Facteur Thymique Sérique), less than (Formula: see text), a circulating thymic factor, were prepared by replacing the amino acid residues in positions, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 3 and 6 together. Five other analogs of C-terminal heptapeptide were prepared by replacing the amino acid residues in position 3 or 6. These peptides were synthesized using conventional synthesis in solution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1980

[Mono-dimensional echocardiography in emergency diagnosis in the infant].

32 babies aged under three months underwent emergency echocardiography before further investigation and treatment. The diagnosis was made in 30 cases, a significant improvement on clinical examination alone. The echocardiographic analysis was concentrated on:--the interventricular septum,--septo-aortic continuity,--mitro-aortic continuity,--the position of the aorta,--the dimensions of the aorta, from which the size of the pulmonary artery could be deduced in cases of VSD with pulmonary obstruction. This analysis is completed by a study of the other cardiac structures, to give a rapid and reliable diagnosis. Additional essential information on the afferent and efferent cardiac arteries and veins is obtained by angiography. Echocardiography orientates the clinical diagnosis before catheterisation so increasing its value or, on the other hand, making it unnecessary (primary heart failure, Ebstein's anomaly, left ventricular hypoplasia). The ultrasonic examination orientates and limits the indications of angiography, so decreasing the risk of this procedure, and assuring the optimal conditons for the initiation of treatment.

Angiocardiography↗
PubMed1980

Plasma infusion for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a disease of unknown cause, has been reported relatively frequently during pregnancy. The disorder typically runs a fulminant course with a high mortality, and survival of both mother and fetus has been exceedingly rare. We report here the fourth case of TTP during pregnancy in which both the mother and fetus survived. Therapeutic approaches to TTP have included corticosteroids, antiplatelet agents, splenectomy, and, more recently, exchange plasmapheresis, exchange transfusion, and plasma infusion. The patient described herein was refractory to corticosteroids, antiplatelet agents, and only transiently responsive to exchange transfusion. The administration of plasma infusions achieved a sustained partial remission that allowed full gestation of the developing fetus. The patient attained full remission following cesarean section and simultaneous splenectomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

Determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration of amphotericin B and miconazole for 21 strains of Aspergillus.

The susceptibility of 21 strains of Aspergillus (11 of A. fumigatus, 8 of A, niger, and 2 of A. flavus) isolated from human pathologic specimens to Amphotericin B and Miconazole has been comparatively studied. Determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration of both drugs in a liquid medium showed a noticeably variability for the different strains. The values obtained for Amphotericin B varied between 0.25 microgram/ml (2 strains) and 1.25 microgram/ml (5 strains) after 48 hours, and between 1,25 microgram/ml (1 strain) and 50 microgram/ml (1 strain) after 10 days. For Miconazole the results varied between 0.1 microgram/ml (1 strain) and 25 microgram/ml (1 strain) after 48 hours of incubation, and between 0.5 microgram/ml (5 strains) and greater than 100 microgram/ml after 10 days. The variability of these results indicates the usefulness of carrying our in vitro sensitivity studies whenever it is possible.

Amphotericin B↗
PubMed1978

Cholecystokinin (pancreozymin). 4. Synthesis and properties of a biologically active analogue of the C-terminal heptapeptide with epsilon-hydroxynorleucine sulfate replacing tyrosine sulfate.

The influence of tyrosine O-sulfate, the 27th residue in the sequence of cholecystokinin (pancreozymin) (CCK-PZ), on the contraction of gall bladder of guinea pigs and on the release of amylase in isolated pancreatic cells of the same animal was studied with an analogue of the biologically active C-terminal heptapeptide, CCK-PZ-(27--33). In the new analogue, tyrosine O-sulfate was replaced by epsilon-hydroxynorleucine O-sulfate. The synthetic peptide was found a full agonist in these tests, not quite as potent as the unaltered heptapeptide, but much more active than the previously prepared and studied serine O-sulfate containing analogue. Thus, the distance of the sulfate ester group from the peptide backbone has a major influence on the biological activity of CCK-PZ.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1978

Abnormal sialic acid content of the dysfibrinogenemia associated with liver disease.

To evaluate the possibility that the carbohydrate composition of fibrinogen may be altered in the dysfibrinogenemia associated with liver disease, we studied the sialic acid content of purified fibrinogen from 12 patients with liver disease and its relationship to the prolongation of the thrombin time. Purified fibrinogen showed that Aalpha-, Bbeta-, and gamma-chains when reduced and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibited prolongation of the thrombin time similar to that of the plasma from which it was derived. Sialic acid content of the purified fibrinogen ranged from 12.7 to 71.4% higher in patient fibrinogens when compared to normal controls. A progressive delay in thrombin time was associated with increasing sialic acid content of the patient fibrinogen. Enzymatic removal of sialic acid from four of the abnormal fibrinogens resulted in a shortening of their thrombin times to the range of the desialylated normal control. Periodic acid-Schiff reagent stained only the Bbeta- and gamma-chains of the reduced patient fibrinogens after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis suggesting that the excess sialic acid is located on these two chains. These studies demonstrate a biochemical alteration of the functionally abnormal fibrinogen found in some patients with liver disease, and indicate that the excess sialic acid plays an important role in the functional defect of this protein.

Blood Coagulation Disorders↗
PubMed1978

Study of a kindred with partial deficiency of red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate mutase (2,3-DPGM) and compensated hemolysis.

A kindred with partial deficiency of red cell 2,3-diphosphoglycerate mutase (2,3-DPGM) was studied. The propositus presented with indirect hyperbilirubinemia, normal hemoglobin (15.8 g/dl), and elevated reticulocyte count (4.6%). The red cell 51Cr survival was decreased (tau1/2 16 days). Incubated osmotic fragility was normal; autohemolysis was increased and corrected with glucose and ATP. The P50 was 18.5 mm Hg (normal 25.5 +/- 3), but the stability, electrophoresis, and fingerprinting of hemoglobin were normal. The concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) was reduced to 43% of normal. Red cell 2,3-DPGM was decreased to 59% of normal; 2,3-DPG phosphatase was similarly decreased. All red cell glycolytic and hexose monophosphate shunt enzymes, glycolytic intermediates other than 2,3-DPG, and glucose consumption and lactate production were normal. Five family members showed similar hematologic findings. The deficiency appears to be secondary to decreased enzyme synthesis and to be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in this family. Partial deficiency of 2,3-DPGM should now be considered in the differential diagnosis of compensated hemolysis associated with increased oxygen affinity.

Adult↗