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Biomedical subjects

J Morales

Publications and source records attributed to J Morales.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Basiliximab: efficacy and tolerability in adults and children.

UNLABELLED: An open, single arm, prospective clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of basiliximab (Simulect) combined with cyclosporine microemulsion (Neoral), steroids, and azathioprine was performed in four centers in Chile, two adult and two pediatric. The 23 patients who were enrolled were followed for 12 months. There were four acute rejection episodes (three adults and one child) and three graft losses (two adults and one child) during the study. Renal function in both adult and pediatric patients at 6 and 12 months was good. Basiliximab was well tolerated. The incidence of infections was low, with only one CMV infection. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of acute rejection episodes among renal allograft recipients treated with basiliximab is low, showing that the drug is well tolerated. In particular the number of CMV infections is extremely low.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

IAEA/NUS Distance Learning Diploma Training Course for Tissue Bank Operators - Past, Present and Future.

National University Hospital (NUH) Tissue Bank as the Regional Training Centre for Asia Pacific Region provided National University of Singapore (NUS) Diploma Course in Tissue Banking - a long distance diploma course since 1997. To date, five batches have participated - 94 tissue bank operators. Sixty-three tissue bank operators have convocated with NUS Diploma in Tissue Banking.From Regional Co-operative Agreement (RCA) Project, RAS 7/008 technology transfer was effected to Latin America and to Africa.A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and NUS in July 2002 making Singapore the International Training Centre. An Internet NUS Diploma Course in Tissue Banking has been developed by IAEA and NUS. The first on-line diploma course will be launched in 2003.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Effects of atorvastatin on glucose homeostasis, postprandial triglyceride response and C-reactive protein in subjects with impaired fasting glucose.

AIMS: To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on glucose homeostasis, the basal and postprandial lipid profiles and the CRP levels (C reactive protein) in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). METHODS: Thirty-three subjects (22 men and 11 women) were included in our study. All displayed an IFG (fasting plasma glucose between 6.1 and 7.0 mmol/l) on at least two occasions during the last 6 months prior the study. They were randomly assigned to receive either 40 mg atorvastatin/day (n=16) or placebo (n=17) over 16 weeks, in a double-blind design. Before and after the end of the study all participants underwent on three consecutive days: a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, a frequent sampling intravenous glucose tolerance test with Minimal Model analysis and a meal tolerance test (glucose, insulin and triglycerides). CRP was measured before and after the treatment period. RESULTS: CRP decreased significantly in the atorvastatin-treated group compared with the placebo group (percent change respect initial values; -42.3 %[-21.5 to - 63.1] and -9.6%[15.0 to -34.0], respectively, p<0.01). Atorvastatin treatment did not produce any change in oral glucose tolerance categories or induce any change in glucose and insulin response in OGTT. The statin produced a trend towards a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity as expressed by a change in Si from baseline to the end of treatment. Atorvastatin reduced the postprandial response of triglycerides to the meal test compared with placebo (19-26 % across the meal test, p<0.05) correlating with the amelioration observed in Si (-0.34, p<0.05; percentage changes). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the use of statins in subjects with IFG seems to include other potentially beneficial actions in addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Castration and pregnancy of rural pigs significantly increase the prevalence of naturally acquired Taenia solium cysticercosis.

Cuentepec is a rural village of central Mexico, where 1300 pigs were bred at the time of the study in conditions that favor Taenia solium transmission. The tongues of 1087 (84%) of these pigs were visually examined and 33% were found to be cysticercotic. Castration of male pigs increased prevalence from 23 to 50% (P < 0.001) and pregnancy in sows also increased their prevalence from 28 to 59% (P < 0.001). Thus, endocrinological conditions characterized by low levels of androgens or high levels of female hormones probably influence the susceptibility of pigs to T. solium cysticercosis as observed in mice infected with Taenia crassiceps. Delaying castration of male pigs and confinement of sows during pregnancy might significantly decrease the prevalence of pig-cysticercosis and help curb transmission without much cost or difficulty.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2002

Cold bose gases with large scattering lengths.

We calculate the energy and condensate fraction for a dense system of bosons interacting through an attractive short range interaction with positive s-wave scattering length a. At high densities n>>a(-3), the energy per particle, chemical potential, and square of the sound speed are independent of the scattering length and proportional to n(2/3), as in Fermi systems. The condensate is quenched at densities na(3) approximately 1.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Large bowel fermentation of maize or sorghum-acorn diets fed as a different source of carbohydrates to Landrace and Iberian pigs.

Twenty-four finishing pigs (twelve Iberian and twelve Landrace) were used in a growing and slaughtering experiment. Animals were fed two diets differing in their ingredients, maize (diet C) or sorghum-acorn (diet A). At an average weight of 107.0 kg pigs were slaughtered and hindgut digesta sampled to study the effect of breed and diet on large bowel fermentation. Flows of digesta to the hindgut compartment were estimated based on an indigestible flow marker (Cr2O3) and were higher in Iberian than in Landrace pigs (P<0.001), and higher in animals fed diet A than diet C (P=0.07). The higher flows in Iberian pigs were mainly associated with a higher voluntary feed intake (3.50 v. 2.70 kg/d, P<0.01) and lower ileal digestibility of NSP (-12.8 v. 47.8, P<0.01). Differences between diets were mainly associated with a lower ileal digestibility of starch from diet A (89.2 v. 96.9 %, P=0.06), although no differences in the resistant starch content were observed in vitro. Fermentation of different carbohydrates through the large bowel showed that NSP-glucose had lower digestibility in Iberian than in Landrace pigs (62.5 v. 94.2 %, P<0.001), but no differences were observed in starch, or other NSP-fibre fractions (arabinose, xylose and galactose). The type and amount of carbohydrates reaching the large bowel were related to the diet but also to breed, and promoted differences in the fermentative activity associated with different volatile fatty acid patterns and changes in microbial enzymic activity.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Preservation of shelf life of pota and octopus in chilled storage under controlled atmospheres.

Whole ungutted pota and octopus were stored in bulk in stainless steel refrigerated containers under controlled atmospheres. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this treatment, physicochemical tests (pH, trimethylamine nitrogen, total volatile basic nitrogen, 2-thiobarbituric acid) and sensory assessments (inspection) were done. For both pota and octopus, the control lot had the highest physicochemical values and the lowest sensory values, and of the two assayed atmospheres, the 60/15/25% atmosphere (CO2/O2/N2) had the best physicochemical results. pH, trimethylamine nitrogen, and total volatile basic nitrogen levels were lower (P < or = 0.05) in octopus than in pota, and the inspection results were significantly (P < or = 0.05) higher. However, the octopus had a higher 2-thiobarbituric acid index than the pota. Therefore, the application of controlled atmospheres on these cephalopods during chilled bulk storage considerably increases their shelf life.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Human leukocyte antigen class I and II alleles and risk of cervical neoplasia: results from a population-based study in Costa Rica.

To examine human leukocyte antigen (HLA) involvement in the development of all grades of cervical neoplasia, a nested case-control study of 10,077 women in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, was conducted. Participants had invasive cervical cancer, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs; n=166), or low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs); were positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) with no evidence of cervical neoplasia (n=320); or were HPV negative with no evidence of cervical neoplasia but with a history of high-risk sexual behavior (n=173). Compared with women who were HPV negative, women with HLA-DRB1*1301 were associated with decreased risk for cancer/HSILs (odds ratio [OR], 0.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2-0.7) and for LSILs/HPV (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.3-0.9). Women with both HLA-B*07 and HLA-DQB1*0302 had an 8.2-fold increased risk for cancer/HSILs (95% CI, 1.8-37.2) and a 5.3-fold increased risk for LSILs/HPV (95% CI, 1.2-23.7). These results support the hypothesis that multiple risk alleles are needed in order to increase risk for cervical neoplasia, but a single protective allele may be sufficient for protection.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Characterization of the HCV core virus-like particles produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

Little is known about the mechanism of hepatitis C virion assembly. So the capacity of the entire Hepatitis C virus core protein (HCcAg) produced in Pichia pastoris to form particles either in its native soluble state or after detergent treatment of HCcAg associated to cell debris were studied. Size exclusion chromatography suggested that HCcAg assembled into high molecular weight structures. HCcAg was also specifically recognized by a serum from a chronic HCV carrier patient. This antigen migrated with buoyant density values similar to those obtained for native nucleocapsid particles from infected patients when analyzed using sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The analysis by electron microscopy of purified HCcAg showed aggregates resembling virus-like particles (VLPs) with an average diameter of 30 nm. These results indicated that the HCcAg obtained from P. pastoris assembled into VLPs resembling HCV nucleocapsid particles in a mature stage. Such HCcAg aggregates characterized here could be a valuable tool to elucidate the mechanisms of HCV nucleocapsid assembly.

Hepacivirus↗
PubMed2001

HPV co-factors related to the development of cervical cancer: results from a population-based study in Costa Rica.

We examined factors associated with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) and cervical cancer among human papillomavirus (HPV)-infected women in a prevalent case-control study conducted within a population-based cohort of 10 077 women in Costa Rica. We compared 146 women with HPV-positive HSIL or cancer (HSIL/CA) against 843 HPV-positive women without evidence of HSIL/CA. Subjects completed a risk factor questionnaire. We evaluated the associations between exposures and HSIL/CA among women positive for any HPV and restricted to those positive for high-risk HPV types. Risk of HSIL/CA increased with increasing number of live births (P(trend)= 0.04). Women who smoked 6+ cigarettes/day had a RR for HSIL/CA of 2.7 (95% CI = 1.1-6.7) compared to non-smokers. Current use of barrier contraceptives was associated with a reduction in risk of HSIL/CA (RR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.16-0.96). Sexual behaviour and a self-reported history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) other than HPV were not associated with HSIL/CA. Oral contraceptive use was associated with HSIL/CA among women with <3 pregnancies. Effects were similar in analysis restricted to women positive for high-risk HPV types. Among women positive for high-risk HPV types, 44% of HSIL/CA could be attributed to multiparity (>/=3 pregnancies) and/or smoking. Among HPV-positive women, multiparity and smoking are risk factors for HSIL/CA. Oral contraceptive use may be associated with HSIL/CA in subgroups of women.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

eIF4E association with 4E-BP decreases rapidly following fertilization in sea urchin.

The eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF) 4F facilitates the recruitment of ribosomes to the mRNA 5' end. The 4E-BPs are small proteins with hypophosphorylated forms that interact with the cap binding protein eIF4E, preventing its interaction with eIF4G, thereby preventing ribosome interaction with mRNA. In sea urchin, fertilization triggers a rapid rise in protein synthesis. Here, we demonstrate that a 4E-BP homologue exists and is associated with eIF4E in unfertilized eggs. We also show that 4E-BP/eIF4E association diminishes a few minutes following fertilization. This decrease is correlated with a decrease in the total amount of 4E-BP in combination with an increase in the phosphorylation of the protein. We propose that 4E-BP acts as a repressor of protein synthesis in unfertilized sea urchin eggs and that 4E-BP/eIF4E dissociation plays an important role in the rise in protein synthesis that occurs shortly following fertilization.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Evidence for regulation of protein synthesis at the elongation step by CDK1/cyclin B phosphorylation.

Eukaryotic elongation factor 1 (eEF-1) contains the guanine nucleotide exchange factor eEF-1B that loads the G protein eEF-1A with GTP after each cycle of elongation during protein synthesis. Two features of eEF-1B have not yet been elucidated: (i) the presence of the unique valyl-tRNA synthetase; (ii) the significance of target sites for the cell cycle protein kinase CDK1/cyclin B. The roles of these two features were addressed by elongation measurements in vitro using cell-free extracts. A poly(GUA) template RNA was generated to support both poly(valine) and poly(serine) synthesis and poly(phenylalanine) synthesis was driven by a poly(uridylic acid) template. Elongation rates were in the order phenylalanine > valine > serine. Addition of CDK1/cyclin B decreased the elongation rate for valine whereas the rate for serine and phenylalanine elongation was increased. This effect was correlated with phosphorylation of the eEF-1delta and eEF-1gamma subunits of eEF-1B. Our results demonstrate specific regulation of elongation by CDK1/cyclin B phosphorylation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Assembly of truncated HCV core antigen into virus-like particles in Escherichia coli.

Core protein is one of the most conserved and immunogenic of the hepatitis C virus proteins. Several pieces of experimental evidence suggest its ability for formation of virus like particles alone or in association with other viral proteins in mammalian or yeast cells with great similarity to those detected in patient sera and liver extract. In this work we report an Escherichia coli-derived truncated hepatitis C core protein that is able to aggregate. SDS-PAGE and size exclusion chromatography patterns bring to mind the aggregation of monomers of recombinant protein Co.120. The Co.120 protein migrated with buoyant density of 1.28 g/cm(3) when analyzed using CsCl density gradient centrifugation. Spherical structures with an average diameter of 30 nm were observed using electron microscopy. We report here that VLPs are generated when the first 120 aa of HCV core protein are expressed in E. coli.

Blotting, Western↗
PubMed2001

Herpes simplex virus dermatitis in patients using latanoprost.

PURPOSE: To describe the possible association of latanoprost with herpetic dermatitis of the periocular skin. METHOD: Interventional case reports. A 79-year-old woman with open-angle glaucoma developed a vesicular dermatitis of the left lower eyelid 14 months after starting latanoprost therapy. An 84-year-old man with pigmentary glaucoma developed a vesicular dermatitis of the right upper lid after 2 months of treatment with latanoprost and 8 days of treatment with tobramycin/dexamethasone for presumed bacterial conjunctivitis. In both cases, the dermatitis was characteristic of a herpetic infection. RESULTS: Latanoprost was discontinued in both cases. The woman was treated with vidarabine 3% ointment, and the man was not treated with antiviral agents. In both patients, the dermatitis healed uneventfully. The lesions of the man were cultured, and a biopsy was performed; herpes simplex virus type 1 was recovered from the culture and confirmed by immunofluorescence testing. CONCLUSION: Latanoprost, which has been associated with reactivation of herpetic keratitis, may also cause reactivation of herpetic dermatitis of the periocular skin.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

The feasibility of short automated static perimetry in children.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of short automated static perimetry using tendency-oriented perimetry in the pediatric population. DESIGN: Prospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty normal children age 6 through 12 years. TESTING: Subjects underwent testing with the Octopus TOP-32 program on the Octopus 1-2-3 automated perimeter. Testing was performed in a typical clinical setting without adaptations to the perimeter, prolonged training, or the use of custom seating. Each eye was tested twice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ability to complete automated static perimetry tests with both eyes. Mean sensitivity, mean defect, and loss of variance; gray scale and numeric representations of the field; duration of each test and of the entire session; subjective assessment of each test as normal or abnormal; calculation of test specificity. Comparisons by age and test number were performed. RESULTS: All subjects successfully completed all four tests. The mean duration for each test was 2:30+/- 0.23 minutes. The average time for the whole session, including training, testing both eyes twice, and rest periods, was 25.8+/-4.87 minutes. Improvement in the specificity of the test (fewer abnormal tests in normal children) occurred in direct relation to subject age (R = 0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Automated static perimetry using short, tendency-oriented programs can be successfully performed in normal children age 6 through 12 years in a typical clinical setting. Age was the best predictor of the mean sensitivity, reproducibility, and accuracy of the test, with the most reliable results obtained after 7 years of age. In children 6 to 7 years old, significant interindividual variability was present, and testing success was more dependent on the child's maturity and ability to concentrate. Short automated perimetry seems to be a promising tool for the evaluation of peripheral vision in pediatric patients.

Automation↗
PubMed2001

Converting enzyme inhibition with captopril abolishes sympathoexcitation to euglycemic hyperinsulinemia in rats.

Converting enzyme inhibition and angiotensin II receptor antagonism attenuate elevations in heart rate and plasma norepinephrine in response to insulin, suggesting that integrity of the renin-angiotensin system is necessary for insulin-induced sympathoexcitation. To test this, we infused vehicle (saline) in control experiments, or insulin (40 mU/min) during euglycemic clamp in captopril-pretreated (intravenously 2.5 mg/kg, then 1 mg/kg/h) and in nonpretreated urethane-anesthetized Wistar rats while measuring mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and lumbar sympathetic nerve activity. Although euglycemic hyperinsulinemia produced similar blood pressure (BP) increases in insulin-infused rats (change in mean arterial pressure: +9 +/- 3 mm Hg) compared with vehicle-controls (+6 +/- 2 mm Hg), insulin decreased blood pressure (BP) in captopril-pretreated insulin-infused rats (-8 +/- 3 mm Hg). Control rats developed mild heart rate increases (change in heart rate: +28 +/- 15 beats/min), contrasting with a marked tachycardia in insulin-infused rats (+82 +/- 13 beats/min) and a bradycardia in captopril-treated insulin-infused rats (-16 +/- 18 beats/min). As with heart rate, insulin-infused rats experienced large increases in lumbar sympathetic nerve activity (+ 127 +/- 29%), whereas small and equivalent elevations were observed in vehicle-treated rats (+39 +/- 24%) and in captopril-pretreated insulininfused rats (+61 +/- 13%). These observations demonstrate an attenuation of insulin-induced sympathetic activation by renin-angiotensin blockade with captopril in Wistar rats, and suggest that the renin-angiotensin system is critical for insulin to exert its sympathoexcitatory effects.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2001

Protein translation during early cell divisions of sea urchin embryos regulated at the level of polypeptide chain elongation and highly sensitive to natural polyamines.

Protein synthesis was analysed following fertilisation in sea urchin. Fluctuations in the accumulation of neo-synthesised proteins were observed during the first cell cycles. Accurate translation analyses were performed from lysates prepared from early embryos. The lysates readily translated endogenous pre-initiated mRNAs allowing the determination of elongation rates in the absence of re-initiation in vitro. The translation capacity of embryo lysates increased 18-fold from 0 to 90 min after fertilisation, reflecting the increase in the amount of pre-initiated mRNAs during early development. Kinetics analysis at a short time interval during the course of early development (240 min) showed an overall increase in the elongation rate (> 10-fold) which is regulated by pauses in synchrony with the cell divisions. Elongation activity in the lysates was highly sensitive to the natural polyamines, spermine (ID50 = 0.2 mM) and spermidine (ID50 = 1.8 mM), indicating high potential regulation by the intracellular level of polyamines in embryos. The regulation in the elongation changes associated with the early embryo cell divisions is discussed in the light of the physiological fluctuations in polyamine concentrations.

Animals↗