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J Ruiz

Publications and source records attributed to J Ruiz.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Giant-cell myocarditis: a systemic disease? Apropos a case].

Giant cell myocarditis is a rare disease of unknown etiology, which develops as a myocardial isolated affection or associated to different diseases. Its characteristics are such as necrosis, inflammation and giant cell presence in the myocardium. We present the case of a woman who suffered of giant cell myocarditis, thymoma, myasthenia gravis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, giant cell myositis, granulomatous infiltration in the lymph nodes of the hilus of the lung and hypogammaglobulinemia; multiple association that we have not found in any published medical paper and that suggest the autoimmune origin of this illness. The cardiovascular symptoms and the associated diseases are revised, and we discussed the diagnostic and therapeutic topics, pointing out the necessity to take it into account for any patient with thymoma or myasthenia gravis developing to heart failure or arrhythmias.

Agammaglobulinemia↗
PubMed1993

Non-adrenoceptor [3H]idazoxan binding sites (I2-imidazoline sites) are increased in postmortem brain from patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The I2-imidazoline site (a non-adrenergic mitochondrial site for which a glial location has been proposed and that is associated with the B-form of the enzyme monoamine oxidase) was evaluated in postmortem cortical membranes from 9 subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 9 matched-controls by using [3H]idazoxan (0.6-30 nM) in the presence of 10(-6) M (-)-adrenaline to prevent binding to alpha 2-adrenoceptors. In AD the density (Bmax) of I2-imidazoline sites was significantly higher (+63%) than in controls whereas no differences were apparent in affinity values (Kd). The results support the hypothesis that the I2 imidazoline site has a major location on glial (astrocyte) cells.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1993

Amplification of c-myc oncogene and absence of c-Ha-ras point mutation in human bone sarcoma.

The genomic organization of four oncogenes, c-myc, c-myb, c-Ha-ras, and v-fms, was analyzed in 21 patients with malignant bone tumors. Amplification of the c-myc proto-oncogene without rearrangement was the sole abnormality detected in four tumors: two chondrosarcomas, one osteosarcoma, and one lymphoma of bone. DNA hybridizations with c-myb, c-Ha-ras, and v-fms probes disclosed no structural gene abnormalities. Point mutations at the 12th codon of the c-Ha-ras gene were investigated with the polymerase chain reaction technique; no alterations were detected. The observed amplification of the c-myc there was not related to histologic type, grade, surgical stage, or ploidy level of the tumors. The results indicated that c-myc amplification, presumed to be involved in the development of malignancy in a variety of solid tumors, is encountered sporadically in malignant bone tumors; however, this occurs without relation to common histopathologic features. The clinical significance of oncogene amplification in bone sarcoma remains to be established.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

QSAR and conformational analysis of the antiinflammatory agent amfenac and analogues.

The new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) arylacetic amfenac (2-amino-3-benzoylphenylacetic acid) and 19 substituted derivatives were studied in order to correlate the biological activities with the structure-related parameters. The geometry of amfenac in neutral and anionic form was totally optimized, starting from standard geometries and crystallographic data, using semiempirical AM1 and MNDO quantum-mechanical methods. Conformational analysis shows the existence of a rigid structure for rotations of the acetic acid chain (alpha degrees) and the central carbonyl group (gamma degrees) around the bonds with the phenylamine ring, whereas the carboxyl group (beta degrees) and the phenyl ring of the benzoyl group (delta degrees) can rotate almost freely. Electrostatic potential maps were analyzed and showed that the electrostatic orientation effect seems to make an important contribution to the binding of the active compounds to prostaglandin synthase. An electrostatic orientation model of the binding site is proposed. The frontier orbital charge distribution was also described for each compound. On the other hand, steric, electronic and hydrophobic (log P) parameters were calculated and QSAR analysis showed that the most significant parameter for the antiinflammatory activity was the pi-electron density of the HOMO orbital in the second aromatic ring. These results suggest a possible electronic charge transfer between the aromatic fragments and the receptor.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗
PubMed1993

Clinical significance of anaerobic bacteremias in a general hospital. A prospective study from 1988 to 1992.

A prospective study was designed to investigate anaerobic bacteremias and evaluate their incidence and significance in a general hospital. One or more blood cultures positive for anaerobic microorganisms were analyzed from each of a total of 61 patients hospitalized between January 1988 and April 1992, in accordance with an established protocol. The clinical repercussions of bacteremia were also analyzed. Two percent of blood cultures were positive for anaerobes, with an incidence of 0.6 cases per 1000 hospitalized patients. The most frequently isolated anaerobes were Bacteroides fragilis and Clostridium perfringens. Intraabdominal disease was the route of entry in 50% of the patients. A death rate of 37.3% was mostly attributed to B. fragilis. Hospitalization in the surgical department, nosocomial acquisition, previous surgery, critical initial clinical status and the presence of complications were significantly associated with increased death rates. No significant differences were found in the clinical course between patients whose antibiotic treatment was judged adequate and those for whom it was considered inadequate. The frequency and incidence of anaerobic bacteremia was low in our hospital. The well-known clinical and epidemiological characteristics of these infections facilitates their prompt diagnosis and empirical treatment with antibiotics of proven effectiveness against anaerobes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Randomised trial of lymphoblastoid alpha-interferon in chronic hepatitis C. Effects on inflammation, fibrogenesis and viremia.

Seventy-two patients with chronic hepatitis C were included in a randomised trial of lymphoblastoid interferon versus no treatment. Thirty-six patients entered each group. Interferon was given in a step-down schedule for 12 months. Aminotransferase activities became normal during treatment in 30 of 36 (83.3%) treated patients, but in only 1 out of 36 (2.7%) non-treated cases (p < 0.001). However, a reactivation of the disease during the interferon course was observed in 12 patients after a mean of 5.58 +/- 1.55 months of therapy, and a post-treatment relapse was observed in 5 additional cases. The remaining 13 patients (36%) had sustained normalization of the aminotransferase levels for 15.27 +/- 10.34 months (range 3-30) after discontinuation of interferon, thus representing a long-term sustained remission of the disease. Knodell's histological activity index decreased in all treatment patients, except for 3 non-responders (91.5%), but in only 9 of 36 non-treated cases (25%) (p < 0.001). Procollagen type III peptide levels normalized in most cases (83%) with a sustained response. A significant decrease in the detection of hepatitis C virus RNA was observed in patients with a sustained response (p < 0.05). Anti-interferon antibodies were only detected in one non-responder. Thus, interferon diminishes inflammatory and fibrogenic activity in the majority of patients with chronic hepatitis C and abolishes viremia in most of the patients with a sustained response.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Quantitation of glycolysis and skeletal muscle glycogen synthesis in humans.

We measured the net rates of skeletal muscle glycogen synthesis and glycolysis (conversion of [3-3H]glucose to 3H2O) in healthy overnight-fasted volunteers. Two studies were performed. In study 1, seven subjects participated in two paired infusions under basal conditions of either [2-3H]glucose (H2) or [3-3H]glucose (H3). Total glucose uptake (Rd) and rates of whole body 3H2O formation (3H2O Ra) were measured. With H2, Rd and 3H2O Ra were similar. With H3, 3H2O Ra, equal to glycolysis, was 65% of Rd. In study 2, six different subjects underwent a 3-h, 40 mU.m-2 x min-1 euglycemic insulin clamp. [6,6-2H2]glucose was infused throughout and H3 was infused during the last hour of the study. Open muscle biopsies were obtained at 150 and 180 min. Glycogen synthesis was assessed by three independent means: 1) direct measurement, as 3H disintegrations per minute in isolated muscle glycogen per plasma H3 specific activity; 2) extrapolation from the activity of glycogen synthase assayed in the presence of the concentrations of glucose 6-phosphate and UDP-glucose measured in the biopsy; and 3) the difference between Rd and glycolysis. Despite a wide range in Rd [24.5-58.8 mumol.kg fat-free mass (FFM)-1 x min-1] and glycolysis (14.2-26.1), the three methods yielded similar results of 20.0 +/- 3.9, 22.5 +/- 3.7, and 20.6 +/- 3.7 mumol.kg FFM-1 x min-1 and correlated highly with each other (r2 = 0.92-0.96). Our results (study 1) indicate that the rate of plasma tritiated water formation reflects the intracellular detritiation of tritiated glucose. Under hyperinsulinemic conditions (study 2) the net rate of muscle glycogen synthesis can be accurately estimated from the glycogen synthase activity and from the difference between total glucose uptake and glycolysis. Thus, at high physiological plasma insulin concentrations resulting in submaximal stimulation of muscle glycogen synthesis, the latter can be accurately measured in humans.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Zinc, copper and oxalocalcic urolithiasis.

The possible effects of Zn and Cu in oxalocalcic urolithiasis were investigated. The formation of calcium oxalate crystals in the presence of Zn and Cu demonstrated that their morphology is clearly affected by these ions. Thus, when such ions were present in a number of higher concentrations, a notable increase in the primary aggregation was clearly detected. On the other hand, Zn and Cu urinary levels were determined in groups of stone-formers and healthy people. Zinc urinary concentration was significantly lower for lithiasic than for healthy people and the copper urinary concentration was lower for lithiasic than healthy males, but both female groups had a similar copper urinary concentration. The mentioned differences disappeared when serum levels were considered. These obtained results have been comparatively evaluated with those obtained by other authors. When considering all the commented aspects, it is concluded that no important direct action of zinc and copper on oxalocalcic calculi genesis takes place.

Calcium Oxalate↗
PubMed1993

Bronchial stump aspergillosis four years after lobectomy.

Bronchial stump aspergillosis (BSA) is an unusual entity. We report a case presenting hemoptysis four years after right upper lobe resection because of lung cancer. Simple removal of the silk suture is most likely the treatment of choice. No additional local or systemic antifungal therapy is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Partial splenic embolization for the treatment of hypersplenism in cirrhosis.

Hypersplenism is of great relevance in the management of cirrhosis because of the widespread use of myelodepressant drugs such as interferon or antineoplastic agents. Because no standard therapy exists for this complication, we have evaluated the efficacy and risks of splenic embolization in the treatment of hypersplenism in cirrhosis. Partial splenic embolization was performed in 40 consecutive patients with the following indications: 25 patients with active viral cirrhosis before interferon therapy, 8 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma before anti-neoplastic chemotherapy and 7 patients with thrombocytopenia associated with spontaneous bleeding events, with high risk of central nervous system hemorrhage or facing major surgery. After selective catheterization of the splenic artery, partial splenic embolization was performed by means of repeated injections of gelatin sponge until a 40% to 60% reduction in the splenic blood flow was achieved. After partial splenic embolization a significant and sustained increase in platelet and white blood cell count was observed during the follow-up period (mean = 13.9 +/- 2.2 mo; range = 1 to 36 mo). The goal of partial splenic embolization was achieved in all but two patients in whom a dose reduction of interferon was needed. Hypersplenism relapsed in only seven patients, and all of them exhibited an embolization of less than 50% of the splenic mass. Postembolization syndrome was the main side effect, but no life-threatening complications were detected. In conclusion, partial splenic embolization is a safe and effective therapy of hypersplenism in cirrhosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease with 99mtechnetium-hexamethylpropylenamine-oxime-labeled autologous leukocytes and pelvic radionuclide scintigraphy.

In a prospective study, we assessed the performance of pelvic radionuclide scintigraphy after the injection of 99mtechnetium-hexamethylpropylenamine-oxime-labeled autologous leukocytes as a noninvasive tool for the differential diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The results of radionuclide scintigraphy in 20 women with PID confirmed laparoscopically were compared with the findings in 20 others hospitalized for suspected PID but with PID ruled out later by laparoscopy. The proportion of radionuclide scintigraphic findings demonstrating increased uptake in the genital region, compatible with an inflammatory process, was significantly larger (P < .001) in patients with PID (95%) than in those without PID (15%). The sensitivity of the technique was 95% and specificity was 85%; in all, 90% of the patients were correctly classified. We conclude that radionuclide scintigraphy preceded by the injection of 99mtechnetium-hexamethylpropylenamine-oxime-labeled autologous leukocytes can detect PID in a high proportion of patients.

Female↗