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Biomedical subjects

J Sierra

Publications and source records attributed to J Sierra.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Growth of vegetarian children: The Farm Study.

To examine the effects of a vegetarian diet on child growth, height and weight data of 404 vegetarian children aged 4 months to 10 years who lived in a collective community in Tennessee were studied. Height for age, weight for age, and weight for height were compared with the US growth reference. Birth weights, infant feeding patterns, and parental heights were also evaluated in relation to growth. Most of the height for age, weight for age, and weight for height (n = 833) were within the 25th and 75th percentiles of the US growth reference. The mean height for age and weight for age, however, were slightly less than the median of the reference population. For different age groups, the mean height ranged from 0.2 to 2.1 cm and the mean weight ranged from 0.1 to 1.1 kg less than the reference median. The largest height difference was observed at 1 to 3 years of age and may be partly the result of intrinsic irregularities in the US growth reference at those ages. By 10 years of age, children from The Farm averaged 0.7 cm and 1.1 kg less than the reference median, representing only 0.1 and 0.3 SD from the reference. Thus, these children have adequate attained growth, even though it was modestly less than that of the reference population.

Adult↗

Hypocholesterolemia in acute myelogenous leukemia.

Plasma-cholesterol concentrations were determined in 85 acute myelogenous leukemia patients. Measurements were repeated in 28 cases during remission. Mean plasma-cholesterol concentration (+/- SD) at diagnosis was 3.95 mmol/l (+/- 1.29). 47 patients (55.3%) had hypocholesterolemia (less than 3.87 mmol/l). Among the main clinical, hematologic and biochemical parameters, only high leukocyte counts were correlated with hypocholesterolemia. As far the FAB subtypes are concerned, the lowest cholesterol levels were observed in leukemias with monocytic component. However, although the same FAB subtypes showed significantly higher leucocytes counts than the other subtypes, both parameters were independently related to low cholesterol levels. Remission was associated with a significant increase in cholesterol levels in those patients with low cholesterol concentrations or high leukocyte counts at diagnosis. These results support the idea that initial hypocholesterolemia in acute myelogenous leukemia is related to the tumoral mass present at diagnosis.

Adult↗

Intraventricular tuberculoma. Report of four cases in children.

Four cases of intraventricular tuberculoma (IVT) in children are here reported. In none of the patients was there clinical evidence pointing to the intraventricular location. CT scan findings comprised three stages of development, namely: immature, mature and old. Ependymal attachment and asymmetric hydrocephalus were present in three cases, meningitis in two and ependymitis in one. Septum pellucidum traction was clearly observed in two patients, strongly supporting an adhesive process characteristic of intraventricular tuberculosis. Following specific treatment, the tuberculomas remitted partially or entirely.

Age Factors↗

Characteristics of red cell pyruvate kinase (PK) and pyrimidine 5'nucleotidase (P5N) abnormalities in acute leukaemia and chronic lymphoid diseases with leukaemic expression.

Red cell pyruvate kinase (PK), pyrimidine 5'nucleotidase (P5N) and reduced glutathione content (GSH) were studied in 126 untreated patients with acute leukaemia (AL, 80 cases), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL, 38 cases) and B-cell lymphoma with leukaemic expression (LSCL, eight cases). Acute leukaemias were classified into lymphoblastic (ALL) and non-lymphoblastic (ANLL), the latter have been further sub-divided into four different variants according to FAB morphological criteria (1976). A significant decrease of PK activity was observed only in the ANLL group, leading to a clear-cut difference with the ALL group where a normal value was obtained. The decrease of P5N activity was similar in all the morphological variants of ANLL and no abnormalities in the low PEP assay system or after fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Fru 1,6-P2) activation were observed. P5N activity was found to be significantly decreased in all groups of patients except in B-CLL, where it was normal. In regards to the different morphological groups of ANLL, a striking decrease of P5N activity was observed in the M3 variant. Although red cell GSH content was significantly increased in all groups of patients, no correlation was demonstrated between the raised GSH levels and the decreased P5N activities.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

[IgA nephropathy in childhood].

We review our experience on IgA nephropathy (Berger's disease), defined as the IgA mesangial deposit in the absence of systemic disease. Following these criteria ten patients have been diagnosed which amount to 10% of all biopsied glomerulonephritis in our centre during 1977-1985. These ten patients have been controlled for periods of time ranging from 4 months to 7 years (means = 3 years). After that time, 2 patients have chronic renal failure, in contrast with other pediatric series in which the prognosis is less severe.

Biopsy↗

Androgen-binding proteins from human hyperplastic prostate as evaluated by electrophoresis.

Until 1972 it was shown that the androgen action in the prostatic tissue was through receptor proteins. In 1975 the synthesis of methyltrienolone (MT) opened a new field in searching receptor proteins. This synthetic androgen discriminates between receptors and other proteins such as TeBG and albumin. The main purpose in this investigation was to obtain the electrophoretic patterns of human prostatic androgen-binding proteins and compare them with those of other tissues from male genital tract (e.g., testes and epididymis), using as a reference the already described pattern in blood serum. The experimentation was carried out with cytosol (105,000 g) and nuclear fractions from the homogenized tissue. Both fractions were incubated with the tritiated steroids and then treated with dextran-coated charcoal. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was then performed at pH 8.3 with acrylamide (T) 7.7%. The prostatic cytosol incubated with 3H-dihydrotestosterone (3H-DHT) revealed radioactive areas with the following average electrophoretic mobilities relative to Bromophenol Blue (Rf): 0.195, 0.285, 0.815, 0.910. When cytosol was incubated with 3H-MT the pattern showed radioactive peaks with Rf 0.280, 0.570, and 0.969. The nuclear fraction bound 3H-DHT in 0.190, 0.455, 0.570, 0.660, and 1.055 and bound 3H-MT in Rf 1.01. We concluded from these results that the electrophoretic patterns in the prostate gland shared some radioactive areas resembling TeBG and albumin, although they present low binding capacity. The other peaks with different electrophoretic mobilities are in the process of further identification.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

[Valves of the posterior urethra: case reviews].

13 male patients, with type-I Young urethral valves are reported. We analyze the most significant clinical, analytical and radiological findings of them all, at the diagnosis and during the evolution. The clinical course has been from 6 month up to 5 years, the average time being of 3 years, 3 of them have evolved towards a renal insufficiency. The patients diagnosed at the neonatal period (5 in our series) have a higher degree of obstruction producing a greater clinical and radiological alteration at the moment of the diagnosis and a worse prognosis in spite of early disobstructive measures.

Child, Preschool↗