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Biomedical subjects

M C Gutierrez

Publications and source records attributed to M C Gutierrez.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

A one-year prospective study (1994-1995) for a first evaluation of tuberculosis transmission in French prisons.

SETTING: Ten correctional facilities in Paris, including suburbs. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively determine the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in prisons during a one-year period and to trace the transmission of tuberculosis by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from inmates. RESULTS: Of 93 cases of tuberculosis observed, 50 were culture-confirmed. The incidence of tuberculosis in correctional facilities was 215 cases per 100,000 inmates. A high turnover of inmates was observed. All patients were male, and a quarter had been homeless. Seventy-two per cent were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. Several severe cases of TB were observed, including three of tuberculous meningitis. No multidrug-resistant strains were noted. RFLP analysis (n = 24) revealed 22 distinct patterns which made up two clusters. Epidemiological investigation did not show direct tuberculosis transmission, which was, however, probable for one cluster. CONCLUSION: Independently of incarceration, prison inmates run a higher risk of developing active tuberculosis than the general population, which might be the main reason for the high incidence of tuberculosis observed in prisons. However, some cases of transmission may occur inside prisons.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM): evaluation of the cellular components.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung (CCAM) is a rare congenital lesion whose pathogenesis is not well defined. It is generally accepted that the various types of CCAMs originate at different levels of the tracheobronchial tree. To further define the pathogenesis of CCAM, we evaluated the cellular composition of different CCAM types by immunohistochemistry. Twenty-two CCAMs (17 CCAM type 1, two type 2, one type 3, and two type 4) were collected. The cellular composition was determined using immunohistochemical stains for type I cell-associated antigen (T1 cell-Ag), surfactant proteins and surfactant protein precursors (SP-A, SP-B, proSP-B, and proSP-C), neuroendocrine cells (GRP), Clara cells (UP-1), and the adhesion molecule CD44v6, a glycoprotein thought to be involved in cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. Eleven fetal lungs also were analyzed to compare cytodifferentiation of the epithelial-lined cysts of the different types of CCAM with the stages of normal lung development. Our results indicate that CCAM is caused by an arrest in lung development, and, on the basis of cytodifferentiation, two major subtypes can be distinguished. One subtype consisting of CCAM types 1, 2, and 3 that shows a bronchiolar type of epithelium and a second subtype, consisting of CCAM type 4, that has an acinar-alveolar type of epithelium. Our findings also suggest that these two subtypes may arise at different stages of the branching of the bronchopulmonary tree, the first at the pseudoglandular stage and the second at the saccular stage.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗
PubMed1999

Comparative evaluation of ligation-mediated PCR and spoligotyping as screening methods for genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.

Spoligotyping has been suggested as a screening test in multistep genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Relying on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with IS6110 (IS6110 RFLP analysis) as a "gold standard," we performed a comparative evaluation of spoligotyping and ligation-mediated PCR (LMPCR), a recently described PCR-based typing method, as rapid screening tests for fingerprinting of 158 M. tuberculosis strains collected in Verona, Italy. LMPCR seemed to be comparable to spoligotyping in terms both of feasibility with rapidly extracted DNA and of generation of software-analyzable images. Moreover, LMPCR grouped considerably fewer strains than spoligotyping (38 versus 67%) and was found to reduce the cluster overestimation rate (26.3 versus 58%) and to give a better discriminatory index (0.992 versus 0.970) compared to spoligotyping. In our geographical region, where there was no evidence of clustered strains carrying fewer than six IS6110 copies, LMPCR was found to be more discriminatory than spoligotyping. We also evaluated two models of three-step typing strategies, involving the use of spoligotyping and LMPCR as screening methods and IS6110 RFLP analysis as a further supporting test. LMPCR proved to be a more effective first-step test than spoligotyping, significantly reducing the need for subtyping. LMPCR should be considered an alternative to spoligotyping as a rapid screening method for M. tuberculosis fingerprinting, particularly in areas with a low prevalence of M. tuberculosis strains carrying few copies of IS6110.

DNA Transposable Elements↗
PubMed1997

Rapid discrimination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains by ligation-mediated PCR fingerprint analysis.

A ligation-mediated PCR (LMPCR) method for the amplification of sequences flanking the IS6110 of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex has been developed. The method uses one primer specific for IS6110 and a second specific for a linker ligated to SalI-restricted genomic DNA. LMPCR is a rapid screening method, valuable for the fingerprinting of M. tuberculosis complex strains.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗
PubMed1992

Modulation of the antigenic phenotype of human breast carcinoma cells by modifiers of protein kinase C activity and recombinant human interferons.

In the present study we have analyzed the effect of a synthetic protein kinase C (PKC) activator 3-(N-acetylamino)-5-(N-decyl-N-methylamino)-benzyl alcohol (ADMB) and the natural PKC-activating tumor-promoting agents 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) and mezerein on the antigenic phenotype of T47D human breast carcinoma cells. All three agents increased the surface expression of the tumor-associated antigen BCA 225 and various cellular antigens, including HLA class II antigens, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and c-erbB-2. Expression of the same antigens was also upregulated to various extents in T47D cells by recombinant fibroblast (IFN beta) and immune (IFN gamma) interferon. Shedding of BCA 225 from T47D cells was induced by TPA, mezerein, IFN beta and IFN gamma, whereas ADMB did not display this activity. The ability of ADMB, TPA and mezerein to modulate the antigenic phenotype of T47D cells appears to involve a PKC-mediated pathway, since the PKC inhibitor, H-7, eliminates antigenic modulation. In contrast, the ability of IFN beta and IFN gamma to enhance the synthesis, expression and shedding of BCA 225, as well as to enhance HLA class II antigens, c-erbB-2 and ICAM-1 expression, was either unchanged or modestly reduced by simultaneous exposure to H-7. Analysis of steady-state mRNA levels for HLA class I antigens, HLA class II-DR beta antigen, ICAM-1 and c-erbB-2 indicated that the ability of H-7 to inhibit expression of these antigens in TPA-, mezerein- and ADMB-treated cells was not a consequence of a reduction in the steady-state levels of mRNAs for these antigens. The results of the present investigation indicate that the biochemical pathways mediating enhanced antigenic expression in T47D cells induced by TPA, mezerein and the synthetic PKC activator ADMB are different from those induced by recombinant interferons. Furthermore, up-regulation of antigenic expression in T47D cells can occur by a PKC-dependent or a PKC-independent pathway.

1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine↗
PubMed1991

Biosynthesis and partial amino acid sequence of the human NDA4 antigen. An activation antigen common to B and T cell lineages.

NDA4, a cell surface protein of molecular mass 46 kDa common to activated peripheral blood B and T cells, plays a unique role in the control of B and T cell maturation. NDA4 inhibits B and T cell activation, as mitogen-stimulated B and T cell blastogenic responses are decreased in the presence of mAb NDA4, the antibody recognizing NDA4. After mitogen-activation, however, the regulatory function of NDA4 changes. Addition of mAb NDA4 to cultures of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain A-activated B cells or alloreactive T cell clones stimulates their proliferation. NDA4 epitopes are conserved across primate species lines and are present on transformed cells of neuroectodermal origin. NDA4 is synthesized as a molecular mass 50 kDa precursor and is processed to a mature 46 kDa form within 30 min. The NDA4 Ag also exists as soluble forms of 40 and 42 kDa. The membrane and soluble forms of NDA4 have been purified to homogeneity and sequenced by N-terminal Edman degradation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Postlymphography linear dermatitis.

Cutaneous effects secondary to lymphography are rare events. We herein report a patient with Hodgkin's disease who developed a linear dermatitis in both lower limbs 6 days after a pedal lymphography. Histopathologic examination of the lesions demonstrated a subacute dermatitis. Patch tests with the substances used in the lymphography yielded negative results. We discuss the possible pathogenic mechanisms of this striking linear dermatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Experimental maternal hyperpipecolatemia decreases DNA in the mouse brain.

Pipecolic acid represents the major metabolite of lysine in the CNS. This study aimed to mimic the known pathological condition of hyperpipecolatemia in human neonates by maintaining high and steady concentrations in the mouse brain both pre- and postnatally. Although histological observations did not reveal any abnormal findings in the brain, liver and kidney, the offsprings of mothers which were injected during pregnancy with 250 mg/kg PA presented a significant decrease in both cortical and whole brain DNA content. Protein, RNA and CNPase activity were not altered. The changes in DNA content are of particular interest since they demonstrate that a high and steady level of pipecolic acid, which is comparable to the level seen in human hyperpipecolatemic brain, can induce a neurotoxic effect in the fetal mouse brain. Mice injected with the same dose from day 1 to day 29 after birth did not show any change in DNA content in the cortex. These results suggest that the critical period from pipecolic acid neurotoxic effect is prenatal, probably due to a selective vulnerability of developing neurons to high levels of pipecolic acid. The decrease in DNA concentration induced by maternal hyperpipecolatemia suggests a neurotoxic effect of pipecolic acid on cell proliferation during fetal development which could be related to the neuronal damage observed in the brain of hyperpipecolatemic neonates.

2',3'-Cyclic-Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of thyroid transcription factor-1 in congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is an abnormality of branching morphogenesis of the lung. CCAM types 1, 2, and 3 exhibit a cellular composition that is different from that of CCAM type 4 when evaluated with bronchiolar and alveolar cell markers. Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) regulates early lung development. To evaluate the potential role of TTF-1 in the development of CCAM, TTF-1 expression in CCAM was compared to that of fetal lungs at varying gestational ages. Twenty-three CCAM cases (17 type 1, two type 2, two type 3, and two type 4) and 11 fetal lungs (3 pseudoglandular, 4 canalicular, and 4 terminal sac stages) were analyzed using a rabbit polyclonal antiserum to rat TTF-1. Nuclear staining for TTF-1 was observed in ciliated and nonciliated cells of the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelia and in cells lining the distal air spaces by 12 weeks gestational age. By mid-gestation, proximal bronchial cells were TTF-1 negative, except for the basal cells, while TTF-1 staining was maintained in distal bronchiolar and alveolar cells. TTF-1 expression decreased in both bronchial, bronchiolar, and alveolar epithelia with advancing gestational age and cytodifferentiation. At term, TTF-1 expression persisted in a few bronchial and bronchiolar basal cells and in all alveolar type II cells, whereas type I cells were negative. In CCAM, TTF-1 was detected in the nuclei of epithelial cells lining the cysts. TTF-1 was expressed in a majority of the bronchiolar-like epithelial cells of the cysts in CCAM types 1, 2, and 3, where almost 100% of the cells were TTF-1 positive. In contrast, TTF-1 expression in the alveolar-like epithelium of CCAM type 4 cysts was restricted to type II cells and only 30%-60% of the lining cells were TTF-1 positive. These results support the hypothesis that CCAM types 1, 2, and 3 reflect abnormalities in lung morphogenesis and differentiation that are distinct from those for CCAM type 4. The role played by TTF-1 in the development of CCAM, if any, is not clear.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Intestinal microsporidiosis in HIV-positive patients with chronic unexplained diarrhea in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: diagnosis, clinical presentation and follow-up.

After the diagnosis of two cases of microsporidial intestinal infection in 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, we have started looking for this parasite in HIV-infected patients with chronic unexplained diarrhea. We have studied 13 patients from Hospital Evandro Chagas, IOC-FIOCRUZ. Fecal specimens from these patients were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidia and Microsporidia, in addition to routine examination. Spores of Microsporidia were found in the stools of 6 (46.1%) of the 13 patients studied, with 2 histological jejunal confirmations. The Microsporidia-infected patients presented chronic diarrhea with about 6 loose to watery bowel movements a day. Five infected patients were treated with Metronidazole (1.5 g/day). They initially showed a good clinical response, but they never stopped eliminating spores. After about the 4th week of therapy, their diarrhea returned. Two patients utilized Albendazole (400 mg/day-4 weeks) with a similar initial improvement and recurrence of the diarrhea. Intestinal Microsporidiosis seems to be a marker of advanced stages of AIDS, since 5 of our 6 infected patients were dead after a 6 month period of follow-up. The present study indicates that intestinal microsporidiosis may be a burgeoning problem in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhea in Brazil, which deserves further investigation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spoligotype database of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: biogeographic distribution of shared types and epidemiologic and phylogenetic perspectives.

We give an update on the worldwide spoligotype database, which now contains 3,319 spoligotype patterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 47 countries, with 259 shared types, i.e., identical spoligotypes shared by two or more patient isolates. The 259 shared types contained a total of 2,779 (84%) of all the isolates. Seven major genetic groups represented 37% of all clustered isolates. Two types (119 and 137) were found almost exclusively in the USA and accounted for 9% of clustered isolates. The remaining 1,517 isolates were scattered into 252 different spoligotypes. This database constitutes a tool for pattern comparison of M. tuberculosis clinical isolates for global epidemiologic studies and phylogenetic purposes.

Databases as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Increased surface expression and shedding of tumor associated antigens by human breast carcinoma cells treated with recombinant human interferons or phorbol ester tumor promoters.

In the present study we have evaluated the effect of recombinant interferons, including leukocyte (IFN-alpha A), fibroblast (IFN-beta) and immune (IFN-gamma), and the tumor promoting agent 12-0-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on the expression of tumor associated antigens (TAA) and class II HLA-DR antigens on human breast carcinoma cell lines. The effect of these agents on the shedding of a high molecular weight tumor associated glycoprotein, BCA-225, was also determined. All three interferons and TPA enhanced the expression of the Mr 180,000 carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CEA-related TAA recognized by monoclonal antibody B1.1 in both T47D and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell lines. The three types of interferons and TPA differed in their absolute TAA-augmenting ability, even in single-cell subclones derived from MCF-7 cells and previously shown to display a differential susceptibility to IFN-alpha augmentation of B1.1 expression. In general, IFN-gamma was more effective than IFN-alpha, IFN-beta or TPA in augmenting the expression of TAA, CEA and BCA-225, and HLA-DR expression in T47D and MCF-7 cells. Differences were also apparent in the ability of the three interferon preparations and TPA to induce shedding of BCA-225 in T47D and MCF-7 cells and their subclones. As observed with TAA expression, IFN-gamma was the most effective preparation in inducing TAA shedding. IFN-gamma also induced the expression and the shedding of BCA-225 by a subclone of T47D cells, T47D cl 17, which normally displays a reduced expression of BCA-225 and does not spontaneously shed this TAA without exposure to IFN-gamma. Recombinant leukocyte interferon (IFN-alpha A) also enhanced BCA-225 expression on T47D cells grown as xenografts in nude mice in vivo. The results of the present study emphasize the complexity of potential antigenic responses which can be induced in human breast carcinoma cells when they are exposed to biological response modulators, including different types of interferon, and tumor promoting agents, such as TPA. This investigation also indicates that both classes of agents can differentially augment expression and/or shedding of TAA by specific breast carcinoma cell lines as well as subclones derived from the same breast carcinoma cell line.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗