Biomedical subjects

M Gonzalez

Publications and source records attributed to M Gonzalez.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Deposition of atmospheric nitrogen compounds in humid tropical Cuba.

Acid deposition, a direct effect of gaseous air pollutants, is causing widespread damage to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Further, these pollutants are responsible for the corrosion of building materials and cultural objects, as well as having an impact on human health. In Cuba, main atmospheric deposition of nitrogen compounds varies from approximately 12.0 to 65.0 kg N ha(-1) year(-1) in rural areas. Ammonia and ammonium are the most important elements in Cuba's tropical conditions.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2001

Detection of estrogen alpha and progesterone receptors and cell proliferation in the uterus during early pregnancy in the goat.

The objectives of this study were to investigate in the goat uterus the expression of estrogen-alpha (ER alpha) and progesterone receptors (PR) and their relationship to proliferation indices (Ki-67) during peri-implantation on Days 22 to 30 post coitum (pc). Immunohistochemical methods were used to quantify ER alpha and PR for luminal and deep regions of the endometrium and of the myometrium. On Day 22 pc cell proliferation was only observed in the luminal epithelium. On Day 24 pc, high cell proliferation indices were seen in luminal epithelium and proliferation began in the luminal stroma and glands. There was a positive correlation between Ki-67 and total ER alpha score in the luminal epithelium (r = 0.53, P < 0.01). Levels of PR scores were highly correlated with Ki-67 indices in luminal epithelium (r = 0.74, P < 0.01) and stroma (r = 0.70, P < 0.01). No Ki-67 expression was observed in deep glands, stroma or myometrium on any of the days studied. Results indicate that patterns of ER alpha and PR expression differ markedly, and that there was a high correlation between PR expression and cell proliferation in the caprine uterus during the peri-implantation period.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The vnd/NK-2 homeodomain: thermodynamics of reversible unfolding and DNA binding for wild-type and with residue replacements H52R and H52R/T56W in helix III.

The conformational stabilities of the vnd (ventral nervous system defective)/NK-2 homeodomain [HD(wt); residues 1-80 that encompass the 60-residue homeodomain] and those harboring mutations in helix III of the DNA recognition site [HD(H52R) and HD(H52R/T56W)] have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and ellipticity changes at 222 nm. Thermal unfolding reactions at pH 7.4 are reversible and repeatable in the presence of 50-500 mM NaCl with DeltaC(p) = 0.52 +/- 0.04 kcal K(-1) mol(-1). A substantial stabilization of HD(wt) is produced by 50 mM phosphate or by the addition of 100-500 mM NaCl to 50 mM Hepes, pH 7.4, buffer (from T(m) = 35.5 degrees C to T(m) 43-51 degrees C; DeltaH(vH) congruent with 47 +/- 5 kcal mol(-1)). The order of stability is HD(H52R/T56W) > HD(H52R) > HD(wt), irrespective of the anions present. Progress curves for ellipticity changes at 222 nm as a function of increasing temperature are fitted well by a two-state unfolding model, and the cooperativity of secondary structure changes is greater for mutant homeodomains than for HD(wt) and also is increased by adding 100 mM NaCl to Hepes buffer. A 33% quench of the intrinsic tryptophanyl residue fluorescence of HD(wt) by phosphate binding (K(D)' = 2.6 +/- 0.3 mM phosphate) is reversed approximately 60% by DNA binding. Thermodynamic parameters for vnd/NK-2 homeodomain proteins binding sequence-specific 18 bp DNA have been determined by isothermal titration calorimetry (10-30 degrees C). Values of DeltaC(p) are +0.25, -0.17, and -0.10 +/- 0.04 kcal K(-1) mol(-1) for HD(wt), HD(H52R), and HD(H52R/T56W) binding duplex DNA, respectively. Interactions of homeodomains with DNA are enthalpically controlled at 298 K and pH 7.4 with corresponding DeltaH values of -6.6 +/- 0.5, -10.8 +/- 0.1, and -9.0 +/- 0.6 kcal mol(-1) and DeltaG' values of -11.0 +/- 0.1, -11.0 +/- 0.1, and -11.3 +/- 0.3 kcal mol(-1) with a binding stoichiometry of 1.0 +/- 0.1. Thermodynamic parameters for DNA binding are not predicted from homeodomain structural changes that occur upon complexing to DNA and must reflect also solvent and possibly DNA rearrangements.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

PubMed2001

Equine herpesvirus protein E10 induces membrane recruitment and phosphorylation of its cellular homologue, bcl-10.

v-E10, a caspase recruitment domain (CARD)-containing gene product of equine herpesvirus 2, is the viral homologue of the bcl-10 protein whose gene was found to be translocated in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas. v-E10 efficiently activates the c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 stress kinase, and the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB transcriptional pathway and interacts with its cellular homologue, bcl-10, via a CARD-mediated interaction. Here we demonstrate that v-E10 contains a COOH-terminal geranylgeranylation consensus site which is responsible for its plasma membrane localization. Expression of v-E10 induces hyperphosphorylation and redistribution of bcl-10 from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane, a process which is dependent on the intactness of the v-E10 CARD motif. Both membrane localization and a functional CARD motif are important for v-E10-mediated NF-kappaB induction, but not for JNK activation, which instead requires a functional v-E10 binding site for tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF)6. Moreover, v-E10-induced NF-kappaB activation is inhibited by a dominant negative version of the bcl-10 binding protein TRAF1, suggesting that v-E10-induced membrane recruitment of cellular bcl-10 induces constitutive TRAF-mediated NF-kappaB activation.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

PubMed2001

Dendritic cell longevity and T cell persistence is controlled by CD154-CD40 interactions.

Inflammatory mediators facilitate the maturation of dendritic cells (DC), enabling them to induce the activation, proliferation and differentiation of cognate T cells. The role of CD40 on DC and CD154 on T cells has been studied by the co-adoptive transfer of antigen-pulsed DC and TCR-transgenic (Tg) T cells in vivo. It is shown that in the absence of CD40-CD154 interactions, initial Tg T cell expansion occurs in vivo, but over time, T cell expansion cannot be sustained. The basis for the demise of the T cell population is likely due to the disappearance of the antigen-pulsed DC in the draining lymph nodes when CD154-CD40 interactions are interrupted. These findings show that both T cell and DC persistence in vivo is dependent on CD40-CD154 interactions. In addition to the physical persistence of the DC, CD40 triggering of DC also greatly increases the period for which they can productively present antigen to Tg T cells. Hence DC persistence and antigen-presenting cell capacity are both dependent on CD40 signaling. While TNF-alpha can mature DC as measured by a variety of criteria, the unique capacity of CD40 signaling to sustain T cell responses and induce DC maturation is underscored by the inability of TNF-alpha to rescue the immune deficiency of CD40(-/-) DC. Hence, the profound impact of CD154 deficiency on cell-mediated immunity may be due to its ability to limit the duration of antigen presentation in vivo and cause the premature demise of antigen-specific T cells.

Adoptive Transfer↗

PubMed2001

Immunophenotypic analysis of the TCR-Vbeta repertoire in 98 persistent expansions of CD3(+)/TCR-alphabeta(+) large granular lymphocytes: utility in assessing clonality and insights into the pathogenesis of the disease.

At present, a major challenge in the initial diagnosis of leukemia of large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) is to establish the clonal nature of the expanded population. In the present study we have analyzed by flow cytometry immunophenotyping the TCR-Vbeta repertoire of 98 consecutive cases of persistent expansions of CD4(+) or CD8(+bright) CD3(+)/TCR-alphabeta(+) LGLs and compared the results with those obtained in molecular studies of TCR-beta gene rearrangements. Fifty-eight cases were considered to be monoclonal in molecular studies whereas in the remaining 40 cases there was no evidence for monoclonality (11 cases were considered oligoclonal and 29 polyclonal). The TCR-Vbeta repertoire was biased to the preferential use of one or more TCR-Vbeta families in 96% of cases, a total of 124 TCR-Vbeta expansions being diagnosed: one TCR-Vbeta expansion in 71 cases and two or more TCR-Vbeta expansions in 23 cases. The highest TCR-Vbeta expansion observed in each case was higher among monoclonal (74 +/- 19%) as compared to nonmonoclonal cases (24 +/- 14%) (P = 0.001), as did the fraction of LGLs that exhibited a TCR-Vbeta-restricted pattern (86 +/- 16% and 42 +/- 23%, respectively; P = 0.0001); by contrast, the proportion of cases displaying more than one TCR-Vbeta expansion was higher in the latter group: 7% versus 48%, respectively (P = 0.001). Results obtained in oligoclonal cases were intermediate between those obtained in polyclonal and monoclonal cases and similar results were observed for CD4(+) as for CD8(+bright) T-cell expansions. TCR-Vbeta families expressed in CD8(+bright) T-cell-LGL proliferations showed a pattern of distribution that mimics the frequency at which the individual TCR-Vbeta families are represented in normal peripheral blood T cells. Assuming that a given proliferation of LGLs is monoclonal whenever there is an expansion of a given TCR-Vbeta family of at least 40% of the total CD4(+) or CD8(+bright) T-cell compartment, we were able to predict clonality with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 80%. By increasing the cut-off value to 60%, sensitivity and specificity were of 81% and 100%. In summary, our results suggest that flow cytometry immunophenotypic analysis of the TCR-Vbeta repertoire is a powerful screening tool for the assessment of T-cell clonality in persistent expansions of TCR-alphabeta(+) LGLs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Solving probabilistic and statistical problems: a matter of information structure and question form.

Is the human mind inherently unable to reason probabilistically, or is it able to do so only when problems tap into a module for reasoning about natural frequencies? We suggest an alternative possibility: naive individuals are able to reason probabilistically when they can rely on a representation of subsets of chances or frequencies. We predicted that naive individuals solve conditional probability problems if they can infer conditional probabilities from the subset relations in their representation of the problems, and if the question put to them makes it easy to consider the appropriate subsets. The results of seven studies corroborated these predictions: when the form of the question and the structure of the problem were framed so as to activate intuitive principles based on subset relations, naive individuals solved problems, whether they were stated in terms of probabilities or frequencies. Otherwise, they failed with both sorts of information. The results contravene the frequentist hypothesis and the evolutionary account of probabilistic reasoning.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Nutritional value of the marine invertebrates Anemonia viridis and Haliothis tuberculata and effects on serum cholesterol concentration in ratsopen star

The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional value of diets with protein from two marine species (Haliotis tuberculata and Anemonia viridis) as compared to a high-quality protein reference based on casein or casein supplemented with olive oil. We also investigated the effects of these diets on serum lipid levels. Male rats were fed these diets for 23 days. Protein quality indicators (true digestibility, net protein utilization, biological value) were similar to those obtained for casein-based feeds except for lower true digestibility and net protein utilization values for the Anemonia viridis feed. HDL-cholesterol level was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the groups fed marine species or casein supplemented with olive oil than in the casein group. Total-cholesterol level was higher in the group fed Haliotis tuberculata fed than in the other groups. These results suggest that these marine species are a good protein source, and that they may have positive effects on serum cholesterol level.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2001

Akt/mTOR pathway is a crucial regulator of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and can prevent muscle atrophy in vivo.

Skeletal muscles adapt to changes in their workload by regulating fibre size by unknown mechanisms. The roles of two signalling pathways implicated in muscle hypertrophy on the basis of findings in vitro, Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and calcineurin/NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cells), were investigated in several models of skeletal muscle hypertrophy and atrophy in vivo. The Akt/mTOR pathway was upregulated during hypertrophy and downregulated during muscle atrophy. Furthermore, rapamycin, a selective blocker of mTOR, blocked hypertrophy in all models tested, without causing atrophy in control muscles. In contrast, the calcineurin pathway was not activated during hypertrophy in vivo, and inhibitors of calcineurin, cyclosporin A and FK506 did not blunt hypertrophy. Finally, genetic activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway was sufficient to cause hypertrophy and prevent atrophy in vivo, whereas genetic blockade of this pathway blocked hypertrophy in vivo. We conclude that the activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway and its downstream targets, p70S6K and PHAS-1/4E-BP1, is requisitely involved in regulating skeletal muscle fibre size, and that activation of the Akt/mTOR pathway can oppose muscle atrophy induced by disuse.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of morin on chronic experimental colitis in the rat.

BACKGROUND: Morin, a bioflavonoid with antioxidant properties, shows intestinal anti-inflammatory activity in the acute phase of the trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid model of rat colitis. AIM: To assess the anti-inflammatory activity of morin in the chronic stages of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid-induced rat colitis. METHODS: Rats were rendered colitic by a single colonic instillation of 30 mg of the hapten trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid dissolved in 0.25 mL of 50% ethanol. A group of colitic animals was given morin orally at doses of 25 mg/kg daily. Animals were sacrificed every week for 4 weeks. Colonic damage was evaluated macroscopically and microscopically. Different biochemical markers of colonic inflammation were also assayed, including myeloperoxidase activity, leukotriene B4 and interleukin-1beta synthesis, glutathione and malonyldialdehyde levels and nitric oxide synthase activity. RESULTS: The administration of morin facilitated tissue recovery during the 4 weeks following colonic insult with trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid, as demonstrated macroscopically and microscopically, as well as biochemically by a reduction in myeloperoxidase activity. The intestinal anti-inflammatory effect of morin was accompanied by a significant reduction in colonic leukotriene B4 and interleukin-1beta levels, improvement in colonic oxidative stress and inhibition of colonic nitric oxide synthase activity. CONCLUSIONS: Morin exerts a beneficial anti-inflammatory effect in the chronic phase of trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid-induced rat colitis through the down-regulation of some of the mediators involved in the intestinal inflammatory response, including free radicals, cytokines, leukotriene B4 and nitric oxide.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

The effect of hair loss on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of hair loss on quality of life. Patients were recruited from an alopecia support group, and were assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and an adapted version of the DLQI. Financial utility questions, an abbreviated version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and open-ended questions were also used. OBSERVATIONS: Seventy (90% response rate) questionnaires were returned. DLQI scores in responders with hair loss (mean score = 8.3, SD = 5.6, range 0-23, n = 70) were similar to those recorded in severe psoriasis. The hair loss continued to have a significant impact on life quality well after the initial event (median duration of hair loss = 138 months +/- 114; range 7-588, n = 70). Forty per cent of patients also felt dissatisfied with the way in which their doctor dealt with them. CONCLUSIONS: This study specifically identifies the feelings of loss of self-confidence, low self-esteem and heightened self-consciousness in people affected by hair loss.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Positional changes and stability of bone segments during simultaneous bilateral mandibular lengthening and widening by distraction.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the skeletal changes and stability of the distracted segments during and after simultaneous widening and bilateral lengthening of the mandible in baboons with a miniaturized intraoral bone-borne osteodistractor. Distraction appliances were activated 5 days after vertical posterior body and midsymphyseal osteotomies at a rate of 0.9 mm/day for 10 days. The appliances were then stabilized for a period of 8 weeks, after which the animals were killed. The distraction gaps and gingival tissues were studied clinically and on standardized radiographs. The proportional movement of the distracted segments that we found supports the clinical use of the miniaturized intraoral bone-borne distraction appliance to widen and lengthen the mandible selectively. It also supports the concept of positioning the mandibular osteodistractors parallel to the common vector of distraction, which should parallel the corrected maxillary occlusal plane.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Variability in the levels of PML-RAR alpha fusion transcripts detected by the laboratories participating in an external quality control program using several reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction protocols.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The detection of PML-RAR by reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients who are in hematologic remission influences therapeutic decision making in several trials. In the light of this, the Spanish group has recently designed an external quality assessment program (EQAP) of RT-PCR detection of PML-RAR, which includes a study of sensitivity of the participating laboratories. DESIGN AND METHODS: Eighteen laboratories were involved in the program. Ten laboratories followed the method of Biondi et al., 5 employed that of Borrow et al. and the 3 remaining used other protocols. The sensitivity was studied in five rounds of quality control. The first two shipments consisted of dilutions of NB4 RNA into non-APL RNA. The third round consisted of serial dilutions of the NB4 cell line into HL60 cells. The fourth and five rounds consisted of plasmid dilutions containing the bcr1 and bcr3 PML-RAR isoforms. RESULTS: The results showed that the distinct methods allow detection of the PML-RAR hybrid up to a dilution of 10(-4), and exceptionally, up to 10(-5). The laboratories following the method of Biondi et al. usually detected the 10(-3) dilution and less frequently the 10(-4) one, whereas those using other methods usually detected PML-RAR transcript in the 10(-4) dilution, and less commonly in the 10(-5) dilution. However, each of the PCR methods used by EQAP participating laboratories successfully detected at least 50 copies of PML-RAR alpha fusion transcript in plasmid dilution controls. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: The results point to heterogeneous sensitivity amongst participating laboratories. This may reflect differences in methodology, although variations in sample quality may also account for discrepant findings.

Humans↗

PubMed2000

Stabilization of homogeneous preparations of pregnancy zone protein lyophilized in the presence of saccharose. Structural and functional studies.

Human pregnancy zone protein (PZP) is a macromolecule of 360 kDa, organized as a disulfide-linked homodimer of two 180 kDa subunits, with an amino acid sequence and structure remarkably similar to that of human alpha2-Macroglobulin. Homogeneous PZP samples undergo fast aging forming oligomeric aggregates of high molecular weight. This aged PZP loses its ability to interact with proteinases and consequently, non-recognition of receptors occurs. In the present work, we assessed the effect of saccharose on the stability of native PZP on lyophilized samples kept for a long period of time. Herein, we demonstrate that the addition of 0.25 M saccharose to homogeneous PZP and further lyophilization is enough to prevent aging and preserve functional activity for more than 1 year. Hence, high quality samples, in terms of purity, stability and functional activity will allow to develop biochemical studies in order to know the PZP role in physiological and pathological states where the protein levels are increased, such as pregnancy and tumoral disorders.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning↗

PubMed2000

Subunit-specific degradation of the UmuD/D' heterodimer by the ClpXP protease: the role of trans recognition in UmuD' stability.

The Escherichia coli UmuD' protein is a subunit of the recently described error-prone DNA polymerase, pol V. UmuD' is initially synthesized as an unstable and mutagenically inactive pro-protein, UmuD. Upon processing, UmuD' assumes a relatively stable conformation and becomes mutagenically active. While UmuD and UmuD' by themselves exist in vivo as homodimers, when together they preferentially interact to form heterodimers. Quite strikingly, it is in this context that UmuD' becomes susceptible to ClpXP-mediated proteolysis. Here we report a novel targeting mechanism designed for degrading the mutagenically active UmuD' subunit of the UmuD/D' heterodimer complex, while leaving the UmuD protein intact. Surprisingly, a signal that is essential and sufficient for targeting UmuD' for degradation was found to reside on UmuD not UmuD'. UmuD was also shown to be capable of channeling an excess of UmuD' to ClpXP for degradation, thereby providing a mechanism whereby cells can limit error-prone DNA replication.

Adenosine Triphosphatases↗

PubMed2000

Definition of relapse risk and role of nonanthracycline drugs for consolidation in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia: a joint study of the PETHEMA and GIMEMA cooperative groups.

Preliminary independent reports of the Italian GIMEMA and the Spanish PETHEMA trials for newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) indicated a similarly high antileukemic efficacy in terms of complete remission and disease-free survival rates. To better investigate these studies and the prognostic factors influencing relapse risk, this study analyzed the updated results of 217 patients with PML/RAR alpha-positive APL enrolled in GIMEMA (n = 108) and PETHEMA (n = 109). All patients received identical induction (AIDA schedule) and maintenance. For consolidation, GIMEMA patients received 3 courses including idarubicin/cytarabine, mitoxantrone/etoposide, and idarubicin/cytarabine/thioguanine, whereas PETHEMA patients received the same drugs and dose schedule of idarubicin and mitoxantrone with the omission of nonintercalating agents. Depending on whether molecular relapses were classified as censored or uncensored events, the 3-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of relapse-free survival (RFS) for the combined series were 90 +/- 2% and 86 +/- 2%, respectively. Minor differences observed between the 2 patient cohorts were negligible. Multivariate regression analysis of RFS showed that initial leukocyte (WBC) and platelet counts were the only variables with independent prognostic value. The resulting predictive model for RFS demonstrated its capability of segregating patients into low-risk (WBC count </= 10 x 10(9)/L, platelet count > 40 x 10(9)/L), intermediate-risk (WBC count </= 10 x 10(9)/L, platelets </= 40 x 10(9)/L), and high-risk (WBC count > 10 x 10(9)/L) groups, with distinctive RFS curves (P <.0001). The conclusions are that omission of nonanthracycline drugs from the AIDA regimen is not associated with reduced antileukemic efficacy and a simple predictive model may be used for risk-adapted therapy in this disease. (Blood. 2000;96:1247-1253)

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Aluminum toxicity. Hematological effects.

Sequential effects of intoxication with aluminum hydroxide (Al) (80 mg/Kg body weight, i.p., three times a week), were studied on rats from weaning and up to 28 weeks. The study was carried out on hematological and iron metabolism-related parameters on peripheral blood, at the end of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th months of exposure. As it was described that hematotoxic effects of Al are mainly seen together with high levels of uremia, renal function was measured at the same periods. The animals treated developed a microcytosis and was accompanied by a decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Significantly lower red blood cell counts (RBC million/microl) were found in rats treated during the 1st month. These values matched those obtained for control rats during the 2nd month. From the 3rd month onwards, a significant increase was observed as compared to control groups, and the following values were obtained by the 6th month: (T) 10.0 +/- 0.3 versus (C) 8.7 +/- 0.2 (million/microl). Both MCH and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were found to be significantly lower in groups treated from the 2nd month. At the end of the 6th month the following values were found: MCH (T) 13.3 +/- 0.1 versus (C) 16.9 +/- 0.3 (pg); MCV (T) 42.1 +/- 0.7 versus (C) 51.8 +/- 0.9 (fl). Al was found responsible for lower serum iron concentration levels and in the percentage of transferrin saturation. Thus, although microcytic anemia constitutes an evidence of chronic aluminum exposure, prolonged exposure could lead to a recovery of hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration values with an increase in red cell number. Nevertheless, both microcytosis and the decrease of MCH would persist. These modifications took place without changes being observed in the renal function during the observation period.

Aluminum Hydroxide↗

PubMed2000

Reduced thrombus burden with abciximab delivered locally before percutaneous intervention in saphenous vein grafts.

BACKGROUND: Existing thrombus can complicate percutaneous saphenous vein graft (SVG) intervention. Local delivery of thrombolytics has been used to reduce the thrombus burden often associated with these interventions. We sought to determine whether local delivery of a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor is feasible and can reduce thrombus burden before percutaneous SVG intervention. METHODS: We performed a multicenter pilot study of abciximab (0.25 mg/kg) given by local delivery catheter before percutaneous intervention for de novo SVG stenoses followed by intravenous infusion. All patients (n = 58) had >/=60% stenosis and Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) grade >0 flow in an SVG of 3 to 4 mm in diameter. Percent diameter stenosis, TIMI thrombus grade, and TIMI flow grade were measured before and after delivery of abciximab and after intervention. RESULTS: Median percent diameter stenosis improved from 69% to 45% (P =.0001) after local delivery, and TIMI thrombus grade >/=1 incidence reduced from 68% to 34% (P =.0001). TIMI flow grade was not significantly affected (P =.12). All patients had a successful intervention (</=50% residual stenosis). CONCLUSIONS: Local abciximab delivery before percutaneous SVG intervention is associated with significantly reduced thrombus burden, significantly improved percent diameter stenosis, and excellent acute procedural results. Further studies of this approach are warranted to define its clinical utility.

Abciximab↗