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Biomedical subjects

S Ferrer

Publications and source records attributed to S Ferrer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Chronic myeloid leukemia with expression of ALL-type BCR/ABL transcript: a case-report and review of the literature.

CML with exclusive expression of ALL-type bcr/abl has only been rarely described. In some cases, the presence of this fusion gene has been associated to a differentiated subtype of CML that share some features with CMML, while in another case this molecular hallmark has been associated to a bad prognosis of the disease with a blast phase as clinical presentation or an early transformation to blast phase. We report a case of a 30-year-old woman who was diagnosed of CML in chronic phase in May 1989. She received treatment first with busulfan, achieving hematological remission and afterwards with interferon and Hydroxiurea. In February 1998, she was admitted at our hospital for an ABSCT. Then, molecular studies were performed. Multiplex PCR revealed the presence of a 481 bp product identified as the ela2 bcr/abl transcript and confirmed by sequencing. After 9 years from diagnosis, the patient remains in hematological remission and in good clinical condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Polyphasic taxonomy of a novel yeast isolated from antarctic environment; description of Cryptococcus victoriae sp. nov.

In 1992 some samples of mosses, lichens and soils were collected from Botany Bay, Southern Victoria Land (77 degrees 01' S 162 degrees 32' E) and, as a result of a routine screening programme some yeasts were isolated. One of them, designated as strain G5, showed marked differences when compared to other antarctic yeasts. According to morphological and physiological characteristics, we were able to identify the strain G5 as a yeast belonging to the genus Cryptococcus. Some characteristics of this genus are the growth response to myo-inositol, celobiose, raffinose and D-glucuronate, no-fermentation, the absence of mycelium and pseudomycelium, asexual reproduction, Diazolium blue B test (DBB) and urea hydrolisis positive and the growth without vitamines. This strain (G5) formed cream colonies of slimy appearance with cells of 3 x 2 microns in size, that grew between 4 degrees C and 20 degrees C. The G + C content of strain G5 was 50.3 mol%. The molecular characterization by whole-cell proteins and RFLP analysis of the 5.8S rRNA gene and the two ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (5.85-ITS region), revealed that this strain was different from other antarctic species of this genus. The phylogenetic tree deduced from the 5.8S rRNA gene sequence showed the strain G5 as a member of the genus Cryptococcus, clearly separated from other basidiomycetous yeasts. On the basis of the physiological, genotypical and phylogenetical data, the new isolate G5 was described as Cryptococcus victoriae, sp. nov., with the type strain G5 (= CECT 11114).

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Systemic fibromuscular dysplasia. Supra aortic and renal artery involvement].

We report a 39 years old male presenting with an intense hemicrania pain in the tract of the carotid artery and Claude Bernard Horner syndrome. The patient had also a high blood pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a left carotid artery fibrodysplastic disease. Conventional angiography of 4 cerebral vessels showed a dissection of the left carotid artery and fibromuscular dysplasia of the left vertebral artery. Renal angiography showed a stenosis and occlusion of renal artery with radiological exclusion of right kidney. On the left side there was a stenosis and occlusion of segmental branches. The diagnostic importance of Claude Bernard Horner syndrome and the need to study renal artery involvement when carotid dissection is accompanied with high blood pressure, is highlighted.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Prolonged electroencephalographic and video monitoring an experience from a military Chilean hospital].

BACKGROUND: Cerebral activity must be registered for prolonged periods in certain clinical situations that are not resolved with conventional electroencephalography. AIM: To report the experience with prolonged electroencephalographic and video monitoring at a Neurology Department, of a Military hospital in Santiago. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients referred for continuous electroencephalographic and video monitoring between 1991 and 1996. Three hundred thirty six patients, aged 3 months to 60 years old, were studied in the period and in 244, there was information about the diagnosis, treatment and evolution. RESULTS: Monitoring was performed in an outpatient basis in 84% of subjects and lasted between 2 and 7 hours. One hundred ten patients were epileptics, 77 patients had a suspicion of epilepsy, 13 patients had possible pseudoseizures and 33 patients had miscellaneous diagnoses. In 154 patients, electroencephalographs recorded during wakefulness, somnolence and spontaneous dream, were normal. Intercritical recordings with epileptic activity were obtained in 76 patients and in 30 of these, critical epileptic activity was also recorded, not always associated to clinical manifestations. Unspecific electroencephalographic alterations were recorded in 14 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged electroencephalographic and video monitoring can be useful for patients with complex neurological problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[Rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Report of four cases].

We report four diabetic patients (one male) aged 64, 63, 61 and 77 years old with rhinocerebral mucormycosis. Three had an acute and one a chronic form of the disease. The chronic form was diagnosed with a biopsy of the nasal cavity. Three patients received amphotericin but all died. The diagnosis of the disease must be suspected in diabetics or patients with some type of immune depression.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Deep venous cerebral thrombosis. Report of one case].

We report a 39 years old female presenting with headache, progressive clouding of sensorium and long pathway deficit signs. Brain CAT scan showed a process involving basal ganglia, thalami and Herophilus press. A thrombosis of this vessel was suspected. The first magnetic resonance imaging was informed as a diffuse inflammatory process compatible with an encephalitis. The patient aggravated and a second magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a partial thrombosis of sinus rectus, Galenus vein, Herophilus press and both internal cerebral veins. Intravenous heparin was started with a progressive recovery of the patient. Two months later she had an almost complete recovery with a persistent mild right brachial paresis and a memory deficit for recent events.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Myxoma and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome].

We report a 26 years old female with a Cerebral Palsy as a consequence of a perinatal vascular accident. She was admitted in August 1996 with a left hemiplegia due to a right M1 median artery thrombotic occlusion, as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging angiography. Transesophagical bi-dimensional echocardiography showed a right atrial myxoma and ruled out the persistence of an oval foramen. The study of coagulation disorders lead to the diagnosis of a primary antiphospholipid syndrome. We postulate that interleukin-6 produced by the myxoma could trigger an immunological reaction leading to the primary antiphospholipid syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

[Listeria monocytogenes rhomboencephalitis. Clinical case].

We report a previously healthy 44 years old female, that presented with mild clouding of consciousness, a left cerebellar syndrome, involvement of V, X and XII left cranial nerves and an alteration of epicritic sensitivity in the left half of the body. Cerebrospinal fluid had inflammatory features. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures were positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a rhomboencephalitis. Antibiotics were started and the clinical condition of the patient improved progressively. After three months of follow up, the patient is notably recovered and there is a regression of hyperintense lesions of the brainstem in the magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis of Listeria monocytogenes infection must be born in mind in the presence of a rhomboencephalitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Slits as adjustable pinholes for coherent X-ray scattering experiments.

The combination of accurate translation stages with carefully polished slit blades leads to slits that have many advantages as pinholes for coherent X-ray scattering experiments. The size is adjustable and can be made as small as 0.5 mum. Setting up is easy, while the blade thickness (1 mm tungsten) also makes the slits useful for hard X-rays. A relation between the slit-sample distance and the minimum beam size, together with the corresponding slit size, is derived. This shows that a micrometer-sized beam can be achieved with this type of slits.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Molecular characterization of a 17-kDa outer-membrane protein from Klebsiella pneumoniae.

A cosmid-based genomic library of Klebsiella pneumoniae 52145 (O1:K2) was introduced into Escherichia coli, and clones were screened for the bacteriocin 28b resistance phenotype. One clone was found which conferred partial resistance to bacteriocin 28b. By using Tn5tac1 insertions, it was shown that this phenotype was due to the expression, in E. coli, of an outer-membrane protein (OMP) with an apparent molecular mass of 17 kDa (OmpK17). The DNA region defined by insertion mutagenesis was sequenced and found to contain an ORF of 510 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence has 170 residues with a theoretical molecular mass of 18.4 kDa. The protein contains an N-terminal signal sequence of 24 amino acid residues. When compared with other enterobacterial OMPs, OmpK17 most closely resembles members of a family of small OMPs of Enterobacteriaceae the known functions of which appear to be related to virulence. Immunoblotting experiments showed that OmpK17 is also present in various K. pneumoniae strains belonging to different O and K serotypes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Genetic analysis of the chitinase system of Serratia marcescens 2170.

To carry out a genetic analysis of the degradation and utilization of chitin by Serratia marcescens 2170, various Tn5 insertion mutants with characteristic defects in chitinase production were isolated and partially characterized. Prior to the isolation of the mutants, proteins secreted into culture medium in the presence of chitin were analyzed. Four chitinases, A, B, C1, and C2, among other proteins, were detected in the culture supernatant of S. marcescens 2170. All four chitinases and a 21-kDa protein (CBP21) lacking chitinase activity showed chitin binding activity. Cloning and sequencing analysis of the genes encoding chitinases A and B of strain 2170 revealed extensive similarities to those of other strains of S. marcescens described previously. Tn5 insertion mutagenesis of strain 2170 was carried out, and mutants which formed altered clearing zones of colloidal chitin were selected. The obtained mutants were divided into five classes as follows: mutants with (i) no clearing zones, (ii) fuzzy clearing zones, (iii) large clearing zones, (iv) delayed clearing zones, and (v) small clearing zones. Preliminary characterization suggested that some of these mutants have defects in chitinase excretion, a negatively regulating mechanism of chitinase gene expression, an essential factor for chitinase gene expression, and a structural gene for a particular chitinase. These mutants could allow researchers to identify the genes involved in the degradation and utilization of chitin by S. marcescens 2170.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Transposons Tn916 and Tn925 can transfer from Enterococcus faecalis to Leuconostoc oenos.

The streptococcal transposons Tn916 and Tn925 were transferred to several strains of Leuconostoc (Ln.) oenos using the filter mating method. The insertion of both transposons into the chromosome occurred at different sites. Transconjugants of Ln. oenos carrying Tn916 could serve as donors in mating experiments with Lactococcus lactis LM2301. Further analysis of L. lactis LM2301 transconjugants showed that the insertion of the transposon Tn916 into the chromosome was site-specific. These studies establish a basis for the initiation of genetic studies in this Leuconostoc species since there are no efficient conjugal or transformation systems previously described for this microorganism.

Conjugation, Genetic↗