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Biomedical subjects

S Moreno

Publications and source records attributed to S Moreno.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Consensus conference on chronic viral hepatitis and HIV infection: updated Spanish recommendations.

Chronic hepatitis B and C represent a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients worldwide. New treatment options against both hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses have prompted us to update previous recommendations for the management of coinfected individuals. Fifteen topics (nine related to HCV, five to HBV and one to both viruses) were selected for this purpose. A panel of Spanish experts in the field was invited to review these areas and propose specific recommendations, which were scored according to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) grading system. These guidelines represent a comprehensive and updated overview on the management of hepatitis B and C in HIV-infected patients.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMed2003

The roles of oxygen and alginate-lyase in determining the molecular weight of alginate produced by Azotobacter vinelandii.

An Azotobacter vinelandii mutant lacking alginate-lyase (SML2) and the wild type (ATCC 9046) were used to discriminate between the roles of the polymerase complex and alginate-lyase in the synthesis of alginate in cultures conducted under controlled dissolved oxygen tension (DOT). To avoid the presence of pre-synthesized alginates, all cultures were inoculated with washed cells. For cultures carried out at 3% DOT using the mutant, a well defined family of alginates of high mean molecular weight (MMW) were obtained (985 kDa). Under 1% and 5% DOT, the mutant produced unique families of alginates with lower MMW (150 and 388 kDa). A similar behavior was observed using the wild type: a production of well defined families of alginates of high MMW at 3% DOT (1,250 kDa) and lower MMW at 1% and 5% DOT (370 and 350 kDa). At the end of the ATCC 9046 fermentations, alginate was depolymerized by the action of lyases. Overall, the evidence indicated that polymerization of alginate is carried out by producing families of polysaccharide in a narrow MMW range, and that it is highly dependent on DOT. The role of alginate-lyase (present in the wild type) is restricted to a post-polymerization step.

Alginates↗
PubMed2003

Voriconazole in the treatment of invasive mold infections in transplant recipients.

Mortality due to invasive mold infections in solid organ transplant recipients is very high despite therapy with amphotericin B, including lipid formulations. Voriconazole is a triazole with a good activity against molds, including Aspergillus spp. and Scedosporium spp. Experience with voriconazole is limited, but preliminary results in patients with these infections are promising. Reported here is the experience with voriconazole administered on a compassionate-use basis to five patients with invasive mold infections: four solid organ recipients and one patient with an autoimmune disorder. Four patients had invasive Aspergillus fumigatus infection (3 lung infections, 1 abdominal infection) and one had invasive ocular Scedosporium apiospermum infection. The MIC of voriconazole was < or =1 microg/ml for all isolates (NCCLS performance standards for microdilution assay, proposed standard M38-P). Voriconazole was administered as primary therapy in a patient with Scedosporium infection and, in patients with Aspergillus infections, after persistence of positive culture despite a cumulative dose of 3 g of a lipid formulation of amphotericin B. Voriconazole was administered for a median time of 80 days (range, 60-90 days). No visual disturbances were observed, but one patient presented a moderate increase in liver enzymes. An increase in the levels of immunosuppressive drugs (tacrolimus or cyclosporine) was detected in all patients during coadministration with voriconazole. A clinical response was observed in all patients (complete response, n=3; partial response, n=2), and a microbiological response was observed in all but one patient. Furthermore, a good relationship between the MIC of voriconazole and outcome was observed. Voriconazole is an effective and safe therapy for treatment of invasive mold infections in solid organ recipients. To avoid toxicity with this drug, however, the dosing of immunosuppressive drugs must be reduced.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The Comet assay for the detection of DNA damage in Mus spretus from Doñana National Park.

Doñana Park (Spain), a protected area in Europe, was affected by an environmental disaster in April 1998 that caused the spreading of acidic water and mud full of toxic metals from the Aznalcollar pyrite mine. In order to assess the contamination in the area and to monitor the possible biological effects of the toxic spill, a series of coordinated studies was performed utilizing several animal species living in that area. We performed genotoxicity monitoring using the Comet assay on peripheral blood leukocytes of the Algerian mouse (Mus spretus), a nonprotected rodent suitable as a bioindicator. The mice were sampled in different areas 6 months after the ecological disaster and again 1 year later. Our results showed that in 1998 all the areas examined were contaminated, as determined by an increase in the Comet assay parameters in the analyzed animals, whereas a significant decrease in the values of these parameters was observed in the 1999 samples, which were collected in a riverside area subject to tide flows. Thus, the Comet assay has proven to be an interesting and sensitive tool in studies of environmental genotoxicity.

Accidents↗
PubMed2003

Nocardial infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus.

During the period 1981-2000, we diagnosed eight cases of HIV-Nocardia co-infection (0.38% of AIDS cases). Six were males, and the mean age was 28.6 years. The most common risk factor for HIV infection was intravenous drug abuse. Most patients were severely immunodepressed at the time of diagnosis (mean CD4+ count, 35 cells/ micro L). The clinical forms of nocardiosis seen were pulmonary infection in three, skin or soft tissue infection in three, disseminated in one, and pulmonary colonization in one. Most patients were given sulfonamides, and a clinical response was observed in six of seven treated patients. However, two patients with pulmonary disease died from progressive infection. Although its incidence is very low among AIDS patients, nocardiosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Clinical characteristics and response to newer quinolones in Legionella pneumonia: a report of 28 cases.

Twenty-eight (11.6%) out of 241 Spanish patients enrolled in an international phase III clinical trial of mild to moderate community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) comparing gemifloxacin vs. trovafloxacin were diagnosed of Legionnaires' disease. A definite diagnosis was established by seroconversion in 13 patients of whom only 2 had a positive Legionella urinary antigen. The remaining 15 patients were possible Legionella infections based on a single elevated IgG titer (> or = 1:512). All patients had a radiologically confirmed diagnosis of pneumonia, 5 (19%) patients were older than 65, comorbidity was present in 9 (33%), and 10 (36%) had to be hospitalized. Fifteen patients were treated with oral gemifloxacin (320 mg/day) and 13 with oral trovafloxacin (200 mg/day). Overall, clinical success occurred in 25 (89.3%) patients after 7 days of treatment and only 1 patient needed a 14-day treatment. There were only one adverse event withdrawal and one clinical failure, and no patients died. In light of the favorable clinical outcome, the use of newer fluoroquinolones seems adequate for the treatment of suspected or proven Legionella pneumonia.

Community-Acquired Infections↗
PubMed2002

Alginate production by an Azotobacter vinelandii mutant unable to produce alginate lyase.

Alginate is an industrially relevant linear copolymer composed of beta-1,4-linked D-mannuronic acid and its C-5 epimer L-guluronic acid. The rheological and gel-forming properties of alginates depend on the molecular weight and the relative content of the two monomers. Alginate produced by Azotobacter vinelandii was shown to be degraded towards the end of the culture, an undesirable situation in terms of potential alginate applications. A gene ( algL) encoding the alginate lyase activity AlgL is present within the alginate biosynthetic gene cluster of A. vinelandii. We constructed strain SML2, an A. vinelandii strain carrying a non-polar mutation within algL. No alginate lyase activity was detected in SML2. Under 3% dissolved oxygen tension, higher values of maximum mean molecular weight alginate were obtained (1240 kDa) with strain SML2, compared to those from the parental strain ATCC 9046 (680 kDa). These data indicate that AlgL activity causes the drop in the molecular weight of alginate produced by A. vinelandii.

Alginates↗
PubMed2002

DNA vaccination with linear minimalistic (MIDGE) vectors confers protection against Leishmania major infection in mice.

Immunization protocols based on priming with plasmid DNA and boosting with recombinants of vaccinia virus (rVV) encoding the same antigen offer great promise for the prevention and treatment of many parasitic and viral infections for which conventional vaccination has little or no effect. To overcome some of the potential problems associated to the use of plasmids, we have developed minimalistic, immunogenically defined, gene expression (MIDGE((R))) vectors. These linear vectors contain only the minimum sequence required for gene expression and can be chemically modified to increase the immune response. Here, we demonstrate that MIDGE vectors coding for the LACK antigen confer a highly effective protection against Leishmania infection in susceptible Balb/c mice. Protection is achieved at lower doses of vector compared to conventional plasmids. This efficacy could be greatly improved by the addition of a nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide to the end of the MIDGE vector. In fact, immunization with two doses of NLS-modified MIDGE conferred similar or even better protection than that achieved by priming with plasmid DNA followed by boosting with rVV. These results demonstrate that MIDGE vectors are a good alternative to plasmid and rVV for immunization.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Clinical study of 44 cases of Staphylococcus aureus meningitis.

In order to describe the clinical features and outcome of Staphylococcus aureus meningitis, the charts of 44 cases seen at one teaching hospital during a 20-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Staphylococcus aureus was the fifth most common cause of bacterial meningitis (10.2% of cases). There were 28 (63%) cases of postoperative meningitis and 16 (37%) of spontaneous meningitis. Patients with postoperative meningitis were younger than patients with spontaneous meningitis (mean age, 40.3 vs. 59.3 years; P=0.04) and had a lower frequency of community-acquired infection (32.1% vs. 93.8%; P<0.01), severe underlying diseases (28% vs. 87%; P<0.01) and associated staphylococcal infection (35% vs. 75%; P=0.01). The clinical presentation was similar in both groups, but patients with postoperative meningitis had a lower frequency of altered mental status (39% vs. 75%; P=0.02), meningeal signs (28% vs. 62%; P=0.02), petechial rash (0% vs. 18%; P=0.04), bacteremia (7% vs. 75%; P<0.01), and septic shock (0% vs. 44%; P<0.01). Most patients were treated with cloxacillin or vancomycin, with or without rifampicin, for a mean period of 22.5 days (range, 1-100 days). Overall mortality was 27%, and the mortality rate was higher for cases of spontaneous than postoperative meningitis (50% vs. 14%; P=0.01). Mortality correlated significantly with advanced age, spontaneous meningitis, altered mental status, and the presence of severe underlying diseases, bacteremia, and septic shock.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2002

Male effect in seasonally anovulatory lactating goats depends on the presence of sexually active bucks, but not estrous females.

A study was conducted in subtropical northern Mexico (26 degrees N) to determine whether the presence of estrous females can improve the response of seasonally anovulatory goats to the introduction of bucks in the group. The induction of estrous activity was studied in three groups of anovulatory lactating goats during seasonal anestrus. These females were of the Mexican Creole breed. In the control group (sexually inactive (SI), n = 20), two control (SI) bucks exposed to normal seasonal daylength variations were used. In the second group (SI + E, n = 20 + 3), two control males were also used, but in addition, three females of the group were in estrus at the time of male introduction. In the third group (sexually active, SA + E, n = 19 + 4), anovulatory females were exposed to two bucks made sexually active by exposure to 2.5 months of long days (16L:8D) followed by two subcutaneous 18 mg melatonin implants, and four estrous females were also present when introducing the bucks. In all groups, males were introduced on 15 March and estrous detection was conducted twice daily for 15 days. The sexual activity of the bucks was observed from 08:00 to 10:00 h during the first five days of exposure to females. More females displayed estrous behavior in the first 15 days following the introduction of the males in the SA + E group (18/19) as compared with the SI or SI + E groups (2/20 and 0/20, respectively; P < 0.001). No difference was observed between the two latter groups. Thirteen females of SA + E group showed a second estrus between days 6 and 11 (short estrous cycle duration: 5.4 +/- 0.4 days). By contrast, in the SI group none showed a second estrus. The sexual behavior of the males in the SA + E group was greater as compared with that of the males in SI and SI + E groups (over 80% of the total sexual activity recorded in the three groups; P < 0.001). By contrast, no differences were found between SI and SI + E males. These results indicate that the presence of estrous females alone at the time of buck introduction is not sufficient to induce an adequate stimulation of seasonally inactive males. The use of sexually active bucks is necessary to induce reproductive activity in anovulatory females, whereas preparation of the bucks with long days followed by melatonin implants allows them to gain such a capacity.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Infection with Nocardia species: clinical spectrum of disease and species distribution in Madrid, Spain, 1978-2001.

BACKGROUND: Clinical experience with nocardiosis is very limited in European countries. We describe 34 cases of nocardial infection seen at one Spanish teaching hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the clinical features and outcome of nocardial infections was conducted during a 24-year period (1978-2001). All cases were confirmed by culture. RESULTS: Predisposing factors included immunosuppression and/or pulmonary disease in 85% of patients; eight cases were related to HIV infection. Most isolates were initially identified as Nocardia asteroides complex (97%). The most common clinical form was pulmonary disease (41%), followed by disseminated (15%), cutaneous (12%), cerebral (9%) and articular disease (3%). A high proportion of patients (20%) had pulmonary colonization. Therapy with sulfonamides, imipenem or amikacin was given to 26 patients and a clinical response was observed in 65%. Overall mortality among patients with nocardial disease was 48% (13/27) but only seven patients (26%) died from nocardiosis. CONCLUSION: Nocardiosis remains a rare opportunistic infection that appears in immunosuppressed patients. HIV infection has become a common predisposing condition. The species distribution and disease spectrum are similar to those described in other European countries. Although most patients develop active disease, pulmonary colonization might not be as rare as has generally been assumed. Treatment with sulfonamides is usually effective and many patients may remain free of nocardial disease for a prolonged period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Intelligent system to perform a diagnostic protocol for lymphatic invasion in laryngeal cancer].

Laryngeal carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumour in head and neck. Node invasion is known to be one of the most important prognostic factors. The aim of this study has been to design an intelligent system to perform a diagnostic algorithm of metastasic neck nodes. 122 clinical reports of patients diagnosed of laryngeal carcinoma in our department have been reviewed. The compiled data have been: tumor site, T stage, N stage (clinical, after CT scan and post-surgery). The method used to design the intelligent system has been the ID3, which is able to generate a minimal decision tree. Palpation has been the variable that has given more information about node invasion. CT has proved to be more efficient in supraglottic tumours. ID3 method has shown to be useful in performing diagnostic algorithms, specially when the number of cases and diagnostic tests are high.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

'Tissue' transglutaminase ablation reduces neuronal death and prolongs survival in a mouse model of Huntington's disease.

By crossing Huntington's disease (HD) R6/1 transgenic mice with 'tissue' transglutaminase (TG2) knock-out mice, we have demonstrated that this multifunctional enzyme plays an important role in the neuronal death characterising this disorder in vivo. In fact, a large reduction in cell death is observed in R6/1, TG2(-/-) compared with R6/1 transgenic mice. In addition, we have shown that the formation of neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NII) is potentiated in absence of the 'tissue' transglutaminase. These phenomena are paralleled by a significant improvement both in motor performances and survival of R6/1, TG2(-/-) versus R6/1 mice. Taken together these findings suggest an important role for tissue transglutaminase in the regulation of neuronal cell death occurring in Huntington's disease.

Animals↗