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Biomedical subjects

W Martinez

Publications and source records attributed to W Martinez.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Distribution and diversity of cry genes in native strains of Bacillus thuringiensis obtained from different ecosystems from Colombia.

Colombia is a tropical country located at the north of South America. It is considered to be one of the most important countries in terms of its biodiversity worldwide. One hundred and eight soil samples obtained from agricultural crops and wild ecosystems were evaluated in terms of the presence of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) native strains. One hundred and eight different Bt strains were isolated and characterized by the presence of crystal proteins by SDS-PAGE and a multiplex PCR with general and specific primers for cry1 and cry3, cry7, and cry8 gene detection. Most of the Bt strains (73%) reacted with the cry1 general primers; 27.8% of the Bt strains reacted with cry3, cry7, and cry8 general primers and 17.8% of strains did not react with any of these two sets of primers. Thirty different PCR profiles were found in the strains with cry1 genes when they were analyzed with specific primers (cry1A to cry1F). A high frequency of joint occurrence was observed for cry1Aa/cry1Ab, cry1Aa/cry1Ac, cry1Ab/cry1Ac, and cry1C/cry1D genes with a Pearson coefficient of 0.88, 0.74, 0.76, and 0.87, respectively. Other distinctive characteristics were found in the Colombian collection as the presence of 22.2% of native strains which presented, at the same time, lepidopteran and coleopteran active genes. Interesting relations were found as well between the cry gene distribution and the geographical areas sampled. Finally, some strains with moderate to high biopesticide activity against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera) and Premnotrypes vorax (Coleoptera) insects were identified, this being important to explore future microbial strategies for the control of these crop pests in the region.

Bacillus thuringiensis↗
PubMed1992

Multiple linear cylindromas.

We report a case of multiple cylindromas with a linear arrangement on the lower right extremity. The patient had more than 100 tumors, but the scalp was spared. Some tumors showed overlapping features with eccrine spiradenoma. We believe this is the first report of multiple linear cylindromas.

Adenoma, Sweat Gland↗
PubMed1989

Keratoderma palmoplantaris striata.

A patient with keratoderma palmoplantaris striata is presented. In the family tree there are 36 relatives affected to a varying degree. The familial incidence is the largest reported in the literature reviewed. The response to etretinate was excellent, controlling the lesions with minimal side-effects.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

PaO2 increases with coughing in patients with chronic lung disease.

We considered if the cyanosis frequently observed during a cough attack in patients with chronic lung disease was due to worsening hypoxemia. To investigate the effects of cough on PaO2, we measured arterial blood gases before and after a voluntary coughing period of 45 sec, in 11 patients with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and 14 patients with Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD). All patients significantly increased (p less than 0.05) their PaO2 (COPD: from 49 +/- 2 to 60 +/- 2 mmHg; ILD from 44 +/- 2 to 51 +/- 3 mmHg, mean +/- SD) and decreased their PaCO2. We conclude that stable patients with COPD and ILD increase their PaO2 with coughing most likely due to hyperventilation. The cyanosis observed could be due to peripheral circulatory effects of coughing.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Effect of hydralazine on intrapulmonary shunt.

We compared the acute effects of bilateral arteriovenous may be related to levels of PvO2. The hydralazine-associated (p less than .05) decrease in resistance. Mixed venous oxygen fistulas to those of hydralazine infusion on hemodynamics and pulmonary gas exchange in dogs with pulmonary edema induced by administration of oleic acid. Oleic acid significantly (p less than .01) increased intrapulmonary shunt (Qsp/Qt) and pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance, and reduced cardiac output. Once the lesion stabilized, both opening the fistula and infusing hydralazine produced a similar and significant (p less than .01) increase in cardiac output, and a significant (p less than .05) decrease in resistance. Mixed venous oxygen tension (PvO2) closely followed the changes in cardiac output; however, PaO2 did not change. Qsp/Qt significantly (p less than .01) increased with the fistulas open and with hydralazine infusion. Closure of the fistulas or bleeding the animal at the end of the experiment reversed the changes in cardiac output and Qsp/Qt. The comparable increases in cardiac output and Qsp/Qt produced by opening the fistulas or infusing hydralazine may be related to levels of PvO2. The hydralazine-associated PvO2 increase indicates that this drug increased oxygen transport to the tissues even as Qsp/Qt became larger.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Hemodynamic effect of hydralazine in interstitial lung disease patients with cor pulmonale. Immediate and short-term evaluation at rest and during exercise.

Hydralazine was administered short-term to 13 patients who had stable interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); mean pulmonary arterial pressure ( [PAP]=26 +/- 9 mm Hg), and cor pulmonale (CP). All patients were studied at rest and during exercise. After intravenous hydralazine at rest, there were statistically significant increases in cardiac index (CI) (p less than 0.001), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) (p less than 0.01), and mixed venous saturation (S-vO2) (p less than 0.01). Pulmonary vascular resistance (Rp) (p less than 0.005) and systemic resistance (Rs) decreased (p less than 0.001), and PAP did not change. During exercise, PAP did not change; however, CI (p less than 0.01), PaO2 (p less than 0.001), and S-vO2 (p less than 0.01) increased further. The increase in Rp was significantly reduced (p less than 0.01). After continuation of oral hydralazine therapy in 12 patients for 7 days, PAP at rest was not statistically different from control; Rp and Rs remained decreased (p less than 0.001). The same results were found for CI, PaO2, S-vO2, and Rs during exercise. Although PAP did not change from control values, the drug significantly reduced the increase in Rp (p less than 0.005). Vasodilator therapy with hydralazine could be useful in patients with stable ILD who have inflammation with minimal to moderate fibrosis and PAH and might be used as an adjunct to conventional therapy for ILD and CP.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Classification of pediatric migraine: proposed revisions to the IHS criteria.

The International Headache Society classification lends itself to modification to significantly improve the diagnostic sensitivity of migraine in the pediatric population. Children and adolescents require special modifications relating to duration, location, quality of intensity, and symptoms related to photophobia and phonophobia. We propose specific criteria for pediatric migraine with and without aura which are more sensitive. Forty-five children and adolescents seen at a headache center were evaluated, retrospectively, comparing diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society, Vahlquist, and the proposed revised IHS classification for clinical diagnosis by a single examiner (pediatric neurologist)--comparing diagnostic rates for migraine of the total sample: IHS (53%), Vahlquist (69%), and IHS-R (80%) and evaluating a subset of those patients less than 12 years (n = 22): IHS (50%), Vahlquist (68%), and IHS-R (73%). The proposed revisions to IHS for pediatric migraine were more sensitive than existing criteria. These revisions may help to form the basis for future research guidelines and for further modifications to improve the diagnostic sensitivity of pediatric migraine using the IHS model.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

HIV infection among STD patients--Kigali, Rwanda, 1988 to 1991.

To follow the progression of HIV seropositivity among heterosexual adults at risk for HIV infection in the country of Rwanda prospectively, up to 100 patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STD) were tested each month from 1988 to 1991 at the health centre of Biryogo, which is located in a very crowded sector of the capital city, Kigali. Each patient had a blood sample tested anonymously for the presence of HIV antibodies. HIV seropositivity was defined as a reactive ELISA test combined to a reactive Western blot test. The overall HIV seropositivity among the 2058 subjects tested was 61%. It was higher (73%) among the 688 women tested as compared to the 1362 men tested (55%; P < 0.001). The per cent HIV seropositivity did not increase between 1988 and 1991, neither among the male nor among the female clinic attenders. However, the per cent seropositivity was higher in the older age groups, especially among the males. This exceedingly high proportion of HIV-infected STD patients in Kigali re-emphasizes the urgent need to include STD treatment, prevention and control among the priority actions for decreasing HIV transmission in African towns. Also, as the per cent seropositivities did not show any trend to increase over the 4-year period considered, we propose that our intensive HIV serosurveillance strategy among STD patients in Kigali be modified, since the plateau of HIV infection appears to have been attained in this particular high-risk population.

Female↗