Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Pinta”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the liver of bile duct-ligated Wistar rats with modulation by lymphomononuclear cells.

BACKGROUND: The current study evaluated whether biliary tract obstruction stimulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression in the liver and analyzed the implication of lymphomononuclear cells and interleukin-4 (IL-4). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were used. Bile flow interruption was achieved by a complete division of the extrapancreatic common bile duct. iNOS expression was determined by both the Western blot technique and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: iNOS protein was markedly expressed in the liver 7 days after bile duct obstruction. Treatment with thymostimulin (TP-1), a partially purified thymic extract, reduced the intensity of the expression of iNOS protein in the liver after bile duct ligation. Recent data have suggested that IL-4 attenuates iNOS protein expression. We then analyzed the involvement of this anti-inflammatory cytokine on the modulation of iNOS expression in the liver. The liver from rats that underwent bile duct ligation (BDL) showed a lower content of IL-4 than that of sham-operated (SO) rats. TP-1 treatment increased the content of IL-4 in the liver. Liver slices incubated in vitro with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 microg/mL) stimulated the expression of iNOS protein. The level of LPS-induced iNOS expression was reduced by lymphomononuclear cells obtained from sham-operated animals. However, lymphomononuclear cells isolated from BDL rats potentiated the induction of iNOS expression by LPS-stimulated liver. However, lymphomononuclear cells from TP-1-treated BDL rats failed to modify LPS-stimulated iNOS expression. The different effect of lymphomononuclear cells on the modulation of iNOS expression in the liver was associated with their ability to generate IL-4. CONCLUSIONS: The liver of jaundiced rats markedly expressed iNOS protein, which was associated to modifications in the content of IL-4 in the liver. Furthermore, lymphomononuclear cells modulate iNOS protein expression in the liver by a mechanism in which IL-4 is involved.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Pattern of respiration in patients recovering from barbiturate overdose.

Ventilation has been recorded in seven patients who were unconscious following self-poisoning. Measurements were obtained on admission to the hospital and repeated daily until the patients regained consciousness. On admission, recordings were characterized by a low minute ventilation as a result of a low tidal volume in spite of a high frequency of respiration. During the period of recovery tidal volume and minute ventilation increased, whereas frequency decreased. The modifications observed during recovery were the reverse of those noted during the induction of anaesthesia wih barbiturates in man. However, these modifications differ from those observed during induction of anaesthesia in cats. Consequently, as far as respiratory control is concerned, models elaborated in animals cannot be extrapolated to deeply anaesthetized human subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Potentially fatal bleeding in acute pancreatitis: pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Massive bleeding may complicate the course of either acute or chronic pancreatitis. Although the latter is more frequently involved when bleeding occurs in the acute form, a poorer prognosis is to be expected. Abscess, severe inflammation, regional necrosis, and pseudocysts may cause major vessel erosion, with or without pseudoaneurysm formation, whose eventual rupture may result in massive bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract, retroperitoneum, and peritoneal cavity. AIMS: To define the most important pathophysiologic mechanisms and factors that might contribute to a better understanding, better prevention, and more efficient treatment of severe hemorrhage complicating acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Awareness of high-risk conditions occurring during the natural evolution of the disease (from extensive local severe enzymatic damage to late septic sequelae), avoidance of a too early and too aggressive approach to sterile pancreatic necrosis, and providing prompt and effective treatment of local septic complications, when they occur, are crucial steps for bleeding prevention. METHODOLOGY: Forty-four cases of severe bleeding following acute pancreatitis that were reported during the last decade since 1992 (including the six cases reported here) are reviewed, analyzed, and summarized. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 34.1%. Splenic artery, portal vein, spleen, and unspecified peripancreatic vessels were the most commonly involved sources of bleeding, with associated mortality rates of 33.3%, 50.0%, 30%, and 28.5%, respectively. Massive hemorrhage was more frequently associated with severe necrosis, with a mortality rate of 37.9%. CONCLUSION: The increased use of diagnostic and interventional radiology, in association with prompt surgical treatment, appears to be the way to improve survival rates in cases of arterial bleeding. Venous bleeding due to lesion of major peripancreatic veins or diffuse bleeding represents a therapeutic challenge, and treatment of these conditions should be tailored to the individual case, as no general rule can be suggested. In extreme cases, open packing or salvage emergency pancreatectomy may represent the only chances for survival.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Yersiniophage phiR1-37 is a tailed bacteriophage having a 270 kb DNA genome with thymidine replaced by deoxyuridine.

Bacteriophage piR1-37 was isolated based on its ability to infect strain YeO3-R1, a virulence-plasmid-cured O antigen-negative derivative of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O : 3. In this study, the phage receptor was found to be a structure in the outer core hexasaccharide of Y. enterocolitica O : 3 LPS. The phage receptor was present in the outer core of strains of many other Y. enterocolitica serotypes, but also in some Yersinia intermedia strains. Surprisingly, the receptor structure resided in the O antigen of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O : 9. Electron microscopy demonstrated that phiR1-37 particles have an icosahedral head of 88 nm, a short neck of 10 nm, a long contractile tail of 236 nm, and tail fibres of at least 86 nm. This implies that the phage belongs to the order Caudovirales and the family Myoviridae in the ICTV (International Committee for Taxonomy of Viruses) classification. phiR1-37 was found to have a lytic life cycle, with eclipse and latent periods of 40 and 50 min, respectively, and a burst size of approximately 80 p.f.u. per infected cell. Restriction digestions and PFGE showed that the phiR1-37 genome was dsDNA and approximately 270 kb in size. Enzymically hydrolysed DNA was subjected to HPLC-MS/MS analysis, which demonstrated that the phiR1-37 genome is composed of DNA in which thymidine (T) is >99 % replaced by deoxyuridine (dU). The only organisms known to have similar DNA are the Bacillus subtilis-specific bacteriophages PBS1 and PBS2. N-terminal amino acid sequences of four major structural proteins did not show any similarity to (viral) protein sequences in databases, indicating that close relatives of phiR1-37 have not yet been characterized. Genes for two of the structural proteins, p24 and p46, were identified from the partially sequenced phiR1-37 genome.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed2004

Sphincter rupture and anal incontinence after first vaginal delivery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study was to establish the incidence of anal incontinence and sphincter defects after first vaginal delivery. METHODS: A total of 99 nulliparous and pregnant women were examined prospectively 4 weeks (mean) before delivery and 4 months (mean) after delivery. Of the study population, 75 (76%) women had vaginal delivery and 24 (24%) had cesarean section. Vacuum extraction was necessary in 20 (20%) cases. The symptoms of anal incontinence were asked about using a standard questionnaire. Clinical examination, endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and anal manometry were performed before and after delivery. RESULTS: The symptoms of mild anal incontinence, mainly gas incontinence, increased after vaginal delivery more than after cesarean section (P < 0.032). Occult anal sphincter defects were noted in 17 (23%) of the 75 women after vaginal delivery by using EAUS. After vacuum extraction, anal sphincter defects were noted in nine (45%) out of 20 women. No new sphincter defects were found in the cesarean section group. The maximal squeezing pressures were significantly decreased in the patients with external anal sphincter (EAS) defects (P = 0.0025). Vacuum extraction leads to more sphincter defects but does not significantly increase anal incontinence or decrease mean anal sphincter pressures. CONCLUSIONS: The first vaginal delivery can result in occult sphincter defects and the use of vacuum extraction increases the risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Pharmacokinetics of cilazapril in patients with renal failure.

1. The pharmacokinetics of a single 1 mg dose of cilazapril were determined in six subjects with normal renal function and in 19 uraemic patients with various degrees of renal impairment. 2. Significant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were noted in all groups of subjects between 2 and 8 h after administration of 1 mg cilazapril. 3. There was a significant correlation between ACE inhibition at 24 h and creatinine clearance (CrCL). 4. For cilazapril, Cmax and tmax were independent of creatinine clearance. AUC(24) was inversely related to CrCL and apparent plasma clearance (CL/F) was directly related to CrCL. 5. For cilazaprilat, Cmax and tmax were related to creatinine clearance. AUC(24) was inversely related to CrCl and apparent plasma clearance (CL/F) was directly related to CrCL. 6. Dialysis clearance was approximately 2 l h-1 for cilazapril and for cilazaprilat. 7. The effects of renal impairment on cilazapril and cilazaprilat kinetics were similar to those observed for other inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme such as captopril, enalapril and lisinopril. 8. It may be necessary to modify doses of cilazapril for the treatment of essential hypertension in uraemic patients. When creatinine clearance was below 15 ml min-1 cilazaprilat concentrations were increased, half-lives were prolonged and ACE inhibition remained above 90% for at least 24 h. A reduced dosage is indicated for these patients. 9. In patients requiring haemodialysis, maintenance doses of 0.5 mg given after each haemodialysis session are sufficient.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Endothelial hypoxic preconditioning in rat hypoxic isolated aortic segments.

Our aim was to analyse endothelial hypoxic preconditioning after hypoxia-reperfusion (HR). Endothelial functionality was analysed through the vasorelaxation responses to acetylcholine (Ach) and the level of serine1177 phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (ser1177-eNOS) measured by Western blot in in vitro hypoxic preconditioned (P + HR) isolated rat aortic segments. Relaxation in response to Ach was reduced in phenylephrine-precontracted aortic segments after HR (control: IC50, 5 +/- 2.5 x 10(-8) mol l(-1); HR: IC50, 3 +/- 1.2 x 10(-7) mol l(-1); P < 0.05). Ach-dependent vasodilatation was improved by P + HR. The content of ser1177-eNOS in the HR segments was 1.5-fold lower than in P + HR. Confocal microscopy showed an increased content of both superoxide anion and peroxynitrite in the vascular wall of HR aortic segments, which it was reduced by P + HR. Geldanamycin (10 microg ml(-1)), an agent known to inhibit heat shock protein 90 (hsp90), reduced the level of ser1177-eNOS in P + HR aortic segments. However in the presence of geldanamycin, endothelial hypoxic preconditioning persisted. We conclude that short periods of hypoxia induced endothelial hypoxic preconditioning that was accompanied by enhanced levels of ser1177-eNOS in the vascular wall. The fact that endothelial hypoxic preconditioning persisted in the presence of geldanamycin suggests that other molecular mechanisms are involved in the endothelial adaptation to HR injury.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed2002

Functional characterization of Gne (UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-4-epimerase), Wzz (chain length determinant), and Wzy (O-antigen polymerase) of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:8.

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:8 is formed by branched pentasaccharide repeat units that contain N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), L-fucose (Fuc), D-galactose (Gal), D-mannose (Man), and 6-deoxy-D-gulose (6d-Gul). Its biosynthesis requires at least enzymes for the synthesis of each nucleoside diphosphate-activated sugar precursor; five glycosyltransferases, one for each sugar residue; a flippase (Wzx); and an O-antigen polymerase (Wzy). As this LPS shows a characteristic preferred O-antigen chain length, the presence of a chain length determinant protein (Wzz) is also expected. By targeted mutagenesis, we identify within the O-antigen gene cluster the genes encoding Wzy and Wzz. We also present genetic and biochemical evidence showing that the gene previously called galE encodes a UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.7) required for the biosynthesis of the first sugar of the O-unit. Accordingly, the gene was renamed gne. Gne also has some UDP-glucose-4-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.2) activity, as it restores the core production of an Escherichia coli K-12 galE mutant. The three-dimensional structure of Gne was modeled based on the crystal structure of E. coli GalE. Detailed structural comparison of the active sites of Gne and GalE revealed that additional space is required to accommodate the N-acetyl group in Gne and that this space is occupied by two Tyr residues in GalE whereas the corresponding residues present in Gne are Leu136 and Cys297. The Gne Leu136Tyr and Cys297Tyr variants completely lost the UDP-N-acetylglucosamine-4-epimerase activity while retaining the ability to complement the LPS phenotype of the E. coli galE mutant. Finally, we report that Yersinia Wzx has relaxed specificity for the translocated oligosaccharide, contrary to Wzy, which is strictly specific for the O-unit to be polymerized.

Antigens, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

Rubrivivax gelatinosus acsF (previously orf358) codes for a conserved, putative binuclear-iron-cluster-containing protein involved in aerobic oxidative cyclization of Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethylester.

This study describes the characterization of orf358, an open reading frame of previously unidentified function, in the purple bacterium Rubrivivax gelatinosus. A strain in which orf358 was disrupted exhibited a phenotype similar to the wild type under photosynthesis or low-aeration respiratory growth conditions. In contrast, under highly aerated respiratory growth conditions, the wild type still produced bacteriochlorophyll a (Bchl a), while the disrupted strain accumulated a compound that had the same absorption and fluorescence emission spectra as Mg-protoporphyrin but was less polar, suggesting that it was Mg-protoporphyrin monomethylester (MgPMe). These data indicated a blockage in Bchl a synthesis at the oxidative cyclization stage and implied the coexistence of two different mechanisms for MgPMe cyclization in R. gelatinosus, an anaerobic mechanism active under photosynthesis or low oxygenation and an aerobic mechanism active under high-oxygenation growth conditions. Based on these results as well as on sequence analysis indicating the presence of conserved putative binuclear-iron-cluster binding motifs, the designation of orf358 as acsF (for aerobic cyclization system Fe-containing subunit) is proposed. Several homologs of AcsF were found in a wide range of photosynthetic organisms, including Chlamydonomas reinhardtii Crd1 and Pharbitis nil PNZIP, suggesting that this aerobic oxidative cyclization mechanism is conserved from bacteria to plants.

Aerobiosis↗