Search Results - (Author, Cooperation:J. Esteban)

2012-05-19

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

0036-8075

1095-9203

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Computer Science

Medicine

Natural Sciences in General

Physics

*Civil Disorders/statistics & numerical data ; *Conflict (Psychology) ; *Ethnic Groups ; Humans ; Language ; Politics ; Population Density ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Violence ; Warfare

1365-2230

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Medicine

Although infection due to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) has long: been recognized,1 it was not until the current AIDS epidemic that isolation of these mycobacteria became common in microbiology laboratories. The disseminated form of the disease is the commonest type.2 Localized disease as the first manifestation of MAC infection is a rare finding among these patients. Herein we report a case of localized cutaneous infection due to MAC in an AIDS patient.

Electronic Resource

0378-1119

Recombinant DNA ; Streptomyces ; antibiotic resistance ; nucleotide sequence ; plasmid vector ; promoter activity

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Biology

Electronic Resource

0022-0531

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Economics

Electronic Resource

0022-0531

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Economics

Electronic Resource

0022-0531

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Economics

Electronic Resource

0022-0531

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Economics

Electronic Resource

0006-291X

Elsevier Journal Backfiles on ScienceDirect 1907 - 2002

Biology

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Physics

Electronic Resource

1574-6968

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Biology

The complete sequence and genomic characterization of the tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) gene from Trypanosoma rangeli is reported. The gene was found to be organized in a tandem multicopy gene array. A homologous mRNA species (2.5 kb) was identified in the epimastigote form of the parasite. From the deduced amino acid sequence, the gene encodes a protein of 420 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 46.4 kDa and a theoretical pI of 6.23. A high sequence identity was found with the Trypanosoma cruzi, human and rat enzymes. All the essential residues for TAT enzymatic activity are conserved, as well as a pyridoxal-phosphate attachment site typical of class-I aminotransferases. The recombinant enzyme was recognized by a monoclonal antibody against the T. cruzi enzyme. Additionally, the recombinant protein showed enzymatic activity when incubated with L-tyrosine and 2-oxoglutaric acid as substrates.

Electronic Resource

1574-6968

Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005

Biology

The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) has shown antiparasitic activity against several protozoans and helminths, when complexed to proteins called cyclophilins (CyPs). In this paper, the molecular characterisation of one member of the CyP family in Trypanosoma cruzi is reported. TcCyP19 gene proved to be highly conserved compared to CyPs from other organisms and was highly homologous to a Trypanosoma brucei brucei CyPA. This gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and the purified recombinant protein exhibited a peptidyl prolyl cis-trans isomerase activity that was inhibited by CsA (IC50=18.4±0.8 nM). The TcCyP19 gene was located on two chromosomal bands in T. cruzi CL Brener clone.

Electronic Resource

1435-1463

Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ; motoneuron disease ; coenzyme Q10 ; serum levels.

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Summary. To elucidate whether serum coenzyme Q10 levels are related with the risk for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we compared serum levels of coenzyme Q10 and the coenzyme Q10/cholesterol ratio, in 30 patients with ALS and 42 matched controls using a high performance liquid chromatography technique. The mean serum coenzyme Q10 levels and the coenzyme Q10/cholesterol ratio did not differ significantly between the 2 study groups. These values were not influenced by the clinical form (spinal vs. bulbar) of ALS, and they did not correlate with age, age at onset, and duration of the disease. These results suggest that serum coenzyme Q10 concentrations are unrelated with the risk for ALS.

Electronic Resource

1432-1912

Myocardial infarction ; Coronary occlusion ; Haemodynamics ; Myocardial glutathione ; N-Acetylcysteine

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Summary The glutathione redox pathway is an important antioxidant system in the myocardium. N-Acetylcysteine is a low molecular weight glutathione precursor that has been used clinically to replenish glutathione stores. The present study was aimed at evaluating the protective effect of N-acetylcysteine on myocardial damage resulting from permanent coronary occlusion (without reperfusion) in anaesthetized dogs. N-Acetylcysteine (150 mg kg−1 i.v.) administered 2 min before occlusion rerduced infarct size in dogs subjected to 24 h ischemia. The infarct size as a percentage of the area at risk was 86.8 ± 3.6% (n = 11) in control (salinetreated) dogs and 68.2 ± 2.4% (n = 7; P 〈 0.05 vs control) in N-acetylcysteine-treated animals. Haemodynamic variables (heart rate, mean arterial pressure and ratepressure product) were similar in the control and the treated group. Regional myocardial blood flow was determined with radioactive microspheres in ischaemic and non-ischaemic zones before occlusion and 3 h post-ocelusion. N-Acetylcysteine did not influence the regional distribution of myocardial blood flow. The myocardial content of reduced glutathione was significantly (P 〈 0.05) decreased 3 h post-occlusion (0.53 ± 0.19 μmol/ g−1 ; n = 5) compared to either pre-occlusion values (0.94 ± 0.03 μmol/g−1; n = 8) or values 3 h post-ocelusion in sham-operated animals (0.93 ± 0.15 μmo1/g−1 ; n = 5). Depletion of myocardial glutathione 3 h post-ocelusion was not observed in dogs treated with N-acetylcysteine (0.87 ± 0.11 μmol/g−1; n = 5). Superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels were determined in blood samples obtained from the coronary vein draining the ischaemic zone. Superoxide dismutase activity increased 10 min post-occlusion in control but not in N-acetylcysteine-treated dogs. Malondialdehyde levels were elevated in both groups after occlusion but this increase failed to reach statistical significance in the animals treated with N-acetylcysteine. This study demon strates that N-acetylcysteine treatment reduces myocardial damage after permanent coronary occlusion. The beneficial effect may be due to maintenance of myocardial glutathione and to protection against free-radicalmediated damage during the early phase of ischaemia.

Electronic Resource

0034-9712

Sociology

ESTUDIOS

1420-908X

NSAIDs ; Piroxicam ; Gastric ulcer ; Neutrophils ; Sulphydryl compounds

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Abstract In the present report we studied the formation of severe gastric erosions produced in fasted rats by intragastric administration of piroxicam (PRX), an enolic acid-derived NSAID. The time course of gastric damage and the possible role of mucus secretion, endogenous sulphydryl compounds, changes of gastric vascular permeability and neutrophil infiltration in the development of PRX-induced gastric lesions were also investigated. PRX dose-dependently (1.25–20 mg/kg) caused acute gastric haemorrhagic erosion in the rat. The lesions increased with time until 9 hr after dosing. Mucus secretion did not change significantly with respect to the control group with 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg of PRX at different times (3 and 6 hours) of treatment. There was also no increase in the concentration of its components. In addition, oral pretreatment of the animals with PRX did not significantly change the amount of dye trapped in the stomach. In contrast, non-protein SH fraction was decreased after administration of PRX and MPO activity as an index of neutrophil infiltration was significantly increased. These results suggest that independently of the PRX dose, depletion of endogenous non-protein SH and neutrophil infiltration could play an important part in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal injury induced by PRX.

Electronic Resource

0942-0940

Intracerebral haemorrhage ; meningioma ; subarachnoid haemorrhage ; subdural haematoma

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Summary Classically meningiomas present and evolve with a progressive course. Meningiomas manifest themselves mainly in middle and old age when the incidence of strokes is higher. The authors report three instances of meningioma with acute haemorrhagic onset. The clinical picture of our cases consisted of subarachnoid bleeding, subdural heamatoma and intracerebral haemorrhage respectively. The diagnostic difficulties encountered when assessing these patients are discussed. The current literature regarding meningioma associated with haemorrhage is reviewed. One of our cases seems to be the fisrt reported case of subarachnoid haemorrhage originating from a meningioma of the petrous bone.

Electronic Resource

1432-1912

Sensitized guinea-pig ; Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase isoenzymes ; Selective PDE inhibitors ; Airways hyperreactivity ; Airway eosinophil infiltration ; Airways microvascular leakage

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Abstract There is currently interest in the potential use of selective inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDE) in the treatment of asthma. In this study we examined the effects of three selective PDE inhibitors, milrinone (PDE III), rolipram (PDE IV) and zaprinast (PDE V), on the broncoconstriction produced by antigen and histamine, the airway hyperreactivity and microvascular leakage after aerosol exposure to platelet-activating factor (PAF) and antigen, and the antigen-induced eosinophil infiltration in guinea-pig lung. Inhaled rolipram (0.01–10 mg ml−1) inhibited dose dependently the bronchospasm produced by aerosol antigen (5 mg ml−1) an anaesthetised, ventilated guinea-pigs. Rolipram (10 mg ml−1) produced maximal inhibition of antigen-induced bronchoconstriction but only partial inhibition of the response to aerosol histamine (1 mg ml−1). Milrinone and zaprinast (each 10 mg ml−1) showed weak, or no, inhibitory effects against bronchoconstriction produced by aerosol antigen or histamine. Pretreatment with rolipram (10 mg kg−1, i.p.) prevented airway hyperreactivity to histamine which develops 24 h after exposure of conscious guinea-pigs to aerosol PAF (500 μg ml−1) or antigen (5 mg ml−1). The pulmonary eosinophil infiltration obtained with 24 h of antigen-exposure was inhibited by rolipram. In contrast, milrinone and zaprinast (each 10 mg kg−1, i.p.) failed to reduce either the airway hyperreactivity of the eosinophil accumulation in these animals. Rolipram (1–10 mg ml−1) reduced the extravasation of Evans blue after aerosol PAF (500 μg ml−1) at all airway levels while a lower dose (0.1 mg ml−1) was only effective at intrapulmonary airways. Rolipram (0.01–1 mg ml−1) markedly reduced airway extravasation produced by inhaled antigen (5 mg ml−1). Zaprinast (1–10 mg ml−1) was also effective against airway microvascular leakage produced by aerosol PAF or antigen while milrinone (10 mg ml−1) had no antiexudative effect. These data support previous suggestions that pharmacological inhibition of PDE IV results in anti-spasmogenic and anti-inflammatory effects in the airways and may be useful in the treatment of asthma.

Electronic Resource

1435-1463

Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ; motoneuron disease ; alpha-tocopherol ; vitamin E ; cerebrospinal fluid levels ; serum levels.

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Summary. We compared CSF and serum levels, and the CSF/serum ratio of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), measured by HPLC, in 30 patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS) and 78 matched controls. The mean CSF and serum vitamin E levels did not differ significantly between the 2 study groups. These values were not influenced by the clinical form (spinal versus bulbar) of SALS. CSF alpha-tocopherol levels did not correlate with age, age at onset, and duration of the disease. These results suggest that CSF and serum alpha-tocopherol concentrations are unrelated with the risk for ALS.

Electronic Resource

1573-5192

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Biology

Medicine

Abstract Physaloptera brevivaginata Seurat, 1917 (Nematoda: Physalopteridae) is redescribed. Seurat's (1917) original description of this species was based on a single immature female. Detailed morphological study of several males, mature and, above all, immature females from the stomach of the lesser mouse-eared batMyotis blythii (Tomes) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Spain, has elucidated many new morphological characters. This physalopterid species is distinguished from other closely-related species by the lengths of the body and spicules, the equatorial position of the vulva, the morphology of the female reproductive system and by a small conical process on the tail of mature females.M. blythii is a new host for this nematode.

Electronic Resource

1439-0973

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Electronic Resource

1573-2665

Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000

Medicine

Electronic Resource