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Molanes-López EM, Ferrer JM, Dougnon AO, Gado AA, Sanoussi A, Ousmane N, Lazoumar RH, Charle-Cuéllar P. Cost-effectiveness of severe acute malnutrition treatment delivered by community health workers in the district of Mayahi, Niger. Hum Resour Health 2024; 22:22. [PMID: 38553707 PMCID: PMC10979590 DOI: 10.1186/s12960-024-00904-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A non-randomized controlled trial, conducted from June 2018 to March 2019 in two rural communes in the health district of Mayahi in Niger, showed that including community health workers (CHWs) in the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) resulted in a better recovery rate (77.2% vs. 72.1%) compared with the standard treatment provided solely at the health centers. The present study aims to assess the cost and cost-effectiveness of the CHWs led treatment of uncomplicated SAM in children 6-59 months compared to the standard national protocol. METHODS To account for all relevant costs, the cost analysis included activity-based costing and bottom-up approaches from a societal perspective and on a within-trial time horizon. The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted through a decision analysis network built with OpenMarkov and evaluated under two approaches: (1) with recovery rate and cost per child admitted for treatment as measures of effectiveness and cost, respectively; and (2) assessing the total number of children recovered and the total cost incurred. In addition, a multivariate probabilistic sensitivity analysis was carried out to evaluate the effect of uncertainty around the base case input data. RESULTS For the base case data, the average cost per child recovered was 116.52 USD in the standard treatment and 107.22 USD in the CHWs-led treatment. Based on the first approach, the CHWs-led treatment was more cost-effective than the standard treatment with an average cost per child admitted for treatment of 82.81 USD vs. 84.01 USD. Based on the second approach, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of the transition from the standard to the CHWs-led treatment amounted to 98.01 USD per additional SAM case recovered. CONCLUSIONS In the district of Mayahi in Niger, the CHWs-led SAM treatment was found to be cost-effective when compared to the standard protocol and provided additional advantages such as the reduction of costs for households. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN with ID 31143316. https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN31143316.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa M Molanes-López
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Ferrer
- Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Faculty of Medicine, Interdisciplinary Mathematics Institute, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), HUMLOG Research Group, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Atté Sanoussi
- Nutrition Direction, Ministry of Health, 623, Niamey, Niger
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Mendivil-Perez M, Soto-Mercado V, Guerra-Librero A, Fernandez-Gil BI, Florido J, Shen YQ, Tejada MA, Capilla-Gonzalez V, Rusanova I, Garcia-Verdugo JM, Acuña-Castroviejo D, López LC, Velez-Pardo C, Jimenez-Del-Rio M, Ferrer JM, Escames G. Melatonin enhances neural stem cell differentiation and engraftment by increasing mitochondrial function. J Pineal Res 2017; 63. [PMID: 28423196 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are regarded as a promising therapeutic approach to protecting and restoring damaged neurons in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease (PD and AD, respectively). However, new research suggests that NSC differentiation is required to make this strategy effective. Several studies have demonstrated that melatonin increases mature neuronal markers, which reflects NSC differentiation into neurons. Nevertheless, the possible involvement of mitochondria in the effects of melatonin during NSC differentiation has not yet been fully established. We therefore tested the impact of melatonin on NSC proliferation and differentiation in an attempt to determine whether these actions depend on modulating mitochondrial activity. We measured proliferation and differentiation markers, mitochondrial structural and functional parameters as well as oxidative stress indicators and also evaluated cell transplant engraftment. This enabled us to show that melatonin (25 μM) induces NSC differentiation into oligodendrocytes and neurons. These effects depend on increased mitochondrial mass/DNA/complexes, mitochondrial respiration, and membrane potential as well as ATP synthesis in NSCs. It is also interesting to note that melatonin prevented oxidative stress caused by high levels of mitochondrial activity. Finally, we found that melatonin enriches NSC engraftment in the ND mouse model following transplantation. We concluded that a combined therapy involving transplantation of NSCs pretreated with pharmacological doses of melatonin could efficiently restore neuronal cell populations in PD and AD mouse models depending on mitochondrial activity promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Mendivil-Perez
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Research Center, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Viviana Soto-Mercado
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Research Center, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Ana Guerra-Librero
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Beatriz I Fernandez-Gil
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Javier Florido
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Ying-Qiang Shen
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel A Tejada
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Vivian Capilla-Gonzalez
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER), Seville, Spain
| | - Iryna Rusanova
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - José M Garcia-Verdugo
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Darío Acuña-Castroviejo
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- CIBERFES, Biosanitary Research Institute, Complejo Hospitalario de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Luis Carlos López
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- CIBERFES, Biosanitary Research Institute, Complejo Hospitalario de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Carlos Velez-Pardo
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Research Center, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia
| | | | - José M Ferrer
- CIBERFES, Biosanitary Research Institute, Complejo Hospitalario de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Germaine Escames
- Medical Research Institute, Health Sciences Technology Park, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- CIBERFES, Biosanitary Research Institute, Complejo Hospitalario de Granada, Granada, Spain
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Rai U, Tang R, Plichta JK, Rice-Stitt T, Gadd MA, Specht MC, Strasfeld DS, Ferrer JM, Brachtel EF, Smith BL. Abstract P4-01-05: In vivo, intraoperative margin detection utilizing the Lumicell margin assessment system. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs16-p4-01-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Rai
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - R Tang
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - JK Plichta
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - T Rice-Stitt
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - MA Gadd
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - MC Specht
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - DS Strasfeld
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - JM Ferrer
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - EF Brachtel
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
| | - BL Smith
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Lumicell, Inc., Wellesley, MA
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Clemente A, Pons J, Lanio N, Matamoros N, Ferrer JM. CD27+ B cells from a subgroup of common variable immunodeficiency patients are less sensitive to apoptosis rescue regardless of interleukin-21 signalling. Clin Exp Immunol 2013; 174:97-108. [PMID: 23738704 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by hypogammaglobulinaemia and recurrent infections. Although the underlying cause is unknown, B cells from most CVID patients fail to differentiate to memory or plasma cells. We investigated if increased apoptosis could influence the fate of B cells. For this purpose we activated purified B lymphocytes of CVID patients with a surrogate T-dependent (anti-CD40) or T-independent [cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) or anti-immunoglobulin (Ig)M)] stimulus with or without interleukin (IL)-21. We found that CD27(+) B cells were more sensitive than CD27(-) B cells to spontaneous apoptosis and less sensitive to rescue from apoptosis. The addition of IL-21 down-modulated the protective effect of all the stimuli on CD27(-) B cells and the protective effect of CpG-ODN and anti-IgM on CD27(+) B cells. In contrast, IL-21 rescued unstimulated CD27(-) B cells and improved the rescue of anti-CD40-stimulated CD27(+) B cells. When we compared patients and controls, mainly CD27(+) B cells from MB0 patients were less sensitive to rescue from apoptosis than those from MB1 patients and controls after activation, irrespective of the IL-21 effect. Increased apoptosis during an immune response could result in lower levels of immunoglobulin production in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Clemente
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitari Son Espases, Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Fundació d'Investigació Sanitària de les Illes Balears (FISIB), Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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García-Laorden MI, Rodríguez de Castro F, Solé-Violán J, Rajas O, Blanquer J, Borderías L, Aspa J, Briones ML, Saavedra P, Marcos-Ramos JA, González-Quevedo N, Sologuren I, Herrera-Ramos E, Ferrer JM, Rello J, Rodríguez-Gallego C. Influence of genetic variability at the surfactant proteins A and D in community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective, observational, genetic study. Crit Care 2011; 15:R57. [PMID: 21310059 PMCID: PMC3221990 DOI: 10.1186/cc10030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Revised: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Genetic variability of the pulmonary surfactant proteins A and D may affect clearance of microorganisms and the extent of the inflammatory response. The genes of these collectins (SFTPA1, SFTPA2 and SFTPD) are located in a cluster at 10q21-24. The objective of this study was to evaluate the existence of linkage disequilibrium (LD) among these genes, and the association of variability at these genes with susceptibility and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We also studied the effect of genetic variability on SP-D serum levels. METHODS Seven non-synonymous polymorphisms of SFTPA1, SFTPA2 and SFTPD were analyzed. For susceptibility, 682 CAP patients and 769 controls were studied in a case-control study. Severity and outcome were evaluated in a prospective study. Haplotypes were inferred and LD was characterized. SP-D serum levels were measured in healthy controls. RESULTS The SFTPD aa11-C allele was significantly associated with lower SP-D serum levels, in a dose-dependent manner. We observed the existence of LD among the studied genes. Haplotypes SFTPA1 6A(2) (P = 0.0009, odds ration (OR) = 0.78), SFTPA(2) 1A(0) (P = 0.002, OR = 0.79), SFTPA1-SFTPA2 6A2-1A(0) (P = 0.0005, OR = 0.77), and SFTPD-SFTPA1-SFTPA(2)C-6A2-1A(0) (P = 0.00001, OR = 0.62) were underrepresented in patients, whereas haplotypes SFTPA2 1A(10) (P = 0.00007, OR = 6.58) and SFTPA1-SFTPA2 6A(3)-1A (P = 0.0007, OR = 3.92) were overrepresented. Similar results were observed in CAP due to pneumococcus, though no significant differences were now observed after Bonferroni corrections. 1A(10) and 6A-1A were associated with higher 28-day and 90-day mortality, and with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) respectively. SFTPD aa11-C allele was associated with development of MODS and ARDS. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that missense single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes of SFTPA1, SFTPA2 and SFTPD are associated with susceptibility to CAP, and that several haplotypes also influence severity and outcome of CAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Isabel García-Laorden
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
| | - Felipe Rodríguez de Castro
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Avenida Marítima del Sur s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016, Spain
| | - Jordi Solé-Violán
- Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
| | - Olga Rajas
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Diego de León 62, Madrid, 28005, Spain
| | - José Blanquer
- Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Clínico y Universitario de Valencia, Avenida Blasco Ibáñez 17, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Luis Borderías
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hospital San Jorge, Avenida Martínez de Velasco 36, Huesca, 22004, Spain
| | - Javier Aspa
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Diego de León 62, Madrid, 28005, Spain
| | - M Luisa Briones
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, Hospital Clínico y Universitario de Valencia, Avenida Blasco Ibáñez 17, Valencia, 46010, Spain
| | - Pedro Saavedra
- Department of Mathematics, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017, Spain
| | - J Alberto Marcos-Ramos
- Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Dr. José Molina Orosa, Carretera Arrecife-Tinajo km 1.300, Lanzarote, 35550, Spain
| | - Nereida González-Quevedo
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
| | - Ithaisa Sologuren
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
| | - Estefanía Herrera-Ramos
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
| | - José M Ferrer
- Intensive Care Unit, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
| | - Jordi Rello
- Hospital Vall D'Hebron - Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. CIBERES. Institut de Recerca Vall d'Hebron (VHIR), Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 119-129, Barcelona, 08035, Spain
| | - Carlos Rodríguez-Gallego
- Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Dr. Negrín, Barranco de la Ballena s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35010, Spain
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Avenida Marítima del Sur s/n, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35016, Spain
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Barceló B, Pons J, Ferrer JM, Sauleda J, Fuster A, Agustí AGN. Phenotypic characterisation of T-lymphocytes in COPD: abnormal CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-lymphocyte response to tobacco smoking. Eur Respir J 2007; 31:555-62. [PMID: 18057064 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00010407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking induces an inflammatory response in the lungs of all smokers but, for reasons that are still poorly understood, only a proportion of them develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recent evidence indicates that this inflammatory response persists after smoking cessation, suggesting some type of auto-perpetuation mechanism similar to that described in autoimmune disorders. T-lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both COPD and several autoimmune processes. A subtype of regulatory CD4+ T-cells expressing CD25 (Tregs) plays a critical role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance and the prevention of autoimmunity, but their potential role in COPD has not been explored. The present study sought to evaluate maturation (CD45RA/CD45R0) and activation markers (CD28) of T-lymphocytes and to explore potential Treg abnormalities in COPD. Flow cytometry was used to characterise T-lymphocytes obtained from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in 23 patients with moderate COPD, 29 smokers with normal lung function and seven never-smokers. The main findings were that in BALF: patients with COPD showed higher CD8+CD45RA+ and lower CD8+CD45R0+ than smokers with normal lung function; and compared with never-smokers, smokers with preserved lung function showed a prominent upregulation of Tregs that was absent in patients with COPD. These observations indicate a final maturation-activation state of CD8+ T-lymphocytes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and, for the first time, identify a blunted regulatory T-cell response to tobacco smoking in these patients, further supporting a potential involvement of the acquired immune response in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Barceló
- Servei de Pneumologia, Hospital Universitari Son Dureta, Andrea Doria 55, 07014-Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Brau RR, Ferrer JM, Lee H, Castro CE, Tam BK, Tarsa PB, Matsudaira P, Boyce MC, Kamm RD, Lang MJ. Passive and active microrheology with optical tweezers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1088/1464-4258/9/8/s01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Barceló B, Pons J, Fuster A, Sauleda J, Noguera A, Ferrer JM, Agustí AGN. Intracellular cytokine profile of T lymphocytes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clin Exp Immunol 2006; 145:474-9. [PMID: 16907916 PMCID: PMC1809717 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2006.03167.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response to inhaled particles, mainly tobacco smoking. T lymphocytes are important regulatory cells that secrete several cytokines and participate actively in this inflammatory response. According to the pattern of cytokines secreted, the immune response is classified as cytotoxic or type 1 [interferon (IFN)-gamma-, interleukin (IL)-2-dependent] and humoral or type 2 (IL-4-, IL-5-, IL-10- and IL-13-dependent). This paper sought to compare the intracellular profile of cytokine expression determined by flow cytometry in T lymphocytes harvested from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood in patients with COPD, smokers with normal lung function and never smokers. We found that BAL T lymphocytes from COPD patients had a higher percentage of positive stained cells for most of the cytokines analysed when compared to never smokers or smokers with normal lung function. Differences reached statistical significance for IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, particularly in CD8(+) T cells. Furthermore, the expression of most of these cytokines was related inversely to the degree of airflow obstruction present suggesting local activation and/or selective homing of T lymphocytes to the lungs in COPD patients. These observations were not reproduced in circulating T lymphocytes. These results suggest that BAL T lymphocytes in patients with COPD produce more cytokines than in controls and tend to show a type 2 pattern of intracellular cytokine expression, particularly a Tc-2 profile. This is related inversely to the degree of airflow obstruction present.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Barceló
- Serveis d'Anàlisi Clinics, Hospital Universitari Son Dureta, Institut Universitari d'Investigacio en Ciencies de la Salut, IUNICS, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Pons J, Ferrer JM, Martínez-Pomar N, Iglesias-Alzueta J, Matamoros N. Costimulatory molecules and cytokine production by T lymphocytes in common variable immunodeficiency disease. Scand J Immunol 2006; 63:383-9. [PMID: 16640663 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2006.01753.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a heterogeneous syndrome characterized by hypogammaglobulinaemia and recurrent infections. Although early works pointed to a primary B-lymphocyte defect as a cause of the disease, a failure in T-lymphocyte cooperation has also been suggested. T cells exert their costimulatory function through either membrane costimulatory molecules or secreted cytokines, both having an influence in the development of the humoral response. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether an abnormal expression and induction of costimulatory molecules or alterations in the production of cytokines by T cells cause deficient T/B cooperation in CVID patients. We studied the expression and upregulation of costimulatory molecules (CD28, CD40L/CD154 and CTLA-4/CD152) and production of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) in purified T lymphocytes from CVID patients stimulated with optimal doses of anti-CD3 or suboptimal doses of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28. Stimulated T cells from CVID patients expressed normal levels of CD28, CD40L/CD154 and CTLA-4/CD152 when compared with controls. Except for higher production of IL-4 after stimulation with anti-CD3, T cells of CVID patients produced similar amounts of cytokines compared with controls. An imbalance between costimulatory molecules expression (CD28, CD40L/CD154 and CTLA-4/CD152) and cytokine production by T cells does not explain a deficient cooperation between T and B cells in this group of CVID patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pons
- Servei d'Immunologia, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Pons J, Sauleda J, Ferrer JM, Barceló B, Fuster A, Regueiro V, Julià MR, Agustí AGN. Blunted gamma delta T-lymphocyte response in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eur Respir J 2005; 25:441-6. [PMID: 15738286 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.05.00069304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by an excessive inflammatory response to inhaled particles, mostly tobacco smoking. Although inflammation is present in all smokers, only a percentage of them develop COPD. T-lymphocytes are important effector and regulatory cells that participate actively in the inflammatory response of COPD. They comprise the T-cell receptor (TCR)-alpha beta (CD4+ and CD8+) and TCR-gamma delta T-lymphocytes. The latter represent a small percentage of the total T-cell population, but play a key role in tissue repair and mucosal homeostasis. To investigate TCR-alpha beta (CD4+ and CD8+) and TCR-gamma delta T-lymphocytes in COPD, the present authors determined, by flow cytometry, the distribution of both subpopulations in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples obtained from patients with COPD, smokers with normal lung function and never-smokers. The present study found that: 1) the distribution of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in blood and BAL was similar in all three groups; 2) compared with nonsmokers, gamma delta T-lymphocytes were significantly increased in smokers with preserved lung function; and 3) this response was blunted in patients with COPD. These results highlight a novel, potentially relevant, pathogenic mechanism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pons
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitari Son Dureta, Andrea Doria 55, 07014- Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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Aya AGM, Vialles N, Mangin R, Robert C, Ferrer JM, Ripart J, de La Coussaye JE. Chronobiology of labour pain perception: an observational study. Br J Anaesth 2004; 93:451-3. [PMID: 15247110 DOI: 10.1093/bja/aeh223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circadian variation may affect many biological and pharmacological phenomena. METHODS To assess circadian variations in labour pain perception, 222 consecutive nulliparous women with uncomplicated pregnancy, spontaneous labour, cervical dilatation (3-5 cm), ruptured membranes and normal fetal heart rate tracings were studied. Visual analogue pain scores (VAPS) were analysed and divided into four periods: night (1:01 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.), morning (7:01 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.), afternoon (1:01 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and evening (7:01 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.). VAPS were also compared between daytime (morning+afternoon) and nocturnal (evening+night) periods. RESULTS Daytime mean VAPS were lower than nocturnal scores [75.6 (15.1) vs 85.7 (14.1), P<0.0001]. VAPS were lower in the morning than in the afternoon, evening and night periods (anova, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION Labour pain perception appears to be chronobiological, and this might be taken into account when enrolling parturients in studies designed to assess or treat labour pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G M Aya
- Division of Anesthesiology, Pain Management, Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, University Hospital, Nîmes, France.
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Abad C, Cáceres JJ, Ferrer JM, González L, Alvarez F, Bordes A. [Pasteurella multocida empyema in a patient after mitral valve replacement secondary to endocarditis]. An Med Interna 2003; 20:441-2. [PMID: 14516272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
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15
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Ortega-Aznar A, Romero-Vidal FJ, Castellví J, Ferrer JM, Codina A. Adult-onset subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: clinico-pathological findings in 2 new cases. Clin Neuropathol 2003; 22:110-8. [PMID: 12809353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), an uncommon disease usually affecting children and adolescents, is caused by persistent measles infection that progresses to chronic infection with fatal outcome. The debut of this disease in adults is rare, with a small number of cases in the medical literature. This article presents the clinical, radiologic and post-mortem neuropathologic findings in 2 new cases of women with SSPE (1 of them during pregnancy), which showed very atypical clinical characteristics, presentation and evolution. The influence of pregnancy on the course of the disease was unfavorable, in keeping with earlier reports. Our patients showed a very prolonged biphasal clinical course, with a period of disease-free remission that lasted several years. Histological study disclosed features of inflammatory disease associated with others of a neurodegenerative nature, such as the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, which would relate SSPE with other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ortega-Aznar
- Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), Vail d'Hebrón University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.
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16
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Goransson A, Flores M, Josel A, Ferrer JM, Trelis MA, Toldra F. Effect of Electrical Stimulation on the Activity of Muscle Exoproteases During Beef Ageing. FOOD SCI TECHNOL INT 2002. [DOI: 10.1177/1082013202008005894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Aya AG, Mangin R, Nouvellon E, Robert C, Ferrer JM, Eledjam JJ. [Dural puncture in obstetric analgesia. Epidemiologic features and therapeutic management]. Ann Fr Anesth Reanim 2001; 20:757-62. [PMID: 11759317 DOI: 10.1016/s0750-7658(01)00505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the time of occurrence, circumstances and presenting symptoms of unintentional dural puncture (UDP), the location and intensity of postdural puncture headaches (PDPH), and the efficacy of their treatment by epidural blood-patch (EBP). STUDY DESIGN Cohort study. PATIENTS Cases of UDP recorded over a 4-year period in an obstetric anaesthesia unit. METHODS The following variables were studied: maternal age, weight and height, hour of occurrence and number of puncture attempts, existence of reflux of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the needle, experience of the practitioners, subsequent modalities of obstetrical analgesia, frequency of occurrence, clinical characteristics and therapeutic management of PDPH. In case of EBP, the amount of blood and the efficacy of the procedure were also recorded. RESULTS Twenty-one patients presented with UDP (0.66%). No reflux of CSF was identified in nine cases. Most UDP occurred at the first or second attempt, usually when performed by a practitioner poorly trained in epidural analgesia in obstetrics. The risk of UDP was higher during night-time work (risk ratio: 3.0; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-8.0; p = 0.04). Subsequent analgesia was provided via the epidural route in 19 cases, subarachnoidal route in one, and intravenous route in one case. PDPH did not develop in two patients. Three patients were given prophylactic EPB, and 16 received curative EBP. A second EBP was required 24 h later in seven patients. One patient developed meralgia paresthetica following EBP. CONCLUSION In parturients, UDP usually results in PDPH. A rapid and effective treatment is required, mainly EBP. Another EBP is eventually necessary in some patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Aya
- Département d'anesthésie-douleur, hôpital Caremeau, rue du Pr Debré, 30029 Nîmes, France.
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18
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Arén JJ, Aroles F, Bausili JM, Baxarias P, Benlloch R, Bernal J, Buisan L, Canudes E, Casanovas P, Castaño J, Canet J, Cochs J, Corominas JM, Cuenca J, Delgado J, Escolano F, Esparza F, Esquius E, Fargas X, Ferrer JM, Fuentes J, Gancedo VA, Gomar C, Guitart J, Hervás C, Jornet M, López R, Manubens E, Más-Marfan J, Mateu J, Miranda A, Miranda L, Montero A, Moral V, Oferil F, Ortiz M, Pacheco M, Pelegrí MD, Ruidebas J, Rull M, Sala X, Sintes MD, Soler E, Tomás A, Turón E, Villalonga A, Villar JM. [Survey of the deficit of anesthesiologists in Catalonia and analysis of the situation made by 47 department heads]. Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim 2001; 48:45-8. [PMID: 11234610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the case reports concerning children (14 years or younger) in the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System over a 10-year period (1982-1991). FINDINGS The study of 1419 reports of adverse drug reaction (9.8% of all those received) showed the most commonly involved organs and systems to be the skin, digestive tract, and nervous system (62.8%). The most commonly involved pharmacological groups were antibiotics, respiratory medications, and vaccines (69%). The absolute number of reports is higher in children between 1 and 4 years of age (37.9%). There were more reports among males than in females. Less than 5% of the reports notified directly life-threatening or fatal reactions. CONCLUSIONS Adverse drug reaction are not common in pediatric patients, and most are mild. However, due to limitations of clinical trials in children, pharmacoepidemiological studies may be the only source of information on the benefit-risk profile of drugs received by these patients, and as such require special attention.
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20
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of an echo-enhancing agent in patients with carotid artery occlusion to improve the sensitivity and specificity of carotid color flow ultrasonography. METHOD Between January 1997 and December 1998, a prospective study involving 85 cases of carotid artery occlusion in 84 patients was carried out. After a baseline duplex ultrasonography (DU) diagnosis, a second (DU) along with an echo-enhancement agent (SHU-508-A [Levovist]) study was carried out (echo enhancement ultrasonography diagnosis [DUEE]). In 82 cases, a contrast angiography was performed to confirm the diagnosis, whereas in the other three cases the diagnoses were confirmed with surgery. RESULTS From the 85 internal carotid artery occlusions diagnosed at the initial DU examination, seven came out to be false occlusions in the DUEE examination (8,2%). There was a 100% correlation of the cases between the DUEE examination and the contrast angiography in the 82 cases in which this had been done. In three of the cases, the diagnosis was confirmed surgically because these displayed severe stenoses according to the DUEE studies in symptomatic patients, and so they required urgent treatment. CONCLUSIONS The DUEE study is a potent diagnosis tool that allows the differentiation between true carotid artery occlusions and pseudo-occlusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Ferrer
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Tato A, Ferrer JM, Stockert JC. Electron microscopic contrast of the cytoskeleton and junctional complexes of intestinal epithelial cells by ethanolic phosphotungstic acid. Eur J Morphol 2000; 38:134-41. [PMID: 10694911 DOI: 10.1076/0924-3860(200004)38:2;1-f;ft134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
After glutaraldehyde fixation and treatment with ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA) before plastic embedding, sections of rat large intestine showed a characteristic electron contrasting pattern in epithelial cells. The axis of microvilli, terminal web, a thin band below the luminal plasma membrane, centrioles and junctional complexes (tight junctions, adherens junctions, and desmosomes) appeared highly contrasted. In addition to protein components of microfilaments and intermediate filaments, proteins from the junctional complexes could also be implicated in the contrasting reaction with E-PTA. Mitochondrial membranes, chromatin masses, and nucleoli of enterocytes showed considerable electron density, whereas no reaction was found in the glycocalyx and mucin content of goblet cells. The clear visualization of cytoskeleton elements and junctional complexes by E-PTA contrasting represents a simple and valuable method for studies on the normal and pathological organization of these structures in epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tato
- Central Service for Support to Experimental Research, University of Valencia, Burjassot, Spain
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22
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Abstract
A series of nine patients with neurologic complications of hepatitis C virus infection is reported. Seven patients presented a combination of chronic sensory polyneuropathy, multineuropathy, and encephalopathy related to cryoglobulinemia. The noncryoglobulinemic symptoms consisted of an anterior optic neuropathy and a restless legs syndrome with small-fiber neuropathy. Corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide were useful in controlling vasculitic episodes. Interferon-alpha caused remission in half of the treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J I Tembl
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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23
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Aya AG, Mangin R, Robert C, Ferrer JM, Eledjam JJ. Increased risk of unintentional dural puncture in night-time obstetric epidural anesthesia. Can J Anaesth 1999; 46:665-9. [PMID: 10442962 DOI: 10.1007/bf03013955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the experience of the operator and the time of epidural anesthesia as factors contributing to unintentional dural puncture (UDP). METHODS In a prospective analysis of recorded cases of UDP the following variables were recorded: maternal height, weight, and weight gain, type of personnel providing epidural analgesia, number of attempts, and hour of the epidural procedure. Work time was divided into day-time (8 AM to 7 PM) and night-time (7 PM to 8 AM), according to the change of coverage of the delivery suite. Night-time was divided into first (7 PM to midnight) and second parts (midnight to 8 AM). Relative risk was used to compare the incidence of UDP among different work-times. RESULTS A total of 1489 consecutive epidural procedures were considered. The incidence of dural puncture was 0.8% (12 cases). The relative risk was higher for night-time than day-time (risk ratio 6.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.39 to 28.80; P = 0.006). Seven cases were caused by three operators with poor expertise, and five by two skilled obstetric anesthesiologists. CONCLUSION Operator experience and hour of procedure appear to be two important risk factors of UDP The increased risk of UDP in night-work could result from human factors such as fatigue, sleep deprivation or interruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- A G Aya
- Département d'Anesthésie-Réanimation, CHU Gaston Doumergue, Nîmes, France
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24
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Iglesias J, Matamoros N, Raga S, Ferrer JM, Mila J. CD95 expression and function on lymphocyte subpopulations in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID); related to increased apoptosis. Clin Exp Immunol 1999; 117:138-46. [PMID: 10403927 PMCID: PMC1905491 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2249.1999.00946.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Apoptosis is now recognized as a central process of development and disease, and it has been proposed as one of the mechanisms that may account for the lymphopenia seen in some diseases. In this study we measured spontaneous apoptosis and CD95 expression on different cell subpopulations from CVID patients, using flow cytometric techniques. We divided our patients into two groups according to their CD4+ and CD4+CD45RA+ cell counts. Our results clearly show increased spontaneous apoptosis and CD95 expression on the CD4+ and CD4+CD45RA+ subsets from lymphopenic CVID patients compared with normal subjects and disease controls. Interestingly, our lymphopenic CVID patients presented a profound reduction in absolute counts, mainly affecting the CD4+CD45RA+ subpopulation. We also found a statistically significant direct correlation between absolute numbers of CD4+CD45RA+ T cells and spontaneous apoptosis on the same subset in CVID patients, but attempts to induce CD95-mediated apoptosis were unsuccessful despite increased CD95 expression on CD4+ T cells. These findings suggest that apoptosis could be one of the mechanisms implicated in the significant lymphopenia present in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Iglesias
- Immunology Service, Son Dureta Hospital, Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
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25
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Abstract
AIMS There are few publications of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among paediatric patients, though ADR incidence is usually stated to be higher during the first year of life and in male patients. We have carried out a prospective study to assess the extent, pattern and profile risk for ADRs in hospitalized patients between 1 and 24 months of age. METHODS An intensive events monitoring scheme was used. A total of 512 successive admissions to two medical paediatric wards (47 beds) were analysed. The hospital records were screened daily during two periods (summer, 105 days and winter, 99 days), and adverse clinical events observed were recorded. RESULTS A total of 282 events were detected; of these, 112 were considered to be manifestations of ADRs. The cumulative incidence was 16.6%, no differences being observed between periods. Although there were no differences between patients under and over 12 months of age, risk was found to be significantly higher among girls compared with boys (RR=1.66, 95% CI 1.03-2.52). The gastro-intestinal system was most frequently affected. The therapeutic group most commonly implicated was anti-infective drugs and vaccines (41.5%). The ADRs were mild or moderate in over 90% of cases. A consistent relationship was noted between the number of drugs administered and the incidence of ADRs. CONCLUSIONS Hospitalized patients exhibited an ADR risk profile that included female sex and the number of drugs administered. No particular age predisposition was observed. The most commonly prescribed drugs are those most often implicated in ADRs in paediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Martínez-Mir
- Departament de Farmacologia, Universitat de València, València, Spain
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26
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Horiuchi T, Ferrer JM, Serra P, Matamoros N, López-Trascasa M, Hashimura C, Niho Y. A novel nonsense mutation at Glu-631 in a Spanish family with complement component 7 deficiency. J Hum Genet 1999; 44:215-8. [PMID: 10319591 DOI: 10.1007/s100380050146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Deficiency of the seventh component of complement (C7D) is frequently associated with recurrent neisserial infections. We report in the present study the genetic basis for C7D in a Spanish family. We used exon-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis as a screening step for mutations, followed by direct sequencing of the target exon. The mutation in the proband was a homozygous G-to-T transversion at nucleotide 1957, the first nucleotide of the codon GAG for Glu-631, leading to a stop codon TAG (E631X). Our result provides further evidence that the molecular pathogenesis of C7D is heterogeneous.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Horiuchi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
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27
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Ramírez Galleymore P, Valero Merino C, Renovell V, Pemán J, Ferrer JM. [Headache, an oral lesion and amaurosis in a 60-year-old man]. Rev Clin Esp 1999; 199:247-8. [PMID: 10364799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
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28
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Sáez JA, Palomares JM, Vives F, Domínguez I, Villegas I, Montes R, Price DJ, Ferrer JM. Electrophysiological and neurochemical study of the rat geniculo-cortical pathway. Evidence for glutamatergic neurotransmission. Eur J Neurosci 1998; 10:2790-801. [PMID: 9758149 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.1998.00289.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The projection from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus to the primary visual cortex of the rat was studied electrophysiologically. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and the optic tract produced three types of responses on neurons of area 17: excitation followed by inhibition, excitation and inhibition. These results extend and confirm, in adult rats, previous studies done in rat geniculate-visual cortex cocultures preparations in vitro. The role of glutamate in the neurotransmission of the rat geniculo-cortical pathway was also investigated. In a first set of experiments, the effects of kynurenate, an antagonist of glutamate receptors, on visual cortex neurons with a monosynaptic excitatory response to dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus stimulation were studied. Microiontophoresis of kynurenate in area 17 neurons selectively suppressed the excitatory response to dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and optic tract stimulation. In a second set of experiments, the effects of electrical stimulation of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and the optic tract on the release of amino acids in the rat visual cortex in vivo were studied. Using the push-pull method, we perfused a discrete region of the visual cortex with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and the amino acid content of the perfusates was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Stimulation of either the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus or the optic tract significantly increased glutamate release in area 17. The rest of the amino acids studied did not show significant changes. The results provide evidence for the participation of glutamate in the neurotransmission of the geniculo-cortical pathway in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Sáez
- Departamento de Neurofisiología Clínica, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
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29
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Sáez JA, Paniagua J, Domínguez I, Ferrer JM. [Image processing in the primary visual cortex]. Rev Neurol 1998; 26:439-44. [PMID: 9585959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Area 17 or the primary visual area forms the first link in the chain of cerebral analysis of a visual image. The neurones forming the primary visual cortex are characterized by the extreme precision of their connections, functional specialization and hierarchic organization. The spatial precision of the connections within the system for vision permit retinotopic representation in the visual cortex, so that each point of the retina is projected into a specific area of the cortex. The cortical neurones which analyze the characteristics of the image situated in a precise zone of the visual field are themselves organized into a basic functional unit known as a hypercolumn. Within each hypercolumn there are various columnar cell systems with receptive fields having similar characteristics. Thus, each hypercolumn is made up of multiple orientation columns, two ocular dominance columns and 'blob' regions. All these systems permit the analysis of different aspects of the image. The neurones belonging to the orientation columns are sensitive to the orientation, spatial frequency and movement of a visual stimulus; those of the 'blob' regions to colour, and the binocular neurones of the ocular dominance columns to depth. Within each column, the hierarchical pattern of neurone interconnections determines the successive appearance of cells with receptive fields having new properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Sáez
- Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, España
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30
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Abstract
The binding of several benzopyranes to serum albumin was studied by equilibrium dialysis at pH 7.4 in a 67 mM sodium phosphate buffer at 37 degrees C. The equilibrium data were analyzed using a computer program for curve fitting. The binding isotherm for warfarin, 4-hydroxycoumarin, 4-chromanol, coumarin, 3-acetylcoumarin, and benzoic acid can be described by two stoichiometric dissociation constants. Elimination of the 4-hydroxyl group in the coumarin chemical structures decreases the binding affinity of the compounds on the primary binding site of serum albumin, with 4-chromanol the smallest ligand which binds to seroalbumin with high affinity. Thus, the affinity of 4-benzopyranol and the 4-hydroxybenzopyranones greater than that of benzopyranones. On the other hand, elimination of the 2-oxo group in the benzopyranone chemical structures decreases affinity for the secondary binding site.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Ferrer
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad del País Vasco, Vitoria, Spain
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31
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Lago A, Beltrán I, Ferrer JM, Tembl J, Deyá E. [Transitory episode of laughter as the initial symptom of an ischemic stroke]. Rev Neurol 1997; 25:239-41. [PMID: 9147746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pathological laughter occurs in pseudobulbar paralysis, in psychiatric disorders and as a sign of convulsions (gelastic crisis). An extremely rare form is the "fou rire prodromique' a pathological episode of laughter preceding a stroke. The pathogenesis is unknown and classically differentiated from gelastic crises. "Fou rire prodromique' has been described in subcortical ischaemic or haemorrhagic strokes, not in cortical strokes. CLINICAL CASE We describe a patient with an ischaemic cerebrovascular accident due to embolism of the left Sylvian artery. The clinical picture started with a short episode of pathological laughter which preceded sensitive aphasia and weakness of the right limbs. CONCLUSIONS We suggest that in the case described it is impossible to differentiate between the "fou rire prodromique' and a gelastic crisis as a first sign of an embolic cerebrovascular accident.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lago
- Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Universitari La Fe, Valencia, España
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32
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Martínez-Mir I, García-López M, Palop V, Ferrer JM, Estañ L, Rubio E, Morales-Olivas FJ. A prospective study of adverse drug reactions as a cause of admission to a paediatric hospital. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1996; 42:319-24. [PMID: 8877022 PMCID: PMC2042676 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2125.1996.04076.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
1. A total of 512 consecutive paediatric hospital admissions of children 2 years old or less were evaluated to assess the extent and pattern of admission caused by suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). the proportion of suspected ADRs related to hospital admissions was 4.3%. 2. The organ-systems most commonly implicated were the central nervous system (40.5%), digestive system (16.7%), and skin and appendages (14.3%). Together, they accounted for 71.5% of admissions attributed to ADRs. The most common clinical manifestations inducing admission were convulsions (4 cases), dizziness (4), vomiting (3), and tremor, fever, itching and apnoea (2 cases each). 3. The four classes of drugs most frequently suspected in admissions due to ADRs were respiratory drugs (35%), anti-infective agents (25%), drugs active on the central nervous system (15%) and drugs used in dermatology (10%). The most common drugs related to ADRs were a combination of chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, phenylephrine, guaiphenesin and salicylic acid (4 cases), followed by fenoterol, adrenaline, paracetamol, DTP vaccine and antipolio vaccine (2 cases each). 4. There were no significant differences between children older and younger than 1 year (odds ratio 0.89; 95% CI 0.37-2.17) or between the sexes as regards hospital admittance due to suspected ADRs (odds ratio 1.94; 95% CI 0.72-5.42). 5. The results of this kind of study may be influenced by patterns of drug utilization. Nevertheless, the lack of specific studies of drug effects in young children makes it desirable to carry out pharmacoepidemiological studies in this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Martínez-Mir
- Servei de Investigació, Hospital General Universitari, València, Spain
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Fernández R, Sabater R, Sáez JA, Montes R, Alba F, Ferrer JM. Mediation by neurotensin-receptors of effects of neurotensin on self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Br J Pharmacol 1996; 119:299-302. [PMID: 8886412 PMCID: PMC1915841 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1996.tb15985.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
1 Intracortical microinjections of neurotensin (NT) selectively decreased intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) of the medial prefrontal cortex in the rat. 2 To elucidate whether this effect is mediated by NT receptors or by the formation of NT-dopamine complexes, we investigated the effects on ICSS of intracortical microinjections of neurotensin (1-11), an NT fragment that forms extracellular complexes with dopamine but does not bind to NT receptors. 3 We also studied the effects of the peripheral administration of SR 48692, a selective antagonist of NT receptors, on the inhibition of ICSS produced by the intracortical administration of NT. 4 Unilateral microinjections of neurotensin (1-11) at doses of 10, 20 and 40 nmol into the medial prefrontal cortex did not change the basal ICSS rate of this area. 5 The intraperitoneal administration of SR 48692 at doses of 0.08 and 0.16 mg kg-1 30 min before microinjection of 10 nmol of NT into the medial prefrontal cortex, antagonized the inhibition of ICSS produced by the neuropeptide. 6 These results demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of NT on ICSS is mediated by NT receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Granada, Spain
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Abstract
UNLABELLED In an attempt to assess the relative toxicity of amoxycillin and amoxycillin-clavulanic acid, we compared the adverse drug reactions reports collected using the spontaneous reporting system of a Regional Drug Surveillance Centre of Spain for both drugs between November 1986 and December 1992. During the 7-year period 1986-92, the 247 reports of amoxycillin-clavulanic acid represent twice the number of reports of amoxycillin alone, and the number of reports related with sales received concerning the association were higher than those concerning amoxycillin alone. The adverse effects classified as severe were quantitatively and qualitatively similar for both drugs and gastrointestinal and skin are the most common system-organ affected by both drugs. With amoxycillin-clavulanic acid there is a higher proportion of stomatological reactions reported and a later onset of adverse drug reactions related with oropharyngeal lesions, and the reaction of the resistance mechanism when compared with the other organs and systems affected. The duration of the adverse drug reactions to amoxycillin-clavulanic acid is longer than for amoxycillin alone. IN CONCLUSION (i) the adverse drug reactions profile of both drugs is different; (ii) the higher reporting rate for amoxycillin-clavulanic acid may be due to more recent marketing; and (iii) amoxycillin-clavulanic acid produces proportionately more gastrointestinal and fewer skin adverse reactions than amoxycillin alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Martinez-Mir
- Departament de Farmacologia, Universitat de València, Spain
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Fernández R, Alba F, Ferrer JM. Peptidase inhibitors potentiate the effects of neurotensin and neuromedin N on self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex. Neuroreport 1996; 7:798-800. [PMID: 8733748 DOI: 10.1097/00001756-199602290-00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the possible role of endogenous peptidases in the inhibition of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) produced by injections of neurotensin (NT) and neuromedin N (NN) into the medial prefrontal cortex (MPC) of the rat. We studied the effects on ICSS of the MPC of the administration of thiorphan and bestatin, two specific inhibitors of the peptidases that inactivate NT and NN respectively. Microinjections into MPC of thiorphan (10 micrograms) and bestatin (25 micrograms) potentiated in inhibition of ICSS produced by the intracortical administration of NT (10 nmol) and NN (20 nmol) respectively. This potentiation affected both the amplitude and the duration of the inhibition of ICSS produced by the neuropeptides. Our data indicate that endogenous peptidases are involved in the inactivation of NT and NN in the prefrontal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fernández
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain
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36
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Aya AG, Bruelle P, Lefrant JY, Saissi G, Ferrer JM, Eledjham JJ. Accidental nicardipine overdosage without serious maternal or neonatal consequence. Anaesth Intensive Care 1996; 24:99-101. [PMID: 8669665 DOI: 10.1177/0310057x9602400119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A G Aya
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Nimes, France
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37
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Price DJ, Ferrer JM. Estimates of the convergence of association projections from area 17 to rostral area 18 in the cat depend on injection site size. Neurosci Lett 1996; 203:93-6. [PMID: 8834101 DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(95)12268-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
To estimate the degree of convergence of corticocortical projections from area 17 to the rostral part of area 18 in the cat, we injected the retrograde tracer diamidino yellow either at single or multiple adjacent sites in area 18. We measured the diameters of the individual or larger composite injections and the diameters of the labelled regions in area 17; from these values we estimated convergence factors. Small injections led to underestimates of the overall convergence of this pathway. A maximal value for convergence (about 3 mm) was obtained with larger composite injections (above about 3 mm in diameter). These results indicate that some area 17-to-18 projections may arborize widely in area 18. Their detection may require that injected tracer covers a large portion of their arbors.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Price
- Department of Physiology, University Medical School, Edinburgh, UK
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38
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Tato A, Ferrer JM, Trigoso CI, Stockert JC. Differential reactivity of structural components of eosinophil leucocyte granules as revealed by ethanolic phosphotungstic acid. Eur J Morphol 1995; 33:465-472. [PMID: 8907559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
After glutaraldehyde fixation and ethanolic phosphotungstic acid (E-PTA) treatment before embedding, thin sections of rat bone marrow and large intestine showed a characteristic pattern of electron opacity in eosinophil leucocyte granules. In both mature eosinophils and precursor cells, the matrix appeared highly contrasted while the crystalline core revealed no electron density. Additional treatment of sections with uranyl acetate did not modify the contrasting pattern of eosinophil granules. The absence of electron dense reaction in the crystalline core after E-PTA treatment seems to originate from removal of core components. The selective reactivity of the matrix toward E-PTA could be a valuable ultrastructural marker for studies on the differentiation of specific granules along the maturation of eosinophil leucocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tato
- Central Service of Electron Microscopy, University of Valencia, Spain
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39
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Ferrer JM, Iglesias J, Hernández M, Matamoros N. Alterations in interleukin secretion (IL-2 and IL-4) by CD4 and CD4 CD45RO cells from common variable immunodeficiency (CVI) patients. Clin Exp Immunol 1995; 102:286-9. [PMID: 7586680 PMCID: PMC1553419 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1995.tb03779.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The failure of B cells from CVI patients to secrete normal amounts of antibodies has been attributed either to an intrinsic B cell defect or to a lack of cooperation from T cells. In an attempt to improve the definition of the origin of this defect in one of the main cellular compartments, we studied the ability of helper CD4 cells and their CD4 CD45RO subpopulation from CVI patients to secrete interleukins (IL-2 and IL-4) in response to mitogen stimulation. We found that CD4 and CD4 CD45RO cells from some patients secrete abnormal amounts of interleukins (in general low levels of IL-2 and high levels of IL-4) upon stimulation with pokeweed mitogen (PWM). These irregularities may contribute to the defective differentiation of B cells in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Ferrer
- Immunology Section, Hospital Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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40
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Carrasquer C, Nieto ML, Soldevila D, Blanes M, Ferrer JM, Perpiñá M. [Bronchogenic carcinoma and human immunodeficiency virus infection]. Arch Bronconeumol 1995; 31:362-4. [PMID: 8777532 DOI: 10.1016/s0300-2896(15)30902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The coexistence of bronchogenic carcinoma and human immunodeficiency virus is unusual. Patients are usually young former smokers and histopathologic type is most often adenocarcinoma. We describe two cases of bronchogenic carcinoma in HIV positive individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Carrasquer
- Servicio de Neumología, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia
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41
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Abstract
It is known that binding site I on human serum albumin (HSA) consists of a zone of two overlapping regions: the specific binding region represented by warfarin binding and the specific binding region represented by azapropazone and phenylbutazone binding. In this paper binding parameters to defatted HSA and to HSA with fatty acids (molar ratio of fatty acid/HSA = 4) were compared. High-affinity binding sites for warfarin, 4-chromanol, 4-hydroxycoumarin, coumarin, 3-acetylcoumarin and phenylbutazone (759,549 M-1 > Ka > 67,024 M-1) constitute binding site I on HSA. In this binding area defatted HSA can bind two molecules of warfarin, but the presence of fatty acids diminish the binding capacity of warfarin to HSA (2 > n > 1).
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Zatón
- Departamento de Bioqumica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia,Universidad del Pas Vasco, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
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42
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Urquía M, Rodríguez-Archilla A, Palacios-Córdoba A, Asencio R, Ferrer JM. Induction of interleukin-1 alpha production by Porphyromonas gingivalis in mononuclear blood cell cultures from periodontitis patients. Bull Group Int Rech Sci Stomatol Odontol 1995; 38:51-6. [PMID: 7881268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The capacity of mononuclear blood cells to produce interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) after stimulation with Porphyromonas gingivalis in cell culture was studied. The results obtained with cells from periodontitis patients were compared with those from a control population. The concentration of IL-1 alpha in serum and saliva was also determined and compared with the concentration in mononuclear blood cell cultures. No significant relationship was found between the incidence of periodontitis or severity of the lesions and IL-1 alpha production in the presence of P. gingivalis. Nevertheless, 11 of 30 periodontitis patients, showed levels > 30 pg/ml of IL-1 alpha in mononuclear blood cell cultures stimulated by P. gingivalis, whereas only three healthy control showed these titers of IL-1 alpha.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Urquía
- Oral Immunology Research Laboratory, University of Granada, Spain
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43
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Morales-Olivas FJ, Ferrer JM, Palop V, Rubio E. [Adverse reactions from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor drugs reported by the yellow card]. Med Clin (Barc) 1994; 103:321-5. [PMID: 7967889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to analyze the adverse reactions (AR) to captopril (CP) and enalapril (EN) reported by voluntary notification by the yellow card (YC) over the first five years of the foundation of the Drug Surveillance Center of the Valencian Community. METHODS The AR described were classified by organs and systems, evaluating the age and the sex of the patient, the indication for the drug, dosage used, and the level of health care assistance received since notification. Previous knowledge of the reported AR was analyzed, as was the possible relation of causality with the drug and severity of the same. The rates of notification were calculated with respect to the consumption of both drugs, expressed in daily dosage defined (DDD). RESULTS Two hundred one YC were evaluated, 111 for CP and 90 for EN referring 160 and 133 clinical manifestations, respectively. The rate of notification was 2.51 YC/million DDD for CP and 5.57 for EN. The AR in the respiratory tract were the most frequently reported with cases of dry cough representing 33.7% of the total YC for CP and 33.8% for EN. Cutaneous AR followed for both drugs. Angioedema was reported in 0.09 AR/million DDD for CP and 0.56 for EN. Reactions were most frequently observed in patients over the age of 50 with a predominance of the female sex, being usually slight and with 80% having been notified from primary health care centers. CONCLUSIONS The high number of reports of cough demonstrate that this is the most frequently observed adverse reaction. The distribution of reactions and the characteristics of the patients with the same coincide with other studies. The low number of yellow cards reporting severe adverse reactions may support the favorable safety profile of this pharmacologic group, or, to the contrary, be a consequence of the under-reporting of adverse reactions.
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44
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Price DJ, Ferrer JM, Blakemore C, Kato N. Functional organization of corticocortical projections from area 17 to area 18 in the cat's visual cortex. J Neurosci 1994; 14:2732-46. [PMID: 7514210 PMCID: PMC6577463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We used anatomical and physiological methods to study the functional organization of the association projection from area 17 to area 18 in the cat's visual cortex. Neurons in area 17 projecting to area 18 (revealed by retrograde transport of fluorescent tracer) tend to be clustered over regions of layer 4 receiving input from the ipsilateral eye (visualized by anterograde transneuronal tracing). Since the contralateral input overlaps these ipsilateral patches, the association cells lie preferentially in regions that are likely to be binocularly innervated. Indeed, almost all cells recorded electrophysiologically within the association clusters were strongly binocular, whereas between the clusters, many neurons were dominated by the contralateral eye. There is sufficient jitter in the retinotopic organization of area 17 for the discontinuous distribution of association cells to provide a continuous representation of the visual field. Cells in each association cluster in the rostral part of area 17 project divergently to innervate a zone extending up to 3 mm wide, anteroposteriorly, in the superficial layers of area 18. The receptive fields of cells at any point in area 18 are larger than for the corresponding point in area 17. Neurons recorded at two points in area 18, separated by a distance equal to the limit of anatomical divergence of the projection from area 17, have receptive fields that overlap by an amount similar to the region of visual field covered by the receptive fields of cells in a single association cluster in area 17 at a similar retinotopic position. Thus, area 18 receives a full and strongly binocular representation of the visual field not only from the lateral geniculate nucleus but also from area 17. The divergence of the area 17 to 18 projection compensates for the difference in receptive field size by ensuring that the receptive fields of each cluster of projecting neurons overlap fairly precisely those of the recipient neurons in area 18.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Price
- University Laboratory of Physiology, Oxford, United Kingdom
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45
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Price DJ, Ferrer JM, Blakemore C, Kato N. Postnatal development and plasticity of corticocortical projections from area 17 to area 18 in the cat's visual cortex. J Neurosci 1994; 14:2747-62. [PMID: 7514211 PMCID: PMC6577467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We used retrogradely transported fluorescent tracers to study the development of projections from area 17 to area 18 in normal and monocularly deprived kittens. In newborn animals, cells in area 17 that were labeled from small, discrete injections in area 18 were concentrated around the retinotopically corresponding zone, but distributed with lower density over a very wide surrounding area. Hence, the total convergence and divergence of the projection were initially enormous, but they decreased dramatically, mainly during the first postnatal month, through elimination of the sparse, widespread distribution of projections. Injections of two different tracers close together in area 18 produced very few double-labeled cells in area 17 at any age, implying that most individual axons arborize over very small territories even at birth. In normal kittens the peak density of association cells in the upper layers, corrected for the overall expansion of the cortex, doubled over the first postnatal month and then declined gradually over the following several months, presumably because of continuing selection and elimination. As shown in previous work (Price and Blakemore, 1985a), area 17 to 18 cells in newborn kittens were distributed in two continuous bands in supragranular and infragranular layers. During normal maturation, elimination of projections results in the formation of distinct clusters; these lie preferentially in the upper layers above patches of ipsilateral eye input to layer 4 (Price et al., 1994). Monocular deprivation, which causes the terminal patches representing the deprived eye to become much smaller than normal, did not stop the normal decrease in overall convergence/divergence or the appearance of clusters of association cells, but the clusters were distinctly larger than normal in both hemispheres. Monocular deprivation also prevented the normal reduction in density of association cells within clusters after 1 month of age. Comparison with results from binocularly deprived animals, where clusters also form but association cell density is low, suggests that the size of clusters and the density of association cells retained depend on the overall level of cortical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Price
- Department of Physiology, University Medical School, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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46
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Labios M, Ferrer JM, Gabriel F, Morales-Olivas J. Dipyridamole and myalgias. Therapie 1994; 49:51-2. [PMID: 8091367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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47
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Calvo Rodríguez LE, Ferrer JM, Morales-Olivas FJ, Palop V. [Nocturnal enuresis due to doxazosin]. Med Clin (Barc) 1993; 101:479. [PMID: 8231378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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48
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Abstract
We studied the effects of peripheral and central administration of SCH 23390, a selective antagonist of dopamine D1 receptors, on intracranial self-stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex of the rat. Intraperitoneal injections of SCH 23390 produced a dose-related decrease in self-stimulation. Unilateral microinjections of SCH 23390 into the medial prefrontal cortex also produced a dose-related decrease in self-stimulation in the ipsilateral medial prefrontal cortex. However, self-stimulation of the contralateral, noninjected prefrontal cortex, used as control, was not affected. Together with previous data, the present results suggest that the dopamine neurotransmission involved in self-stimulation of the prefrontal cortex of the rat is mediated by dopamine D1 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sabater
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain
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49
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Abstract
The structure of specific granules from horse eosinophil leukocytes is still largely unknown. In this work, electron microscopical studies of horse eosinophils reveal that the large cytoplasmic granules contain an external membrane, a matrix of less density, and a dense (non crystalline) core. Round vacuolar inclusions of matrix materials were often observed within the cores. Horse eosinophil granules showed a considerable heterogeneity, and three morphological types could be identified according to structural features of the core and matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Stockert
- Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Abteilung Mikrobiologie, Tübingen, Bundesrepublik Deutschland
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50
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Abstract
Geniculocortical afferents to the lateral suprasylvian (LS) visual area come only from the C layers in normal adult cats. After neonatal lesions of areas 17 and 18, inputs to the LS area also arise from the A layers. We studied the plasticity of this aberrant pathway. We made lesions in areas 17 and 18 of newborn kittens, some of which were then monocularly deprived. In lesioned undeprived cats, retrograde tracing confirmed projections to the LS area from both the A and A1 as well as the C geniculate layers. In lesioned deprived cats, geniculate afferents from the A layers to the LS area came mainly from the layer receiving a normal visual input. We conclude that the development of the abnormal pathway from the A layers to the LS area is influenced by patterned visual activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kato
- Department of Integrative Brain Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan
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