[Congenital and Perinatal Infections Caused by Viral Agents, Toxoplasma Gondii and Treponema Pallidum. Study of 2000 Cases and Analysis of 488 Positive Cases]

Medicina Clínica. Jan, 1987  |  Pubmed ID: 3029523

Q Fever in Spain: Acute and Chronic Cases, 1981-1985

Reviews of Infectious Diseases. Jan-Feb, 1988  |  Pubmed ID: 3353629

Two hundred forty-nine cases of Q fever were documented at the laboratories of the Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Virología e Inmunología Sanitarias (CNMVIS) during the 5-year period 1981-1985. Two hundred thirty-four cases corresponded to acute infections, mostly sporadic but including two epidemics. The clinical presentation was respiratory in 74% of the cases and febrile in 18%. Fifteen cases, all but one of which were endocarditis, were categorized as chronic. The cases studied were referred from almost every region of Spain. The clinical and epidemiologic analyses and the number of cases reported permit only an approximation of the true incidence and characteristics of Q fever in Spain.

Microheterogeneity and Interspecific Variability of the Nuclear Sperm Proteins from Mytilus

FEBS Letters. May, 1991  |  Pubmed ID: 2037045

We have used acetic acid-urea-triton (AUT) gel electrophoresis and ionic exchange chromatography in order to analyze the interspecific variability and microheterogeneity pattern of the protamine-like (PL) proteins of the sperm of 4 different species of the bivalve mollusc, Mytilus. We have found that based upon these 2 criteria, it is possible to unambiguously distinguish each species from the rest. We have thus been able to corroborate the identity of M. trossulus. We have also analyzed the amino acid composition of some of the PL components for each different species. In the case of the PL-II* fraction, we have analyzed the composition of its major protein subcomponents.

Sequence and Characterization of a Sperm-specific Histone H1-like Protein of Mytilus Californianus

The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Jan, 1993  |  Pubmed ID: 7677995

The major protein fraction of the protamine-like PL-II* (phi 2B) from the sperm of Mytilus californianus has been sequenced and characterized. Immunological and sequence analyses unequivocally show that this protein is indeed a member of the histone H1 family. Along with proteins of the histone H1 class, the protein also shows cross-reactivity and sequence identity, in its NH2-terminal region, with the major protamine-like protein component of Mytilus sperm: PL-III (phi 1), of smaller molecular mass. Indeed it is the unusual repetitive sequence motif of the NH2-terminal domain of PL-II* that bestows to this protein its protamine-like nature. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy indicates that the protein contains considerable secondary structure: 18% alpha-helix, 21% beta-sheet, 39% turns and bends, 22% random coil. At the higher levels of structure, PL-II* exhibits ionic strength-dependent folding which is indistinguishable from that of histone H5, as monitored by fluorescence anisotropy.

Novel Antigens Expressed by Aeromonas Salmonicida Grown in Vivo

Infection and Immunity. Nov, 1993  |  Pubmed ID: 8406855

Virulent and avirulent Aeromonas salmonicida strains grown inside intraperitoneal implants in Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were examined for unique antigen expression. Western blots (immunoblots), performed with immune rabbit serum raised against in vivo-grown cells, revealed several unique antigens. With the exception of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), these novel antigens were destroyed after proteinase K treatment. The majority of these antigens were not induced in vitro in response to either iron limitation or anaerobiosis. In addition, electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of a putative capsule on in vivo-grown cells. Purification and fractionation of this carbohydrate material from cells grown in carbon-rich synthetic media resulted in the isolation and separation of an antigenically distinct LPS not seen with cells grown in standard media. Antiserum raised against in vivo-grown cells recognized both this LPS and the typical LPS of A. salmonicida apparent in in vitro-grown cells. Antiserum raised against in vitro-grown cells recognized only the LPS expressed in vitro. Antiserum directed against in vivo-grown cells was approximately 10 times more sensitive than serum directed against in vitro-grown cells in detecting A. salmonicida in infected fish kidney tissue.

Post-translational Cleavage of a Histone H1-like Protein in the Sperm of Mytilus

The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Jan, 1993  |  Pubmed ID: 8416927

Starting with total RNA from spermatogenic cells of Mytilus trossulus and using random priming, we have cloned and sequenced the c-DNAs corresponding to two variants of the sperm-specific protein PLII* (phi 2B). DNA sequencing in conjunction with mass spectrometry and protein sequence data have allowed us to establish that of the three sperm-specific proteins present in the sperm of Mytilus (PL-II*(phi 2B), PL-III (phi 1), PL-IV (phi 3)), the first and the last one are the result of post-translational cleavage of a common precursor. This common precursor is a member of the histone H1 family, and it exhibits inter- and intraspecific microheterogeneity.

Bed Mobility Task Performance in Older Adults

Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. Sep-Oct, 2000  |  Pubmed ID: 11322161

Difficulty in transferring, the ability to rise in and out of a bed and chair, is a common problem in older adults, particularly those residing in skilled nursing facilities. Focusing on one aspect of transferring, rising from supine to sitting position, we devised a set of bed mobility tasks to test key arm, leg, and trunk movements that likely contribute to successful rising from bed. Healthy young controls (YC, n=22, mean age 23), and older adults (aged 60 and over) either residing independently in congregate housing (CH, n=29, mean age 84) or undergoing rehabilitation in a skilled nursing facility (SNF, mean age 77) were assessed in the time to rise from supine to sitting and in the ability or inability to perform 16 other bed mobility tasks. Trunk function-related tasks, specifically those requiring trunk elevation and trunk balance, were most difficult for the SNF, followed by CH, and then YC. Tasks focusing on trunk flexion strength (sit up arms crossed, bilateral heel raise) and lateral trunk strength/balance were the most difficult for both SNF and CH, although there was minimal difference in the percent unable to complete each task. The major CH-SNF differences occurred in trunk elevation tasks where the upper limb was important in facilitating trunk elevation (sit up with head of bed elevation with use of arms, sit up with the use of a trapeze, or sit up with use of arms from a flat bed position). These findings suggest that to improve frail older adult performance on bed mobility tasks, and specifically in rising from supine to sitting, training should move beyond improving trunk function (i.e., trunk strength). There should be an additional focus, either through therapy or bed design modifications, on how upper limb movements and positioning can be used to assist in trunk elevation.

Intra-sellar Salivary Gland-like Pleomorphic Adenoma Arising Within the Wall of a Rathke's Cleft Cyst

Pituitary. Dec, 2000  |  Pubmed ID: 11788014

Salivary gland rests occur in the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland near or often communicating with the Rathke's cleft or its cystic subdivisions, and are usually incidental autopsy findings. They are attributed to the oropharyngeal development of the Rathke's pouch and may rarely give rise to salivary gland-like tumors in the sella. We present a pleomorphic adenoma, a rare tumor of the sellar region, that has not been previously recognized in association with Rathke's cleft cyst. It occurred in a 44-year-old man who presented with hypopituitarism and reduced vision. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a sellar mass with suprasellar extension which was totally removed. It consisted of segments of a cyst wall lined by focally ciliated columnar of cuboid epithelium containing goblet cells. An eosinophilic granular material with cholesterol clefts represented the contents of the cyst. Within its wall there was a tumor with ductal structures and non-ductal varied cellular components including hypercellular areas of spindle and ovoid cells forming interlacing fascicles. Individual cells appeared to float in abundant mucinous material. The appearances were those of a salivary gland pleomorphic adenoma arising within the wall of a Rathke's cleft cyst. The myoepithelial nature of non-ductal tumor cells was confirmed with immunocytochemistry. The existence of seromucous glands communicating with the Rathke's cleft remnants, explains the concomitant occurrence of the tumor and the cyst. This rare neoplasm from salivary gland rest should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unusual sellar and suprasellar tumors.

Rapid Molecular Analysis of the Haemagglutinin Gene of Human Influenza A H3N2 Viruses Isolated in Spain from 1996 to 2000

Archives of Virology. 2001  |  Pubmed ID: 11765916

A simple molecular technique was used for the rapid preliminary genetic characterization of human influenza A H3N2 viruses isolated in Spain from 1996 to 2000. Subtyping, based on RT-PCR, was followed by subtype-specific restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of an amplified region of the HA1 domain of the H3 haemagglutinin (HA) gene to distinguish variants differentiated by common amino acid substitutions in HA1. The approach was tested using 135 Spanish H3N2 isolates and included nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of a region of the HA1 domain of 41 representative isolates. The viruses were distinguished by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays into two antigenically discernible groups, the A/Wuhan/359/95-like and A/Sydney/5/97-like viruses. The results of PCR-RFLP analysis allowed a finer classification into five genetic variant subgroups, corresponding to those distinguished by phylogenetic analyses. This rapid, simple and variant-specific procedure could, therefore, be used to rapidly screen clinical specimens prior to more detailed antigenic and genetic analyses.

[A Study of Clinical Response to Antibiotic Treatment in Subjects with Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis]

Revista Española De Quimioterapia : Publicación Oficial De La Sociedad Española De Quimioterapia. Jun, 2004  |  Pubmed ID: 15470514

A study was carried out on the clinical response to antibiotics in 105 patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Two groups of patients were compared in a retrospective study. The results of rectal examination, ultrasound scan, microbiological analysis, and response to different antibiotic therapy regimens were compared. There was a high incidence of perineal-testicular pain and sexual potency reduction; prostate congestion and pain on rectal examination were frequently reported. All the patients had positive microbial cultures, with Gram-negative microorganisms being predominantly isolated. Following the administration of different antibiotic therapy regimens, symptoms either disappeared or diminished, irrespective of whether positive cultures remained. A poorer clinical response was observed in patients with positive prostate ultrasound and rectal examination, and with isolated Gram-negative bacilli. No differences were observed between either group in clinical response to different antimicrobial regimens.

Occult Hydrocephalus in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Neurosurgery. 2005  |  Pubmed ID: 15617590

Many children with cerebral palsy have chronic ventriculomegaly as a consequence of perinatal intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia, without symptoms of hydrocephalus. Children with cerebral palsy who are treated with intrathecal baclofen have a higher rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks along the baclofen catheter than do adults treated with intrathecal baclofen. We postulated that the cause of the increased frequency of CSF leaks was increased CSF pressure, that is, occult hydrocephalus.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Baclofen Concentrations in Patients Undergoing Continuous Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. Jun, 2007  |  Pubmed ID: 17518926

The aim of this study was to report concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) baclofen in children undergoing chronic intrathecal baclofen (ITB) infusions. CSF baclofen concentrations were analyzed in 53 specimens obtained by intrathecal catheter aspiration from 43 participants (28 males, 15 females; range 3-44y, mean 16y [SD 8y 11mo]), with functioning baclofen pumps and catheters. Daily ITB doses ranged from 70 to 1395 microg per day (mean 607 microg per day [SD 363], median 575). Baclofen concentration was quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography and confirmed by injection onto a gas chromatograph. CSF baclofen concentrations from children receiving either simple continuous or complex infusions ranged from 0.2 to 20.0 microg/ml (mean 4.64 microg/ml, median 3.3 microg/ml). CSF baclofen concentrations from children receiving simple continuous infusions ranged from 0.5 to 12.9 (mean 4.7 microg/ml, median 3.55 microg/ml). There was no correlation between ITB dosage and CSF baclofen concentration. We conclude that baclofen concentration can be measured to determine if baclofen is present in CSF. However, there appears to be no correlation between the ITB dose infused and the corresponding CSF baclofen level.

Evaluation of Eight Different Bioinformatics Tools to Predict Viral Tropism in Different Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtypes

Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Mar, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18199789

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) tropism can be assessed using phenotypic assays, but this is quite laborious, expensive, and time-consuming and can be made only in sophisticated laboratories. More accessible albeit reliable tools for testing of HIV-1 tropism are needed in view of the prompt introduction of CCR5 antagonists in clinical practice. Bioinformatics tools based on V3 sequences might help to predict HIV-1 tropism; however, most of these methods have been designed by taking only genetic information derived from HIV-1 subtype B into consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performances of several genotypic tools to predict HIV-1 tropism in non-B subtypes, as data on this issue are scarce. Plasma samples were tested using a new phenotypic tropism assay (Phenoscript-tropism; Eurofins), and results were compared with estimates of coreceptor usage using eight different genotypic predictor softwares (Support Vector Machine [SVM], C4.5, C4.5 with positions 8 to 12 only, PART, Charge Rule, geno2pheno coreceptor, Position-Specific Scoring Matrix X4R5 [PSSM(X4R5)], and PSSM(sinsi)). A total of 150 samples were tested, with 115 belonging to patients infected with non-B subtypes and 35 drawn from subtype B-infected patients, which were taken as controls. When non-B subtypes were tested, the concordances between the results obtained using the phenotypic assay and distinct genotypic tools were as follows: 78.8% for SVM, 77.5% for C4.5, 82.5% for C4.5 with positions 8 to 12 only, 82.5% for PART, 82.5% for Charge Rule, 82.5% for PSSM(X4R5), 83.8% for PSSM(sinsi), and 71.3% for geno2pheno. When clade B viruses were tested, the best concordances were seen for PSSM(X4R5) (91.4%), PSSM(sinsi) (88.6%), and geno2pheno (88.6%). The sensitivity for detecting X4 variants was lower for non-B than for B viruses, especially in the case of PSSM(sinsi) (38.4% versus 100%, respectively), SVM(wetcat) (46% versus 100%, respectively), and PART (30% versus 90%, respectively). In summary, while inferences of HIV-1 coreceptor usage using genotypic tools seem to be reliable for clade B viruses, their performances are poor for non-B subtypes, in which they particularly fail to detect X4 variants.

STIM1 Converts TRPC1 from a Receptor-operated to a Store-operated Channel: Moving TRPC1 in and out of Lipid Rafts

Cell Calcium. Nov, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18420269

While the role of members from the TRPC family of channels as receptor-operated channels (ROC) is well established and supported by numerous studies, the role of this family of channels as store-operated channels (SOC) has been the focus of a heated controversy over the last few years. In the present study, we have explored the modulation of STIM1 on human TRPC1 channel. We show that the association of STIM1 to TRPC1 favors the insertion of TRPC1 into lipid rafts, where TRPC1 functions as a SOC. In the absence of STIM1, TRPC1 associates to other members from the TRPC family of channels to form ROCs. A novel TIRFM-FRET method illustrates the relevance of the dynamic association between STIM1 and TRPC1 for the activation of SOC and the lipid raft localization of the STIM1-TRPC1 complex. This study provides new evidence about the dual activity of TRPC1 (forming ROC or SOC) and the partners needed to determine TRPC1 functional fate. It highlights also the role of plasma membrane microdomains and ER-PM junctions in modulating TRPC1 channel function and its association to STIM1.

[Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: Optimism Versus Prudence]

Medicina Clínica. Sep, 2008  |  Pubmed ID: 18775217

Mean Age of First Sex: Do They Know What We Mean?

Archives of Sexual Behavior. Oct, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21618046

Use of Medical Care During Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Navarre, Spain

Emerging Infectious Diseases. Aug, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 21801624

Of 233 households with laboratory-confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Navarre, Spain, only 64% (107/166) of contacts with influenza-like illness had sought medical care. This value was lower for adults (53%, 39/74) than for children <15 years of age (74%, 68/92), as well as for those with cases secondary to another household case (58%, 64/111).

Choice of Birth Control Methods Among European Women and the Role of Partners and Providers

Contraception. Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22078183

The choice of a birth control method is influenced by sociocultural and personal factors. We explored the perceived influences in women's choice of a birth control method in five European countries (Germany, France, the UK, Romania and Sweden), where contraception is widely used.

First Sexual Intercourse and Subsequent Regret in Three Developing Countries

The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22325133

Adolescents who engage in sex can be affected by a range of negative physical and psychological consequences. We intend to analyze the reasons behind first sex, regret, and the association between reasons and regret.

Knowledge and Beliefs About Mechanism of Action of Birth Control Methods Among European Women

Contraception. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22067806

Adequate knowledge is essential for making informed decisions. We attempted to determine the level of knowledge about mechanisms of action of birth control methods in five representative samples of European women.