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This study reports for the first time on European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), larvae, the effect of different levels of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) on the expression of genes related to the fish stress response.... more
This study reports for the first time on European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), larvae, the effect of different levels of dietary arachidonic acid (ARA; 20:4n-6) on the expression of genes related to the fish stress response. Copies of mRNA from genes related to steroidogenesis [StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), c-Fos, and CYP11β (11β-hydroxylase gene)], glucocorticoid receptor complex [GR (glucocorticoid receptor) and HSP (heat shock proteins) 70 and 90) and antioxidative stress (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase] were quantified. Eighteen day-old larvae were fed for 14 days with three experimental diets with increasing levels of ARA (0.3, 0.6 and 1.2 % d.w.) and similar levels of docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) and eicosapentaenoic (20:5n-3) acids (5 and 3 %, respectively). The quantification of stress-related genes transcripts was conducted by One-Step TaqMan real time RT-PCR with the standard curve method (absolute quantificatio...
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The physiopathological role of androgen binding proteins in male pattern baldness (MPB) has been studied by using tritiated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and methyltrienolone (R 1881) as ligands. DHT binding in bald scalp from subjects... more
The physiopathological role of androgen binding proteins in male pattern baldness (MPB) has been studied by using tritiated dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and methyltrienolone (R 1881) as ligands. DHT binding in bald scalp from subjects suffering from MPB is high (53 +/- 12 fmol/mg protein) in cytosol obtained from bald areas, being undetectable in hairy areas from the same subject. Since methyltrienolone does not bind in bald scalp cytosol, there must be no specific DHT receptor in this material. Several kinetic and molecular parameters of DHT binding in bald scalp cytosol and serum were similar in both samples. Only the association rate constant (k+1) was significantly higher in serum (8.8 X 10(6) M-1 min-1) than in cytosol (3.08 X 10(6) M-1 min-1). DHT binding in serum as well as the evaluation of plasma contamination in the skin samples (by nephelometric analysis) strongly suggests that DHT binding in skin cytosol is merely due to the presence of contaminating SHBG but it does not explain the lack of DHT binding in non bald areas. Thus, the possibility arises of there being a specific mechanism for the uptake of the plasmatic testosterone SHBG-complex taking place only in the hypertrophic sebaceous gland as well as the existence of active T metabolites other than DHT, probably 3 beta-androstanediol.
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Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) does not seem to be the active specific metabolite of testosterone in hypertrophic sebaceous glands of subjects affected by male pattern baldness (MPB) and several results indicate that probably... more
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) does not seem to be the active specific metabolite of testosterone in hypertrophic sebaceous glands of subjects affected by male pattern baldness (MPB) and several results indicate that probably 3-beta-androstanediol (beta DIOL) could be an active form of testosterone in those glands. Cytosol and serum from several patients affected by MPB and subjected to hair autotransplantation, was incubated with both beta DIOL and 3-alpha-androstanediol (alpha DIOL). Binding patterns indicate that alpha DIOL binds to cytosolic proteins probably due to the contaminating sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), whereas beta DIOL exhibits an atypical binding process in cytosol in the presence of high concentrations of non radioactive beta DIOL. This binding increases progressively up to 2 pmol/mg protein at the limit solubility conditions for the non radioactive steroid. This pattern is not observed in serum from the same patients, where the binding of beta DIOL is typically ...
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A study has been done of the absorption/elimination kinetics of nutritive substances such as glucose, amino acids and fats from the peritoneal cavity. For this purpose, 48 male Wistar rats were administered an intravenous or... more
A study has been done of the absorption/elimination kinetics of nutritive substances such as glucose, amino acids and fats from the peritoneal cavity. For this purpose, 48 male Wistar rats were administered an intravenous or intraperitoneal "bolus" of 2 microCi of L-glucose-C14/250 g of body weight, 3 microCi of D-alanine-L-C14/250 g and 0.4 g of Intralipid/250 g body weight. A two-compartment pharmacokinetic model was applied to determine the absorption, elimination and distribution constants among the different body compartments of each of these substrates, as well as the absorption and elimination halflife. When the areas under the curves were compared following intravenous and intraperitoneal infusion, the total physiological availability or fraction of dose absorbed over a given period of time were calculated. A higher absorption and elimination constant for glucose and amino acids as compared to fats was found. Higher than 90% absorption for all substrates was found,...
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Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an habitual substance present in a wide variety of beverages and in chocolate-based foods and it is also used as adjuvant in some drugs. The antioxidant ability of caffeine has been reported in... more
Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) is an habitual substance present in a wide variety of beverages and in chocolate-based foods and it is also used as adjuvant in some drugs. The antioxidant ability of caffeine has been reported in contrast with its pro- oxidant effects derived from its action mechanism such as the systemic release of catecholamines. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of caffeine on exercise oxidative stress, measuring plasma vitamins A, E, C and malonaldehyde (MDA) as markers of non enzymatic antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation respectively. Twenty young males participated in a double blind (caffeine 5mg·kg- 1 body weight or placebo) cycling test until exhaustion. In the exercise test, where caffeine was ingested prior to the test, exercise time to exhaustion, maximum heart rate, and oxygen uptake significantly increased, whereas respiratory exchange ratio (RER) decreased. Vitamins A and E decreased with exercise and vitamin C and MDA increased a...
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Allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) from Hevea brasiliensis is a relevant occupational health hazard. The use of gloves and products manufactured with latex and environmental allergen exposure in the work environment are risks factors... more
Allergy to natural rubber latex (NRL) from Hevea brasiliensis is a relevant occupational health hazard. The use of gloves and products manufactured with latex and environmental allergen exposure in the work environment are risks factors for the development of occupational allergy among different job categories. Healthcare workers have been the most commonly affected, but other professions with exposure to latex products such as hairdressers, cleaners, food handlers and those making natural rubber latex (NRL) products are also at risk of developing occupational allergy. Clinical manifestations of IgE-mediated latex allergy can range from troublesome skin disorders to life-threatening systemic reactions. It is very important to identify the occupational allergic diseases in their early stages in order to implement avoidance strategies. For this purpose, the interventions for prevention should emphasize the importance of latex allergy awareness and surveillance among exposed workforces.
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We report on a patient diagnosed with myeloid BC-CML in which a complete cytogenetic remission confirmed by FISH assay was obtained after therapy with carboplatin-ARA-C. However, RT-PCR analysis showed persistence of the p210 bcrabl... more
We report on a patient diagnosed with myeloid BC-CML in which a complete cytogenetic remission confirmed by FISH assay was obtained after therapy with carboplatin-ARA-C. However, RT-PCR analysis showed persistence of the p210 bcrabl translocation. Accordingly, the level of residual malignant cells should be between 10(-2) and 10(-6). Autologous stem cell transplantation was performed, but relapse occurred 11 months after blast crisis. This case supports the effectiveness of a carboplatin-ARA-C protocol in BC-CML in order to induce cytogenetic remissions.
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Anisakis (Anisakidae) is one of the most important causes of helminth-induced allergic reactions and elicits clinical responses that include urticaria, rhinitis, bronco-constriction, cough, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. More than 13... more
Anisakis (Anisakidae) is one of the most important causes of helminth-induced allergic reactions and elicits clinical responses that include urticaria, rhinitis, bronco-constriction, cough, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms. More than 13 reactive allergens have been identified in the serum of Anisakis allergy patients, but the allergenicity of only a few of these have been evaluated in vivo using a mouse model. To evaluate the allergenicity of two important allergens, Ani s 1 and Ani s 9, we induced experimental allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model by repeated intranasal administration of the allergens. Both recombinant proteins (rAni s 1 and rAni s 9) elicited increased airway hyperresponsivity, airway infiltration by inflammatory cells (especially eosinophils), bronchial epithelial cell hyperplasia, all of which are characteristic of allergic airway inflammation. These allergens significantly increased the levels of Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-25) and ...
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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Currently, colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It progresses according to three molecular pathways, named suppressor, mutador and methylator. Microsatellite instability is a hallmark of the... more
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Currently, colon cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It progresses according to three molecular pathways, named suppressor, mutador and methylator. Microsatellite instability is a hallmark of the lack of reparation, of ...
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ABSTRACT Enzymes have been used widely as additives to improve industrial processes.1-4 However, this use is increasing the prevalence of occupational hypersensitivity because enzymes behave as airborne sensitisers.5 Lallzyme EX-V (Scott... more
ABSTRACT Enzymes have been used widely as additives to improve industrial processes.1-4 However, this use is increasing the prevalence of occupational hypersensitivity because enzymes behave as airborne sensitisers.5 Lallzyme EX-V (Scott Laboratories Petaluma, California, USA) is a powder blend of pectinase and hemicellulase sourced from Aspergillus niger fermentation, which is formulated to improve colour stability and enhance mouthfeel in red wines. The activity of Lallzyme contributes to the macerating action on the grape cell wall, allowing the liberation of polyphenols and tannin bound polysaccharides. A 44-year-old woman who had worked in a wine cellar for at least … [Full text of this article]
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To study the changes occurring in brain lipid composition after the administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) by comparing two lipid emulsions, one with long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) and the other with long-chain and... more
To study the changes occurring in brain lipid composition after the administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) by comparing two lipid emulsions, one with long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) and the other with long-chain and medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT/LCT 50%/50%). We used 21 young New Zealand rabbits divided into three groups of seven animals each. Two groups were subjected to TPN for 7 d, with each group receiving using one of two different lipid emulsions: Intralipid 20% (group LCT) and Lipofundin MCT/LCT 20% (group MCT/LCT). The third control group received an oral diet and underwent the same surgical procedure with the administration of intravenous saline solution. The energy administered in the TPN formulas was non-protein 100 kcal ∙ kg(-1) ∙ d(-1), with 40% corresponding to fats. There were modest increases in plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerols. In the brain tissue, there was a decrease of phosphatidylcholine in animals with TPN, which was greater in group LCT. There were no significant differences in the overall percentage distribution of brain fatty acids among the groups. The lipid emulsions administered in TPN, especially those prepared exclusively with LCT, cause changes in the brain lipid polar fractions of young rabbits.
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An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of an essential fatty acid (EFA) deficient diet on growth, immune status and renal morphology of juvenile gilthead sea bream, using two diets: a control diet containing 2% (DW) of n-3... more
An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of an essential fatty acid (EFA) deficient diet on growth, immune status and renal morphology of juvenile gilthead sea bream, using two diets: a control diet containing 2% (DW) of n-3 high unsaturated fatty acid (n-3 HUFA) and a diet formulated to be deficient in EFA for this species and containing 0.5% DW of n-3 HUFA (diet NFA). After 9 weeks of feeding the EFA-deficient diet fish showed a reduction in growth compared with the control group (107.48 +/- 9.14 and 123.14 +/-11.87 g final weight respectively). Fish fed the NFA diet showed a reduction in the erythrocyte volume together with increased erythrocyte fragility, haemoglobin content and red blood cell count in comparison with fish fed the control diet. EFA deficiency also reduced cellular immunity in terms of neutrophil activity and the number of circulating lymphocytes. The serum alternative complement pathway was markedly reduced in fish fed the EFA deficient diet. Fish fed the control diet showed glomeruli with a well-defined Bowman's space and normal renal tubes. However, up to 88% of fish fed the EFA-deficient diet showed alterations in renal morphology affecting at least 50% of the glomeruli, which showed extreme dilation of capillaries and occlusion of Bowsman's capsule. Mesangial proliferation and diffuse thickening of the capillary walls, as well as renal tube degeneration, were also observed.
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In gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata held in groups of two, five or 10 fish, social hierarchies were observed. Subordinate S. aurata were characterized by elevation of basal levels of plasma cortisol, together with a reduced immunological... more
In gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata held in groups of two, five or 10 fish, social hierarchies were observed. Subordinate S. aurata were characterized by elevation of basal levels of plasma cortisol, together with a reduced immunological potential. Subordinate fish also showed lower feed intake, feed utilization and lower growth. Fatty acid composition was also affected by social status, with a lower content of saturated acids, oleic and eicosapentaenoic, in muscle and liver of fish considered as subordinate. Results show that social hierarchy acts as a stressor in S.aurata.
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In this work we describe pathological and microbiological methods to establish the diagnosis of the Hafnia alvei infection in fish. This pathogen was isolated from a population of brown trout Salmo trutta displaying abnormal swimming,... more
In this work we describe pathological and microbiological methods to establish the diagnosis of the Hafnia alvei infection in fish. This pathogen was isolated from a population of brown trout Salmo trutta displaying abnormal swimming, swollen abdomens, and mortalities. Brown trout were experimentally inoculated with H. alvei isolates by intraperitoneal infection to evaluate the histopathology of the disease, and some of the challenged fish exhibited signs of hemorrhagic septicemia. Histological changes observed in the kidney included some necrotic areas, macrovacuolar degeneration in the liver, and loss of the lymphatic tissue in the spleen. Specific granular anti-H. alvei immunoperoxidase labeling was observed in the brush border of proximal segments of the tubular cells and in the base of the intestinal villi. Hafnia alvei was reisolated and identified from the kidney of all the naturally and experimentally infected fish. We conclude that this infection can be successfully detected in fish by microbiological and immunohistochemical methods.
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Anisakissimplex is the main organism responsible for the zoonotic disease anisakiasis which follows the ingestion of live larvae present in raw or undercooked marine fish. Clinical features include severe epigastric pain, frequently... more
Anisakissimplex is the main organism responsible for the zoonotic disease anisakiasis which follows the ingestion of live larvae present in raw or undercooked marine fish. Clinical features include severe epigastric pain, frequently accompanied by severe allergic reactions. We investigated the prevalence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) specific for 5 Anisakis allergens in Italian patients sensitized or allergic to the parasite. The results were compared with those obtained previously in a similar Spanish population. We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional validation study. Asymptomatic Anisakis-sensitized subjects (15 Italian and 17 Spanish) and Anisakis allergic-patients (42 Italian and 35 Spanish) were studied by ImmunoCAP, Western-blotting with nAni s 4 and dot-blotting with rAni s 1, rAni s 5, rAni s 9 and rAni s 10. Anisakis IgE CAP classes 1 or 2 were associated with a high probability of asymptomatic sensitization (66.7%) while CAP classes 4 or above, were associated with a very high probability of allergy to Anisakis (95.2%). The most frequently detected allergen among Italian and Spanish allergic patients was Ani s 1. All of the Spanish patients versus 76.2% of the Italian patients recognized at least one of the allergens tested. Patients suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms only were significantly more frequent among the Italians whereas the Spanish presented more frequently with urticaria, angioedema or anaphylaxis. Anisakis hypersensitivity shows different immunological patterns in different European countries. Allergen component diagnosis might help us to better understand this complex entity. Anisakis-specific IgE levels may have moderate prognostic significance.
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The benefit of intrathecal therapy and systemic rituximab on the outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma at risk of central nervous system disease is controversial. Furthermore, the effect of intrathecal treatment and rituximab in... more
The benefit of intrathecal therapy and systemic rituximab on the outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma at risk of central nervous system disease is controversial. Furthermore, the effect of intrathecal treatment and rituximab in diffuse large B-cell and Burkitt lymphoma with occult leptomeningeal disease detected by flow cytometry at diagnosis is unknown. Untreated diffuse large B-cell (n=246) and Burkitt (n=80) lymphoma at clinical risk of central nervous system disease and having had pre-treatment cerebrospinal fluid were analyzed by flow cytometry and cytology. Spinal fluid involvement was detected by flow cytometry alone (occult) in 33 (13%) diffuse large B-cell and 9 (11%) Burkitt lymphoma patients, and detected by cytology in 11 (4.5%) and 5 (6%) patients, respectively. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with occult spinal fluid involvement had poorer survival (P=0.0001) and freedom from central nervous system relapse (P<0.0001) compared to negative cases. Burkitt lymphoma with occult spinal fluid involvement had an inferior freedom from central nervous system relapse (P=0.026) but not survival. The amount of intrathecal chemotherapy was quantitatively associated with survival in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with (P=0.02) and without (P=0.001) occult spinal fluid involvement. However, progression of systemic disease and not control of central nervous system disease was the principal cause of treatment failure. In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, systemic rituximab was associated with improved freedom from central nervous system relapse (P=0.003) but not with survival. Our results suggest that patients at risk of central nervous system disease should be evaluated by flow cytometry and that intrathecal prophylaxis/therapy is beneficial.