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Rivera D, Santos D, Carmant L, García HH, Pimentel R, Wiebe S, Aponte V, González L, Castillo JC, Matos B, Paliza JM, Fermín R, Stoeter P, Pérez-Then E. [Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis in patients with epilepsy living in the south-western Dominican Republic]. Rev Neurol 2024; 78:109-116. [PMID: 38349319 DOI: 10.33588/rn.7804.2023289] [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: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a possible cause of epilepsy with limited epidemiological data in the Dominican Republic, is endemic in four provinces in the country's south-western region. This study aimed to determine the association between NCC and epilepsy among people living in these endemic regions, and to obtain preliminary data on the prevalence of NCC in these provinces. PATIENTS AND METHODS A case-control design was used, consisting of 111 patients with epilepsy with unknown causes, and 60 controls without epilepsy or NCC. The diagnosis of NCC was based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the skull, as well as Western immunoblotting for serum antibodies using Taenia solium, following the criteria of Del Brutto et al. RESULTS. NCC was found in 27% of the epileptic patients (n = 30/111) and in 5% of the controls (n = 3/60); the probability of the epileptic patients having NCC was seven times higher than the controls (odds ratio = 7.04, 95% confidence interval: 2.04-24.18; p < 0.001). The participants' sociodemographic characteristics, including their age, sex, level of education, occupation, and province of residence presented no statistical significance in terms of their association with NCC. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that NCC is strongly associated with epilepsy in the south-western region of the Dominican Republic, and highlights the need for public health measures to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Rivera
- Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
- Centros de Diagnóstico y Medicina Avanzada y de Conferencias Médicas y Telemedicina, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - D Santos
- Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
- Hospital Dr. Luis Eduardo Aybar, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - L Carmant
- Ministerio de Salud y Asuntos Sociales, Québec, Canadá
| | - H H García
- Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - R Pimentel
- Centro de Educación Médica de Amistad Dominico-Japonesa, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - S Wiebe
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Canadá
| | - V Aponte
- Sistema Nacional de Salud, Madrid, España
| | - L González
- Hospital Pedro Emilio de Marchena, Monseñor Nouel, República Dominicana
| | - J C Castillo
- Two Oceans in Health, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - B Matos
- Centro Médico Anacaona, San Juan, República Dominicana
| | - J M Paliza
- Neurorradiología Diagnóstica SA, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - R Fermín
- Centros de Diagnóstico y Medicina Avanzada y de Conferencias Médicas y Telemedicina, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - P Stoeter
- Centros de Diagnóstico y Medicina Avanzada y de Conferencias Médicas y Telemedicina, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
| | - E Pérez-Then
- Two Oceans in Health, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
- Universidad Dominicana, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana
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Contreras E, Jurado-Ezqueta M, Pimentel R, Serrano L, Hidalgo C, Jiménez A, Polo MJ. Assessment of seasonal and annual patterns in phosphorus content in a monitored catchment through a partitioning approach based on hydrometeorological data. Environ Res 2024; 242:117501. [PMID: 37996003 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117501] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
High amounts of phosphorus (P) in rivers come mainly from two sources: fertilizers washed off from agricultural and urban areas by runoff water (non-point sources) and urban and industrial development which are translated in P discharges from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). This work analyses the content of P in water for nearly 40 years inquiring into the origin of the sources, based on the hypothesis of runoff generation from the detection of river streamflow increases during the P contribution episode and the previous precipitation. For this purpose, the Guadaira River, which is located in the South of Spain and has a drainage surface of 1524 km2, was selected. In this watershed agricultural land use converges with numerous human activities resulting in high pressures on water quality. We found 40% of the P contribution episodes found seem to come from the runoff generated after the heaviest rainfall events, which normally occur between November and May. The remaining 60% of the P contribution episodes were found to be linked to point sources, which become more relevant from June to September, reaching the highest concentration values (6-17 mg/L). The results highlight that the target phosphate concentration value of 0.34 mg PO4/L imposed by the national legislation for a good state following the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC is exceeded by 96% of the measurements during the period from 1981 to 2022. On a monthly basis, PO4 loads showed a linear relationship with river streamflow (R2 = 0.94). However, on field measurements scale, a potential relationship between both variables was found, which changed according to the improvement in the wastewater treatment and facilities for 1982-1994, 1995-2017 and 2018-2022. In these three periods, different significant decreasing trends of the P content were found, mainly marked by the setup of each individual WWTP.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Contreras
- Fluvial Dynamics and Hydrology Research Group, Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - M Jurado-Ezqueta
- Fluvial Dynamics and Hydrology Research Group, Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - R Pimentel
- Fluvial Dynamics and Hydrology Research Group, Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - L Serrano
- Plant Biology and Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Seville, Spain.
| | - C Hidalgo
- Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems Department, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain.
| | - A Jiménez
- Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems Department, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain.
| | - M J Polo
- Fluvial Dynamics and Hydrology Research Group, Andalusian Institute for Earth System Research, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain.
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Pimentel R, Navarro P, Wang F, Robinson L, Cammer M, Kramer Y, Keefe D. Identification and characterization of amyloid-like substance in immature and mature human’s oocytes. Fertil Steril 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.877] [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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Radjabi R, Navarro P, Wang F, Robinson L, Pimentel R, Keefe D. The widely used reverse transcriptase inhibitor, zidovudine (AZT), alters micro RNA (miRNA) expression in preimplantation mouse embryos. Fertil Steril 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.07.464] [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: 11/30/2022]
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Pimentel R, Lopes DJH, Mexia AMM, Mumford JD. Seasonality of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) on Terceira and Sao Jorge Islands, Azores, Portugal. J Insect Sci 2017; 17:1. [PMID: 28082349 PMCID: PMC5228456 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iew097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Population dynamics studies are very important for any area-wide control program as they provide detailed knowledge about the relationship of Medfly [Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann)] life cycle with host availability and abundance. The main goal of this study is to analyse seasonality of C. capitata in Terceira and Sao Jorge Islands (Azores archipelago) using field and laboratory data collected during (2010-2014) CABMEDMAC (MAC/3/A163) project. The results from Sao Jorge Island indicate significantly lower male/female ratio than on Terceira Island. This is an important finding specially regarding when stablishing the scenario parameters for a sterile insect technique application in each island. The population dynamics of C. capitata are generally linked with host fruit availability and abundance. However, on Terceira Island fruit infestation levels are not synchronized with the trap counts. For example, there was Medfly infestations in some fruits [e.g., Solanum mauritianum (Scop.)] while in the nearby traps there were no captures at the same time. From this perspective, it is important to denote the importance of wild invasive plants, on the population dynamics of C. capitata, as well important to consider the possibility of having different densities of traps according to the characteristics of each area in order to improve the network of traps surveillance's sensitivity on Terceira Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pimentel
- Azorean Biodiversity Group (GBA, CITA-A) and Platform for Enhancing Ecological Research and Sustainability (PEERS), Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores 9700-042, Portugal
| | - D J H Lopes
- Azorean Biodiversity Group (GBA, CITA-A) and Platform for Enhancing Ecological Research and Sustainability (PEERS), Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias, Rua Capitão João d'Ávila, Angra do Heroísmo, Azores 9700-042, Portugal
| | - A M M Mexia
- Departamento de Ciências e Engenharia de Biossistemas, Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Tapada da Ajuda
| | - J D Mumford
- Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Samadder NJ, Smith KR, Mineau GP, Pimentel R, Wong J, Boucher K, Pappas L, Singh H, Ahnen D, Burt RW, Curtin K. Familial colorectal cancer risk by subsite of primary cancer: a population-based study in Utah. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2015; 41:573-80. [PMID: 25604623 DOI: 10.1111/apt.13086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Revised: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Familial occurrence is common in colorectal cancer (CRC), but whether this increased familial risk differs by colonic subsite of the index patients CRC is not well understood. AIM To quantify the risk of CRC in first-degree (FDR), second-degree (SDR) and first cousin (FC) relatives of individuals with CRC, stratified by subsite in the colorectum and age at diagnosis. METHODS Colorectal cancers diagnosed between 1980 and 2010 were identified from the Utah Cancer Registry and linked to pedigrees from the Utah Population Database. Age and gender-matched CRC-free controls were selected to form the comparison group for determining CRC risk in relatives using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS Of the 18,208 index patients diagnosed with CRC, 6584 (36.2%) were located in the proximal colon, 5986 (32.9%) in the distal colon and 5638 (31%) in the rectum. The elevated risk of CRC in relatives was similar in analysis stratified for CRC colorectal subsites in the index cases. FDR had similarly elevated risk of all site CRC, whether the index patient had cancer in the proximal colon [hazards ratio (HR): 1.85; 95% CI: 1.70-2.02], distal colon (HR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.73-2.08) or rectum (HR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.66-2.02) compared to relatives of controls. This risk was consistently greater for FDR when cases developed CRC below the age of 60 years. CONCLUSIONS Relatives of CRC patients have a similarly elevated risk of CRC regardless of colonic tumour subsite in the index patient, and it is greatest for relatives of younger age index cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Samadder
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Department of Medicine (Gastroenterology), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Tirella A, Magliaro C, Penta M, Troncone M, Pimentel R, Ahluwalia A. Sphyga: a multiparameter open source tool for fabricating smart and tunable hydrogel microbeads. Biofabrication 2014; 6:025009. [PMID: 24694569 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5082/6/2/025009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogel microbeads are used in many biological applications, particularly for cell, protein or drug encapsulation. Although there are several methods for fabricating microbeads with controlled shapes and dimensions, many are limited to a small range of materials or sizes. We describe a compact open source tool-the spherical hydrogel generator (Sphyga)-for the fabrication of highly reproducible hydrogel based microbeads with predictable shapes and diameters ranging from 100 to 2000 µm. The unique feature of the system is the ability to modulate multiple parameters independently, so as to create a wide range of working conditions for fabricating tailored microbeads. Hence, by combining the different fabrication parameters, hydrogel beads with chosen shapes, sizes and materials can be generated with Sphyga. A multiparameter working-window was obtained by fixing the concentration of the base material, alginate, and varying the viscosity of the solution along with Sphyga's fabrication parameters (needle size, external air pressure, and material outflow). To validate the multiparameter working window, components such as proteins, cells, dyes and nanoparticles were also used to fabricate composite microbeads. The results show that the architecture of hydrogel microbeads can be engineered by considering the viscosity of the initial solution, which depends principally on the pH and composition of alginate solution. Coupled with Sphyga's multiple working parameters, material viscosity can then be used to tune hydrogel domains and thereby generate complex biologically relevant microenvironments for many biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tirella
- Institute of Clinical Physiology (IFC), National Research Council (CNR), Via Moruzzi 1, I-56124, Italy. Research Center 'E Piaggio', University of Pisa, Research Center '"E. Piaggio'", Largo Lazzarino 1, I-56122, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Zapatier
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida, United States of America
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Affiliation(s)
- R Küttner Magalhães
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Santo António, 59 Rua Dr Eduardo Santos Silva, Porto, Portugal.
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Vieira AM, Castro-Poças F, Lago P, Pimentel R, Pinto R, Saraiva MM, Areias J. The importance of ultrasound findings in the study of anal pain. Rev esp enferm dig 2010; 102:308-13. [DOI: 10.4321/s1130-01082010000500004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Branciforti MC, Pimentel R, Bernardi A, Bretas RES. Correlations between processing parameters, morphology, and properties of blown films of linear low-density polyethylene/low-density polyethylene blends. I. Crystalline biaxial orientation by IR and mechanical properties. J Appl Polym Sci 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/app.23358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Páez Jiménez A, Pimentel R, Martínez de Aragón MV, Hernández Pezzi G, Mateo Ontañon S, Martínez Navarro JF. Waterborne outbreak among Spanish tourists in a holiday resort in the Dominican Republic, August 2002. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 9:21-3. [PMID: 15075481 DOI: 10.2807/esm.09.03.00449-en] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
On 3 September 2002, the Spanish national centre of epidemiology (Centro Nacional de Epidemiologia--CNE) was alerted to a high number of gastroenteritis cases in Spanish tourists who had travelled to a hotel in Punta Cana on different days during august 2002. Entamoeba hystolitica cysts have been visualised by microscopy in the stools of several patients that sought medical attention in the Dominican Republic. The CNE informed the health authorities in the Dominican Republic and conducted in conjunction an epidemiological investigation. A descriptive study of the 76 initial cases estimated a mean illness duration of 5.1+2.9 days and a exposure period of 3.6+2.2 days. Following a retrospective cohort study, the attack rate was found to be 32.4%. Consequently, 216 (95% CI=114.75-317.25) spanish tourists had probably developed the illness. Stool samples were collected in Spain from untreated patients who still felt unwell. None of the samples were positive for E.hystolitica. On 10 September, a hygiene inspection was undertaken at the hotel. Samples of the ice and meals served at the buffet that day, yielded coliform bacteria. Consumption of water from the resort water system was the only risk factor associated with the symptoms (RR= 3.55; 95% CI =1.13-10.99). To avoid similar outbreaks occurring again at the hotel, it is essential to regularly monitor the water quality and to improve food handling hygiene standards. Basic food hygiene training for food handlers should be mandatory. An international guideline for the management foodborne and waterborne outbreaks among tourists in holiday resorts should be drawn up, involving all competent authorities of both destination and tourist origin countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Páez Jiménez
- Programa de Epidemiologia Aplicada de Campo, Centro Nacional de Epidemiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Ukleja A, Cruz-Correa M, Bonner G, Szomstein S, Rosenthal R, Pimentel R. A single center experience in management of anastomotic strictures after roux-en-y gastric bypass (RGB). Clin Nutr 2003. [DOI: 10.1016/s0261-5614(03)80080-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Zuccaro G, Rice TW, Goldblum J, Medendorp SV, Becker M, Pimentel R, Gitlin L, Adelstein DJ. Endoscopic ultrasound cannot determine suitability for esophagectomy after aggressive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Am J Gastroenterol 1999; 94:906-12. [PMID: 10201455 DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1999.985_h.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides important information in the initial staging of patients with esophageal cancer. With recent modifications in chemoradiotherapy protocols, a significant number of patients have no residual tumor at esophagectomy. The high surgical morbidity and mortality might be avoided if complete response to chemoradiotherapy could be predicted. Previously published clinical trials, with relatively small patient numbers, have suggested that EUS may accurately stage esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy. The aim of this study was to verify the accuracy of EUS in staging esophageal cancer after effective chemoradiotherapy. METHODS EUS staging was performed before and after concurrent cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and hyperfractionated radiotherapy in 59 patients with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer. All patients underwent subsequent esophagectomy and pathological staging. The accuracy of preoperative, postchemoradiotherapy EUS was evaluated in a retrospective fashion by comparison to pathological staging. RESULTS After chemoradiotherapy, 18 patients (31%) had no residual disease at pathological staging (T0N0). However, EUS correctly predicted complete response to chemoradiotherapy (T0N0) in only three patients (17%). The accuracy of postchemoradiotherapy EUS for pathological T stage was only 37%, and its sensitivity for N1 disease was only 38%. EUS was unable to distinguish postradiation fibrosis and inflammation from residual tumor. CONCLUSION When aggressive preoperative chemoradiotherapy is provided to patients with esophageal cancer, the predictive value of postchemoradiotherapy EUS is inadequate for use in clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Zuccaro
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA
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Hernández O, Guillén I, Estrada MP, Cabrera E, Pimentel R, Piña JC, Abad Z, Sánchez V, Hidalgo Y, Martínez R, Lleonart R, de la Fuente J. Characterization of transgenic tilapia lines with different ectopic expression of tilapia growth hormone. Mol Mar Biol Biotechnol 1997; 6:364-75. [PMID: 9418293] [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: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The transfer of growth hormone (GH) genes has opened new possibilities for the manipulation of growth in economically important fish species. However, the ectopic GH levels to optimize growth acceleration in fish, and specially in tilapia, are not known and must be determined experimentally. The tilapia GH (tiGH) cDNA was used to construct chimeric genes expressing different levels of tiGH in vitro and in vivo. These constructs were used to generate four lines of transgenic tilapia by microinjection into one-cell embryos. Different patterns and levels of ectopic expression of tiGH and IGF were detected in organs of transgenic tilapia by RNA or protein analysis. The two lines with lower ectopic tiGH mRNA levels were the only ones showing growth acceleration, suggesting that the expression of ectopic tiGH promoted growth only at low expression levels. The effect of higher ectopic tiGH levels resembled the physiologic situation of low condition factor and permitted us to postulate a model for growth acceleration in transgenic tilapia expressing ectopic tiGH.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Hernández
- Centro de Ingeniería Geńtica y Biotecnologia, Camaguey, Cuba
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Martínez R, Estrada MP, Berlanga J, Guillén I, Hernández O, Cabrera E, Pimentel R, Morales R, Herrera F, Morales A, Piña JC, Abad Z, Sánchez V, Melamed P, Lleonart R, de la Fuente J. Growth enhancement in transgenic tilapia by ectopic expression of tilapia growth hormone. Mol Mar Biol Biotechnol 1996; 5:62-70. [PMID: 8869518] [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: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The generation of transgenic fish with the transfer of growth hormone (GH) genes has opened new possibilities for the manipulation of growth in economically important fish species. The tilapia growth hormone (tiGH) cDNA was linked to the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer-promoter and used to generate transgenic tilapia by microinjection into one-cell embryos. Five transgenic tilapia were obtained from 40 injected embryos. A transgenic animal containing one copy of the transgene per cell was selected to establish a transgenic line. The transgene was stably transmitted to F1 and F2 generations in a Mendelian fashion. Ectopic, low-level expression of tiGH was detected in gonad and muscle cells of F1 transgenic tilapia by immunohystochemical analysis of tissue sections. Nine-month-old transgenic F1 progeny were 82% larger than nontransgenic fish at p = .001. These results showed that low-level ectopic expression of tiGH resulted in a growth acceleration in transgenic tilapia. Tilapia GH gene transfer is an alternative for growth acceleration in tilapia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Martínez
- Mammalian Cell Genetics Division, Centro de Ingeniería Genética y Biotechnologia, Havana, Cuba
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Cabrera E, Pimentel R, Abad Z, Piña J, Hernandez O, Lleonart R, de la Fuente J. Transient transformation of shrimp (Penaeus schmitti) embryos by DNA microinjection. Theriogenology 1995. [DOI: 10.1016/0093-691x(95)92334-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Junqueira VB, Bainy AC, Arisi AC, Azzalis LA, Simizu K, Pimentel R, Barros SB, Videla LA. Acute lindane intoxication: a study on lindane tissue concentration and oxidative stress-related parameters in liver and erythrocytes. J Biochem Toxicol 1994; 9:9-15. [PMID: 7512143 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.2570090103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Treatment of rats with daily doses of 20 mg of lindane/kg for 3 consecutive days led to the accumulation of the insecticide in several tissues, including erythrocytes and liver. Lindane did not alter the hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration but reduced methemoglobin levels by 17%. Red blood cells from controls and lindane-treated rats, exposed to t-butyl hydroperoxide, exhibited comparable rates of oxygen uptake and visible chemiluminescence, whereas the induction period that precedes oxygen uptake was significantly enhanced in the latter group. Lindane treatment did not modify the activity of erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, catalase, and methemoglobin reductase, being the total content of glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity significantly increased. The liver from lindane-treated rats showed an enhanced microsomal pro-oxidant activity, evidenced by higher cytochrome P450 content and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and NADPH oxidase activities. The higher enzyme activities led to an increased superoxide anion generation (adrenochrome formation) and lipid peroxidation (measured either by the production of thiobarbituric acid reactants and spontaneous visible chemiluminescence). Concomitantly, liver glutathione content and the activity of glutathione peroxidase-glutathione reductase couple were augmented by lindane treatment, without any change in superoxide dismutase activity, together with a reduction in that of catalase. Results suggest that lindane does not alter the prooxidant/antioxidant status of the erythrocyte in conditions of a significant cellular accumulation of the insecticide, which might exert direct action on enzymatic systems leading to enhanced superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- V B Junqueira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
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Junqueira VB, Barros SB, Simizu K, Fernández V, Carrión Y, Pimentel R, Azzalis LA, Videla LA. Turnover of hepatic glutathione after acute lindane intoxication. Toxicol Lett 1993; 69:211-6. [PMID: 7692623 DOI: 10.1016/0378-4274(93)90106-8] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The administration of lindane (60 mg/kg) to fed rats diminished the content of hepatic glutathione (GSH) 4 h after treatment, which was recovered at 24 h. At these experimental times, the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferases and gamma-glutamyltransferase in the liver of lindane-treated rats and control animals were comparable. Liver GSH turnover, measured after a pulse of [35S]cysteine, was enhanced by 69% (P < 0.05) in lindane-treated rats 24 h after intoxication compared to controls, with a 63% (P < 0.05) increase in the estimated rate of GSH synthesis. It is concluded that lindane enhances GSH synthesis in rat liver 24 h after treatment as a consequence of the decrement in its content observed at early times of intoxication (4 h), thus allowing the recovery of the normal level of hepatic GSH.
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Affiliation(s)
- V B Junqueira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
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20
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Medeiros Z, Dreyer G, Andrade LD, Pires ML, Mendes J, Pimentel R. Wuchereria bancrofti microfilarial density of autochthonous cases and natural Culex infectivity rates in northeast Brazil. J Trop Med Hyg 1992; 95:214-7. [PMID: 1597880] [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: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Autochthonous Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaraemic cases from three neighbouring cities of Northeast Brazil (Recife, Jaboatao and Olinda) were selected from thick smear or filtration positive individuals and classified by their microfilarial (mf) densities through polycarbonate membrane blood filtration. Individuals were subdivided into two groups: autochthonous cases without any previous specific drug administrations (group A) and those with one or more previous DEC treatments (group B). In Recife, unlike Jaboatao and Olinda (P less than 0.05), the majority of autochthonous cases were over 20 years old and no microfilaraemics were found under the age of 10. The majority of cases in Recife had lower levels of mf density (66.6%), while in Jaboatao and Olinda higher mf carriers (65.6%) prevailed when group A (n = 141) individuals were rearranged in mf density above and below 500 mf ml-1 (P less than 0.01). All subjects in group B (n = 110) had less than 501 mf ml-1 and the great majority less than 100 mf ml-1, but a significant difference (P less than 0.05) between Recife and the two other cities was observed. Captured mosquitoes in Recife, Jaboatao and Olinda totalled 7856, 8010 and 8003 respectively. The infectivity rate found in Recife (0.61%) was significantly lower than in Jaboatao (1.21%) and Olinda (1.31%) (P less than 0.001). The authors discuss the possible influences of previous disease control programmes (medicated salt and individual treatments) applied only to the city of Recife in relation to the outcome of this investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Medeiros
- Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhaes, Fiocruz, Recife, Brazil
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21
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Pimentel R, Lotito MJ. Shining light on ADA. HRMAGAZINE 1992; 37:46-9. [PMID: 10171004] [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: 02/11/2023]
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22
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Junqueira VB, Simizu K, Pimentel R, Azzalis LA, Barros SB, Koch O, Videla LA. Effect of phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene on the early oxidative stress component induced by lindane in rat liver. Xenobiotica 1991; 21:1053-65. [PMID: 1723229 DOI: 10.3109/00498259109039545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
1. Lindane administered to untreated rats or rats pretreated with phenobarbital (PB) or 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) increased liver lipid peroxidation, of the same magnitude in all groups. 2. PB pretreatment produced a 50% increase in lipid peroxidation (TBAR) by liver homogenates and microsomes, an effect accompanied by increases in cytochrome P-450, NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, NADPH oxidase and microsomal superoxide anion production, MC pretreatment resulted in increases in liver cytochrome P-450 and NADPH oxidase only. 3. Pretreatment of rats with PB, but not MC or lindane, gave increases in glutathione peroxidase and reductase. 4. Pretreatment with PB, but not MC, increased liver GSH. Lindane decreased liver GSH to the same extent as PB plus lindane. 5. Biliary GSH, GSSG and bile flow were decreased by lindane to similar extents in all groups. 6. Lindane induced periportal necrosis with haemorrhagic foci in all groups. 7. Data presented indicate that the early lipid peroxidative response of liver to lindane was unchanged by PB- or MC-stimulated hepatic microsomal enzyme induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- V B Junqueira
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil
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23
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Fernández V, Simizu K, Barros SB, Azzalis LA, Pimentel R, Junqueira VB, Videla LA. Effects of hyperthyroidism on rat liver glutathione metabolism: related enzymes' activities, efflux, and turnover. Endocrinology 1991; 129:85-91. [PMID: 1675989 DOI: 10.1210/endo-129-1-85] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The effect of hyperthyroidism on liver glutathione (GSH) metabolism was studied in fed rats after the administration of 0.1 mg T3/kg body wt, for 1-3 consecutive days. T3-calorigenesis resulted in elevated rates of O2 consumption by the liver, together with higher lipid peroxidative processes and GSH depletion, compared to the euthyroid state. The study of the enzymes related to GSH metabolism revealed no significant changes in the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, with decreases (27-41%) in the activity of glutathione-S-transferases and marked elevation (133%) in that of gamma-glutamyl transferase, 3 days after T3 treatment. At this experimental time, the activity of the NADPH generating enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was enhanced by 84% in the liver of T3-treated rats, compared to that in the controls. In these conditions, the canalicular efflux of GSH was not altered by T3, whereas net and fractional rates of sinusoidal GSH efflux were enhanced by 86% and 288%, respectively. The latter effect of hyperthyroidism was found in parallel with an enhancement in sinusoidal lactate dehydrogenase and protein release, suggesting that loss of GSH might be related to a permeabilization of the hepatocyte plasma membrane. Liver GSH turnover assessed after a pulse of [35S]cysteine resulted in a 209% increase in the fractional turnover rate in hyperthyroid rats over controls, under steady state conditions for both hepatic GSH pools, leading to a 62% enhancement in the respective turnover flux. Data suggest that the elevation in the sinusoidal GSH efflux from the liver and in the hepatic capacity to degrade the tripeptide are major mechanisms leading to GSH depletion in the liver of T3-treated rats. As the increased GSH use is not balanced by the elevation in GSH synthesis, a lower steady state level of GSH is attained in the liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fernández
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago
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24
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Feldman B, Pimentel R. The Americans with Disabilities Act. Implications for health and accident insurance. J Insur Med 1991; 23:263-4. [PMID: 10171649] [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: 04/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- B Feldman
- Feldman/Arakaki & Associates, Inc., Hacienda Heights, California
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25
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Carey W, Pimentel R, Westveer MK, Vogt D, Broughan T. Failure of hepatitis B immunization in liver transplant recipients: results of a prospective trial. Am J Gastroenterol 1990; 85:1590-2. [PMID: 2252022] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Twenty patients with advanced liver disease, in need of transplantation, were given three injections of 20 micrograms and three injections of 40 micrograms hepatitis B vaccine to see if an antibody response could be obtained. Only 20% of patients developed measurable anti-HBs. One who failed to develop anti-HBs developed chronic hepatitis B after exposure to her infected sexual partner. Type of liver disease in the native liver, age, sex, sexual preference, timing of immunization (before or after transplantation), and dosage of hepatitis B vaccine did not seem to explain the lack of immunologic response to hepatitis B vaccine. It is presumed that immunosuppression, both from the underlying disease and from immunosuppressive medications, best explains our findings. Liver transplantation patients infrequently benefit from hepatitis B vaccine. It is possible that other vaccines given to prevent viral and bacterial illness may also fail to elicit immunologic response in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Carey
- Department of Gastroenterology, Cleveland Clinic, Ohio
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26
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Philipson EH, Kuhnert BR, Pimentel R, Amini SB. Transient maternal hypotension following epidural anesthesia. Anesth Analg 1989; 69:604-7. [PMID: 2802195] [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: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Transient maternal hypotension following regional anesthesia can lead to significantly lower umbilical cord pH values. Although this acidosis has not been found to be clinically significant, acidosis may increase the placental transfer of local anesthetic agents as a result of "ion trapping." The purpose of this study was to examine the pharmacologic and clinical consequences of transient maternal hypotension following epidural anesthesia with 0.5% bupivacaine before cesarean section. Patients were divided into two groups based on the development of maternal hypotension, defined as a systolic blood pressure less than 100 torr or a decrease of 30% or more from the preanesthetic level. Thirteen patients (33%) developed hypotension that was corrected within 2.1 +/- 1.8 min. The pH of umbilical cord venous and arterial blood and the concentration of bupivacaine were significantly lower (P less than 0.05) in neonates of mothers in the hypotensive group than in neonates of mothers that did not develop hypotension. The results show, however, that transient maternal hypotension following epidural anesthesia does not lead to a greater placental transfer of bupivacaine due to "ion trapping" even though neonatal cord blood pH decreases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Philipson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, Ohio 44109
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27
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Garcia Martos P, Moreno B, Romero P, Pimentel R, Muñoz C, Fernandez MT, de Lomas M. [Intestinal protozoan parasitism in children from the bay of Cádiz]. Rev Sanid Hig Publica (Madr) 1989; 63:79-84. [PMID: 2519704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis from protozoa in a pediatric population group attending different education centres in the Bay of Cádiz is investigated by means of directly examining the feces using microscopic techniques. The percentage of children affected by parasites is 6.3%, there being no differences with regard to sex or social level. Giardia lamblia is the most frequently found protozoa (2.7%). The level of infection from Cryptosporidium sp. (2.3%) is significant. The symptomatology of those affected was nonspecific and not intense, and therefore did not lead to any suspicion of pathology.
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Abstract
The maternal and fetal metabolic effects of three commonly used intravenous fluids administered before regional anesthesia were studied in 32 gravid women undergoing elective cesarean section at term. Patients were randomized into one of three groups to receive 1 L of either 5% dextrose (50 gm of glucose) or Ringer's lactate or isotonic saline solution before epidural anesthesia. Acute glucose infusion resulted in maternal hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and an increase in the blood lactate level. Cord blood glucose, insulin, and lactate levels were also increased in this group. The key finding of this study was the significant lowering of pH in the umbilical cord vein (7.31 +/- 0.04) and artery (7.21 +/- 0.06) in the glucose-infused group when compared with the non-glucose infusion groups (p less than 0.05). Confounding perinatal factors such as maternal position, maternal hypotension, and prolonged time of surgery did not influence the fetal acid-base status. Thus acute maternal glucose infusion in normal patients can cause fetal hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, and neonatal hypoglycemia. These findings may be of particular clinical importance when fetal distress or fetal hypoxemia is due to other perinatal events. Under these circumstances, acute maternal glucose infusion may further contribute to fetal metabolic acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- E H Philipson
- Department of Obstetrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital, OH 44109
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29
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Ng F, Encarnación A, Rodríguez S, Pimentel R, Mendoza HR. [Clostridium difficile in the feces of children with and without diarrhea]. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex 1986; 43:550-4. [PMID: 3790227] [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: 01/07/2023] Open
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