RESUMO
Ovalbumin is considered a protein of high nutritional value because it contains essential amino acids and is highly digestible. Therefore, it has a high biological value. Currently, the high food demand requires worldwide attention because food production is insufficient. Therefore, other alternatives are necessary to satisfy food demands, such as protein engineering. In this work, a protein with a high essential amino acid content similar to ovalbumin was synthesized by protein engineering, expressed, and digested in vitro. The assembly and sequential overlap extension PCR strategy was used to synthesize a 345-bp gene that encodes a high essential amino acid content protein (HEAAP). The 345-bp product was cloned into the vector pBAD TOPO®, and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. PCR reactions and sequencing demonstrated the presence, orientation, and correct sequence of the insert. HEAAP expression was induced by L-arabinose and then purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The expression in E. coli was low and barely detected by Western blot assay. The in vitro multienzyme digestibility of HEAAP was around 79%, which suggests that the protein is potentially nutritious. Virtual analysis classifies the protein as unstable and hydrophilic, with a half-life in E. coli of 10 h. The recombinant HEAAP was successfully synthesized, but it is necessary to improve the digestibility and to optimize expression including selecting other expression models.
Assuntos
Engenharia de Proteínas/métodos , Proteínas Recombinantes/síntese química , Proteínas Recombinantes/isolamento & purificação , Aminoácidos Essenciais/síntese química , Aminoácidos Essenciais/fisiologia , Cromatografia de Afinidade , Clonagem Molecular/métodos , Suplementos Nutricionais , Escherichia coli/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/métodos , Proteínas/síntese química , Proteínas/isolamento & purificação , Proteínas Recombinantes de Fusão/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/genéticaRESUMO
The prepubic congenital sinus is a rare type of urethral duplication of unknown origin. Different embryological theories and classifications has been proposed. Most cases are diagnosed during childhood. The Retrograde Urethrocystography is very important as it determines the diagnosis and helps choosing the best treatment option. We present a case of a prepubic congenital sinus in a 39 years old male who presented with purulent discharge from an accessory meatus in the base of the penis.
Assuntos
Uretra/anormalidades , Adulto , Anormalidades Congênitas/diagnóstico , Anormalidades Congênitas/cirurgia , Humanos , Masculino , Uretra/cirurgiaRESUMO
Breast cancer is the second most frequent tumor in Mexico. Patients diagnosed with this cancer have a higher risk of developing a second malignancy. The objective of our study was to see the frequency, types of second cancers, and its impact on survival, in order to be able to deliver a proper and efficient follow up to these patients, because our patients differ from the population of breast cancer in the rest of the world. Our patients are younger and therefore at higher risk. The clinical records of breast cancer patients treated at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia Mexico from 1983 to 1992 were reviewed. In 1370 evaluable patients, 77 (5.6%) developed a second neoplasm, of those, 56 (72.7%) in the contralateral breast and 21 in other sites (27.3%), thyroid was the most frequent followed by ovary and endometrium. Mean age of the patients was 51.5 yr, 45.5 for the other breast and 55.5 for other malignancies (p = 0.01). Median survival for all the group was of 180 mo (3-238). Patients were significantly younger in the contralateral breast group, although all our breast cancer patients are younger. The most frequent second malignancy after the other breast, was thyroid followed by ovary and endometrium with similar survival for both groups.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/complicações , Segunda Neoplasia Primária/etiologia , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Feminino , Hispânico ou Latino , Humanos , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Segunda Neoplasia Primária/mortalidade , Taxa de SobrevidaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Acarbose, an alpha glucosidase inhibitor is a drug used in the treatment of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, that interferes with the intestinal absorption of monosaccharides. AIM: To study the effect of acarbose in non insulin dependent diabetic patients that had an inadequate metabolic control with diet and sulphonylureas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Diabetic patients received acarbose, 150 mg/day during four weeks and this dose was increased to 300 mg/day during 3 months. Afterwards, patients were followed for a period of 12 weeks without acarbose. Fasting and post-prandial blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin were measured sequentially during the study. RESULTS: Eighty five patients were recruited for the study but 64 complied with the treatment protocol. The age of these patients was 56 +/- 8.8 years old, their diabetes duration was 7.8 +/- 8.8 years and their body mass index was 27.6 +/- 3.6 kg/m2. During acarbose treatment, glycosilated hemoglobin decreased from 8.36 +/- 1.33 to 7.71+ 1.7% (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose decreased from 173 +/- 48 to 159 +/- 59 mg/dl (p < 0.03) and post-prandial blood glucose decreased from 254 +/- 80 to 241 +/- 80 mg/dl (NS). After discontinuing acarbose glycosilated hemoglobin and blood glucose levels returned to basal levels. Body weight and blood pressure did not change during the treatment period. Fifty nine patients had gastrointestinal symptoms (meteorism, flatulence and abdominal distention) that were mild in 59% and moderate in 39%. Episodes of hypoglycemia were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Acarbose, associated to sulphonylureas is an effective drug to reduce blood glucose and glycosilated hemoglobin levels in patients with non insulin dependent diabetes.
Assuntos
Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/tratamento farmacológico , Inibidores Enzimáticos/uso terapêutico , Inibidores de Glicosídeo Hidrolases , Trissacarídeos/uso terapêutico , Acarbose , Adulto , Idoso , Glicemia/metabolismo , Inibidores Enzimáticos/farmacologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hipoglicemiantes/uso terapêutico , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Compostos de Sulfonilureia/uso terapêutico , Trissacarídeos/farmacologia , alfa-Glucosidases/uso terapêuticoRESUMO
A list is presented of 242 species of fishes taken in the Golfo de Nicoya, Golfo Dulce and on the Pacific continental shelf of Costa Rica. The specimens were collected using dredges and bottom trawls during December 1993 and February 1994. The Golfo Dulce revealed the lowest diversity with only 75 species represented; 118 species were collected in the Golfo de Nicoya and 129 species in offshore waters. It is presumed that low fish diversity in Golfo Dulce is due to the deep, unproductive waters in that embayment. The checklist includes presence-absence data for each locality.
Assuntos
Peixes/classificação , Animais , Costa Rica , Ecossistema , Expedições , Oceano PacíficoRESUMO
Familial idiopathic membranous nephropathy, an immune-complex-associated glomerulopathy, has not been previously reported in father and son, despite its striking immunogenetic correlation, especially with HLA-DR3. As a dysfunction of the monocyte-phagocyte system (MPS), it has been observed linked to DR3 antigen, so we studied the MPS Fc receptor function in a father and his son with a histologically proven membranous nephropathy, associated with the haplotype A9-B35-DR3-DQw2. The Fc receptor function of the MPS was examined by measuring the clearance of IgG-sensitized, 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes and by measuring the ability of isolated monocytes to ingest autologous red blood cells coated with IgG anti-Rh (D) antibody. Immune clearance and in vitro phagocytosis was normal in both patients and not related to their levels of immune complexes (as measured by ELISA C1q and Conglutinin solid-phase binding assay). This report suggest that genetic factors may play an important role in the development of membranous nephropathy, and it seems not to be related to a dysfunction of MPS as measured by these tests.
Assuntos
Glomerulonefrite Membranosa/imunologia , Antígeno HLA-DR3/imunologia , Monócitos/ultraestrutura , Fagócitos/ultraestrutura , Receptores Fc/fisiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Complexo Antígeno-Anticorpo/sangue , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Glomerulonefrite Membranosa/sangue , Glomerulonefrite Membranosa/genética , Glomerulonefrite Membranosa/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Masculino , Monócitos/fisiologia , Fagócitos/fisiologia , Fagocitose/fisiologiaRESUMO
The Fc-receptor function of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) was examined in 41 children and adult patients, by measuring the clearance of IgG-sensitized, 51Cr-labeled erythrocytes. The Fc-receptor-mediated clearance observed in patients (mean +/- SE) was not significantly different as compared to the control group of similar age distribution. However, the immune clearance time was significantly age-correlated in both groups (acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, APSGN, r = 0.39, p less than 0.05; control r = 0.63, p less than 0.01). The magnitude of the Fc-specific immune clearance and the serum creatinine were also significantly correlated (r = 0.59; p less than 0.01). Circulating immune complexes (as measured by the C1q and conglutinin ELISA) did not correlate with immune clearance, which remained stable in longitudinal studies. Age-related changes in MPS Fc-receptor function could explain, at least in part, prognostic differences between children and adult patients with APSGN.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Glomerulonefrite/fisiopatologia , Fagócitos/ultraestrutura , Receptores Fc/fisiologia , Infecções Estreptocócicas/fisiopatologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Criança , Radioisótopos de Cromo , Creatina/sangue , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Eritrócitos/metabolismo , Eritrócitos/fisiologia , Feminino , Glomerulonefrite/etiologia , Glomerulonefrite/microbiologia , Histocompatibilidade , Humanos , Masculino , Taxa de Depuração Metabólica/fisiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fagócitos/fisiologia , Baço/patologia , Baço/fisiologia , Baço/ultraestrutura , Infecções Estreptocócicas/complicaçõesRESUMO
In an attempt to study further the possible participation of platelets in the pathogenesis of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), we studied the platelet survival time, as an index of platelet activation, in 22 patients with APSGN. Mean platelet survival time was computed from the disappearance of radioactivity from blood, sampled serially after injection of autologous 51Cr-labelled platelets. C1q solid phase ELISA and conglutinin (K) solid phase ELISA were used to measure the serum levels of immune complexes. The platelet survival time in APSGN patients was 113 +/- 10 h vs 197 +/- 10 h in the control group (p less than 0.001); 68% of the patients had a shortened platelet survival, lower than 95% confidence limit. There was a significant increase in the platelet survival in the six patients that were studied after recovery from acute nephritic syndrome. There was no significant association between the mean platelet times survival and CICs (circulating immune complexes). Similarly, no significant correlation was found between the mean platelet lifespan and the severity of the glomerular disease, as assessed by the serum creatinine level and the proteinuria. These results support evidence of platelet activation and consumption in APSGN and we suggest that this activation occurs in the glomeruli capillary wall, due to platelet-vascular wall interaction.
Assuntos
Glomerulonefrite/sangue , Ativação Plaquetária/fisiologia , Infecções Estreptocócicas/complicações , Doença Aguda , Adolescente , Adulto , Complexo Antígeno-Anticorpo/análise , Sobrevivência Celular , Criança , Complemento C3/análise , Feminino , Glomerulonefrite/etiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
This report reviews the phenomenology related to the rescue and later development of the newborn babies buried in the rubble of several collapsed maternity hospitals in Mexico City during the earthquake of September 1985. We describe the rescue process as well as the impact of this process on the community. The rescued babies' development has been followed through the first 15 months of their lives and we describe our observations. We also review the implications of the emotional burdens that these babies may bear and the possible repercussions later in their development.
Assuntos
Desastres , Recém-Nascido/psicologia , Desenvolvimento da Personalidade , Sobrevida/psicologia , Adaptação Psicológica , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , México , Traumatismo Múltiplo/psicologia , Apego ao Objeto , Teoria Psicanalítica , Carência PsicossocialRESUMO
In an attempt to further study the possible contribution of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in the pathogenesis of the classic form of hemolytic uremic syndrome, 9 patients were studied during the acute phase of the diseases. C1q solid-phase ELISA and conglutinin solid-phase ELISA, were used to measure the levels of immune complexes. All 9 were positive in one or both assays. No correlation was found between the levels of CIC and the clinical severity of the disease. The constant finding of positive CIC in these patients might represent an epiphenomenon, point out the postinfectious nature of this disease but also suggest a possible pathogenic role.