Showing papers by "University of Alcalá published in 2000"
TL;DR: The physiological and pharmacological data on wind-up of spinal cord neurones, and the perceptual correlates of wind- up in human subjects are reviewed, in the context of its possible relation to the triggering of hyperalgesic states, and also the multiple factors which contribute to the generation ofWind-up.
646 citations
TL;DR: In this article, various currently used chemical oxidation processes (AOPs) for pesticide elimination from wastewater are reported, including Heterogeneous TiO 2 photocatalysis, ozonation and photo-Fenton's reagent.
457 citations
TL;DR: The gambling behavior appears more often in the “on” periods of motor fluctuations and it begins after the onset of Parkinson's disease in most patients and worsens with levodopa therapy suggest that it could be related to the dopaminergic tone in patients with Parkinson’s disease and motor fluctuations.
Abstract: We describe 12 patients with Parkinson's disease and pathologic gambling. This association has apparently never been reported. The patients were selected from a Parkinson's disease unit of 250 patients. They met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, criteria for pathologic gambling. All patients underwent a neurologic, psychiatric, and psychologic examination, specifically noting the presence or absence of psychopathology in the spectrum of impulse control disorder and the nature of the gambling. Ten patients started gambling after the onset of Parkinson's disease and treatment with levodopa. The pathologic behavior was exclusively present or was markedly increased in "on" periods in 11 patients. All patients had motor fluctuations at the time of the study. Slot machines were the preferred source of gambling for 10 patients, similar to the Spanish gambling population. That the gambling behavior appears more often in the "on" periods of motor fluctuations and that it begins after the onset of Parkinson's disease in most patients and worsens with levodopa therapy suggest that it could be related to the dopaminergic tone in patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations (that is, it could represent a behavioral manifestation of pharmacologic treatment).
280 citations
TL;DR: The values of E(1)S and E(2) were significantly higher in the tumor tissue than in the area considered as normal, and the sulfatase activity was much higher than aromatase (130-200).
277 citations
TL;DR: Variation in leaf structure and anatomy among species and species groups has a strong genetic basis and is already expressed early in the development of woody plants, as shown predominantly by species from resource-poor environments.
Abstract: The structural causes of variation in leaf mass per area, and of variations in leaf structure accounted for by leaf habit and life form, were explored in a set of laboratory-grown seedlings of 52 European woody species. The leaf traits analysed included density, thickness, saturated mass/dry mass, and leaf nitrogen per mass and per area. Other traits described the anatomy of leaves, most of them relating to the lamina (proportions of palisade and spongy parenchymata, epidermis, air space and sclerified tissues, expressed as volume per leaf area, and per-cell transversal areas of epidermis and parenchymata), and another referring to the mid rib (transversal section of sclerified tissues). Across the whole set of species leaf mass per area was correlated with leaf density but not with thickness, and this was confirmed by taxonomic relatedness tests. Denser leaves corresponded with greater proportion of sclerified tissues in the lamina, smaller cells and lower water and N contents, but no relation was found with the proportion of air space in the lamina. Taxonomic relatedness analysis statistically supported the negative association of leaf density with saturated to dry leaf mass ratio. Thicker leaves also exhibited greater volume per leaf area and greater individual cell area in each of the tissues, particularly parenchyma. Mean leaf mass per area and leaf thickness were lower in deciduous than in evergreen species, but no significant differences in leaf density, proportion of sclerified tissues in the lamina or cell area were found between the two groups. Leaf mass per area was higher in trees and subshrubs than in shrubs and climbers-plus-scramblers, this rank being equal for leaf density and proportion of sclerified tissues in the lamina, and reversed for cell area. Given the standardised environment and ontogenetic phase of the seedlings, we conclude that variation in leaf structure and anatomy among species and species groups has a strong genetic basis, and is already expressed early in the development of woody plants. From an ecological viewpoint, we can interpret greater leaf mass per area across this species set as greater allocation to support and defence functions, as shown predominantly by species from resource-poor environments.
267 citations
TL;DR: Compared with the placebo group, propranolol‐treated animals had significantly lower portal pressure, faster intestinal transit, and lower rates of bacterial overgrowth and translocation.
246 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that normalization of hematocrit in selected hemodialysis patients, i.e., nondiabetic patients without severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular comorbidities, improves quality of life and decreases morbidity without significant adverse effects.
Abstract: Target hematocrit/hemoglobin values in dialysis patients are still controversial. The Spanish Cooperative Renal Patients Quality of Life Study Group (including 34 hemodialysis units) conducted a prospective, 6-mo study of the effect on patient functional status and quality of life of using epoetin to achieve normal hematocrit in hemodialysis patients with anemia. The possible adverse effects of increased hematocrit, patient hospitalization, and epoetin requirements were also studied. The study included 156 patients (age range, 18 to 65 yr). Given the minimal experience in the safety of increasing hematocrit in dialysis patients to normal levels with epoetin, stable patients on hemodialysis who had received epoetin treatment for at least 3 mo and had a stable hemoglobin level of > or = 9 g/dl were included in the study. Patients with antecedents of congestive cardiac failure, ischemic cardiopathy, diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled hypertension, cerebrovascular accident or seizures, malfunction of the vascular access or severe comorbidity (defined by a comorbidity index), and those over 65 yr of age were excluded from the study. Quality of life was measured with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and Karnofsky scale. Patients completed questionnaires at home at onset and conclusion of the 6-mo study. Mean hematocrit increased from 30.9 to 38.4% and hemoglobin from 10.2 to 12.5 g/dl during the study. Health indicator scores improved significantly: mean Physical Dimension (SIP) from 5.38 to 4.1 (P < 0.005); mean Psychosocial Dimension from 9.2 to 7 (P < 0.001); mean global SIP from 8.9 to 7.25 (P < 0.001); mean Karnofsky scale score from 75.6 to 78.4 (P < 0.01). (SIP is scaled so that lower scores represent better functional status, and vice versa for the Karnofsky scale). Therefore, functional status and quality of life improved with increased hematocrit. No deaths occurred. Three patients (2%) were censored for hypertension and nine (5.7%) for thrombosis of the vascular access. The cumulative probability of thrombosis of the vascular access was 0.067. The average epoetin dose rose from 93 +/- 62 U/kg per wk at onset to 141 +/- 80 U/kg per wk at conclusion, a 51% increase. The number of patients hospitalized decreased and hospital lengths of stay were shorter during the study period than in the same patients in the 6-mo period preceding the study (P < 0.05). Nine patients (5.7%) had thrombosis of the vascular access. There were no changes in the prevalence of arterial hypertension, but three patients (2%) showed hypertension that was difficult to control. It is concluded that normalization of hematocrit in selected hemodialysis patients, i.e., nondiabetic patients without severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular comorbidities, improves quality of life and decreases morbidity without significant adverse effects.
245 citations
TL;DR: Screening high-risk patients during outbreaks and reducing the use of third-generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides contribute to the control of these epidemics.
Abstract: An observational study was undertaken to describe a nosocomial outbreak caused by multiresistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MRKP). Ten patients in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Madrid were colonized by or infected with MRKP from October 1997 to April 1998. Thirty-two patients with MRKP-negative surveillance cultures who were admitted to the ICU during the outbreak period were selected as control patients. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis of MRKP isolates revealed patterns that were indistinguishable from each other. After identification of colonized patients by surveillance cultures and implementation of standard and contact precautions, the outbreak was controlled. An age <12 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 13.1) and previous treatment with third-generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides (OR, 31.2) were independently associated with MRKP colonization and/or infection. Individual exposure to antibiotics, irrespective of other clinical determinants, is a risk factor for MRKP acquisition. Screening high-risk patients during outbreaks and reducing the use of third-generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides contribute to the control of these epidemics.
201 citations
TL;DR: Although the particle size changes induced by NP lyophilization were slight, they need to be carefully evaluated and cannot be neglected.
195 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that NK1 receptors have an essential role mediating central nociceptive and peripheral inflammatory responses to noxious stimuli that evoke neurogenic inflammation, and modulating responses toNoxious mechanical stimuli.
192 citations
TL;DR: Terrlipressin may represent a first‐line treatment in acute variceal bleeding until the administration of elective therapy, especially in hospitals where a skilled endoscopist is not available 24 hours a day.
TL;DR: The stylised facts describing the poor performance of the youth labour market in Spain over the last two decades, entailing high unemployment rates for both higher and lower educated workers, over-education and low intensity of on-the-job training, are explained through a simple matching model where higher educated workers crowd-out lower educated ones from their traditional entry jobs as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: In this article, the existence of crustaceans (amphipods and isopods), chelicerates (acari and arachnids), 12 orders of insects, and several bird feathers are reported.
Abstract: The occurrence of amber in Sierra de Cantabria (Alava, Basque Country) has been known for more than two decades but biological inclusions have only recently been found. The existence of crustaceans (amphipods and isopods), chelicerates (acari and arachnids), 12 orders of insects, and several bird feathers are reported in this preliminary study. In addition, there are leaf remains, molluscs, and a fair number of inorganic inclusions. Pollen analysis of the clastic series indicates an age between upper Aptian—middle Albian, which allows an assignment of this stratigraphic unit to the Nograro Formation. Chemical analysis indicates that the amber has high maturity, which reflects its Cretaceous age. Chemical composition analysis also indicates an araucariacean origin, which is corroborated by pollen found within the amber deposit. This new fossil site provides information for the reconstruction of paleocommunities of arthropods and sedimentary environments in the extreme south of the Basque-Cantabrian Basin during the Lower Cretaceous, characterized by coniferous forests with an understory of vascular cryptograms. Some of the identified arthropods add to the fossil record for various groups that are poorly known or unknown for this time period. This Lagerstatte constitutes one of the most important deposits of Mesozoic amber in the world.
TL;DR: The chlororespiratory process consists of the sequence of reactions catalyzed by Ndh complex, peroxidase (acting on reduced plastoquinone), superoxide dismutase, and the non-enzymic one-electron transfer from reduced iron-sulfur protein (FeSP) to O2.
TL;DR: Results suggested that, in mesangial cells, TNF-α induces apoptosis through selective ROS, and O⨪2, but not H2O2 or ONOO−, was identified as the crucial mediator for the T NF-α-initiated, apoptotic pathway.
TL;DR: A ray tracing technique to predict the propagation channel parameters in indoor scenarios is presented and some comparisons between predicted results and measurements are presented to validate the method.
Abstract: A ray tracing technique to predict the propagation channel parameters in indoor scenarios is presented. It is a deterministic technique, fully three-dimensional, based on geometrical optics (GO) and the uniform theory of diffraction (UTD). A model of plane facets is used for the geometrical description of the environment. The ray tracing is accelerated considerably by using the angular Z-buffer algorithm. Some comparisons between predicted results and measurements are presented to validate the method.
TL;DR: Nematodes were the most common parasites of foxes, followed by cestodes and trematodes, and greater levels of nematodes like Uncinaria, with a free-living stage in its life-cycle, were found in foxes in areas where moist soils were likely to exist, in contrast to areas of semiarid characteristics, where Toxascaris leonina or Trichuris vulpis were predominant.
TL;DR: The ability of IFN‐α to increase platelet counts in HCV‐positive thrombocytopenic patients supports mechanisms involving a direct role for HCV inhibiting platelet production.
Abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been proposed as a possible causative agent of chronic thrombocytopenia We investigated HCV infection in a series of 51 unselected Spanish patients with chronic acquired thrombocytopenia Anti-HCV and HCV viraemia were detected in 13/51 (225%) of cases; this prevalence was particularly significant when compared with HCV seropositivity in age-matched controls (04%) Anti-HCV-positive patients, four men and nine women with a median age of 593 years (range 36-72), had a mean platelet count of 558 x 109/l (range 12-96) Only one of our HCV-positive thrombocytopenic patients had hypersplenism Platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) was negative, as measured by immunofluorescent flow cytometric analysis in 11/13 HCV-positive thrombocytopenic patients Thus, thrombocytopenia in our HCV-positive patients appeared to be non-autoimmune mediated In six patients, a trial of recombinant alpha2b-interferon (IFN-alpha) given at a dose of 3 MU three times per week for 6-24 months gave a durable (> 1 year) and significant increase in platelet count in all six patients The maximum increase occurred after 6 months of IFN-alpha therapy In conclusion, the ability of IFN-alpha to increase platelet counts in HCV-positive thrombocytopenic patients supports mechanisms involving a direct role for HCV inhibiting platelet production
TL;DR: The electrostatic assembly of the electrochemical interface and the catalytic layers resulted in integrated biochemical systems in which mass transfer diffusion and heterogeneous catalytic and electron transfer steps are efficiently coupled and can be easily manipulated.
TL;DR: A novel working strategy to optimize a unique chromatographic method consisting of diode array detection for the analysis of the most representative phenolic compounds from different food sources and was successfully employed to study the Phenolic compounds in themost representative food samples.
TL;DR: The overall system includes a complete user–machine interface, motor control modules and safety and autonomous guidance systems that are adaptable to the particular needs of each user according to the type and degree of handicap involved.
TL;DR: New PCR markers that amplify the complete coding sequence of the specific alleles of the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin genes and the cloning and characterisation of the nucleotide sequence of this allele are reported.
Abstract: The present work reports new PCR markers that amplify the complete coding sequence of the specific alleles of the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenin genes. A set of AS-PCR molecular markers was designed which use primers from nucleotide sequences of the Glu-A1 and Glu-D1 genes, making use of the minor diffeences between the sequences of the x1, x2* of Glu-A1, and the x5 and y10 of Glu-D1. These primers were able to distinguish between x2* and the x1 or xNull of Glu-A1. Also x5 was distinguishable from x2, and y10 from y12. The primers amplified the complete coding regions and corresponded to the upstream and downstream flanking positions of Glu-A1 and Glu-D1. Primers designed to amplify the Glu-A1 gene amplified a single product when used with genomic DNA of common wheats and the xNull allele of this gene. This work also describes the cloning and characterisation of the nucleotide sequence of this allele. It possesses the same general structure as x2* and x1 (previously determined) and differs from these alleles in the extension of the coding sequence for a presumptive mature protein with only 384 residues. This is due to the presence of a stop codon (TAA) 1215-bp downstream from the start codon. A further stop codon (TAG), 2280-bp downstream from the starting codon is also found. The open reading frame of xNull and x1 alleles has the same size in bp. Both are larger than x2* which shows two small deletions. The reduced size of the presumptive mature protein encoded by xNull could explain the negative effect of this allele on grain quality.
TL;DR: In this article, two potential influences, namely family characteristics and labour market signals, are analyzed for higher education demand in Spain, and the results show that family characteristics are important factors in the demand of higher education, especially the mother's education attainment.
Abstract: Like many developed countries, Spain has experienced a growth in the demand for higher education over the last twenty years, despite diverse economic cycles. Since this demand does not slow down in the medium term, the objective of this study is to analyse, from statistical labour force sources since 1987, two potential influences: family characteristics and labour market signals. The theoretical framework used here is the human capital theory, which is tested through discrete choice models where the selection process of young people through the education system is considered. The chief results may be summarised as follows: firstly, family characteristics are important elements in the demand for higher education, especially the mother’s education attainment, which is even more determinant than that of the father. Secondly, the labour market signals in Spain have an influence on the demand for higher education: as a signal of both the opportunity cost of finding a job if not going to university and the employment expectations for each relevant education level.
TL;DR: It is proposed that inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase may be immunoprotective by enhancing the Th1 response, which has therapeutical potential not only in atherosclerosis but also in infectious diseases.
01 Oct 2000
TL;DR: SSR in situ hybridization is useful as a diagnostic tool in cytogenetics and for understanding genome organization in wheat, revealing the complex and heterogeneous genome organization of wheat and identifying the four most frequent classes of banded chromatin.
Abstract: Clusters of four simple sequence repeats (SSRs), AAC, AAG, AG and CAT, have been mapped physically to hexaploid wheat chromosomes; 15—24-bp synthetic oligonucleotides were labelled by random-primer labelling and used as probes for fluorescent in situ hybridization with standard formamide and low-salt conditions. AAC hybridized strongly to the pericentromeric regions and several intercalary sites of all seven chromosomes of the B-genome corresponding to N bands and enabling their identification. Most of the AAC sites also co-localize with AAG, although the strength of the AAC and AAG signal was often different at the same location. Not all heterochromatic bands showed AAC signals and a few AAC sites were detected that are neither AAG nor N band positive, revealing the complex and heterogeneous genome organization of wheat and identifying the four most frequent classes of banded chromatin. Clusters characterised by a high concentration of AG repeats were detected on chromosome arms 3BS, 4BL, 5BS and 5BL, adjacent to AAG sites. The only detectable CAT cluster was found on chromosome arm 3BL, making this oligonucleotide valuable in identifying this particular chromosome. SSR in situ hybridization is useful as a diagnostic tool in cytogenetics and for understanding genome organization in wheat.
TL;DR: A checklist is presented and tested to see whether it can help to shed some light on students' use of strategies as reflected in their diaries, and some interesting differences between successful and less successful students appear.
TL;DR: The parasitoid assemblages associated with grass-feeding chalcid wasps in Great Britain were used to examine the relationships between diversity, community function, total parasitism rate and stability, and species-rich communities did not generate higher parasitism rates than species-poor communities, nor was temporal variation of parasitic rates related to Parasitoid community richness.
Abstract: The parasitoid assemblages associated with grass-feeding chalcid wasps in Great Britain were used to examine the relationships between diversity (species richness), community function (total parasitism rate) and stability (variability in parasitism rate over time). Species-rich communities did not generate higher parasitism rates than species-poor communities, nor was temporal variation of parasitism rates related to parasitoid community richness. The mechanisms underlying hypotheses linking species richness and community function and stability are discussed in the light of these results. Because all parasitoid species represent a single functional group, a lack of complementarity in the ways they use their resources may explain why diversity is not linked to function or community stability. A second likely reason is that these parasitoid communities are under bottom-up control, thus exerting little or no influence on total system function and variability. This is likely to be common in parasitoid communities.
TL;DR: The data show a significant dephosphorylation of 4E-BP1 in gastrointestinal tumours that correlated with an increase in the association of 3E-binding protein 1 and eIF4E indicating a lower availability to eIF 4E to recruit to the ribosomes, and suggest that 4E -BP1 could function as a tumour suppressor.
TL;DR: It is reported here that DQAsome/DNA complexes selectively release DNA at cardiolipin-rich liposomes mimicking both the inner and the outer mitochondrial membrane.
Abstract: The number of diseases found to be associated with defects of the mitochondrial genome has grown significantly over the past decade (Wallace 1999). Despite major advances in understanding mtDNA defects at the genetic and biochemical level, there is no satisfactory treatment available for the vast majority of patients and the exploration of gene therapeutic approaches is highly warranted. However, mitochondrial gene therapy still appears only theoretical and speculative. Any possibility for gene replacement depends on the use of a yet unavailable mitochondria-specific transfection vector. Mitochondria-specific vectors must posses two properties: they have to transport DNA to the side of mitochondria; they must not release DNA during endocytosis. Amphiphile compounds with delocalized cationic charge centers such as rhodamine 123 and the bolaamphiphile dequalinium have long been known to accumulate in mitochondria. Sufficient lipophilicity combined with delocalization of the positive charge to reduce the free energy change when moving from an aqueous to a hydrophobic environment are believed to be prerequisite for mitochondrial accumulation in response to the mitochondrial membrane potential. We have recently succeeded in preparing cationic vesicles made of dequalinium that we termed DQAsomes (Weissig et al. 1998a). We have shown that DQAsomes bind and protect DNA against DNase activity (Lasch et al. 1999). Based on the intrinsic property of dequalinium to preferentially accumulate in mitochondria in response to the electrochemical gradient at the mitochondrial membrane, we believe that DQAsomes can serve as a vector to deliver DNA to mitochondria in living cells. As a first step in the development of mitochondria-specific DNA delivery systems, we report here that DQAsome/DNA complexes selectively release DNA at cardiolipin-rich liposomes mimicking both the inner and the outer mitochondrial membrane. We demonstrate that DNA remains tightly associated with DQAsomes in the presence of an excess of anionic lipids other than cardiolipin.
TL;DR: Results infer that Si may have a potential therapeutic application in the treatment of involutive osteoporosis and warrant closer scrutiny in connection with the Si inhibitory effect on bone mass loss as well as the stimulatory effect onBone formation.
Abstract: The effect of silicon (Si) supplement on preventing bone mass loss induced by ovariectomy (OVX) in rats was investigated. Three groups of 15, 100-day-old female Wistar rats each, with a mean initial weight of ∼260 g per animal, were selected for the present study. One of the experimental group consisting of 15 OVX rats was fed a diet supplemented with 500 mg of Si per kg of feed (Si + OVX). The other two groups consisting of 15 OVX and 15 sham-OVX rats did not receive these supplements. Morphometric (weight and length) and densitometric studies with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were performed on the whole femur and 5th lumbar vertebra of each animal 30 days after the experiment. The Si + OVX rats did not show a loss of bone mass induced by OVX at axial level (5th lumbar vertebra) or periphery (femur). Nonetheless, a significant increase (ANOVA with Bonferroni/Dunn post hocs test) of longitudinal development of the femur (P < 0.0001) was patent. These results, obtained through the measurements of axial and peripheral bones, warrant closer scrutiny in connection with the Si inhibitory effect on bone mass loss as well as the stimulatory effect on bone formation. Both actions, namely, inhibition of resorption and stimulation of formation, infer that Si may have a potential therapeutic application in the treatment of involutive osteoporosis.