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Biomedical subjects

A Castro

Publications and source records attributed to A Castro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Rhinoplasty saw: a modified design.

One of the instruments used for osteotomies of the nasal bones in rhinoplasty is the saw. During the initial sawing movements, it is not uncommon to make multiple cuts in the bone. To avoid this problem, we have designed a modification of the Joseph's saw. The new design essentially fixes the saw along a single axis, producing a single and precise bone cut. This saw is useful for basal and superior osteotomies in rhinoplasties and is especially indicated in secondary rhinoplasties.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed1991

Effects of endothelin on renal haemodynamics and segmental sodium handling in conscious rats.

The effects of endothelin (100 and 600 pmol/kg) on renal plasma flow (RPF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), sodium excretion (UNa V) and segmental sodium handling were investigated in conscious rats. Low-dose endothelin decreased renal plasma flow by 26% without affecting glomerular filtration rate and sodium excretion. High-dose endothelin reduced renal plasma flow, glomerular filtration rate, sodium excretion and lithium clearance by 57, 45, 38 and 52%, respectively. The fall in sodium excretion was not due to a direct effect of endothelin on tubular sodium transport since sodium excretion corrected by glomerular filtration rate and fractional proximal and distal sodium reabsorption did not change throughout the study. These results indicate that the impairment in renal perfusion is responsible for the antinatriuretic effect of endothelin in conscious rats.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of homeopathy in rheumatoid arthritis.

Forty-four patients with active Rheumatoid Arthritis were entered into a 6-month double-blind trial comparing homeopathy and placebo. The treatments were generally equally effective in most assessments. Statistically significant improvements were produced, however, in 3 of 5 and 2 of 5 results respectively assessed in homeopathic and placebo treated groups. There was no statistically significant difference between groups. Adverse effects were scarcely and comparably reported in both groups and did not require a change in therapy.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1991

[Platelets and migraine. Correlation between biochemical markers of platelet aggregation and serotonin].

The correlation between the biochemical markers of platelet activation and serotonin in migraine was investigated. The beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF-4) and serotonin levels in 105 patients with migraine were measured. The results confirmed an increase in beta-TG and PF4 levels and a reduction in serotonin levels during the migraine attacks. However, we did not find a significant correlation between these fluctuations. These findings suggest the existence of extraplatelet mechanism in the pathophysiology of migraine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Successfully treated candida sinusitis in an AIDS patient.

An AIDS patient with a subdural empyema as a complication of candida sinusitis is presented. Clinical features resembled those of invasive aspergillosis or phycomycosis. Microbiological diagnosis was established by blood cultures, sinus cultures, and histopathological examination. An aggressive surgical approach first to the sinuses and then to the subdural space, together with fluconazole produced a satisfactory result.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1990

Urinary excretion of endogenous digitalis-like natriuretic substances in healthy subjects. Effect of sodium load.

In the current study digoxin-like immunoreactivity (DLIA), Na-K-ATPase inhibition and natriuretic activity of urinary extracts from 10 healthy volunteers following a low and a high-sodium intake, respectively, were measured. Detectable urinary DLIA (46.1 +/- 5.6 ng eq digoxin/day), Na-K-ATPase inhibition (182.9 +/- 22.7 nmol eq oub/day) and natriuretic activity (UNaV: 0.38 +/- 0.11 microEq/min) were observed during the low-sodium diet period in all subjects. High-sodium diet was associated with a significant increase in DLIA (87.9 +/- 9.2 ng eq digoxin/day, p less than 0.001) which parallelled changes in Na-K-ATPase inhibition (359.8 +/- 51.9 nmol eq oub/day, p less than 0.005) and natriuretic activity (UNaV: 1.33 +/- 0.3 microEq/min, p less than 0.025). These results support the contention that DLIA is related to NH.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Ectopic human chorionic gonadotropin in breast carcinoma.

Immunoreactive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was found in 9 of 65 surgically removed malignant breast tumors. Concentrations ranged from 5 to greater than 500 mIU hCG/g tumor. hCG was measured by a beta-chain specific readiommunoassay. In further study of these specimens, an immunoperoxidase staining technique was used to stain for hCG in formalin-fixed sections. The hCG was shown to be localized within the cytoplasm and on the surface of the malignant cells.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1979

Automated radioimmunoassay of nicotine.

We have developed an automated nonequilibrium procedure for the radioimmunoassay of nicotine. The use of a unique iodinated nicotine derivative in this procedure gave a sensitivity of 10 micrograms/l for nicotine with a between-run precision of 7.4% and within-run precision of 6.0%. Nicotine levels of 60 to 67 micrograms/ml were found in subjects 15 min after smoking one standard cigarette. The technique herein reported is a very rapid, and sensitive radioimmunoassay for nicotine and facilitates the determination of nicotine in smoking subjects during the actual process of smoking.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Immunoglobulin G- and M-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of dengue antibodies.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of antibodies to dengue virus is described. This method correlates well with a hemagglutination inhibition technique. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay can also be specific for human immunoglobulin M antibodies when a mu-chain-specific antiglobulin-enzyme conjugate and fractionated serum are employed. By using this technique, dengue immunoglobulin M antibodies were demonstrated in an infant suspected of having a recent dengue infection.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1979

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent choriomammotropin assay.

We have devloped an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for determining choriomammotropin (human placental lactogen) in serum. Unlabeled hormone competes with choriomammotropin-beta-galactosidase conjugate for antibody bound to polystyrene tubes. The entire assay can be performed in 2.5 h with good precision. The coefficient of variation for one sample with a mean concentration of 5.6 mg/L, assayed 10 times on the same day, was 5.7%. The coefficient of variation for nine samples (3.5 to 9.0 mg/L) assayed on five different days was 7.9%. Forty-eight clinical samples were assayed (y) and compared with results obtained by radial immunodiffusion (x). The resulting regression equation was: y = 1.05x + 0.78; r = 0.91.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1979

Steric hindrance enzyme immunoassay (SHEIA); a novel method in enzyme immunoassay.

We have developed a new method for separation of antibody bound and unbound enzyme conjugates. The technique as applied to the assay of choriomammotropin involves the use of beta-D-galactosylamine bound to agarose to separate the unbound choriomammotropin-beta-galactosidase conjugates for antibody bound conjugates. When beta-galactosidase was conjugated with choriomammotropin using the N-hydroxy-succinamide ester of m-maleimidobenzoic acid the affinity of the enzyme conjugate to beta-D-galactosylamine attached to agarose diminished markedly following incubation with antibody. In a typical enzyme immunoassay of choriomammotropin, 5 microliter of swelled affinity gel per tube was required to precipitate unbound enzyme following one hour gentle shaking at room temperature. Choriomammotropin antibody was used at titer of 1:1,000. The standard curve for the assay was adjusted to cover a range of 0-10 mg/l with maximum sensitivity between 1-4 mg/l.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

A new radioassay for serum vitamin B12 determination using chicken serum as a binder and an anion exchange resin column separation.

We present a new method for the determination of serum vitamin B12 concentration by competitive protein binding using 57Co labeled vitamin B12, chicken serum (CS) as the binding protein, and a sephadex column separation. We placed a mixture of extracted sample, labeled B12, and CS binder above an A-25 sephadex column, and after 1 hour incubation at room temperature drained the column and washed it twice with buffer. We counted the free fraction remaining in each column. Within run C.V.'s for low and high values in the normal range were 10.6% and 6.03%. The between run C.V.'s were 7.7% and 7.5% respectively. The values obtained for 95 clinical specimens correlated well with those for a reference method.

Animals↗