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Biomedical subjects

A Marinho

Publications and source records attributed to A Marinho.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Reactive haemophagocytic syndrome in adult-onset Still's disease: a report of six patients and a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of patients with reactive haemophagocytic syndrome (RHS) complicating adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). METHODS: Of 50 patients with AOSD fulfilling Yamaguchi and Fautrel criteria followed in our department, clinical and laboratory data, course and treatment of six patients with histologically proven RHS and without any obvious cause other than AOSD were retrospectively recorded. RESULTS: RHS led to AOSD in two cases, whereas it appeared after a mean duration of 3.5 years from onset of AOSD in the other cases. The main symptoms were fever (n = 6), polyarthralgias or myalgias (n = 4), lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly (n = 3), pharyngitis (n = 3), rash (n = 3), pleuritis (n = 3), hepatomegaly (n = 1), normal or low leucocyte count (n = 4), anaemia (n = 6), lymphocytopenia (n = 6), thrombocytopenia (n = 4), hyperbasophilic lymphocytes (n = 2), abnormal liver function tests (n = 6) and increased serum triglyceride level (n = 6). Serum ferritin concentration was constantly increased (>10,000 microg/l in five cases, with <5-35% in glycosylated form). Two patients presented with coagulopathy. Treatment comprised corticosteroids (n = 4) and intravenous immunoglobulins (n = 3), whereas prednisone was unchanged in one case. One death due to pneumonia occurred 15 days after RHS. With a follow-up ranging from 2 to 7.5 years, the other patients were in remission with prednisone plus etanercept (n = 1), prednisone plus methotrexate (n = 1), low-dose prednisone (n = 2) or without treatment (n = 1). CONCLUSION: RHS is not uncommon in AOSD. It should be evoked in a patient with AOSD in the absence of hyperleucocytosis, thrombocytopenia, lymphopenia and coagulopathy, or in the presence of high serum ferritin and triglyceride levels.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of a new IOL scleral fixation technique without capsular support.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare a new intraocular lens (IOL) scleral fixation technique (scleral incision) with the scleral flap surgical technique as regards to efficacy, surgical complications, advantages, disadvantages, and surgery costs in cases with no capsular support. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study conducted on thirty patients (30 eyes), ten of whom were aphakic, eleven had traumatic cataract, seven had post-phacoemulsification complications, and two had lens luxation. The patients were divided into two groups (I - scleral incision technique and II - scleral flap technique) of fifteen patients each, during a study period lasting eighteen months. The great majority of the procedures were performed under general anesthesia and by the same surgeon. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS. The numerical variables were compared using the t test and the categorical ones using the Fisher exact test. We performed multifactorial analysis to build a model that could predict and compare the complications associated with each technique. An explicative model was built using logistic regression. RESULTS: We observed a threefold higher rate of complications associated with the scleral flap technique when compared to the scleral incision technique. This difference was particularly relevant as regards the occurrence of free scleral flap and hyphema. No statistically significant differences were observed regarding vitreous hemorrhage, choroidal hemorrhage, retinal detachment, difficulty in the external pulling of the Prolene suture, breaking of the Prolene suture, and anterior chamber collapse. We found a significant association between intraoperative complications and the technique used (higher number of complications with the scleral flap) and also with some systemic diseases (patients with hypertension had more intraoperative complications). The number of late complications resulting from the scleral flap technique was much higher than those observed with the scleral incision technique; however, the number of the cases we studied is insufficient to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The duration of the procedure using the IOL scleral incision technique is significantly lower than using the scleral flap technique. Intraoperative complications were significantly associated with the technique used: more frequent with scleral flap. Late complications were mainly associated with systemic and previous ocular diseases.

Eye Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Evidence indicating participation of the serotonergic system in controlling feeding behavior in Coturnix japonica (Galliformes: Aves).

We investigated participation of the brain serotonergic system in food intake control by using oral and systemic administration of serotonin precursors in quails (Coturnix japonica). Dietary supplemental tryptophan (0.1-50.0 g/kg) provoked a dose-dependent inhibition of food intake during a 5-h observation period, which persisted up to 24 h for doses of 30.0 and 50.0 g/kg. Normally fed and fasted animals treated with hydroxytryptophan (12.5-50.0 mg/kg) by the intracoelomic route showed an acute inhibition of food intake. Hypophagia in fasted birds was only effective when the precursor was administered immediately before food presentation. A similar response was obtained by administering serotonin (0.125-2.5 mg/kg, sc), with animals showing a hypnogenic response within the first ten minutes after administration, suggesting that, in contrast to mammals, the amine crosses the blood-brain barrier in quails. Administration of hydroxytryptophan at all doses tested induced significant dipsogenic behavior despite the concomitant hypnogenic response. The results suggest the involvement of serotonergic pathways in food intake control in quails and also show, for the first time, hypnogenic action induced by serotonin and a hyperdipsic effect elicited by hydroxytryptophan.

5-Hydroxytryptophan↗
PubMed2001

[Glare and halos after "phakic IOL". Surgery for the correction of high myopia].

BACKGROUND: Phakic IOLs are currently under clinical investigation for the correction of high myopia with acceptable postoperative refractive results. Although daytime vision is usually very good some patients complain of visual disturbances, described as glare and halos, during the night time, leading to difficulties in driving vehicles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The quality of vision after phakic IOL surgery was investigated pre- and postoperatively using various tests for objective measurements of glare and halo in 40 myopic eyes (-9.0 to -20.0 D). Based on the implanted phakic IOL, eyes were divided into 4 groups of 10 eyes each where an Artisan 5.0 was implanted, an Artisan 6.0, a NuVita, and an ICL. RESULTS: All patients were happy with the postoperative refractive outcome and during daytime no visual discomfort was reported. In contrast, most patients reported visual disturbances during dim light conditions and at night time, described as glare and halos. The objective measurements showed in most eyes increased glare and halos which was most prominent in eyes with an ICL, followed by the NuVita IOL. In contrast, patients with an Artisan 6.0 reported significantly less glare and halo problems. CONCLUSIONS: All currently available phakic IOLs, in particular the ICL and the NuVita lead to a decreased visual performance during night time. Therefore, this phenomenon must be explained to the patient prior to surgery. An increase in the size of the optic should lead to an improvement with reduction of postoperative glare and halos.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Characterisation of yeast flora isolated from an artisanal Portuguese ewes' cheese.

The evolution of the yeast flora was studied for an artisanal semi-hard ewes' cheese made from raw milk. Mean log10 yeast counts per gram of cheese body ranged from 2.7 to 6.4, with the higher counts observed after a ripening period of 30 days. The yeast population decreased thereafter and, at the end of curing process, reached values similar to those of the beginning. A total of 344 yeasts strains were randomly isolated from the curd and cheese body during the 60 days long ripening period. Esterase activity was common to almost all isolates (98%) while proteolysis was observed in 12% of the total yeast population. The proportion of strains with positive glucose fermentation increased from 21% in the curd to 75% at the end of the ripening period. A total of 150 isolates representative of the physiological characteristics tested were examined with the API ID 32C system showing different degrees of quality of identification. Only 15% of the strains (23 isolates) were excellently identified being assigned to the species Candida zeylanoides. The most frequent species appeared to be Debaryomyces hansenii (anamorph Candida famata) and Candida intermedia. These two species amounted to 9% of the yeasts in the curd increasing to 86% at the end of the ripening period.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Phakic intraocular lenses: which to choose.

Phakic intraocular lenses have been increasingly popular with refractive surgeons because of the good refractive results achieved and because there are few serious complications. The purpose of this review is to compare the different types of phakic intraocular lenses, regarding implant selection, surgical technique, refractive outcome, and anatomical evaluation. New uses of phakic intraocular lenses are also presented. Although phakic intraocular lenses have gone a long way, the quest for the ideal lens remains a challenge.

Accommodation, Ocular↗
PubMed1998

Expression of sialyl-Tn in fine-needle aspirates from mammographically detected breast lesions: a marker of malignancy?

Malignant transformation is frequently associated with abnormal expression of cell surface carbohydrates. Sialyl-Tn (STn) is a core carbohydrate antigen of tumor-associated mucin formed by the premature 2-6 sialylation of N-acetylgalactosamine. In an attempt to verify whether this antigen is restricted to malignant cells, we studied 30 cases of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology from mammographically detected breast lesions. The rationale for choosing this material was the acknowledged difficulty in diagnosing cytologically small breast lesions, especially epithelial intraductal proliferations. The cases were divided in benign lesions (two fibroadenomas and ten ductal hyperplasias) and malignant lesions (16 ductal carcinomas). Ten of sixteen malignant cases (62.5%) were positive for STn. Five of fourteen benign cases (35.7%) were also positive for STn (two fibroadenomas and three ductal hyperplasias). The most consistent positive results in benign lesions resulted from cases that displayed apocrine metaplasia, although positivity has also been observed in ductal cells without metaplasia. We did not find statistical significant differences among STn expression in benign and malignant breast lesions detected by FNA (P = 0.14). Thus, we conclude that STn is neither specific nor sensitive for detection of malignancy in FNA from mammographically detected breast lesions.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effect of third ventricle administration of L-694,247, a selective 5-HT1D receptor agonist, on water intake in rats.

L-694,247, a selective 5-HT1D receptor agonist, injected directly into the third ventricle (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 micrograms/rat) of dehydrated rats induced a dose-dependent partial blockade of water intake. Injected in this way, the compound abolishes drinking behavior induced by third ventricle administration of carbachol (2 micrograms/rat), angiotensin II (5 ng/rat), and isoproterenol (40 micrograms/rat). In addition, intraventricular injections of L-694,247 did not modify water intake in normohydrated rats. The effects of L-694,247 are due to a specific interaction with 5-HT1D receptors, because its inhibitory effect on water intake in dehydrated rats is blocked by the previous administration of a 5-HT1D antagonist, GR 127935 (5 micrograms/rat), directly into the third ventricle. It is concluded that central 5-HT1D receptor activation disrupts the functional integrity of central pathways related to drinking behavior.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed1997

Angiogenesis in breast cancer is related to age but not to other prognostic parameters.

Angiogenesis is essential for tumour growth and metastasis. In spite of its relevant biological significance, recent studies have produced conflicting results regarding the capacity of microvessel quantifications in breast carcinomas to predict patients' outcome and the existence of metastasis. In order to provide further information in this issue, we evaluated tumour angiogenesis in a series of 45 primary breast carcinomas (mean age: 55.3 +/- 14.2) and examined their association with established or potentially useful prognostic parameters. Microvessels were highlighted by immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII-related antigen and counted in the three most vascularized areas in a 200 x field (0.74 mm2) by four observers simultaneously. Results were analysed for the average vessel count of each case. The mean intratumoural microvessel count was 57.7 +/- 24.4 (range: 24.3 to 127.7). We found a statistically significant association between angiogenesis and age. The microvessels count in patients younger than 50 years was 67.8 +/- 26.4, from 51 to 70 years, 52.0 +/- 22.8 and over 71 years, 46.1 +/- 14.2 (p = 0.03). Node positive patients had slightly higher microvessel counts (60.3 +/- 25.3) than node negative ones (54.4 +/- 23.5); this difference was not significant (p = 0.42), even when we considered each age group per se. No association was found between angiogenesis and tumour size, histologic grade, estrogen receptor, MIB-1 index, ploidy and expression of p53 and c-erbB-2. Our results suggest that invasive breast carcinoma-induced angiogenesis is age-dependent.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Granular cell tumour and leiomyomatosis of the esophagus--a non-coincidental association?

One case of esophageal granular cell tumour (GCT) associated with diffuse leiomyomatosis of the distal esophagus is presented. The rarity of each of the lesions per se raises the possibility that the association between GCT and diffuse leiomyomatosis, a previously unreported finding, is not coincidental. In view of the present knowledge on both conditions we suggest that an underlying genetic alteration may be responsible for the hereby described association.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

Expression of sialyl-Tn in breast cancer. Correlation with prognostic parameters.

To investigate the expression of a simple mucin-type carbohydrate antigen (Sialyl-Tn/STn) and its putative relationship with established or potentially useful clinico-pathologic prognostic parameters in breast cancer, we studied forty-six cases of invasive breast carcinoma in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. STn antigen was detected by the HB-STn antibody using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. The parameters studied were tumour size, histologic grade, nodal status, proliferative index (with MIB-1), ER expression, ploidy, c-erbB-2 and p53 expression. STn expression was observed in 18 cases (39%) of breast cancer. The expression of STn was associated with axillary node metastasis, ER negativity and c-erbB-2 expression. A tendency towards an association between STn immunoreactivity and high histologic grade was also found. No correlation was observed between STn immunoreactivity and age, tumour size, proliferative index, ploidy and p53 expression. We conclude that the detection of STn immunoreactivity may be useful for predicting the likelihood of lymph node metastasis and that the outcome of patients with breast cancer should be further investigated in order to find whether or not the data of the present study are confirmed in larger series.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

LASIK for high myopia: one year experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a technique combining the advantages of lamellar corneal surgery (not disturbing Bowman's layer) with the precision of excimer laser surgery. It can be used to correct myopia in a wide range of diopters. In this study we present our data on the first 34 consecutive cases of myopia correction by LASIK. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty four eyes of 27 patients with myopia ranging from -10.00 to -22.50 diopters (D) were operated with LASIK. The follow-up was from six months to one year. The mean age was 33.02 +/- 7.98 years, 32.4% were males and 67.6% were females. Surgery was always performed with the Chiron Automated corneal shaper resecting a corneal flap of 160 mu and then ablating the stromal bed (OZ 4.50 mm) with the Summit OmniMed 5.0 excimer laser. The parameters used to assess the results were predictability, safety (variation of spectacle corrected visual acuity), stability, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the patients, 67.65% were between -1.00 and +1.00 at 6 months; 44.11% of eyes retained the same spectacle corrected visual acuity, 11.76% gained 1 line, 26.47% gained 2 lines, 8.82% lost 1 line and 8.82% lost 2 lines. Refraction at 1 month was 0.07 +/- 1.99 (range, -4.00 to +4.00); at 3 months 0.61 +/- 1.69 (range, -4.25 to +2.25); and at 6 months 0.81 +/- 1.71 (range, -4.75 to +2.25). Of the patients, 85.3% were happy with the procedure. Complications included two dislocated caps in the immediately post-operative period and two cases of epithelial ingrowth under the cap. Two eyes developed irregular astigmatism. These complications were found in the first two sessions of surgery and are related to the learning curve of the method. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that LASIK is a viable method for correction of high myopia with few complications and may have advantages over keratomileusis and PRK as it combines the best features of both methods--it preserves Bowman's layer and has the excimer laser precision. Refining the nomogram of ablation should result in even better results.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Cor triatriatum. Echo/Doppler diagnosis followed by immediate surgical correction. Report of a clinical case].

As Cor Triatriatum is a rare congenital cardiopathy and benign after corrective surgery, decisive means of diagnosis are essential. The AA review some descriptive theoretical concepts and make reference to the difficulties, present at times, in diagnosis by cardiac catheterization. They consider Eco-Doppler to be the means of excellence for its recognition describing all aspects that point to the diagnosis of this pathology. Described is the case of a 12 month old baby, in whom some semiological findings had lead to a wrong diagnosis. In the discussion, additional diagnosis is eliminated due to some anatomic characteristics defined by echocardiography.

Cor Triatriatum↗
PubMed1980

The abdominal cocoon case report.

A girl of 17 is described who presented, six weeks after the end of her first pregnancy, with intermittent abdominal pain and an abdominal mass due to encasement of the terminal ileum in a 'cocoon' of fibrous tissue. The cocoon was excised and the patient did well. The aetiology and management of this condition are briefly discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Posterior chamber silicone phakic intraocular lens.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the efficacy, safety, and stability of correction achieved with a silicone posterior chamber intraocular lens used to correct high myopia in phakic eyes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A silicone posterior chamber plate-style intraocular lens (Chiron, Adatomed) was implanted in 38 consecutive phakic eyes with high myopia (-7.00 to -28.00 diopters (D) over a period of 21 months. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 24 months. RESULTS: Three months after surgery, refractions in 27 eyes (71%) ranged from -1.00 to +1.00 D and remained stable thereafter. Spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved at least two lines in 24 eyes (63%), and none was lost in any eye. Patient satisfaction was high (92%). The few complications that occurred were mostly related to imperfections in the surgical technique rather than lack of biocompatibility of the lens. No cataract or other vision-threatening complication was present at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: This silicone posterior chamber plate-style intraocular lens provides a reasonably predictable, safe, and stable means of correcting high myopia.

Adult↗