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Biomedical subjects

A P Ribeiro

Publications and source records attributed to A P Ribeiro.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Shrimp--a dynamic model of heavy-metal uptake in aquatic macrofauna.

A dynamic model for prediction of bioaccumulation in aquatic macrofauna is described. The model, entitled SHRIMP (Simulation of Heavy-metal Rate of Intake for Macrofaunal sPecies), consists of five coupled submodels, which simulate individual growth, population dynamics, metal transport in the abiotic part of the system, metal bioaccumulation at the organism level, and upscaling of individual contamination to the population scale. The sublethal effects of metal toxicity on individual and population levels are shown to act through the reduction of individual growth rates. The model was tested for cadmium and mercury using epibenthic crustacea from an estuarine system. Individual and population patterns of bioaccumulation were analyzed by comparing the simulated results of five different scenarios of dissolved metal concentrations. Model results suggest that the subtle effect of growth reduction due to metal toxicity is sufficient to cause a decrease on population numbers simply by affecting the growth of the mature females and males.

Animals↗

Effectiveness of surface protection for resin-modified glass-ionomer materials.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various surface treatments for resin-modified glass-ionomer restorative materials by determining dye uptake spectrophotometrically. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Two hundred twenty-four specimens, 4.1 mm in diameter and 2.0 mm thick, were made of 3 materials: Vitremer, Fuji II LC, and Photac-Fil Aplicap. Specimens were divided into 15 groups. The positive and negative control specimens remained unprotected, while the experimental specimens were protected with Heliobond light-activated bonding resin, Colorama nail varnish, or surface coatings indicated by the manufacturers of the glass-ionomer materials: Finishing Gloss for Vitremer, Fuji Varnish for Fuji II LC, and Ketac Glaze for Photac-Fil. The disks were immersed in 0.05% methylene blue for 24 hours except for the negative control group, which was immersed in deionized water. After 24 hours, the disks were removed, washed, and individually placed in 1 mL of 65% nitric acid for 24 hours. The solutions were centrifuged and the spectrophotometric absorbance was determined at 606 nm. The dye uptake was expressed in micrograms of dye per milliliter, and the results were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: There were no differences in dye uptake among the 3 resin-modified glass-ionomer restorative materials; however, all of them required surface protection. CONCLUSION: The best surface protection for the 3 evaluated materials was obtained with Heliobond light-activated bonding resin.

Coloring Agents↗

Pure red cell aplasia due to persistent B19 parvovirus infection in patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Recovery with alpha-interferon therapy.

B19 parvovirus (PV) infection is ordinarily resolved with the production of specific antibodies that neutralize virus infectivity for erythroid host cells. Nevertheless persistent infection with B19 PV and pure red blood cell aplasia have been documented. A 27 year-old male. i.v. drug abuser, HIV+ and HCV was diagnosed of pure red cell aplasia. Six months later we had serologic evidence of persistent parvovirus infection. Interferon therapy, started for HCV infection, showed a marked improvement of anaemia and anti parvovirus IgM became negative. It is discussed the possible role of interferon therapy in persistent parvovirus infection.

Adult↗

Treatment of molluscum contagiosum with potassium hydroxide: a clinical approach in 35 children.

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong alkali that has long been known to digest proteins, lipids, and most other epithelial debris of skin scrapings to identify fungal infections. To our knowledge, KOH has never been used for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum (MC). We evaluated 35 children with MC for the clinical effectiveness of treatment with topical 10% KOH aqueous solution. The solution was applied by the parents of affected children, twice daily, on each MC lesion. The therapy was continued until all lesions underwent inflammation and superficial ulceration. Thirty-two of 35 patients achieved complete clinical cure after a mean treatment period of 30 days. Three children discontinued treatment: two reported severe stinging of the lesions and refused further applications; the other, with giant MC lesions, developed a secondary infection with prolonged treatment. Therapy with KOH was found to be effective and safe in the treatment of MC in children.

Adolescent↗