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Biomedical subjects

B Gilbert

Publications and source records attributed to B Gilbert.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Activities of the Pharmaceutical Technology Institute of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation with medicinal, insecticidal and insect repellent plants.

In addition to original research, Far-Manguinhos, the Pharmaceutical Division of the Brazilian Ministry of Health's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), devotes major attention to the finalising of products for use in public health campaigns or, under contract, for private industrial development. Emphasis is on standardisation, adequate supply, safety in use and efficacy. Among the products discussed in this summary of some of its activities in the chemical and pharmaceutical fields are medicinal plants Bidens pilosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Copaifera species, Mentha crispa, Phyllanthus tenellus Roxb. and other Phyllanthus species, insecticidal plants, Lonchocarpus urucu and Quassia amara, and the insect antifeedant plants Carapa guianensis and Pterodon emarginatus.

Academies and Institutes↗

High sensitivity quantitative analysis of cobalt uptake in rat cerebellar granule cells with and without excitatory amino acids.

We quantified the effect of the excitatory amino acids kainate and glutamate on the uptake of cobalt in primary rat cerebellar granule neurons, by using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). We quantitatively demonstrated that Co2+ uptake, although enhanced by glutamate and kainate also takes place in the absence of excitatory amino acids. We also found that cobalt uptake is not significantly altered by the presence of glutamate receptor competitive or noncompetitive antagonists, indicating that cobalt uptake in granule neurons does not require glutamate receptor stimulation. Our results suggest, therefore, that Co2+ may enter the cell by passive diffusion through the plasma membrane.

Animals↗

Identical chromosome imbalance in two siblings born to a mother with a double reciprocal translocation.

We report the case of a woman who carried two reciprocal translocations. Her karyotype was 46,XX,t(3;12)(q12;q21)(4;17)(p14;p13). She had two children, a phenotypically normal daughter (karyotype (46,XX,t(3;12)(q12;q21)) and a son with partial 4p trisomy (karyotype 46,XY,t(3;12) (q12;q21),-17,+maternal der(17)). She was pregnant with a female fetus who had the same karyotype as her son. She also reported a history of two spontaneous abortions. This viable recurrent abnormality was due to the maternal (4;17) translocation with meiotic segregation type 2:2 adjacent 1. In this case of the two reciprocal translocations carried by the mother, one led to imbalances, whereas the other remained balanced in the viable offspring.

Adult↗

Anterior crowns & porcelain laminate veneers: a conservative approach.

The final results of this case were pleasing to the patient and the dentist (Fig.5). The diastemas had been closed (Fig. 6), and the bioesthetic symmetry and harmony had been restored (Fig. 7). The patient reported an increase in self confidence with his peers and professors, especially during assignments both at work and at the university. (Fig. 8) I want to especially thank Felipe Don Sanders, C.D.T. for his skill in producing the excellent laboratory work for this case.

Adult↗

Reversal of age-related deficient influenza virus-specific CTL responses and IFN-gamma production by monophosphoryl lipid A.

Old and young Balb/c mice, 24--26 and 2--4 months old, respectively, were infected with a 0.1 LD50 of influenza A/Taiwan/1/86 (A/H1N1) virus by small particle aerosol. Lung virus titers were determined 4, 6, 8, 12, and 17 days later. Old mice had significantly higher virus titers than young mice (P < 0.05-0.0001) and shed virus up to Day 17, while young mice were free of virus by Day 12. Splenic MHC class I CD8+ CTL activity (P < 0.08--0.001) and IFN-gamma production (0.1-0.008) measured on Days 8, 12, and 17 were significantly lower among old mice than among young mice. Coadministration of liposomal influenza vaccine with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) resulted in enhanced CD8+ CTL response and IFN-gamma production among old mice (35 and 12,000 times, respectively). These results demonstrate that MPL stimulates CTL and Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma) in aged mice and may serve to reverse age-related CD8+ CTL deficiency and reduce severe influenza disease in elderly human populations.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

[Prenatal diagnosis of hereditary bullous epidermolysis. A case report].

A premature infant born to a consanguinous couple (mother's age = 27 years) presented Hallopeau-Siemens disease and died at 3 weeks. At a second pregnancy, fetal skin biopsies at 21 weeks gestation demonstrated the absence of the disease. The fetus died in utero at 31 weeks of an unknown cause. A third pregnancy was carried to term successfully and terminated by delivery of a normal infant. Unlike most hereditary bullous epidermolyses, the severe prognosis of Hallopeau-Siemens disease justifies antenatal diagnosis as does Herlitz disease, another familial disease. Fetal skin biopsy at 21 weeks is classically performed, but localization of the genetic abnormalities would suggest that a simple trophoblast biopsy during the first trimester may be sufficient.

Adult↗

Apparent segregation of null alleles ascribed to deletions of the ornithine transcarbamylase gene in congenital hyperammonaemia.

Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is an X-linked disorder of the urea cycle mapped to chromosome Xp21.1. Here, we show that apparent segregation of null alleles at the OTC locus and flanking polymorphic loci mimicked false maternity or false paternity in three affected families. Based on these observations, we suggest giving consideration to gene deletion when dealing with segregation of null alleles in OTC deficiency.

Alleles↗

Employee assistance programs: history and program description.

1. The history and development of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can be traced back to the 1800s. There are currently over 10,000 EAPs in the United States. 2. Standards for program accreditation and counselor certification have been established for EAPs. The "core technology of Employee Assistance Programs" includes identification of behavioural problems based on job performance issues, expert consultation with supervisors, appropriate use of constructive confrontation, microlinkages with treatment providers and resources, macrolinkages between providers, resources, and work organizations, focus on substance abuse, and evaluation of employee success based on job performance. 3. Some EAPs take a broad brush approach, and incorporate health promotion and managed care functions.

Accreditation↗

[Megaloblastic anemia in children].

Megaloblastic anemia in children is mainly due to folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiencies. However dosages of these two vitamins must be performed before any vitamin supplementation or blood transfusions are given in order to establish precisely the etiologic diagnosis. A disorder in the metabolism of these vitamins must be considered in any infants in whom the onset of neurological abnormalities is associated with the characteristic hematological abnormalities. Imerslund's syndrome is a specific vitamin B12 malabsorption defect that warrants consideration as it is easy to recognize on the basis of the association of megaloblastic anemia and proteinuria. A possible drug-induced etiology must also be looked for. In the absence of vitamin deficiency, several rare etiologies must be considered. A macrocytosis, occasionally with megaloblastosis reflecting an abnormal erythropoiesis, may accompany an hemopathy, eventually malignant.

Anemia, Megaloblastic↗

[Excessive water intake with intoxication as a manifestation of anorexia nervosa].

A case of anorexia nervosa revealed by water intoxication with severe hyponatremia is reported after a search of the literature demonstrated the rarity of such cases. Pathophysiological mechanisms involved are discussed. Hospitalization in a unit for adolescents in which pediatricians and psychiatrists work together allowed both prompt treatment of metabolic disorders and early management of anorexia nervosa, which is associated with improved prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Perspective for the production of antimalarial drugs in Brazil.

There appears to be no chemical manufacture of antimalarial drugs in Brazil. Technology at the laboratory process level has been developed for chloroquine, mefloquine, pyrimethamine and cycloguanil, but not perfected nor scaled-up, largely for economic reasons and market uncertainty. Development of primaquine has been contracted but it will run into the same difficulty. Manufacturing capacity for sulfadoxine was registered in the SDI by Roche. A project to produce artemisinine and its derivatives is under way at UNICAMP-CPQBA but is hampered by low content in the plant. Proguanil could be produced easily, but apparently no attempt has been made to do so. Quinine is imported on a large scale mostly for soft-drink production. Since malarial treatment falls largely within the responsibility of the Government health authorities, manufacture of drugs in Brazil will depend on an assured medium-term purchase order made to a potential local manufacturer, since competition in the world market is scarcely viable at the present moment.

Antimalarials↗