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Biomedical subjects

C C Santos

Publications and source records attributed to C C Santos.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Antinociceptive effect of leaf essential oil from Croton sonderianus in mice.

The leaf essential oil from Croton sonderianus (EOCS) was evaluated for antinociceptive activity in mice using chemical and thermal models of nociception. Given orally, the essential oil at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg produced significant inhibitions on chemical nociception induced by intraperitoneal acetic acid and subplantar formalin or capsaicin injections. However, it evidenced no efficacy against thermal nociception in hot-plate test. More prominent inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing and capsaicin-induced hind-paw licking responses was observed at 100 and 200 mg/kg of EOCS. At similar doses, the paw licking behavior in formalin test was more potently suppressed during the late phase (20-25 min, inflammatory) than in early phase (0-5 min, neurogenic). The EOCS-induced antinociception in both capsaicin and formalin tests was insensitive to naloxone (1 mg/kg, s.c.), but was significantly antagonized by glibenclamide (2 mg/kg, i.p.). In mice, the essential oil (100 and 200 mg/kg) neither significantly enhanced the pentobarbital-sleeping time nor impaired the motor performance in rota-rod test, indicating that the observed antinociception is unlikely due to sedation or motor abnormality. These results suggest that EOCS produces antinociception possibly involving glibenclamide-sensitive KATP+ channels, which merit further studies on its efficacy in more specific models of hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain.

Acetic Acid↗
PubMed2002

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta mediate the production of nitric oxide involved in the pathogenesis of ifosfamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mice.

PURPOSE: We investigated the participation of nitric oxide in ifosfamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mice, and the involvement of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta in the induction of nitric oxide production in this model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hemorrhagic cystitis was induced in mice by 100 to 400 mg./kg. ifosfamide and evaluated 6, 12, 24 or 48 hours thereafter by certain parameters, including vesical edema measurements, microscopic analysis and immunohistochemical testing for inducible nitric oxide synthase. Ifosfamide injected mice were pretreated with 10 to 40 mg./kg. of the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, 80 mg./kg. of mesna, a chemical antagonist of acrolein and the urotoxic metabolite of ifosfamide, 50 microl. antiserum against TNF-alpha and IL-1beta per mouse, 45 mg./kg. of the selective TNF-alpha synthesis inhibitor thalidomide or 200 mg./kg. of the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta synthesis inhibitor pentoxifylline. RESULTS: Ifosfamide induced vesical edema, which peaked 12 hours after ifosfamide injection. Microscopic analysis revealed vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage, fibrin deposition, neutrophil infiltration and epithelial denudation. Inducible nitric oxide synthase immunolocalization demonstrated intense reactivity to inducible nitric oxide synthase in the cytoplasm of bladder epithelial cells, which showed diffuse necrosis. Pretreatment with mesna reduced the increases in vesical edema, while treatment with L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, antiserum to TNF-alpha or IL-1beta, thalidomide or pentoxifylline inhibited vesical edema and microscopic alterations. Antiserum treatments also inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the urothelium. CONCLUSIONS: Nitric oxide produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase is involved in urothelial damage and in the inflammatory events leading to hemorrhagic cystitis after ifosfamide administration in mice. The induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase in the urothelium appears to depend on the synergistic effect of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Intracranial and spinal MR imaging findings associated with Krabbe's disease: case report.

Krabbe's disease is an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy with well-documented intracranial findings on both CT scans and MR images. We herein present what is thought to be the second case of Krabbe's disease with spinal involvement shown on MR images as abnormal contrast enhancement of the lumbosacral nerve roots. The typical intracranial findings of T2 hyperintensity without contrast enhancement were present within the periventricular white matter, but there was no area of abnormal signal intensity or enhancement within the substance of the spinal cord. We briefly review the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and imaging findings of Krabbe's disease. Spinal abnormalities may precede the onset of brain abnormalities, and MR imaging may be a useful diagnostic tool in cases of Krabbe's disease and other leukodystrophies.

Brain↗
PubMed2001

Activity of adventitious Enterococcus strains on model curdled caprine milk: microbial growth and evolution of concentration of organic acids and lactose throughout time.

Enterococci offer a few unique advantages when compared with other lactic acid bacteria in that they are resistant to phages, stable lactose fermenters, tolerant to relatively high concentrations of sodium chloride and optimal growers at relatively high temperatures (Franz et al., 1999). Such genus occurs and grows in a variety of cheeses, especially artisanal cheeses produced in Southern Europe usually from raw milk; they are claimed to play a major role in ripening and aroma development in such cheeses (Freitas et al., 1995; Macedo et al., 1995). Enterococci can produce lactic, acetic, propionic and succinic acids (Ocando et al., 1994), compounds that have been correlated with flavor characteristics of cheese; hence strains of Enterococcus have been successfully used as starters for different cheese (Franz et al., 1999).

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Ulnar nerve pressure: influence of arm position and relationship to somatosensory evoked potentials.

BACKGROUND: Although the ulnar nerve is the most frequent site of perioperative neuropathy, the mechanism remains undefined. The ulnar nerve appears particularly susceptible to external pressure as it courses through the superficial condylar groove at the elbow, rendering it vulnerable to direct compression and ischemia However, there is disagreement among major anesthesia textbooks regarding optimal positioning of the arm during anesthesia. METHODS: To determine which arm position (supination, neutral orientation, or pronation) minimizes external pressure applied to the ulnar nerve, we studied 50 awake, normal volunteers using a computerized pressure sensing mat. An additional group of 15 subjects was tested on an operating table with their arm in 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees of abduction, as well as in supination, neutral orientation, and pronation. To determine the onset of clinical paresthesia compared to the onset and severity of somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) electrophysiologic changes, we studied a separate group of 16 male volunteers while applying intentional pressure directly to the ulnar nerve. Data are presented as mean (median; range). RESULTS: Supination minimizes direct pressure over the ulnar nerve at the elbow (2 mmHg [0; 0-23]; n = 50), compared with both neutral forearm orientation (69 mmHg [22; 0-220]; P < 0.0001), as well as pronation (95 mmHg [61; 0-220]; P < 0.0001). Neutral forearm orientation also results in significantly less pressure over the ulnar nerve compared to pronation (P < or = 0.04). The estimated contact area of the ulnar nerve with the weight-bearing surface was significantly (P < 0.0001) smaller in the supine position (2.2 cm2 [0.5; 0-9]; n = 50) compared with both neutral orientation (5.5 cm2 [5.0; 0-13]) and pronation (5.8 cm2 [6; 0-12]). With the forearm in neutral orientation, ulnar nerve pressure decreased significantly (P < or = 0.01; n = 15) as the arm was abducted at the shoulder from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. In the 16 male subjects tested, notable alterations in ulnar nerve SSEP signals (decrease > or = 20% in N9-N9' amplitude) were detected in 15 of 16 awake males during application of intentional pressure to the ulnar nerve. However, eight of these subjects did not perceive a paresthesia, even as SSEP waveform amplitudes were decreasing 23-72%. Two of these eight subjects manifested severe decreases in SSEP amplitude (> or = 60%). CONCLUSIONS: Extrapolating these results to the clinical setting, the supinated arm position is likely to minimize pressure over the ulnar nerve. With the forearm in neutral orientation, pressure over the ulnar nerve decreases as the arm is abducted between 30 degrees and 90 degrees. In addition, up to one half of male patients may fail to perceive or experience clinical symptoms of ulnar nerve compression sufficient to elicit SSEP changes.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Vulvar myiasis.

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation caused by larvae of several fly species. Diagnosis and treatment are simple. This infestation is, however, rarely seen in the vulvar area. We present a short review of the disease and the case of a 19-year-old pregnant girl with vulvar myiasis and concomitant syphilis, vaginal trichomoniasis and genital candidiasis. The patient was also positive for human immunodeficiency virus.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Spinal cord infarction: etiology and outcome.

We reviewed 44 cases of ischemia and infarction of the spinal cord at two university hospitals. Three patients experienced transient ischemic attacks. Etiologies of completed strokes were diverse and included rupture and surgical repair of aortic aneurysms, aortic dissection, aortic rupture and thrombosis, global ischemia, anterior spinal artery embolism, repair and thrombosis of spinal arteriovenous malformations, hematomyelia, epidural hematoma, cervical osteophytosis, celiac plexus block, systemic lupus erythematosus, coagulopathy, and decompression sickness. Motor function improved in 12 patients, was substantial in only one, and occurred largely within the first 2 to 4 weeks. Favorable ambulatory outcome correlated with improving neurologic examinations and relatively preserved strength in hip abductors and knee extensors. More extensive deficits without initial improvement portended a more severe prognosis. Autonomic dysfunction, pain, paresthesia, and depression were common and impeded recovery in some patients. The mean level of deficit was at T-8 and in cases of global ischemia was at T-9, which leads us to dispute the classical view of a midthoracic watershed zone of ischemic vulnerability near T-4.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

18-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in children and adolescents with traumatic brain injury.

Twenty-two previously normal children and adolescents who suffered a severe, non-penetrating traumatic brain injury had PET during rehabilitation at a median of 1.5 months after the injury. Outcome was assessed at a median of 25 months after brain injury. 16 subjects had CT or MRI within 24 days of PET and 11 subjects had a second PET at the point of outcome (median 28 months after first PET). The PET score (obtained by adding the score of 15 brain regions: normal metabolism = 1; reduced = 0) was significantly associated with the clinical outcome measure. PET earlier than 12 weeks after head trauma correlated with outcome, but later PET did not. PET scores improved significantly between rehabilitation and outcome for the 11 subjects who had two PETs, but improvement was not associated with improvement in clinical condition. PET score did not add to the amount of variance explained in the last regression model for prediction of outcome when the results of contemporaneous CT/MRI and clinical condition were taken into account. The data suggest that routine PET during rehabilitation is no more useful than contemporaneous CT or MRI for prediction of outcome.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed1995

Seizure-induced transient hippocampal abnormalities on MR: correlation with positron emission tomography and electroencephalography.

We report transient focal abnormalities on MR in a patient having frequent electrographic seizures that were not obvious clinically. Marked mass effect (confirmed with volumetric studies) and abnormal T2 signal intensity in the right hippocampal region correlated with electroencephalographic ictal activity and with increased positron-emitting radiotracer uptake in the medial temporal lobe. The follow-up MR 2 months later, after electroencephalography findings normalized, revealed no hippocampal abnormalities.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Participation of TNF-alpha and IL-1 in the pathogenesis of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

The involvement of cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1 has been investigated in a mouse model of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. Male Swiss mice (25-30 g) received CYP in a single i.p. dose of 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg and were sacrificed 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h later. Cystitis was evaluated by determining the changes in bladder wet weight (BW) and plasma protein extravasation (PPE, measured by the Evans blue leakage technique). CYP treatment induced a marked increase in BW and in PPE, which was significant within 6 h and reached maximal values within 12 h (BW, 118%, P < 0.05; N = 11; and PPE, 824%, P < 0.05; N = 11), continuing to be significant until 48 h. Pretreatment of animals with whole anti-TNF-alpha serum (25 or 50 microliters diluted in 500 microliters 0.9% saline, i.p., 30 min earlier) caused a significant reduction in the CYP-induced BW increase in 6-h and 12-h cystitis (82% and 91%, respectively, P < 0.05; N = 6) and in the CYP-induced PPE increase (60% and 52%, respectively, P < 0.05; N = 6). In addition, the administration of whole anti-IL- 1 beta serum at the same dose promoted a significant blockage of the CYP-induced increase in BW (47%, P < 0.05; N = 6) and PPE increase (41%, P < 0.05; N = 6) only in 12-h cystitis. The control serum did not modify the effect of CYP. Histopathologic analysis of the bladders from anti-TNF-alpha- and anti-IL-1 beta-pretreated groups revealed a significant reduction of the following parameters compared to the control groups: mucosal erosion, hemorrhage, edema, leukocyte migration, fibrin deposition and ulcerations. These results suggests that TNF-alpha and IL-1 are crucial mediators involved in inflammatory events occurring in CYP-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

Alkylating Agents↗
PubMed1990

Tourette's syndrome. Tics, jerks, and quirks.

Over the past 20 years, public and physician awareness of tic disorders, including Tourette's syndrome, has increased remarkably. In fact, Tourette's syndrome is now "diagnosed" by many families before they consult a physician. Patients seek help not only for the involuntary movements and noises that characterize the illness but also for the accompanying learning, behavioral, and social problems. The authors of this article define the various tic disorders and discuss diagnosis and treatment of the most severe type, Tourette's syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Febrile infants less than 3 months old: value of chest radiography.

In the febrile infant less than 3 months old, a chest radiograph is commonly obtained to identify the cause of the fever. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the necessity of obtaining chest radiographs in this population. The clinical records and chest radiographs of 192 febrile infants (greater than 100.5 degrees F, rectal) were reviewed. Nineteen patients had signs of respiratory distress; seven had positive findings on chest radiographs. Of the 173 patients without signs of respiratory distress, five had positive findings on chest radiographs. When chest radiography was considered the gold standard for the presence or absence of pneumonia, findings of respiratory distress on physical examination had a sensitivity of 58% and a specificity of 93% for the detection of pneumonia. The prevalence of positive findings on chest radiographs in febrile infants less than 3 months old was 6%. A chest radiograph should be obtained in febrile infants only when signs of respiratory distress are present.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Control of schistosomiasis infection in the localities of Cachoeira-Bahia, basin of the Paraguaçu, 1982-1992].

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Schistosomiasis Control Program, PCE, in Cachoeira, state of Bahia-Brazil, in Paraguaçu Basin Area. Data comes from PCE-111 cards of SUCAM/FNS, which are routinely registered in the 111 villages identified during the study follow up, 1982-1992. The S. mansoni infection was diagnosed through Katz-Kato technique for stool exams. Temporal trends of the prevalence of infection were analyzed for each village. Four trend patterns were identified, and the most common was those of recurrence of infection prevalence (67.6%). Control of the endemics was achieved in 22.5% of the villages, while expansion trends were found in only 9.9% of them. In general, there was found a decrease in the prevalence, particularly, from 1982 to 1985, followed by an increase that do not reach the initial levels. It was observed a relative reduction on the number of villages that shows prevalence below or equal to 5%, that indicates control of the infection. It was not possible to evaluate trends of infection intensity neither the occurrence of severe shistossomiasis disease or related deaths, that may allow a more complete evaluation of this program.

Adolescent↗