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Biomedical subjects

C Marques

Publications and source records attributed to C Marques.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Crystallin composition of human cataractous lens may be modulated by protein glycation.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to establish whether increased glycation of human crystallins could be related to an increased susceptibility to aggregation and insolubilization. The study was focused particularly on the glycation levels and composition of low-molecular-weight (LMW) peptides present in human cataractous lenses. METHODS: Lens crystallins from the water-soluble fraction were separated on a preparative scale by gel filtration. Each crystallin was purified and its glycation level evaluated as furosine content. The peptides were further purified by reverse-phase chromatography. The amino acid composition of each of these peptides was also determined by RP-HPLC using PITC pre-column derivatization. RESULTS: The high-molecular-weight (HMW), alpha L-crystallin and LMW crystallins from diabetic patients present high furosine content. LMW peptides were shown to constitute a heterogeneous population of three major peptides with a lysine content similar to that observed for native crystallins. These peptides were shown to present glycation levels ten times higher than those observed for the crystallins. Glycated proteins from insoluble fraction were found to be mostly urea soluble and were present at higher concentration in diabetic cataracts. CONCLUSIONS: LMW peptides are suggested to play a major role in protein aggregation and insolubilization, probably via a mechanism involving protein glycation. This process seems to be particularly relevant to diabetic cataract development.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Intraperitoneal recombinant interferon gamma in ovarian cancer patients with residual disease at second-look laparotomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of recombinant human interferon gamma (rIFN-gamma) as second-line treatment in patients with persistent disease at second-look laparotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred eight patients with residual disease at second-look laparotomy were treated with rIFN-gamma (20 x 10(6) IU/m2) administered intraperitoneally (IP) twice a week for 3 to 4 months. In the absence of clinically assessable disease, response to rIFN-gamma was assessed with a third-look laparotomy. RESULTS: Of 98 assessable patients, 31 (32%) achieved a surgically documented response, including 23 patients (23%) with a complete response (CR). The age and size of residual tumor were significant prognostic factors for the response to rIFN-gamma. A 41% CR rate was observed in 41 patients younger than 60 years and with residual tumor less than 2 cm. The probability of response was independent of previous response to first-line chemotherapy. The median duration of response was 20 months and the 3-year survival rate in responders was 62%. Response to rIFN-gamma was the most significant prognostic factor for survival of patients with residual disease. Adverse events included fever, flu-like syndrome, neutropenia, and liver enzyme disturbances. No significant peritoneal fibrosis was noted. CONCLUSION: These results support the potential interest of IP rIFN-gamma as adjuvant treatment in ovarian cancer. Controlled prospective trials are required to determine its place in the therapeutic strategy of this malignancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Cerebral metastases. Review of a hospital population].

Cerebral Metastases are diagnosed in approximately 20-30% of patients with primary tumours. Because of the improvement of central nervous system imagining technology and of the newly effective therapeutic schemes, the incidence of this particular type of cerebral lesion tends to increase. In this retrospective study the authors review the patients admitted in the Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medicine departments and in the outpatient chemotherapy consultation, with a diagnosis of cerebral metastases. Sex and age, neurologic symptoms at presentation, neuroradiologic findings, primary tumour origin, treatment outcomes and prognosis were evaluated in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Bendazac decreases in vitro glycation of human lens crystallins. Decrease of in vitro protein glycation by bendazac.

Bendazac has been used as an anti-cataractogenic drug. It has been reported that this acts by preventing protein denaturation. In this study the ability of bendazac to inhibit in vitro glycation of human lens crystallins was evaluated. Possible effects of bendazac were detected by incubation of WS crystallins with the reducing sugars glucose and fructose. The efficiency of bendazac was evaluated by means of selected parameters including: browning, glycation (measured as tyrosine content) and specific NTP-fluorescence. The results showed clearly that bendazac (bendazac L-lysine and sodium) inhibits the early stages of protein glycation, as well as the formation of fluorescent advanced glycation products. Bendazac lysine (20 mM) proved to be more effective in inhibiting fluorescence development (67% inhibition) that the corresponding sodium salt (35% inhibition). No significant differences were found with respect to furosine levels; about 40% inhibition was produced with either bendazac lysine or sodium salt bendazac clearly inhibits glycation of human lens crystallins, as can be efficiently monitored by following specific changes in lens protein fluorescence. These results may constitute a new and relevant therapeutic approach to monitoring cataract development.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Tubular apocrine adenoma with eccrine and apocrine immunophenotypes or papillary tubular adenoma?

A case of papillary tubular adenoma is reported. On microscopic examination the lesion, located on the scalp, showed a tubular-branching pattern, opening on the skin surface, and features of decapitation secretion. Immunohistochemical evidence of both eccrine and apocrine differentiation was found. This case, which on a clinicopathological basis alone could be classified as tubular apocrine adenoma, illustrates the difficulties in contrasting the latter to its eccrine counterpart (papillary eccrine adenoma) and suggests that the terms papillary tubular adenoma or tubulopapillary hidradenoma more accurately describe these lesions.

Adenoma↗
PubMed1995

[Leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Review of 51 cases].

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (L.V.) is a polymorphous inflammatory dermatosis, characterized clinically by palpable purpura of the lower legs and, histologically by fibrinoid change in the small dermal vessels as well a polymorphonuclear infiltrate and nuclear dust. Fifty one cases (33 females and 18 males) of histologically confirmed L.V., seen at the Dermatologic Clinic, University Hospital of Coimbra, are reviewed. The most common type of skin lesions found were palpable purpura (80%), erythematous papules, vesicles and bullae (45%). Systemic manifestations occurred in 32 patients (63%), predominantly fever (33%), arthralgias (27%), malaise (18%) and gastro-intestinal pain (10%). The most frequent laboratory abnormality was a high E.S.R. found in 80% of the patients tested. Possible causative agents could be identified in 37 patients (73%) and included drugs in 12 patients (24%), drugs and infections in 16 (31%) and infection in 3 (6%). Three patients had malignancies and 2 had rheumatoid arthritis. The course of the disorder was acute in 25 cases (49%), recurrent in 14 (27%) and chronic in 10 (20%). The majority of patients (61%) were treated with systemic corticosteroids.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Macrocheilitis and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. Review of 19 cases].

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome is an uncommon condition of unknown cause. The classical triad includes recurrent orofacial oedema involving predominantly the lips (macrocheilitis), intermittent peripheral facial palsy and scrotal tongue. Some authors consider Miescher's cheilitis as a monosymptomatic form of the syndrome. Nineteen cases (11 females and 8 males) of macrocheilitis seen at the Dermatologic Clinic, University of Coimbra, between 1966 and 1992, are reviewed. The complete triad of signs was present only in 4 patients (21%) and two features of the classic triad in 3 (16%) (macrocheilitis and lingua plicata in two; macrocheilitis and facial palsy in one). Twelve patients had only recorrent or persistent orofacial swelling. All 19 patients had macrocheilitis. Less commonly, the check, nose, forehead, eyelid, chin and buccal mucosa were also involved. Peripheral facial paralysis was present in 5 cases (26%), and scrotal tongue occurred in 6 (32%). Lip biopsies, performed in 17 patients, revealed the typical pathologic picture of granulomatous cheilitis only in 8 cases. Systemic corticosteroids and clofazimine were the most efficacious treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Various genetic aspects of X-linked mental retardation].

X-Linked Mental Retardation constitutes an important pathologic entity in genetics. The overall significance, history and background of the concept of X-Linked mental retardation is reviewed with a special mention to the cases referenced under the term non-specific X-Linked mental retardation. The concept of lod-score has brought some improvement in the clinical delineation of the X-Linked mental retardation syndromes with some recent reports of suggestive linkage studies. The fragile-X syndrome is discussed with a special focus on reports of X-linked mental retardation with X chromosomal deletions or duplications. Linkage and molecular studies are reported viewing genetic approaches based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms. DNA probes spanning the length of the X and Y chromosomes which may prove critical to the development of diagnostic tests are referred. Computer assistance for a compilation of clinical findings in the X-linked mental retardation syndromes is specified as a diagnostic review and assistance program to check on the various entities. A joint collaborative investigation is reported to ascertain families with X-linked mental retardation in order to develop direct and linkage studies for the diagnosis of there disorders.

DNA, Recombinant↗
PubMed1990

[Changes in the coronary arteries in Kawasaki disease: echocardiographic aspects].

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of coronary anomalies in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) by two-dimensional echocardiography. SETTING: Outpatient and Laboratory of Echocardiography in the Pediatric Cardiology Department of Santa Marta Hospital. PATIENTS: Forty four children (M/F = 1.7/1) with a mean age of 2 years and 8 months (range from 2 months to 8 years) underwent Outpatient and serial echocardiographic study from July 1984 to December 1988. RESULTS: Coronary artery anomalies were demonstrated in 13 (52%) of 44 children; 11 (25%) had uniform dilatation and 12 (27%) had aneurysms. These anomalies were never observed before the first week of illness. During a mean follow-up of 8.4 months, we have observed normalization of coronary arteries lumen, in 10 (43.4%) of the 23 cases. The anomalies remained in 13 (56.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery anomalies are a frequent complication of KD. In about 50% of patients, coronary artery anomalies remained in a mean follow-up of 8 months. Two-dimensional echocardiography is a good method to study coronary anomalies in KD.

Child↗
PubMed1972

Prednisolone and mustine in prevention of tumour swelling during pulmonary irradiation.

Ventilatory function declines during the early stages of irradiation for bronchial carcinoma. This decline is potentially dangerous if the tumour narrows the trachea or both main bronchi. The protective effect of preliminary treatment with prednisolone or mustine before irradiation was studied in 88 patients by serial estimations of forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity. Twenty-three patients received prednisolone by mouth, 24 had mustine intravenously, and 41 had no preliminary treatment. Both prednisolone and mustine prevented a significant decline in ventilatory function due to tumour swelling, prednisolone being marginally superior. It is concluded that all patients at risk should be treated with oral prednisolone, 20 mg daily, for one day before and two days after the first fraction of irradiation.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of glycation in human lens protein structure change.

PURPOSE: Protein glycation may be involved in cataract development, by altering protein structure, particularly amino acid composition, and formation of fluorophores through a Maillard reaction. This study was designed to evaluate major changes in early and advanced (fluorescent) glycation products, with special emphasis on glycation-induced changes in amino acid composition of lens proteins. METHODS: We analyzed 50 human cataractous lenses (25 diabetic and 25 non-diabetic). Glycated proteins were isolated by affinity chromatography. Glycated and non-glycated proteins were separated by molecular sieve chromatography and further analyzed by RP-HPLC to establish the amino acid content. Early glycation levels were determined as furosine content and advanced glycation products were quantified by the characteristic fluorescence. RESULTS: Specific lens fractions (HMW and LMW) present significant differences in fluorescence levels between glycated and non-glycated proteins, specially in cataractous lenses from diabetic patients in which all proteins analyzed presented higher glycation levels than in non-diabetic patients. The amino and analysis of glycated proteins also revealed some important differences in specific basic residues (namely Lys, Arg and His) compared to the non-glycated fraction. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that protein glycation may be involved in changes in amino acid composition and fluorophore formation. This process may well account for the increased risk factor that diabetes represents for cataract development.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antimalarial drug susceptibility testing of Plasmodium falciparum in Brazil using a radioisotope method.

From March 1996 to August 1997, a study was carried out in a malaria endemic area of the Brazilian Amazon region. In vivo sensitivity evaluation to antimalarial drugs was performed in 129 patients. Blood samples (0.5 ml) were drawn from each patient and cryopreserved to proceed to in vitro studies. In vitro sensitivity evaluation performed using a radioisotope method was carried out with the cryopreserved samples from September to December 1997. Thirty-one samples were tested for chloroquine, mefloquine, halofantrine, quinine, arteether and atovaquone. Resistance was evidenced in 96.6% (29/30) of the samples tested for chloroquine, 3. 3% (1/30) for quinine, none (0/30) for mefloquine and none for halofantrine (0/30). Overall low sensitivity was evidenced in 10% of the samples tested for quinine, 22.5% tested for halofantrine and in 20% tested for mefloquine. Means of IC 50 values were 132.2 (SD: 46. 5) ng/ml for chloroquine, 130.6 (SD: 49.6) ng/ml for quinine, 3.4 (SD: 1.3) ng/ml for mefloquine, 0.7 (SD: 0.3) ng/ml for halofantrine, 1 (SD: 0.6) ng/ml for arteether and 0.4 (SD: 0.2) ng/ml for atovaquone. Means of chloroquine IC 50 of the tested samples were comparable to that of the chloroquine-resistant strain W2 (137.57 ng/ml) and nearly nine times higher than that of the chloroquine-sensitive strain D6 (15.09 ng/ml). Means of quinine IC 50 of the tested samples were 1.7 times higher than that of the low sensitivity strain W2 (74.84 ng/ml) and nearly five times higher than that of the quinine-sensitive strain D6 (27.53 ng/ml). These results disclose in vitro high resistance levels to chloroquine, low sensitivity to quinine and evidence of decreasing sensitivity to mefloquine and halofantrine in the area under evaluation.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality & access in the managed behavioral healthcare industry.

Building on a study of the costs of behavioral healthcare under managed care first released in the March/April, 1994 issue of this journal, the American Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association has now turned its attention to two other fundamental issues in healthcare reform: access and quality. The following study presents data indicating how managed behavioral healthcare plans assure quality and access in such areas as response time, accreditation, provider credentialing, patient satisfaction and outcomes measurement.

Continuity of Patient Care↗