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Biomedical subjects

D Moreno

Publications and source records attributed to D Moreno.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Evidence of nuclear DNA fragmentation following hypoxia-ischemia in the infant rat brain, and transient forebrain ischemia in the adult gerbil.

Wistar rats, eight days old, were subjected to permanent bilateral forebrain ischemia, followed by hypoxia for 15 minutes. A cerebral infarct, mainly involving the cerebral neocortex, hippocampus, amygdala, striatum and subcortical white matter was produced. Neurons and glia showing punctate chromatin condensation and karyorrhectic cells were observed 12 hours after hypoxia-ischemia. Their number increased during the first two days and recruitment of cells with degenerating nuclei occurred until day five. In situ labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation stained many normal-appearing nuclei, as well as punctate chromatin condensations and nuclear fragments in karyorrhectic cells. Delayed neuronal death in the CA1 area of the hippocampus was observed after 20 minutes of transient forebrain ischemia in the adult gerbil. In situ labeling of nuclear DNA fragmentation demonstrated stained punctate chromatin condensation in a few degenerating cells at 48 hours post-ischemia. Substantial labeling of CA1 neurons occurred in the fourth day. Agarose gel electrophoresis of extracted brain DNA from ischemic infant rats and adult gerbils showed a ladder-type pattern which is typical of nuclear DNA fragmentation into oligonucleosomal fragments (internucleosomal cleavage). These findings suggest that endonuclease(s) activation may play a role in cell death induced by different forms of hypoxia-ischemia.

Animals↗

Epidemic cholera in the Amazon: the challenge of preventing death.

Epidemic cholera struck Peru in January 1991, and spread rapidly. The national cholera case-fatality rate (CFR) was less than 1% in the first six months of the epidemic, but in some rural areas, the CFR exceeded 10%. We investigated cholera mortality in the rural Amazon region, an area with a CFR of 6.3%. We conducted a case-control study, comparing 29 decedents with 61 survivors of recent cholera-like diarrheal illness in 12 villages with a combined CFR of 13.5%. Of 29 decedents, 28 (96%) died in the village or en route to a health facility. Death occurred within 36 hours of illness onset for 83% of the decedents. In 11 (92%) villages, the first or second recognized case was fatal. Death was associated with receiving treatment only at home (odds ratio indeterminate; 95% confidence interval 3.5, indeterminate). Treatment with oral rehydration salts (ORS) was not protective against death for patients who received treatment only at home. Treatment with homemade sugar-salt solution (SSS) was also not protective; fewer than one-third of respondents knew the correct SSS recipe. Most decedents experienced multiple barriers to health care. Cholera victims died rapidly and early in village outbreaks, and few patients had access to health care. Provision of threatened villages with ORS supplies and education in their use before cholera strikes is essential to reducing cholera mortality in this region.

Adolescent↗

[Cutaneous necrosis and rhabdomyolysis following the intravenous infusion of vasopressin].

We describe the case of a patient with hepatic cirrhosis treated with an intravenous infusion of vasopressin to control an upper digestive hemorrhage, who developed distance cutaneous necrosis and rhabdomyolysis. We review the other cases published in the international scientific literature and we discuss the possible pathogeny of these complications.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage↗

Malignant lymphoma of jejunum with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia and diffuse nodular hyperplasia of the small intestine. A case study and literature review.

We report a patient with common variable hypogammaglobulinemia and diffuse nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the small intestine complicated by a jejunal malignant lymphoma. Immunopathological and histological studies showed a polymorphous centroblastic lymphoma with intracytoplasmatic IgM immunoglobulin and lambda light chains. Some mucosal nodules separate from the tumor mass showed atypical lymphoid cell populations similar to lymphoma cells, suggesting a transition between hyperplastic nodules and lymphoma nodules. Four similar cases, and six other patients with malignant lymphoma of the small intestine, associated with diffuse nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, but without immunodeficiency, have already been described. All these cases suggest that nodular lymphoid hyperplasia increases the risk of small intestine lymphoma.

Adult↗

[The diagnosis of peptic ulcer penetration into the liver by endoscopic biopsy. A report of 2 cases and a review of the literature].

We report two patients and review six additional published cases with liver penetrating peptic ulcer diagnosed by the finding of hepatic tissue in endoscopic biopsies. Clinical and laboratory data were non-specific. The presence of a large (2 cm) gastric or duodenal ulcer, with malignant appearance, or a protruding mass, with secondary ulceration and located in the gastroduodenal posterior wall or in the lesser curvature of the stomach, may suggest the endoscopic diagnosis of this complication. Definitive diagnosis is established by endoscopic biopsies of the ulcer base and/or of the associated mass.

Aged↗

[Manometric changes induced by antireflux surgery (Nissen) and its relation to pH measurement and clinical findings. An analysis 6 months after the intervention].

We analyzed the preoperative ambulatory 24 hour ph-metric and manometric characteristics in a group of 20 patients treated surgically for gastroesophageal reflux (PGER) by Nissen fundoplication. At 6 months post-surgery they were reevaluated instrumentally (manometric and 24 hour ph-metry) and clinically. All ph-metric parameters of PGER (total reflux time, clearance, number of episodes, number of episodes greater than 5 minutes duration and duration of longest episode) were significantly improved (p less than 0.01-0.05) post-operatively (as globally as by position supine and upright) and this improvement was associated with resolution of symptoms in 19 (95%) patients. Of the manometric parameters evaluated (lower esophageal sphincter pressure--LESP--and length--LESL, peristaltic, triphasic, biphasic, absent and simultaneous waves and relaxation of LES) surgery only produced improvement in the lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) and length (LESL) (p less than 0.001). We conclude that antireflux surgery (Nissen) by improving the pressure and length of the LES is capable of producing clinical and ph-metric remission in almost all (95%) of patients studied six months after.

Age Factors↗

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver in early histological stages of primary biliary cirrhosis.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) is a condition characterized by hepatocytic nodules distributed throughout the liver without perinodular fibrosis. The etiology is unknown, but it has been reported in patients with a variety of diseases, including autoimmune diseases and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). In this study, the liver biopsies of 64 patients with PBC were reviewed. Thirty-five biopsies in histological stages I or II belonging to 30 patients were suitable for study. NRH was found in 43% of biopsies (47% of patients). In 80% of these biopsies, nodular transformation was focal, while it was diffuse in the remaining 20%. Splenomegaly was more common in patients with NRH. Laparoscopy displayed evidence of portal hypertension in two of these patients and endoscopy showed esophageal varices in one patient. Serum levels of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were also higher in these patients. Lesions in small intrahepatic vessels, florid bile duct lesions, and portal granulomas were found more frequently in biopsies with NRH. We conclude that nodular hyperplastic changes are very common in early histological stages of PBC, and consequently, this disease should be considered in the etiology of NRH. These changes may contribute to early development of portal hypertension in these patients.

Adult↗

[Wilson's disease. A retrospective analysis of 12 cases].

We reviewed retrospectively 12 patients with Wilson's disease diagnosed during a 16-year period (1974-1989). The prevalence rate was 0.6 per 100,000 individuals. Clinical onset was hepatic (50%) or neurologic (50%), but at diagnosis (6.4 years later) 67% of patients showed several clinical manifestations: hepatic, neurologic, renal and haematologic. Among the essential diagnostic indices we find false negative results for Kayser-Fleischer ring (25%), serum ceruloplasmin (8%) and total serum copper (34%). Ten patients were treated with penicillamine. This drug was effective and well tolerated, although one patient (10%) developed membranous nephritis and required to change successively to BAL and trien. In a 61 months follow-up 5 patients (42%) died from severe liver failure. Patients with poor prognosis had a diagnostic delay and a liver failure degree significantly greater than patients with good prognosis. Our results suggest the following conclusions: a) in Spain the prevalence rate of Wilson's disease is near the lower reported rate; b) the early diagnosis of Wilson's disease is rare; c) diagnosis should be made only when several essential indices are positive; d) early hepatic transplantation showed carried out in patients with acute or chronic severe liver failure.

Age Factors↗

Effect of intrathoracic pressure on plasma arginine vasopressin levels.

Abdominal distention during pneumoperitoneum results in a marked increase in plasma arginine vasopressin levels, which has been ascribed to an increase in intrathoracic pressure. Because of this relationship, tense ascites could contribute to nonosmotic release of antidiuretic hormone, to the development of hyponatremia, and eventually to further ascites formation. The effect of pneumoperitoneum, thoracocentesis, and paracentesis on plasma arginine vasopressin levels was studied in three groups of patients, and the mechanism by which these maneuvers may induce these changes was investigated. Patients with pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or ascites showed a significant increase in plasma arginine vasopressin levels, and thoracocentesis or paracentesis resulted in a decrease in these levels. Plasma vasopressin levels increased significantly during pneumoperitoneum, as did intrathoracic and atrial pressures; the atrial transmural pressure gradient declined. However, no changes in plasma levels of norepinephrine, aldosterone, and renin activity were observed during pneumoperitoneum. Changes in plasma arginine vasopressin levels correlated with the changes in intrathoracic and atrial pressures and transmural pressure gradient. The authors conclude that increased intrathoracic pressure is associated with an increase in plasma arginine vasopressin levels and propose that ascites could be a factor promoting vasopressin release by acting on intrathoracic volume receptors in decompensated cirrhotics.

Adult↗

[Sixteen-year experience with gallbladder cancer. Review of 120 cases].

We reviewed retrospectively 120 patients with histologically diagnosed gallbladder carcinoma and collected during 16-years (1974-1989). Age and sex, annual distribution, predisposing factors, histological findings, clinical manifestations, complementary diagnostic methods, therapeutic measures and follow-up of patients were analyzed. Our results suggest the following conclusions: a) the annual incidence of gallbladder carcinoma remains unchanged; b) there is a close association with gallstones; c) the late diagnosis is due to unspecificity of clinical manifestations and low diagnostic effectivity of complementary methods; d) computed tomography and laparoscopy are the more effective complementary diagnostic methods in advanced gallbladder carcinoma; e) early gallbladder carcinoma is only diagnosed casually in cholecystectomy pieces; f) only the early carcinoma (grade I or II) is curable.

Adult↗

Serologic response and lesions in goats experimentally infected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis of caprine and equine origins.

Fifteen goat kids were experimentally inoculated with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Five were given a strain of caprine origin (nitrate-negative biotype) intradermally, 5 were given a strain of equine origin (nitrate-positive biotype) intradermally, and 5 were inoculated intranasally with the caprine-origin strain. Animals were monitored for 127 days. The goats given the inocula intradermally developed abscesses; those given caprine-origin strain had multiple lesions both peripherally and in visceral locations (primarily endothoracic abscesses), whereas those given the equine-origin strain had abscesses only at injection sites and draining nodes. The difference in extent of lesions could be due to biotypic bacterial differences or to the individual strains used. Intranasally inoculated goats did not develop abscesses and were essentially no different from controls. The cranial part of the respiratory tract may not be an important portal of entry for C pseudotuberculosis. Serum samples obtained monthly from all animals were subjected to the synergistic hemolysis-inhibition test, which measures antibodies to the exotoxin of C pseudotuberculosis. Animals with abscesses developed titers within 1 month of inoculation. Animals without abscesses remained seronegative. The synergistic hemolysis-inhibition test may be a reliable diagnostic assay for caseous lymphadenitis in goats.

Animals↗

[Rapid diagnosis of cytomegalovirus in immunocompromised patients using monoclonal antibodies that detect early viral antigens].

A technique was applied to detect early fluorescent antigens (DEFA) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) using the E13 monoclonal antibodies in 52 immuno-compromised patients hospitalized in the Nephrology Institute of Havana. Of the 75 urine or blood (buffy coat) samples taken, 15 were found positive to CMV. Using classical diploid human fibroblast isolation technique, 12 CMV strains were isolation of previously detected positive samples by DEFA. In addition, CMV was isolated from one sample reported to be negative by DEFA. A coincidence of 80% was found between both techniques. With the ELISA test, all the sample studied have IgG antibodies to CMV.

Adolescent↗