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Biomedical subjects

J A Rocha

Publications and source records attributed to J A Rocha.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Pressure ulcer management--Evidence-based interventions].

Despite improved awareness and quality of care among health care personnel, pressure ulcers prevalence remains high especially in the inpatient setting. Pressure ulcers are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, affecting the quality of life of patients and their caregivers, and significantly increasing direct and indirect healthcare costs. Early risk assessment for developing a pressure ulcer is essential to decide on the appropriate preventive measures and for initiation of a tailored therapeutic approach. Interventions include strategies to reduce extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors associated with tissue ischemia, optimization of patient's nutritional status, and local wound care. This revision intends to review current evidence-based therapeutic interventions in pressure ulcer care, and support implementation of management protocols in an inpatient ward.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2005

Diagnostic investigation and multidisciplinary management in motor neuron disease.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, involving motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brainstem and spinal cord, presenting with a combination of upper and lower motor neuron signs. Etiology remains undetermined, although a multifactorial origin is widely accepted including genetic factors, auto-immunity, oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity and abnormal neurofilament aggregation. The absence of specific diagnostic testing, and variable clinical presentations make the diagnosis of ALS challenging, relying upon correlation of clinical, electrophysiological and neuroimaging data. The disease is relentlessly progressive, with dysarthria, dysphagia, tetraparesis, and respiratory insufficiency due to ongoing respiratory muscle paresis. There is no specific treatment for ALS. Riluzole, a glutamate antagonist, is the only FDA approved drug for ALS, but has only a modest effect on survival. The multiplicity and progressiveness of the disabilities in ALS, highlights the need for a coordinated multidisciplinary rehabilitation program managing symptoms, respiratory care, dysphagia and nutrition, dysarthria and communication, physical and occupational therapy. The main goals are to prolong independence, prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis↗
PubMed1999

Trypanosoma cruzi: lack of T cell abnormalities in mice vaccinated with live trypomastigotes.

We have previously shown that inoculation of Trypanosoma cruzi clone-CL-14 generates efficient protective immunity against virulent T. cruzi and no infection or histopathology per se, indicating that it induces an immune state different from that exhibited by infected animals. To understand the basis of this difference, we screened CL-14-vaccinated mice for T cell abnormalities thought to be involved in the genesis of pathology. Lymphocytes from vaccinated mice present normal proliferative responses to concanavalin A; enhanced responses to T. cruzi antigens; do not show evidence of polyclonal activation (increased blast transformation and lymphocyte numbers) or changes in the density of CD4, CD8 and TCR-beta expression. Also, vaccinated mice display transient expansion of CD8+ lymphocytes expressing activated phenotypes (CD11a(hi) CD45RBlo CD62Llo). In view of the absence of pathology in vaccinated animals, the absence of immunosuppression and the restoration of a resting immune state reinforce the benign nature of this immunization.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Allylestrenol: three years of experience with Gestanon in threatened abortion and premature labor.

Allylestrenol was used to treat 375 women with threatened pregnancies. Results show that this drug is capable of maintaining pregnancy in a large series of ambulant patients and is safe for both mother and child. Allylestrenol does not maintain pregnancy if placental dysfunction is present, however. Newborns whose mothers are treated with allylestrenol have slightly higher birth weights than controls. The possible role of allylestrenol in this process is discussed. At high doses, allylestrenol effectively stops premature labor, suggesting a selective action on the myometrium.

Abortion, Threatened↗