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Biomedical subjects

J F Pontes

Publications and source records attributed to J F Pontes.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Gastrointestinal motility in constipation.

This study included ten subjects with normal intestinal habits and 25 with constipation. Data were collected from X-rays of gastrointestinal transit times and from intraluminal pressures in the sigmoid and rectum using electromanometry. A comparison of the results led to the following conclusions: a) transit times to the cecum were essentially similar in both the control group and patients with constipation; b) the barium contrast arrived faster in the proximal sigmoid of patients with constipation compared to the control group; c) the mean of the total time of gastrointestinal emptying was slower in constipation; d) under unstimulated conditions, the electromanometry study of the sigmoid and rectum showed a higher motility index in constipation than in the control group; e) the high values of the percent activity was the most important element in the elevation of the motility index in constipation; f) the propulsion and retention activities of the colon were higher in constipation than in normals, as was demonstrated by radiologic and electromanometric studies.

Adult↗

[Hamartomatosis and adenomatosis of the colon].

The authors report five members of a family, having colonic polyposis, whose parents had adenomas that posteriorly degenerated to carcinoma, while sons had juvenile polyposis. Such aspects were considered as familial, evolutive and genetic. In contrast to adenomas, juvenile polyposis or hamartomas were always considered as benign lesions, with no susceptibility to malignancy. Nevertheless, these lesions must be considered as having degenerative potential at least similar to the originating tissue and, perhaps, even higher, once the sick tissue shows abnormal growth rate. These observations raise an important problem, namely, evaluating an eventual existence of malignancy among patients with juvenile polyposis which, if actually confirmed, could result in changes of its concepts and of its therapeutic approaches. The acknowledgement of the association between malignant potenial with genetics, could also result in better prevention for colonic cancer, once known its hereditary predisposition. The expectation of new cases among members of a same family should promote prevention before cancer appears. Thus, with this approach, the transcolonoscopic removal of polyps, mostly among families presenting high cancer potential, should avoid the sequence "adenoma-carcinoma".

Adolescent↗

Gastrointestinal motility in normal subjects and patients with diverticulosis of the colon.

Our study included 25 subjects, ten with normal intestinal habits and 15 with colonic diverticulosis. Data was collected from X-rays of gastrointestinal transit times and from intraluminal pressures in the sigmoid and rectum, using electromanometry. A comparison of the results led to the following conclusions: 1) transit times to the cecum were essentially similar in both the control subjects and patients with diverticulosis; 2) the barium contrast arrived twice as fast in the proximal sigmoid of patients with diverticulosis compared to the control group. Therefore, there is an increase in the transit between the cecum and sigmoid in individuals with diverticulosis of the colon; 3) the mean of the total time of gastrointestinal emptying is similar in both groups; 4) under unstimulated conditions, the electromanometric study of the sigmoid and rectum was similar in both groups; 5) the sigmoid region in patients with diverticulosis has a modulating transit capacity delaying it. This modulation was not reflected in the electromanometric study as an increase in motor activity.

Adult↗

[Crohn's disease of the duodenum associated with acute acalculous cholecystopathy].

Since the initial description of Crohn's disease (CD) located in the distal ileum, great number of cases has been observed, and we know that this disease can occur in any part of the digestive tube, from mouth to anus. The duodenal involvement is rare and no more than two hundred cases have been observed. A case of Crohn's disease located in the duodenum, with a severe acalculus cholecystitis, without intestinal involvement is presented. Radiological study showed a stenotic process in the first, second and third duodenal portion, later on confirmed by endoscopy. This was confirmed at surgery, when a gastrojejunostomy with truncal vagotomy, cholecystectomy, besides duodenum and liver biopsies were performed. The patient is asymptomatic four years after surgery. It is considered that bile reflux, resulting from involvement of Vater papilla by CD, is responsible factor of the biliary pathology.

Cholangiography↗

[Treatment of bile duct diseases. Dyskinesias. Chronic inflammation].

The approach to the integrated diagnosis of the patient with biliary tract diseases is reviewed as a basis for the appropriate treatment, taking into account the functional disturbances and the organic elements including malformation, inflammation, infection, gallstone and neoplasia. The role of impaired emptying of the gallbladder is emphasized. This condition may give origin to inflammation of the gallbladder is emphasized. This condition may give origin to inflammation of the gallbladder which is caused by the irritative action of concentrated bile acids as a consequence of the stagnated bile in the gallbladder with poor emptying. Other consequences of bile stagnation in the gallbladder is gallstone formation and biliary infection by bacterias. Thus, increase of gallbladder emptying and of bile production are advised in the treatment of biliary diseases. Such two effects can be obtained by the diet using adequate amounts of vegetables, oils and eggs and by drugs such as choleretics. A new choleretic drug-the cicloxilic acid-was used in 102 patients, 48 out of them with gallstone and 54 without lithiasis. The following three actions of this drug were recorded: a decrease of gastrointestinal gaseousness; a decrease of abdominal discomfort and soreness, and a mild laxative effect with stool of less consistency.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of cicloxilic acid on biliary dynamics].

This work was developed in order to estimate, with objective methods, the pharmacodynamic activities of a new choleretic and antilithogenic drug, the cicloxilic acid. It was determined the changes of daily biliary flow and bile composition in 8 patients with biliary system surgical intervention and "T" (Kehr) tube inserted. The cicloxilic acid was given in the dose of 240 mg/day. The results showed, after treatment, an emphasized middle volume increase of the excreted bile, as well as a significant decrease of the biliary cholesterol, while pH and density maintained constants. The results corroborated the pharmacodynamic activities given to cicloxilic acid as a "true" choleretic to be utilized in clinic situations where it's wished a biliary flow increase and the possibility to avoid a cholesterol lithiasis or relieve consequent disturbances.

Aged↗

[Psychosomatic medicine and psychoanalytic observation: considerations on the mechanism of symptom formation].

The clinical symptom, perceived at body level, such as pain, dyskinesia, circulatory changes (tachycardia, blushing, pallor) is intrinsic and simultaneous with parallel changes at the mind level, such as anxiety, sorrow, instability, joy, depression and shame. Therefore, it has to be distinguished within the symptom, the overt component - somatic alterations - and the latent component - changes in mental processes. Hence, the global psychosomatic nature is intrinsic to the clinical symptoms.

Anxiety↗

[The effect of colchicine on liver function tests and hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic active hepatitis: a study of 3 cases (author's transl)].

Three patients with chronic active hepatitis received Colchicine therapy, as an antifibrotic drug. The effect of this drug is analysed biochemically (serum albumin, total serum billirubin and amino-transferase aspartate) and histologically before and after colchicine therapy. Biochemical improvement was observed. No histological change was noted.

Adult↗

Electromanometry of the rectosigmoid in colonic diverticulosis.

In order to better understand the rectosigmoid motor activity in diverticular disease of the colon, we studied 186 patients, grouped according to their intestinal habit, the presence of diverticular disease and previous crisis of sigmoid diverticulitis. The intestinal habit was classified as: normal habit, irritable colon syndrome, diarrhea and constipation. The group of diverticulosis was classified by their intestinal habit and by diverticula localization (localized or generalized). The presence of systemic diseases or drug ingestion that could modify intestinal motility, were considered criteria for exclusion. The manometric study was preceded by food stimulus, with 650 kcal meal, by mechanic intestinal cleansing, with 500 ml of saline solution enema and by one hour resting period. A manometric catheter, was introduced by rectosigmoidoscopy, with open ended orifices situated at the sigmoid and upper rectum, respectively. The catheter was perfused by a capillary infusion system and the bowel pressures were registered for 30 minutes, in a thermal paper physiograph. We analyzed the % of activity, mean amplitude and motility index, by non parametric tests. No significant difference was observed between sexes. Difference or close to it were found for the groups with constipation, with or without diverticulosis, and for the latter in its subdivisions (localized, generalized and sigmoid diverticulitis). The rectal motor activity was similar in all groups. There was no difference for diverticulosis and its subdivision, when we take into account the several kinds of intestinal habits and the diverticula localization. The motility index averages showed low values for the sigmoid diverticulitis fact that suggests some dysfunction of this segment (hypocontractility). The key factor differentiating the groups was the presence of constipation and no influence was noted regarding the localization of diverticula or previous inflammatory process on intraluminal pressures. The fact that no difference was found in the mean amplitude or % of activity among patients with or without diverticulosis, suggests that the high pressures in a colonic segment, may not be responsible for the diverticular disease, and there must be other factors, besides motility, accounting for the development of the different forms of this disease.

Adult↗

The role of stress-related physical confinement in the pathogenesis of acute gastric hemorrhage after alcohol instillation in rats.

The combination of alcohol and stress have been considered producers of gastric hemorrhage both experimentally and in clinical observations. Since excessive alcohol intake often occurs in situations of severe emotional conflict and stress, it was decided to study the possible role of the latter in the etiology of gastric hemorrhage, up to now thought to be dependent only on alcohol. The study consists of 75 male Wistar rats divided into eight groups with seven to 14 animals each. They were submitted to fasting only, or to additional prolonged fasting, restraint-stress (physical confinement) for 17 hours and the oral administration of a single dose of 40% alcohol (1 ml/150 g of body weight). The stomachs were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically for the presence of gastric hemorrhage, and the following was observed; 1) only 10% of the rats submitted to a 25 hour fast either isolated or associated with 17 hours of physical confinement, demonstrated gastric hemorrhage; 2) after an eight hour fast, the administration of alcohol to the rats either sacrificed immediately or maintained for 17 hours, revealed gastric lesions in only 33.3% and 28.5% respectively, without significant statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); 3) administration of alcohol prior to the 17 hour physical confinement revealed lesions in only 12.5% of the animals; 4) administration of alcohol to rats previously submitted to a 25 hour fast plus physical confinement for 17 hours, resulted in a significant number of hemorrhagic lesions (88.8%). This caused a statistical difference in the group compared to the others (P < 0.01). The results of this study led to the conclusion that stress (by prolonged physical confinement) was an important conditioning factor to the appearance of gastric hemorrhage when 40% alcohol was administered. It is possible that if the alcohol had been administered prior to the prolonged physical confinement its cytotoxic effect on the gastric mucosa might have been reduced.

Acute Disease↗