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Biomedical subjects

J M Marcos

Publications and source records attributed to J M Marcos.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Vascular endothelial growth factor serum concentrations in hypercholesterolemic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes normal and pathological angiogenesis. VEGF is a chemotactic factor for macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells, and induces synthesis of metalloproteinases and adhesion molecules. VEGF expression is regulated by hypoxia, cytokines, oncogenes, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between levels of lipid parameters and VEGF, to investigate whether pravastatin treatment influences VEGF serum concentrations, and to examine the relationship between VEGF and the variations in post-treatment lipid and inflammatory parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighteen patients aged 48+/-6.8 years with total cholesterol (TC) >6.1 mmol/L comprised the hypercholesterolemic group. The controls included 12 individuals aged 50+/-7.4 years with TC <5.1 mmol/L. TC, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), triglycerides, LDLC, C-reactive protein (CRP), and VEGF were determined in both groups at baseline, and in the hypercholesterolemic group after 4 months of treatment with 20 mg/day pravastatin. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between concentrations of VEGF and TC, LDLC and TG, and a significant difference in VEGF concentration was observed between the control group (mean 142 ng/L) and the hypercholesterolemic group (mean 272.9 ng/L). A significant decrease was observed in TC (14.7 %), LDLC (21.5 %), CRP (22.7 %), and VEGF (14.8 %) after 4 months of treatment with pravastatin. CONCLUSIONS: A relationship was found between serum levels of VEGF and most atherogenic lipoproteins. In patients with hypercholesterolemia treated with pravastatin, a reduction in VEGF and CRP was seen in addition to lipid decreases.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Intra-muscular vidarabine therapy for polyomavirus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis following allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a common complication following hemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), its incidence ranging from 7 to 52% of all patients. Late occurring HC frequently results from viral infections. We describe a patient who developed severe polyomavirus-associated HC, which responded dramatically to a single dose of intra-muscular vidarabine. Previous studies show an improvement in HC with vidarabine therapy, but to date only the intravenous route of administration has been described and responses described take from several days to weeks. This report confirms the safety and efficacy of vidarabine administered intramuscularly when used in patients with an adequate platelet count, thereby making its use feasible when intravenous vidarabine is not available.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Vitamin A status of Filipino preschool children given a massive oral dose.

The protection period of a 200,000 IU of vitamin A on Filipino children was determined. Subjects were 105 children aged 1-5 years given a single massive dose during the "Araw ng Sangkap Pinoy" (ASAP) in March 1995. Serum retinol was measured by HPLC at baseline, one, two, four and six months after the administration of the dose. Results showed that baseline serum retinol levels were significantly lower than all follow-up values. Serum retinol values were maintained at levels higher than pre-supplementation values although the values decreased on the second month after supplementation. The proportions of deficient and low (< 20 microg/dl) levels were significantly lower one and six months after supplementation. All follow-up serum retinol levels of children with deficient and low values at baseline were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than those with normal values. The WHO recommendation of 200,000 IU was effective in increasing serum retinol concentrations and maintaining it above pre-supplementation levels up to 6 months after administration of the dose. It also replenished organic vitamin A reserves as shown by the dose response (S30DR) approach. Incidence of infection also decreased among the children. Supplementation with vitamin A has likewise resulted in an increase in hemoglobin values and a decrease in the proportion of anemics (Hb < 11.0 g/dl) among the children.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1994

[Cryptococcosis with exclusive cutaneous presentation in a patient with AIDS].

We report an exclusively cutaneous case of cryptococcosis, which is exceptional. He was a 33 years old patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who presented with an ulcer-necrotic lesion at the nasal wings with a long and torpid evolution. Finally, culture and biopsy were diagnostic of cryptococcosis. We ruled out affection of other organs and the cryptococcal antigen was negative in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with fluconazole and had a good clinical course. Its emphasized the scarcity of this form of presentation as well as the lack of specificity of its lesions and the necessity of ruling out other locations once the fungus is isolated in the skin. Diagnosis is simple through skin biopsy and culture. Its important to determine the cryptococcal antigen. We comment on the current approaches to treatment during acute and maintenance phases, after the appearance of the new imidazolic compounds such as fluconazole.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

[Necrotizing vasculitis with predominant kidney involvement].

We report five patients with necrotizing vasculitis with predominant renal involvement; the diagnostic and therapeutics was effected completely at regional hospital. We detach: a) the clinical presentation's forms with rapidly progressive renal failure with microscopic hematuria and minimal proteinuria; b) the biopsy of kidney with necrotizing vasculitis or necrotizing glomerulonephritis (microscopic polyarteritis). We review the necrotizing vasculitis with predominant renal involvement in its pathogenic, clinical and histological aspects, and we insist that the diagnostic and early treatment are fundamental for prognostic's improvement of these patients. We conclude that this diagnostic and treatment can be made in regional hospitals with sensible physicians by the theme.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Multicenter study of atenolol, combined with hydralazine and bendroflumethiazide in the treatment of essential, mild, and severe, arterial hypertension].

The aim of the present study was to determine both the effectiveness and tolerance of a preparation constituted by the combination at fixed doses of a betablocker (atenolol, 100 mg), a diuretic (bendroflumethiazide, 5 mg) and a vasodilator (hydralazine, 50 mg). The study was carried out on a sample formed by 46 patients with moderate or severe essential hypertension who received this preparation as a single antihypertensive therapy during 2 months. As for the hypotensive effectiveness of the product, obtained results demonstrate that arterial blood pressure (BP) levels were normalized in 89% of the patients with moderate essential hypertension and in 9/10 patients with severe hypertension. Tolerance was excellent in most of the cases. Although new studies should be performed in order to enlarge the number of available case-studies, the above presented data allow us to conclude with a positive opinion about the studied combination.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Correction of amino-acid imbalance in postoperative portosystemic shunts.

We report on 22 cirrhotic patients suffering from portal hypertension and bleeding esophageal varices. Sixteen of them underwent H mesocaval shunt with internal jugular vein graft and 6 spleno-renal shunts. Mortality was 13.2%. All the patients were treated postoperatively with parenteral and oral nutritional support with solutions containing no aromatic amino-acids, following Fischer's formula. We determined Fischer's index (formula; see text); normal value 2.67 +/- 0.22) on the day of operation (1.6 +/- 0.22), on the 8th postoperative day (2.32 +/- 0.49), and on the 15th postoperative day (1.85 +/- 0.37). Only 1 patient suffered from hepatic encephalopathy in the immediate postoperative period. Three months after operation Fischer's index was 1.20 +/- 0.11 and only 2 patients with an index below 1 suffered from chronic encephalopathy. We conclude that there is a correlation between Fischer's index and the presence of post-shunt hepatic encephalopathy. The proposed policy of parenteral nutrition improves the values of Fischer's index in the immediate postoperative period and we believe that nutritional support should be included routinely as an adjuvant therapy in portosystemic shunts in cirrhotic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

[Choledochal obstruction due to Fasciola hepatica (author's transl)].

A 45-year-old woman was admitted in July, 1976 with an acute cholecystitis without jaundice. She had suffered from hepatic colic without fever, jaundice, diarrhea or allergic episodes for the past 8 years. The physical examination only revealed an elective pain on the cystic point. Laboratory data were unremarkable, except for a 12 percent eosinophils. The cholecystogram showed a cholelithiasis. The lithiasis was confirmed during the surgical operation and a fasciolasis was diagnosed after one and 10-12 parasites had been found into the cystic and common bile duct, respectively. A cholecistectomy and choledochoduodenostomy were performed. The patient was treated with 60 mg dehydroemetine during 10 days and 500 mg chloroquine during the other next 10 days. Eggs of Fasciola hepatica were found in the stool culture. The follow-up examinations 3 months and a year after surgery were completely normal. The national literature on this topic is reviewed and the clinical manifestations and therapy of this disease are commented on.

Chloroquine↗