Biomedical subjects

K M Pinto

Publications and source records attributed to K M Pinto.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

Acalculous cholecystitis: a case report.

It is estimated that cholelithiasis occurs in 20 million people in the United States, and 500,000 people will undergo cholecystectomy annually. Furthermore, 5% of those who undergo surgery will have acalculous cholecystitis, an uncommon disease that can result in gallbladder perforation or death. Diagnosis of acalculous cholecystitis is frequently delayed due to a confusing clinical presentation and nonspecific diagnostic findings. The following case report describes the presentation of a 19-year-old female with a 12-month history of right upper quadrant pain, and the serologic and radiographic tests that led to a diagnosis of acalculous cholecystitis. Primary care providers should consider this disease a possibility in any patient who presents with right upper quadrant pain.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Effects of caffeine and tryptophan on rectal temperature, metabolism, total exercise time, rate of perceived exertion and heart rate.

Stimulant properties during exercise have been attributed to caffeine (CAF) and tryptophan (Trp). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAF and Trp ingestion on rectal temperature (Tre), total exercise time (TET), oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), pulmonary ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) during exercise on a cycle ergometer at 80% of maximal work load, in eight healthy male volunteers. Each subject abstained from caffeine for 48 h and from animal-derived foods for 36 h before each experiment. Aerobic capacity was determined on the first day. In consecutive trials, conducted in a double-blind, randomized, crossed-over manner, each subject received capsules containing CAF (10 mg/kg), Trp (1.2 g), a combination of the two (CAF+Trp), and lactose (PLA), 1 h before exercise. Plasma CAF concentration (PC) was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), before (basal concentration) and 1 and 2 h after ingestion of the capsules. At both times after CAF or CAF+Trp ingestion, the PC was elevated compared with the basal concentration (P < 0.05). During exercise, significant increases occurred with time in Tre, TET, VO2, VCO2, VE, HR and RPE (P < 0.01) while no significant difference was observed when CAF or CAF+Trp were compared with control values. Under the conditions of this study, CAF and/or Trp did not affect the physiological parameters measured before, during or after exercise at 80% of maximal work load.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Accuracy of coagulation values obtained from a heparinized central venous catheter.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To compare coagulation values of blood samples drawn from heparinized central venous catheters (CVCs) and peripheral veins. DESIGN: Correlational. SETTING: Adult, acute-care hematology/oncology unit in a 1,000-bed teaching hospital. SAMPLE: Twelve adult patients with cancer who had varied diagnoses and patent CVCs. METHODS: Simultaneous blood samples were drawn from the CVC and a peripheral vein and were tested for prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: PT and aPTT values. FINDINGS: PT and aPTT values were significantly prolonged in samples drawn from CVCs when compared to peripherally drawn samples. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate coagulation values cannot be obtained from a heparinized CVC. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Blood for coagulation values should be obtained from peripheral veni-puncture. Further research should explore the effects of various catheters, heparin dwell time, and systemic anticoagulation on coagulation values.

Bias↗