Biomedical subjects

M Monteiro

Publications and source records attributed to M Monteiro.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Towards a global alcohol policy: alcohol, public health and the role of WHO.

In 1983 the World Health Assembly declared alcohol-related problems to be among the world's major health concerns. Since then, alcohol consumption has risen in developing countries, where it takes a heavy toll. Alcohol-related problems are at epidemic levels in the successor states of the Soviet Union and are responsible for 3.5% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost globally. Substantial evidence exists of the relationship between the levels and patterns of alcohol consumption on the one hand and the incidence of alcohol-related problems on the other. Over the past 20 years, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of public policies involving, for example, taxation and restrictions on alcohol availability, in reducing alcohol-related problems. In the wake of rapid economic globalization, many of these policies at national and subnational levels have been eroded, often with the support of international financial and development organizations. Development agencies and international trade agreements have treated alcohol as a normal commodity, overlooking the adverse consequences of its consumption on productivity and health. WHO is in a strong position to take the lead in developing a global alcohol policy aimed at reducing alcohol-related problems, providing scientific and statistical support, capacity-building, disseminating effective strategies and collaborating with other international organizations. Such leadership can play a significant part in diminishing the health and social problems associated with alcohol use.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1999

Inefficiency of the anticoagulant therapy in the regression of the radiation-induced optic neuropathy in Cushing's disease.

Radiation-induced optic neuropathy is a rare complication (prevalence less than 1%) following radiotherapy of the sellar region. However, the vasculopathy in Cushing's disease predisposes to radiation-induced injury. We report the case of a 24-year-old man with Cushing's disease since he was 16. The hormonal study including bilateral inferior petrosal sinus catheterization diagnosed a pituitary right lesion, but imagiology was always negative. He underwent a transsphenoidal microadenomectomy and the pathological study showed the presence of corticotrophic hyperplasia but no adenoma. Secondary hypothyroidism and hypogonadism as well as permanent diabetes insipidus were diagnosed and because the patient was not cured he underwent a second transsphenoidal total hypophysectomy. After that and because he was still hypercortisolemic, pituitary external irradiation was given in a total dose of 6000 rad. Six months later he developed progressive bilateral visual loss. Cerebral MR revealed focal enhancement of the enlarged optic nerves and chiasm, associated with demyelination areas of the posterior visual pathways. Treatment was tried first with high doses of corticosteroids and later with anticoagulants-heparin EV. 1000 U/h during 7 days followed by warfarin, but unsuccessfully, probably because the patient was already amaurotic at the beginning of the last treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Developmental changes in rat cardiac DNA, RNA and protein tissue base: implications for the interpretation of changes in gene expression.

During cardiac development the expression levels of many genes change as determined by Northern blot, dot blot, RNase protection, quantitative RT-PCR. Western blot or immunoprecipitation analyses. It is not always realized that the total amount of RNA or protein per gram of heart, dubbed tissue base, may change significantly during development as well. If this would be the case, this has to be taken into account. So far, the (changing) tissue base has not been established during cardiac development. To this end developmental profiles of cardiac DNA, RNA and protein concentration were determined in rats ranging in age from embryonic day 13 until neonatal day 121. The profiles show significant development changes in each parameter, that closely match the distinct growth phases of the developing heart and provide the parameters that are essential for an adequate interpretation of changes in the amount of a distinct mRNA and/or protein. In a comparison between in situ hybridization and Northern blot analysis it is demonstrated that the same developmental profile leads to an almost opposite conclusion depending on whether or not the changing tissue base is taken into account. These findings are of great interest for studies aimed at unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of gene expression during cardiac development.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1997

Physical therapy implications following the TRAM procedure.

The TRAM procedure has gained popularity over the last decade as an autogenous technique for breast reconstruction. Several outcome studies have demonstrated complications from this procedure, as described in this article. Women should be informed about the possible complications prior to surgery. Physical therapists can play an important role in rehabilitation and education for patients who are planning to undergo or who have undergone the TRAM procedure. It is important that physical therapists become well acquainted with the surgical procedure and treatment guidelines to effectively treat patients who have undergone the TRAM procedure, especially as this procedure increases in popularity. In addition, it is important that further research be conducted to substantiate the valuable clinical contribution that physical therapy has on successful recovery following the TRAM operation.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed1997

Acquiring professional academic skills.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Successful family medicine faculty are proficient at the skills of the profession, ie, teaching, research, writing, and management. However, possessing these skills is not sufficient for building a successful academic career in family medicine. Successful faculty are also adept at learning, conforming to, and taking advantage of the norms, expectations, and reward structures of the profession. The addition of a conscious, systematic faculty development approach can improve the process and success of faculty learning these skills. Methods for teaching these skills to faculty are reviewed.

Career Mobility↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of some biomonitoring markers in occupationally exposed populations to acrylonitrile.

In the present work we studied acrylonitrile (AN) occupationally exposed populations and respective control individuals working in a Portuguese plant producing acrylic textile fibers. Three subgroups of individuals were considered: controls (C), workers of the continuous polymerization (CP) area, and workers of equipment maintenance (MM). Besides aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the hazardous exposure of man to AN, the study aimed to help validate and optimize the use of a combination of methods applied to human populations exposed to genotoxic compounds. Three main compartments related to the dose or effect of the hazardous compound were evaluated using various assessment methods: 1) internal dose (genotoxicity in urine, indicators of oxidative stress, induction of cytochromes P450); 2) biological effective dose (hemoglobin adducts); and 3) early biological effects (chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges). Although concern with exposure to AN has long been the subject of numerous studies, they have been carried out essentially in animals and using in vitro systems. The significant differences (P < 0.01) found in the chromosomal aberrations of MM are in agreement with the highly significant levels of hemoglobin adducts described in another study performed in the same population. Hemoglobin adducts were also sensitive in detecting a hazardous exposure in the case of CP. The results obtained for the lipid peroxidation indicator used seem to confirm the AN capability of inducing lipid peroxidation in vivo. From the results available it seems that chromosomal aberrations as well as hemoglobin adducts are accurate and sensitive biomonitoring markers for AN exposure.

Acrylonitrile↗

PubMed1996

Determination of UV stabilizers in PET bottles by high performance-size exclusion chromatography.

A Size Exclusion Chromatography-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (SECHPLC) method to determine antioxidants and UV stabilizers in PET bottles has been developed. In only a single run a synthetic mixture of the stabilizers was separated and quantified. The detection limit obtained for BHT, Tinuvin 326, Cyasorb UV 5411, and Tinuvin P was about 0.1 microgram/g and for Irgafos 168 it was 1.0 microgram. RSD values were lower than 3%. Tinuvin P was identified and quantified in PET bottle extracts. Olive oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil showed well defined separation from Tinuvin P at the same conditions of analysis. Cyclic dimers were identified in the PET extracts.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Monitoring of exposure to acrylonitrile by determination of N-(2-cyanoethyl)valine at the N-terminal position of haemoglobin.

A selected ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) procedure was developed to determine the interaction product formed by acrylonitrile (ACN) with the N-terminal amino group in haemoglobin. The product, N-(2-cyanoethyl)valine (CEV), was analysed following its release from the protein by a modified Edman degradation procedure. Quantitation was achieved using N-(2-cyanoethyl)-[2H8]Val-Leu-Ser as internal standard. The limit of detection of the assay was 1 pmol CEV/g globin. A close to linear dose-response relationship was found for adduct formation in rats treated with ACN by gavage. On the basis of a linear extrapolation, a dose of 1 mg/kg body wt yielded 248 pmol CEV/g globin. Two groups of workers who were exposed to ACN contained 1984 +/- SD 2066 (n = 9) and 2276 +/- SD 1338 (n = 7) pmol CEV/g globin respectively. These values were highly significantly greater (P < 0.01 following a one-way analysis of variance with a logarithmic transformation of the data) than those in a group of control workers in the same factory (31.1 +/- SD 18.5 pmol CEV/g globin, n = 11). The concentrations of N-terminal CEV in globin samples from 13 smoking and 10 non-smoking mothers and from their newborns were determined. Adduct levels in the smokers averaged 217 +/- 85.1 pmol CEV/g globin, significantly higher than the levels in non-smokers, which were undetectable. Individual values in the mothers were very highly correlated with the levels in their babies (which averaged 99.5 +/- 53.8 pmol CEV/g globin), which demonstrates that transplacental transfer of ACN occurs. Significant correlations were also found between the number of cigarettes smoked per day by the mother and the CEV levels in both the mothers' and newborns' globin. There was, however, no correlation between the CEV levels and those of the ethylene oxide adduct N-(2-hydroxyethyl)valine in samples from either the mothers or babies.

Acrylonitrile↗

PubMed1994

Knobloch syndrome in a large Brazilian consanguineous family: confirmation of autosomal recessive inheritance.

Knobloch syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by high myopia, vitreoretinal degeneration with retinal detachment and occipital cephalocele. The inheritance has been described as autosomal recessive (AR) but in addition to the original report with 5 affected patients [Knobloch and Layer, 1971] only one other family with 2 affected sibs has been described [Czeizel et al., 1992]. We have studied a large consanguineous kindred in which there are 12 patients with severe ocular alterations associated with a congenital occipital encephalocele, compatible with the diagnosis of Knobloch syndrome. CT scan and MRI performed in one of the patients, allowed a better understanding of the cranial and ocular alterations in this syndrome. The pattern of occurrence in this highly inbred family clearly confirms autosomal recessive inheritance of Knobloch syndrome.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

A controlled trial of pulse cyclophosphamide versus pulse methylprednisolone in severe lupus nephritis.

We carried out a prospective randomized trial comparing pulse cyclophosphamide and pulse methylprednisolone in 29 patients with severe lupus nephritis in activity. Patients were assigned to one of two regimens: monthly pulse cyclophosphamide (0.5-1.0 g/m2 body surface area) for 4 months, followed by bimonthly doses for 4 months and quarterly doses for 6 months (14 patients) or pulse methylprednisolone (10-20 mg/kg weight) initially for 3 consecutive days and thereafter in the same intervals as the alternative regimen (15 patients). The mean follow-up was 15 months. Two patients in the cyclophosphamide group and three in the methylprednisolone group died. Renal failure (doubling of serum creatinine) developed in four patients in the cyclophosphamide group compared with five patients in the methylprednisolone group. Cumulative probability of not doubling serum creatinine was similar for cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone groups (0.66 vs 0.69, respectively, P > 0.20, after 18 months). Cumulative probability of survival without renal failure was also not significantly different (0.61 and 0.63, respectively, P > 0.20, after 18 months). These results suggest that pulse cyclophosphamide is as effective as pulse methylprednisolone in preserving renal function in patients with severe lupus nephritis.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Determination of human alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase genotypes by single strand conformation polymorphism in discontinuous buffer electrophoresis.

Under appropriate conditions single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products allows the detection of single base mutations in a given DNA fragment. We adapted this method for the routine determination of allele variants of human alcohol and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase without radioisotopic labeling. After PCR amplification of the selected exon, the DNA fragments were heat-denatured and loaded on a polyacrylamide gel containing glycerol. For electrophoresis a discontinuous buffer system was used with sulfate as leading ion and borate as trailing ion. The DNA bands were revealed by silver staining. Acrylamide concentrations, ionic strength and electrophoresis temperature were systematically investigated for each DNA fragment. The polymorphisms detected by SSCP were identical to those found by hybridization with 32P-labeled allele-specific oligonucleotides. This method avoids the use of radioactivity, is less expensive and simpler than the allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) methodology and thus particularly suited for routine analysis.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

PubMed1993

Genotoxicity of nitrosated red wine and of the nitrosatable phenolic compounds present in wine: tyramine, quercetin and malvidine-3-glucoside.

Phenolic compounds and biogenic amines are known to be present in some foodstuffs which become directly genotoxic after nitrosation in vitro. Red wine has previously been shown to be genotoxic and this activity has been attributed mainly to flavonoids. Besides flavonoids, red wine contains a multiplicity of compounds, including biogenic amines. Using the Ames assay and the SOS chromotest, this study has shown that red wine and some of the nitrosatable molecules present in wine become directly genotoxic on nitrosation in vitro: these include the phenolic molecules tyramine, quercetin and malvidine-3-glucoside, whereas phenylethylamine and histamine were negative on nitrosation. Interestingly, quercetin had been predicted to be negative after nitrosation, using the CASE methodology. The concentrations of these three positive nitrosatable compounds in wine were determined by HPLC. Comparison of these concentrations and their respective levels of genotoxicity suggests that the genotoxicity after nitrosation is probably attributable to other molecules. It is also possible that synergistic effects may occur between various nitrosatable compounds in wine.

Anthocyanins↗

PubMed1993

Quercetin and the mutagenicity of wines.

Various studies have shown the mutagenicity of red wine. The major mutagens identified in red wine have been flavonoids, i.e. rutin and its aglycone quercetin. Besides flavonoids, however, it has recently been reported that H2O2 may account for the mutagenicity of red wine in the L-Arabinose resistance test. In the present study we report on the role of flavonoids in the mutagenicity of red wine in the Ames assay. Different wines from Portugal and Spain have been tested after concentration in XAD-2 columns in strains TA98 and TA104 of Salmonella typhimurium concurrently with the determination of the respective content of quercetin by HPLC. A similar approach was used for pilot scale productions of red wines. In all cases quercetin could be demonstrated as the major mutagen in red wines. The levels of quercetin in finished wines and during the wine-making process showed a good fit with the levels of mutagenicity detected. Catalase had no effect whatsoever on the mutagenicity of wines in both TA98 and TA104. These results do not rule out a role for H2O2 in the mutagenicity of wines, detected in other genetic end-points, because H2O2 can be formed from the auto-oxidation of quercetin.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Perception of violence as a function of observer's ideology and actor's group membership.

This article examines how conservative and radical subjects explain and judge aggression perpetrated by institutional (i.e. policeman) or anomic (i.e. delinquents) agents. One hundred and twenty-nine university students in Lisbon, either very conservative or very radical, selected five causes out of a total of 30 to explain an aggressive act committed by a given actor toward an unknown victim in unspecified circumstances. Half of the causes were internal and half were external. Subjects also had to rate the amount of violence, the responsibility of the agent, and the potential punishment. In accordance with the hypotheses, conservative and radical subjects used different types of causes to explain the aggression of different actors and they judged the act differently according to the perpetrator. Moreover, for all subjects there was a significant correlation between perceived violence, responsibility and punishment. These judgements, however, correlated significantly with the type of attribution only in the case of conservative subjects: the more tolerant conservatives were, the more external causes they selected. These results are discussed in the light of the social dimensions most valued by observers of aggressive episodes.

Guilt↗

PubMed1987

Fatty acid acylation of proteins in Physarum polycephalum.

We have investigated the occurrence of protein-fatty acid acylation by metabolic incorporation of [3H]myristic and [3H]palmitic acids in Physarum polycephalum. We show that this organism contains fatty acylated proteins with mainly myristic acid covalently attached in alkali-stable linkages, probably amides. We find no evidence for ester-linked fatty acids, in contrast to the situation in vertebrate cells.

Acylation↗

PubMed1987

Localization of PEPD to the long arm of chromosome 19.

A panel of human-rodent somatic cell hybrids containing different regions of chromosome 19 has been used to obtain a regional localization for peptidase D. The results assign PEPD to the long arm of chromosome 19, in the region cen-q13.2

Animals↗

PubMed1985

A cytochrome P-450 gene family mapped to human chromosome 19.

We have recently isolated a cloned cDNA coding for a cytochrome P-450 of human liver microsomal membranes, which corresponds to a major phenobarbital-inducible cytochrome P-450 of rat liver. This human cytochrome P-450 is encoded by a member of a multigene family. DNA extracted from a panel of 12 independent human-rodent somatic cell hybrids was analysed by Southern blot hybridization with the cloned cDNA. The results indicate that all components of this cytochrome P-450 gene family are located on chromosome 19. Evidence from hybrids derived from an individual carrying a balanced translocation suggests a regional localization of 19p13.2----qter. Analysis of human metaphase chromosomes by in situ hybridization localizes this cytochrome P-450 gene family further to the long arm of chromosome 19 in the region q13.1----qter. We propose the designation P450PB for this locus.

Animals↗

PubMed1979

[Massive medullary forms of Hodgkin's disease and acute myelofibrosis (author's transl)].

Ten cases of Hodgkin's disease was massive bone marrow invasion. This particular form of the disease is seen either at the outset or in Stage IIIB with a rapid course. It is reflected by a pancytopaenia with poor marrow with little or no superficial nodes. These very atypical forms of Hodgkin's disease must thus always be considered as a possibility in the context of acute malignant myelofibrosis. They indicate a special and unexplained behaviour of the host to the Hodgkin's tumour.

Acute Disease↗