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M Pimentel

Publications and source records attributed to M Pimentel.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Aberrant TGF-beta production and regulation in metastatic malignancy.

We have examined the possible role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in metastatic malignancy by analyzing the production and activation of TGF-beta 1 and -beta 2 and the regulation of TGF-beta-responsive genes in oncogene-transformed metastatic fibrosarcomas. All transformed lines derived from either 10T1/2 or NIH 3T3 by either H-ras or protein-kinase encoding oncogenes produced more TGF-beta than parental cells. However, only highly metastatic fibrosarcomas secreted activated TGF-beta at rates that were greater than parental fibroblasts. Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-beta 1 showed widespread intra- and extracellular distribution in metastatic lung nodules and adjacent tissue. Cells isolated from tumors successfully metastasizing to the lung had TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels which were increased 19-fold over in vitro controls. Despite the greatly enhanced rate of secretion of activated TGF-beta, metastatic cells exhibited markedly altered responses of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2, being unable to either increase collagen secretion or enhance collagen alpha 2(1) or TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels. This lack of response was not due to either altered TGF-beta receptor affinity or numbers. Metastatic progression was, therefore, associated with an increase in the secretion of activated TGF-beta 1 and a loss of the ability to deregulate TGF-beta-responsive genes.

Animals↗

[Septic pulmonary embolism and endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in the tricuspid valve after infectious abortion. Report of 2 cases].

We report the cases of two patients with septic pulmonary embolism and respiratory failure after septic abortion. Hysterectomy was performed in both patients after unsuccessful uterine curettage and antibiotic therapy for treatment of the infection. The first patient (27 years-old) remained feverish. The blood cultures yielded Staphylococcus aureus. Tricuspid valve endocarditis was identified as the reason for persistent infection. Antibiotic treatment properly planned was administered and the patient was discharged. The second patient (23 years-old) apparently recovered after hysterectomy. Nevertheless, one month later, infection and septic pulmonary embolism recurred. The diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus tricuspid valve endocarditis was made. Persistent infection unresponsive to medical treatment led to surgical treatment. The patient died after valve replacement. Thus the persistence or recurrence of infection and septic abortion may be due to tricuspid valve endocarditis.

Abortion, Septic↗

[Transport of electrolytes in the respiratory epithelium in patients with cystic fibrosis].

In the conducting airway, the epithelial electrolyte transport processes play an important role in determining the composition of the respiratory tract fluid. Apical membrane Cl- and Na+ channels control the secretion and absorption of epithelial cells. Defective regulation of these channels is a prominent characteristic of cystic fibrosis.

Biological Transport, Active↗

[Lymph node tuberculosis in adults].

Tuberculous lymphadenitis is a form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that was observed in 8.4% of all cases with tuberculosis in our series. In all instances the organism isolated was M. tuberculosis. There was a high rate of PPD positiveness. The chemotherapy yielded good results. The evolution was satisfactory in 75% of the patients treated for six months.

Adolescent↗

[Tuberculous pleural effusion: clinical and laboratory evaluation].

Clinical data concerning 44 patients with pleural tuberculosis are presented. The average age was 35 years. The main symptoms were fever (41/44), chest pain (41/44) and weight loss (34/44). In all but one case the pleural effusion was unilateral without preference for one or other hemithorax. In ten patients (23%) parenchymal lesions could be recognized on chest roentgenograms. Three patients had coexisting active pulmonary disease with positive sputum culture. Forty-nine pleural biopsies were performed in 44 patients. The culture of pleural tissue was positive in 75%, and culture of pleural fluid in 22.5%. The pleural fluid was exudative with fluid-to-serum ratios of protein and LDH exceeding 0.5 and 0.6 respectively. The cellular characterization of pleural fluid has demonstrated predominance of lymphocytes and scarcity of mesothelial cells. The patients received adequate treatment with excellent results, exhibiting an increased weight, increased hemoglobin and decreased ESR. The development of residual pleural thickening occurred in 23 out of 44 cases.

Adult↗

[Bronchial stenosis of tuberculous etiology: pathogenesis and treatment].

Four cases of bronchial stenosis as an unusual complication of tuberculosis are described. In the first case, a 18-year-old woman, the bronchial stenosis resulted from cicatrization of a primary focus. The X-ray examination showed no pulmonary lesion and she did not receive any specific treatment for tuberculosis. In other three patients the bronchial stenosis was due to active disease, and there were acid-fast bacilli in the sputum. They received treatment for tuberculosis which resulted in resolution of stenosis in one of them while in the other two the fibrotic bronchial stenosis persisted.

Adolescent↗

[Septic pulmonary embolism with primary focus in the middle ear].

A case of septic pulmonary embolism is presented in which the primary site of infection was the middle ear. The implicated bacteria were aerobics both Gram positive and Gram negative and anaerobics. There were 8 different agents isolated from blood cultures. The cultures of urine and sputum were also positive. The patient received a broad spectrum antibiotic therapy and a surgical exploration of the initial site of infection was performed. A favorable response was observed after 40 days of treatment with antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗