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Biomedical subjects

M Rodrigues

Publications and source records attributed to M Rodrigues.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Use of a leishmanin skin test in the detection of canine Leishmania-specific cellular immunity.

The leishmanin skin test was used to detect Leishmania-specific cellular immunity in asymptomatic dogs from an endemic region of visceral leishmaniosis. The test was safe since no clinical signs of intolerance to leishmanin were detected during 1 month, in 14 dogs after inoculations of 3 x 10(8) promastigotes/ml. In another group of four dogs no cross reactivity was found after inoculations of a PPD which demonstrated the specificity of the test. In the same group of animals, repeatability was assessed by repeated inoculations of leishmanin at 1-5-month intervals and the threshold of sensitivity was the concentration of 3 x 10(6) promastigotes/ml. Secondly, we applied the test in a dog population that live in an endemic region of visceral leishmaniosis and found a significant increase in Leishmania-infected dogs after the application of this test in the field.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Accumulation of platelets as a key mechanism of human erection.

In this study, the role of platelets in the human erectile response was assessed. Twenty patients with erectile dysfunction were studied by means of (111)In-oxine-platelets and blood pool imaging using 99mTc. Seventeen patients received intracavernously prostaglandin E1, and three patients received papaverine together with phentolamine. In patients who responded with erection, an increase by between 16 to 137% platelets/ml and a rapid platelet accumulation in the penis during the initial phase of erection were observed. In patients without erection, no change in local platelet concentration occurred. It is likely that platelets play a major role in human erection, probably by temporary activation, thereby regulating venous outflow.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

No relationship between territory size and the risk of cuckoldry in birds.

It has been suggested that male birds adjust their territory size in order to prevent potential intruders from gaining extra-pair copulations. The risk of cuckoldry is supposed to be highest when the distance between a female and the neighbouring males is shortest. This paper describes the variation in territory size of the chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, in relation to the breeding cycle. Contrary to the risk of cuckoldry hypothesis, chiffchaff territories were larger prior to the fertile period of the females and at a minimal size during the fertile period. A review of the literature shows little, if any, evidence of a peak in territory size during the fertile period of the females for most species studied. It is suggested that territoriality is in need of an operational definition. Without such a definition, it is difficult to make and test predictions about the adaptive basis of variation in territory size. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

Prostaglandins as biochemical markers of radiation injury to the salivary glands after iodine-131 therapy?

Because salivary glands, as well as thyroid tissue, are able to concentrate radioiodine, the treatment of thyroid diseases with iodine-131 may have secondary effects on salivary gland function which seriously impair the quality of life. Such effects include sialoadenitis and xerostomia. Salivary secretion is stimulated by prostaglandins (PGs). In this study we evaluate whether 131I therapy influences the levels of PGs in saliva. Patients who had previously received 131I for treatment of hyperthyroidism or differentiated thyroid cancer and healthy volunteers were studied. Levels of PGs [6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, bicyclo-PGEm, thromboxane B2 (TXB2), PGF2 alpha] in unstimulated saliva were measured using enzyme immunoassay. Significantly lower levels of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, bicyclo-PGEm and PGF2 alpha and higher levels of TXB2 were found in the group of patients in comparison with the controls. Differences between patients and controls were more pronounced in smokers. This study demonstrates that salivary gland uptake of 131I significantly affects PG levels in saliva.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Pure red cell aplasia due to persistent B19 parvovirus infection in patient infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. Recovery with alpha-interferon therapy.

B19 parvovirus (PV) infection is ordinarily resolved with the production of specific antibodies that neutralize virus infectivity for erythroid host cells. Nevertheless persistent infection with B19 PV and pure red blood cell aplasia have been documented. A 27 year-old male. i.v. drug abuser, HIV+ and HCV was diagnosed of pure red cell aplasia. Six months later we had serologic evidence of persistent parvovirus infection. Interferon therapy, started for HCV infection, showed a marked improvement of anaemia and anti parvovirus IgM became negative. It is discussed the possible role of interferon therapy in persistent parvovirus infection.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Histologic effect of diode laser sclerostomy in human cadaver eyes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To study tissue effects and thresholds of efficacy in producing a full-thickness scleral fistula in human eyes obtained from cadavers. The effect of laser sclerostomies created with indocyanine green (ICG) was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ab externo laser sclerostomies were produced in 12 fresh human eyes obtained from cadavers using a 200-micron diameter fiber optic connected to a diode laser system. Power settings were 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, and 2000 mW with a constant duration of 100 and 200 ms. The same diode laser settings were repeated in the tissues injected with ICG. RESULTS: The laser sclerostomies were associated with heat coagulation damage adjacent to the burn margins, with disruption of stromal collagen. Tissue damage was greater at higher power and longer duration. Scleral injection of ICG prior to laser sclerostomy did not enhance laser penetration. CONCLUSION: The diode laser can create a sclerostomy in human sclera with an optimum level of 1500 mW and 100 ms. ICG did not significantly enhance the ease of penetration or reduce the association thermal damage to the sclera.

Coloring Agents↗
PubMed1996

Characterization of in vivo primary and secondary CD8+ T cell responses induced by recombinant influenza and vaccinia viruses.

We characterized the in vivo primary and secondary murine CD8+ T cell responses induced by immunization with influenza and vaccinia viruses, which were engineered to express the same H-2K(k)- and H-2K(d)-restricted epitopes. Our results show that the induction and magnitude of the primary CD8+ T cell response closely depends on the viral dose used for immunization, while it is not affected by the route of immunization. The induction of secondary CD8+ T cell responses appears to be highly restricted, as suggested by the lack of in vivo expansion of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells after repeated immunization with the same virus. In contrast, a 20- to 30-fold increase in the frequency of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells could be induced after combined immunization with recombinant influenza and vaccinia viruses. These findings may provide the basis for the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies to prevent or control intracellular infections and certain malignancies.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Combined study of 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT and computerized electroencephalographic topography (CET) in patients with medically refractory complex partial epilepsy.

For successful surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy the site of the seizure focus needs to be known exactly. The purpose of this study was to compare the evaluation of the regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) (localization and degree of disturbances) by 99mTc-hexamethylpropyleneamineoxime (HMPAO) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with computerized electroencephalographic topography (CET) and transmission computed X-ray tomography (CT) in partial epilepsy. The study included 20 patients with medically refractory complex partial seizures. Of the 20 patients included, 15 were studied interictally, four ictally and one in both states, interictally and ictally. 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT detected rCBF changes in 95% of the patients. Interictal studies demonstrated focal areas of hypoperfusion in 93% of the patients. Ictal studies demonstrated an area of hyperperfusion in all patients. Blood flow disturbances in deeper structures of the brain, such as basal ganglia, could be detected. The areas of abnormal 99mTc-HMPAO uptake were concordant, in localization, with CET in 85% of the patients. Abnormal data with CT scans were found in only 45% of the patients. Focal lesions were found in 20% of the patients by CT scans. 99mTc-HMPAO SPECT combined with CET may be a useful screening procedure prior to referral for invasive diagnostic procedures in future management with medically refractory complex partial seizures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Cytogenetic findings in a patient presenting simultaneously with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia.

A case of simultaneous presentation of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is described. CLL was documented by bone marrow and peripheral blood lymphocytosis with a typical B-CLL immunophenotype. The diagnosis of AML was supported by the presence of bone marrow and circulating blast cells positive for myeloperoxidase and myeloid-associated markers. Although the immunophenotyping and morphocytochemical studies indicated two different cell populations (mature B-CLL lymphocytes and myeloblasts), chromosome aberrations commonly associated with CLL and AML were found simultaneously in the same metaphases obtained from unstimulated 24-hour cultures of peripheral blood cells.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Clear-cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses studied by immunoscintigraphy.

Clear-cell sarcoma is a rare tumor that arises in association with tendons and aponeuroses. Although it shares with malignant melanoma several histologic and ultrastructural features, it has a clinical course different from that of conventional melanomas. A case of clear-cell sarcoma studied by immunoscintigraphy with 99mTc-labeled F(ab')2 fragments of the monoclonal antibody 225.28 S is reported.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed1995

PGE0 inhibits collagen and glycosaminoglycan-synthesis in the rabbit arterial wall.

The influence of 13,14-dihydro-PGE1 (PGE0), a biologically active metabolite of PGE1, on collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis by the rabbit arterial wall was assessed and compared with the effect of PGE1. Collagen (COL) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis was measured using 14C proline- and 35S-incorporation respectively and both were subsequently quantified by autoradiography. PGE1 decreased GAG-synthesis by 40%, while PGE0 caused a 25% decrease. COL-synthesis after PGE1 treatment was diminished by 35%, while the biologically active metabolite caused a drop of 30%. Five and 15 micrograms/kg doses of both compounds were almost equally effective, 1 microgram was without effect. These findings indicate that PGE0 shares the inhibitory effect of PGE1 on COL and GAG biosynthesis. This metabolite has about 60 to 70% of the biological activity of its parent compound PGE1. These results suggest that part of the effects of PGE1 in inhibiting extracellular matrix production could be due to its metabolite PGE0.

Alprostadil↗
PubMed1995

[The treatment of obstructive hypertrophic myocardiopathy refractory to medical therapy].

Until a few years ago, therapy of refractory Hypertrophic Obstructive cardiomyopathy was mainly surgical--Morrow's myotomy/myectomy or mitral valve replacement. Despite the good results of these techniques, they are not free of mortality and morbidity. In the last years a new and promising therapy has been developed: the Dual Chamber Pacemaker. Technically easier and less invasive than surgery, this therapy has achieved better results and lower mortality and morbidity during the follow-up.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic↗