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Biomedical subjects

R Campo

Publications and source records attributed to R Campo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Transient uterine contraction mimicking adenomyosis on MRI.

Transient myometrial contraction as a physiological phenomenon may simulate pathological conditions, such as a focal or diffuse adenomyosis. Clinicians should be aware of the potential presence of this phenomenon and imaging should be repeated after a suitable interval when the nature of a bulge or a region of low intensity in the myometrium is in doubt. In this paper, we report a transient myometrial contraction that mimics an adenomyosis, but disappears in repeated series.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Performance of the sperm quality analyser in predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction.

The present study was undertaken to assess the relationship between the results of conventional semen analysis and the sperm motility index (SMI) as measured by the sperm quality analyser (SQA), and to evaluate these in relation to the fertilization and/or pregnancy outcome of assisted reproduction. SMI determinations and conventional semen analyses were performed on 223 samples from subfertile men in two laboratories in Leuven (n = 136) and Antwerp (n = 87), and on spermatozoa prepared on a Percoll gradient (n = 136) used for treatment of male factor infertility in 57 cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI), 44 attempts at in vitro fertilization (IVF) and 31 attempts at intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). SMI values for native semen correlated significantly with sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Multiple regression analysis revealed sperm concentration after preparation, and the concentration of motile spermatozoa with normal morphology and SMI (before preparation) to be the independent determinants for SMI after preparation. SMI values were significantly higher after, than before, preparation (p < 0.0001). In regular IVF (n = 44) the percentage of fertilized oocytes correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with sperm motility (A + B%, r = 0.33), with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology (r = 0.46) before preparation, with the values of SMI both before and after preparation (r = 0.54, r = 0.48), with sperm concentration (r = 0.34) and with the motile sperm concentration (r = 0.29) after preparation. For the occurrence of pregnancy (all treatment methods), comparison of areas under ROC curves (AURC) indicated motile sperm concentration after preparation, as well as SMI both before and after preparation, to have the highest AURC, with no significant difference between these values as far as predictive power was concerned. These results indicate that the SQA allows for rapid evaluation of sperm characteristics and of the effectiveness of sperm preparation techniques. However, it is not superior to conventional semen analysis in predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction.

Female↗
PubMed1998

Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy as an outpatient procedure for infertility investigation.

A new technique called transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy is described for the exploration of the tubo-ovarian structures in infertile patients without obvious pelvic pathology. It aims to be an acceptable alternative to diagnostic laparoscopy, a standard but not innocuous procedure which infrequently reveals pathology in the asymptomatic patient. Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy copy is performed under local anaesthesia using a small diameter optic with the patient in the dorsal position. Cavity distension is achieved with normal saline. Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy does not provide the familiar and panoramic view of the pelvis given by laparoscopy, but it does have several advantages. These include accurate and atraumatic inspection of adnexal structures without manipulation, with the opportunity to perform dye hydrotubation and salpingoscopy. The risks of a general anaesthetic are avoided, and there is less risk of trauma to major vessels. The high patient acceptability makes transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy suitable as an early stage procedure in the investigation of infertility and as a repeat or second look procedure. Minor operative procedures such as biopsy and adhesiolysis can also be performed. In patients with obvious pelvic pathology, diagnostic laparoscopy will obviously remain the procedure of choice. Transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy deserves full evaluation of its accuracy, risks and benefits before it can be accepted as a new first line technique in gynaecological practice.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMed1998

Two-day quadruple therapy for cure of Helicobacter pylori infection: a comparative, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare a 2-day quadruple therapy with a 14-day triple therapy in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: Eighty-one consecutive patients with an endoscopically diagnosed peptic ulcer and demonstrated infection by H. pylori were included in the study. Patients were randomized to receive omeprazole 40 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 2.5 g once daily, metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d., and bismuth subcitrate 360 mg t.i.d. for 2 days, followed by omeprazole 20 mg once daily for 6 additional days (Group 1) or a 14-day course of omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d., amoxicillin 1 g t.i.d., and metronidazole 500 mg t.i.d. (Group 2). Eradication was evaluated by antral biopsy and rapid urease test at 2 months after therapy and by C13-urea breath test after a year. RESULTS: Two patients were lost to follow-up at 2 months. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that H. pylori infection was cured in 29 of 42 patients (69%; 95% CI: 53-82%) in Group 1 versus 36 of 39 (92%; 95% CI: 78-98%) of patients in Group 2 (p = 0.009). Per-protocol analysis showed a cure rate of 71% (95% CI: 55-84%) (29/41 patients) and 95% (95% CI: 81-99%) (36/38 patients), respectively (p = 0.007). Fifty-five of 65 cured patients returned 1 year after treatment (26 in Group 1, 29 in Group 2). All but one in Group 2 remained cured. There were no significant differences in compliance (88% in Group 1 versus 92% in Group 2) or in the presence of side effects (27%; 95% CI: 15-43% versus 41%; 95% CI: 26-58%; ns). CONCLUSION: Two-day quadruple therapy is significantly less effective than 2-wk triple treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Seroprevalence and epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is the major pathogenic factor for peptic ulcer disease. Its epidemiology is not fully known; few data are available in patients with chronic liver disease. AIMS: To investigate the seroprevalence and factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in a series of liver cirrhosis patients. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty consecutive patients were prospectively included in a study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary intervention on cirrhosis complications and survival. At inclusion, an epidemiological and clinical questionnaire was completed. Sera were obtained and stored at -70 degrees C until analyzed. They were tested for Helicobacter pylori antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit. RESULTS: Eleven out of 220 patients had borderline anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG titers. Of the remaining 209 patients, 105 (50.2%) showed positive titers of Helicobacter pylori IgG. Univariate analysis showed that Helicobacter pylori infection was more frequent in older patients, those born outside Catalonia, and in patients with a low educational level. Past ethanol consumption and current smoking correlated negatively with Helicobacter pylori infection. Multivariate analysis selected age (OR 3.1. 95% CI 1.46-6.45), educational level (OR 2.2. 95% CI 1.18-4.2) and alcohol consumption (OR 0.7. 95% CI 0.45-0.99) as the variables independently related to Helicobacter pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori infection in cirrhosis has the same epidemiological pattern as in the general population. Suggestions that the etiology or the severity of the liver disease could be related to Helicobacter pylori infection were not confirmed by our study.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Larval development of Dicrocoelium dendriticum in Cernuella (Xeromagna) cespitum arigonis under controlled laboratory conditions.

The larval development of Dicrocoelium dendriticum (Digenea: Dicrocoeliidae) in experimentally infected Cernuella (Xeromagna) cespitum arigonis (Schmidt, 1853), a species of mollusc important in the epidemiology of dicrocoeliosis in Spain, has been studied. A total of 948 specimens of this mollusc, distributed in five batches, were tested with individual doses of 50 to 150 parasite eggs, obtained from sheep, after 4 days without food. After infection these molluscs and control specimens were kept in an environmental simulation chamber at 20 degrees C, 50% relative humidity and 7 h of light per day. To detect the parasite, a minimum of six molluscs were examined every 20 days from day 1 post-infection (p.i.). The eggs of D. dendriticum were eliminated in the molluscan faeces 48 h post infection. The percentages of molluscs harbouring the parasite ranged between 17.53% and 75%. Daughter sporocysts with undifferentiated germinal masses and occupying very reduced areas of the hepatopancreas were observed 50 days p.i. and in the period immediately following. After 110 days p.i. sporocysts with cercariae at different stages of development were found although slimeball emission was never observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

The beta-tubulin monomer release factor (p14) has homology with a region of the DnaJ protein.

p14 is a molecular chaperone involved in beta-tubulin folding which catalyzes the release of beta-tubulin monomers from intermediate complexes. Here we demonstrate that active p14 protein which we have purified from an overproducing Escherichia coli strain can also release beta-tubulin monomers from tubulin dimers in the presence of an additional cofactor (Z). Analysis of p14 secondary structure suggests that this protein may belong to a family of conserved proteins which share structural similarities with the J-domain of DnaJ. We have constructed deletions and site-directed mutations in the p14 gene. A single D to E mutation in the region shown in DnaJ to be an essential loop for its function affected the monomer-release activity of p14. These results support the hypothesis that this p14 loop interacts with beta-tubulin in a similar fashion as DnaJ interacts with DnaK and suggest a possible role of p14 in the folding process.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Progressive visual agnosia with posterior cortical atrophy.

A patient of posterior cortical atrophy characterized by early signs of progressive visual agnosia documented by repeated neuropsychological tests, is reported. SPECT and MRI findings showed left unilateral parieto-occipital involvement in the earlier stage. A PET study executed eight months later showed bilateral parieto-occipital hypometabolism, but predominantly in the left hemisphere. This suggests that the degeneration may have developed asymmetrically, progressing from left unilateral to bilateral.

Agnosia↗
PubMed1996

Factors predicting failure of endoscopic injection therapy in bleeding duodenal ulcer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the factors that may cause failure of endoscopic injection in patients bleeding from a duodenal ulcer. METHODS: One hundred twenty patients admitted for a bleeding duodenal ulcer with active arterial hemorrhage or a nonbleeding visible vessel were included. RESULTS: Endoscopic injection was not feasible in 14 of 120 (11.6%) patients because of inaccessibility or massive hemorrhage. The remaining 106 patients underwent endoscopic therapy by injection of adrenaline and polidocanol. The efficacy (achievement of definitive hemostasis) of endoscopy therapy was 83% (88 of 106). Univariate analysis showed that failure of endoscopic injection was related to age, presence of shock, ulcer size greater than 2 cm, and hemoglobin level. Multivariate analysis showed that ulcer size greater than 2 cm (p = 0.005) and the presence of shock (p = 0.03) were factors predictive of endoscopic treatment failure. Failure to achieve hemostasis (p < 0.001) and poor physical status measured by American Society of Anesthesiology classification (p = 0.02) were significantly related to mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Ulcer size and severity of hemorrhage are predictive of endoscopic injection failure in patients bleeding from high-risk duodenal ulcers. Survival is determined by clinical status and associated diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Effects of experimental dicrocoeliosis on oxidative drug metabolism in hamster liver.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of experimental dicrocoeliosis on the hepatic oxidative drug-metabolizing system in hamsters. Studies were carried out 80 and 120 days after infestation with an oral dose of 40 metacercariae of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The parasitic pathology was ascertained by detection of the fluke eggs in faeces, increased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, and postmortem and histological findings. Cytochrome P-450 concentration, aniline hydroxylase activity and ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase activity were significantly decreased in both groups of infected animals. Aminopyrine N-demethylase activity and erythromycin N-demethylase activity were only reduced 120 days after infection. Effects on drug metabolizing enzymes were unrelated to changes in the physical state of the microsomal membrane, as assessed by measurement of fluorescence polarization. The results of this study indicate that the capacity of the liver for handling drugs and xenobiotics may be impaired as a consequence of dicrocoeliosis.

7-Alkoxycoumarin O-Dealkylase↗
PubMed1996

Gastric ulcer perforation into the heart.

Penetration of the pericardium and heart is a very rare complication of benign peptic ulcer. The case is reported here of a 76-year-old woman with advanced senile dementia, who was admitted due to melena. Endoscopy revealed a large gastric ulcer located in a giant hiatal hernia. The ulcer base was protruding and strongly pulsatile, and seemed to be mobile and free in relation to the ulcer margins. This effect was particularly obvious during the pulsatile movements. Endoscopic findings suggested ulcer perforation to the pericardium. The patient's relatives denied consent to surgery. She was therefore treated with conservative measures, including parenteral nutrition, ranitidine, and antibiotics. The patient remained in a relatively stable condition, and she was discharged three weeks later. One month later, however, she was admitted with massive bleeding and hypovolemic shock. In spite of resuscitation measures, she died. The autopsy study showed a gastric ulcer penetrating through the pericardium and myocardium into the left ventricle.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Factors related to the failure of endoscopic injection therapy for bleeding gastric ulcer.

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic injection therapy is effective in controlling initial haemorrhage from peptic ulcer, between 10% to 30% of patients suffer rebleeding. AIM: To assess the factors that may predict the failure of endoscopic injection in patients bleeding from high risk gastric ulcer. SUBJECTS: One hundred and seventy eight patients admitted for a gastric ulcer with a bleeding or a non-bleeding visible vessel were included. METHODS: Patients received endoscopic therapy by injection for adrenaline and polidocanol. Twelve clinical and endoscopic variables were entered into a multivariate logistic regression model to ascertain their significance as predictive factor of therapeutic failure. RESULTS: Eighty seven per cent (155 of 178) of patients had no further bleeding after endoscopic therapy. Endoscopic injection failed in 23 (13%) patients: 20 (12%) continued to bleed or rebleed, and three (1%) patients could not be treated because of inaccessibility of the lesion. Logistic regression analysis showed that therapeutic failure was significantly related to: (1) the presence of hypovolaemic shock (p = 0.09, OR 2.38, 95% CI: 0.86, 6.56), (2) the presence of active bleeding at endoscopy (p = 0.02, OR 2.98, 95% CI: 1.12, 7.91), (3) ulcer location high on the lesser curvature (p = 0.04, OR 2.79, 95% CI: 1.01, 7.69), and (4) ulcer size larger than 2 cm (p = 0.01, OR 3.64, 95% CI: 1.34, 9.89). CONCLUSION: These variables may enable identification of those patients bleeding from gastric ulcer who would not benefit from injection therapy.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Prognostic factors of early mortality in the 1st episode of hemorrhage caused by esophageal varices].

AIM: To assess the prognostic factors of early mortality in cirrhotic patients with the first variceal bleeding episode. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-five cirrhotic patients with endoscopic evidence of variceal bleeding treated with sclerotherapy during emergent endoscopy were included. RESULTS: Permanent hemostasis was obtained in 36 patients (65.5%). Fourteen (25.4%) patients died within six weeks of the bleeding episode. Twenty-four variables obtained at admission and in the following days were compared between patients who survived (n = 41), and died (n = 14). In the univariate analysis the following variables were related to early mortality: prothrombin ratio (p = 0.04), the presence of ascites (p = 0.004) and encephalopathy (p = 0.06), albumin (p = 0.01), Child-Pugh score (p = 0.0003), hemostasis during endoscopy (p = 0.002), absence of rebleeding at 24 hours (p = 0.01) and early rebleeding (within five days after the bleeding episode) (p = 0.006). Multiple logistic regression identified the Child-Pugh score (OR 11.86, CI 95% 2.54-55.48; p = 0.001) and early rebleeding (OR 6.27, CI 95% 1.29-30.44; p = 0.02) as prognostic independent factors of early mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of hepatic failure and early rebleeding are prognostic independent factors of early mortality in cirrhotic patients after the first variceal bleeding episode.

Analysis of Variance↗