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Biomedical subjects

R Duarte

Publications and source records attributed to R Duarte.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Interferon-alpha facilitates renal transplantation in hemodialysis patients with chronic viral hepatitis.

Interferon-alpha has not been used previously in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis B and C. This uncontrolled report evaluates the biochemical and/or histologic profile resulting from the administration of interferon-alpha in seven hemodialysis patients, two with chronic hepatitis B and five with hepatitis C. Biochemical improvement was noted in all patients. Histologic progression did not occur in the two cases in which such assessment was made, and five of them were subsequently transplanted without recurrence of disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Spontaneous rupture of renal allograft.

Spontaneous rupture of a renal allograft was encountered in 3 male patients among 75 consecutive renal transplants over a three-year period. In 1 patient, the transplant was from a living related donor, while the other two were cadaveric kidneys from pediatric donors. In 2 patients, allograft rupture followed steroid-resistant rejection, while in the third with cadaveric kidney transplant, the rupture was associated with renal vein thrombosis. Two patients presented with classic symptoms of renal allograft rupture: sudden onset of severe pain and swelling over the allograft and hypotension, while in the third the rupture was found during exploration of the allograft with clinical diagnosis of renal artery thrombosis. Transplant nephrectomy was done in 2 patients, while successful surgical repair was performed in the third patient with living related transplant.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Conserved cis-elements bind a protein complex that regulates Drosophila ras2/rop bidirectional expression.

The Drosophila ras2 promoter region exhibits bidirectional activity, as has been demonstrated for the human c-Ha-ras1 and the mouse c-Ki-ras. Here we address a unique case of ras regulation, as Drosophila ras2 provides the only example to date in which the flanking gene (rop) and its product have been isolated. A linking mechanism of control suggests a mutual interaction between the two gene products. Our studies indicate that the Drosophila ras2 promoter region shares with the human c-Ha-ras1 promoter a CACCC box and an AP-1-like sequence. A 14 bp promoter fragment which holds a CACCC element is demonstrated to interact with a specific transcription factor (factor B). This CACCC promoter element represents a stretch of imperfect palindrome. We present evidence that this factor can form a complex with another specific DNA-binding protein (factor A). The binding sites (A + B) for these protein factors are essential for 95% expression of both genes flanking the promoter (ras2 and rop). Region A consists of four overlapping consensus sequences: a TATA-like element, a DSE-like motif (the core sequence of the serum response element), a DRE octamer, which has been shown to play a role in cell proliferation, and a 5 bp direct repeat representing the GATA consensus sequence. Factor A has a very weak affinity to the full promoter region, but when complexed with factor B binding efficiency is enhanced. We also show that alterations of DNA-protein binding specificities can be achieved by supplementing the growth media with different sera.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Children and lead exposure. Preliminary study].

UNLABELLED: Lead poisoning is one of the most common and preventable childhood illness. The authors believe that the present study is the first evaluation of this problem in Portugal. OBJECTIVES: a) to characterize blood lead levels in children aged 1 to 6 years living in the Oporto area; b) to identify risk groups and develop screening strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors studied an opportunistic sample of children that were observed at the Hospital Maria Pia and the Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (Porto) to whom blood testing was requested. All children with neurological or digestive symptoms were excluded (October-December 1991; n = 113). RESULTS: One child had a blood lead level of 46.6 micrograms/dl (class-IV, CDC); 32% (n = 36) were between 20 e 44 micrograms/dl (class-III), while only four children (3.2%) presented values < = 9 micrograms/dl (class-I). Class II included the remainder (n = 73). The results clearly point out that lead poisoning is a real problem among Portuguese children, since the proportion of children not considered to be lead-poisoned is very small. Children in the other classes are at risk of developing acute and chronic toxicity.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1993

Aetiology of acute diarrhoea in hospitalized children in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil.

Enteropathogens were investigated in 406 children aged 0-3 years with diarrhoea attending the Salles Neto Municipal Hospital. Enteric bacterial pathogens were isolated from 49 per cent of the children. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) (20.9 per cent), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) (16.5 per cent), rotavirus (11.6 per cent), and Campylobacter (9.9 per cent) were the most common agents. Among clinical features, vomiting and fever were significantly associated with Rotavirus isolation (50.0 per cent), respiratory infection with Adenovirus (14.3 per cent), bloody diarrhoea with Campylobacter (12.5 per cent), and dehydration with EPEC (71.6 per cent).

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed1992

[Living with an ostomy: a preliminary study].

This study reveals some aspects of ostomy patients life experience. The data were obtained by using the participant observation technique during the monthly meeting session of the Ostomy Patients Association from July 1989 to August 1991. The findings showed that the ostomized patients were concerned with: 1) the ostomy pouch (how to get it); 2) other persons opinion about ostomized patients; 3) their sexuality, and stoma care. The patients perceived themselves as physically disable and inferior persons. Some of them perceived themselves as having a normal life. Other patients also had to cope with the stigma of cancer.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

[The quality of life of individuals with chronic cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus].

The purpose of this study was to verify the chronically ill patient's quality of life. The study conceptual framework was deryged from the quality of life conceptualization according to Wenger et al. (1984). In this framework the main components of quality of life were viewed as a functional capacity, perception and symptoms. The study sample consisted of 94 chronically ill patients. Of these, 35 were in and outpatients with cardiovascular diseases (GROUP I), 29 patients were on a special rehabilitation program for cardiovascular patients (GROUP II), and 30 were diabetic patients (GROUP III). The McMaster Health Index questionnaire developed by Chambers (1984) was used for data collection. The findings revealed that patients of the GROUP II showed better quality of life than the patients of GROUP I and GROUP III in relation to the physical function, health perception, and life satisfaction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Blood pressure, ventilation and lipid imbalance during hemodialysis: effect of dialysate composition.

Regular hemodialysis with either acetate or bicarbonate dialysate can be associated with the development of hypotension and hypoxemia. Hypotension, which is more commonly observed during acetate dialysis, is usually the result of unfavorable alterations in the cardiac output, the peripheral vascular resistance, or both. Complement-mediated leukocyte embolization and hypoventilation represent the major causes of hypoxemia. No consistent long-term effects on lipid balance have been observed with either dialysate.

Acetates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ecotopes, natural infection and trophic resources of Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae).

Triatoma brasiliensis is considered as one of the most important Chagas disease vectors in the northeastern Brazil. This species presents chromatic variations which led to descriptions of subspecies, synonymized by Lent and Wygodzinsky (1979). In order to broaden bionomic knowledge of these distinct colour patterns of T. brasiliensis, captures were performed at different sites, where the chromatic patterns were described: Caicó, Rio Grande do Norte (T. brasiliensis brasiliensis Neiva, 1911), it will be called the "brasiliensis population"; Espinosa, Minas Gerais (T. brasiliensis melanica Neiva & Lent 1941), the "melanica population" and Petrolina, Pernambuco (T. brasiliensis macromelasoma, Galvão 1956), the "macromelasoma population". A fourth chromatic pattern was collected in Juazeiro, Bahia the darker one in overall cuticle coloration, the "Juazeiro population". At the sites of Caicó, Petrolina and Juazeiro, specimens were captured in peridomiciliar ecotopes and in wilderness. In Espinosa the specimens were collected only in wilderness, even though several exhaustive captures have been performed in peridomicile at different sites of this municipality. A total of 298 specimens were captured. The average registered infection rate was 15% for "brasiliensis population" and of 6.6% for "melanica population". Specimens of "macromelasoma" and of "Juazeiro populations" did not present natural infection. Concerning trophic resources, evaluated by the precipitin test, feeding eclecticism for the different colour patterns studied was observed, with dominance of goat blood in household surroundings as well as in wilderness.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phase 1 study of an inactivated vaccine against American tegumentary leishmaniasis in normal volunteers in Brazil.

A Phase 1 double-blind placebo-controlled study was performed to evaluate a vaccine against American tegumentary leishmaniasis in 61 healthy male volunteers. Side effects and the immune response to the vaccine were evaluated, with 1- and 2- dose schemes, with intervals of 7 or 21 days, each dose containing 1440 mg of protein N antigen of a single strain of Leishmania amazonensis (PH8) diluted in merthiolated saline (1:10,000). Merthiolated saline and an inert substance were used as placebos. No significant clinical alterations were found following the respective injections in the vaccinated individuals as compared to the placebos, except for local pain, which was associated significantly with injection of the vaccine. The laboratory alterations we observed bore no association with the clinical findings and were unimportant. We observed no differences between the groups with regard to seroconversion of the Montenegro skin test. However, the group that received a single dose of the vaccine and the one that received two doses with a 21-day interval displayed cutaneous induration significantly larger than in the control group, with 100%, 100%, and 66% conversion in the skin test, respectively. We concluded that the vaccine does not present any major side effect that would contraindicate its use in healthy individuals.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The range of congenital malformations associated with cleft lip and palate].

The congenital malformations associated to cleft lip and cleft palate cover a wide range of pathologies with incidence and acuteness that vary according to the authors. In the 284 patients followed and/or referred to the Cleft Consultation of Dona Estefânia Hospital, 78 had associated malformations (27.5%). In three cases there was consanguinity in parents. A familial incidence of cleft and/or other congenital malformations was found in 13 and 10 patients respectively. Thirty patients had malformative syndromes. In the remaining 48, 127 associated congenital malformations (M.C.A.) were identified, in accordance with the Smith criteria, 81 major and 46 minor. The most frequent associated malformations are those of the face (25.9%) and of the cardiovascular system (16.5%). The multiple anomalies (of various systems) are the most frequent (47.9%), followed by the isolated anomaly (29.1%) and the multiple of one system (22.9%). In what concerns the association of syndromes with the type of cleft, primary, secondary or total palate, those of the secondary were the most frequent, particularly that of the Pierre Robin sequence (S.P.R.)--19 in 36 secondary cleft palate.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Standardization of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA to detect anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM and IgG antibodies, and comparison with the indirect immunofluorescence technique].

Serology has been the most popular method to diagnose toxoplasmosis. Accordingly, this study standardizes an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compares its results with the IFI technique. In the IgG detection test, the standardized technique presented a sensibility (S) of 96.77%, a specificity (SP) of 75%, with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 83.33%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.74%, and an adjusted concordance (K) of 73.50%. The IFI exhibited 83.87% for S, 79.16% for SP, 83.81% for PPV, 79. 16% for NPV, and 63% for K. The rough concordance between these two tests (ELISA/IFI) was 88.35% for the IgG detection test and 81.55% for the IgM detection test. K was 70.82% and 1.31% for IgG and IgM, respectively, the correlation index (r) being 0.556 for IgG and -0. 023 for IgM. We can conclude that standardized ELISA-IgG is indicated in serologic selection processes, whereas the ELISA-IgM is not recommended for presenting low values for the adjusted concordance with the reference technique, which suggests not very reliable results.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Intestinal necrosis in children].

The term intestinal necrosis is nothing but a clinical and pathological concept and always includes intestinal ischemia, whether or not occlusive. In a broad sense, necrotizing enterocolitis involves intestinal ischemia associated to an infectious entity. The precipitating factor for necrosis is very often difficult to identify. Necrotizing enterocolitis occurs in 90% of cases in premature neonates and is less frequent amongst other neonates, being rare in older children and adults. The authors present two clinical cases: one 7 year-old with a history of chronic neutropenia and an eleven-year old with severe cognitive impairment, dysmorphic features and behavioural disturbances. They were both admitted to hospital due to an acute abdominal condition and shock. The necrosis implied the resection of a jejunal segment in one of the cases, and a subtotal colonic resection in the other. Despite the surgery and medical support therapy, they both died due to multiple system organ failure--3 hours and fourteen days after surgery, respectively. In the second case, death occurred subsequent to a second surgery for resection of a segment of necrotic ileum. Necropsy showed an extensive necrosis of the remaining intestine in both cases. These two cases evolved as necrotizing enterocolitis of the child. In one of the cases it was possible to establish the exclusion diagnosis of neutropenic enterocolitis. The etiopathogenic mechanisms are reviewed, including thrombotic, obstructive (both extrinsic and endoluminal), inflammatory, non-occlusive ischemic and infectious. The authors stress the general therapeutic measures, the relevance of early surgical intervention and the use of subsidiary diagnostic/therapeutic technologies, such as serum and urine title of intestinal fatty acid binding protein or selective arteriography.

Child↗