PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R Reis

Publications and source records attributed to R Reis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Conditions responsible for small bowel resection.

The authors deal with the problems of surgery of small intestine. They analyze causes leading to small bowel resection, including small intestinal obstructions, tumors, diverticles, Crohn's disease and traumas of small intestine, in a group of patients operated at Ist Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Commenius University, Bratislava, during the last 30 years. Authors also discuss the problems of short bowel syndrome (SBS) as the consequence of an extensive small bowel resection, reporting the surgical approach to its therapy. (Tab. 1., Ref. 5.)

Adolescent↗

The abdominal compartment syndrome.

The abdominal compartment syndrome has received considerable attention only recently. It may be defined as adverse physiologic consequences that occur as a result of an acute increase in the intraabdominal pressure. The most common causes of ACS are haemorrhage, visceral oedema, pancreatitis, bowel distension, venous mesenterial obstruction, abdominal packs, tense ascites, peritonitis, tumor. The mostly affected organ systems include cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, central nervous and splanchnic. The diagnosis depends on the recognition of the clinical syndrome followed by an objective measurement of intraabdominal pressure, preferably that of the urinary bladder. The treatment consists of adequate fluid resuscitation and surgical decompression when necessary. (Tab. 1, Ref. 29.).

Abdomen↗

Long term results of compression sclerotherapy.

AIMS: To compare the short and long term results of different techniques of compression sclerotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the past 10 years the authors treated 1622 pts due to chronic venous insufficiency. There were 3 groups of patients: 1) Pts treated by Sigg's technique using Aethoxysclerol, 2) Pts treated by Fegan's technique with Fibrovein, and 3) Pts treated by Fegan's procedure, but using a combination of both sclerosants. In all cases, the techniques of empty vein, bubble air, uninterrupted 6-week compression and forced mobilisation were used. RESULTS: In the group of pats. treated by Sigg's procedure, the average cure rate was 67.47% after 6 months, 60.3% after 5 years of follow-up. In Fegan's group this rate was 83.6% after 6 months and 78.54% after 5 year assessment. Statistically, significant differences were found only by the disappearance of varices and reduction of pain in favour of Fegan's technique. In the group of pts treated by Fegan's (Aethoxysclerol + Fibrovein) this rate after 5 years was 86%. The only statistically significant difference was found by the disappearance of varices in favour of Fegan's technique using a combination of 2 detergent sclerosants. CONCLUSIONS: Sclerotherapy is effective when properly executed in any length of vein no matter how dilated it has become. The recurrences are attributed more to inadequate technique than to the shortcoming of the procedure. Sclerotherapy is miniinvasive, with few complications, and can be repeated on out-patient basis. (Tab. 1, Ref. 22.).

Bandages↗

Use of thermal and vegetation index data from earth observing satellites to evaluate the risk of schistosomiasis in Bahia, Brazil.

A geographic information system (GIS) was constructed using maps of regional agroclimatic features, vegetation indices and earth surface temperature data from environmental satellites, together with Schistosoma mansoni prevalence records from 270 municipalities including snail host distributions in Bahia, Brazil to study the spatial and temporal dynamics of infection and to identify environmental factors that influence the distribution of schistosomiasis. In an initial analysis, population density and duration (months) of the annual dry period were shown to be important determinants of disease. In cooperation with the National Institute of Spatial Research in Brazil (INPE), day and night imagery data covering the state of Bahia were selected at approximately bimonthly intervals in 1994 (six day-night pairs) from the data archives of the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) sensor of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-11 satellite. A composite mosaic of these images was created to produce maps of: (1) average values between 0 and +1 of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI); and (2) average diurnal temperature differences (dT) on a scale of values between 0 and 15 degrees C. For each municipality, NDVI and dT were calculated for a 3x3 pixel (9 km(2) area) grid and analyzed for relationships to prevalence of schistosomiasis. Results showed a statistically significant relationship of prevalence to dT (rho=-0.218) and NDVI (rho=0.384) at the 95% level of confidence by the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results support use of NDVI, dT, dry period climatic stress factors and human population density for development of a GIS environmental risk assessment model for schistosomiasis in Brazil.

Animals↗

The treatment gap in epilepsy: the current situation and ways forward.

This article is a summary of a workshop held by the ILAE concerning the issue of the epilepsy treatment gap in developing countries. The gap is defined in terms of those people with epilepsy who are not being appropriately treated and is the result of an array of medical, political, social, economic, and cultural factors. The situation regarding the treatment gap for various countries is reviewed, along with some of its causes. Although the overall gap is estimated to be large, a number of recent projects and interventions have been effective in delivering appropriate treatment to people with epilepsy in underresourced countries of the developing world. It is hoped that these may be transferable elsewhere and that, combined with the ILAE/IBE/WHO Global Campaign against Epilepsy and increased support from the worldwide epilepsy community, the treatment gap will begin to be bridged.

Anticonvulsants↗

Epilepsy and self-identity among the Dutch.

This article discusses the relationship between societal images of epilepsy and the self-identity of Dutch people with epilepsy. I show that the condition of having epilepsy is only constructed as chronic if people continue to have seizures. Chronic epilepsy, or "real epilepsy" as it is sometimes called, is not burdened with such classic stereotypes as "the epileptic personality" or "the epileptic genius." However, Dutch people replace these stereotypes with stereotypes based on ideas about "tension" and "weak spots"--phenomena that are allegedly linked to "sensitive," "brooding" types of people and that are thought to trigger epileptic seizures. Thus there develops a notion of self related to frequency of epileptic seizures. Those who are close to people with epilepsy--relatives and non-medical professionals--play an important role in this development.

Adult↗

[Reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract after esophagogastrectomy].

The authors deal with the problems of reconstruction of gastrointestinal continuity after esophagectomy. They present the advantages of the stomach which is an especially good mediastinal as well as retrosternal substituent. One case of restoration of gastrointestinal continuity after both esophagectomy and gastrectomy by a jejunal loop with anastomosis on the neck is also presented.

Adult↗

Identification in human brain tumors of DNA sequences specific for SV40 large T antigen.

Simian virus 40 (SV40) sequences have recently been identified in a variety of human neoplasms, including mesothelioma, osteosarcoma, and brain tumors, but significant discrepancies exist regarding the frequency at which this occurs. The SV40 genome is 70% homologous to JC and BK, two related polyomaviruses that are highly prevalent in humans and which may cause in immune-compromised patients progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) and cystitis, respectively. We have established a specific and sensitive method to identify SV40 sequence in DNA extracted from histological sections, using PCR followed by Southern hybridization to probes specific to the large T region. We found SV40 large T antigen sequences in all brain tumor types investigated. High frequencies were found in low-grade astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and secondary glioblastomas derived thereof (13/22, 59%) while somewhat lower frequencies were found in gemistocytic astrocytomas (9/28, 32%) and oligodendrogliomas (3/12, 25%). Primary glioblastomas, giant cell glioblastomas, and gliosarcomas, which clinically develop de novo, contained SV40 sequences in 11-25% of cases. Presence of viral DNA was also observed in pediatric brain tumors, including ependymomas (9/16, 56%), choroid plexus papillomas (6/16, 38%), and medulloblastomas (5/17, 29%). In 8 tumor biopsies with SV40 sequences, the adjacent normal brain tissue was also analyzed but was devoid of viral DNA in all but one case. BK and JC virus sequences were rarely detected, the overall frequencies being 3% and 2%, respectively. It remains to be shown whether the presence of SV40 contributes significantly to malignant transformation or whether certain human neoplasms provide a microenvironment that favors viral replication in humans with latent SV40 infection.

Adolescent↗

Specific insulin and proinsulin secretion in glucokinase-deficient individuals.

Glucokinase (GCK) is an enzyme that regulates insulin secretion, keeping glucose levels within a narrow range. Mutations in the glucokinase gene cause a rare form of diabetes called maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). An early onset (less than 25 years), autosomal dominant inheritance and low insulin secretion stimulated by glucose characterize MODY patients. Specific insulin and proinsulin were measured in serum by immunofluorimetric assays (IFMA) during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Two kindreds (SA and LZ) were studied and compared to non-diabetic unrelated individuals (control group 1) matched for age and body mass index (BMI). In one kindred, some of these subjects were also obese (BMI > 26 kg/m2), and other family members also presented with obesity and/or late-onset NIDDM. The MODY patients were also compared to a group of five of their first-degree relatives with obesity and/or late-onset NIDDM. The proinsulin profile was different in members of the two MODY kindreds. Fasting proinsulin and the proinsulin/insulin ratio were similar in MODY members of kindred LZ and subjects from control group 1, but were significantly lower than in MODY members of kindred SA (P < 0.02 and P < 0.01, for proinsulin and proinsulin/insulin ratio, respectively). Moreover, MODY members of family SA had higher levels of proinsulin and proinsulin/insulin ratio, although not significantly different, when compared to their first-degree relatives and to subjects from control group 2. In conclusion, we observed variable degrees of proinsulin levels and proinsulin/insulin ratio in MODY members of two different kindreds. The higher values of these parameters found in MODY and non-MODY members of kindered SA is probably related to the obesity and late-onset NIDDM background present in this family.

Adult↗

[Inflammatory complications in reconstructive surgery after esophagectomy].

The authors evaluated in their retrospective study the portion of inflammatory complications on morbidity and mortality at restorative operations after oesophagectomies, performed at Ist Department of Surgery of the Teaching Hospital of Commenius University in Bratislava in the year of 1975-1998. The inflammatory complications still remain a serious problem after oesophagectomy with a great portion on postoperative mortality.

Esophagectomy↗

[Systemic vasculitis as the initial presentation of a left atrial myxoma].

Left atrial myxoma remains a diagnostic challenge. The authors briefly review previously reported cases and their individualistic clinical and laboratory features. This report documents an unusual clinical presentation, initially directing attention to the central nervous system as well as bilateral tenderness and weakness of the extremities. The illness was considered to be a vasculitis until thirty-one months later when the diagnosis of left atrial myxoma was made. The tumor was successfully removed.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Cancer in the elderly: basic science and clinical aspects.

The incidence of cancer increases progressively with age. Rearrangements of genomes have been found to accompany cellular aging. These factors, in concert with age-dependent alterations in immune function and host defense, may help to explain the increased risk of malignant disease in aged persons. The clinical presentation and natural history of neoplasia are also affected by aging. This conference reviews recent developments in these areas, examines the effects of drug use in the elderly and implications for management, and discusses current information on how age may influence the response of cancer to therapy.

Aged↗