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Biomedical subjects

A Alves

Publications and source records attributed to A Alves.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Cost improvements through the establishment of prudent infection control practices in a Brazilian general hospital, 1986-1989.

OBJECTIVES: To review procedures currently practiced in a Brazilian general hospital and to eliminate ineffective and inefficient practices. To measure the resulting cost improvements based on rigid hospital financing control. DESIGN: Implementation of surveillance and control programs and prevalence surveys to detect ineffective and inefficient practices. PARTICIPANTS: The study institution is a 130-bed general care facility affiliated with the Brazilian federal government. There were approximately 4,600 admissions per year during the study period (1986-1989). RESULTS: Instituting infection control measures and eliminating ineffective practices resulted in the following: an overall decrease in wound infection rates from 24.4% in 1987 to 3.45% in 1989; a 71% reduction in the global incidence of infection in the intensive care unit; a 74% reduction in the surgical prophylactic use of antibiotics; and a total savings of approximately $2 million (US dollars). CONCLUSIONS: During the period from 1986 to 1989, the infection control committee was able to decrease the overall wound infection rate from 24.4% in 1987 to 3.45% in 1989. This eliminated special health problems and improved patient care and cost-effectiveness for our hospital.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1991

[Experimental study of progressive facial hemiatrophy: effects of cervical sympathectomy in animals].

Progressive facial hemiatrophy (Romberg's syndrome) is of unknown cause and uncertain pathogenesis. The main pathogenetic hypotheses are: sympathetic system alterations, localized scleroderma, trigeminal changes, possibly of genetic origin. To test the hypothesis of sympathetic system alterations, we designed an experimental model with ablation of the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion in rabbits, cats and dogs. All the animals were operated upon when 30 days old and were examined monthly for 1 year. During this period localized alopecia, corneal ulceration, keratitis, strabismus, enophthalmos, ocular atrophy, hemifacial atrophy and slight bone atrophy on the side of the sympathectomy were observed. Thus, cervical sympathectomy reproduces in animals the principal clinical alterations of Romberg's syndrome. Our data suggest that the sympathetic system is involved in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Moclobemide, imipramine and placebo in the treatment of major depression.

Moclobemide was compared with imipramine and placebo in the treatment of major depressive episodes in 75 outpatients. The dosage of moclobemide (25 patients) was 300 mg daily for the first 5 days, after which it could be increased to 600 mg. Imipramine (25 patients) was given in a dosage starting with 33 mg and gradually increased to 100 mg/day in the first 5 days, after which it could be further increased; 25 patients received placebo. Both drugs were equally effective as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the overall assessment of efficacy and the Zung Self-rating Scale, and clearly superior to placebo; there were no significant differences between the 2 active drugs. Moclobemide was better tolerated than imipramine, and was almost comparable to placebo in this respect.

Ambulatory Care↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis].

Total coloproctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the operation of choice for both ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. In experienced teams, it is now possible to do this operation through a laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopy allows to perform the same operation than during open surgery, but with reduction of the surgical trauma, especially for the abdominal wound.

Anal Canal↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Highly polymorphic minisatellite DNA probes. Further evaluation for individual identification and paternity testing.

Reliable and reproducible protocols have been developed for the routine DNA fingerprinting of individuals using the highly polymorphic minisatellite DNA probes 33.15 and 33.6. Comparison of DNA fingerprinting from 50 individuals has generated further data on the level of band sharing in the DNA fingerprints of unrelated individuals, as well as the number of bands scorable in individuals. These results are consistent with previous studies. The occurrence of mutant bands in offspring has been examined in over 100 families. Further support is presented for the Mendelian inheritance of minisatellite loci and for lack of significant allelism and linkage between different variable DNA fragments detected in a human DNA fingerprint.

Alleles↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Grynfelt hernia.

Lumbar hernias are very uncommon conditions. Less than 300 cases have been reported in the literature. They result from defects in the posterolateral abdominal wall. The authors report their experience with four lumbar hernias managed at the "Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo" from 1973 to 1993. Age ranged from 54 to 63 years. Three were female, two had right hernias and two had left ones. All patients were treated surgically. Three were repaired by simple suture. The main complications were early recurrence (one case) and infections (one case). In one, a prosthetic mesh (polypropylene) was used to repair the defect, and the recovery was uneventful. Surgical treatment is always indicated in Grynfelt hernia. Approximation of the muscles by primary nonabsorbable suture, grafts or prosthesis are very adequate therapeutic options for lumbar hernias.

Female↗