Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A C Lopes.
Cantrell syndrome is characterized by defects that involve the diaphragm, abdominal wall, pericardium, heart, and lower region of the sternum. It is a rare entity, usually diagnosed at birth and accompanied by high mortality due to the complexity and gravity of the anomalies. In this report, we present a 32-year-old male patient, who was diagnosed in infancy but who reached adult age asymptomatic.
Vitamin A deficiency is one of the majors public health problems in Brazilian Northeast, and among other causes may be concerned to precocious weaning. Aiming at reducing this problem, a dehydrated product based on powdered milk and pumpkin flakes was developed to act as a carotene source at weaning period. Pumpkin flakes were obtained by drum drying at a 6 atm steam pressure, 0.75 m2 contact surface and 1 rpm, and had their content of carotenoids, beta carotene, centesimal composition molds and yeast and faecal coliforms evaluated. The flakes were added to sugar and whole powdered milk according to FAO/WHO nutritional recommendation to 6-12 months old children and submitted to acceptability test by a 6 judges' panel. The results showed that the drying process had a 7% efficiency score and the flakes composition presented 4.84% moisture; 4.0% protein; 5.5% ash; 1.30% fat; 6.22% fiber; 78.14% carbohydrates; 115.08 micrograms/g total carotenois and 80.64 micrograms/g beta-carotene content. No coliforms were detected and molds and yeast content was 4.0 x 10(2) CFU/g. The powdered formulation properly diluted in water supports 45% of the RDA for children (calories, protein, carbohydrates and lipids) and 100% vitamin A and protein considering a 400 ml/day ingestion.
Authors present the case of a 37-year-old man admitted to the emergency room of Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, with hyperosmolar coma, following progressive muscle discomfort and loss of renal function, with further need of dialysis therapy. Initial laboratory evaluation showed marked hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, hyperosmolarity, and high levels of creatinine. In the evolution he presented an elevation of creatino-phosphokinase levels in parallel with increasing levels of urea and creatinine. Urinalyses showed progressive increase in proteinuria and hematuria. A muscle biopsy was performed and confirmed the presence of muscular necrosis. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize hyperosmolarity as a newly described cause of rhabdomyolysis. The authors point out its multifactorial physiopathology and also stress the relatively common occurrence of acute renal failure (ARF) following an episode of rhabdomyolysis, and the poor prognosis that this complication represents.
The cold stress leads to increased levels of catecholamines, of their precursors and metabolites, with increased oxygen consumption by the myocardium. Atrial cardiomyocytes of amiodarone-treated rats, previously stressed by cold, showed a marked decrease of the morphological alterations observed in the animals submitted to cold stress without amiodarone protection. Such results indicate, at the subcellular level, that amiodarone could improve cardiac function by a propranolol-like action when there is heart failure, a condition in which there is a high level of catecholamine.
With the aim of evaluating the microbiological quality of raw and pasteurized milk and confirm the critical control points in a dairy processing industry (Recife-PE, Brazil), 84 samples of milk were collected from four points of the flow-chart considered critical (raw milk storage tank, outlet of the pasteurizer unit, pasteurized milk storage tank and packing filling machine). All samples were evaluated for the presence of mesophilic and psychotrophics microorganisms. The most probable number (MPN) of total and faecal coliforms were determined. Samples of raw and pasteurized milk (collected from the packing filling machine) were also assessed for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus. The preservation temperature of raw and pasteurized milk in the storage tanks and the MPN of total and faecal coliforms present in the water used by the industry were simultaneously evaluated. High counts of mesophilic and psychotrophics microorganisms, total and faecal coliforms and S. aureus were detect in raw milk production and processing. The pasteurization process reduced the microorganisms to acceptable numbers in the Brazilian standards, however, the statistics analysis showed that the number of microorganisms increased significantly (p < 0.01) in the pasteurized milk storage tank, representing an important point of contamination. The probable reason for this findings was the presence of coliforms in 60% samples of water which was used to clean the milk equipment and the inadequate temperatures in the storage tank. Therefore, the results of the microbiological analysis confirm that the milk maintenance temperature in the storage tanks, the pasteurization and the packaging are critical control points in the pasteurized milk processing fluxogram.
The artery of the sino-atrial node was studied in 100 normal human hearts after injection of each coronary artery with coloured gelatine containing a radiopaque substance. The hearts belonged to 69 males and 31 females, being 64 Caucasians and 36 non-Caucasians (Negroes and Mulattoes) whose age ranged from 7 to 80 years. Since the individuals had committed suicide or were victims of accidents, their hearts, after pathologists' evaluation, were considered normal. The sinoatrial node of the normal human heart is supplied by the right coronary artery more frequently (58% +/- 4.9% of the cases) than by the left (42% +/- 4.9). The right anterior medial atrial artery, originating from the right coronary at the level of the medial third of the right anterior quadrant of the atrial dome, is most frequently (50% +/- 5) responsible for the blood supply of the sinoatrial node. Among the branches of the left coronary artery, the left anterior medial atrial artery, originating at the level of the medial third of the left. anterior quadrant of the atrial cupola, was the most frequent blood supplier (25% +/- 4.3) of the sinoatrial node. The origin of the artery of the sinoatrial node from the proximal portion or trunk of the left coronary artery was less frequent (12% +/- 3.2) than the origin from the circumflex artery (30% +/- 4.5). Neither sex nor race influenced the variations of the origin of the sino-atrial node.
Subcellular changes of the atrial cardiomyocytes of rats submitted to hypothyroidism caused by administration of 1 mg/100 g of body weight of propylthiouracil showed a) swollen mitochondria and lysis of their cristae; b) myofibrils with marked heterogeneity of patterns, some exhibiting rupture and loss of continuity of their myofilaments; c) lesser concentration of atrial granules in the perinuclear area; d) abundant granular interstitial tissue and collagen separating the myofibrils.
Subcellular changes of the atrial cardiomyocytes of rats caused by cold showed a) altered mitochondria with edema and lysis of crests; b) myofibrils with marked heterogeneity of patterns and ruptures, c) myofilaments disarrangement, partial necrosis and disintegration of filaments, d) lesser concentration of atrial granules in the perinuclear area. Atrial muscle fibers of propranolol-treated rats previously stressed by cold showed a marked decrease of the morphological alterations observed in the animals submitted to cold stress without propranolol protection.
OBJECTIVE: The waveform of the first derivative of thoracic electrical bioimpedance was used to calculate systolic time intervals of the cardiac cycle, preejection period/left ventricular ejection time ratio, and diastolic time intervals, isovolumic relaxation period/filling time ratio. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. Waveforms were examined from 913 normal and abnormal tracings from a thoracic electrical bioimpedance monitor. This monitor was coupled to a two-channel strip-chart recorder that identified preejection period/LV ejection time and isovolumic relaxation period/filling time in 86% of the tracings. SETTING: Two university-affiliated hospitals and one community hospital. PATIENTS: We assessed 100 subjects (ranging in age from 17 to 93 yrs) under various conditions. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Data from 15 normal subjects were used as a reference series to define normative values. Preejection period/left ventricular ejection time ratio was 0.35 +/- 0.1 (SD) and was consistent with data from systolic time intervals derived from simultaneous study of the ECG recording, carotid artery tracing, and phonocardiography. The diastolic time ratio (isovolumic relaxation period/filling time) was 0.4 +/- 0.2, in agreement with normal values derived by echocardiography and angiography. In a subgroup of 17 critically ill patients, a correlative study of simultaneously measured thoracic electrical bioimpedance, nuclear stethoscope, and radionuclide ventriculography was conducted. Systolic functions were compared by the ejection fraction derived by preejection period/left ventricular ejection time ratio displayed on the thoracic electrical bioimpedance monitor and by the radionuclide technique, and were found to be 57 +/- 13.8% and 58 +/- 8.6%, respectively (r2 = .49; y = 4.06x + 0.94; p less than .02; n = 17). Increased diastolic time ratios with normal or near-normal systolic time intervals were documented in nine (53%) of 17 critically ill patients with low systolic index. CONCLUSION: Both systolic and diastolic time intervals can be investigated noninvasively at the bedside by the thoracic electrical bioimpedance technique to provide a better understanding of left heart function.
The authors intended to study the fibers of atrial muscle of rats submitted to cold. The results specially showed the destruction of the mitochondria structure. The cristae are destroyed in part by the stress provoked. The possible factors that influence the stress provoked by the cold are discussed.
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The authors studied ultrastructurally the influence acute stress, produced by formaldehyde, has on some aspects of the cardiac muscle metabolism in albino rats. The results showed that the cardiac muscle was induced to develop additional work, represented ultrastructurally by an increase in the number of lipid droplets and increased concentration and volume of mitochondria.