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Biomedical subjects

A Castillo

Publications and source records attributed to A Castillo.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of subconjunctival methylprednisolone on the blood aqueous barrier following cataract surgery.

The aim of this double-blind randomized study was to assess the effect of subconjunctival methylprednisolone hemisuccinate (MH) on the recovery of the blood aqueous barrier (BAB) following uncomplicated cataract surgery performed by the same surgeon in normal eyes. Fifty eyes of fifty patients (28 female, 22 male, mean age 72.3 +/- 11.2 years) were randomized into two groups: group 1 received a subconjunctival injection of MH (40 mg in 0.5 cc) at the end of the surgery and group 2 did not. All patients were free of other ocular or systemic diseases known to alter the BAB and were not taking any anti-inflammatory medications. Postoperative treatments were similar in both groups. The patients were submitted to laser flare photometry 30 minutes to one hour after mydriasis with a drop of tropicamide preoperatively and on the first, second and seventh day and then one month and six months following surgery. No difference in aqueous flare was seen between the two groups on any of postoperative visits. These data suggest that subconjunctival MH has no beneficial effect in postoperative BAB permeability following uncomplicated cataract surgery in normal eyes.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Ontogeny of IgM and IgM-bearing cells in rainbow trout.

We have studied the ontogenic development of immunoglobulin M (IgM) and of IgM-bearing cells in the rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Lymphocytes showing cytoplasmic IgM were first observed in embryos at 12 days before hatch (14 degrees C). At this stage, no cells positive for surface IgM were present. Lymphocytes bearing surface IgM were observed at 8 days before hatch (14 degrees C). Unfertilized trout eggs contained detectable amounts of IgM (11.2 +/- 2.6 micrograms/g of egg weight), indicating that transfer of IgM from mother to embryo can occur in salmonids. The levels of IgM from whole fish increase slowly after the appearance of intraembryonic cells that express surface IgM. The amount of IgM/g of tissue peaks around hatch, but this parameter shows lower values up to 2 months after hatch.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Two different subpopulations of Ig-bearing cells in lymphoid organs of rainbow trout.

In a previous report we described the existence of two structural and antigenic variants of light chains in serum trout Igs, defined by mAbs 2H9 and 2A1. In this report, we analyse the cell distribution, the "in vitro" kinetics of production, and the ontogenic appearance of these two variants. Both variants were already present at day 8 before hatching and their kinetics of appearance correlated with that of total Ig, showing a peak around hatching. These mAbs stained two distinct lymphoid cell populations in the pronephros, mesonephros, spleen, and peripheral blood. Both mAbs reacted with approximately 1% of thymocytes. The ratio between these two cell populations (2A1+/2H9+) was about 2/1 in the lymphoid organs analysed. No differences were found between the profiles of the "in vitro" production of these variants in pronephric cell cultures stimulated with LPS. In these cultures, the 2A1 and 2H9 Igs together accounted for 10-70% of the total trout Ig produced, suggesting the existence of at least one additional L chain variant.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Bedside pulmonary angiography in the critically ill patient.

A simple technique to perform pulmonary angiography at the bedside in critically ill patients is presented. A central venous pressure catheter placed into the right ventricle or in the main pulmonary artery allows manual contrast injection into the vascular pulmonary tree which can be satisfactorily visualized by means of a "penetrated" chest x-ray film. The method discussed herein presents evidence of usefulness in establishing the differential diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism in patients who cannot be mobilized or in those institutions where facilities of catheterization-angiographic laboratory are not available.

Acute Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Endothelial morphological and functional evaluation after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess endothelial barrier function, morphological appearance and corneal thickness three months after cataract surgery in order to evaluate intraoperative endothelial damage. METHODS: Endothelial permeability was examined by fluorophotometry, and contact specular microscopy and corneal pachymetry measurements were made in 40 patients (40 eyes) with senile, non-complicated cataracts one month before and three months after cataract surgery. Twenty eyes underwent uneventful phacoemulsification (Group 1) and 20 uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with continuous curvilinear capsulotomy (Group 2). Results were analyzed using the two-tailed Student's t test, analysis of variance, and multifactorial and regression analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant postoperative increase in endothelial permeability in both groups (p < 0.001), but no real differences between the postoperative values (p = 0.07). Mean cell loss was 15.2% in ECCE and 18.3% in phacoemulsification (p = 0.4). There was a significant linear correlation between ultrasound time, cell loss and functional damage. Postoperative pachymetric measurements were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Endothelial response showed no differences between the surgical techniques. Endothelial barrier function remained disturbed in spite of the apparent morphological stabilization. Corneal pachymetry is not useful for assessing postoperative endothelial changes.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Rapid diagnosis of cytomegalovirus in immunocompromised patients using monoclonal antibodies that detect early viral antigens].

A technique was applied to detect early fluorescent antigens (DEFA) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) using the E13 monoclonal antibodies in 52 immuno-compromised patients hospitalized in the Nephrology Institute of Havana. Of the 75 urine or blood (buffy coat) samples taken, 15 were found positive to CMV. Using classical diploid human fibroblast isolation technique, 12 CMV strains were isolation of previously detected positive samples by DEFA. In addition, CMV was isolated from one sample reported to be negative by DEFA. A coincidence of 80% was found between both techniques. With the ELISA test, all the sample studied have IgG antibodies to CMV.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Management and treatment of central steep islands after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy.

BACKGROUND: Permanent central steep islands are an undesirable phenomenon that cause distorted images and a significant reduction in visual acuity. We describe treatment of central steep islands with repeat excimer laser photoablation in the central cornea. METHODS: Three patients with preoperative refractions of -7.50 -2.50 x 170 degrees D (right eye), -8.00 -2.25 x 10 degrees D (right eye) and -6.00 -1.50 x 90 degrees (right eye) developed central steep islands which persisted more than 12 months. All patients lost more than two lines of spectacle-corrected visual acuity and complained of visual disturbances. We retreated the central steep islands with a VISX 20/20 excimer laser PRK ablation that matched the size of the central island measured on videokeratography. RESULTS: Symptomatic glare and distortion were significantly reduced and the central steep islands were resolved. Several weeks after reablation, spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved to the preoperative level. CONCLUSION: Central steep island, an infrequent complication of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy, can be safely removed with a repeat laser ablation that matches the central circular steep area.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Peripheral melt of flap after laser in situ keratomileusis.

BACKGROUND: Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is an effective procedure to correct myopia. It may have complications related to the flap, such as epithelial ingrowth and stromal melt. METHODS: We report on a patient who developed extensive epithelial ingrowth and partial keratolysis of the flap following LASIK. This complication was treated by lifting the flap and removing the epithelium from within the interface. RESULTS: Progressive keratolysis (stromal melt) can result in irregular astigmatism and loss of vision as well as photophobia and ciliary injection. The pathogenesis is not completely understood although the epithelial ingrowth in the interface is always present, and epithelial-stromal interaction with production of proteases may be involved. CONCLUSION: Epithelial ingrowth may develop in the lamellar interface after LASIK and be associated with melting of the edge of the flap. This undesirable complication can be successfully managed with early surgical removal of the epithelium and proper attachment of the flap.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Vascular hemichorea: clinical-radiological correlation].

INTRODUCTION: Hemichorea is uncommon in acute cerebrovascular accidents. Its appearance is in relation to the contralateral involvement of the basal ganglia, particularly the striate ganglion. With current neuroimaging techniques it is possible to identify the lesions responsible for these abnormal movements. Magnetic resonance (MR) is the technique of choice for detection of small sized lesions. OBJECTIVE: We have analysed our series of patients to try to relate the site of the lesion to the appearance of chorea. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We made a retrospective study of the cases of hemichorea of vascular origin admitted between January 1993 and April 1999. In all cases, cerebral CAT and/or MR had been done to find the site of the lesion. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients with an average age of 72.5 years (range: 55-85) was found. In eight of them (80%) lesions were found in the basal ganglia, half of which were of ischemic type and the other half hemorrhagic. The sites were: caudate nucleus in one case (10%), thalamus in two cases (20%) and capsulo-lenticular lesions in five cases (50%). All lesions were contralateral to the side of the body affected except in one case with a left thalamic haematoma and homolateral hemichorea. CONCLUSIONS: The lesions found were very varied in site. In 20% of the cases they were not detected by conventional neuroimaging techniques. This fact supports the concept of a functional global network of the basal ganglia which may be interrupted at several points and lead to the same clinical findings.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibacterial activity of glass-ionomer restorative cements exposed to cavity-producing microorganisms.

The antibacterial activity of the glass-ionomer restorative cements Ketac-Fil, Ketac-Silver, Fuji II LC, and Vitremer was studied in vitro, in conjunction with a total of 32 strains of five bacterial genera that may be associated with dental caries: Streptococcus spp, Lactobacillus spp, Actinomyces spp, Porphyromonas spp, and Clostridium spp. Agar plate diffusion was the method used for the bacterial cultures, which included a chlorhexidine control. All four glass-ionomer cements were found to inhibit bacterial growth, though with noteworthy differences in their spheres of action. Vitremer was the cement determined to have the greatest antibacterial effects, whereas Ketac-Silver presented the least inhibitory action.

Actinomyces↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antibacterial activity of resin adhesives, glass ionomer and resin-modified glass ionomer cements and a compomer in contact with dentin caries samples.

A total of 103 clinical samples of carious dentin were used to study the antibacterial action of different dental resin adhesive materials (Gluma 2000, Syntac, Prisma Universal Bond 3, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose and Prime&Bond 2.0) glass ionomer cements (Ketac-Cem, Ketac-Bond, Ketac-Silver, Ketac-Fil) resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Fuji II LC, Vitremer and Vitrebond) and a compomer (Dyract). The agar plate diffusion method was used for the microbial cultures and a chlorhexidine control. The growth of the caries-producing microorganisms was effectively inhibited by the Vitremer and Vitrebond cements, and to a lesser extent by the Scotchbond Multi-Purpose adhesive system. Overall, there were statistically significant differences in the antibacterial activity of the products tested.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

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Demography↗