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Biomedical subjects

A Cruz

Publications and source records attributed to A Cruz.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Endothelin-1, a regulator of angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane.

We investigated the angiogenic properties of endothelin-1 (ET-1) using a novel experimental approach involving the constant production and release of ET-1, which was achieved by grafting stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) (CHO-ET-1) cell aggregates onto the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) ectoderm. Macroscopic observation showed that CHO-ET-1 cell aggregates formed highly vascularized nodules surrounded by radially rearranged vessels, with a strong angiogenic response. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) studies showed an increase in endothelial cell proliferation in the CAM vasculature around CHO-ET-1 nodules. An angiogenic response was also observed with gelatin sponges containing conditioned medium from CHO-ET-1 cells. The specific involvement of ET-1 in the angiogenic effect mediated by CHO-ET-1 was demonstrated by the reduction or abolition of neovascularized CHO-ET-1 nodules by (1) bosentan, a mixed antagonist of ET(A)/ET(B) receptors, (2) an ET(A) receptor antagonist (Ru69986) and (3) phosporamidon, an inhibitor of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1). We also demonstrated that VEGF was involved in CHO-ET-1-mediated angiogenesis, by using a specific inhibitor of VEGF tyrosine kinase receptor activity (PTK787/ZK 222584), which abolished CHO-ET-1 nodule formation and CAM neovascularization. Thus, our results show that exogenous ET-1 mediates angiogenesis in vivo.

Allantois↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of anorexia in patients with bile duct obstruction].

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive jaundice is often accompanied by protein-caloric malnutrition. The objective of the present study is to analyze the incidence and the degree of alterations in the food ingestion of patients with obstructive jaundice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective, cross-sectional study 50 patients with obstructive jaundice (19 benign and 31 malignant) were evaluated. The anorexia was evaluated using Welch's test (subjective evaluation) and by means of quantifying the caloric ingestion. An anthropometric parameter (ideal weigh < 95%) and two biochemical ones (albumin < 3.5 g/dl and pre-albumin < 17 mg/dl) were used to define the degree of malnutrition. RESULTS: 96% of the patients presented alterations in the Welch test and in 72% of the patients the caloric ingestion was below the estimated needs. Overall, the ingestion of food was reduced by 76.3 +/- 30% of the estimated needs (84.7 +/- 28% in the benign cases and 70.9 +/- 32% in the malignant cases). Both the Welch test (r = 0.59; p = 0.01) and the caloric ingestion (r = 0.53; p < 0.001) were inversely correlated with the serum bilirubin. In patients with malnutrition criteria, the caloric ingestion was reduced by 30% against the 12% reduction in the non-malnourished patients (p < 0.05). There was a direct correlation between the two methods used in the assessment of the anorexia (r = 0.71; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive jaundice is associated with an important reduction in the caloric ingestion, and this is manifested in both biliary obstructions of a benign origin, and in those of neoplasic origins.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bronchial stenosis secondary to severe thoracic contusion. Comment on 2 cases].

Two cases with complete bronchial stenosis of the mainstem bronchus secondary to thoracic blunt trauma are presented. One patient had hemoneumothorax on the left side, the other one had bilateral hemothorax. Both were initially treated with drainage by thoracostomy tube with partial resolution of the thoracic bloody pleural collection. Later, the two patients developed complete atelectasis of the lung, one on the left side and the other one in the right; this later case was subject to lung decortication. The fiberopticbronchoscopy showed a complete occlusion of the mainstem bronchus in both patients. A bronchoplasty with sleeve resection of the stenotic segment was performed; the lumen of the bronchus was preserved by an end-to-end suture with separate stitchs of Vycryl 0000. Both cases remain without bronchopulmonary pathology after 4 years of follow-up of bronchoplasty. In cases of blunt thoracic trauma, it is important to consider the possibility of bronchial rupture. The importance of bronchoscopic diagnosis and surgical treatment is stressed.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Local anesthesia of the knee for arthroscopic surgery. Our experience in 1,000 cases].

We performed local anesthesia of the knee for arthroscopic surgery in 1,000 patients who were diagnosed of meniscopathy, chondropathy, or block of the knee. We established two anesthetic times. The first consisted of an intraarticular administration of 40 ml of a mixture containing bupivacaine 0.5%, lidocaine 0.5% or prilocaine 1%, and adrenaline 1:200,000. The second was extraarticular and consisted of a local infiltration at the sites of entrance of the arthroscope or instrumental material with lidocaine 0.5% or prilocaine 1%, with adrenaline 1:100,000. We kept a latency period of 10 to 15 min, time required for setting up the arthroscopic procedure. Ischemia was systematically avoided. With this technique the following surgical treatments were performed: meniscectomy, curettage of articular cartilage, synovectomy, plica sections, and extraction of free bodies. Tolerance to surgery was excellent in 32.3% cases, good in 46.5%, regular in 16%, and bad in 5.2%. In no cases more complex anesthetic techniques were undertaken. We conclude that the anesthetic technique used in this study is appropriate for arthroscopic surgery of the knee and allows to perform ambulatory surgery. The procedure is not useful in cases of ligament reconstruction, regional infection, and rupture of the articular capsula. Although the anesthetic technique is easy some factors should be considered before indication of the procedure such as a careful selection of the patient, skillfulness of the surgeon in performing the arthroscopy, and the accuracy of the preoperative diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cerebral aneurysm related to pediatric AIDS. Case report].

INTRODUCTION: Aneurysms, described in pediatric AIDS, are related with bad prognosis with high mortality in 5 months. The twenty reports found in literature were considered late (mean age 9.97 years old) and associated with severe immunological involvement. The mean CD-4 count was 79.17 cells and mean viral load 222,662 copies/mL. Some authors consider this complication associated to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), to an opportunistic agent (citomegalovirus and Mycobacterium avium) or due to inflammatory mechanisms related with the immunological improvement. CASE REPORT: This paper present a 9 years old girl with severe AIDS (C-3) and with transient amaurosis related to transient ischemic attacks on ophthalmic artery during her immunological improvement on viral load and CD-4 counts. Necropsy showed aneurysm due to atypical micobateriosis. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the occurrence of this rare but severe HIV complication witch was associated with an opportunistic etiology during an immunological recovery, when inflammatory mediators could play a role.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuroendocrine cell tumor of the stomach (carcinoid). Clinico-pathological experience with 4 patients and demonstration of its ultrastructure].

Neuroendocrine cell tumours of the stomach (carcinoid) are uncommon, low potential for malignancy, lesions grow slowly and produce hormonal substances in contrast with others malignant neoplasias of the gastrointestinal tract. Early diagnosis is important because the curative treatment could not be done in advanced stage with disseminated metastases. In small lesions less than 2 cm without invasion to lymph node, the local wedge resection is reasonable and definitive curative treatment. Neuroendocrine differentiation, in doubtful cases, becomes established by a characteristic silver affinity, by the ultrastructurally observed presence of "endocrine" secretion granules, and by immunohistochemically detectable biogenic amines, neurohormonal peptides and "panNE markers".

Adult↗