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Biomedical subjects

A L da Silva

Publications and source records attributed to A L da Silva.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Anxiogenic properties of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (Marapuama).

Alcohol infusions of roots of Ptychopetalum olacoides Benth. (PO), known as Marapuama or Muirapuama, are used in the Brazilian Amazon as a 'nerve tonic'. Over the years PO has been found increasingly in phytoformulations and regarded as a stimulant, claimed to enhance physical and mental performances. This study determined that a P. olacoides ethanol extract (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) decreased exploratory behaviour in the hole-board test, without interfering with locomotion or motor coordination (rota-rod test). The data are comparable to that obtained with pentylenetetrazol (40 mg/kg), suggesting an anxiogenic effect of P. olacoides.

Animals↗

[Brazilian congresses -- bridges to freedom and nursing transformation].

This study concerns the comprehension of the converging points in Brazilian Nursing Congresses as well as of their contribution to the production of nursing knowledge. The investigation method used was that of historical research with a documental analysis of the Proceedings of Brazilian Nursing Congresses from 1977 to 1987. The main converging points appearing in the lecturers' speeches refer to: higher and secondary education; nursing care; healthcare policies; the image of nurses and its transformation over the years.

Brazil↗

Heat shock response reduces mortality after severe experimental burns.

The heat shock response has imparted protective effects in animal models of septic shock and endotoxemia. This study has tested the hypothesis that it could be protective in experimental burns. One hundred and fifteen adult male Fischer rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in the first group (n = 12) were anesthetized and shaved. In the second group (n = 15) rats were anesthetized and heated in a 45 degrees C water bath. In the third group (n = 44), rats were anesthetized, shaved and submitted to 26-30% body surface third-degree burns using a brass bar. In the fourth group (n = 44), rats were anesthetized, heated and, 1 day after, they were burnt. Mortality rates were measured at 3, 7, 15 and 25 days. Liver and lung samples were collected from all groups for heat-shock protein 70 detection. Heat-shock protein 70 was positive in heated animals. No animals died in the first or second group. Heated and burnt animals showed significantly decreased mortality at days 3 (p < 0.05, Fischer's exact test) and at days 7, 15 and 25 (p < 0.01) after burns, when compared to unheated burnt animals. In conclusion, eliciting the heat-shock response significantly reduced mortality rates in this model of experimental burns.

Animals↗

Software sensors for the monitoring of perfusion cultures: evaluation of the hybridoma density and the medium composition from glucose concentration measurements.

New software sensors based on the Extended Kalman Filter technique have been developed for the monitoring of animal cell perfusion cultures. They use a kinetic model describing the growth, death and metabolism of hybridoma cells as a function of the medium composition. The model was initially validated on a batch culture and found to correctly predict the continuous perfusion culture kinetics, except for the production of ammonia and lactate. Using the measurement of a single component in the culture medium, in this case glucose, the Extended Kalman Filter provides an excellent evaluation of the time variation of the concentrations of living and dead cells, of glutamine and antibodies, during the whole perfusion culture for a retained cell density rising from 1 to 11 x 10(6) cells.ml-1 inside the reactor.

Algorithms↗

Lower eyelid repair utilising triangular skin flaps with subcutaneous pedicles.

Fifty-four patients were studied during the period from 1984 to 1989. The lower eyelid was repaired in 55 cases utilising a triangular flap with a subcutaneous pedicle. Repair was achieved in 39 cases with a triangular flap only and in 16 it was necessary to use a chondromucosal graft of nasal septum as well. The method is described and is feasible for repairs ranging from the simplest to the most complex in different locations of the lid.

Basal Cell Carcinoma↗

Incisional hernias: factors influencing development.

We have presented a study of 125 patients treated for incisional hernia. This complication occurred more frequently in women (81%), and gynecologic and obstetric procedures were responsible for 58%. The method of surgical repair in all cases was peritoneal-aponeurotic transposition. The 5-year recurrence rate was less than 3%.

Abdomen↗

Immune responses during human schistosomiasis mansoni. XIII. Immunological status of spleen cells from hospital patients with hepatosplenic disease.

Splenocytes from 25 patients with severe hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni were obtained after therapeutic splenectomy. Spleen cells were phenotyped and analysed for responsiveness to mitogens or heterogeneous schistosome-derived antigenic preparations (eggs, SEA; adult worms, SWAP; cercariae, CERC) in blastogenesis assays and lymphokine production systems, and were compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMN). Splenic lymphocytes were 55% T lymphocytes (sheep erythrocyte rosette-positive) and 37% surface immunoglobulin-positive B lymphocytes. The mean T4+:T8+ ratio of these splenocytes was 1.0. Phytohaemagglutinin stimulated spleen cell production of the lymphokine mitogenic factor, but exposure to SEA or SWAP did not. Spleen cell and PBMN blastogenic responses to SEA and SWAP were sometimes, but not always in accord. Removal of plastic adherent cells allowed the non-adherent spleen cells of 30-40% of the patients to respond substantially more vigorously to SEA, SWAP and CERC. Spleen cells from a subgroup of 20-30% of the patients failed to respond to the schistosomal antigens regardless of removal of adherent cells. Spleen cell responses to gram-negative lipopolysaccharide peaked on day 5 or 6 of culture, and were augmented by adherent cell removal. Pokeweek mitogen-stimulated responses were optimal on day 5 of culture. Spleen cells from most severe, hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni patients do not respond well to schistosomal antigens or B-cell mitogens. The splenic responses of many of these patients were elevated by the removal of adherent spleen cells.

Adolescent↗

Immune responses during human schistosomiasis mansoni. IX. T-lymphocyte subset analysis by monoclonal antibodies in hepatosplenic disease.

T lymphocyte immunoregulatory subsets (T4+ and T8+ cells) have been analysed in eight cases of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni, and compared to parallel analyses of seven intestinal Schistosoma mansoni-infected patients and four uninfected control subjects. The mean T4+:T8+ ratio in hepatosplenic cases was markedly less than observed in other groups (0.94 vs 1.86 vs 2.22, respectively). Proliferative responses stimulated by a soluble adult worm extract correlated directly with the observed T4:T8 ratios. Normal levels of E rosette-positive and surface immunoglobulin-bearing lymphoid cells were observed in intestinal patients, while hepatosplenic patients demonstrated normal B lymphocyte proportions but highly erratic E rosette-positive percentages. Curiously, in hepatosplenic patients the percentage of E rosette-positive cells often did not correlate with the proportion of T3+ cells.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗