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Biomedical subjects

A M de Souza

Publications and source records attributed to A M de Souza.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Evolution of the health sector and tuberculosis control in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis (TB) in Brazil, especially as it relates to the evolution of the health sector in recent decades, the process of health sector reform, and current proposals of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. METHODS: A review was conducted of data from the Ministry of Health of Brazil on tuberculosis in the country over the last 20 years, as well as of the history of changes in the health sector. RESULTS: There have been major changes in the epidemiological situation of TB and also in the structure of the health system in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prospects are promising for Brazil's National Plan for Tuberculosis Control.

Brazil↗
PubMed2001

Growth and hematological studies on Brazilian children of low socioeconomic level.

Anemia and undernutrition are common all over the world, especially in less developed countries. The relationship between low weight, short stature and iron deficiency should be better understood so that appropriate measures might be taken to prevent these problems. A total of 115 institutionalized children aged 12 to 72 months were studied in day-care institutions in the town of Pontal, Southeastern Brazil, during the second semester of 1999. Personal data, weight, height and hematological profile were obtained from all subjects. Food intake was evaluated in 20 children by a direct food-weighing method. The prevalence of low weight for age (2.6%), low weight for height (1.7%) and low height for age (4.3%) was considered low. Anemia was observed in 68.7% of the children. Diet was found to be adequate in terms of the major nutrients evaluated, but food iron supply was of low bioavailability. In conclusion, the population studied revealed a peculiar behavior i.e., the coexistence of fairly good anthropometric nutritional status along with iron-deficiency anemia. The prevention of this kind of malnutrition cannot be limited to an adequate calorie/protein supply but should also be based on the correction of the severe iron deficiency present in this low socioeconomic level preschool children in Brazil.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency↗
PubMed1997

Haematological and biochemical alterations in leprosy patients already treated with dapsone and MDT.

Dapsone (DDS) is useful in the treatment of a number of inflammatory conditions which are characterized by neutrophil infiltration. It is the drug of choice for the treatment of leprosy and prophylaxis of malaria. Haematological side effects of methaemoglobinaemia and haemolysis have been long recognized. However, the frequency and severity of these side effects in patients already treated with DDS as a single drug or as part of a multidrug therapy (MDT) have not been well documented. We report herein an investigation of the effect of dapsone long-term treatment on the haematological and biochemical alterations in leprosy patients undergoing dapsone as a single drug (DDS group) or as part of a multidrug therapy in combination with rifampin and clofazimine (MDT group). Methaemoglobinaemia and haemolytic anaemia were the principal side effects observed. Reticulocytes were found to be elevated (> 1.5%) in 90% of the patients. Heinz bodies were also detected (6.6% of the patients). The osmotic fragility test showed a reduction in cell resistance and in the evaluation of white cells a severe eosinophilia was found. Hepatic, pancreatic and renal evaluation by the determination of biochemical parameters showed rare and occasional changes of no apparent clinical significance. We conclude that haematological side effects of dapsone are significant even at doses currently used to treat leprosy (100 mg/day) and that rifampin and clofazimine do not increase the incidence of these effects during long-term treatment.

Clofazimine↗
PubMed1997

Diptera and Coleoptera of potential forensic importance in southeastern Brazil: relative abundance and seasonality.

To determine the species of Diptera and Coleoptera that visit and breed in carrion, four experiments, one for each season, were conducted from November 1992 to October 1993 in the vicinity of Campinas city, Southeastern Brazil. For each experiment two pigs weighting c. 10 kg were killed with a blow to the head with a blunt metallic object and immediately exposed, one in the shade and the other under sunlight. Adult insects and larvae leaving the carcass to pupate were collected daily. In addition, female blowflies were dissected in order to determine the stage of ovarian development. Five species of Calliphoridae: Chrysomya albiceps, C. megacephala, C.putoria, Phaenicia eximia and Hemilucilia segmentaria; three of Sarcophagidae; Pattonella intermutans, Liopygia ruficornis and Adiscochaeta ingens, and three of beetles: Dermestes maculatus, D. peruvianus (Dermestidae) and Necrobia rufipes (Cleridae), were considered of potential forensic importance, for they were able to breed in carrion exposed to natural environmental conditions. In addition, several fly species showed a definite seasonal pattern, with the Calliphoridae breeding more frequently during the warmer months of the year, and the Sarcophagidae preferring the cooler periods.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

A model for nucleotide sequences.

We propose a model for generating "artificial" nucleotide sequences and, by the method of mapping those sequences onto a "DNA-walk," we analyze the presence of correlation between nucleotides. Artificial sequences are constructed considering, basically, interactions between first neighbors and between more distant units. We show that long-range correlations may be favored by the occurrence of intrastrand interactions, which give a nonlinear characteristic to the sequence.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed1995

[Influence of environmental factors on the size of Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae)].

The nature and the magnitude of variability in 13 wing morphological characters of Musca domestica and the influence of environmental factors that could contribute to the occurrence of these variations were studied. Size and sexual dimorphism accounted for most of the total variation (83.7%). Variability caused by shape, which has a large genetic background, represents only 6.5% of the total variability. Males are usually smaller than females and both vary in a similar way throughout the year. Larval rearing density explains 93% of size changes.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[The dilatation of the residual stenosis due to a Blalock-Taussig anastomosis by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty].

A ten-months-old white infant had undergone surgical modified Blalock-Taussig anastomosis at 2 months of age. An interposition of bovine mammary artery was anastomosed with the right subclavian artery. A satisfactory clinical follow-up after surgery was achieved, until the last three months when cyanotic spells were observed. A new angiographic study showed tricuspid and pulmonary atresia and severe stenosis (+/- 80%) at the anastomosis between the subclavian artery and the bovine mammary tissue. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was successfully performed. An immediate improvement of cyanosis and oxygen saturation were observed.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1991

Nature of plant stimulators in the production of Acetobacter xylinum ("tea fungus") biofilm used in skin therapy.

Caffeine and related xanthines were identified as potent stimulators for the bacterial cellulose production in A. xylinum. These compounds are present in several plants whose infusions are useful as culture-medium supplements for this acetobacterium. The proposed target for these native purine-like inhibitory substances is the novel diguanyl nucleotide phosphodiesterase(s) that participate(s) in the bacterial cellulogenic complex. A better understanding of this feature of A. xylinum physiology may facilitate the preparation of bacterial cellulose pellicles, which are applied as a biotechnological tool in the treatment of skin burns and other dermal injuries.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acetobacter cellulose pellicle as a temporary skin substitute.

A bacterial strain with morphological and biochemical properties close to Acetobacter xylinum has been cultured in nonagitated, inverted sucrose- and yeast water-based medium for the production of thick, smooth, and floating cellulosic pellicles. The cellulose content (greater than 90%, dry weight, depending on the efficiency of water washing) and the beta-D-homopolyglucan nature of these pellicles were assessed by physical, chemical, and enzymatic methods. The apyrogenic bacterial biomass, a minor component of the dried biofilm (BioFill), is inactivated by ethylene dioxide. Once applied on exudating or bloody tissues, this biofilm displays several advantages as a biological dressing, and hence, it is valuable as a temporary skin substitute in the treatment of skin wounds, such as burns, ulcers, grafts, and as an adjuvant in dermal abrasions.

Acetobacter↗