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Biomedical subjects

A Ramos

Publications and source records attributed to A Ramos.

At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Total IgE in the sputum and serum of patients with asthma].

BACKGROUND: The correlation between total IgE in induced sputum (IS) and serum is not well defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between total IgE in IS and total IgE in serum and airway inflammation. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with stable asthma and thirteen healthy controls were studied. Clinical and spirometric data were collected and a skin prick test to the 13 most common aeroallergens in our area was performed in all subjects. Total IgE in IS and serum was determined by the UNICAP immunoanalysis system (Pharmacia Uppsala, Sweden) while albumin concentration in IS and serum was determined using the Cobas Integra turbidimetric method (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). RESULTS: The percentage of eosinophils in EI was 8.7 (11.8) in asthmatic subjects and was 0.5 (1) in healthy controls. Total IgE (KU/L) was 43.2 (23) in asthmatics vs 25.6 (3) in healthy controls in IS, and was 329 (413) in asthmatics vs 57 (78) in controls in serum. Total IgE in IS was significantly correlated with total IgE in serum; r = 0.71 (p = 0.048), but not with the albumin relative index. No correlation was found between IgE and the number of eosinophils in IS. CONCLUSIONS: Total IgE can be measured in IS. Total IgE in IS is mildly correlated with total IgE measured in serum. The lack of correlation between total IgE and albumin in IS suggests that IgE in IS could be locally produced, at least in part.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phenobarbital does not prevent total parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in noninfected neonates.

Cholestasis associated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a serious complication of this therapy for which there is no known treatment other than beginning enteral feeds. Phenobarbital is commonly used in other cholestatic disease states, but its benefit in this syndrome has not been demonstrated. We conducted a retrospective review of phenobarbital use in neonates receiving concurrent TPN. Thirty-one noninfected neonates were studied. They were without evidence of intrinsic liver disease at the institution of exclusive TPN therapy. For the purposes of this study, TPN-associated cholestasis was defined as a serum bilirubin in excess of 3 mg/dl at postnatal age of 3 weeks or more. Fourteen of the study infants received phenobarbital therapy for neurologic indications. Sixty percent of the phenobarbital-treated infants developed TPN-associated cholestasis, as compared to 33% of the untreated patients. Phenobarbital therapy was not effective in preventing TPN-associated cholestasis.

Cholestasis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A dhfr-ts- Leishmania major knockout mutant cross-protects against Leishmania amazonensis.

E10-5A3 is a dhfr-ts- Leishmania major double knockout auxotrophic shown previously to induce substantial protection against virulent L. major infection in both genetically susceptible and resistant mice. We investigated the capacity of dhfr-ts- to protect against heterologous infection by L. amazonensis. The degree of protection was evaluated by immunization of BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice with E10-5A3, followed by L. amazonensis challenge. Whether immunized by subcutaneous (SC) or intravenous (IV) inoculation, susceptible and resistant mice displayed a partial degree of protection against challenge with virulent L. amazonensis. SC-immunized BALB/c mice developed lesions 40 to 65% smaller than non immunized mice, while IV immunization led to protection ranging from 40 to 75% in four out of six experiments compared to non immunized animals. The resistant C57BL/6 mice displayed comparable degrees of protection, 57% by SC and 49% by IV immunization. Results are encouraging as it has been previously difficult to obtain protection by SC vaccination against Leishmania, the preferred route for human immunization.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Disseminated neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Mucormycosis of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare and fatal infection of neonates and children. This report describes a case of disseminated mucormycosis originating in the gastrointestinal tract of a premature infant of 26 weeks gestational age. The antemortem impression was that of necrotizing enterocolitis, diagnosed at 15 days of age, followed by death at 22 days. However, autopsy revealed extensive colonization and invasion of the small intestine and colon by mucormycosis, with blood and peritoneal fluid cultures positive for Mucorales species but negative for bacteria. There was associated hematogenous and adjacent spread of organisms to other viscera.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Introduction of HIV-2 and multiple HIV-1 subtypes to Lebanon.

HIV genetic variability, phylogenetic relationships, and transmission dynamics were analyzed in 26 HIV-infected patients from Lebanon. Twenty-five specimens were identified as HIV-1 and one as HIV-2 subtype B. The 25 strains were classified into six env-C2-V3 HIV-1 subtypes: B (n = 10), A (n = 11), C (n = 1), D (n = 1), G (n = 1), and unclassifiable. Potential recombinants combining parts of viral regions from different subtypes Aenv/Dpol/Agag, Genv/Apol, and the unclassifiable-subtype(env)/unclassifiable-subtype(pol)/Agag were found in three patients. Epidemiologic analysis of travel histories and behavioral risks indicated that HIV-1 and HIV-2 subtypes reflected HIV strains prevalent in countries visited by patients or their sex partners. Spread of complex HIV-subtype distribution patterns to regions where HIV is not endemic may be more common than previously thought. Blood screening for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in Lebanon is recommended to protect the blood supply. HIV subtype data provide information for vaccine development.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dual and recombinant infections: an integral part of the HIV-1 epidemic in Brazil.

We systematically evaluated multiple and recombinant infections in an HIV-infected population selected for vaccine trials. Seventy-nine HIV-1 infected persons in a clinical cohort study in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were evaluated for 1 year. A combination of molecular screening assays and DNA sequencing showed 3 dual infections (3.8%), 6 recombinant infections (7.6%), and 70 (88.6%) infections involving single viral subtypes. In the three dual infections, we identified HIV-1 subtypes F and B, F and D, and B and D; in contrast, the single and recombinant infections involved only HIV-1 subtypes B and F. The recombinants had five distinct B/F mosaic patterns: Bgag-p17/Bgag-p24/Fpol/Benv, Fgag-p17/Bgag-p24/Fpol/Fenv, Bgag-p17/B-Fgag-p24/Fpol/Fenv, Bgag-p17/B-Fgag-p24/Fpol/Benv, and Fgag-p17/B-Fgag-p24/Fpol/Fenv. No association was found between dual or recombinant infections and demographic or clinical variables. These findings indicate that dual and recombinant infections are emerging as an integral part of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Brazil and emphasize the heterogenous character of epidemics emerging in countries where multiple viral subtypes coexist.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Correlation between peritoneal equilibration test and dialysis adequacy and transport test, for peritoneal transport type characterization. Mexican Nephrology Collaborative Study Group.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) and the dialysis adequacy and transport test (DATT) for peritoneal transport type characterization, and the degree of patients' acceptance for each test. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, observational multicenter study. SETTING: Five referral (tertiary) dialysis centers of institutional practice. PATIENTS: The study included 107 adult continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with a prescription of four exchanges of 2 L per day, irrespective of age, gender, cause of end-stage renal disease, time on dialysis, nutritional status, or residual renal function. Patients on immunosuppressive therapy and those with cancer, hepatitis B, or HIV, and those having a peritonitis episode within the previous 30 days, or three or more episodes during the previous 12 months, were excluded. MAIN MEASURES: Peritoneal transport type as classified by creatinine and urea dialysis-to-plasma (D/P) ratios by PET and DATT. RESULTS: Correlation coefficients between D/P ratios for creatinine and urea, obtained for the PET and the DATT, were 0.73 for D/P creatinine and 0.96 for D/P urea. Patients were classified into high, high-average, low-average, and low transport categories according to the mean and standard deviation of D/P creatinine values obtained from the PET at 4 hours. These values showed excellent concordance with those generated from the DATT data (alpha = 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.67 - 0.93). Nineteen percent of patients showed discordance in their category when classified according to the PET versus the DATT. Patients' acceptance was better for the DATT than for the PET, as evaluated with a questionnaire. CONCLUSION: The DATT is an easy, inexpensive, and reliable test to assess peritoneal transport type, and it also provides information about peritoneal clearance of solutes and ultrafiltration. The DATT has better patient acceptance than the PET. Since the DATT has only been validated for patients on a fixed CAPD daily schedule of 4 x 2 L, the results should be confined only to patients receiving such a prescription.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Study of patients admitted to a telemetry unit].

The current situation of the telemetry unit of Vigil de Quiñones Hospital was studied. Telemetry indications, results, and problems observed since the unit was inaugurated were studied to determine the usefulness of telemetric heart rate monitoring and centralized surveillance in an intensive care unit (ICU) in detecting severe arrhythmias, controlling antiarrhythmic treatment, and evaluating why and to what extent telemetry is clinically useful. In our center, telemetry is used to monitor patients with well-established needs. In most cases, arrhythmias are monitored, most frequently premature ventricular complexes, sinus bradycardia and supraventricular tachycardia. Telemetry was useful in arrhythmia treatment and the follow-up of patients with temporary or permanent pacemakers. In a significant percentage of patients (8.62%), telemetry was the key to their ICU admission and, possibly, their survival. There were generally few problems with signal transmission.

Age Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Spinal epidural abscess in a patient with septicaemia].

INTRODUCTION: Spinal epidural abscess is a rare entity requiring early diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis is a factor with an unfavourable prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 57 year old female with acute low back pain who was admitted to hospital suffering from a state of septic shock and multiple organ failure secondary to an infection disseminated by Staphylococcus aureus, which was treated early on with vancomycin. The probable source of infection was assumed to be necrotizing fasciitis of the left arm. Once the acute phase had been overcome, serious paraparesis became apparent and this led to magnetic resonance imaging of the spine being carried out, the results of which showed the existence of a lumbar spondylodiscitis with associated epidural abscess. CONCLUSION: In patients with sepsis and some previous symptom that arouses suspicion, it is important to consider this possible diagnosis, since treatment with antibiotics alone does not manage to prevent neurological complications in all cases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The incidence of Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies in patients with dilated myocardiopathy at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez].

Our objective was to measure the incidence of humoral immune response against Trypanosoma cruzi among patients with a definitive diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy at the Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "I. Chávez" over a year. Thirty seven patients were collected, 15 of them (40%) had antibodies against T. cruzi in two different tests, indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA, the presence of IgG antibody was confirmed through Western blot. There was not differences in clinical picture of cardiomyopathy nor on paraclinical studies. However, there was a significant difference in regard socio economical indexes between the group with positive anti T. cruzi antibodies. They had a predominant rural origin, poor housing and were aware of the vector bug. Also they recalled primary infection in their childhood--American trypanosomiasis could be on important etiologic factor for dilated cardiomyopathy in our country.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bilateral thalamic gliomas: report of a case with cognitive impairment].

INTRODUCTION: Bilateral thalamic tumours are very rare and have been recently identified as a subgroup of thalamic neoplasms due to their characteristic clinical presentation, with behavioural and memory disorders and without sensory or motor changes. We describe a patient who presented with mood and behaviour changes due to a bilateral thalamic glioma, discuss the literature related to these rare neoplasms and review the anatomical bases of their particular clinical presentation. CASE REPORT: A 67-year-old woman consulted because of behavioural changes and frequent forgetfulness. Neurological examination was normal except from a deficit in the retention of words and numbers. MR images revealed bilateral thalamic swelling by a isointense in T1, hyperintense in T2 and protonic density mass that did not enhance. The tumour was diagnosed as an astrocytoma by stereotactic biopsy. She continued to deteriorate and a year after diagnosis she was bedridden and with a severe dementia. CONCLUSION: Bithalamic tumors, as other lesions that affect the thalamus bilaterally, characteristically present with mood and behaviour changes and memory impairment.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cis-platin and 5-fluorouracil in continuous infusion (96 h.), in stages III and IV of carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract].

We have studied 37 patients with advanced head and neck cancer. A combination of Cis-Platinum and 5-Fluorouracil, both administered four days continuously as infusion, was assessed. There were 15 complete responses (40.5%), 15 partial responses (40.5%) and the number of objective responses was 30 (81.5%). Survival is 79.1% at 22 months and none of the patients in complete responses has relapsed during this period.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with CO2 laser radiation].

This paper deals with the cases of 10 patients with different clinical forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis, who were exposed to a single CO2 laser rays. They were evolutively evaluated up to two years after treatment, without relapsing in any case. Total cure of the lesion occurred without side-effects. The method described for the treatment of this disease is recommended, whenever its application should be possible instead of the other methods described in the literature.

Carbon Dioxide↗