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Biomedical subjects

C Cruz

Publications and source records attributed to C Cruz.

224 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

T lymphocyte number and functions in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). A preliminary report.

T lymphocyte counts in the peripheral blood, lymphocyte response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and delayed hypersensitivity reactions were studied in ten patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). Delayed hypersensitivity was abnormal in most patients and in vitro studies revealed impaired lymphocyte transformation to PHA in 50 per cent of the cases. These tests gave evidence of a functional alteration of lymphocytes in some PNH patients. The hypothesis of a disorder originated in a pluripotent lymphohaematopoietic stem cell is suggested.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new laparoscopic method for implantation of peritoneal catheters.

The placement of peritoneal catheters by non-surgeons was facilitated by a percutaneous laparoscopic technique ("Y-tec"). We have developed a catheter implantation system that is simpler to use, is less expensive initially and per procedure, and provides greatly enhanced peritoneal visualization. The core of the system is a 4 mm diameter Verres needle, which has a protective spring loaded obturator. This fits within a stainless steel cannula, which is in turn surrounded by a disposable peel away sheath. This entire unit is inserted into the peritoneal cavity through the rectus muscle after blunt dissection. Pneumoperitoneum is optional. The Verres needle is removed and peritoneoscopy is performed with a 5 mm Storz laparoscope. This is withdrawn, followed by the steel cannula, leaving the peel away sheath. The catheter is inserted through this, over a stylet. The sheath is then peeled off and the catheter sutured and tunneled in the usual fashion. This method uses the safest mode of blind peritoneal entry and permits thorough peritoneal inspection, even without insufflation. The needle and cannula are reusable, which minimizes cost. The technique is simple, and early results with inexperienced operators are encouraging.

Catheters, Indwelling↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronology of portal hypertension, decreased sodium excretion, and activation of the renin-angiotensin system in experimental biliary cirrhosis].

OBJECTIVES: 1) To evaluate the biochemical, renal, histological and splanchnic and systemic hemodynamic abnormalities induced by bile duct obstruction in rats, and 2) to study the temporal relationships between the start of portal hypertension, decrease of urinary sodium excretion and activation of the renin-angiotensin system. METHODS: Bile duct obstruction was induced in 127 male Wistar rats, and renal function, hemodynamic, biochemical and liver histology were evaluated at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4 after complete bile duct obstruction; the data were compared to that in 30 control rats. RESULTS: Portal pressure significantly increased at week 1 (11.7 +/- 1.5. vs. 7.8 +/- 1.5 mmHg, p < 0.05) while the mean arterial pressure remained stable until week 4 when a slight decrease was observed (91.3 +/- 6.6 vs. 96.1 +/- 8.6 mmHg in control rats). A significant decrease in urinary sodium excretion was observed at week 1 (1.1 +/- 0.5 mEq/24 h) compared to control rats (2.3 +/- 0.6 mEq/24 h). In addition, hyperreninemia was observed at week 1 (5.1 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.4 +/- 1.3 ng Ang l/mL/h, p < 0.05) and hyperaldosteronism at week 2 (103 +/- 46 vs. 25.1 +/- 8.8 ng/24 h, p < 0.05) compared to control rats. CONCLUSION: A temporal relationship between the beginning of portal hypertension and a decrease of renal sodium excretion, hyperreninemia and hyperaldosteronism was observed in bile duct ligated rats. This experimental model could be used to evaluate the effects of new drugs to prevent biliary cirrhosis including the abnormalities in the renal handling of sodium.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dopamine D2 and D4 receptor genes distinguish the clinical presence of tics in obsessive-compulsive disorder].

An allelic association study between dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms D2 (DRD2) and D4 (DRD4), in obsessive-compulsive patients (OCD) with or without chronic motor or vocal tics (OCD+ or OCD-) was performed. Molecular genotypes were obtained using the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR) in 66 patients diagnosed according DSMIV criteria, 12/66 OCD patients presented tics, 54 Control subjects were also typed. OCD patients with tics compared to control had a higher frequency of TaqI A2 allele (p = 0.014); and an excess of homozygous individuals A2A2 (p = 0.001). In DRD4 genes polymorphisms, allele 7 showed a higher prevalence and frequency in those OCD+ tics compared to OCD- tics (91% vs. 48%). Most of the OCD patients with tics compared to those without tics showed an increased frequency of the DRD2-A2 (58% vs 27% respectively, p = 0.048) as well as an increased frequency of the DRD4-7-fold variant (48% in OCD with tics vs 9% in OCD without tics, p = 0.018). Similarly, when both alleles were combined (at least one copy of DRD2-A2 and DRD4-R7), patients with tics showed a higher frequency of this haplotype (83.3% vs. 40%, p = 0.016). OCD patients with tics may represent a different clinical and genetic subtype of the disorder.

Adolescent↗