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Biomedical subjects

E Franco

Publications and source records attributed to E Franco.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

Comparison of indirect immunofluorescence and radioimmunoassay for detecting antibodies against hepatitis A virus of the IgG and IgM classes.

Indirect Immunofluorescence test (IIF) and Radioimmunoassay (RIA) were compared for determining anti-Hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG and IgM. 142 sera were tested for anti-HAV IgG and 16 for anti-HAV IgM, both with IIF and RIA techniques. The correlation between the results reached 98.6% for anti-HAV IgG and 93.75% for anti-HAV IgM detection, confirming the specificity and sensibility of IIF.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Renal allograft rupture: surgical treatment by renal corsetage with lyophilized human dura.

We report 5 cases of renal allograft rupture in which diagnosis was established early through clinical data, laboratory tests and echography. Immediate surgery confirmed the suspicion in all cases. Acute rejection was present in 4 patients and in 1 the previous surgical puncture from the perirenal collection demonstrated serohematic fluid with a biological character similar to that of lymph. This latter case seemed to confirm the suspicion that any process associated with edema in a kidney with obstructed lymphatic tracts (meticulous lymphatic ligatures during donor extraction) is capable of causing a rupture. Conventional surgical treatment is dangerous and insecure on an edematous and friable kidney, resulting in a nephrectomy rate of 55.7 per cent and a postoperative death rate of 8 per cent. Hematoma evacuation, hemostasis by local compression and tridimensional containment of the ruptured areas should be the principles of this operation. By means of renal corsetage with lyophilized human dura these principles can be achieved. This surgical technique, which is simple and secure, its variations and future possibilities are described. In 3 of our 5 patients corsetage with lyophilized human dura was applied. All 5 grafts have taken. Renal function is good in 3 cases and acceptable in 2 at followup between 2 and 15 months.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Renal artery stenosis in transplanted kidney: management and results in six patients.

Severe hypertension and a decrease of renal function, with or without oliguria, suggest renal artery stenosis in the transplanted kidney. 6 renal artery stenoses were observed in 100 transplanted kidneys followed up for more than 3 months. In 4 patients, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed. 1 patient required a new percutaneous transluminal angioplasty 3 months later and a 2nd patient was submitted to surgery after 14 months. Surgery was performed in 2 more cases, with failure in 1. It seems that the endoarteric lesion during cold perfusion could be the main etiopathological factor, when associated with rejection episodes. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is the treatment of choice in the management of renal artery stenosis in transplanted kidneys. Surgery must be reserved when it fails.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Calcite in the statoconia of amphibians: a detailed analysis in the frog Rana esculenta.

The otoconia of Amphibia, especially of the frog Rana esculenta, were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM studies showed that the membranous labyrinth of Amphibia contains two populations of crystals, which can easily be distinguished by their forms. The X-ray diffraction data indicated that these two populations consist of calcite and aragonite; the endolymphatic sac, the saccule and the lagena contain aragonite, whereas calcite is only found in the otolithic membrane of the utricle. The genetic and functional significance of the existence of two crystalline forms of calcium carbonate in the membranous labyrinth are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Seroepidemiology of infection with hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus in the Seychelles.

A batch of 417 serum samples obtained from native-born subjects were tested for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and corresponding antibody (anti-HBs), by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc), e-antigen (anti-HBe), and hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), by radioimmunoassay (RIA). HBsAg was found in only two of the 417 subjects studied. Anti-HBs was detected in 112 samples (26.8%), anti-HBc in 114 (27.3%) and anti-HBe in 31 samples (7.4%). Serologic evidence of a previous or present infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) was found in 34.5% of the samples studied. Males showed a greater prevalence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc, while anti-HBe was more common in females; however, these differences were not significant. With regard to age, a significantly higher prevalence of anti-HBs (p less than 0.05), anti-HBc (p less than 0.025) and anti-HBe (p less than 0.025) was found in the older age groups. Anti-HAV antibodies were present in 90% of the subjects studied, with no variation between the sexes. The anti-HAV rate in the group under 20 years was similar to that found in the older age groups. The total infection rate of hepatitis B virus in the Seychelles is lower than in other tropical areas, HBs antigen/antibody ratio approaching that in temperate areas. Elucidation of the reasons for the low prevalence of hepatitis B virus carriers among the Sevchelles population requires further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Advantages of spectrophotometric reading of ELISA plates for determination of the HBs/anti-HB system].

It has been tested some diluted HBsAg and anti-HBs positive sera by modified ELISA test. We have found a correlation between HBsAg titer and spectrophotometric reading value and we have shown it in a curve. On the other hand, by neutralization of different dilutions of a RIA anti-HBs positive serum with different dilutions of a HBsAg positive serum we have carried out a checkboard and we have found that the best titer for neutralizing HBsAg is 30 ng/ml. This HBsAg has been called "standard". Using HBsAg "standard" we have tested 50 sera of hemophiliacs and we have found 1 HBsAg positive (2%) and 38 anti-HBs positive patients (76%).

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1981

Scanning electron microscopic and x-ray diffraction studies of otoconia in the lizard Podarcis s. sicula.

The otoliths of embryos and young animals of the lizard Podarcis s. sicula were studied by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Two types of crystal that give different X-ray diffraction patterns were found in the membranous labyrinth of Podarcis. The crystals consist of calcite or aragonite and are easily distinguished by scanning electron microscopy because of their different morphology. The two calcium carbonate crystal forms are not mixed at random but are present in the embryo from the very beginning in specific sites. The endolymphatic sac contains aragonite crystals while the saccule contains calcite crystals adjacent to the wall, in addition to a preponderance of aragonite crystals. The utricle and lagena contain only calcite crystals. The presence of two crystal forms of calcium carbonate in the membranous labyrinth are discussed in terms of differing genetic and functional significance.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Antibody-coated bacteria and pregnancy.

A study is made of 158 pregnant patients, between 3 and 9 months pregnant, in order to determine, by means of urine culture and ACB, the index of subclinical infections during pregnancy involving the renal parenchyma. The conclusion is reached that these infections occur in 4.42% of cases and out of those cases 57.14% were later shown to have an organic pathology of the excretory tracts.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗