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Biomedical subjects

E Massad

Publications and source records attributed to E Massad.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Mortality trends due to myocardial ischemia in capital cities of the metropolitan areas of Brazil, 1979-89].

PURPOSE: To study the trends of mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in eight capitals of Brazil. METHODS: Death rates for these cities were studied in men (M) and female (F), standardized using the population of São Paulo, SP, 1980. Rates were calculated for CVD (ICD-9: 390-459) and CHD (ICD-9:410-414). The cities were Belém, Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre. Using simple linear regression, we obtained the annual difference in rates with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: For CVD a decline was detected of -2.6% (M) and -2.69% (F) in Belém; in Salvador, -1.53% (M) and -1.70% (F) and in São Paulo, -1.27% (M) and -1% (F) and for F in Belo Horizonte (-0.82%) and in Curitiba (-1.52%). Recife, Porto Alegre and Curitiba (M) showed stability during the period. There was a rise of the rates in Rio de Janeiro +1.37% (M) and +0.84% (F) and for M in Belo Hozironte (1%). The rates for CHD showed a decline in Belém-2.64% (M) and -2.74% (F); São Paulo, -1.4% (M) and -1.06% (F) and for F in Belo Horizonte. A stable trend was detected in Salvador, Curitiba, Porto Alegre and for M in Belo Horizonte. There was a rise in the rates of Recife +3.5% (M) and +4.4% (F) and in Rio de Janeiro +2.34% (M) and +2.53% (F). CONCLUSION: The magnitude of death rates and of the time trends showed in this paper reveal important regional differences. Questions related to the different assignment of diagnosis in the chapter of CVD could explain some of the observed trends. However, the rise of mortality rates in Rio de Janeiro could hardly be explained by classificatory matters. Tobacco, diet and medical care could explain the rise of mortality from CVD and CHD in Rio de Janeiro.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

A case-control study of histological chorioamnionitis and neonatal infection.

The authors report a prospective study of the correlation between histopathological alterations in the placenta and the umbilical cord and neonatal infection in 223 newborns. The pathological studies were specifically concerned with the presence of infection as shown by a polymorphonuclear infiltrate at these sites. Inflammatory lesions were demonstrated in 26.9% of specimens and were highest in those with prolonged premature rupture of membranes and in the least mature placentas. Among the cases of histological chorioamnionitis, only 23.3% of infants had documented infection. Neonatal infection was diagnosed in 7.2% of the newborns and was 10 times more frequent in preterm newborns. Among the cases of infected newborns, 87.5% of placentas had histological chorioamnionitis. Pneumonia and septicemia were the most frequent conditions found among infected newborns. There was a strong correlation between histological chorioamnionitis and neonatal infection. The data obtained in this investigation suggest that histological chorioamnionitis is an important indicator of neonatal infection.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1994

[Neuropsychological tests of simple application for diagnosing dementia].

Thirty patients with dementia defined by DSM-III-R criteria (Alzheimer's disease (22), vascular dementia (3), Parkinson's disease, frontal lobe dementia, possible diffuse Lewy body dementia, normal pressure hydrocephalus and uncertain diagnosis), with scores below 24 points in the Mini-Mental Status Examination and more than 4 years of education were submitted to a neuropsychological evaluation. The scores in the neuropsychological tests were compared to those obtained by thirty normal volunteers paired for age, sex and education. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the tests in the distinction of demented and normal volunteers were determined. The accuracies were calculated using ROC curves. Blessed's information-memory-concentration test showed greatest accuracy, followed by copy of simple figures, delayed memory of 10 figures (after 5 minutes), recognition of 10 figures and verbal fluency test (animals). A linear discriminant function, composed by 6 tests: visual perception, incidental memory, delayed memory (after 5 minutes), drawing of a clock, verbal fluency (animals) and calculation tests, was able to discriminate all controls from patients and only one patient was wrongly classified as normal control. These tests were chosen because they can be applied in less than 10 minutes and are very easy to interpret. This discriminant function must be applied in another group of patients and controls in order to demonstrate its value. When associated to the MMSE it may be useful to discriminate patients with dementia from normal people in epidemiological studies.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1994

Studies on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and anthropic environment. 5--breeding of Anopheles albitarsis in flooded rice fields in south-eastern Brazil.

Studies on breeding Anopheles albitarsis and association with rice growth in irrigated paddy fields were carried out during the rice cultivation cycle from December 1993 to March 1994. This period corresponded to the length of time of permanent paddy flooding. Breeding occurred in the early stage up until five weeks after transplantation when rice plant height was small. That inverse correlation may give potential direction to control measures.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1994

Studies on mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) and anthropic environment. 6--Breeding in empty conditions of rice fields in south-eastern Brazil.

Studies on culicid breeding in empty rice fields were carried out during the cultivation cycle from May to November 1993. This period corresponded to stages 1 and 2, when empty conditions prevailed. Breeding occurred in stage 1 and the first part of stage 2, corresponding respectively to fallow uncultivated and ploughing situations. No breeding was found to take place during the second part of stage 2 when transient floods and harrowing occurred. The predominant species were Aedes scapularis, Culex nigripalpus and Cx. mollis. The Pilosus Group of Culex (Melanoconion) was found at lower densities. Some epidemiological considerations are presented.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1990

[An experimental study of the tissue reactions in rats induced by different concentrations of benzathine penicillin G].

The search of scientific answers to problems due to procedures involving professional actions is a permanent challenge to the nurses committed with the improving of nursing care. In face of the intensive muscle soreness provoked by penicillin G benzatin shots, an experimental evaluation of this procedure was carried out in order to observe the influences of concentration and volumes used. This evaluation could give some insights to improve the nursing care, particularly those linked to the manipulation of the penicillin injection. The study was performed in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, in 27 Male Wistar rats. After the injection of the drug or saline solution in the right and left limb, respectively, the animals were sacrificed and the muscles in which the solution were injected were histologically examined. The use of penicillin provoked intensive inflammatory reaction, the peak intensity being attained after 48 hours. A remaining effect lasted about thirty days. The inflammatory reaction was similar for the three concentrations of penicillin. Nevertheless, the present research does not bring data that should modify the current injection procedures.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Biological effects of air pollution in São Paulo and Cubatão.

Rats were used as biological indicators of air quality in two heavily polluted Brazilian towns: São Paulo and Cubatão. They were exposed for 6 months to ambient air in areas where the pollution was known to be severe. The following parameters were studied and compared to those of control animals: respiratory mechanics, mucociliary transport, morphometry of respiratory epithelium and distal air spaces, and general morphological alterations. The results showed lesions of the distal and upper airways in rats exposed in Cubatão, whereas the animals from São Paulo showed only alterations of the upper airways but of greater intensity than those observed in the Cubatão group. There are both qualitative and quantitative differences in the pollutants of these places: in São Paulo automobile exhaust gases dominate and in Cubatão the pollution is due mainly to particulates of industrial sources. The correlation of the pathological findings with the pollutants is discussed and it is concluded that biological indicators are useful to monitor air pollutions which reached dangerous levels in São Paulo and Cubatão.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1987

A mathematical model for spirometry.

A model originally designed to fit population growth data was investigated to determine whether it could fit spirometric traces as a function of time in normal and ill humans and in normal rats, obtained, respectively, by spirometer and whole-body plethysmography. The model showed great accuracy when applied to a simple spirometer coupled with an analog-to-digital converter interfaced with a personal computer. It also proved to be a good alternative for the more expensive and less accurate electronic devices, as derivative systems, and may be an attractive method for research and/or diagnostic centers.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Mathematical model of Klebsiella pneumoniae resistance to amikacin and gentamicin.

1. The resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to amikacin and gentamicin was studied by a mathematical model to predict the rate of sensitivity decrease. The results accurately matched experimental data, showing that the model is a reliable predicting tool. 2. The observations were carried out over six years and included 2677 cultures that were positive for K. pneumoniae. At the beginning of the observation period, 85.7% of the cultures were sensitive to amikacin and 40.8% were sensitive to gentamicin. Sensitivity to amikacin showed a surprisingly rapid decrease; at the end of the experimental period, amikacin and gentamicin sensitivities were 33.3% and 27.8%, respectively. 3. We conclude that patterns of resistance of other bacteria could be investigated using this method.

Amikacin↗
PubMed1986

Toxicity of prolonged exposure to ethanol and gasoline autoengine exhaust gases.

A comparative chronic inhalation exposure study was performed to investigate the potential health effects of gasoline and ethanol engine exhaust fumes. Test atmospheres of gasoline and ethanol exhaust were given to Wistar rats and Balb C mice housed in inhalation chambers for a period of 5 weeks. Gas concentration and physical parameters were continually monitored during the exposure period. Several biological parameters were assessed after the exposure including pulmonary function, mutagenicity, and hematological, biochemical, and morphological examinations. The results demonstrated that the chronic toxicity of the gasoline-fueled engine is significantly higher than that of the ethanol engine.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Effects of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde inhalation on rat pulmonary mechanics.

Two groups of 12 male Wistar rats received either 243 ppm of acetaldehyde or 5.7 ppm of formaldehyde for 8 h a day, 5 days a week during 5 weeks. These levels represent three times the threshold limit values (TLV) for these substances in Brazilian legislation. The animals were evaluated by pulmonary function tests before and after exposure to the pollutants. The data obtained from these rats were compared with those of 12 controls, housed in identical conditions for the same length of time but breathing normal air. The results showed an increase of the functional residual capacity, residual volume, total lung capacity and respiratory frequency in the rats exposed to acetaldehyde atmosphere. The animals exposed to formaldehyde did not present pulmonary function alterations when compared with the controls. The damage caused by acetaldehyde to the peripheral regions of the lung parenchyma, affecting small airways or altering pulmonary elastic properties, is discussed. It is suggested that the Brazilian TLV for acetaldehyde (78 ppm) is not as safe as that for formaldehyde (1.6 ppm).

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1985

Acute toxicity of gasoline and ethanol automobile engine exhaust gases.

A comparative inhalation exposure study was performed to investigate the potential health effect of gasoline and ethanol engine exhaust fumes. Wistar rats housed in inhalation chambers were exposed to test atmospheres of various concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) and gasoline and ethanol exhaust fumes diluted with air. CO level, temperature, relative humidity and flow rate were monitored continually to control the gas concentration and the environment. The dilution method gave a concentration within 1.0% of the target. The LC50s for 3-h exposures were determined for the 3 test atmospheres. The results demonstrated that the acute toxicity, in terms of LC50, of the gasoline-fuelled engine was significantly higher than that of the ethanol-fuelled engine.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Pulmonary function of rats exposed to ethanol and gasoline fumes.

This paper describes the effects of repeated exposure to gasoline and ethanol exhaust fumes on the pulmonary mechanics of rats assessed by whole-body plethysmography. Two groups of 12 male Wistar albino rats each were tested before and after exposure to diluted gasoline or ethanol exhaust gases for 5 weeks, 8 h per day and 5 days per week. An additional group of 12 rats were exposed to clean air under the same experimental conditions. The variations of the functional parameters observed in the three groups before and after exposure were compared. Peak Expiratory Flow and Forced Expiratory Mean Flows in the ranges 0-25%, 25-50% and 50-75% of Forced Vital Capacity were significantly reduced in animals exposed to gasoline exhaust fumes, whereas the group exposed to ethanol exhaust fumes did not differ from the control group. This respiratory impairment is probably due to the presence of SO2 and the quality of the hydrocarbons in gasoline exhaust gases.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

The study of mechanical properties of rats lungs by whole body plethysmography.

A simple technic for studying the pulmonary mechanics of rats by whole body plethysmography is presented. The parameters measured were: Tidal Volume (TV); Respiratory Frequency (RF); Transpulmonary Basal Pressure (TBP); Dynamic Compliance (Cdyn); Functional Residual Capacity (FRC); Transpulmonary Pressure/Volume curve (TP/V); Forced Expiratory Volume of 1/4 second (FEV 1/4); Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV); Inspiratory Capacity (IC); Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV); Forced Vital Capacity (FVC); Residual Volume (RV); Forced Expiratory Mean Flow between 100-50% (FEMF 100-50), 50-25% (FEMF 50-25) and 25-0% (FEMF 25-0) of the FVC, and Total Lung Capacity (TLC). In order to verify the accuracy of the technic, common male adult Wistar rats, in which pulmonary obstructive disease is normally expected, were first submitted to these functional tests and then to pathological examination. According to the intensity of the morphological pulmonary lesion, the rats were divided in two groups: with and without suppurative pneumopathy. The analysis of the pulmonary function data showed significant decrease of the FEV 1/4 and FEMF 50-25 and increase of the FRC and RV in the groups with pulmonary suppuration. Thus, a discriminant function could be established to characterize the two groups with 100% efficiency. It was concluded that these pulmonary function tests are a valuable and reliable tool to detect lung diseases in rats.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Salivary antibody detection in epidemiological surveys: a pilot study after a mass vaccination campaign against rubella in São Paulo, Brazil.

The sensitivity and specificity of salivary rubella antibody detection was investigated using samples collected from 301 children after a mass vaccination campaign in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Saliva samples were collected by 2 different methods: directly dribbling into a container or using a commercial collecting device. Corresponding finger-prick blood samples were collected on filter paper. Rubella specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured in saliva by antibody capture radioimmunoassay and in blood samples by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The detection of salivary rubella specific IgG showed good correlation with the detection of rubella antibody in the blood samples. For both collecting techniques the predictive value for a positive saliva test was > 99% compared with the results from the blood tests. However, the predictive value for a negative saliva test was only 58.3% for a dribbled sample, compared to 100% for saliva collected using the commercial device. Moreover, collecting saliva by dribbling from children less than 4 years old was difficult. The detection of rubella specific IgG in saliva collected using a commercial device proved to be sensitive and specific in this epidemiological study, encouraging its more widespread application as a means of surveillance after mass vaccination.

Adolescent↗