Contact allergy to topical corticosteroids 1995-2001.
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Administration, Topical↗
Biomedical subjects
E Silva
Publications and source records attributed to E Silva.
Efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole versus ranitidine in the treatment of reflux esophagitis and the influence of Helicobacter pylori infection on healing rate.
Patients with reflux esophagitis (grade II or III, Savary-Miller, intention-to-treat, n=256, age range 19-82 years) were randomly assigned to a double-blind, double-dummy treatment with either pantoprazole 40 mg once daily or ranitidine 150 mg twice daily. After 4 weeks, each patient was clinically and endoscopically assessed. Failure to heal required a further 4 weeks of treatment and a new evaluation thereafter. After 4 weeks, healing of lesions was confirmed in 63% (69 out of 109) of patients receiving pantoprazole and in 22% (25 out of 113) receiving ranitidine (P < 0.001, per protocol population). After 8 weeks, the cumulative healing rates were 88% and 46%, respectively (P < 0.001). Complete freedom from esophagitis-related symptoms (acid eructation, heartburn, pain while swallowing) was greater in the pantoprazole than in ranitidine group after 2 and 4 weeks (74% vs. 47%; 87% vs. 52%, respectively, P < 0.001). After 4 weeks, the healing rate was 76% in Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-positive vs. 45% in Hp-negative patients treated with pantoprazole (P < 0.01). The Hp status did not influence healing rates in patients treated with ranitidine. The most frequent adverse events in the pantoprazole group were diarrhea and somnolence (2-3% of patients), and in the ranitidine group, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, increase of liver enzymes and pruritus (2-4% of patients). In conclusion, pantoprazole was more effective than ranitidine in the healing rate and relief from reflux esophagitis-associated symptoms, and Hp infection was associated with higher healing rate during therapy with pantoprazole but not with ranitidine.
2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗
Protective effect of Boldo and tea infusions on the visible light-mediated pro-oxidant effects of vitamin B2, riboflavin.
The effect of Boldo and black tea infusions on the pro-oxidant effects of vitamin B2, riboflavin (RF), when exposed to the action of visible light was studied. The amounts of antioxidants present in Boldo and tea infusions were evaluated by a procedure based on the bleaching of preformed 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cations and were expressed as 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-chroman-2-carboxylic acid equivalent concentrations. The quenching rate constants of singlet oxygen (1O2; [kq]Boldo = 6.0 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and [kq]Tea = 3.2 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)) and triplet RF (3RF; [3RFkq]Boldo = 10 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) and [3RFkq]TEA = 3.2 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) with Boldo and tea were determined by flash photolysis. These data allow a quantitative interpretation of the results obtained. Our data suggest that most of the oxygen consumption observed in the photolysis of RF in the presence of tea and Boldo infusions is caused by 1O2 reactions. The oxygen consumption quantum yield is considerably smaller than the fraction of RF triplets trapped by the additives (AH) present in the infusion, indicating that their interaction with 3RF does not lead to chemical reactions or that the AH*+ radical ions initially formed participate in secondary processes that do not consume oxygen. Boldo and tea infusions have a significant protective effect when a system containing RF and tryptophan (Trp) is exposed to visible light, not only by quenching the 1O2 and interfering with the Type-I mechanism but also by repairing the damage to Trp molecules associated with the latter mechanism.
Chromans↗
Effects of aerobic exercise training on heart rate variability during wakefulness and sleep and cardiorespiratory responses of young and middle-aged healthy men.
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of aerobic physical training (APT) on heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiorespiratory responses at peak condition and ventilatory anaerobic threshold. Ten young (Y: median = 21 years) and seven middle-aged (MA = 53 years) healthy sedentary men were studied. Dynamic exercise tests were performed on a cycloergometer using a continuous ramp protocol (12 to 20 W/min) until exhaustion. A dynamic 24-h electrocardiogram was analyzed by time (TD) (standard deviation of mean R-R intervals) and frequency domain (FD) methods. The power spectral components were expressed as absolute (a) and normalized units (nu) at low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies and as the LF/HF ratio. Control (C) condition: HRV in TD (Y: 108, MA: 96 ms; P<0.05) and FD - LFa, HFa - was significantly higher in young (1030; 2589 ms2/Hz) than in middle-aged men (357; 342 ms2/Hz) only during sleep (P<0.05); post-training effects: resting bradycardia (P<0.05) in the awake condition in both groups; VO2 increased for both groups at anaerobic threshold (P<0.05), and at peak condition only in young men; HRV in TD and FD (a and nu) was not significantly changed by training in either groups. The vagal predominance during sleep is reduced with aging. The resting bradycardia induced by short-term APT in both age groups suggests that this adaptation is much more related to intrinsic alterations in sinus node than in efferent vagal-sympathetic modulation. Furthermore, the greater alterations in VO2 than in HRV may be related to short-term APT.
Adult↗
Extracellular glutamate, aspartate and arginine increase in the ventral posterolateral thalamic nucleus during nociceptive stimulation.
Although there is evidence that the thalamus plays a remarkable role in pain processing few in vivo studies on the thalamic neurochemical correlates of pain have been done. In the present experiments a combination of capillary zone electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CZE-LIF) and microdialysis in freely moving rats was used to measure extracellular arginine, glutamate and aspartate in the thalamus during the formalin test. Microdialysis probes were implanted in the left ventral posterolateral (VPL) nucleus of the thalamus in rats. Samples were collected every 30 s, derivatized with fluorescein isothyocyanate and injected into a CZE-LIF instrument. After nine baseline samples, a subcutaneous formalin (5%, 50 microl) injection in the right hind paw caused an increase of arginine, glutamate and aspartate that lasted for about 3 min. These increases were calcium and nerve impulse dependent. These results indicate that the release of arginine, glutamate and aspartate may mediate rapid pain neural transmission in the VPL nucleus of the thalamus.
Amino Acids↗
Evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis.
The behavior of the immunoenzymatic system was tested in the serologic diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in different populations from areas free of the disease, and in other areas with different prevalence. The specificity registered in the 4009 samples showed 94.4%, while the range of sensitivity increased proportionally to the number and distribution of lesions found in the anatomopathological test. Overall the sensitivity of the ELISA was 47%. When animals from groups with different prevalence of the disease were studied, a significant correlation (78%) between the ELISA system and the Intradermal Tuberculin Test (IT) was observed in the groups with low prevalence of the disease, animals reactive to both tests were found in all the units. The results of the work and the inherent advantages of the ELISA technique allow recommending this ELISA in programs for control and/or eradication of bovine tuberculosis.
Animals↗
Reflectance spectroscopy for in vivo characterization of ovarian tissue.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To explore whether reflectance spectroscopy can differentiate normal ovary, benign neoplasms, and ovarian cancer. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reflectance spectra (390-600 nm) were measured at three source-detector separations (SDS) in vivo at 64 sites in 16 patients undergoing oophorectomy. Parameters with largest statistical differences were identified. Based on these parameters algorithms were developed and evaluated. RESULTS: Promising parameters were the reflectance intensity from 540 to 580 nm (SDS, 1.1 mm), the slope of the reflectance spectrum from 490 to 520 nm (SDS, 1.1 mm), the slope from 510 to 530 nm (SDS, 2.1 mm), and the slope from 510 to 530 (SDS, 3 mm). Average sensitivity and specificity were 86 +/- 6% and 79 +/- 5% to separate normal ovary from benign neoplasms and cancers. Average sensitivity and specificity were 86 +/- 4% and 80 +/- 8% to separate ovarian cancers from benign neoplasms and normal ovary. CONCLUSION: Reflectance spectroscopy should be further investigated for ovarian cancer screening.
Algorithms↗
Fluorescence spectroscopy for in vivo characterization of ovarian tissue.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore whether fluorescence spectroscopy signatures differed between normal variations within the ovary, benign neoplasms, and ovarian cancer. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovarian tissue fluorescence emission spectra were collected sequentially at 18 excitation wavelengths ranging from 330 to 500 nm from 11 patients undergoing oophorectomy and assembled into fluorescence excitation emission matrices (EEMs); biopsies corresponded to the area interrogated. Spectral areas that could differentiate normal ovary, benign neoplasms, and cancers were evaluated, using histopathology as the reference standard. RESULTS: The most promising measurements are (1) the integrated fluorescence intensity from 400 to 430 nm excitation at 460 nm emission, and (2) the ratios of fluorescence intensities at 330 nm excitation, 385 and 500 nm emission, and at 375 and 415 nm excitation, 460 nm emission. Simple systems to visualize these optical signatures at laparoscopy could be designed. CONCLUSION: Fluorescence spectroscopy may have the ability to distinguish ovarian cancers from normal ovarian structures and benign neoplasms, as well as differentiate between normal variations and metaplastic structures and should be further explored as a device for the early detection of ovarian cancers.
Female↗
Essential genes in proximal 3L heterochromatin of Drosophila melanogaster.
We have further characterized essential loci within the centric heterochromatin of the left arm of chromosome 3 (3L) of Drosophila melanogaster, using EMS, radiation and P element mutagenesis. We failed to find any new essential genes, a result that suggests a lower-than-average gene density in this region. Mutations affecting expression of the most proximal gene [lethal 1, l1 or l(3)80Fj] act as dominant suppressors of Polycomb (Pc), behavior which is consistent with a putative trithorax group (trx-G) gene. The third gene to the left of the centromere [lethal 3, l3 or l(3)80Fh] is likely to correspond to verthandi (vtd), a known trx-G gene that plays a role in the regulation of hedgehog (hh) expression and signalling. The intervening gene [lethal 2, l2 or l(3)80Fi] is required throughout development, and mutant alleles have interesting phenotypes; in various allelic combinations that survive, we observe fertility, bristle, wing, eye and cuticle defects.
Animals↗
Effect of visible light on selected enzymes, vitamins and amino acids.
In most cases, the presence of an endogenous photosensitizer is a requirement for visible light modification of biomolecules in animal tissues. Riboflavin (RF) is present in all aerobic cells and is a very efficient photosensitizer, presenting a complex photochemistry with a mixed type I-type II mechanisms. Visible light irradiation in the presence of RF diminished the enzymatic activity of horse radish peroxidase (HRP) only when this glyco-enzyme was deglycosilated. In contrast, the activity of catalase is inactivated via singlet oxygen, and that of lysozyme was efficiently inactivated by a mixed type I-type II mechanisms. The reactive species involved in the RF sensitized photoconversion of lysozyme and the aromatic amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine (both free in solution) is discussed. The role of ascorbate and the effect of RF photosensitized processes in biological complex systems, such as the ocular lens and tumoral cell in culture, is analyzed.
Amino Acids↗
First confirmed case of Neospora caninum-associated abortion outbreak in Portugal.
In a dairy herd experiencing an abortion outbreak, 49% of the 119 cows were positive for Neospora caninum antibodies and the remaining 51% were seronegative. Using immunohistochemical analysis of foetal brain tissue, Neospora cysts and bradyzoite clusters were identified in two of the 15 aborted foetuses submitted for testing. Other agents that commonly cause abortions were not found. These results, coupled with neurological clinical symptoms in new-born calves, implicated N. caninum as the major cause of abortions in this dairy herd. This is the first report that associates N. caninum infection with bovine abortions in Portugal.
Abortion, Veterinary↗
The hepatosplanchnic area is not a common source of lactate in patients with severe sepsis.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the splanchnic region in the hyperlactatemia of septic patients. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Thirty-one-bed mixed medicosurgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: Ninety invasively monitored and mechanically ventilated patients with severe sepsis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Splanchnic lactate balance was measured in all patients. Splanchnic blood flow was determined by using the primed continuous indocyanine green infusion technique in 69 patients. In 71 patients, gastric mucosal Pco2 and the Pco2 gap (the difference between gastric and arterial Pco2) also were determined by using gas tonometry with an automated gas analyzer. In each patient, arterial, mixed-venous, and hepatic venous blood samples were obtained to determine hemoglobin oxygen saturations and lactate concentrations. Arterial and hepatic venous lactate concentrations were determined in triplicate and were averaged, and the arterial hepatic venous difference in lactate and lactate consumption were calculated. The splanchnic region produced lactate in only six of the 90 patients. Mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, arterial lactate, hepatic venous oxygen saturation, and catecholamine use were similar in the six patients with splanchnic lactate production and in the 84 others. The arterial hepatic venous differences in lactate and splanchnic lactate consumption were related directly to arterial lactate concentrations (y = 0.073x + 0.209, r(2) =.06, p <.05, and y = 0.06x + 0.183, r(2) =.08, p <.05, respectively) but were not related to Pco2 gap, to the gradient between mixed-venous and hepatic venous oxygen saturations, or to bilirubin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Splanchnic lactate release is uncommon in septic patients, even when hyperlactatemia is severe.
APACHE↗
Heart rate variability under resting conditions in postmenopausal and young women.
The aim of the present study was to compare the modulation of heart rate in a group of postmenopausal women to that of a group of young women under resting conditions on the basis of R-R interval variability. Ten healthy postmenopausal women (mean +/- SD, 58.3 +/- 6.8 years) and 10 healthy young women (mean +/- SD, 21.6 +/- 0.82 years) were submitted to a control resting electrocardiogram (ECG) in the supine and sitting positions over a period of 6 min. The ECG was obtained from a one-channel heart monitor at the CM5 lead and processed and stored using an analog to digital converter connected to a microcomputer. R-R intervals were calculated on a beat-to-beat basis from the ECG recording in real time using a signal-processing software. Heart rate variability (HRV) was expressed as standard deviation (RMSM) and mean square root (RMSSD). In the supine position, the postmenopausal group showed significantly lower (P<0.05) median values of RMSM (34.9) and RMSSD (22.32) than the young group (RMSM: 62.11 and RMSSD: 49.1). The same occurred in the sitting position (RMSM: 33.0 and RMSSD: 18.9 compared to RMSM: 57.6 and RMSSD: 42.8 for the young group). These results indicate a decrease in parasympathetic modulation in postmenopausal women compared to young women which was possibly due both to the influence of age and hormonal factors. Thus, time domain HRV proved to be a noninvasive and sensitive method for the identification of changes in autonomic modulation of the sinus node in postmenopausal women.
Adult↗
Pathogenetic aspects of sepsis and possible targets for adjunctive therapy.
The outcome of patients with sepsis arises from multiple factors affecting both the host and the invading microorganisms. Age, presence of underlying disease, source of infection and some specific etiological agents have been related to prognosis. Appropriateness of antimicrobial therapy, considering the in vitro susceptibility tests for the infecting bacteria, has been strongly associated with the outcome. Therefore even after the cascade of sepsis has been triggered, the control of bacteria growth is still fundamental for the outcome of the infection. This is a major distinction point from experimental studies in which whole killed bacteria and their products are used as model of sepsis. However, even within the setting of adequate antimicrobial use, patients still die of sepsis. Thus, strategies focusing on further therapy targets are an important area of interest for basic and clinical research. Although such adjunctive sepsis therapy has failed to achieve consistent better survival rates so far, nevertheless, it improved our understanding of the pathophysiological events seen in sepsis that the possibility that a new and effective treatment may arise has been warmly considered. In this paper we aim to review some aspects of the pathogenesis of sepsis, focusing on recent advances and on possible targets for adjunctive therapy. Published clinical trials and experimental data supporting such trials are commented on.
Animals↗
[Nutritional and metabolic factors as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in an adult population in the city of Maracibo, Estado Zulia, Venezuela].
To analyze the nutritional and metabolic risk factors for Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) present in a group of people in the city of Maracaibo a study was performed with 209 volunteers (145 women and 64 men) between 20 and 89 years of age who underwent: a) Anthropometric Evaluation: Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR) and Physical Examination: Systolic (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP); b) Dietetic Evaluation (24 hours recall), and c) Biochemical Evaluation: Glycemia (GLYC), Triglycerides (TG), Total Cholesterol (CHOL), HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C, applying enzymatic methods. It was also investigated, their Age, Family History of Metabolic Alterations (FHMA), physical activity, smoking habits and alcohol consumption. More than 50% of the individuals showed a BMI > 25; 64% of women showed a WHR value > 0.8; 34 and 28% of men and women respectively had a high fat ingestion (HFI); 36% of men had hypertriglyceridemia and high levels of VLDL-C; 41% of women and 30% of men showed decreased HDL-C. A high frequency of FHMA was found in 85% of women and 78% of men followed by sedentary life in 64% of men and 79% of women. The age significantly (p < 0.05) affected the values for WHR, SBP, DBP, GLYC, CHOL, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and VLDL-C. The dietetic evaluation showed a diet that was low in calories, high in protein, normal in fat and low in carbohydrates. It is concluded that the population elected for this study might be considered under a high risk for CVD, since both nutritional and metabolic factors, as well as the other risk factors analyzed, were present in a high percentage of the individuals studied.
Adult↗
Factors influencing the development of leprosy: an overview.
The clinical manifestations of leprosy vary, seemingly depending on the host's immune response. Mode and route of infection, such as skin versus nasal mucosa, insect bites, sexual and gastroenteral transmission, together with genetic factors that may contribute to the outcome of the infection, including HLA, Lewis factor, Nramp1 and more subtle inherited alterations, are discussed. It is theorized that a balance between host responses elicited by different routes of infection and size and spacing of inocula is responsible for the clinical and immunological manifestations of the disease. Genetic factors and contact with environmental microorganisms may modulate these responses. The final result, resistance, delayed-type hypersensitivity, tolerance, disease or no disease, spectrum and reactions, is most likely reached via the orchestration of the induced cyto- and chemokines.
Humans↗
Medial prefrontal transection enhances social interaction. I: behavioral studies.
Behavioral effects of a medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) transection were assessed in animal tests of anxiety. Social investigation and plus-maze open arm exploration increased in MPFC damaged animals relative to sham ones. MPFC lesions prevented D-amphetamine (2 mg/kg, i.p.) induced social investigation decrease and exaggerated general locomotion increase. Diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and MPFC synergistically increased open arm exploration on a second (repeated) plus-maze trial. These results suggest that the MPFC would be implicated in a generalized mechanism of warning enabling emission of appropriate responses to anxiogenic stimuli. Although, this lesion did not modify motor activity itself, the pattern of the motor activation induced by amphetamine was altered. The role of the MPFC areas in the behavioral response associated with fear is discussed.
Animals↗
Neurochemical changes after morphine, dizocilpine or riluzole in the ventral posterolateral thalamic nuclei of rats with hyperalgesia.
A number of studies suggest the involvement of glutamate in central hyperalgesia through NMDA receptors in animal models of inflammation. Most studies analyze glutamate effects at the spinal cord level. In this work, the effects of morphine, dizocilpine and riluzole on the hyperalgesia induced by carrageenan administration in the rat paw model were investigated. The effects of morphine and riluzole on the release of glutamate and aspartate and on the concentrations of citrulline and arginine in dialysates of the ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus were also examined. All three drugs decreased hyperalgesia when administered prior to carrageenan injection. Morphine decreased the glutamate concentration in dialysates of the ventral posterolateral nucleus but did not affect the concentrations of the other amino acids. The effect of morphine was observed in the absence of painful stimulation and when pressure applied to the rat paw induced a nociceptive reaction. Riluzole decreased the concentrations of glutamate and aspartate and those of citrulline and arginine in the presence or absence of painful stimulation. These experiments suggest that morphine and riluzole attenuate the hyperalgesia induced by injection of carrageenan in the rat hind paw, at least partly, by decreasing glutamate release in the ventral posterolateral thalamic nucleus.
Analysis of Variance↗