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Biomedical subjects

F Santos

Publications and source records attributed to F Santos.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung transplants: results in Spain].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of lung transplantation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain. METHODS: In all COPD patients transplanted at four Spanish hospitals over a period of seven years, we studied actuarial survival rates retrospectively using the Kaplan Meier test in relation to demographic characteristics, type of transplant, underlying disease, lung function evolution in terms of forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum expiratory flow in 1 second (FEV1) and gasometric evolution (PaO2 and PaCO2). RESULTS: Seventy-four transplants were performed in COPD patients over a five-year period. Mean age was 47 +/- 7 years (26-61) and 77% of the patients were men. A diagnosis of emphysema was made in 58%, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency emphysema in 14% and chronic bronchitis in 28%. The likelihood of survival was 75% for the first year, 63% for two years and 41% for the third year. Lung function and blood gases improved significantly by the third month after transplantation: FVC was 1677 +/- 637 ml before transplantation and 2631 +/- 670 ml afterwards; FEV1 was 585 +/- 189 ml before transplantation and 2118 +/- 673 ml afterwards (p < 0.001). Double lung transplants achieved significantly greater improvement in function variables than did single-lung transplants (FVC 2843 +/- 681 ml and FEV1 2543 +/- 620 ml by the third month in DLT patients versus FVC 2402 +/- 587 ml and FEV1 1659 +/- 350 ml for SLT), with no significant differences in blood gases after the two types of transplant. Half the sing-lung transplant patients developed hyperinflation of the native lung and reached maximum lung function values, which tended to be lower than those for patients who did not experience this complication (FEV1 1638 +/- 349 ml versus 1930 +/- 307 ml, p = 0.051). CONCLUSIONS: First-year mortality in patients with COPD undergoing lung transplantation in Spain is similar to that described in the International Transplant Registry. We found no differences between double- and single-lung transplant patients. Functional change is good for both types of transplantation, although this aspect of outcome is significantly better when two lungs are transplanted.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-expandable endovascular stent for treatment of venous stenoses.

The increase in survival among patients undergoing haemodialysis, the non-limitation of patient age regarding the start of renal substitution treatment, and the high incidence of vascular problems--particularly in diabetics--have caused the positioning of percutaneous catheters in central vessels to become a common practice in haemodialysis.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[X-linked hydrocephalus (Brickers-Adams syndrome). A case report confirmed by molecular genetic studies].

INTRODUCTION: X-linked hydrocephalus (HLX) is a form of hydrocephalus with recessive transmission linked to the X chromosome, and a recurrence rate of 50% in male foetuses. It is the commonest genetic form of congenital hydrocephalus, with an incidence of 1/30,000 male births. It is characterized by dilation of the lateral ventricles and mental retardation, usually severe. Other common characteristics are abducted thumbs and spastic paraplegia (or quadriplegia). CLINICAL CASE: A baby whose family and clinical history, neuroimaging and genetic studies lead to the diagnosis of HLX. CONCLUSION: Identification of the mutation L1CAM in this family will permit identification of the carriers and make it possible to give genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis.

Genetic Counseling↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Anemia in pregnant women of Sobradinho, a satellite city of Brazilia, Brazil (author's transl)].

Four hundred and seven pregnant women, living in Sobradinho, a satellite city of Brasilia, Brazil, divided in three groups according to their gestation age: I trimester (50 cases); II trimester (140 cases); III trimester (201 cases), were studied for the hemoglobin concentration of their blood and intestinal parasitism. In nineteen of the anemic women iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 serum determinations were done. The mean hemoglobin concentration and the percentage of anemia (less than 12 g/100 ml) in the different stages of gestation, were: 13.06 g/100 ml and 22% for the first trimester: 12.49 g/100 ml and 29% for the second trimester and 12.11 g/100 ml and 34% for the third trimester. In the 19 cases of the anemic group studied we found 73.7% of iron deficiency (below 60 microg/100 ml); 26.3% of folic acid deficiency (below 4 ng/ml) and 10.5% of vitamin B12 deficiency (below 140 pg/ ml). A combined deficiency occured in two cases: iron plus folic acid (case 11, table 3) and folic acid plus vitamin B12 (case 3, table 3). The stool examination showed parasitic infection, in 51% of the women.

Anemia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Food allergy as a cause of rhinitis and/or asthma.

We studied the histories of patients who had visited our Department during the last 5 years, presenting food allergy with exclusively respiratory symptoms (18.5%). We studied the correlation between IgE levels and the histamine release test and the type of food implicated. Seventy-seven percent of patients presented sensitization to one food, and 23% presented polysensitization. We found that foods such as snails and eggs have a strong predilection for the bronchial tree as the shock organ. High total IgE was found in 85.2% of patients. The histamine release test was positive in 66% of cases. We conclude that this is a highly sensitive method for the in vitro diagnosis of food allergy.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Variations of intracellular histamine basophil levels after treatment with ketotifen.

As reported in previous studies, ketotifen modifies the number of basophils in peripheral blood, most likely inhibiting their degranulation, which correlates with the lack of exercise-induced respiratory manifestations. In this study, we attempted to measure the approximate amount of intracellular histamine in patients with bronchial asthma sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus when they were treated with ketotifen, and compare the values with those of an untreated group and a control group, in order to determine if ketotifen stabilizes the cellular membrane, with the subsequent increase of intracellular mediators. We found that untreated patients had 57% less histamine per basophil than the control group, while treated patients had only 17% less than the controls. This shows that ketotifen acts as a membrane stabilizer, thus inhibiting degranulation and increasing the amount of intracellular mediators.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Does ketotifen act by directly stimulating beta-adrenergic system?

Through this study we proved that the inhibitory effect ketotifen has on antigen-specific histamine release (ASHR) does not have any relation with beta-adrenergic system stimulation. However, it increases the inhibitory effect of histamine release caused by isoproterenol. Therefore, although ketotifen does not directly stimulate beta-adrenergic receptors to inhibit mediator secretion, its action correlates with the response produced through the stimulation of these receptors.

Allergens↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of ketotifen on the methyltransferase activity of asthmatic patients.

The results of this study have revealed that asthmatic individuals have less methyltransferase activity, compared to healthy individuals. This is reflected in a less fluidity of the plasmatic membrane and thus, presents with less beta-receptors compared to healthy subjects. Ketotifen is capable of partially reversing this situation where it stimulates methyltransferase activity of asthmatic individuals approaching the enzyme activity to healthy individuals.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A rare case of food allergy: monosensitivity to kiwi (Actinidia chinensis).

We present a case of hypersensitivity to kiwi in a 26 year-old patient with no previous atopic history. The first reaction episode occurred a few minutes after kiwi ingestion, presenting with a localized pruritic reaction. This symptomatology repeated itself a few months later, again immediately after eating kiwi and was accompanied by dysphagia, vomiting and urticaria. In the complementary laboratory analyses a total IgE of 187 IU/ml was appreciated. The skin test to inhalant and food antigens were negative, while the kiwi extract produced a + + + + reaction. The histamine release test was positive (20%). Specific IgE levels (Kallestad) demonstrated results of 0.35 AEU/ml (class I). Specific IgG4 levels were normal and the hemagglutination test was negative. With the above results, we concluded that we were dealing with a case of monosensitivity to kiwi which was probably IgE mediated.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Peritoneal dialysis in chronic renal failure in children: a six year study.

A six year study was conducted to evaluate the long-term use of chronic peritoneal dialysis in children with end-stage renal failure at a single center. All patients maintained satisfactory clinical status and achieved good biochemical control. No significant changes in developmental continuum as measured by weight and length/height were observed in these patients upon institution and maintenance on peritoneal dialysis. The incidence of peritonitis was one episode every 12.3 patient-months. The overall incidence of catheter replacement was one change every 15 patient-months. Our results serve to underscore the effectiveness of long-term peritoneal dialysis in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Familial vesicoureteral reflux (author's transl)].

Sixteen members of three families, eight of which had vesicoureteral reflux, are studied. Authors report a high incidence in females (7 cases) and atrophic chronic pyelonephritis (75% of the serie). Only one girl presented disminution of renal function. The types of inheritance was dominant autosomal in the A family and autosomal recessive in the B and C families. Finally the norms of investigation of the familial vesicoureteral reflux are appointed.

Child↗