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Biomedical subjects

J M Mendes

Publications and source records attributed to J M Mendes.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Frequent occult hepatitis B virus infection in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers was investigated in 170 patients (137 male, 33 female) infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1. Antibodies to the hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc antibodies) were detected in 115 (68%) patients. Of these 115, 14 (12%) were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive, 60 (52%) presented anti-HBs antibodies, and 41 (35%) were anti-HBc positive only. All 115 of the anti-HBc positive samples were tested for HBV DNA by using two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays that amplify the core and pre-S regions of the HBV genome, respectively. HBV DNA was detected in 23 samples: 7 of 14 (50%) HBsAg-positive samples, 12 of 60 (20%) anti-HBs-positive samples, and 4 of 41 (10%) samples positive for anti-HBc only. Six samples (all HBsAg positive) were positive in both PCR assays and 17 samples were HBV DNA positive in only one assay. The mean viral load in HBsAg-positive patients was higher than that observed in HBsAg-negative patients. A number of patients were receiving treatment with lamivudine, a drug that interferes with both HBV and HIV replication. However, neither the rate of HBV DNA positivity nor HBV load was significantly different between patients treated with lamivudine and those not treated with this drug.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernias.

The world of surgical laparoscopy is evolving. Laparoscopic prosthetic inguinal hernia repair is gaining rapid and wide acceptance. This experience consisted of 144 hernia repairs in 105 patients (40 bilateral, 31 recurrent, and 33 unilateral nonrecurrent hernias), treated through an extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair. When compared with transabdominal repair, operative time and postoperative recovery were similar, with some advantages related to the avoidance of intraabdominal manipulation and potential related complications. In spite of a relatively short follow-up (up to 40 months), there were no recurrences in this series. Morbidity rate was acceptable (16.1%), mainly reported as minor complications. Anatomical and technical skills to perform the operation are required and achieved through training. Extraperitoneal hernia repair with synthetic mesh is safe and feasible, with the advantages of being associated with less pain, rapid return to full activities, and the already proven milder systemic responses following interventional laparoscopy.

Female↗
PubMed1991

[Bacteriological quality of groundwaters in cemeteries].

Groundwater samples collected by piezometers from three cemeteries in geologically distinct areas of S. Paulo and Santos, Brazil, were analysed in order to determine their hygienic and sanitary conditions. Fecal coliformes, fecal streptococci, sulfite reducer clostridia and Salmonella were searched for the purpose of evaluating sanitary conditions, and total coliforms, heterotrophic bacteria, proteolitic and lipolitic microorganisms for evaluating hygienic conditions. In some samples, nitrate levels were also determined. It was discovered that these waters do not present adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions and that, in some cases, nitrate levels were extremely high (75.7 mg/l). In most samples, higher levels of fecal streptococci and sufite reducer clostridia than fecal coliforms were detected, which seems to show that the two former indicators would be more appropriate for evaluating the sanitary conditions of this kind of water. Salmonella were detected in only one of 44 samples analysed and coliphages in none. In the statistical analysis, the correlation matrix showed significant correlations among three fecal pollution indicators, as well as among anaerobic and aerobic heterotrophs and lipolitic bacteria. A direct relationship between the deterioration of water quality and the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the environment studied was observed. When cemeteries are constructed these conditions should, therefore, be taken into consideration.

Clostridium↗