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Biomedical subjects

J Santos

Publications and source records attributed to J Santos.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Cigarette smoking and other behavioral risk factors for recurrence of colorectal adenomatous polyps (New York City, NY, USA).

Adenomatous polyps (hereinafter referred to as adenomas) are known precursors of colorectal cancer. Cigarette smoking has been associated with adenomas but not with colorectal cancer, while alcohol and fat intake have been associated with both adenomas and cancer in some studies. Approximately 30 percent of patients with resected adenomas develop another adenoma within three years. This case-control study explores the association of cigarette smoking with adenoma recurrence. Between April 1986 and March 1988, we administered a questionnaire to colonoscoped patients aged 35 to 84 years in three New York City (NY, USA) practices. We compared 186 recurrent polyp cases (130 males, 56 females) and 330 controls (187 males, 143 females) who had a history of polypectomy but normal follow-up colonoscopy, by cigarette-smoking pack-years adjusted for possible confounders. Risk for a metachronous or recurrent adenoma was significantly greater in the highest quartile of smokers than in never-smokers among both men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-3.4) and women (OR = 3.6, CI = 1.7-7.6). Adjustment for time since smoking cessation reduced risk only slightly, as did adjustment for dietary fat intake, which itself remained significant. No association was found between alcohol intake and risk of recurrence. Cigarette smokers appear to have an elevated risk of adenoma recurrence that is not eliminated entirely by smoking cessation. Intervention trials that use adenoma recurrence as an endpoint should take smoking into account.

Adenomatous Polyps↗

Isolated renal mucormycosis in two AIDS patients.

Two cases of mucormycosis in patients with exclusively renal involvement and advanced HIV infection are reported. In both cases the clinical course was relatively benign; in one case a tendency towards regression with no specific treatment was observed, and in the other case the infection resolved after nephrectomy and antifungal therapy. Renal mucormycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of diffuse renal enlargement in HIV-infected patients.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Pneumothorax in patients with AIDS].

METHODS: From January 1986 to 31 November 1993, 354 cases of AIDS (CDC criteria 1987) were diagnosed. The possible existence of spontaneous pneumothorax at any time during the evolution and its presumed cause were evaluated. RESULTS: During the period studied, 7 (1.9%) of AIDS patients presented pneumothorax. The existence of a pulmonary infection was proven in 6: 3 pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii, 2 bacterial pneumonia (Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas sp.) and 1 tuberculosis. One patient presented a Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia 3 months prior to the pneumothorax. In the study period 88 (22.8%) of the AIDS patients presented pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii and 181 (51.1%) presented tuberculosis. The rate of pneumothorax in patients with a history or presence of pneumonia by Pneumocystis carinii was of 4.5% and 0.5% in patients with tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: The development of pneumothorax is relatively frequent in patients with AIDS in our area. As found in other series, its most frequent cause was Pneumocistis carinii pneumonia, despite the high incidence of tuberculosis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Bacteremia and recurrent arthritis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes in a heroin addict with AIDS].

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacteria which, at present, is seldom isolated in blood and articular fluid. An intravenous drug addict with human immunodeficiency virus infection, with bacteremia and arthritis by S. pyogenes, associated with tuberculosis is presented. METHODS: Blood and articular fluid cultures were collected in the usual and Löwenstein-Jensen media. RESULTS: The patient improved with penicillin and tuberculostatic drugs. Nine months after this episode, the patient reinitiated intravenous drug addiction, and developed another presentation of bacteremia and arthritis by S. pyogenes. CONCLUSIONS: Heroin addict patients constitute a risk group for bacteremias ans severe infections by S. pyogenes.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Machado-Joseph disease in pedigrees of Azorean descent is linked to chromosome 14.

A locus for Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) has recently been mapped to a 30-cM region of chromosome 14q in five pedigrees of Japanese descent. MJD is a clinically pleomorphic neurodegenerative disease that was originally described in subjects of Azorean descent. In light of the nonallelic heterogeneity in other inherited spinocerebellar ataxias, we were interested to determine if the MJD phenotype in Japanese and Azorean pedigrees arose from mutations at the same locus. We provide evidence that MJD in five pedigrees of Azorean descent is also linked to chromosome 14q in an 18-cM region between the markers D14S67 and AACT (multipoint lod score +7.00 near D14S81). We also report molecular evidence for homozygosity at the MJD locus in an MJD-affected subject with severe, early-onset symptoms. These observations confirm the initial report of linkage of MJD to chromosome 14; suggest that MJD in Japanese and Azorean subjects may represent allelic or identical mutations at the same locus; and provide one possible explanation (MJD gene dosage) for the observed phenotypic heterogeneity in this disease.

Age of Onset↗

Phylogenetic relationships among laboratory and wild-origin Mus musculus strains on the basis of genomic DNA RFLPs.

Genetic distance measures between the laboratory mouse strains C57BL/6J and RF/J and the wild-origin Mus musculus mouse strains CAST/Ei, MOLF/Ei, POSCH I, and CZECH II were estimated by allelic patterns revealed by RFLP analysis. These results suggest phylogenetic relationships indicating that the mouse strains related to the subspecies M.m. domesticus (RF/J, POSCH I and C57BL/6J) are more closely related to the CAST/Ei strain (derived from M.m. castaneus) than to the strains CZECH II (M.m. musculus) and MOLF/Ei (M.m. molossinus). Furthermore, the hybrid strain C57BL/6J is more closely related to POSCH I (M.m. poschiavinus) than to RF/J as calculated by the method distance measures of Cavalli-Sforza and Edwards (Evolution 21,550, 1967), Nei's minimum (Am. Natural. 106,283, 1972) and unbiased minimum (Genetics 89,583, 1978), Edwards (Biometrics 27,873, 1971; Genetic Distance, p. 41, 1974) and Rogers modified (1986).

Alleles↗

Novel RFLPs at protooncogene and cancer-related gene loci on mouse chromosomes.

DNA probes for the NRAS, HRAS, KRAS2, LCK, RAF1, MET, MYCL1, MYCN, MYB, ERBB2, FOS, CSF1R, and SRC protooncogene loci; the retinoblastoma gene locus (RB1); the tumor virus integration sites INT2, PVT1, and MLV12; and the locus of the tumor-specific antigen T1A were used to screen mouse genomic DNAs from RF/J, CAST/Ei, MOLF/Ei, Mus musculus musculus, M. m. poschiavinus, and M. spretus. Polymorphic DNA fragments for the 18 DNA probes have been identified using Southern blot hybridization and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis.

Animals↗

Stroke subtypes among Hispanics living in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Results from the Luis Vernaza Hospital Stroke Registry.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Racial differences in stroke subtypes have been documented. Asians have a higher rate of cerebral hemorrhage than whites; however, there is little information about stroke subtypes among Hispanics. The purpose of this study was to determine the patterns of stroke subtypes in a population of Hispanics. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive patients with a first stroke were included. Patients were collected from hospital wards, the emergency department, and the outpatient clinic to ensure inclusion of patients with a wide range of stroke severity. Computed tomography was available in all cases. Patients with pure subarachnoid hemorrhage were excluded. RESULTS: There were 313 (62.6%) patients with an infarct and 187 (37.4%) with a hemorrhage. Hypertensive arteriolopathy was the most common cause of both infarcts and hemorrhages. The carotid territory was involved in 70.6% of the 313 patients with infarcts, the vertebrobasilar territory in 17.9%, multiple territories in 6.7%, and a watershed area in 4.8%. Hemorrhages were most often lobar (36.4%), followed by putaminal (30.5%), brain stem (9.1%), cerebellar (8%), thalamic (8%), ventricular (5.3%), and caudate (2.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This hospital-based stroke registry suggests that stroke in Hispanics has a pattern different from that in whites but similar to that in Asians. Cerebral hemorrhages occur three times more frequently in Hispanics than in whites.

Adult↗

[Atrial septostomy with a balloon catheter under echocardiographic control. Our experience].

INTRODUCTION: We report our experience in balloon atrial septostomy using two-dimensional echocardiography as control for the catheter placement and performance of the procedure instead of traditional fluoroscopic control. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out atrial septostomy in 12 consecutive neonates with age between 1 and 18 days (mean = 3.6 +/- 5 days) diagnosed as d-transposition of the great arteries (10 cases) and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (2 cases). The procedures were performed in the catheterization laboratory in 7 cases. In the five remaining cases it was done in the neonatal intensive care unit. We emphasise the good visualization of the full balloon within the left atrium and its relationship with the mitral valve and the pulmonary veins, as well as, the problems found in case number 2 for initial placement of the catheter in the left atrium. RESULTS: An adequate atrial septal defect was achieved in all patients with diameter between 6 and 12 mm (mean = 8.6 +/- 2 mm). There were no complications using this technique, except a supraventricular tachycardia which stopped spontaneously. The evolution of the patients have been satisfactory, and 11 of them underwent surgery. Patient number 2 died suddenly on the third day after atrial septostomy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that atrial septostomy with balloon catheter can be carried out safely, under echocardiographic control in the intensive care unit. Above all, critical patients should not be removed from the unit because they are high risk patients.

Catheterization↗

Differential expression of DNAseI-sensitive sites in metaphase chromosomes of T and B lymphocytes.

Thirty-one recurrent DNAseI-sensitive sites were expressed in G-banded metaphases of cultured T and B lymphocytes. Approximately one-half of these sites were found in both T and B cells and the other half were differentially expressed in the two cell types. The DNAseI-sensitive sites showed a strong correlation with the chromosomal gene location of T-cell receptors, interleukins produced by lymphocytes, and mapped surface antigens involved in the activation/proliferation of lymphocytes. The findings suggest that the chromatin of these very active genes remain accessible to DNAseI during cell division, and may help determine their precise chromosomal location.

Antigens, CD↗

HIV-1 infection among non-intravenous drug user female prostitutes in Spain. No evidence of evolution to pattern II.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of HIV-1 infection among non-intravenous drug user (IVDU) female prostitutes in Spain and to determine risk factors for HIV-1 infection in this population. DESIGN: Cross-sectional seroepidemiological study of 519 non-IVDU prostitutes. SETTING: Four university hospitals. METHODS: All participants completed a questionnaire and provided a serum sample. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against HIV-1, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Treponema pallidum. RESULTS: Twelve out of the 519 (2.31%) participants were HIV-1-seropositive. HIV-1 infection was associated with the presence of both HCV and T. pallidum antibodies, multiple sex partners, longer history of prostitution, history of genital ulcers and anal intercourse. Condom use was associated with HIV-1 seronegativity. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of HIV-1 infection in non-IVDU prostitutes in Spain remains relatively low. Risk increases with a higher rate of sexual exposure and practices such as anal intercourse and unprotected coitus.

Adolescent↗

Use of polymerase chain reaction and nonradioactive DNA probes to diagnose Entamoeba histolytica in clinical samples.

E. histolytica parasites in Mexican children's stools were identified and typed as pathogenic or non-pathogenic using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nonradioactive probes. PCRs were performed with primers specific for 145 base pair (bp) pathogenic or 133 bp non-pathogenic DNA sequences, which are highly repeated in E. histolytica parasites with pathogenic or non-pathogenic isoenzyme patterns, respectively. Dot-blotted PCR products were identified with a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated oligonucleotide probe specific for either the 145 bp pathogenic or 133 bp non-pathogenic sequences. The PCR and the 145 bp pathogenic probe correctly identified eight cultures with pathogenic isoenzyme types and none of nine cultures with non-pathogenic isoenzyme. The PCR and 133 bp non-pathogenic probe identified all of the non-pathogenic cultures, none of the axenized pathogenic cultures, and three of five xenic cultures with pathogenic isoenzymes. The two probes together identified all 49 stools containing E. histolytica by light microscopy (sensitivity = 1.0), which represented the entire set of the E. histolytica-positive stools diagnosed at the Hospital Infantil over a 10 week period. Most patient isolates were positive with both 145 bp pathogenic and 133 bp non-pathogenic probes, suggesting that these children, 60% of whom were dysenteric, are infected with mixed populations of amebas.

Animals↗

"Premorbid" personality of patients with Parkinson's disease.

To elucidate the possible existence of a so called "premorbid parkinsonian personality" we studied 33 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 66 controls who did not differ in age, sex, geographic origin, and cultural level, with the Spanish version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Females of the PD group obtained significantly higher scores than females of the control group for the scales of hypochondria (p less than 0.01), depression (p less than 0.01), hysteria (p less than 0.05), and social introversion (p less than 0.01). The scores of the males with PD in all of the clinical scales of MMPI did not differ significantly from those of the male controls. These results, despite the difficulty of interpretation of a test done in a retrospective way, would agree with the hypothesis previously suggested of the possible existence of a "premorbid" parkinsonian personality, at least in females.

Aged↗

[Cervical aortic arch associated with cardiopathy].

We report five children affected with cervical aortic arch associated with tetralogy of Fallot (2), pulmonary atresia with interventricular septal defect (2) and pulmonary branch stenosis (1). Their ages were between one day and three months when they were diagnosed. With regard to one patient, the diagnosis was clinically suspected before catheterism. In four patients it was an angiographic finding since they didn't present the clinical signs when they underwent catheterism. One of these four patients showed such signs later. Only two cases can be inserted in Haughton classification; the other three can be included in the "unclassified group". Children's present clinical conditions are independent from this very rare anomaly and they depend on the associated heart malformations.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

[Anomalous origin of left coronary artery in pulmonary artery].

We report 2 infants aged 6 months and one year with an anomalous left coronary artery origin treated surgically at our centre with direct aortic reimplantation of the anomalous coronary. Evolution has been satisfactory, with a great improvement of ventricular function. The mitral incompetence and congestive heart failure have disappeared and myocardic perfusion electrocardiographic patterns were corrected. Because of the unfavorable natural course of the disease and the improvement in techniques of coronary revascularization in infants we recommend an early surgical treatment as soon as it be diagnosed. We consider that the most adequate surgical treatment is the direct aortic reimplantation of the anomalous coronary artery.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗