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Biomedical subjects

M Magalhães

Publications and source records attributed to M Magalhães.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Tremor as the first neurological manifestation of Sneddon's syndrome.

We report on a 54-year-old woman with Sneddon's syndrome manifested by livedo reticularis, fetal losses, hypertension, and high antinuclear antibody titres. At the age of 42 years she developed tremor of the trunk, limbs, and head only in the standing position that interfered with walking, followed some years later by cognitive decline and a parkinsonian syndrome. T2-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging showed high signal in cortical areas, basal ganglia, midbrain, and cerebellum.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed2003

Polyclonal outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteraemia in haemodialysis patients.

We report a polyclonal outbreak of bacteraemia involving 24 patients at a haemodialysis facility in Recife (Brazil). During the outbreak period (4 June to 11 July, 2001), three Burkholderia cepacia complex strains were isolated from human blood and from various water samples collected at different sites in the haemodialysis unit and from dialysate fluids. Out of 14 patients with positive blood cultures, six were infected by Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria: three with Burkholderia cepacia genomovar III, two with a first strain of Burkholderia vietnamiensis, and one with the Burkholderia cepacia genomovar III strain and a second B. vietnamiensis strain.

Bacteremia↗
PubMed2001

Molecular analysis of clinical isolates of Providencia alcalifaciens.

In an attempt to elucidate the virulence factors and the pathogenic mechanisms of Providencia alcalifaciens, 36 isolates identified in 1994-1995 in Recife city, Brazil were analysed by PCR to investigate the presence of DNA sequences homologous to virulence genes described in other invasive enterobacteria, as well as their ability to invade HeLa cells, their plasmid profiles and antibiotic resistance patterns. The genetic diversity of the isolates was also analysed by RAPD-PCR. No homologous sequences of virulence genes were observed with any of the P. alcalifaciens isolates studied. Ten isolates had no plasmid and 26 harboured one-to-five plasmids of 147-<6.9 kb. Invasion of HeLa cells was observed in only 10 isolates. No correlation between the plasmid content of the strains, their invasion of HeLa cells or their resistance to antimicrobial drugs could be established. The isolates could be distributed into 10 genotypic groups by RAPD-PCR. Considering the genotypic profile and ability to invade HeLa cells, 7 of the 10 invasive isolates belonged to the same genotypic group. The presence of invasive isolates in the same or a related genotypic group suggests the existence of a clonal lineage responsible for the invasiveness.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

General practitioners and neurotelemedicine.

Predicting attitudes towards teleconsultation systems and intentions of use is crucial at the beginning of the implementation phase, due to the critical role of human factors in its acceptance and continuous utilisation. The main objective of this study was to assess and understand GP's attitudes and intentions towards using the teleconsultation system in Neurology, implemented in Lisbon, between Hospital de Santa Maria/Neurology Outpatient Clinic and the Health Care Centers of its Health Unit. The final aim is the promotion of a wide acceptance and utilisation of the system, through the development of adequate communication strategies. A predictive model "Theory of Reasoned Action" was chosen as method. It was operated with the application of a questionnaire to a sample of 53 GP's, developed from the results of a content analysis of 10 interviews. A total of 44 GP's stated that, probably they will use the system, 5 were neutral and 4 probably will not use it. The responses were submitted to factor and multiple regression analysis. Attitude was determined by only one factor "Accessibility and Quality" (b = 0.486; p = 0.007) from the 5 factors obtained. The intention variance was explained in 26.9% by the attitude and subjective norm. However, only the attitudinal factor (b = 0.469; p = 0.002) contributes significantly to its explanation with no significant influence from the subjective norm. GP's intentions towards using the system are very positive. Nevertheless, there are significant differences between the centers that are participating and not participating in the project. Communication strategies envisaging dissemination and generalised acceptance and utilisation should focus on accessibility and quality of care aspects.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Sparfloxacin, Relative to Other Oral Antibiotics Against 1,125 Bacterial Isolates from 10 Medical Centers in Brazil.

A multicenter study was carried out in order to compare the in vitro activity of sparfloxacin to ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cephalexin, cefuroxine and azithromycin, against 1,125 microorganisms recently isolated from clinical specimens, most of them representative of respiratory tract infections. Sparfloxacin demonstrated potent action and was more active than the beta-lactam agents and azithromycin against most of the bacterial strains tested. Sparfloxacin was more potent (96% and 95% sensitivity, with MIC(90) of 0.19µg/mL and 0.5µg/mL, respectively)than the other antimicrobial agents tested against the Enterobacteriaceae family (Escherichia coli and Elebsiella pneumoniae). It was found to be equivalent in activity to ciprofloxacin (96% and 91% sensitivity and MIC(90) of 0.25 and 0.75µg/mL, respectively). Sparfloxacin was also found to be very active against the most fastidious microorganisms commonly associated to respiratory tract infections such as the penicillin-susceptible and resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC(90) 0.5µg/mL and 0.38µg/mL, respectively), ampicillin-susceptible and -resistant Haemophilus influenzae (MIC(90) 0.016µg/mL and 0.38µg/mL, respectively), beta-lactamase producing Moraxella catarrhalis (MIC(90) 0.032µg/mL) and non beta-lactamase producing M.catarrhalis (MIC(90) 0.5µg/mL).

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial of efficacy of vitamin A treatment in non-measles childhood pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact on clinical recovery and severity of the addition of large doses of vitamin A to the standard treatment for childhood pneumonia. DESIGN: A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. SETTING: Study children were recruited at a public hospital in Recife, north east Brazil, an area of marginal vitamin A deficiency. SUBJECTS: 472 children aged 6 to 59 months with clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. INTERVENTIONS: 200,000 IU (infants) or 400,000 IU (1-4 year olds) of vitamin A in oil or similar capsules of placebo divided into two daily oral doses, in addition to the standard treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Duration of the episode and incidence of adverse outcomes. RESULTS: The groups were similar with respect to overall duration of pneumonia and incidence of adverse outcomes. Children who received vitamin A, however, were less likely to have fever by day 3 (P = 0.008) and were 29% less likely to fail to respond to the first line antibiotic (P = 0.054). CONCLUSION: There was little evidence for an effect of vitamin A treatment on the immediate outcome of the pneumonia episode.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1997

DYSBOT: a single-blind, randomized parallel study to determine whether any differences can be detected in the efficacy and tolerability of two formulations of botulinum toxin type A--Dysport and Botox--assuming a ratio of 4:1.

BACKGROUND: Elston and Russell discovered a difference in the biological potency of the English formulation of botulinum toxin type A or BTX-A (Dysport) and the American formulation (Botox). Potency of both is expressed in LD50 mouse units, but because of assay differences, these units are not equivalent. Since the first warning by Quinn and Hallet on the clinical importance of this issue, it has been impossible to reach a consensus on the conversion factor for the potency of these formulations. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that the conversion factor for the clinical potency of Dysport to Botox is approximately 4:1. DYSBOT is an acronym that results from adding "DYS" from Dysport with "BOT" from Botox. PATIENTS AND METHODS DESIGN: A single-blind, randomized, parallel comparison. A total of 91 patients with blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm were randomized to treatment with Dysport or Botox using a fixed potency ratio of 4:1. Clinical evaluations: The patients were evaluated at baseline (day of the treatment). 1 month after treatment, and whenever the effect was judged to be fading. Objective and functional rating scales were used as quantitative measures of the change in clinical status. Adverse reactions were collected using a systematic questionnaire. RESULTS: Using this ratio between products, both Dysport and Botox groups produced similar clinical efficacy and tolerability. For patients showing a positive response without the need of a booster, the duration of effect was 13.3 +/- 5.9 weeks for the Dysport group and 11.2 +/- 5.8 weeks for the Botox group. Of 48 patients, 11 (23%) needed booster treatment in the Dysport group compared with five (12%) of 43 in Botox group. Adverse events were noted in 24 (50%) of 48 patients in the Dysport group and 20 (47%) of 43 of the Botox-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: Using a 4:1 conversion ratio for Dysport and Botox, similar results were obtained for the two treatments in an appropriately powered study, suggesting that this conversion factor is a good estimate of their comparative clinical potencies.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Evaluation of the in vitro activity of cefepime compared to other broad-spectrum cephalosporins against clinical isolates from eighteen Brazilian hospitals by using the Etest.

The in vitro activity of cefepime was compared to that of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, and cefotaxime in a multicenter study involving 10 clinical microbiology laboratories and clinical isolates from 18 Brazilian hospitals from 7 cities (4 states). A total of 982 isolates consecutively collected between December 1995 and March 1996 were susceptibility tested by using Etest and following the NCCLS procedures for agar diffusion tests. The cefepime spectrum was broader than that of the other broad-spectrum cephalosporins against both Gram-negative rods and Gram-positive cocci. Cefepime was particularly more active against Enterobacter sp. (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml), Serratia sp. (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml) and oxacillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MIC90, 3 micrograms/ml). Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cefepime (MIC90, 16 micrograms/ml) was slightly more active than ceftazidime (MIC90, 32 micrograms/ml) and 8- to 16-fold more active than ceftriaxone of cefotaxime (MIC90, > 256 micrograms/ml). Our results show that nosocomial bacteria, especially Gram-negative rods, have a high rate of cephalosporin resistance in Brazil. However, part of these resistant bacteria remains susceptible to cefepime. The Etest was shown to be an excellent method for multicenter studies of the in vitro evaluation of new antimicrobial agents.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1995

Autonomic dysfunction in pathologically confirmed multiple system atrophy and idiopathic Parkinson's disease--a retrospective comparison.

INTRODUCTION: Autonomic dysfunction (AD) can be a feature of both multiple system atrophy (MSA) and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), conditions that are frequently misdiagnosed in life. Most studies on AD in MSA and IPD are based on clinical cases without pathological verification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed AD in 135 pathologically confirmed cases of IPD and in 33 of MSA from the UK PD Society Brain Bank. RESULTS: MSA started at a younger age than IPD (54.4 +/- 10.7 yrs versus 60.6 +/- 10.8 yrs), and AD began earlier in the course of the illness All MSA patients had some degree of AD in life whereas AD was absent in 24% of IPD patients. Although each of five autonomic domains was affected in variable numbers of IPD patients, AD in MSA generally involved more autonomic domains than in IPD, and to a more severe degree, in particular with regard to inspiratory stridor. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the presence of autonomic disturbance alone does not distinguish between MSA and IPD in individual cases. However, the presence of severe AD, of AD preceding parkinsonism, or of inspiratory stridor, are all individually suggestive of MSA.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Clinicopathological study of 35 cases of multiple system atrophy.

The clinical and pathological features of 35 cases with multiple system atrophy collected in the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank (UKPDSBB) between 1985 and 1992 have been analysed. The median age of onset was 55 (range 33.3-75.8) years and median survival was 7.3 (range 2.1-11.5) years. Parkinsonism, usually asymmetric, occurred in all, and autonomic failure in all but one case. Cerebellar signs were noted in 34% and pyramidal features in 54% of the cases. Glial cytoplasmic inclusions were found in all cases with adequate fixation. Lewy bodies were detected in three cases. The substantia nigra was (usually severely) depleted of cells in all cases. With two exceptions the putamen was atrophic; the caudate and pallidum were less commonly and less severely affected. Overall nigrostriatal cell loss correlated with severity of disease at the time of death. The latest, but not the best, recorded levodopa response tended to be inversely related to the degree of putaminal degeneration. The olivopontocerebellar system was involved in 88% of the cases, the cerebellar vermis usually being more severely affected than the hemispheres. The presence of associated cerebellar pathology was, however, unrelated to the presence of cerebellar signs in life.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Abnormal origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency and severity of the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (ALCA) from the pulmonary artery (PA). DESIGN OF THE STUDY: Prospective study of case series between March 1991 and December 1994. SETTING: Referral-based Paediatric Cardiology Department of a Tertiary Care Center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Five consecutive patients (pts) with anomalous origin of the LCA from the PA; there were three infants aged 4 months and two children one 8 year and one 9 year old. There were three girls and two boys. All pts had clinical and 2D-echo and Doppler investigation prior to cardiac catheterization (CC). Indication for CC was based in the association of symptoms and signs of myocarditis or dilated cardiomyopathy of acute or subacute onset and electrocardiographic (ECG) signs of ischemia in infants. In older patients (pts) diagnosis was suspected mainly from ECG. During CC in all pts, aortograms and when necessary selective coronary angiograms were performed. Surgical correction was performed in all children. In two pts stress exercise ECG and stress Thallium studies before and after surgery were performed. RESULTS: two pts had "adult" an three had "infantile" type of ALCA from the PA. CC was performed and diagnosis was confirmed at surgery in all cases. In one child, correct diagnosis was made by ECO prior to CC and in one case LCA to PA fistula was suspected on Colour-Doppler study. No complications were attributed to CC. Several types of surgery were performed: reimplantation of the ALCA from the PA to the aorta (three pts); tunnel connection of the aorta to the ALCA via the PA (one pt) and left internal mammary to LCA anastomosis (one pt). Two infants died intraoperatively due to extensive myocardial infarction and poor left ventricular function. All the three survivors are asymptomatic after a mean follow up of 34 months. Two oldest pts are currently in New York Heart Association functional class I with normal ECG and improved myocardial perfusion on Thallium scan despite almost total occlusion of LCA at the site of implantation in the aorta as diagnosed on coronary angiogram. CONCLUSIONS: ALCA from PA is associated with major morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis should be suspected in pts with unexplained myocardial ischemia on ECG and even more if it is associated to clinical signs of dilated cardiomyopathy or myocarditis. Careful assessment on ECO and pulsed Doppler and colour flow mapping should make the diagnosis in most cases. Although surgery can be performed based only on ECO diagnosis, we strongly advise for angiography in all cases as in our experience there are false negative diagnosis by ECO. Preoperative Thallium studies can be useful for the selection of the type of surgery as pts with very little viable myocardium will not survive the establishment of a direct systemic to coronary blood flow and may be candidates for heart transplantation.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1995

[Cerebellar hematomas in a patient with atrial myxoma].

We describe a case report of a 69 year old woman with atrial myxoma, presented as a cerebellar syndrome caused by ischemic infarctions of the posterior circulation. The transthoracic 2D echocardiogram provided the diagnosis of a left atrial myxoma. Seven months after surgical removal of the cardiac tumor, the cerebellar syndrome worse with the acute development of intracranial hypertension. A CT scan detected multiple hematomas of both lobes and vermix of the cerebellum and hydrocephalus. These late neurologic complications permitted us to suspect and discuss some diagnostic hypotheses. Cardiac myxomas are rare and their presentation as early neurologic manifestations occur in 20-25% of the cases. The late neurologic complications of myxoma are even more rare, only a few cases being reported in world literature.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Clinical features and natural history of multiple system atrophy. An analysis of 100 cases.

The clinical features and natural history of 100 patients diagnosed as probable multiple system atrophy (MSA) are described. In all 14 (of 41 deceased) cases who underwent post-mortem examination of the brain, the diagnosis was confirmed pathologically, providing some validation of the clinical diagnostic criteria used. There were 67 men and 33 women. Median age at onset (at time of first reported symptom) was 53 (range 33-76) years. Autonomic symptoms were the initial feature in 41% of the patients, but had subsequently developed in 97% at latest follow-up. The most frequent autonomic symptom in men was impotence, and in women was urinary incontinence. Symptomatic orthostatic hypotension, although present in 68%, was severe in only 15% of patients. Parkinsonism was the initial feature in 46%, but had subsequently developed in 91% of subjects at latest follow-up. It was the predominant motor disorder [striatonigral degeneration (SND) type] in 82% of the patients, and was usually asymmetric (74%). Although akinesia and rigidity predominated, tremor was present at rest in 29% of patients, but in only 9% had a classical pill-rolling parkinsonian rest tremor been recorded. Twenty-nine percent of MSA patients had a good or excellent levodopa response at some stage. However, only 13% maintained this response. Prominent orofacial dyskinesias and dystonias occurred in a quarter of treated patients with MSA. Early onset (before age 49 years) MSA patients tended to have a good levodopa response. Cerebellar symptoms or signs were the only initial feature in 5%. Although subsequently developing in a further 47% of cases, in only 18% was a cerebellar syndrome the only (9%) or predominant (9%) motor disorder [olivopontocerebellar (OPCA) type]. Pyramidal involvement at latest follow-up was noted in 61% of all cases. In a further seven patients the initial features involved more than one system, and one other had presented as a parasomnia. Multiple system atrophy of the OPCA type most commonly presented with gait ataxia. Tremor, pyramidal signs and myoclonus were less common than in MSA of the SND type. Cerebellar signs were present in 42% of patients with MSA of the SND type and parkinsonian signs in 50% of patients with MSA of the OPCA type. Disease progression was faster than in idiopathic Parkinson's disease, so that > 40% of patients were markedly disabled or wheelchair bound within 5 years of onset of motor disturbance. Median survival of the whole group as calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis was 9.5 years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A study of the importance of the enterotoxigenic E. coli in children with acute diarrhoea in Recife, Brazil.

Even today acute diarrhoea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in young children. It is a serious public health problem in less-developed countries, primarily in households whose income is low. As such, it is one of the main causes of death, affecting the undernourished in particular. The potential enteropathogenic agents are distributed universally. However, there is a major difference in the prevalence, according to the areas and the characteristics of the population groups which were studied. In Brazil, since the 1970s, our attention has been drawn to the importance of the classic enteropathogenic strains of E. coli (EPEC) in the aetiology of diarrhoeal diseases, primarily those present in weaned infants in inner city neighbourhoods. On the other hand, Guerrant and co-workers, and Queiroz and co-workers found significant percentages of isolated colonies of enterotoxigenic coli (ETEC) in the stool material of children with symptoms of acute diarrhoea. In rural areas of less-developed countries the incidence of episodes of ETEC provoking diarrhoea is estimated to be between five and ten per person/year. Due to the social and medical gravity of acute diarrhoea, and to the lack of studies dealing with the aetiopathogenic role of the strains of ETEC in our area, we decided to analyse the frequency of isolation of ETEC in children with and without diarrhoea who were attending the out-patient department of the Instituto Materno Infantil de Pernambuco/IMIP.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Nucleolar alterations induced by 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine in adrenal cortex and liver cells of rat.

The nucleolar ultrastructural changes produced in adrenal zona fasciculata cells and hepatocytes of rats by 4-aminopyrazolo(3,4-d) pyrimidine (4-APP), an inhibitor of the lipoprotein synthesis, are described. Male rats were injected intraperitoneally for three consecutive days with 4-APP in sodium phosphate buffer (50 mg/Kg/day). On the 4th day, the animals were sacrificed and their adrenals and liver were processed for EM. The nucleoli of the adrenal zona fasciculata cells showed nucleolar fragmentation with loss of their normal reticular appearance, separation of fibrillar and granular components, extensive vacuolization and evidence of fibrillar centers. The hepatocyte nucleoli also exhibited fragmentation. These changes seem to be the morphological counterpart of alterations in rRNA synthesis and processing, since 4-APP inhibits "de novo" purine synthesis and thus interferes with its incorporation into RNA and DNA.

Adenine↗
PubMed1978

Hydrogen sulphide-positive strains of Escherichia coli from swine.

Thirty-two H2S-positive strains of Escherichia coli, isolated from the caecal contents or mesenteric lymph nodes or both of 60 apparently healthy pigs, were characterized. Eighteen different serotypes and 18 different fermentative types were found. During conjugation with E. coli K12, four strains transferred their Hys plasmids linked to Raf, and another transferred Hys associated with the Tc determinant. All Hys-Raf plasmids belong to incompatibility group FI, whilst Tc-Hys is an Fi- plasmid.

Animals↗