Biomedical subjects

M Schmitz

Publications and source records attributed to M Schmitz.

129 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Tendencies in adult mortality in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 1970-1985. An international comparison.

"In order to evaluate mortality trends in adults aged 30-69 years in the State of Rio Grande do Sul [Brazil], changes in age-standardized mortality from 1970 to 1985 were calculated and compared with trends of 33 other countries. Virtual stability in Rio Grande do Sul over this 16-year period contrasts with dramatic reduction in age-standardized all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality in many countries.... The data demonstrate that major declines in adult mortality can be achieved, and suggest that, during the period 1970-1985, Rio Grande do Sul participated little in the international tendency toward improved adult health." (SUMMARY IN POR)

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Feeding neurologically disabled children with dysphagia: the role for gastrostomy].

INTRODUCTION: Undernutrition and growth retardation are often observed in children with severe neurological disabilities. Our experience of feeding gastrostomy in children and adolescents with central nervous system (CNS) disease and dysphagia is reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A gastrostomy feeding tube was placed in 11 children who had severe impairment of swallowing and clinically evident food aspiration. Percutaneous endoscopic technique was preferred, unless operative placement was suggested by unfavourable anatomical conditions or concomitant abdominal surgery. Commercial formulas or natural food were used at home and the children were regularly followed-up at the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: Median age at the gastrostomy placement and median follow-up lenght were 5.9 years (range 1.8-16.7 years) and 15 months (3-66 months) respectively. Four of 11 patients had moderate (weight/height (W/H) ratio = 80%) and 3 severe (W/H ratio < 70%) malnutrition. Ten of 11 subject were exclusively gastrostomy fed. After 3 months of enteral nutrition a weight gain was observed in all patients as well as a significant increase of mean W/H ratio (81.2% vs. 87.2%, p = .002). Nutritional improvement was confirmed at follow-up, despite caloric intakes lower (< 50%) than recommended for age and weight. Micronutrients and vitamins were supplemented on the basis of calculated intakes. CONCLUSIONS: In children with severe CNS disease and dysphagia, long-term gastrostomy feeding is a safe and useful method that allows adequate nutritional and micronutrient intakes and prevents the risk of dystrophy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

P-glycoprotein expression in circulating blood leukocytes of patients with steroid-resistant asthma.

P-Glycoprotein is a transmembrane efflux pump for different lipophilic drugs including glucocorticosteroids. Thus, upregulation of P-glycoprotein may provide a mechanism for reduced glucocorticosteroid responses as they occur in steroid-resistant asthma. To address this issue, we have examined freshly isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells and granulocytes with regards to P-glycoprotein functional and surface expression. Using two-color immuno fluorescence techniques, we demonstrated a direct correlation between the efflux of the fluorescent dye Rh 123 and P-glycoprotein surface expression in lymphocytes, NK (natural killer) cells, monocytes and granulocytes. P-Glycoprotein levels varied widely between different leucocytes, with NK cells and CD8+ T cells having high, and granulocytes having no detectable levels. There was no evidence for upregulation of P-glycoprotein expression in any cell type from patients with steroid-resistant asthma compared to patients with steroid-sensitive or mild asthma. These results suggest that increased P-glycoprotein expression can be excluded as a mechanism for steroid resistance. Interestingly, a down regulation of P-glycoprotein expression in B cells was associated with systemic glucocorticosteroid treatment in vivo and in vitro. Whether this phenomenon may account for reduced immunoglobulin levels associated with oral glucocortico-steroid therapy remains to be determined.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗