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R Santos

Publications and source records attributed to R Santos.

95 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
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Serum antibody response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in Down's syndrome.

Persons with Down's syndrome (DS) are susceptible to severe and precocious periodontal disease. Several organisms have been implicated in the etiology of periodontal disease, including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa). It is unknown whether circulating antibodies correlate with the severity of periodontal disease in DS. This study determined the circulating antibody titers to Aa in sera of DS and normal patients. Eleven DS patients with periodontal disease (pocket depth > 4 mm), five DS patients with gingivitis (inflammation and pocket depth < or = 3 mm), and 10 non-DS healthy subjects had blood drawn and analyzed for antibody response to Aa. Conventional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with goat anti-human IgG was performed for Aa-reactive serum diluted 1:200 to 1:12,800. Geometric mean titer was calculated, and significant differences were noted between the control group and the DS groups (p = 0.05), with the DS periodontal group having the highest response, followed by the DS gingivitis and normal controls, respectively. The DS groups were not significantly different. DS patients may exhibit a higher Aa antibody response, due to the presence of the organism, previous exposure, or in proportion to the extent of their periodontal condition.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The ecdysone inducible gene expression system: unexpected effects of muristerone A and ponasterone A on cytokine signaling in mammalian cells.

Inducible gene expression systems in mammalian cells have been shown to be valuable processes to study the specific function of a protein in differentiation, proliferation or survival/apoptosis. Usually, these systems use as inducible reagents, compounds that are thought to be neutral and devoid of physiological or biologically undesirable effects in mammalian cells. We recently used the ecdysone inducible gene expression system in hematopoietic cells and found that the two inducer analogs of ecdysone, muristerone A and ponasterone A, altered the signaling pathways induced by IL-3 in the pro-B cell-line, Ba/F3. Indeed, we showed that these two analogs potentiate the IL-3-dependent activation of the PI 3-kinase/Akt pathway, which could ultimately interfere with the growth, and/or survival of these cells.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Indirect sonographic guidance for epidural anesthesia in obese pregnant patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Obesity and edema frequently obscure anatomic landmarks and result in technical difficulties during epidural anesthesia administration. However, the method of indirect sonographic guidance permits identification of the midline by sagittal scan of the laminae of lumbar vertebrae 2, 3, and 4. METHODS: Thirty-six obese women scheduled for elective repeat cesarean delivery were prospectively studied. Use of a 5-MHz transducer positioned with the transducer center site over the second or third interspace allowed measurement of skin-to-lamina distance by the electronic calipers of a Toshiba SAL-32B or RT 3000 GE machine, prediction of needle depth for epidural puncture (EP), and skin marking of the site. After the transducer was removed, a 9.5- or 11.4-cm Tuohy needle was percutaneously advanced perpendicularly from the site until EP was achieved. RESULTS: Needle depth was measured by marker and measure, and epidural anesthesia was successfully administered to all patients. Simple linear regression analysis was performed with strong positive results. Indirect and continuous sonographic guidance studies designed to determine whether sonography reduces complications are planned.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): use of minilaparotomy and an individualized regimen of induction of follicular development.

The performance of the gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) technique, utilizing an individualized regimen of follicular induction and minilaparotomy in 45 patients with infertility of varying etiologies is reported. The induction regimen consisted of the administration of clomiphene citrate, 100 mg, from day 3 to day 7, and 150 IU FSH/LH (human menopausal gonadotropin [hMG]) from day 6 on. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; 10,000 IU) was administered when at least two follicles measured 16 mm or more in diameter and when serum estradiol (E2) measurement revealed levels of 350 pg/ml per each main follicle. Up to two oocytes and 100,000 motile sperm were transferred to the fallopian tubes via the fimbria, using a catheter. Of the 45 cases, 13 became pregnant by clinical criteria (29 per cent). Of these 13 pregnancies, nine continued to term (69 per cent), three miscarried spontaneously (12 per cent) and one was an ectopic (7 per cent). Of the nine pregnancies that continued to term, five (55 per cent) were twins. Details of the GIFT procedure as well the preliminary non-human primate research studies that led to the development of the GIFT technique are discussed. It is concluded that GIFT is an excellent alternative to in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF; ET) in all cases of infertility that failed to conceive using conventional forms of therapy and in which the female partner presents at least one normal fallopian tube.

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