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T Martins

Publications and source records attributed to T Martins.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Occurrence and characterization of a nucleopolyhedrovirus from Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) isolated in the azores.

A nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliMNPV-Az) was isolated from diseased larvae of Spodoptera littoralis, collected at the Island of S. Miguel in Azores. The virulence of this isolate was tested against S. littoralis larvae in laboratory. LD50 against 2nd and 3rd instars were not significantly different, 1.44x10(4), 3.89x10(4) OBs per larvae, respectively, but both were significantly different from that against 4th instar, which was 61.3x10(4) OBs per larvae. The complete codons sequence of SpliMNPV-Az Polh gene obtained was 750 bp (NCBI GenBank Accession No. AY600451). This sequence was compared to other 38 polyhedrin genes from NPVs and to 6 granulin genes from GVs and resulted to be identical to the sequence of a SpliMNPV previously published, thus indicating that the natural host of SpliMNPV-Az must be S. littoralis. Genetic distances estimated from restriction enzymes profiles showed SpliMNPV-Az is close to the Egyptian SpliMNPV type B, despite some degree of genetic divergence suggested by slight differences observed on PstI profile.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

[Infective endocarditis].

Two different series of patients with Infectious Endocarditis (IE), hospitalized in the same ward of Curry Cabral Hospital in Lisbon, are presented and compared. The two series were separated by a ten-year period--the first included patients observed from 1970 to 1976 and the second from 1988 to 1998. In the first series (20 patients), IE occurred mainly in patients with previous cardiac valvular lesion, the course was subacute and Streptococcus viridans was the predominant agent. In the last series (65 patients), most of the patients were young and had no previous valvular lesions. Right side endocarditis predominated and the course was acute. Most of patients were drug addicts and had HIV infection. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant agent. The ages of the two series were significantly different (p < 0.005). The diagnostic value of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography is stressed. The details of the evolution of patients with HIV infection are presented according to the values of CD4+ lymphocyte counts. The relatively good prognosis of IE in drug addicts with antibiotic treatment, even with HIV infection, is emphasized.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Human polyclonal immunoglobulin labelled with technetium-99m via NHS-MAG3: a comparison of radiochemical behavior and biological efficacy with other labelling methods.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiochemical behavior, biological distribution, and localization in infection sites in mice of a human polyclonal immunoglobulin (HIG) labelled with 99mTc by a novel MAG3-labelling method. The resulting [99mTc]MAG3-HIG was compared with [99mTc]HIG preparations radiolabelled directly via 2-mercaptoethanol (2-Me) or stannous ion (Sn) reduction and indirectly via 2-iminothiolane (2-Im) conjugation. All preparations showed similar UV and radioactivity HPLC profile to that of native HIG except for 2-Im-HIG, which showed aggregates. The stabilities of the label to challenge with cysteine were similar for all the preparations. By nondenaturing SDS-PAGE, all preparations other than MAG3-HIG showed evidence of lower molecular weight fragments. The tissue distribution 4 and 24 h after intravenous administration of the four preparations were compared in mice previously administered with an isolate of Staphylococcus aureus in one thigh. The pharmacokinetics varied among the different preparations. When prepared via 2-Me, Sn, and 2-Im, both blood clearance and urinary excretion were faster than that of labelled MAG3-HIG. The absolute uptake in the infected thigh at 24 h was significantly higher for HIG labelled via MAG3 and 2-Me vs. the remaining methods. The infected thigh/normal thigh radioactivity ratios were similar at both time points for labelled HIG prepared via 2-Me, 2-Im, and NHS-MAG, methods but was significantly lower at 24 h for HIG prepared via Sn. The radioactive HPLC profiles of serum at 4 and 24 h were similar to that of the radiolabelled injectates. Based on these data we conclude that each radiolabelled HIG preparation studied showed increased localization in infectious foci although [99Tc]MAG3-HIG showed superior radiochemical and biological characteristics under the conditions of this investigation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome in brazil and the state of cear

Since February 1998, a total of 129,000 cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome have been reported in Brazil. The cumulative frequency of the disease is 82 per 100,000, which makes Brazil one of the countries moderatly affected. There are considerable differences between regions in the frequency of cases, from 25 per 100,000 in the north and north east to 152 per 100,000 in the south east. Sexual intercourse is still the predominant means of transmission. Transmission in the early years of the epidemic was mostly between homosexuals and bisexuals, but transmission via heterosexual intercourse is increasing. The contribution made by intravenous drug use differs between the regions, and is particularly large in the mid-south region. A pilot project in the city of Fortaleza has shown that it is possible to successfully integrate the diagnosis of STD and AIDS in health care units at an intermediate level. This appears to be an appropriate strategy for the integration of STD treatment into primary health care in Ceara State. The non-uniform pattern of development of this epidemic must be taken into account in epidemiological analyses of AIDS in Brazil.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

[Isolated right ventricular myxoma: report of a clinical case].

A clinical case of a 14 years old white female with asthenia and easy fatigue of two months duration is presented. The two-dimensional echocardiography study has identified a tumorous and homogeneous mass filling completely the right ventricle. During the cardiac surgery and with the help of extemporaneous biopsy the real nature of the tumor was confirmed-cardiac myxoma. In this report the authors discuss the incidence of cardiac tumors and particularly cardiac myxomas and point out the rarity of isolated myxomas in the right ventricle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Isolation and characterization of a previously undetected human cAMP phosphodiesterase by complementation of cAMP phosphodiesterase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We have established a highly sensitive functional screen for the isolation of cDNAs encoding cAMP phosphodiesterases (PDEs) by complementation of defects in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain lacking both endogenous cAMP PDE genes, PDE1 and PDE2. Three groups of cDNAs corresponding to three distinct human genes encoding cAMP-specific PDEs were isolated from a human glioblastoma cDNA library using this functional screen. Two of these genes are closely related to the Drosophila dunce cAMP-specific PDE. The third gene, which we named HCP1, encoded a novel cAMP-specific PDE. HCP1 has an amino acid sequence related to the sequences of the catalytic domains of all cyclic nucleotide PDEs. HCP1 is a high affinity cAMP-specific PDE (Km = 0.2 microM) that does not share other properties of the cAMP-specific PDE family, i.e. extensive sequence homology to the Drosophila dunce cAMP PDE and sensitivity to rolipram and R020-1724. The PDE activity of HCP1 is not sensitive to cGMP or other inhibitors of the cGMP-inhibitable PDEs, such as milrinone. The biochemical and pharmacological properties of HCP1 suggest that it is a member of a previously undiscovered cyclic nucleotide PDE family. Northern blot analysis indicates that high levels of HCP1 mRNA are present in human skeletal muscle.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMed1993

Wild type GAL4 binds cooperatively to the GAL1-10 UASG in vitro.

Transcription of the genes required for utilization of galactose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is controlled primarily by the transcriptional activator protein GAL4. The upstream activating sequences for galactose (UASG) of most GAL genes have multiple sites to which GAL4 can bind. In this report we compare the binding properties of wild type GAL4 and derivatives of GAL4 bearing the N-terminal DNA-binding domain to multiple DNA-binding sites in vitro. To produce wild type GAL4, we constructed a recombinant baculovirus for expression in insect cells. Recombinant wild type GAL4 was found to bind efficiently to an oligonucleotide containing a near-consensus 17-mer GAL4 DNA-binding site in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Footprinting experiments revealed that wild type GAL4 binds cooperatively to the four GAL4 DNA-binding sites of the GAL1-10 UASG; however, in contrast an N-terminal fragment of GAL4 containing only the DNA-binding/dimerization domains binds to each of these sites with slightly different affinity. With increasing concentrations of GAL4(1-147), the four sites become filled in the following order: site II, site IV, site I, and site III. In experiments with wild type GAL4, these four sites become fully occupied at approximately the same concentration of protein. In footprints of wild type GAL4 on the USAG, enhancements and protections of DNase I-sensitive cleavages are detectable between sites III and IV, indicative of formation of a loop between these distantly spaced sites. Binding of wild type GAL4 to a strong near-consensus binding site assists binding to an adjacent mutant site in both electrophoretic mobility shift and footprinting assays. GAL4(1-147) and GAL4(1-147) fused to portions of GAL4's activating region II were incapable of cooperative DNA binding in our assays. We conclude from these observations that wild type GAL4 has a cooperative DNA-binding function that is distinct from the DNA binding and dimerization or transcriptional activation functions, and likely plays and important role in precise regulation of GAL gene transcription.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

A family of human phosphodiesterases homologous to the dunce learning and memory gene product of Drosophila melanogaster are potential targets for antidepressant drugs.

We have isolated cDNAs for four human genes (DPDE1 through DPDE4) closely related to the dnc learning and memory locus of Drosophila melanogaster. The deduced amino acid sequences of the Drosophila and human proteins have considerable homology, extending beyond the putative catalytic region to include two novel, highly conserved, upstream conserved regions (UCR1 and UCR2). The upstream conserved regions are located in the amino-terminal regions of the proteins and appear to be unique to these genes. Polymerase chain reaction analysis suggested that these genes encoded the only homologs of dnc in the human genome. Three of the four genes were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and shown to encode cyclic AMP-specific phosphodiesterases. The products of the expressed genes displayed the pattern of sensitivity to inhibitors expected for members of the type IV, cyclic AMP-specific class of phosphodiesterases. Each of the four genes demonstrated a distinctive pattern of expression in RNA from human cell lines.

3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Brazil and the State of Ceará].

Since February 1998, a total of 129,000 cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome have been reported in Brazil. The cumulative frequency of the disease is 82 per 100,000 which makes Brazil one of the countries moderately affected. There are considerable differences between regions in the frequency of cases, from 25 per 100,000 in the north and north east to 152 per 100,000 in the south east. Sexual intercourse is still the predominant means of transmission. Transmission in the early years of the epidemic was mostly between homosexuals and bisexuals, but transmission via heterosexual intercourse is increasing. The contribution made by intravenous drug use differs between the regions, and is particularly large in the mid-south region. A pilot project in the city of Fortaleza has shown that it is possible to successfully integrate the diagnosis of STD and AIDS in health care units at an intermediate level. This appears to be an appropriate strategy for the integration of STD treatment into primary health care in Ceará State. The non-uniform pattern of development of this epidemic must be taken into account in epidemiological analyses of AIDS in Brazil.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[deficiency of growth hormone in children. Re-evaluation after therapeutic completion].

OBJECTIVE: To assess GH secretion in young adults treated with GH replacement therapy in childhood. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From the 38 patients who concluded treatment with GH, we studied 20 (52.6%), 9 girls and 11 boys. Thirteen had Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD)-65%, while 7 had Multiple Pituitary Hormone Deficiency (MPHD)-35%. The patients were retested within 6 months to 6 years after completing GH therapy. The mean age (+/- SD) at retesting was 18.1 +/- 2.6 years for those with GHD and 20.8 +/- 2.8 for those with MPHD. At reassessment we performed two provocative tests: insulin tolerance test (ITT) and clonidine test. RESULTS: Seven of the 20 patients retested, retained GH deficiency. Of the 13 patients with GHD, only one maintained the deficiency, while of the 7 patients with MPHD, 6 maintained the deficiency. CONCLUSION: Young adults with GH deficiency treated with this hormone should be retested in order to identify those who are truly GH insufficient adults and may benefit from replacement therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Disability and quality of life of stroke survivors: evaluation nine months after discharge].

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: After acute episode, a great number of individuals who survive a stroke have impairments that impede them to carry out with autonomy a set of basic activities of daily life and instrumental activities of daily life. The clinical evaluation health self perception is a useful element on patient's recovering process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate post-stroke functional health status and quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After identification of a cohort of admitted patients at a general hospital, those were contacted by phone nine months after discharge. The collected tool sent by mail included the COOP WONCA charts, Frenchay Activities Index, Barthel Index, Rankin scale and a set of socio-demographic variables. RESULTS: Participants survival rate was of 81%. The physical functioning and the capacity to perform daily activities were the most affected ones, impairing the patients of making a set of basic and instrumental daily activities. The emotional state and health self-perception are also correlated to disability. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a significative percentage of stroke survivors maintaining a moderate or severe disability (47.8%) requiring the presence of caregiver helping self-care. Collected data enhances that stroke survivors have severe physical dysfunction associated to emotional and psychological disturbances.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Gastroduodenal, ileocolic and perianal Crohn's disease].

The authors present a case of Crohn's disease that initially showed common localisations, and later a rare gastro-duodenal involvement. When the definitive diagnosis of the latter was reached there were already signs of obstruction at the exit of the stomach. Treatment with Prednisolone I.M. and Omeprazole was not successful, and surgery was necessary as a last recourse to resolve the obstruction. A theoretic revision of the main clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of this rare from of involvement of Crohn's disease is also presented.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Will acanthosis nigricans be a new cutaneous manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus infection?].

The authors describe a clinical case of AIDS presented by three opportunistic infections (esophageal candidiasis, tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteriosis) and a dermatological manifestation--acanthosis nigricans--not described in medical literature as accompanying those entities. The exclusion of most common etiologies of acanthosis nigricans and its regression following treatment for those infections suggests that with AIDS it behaves like a paraneoplastic syndrome. Screening for HIV antibodies should be the rule whenever this dermatological manifestation is present.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗