Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2006"
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- Infecção em artroplastias do joelhoPublication . Fonseca, F
- Use of a blood gas analyzer to measure blood hemoglobin during liver transplantation: a study of 935 paired samplesPublication . Rivas Chirino, L; Viana, JS; Tavares, CA; Palmeiro, A; Oliveira, FJ
- Elevated neopterin levels in non-allergic asthmaPublication . Mota-Pinto, A; Todo-Bom, A; Vale-Pereira, S; Alves, V; Santos-Rosa, MNeopterin is synthesized by human monocyte-derived macrophages upon stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Measurement of neopterin concentration is useful to monitor cell-mediated (Th1-type) immune activation. In this study, we aimed to analyze the behaviour of neopterin in long lasting asthma considering its role as a marker of the Th1 environment and to establish the distinction between patients belonging either to the allergic or the non-allergic population, particularly in the elderly where asthma is often under diagnosed. Therefore we evaluated allergic parameters such as skin prick tests, IgE and hemogram (eosinophils count), and we compared our findings with neopterin values found in an age-matched control population. A group of individuals older than 65 was selected. It included 64 asthmatic patients (mean age 72+/-5 years) and 41 healthy individuals (mean age 79+/-7 years). In our study population, 42 patients presented positive skin tests, mainly to house dust mites. All patients were clinically stable and presented an average percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) of 73.6+/-25.3 and predicted median expiratory flow percentage (MEF50) of 38.8+/-26.7. Blood cell counts showed statistically different mean values of eosinophils between allergic and non-allergic controls (5.42+/-4.7% versus 2.8+/-2.8%; p<0.04). IgE values were increased in allergic asthmatic patients when compared with non-allergic asthmatic patients (493.2+/-549.8IU/ml versus 85.3+/-194.4IU/ml; p=0.000). Allergic asthmatic patients presented mean neopterin levels similar to those found in the control group (2.4+/-2.8ng/ml versus 2.1+/-1.9ng/ml). In contrast, in non-allergic asthmatic patients these values were higher when compared with the control group (4.0+/-4.7ng/ml versus 2.1+/-1.9ng/ml). Neopterin levels were lower in allergic asthmatic patients when compared with non-allergic asthmatic patients (2.4+/-2.8ng/ml versus 4.0+/-4.7ng/ml). Within asthmatic patients, those with higher neopterin values (>2.1ng/ml) presented lower mean IgE values (IgE
- Cadaveric donor factor variations during a 12-year period: influence on kidney transplant outcomesPublication . Nunes, P; Parada, B; Pratas, J; Roseiro, A; Figueiredo, A; Macário, F; Rolo, F; Mota, AOur purpose was to evaluate changes in cadaveric donor factors between 1993 and 2004 and their impact on the short- and long-term outcomes of renal transplants in a single center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cadaveric renal transplants performed in our unit between 1993 and 2004 were divided in two groups of identical length: A (n = 455; 1993-1998) and B (n = 465; 1999-2004). Major differences related to donor, graft, and recipient factors were analyzed between groups and correlated with main outcome parameters. Recipient age, gender, weight, etiology of end-stage renal disease, average length of dialysis, and cold ischemia were not different in the two periods. RESULTS: Grafts harvested in our hospital were more frequent in group A (92.3 vs 78.2%; P < .005). Traumatic causes of death were more frequent before 1999: 90.9 vs 70.9% (P < .001). Mean donor age was higher after 1999: 31.37 vs 35.94 years (P < .005). Female donors were more frequent in the second period: 20.5 vs 26.6% (P < .05). Mean donor weight was also higher: 52.36 vs 67.86 kg (P < .05). All of these differences were unfavourable characteristics regarding graft outcomes. Delayed graft function (A = 13%, B = 24.2%), acute rejection episodes (A = 41.2%, B = 28%), and chronic allograft dysfunction (A = 23.5%, B = 14.4%) were also significantly different between the two cohorts (P < .005). Graft function (serum creatinine at 1 and 2 years), patient and graft survivals, causes of graft loss, and of patient death were similar across time. CONCLUSION: The unfavorable tendency in the quality of cadaveric donors during the last 12 years had no negative impact on graft function and patient outcome.
- Febre escaro-nodular: uma zoonose benigna?Publication . Louro, E; Campos, A; Leitão, J; Carvalho, A; Santos, R; Reis, C; Almiro, E; Porto, A
- Síndrome Unha-PatelaPublication . Saavedra, MJ; Malcata, AB
- Padrões clínicos de hipersensibilidade a frutos: estudos in vivo e in vitroPublication . Carrapatoso, I; Faria, E; Rodrigues, F; Todo-Bom, A; Loureiro, C; Chieira, C
- Substância P na asma brônquica: Intervenção nos mecanismos de oxidação e activação celularPublication . Todo-Bom, A; Mota-Pinto, A; Vale-Pereira, S; Alves, V; Dourado, M; Chieira, C; Santos-Rosa, MThe substance P (SP) was described in the beginning of the XXth Century, and its biological actions was recognized to have implications in neurogenic inflammation and constriction of smooth muscles. The bronchial asthma prevalence has been increasing in all developed countries. The changes associated to inflammatory chronicity can compromise the organ function reversibility. The role of neuromechanisms in the pathology of the disease has been investigated considering the hypotheses that better therapeutic approaches can be achieved. The stimulation of human cells by SP leads to their activation and to reactive oxygen species (ROS) release. Consequently a persisting inflammatory disability is observed, mainly if a decrease in the anti-oxidant defence occurs. SP is a substrate for dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV), which is a multifunctional molecule with enzymatic and proinflammatory activities. CD26 was identified as the membrane DPPIV and is considered as an activation T cell marker, as well as CD25. The aim of the present study was therefore to analyse if serum SP values in long-term asthma patients, were associated to lung function parameters, considering the role of SP in neurogenic inflammation and in bronchoconstriction. It was also proposed to analyse the relationship of SP with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total anti-oxidation activity in serum (TAS), considering the ROS production during the inflammatory process, as well as its association to CD26 and CD25 values and their immunologic and inflammatory properties. A group of individuals older than 65 years including 64 asthmatic patients (mean age 72.4±5.1 years) and 41 healthy individuals (mean age 79.2±7.0 years) was selected. Both subgroups were submitted to clinical observation, to skin prick tests and to SP, TAS and SOD. T cell CD26 and CD25 typing was also performed. Lung function tests were done to all patients. Among patients studied, 42 presented positive skin tests, mainly to house dust mites. Asthmatic patients presented significant increased values of SP (116.2±138.9 vs 39.5±17.9 pg/ml) when compared to controls and a significant decrease of TAS (.85±.13 vs .91±.10 mM) and SOD (588.1±156.l vs 822.9±179.5 U/gHb). All patients have clinical stability and presented forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) values of 73.6±25.3 l/s and peak expiratory flow (PEF50) of 38.8±26.7l. The CD25 expression was significantly increased in disease (14.3±5.9 vs 22.4±7.8) while CD26 was only slightly increased (41.9±10.2 vs 39.4±11.4). These results confirm the role of SP in the respiratory pathology studied and give a contribution for a better knowledge of the network of immunoinflammatory pathway, associated to this chronic disorder. A final goal for these studies would be a better diagnostic and therapeutic approach in this pathology.
- Endometrial adenocarcinoma after endometrial ablation. A case reportPublication . Areia, AL; Branco, M; Frutuoso, C; Oliveira, CFThe authors present a case of endometrial adenocarcinoma after endometrial ablation, emphasizing the importance of close surveillance of these patients, patient selection and education. Even patients with none of the risk factors for endometrial cancer or contraindications to endometrial ablation should be checked carefully.
- Tenossinovectomia bilateral dos flexores e extensores do punho e mão na artrite reumatóide: caso clínicoPublication . Judas, F; Balacó, I; Costa, PTrata-se de uma padecente com 54 anos de idade que sofre de artrite reumatóide, activa, com um envolvimento poliarticular, com crises inflamatórias agudas, apesar de um tratamento médico bem conduzido. Apresentava uma tenossinovite crónica bilateral dos extensores do punho e flexores do punho e mão, dolorosa, com diminuição da função articular. Procedeu-se, num primeiro e segundo tempos cirúrgicos, a uma tenossinovectomia bilateral dos flexores do punho, palma da mão e dos dedos. Posteriormente, em outras duas diferentes sessões cirúrgicas, realizou-se uma sinovectomia tendinosa e articular do punho dorsal, bilateral, associada a uma operação de Darrach, a uma dessensibilização posterior do punho e, ainda, a uma plastia do retinaculum dos extensores. O achado mais relevante prendeu-se com a gravidade das lesões causadas pela sinovite crónica de longa duração, traduzidas pela fragilidade dos tendões e pela presença de uma multiplicidade de corpos risiformes e depósitos de hemossiderina. Ausência de roturas tendinosas. Não se registaram complicações relacionadas com as intervenções cirúrgicas, nem recidiva das tenossinovectomias. A doente encontra-se muito satisfeita com o resultado alcançado. Todavia, importa sublinhar o valor das tenossivovectomias precoces, em tempo útil, por forma a evitar uma degradação tendinosa, a qual pode conduzir a roturas de difícil solução.