[Pharmacologic treatment of acute myocardial infarction: 2 large clinical trials at a central hospital].

Objectives: To analyse the clinical practice concerning the pharmacological therapy of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), comparing it with the guidelines for the management of AMI and exploring the reasons for its under use or over use.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical records of patients with the discharge diagnosis of AMI.

Location: A central hospital in the North of Portugal.

The presence or absence of active infection, not clinical status, is most closely associated with cytokine responses in lymphatic filariasis.

Twenty-eight Brazilians from an area in which Wuchereria bancrofti is endemic were classified as asymptomatic microfilaremic or having clinical filariasis with active infection or without current active infection. Total accumulation of antigen-specific interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in 48 h peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatants was not significantly different between groups. However, when cytokine kinetics were examined, responses segregated according to infection status.

[Study of exposure to and health effects of atmospheric metallic mercury pollution in an urban population of Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil].

This paper evaluates the levels of exposure to and health effects of metallic mercury emissions into the atmosphere by gold dealers in the town of Poconé, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The project was based on the comparison of referred morbidity, clinical examination, and metallic mercury urinary concentrations in three population groups. The first group consisted of downtown residents who were exposed to metallic mercury emissions.

[Treatment of materials used in laparoscopy].

The present study describes the antimicrobiological methods used for ooscopic instruments and also recommends a routine of material caring, methods and products to be employed. These orientations were also based on the author's experience with those methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilization at a school hospital. It is expected to simplify the procedures describing its steps with scientific embasement.

Bancroftian filariasis in two urban areas of Recife, Brazil: pre-control observations on infection and disease.

Bancroftian filariasis is a major public health problem in the city of Recife in north-eastern Brazil. In some of its urban areas microfilaraemia prevalence reaches 14%. This study describes epidemiological characteristics, infection and disease, in 2 urban areas, Coque and Mustardinha, before control measures were applied.

Superovulatory response in lactating cows with different follicular dynamics.

To determine the influence of a dominant follicle on the superovulatory response in midlate lactating cows, the dynamics of follicular growth and the development of corpora lutea and embryos were studied. Real-time B-mode ultrasonography with a 7.5 MHz rectal linear-array transducer was used to scan the ovaries daily, from 8-12 days before superovulation until day 7 post-estrus, when embryos were recovered.

Diltiazem effects on left ventricular function preliminary results of 12 patients evaluated by calibrated apexcardiogram.

Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker whose effects on left ventricular function (LVF) are controversial. We studied 12 patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) before starting and 15 and 30 days after having initiated Diltiazem 60 mg t.i.

Phonomechanocardiographic parameters in patients with atrial septal defect.

The purpose of the present study was to noninvasively evaluate left (LV) systolic and diastolic function in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) using the phonomechanocardiogram. We studied 40 patients with atrial septal defect, 16 males and 24 females, ages ranging from 6 to 56 years (mean 21.1 years), consecutively observed before surgery in our institution, during a four year period.

[Comparative studies on endemic areas of bancroftian filariasis in Greater Recife, Brazil].

Two districts in Recife (Santo Amaro and Campo Grande) and two districts in Olinda (Sapucaia and Salgadinho), were selected for a comparative study of bancroftian filariasis in Greater Recife. Selection parameters included similar socio-economic, demographic, and endemic levels of lymphatic filariasis. In the districts studied, streets were chosen randomly.

[Variability of heart rate: a perspective].

The present work is an attempt to provide a general overview on the current methods and applications of heart rate variability (HRV), starting from the underlying mechanisms of cardiac rhythmic automaticity and the influence on heart rate of biological modulators, namely autonomous nervous system. Different evaluation methods for HRV are compared in what concerns the duration of the records under analysis and the mathematical approach (spectral/non-spectral). Finally, clinical applications of HRV are mentioned, some of them the Department is particularly interested in, namely coronary heart disease, heart failure and diabetic neuropathy.

[The SAVE trial: rational basis, results, and reflections].

Recent concepts about post-infarction left ventricular remodeling, which is the basis for heart failure in these patients, as well as its prevention by ACE inhibitors are briefly summarized. Those data were the rationale for the SAVE trial. The most important initial aspects of this trial (general objective, pre-specified endpoints, inclusion and exclusion criteria, etc.

Fine structure of corpora lutea in superovulated heifers.

The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of development and structural status of perfusion-fixed day-7 corpora lutea (CL) (using qualitative and quantitative histology at light and electron microscopy levels) in FSH-induced superovulated (SO) and untreated heifers. Blood samples were collected daily to monitor the plasma progesterone levels during the FSH treatment up to slaughter 7 days after oestrus. Meanwhile the ovarian activity was followed by ultrasonography and rectal palpation.

Establishing a program of oocyte donation in Brazil.

Oocyte donation is a novel alternative for the treatment of patients who have infertility associated with ovarian failure. Both IVF-ET and GIFT represent new techniques of treatment for this group of patients. Synchronization between donor and recipient is very simple and also flexible.

[Study of the autonomous nervous system with heart rate spectral analysis in acute myocardial infarction].

Objectives: Characterize power spectrum pattern of heart rate variability (HRV) and assessment of relative cardiac nervous system in patients with acute myocardial interaction of sympathetic and parasympathetic infarction. We also compared the spectral power with some known prognostic risk variables.

Study Design: Study of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and sedentary healthy subjects sex matched.

Evaluation of left ventricular function after acute myocardial infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiography versus radionuclide angiography. Study of 50 patients.

Two-dimensional echocardiography and gated blood radionuclide angiography was performed in 50 patients (mean age 51.3 years; 48 men and 2 women) after acute myocardial infarction, before discharge from the hospital. The aim of this study was to compare the wall motion score, determined by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE), with the ejection fraction obtained by radionuclide angiography (RNA).