Detection of Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 and hsp70 Genetic Markers Using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms and Sequencing in Identification of Leishmania Species Causing Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in Brazil.

The identification of Leishmania species that cause tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is important for taxonomic and prognostic purposes. Molecular analysis using different Leishmania genomic targets is the most useful method for identifying Leishmania species. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and heat shock protein (hsp70) genetic markers by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (RFLP) and sequencing, for identification of Leishmania species.

Efficiency of noninvasive sampling methods (swab) together with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis.

Traditional diagnostic methods used to detect American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis, such as histopathology using biopsy samples, culture techniques, and direct search for parasites, have low sensitivity and require invasive collection procedures. This study evaluates the efficiency of noninvasive sampling methods (swab) along with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for diagnosing American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis using skin and mucous samples from 25 patients who had tested positive for leishmaniasis. The outcome of the tests performance on swab samples was compatible with PCR results on biopsy samples.

Applicability of kDNA-PCR for routine diagnosis of American tegumentary leishmaniasis in a tertiary reference hospital.

This study evaluated the applicability of kDNA-PCR as a prospective routine diagnosis method for American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in patients from the Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas (IIER), a reference center for infectious diseases in São Paulo - SP, Brazil. The kDNA-PCR method detected Leishmania DNA in 87.5% (112/128) of the clinically suspected ATL patients, while the traditional methods demonstrated the following percentages of positivity: 62.

Association of metabolic syndrome and blood pressure nondipping profile in untreated hypertension.

Background: There is a marked association between metabolic syndrome (MS) and increased cardiovascular risk. Moreover, nondipping (patients with <10% decline in the asleep relative to the awake blood pressure (BP) mean) has also been associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We investigated the association between MS and impaired nocturnal BP decline in 1,770 nondiabetic, untreated hypertensive patients (824 men and 946 women), 48.

Comparison of the effects on ambulatory blood pressure of awakening versus bedtime administration of torasemide in essential hypertension.

Torasemide is a high-ceiling loop diuretic frequently used in the treatment of congestive heart failure, renal failure, and hypertension. Low doses of torasemide (2.5 to 5 mg/day) do not elevate 24 h natriuresis, and they constitute effective monotherapy for mild-to-moderate uncomplicated essential hypertension according to results based on clinic blood pressure (BP).

[Chronotherapy with torasemide in hypertensive patients: increased efficacy and therapeutic coverage with bedtime administration].

Background And Objective: Torasemide is a high ceiling loop diuretic frequently used for treatment of heart failure, renal failure and hypertension, according to results mainly based on clinic blood pressure measurements, without proper evaluation of the 24-hour efficacy of the drug. Accordingly, we investigated the time-dependent antihypertensive efficacy of torasemide in hypertensive patients.

Patients And Method: We studied 58 patients with grade 1-2 essential hypertension (25 men and 33 women), 48.

Evaluation of the concordance of sialometry and salivary glands scintigraphy in dry mouth patients.

Introduction: Many diagnostic tests are used to evaluate dry mouth patients, especially the ones with Sjögren's Syndrome, to whom these tests are part of classification criteria for scientific studies.

Aim: Thus, the concordance between results of sialometry and salivary glands scintigraphy was evaluated; if positive, it would enable the choice of one or the other for diagnosis.

Patients And Method: Seventy-two dry mouth patients were divided into non-Sjögren's Syndrome group, primary Sjögren's Syndrome group and secondary Sjögren's Syndrome group.

[Nasal endoscopy associated with paranasal sinus computerized tomography scan in the diagnosis of chronic nasal obstruction].

hronic nasal obstruction is a common complaint in Otolaryngology outpatients. The diagnosis of nasal obstruction is based on the clinical history, physical examination and diagnostic procedures. Among these, it is already established in the current literature the importance of nasal endoscopy and computer tomography scan.

[Lymphoma's manifestations in Sjögren's syndrome: is there a relation?].

jögren's Syndrome (SS) is considered a multisystemic chronic disorder, which is characterized by a lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands and autoantibodies production. : Several studies have demonstrated increased incidence of Lymphoma in SS patients. Our study tries to determine this relation.

Administration time-dependent effects of valsartan on ambulatory blood pressure in elderly hypertensive subjects.

Previous results have indicated that valsartan administration at bed-time, as opposed to upon wakening, improves the diurnal/nocturnal ratio of blood pressure (BP) toward a normal dipping pattern, without loss of 24 h efficacy. This ratio is characterized by a progressive decrease with aging. Accordingly, we investigated the administration time-dependent antihypertensive efficacy of valsartan, an angiotensin blocking agent, in elderly hypertensive patients.

Effects of time of day of treatment on ambulatory blood pressure pattern of patients with resistant hypertension.

Patients with resistant hypertension present high prevalence of a non-dipper blood pressure pattern. Recent results indicate that non-dipping is related partly to the absence of 24-hour therapeutic coverage in patients treated with single morning doses. Accordingly, we investigated the impact of treatment time on the blood pressure pattern in 700 patients with resistant hypertension on the basis of clinic measurements who were studied by 48-hour ambulatory monitoring.