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A Marqués

Publications and source records attributed to A Marqués.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Long-term study to assess the efficacy of tamsulosin in the control of symptoms and complications developed in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (OMNICONTROL study): first-year follow-up report.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate: i. long-term efficacy of tamsulosin in the control of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) using the I-PSS questionnaire, ii. the frequency of complications related to the disease, and iii. short and long-term tolerability of tamsulosin. METHODS: A total of 2.921 patients with LUTS suggestive of BPO for more than 6 months and total IPSS > 7 treated with tamsulosin (Omnic) in real life practice conditions in Spain entered an observational prospective multicentre clinical study. Efficacy was primarily assessed by changes from baseline to endpoint in I-PSS symptoms score (total, irritative and obstructive), and secondarily by the appearance of disease complications, and urinary flow measurements. Safety was assessed recording every suspected adverse reaction, blood pressure changes and laboratory data on months 6 and 12. Evolution in time of free flow and sonographical evaluation of the prostate were also obtained in 663 (22.7%) and 1346 (46.1%) cases, respectively, and the use of previous and concomitant medication was also analysed. RESULTS: After 6 and 12 months total I-PSS, irritative, and obstructive symptoms were significantly reduced with the use of tamsulosin 0,4 mg once daily. At 1 year follow-up total I-PSS score, irritative symptoms, and obstructive symptoms were reduced in 8.2, 3.5 and 4.8 points 146%, 45% and 48% improvement), respectively (p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients seriously symptomatic (total I-PSS score 20-35) was reduced from 34.8% at the start of the study to 8% at 6 months and 2.9% at 12 months. Mean QoL also significantly improved after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Average score QoL index was reduced from 4.1 to 1.86 after 12 months (2.24 points, 55% improvement) (p < 0.0001). Qmax also significantly improved after 6 and 12 months of treatment (p < 0.0001). The good tolerability profile of tamsulosin has been confirmed after 6 and 12 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic intervention with tamsulosin 0,4 mg once daily is effective in all parameters analysed (I-PSS questionnaire and flow study), very well tolerated and safe in the short-term (6 and 12 months) in patients with LUTS suggestive of BPO. Long-term data specifically regarding the decrease in prostate volume and the evolution of the BPH condition will be welcome.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed2003

[Ponderal evolution in the Girona population, 1989-1999].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the number of plans leading to lose weight among individuals in the developed countries, the prevalence of obesity has increased since 1980. The knowledge of ponderal evolution in a given population is very important because the adverse effects of obesity vary greatly among individuals and populations. The objective of the present paper was to determine the modifications in the different degrees of body adiposity in a population in Catalunya. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A measurement was made of weight and height of 24554 users aged over 14 years (10595 males and 13959 females) attended at four basic health areas (BHA): Girona 1, Girona 4, Salt and Camprodon, and a Primary Health Center (PHC) in the Girona province, for a five-year period, 1995-1999. The prevalence of the different degrees of obesity was compared with that obtained in a previous study with 6373 individuals during the 1986-1989 period (4,579 males and 1794 females). RESULTS: The prevalence of women with overweight (defined as a body mass index [BMI] > 25 kg/m2) increased from 7.3% (1986-1989, study 0) to 17.6% (1995-1999, study 1) for women aged 15 to 24 years ( p < 0.001), from 17.9 % to 28.1% for women aged 25 to 34 years (p < 0.001), and from 37.5% to 44.7 % for women aged 35 to 44 years (p < 0.001). In the latter age group, the proportion of women with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) increased from 6.9% to 12.9%. Similar trends were observed among men, and the change in the 35-44 year age group (from 10.5 % of obese men to 16% [p < 0.001]), and 55 to 65 years (from 16.6% of obese men to 22.7% [p < 0.001] was particularly significant. And lastly, it is also noteworthy the proportion of individuals with low weight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) which increased from 7.3% to 11.6% for women aged 15 to 24 years, and from 0.3% to 2.2% for women aged 35 to 44 years. This trend was also observed for men aged 15 to 24 years (11% to 17.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The relative increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity runs in parallel to that found in other surrounding countries. Also, it is worth mentioning that among women aged 15 to 24 years the increase in the prevalence of low weight and obesity is almost identical, which invalidates the mean and median values as a means to assess the ponderal evolution in this population. The current compartmentalization between the extreme BMIs, particularly among the youngest portion of population should be addressed from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Neuroblastoma: biological markers, surgery, and clinical course].

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of neuroblastoma is basically chemotherapy, and surgery, in spite of advances, this kind of tumor is nowadays a surgical challenge. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of our therapy in this kind of pediatric tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 32 consecutive patients with abdominal neuroblastoma, aged between 1 month and 10 years old, median age 3 years old, observed from 1993 through 1997 have been studied. Several parameters: age, ferritin, deletion of the chromosome 1p36, chromosomic ploidy, LDH, N-myc gene amplification and enolase neuron specific were studied and were related with the histology by Joshi and the International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) in order to know the prognosis. All the patients were treated by means of chemotherapy and surgery, and some cases with radiotherapy and bone marrow transplantation. RESULTS: Two patients presented the tumor in stage I (INSS) and three in stage II. All the patients had a total resection and they live free of disease. In the state III, two patients did not maintain the follow-up; five live with disease (two with QT without surgery yet, two local recurrences, and one metastasis), and four live free of disease. In the stage IV: five died, two live with disease (1 local recurrence and one metastasis), five live free of disease, and one did not maintain the follow-up. In the stage IV-S, the three patients live free of disease. The method of Kaplan-Meier at 5 years shows a mean of 49 months and a median of 60 months. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Of all the parameters studied, we consider the ones with biggest prognostic efficacy are, the age, the stage INSS, the histology Shimada and the N-myc amplification. 2. The total resection of the tumor keeps being essential for a more favourable prognostic.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1999

Effect of inflammatory stimuli on the silver staining pattern of the rat carotid endothelium.

Silver nitrate stains the intercellular junctions of the endothelium and other cytoplasmic or membrane components. Two protocols are described for the silver staining of rat carotid endothelium that exclude the use of pressurized fixatives and simplify the technique previously described for rat aorta. The entire surface of the carotid endothelium was examined and several parameters (stigmata, granularity, clustering of anionic sites, transversal lines, weakening of silver lines and leukocyte adhesion) were evaluated. We studied the pattern of silver staining in two situations: (1) endothelial activation and (2) neurogenic inflammation. Endothelial activation was produced by the intravenous administration of a proinflammatory albumin or polyinosinic acid. Both products cause a marked increase in leukocyte adhesion concomitant with a decrease in argyrophilia and a weakness or loss of silver lines. Neurogenic inflammation, which is mediated by substances released from sensory nerves, was induced by the intravenous administration of substance P or capsaicin. Both stimuli produced an increase in argyrophilia and weakness or loss of silver lines. Substance P caused a clustering of anionic sites, whereas this phenomenon was more discrete with capsaicin. Nearly 80% of all examined rats (controls and inflammatory stimuli treated) showed endothelial membrane disruptions formed by clusters of cells often in the shape of streaks aligned with the long axis of the vessel. The detection of these discontinuities is important, as loss of endothelial integrity is central in the initiation of pathological events.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Primitive neuroectodermal tumors: difficult tumors versus modern oncology].

INTRODUCTION: Primitive peripheral neuroectodermal tumours (PNET) are rare masses and form part of the group of round small cell tumours which include a wide range of highly aggressive neoplasias such as Ewing's sarcoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. PNET present the same cell line as the tumours presented by F. Askin in 1979, both located in the thoracic-pulmonary region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Of the last 26 thoracic neuroblastomas and 11 mediastinal-thoracic sarcomas treated at our centre, we observed 5 PNET in children with a mean age of 12 years (range: 9-14 years). These patients presented a thoracic mass infiltrating sternum, clavicle, supraspinal muscle or, in two cases, a left lateral or paravertebral intrathoracic mass. The time elapsed between clinical observation and diagnosis was 6 weeks. Diagnosis was established by chest X-Ray, CT, bone scintigraphy, immunocytochemistry and cytology. Aggressive local treatment associated with stage IV SIOP chemotherapy for rhabdomyosarcoma was applied in all cases to prevent metastasis. RESULTS: Of the five PNET treated, one 16-year-old patient died (4 y 5 m post-diagnosis) from bone marrow infiltration which had evolved badly from the beginning. The remaining patients are disease-free. One patient who did not undergo surgery relapsed 1 year and the half after completing chemotherapy. He then underwent resection of the cranial portion of the sternum and substitution with iliac graft from the tissue bank. CONCLUSION: PNET manifest clearly some of the characteristics of current paediatric oncology. These tumours are easily misdiagnosed and at present may be differentiated by new diagnostic methods (immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, hybridomas, molecular genetics), with the aim of selecting the most adequate treatment and consequently improving the prognosis of these aggressive embryonary tumours.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Proinflammatory activity on rat carotid endothelium of albumins obtained by different procedures.

To investigate whether the proinflammatory activity of intravenously administered albumins is related to their preparation method, we compared bovine albumins obtained by alcohol precipitation and by heat shock. This last procedure produced a notable increase in monocyte adhesion/mm2 in rat carotid endothelium (48 +/- 31, n = 32 rats, vs 7 +/- 6, n = 24 rats, mean +/- S.D., P < 0.001). We found no changes in fluorescence emission in these two groups, and no correlation was observed between leukocyte adhesion and the contents of free fatty acids, free -SH groups, fructosamine, dimers and polymers. The inhibition profile of the proinflammatory activity by polyanionic molecules (fucoidan and dextran sulfate 500 kD) was compatible with the recognition of heat-shocked albumins by scavenger receptors. Thiol disulfide exchange in albumins was produced by ageing with cysteine and by incubation with protein disulfide isomerase. Albumins thus modified increased the adhesion of leukocytes to the endothelium, which indicates that some isomeric forms of albumin generated by thiol disulfide exchange may acquire proinflammatory behavior.

Alcohols↗
PubMed1997

[Bilateral Wilms tumor].

The incidence of bilateral involvement it is generally estimated to be 5% to 10%. It shows association with certain congenital anomalies and it has an increased occurrence of familial cases. The records of 9 children (5 boys, 4 girls) diagnosed at Vall d'Hebron Hospital with bilateral Wilms tumor between 1976-1995 were analyzed. Six patients had synchronous tumors and 3 had metachronous lesions. Genitourinary malformations were present in 4 children and another had hemihypertrophy. Two children were brothers. Eight patients underwent pre-operative radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy. Five patients had nephrectomy on one side (3 of them had metachronous presentation) and partial nephrectomy on the other side. The other children had bilateral partial nephrectomy or tumorectomy. Seven out of the nine patients are alive (78%). The two children who died presented with stage IV tumors and high grade malignant. One boy suffers cardiomyopathy. All survivors have normal renal function. With the proven efficacy of chemotherapy, bilateral renal salvage procedures were demonstrated to be effective in controlling disease without compromising renal function or survival. The innovative approaches developed for the treatment of bilateral Wilms tumor may influence the treatment of unilateral Wilms.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Wilms' tumours with intracaval involvement.

Since Gross established the basic rules for nephrectomy in Wilms' tumour (WT) in 1953, the management of nephroblastoma has been more straightforward. However, some cases with intravascular involvement, currently detected by ultrasound (US), may represent a daunting challenge for the surgeon. Inferior vena cava with tumour thrombus, induced by WT, can be asymptomatic and, if undetected, can contribute to poorer prognosis for two main reasons: possible neoplastic cells inside the thrombus and higher morbidity risk of surgery. From 1979 to 1993, 81 WT were studied by routine US. Intracaval thrombosis was diagnosed in four (5%), in one of which the thrombus extended to the right atrium. In our experience, the surgical strategy in each of the four cases (100% survival) depended on the length of the thrombus and whether or not it infiltrated the vena cava wall. If the thrombus can be easily removed: complete resection. However, in cases of atrial thrombus, and more particularly if the thrombus involves the intima, we suggest the thrombus not be touched since the problem may be solved by preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy. Thus the favourable prognosis would be maintained and superfluous risky surgery avoided.

Chemotherapy, Adjuvant↗
PubMed1996

Liquefactive panniculitis in the inguinal area as the first sign of chronic renal brucellosis.

We describe an 82-year-old woman with an acute panniculitis in the left groin as the first sign of chronic renal brucellosis. She was afebrile and had a large erythematoviolaceous plaque with ulceration and liquefaction of the subcutaneous tissue. Histopathologic study showed a septal and lobular panniculitis with neutrophil infiltration, hemorrhage, and necrosis. Microbiologic cultures of a skin biopsy specimen, blood, and urine were negative. A computed tomography scan showed a left "mastic" kidney with a psoas abscess extending to the left inguinal region. The microbiologic culture of the removed renal mass and the serologic tests established the diagnosis of chronic renal brucellosis. Although the clinical picture of cold abscesses in the inguinal area classically suggests a tuberculosis, brucellosis should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Infantile hepatic hemangioendothelioma of the liver: report of 11 cases].

We report a restrospective study about 11 patients (9 girls) referred from 1980 through 1994. We undertook this study to determine the efficiency of several methods for diagnosis and treatment. We performed ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) in each one and magnetic resonance (MR) in 4 cases. Six patients were prescribed steroids, 4 cases were not treated and one patient was operated. A solid lesion with variable ecotexture is noted at ultrasound. CT typically shows a low-attenuation solid lesion with peripheral enhancement. At MR imaging performed with T2-weighted pulse secuences the lesion usually has high signal intensity. We obtained completed remission in 5 cases, one patient was out of control and in the other 5 the sonography showed marked regression in tumor size. We believe CT is an specific method for diagnosis hemangioendothelioma. Sonographic control or steroids must be the initial therapy.

Female↗
PubMed1996

[Cutaneous vasculitis during primary myelofibrosis].

A leukocytoclastic cutaneous vasculitis in the course of an idiopathic myelofibrosis is reported. The cutaneous lesions that might appear in this hematological disease are discussed, including cutaneous infections, myeloid metaplasia and cutaneous infiltration due to the myeloproliferative process. We point out the rarity of cutaneous vasculitis during the course of primary myelofibrosis.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Bilateral basal cell carcinoma of the breasts in a woman.

Basal cell carcinomas (BCC) on covered sites of the body are rare (1). A case of a young woman with superficial basal cell carcinoma of both breasts is described. No history of sun bathing, X-ray, or arsenical exposure was reported. Simple excision of both lesions was performed without recurrence.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of hyperlipidemic diets, proinflammatory agents and plasma expanders on leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium of aorta and carotid artery of rats.

A comparative study of leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium of the thoracic aorta and left carotid artery in rats has been performed after administration of two hyperlipidemic diets for 15 days, proinflammatory agents (thrombin, lipopolysaccharide and zymosan activated serum) and plasma expanders [dextran, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), rat albumin and several bovine albumins from different sources]. Leukocytes adhered to the endothelium were demonstrated in surface preparations by esterase activity. Activation of circulating leukocytes was measured by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and luminol enhanced chemiluminescence. Both hyperlipidemic diets produced, in all rats, more leukocyte adhesion in the aorta than in the carotid artery. All proinflammatory agents produced at 1 h, increases in leukocyte adhesion--which in all rats were greater in the carotid artery than in the aorta--and leukocyte activation, which was higher at 3 h than at 1 h. Dextran, PVP, bovine albumins 103700 and A-4503 at 18 h produced slight increases in leukocyte adhesion in the aorta but not in the carotid artery. Rat albumin and bovine albumin A-7906 determined an intense leukocyte adhesion at 18 h which was not preferential to either vessel. Adhesion produced by A-7906 was maximal at 12 h and partially inhibited by dexamethasone. This last albumin produced leukocyte activation at 3 h and was sequestered 5 min after administration, reaching normal values at 1 h. Albumins 103700 and A-4503 neither activated leukocytes nor were sequestered after administration.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

[Lymphoproliferative disease in pediatric liver transplantation].

Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorders are due to continuous B-lymphocyte proliferation induced by Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection which is recovered in 88% of transplanted patients. These disorders may present clinically as lymphadenopathic syndrome with lymphoid tissue hyperplasia, systemic as a mononucleosis-like syndrome and lymphomatous syndrome, indistinguishable from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We present 10 patients of PTLD classified as 7 lymphadenopathic, 1 systemic (this patient had both syndromes) and 3 lymphomatous tumours. At present, PTLD treatment consists of surgical removal of accessible masses or post-chemotherapy (ChT) tumour rests, total or partial withdrawal of immunosuppressive drugs and ChT following the Sociéte Française d'Oncologie Pédiatrique (SFOP) protocol for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in childhood: multicenter review of the club of pediatric oncology].

The club of paediatric oncology of the Sociedad Española de Cirugía Pediátria conducted a retrospective and multicentric study on differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children. Seventeen cases from four hospitals were reviewed. Initial surgery in all cases consisted of partial or total thyroidectomy, associated in 76% of cases by cervical node removal. In 6 patients (35%) tumoral mass relapsed and 13 cases (76%) hypothyroidism was observed as a post-surgical sequela (in one patient, furthermore dysphonia and hypoparathyroidism persisted). Total survival rate in the series is 100%; one patient is currently diagnosed of node relapsed and remaining patients are disease-free. A diagnostic protocol based on echography, gammagraphy and biopsy is proposed. Oncology surgery i.e. tumoral and healthy tissue resection with node removal in one operation is recommended. With this approach, although we tend to place the patient in hypothyroidism and therefore susceptible to substitutive therapy, the multiple relapses observed in the review would be avoided. Prolonged follow-up guarantees early diagnosis of possible tumoral recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Evolution of several cytoskeletal proteins of astrocytes in primary culture: effect of prenatal alcohol exposure.

In the present work we have analyzed, using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence techniques, the evolution of several cytoskeletal proteins during the development of astrocytes in primary culture. The effect of prenatal exposure to alcohol on these proteins was also evaluated. Microtubular protein alpha-tubulin decreased approximately 47% from 4 to 7 days after which its content remained practically constant. Immunofluorescence studies showed also that the content of alpha-tubulin was greater at day 4 of culture. This increase in fluorescence was coincident with the presence of globular particles which were found in interphase astrocytes and stained with both anti alpha- and anti-beta tubulin. These structures appeared only in proliferating cells. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin were analyzed as intermediate filament (IF) proteins. GFAP, in cytoskeletal preparations, increased regularly for 14 days followed by a decrease to day 21. In contrast, vimentin showed a progressive increase throughout the entire culture period. Fluorescence studies revealed some differences between the IF distribution patterns of GFAP and vimentin. In astrocytes obtained from rats prenatally exposed to ethanol, decreases in the amounts of all the cytoskeletal proteins studied were found during the entire culture period. In these cells a striking disorganization of cytoskeleton was also observed. The alcohol-induced decrease of GFAP in cultured astrocytes was also found when this protein was studied in preparations from whole brain developed "in vivo".

Aging↗