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Biomedical subjects

J E Robles

Publications and source records attributed to J E Robles.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Cell transplant and regenerative therapy with stem cells].

One of the fields of medicine that has raised the most expectations in recent years is cell therapy with stem cells. The isolation of human embryo cells, the apparent and unexpected potentiality of adult stem cells and the development of gene therapy lead us to imagine a hopeful future for a significant number of diseases that are at present incurable. In this article we will sketch out the panorama of stem cell research, describing the main achievements in this field as well as some of the questions that await an answer. In spite of the great expectations, it is essential that we maintain a critical and realistic spirit when it comes to analysing the scientific advances in this area.

Adult Stem Cells↗
PubMed2002

18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in the evaluation of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours at relapse.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the performance of 18F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) and computed tomography (CT) in the follow-up of nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) in the retroperitoneum. PATIENTS AND METHODS: FDG-PET was used 25 times in 15 patients diagnosed with NSGCT. At the time of diagnosis five patients each were in stage I, II and III. Five patients had pure embryonal carcinoma, two had yolk sac tumours, one choriocarcinoma and seven had mixed tumours. RESULTS: Eleven patients either presented with retroperitoneal disease or this did not disappear after chemotherapy. The results of both examinations coincided in 18 cases and were contradictory in the other seven, the difference being statistically significant (P=0.042). CONCLUSION: In these patients FDG-PET detected the retroperitoneal relapse of NSGCT, in advanced stages treated with surgery plus chemotherapy, earlier than did CT; it also detected the presence of mature teratoma in residual retroperitoneal masses more accurately than CT. More extensive trials are needed before making conclusions about FDG-PET imaging as a routine method for NSGCT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Positron emission tomography with 18fluorine-labelled deoxyglucose: utility in localized and advanced prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the role of the positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-labelled deoxyglucose in the identification of prostatic cancer in the iliac and obturator lymphatic nodes before radical prostatectomy, and in the localization of relapse in patients in biochemical progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 11 men diagnosed with organ-confined prostate cancer, where attention was focused on the iliac and obturator lymphatic nodes, the results being compared with the pathological anatomy obtained from surgical procedures. Group B included 10 patients treated by radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy or orchidectomy and who were in biochemical progression, in whom the aim was to identify recurrence of the disease. RESULTS: In none of the 11 patients of group A who had undergone radical prostatectomy were deposits of radiotracer identified in the area of the iliac and obturator nodes which would indicate node metastases. However, the histopathological analysis of these nodes showed tumour in three patients. In group B the PET scans showed recurrence of prostate cancer (by deposits of radiotracer) more clearly than did computed tomography (CT) in two patients (both with recurrence in soft tissue). In one patient bone scintigraphy identified a lesion compatible with prostatic disease in the bone; this was clinically confirmed but was not identified by PET. CONCLUSION: PET, using deoxyglucose labelled with 18F, cannot reliably identify prostatic adenocarcinoma in the iliac and obturator lymph nodes before surgery; other tracers may give better results. To locate relapses in patients with biochemical progression, PET seems to have better sensitivity than CT when identifying diseases in soft tissues and is possibly inferior to bone scintigraphy in detecting bony metastases.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1999

[Chromophobe carcinoma of the kidney].

INTRODUCTION: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, described in 1985 is a type of renal carcinoma which is relatively uncommon (5%). Although the majority of studies published suggest a more favourable prognosis, conclusive evidence does not exist. In this study we present the clinical and ultrastructural characteristics and particularly the prognoses of 15 patients taken from a group of 230, all of whom had been diagnosed as suffering from renal carcinoma and for which they had received surgical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 230 kidneys were analysed between June 1990 and December 1997. The tissue was fixed and dyed with H-E, Hale's acid iron colloid and PAS. Two models were defined, typical and eosinophil. In 8 cases the tissue was processed in order to quantify the DNA using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Of the 230 kidneys analyzed, 15 were identified as being compatible with a diagnosis of chromophobe carcinoma, representing 6.5% of the group studied whilst 73% corresponded to the typical model. The average follow-up period for the 15 patients studied was of three and a half years. Upon completion of the study, 14 out of the 15 patients were still alive and the remaining one had died from causes unrelated to his illness. The average period of survival was 43 months. The tumors had an average diameter of 7.9 cm. The nuclear grade was GII on 10 occasions (seven T2, one T3a and two T3b) and GIII on 5 (four T2, one T3a and two T3b). The study of flow cytometry showed four cases of multiploids two of aneuploids one tetraploid and one diploid. CONCLUSIONS: Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma is a relatively uncommon (6.5%) type of renal carcinoma. The typical ultrastructural type is the most common (73%). The highly favourable pathologic stage (p2 73%) and the significantly low nuclear grade (66% GII) suggest that this is a tumour with a rather better prognosis, as is shown by an increased period of survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1998

Effect of digital rectal examination and flexible cystoscopy on free and total prostate-specific antigen, and the percentage of free prostate-specific antigen. Differences between two PSA assays.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of prostate manipulations on free PSA, total PSA and the percentage of free PSA using an equimolar and nonequimolar PSA assays. METHOD: A total of 67 men were studied. Blood samples were obtained before and 45-60 min after two different prostatic manipulations: DRE from 45 patients and flexible cystoscopy from 22 patients. Total PSA (t-PSA) was assayed with a non equimolar method using the Cobas Core PSA kit from Roche (Cobas Core-PSA) and an equimolar method using the Immulite 3rd-generation PSA kit from DPC (Immulite-PSA). Free PSA (f-PSA) was quantified with an Immulite free PSA kit. We obtained two f-PSA/t-PSA ratios dividing the f-PSA by both t-PSA (Cobas Core-PSA) and t-PSA (Immulite-PSA). RESULTS: The Cobas Core-PSA yielded higher values than Immulite-PSA and the baseline percentages of free PSA were different depending on the method used. Both t-PSA values were increased after DRE and flexible cystoscopy from the baseline although the increase of Cobas Core-PSA was much higher than Immulite-PSA. Also the f-PSA was increased after the two manipulations. The f-PSA/t-PSA ratio (Cobas Core-PSA) remains at the baseline whereas the f-PSA/t-PSA ratio (Immulite-PSA) had an important increase from the baseline. CONCLUSION: The effect of DRE and flexible cystoscopy is different depending on the PSA assay used. The data from studies which are carried out in relation with the molecular forms of the PSA are not interchangeable if they are performed with different PSA methods (equimolar and nonequimolar). The serum samples should precede any prostate manipulation in all investigations related to PSA molecular forms.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Surgical management of retroperitoneal tumors with vena caval thrombus in the inferior cava using cardiopulmonary bypass, arrested circulation and profound hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE: It was our aim to review our surgical experience with retroperitoneal tumors extending to the vena cava by using cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest. METHOD: We performed this procedure in 15 patients. The ages ranged between 16 and 70 years. The primary malignancies were renal cell carcinoma (n = 13), Wilms' tumor (n = 1) and paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1). RESULTS: There were no operative deaths. One patient died on the fourth postoperative day because of pulmonary embolization. The most common postoperative complications were: 1 patient required surgical reexploration because of hemorrhage, there was transitory renal failure in 3 patients, 1 patient developed a postoperative reactive psychosis and 1 patient developed a subclinical pericarditis. CONCLUSION: We believe that the resection of retroperitoneal malignancies with venous tumor thrombus extension offers, in selected patients, the only chance of reasonable long-term survival. The application of a cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermia in high level vena cava thrombi is an important advance that has improved the safety and technical efficacy of a difficult surgical undertaking.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[TPS in prostate cancer].

A study of the tumour proliferation marker TPS in prostate cancer has been carried out. The levels of this marker were determined in the following groups: controls (n = 51), prostate hyperplasia (n = 17), prostate cancer in clinical remission (n = 15), and progressive prostate cancer (n = 13). An upper normal limit of 129 U/l (percentile 95) was established. When the progressive disease group was compared with the other groups, a significant difference (p < 0.001) was found. Sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value obtained in order to dismiss progression were 71%, 94% and 62% respectively.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Multivariate analysis of graft survival prognostic factors in renal transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to identify the variables that could be of interest in the outcome of a series of cadaveric kidney transplantation performed at the University Hospital, Navarra School of Medicine, by means of multifactorial and multivariate statistical analyses. METHOD: We analyzed 307 cadaveric kidney transplantation performed since 1976 at the University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Navarra. Two series are included: the historical and the actual. The former did not include cyclosporine A in the immunosuppressor protocol. RESULTS: The first step was to compare survival in both series. The cyclosporine A series had a better survival, which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The prognostic factors in both series were also analyzed. The influence of the different variables were studied in the survival distribution. The worse prognostic variables of the historical group on allograft survival were donor's age (particularly between 20 and 50 years old), delayed graft function, serum creatinine level greater than 2.5 mg/dl at the first month following transplantation, general surgical complications, and vascular and other complications. In the actual group, the allografts with the worst survival were in those that received 4-10 pre-transplant blood transfusions, those with more that 2 HLA-DR mismatches, the hyperimmunized receptors with a level of pre-formed cytotoxic antibodies greater than 50%, those who rejected the allograft in the initial post-transplant period, those with a serum creatinine level greater than 2.5 mg/dl and those who presented surgical complications in general and urinary and vascular complications in particular. CONCLUSIONS: The multivariate analysis reveals that the prognostic factors of the historical group were delayed graft function, surgical complications, HLA A+B mismatches and the donor's age. In the actual group, the factors were receptor's age, surgical complications, large ischemia time, peak reactive antibody and number of rejections.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1995

[Urothelial inverted papilloma].

Review of 60 cases of inverted urothelial papilloma published in our country in different urological journals. Analysis of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutical issues. Also an analysis is made of the possible association with other neoplasias or their malignant development.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Report of 12 cases].

Review of 12 patients with diagnosis of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF). To establish diagnosis, computerized axial tomography (CT) was used in all cases. Nine patients underwent surgical treatment. After a mean follow-up of three and a half years, the clinical and laboratory (serum creatinine) evolution appears to be favourable.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

[Errors in the clinical staging of prostatic cancer].

The relationship between the clinical and pathological stages of clinically localized prostate cancer (PCa) was analyzed in 68 patients. All of then underwent ilio-obstructive lymphadenectomy and node affectation was found in 16 patients (23%). Out of 64 patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, 23 (36%) presented invasion of prostate capsule and/or seminal vesicle infiltration. Of the total 68 patients, 28 (41%) showed local dissemination and/or nodular affectation. A direct correlation was seen between clinical stage and both incidence of local dissemination and nodular affectation. Pre-operative PSA and tumoral grade were correlated to the pathological stage.

Diagnostic Errors↗
PubMed1994

[Multivariate analysis of the impact of surgical complications in renal transplant].

We analyzed 307 cadaver kidney transplantations performed since 1976 at the University Hospital of the University of Navarra. Two series, the historical and the current one, are presented. In the former, cyclosporine A was not included in the immunosuppressor protocol. The surgical complications were evaluated in both series and their influence on the survival of the allograft. The current series showed a significant decrease in surgical complications. Allograft survival in the historical series was influenced by surgical complications in general, and vascular and other complications in particular. The current series was influenced by surgical complications in general, and urinary and vascular complications in particular. The multivariate analysis showed that surgical complications were one of the most important prognostic factor in both series.

Cyclosporine↗
PubMed1994

[Bladder leiomyoma: report of a new case].

We present one case of vesical intramural leiomyoma in one adult woman in which an echographic fortuitous diagnostic was made. We have reviewed the bibliography and the diagnostic and therapy considerations.

Female↗
PubMed1994

[Multivariate analysis of the factors influencing the occurrence of surgical complications in renal transplantation].

Study of 307 renal corpse transplants performed in our centre, gathered in two series according to the immunosuppressive approach used, with and without cyclosporin A (Current and Historic Series, respectively). The surgical complications encountered are assessed and divided into urinary, vascular and other. Using a multivariate analysis, the factors influencing the occurrence of each of them are examined. In the Historic Series, the prognostic factors for the occurrence of urinary complications are the type of extraction and the duration of cold ischaemia. Regarding vascular complications, these factors are the type of anastomosis and the receptor's age. With respect to all other complications, the single influential factor is the initial delayed function. In the Current Series, the prognostic factors relative to urinary complications are the receptor's age, the duration of cold ischaemia, and the donor's age. No multivariate analysis is made of vascular complications due to their small number. The remaining complications are related, as in the other series, to the initial delayed function.

Humans↗
PubMed1994

["De novo" malignant tumors in kidney transplant receptors].

Presentation of the "de novo" tumours developed in two series of renal transplant receptors over the last 16 years. The first series, Historic, comprises the group of 178 patients who were given Azathioprin or Cyclophosphamide plus Prednisone for immunosuppression. The second series, Current, includes 129 patients who received immunosuppressive therapy with Cyclosporin A. Overall incidence of these "de novo" malignant tumours was 4% (13/307), 9 of which corresponded to the Historic Series (incidence, 5%) and 4 to the Current Series (incidence, 3%). Mean time interval from transplantation to diagnosis was 87.3 months (range, 9-177) in the Historic Series and 34.5 (range, 8-67) in the Current Series, the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.02). By locations, skin and lip tumours represent 38.5%, followed in frequency by lymphoma (23%) and lung carcinoma (15%). No urological tumours were recorded.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Adjusted survival of the graft in renal transplantation. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors].

Three hundred and seven first corpse transplantations performed in the Clínica Universitaria of Navarra since 1976 are analyzed. The cases are divided in two series, Current and Historic, depending on whether the immunosuppressive protocol included cyclosporin A. First, actual survival curves from both series were compared, obtaining a significantly improved survival in the cyclosporin A series (p). Then, the most influential prognostic features in each series are analyzed for the various post-transplantation periods. With regard to adjusted graft survival in the Historic Series, both initial function and the number of rejections have influence during the first post-transplantation year. HLA A + B identities and the donor's age influence during the immediate one-to-three months period. In the Current Series, time of cold ischaemia and number of rejections act during the earliest (first month) and the latest (between one to three years) periods. The donor's cause of death and the recipient's age influence during the first month of evolution. The initial function and the presence of surgical complications influence between the first month and the first year.

Actuarial Analysis↗