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J Fontcuberta

Publications and source records attributed to J Fontcuberta.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Fibrinogen Barcelona II: a new case of A alpha 16 Arg----His substitution.

We describe a new congenital dysfibrinogenemia: fibrinogen Barcelona II in 8 members of a family with no major bleeding or thrombotic tendency. Incubation of this fibrinogen with thrombin at low concentration releases half of the expected normal fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and with some delay it releases an abnormal FPA. Abnormal FPA was purified and sequenced and showed a change in the normal amino acid sequence: arginine in position 16 has been substituted by a histidine. This is another case of dysfibrinogenemia in which A alpha 16 Arg----His has been identified as the cause of abnormal behavior of the fibrinogen molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1990

[Detection of thrombin-antithrombin complexes in hypercoagulability conditions. Analysis of 182 cases].

The detection of TATC may inform about the presence of thrombin generation and, and hence of a pre-thrombotic status. An ELISA test (Enzygnst TAT) has been developed here in order to evaluate the predictive role played by TATC, and it was applied on 182 patients who distributed in 14 with cirrhosis of the liver, 11 with sepsis, 17 with chronic arterial insufficiency, 55 with neoplasms, 9 with thrombosis, 15 in postoperative period, 15 with pneumonia, 16 with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), 14 with multiple injuries and 16 with pancreatitis. TATC levels were significantly increased in all groups with regard to the control group. Patients with thrombosis, sepsis, multiple injuries, DIC and in the postoperative period showed especially high TATC figures. No correlation between TATC and fibrinogen, platelet count, activated partial thromboplastin time or prothrombin complex assay was found in the post-operative patient-group. It was concluded that TATC are a good indicator of hypercoagulability.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Association of acute leukemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation in adults. Analysis of 14 cases].

The association of acute leukemia (AL) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in 89 patients with a de novo diagnosis of AL made in our center during the last 8 years was retrospectively evaluated. DIC was demonstrated in 14 patients (15.7%) (7 AML-M3, 1 AML-M3, 1 AML-M2, 1 AML-M4, 2 AML-M5, and 2 ALL-L1). In 5 of them ICD was diagnosed after the beginning of chemotherapy. The factors predisposing to the development of DIC were: 1) the type of AL (p less than 0.01), as 70% of AML-M3 had DIC; 2) the intensity of granulation in leukemia cells (p less than 0.004); 3) the presence of Auer's rods and/or splinters in these cells, and 4) the presence of hemorrhagic diathesis (p less than 0.007). Eight of the 14 patients with DIC received heparin at a prophylactic dosage. No significant differences in the clinical course were in the group of patients with DIC who received heparin and in those who did not, excepting that in the former the platelet requirements were higher (p less than 0.005). Mortality rate during the first month was higher in the group of AL with DIC than in AL without DIC (p less than 0.025). Long term mortality was similar in both groups. The control of hemostasis is fundamental in AL, even in those patients without DIC at the time of diagnosis. The administration of blood derivatives has a high priority in AL with DIC. The role of heparin is still controversial.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Molecular characterization of antithrombin Barcelona-2: 47 arginine to cysteine.

The molecular characterization of antithrombin Barcelona-2 is reported. The abnormal antithrombin was isolated from plasma by chromatography on heparin-Sepharose at pH 6.0, and ion exchange on DEAE-Sephadex at pH 8.6 and 6.0. The tryptic peptides were mapped by reverse-phase HPLC and amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry showed arginine-47 to be replaced by cysteine. The affinity of Barcelona-2 for heparin is dramatically decreased. The new cysteine does not form a mixed disulphide with DTNB, implying it is present as a disulphide with some other available thiol molecule such as cysteine. This extra bulk at position 47 accounts for the low heparin affinity compared with two other mutations (Rouen-1 47 His; Rouen-2 47 Ser) at this residue. These results confirm the view that Arg-47 is an important residue in heparin binding. No dimers of Barcelona-2 were observed suggesting that steric hindrance of the new cysteine at residue 47 prevents dimerisation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Plasma and urinary heparin cofactor II levels in patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Heparin cofactor II (HC II) levels were measured by electroimmunoassay in plasmas and urines from 68 patients with nephrotic syndrome. In addition, antithrombin III (AT III) and protein C (PC) activities and antigens were measured also in the same group of patients. Seven of these patients had histories of thrombosis. Plasma HC II levels (mean +/- SD 105 +/- 43) were not different from levels in healthy subjects (94 +/- 17). Only 5 patients had low plasma levels of HC II. None of the patients with thrombosis had low HC II levels. Even though measurable amounts of HC II were found in 25 urines from 50 patients. There was a relationship in the urinary excretion between HC II and AT III and their urinary clearances were quite similar. However, no correlation was found between plasma HC II and AT III levels, and levels of AT III activity and antigen were significantly lower than in healthy subjects. Three patients with histories of thrombosis had low AT III levels. Most patients (including those with thrombosis histories) had high plasma PC levels and increased urinary loss. It is suggested that HC II does not play an important role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis in nephrotic syndrome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Quantitative and qualitative congenital deficiency of antithrombin III: a new molecular variant called ATIII-Barcelona 2.

A Spanish family with a quantitative-qualitative antithrombin III (ATIII) deficiency and thrombotic tendency is reported. The qualitative defect was suggested by the crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) in the presence of heparin in plasma of all those affected. However, the crossed immunoelectrofocusing (CIEF) showed the same ATIII pattern in controls and affected members. Two populations of ATIII were detected by affinity chromatography on heparin-sepharose from affected members' plasma. The ATIII unbound to sepharose beads was devoid of heparin cofactor activity and showed a lack of anodal migration in CIE in the presence of heparin. The ATIII eluted corresponded to normal ATIII. Our data supports the view that an abnormal ATIII molecule is present in all affected family members in the heterozygous state. This is the first reported ATIII variant in which a molecular abnormality produces a lack of affinity for heparin but no changes in its isoelectric point. This familial ATIII deficiency was named ATIII- Barcelona 2.

Antithrombin III↗
PubMed1988

AT III Barcelona: a familial quantitative-qualitative AT III deficiency.

A quantitative and qualitative deficiency of antithrombin III (ATIII) was found in four members of a Spanish family with thrombotic tendency. In all affected members, levels of ATIII antigen and activity (heparin cofactor activity) were reduced to 50% of the normal range. When crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was performed in the presence of heparin, an abnormal slow-moving peak was found. Crossed immunoelectrofocusing (CIEF) from normal and affected individuals showed that normal ATIII migrated between pH 4.9-5.3 while the ATIII under study was asymmetrically distributed between two pH ranges: 4.9-5.3 and 4.6-4.8. Affinity adsorption of affected members' plasma to heparin-sepharose beads revealed one population of ATIII in the supernatant corresponding to the abnormal ATIII, devoid of heparin cofactor activity and showing a peak between pH range: 4.6-4.8 in CIEF. Our data supports the view that a quantitative-qualitative deficiency was present in the heterozygous state in all the affected family members. Both normal and abnormal ATIII were present in plasma of the affected individuals. This abnormal ATIII was characterized by a lack of affinity for heparin. This familial ATIII deficiency was named ATIII Barcelona.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Serial measurements of a plasma prostacyclin inhibitor in a patient with recurrent abortions and lupus anticoagulant; a case report.

Defective plasmatic stimulation of prostacyclin (PGI2) production by vascular cells has been described in patients with lupus anticoagulant (LAC). A young woman with recurrent abortions, LAC and evidence for deficient PGI2 production was studied. Serial measurements of a plasma PGI2 inhibitor, LAC and anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) have been performed before and throughout her fourth pregnancy. Antenatal care and treatment with prednisone and heparin started at 10 weeks gestation. The plasma of our patient continued to inhibit PGI2 production by vascular cells despite treatment. The presence of inhibitor(s) of PGI2 release was confirmed by mixing the patient's plasma with normal plasma. In addition, an IgM lupus anticoagulant fraction (but not the IgG fraction) interfered with the release of arachidonic acid in human endothelial cells induced by thrombin. Despite prednisone and heparin treatment we did not find a complete correction of the LAC activity and the ACA (IgM type) still remained positive before the detection of a fetal death at 26 weeks. The placenta showed abundant infarcts and areas of ischaemic necrosis. We suggest that the defect in vascular PGI2 release could compromise fetal outcome.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1987

Dysfunctional activated protein C (PC Cádiz) in a patient with thrombotic disease.

The partial characterization of a dysfunctional protein C (PC), provisionally named "PC Cádiz", in a 45-year-old male patient suffering from recurrent venous thrombosis is described. The only defect found in laboratory assays for haemostasis and hepatic function was a half normal level of both amidolytic and anticoagulant protein C activity, measured by different functional assays that use thrombin-thrombomodulin complex and a snake venom to activate protein C. Protein C antigen was always found to be within normal levels. Two young daughters of the propositus were found to have the same defect. Double-crossed immunoelectrophoresis, performed in the presence and absence of Ca2+ in the first dimension, showed no clear differences between patient and control PC. PC adsorption to barium salts was also found to be normal. Measurement of the PC activation peptide in the barium citrate eluates after PC activation showed no significant differences between patient and 10 normal controls, the concentration of this peptide being very similar to that of PC zymogen in the same eluates before PC activation. These results indicate that this abnormal PC is able to be normally activated by thrombin-thrombomodulin complex but does not exhibit serine protease activity, probably due to a defect in the PC molecule near the active site center.

Humans↗
PubMed1986

Massive pulmonary embolism: short-term effects of thrombolytic treatment.

This study assessed the short-term effects of thrombolytic treatment in 38 patients with massive pulmonary embolism. Thirty-two were treated with streptokinase and six with urokinase. Intrapulmonary artery instillation of fibrinolytic agents was utilized except in 3 patients. There was a marked hemodynamic and arteriographic improvement (p less than 0.0005) in 33 patients (86.8%). Four patients (10.5%) died because of treatment failure. In these cases the fibrinogen concentration remained above 1 gr/liter during therapy. Bleeding was detected in 22 patients (57.8%) but was most often related to puncture or cut-down sites, and only 2 patients (5.2%) had major bleeding. One patient (2.6%) had cerebral hemorrhage. It is concluded that "classic" thrombolytic treatment is to be chosen in life-threatening pulmonary embolism. However, the difficulties sometimes encountered in producing an intense lytic effect and its low fibrinolytic specificity for the thrombus do not permit the obtainment of better results.

Acute Disease↗