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J Miralles

Publications and source records attributed to J Miralles.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Atmospheric lead fallout over the last century recorded in Gulf of Lions sediments (Mediterranean Sea).

Six marine sediment cores from the Gulf of Lions continental slope (700-1700 m water depth) were analyzed for stable lead isotopes and (210)Pb geochronology in order to reconstruct lead atmospheric fallout pattern during the last century. The detrital lead contribution is 25 microg g(-1) and the mean sediment anthropogenic inventory is 110+/-7 microg cm(-2), a little bit higher than atmospheric deposition estimate. Anthropogenic lead accumulation in sediments peaked in early 1970s (1973+/-2) in agreement with lead emissions features. For the period 1986-1997, the sediment signal also reflect the decrease of atmospheric lead described by independent atmospheric fallout investigations. The anthropogenic Pb deposition in the late 1990s was similar to the 1950s deposition, attesting thus of the output of European environmental policies.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed2004

Multitracer study of anthropogenic contamination records in the Camargue, Southern France.

Contaminants are supplied to the coastal zone by the atmosphere, rivers and point sources like wastewaters or industrial area. Wetlands retain many of these contaminants and can be used to reconstruct sources and magnitudes of contaminant inputs. Radionuclides ((137)Cs, (210)Pb, (239)Pu and (240)Pu) and stable lead isotope ((206)Pb, (207)Pb) profiles were investigated in two cores collected in wetlands of the Rhône River delta, south of France (Camargue), to estimate the recent sediment accumulation rates and reconstruct the deposition of pollutants during the last century. One site was affected by storm or flood deposition from the Rhône river and showed the influence of Marcoule reprocessing plant releases on the plutonium isotopic ratios. The other site appears suitable for the reconstruction, even if mixing is evidenced at the surface by the radionuclides profiles. Plutonium isotopic ratios are characteristic of global fallout and the (210)Pb inventory of 4240 Bq m(-2) is approximately 30% higher than atmospheric deposit estimation. The pollutant lead inventory is 139 microg cm(-2), slightly higher than previous estimation from direct fallout. This difference can be partly due to an over-collection at this site (due to canopy cover) but also to variations with time in the deposition.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Sézary syndrome and related variants of classic cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. A descriptive and prognostic clinicopathologic study of 29 cases.

Large series of patients with Sézary syndrome (SS), the leukemic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), have been reported infrequently because of its low incidence. Here we recorded several clinical, histopathological and immunophenotypical features of 29 cases of leukemic CTCL patients from four Dermatology Departments of Catalonia, Spain, and analyzed their prognostic value. Clinical data included sex, age, delay of SS diagnosis, previous diagnosis of lymphoma, B-symptoms, type of skin lesions, peripheral adenopathy, histologic evaluation of lymph node biopsy, visceral involvement, percentage of circulating Sézary cells, serum LDH and beta-2-microglobulin levels, first treatment and response, disease-free interval, further therapies and survival. Histopathological data examined were epidermotropism, depth and thickness of the infiltrate, cell size, adnexal involvement, presence of granuloma, eosinophils and plasma cells, mitotic rate. The percentage of CD45Ro, CD43, CD20, CD30 and CD8 positive dermal cells were also recorded. Survival showed a mean actuarial risk of 57% at 3 years and 38% at 5 years, with a median survival of 48 months. Analysis of actuarial survival demonstrated as following as features linked with a bad prognosis: fast evolution of the disease (from symptoms onset up to diagnosis) (p = 0.0274) raised levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase (p = 0.0379) and beta-2-microglobulin (p = 0.0151), the latter being the most important prognostic factor. In conclusion although SS had been traditionally considered as a low-grade lymphoma, the present study agrees with the recent classification rating SS as an aggressive type of CTCL with a poor prognosis. Our results show that some simple clinical and blood test data can be useful as prognostic indicators in this disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Superficial granulomatous pyoderma.

We report the case of a 30-year-old man who, from the age of 16, presented with abscess-type lesions that turned into ulcers with a torpid course and with histopathologic characteristics of superficial granulomatous pyoderma. The patient has been followed for 6 years, during which time the only treatment necessary to prevent recurrence of lesions has been the administration of different doses of minocycline.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Cutaneous granulomatous lesions in common variable immunodeficiency: complete resolution after intravenous immunoglobulins.

A 64-year-old man with common variable immunodeficiency developed a persistent papulonodular ulcerative eruption on the right leg. Histopathological examination disclosed a chronic inflammatory infiltrate with central necrosis and palisading granuloma. Repeated microbiological (bacteriological, mycological and mycobacteriological) studies failed to isolate any microorganism. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins, a progressive resolution of the skin lesions was observed with a complete clearing after 10 months. Clinicopathological features and therapeutic approaches of sterile granulomatous lesions associated with primary immunodeficiencies are reviewed.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency↗
PubMed1997

Multiple idiopathic mucosal neuromas: a minor form of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B or a new entity?

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2B (MEN 2B) is a rare autosomal dominant process characterized by medullary thyroid carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, and mucosal neuromas. A point mutation at codon 918 of the RET protooncogene has been observed in approximately 90% of patients and families with MEN 2B. Mucosal neuromas are the most consistent and distinctive feature (100% of patients) of MEN 2B and are considered pathognomonic. We describe a 35-year-old woman with mucosal neuromas of the lower lip and tongue that appeared in early childhood. Examination did not reveal other abnormalities. After a follow-up of more than 22 years with periodic clinical, biochemical, and radiologic studies, no evidence of MEN 2B has been detected. Analysis of the RET protooncogene exons 10, 11, and 16 did not demonstrate point mutation in the MEN 2B region (M918T).

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Presence of markers predictive of type I pre-diabetes mellitus status in relatives of patients with type I diabetes mellitus].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive factors of IDDM in first degree relatives of IDDM patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1994, 1,053 first degree relatives were screened for measuring islet cell antibodies (ICA) by indirect immunofluorescence (iFl). In all ICA positive subjects, beta cell function was analyzed by intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and other immunologic parameters were also studied: anti-insulin antibodies (IAA) by radiobinding and antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADAb) by ELISA methods. RESULTS: ICA were found in 3.1% of the first degree relatives. IVGTT showed a significant decrease in acute first phase of insulin response to glucose (IRI 1 minute + 3 minute) in those with ICA > or = 20 JDF units. In patients with ICA > or = 20 JDF units, 20% were found to be positive for IAA and 40% were positive for GAdAb. Thirty-one percent (10/32) of ICA positive first degree relatives fulfilled prediabetes criteria. During follow-up, 40% (4/10) of these prediabetic patients developed IDDM. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the possibility of identifying among first degree relatives of IDDM patients the subgroup with high risk of developing IDDM thus allowing the initiation of therapy for preventing or delaying IDDM onset.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

New unsaturated long-chain fatty acids in the phospholipids from the Axinellida sponges Trikentrion loeve and Pseudaxinella cf. lunaecharta.

In order to identify new structures and especially those involved as biosynthetic intermediates, the fatty acid composition of whole phospholipids from two Senegalese marine sponges from the order Axinellida, Trikentrion loeve and Pseudaxinella cf. lunaecharta, has been investigated by analytical gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Several new fatty acids were identified as methyl esters and N-acyl pyrrolidides, namely 16-eicosenoic, 11-tetracosenoic, 5-pentacosenoic, 11-hexacosenoic, 11-octacosenoic, 23-triacontenoic, 17,21-hexacosadienoic, 19,23-octacosadienoic, 9,23-triacontadienoic, 5,9,21-hexacosatrienoic, and 5,9,25-triacontatrienoic. Trikentrion loeve and P. cf. lunaecharta contain fifteen (25.7% of the total acid mixture) and thirteen (30.4%) delta 5,9 fatty acids, respectively. Based on gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared experiments, the double bonds were assigned the (Z) configuration. Biosynthesis of dienoic and trienoic demospongic acids possessing an n-5 or an n-7 terminal double bond is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Mycosis fungoides associated with unusual epidermal hyperplasia.

A 58-year-old white woman presented with widespread pruritic brownish plaques and hyperpigmented flexural lesions with a velvety appearance. On histopathological examination, the macules were diagnostic of mycosis fungoides, plaque stage, and the flexural lesions showed epidermal hyperplasia with a seborrhoeic keratosis-like appearance. There was intense mucin deposition and marked reduction of elastic fibres in the papillary dermis, as well as a moderately dense dermal lymphoid infiltrate composed of CD4+ T cells with occasional atypia and focal epidermotropism. The clinical and pathological manifestations of cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, including mycosis fungoides (MF), may show considerable variation. Apart from the three classic stages, a number of unusual clinical presentations and a broad spectrum of histopathological findings have been reported in the literature. In this report, a case of MF, plaque stage, with flexural lesions clinically reminiscent of (pseudo)acanthosis nigricans is presented. On histopathological examination, there was epidermal hyperplasia with a seborrhoeic keratosis-like appearance, with intense deposition of mucin and marked reduction of elastic fibres in the papillary dermis, together with a lymphoid infiltrate composed mainly of CD4+ cells with occasional atypia and epidermotropism. Cytokines produced by the lymphocytes in the infiltrate might account for the epithelial and dermal changes that characterize this peculiar variant of MF.

Female↗
PubMed1995

Median raphe cyst of the penis with ciliated cells.

Cystic lesions occurring on the ventral surface of the penis have been classified as median raphe cysts of the penis. They are lined by pseudostratified, columnar or stratified squamous cell epithelium, mimicking the epithelial lining of the male urethra. Ciliated cysts of the human skin are unusual. Cystic lesions containing ciliated cells have been noted to occur in the chest, neck, or head, and bronchogenic origin has been the most accepted explanation for its origin. Other reports show the presence of ciliated cysts on the lower extremities, and the mechanism of formation is still a debated question. A case of median raphe cyst of the penis containing ciliated epithelium is presented. The existing literature about these cutaneous lesions is reviewed, including the possible mechanisms believed to be involved in its origin.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of peri-operatively administered diclofenac and indomethacin on blood loss, bleeding time and plasma prostanoids in man.

Sixty-seven patients scheduled for gynaecological laparotomy were anaesthetized with enflurane and divided at random into three groups to investigate double blind the effects of diclofenac (21 pts), indomethacin (23 pts) and placebo (23 pts) on haemostasis. Of each group eight to ten patients were chosen at random for estimation of peri-operative concentrations of prostanoids in plasma (thromboxane B2, prostaglandin E2). The pre-operative loading dose was diclofenac 33.6 mg or indomethacin 25 mg, followed by infusion for 24 h of diclofenac 6.7 mg h-1 or indomethacin 5 mg h-1. A fourth group received balanced anaesthesia (21 pts) and served as an additional control group for estimation of bleeding tendency and blood loss. The groups matched statistically for duration of surgery, age, weight, and height. No significant differences were found for prostaglandin E2 values, operation time, intra-operative blood loss, bleeding time, and frequency of post-operative haematomas. The most frequent surgeons' complaint was of increased bleeding tendency with indomethacin (P less than 0.001). Thromboxane B2 values in plasma were increased 30 min (66%) and 24 h (30%) after beginning of surgery in the placebo group (P less than 0.025). Diclofenac and indomethacin totally abolished these increases. During infusion of the loading dose of indomethacin one patient developed bradyarrhythmia, which was easily treated. No other complications appeared.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Studies on the reliability of a bihyperbolic functional absorption model. I. Ring-substituted anilines.

The present study reviews and checks the rearranged master lines of the functional bihyperbolic absorption model proposed by Plá-Delfina and Moreno, by examining the correlations between absorption rate constants experimentally found in the small intestine and in the colon of the rat, and two types of partition constants for a series of ring-substituted anilines, of low to medium molecular weight. Evidence is given which demonstrates the reliability of the bihyperbolic equation for the small intestine data, showing the importance of the type of substitution in the absorption rate of compounds; for the colonic data, the collapsed, monohyperbolic form of this equation (i.e., the Wagner-Sedman equilibrium model) applies, independent of the nature and position of the group substituents in the aniline molecule. This means that, as the bihyperbolic model equation predicts, aqueous pore diffusion is a crucial factor, as important as membrane permeation, in absorption in the small intestine, whereas in the colon only this latter route is operative. The perspectives opened by the application of the model to gastrointestinal absorption studies are also discussed.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1985

Diclofenac versus indomethacin given as intravenous infusions: their effect on haemodynamics and bleeding time, and side-effects in healthy subjects.

Given as an intravenous infusion during a 1-hour period, 32.5 mg diclofenac and 25 mg indomethacin did not cause significant changes in blood pressure or pulse rate in 31 healthy subjects. One hour after the end of the infusion, the bleeding time was significantly prolonged with both drugs; however, the mean values were within the normal range. There was no difference in the type of side-effects recorded in this study when compared to previous reports, except for a centrally stimulating effect of diclofenac, which appeared in 11 subjects. Diclofenac and indomethacin thus seem suitable for a patient study of pre-, intra- and postoperative treatment of pain.

Adult↗