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Biomedical subjects

J Prats Viñas

Publications and source records attributed to J Prats Viñas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Randomized multi-center trial of the administration of erythropoietin in anemia of prematurity].

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test the therapeutic effect of human recombinant erythropoietin (rH-EPO) on anemia of prematurity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight preterm infants less than 34 weeks of gestational age from three different hospitals were studied. Transfusional policies were similar in all three centers. Infants with ABO or Rh incompatibility were excluded. At 28 days after birth, 28 infants (48.3%) had hemoglobin levels under 10.5 g/dL and were randomized to receive rH-EPO or standard care. Those infants ascribed to the treatment group received 200 U/kg of body weight of rH-EPO subcutaneously once a day, three days a week for 4 weeks together with oral supplements of ferrous sulfate at a dosage of 4 mg/kg/day. Both groups received daily doses of 50 micrograms of folic acid and 5U of vitamin E per os. Erythropoietin and ferritin were determined at randomization and at 60 days of age. Hemoglobin, reticulocytes, leucocytes, granulocytes and platelets were measured once a week, from the beginning of the treatment until 60 days of age. RESULTS: At randomization into treatments, there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to weight, gestational age, hemoglobin (9.42 +/- 0.73 vs 9.26 +/- 0.68 g/dL), reticulocytes (61.7 +/- 32.2 vs 68.0 +/- 61.0 x 10(9)/L), ferritin, EPO1 leucocytes or platelets. At 60 days of age, the treatment group showed higher hemoglobin values (10.5 +/- 1.73 vs 9.1 +/- 1.0 g/dL, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between reticulocyte counts (176.4 +/- 91.1 vs 112.6 +/- 85.0 x 10(9)/L), granulocytes (2,351 +/- 868 vs 2,075 +/- 856 x 10(9)/L), platelets (400 +/- 138 vs 316 +/- 164 x 10(9)/L) or ferritin (209 +/- 177 vs 393 +/- 328 micrograms/mL). Of the infants in the nontreated group, 13.3% received blood transfusions between 30 and 60 days of age, while only 6.7% of the treatment group did (p = 0.31). DISCUSSION: We have been able to find 11 controlled studies in the medical literature which deal with the clinical usage of rH-EPO in newborns. Six use the hormone in an early phase and 5 in a posterior one. Our study should be included in the later and, as happens in most of them, demonstrates the efficacy of rH-EPO in the treatment of late anemia of the preterm newborn as shown by an increment in the hemoglobin levels and a trend towards the diminution in the use of blood transfusions. We have not observed substantial adverse effects.

Anemia, Neonatal↗

Natural killer cell function in children with malignant solid neoplasias.

Natural killer (NK) cell numbers and lytic activity were determined in 40 children with various types of solid malignant neoplasias and in 25 control children by NKH-1 monoclonal antibody and cytotoxicity against K562 target cells, respectively. Patients were analyzed at the time of diagnosis before initiation of therapy and followed over a median time of 15.8 months. Mean NK cell numbers and lytic activity were similar among different types of tumor analyzed. Patients with localized disease (stages I, II; n = 25) also showed values not statistically different from those of patients in advanced disease (stages III, IV; n = 15). According to their response to therapy, patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (complete remission; n = 28), group 2 (partial remission; n = 5), and group 3 (progression of disease; n = 6). Patients in group 3 showed at the time of diagnosis a mean NK activity significantly lower than that of patients in groups 1 and 2 and control children (P = 0.007). The defect in NK cell lytic capacity in vitro observed in patients with progressive disease suggests that NK cells play a role in the control of neoplastic growth in vivo and may imply that some children with refractory progressive disease can benefit from immunomodulation destined to improve the lytic potential of NK cells.

Adolescent↗

[Value of the Coombs test in ABO incompatibility].

We studied the ABO haemolytic disease of the newborn in our neonatal unit to consider their serological aspects and clinical importance. 21% of all pregnancies were ABO incompatibles. The direct antiglobulin test was positive in 46 (11.3%) of them. The Elution was positive in all the newborns with direct antiglobulin test positive (Cd+). The anti-A o anti-B antibodies concentration in mothers was higher than 1/128 in 38 (84%). The C3d complement fraction was activated in two newborns. The infants Cd+ were born to group O mothers in all cases, and nobody was premature. Twelve (26%) of Cd+ presented jaundice which need phototherapy, and one moreover exchange transfusion. The direct antiglobulin test is very useful for detect the liable newborns of serious jaundice; therefore, we thing that is suitable to make this test in infants born to group O mothers. The newborns Cd+ did not have significant anemia at first three months of life.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

[Transient neonatal pustular melanosis].

Ten newborn infants with transient neonatal pustular melanosis are reported. The incidence (0.59%), the most noticeable clinical aspects and the differential diagnosis are pointed out. We report with special emphasis the presence of eosinophils in the smears from skin lesions. The authors think that transient neonatal pustular melanosis and erythema toxicum neonatorum are, probably, two different clinical expressions of the same entity.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Non-Hodgkinś lymphoma in childhood, preliminary results of the LSA2 L2 protocol modified by high-dose methotrexate].

From january 1982 to january 1986 we treated 23 pediatric patients who had non Hodgkin's lymphoma, with a new therapeutic protocol. This protocol is based on the LSA2 L2, modified during the induction phase with high-dose methotrexate and increasing of intrathecal therapy. Nineteen patients (83%) were in stages III and IV and the 47.4% were in stage IV. The distribution according to histology was: 10 Burkitt's undifferentiated lymphomas; 2 non-Burkitt's undifferentiated lymphomas; 5 lymphoblastic lymphomas convoluted-cells; 5 lymphoblastic lymphoma non-convoluted cells and 1 indeterminate lymphoma. The follow-up oscillated between 6 months and 4 years. The total survival rate is 82.6% with a 100% survival in stages I, II and III and 63.5% in stage IV. The survival according histology is 91.7% for undifferentiated lymphomas and 70% for lymphoblastic lymphomas; the actuarial survival rates in the two groups at 30 months are 87% and 55% respectively (p greater than 0.10). We concluded that adding high-dose methotrexate to the LSA2 L2 protocol improve the survival rate in undifferentiated lymphomas and in a less extent in lymphoblastic lymphomas, without significant toxicity. This new protocol is mainly indicated in undifferentiated and indeterminate non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Partially differentiated cystic nephroblastoma].

Two new cases of cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma, which were treated by nephrectomy, are reported. Their gross appearance is undistinguishable from a multilocular cyst, with the only difference being the presence of buds of blastema within the cystic septa. While cystic partially differentiated nephroblastoma as well as multilocular cyst have never been reported to be associated with local or metastatic recurrence and therefore their treatment consists of simple nephrectomy, the presence of blastema suggests a differentiates stage of Wilms' tumor, thus demanding a close surveillance of the patient.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Metastatic neuroblastomas: factors influencing survival].

Sixty-two patients with metastatic neuroblastoma admitted to the Hospital Infantil "Valle de Hebrón" de Barcelona during the period of October 1966-March 1985 are reviewed. The survival rate was 16% with an overall cure rate of 9.6%. The age, sex, site of primary tumor, site of metastases, and urinary catecholamine excretion were not independent prognostic factors. Patients with initial stage I, II or III and late evolution to stage IV had a worse prognostic (survival rate 13%, p less than or equal to 0.05). We compare five treatment protocols. We obtain a better response by a multichemotherapy made of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, DTIC combined in a sequential order with cis-platin and VM-26. The median survival for this group was 19.9 months and the survival rate 57.1% (p less than 0.001).

Child↗

[Neuroblastoma IV-S. A series of 7 cases].

A review of the findings in seven cases of stage IV-S neuroblastoma, that have been observed between 1966 and 1984. Patients under one year stage IV-S neuroblastoma have a favorable prognosis; survival rate was 71%. Primary tumor in some may be relatively small. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may not be necessary in the management of certain children.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗