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M A Cuadrado

Publications and source records attributed to M A Cuadrado.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Prognostic value of the changes in the DNA of blast cells from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

The cytogenetic characteristics of 37 patients diagnosed of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia are presented. The studies were performed by cytofluorometry (CFM) after DNA staining with propidium iodide (34 cases) and/or chromosome identification with trypsin G bands (13 patients). Hyperdiploid DNA index was present in 15% of the patients, whereas none of them had hypodiploid DNA index. Abnormal karyotype was found in 69% of the evaluated cases. Good correlation was observed between the ploidy attained by CFM and by karyotyping cells. The highest percentage of aneuploidy corresponded to the L2 morphological subtype (55%), followed by L1 (36%). Structural alterations were the commonest in L2 variant, while numerical ones were commonest in the L1 variant. The 4 L1 patients with aneuploidy had the common immunophenotype, whereas the 6 aneuploidic patients of the L2 variant had common, early pre-B and undifferentiated immunophenotype. The actuarial survival of patients with diploid DNA index was 48.5% (IC 95%, 25-73%), whereas pseudodiploid patients have relapsed and died before 16 months from diagnosis (p less than 0.005). None of the patients with hyperdiploid DNA index and lacking structural alterations has relapsed. Patients with structural abnormalities have the poorest prognosis, while patients with hyperdiploid DNA index showed several favourable risk factors and are in the first complete remission.

Aneuploidy↗

Treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome with 1.25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3.

1.25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 (1.25 (OH)2D3) was tested in seven patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. The study was undertaken because 1.25 (OH)2D3 promotes differentiating myeloid cells in vitro and because of a prior report of potential benefit in a clinical study. The drug was given orally at a dose of 2.5 micrograms/day for a minimum of 8 weeks (range 8-28). After therapy, there were no significant changes in any of the parameters observed in peripheral blood or bone marrow. We did not observe any feature of granulocytic-monocytic differentiation. Treatment was well tolerated. One patient died because of bone marrow failure. Survivors have persisting myelodysplastic syndrome and continue to be transfusion dependent. 1.25 (OH)2D3 has no beneficial effect in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with this dose regimen.

Aged↗

Hairy-cell leukaemia associated with auto-immune disorders in the form of a 'lupus-type' anticoagulant and a positive direct Coombs' test.

An account is given of a case of hairy-cell leukaemia associated with a 'lupus-type' anticoagulant and a positive direct Coombs' test, both of which were clinically symptom free. This is yet another example of the coexistence of hairy-cell leukaemia and an auto-immune disorder, but the disorder in question has not been described previously.

Autoantibodies↗

Acquired von Willebrand's syndrome associated with hydatid disease of the spleen--disappearance after splenectomy.

A new case of acquired von Willebrand's syndrome (vWS) is described in a 31-year-old woman with a hydatid splenomegaly and with a history of repeated abortions at an advanced stage of pregnancy, a positive serology for syphilis and a mildly elevated titre of antinuclear antibodies, with no family history of bleeding. There is an inhibitory effect on factor VIII: C (antihaemophilic factor) as well as on factor VIIIR: Ag (related antigen) and on factor VIIIR: RCo (ristocetin cofactor), and it is precipitated by rabbit anti-IgG antiserum. This inhibitory effect was demonstrated using the patient's plasma heated to 56 degrees C for one hour so as to dissociate circulating immunocomplexes. All the abnormalities of haemostasis, as well as the positive serology for syphilis, disappeared after splenectomy, and the ANA titre reverted to normal. The clinical and biological peculiarities of the case are discussed, and are interpreted in the light of the findings recorded in patients showing "lupus" anticoagulant.

Adult↗

Transmission and scanning electron microscopy study on congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I.

An ultrastructural study of the aspirated bone marrow of a patient with congenital dyserythropoietic anemia type I is presented. Both in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) ultrastructural abnormalities of the bone marrow erythroid precursors were seen. These abnormalities in TEM included uneven condensation of chromatin with spongy appearance and alterations of cellular division. The most striking among these alterations were: firstly, the intercellular bridges which were typified by the presence of chromatin and the absence of the midbody and contractile ring and, secondly, the anomalies of the nuclear membrane. Occasionally, autolytic areas within the cytoplasma and iron-laden mitochondria were to be seen. In the SEM the following features were notable: the length of the intercellular bridges, the absence of the central ridge in the midbody area, as well as the scanty number of cytoplasmic blebs on the surface of the bridges.

Adolescent↗

Acute lymphatic leukemia with mediastinal involvement.

Mediastinal involvement was found in 11 (group A) of 43 patients affected with acute lymphatic leukemia when early thoracic roentgenograms of these patients were reviewed. Several clinicobiological characteristics of these patients were compared with those with a normal mediastinum as shown in their roentgenograms (group B). Statistically significant differences were observed between group A and group B not only as far as age was concerned (13 years group A, 7.4 years group B) but also in the ratio males/females (10:1 group A, 10:20 group B) and with regard to the leukocyte counts (266 x 10(9)/liter group A, 20 x 10(9)/liter group B). In addition, patients from group A showed a greater 'tumoral mass' and a more prominent extrahematological involvement (45% group A, 15% group B). In these cases 'convoluted' cells were frequently discovered and the blastic cells exhibited significantly lower scores of PAS-positivity and more marked acid phosphatase activity than those in group B. Although the rate of complete remissions (CR) obtained in both groups was similar (80% group A, 93% group B), marked differences were observed not only in the duration of CR but in the period of survival after CR as well, both factors being more prolonged in group B patients. 50% of patients with mediastinal involvement (group A) relapsed in the first 6 months of the evolution of the disease.

Adolescent↗