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Biomedical subjects

E Montserrat

Publications and source records attributed to E Montserrat.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Lymphocyte size and survival of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-type).

In 57 cases of B-type chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL), the size of peripheral blood lymphocytes was estimated by means of transmission electron microscopy. The mean lymphocyte diameter (MLD) of 50 cells was correlated with the clinical staging as well as the survival. 30 out of 38 patients found in stages 0, I, and II displayed a normal or increased MLD. Conversely, this value was decreased in 12 out of 17 cases in stages III and IV. MLD of patients in clinical stages III and IV was significantly lower as compared with MLD of patients in stages 0, I, and II (P < 0.001). The actuarial curve of 57 patients showed a roughly estimated median survival probability of 43 months. This was of more than 54 months in patients with normal or increased MLD, but only of 22 months in those with a decreased MLD. The difference between these 2 survival curves was statistically significant (P < 0.01). A reduced peripheral blood lymphocyte size, as estimated in suspension by means of transmission electron microscopy, appears to have a bad prognostic significance.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Low-dose vincristine in the treatment of corticosteroid-refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) in non-splenectomized patients.

Eight non-splenectomized patients with corticosteroid-refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) were treated with low-dose vincristine (1 mg/week up to a total dose of 4 mg). Complete remission was achieved in 2 cases and partial remission in 3. Bleeding stopped in one patient who failed to remit. No statistical relationship was found between the response to vincristine and the duration of the disease or the corticosteroid-therapy. Side effects were only observed in one patient. By comparing these results with those reported in the literature, it can be inferred that low-dose vincristine may be useful in the management of corticosteroid-refractory ITP.

Adolescent↗

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of unfavourable histology: a multivariate analysis of factors predicting the response to CHOP.

Forty-eight patients with de novo non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of unfavourable biology received CHOP as first-line chemotherapy. A complete remission (CR) was achieved in 64.5 per cent patients. Overall 4-year projected survival was 48 per cent with a median follow-up of 40.5 months. Two pretreatment characteristics, high LDH serum levels and bulky abdominal disease, were negatively associated with survival at the proportional hazards regression model and were used to calculate each patient's relative-risk. Such analysis allowed to identify two prognostic subgroups according to their outcome to CHOP. Firstly, a high-risk subgroup that showed an 8 per cent CR rate, most patients dying within the first year after diagnosis. Secondly, a low-risk subgroup that showed an 83.5 per cent CR rate and a 4-year project survival of 66 per cent. From the above results two major conclusions can be drawn: (1) the CHOP combination is an effective treatment for unfavourable NHL patients with a low relative-risk and (2) new therapeutic approaches should be explored for NHL patients with a high relative-risk at diagnosis.

Adult↗

Specific cutaneous involvement in Hodgkin's disease.

In Hodgkin's disease (HD) specific cutaneous involvement is rare. When it occurs, retrograde lymphatic spread, direct extension from the underlying lymph nodes, and hematogenous dissemination are the mechanisms usually implicated. Among 349 patients with HD diagnosed and followed-up at our institution from 1969 to 1990, three (0.85 per cent) presented specific cutaneous involvement. In two cases with mixed cellularity subtype, skin lesions displayed histologic features similar to those found in the lymph node. Treatment with combination chemotherapy resulted in rapid disappearance of the lesions in two patients but was ineffective in the third. Previous reports of cutaneous involvement in HD, its differential diagnosis, prognostic significance, and treatment are briefly reviewed.

Adult↗

5th International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

In the past few years important advances have been made in our understanding of the biology and natural history of CLL; also, new strategies and agents offer promise in the treatment of this form of leukemia. Now, patients can be treated on a more rationale basis and with real prospects for a sustained control of their disease, and improved quality of life. Hopefully, progresses in CLL will continue to accumulate in the coming years.

Animals↗

Comparative morphology of granulocytes collected by three methods of leukapheresis. A light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy study.

The morphology of granulocytes collected by continuous-flow centrifugation (CFC), discontinuous-flow centrifugation (DFC), and continuous-flow filtration (CFF) was investigated in 18 healthy donors by means of light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Light microscopy study of semithin sections of granulocytes collected by CFC and DFC showed minimal morphologic abnormalities, compared to granulocytes procured by CFF. Ultrastructural study of granulocytes procured by CFF showed more conspicuous qualitative and quantitative abnormalities (the most prominent being "microvilli," degranulation, and bazarre chromatin) than in granulocytes obtained by the other two methods. Controls showed that the bulk of CFF-cell abnormalities was due to the "tapping" of the filters. Factors such as the mechanical compression (plasma extractor) used in DFC method, donor pretreatment with anticoagulants and steroids, hydroxyethyl starch, and duration of leukapheresis scarcely influenced granulocyte morphology.

Adult↗

Fine needle aspiration cytology in pancreatic pathology.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of pancreatic fine needle aspiration. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred five fine needle aspirates were obtained from 149 patients over seven years. After excluding 40 patients lacking biopsy or follow-up, 125 aspirates from 109 patients were selected to analyze the accuracy of this method. (male:female ratio, 1.4:1; age range 43-79 years). RESULTS: The cytologic diagnosis was true positive in 50 studies (45.9%), false positive in 0, true negative in 25 (22.9%), false negative in 19 (17.4%) and suspicious for malignancy in 17 (15.6%); 14 aspirations (12.8%) yielded material unsatisfactory for a diagnosis. Of the 17 suspicious studies, 15 were from patients in whom a malignancy was confirmed later. The other two patients had chronic pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: The efficiency was 79.8%, sensitivity 72.5%, and specificity and predictive value of a positive result 100%. Cell blocks provided sufficient material in 96.8% of cases and smears in 90.4%. No major complications were reported after fine needle aspiration.

Adult↗