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J A Molina Font

Publications and source records attributed to J A Molina Font.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

[Pineal functioning (melatonin levels) in healthy children of different ages. An update and the value of pineal gland study in pediatrics].

BACKGROUND: Classically, the function of the pineal gland involved the regulation of several endocrine and non-endocrine functions, such as seasonal breeding, biological rhythm synchronization and the sleep/wake cycle. The study of the pineal gland has not a new increasing interest due to the recent discovery that melatonin is the most potent antioxidant compound known to date. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present here the data of aMT levels (mean +/- SD, pg/ml) measured by RIA in healthy children grouped by age and time of sample extraction. The group differences are evaluated by a mean comparison test. RESULTS: The results showed that plasma levels of aMT in cord blood reflect both the aMT levels and their circadian rhythm seen in the mother, without significant differences between umbilical artery and vein. In children between 18 months and 6 years of age, aMT concentrations at 09.00 reaches a maximum of 60.8 +/- 100.58. This value significantly decreased in children between 6-8 years old (35.54 +/- 9.17, p < 0.001), with a more significant decrease in children 8-13 years old (25.28 +/- 7.16, p < 0.01). However, in children 13-15 years of age, aMT concentrations increased to 31.14 +/- 8.29 pg/ml (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Our data support the existence of a functional pineal gland during the neonatal period, although it lacks the rhythmic secretion of aMT. From the preschool stage, children show a significant decrease in aMT concentration, except during the pubertal period when there is a small increase in aMT levels. In this paper we also review the available information about pineal function, specifically in regards to the relationship between pineal-melatonin and CURRENT PEDIATRICS in order to better understand the infant physiology and physiopathology related to this area.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Relationship of blood rheology to lipoprotein profile during normal pregnancies and those with intrauterine growth retardation.

AIMS: The effects on fetal growth of hyperlipidaemia in pregnancy are not well understood at present. In this study the different lipid fractions in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were determined and related to changes in plasma and serum viscosity. METHODS: Two groups of pregnant women were studied. Group 1 consisted of 35 healthy pregnant women aged between 21 and 38 years with no previous pathology and a normal pregnancy to term. Group 1 patients were studied at four periods defined at the start of the study: (1) < or = 17 weeks; (2) 18-24 weeks; (3) 25-32 weeks, (4) > or = 33 weeks. Group 2 consisted of 24 pregnant women aged between 16 and 34 years with ultrasound diagnosed IUGR confirmed after birth. Plasma lipids and plasma and serum viscosity were measured. RESULTS: Plasma triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol increased progressively throughout pregnancy, with significantly higher values after week 25. Apolipoprotein A (ApoA) and triglyceride concentrations were significantly lower in the IUGR group than in the normal group. The HDL/ApoA ratio was greater in the IUGR group than in the control group, as was the ApoB/ApoA ratio. There were no differences in the other lipids. Plasma and serum viscosity was higher in the IUGR group than in the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: Haemorheological modifications in the IUGR group are partly secondary to changes in high density lipoprotein metabolism and the competitive inhibition of fibrinolysis by ApoB, which is increased in pregnancies with IUGR. Changes in ApoA, and more specifically in the ApoB/ApoA ratio, could be good markers for the early detection of IUGR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Determining factors of nutritional status in a pediatric surgical unit].

Nutritional assessment was made in 134 pediatric patients before surgery in order to analyze the influence of age, sex anthropometric nutritional index and type of surgical operation (urgent vs elective). The anthropometrical index, hematology measurements and serum protein levels were compared by using a one-way ANOVA and a linear correlation was performed when appropriate. The type of surgery and age of the patient were the factors which influence nutritional status the most among the pre-operatively screened surgical pediatric patients. In addition, pre-albumin, retinol-binding protein and acute-phase proteins have been shown to be affected by stress and appear to be more sensitive indicators of nutritional state than comparison of the types of surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Materno-fetal nutritional status related to vitamin E].

There are few papers about the placental transfer of vitamin E in human beings. It is known that umbilical cord vitamin E levels are significantly lower than in mother's plasma. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between the vitamin E nutritional state between newborn infants and their mothers. The plasma levels of vitamin E and lipids at birth have been measured by using spectrophotometric methods. The statistical analysis (Student's "t" test for paired data) shows that the plasma levels of vitamin E in the newborn infants are significantly lower than that their mother's, but the nutritional indices (vitamin E/phospholipids and vitamin E/total lipids) show no statistical differences. There is a close correlation between umbilical cord vitamin E concentration and vitamin E levels in the mother's plasma. We have demonstrated that the vitamin E nutritional state of term newborn infants is equivalent to that of their mothers. On the other hand, nutritional indices such as vitamin E/phospholipids and vitamin E/total lipids, are better than the single vitamin E levels to evaluate the nutritional state of tocopherol.

Female↗
PubMed1991

[Meningococcal sepsis in our area. Study of the disease severity factors and therapeutic management over a 10-year period].

Meningococcal sepsis with cardiovascular manifestations is one of the leading causes of pediatric intensive care admission (14.85%) in our area. We carried out a two phase study over period of 10 years from 1979 to 1988, involving a retrospective analysis of clinical and analytical manifestations in order to determine a prognostic score of the severity of meningococcal infections in our area. A total of 86 cases were studies over a two year period. After establishing the prognostic score, we applied a previously assayed therapeutic protocol, based on the number of criteria of severity, in 170 children selected as having the same criteria. The factors of seriousness considered were: Appearance of the first symptoms less than 12 h. previously, appearance of petechia less than 6 h. previously, hyperthermia, shock at admission, absence of meningitis, fulminating course of purpura and convulsions, leukopenia less than or equal to 5,000 mm3, prothrombin activity less than or equal to 45%, platelets less than or equal to 75,000 mm3, fibrinogen less than or equal to 250 mgrs% and FPD greater than 40 micrograms/ml (p less than or equal to 0.01 (CHI SQUARE]. In the first phase of study, overall mortality was associated with the presence of three criteria, and was highest when more than seven criteria were present. The results indicate that mortality from meningococcal sepsis is linked to fulminating deterioration of hemodynamics and DIC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1991

[Studying the levels of endotoxemia in meningococcal sepsis. Its relations to pregnancy and antibiotic treatment].

The most frequent cause of toxic shock in our area is meningococcal sepsis. It is currently assumed that endotoxin produce by this bacteria, a lipopolysaccharide with toxic properties, is able to trigger shock and DIC by stimulating both arachidonic acid pathways, among other actions. Previous studies in our laboratory demonstrated significant differences (p +/- 0.001) in the amounts of endotoxins released in vitro by strains from patients and healthy carriers and statistically related criteria of severity with mortality in 256 patients in our center over the last 10 years. In the present study we attempted to establish whether plasma levels of endotoxin were correlated with the severity of the disease. We studied 32 patients with meningococcal sepsis, dividing the subjects into two groups: those in whom six or more criteria of severity were present, and those in whom less than six criteria were found. Blood levels of endotoxin were determined upon admission and after the administration of antibiotics (penicillin and chloramphenicol) using the limulus test with a chromogenic substrate (Coatest, Endotoxin, Kabivitrum, Sweden). Levels of endotoxins were significantly higher in patients with more than six criteria of severity both upon admission (0.6 +/- 0.03) ng/ml) and 4 h. afterward (0.74 +/- 0.006 ng/ml) in comparison to children in whom the clinical picture was less serious (0.27 +/- 0.18 ng/ml and 0.27 +/- 0.18 ng/ml and 0.27 +/- 0.16 ng/ml7 t = 5.8 y t = 5.6 respectively. Endotoxin levels were highest in patients presenting shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation in the hypocoagulability phase and more than 8 criteria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

[PGE and PGF2-alpha levels in the umbilical cord vessels. Relationship to acid-base equilibrium in the umbilical artery].

To asses the possible role of prostaglandins in the fetoplacental circulation during delivery PGE and PGF2-alfa plasma levels were measured in the umbilical vessels of term newborns. The levels of PGF2-alfa in blood from the umbilical vein are significantly higher and more variable than in the umbilical artery; 83.38 +/- 78.05 pg/ml versus 43.28 +/- 5.32 pg/ml. PGE levels are also higher in the vein 114.73 +/- 25.16 pg/ml than in the artery 83.63 +/- 9.22 pg/ml. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the arterial pH and PGE in the umbilical vein these results support the idea that the plasmatic umbilical prostaglandins are synthetized by the placenta the variability in the values obtained in venous umbilical blood may reflect the different times of ligation of the umbilical cord. A decrease in fetal pH may be the stimulus for the prostaglandin synthesis by the placenta.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1989

[Interrelation of bilirubin and free fatty acids in newborn infants with pathologic conditions].

Authors analyzed total and free bilirubin concentrations (TB and FB) and free fatty acid levels (FFA) (by enzymatic methods) in the serum (S) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 26 sick newborn infants. Relationship between these three biochemical parameters in both S and CSF and also between these latter 15 studies FFA serum concentration of neonates (n: 9) with TB less than 2 mg/dl - 70.15 (15.63) (+/- SEM) mg/l - was not statistically different from those calculated in CSF - 67.45 (13.80) mg/l - (p: NS): while newborn infants (n: 17) with TB greater than 2 mg/dl had FFA serum levels - 152.75 (22.84) less than 0.002). There was a positive correlation between TB and FFA in S (n: 26, r: 0.52, p less than 0.01). There was no correlation of the FFA levels between S and CSF (n: 26, r: -0.02, p: NS). In CSF, FFA concentrations were correlated with albumin levels (n: 26, r: 0.67, p less than 0.005) and white cell recound (n: 26, r: 0.53, p less than 0.01). Authors discuss results and conclude that: a) bilirubin interferes with FFA metabolism, probably as the result of a toxic effect on extraneuronal tissue; b) an increase of FFA serum concentrations does not cause them to rise in the CSF by transport across blood cerebrospinal fluid barrier; and c) although, the source of the FFA in CSF is varied (from serum or loss of myelin, for instance, as a consequence of an asphyxial insult, or devitalized white cells) their increased concentrations are correlated with enhanced albumin levels and white cell recounts.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1987

[Osmolarity and arginine-vasopressin in children born after acute fetal-neonatal distress].

A study of urinary osmolarities and plasmatic level of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) 48 hours after birth in a group of 70 newborns (30 of which are normal and 40 of which have acute perinatal hypoxia), selected according to previously established criteria is carried out. An evolutionary study of urinary osmolarities of newborns with acute perinatal hypoxia, osmolar index and its relation to plasmatic levels of AVP during the first week of life is also considered. AVP 48 hours after birth was blatantly more elevated among those newborns who had shown acidosis at birth (p less than 0.001) which correlated significantly with urinary osmolarity, although it showed low figures (p less than 0.05). This same correlation (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05) appears with osmolar index and urinary osmolarity on successive days, but it is important to point out that vasopressin decreased to base values at the end of the first week of life while osmolarities in urine increased. Conclusions are: 1) AVP is higher after 48 hours of life among those newborns with acute perinatal hypoxia and decreases progressively during the first week of life, being comparable to values obtained from normally born children 48 hours after birth at the eight day of life. 2) Renal response to this hormone is slight during the first days of life.

Arginine Vasopressin↗