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J Martorell

Publications and source records attributed to J Martorell.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

In-vitro fertilization treatment for unexplained recurrent abortion: a pilot study.

To determine the effectiveness of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer for patients with unexplained habitual abortion, we carried out a prospective observational study using a historical comparison group. A total of 12 couples with three or more (mean 4. 91, range 3-10 miscarriages) first trimester spontaneous abortions of unknown aetiology were treated with IVF and embryo transfer (group 1). Patients underwent IVF after combined gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist/gonadotrophin treatment for ovarian stimulation, and three to four embryos were replaced into the uterus in all women. Eight of the 12 women (66.6%) in group 1 became pregnant (one patient after a frozen-thawed embryo transfer), and all of them had viable pregnancies. A patient with 10 previous abortions became pregnant and carried to term after IVF and embryo transfer, and subsequently miscarried two new spontaneous gestations. A historical comparison group (group 2) included the last eight women with unexplained recurrent abortion (mean 4, range 3-8 miscarriages) who underwent the same investigations for the condition and received identical early supportive care in their next spontaneous pregnancy as patients in group 1. Three of the eight pregnancies in group 2 ended in an abortion. Our results suggest that IVF and embryo transfer may be a new therapeutic approach for unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1996

Stimulation through CD50 (ICAM-3) induces both activation and programmed cell death of human thymocytes.

CD50 (ICAM-3) has been identified as the third CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1) counter receptor. We investigated the expression and possible role of this molecule in the induction of early and late activation events in human thymocytes. We observed that CD50 expression is acquired by early T cell progenitors (CD34+) and maintained during thymic development, reaching the highest levels in the most mature population of thymocytes (CD3high). Neither basal nor cytokine-induced expression of CD50 was observed on untransformed human thymic epithelial cell lines. Cross-linking of CD50 expressed on the surface of human thymocytes, by using mAbs recognizing epitopes not related to the CD11a binding site, transduced transmembrane signals leading to an increase of intracellular calcium concentration. This calcium mobilization was inhibited when CD50 was co-cross-linked with CD45, suggesting that tyrosine phosphorylation is also involved in CD50 signaling. The same anti-CD50 mAbs that were able to affect intracellular calcium levels were shown to induce CD69 but not CD25 expression on human thymocytes. This effect was preferentially observed on CD3low/CD3high thymocyte subpopulations. Cross-linking of CD50 also significantly increased activation-induced cell death of human thymocytes. These results support the idea that CD50 molecule can play a role in developing functionally mature T lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1995

Existence of a soluble form of CD50 (intercellular adhesion molecule-3) produced upon human lymphocyte activation. Present in normal human serum and levels are increased in the serum of systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

CD50 (ICAM-3) is a leukocyte differentiation Ag expressed almost exclusively on hemopoietic cells, with a key role in the first steps of immune response. To develop a specific sandwich ELISA to detect a soluble CD50 form (sCD50), two different mAbs (140-11 and 101-1D2) recognizing non-overlapping epitopes were used. sCD50 was detected in the supernatant of stimulated PBMCs, with the highest levels after CD3 triggering. Simultaneously, the CD50 surface expression diminished during the first 24 h. sCD50 isolated from culture supernatant and analyzed by immunoblotting showed an apparent m.w. of 95 kDa, slightly smaller than the membrane form. These data, together with Northern blot kinetics analysis, suggest that sCD50 is cleaved from cell membrane. Furthermore, we detect sCD50 in normal human sera and higher levels in sera of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, especially in those in active phase. The sCD50 levels showed a positive correlation with sCD27 levels (r = 0.4213; p = 0.0026). Detection of sCD50, both after in vitro CD3 triggering of PBMCs and increased in SLE sera, suggests that sCD50 could be used as a marker of lymphocyte stimulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

In vivo pefloxacin-resistant Campylobacter fetus responsible for gastro-intestinal infection and bacteremia associated with arthritis of the hip.

The authors report a case of Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus gastro-intestinal infection and bacteremia with poly-arthritis, mainly of the hip, in a French patient simultaneously suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. The outcome was eventually favorable, however only after a trial of ineffective pefloxacin-gentamicin therapy. The authors suggest: (i) gentamicin should not be given alone in C. fetus subsp. fetus infections, and (ii) pefloxacin should not be given if antibiotic sensitivities data are not available. The inconclusive reliability of disk diffusion tests for C. fetus subsp. fetus should be recognized.

Arthritis, Infectious↗
PubMed1994

Responsiveness of T lymphocytes from systemic lupus erythematosus to signals provided through CD26 antigen.

To investigate whether the T cell defective capacity to proliferate observed in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) T cells is a possible consequence of an intrinsic T cell disorder, the integrity of the accessory activation pathway mediated through CD26 antigen in SLE T cells was studied. Hyporesponsiveness of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from SLE to PHA and CD26 Mab was observed and no differences were found when the responsiveness of highly purified T cells to IL-2, IL-2 plus CD26 Mab, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or when PMA plus CD26 Mab was analyzed. Findings suggest that signals induced by triggering CD26 are not intrinsically altered in SLE T cells. However, some alteration of the regulatory involvement of monocytes or B cell over T cell function may be involved.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effects of fepradinol on rat acute models of vascular permeability and leucocyte migration.

The antiinflammatory compound fepradinol has been tested in several experimental models of acute inflammation in rats. On the increased vascular permeability in the skin, fepradinol (25 mg/kg p.o.) was the only compound that inhibited the inflammatory actions induced by the three chemical mediators injected (histamine, serotonin and bradykinin). On the carrageenin-induced pleurisy, fepradinol (100 mg/kg p.o.) was more potent than indomethacin (5 mg/kg p.o.) and similar to piroxicam (5 mg/kg p.o.) in reducing the exudate volume and preventing cell migration. On the zymosan-induced peritonitis, while the activity of indomethacin (10 mg/kg p.o.) and cyproheptadine was observed only 3 h after zymosan challenge, the response of fepradinol developed within 30 min, suggesting that fepradinol inhibits both the early and late phases of the exudative response. These findings indicate that fepradinol may act on acute inflammation by reducing vascular permeability.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Aggressive natural killer cell leukaemia/lymphoma in two patients with lethal midline granuloma.

We report two patients with leukaemic proliferations of large granular lymphocytes. The immunophenotype study showed that the leukaemic cells were positive for CD2, CD38, CD56 and anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies and negative for other T-cell (CD3, CD4, CD8) and B-cell markers (CD19, CD20 and surface immunoglobulins). The clinical course was acute and a diagnosis of aggressive natural killer cell leukaemia/lymphoma was made. No clonal rearrangements of either C beta T-cell receptor or JH immunoglobulin genes were found. Functional studies done in one patient demonstrated non-restricted cytotoxic activity after activation with IL-2. Lethal midline granuloma had been previously diagnosed in both patients. A possible relationship between this entity and the natural killer cell leukaemia is discussed.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1994

Adverse impact of high panel-reactive antibody (PRA) and positive cytotoxic crossmatch in liver transplantation.

Of 91 liver transplants (LTX) performed from October 1988 to December 1992, 13 (14.2%) of the patients received a liver from a lymphocytotoxic-positive crossmatch (CM) donor. Severe early rejection resulting in graft floss occurred in seven positive CM patients. Three of the remaining positive CM patients suffered several rejection episodes leading to chronic rejection and FK 506 was required as rescue treatment. A significant difference in mean panel-reactive antibody (PRA) of 8.6% and 56.9% was found in negative and positive CM patients, respectively (P = 0.012). A higher mean PRA (67.7%) was found in positive CM patients with rejection compared with positive CM patients without rejection (PRA 38%). Overall graft and patient survival were 31.9% and 35% in positive CM patients compared with 57.0% and 61.9% in negative CM patients. These differences were statistically significant (P = 0.023). In our experience the risk of developing severe acute rejection with graft failure and chronic rejection is related to PRA > 60% and positive CM. We recommend that in patients with PRA > 60%, the result of CM should be awaited before proceeding to LTX.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of fepradinol.

The mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity of fepradinol (CAS 67704-50-1) has been investigated. The effect of fepradinol was compared with that of indometacin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Oral dosing of fepradinol and cyproheptadine suppressed zymosan-induced paw edema in rats. Indometacin and piroxicam were without effect. Fepradinol inhibited the early and late stages of concanavalin A-induced edema in rats; indometacin and piroxicam only inhibited the late stage. Fepradinol and indometacin prevented the carrageenin-induced inflammation in rats: they acted on the exudate, on the increase of protein and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels, and also reduced the number of leucocytes. But, in contrast to indometacin, fepradinol did not inhibit prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis. Fepradinol and indometacin prevented diarrhoea induced by intravenous injection of endotoxin in mice or by oral administration of castor oil in rats. In in vitro tests, fepradinol did not inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis from arachidonic acid by bovine seminal vesicle microsomal enzyme or 15-lipoxygenase. These results indicate that fepradinol possesses a potent inhibitory activity on the acute inflammation in rodents and that its anti-inflammatory activity does not seem to be related to an inhibitory effect on prostaglandin biosynthesis.

Air↗
PubMed1993

Histocompatibility in in vitro fertilization couples.

Major histocompatibility differences between mother and fetus may facilitate implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. Thus, we have investigated the compatibility of HLAs in couples with three successive failed IVF-ET cycles. The study couples (n = 15) shared a statistically greater number of HLAs than IVF couples achieving a viable pregnancy with their first IVF-ET attempt (n = 15) and a control group of 100 fertile couples. No difference between fertile and infertile control couples was observed regarding HLA sharing. Thus, we conclude that some cases of unsuccessful ETs after IVF might be caused by underlying close histocompatibility between partners.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Effect of fepradinol on rat hind paw oedema induced by several inflammatory agents.

Fepradinol is an effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. The effect on rat paw oedema induced by various phlogistic agents was investigated. The inhibitory effect of fepradinol (25 mg kg-1, p.o.) on dextran-induced oedema was nearly equal to that of cyproheptadine (10 mg kg-1, p.o.). On oedema induced by platelet-activating factor only fepradinol (25 mg kg-1, p.o.) and phenidone (100 mg kg-1, p.o.) clearly inhibited the inflammatory process. Both the above induced oedemas are thought to be unrelated to prostaglandins in the rat system and therefore, the anti-inflammatory activity against them is not shared by selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. Fepradinol (25 mg kg-1, p.o.) displayed an inhibitory effect on the early and late stage of kaolin- and nystatin-induced oedemas in contrast with indomethacin (10 mg kg-1, p.o.) and piroxicam (10 mg kg-1, p.o.) which only inhibited the late stage. The results obtained in this study confirm that fepradinol is a potent anti-inflammatory agent and indicate that its mechanism of action is different from that of other anti-inflammatory compounds.

Animals↗