Biomedical subjects

M Diez

Publications and source records attributed to M Diez.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Quantitative analysis of carcinoembryonic antigen, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, CA 125, and CA 50 cytosolic content in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The cytosolic content of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), CA 125, and CA 50 antigens in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is analyzed in this study. The aim was to ascertain the relationship between tumor marker content and the clinicopathologic aspects of this neoplasm. METHODS: Lung tissue samples were obtained at the time of surgery from 75 patients with NSCLC patients (samples of tumor and unaffected tissue) and 29 subjects with idiopathic pneumothorax. All determinations were performed on cytosols obtained from lung specimens. CEA and CA 125 were determined by enzyme immunoassay, SCC antigen by radioimmunoassay, and CA 50 by fluoroimmunoassay. Tumor marker content was analyzed by TNM stage, histologic type, tumor grade, and number of atypias. RESULTS: The concentration of the four markers was significantly higher in cytosol obtained from neoplastic tissue. Frequency of elevated levels of CEA was higher in adenocarcinoma (87% cases expressing high levels of the marker), SCC antigen in epidermoid carcinoma (65% expressing high levels), and CA 125 in large cell carcinomas (100% expressing high levels). No association was found between TNM stage and cytosol concentration for any of the four markers. CEA exhibited significantly greater concentration in well differentiated tumors, whereas this was true of CA 125 in poorly differentiated tumors. CA 125 content was higher in tumors with more atypia. CONCLUSIONS: Cytosolic quantification of tumor markers may be an adjuvant mechanism to evaluate histologic subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer and identification of tumors with poorly differentiated features.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1994

Prognostic significance of serum CA 125 antigen assay in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The serum levels of CA 125 tumor-associated antigen in patients with lung cancer have been previously related to TNM stage, histologic type, and survival rate. In the current study, the prognostic information provided by the CA 125 antigen assay was analyzed. METHODS: Preoperative serum of CA 125 antigen was determined in 137 patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The assay was performed by means of a solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay test. The influence of CA 125 serum level on postoperative outcome was studied by a multivariate analysis, performed with Cox's proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Patients whose initial CA 125 level was higher than 15 U/ml had a 3.25-fold greater likelihood of relapse (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-6.21) (P < 0.001) and a 4.27-fold greater likelihood of deaths (95% CI, 2.42-7.55) (P < 0.001) due to cancer than patients with lower values. For patients with serum levels over 15 U/ml, the 36-month survival rate posttreatment was lower (67% versus 20%) (P < 0.001), as was the disease-free rate (64% versus 13%) (P < 0.001). After adjustment for TNM stages, histologic type, sex, and age, patients with CA 125 values over 15 U/ml continued exhibiting higher risk of relapse (hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.04-4.69) (P = 0.04) and higher risk of death (hazard ratio, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.29-4.54) (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: CA 125 is an independent prognostic factor of survival and tumor relapse in non-small cell lung cancer. The preoperative serum level of CA 125 antigen is inversely correlated with the outcome figures. The authors suggest that CA 125 be included in any future multifactorial analysis of survival.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1993

Solid state fermentation reactors: from lab scale to pilot plant.

Relatively many workers in the world are studying different aspects in SSF processes but few are working on reactor design and scale-up. From about 10 years, we are developing reactors from lab scale to pilot plant, based on the same technology, reactor design and flowsheet to allow fermentation with a deep layer (up to 1 m in the pilot plant). These reactors have all a forced aeration and the possibility or not to agitate. Regulations of temperature and water content of the culture are monitored by a special device.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

Evaluation of serum CA 125 as a tumor marker in non-small cell lung cancer.

Serum CA 125 levels were evaluated in 130 healthy subjects and 133 patients with untreated pulmonary lesions. These were 33 patients with benign pulmonary conditions and 100 with lung cancer. The mean concentration of CA 125 was higher in patients with lung cancer (37 +/- 81 U/ml) than in those with nonmalignant disease (4.2 +/- 5.7 U/ml) (P less than 0.01). In the healthy control group CA 125 concentrations were significantly lower (0.63 +/- 1.5 U/ml) (P less than 0.001). In patients with lung cancer the concentration of this tumor marker was related to the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage. At a cut-off value of 15 U/ml, CA 125 had a sensitivity of 44%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 65% with respect to healthy subjects; in patients with benign pulmonary conditions, these values were 44%, 94%, 94%, and 31%, respectively. At this cut-off value, a correlation between the respectability prognosis and the likelihood of survival 24 months posttreatment was observed. These findings suggest that CA 125 can be used as an adjunctive test in the management of patients with lung cancer patients.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

B chromosome polymorphism in Korean rye populations.

Four Korean rye populations with B chromosomes at frequencies ranging from 15 to 55 per cent have been analyzed in two successive generations in a field experiment. B chromosome frequencies were maintained in spite of the environmental change from Korea to Madrid. Values of variables with effect on viability and fertility have been estimated in plants with and without Bs, in both generations. B chromosomes did not affect viability, while fertility decreased when the number of Bs increased. Our data are against an adaptive nature of B chromosomes. First pollen mitosis was observed in 2B plants. The frequency of metaphases with 1B and the rate of nondisjunction at anaphase were high and similar in all populations. Since the decrease of fertility due to Bs and the cytological behaviour of Bs at gametogenesis were similar in all populations, the balance between these two factors cannot account for the establishment of equilibria at different frequencies.

Chromosomes↗

PubMed1988

Intestinal angiodysplasia: retrospective study of 18 cases.

Eighteen patients operated on for intestinal angiodysplasia are reported. Visceral angiography was the diagnostic procedure of choice, providing evidence in most cases of lesions in the right colon. Right hemicolectomy was the surgical treatment normally provided. Mortality in our series was nil. This report looks at the main clinical features of these lesions, paying particular attention to their etiopathogenesis.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

Obstruction of the bile duct by a papillary adenoma of the gallbladder.

A case of papillary adenoma of the gallbladder unassociated with cholelithiasis and showing detachment of part of the growth with obstruction of the common bile duct is described. One the basis of a search of the literature, it would appear that this is the first time such a case has been reported. The bibliography is discussed and a distinction drawn between this kind of adenoma and other benign tumors of the gallbladder.

Aged↗

PubMed1987

Influence of age on chiasma number in male Locusta migratoria.

The influence of age on chiasma formation in Locusta migratoria has been studied both in wild-type and irradiated males. Samples were obtained on the one hand from different individuals and on the other hand from the same individuals at different ages through repeated biopsies. It was observed that mean chiasmata per cell decreased in ageing animals. Chi-squared tests and correlation coefficients showed that the decrease of chiasmata with age is progressive but not continuous. Intermediate values coincide with the first mating. It seems that older individuals tend to transmit their genetic combinations unaltered, increasing the probability of transmitting gene combinations of adaptive value.

Aging↗

PubMed1981

Chiasma distribution in asynaptic Locusta migratoria.

The formation of chiasmata in six full sib male partially asynaptic individuals of Locusta migratoria has been studied. The mean chiasma frequency per cell was 2.3 both at diplotene and metaphase I. Chiasmata tended to be distributed evenly among the bivalents. The frequency and distribution of the chiasmata in each type of bivalent (L, M, or S) depended on the level of asynapsis and on interference between the bivalents. Short bivalents were the most affected by interference, while M bivalents associated independently of L and S bivalent behaviour.

Animals↗

PubMed1981

Plasmin inhibitors in different fibrinolytic treatment patterns.

The variations of different antiplasmins were studied in a group of patients suffering from thromboembolic conditions and receiving three different regimens of thrombolytic treatment with streptokinase and urokinase. The evaluation of the antiproteases was carried out by chromogenic substrate and radial immunodiffusion. The different administration patterns of the fibrinolytic agents were followed by a clear drop in fast antiplasmin and alpha 2-macroglobulin, while alpha 1-antitrypsin was increased. Antithrombin-III activity was reduced while its protein rose in the intermittent treatment with streptokinase. In the conventional treatment with streptokinase, both the activity and the protein of antithrombin-III increased. With urokinase both the protein and the activity of antithrombin-III were slightly reduced. Plasminogen and fibrinogen decreased in the different regimens of thrombolytic treatment, being more evident in continuous administration of streptokinase.

Antithrombin III↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Orthotopic heart transplantation in elderly patients: a 10-year experience at a single center.

INTRODUCTION: A consensus has not yet been reached regarding the indications for orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) in elderly patients or the age limit contraindicating the procedure. The objective of this study was to assess OHT outcomes to determine whether elderly patients benefit from the procedure. METHODS: From February 1993 to February 2003, 178 OHTs were performed on recipients of mean age 47.4 +/- 15 years (range, 4 to 74) including 80.3% men. The population was divided into two groups: group A included patients >/= 60 years, and group B those younger than that age. Survival was analyzed for the overall population and for both age groups during a 10-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Group A included 36 patients (20.8%) and group B 142 patients (79.2%). Mean age was 63.7 +/- 2.9 years (60 to 74) in A, and 43 +/- 13.9 years (4 to 59) in B. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among group A (n = 11, 31.4%) compared to B (n = 17, 12.1%, P =.008). Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 61.5% +/- 8%, 58.1% +/- 8.3%, and 49.8% +/- 10.5% group A; and 84.2% +/- 3%, 73.7% +/- 4.1%, and 69.9% +/- 4.7 for group B. Elderly patients showed a lower survival rate (49.8%) compared with the younger group (69.9%) at 10-year follow-up (P =.007). Conditional survival at 9 years failed to show significant differences (A 72.2% vs B 79.6%, P =.4). CONCLUSION: In our population, elderly recipients showed a higher in-hospital mortality. However, when the first post-OHT year was excluded, we found similar survival rates for both age groups.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The influence of sugar-beet fibre, guar gum and inulin on nutrient digestibility, water consumption and plasma metabolites in healthy Beagle dogs.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three fibres (sugar-beet fibre, guar gum and inulin) incorporated in the basal diet of healthy dogs at 7 per cent of dry matter (DM). Parameters examined included stool output, water consumption, nutrient digestibility and fasting and postprandial plasma metabolites. All fibres increased wet faecal output; an increase in faecal DM output being observed with sugar-beet fibre only. Sugar-beet fibre and inulin increased daily water consumption. Sugar-beet fibre and guar gum decreased DM digestibility. The three fibres diminished organic matter and crude protein digestibility while ether extract digestibility was decreased by guar gum and inulin. Guar gum induced lower postprandial insulin, alpha-amino-nitrogen and urea plasma concentrations. Guar gum also lowered fasting cholesterolaemia. Sugar-beet fibre and inulin showed no metabolic effects. These physiological properties suggest that guar gum would be a suitable ingredient for dietary therapy of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus or hyperlipidaemia in the dog.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Value of serum neuron-specific enolase in nonsmall cell lung cancer.

To assess the prognostic value of pretreatment serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), levels were measured in 84 NSCLC patients, 40 healthy controls, and 20 patients with benign pulmonary diseases. NSE concentration was higher in NSCLC (11.7 +/- 10.8 ng/ml) (mean +/- SD; median = 9.7 ng/ml) than in the two control groups (p < 0.001). Serum NSE was neither related with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, nor with histologic subtype. At a cutoff value of 15 ng/ml, NSE had a sensitivity of 27.3% and a specificity of 96%. Patients with a preoperative NSE level < 15 ng/ml showed significantly longer 24-month survival than those whose initial levels were > 15 ng/ml (70 vs, 47%; p < 0.05), and this was confirmed after stratifying by TNM stage. Likelihood of tumor relapse in I, II, and IIIa TNM stages showed similar behavior. These findings suggest that NSE could be used as an adjunctive prognostic test in NSCLC patients.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Serum CEA, CA125, and SCC antigens and tumor recurrence in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), and CA125 were determined pre- and postoperatively in non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) to assess the relationship between serum levels and postoperative recurrent disease. Ninety-five patients who underwent curative surgical resection were included (TNM stages I, II, IIIa). CEA and CA125 were determined by solid-phase enzyme-immunoassay, SCC by radio-immunoassay. Tumor relapse was detected in 41 patients (43%): 16 (39%) with locoregional disease and 25 (61%) with disseminated disease. The overall 36-month disease-free survival rate was 42%. The sensitivity for recurrence was 58% for CEA, 53.6% for CA125, and 51.2% for SCC; 87.8% of patients showed at least one elevated marker. The sensitivity of CEA and CA125 increased significantly in patients with preoperative serum concentrations above the cut-off: 86.6% versus 42.3% (p < 0.01), and 93% versus 18% (p < 0.01), respectively. Preoperative CA125 above 15 U/ml identified a high-risk group of patients: a lower 36-month disease-free survival rate (0% versus 56%) (p < 0.001), a 3.02-fold higher risk of recurrence (p < 0.05), and a 6.22-fold higher risk of disseminated failure (p < 0.001). The identification of CEA and CA125 producer-tumors, based on preoperative serum values, enhances the clinical performance of a postoperative surveillance program in surgically treated NSCLC. Preoperative serum CA125 is a prognostic factor to identify patients at high risk of postoperative tumor recurrence.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of serum carcinoembryonic antigen monitoring in the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients with metastatic lymph nodes and a normal preoperative serum level.

The value of serial serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) assay in the follow-up of colorectal cancer patients with metastatic lymph nodes and normal (< or = 5 ng/ml) preoperative CEA levels, was examined in this study. Thirty-eight patients were studied and compared with 22 patients with elevated CEA levels. The overall sensitivity of CEA for the diagnosis of recurrence was 36%. Postoperative CEA was strongly influenced by the site of recurrence. CEA monitoring showed the best results in patients who developed hepatic metastases (sensitivity 60%, specificity 94%, positive predictive value 60%, and negative predictive value 94%), and was ineffective for the detection of locoregional or pulmonary metastases. The results indicate that elevation of CEA in the postoperative course of these patients is an indicator of the presence of hepatic metastases. Postoperative CEA monitoring should not be omitted in Dukes C patients with normal preoperative levels, and is more reliable for the detection of liver metastases.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of tumor localization on the prognostic value of P53 protein in colorectal adenocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of genetic alterations is different in primary carcinomas from the proximal colon when compared with carcinomas from the distal colorectum. The objective of this work was to explore the existence of possible differences in the informative weight of the risk of tumor recurrence provided by p53 immunostaining depending on the localization of the neoplasm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nuclear immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein was determined in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded archival tumor tissue samples from 190 primary colorectal adenocarcinomas. The relative prognostic importance on the risk of recurrence of each variable was assessed in a Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis. Multiplicative interaction terms between p53 and tumor site were included in the multivariate models in order to test their joint effect on survival. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients (53.1%) manifested nuclear accumulation of the protein. P53 overexpression was more frequent in distal than in proximal tumors (58.5% ve s 41.7%) (p = 0.03). Disease-free survival was lower in p53-positive cases (75% versus 38%) (p = 0.006), but significance of the association varied according to the localization of the tumor (p = 0.004 in proximal carcinomas and p = 0.049 in distal carcinomas). Multivariate analysis identified p53 positivity and distal tumor localization as the factors significantly associated with a high risk of recurrence Interaction between p53 expression and localization was present. P53 exhibited different prognostic value in distal and proximal colon. While adjusted hazard ratio for positive p53 was 1.99 in distal cancers, it was 8.04 for proximal tumors. CONCLUSION: The prognostic with value of tumor recurrence associated overexpression of p53 protein is influenced by the location of the tumor. The negative predictive weight is significantly higher in proximal than in distal cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Micronucleus formation in human lymphocytes and in the metabolically competent human hepatoma cell line Hep-G2: results with 15 naturally occurring substances.

To examine the concordance of two metabolizing systems for use in genotoxocity testing with the micronucleus test, 15 naturally occurring substances (arecoline, the plant extract aristolochic acid, beta-asarone, benzyl acetate, coumarin, emodine, isatidine dihydrate, monocrotaline, psoralen, reserpine, retrorsine, safrole, sanguinarine chloride, tannin and thiourea) were tested for their genotoxicity in the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test in vitro with human lymphocytes and in the presence and the absence of an exogenous metabolizing system from rat liver S9-mix and the metabolically competent human hepatoma cell line Hep-G2. Arecoline, the plant extract aristolochic acid, psoralen and tannin caused a significant increase in the number of micronuclei in human lymphocytes in the presence and the absence of an exogenous metabolising system from rat liver S9-mix and the metabolically competent human hepatoma cell line Hep-G2. A significant increase in the number of micronuclei with beta-asarone, coumarin, monocrotaline and retrorsine could be detected in the presence of S9-mix and the cell line Hep-G2. Benzyl acetate, emodine, isatidine dihydrate, reserpine, safrole, sanguinarine chloride and thiourea did not reveal any micronucleus inducing activity in either human lymphocytes or in Hep-G2. In addition to the other Hep-G2 results in the literature, this human hepatoma cell line could have a useful potential in the in vitro micronucleus test.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical value of CEA and CA125 regarding relapse and metastasis in resectable non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and CA125 antigen assay for monitoring the activity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after curative surgical resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum CEA and CA 125 were determined preoperatively and at every postoperative visit, in 113 patients with NSCLC (TNM stages I, II, IIIA). Both markers were assayed by magnetic particle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Tumor recurrence was more frequent in patients with preoperative CA 125 levels above the cut-off (15 U/ml) (28 out of 47) (59.5%) than in those with low values (18 out of 66) (27.2%) (p < 0.001). The 36-month disease-free survival was lower for patients with elevated CA 125 (37%) than among those with low levels (72%) (p = 0.006). High CA 125 was an independent predictor of the risk of postoperative recurrence (Hazard Ratio: 3.02)(95% CI: 1.41-6.49). No relationship was detected between preoperative serum CEA and risk of recurrence. High preoperative CA125 indicated elevated risk for disseminated recurrence (Hazard Ratio: 7) (95% CI: 2.39-20.51), but not for locoregional failure. No significance was detected for CEA, either in locoregional or disseminated recurrence. Forty-six subjects (40.7%) developed tumor recurrence. At the diagnosis of relapse, serum CEA was elevated in 16 patients (34.7%) and CA125 in 26 (56.5%). Sensitivity was higher in the case of disseminated recurrence (63% for CA125 and 43.3% for CEA) and decreased in locoregional relapse (43.7% for CA125 and 18.7% for CEA). The specificity was 97% for CEA and 59% for CA125. CONCLUSION: Serum CA125 is a useful prognostic marker in NSCLC. The predictive information is especially useful to estimate the risk of disseminated recurrence. Serial determinations of CEA and CA125 during the postoperative follow-up do not show enough sensitivity/specificity to recommend their use for diagnosis of tumor relapse.

Aged↗