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Biomedical subjects

P Lopez

Publications and source records attributed to P Lopez.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

A phase I trial of high-dose paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide and mitoxantrone with autologous blood stem cell support for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.

The aim of this phase I study was to determine the dose limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and efficacy of a new combination of cyclophosphamide (6 g/m2), mitoxantrone (70 mg/m2), with dose escalation of paclitaxel (TaxolR) at a starting dose of 250 mg/m2 given intravenously over 3 h in a transplantation setting. Patients with metastatic breast cancer and chemosensitive disease were eligible. The autologous blood stem cell re-infusion and subsequent recovery occurred in an out-patient setting. 50 patients were enrolled, but 10 withdrew. 40 completed the entire protocol. At 400 mg/m2 paclitaxel administered over 3 h, 3 of 6 patients experienced serious adverse events: approximately 20-40 min after completion of infusion, diaphoresis, bradycardia mild hypotension and diarrhoea occurred; 2 patients lost consciousness for a few minutes. An extended infusion schedule delivering 400 mg/m2 paclitaxel over 6 h rather than 3 h was initiated at this level without patients experiencing this DLT. At the next dose of 450 mg/m2 paclitaxel over 6 h, the same DLT was seen as at 400 mg/m2 paclitaxel over 3 h and, therefore, MTD was reached. Time to recovery for the absolute neutrophil count > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/l was 10-19 days (median 12 days); and for platelets > or = 20 x 10(9)/l was 18-20 days (median 11.5 days). 21 patients developed neutropenic fever that required intravenous antibiotics and re-admission; the transfusion frequency for packed red blood cell was 0-5 units (median 2 units) and for platelets, 1-5 encounters (median 2). 13 complete responses, 1 patient with no evidence of disease and 19 partial remissions were documented. The dose of 400 mg/m2 at an infusion rate of 6 h will be used for the ongoing phase II study to evaluate efficacy and toxicity further.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Tobacco smoking and bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether tobacco smoking is associated with bipolar disorder. METHOD: This case-control study carried out in Alava, in the north of Spain, included patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I (N = 51) and a representative sample of the normal population (N = 517). Smoking history of bipolar patients was assessed with the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and was verified by family members of the patients. RESULTS: The frequencies of ever smoking and current daily smoking were, respectively, 63% (32/51) and 51% (26/51) for the bipolar patients and 45% (235/517) and 33% (169/517) for the control group (respective odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals [CIs] were OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1 to 3.8 and OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.2 to 4.0). The differences were significant (p = .03 and p = .042, respectively) for bipolar versus control males. Bipolar disorder (in both genders) was also significantly associated (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.7 to 11.9, p = .0015) with heavy smoking (more than 1 pack per day). CONCLUSION: Despite its small sample size, this study suggests that smoking may be more prevalent in bipolar patients than in the normal population. Since most patients started to smoke before the onset of illness, vulnerability to bipolar illness may make subjects vulnerable to become tobacco smokers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Determinant role of E. coli RNase III in the decay of both specific and heterologous mRNAs.

A comparative analysis of mRNA decay was carried out in Escherichia coli using the wild-type and an isogenic RNase III deletion strain. We have studied the mRNA degradation from the Escherichia coli gene bolA, the Lactococcus lactis biovar diacetylactis citQRP operon and the Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough gene cyc. As seen by a dramatic stabilization of the specific mRNAs in the mutant strain, RNase III was crucial for the decay process of these three messages. Since RNase III, unlike RNase E, is not essential for bacterial viability we think that there is potential for using RNase III mutant strains to modulate gene expression.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1997

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous blood cell transplantation: a safe and effective outpatient approach.

High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous blood cell (ABC) transplantation has been used widely for patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). It has been shown by our group and others to be an effective means of achieving very high response rates including complete remission. Therefore, further reduction in toxicity and increased patient satisfaction is necessary. Fifty-three patients with MBC were enrolled in a feasibility study at our cancer centre with a three-step approach to outpatient observation after HDCT and ABC transplantation discharging our patients from hospital 6 days after reinfusion of ABC, 1 day after reinfusion of ABC and 1 day prior to reinfusion of ABC. The supportive care consisted of the use of 5-HT3 antagonists for nausea and vomiting, DMSO depletion, through body hygiene, prophylactic antibiotic, antifungal and virustatic drugs. In the event of febrile neutropenia, a standard evaluation and treatment was used. Only 22 patients were admitted for febrile neutropenia and two for haemorrhage. The median hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-7). The time to engraftment, need for transfusion and other toxicities were not different in patients who stayed entirely as outpatients. No toxic deaths occurred. In conclusion, HDCT followed by ABC transplantation can be safely administered to patients in the clinic with outpatient post-transplant observation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Measuring the need for nursing care in older adults living at home.

The Community Health Intensity Rating Scale (CHIRS) has been found to significantly explain variation in resources consumed by both home health care clients and high-risk public health nurse clients. Secondary analysis of CHIRS scores from two earlier retrospective studies provided insights into basic similarities and differences between older adults served by a home care program (n = 208) and those served by a public health nursing program for frail elderly (n = 47). CHIRS scores for both client groups demonstrated a substantial need for care, with a greater range of CHIRS global scores for home health care clients but significantly higher (CHIRS total scores for the public health nurse clients (t = -5.24, p < .001). These findings suggest that the public health nurse clients experienced needs across multiple areas whereas the home health care clients' needs were more narrowly focused and episodic. Representation of needs by an intensity rating such as CHIRS can foster more focused visit planning and more specific outcome assessment, assist in planning staffing and in-service education, and focus nursing education regarding care of older adults.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The deleterious effect of donor high plasma sodium and extended preservation in liver transplantation. A multivariate analysis.

The aim of this study was to analyze the donor risk factors associated with second orthotopic liver transplantation (reOLT) and graft loss after OLT within 1 month. A total of 649 OLTs performed in 11 centers in Spain during the period from 1992 to 1993 were analyzed retrospectively. Eleven donor and recipient variables were studied. Biochemical evolution of the OLT, biliary and arterial complications, patient status (alive, retransplanted, or dead), and follow-up were also recorded. Bivariate study demonstrated that extended preservation ( > 12 hr) was associated with increased biliary complications (P = 0.02), and lower prothrombin time (P = 0.04). In a logistic model regression for biliary complications, ischemia > 12 hr was an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-4.3). The multivariate Cox proportional model of potential risk factors showed that only urgent reOLT (relative risk [RR] = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.4-5.4) was independently associated with higher 30-day mortality. Donor plasma sodium > 155 mmol/L (RR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.0-2.2) and incompatible ABO graft (RR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.3-7.9) were independently associated with increased rate of reOLT before 30 days. Donor plasma sodium > 155 mmol/L (RR = 2, 95% CI = 1.1-3.6) and incompatible graft (RR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.4-8.2) were independently associated with graft loss (death or reOLT) before 1 month. We conclude that cold ischemia should be kept less than 12 hr in order to avoid biliary complications. Donors over 60 years old or with plasma sodium > 155 should be carefully evaluated before OLT.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Prediction of FCC gasoline octane numbers using FT-MIR and PLS.

A method for predicting "octane numbers" (RON and MON) in fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) gasolines is proposed. Using FT-MIR and PLS, improvements have been obtained in sample throughput, reduced delay times, accuracy (repeatability and reproducibility), amounts of samples and reagents and environmental working conditions when compared with current standard methods. A total number of 140 daily production samples were taken; and from there, a learning group was prepared (44 samples); a validation set (96 samples) was prepared, as well. Sample spectra were recorded from 4000 to 600 cm(-1) at 4 cm(-1) intervals (traditional sealed NaCl cells). The PLS technique was used in its two variants (1 and 2-block). Both provided similar results. Their predictive characteristics are very good: SEP(RON)=0.38; SEP(MON)=0.40; repeatability <0.1 O.N.; reproducibility <0.3 O.N. (SEP=Standard Error of Prediction).

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

[Oncocytoma of the caruncle. Anatomo-clinical study apropos of a case].

A clinico-pathologic case of an oncocytoma of the caruncle is reported in a 60-year old male patient. Clinically a granular reddish painless tumor was observed in the caruncle. A total surgical excision was performed. The histopathological study established the diagnosis of oncocytoma of the caruncle. Although rare, this tumor should be recognized by ophthalmologists, specially in elderly, because of exceptional adenocarcinoma. The oncocytoma is cured by surgical excision.

Adenoma, Oxyphilic↗
PubMed1995

Fluoxetine.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury↗
PubMed1995

Functional isolation and characterization of human hematopoietic stem cells.

Hematopoietic cells differentiate in steps marked by the acquisition or loss of specific phenotypic characteristics. Human bone marrow cells that were responsive to the early-acting cytokines Kit ligand and interleukin-3 were forced to a metabolic death. The subfraction remaining represented 1 in 10(5) bone marrow mononuclear cells, were determined to be quiescent by cell cycle analysis, and had a stem cell immunophenotype. The cells were highly enriched for long-term culture-initiating cells, were capable of secondary colony formation, and produced both myeloid and lymphoid progeny. Thus, this technically simple strategy led to the efficient purification of cells with characteristics of hematopoietic stem cells.

Antigens, CD↗
PubMed1995

Didemnin B in favourable histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A phase II study of the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group.

Ten patients with previously untreated stage III/IV low grade histology non-Hodgkin's lymphoma received a 1-hour intravenous infusion of Didemnin B 2.3 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks repeated every 6 weeks. 40% of patients experienced significant hypersensitivity reactions, one of which was life-threatening, despite premedication with diphenhydramine and cimetidine. Other toxicities included nausea, vomiting, fatigue, diarrhea and skin rashes. No objective responses were seen. Given the serious toxicity and lack of activity in a non-pretreated group of patients, the study was closed early. Further investigation of Didemnin B at this dose and schedule is not recommended.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1995

In situ fluorescence labeling of sheep lung microvascular endothelium.

Endothelial cells are intimately involved in a variety of biological processes such as inflammatory disorders, wound healing, and tumor invasion. The finding of endothelial heterogeneity in various tissues has led to major efforts to isolate and culture microvascular endothelial cells in human and animal tissue. In this report we have used phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE)-labeled liposomes to fluorescently label the sheep lung microvasculature in situ. Using normotensive perfusion pressure, the PE-labeled liposomes did not extravasate into extravascular lung tissue. Mechanical and enzymatic digestion of the lung tissue demonstrated that the PE-labeled liposomes provided a stable label of the vascular lining cells during ex vivo processing. After digestion, the overwhelming majority of the fluorescent label appeared in cellular aggregates. Approximately 80% of these cells demonstrated an in vitro phenotype consistent with microvascular endothelium. A novel monoclonal antibody selective for sheep endothelial cells was developed to confirm the presence of lung endothelium in the fluorescently labeled cellular aggregates. We conclude that in situ fluorescence labeling of vascular lining cells provides an anatomic marker for relevant vascular lining cells and an opportunity to study these cells in vitro.

Animals↗