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R Gomez

Publications and source records attributed to R Gomez.

190 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Evidence of participation of the soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I in the host response to intrauterine infection in preterm labor.

PROBLEM: This study was conducted to determine whether: (1) the soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF-rI) is present in human amniotic fluid, neonatal urine, and the feto-maternal plasma; (2) there are changes in the concentration of the sTNF-rI in amniotic fluid with gestational age; and (3) microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (in term and preterm parturition) is associated with changes in amniotic fluid sTNF-rI concentrations. METHOD: Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 185 women classified into 11 groups according to gestational age (midtrimester, preterm gestation, and term), the presence or absence of labor, spontaneous rupture of membranes and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity. sTNF-rI was assayed with a sensitive and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) validated for amniotic fluid. In addition, sTNF-rI concentrations were determined in fetal blood obtained by cordocentesis in preterm gestations (N = 24) or at the time of delivery after spontaneous labor at term (N = 10). sTNF-rI concentrations were also measured in maternal venous and cord blood and neonatal urine (n = 13). RESULTS: sTNF-rI was found to be present in all amniotic fluid samples, maternal blood and fetal blood and neonatal urine samples; sTNF-rI concentrations were higher in the midtrimester than at term (mean +/- SD: 36.2 +/- 12.2 ng/ml versus mean +/- SD: 5.56 +/- 5.72 ng/ml [P < .05]); patients with preterm labor and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (with intact or with ruptured membranes) had significantly higher amniotic fluid concentrations of sTNF-rI than patients without microbial invasion; in the absence of microbial invasion, parturition (both term and preterm) was not associated with changes in amniotic fluid concentrations of sTNF-rI; neonatal urine contained the highest concentrations of sTNF-rI of all biological fluids assayed including maternal and neonatal/fetal blood and amniotic fluid. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that sTNF-rI is a physiologic constituent of amniotic fluid, as well as of the fetal and maternal plasma; that amniotic fluid sTNF-rI concentrations decrease as a function of gestional age and increases in the concentration of the sTNF-rI are part of the host response to intrauterine infection in preterm parturition.

Adult↗

Central auditory processing ability in children with ADHD with and without learning disabilities.

A few studies have shown more central auditory processing deficits in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than in nondisabled children. Because these studies failed to screen participants with ADHD for learning disabilities (LD), it is not clear whether these deficits are correlates of ADHD or LD or both. In the present study, the central auditory processing ability of children with ADHD, ADHD with LD, and no disabilities was examined. Results indicated lower central auditory processing ability, and significant correlations between reading and ADHD symptoms and reading and central auditory processing ability in the ADHD with LD group compared with the other two groups. These findings suggest that central auditory processing deficits are more likely to be associated with LD than ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

Treatment with the interleukin-I receptor antagonist and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein does not prevent endotoxin-induced preterm parturition in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the administration of anticytokine agents, the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and a soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor Fc fusion protein (sTNFR-Fc), prevents endotoxin-induced preterm delivery in mice. METHODS: C3H/HeN pregnant mice at 15 days of gestation (70% gestation) were randomized to receive phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (50 micrograms/mouse) intraperitoneally (i.p.). Randomly selected PBS- or LPS-treated mice were additionally treated intravenously (i.v.), i.p., or subcutaneously (s.c.) every 3 hours with IL-1ra (1-50 mg) or every 12 hours with sTNFR-Fc (200-400 micrograms) beginning 1 hour before LPS injection. Animals were observed for vaginal bleeding and preterm delivery. RESULTS: Mice treated i.p. with 50 micrograms LPS (n = 13) had a shorter injection-to-delivery interval than mice treated similarly with PBS (n = 19) (median 13.5 hours, range 10-105 versus median 86.8 hours, range 53-120, respectively; P < .001). Saline-treated mice given 10 mg IL-1ra every 3 hours i.p. (n = 3) or 200 micrograms sTNFR-Fc every 12 hours i.v. (n = 4) had similar injection-to-delivery intervals as PBS-treated control mice (median 70 hours, range 70-76 versus median 58 hours, range 50-120, respectively). Similarly, LPS-treated mice given PBS every 3 hours (n = 20) had injection-to-delivery intervals comparable to LPS-treated mice (n = 13) (median 15.5 hours, range 9.8-92 versus median 13.5 hours, range 10-105, respectively). Lipopolysaccharide-treated mice given i.p. injections of 1 (n = 4), 10 (n = 31), or 50 (n = 15) mg of IL-1ra every 3 hours did not have longer injection-to-delivery intervals compared with LPS-treated mice (n = 13) (medians 11.6, 15, 14.5 and 13.5 hours; ranges 10.8-12, 8-95, 11-92, and 10-105, respectively). Lipopolysaccharide-treated mice given i.v. injections of 200 (n = 4) or 400 (n = 9) micrograms sTNFR-Fc every 12 hours did not have longer injection-to-delivery intervals compared with LPS-treated mice (n = 8) (medians 23.3, 22.5, and 21.9 hours; ranges 14.8-33, 15-95.5, and 15.5-44, respectively). The median injection-to-delivery interval of LPS-treated mice given both IL-1ra (10 mg) every 3 hours i.p. and sTNFR-Fc (200 micrograms) every 12 hours i.v. (n = 5) was not different from that of LPS-treated mice (median 26 hours, range 24.5-72 versus median 13.5 hours, range 10-105, respectively; P > .05). CONCLUSION: The anticytokine agents IL-1ra and sTNFR-Fc did not prevent preterm delivery or prolong pregnancy in endotoxin-induced preterm labor in mice.

Animals↗

Management and outcome of liver recipients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The possibility of development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease by patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy is well known. However, elective treatment and outcome remain controversial. We reviewed the management and outcome of our patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. METHODOLOGY: Records of 457 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation from 1986 to 1997 were analyzed. Patients who developed post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease were reviewed retrospectively. Incidence, clinical presentation, risk factors and outcomes were examined with special emphasis on ductopenic rejection and hilum involvement. RESULTS: Eleven patients developed a post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (2.4%). These were B-cell non-Hodgkins lymphoma, Epstein-Barr virus-associated in all cases. Five patients (45.5%) received monoclonal antibodies or antithymocyte globulin. Seven patients (63.6%) developed a lymphoproliferative disease before 9 months post-transplant and 4 recipients (36.4%) after 20 months. No late lymphomas regressed after withdrawal from immunosuppression. Six patients (54.5%) were treated with chemotherapy. Eight patients (72.7%) had a tumoral remission. Five patients (45.5%) developed chronic rejection after immunosuppressant discontinuation. Four of them died as a consequence of ductopenic rejection and retransplantation was required in another; 2 died due to graft hilum infiltration. Five patients (45.5%) are alive after a follow-up of 36.5 +/- 32 months (range: 4-77 months). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease require a close follow-up in order to promptly treat conditions that could lead to death. In our series, these were more closely associated with a failing transplanted organ than with the lymphoma itself.

Adolescent↗

Liver recipients undergoing hepatic transplantation and subsequent retransplantation: a comparison between clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to establish a rational strategy for organ distribution and optimal patient management, we postulate it is mandatory not only to understand the pathophysiology of failing grafts but also to better recognize the baseline clinical characteristics of the recipients shortly before receiving a second liver allograft. METHODOLOGY: Between March 1986 and December 1997, 1061 patients underwent 1087 orthotopic liver transplantation at three Hospitals in Madrid (122 retransplants). RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 1-90), 40.6% of the recipients were alive and survival at 1, 3 and 5 years was 62%, 53%, and 46%. Almost 50% of the recipients were UNOS 1 before retransplantation. In comparison to p-OLT (15% UNOS 1), it is clearly shown that the retransplants have been performed in the sickest patients with more adverse prognostic indicators (higher AST, bilirubin, creatinine serum levels, higher Child-Pugh score, higher rate of ascites and lower serum levels of albumin and prothrombin activity). CONCLUSIONS: Liver retransplantation is acceptable and significant differences in recipients' baseline characteristics suggest an impact on lower survival.

Adolescent↗

Phrenic nerve paralysis following pediatric cardiac surgery. Role of diaphragmatic plication.

Eighteen children sustained unilateral phrenic nerve paralysis (PNP) after cardiac surgical procedures. Ten (Group I), under 7 months (mean: 2.9 +/- 2.2), required long-term ventilatory assistance (mean: 23.9 +/- 13.0 days); they failed to be weaned from the ventilator. All underwent diaphragmatic plication (DP). DP was performed late in 7 cases (Group Ia) with a mean time of 30.8 days between surgery and DP, and early in 3 others (Group Ib) with a mean time of 10.2 days. Eight children (Group II), older than 1 year, tolerated PNP better and could be extubated early without diaphragmatic plication. In Group Ia severe lung infections were recorded in 5 before or/and after DP, and two died at 3 and 30 days after plication. Five children from Group Ia and all 3 from Group Ib were late survivors. They could be weaned from ventilatory support in a mean time of 3 days after DP, although those with severe lung infection (Group Ia) took the longest time. All from Group II were late survivors. We conclude: PNP is well tolerated without plication in children older than 1 year. However early DP offers excellent and immediate results in infants with PNP. Early DP in these children avoids or reduces severe lung infections and death.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

Orthotopic liver transplantation in 4 patients with portal hypertension and non-cirrhotic nodular liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Non-cirrhotic nodular liver may occasionally be associated with portal hypertension, with complications such as ascites, bleeding esophageal varices and sometimes hepatic encephalopathy. Four patients treated with transplantation are hereby described. METHODOLOGY: All 4 patients had orthotopic transplantation. Cyclosporine based immunosuppression was used in all patients. RESULTS: The first patient had nodular regenerative hyperplasia in the resected native liver and in the graft seven years after the transplant, what could be considered as recurrence of the disease. There were two more cases of nodular regenerative hyperplasia; one of them was diagnosed 9 years before transplantation, but he developed progressive liver failure. The fourth patient had chronic renal failure and a nodular liver. His general condition and fear of untreatable ascites after a portosystemic shunt, prompted us to perform a liver-kidney transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Portal hypertension associated with non-cirrhotic nodular liver disease can be, in general, successfully treated with medical and endoscopic measures, or in certain more serious cases with portosystemic shunting. Nevertheless, there are certain cases where liver insufficiency, associated diseases or the unawareness of the pathological diagnosis determines a liver transplantation.

Adult↗