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Biomedical subjects

A Blum

Publications and source records attributed to A Blum.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Frequent abnormalities of the putative tumor suppressor gene FHIT at 3p14.2 in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines.

The FHIT gene is localized on chromosome 3p14, a region including a tumor cell-specific, commonly deleted region. To determine the role of the FHIT gene in pancreatic carcinogenesis, 14 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines were analyzed by reverse transcription-PCR and exon-specific PCR amplification of genomic DNA. The full-length FHIT transcript was lost in 70% of the pancreatic carcinoma cell lines analyzed, while 66% also revealed intragenic homozygous deletions of exons 3, 4, and 5. Truncated FHIT transcripts lacking a variable number of exons most likely represented alternative splicing products. Fhit protein expression was dependent on a full-length FHIT transcript. The results suggest that the FHIT gene may be a target tumor suppressor gene involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis.

Acid Anhydride Hydrolases↗
PubMed1998

High anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG antibody titer is associated with coronary artery disease and may predict post-coronary balloon angioplasty restenosis.

Recent studies have demonstrated that cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA was found in atherosclerotic coronary arteries in restenotic lesions, and prior infection with CMV could be a strong independent risk factor for restenosis after coronary atherectomy. We studied the correlation between anti-CMV antibody titer and coronary artery disease. Sixty-five patients (50 men and 15 women) with coronary artery disease were enrolled prospectively. All had symptomatic coronary artery disease with an angiographic documentation of a de novo single coronary lesion. All underwent balloon coronary angioplasty and were followed for 12 months with a thallium perfusion scan 3 months after angioplasty. Patients who had recurrent chest pain and/or a positive thallium scan had another coronary angiography. Blood samples were taken before angiography and 1 and 3 months later. Patients with high anti-CMV titer > or = 1:800 had a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (p <0.001) than seropositive patients with a lower antibody titer (< or = 1:400); patients with high antibody titer (> or = 1:800) had a higher restenosis rate than seropositive patients with a low antibody titer (< or = 1:400) (p <0.05). High antibody titers against CMV (IgG) may be a strong marker for coronary artery disease, and might predict post-coronary angioplasty restenosis. These findings support the infectious theory of atherosclerosis (especially with prior CMV infection), and also suggest that a chronic immunologic response has a role in atherosclerosis and restenosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Serum amyloid type A may be a predictor of restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Elevation of acute phase proteins [C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid type A (SAA)] has been demonstrated in unstable angina with an adverse clinical prognosis. HYPOTHESIS: The study was undertaken to determine the effect of angioplasty on the levels of SAA and the correlation with postangioplasty restenosis. METHODS: In a university-affiliated tertiary medical center, a prospective case study was undertaken in 55 patients who underwent successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of a single coronary lesion for angina pectoris. Three groups of patients were clinically characterized according to Braunwald's classification of anginal syndrome: Group A: class III; Group B: class I; Group C: stable angina. Serum amyloid type A was measured by an ELISA method before PTCA and after 24 h, 1, and 3 months. Patients were followed clinically for 12 months. A thallium stress perfusion scan was performed 3 months after PTCA and coronary angiography was repeated in patients with an abnormal thallium perfusion scan. RESULTS: Serum amyloid type A levels > 100 micrograms/ml could identify Group A patients with a high sensitivity and specificity (r = 0.85 and 0.86, respectively). Of the patients studied, 75% increased their SAA level 24 h after angioplasty. An increase of SAA by > 100% was associated with an increased risk of restenosis, with a relative risk of 6.4 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased levels of SAA characterize patients with unstable angina pectoris with a high specificity and sensitivity. Levels of SAA that increase > 100% 24 h after angioplasty may serve as a marker of restenosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Distinguishing lies from jokes: theory of mind deficits and discourse interpretation in right hemisphere brain-damaged patients.

Right-hemisphere brain damaged (RHD) patients and a normal control group were tested for their ability to infer first- and second-order mental states and to understand the communicative intentions underlying ironic jokes and lies. Subjects listened to stories involving a character who had either a true or a false belief about another character's knowledge. Stories ended either with an ironic joke or a lie by this character. In the joke stories, the speaker knew that the listener knew the truth (a true second-order belief) and did not expect the listener to believe what was said; in the lie stories, the speaker did not know that the listener actually knew the truth (a false second-order belief) and thus did expect the listener to believe what was said. RHD patients performed significantly worse than control subjects on one of two measures of second-order belief, which suggests that the ability to make second-order mental state attributions is fragile and unreliable following right-hemisphere damage. RHD patients in addition performed worse than controls when asked to distinguish lies from jokes, confirming their known difficulties with discourse interpretation. For both groups, the ability to distinguish lies from jokes was strongly correlated with two measures of the ability to attribute correctly second-order beliefs. These results suggest that the fragility of RHD patients' understanding of second-order mental states underlies a portion of their difficulties in discourse comprehension, but that the underlying impairment is not restricted to right hemisphere dysfunction.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Assessment of the superior labrum of the shoulder joint with CT-arthrography and MR-arthrography: correlation with anatomical dissection.

The ability to detect and categorize SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior) lesions of the scapular labrum is of practical importance to the orthopedic surgeon and the radiologist. The aim of this study, performed on cadaveric shoulders, was to determine whether CT arthrography or MR arthrography is able to show normal anatomical variation of the glenoid labrum and detect labral abnormalities. CT arthrography, MR arthrography followed by anatomical dissection were performed on twenty three fresh frozen cadaveric shoulders and analysed by a radiologist and two orthopaedic surgeons. As Gadolinium intra-articular injection is not allowed in France, we used an iodinated contrast media for both MR arthrography and CT arthrography. In this study, the sensitivity of MR arthrography seemed higher than CT arthrography (respectively 4 and 3 labral lesions diagnosed out of five), although no significant statistical conclusions can be made due to the small number of cases. In conclusion, under such specific conditions, MR arthrography seems to be the method of choice for the detection and classification of labral lesions.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Edematous swelling of the eyelids caused by contact allergy].

Cosmetics and ophthalmological topical preparations are the main causes of allergic contact eczema about the eye. In most cases, clinical signs are conjunctival injection, blepharitis, periorbital dermatitis and edema of lids, often combined with itching. Pure edematous swelling of the eyelids should not immediately be blamed on a contact allergy, but sufficiently evaluated to exclude a benign or malignant process of the eyelids, orbita, lacrimal duct and paranasal sinus. We present a patient with pure edematous swelling of the eyelids due to a contact allergy by the sympathicomimetic phenylephrine hydrochloride, an uncommon allergen.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1998

[Prevention of malignant melanoma].

Dermatologists and physicians of other specialties, as well as other health professionals have made tremendous efforts to improve the public education (primary prevention) and early detection (secondary prevention) of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) especially during the last decade. In Australia, the country with the highest incidence of CMM in the world, the first public and effective campaigns were already carried out in the sixties. Through the public campaigns, the knowledge increased about skin cancer, and the attitude and behavior toward sun exposure changed in the population. In the USA and Great Britain too, effective public campaigns were carried out in great numbers and extensive experience was acquired. In Germany, prevention campaigns were first run in regional areas. In 1989, the Commission of Early Detection and Prevention of Melanoma of the German Dermatological Society launched nation-wide campaigns. These activities were complemented by regional campaigns in the 1990s. The analysis of previous campaigns demonstrates that single activities are less effective and repeated campaigns are necessary to increase knowledge about skin and to change attitudes and behavior towards UV-exposure. In addition, the development of sun protective clothing and structural changes, e.g. creation of shady places around open-air swimming pools, should be aimed for. Physicians of other specialties and other health professionals should also be included in prevention campaigns.

Cross-Cultural Comparison↗
PubMed1998

Role of cytokines in heart failure.

Heart failure is a complex neurohumoral and inflammatory syndrome. Studies have shown that proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor) are involved in cardiac depression and in the complex syndrome of heart failure. Understanding the involvement of these cytokines may enable us to reverse cardiac depression and heart failure with the use of monoclonal antibodies directed against specific cytokines that may block the downhill progression of heart failure.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Combined laparoscopic-endoscopic method using an omental plug for therapy of gastroduodenal ulcer perforation.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic techniques have been proposed as an alternative to open surgery for therapy of peptic ulcer perforation. They provide better postoperative comfort and absence of parietal complications, but leakage occurs in 5% of cases. We describe a new method combining laparoscopy and endoluminal endoscopy, designed to ensure complete closure of the perforation. METHODS: Six patients with anterior ulcer perforations (4 duodenal, 2 gastric) underwent a concomitant laparoscopy and endoluminal endoscopy with closure of the orifice by an omental plug attracted into the digestive tract. RESULTS: All perforations were sealed. The mean operating time was 72 minutes. The mean hospital stay was 5.5 days. There was no morbidity and no mortality. At the 30-day evaluation all ulcers but one (due to Helicobacter pylori persistence) were healed. CONCLUSIONS: This method is safe and effective. Its advantages compared with open surgery or laparoscopic patching as well as its cost-effectiveness should be studied in prospective randomized trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of oestrogens and selective oestrogen receptor modulators on serum lipoproteins and vascular function.

Epidemiological observations, clinical studies, and basic laboratory research suggest that oestrogen replacement therapy is associated with beneficial cardiovascular effects in postmenopausal women. Oestrogen has a multitude of biological effects that may account for this apparent benefit (which remain to be proven in randomized clinical trials), including favourable effects on the lipid profile, a direct effect on the vascular endothelium with increased nitric oxide bioactivity, and improved fibrinolysis. However, long-term oestrogen therapy increases the risk of breast and endometrial cancers. Raloxifene, a benzothiophene derivative that binds to the oestrogen receptor, is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator, producing oestrogen-agonistic effects in some tissues (liver, bone), and oestrogen-antagonistic effects in others (breast, uterus), and may prove to be an option for women with atherosclerosis and its associated risk factors who might benefit from oestrogen therapy. This review updates the current knowledge of the biological effects of oestrogen and selective oestrogen receptor modulators of potential cardiovascular importance in postmenopausal women.

Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed1998

Presence of multiple "Helicobacter heilmannii" strains in an individual suffering from ulcers and in his two cats.

Circumstantial evidence suggests that "Helicobacter heilmannii" infection is an example of zoonosis. The presence of "H. heilmannii" strains in a human subject with acute gastric erosions, in his two cats, and in two unrelated cats was analyzed, and the genetic relatedness of the human and feline strains was assessed. A 580-bp, PCR-amplified sequence of "H. heilmannii" urease B gene (ureB) obtained from biopsies from the human subject and his two cats was restricted with AluI and cloned for sequencing. Analysis of the restriction fragment length polymorphism of the ureB-amplified product suggested the presence of different individual "H. heilmannii" strains in the cats and of three distinct strains in the human subject. One of the "H. heilmannii" ureB sequences amplified from the human subject's biopsies was identical to that derived from one of his cats. The degree of similarity between the other "H. heilmannii" human and feline nucleotide sequences was higher than 97%. Most of the base substitutions were conservative. We conclude that human and animal "H. heilmannii" strains are closely related and that humans can be infected by more than one "H. heilmannii" strain, as has been observed for Helicobacter pylori.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Application of argon plasma coagulation in skin surgery.

BACKGROUND: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a noncontact electrosurgical technique which has been used in open surgery for about 20 years and in endoscopy for about 5 years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to provide preliminary results on the effect of this method in skin surgery. METHODS: The effects of variations in gas flow, output power and coagulation times on the extent of the resulting skin coagulation zone were tested in a pig skin model. Furthermore, preliminary results were obtained from 48 patients. RESULTS: The depth of the coagulation zone, which depends on the output power of the high-frequency (HF) generator and the application time, was examined clinically and histologically in 150 different pig skin coagulations. The maximum depth of the coagulation zone was 4 mm. Coagulation zones below 4 mm can be maintained by controlling the output power of the HF generator and/or the duration of application. Variations of argon flow did not influence the depth of the coagulation zone significantly. In preliminary clinical tests, 48 patients with common warts, senile hemangiomas and actinic keratoses were treated with APC. In all cases, APC was highly effective and easy to perform. No severe problems or complications were observed. The skin lesions were destroyed with minimal or no scarring and without damaging the surrounding tissue. CONCLUSION: In the present preliminary study, APC proved to be an effective treatment with well-controlled tissue destruction. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate the suitability and the indications of this method in the treatment of cutaneous lesions.

Animals↗