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Biomedical subjects

A François

Publications and source records attributed to A François.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

[Organization of urgent blood transfusion in France: analysis of practice patterns in centers involved in care delivery to multiple trauma patients].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the organization of medical and transfusion services within the framework of hospital admission for multiple trauma. STUDY DESIGN: National survey in France. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All French hospitals caring for multiple trauma patients were sent a questionnaire. Organization of the medical and transfusion services, and their related resources were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 372 questionnaires sent, 116 replies were received from structures which care for 18 (1-500) multiple trauma patients each year. An orthopaedic and an abdominal surgery unit were widely available whereas a neurosurgeon was available in 21% of responding centers. A transfusion site was found in 43%, whereas others have either a deposit for distribution to specific patients (40%) or a small deposit to cover urgent situations (17%). Comparison with legal or expert based rules of adequate transfusion process disclosed a variable incidence of practice dysfunctions (2-49%) depending on the parameter assessed. CONCLUSION: The French organization of multiple trauma patients' care and blood transfusion delivered for these patients is not homogenous. Dysfunctions were found in all types of hospitals. Recommendations describing good practice seem necessary to be built at the national level.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed2005

Efficacy of nitazoxanide and paromomycin in biliary tract cryptosporidiosis in an immunosuppressed gerbil model.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of nitazoxanide and paromomycin in biliary tract cryptosporidiosis in an immunosuppressed Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) model. METHODS: Gerbils (1-month-old) were dexamethasone-immunosuppressed for 10 days and challenged orally with 10(5) Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. From day 0 to day 12 post-infection, one group (n=14) was treated with 200 mg/kg/day nitazoxanide and another (n=15) with 100 mg/kg/day paromomycin. Infection and efficacy of nitazoxanide and paromomycin were assessed by measuring oocyst shedding in faeces, biliary tract and ileum histological examination. RESULTS: In nitazoxanide-treated and paromomycin-treated groups as compared with untreated animals (P<0.05), oocyst shedding was partially suppressed in a similar manner (P>0.05). Parasites were present in histological sections of the ileal mucosa of 16/16 infected untreated animals versus 3/14 and 6/15 in the nitazoxanide-treated and the paromomycin-treated groups, respectively (P<0.05). In addition, gall bladder infection was less frequent in nitazoxanide-treated (2/14, P<0.01) and paromomycin-treated (5/15, P=0.07) animals than in untreated controls (9/16). No histological alteration of biliary mucosa was observed in both treated and untreated infected gerbils. CONCLUSIONS: Present data support the efficacy of nitazoxanide and, to a lesser extent, paromomycin on biliary C. parvum infection in gerbils, and prompt further investigation of the potential clinical benefits of nitazoxanide in treating human biliary cryptosporidiosis.

Amebicides↗
PubMed2005

Inhibitory activities of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase-targeted dihydroxyisoflavone and trihydroxydeoxybenzoin derivatives on Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum, and Cryptosporidium parvum development.

Several gene sequences of parasitic protozoa belonging to protein kinase gene families and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like peptides, which act via binding to receptor tyrosine kinases of the EGF receptor (EGFR) family, appear to mediate host-protozoan interactions. As a clue to EGFR protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) mediation and a novel approach for identifying anticoccidial agents, activities against Sarcocystis neurona, Neospora caninum, and Cryptosporidium parvum grown in BM and HCT-8 cell cultures of 52 EGFR PTK inhibitor isoflavone analogs (dihydroxyisoflavone and trihydroxydeoxybenzoine derivatives) were investigated. Their cytotoxicities against host cells were either absent, mild, or moderate by a nitroblue tetrazolium test. At concentrations ranging from 5 to 10 microg/ml, 20 and 5 analogs, including RM-6427 and RM-6428, exhibited an in vitro inhibitory effect of > or = 95% against at least one parasite or against all three, respectively. In immunosuppressed Cryptosporidium parvum-infected Mongolian gerbils orally treated with either 200 or 400 mg of agent RM-6427/kg of body weight/day for 8 days, fecal microscopic oocyst shedding was abolished in 6/10 animals (P of <0.001 versus untreated controls) and mean shedding was reduced by 90.5% (P of <0.0001) and 92.0% (P of <0.0001), respectively, higher levels of inhibition than after nitazoxanide (200 mg/kg/day for 8 days) or paromomycin (100 mg/kg/day for 8 days) treatment (55.0%, P of <0.001, and 17.5%, P of >0.05, respectively). After RM-6427 therapy (200 mg/kg/day for 8 days), the reduction in the ratio of animals with intracellular parasites was nearly significant in ileum (P = 0.067) and more marked in the biliary tract (P < 0.0013) than after nitazoxanide or paromomycin treatment (0.05 < P < 0.004). RM-6428 treatment at a regimen of 400 mg/kg/day for 12 days inhibited oocyst shedding, measured using flow cytometry from day 4 (P < 0.05) to day 12 (P < 0.02) of therapy, when 2/15 animals had no shedding (P < 0.0001) and 11/15 were free of gut and/or biliary tract parasites (P < 0.01). No mucosal alteration was microscopically observed for treated or untreated infected gerbils. To our knowledge, this report is the first to suggest that the isoflavone class of agents has the potential for anticoccidial therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Inhibition of Rho kinase modulates radiation induced fibrogenic phenotype in intestinal smooth muscle cells through alteration of the cytoskeleton and connective tissue growth factor expression.

BACKGROUND: Late radiation enteritis in humans is associated with accumulation of extracellular matrix and increased connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression that may involve intestinal muscular layers. AIMS: We investigated the molecular pathways involved in maintenance of radiation induced fibrosis by gene profiling and postulated that alteration of the Rho pathway could be associated with radiation induced fibrogenic signals and CTGF sustained expression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ileal biopsies from individuals with and without radiation enteritis were analysed by cDNA array, and primary cultures of intestinal smooth muscle cells were established. Then, the effect of pharmacological inhibition of p160 Rho kinase, using Y-27632, was studied by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RESULTS: Molecular profile analysis of late radiation enteritis showed alterations in expression of genes coding for the Rho proteins. To investigate further the involvement of the Rho pathway in intestinal radiation induced fibrosis, primary intestinal smooth muscle cells were isolated from radiation enteritis. They retained their fibrogenic differentiation in vitro, exhibited a typical cytoskeletal network, a high constitutive CTGF level, increased collagen secretory capacity, and altered expression of genes coding for the Rho family. Rho kinase blockade induced a simultaneous decrease in the number of actin stress fibres, alpha smooth muscle actin, and heat shock protein 27 levels. It also decreased CTGF levels, probably through nuclear factor kappaB inhibition, and caused decreased expression of the type I collagen gene. CONCLUSION: This study is the first showing involvement of the Rho/Rho kinase pathway in radiation fibrosis and intestinal smooth muscle cell fibrogenic differentiation. It suggests that specific inhibition of Rho kinase may be a promising approach for the development of antifibrotic therapies.

Actins↗
PubMed2004

[Management of blood products in the event of postpartum hemorrhage].

Transfusion during the treatment of postpartum hemorrhages is rare. It always occurs in complex situations: failure of the initial manipulations or cataclysmic bleeding. Its management is multidisciplinary and should aim at obtaining blood products within thirty minutes while preventing any risk of alloimmunization detrimental to the obstetrical future of the patient. Upstream process management is essential. The following points will be described: Within the legal bounds, the different options for blood products supply; the best practices procedures that every maternity hospital should set up and formalize; the immunohematologic documents to be used for transfusions, their validity and the criteria for the prescription of irregular antibody testing; the rules for antenatal management to anticipate the transfusion difficulties; the blood products available and their constraints of use to optimize the prescription. Effective management can be achieved only through the strict respect of procedures at every stage. These procedures should be written in conjunction with all actors, issued and regularly assessed.

Blood Transfusion↗
PubMed2003

Roles of tert-butyl formate, tert-butyl alcohol and acetone in the regulation of methyl tert-butyl ether degradation by Mycobacterium austroafricanum IFP 2012.

Mycobacterium austroafricanum IFP 2012 is a Gram-positive strain able to grow on methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) as a sole carbon and energy source. The effect of two downstream metabolites of MTBE, tert-butyl formate (TBF) and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) on MTBE degradation was investigated using resting cells. The addition of low concentrations of TBF decreased the MTBE degradation rate by about 30%. In contrast, the addition of TBA did not have a significant effect on MTBE degradation rate, even at high concentrations; and it was also shown that TBA degradation occurred only once MTBE was exhausted. At neutral pH, TBF hydrolysis involved mainly an esterase-type activity regulated by the presence of TBA. The TBF degradation rate was about four times lower than the MTBE degradation rate. Furthermore, acetone was identified as an intermediate during TBA degradation. An acetone mono-oxygenase activity, inhibited by methimazole but not by acetylene, was suggested. It was different from the MTBE/TBA mono-oxygenase and, thus, acetone did not appear to compete with MTBE and TBA for the same enzyme. These new results show that the metabolic regulation of the early steps of MTBE degradation by M. austroafricanum IFP 2012 is complex, involving inhibition and competition phenomena.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2003

Hamartoma of the middle ear: a case study.

Hamartomas and teratomas are rare tumors in children. Its location in head and neck is quite exceptional. An unusual case of hamartoma in the middle ear is reported in a 5-month-old child. The tumor was isolated without associated malformation. Definitive diagnosis was made after surgery and based on histological results. At 2 years follow-up, no recurrence was observed. CT-scan is useful in order to reach a final diagnosis. Although rare, this type of tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a middle ear mass during childhood.

Ear Diseases↗
PubMed2003

'In-field' and 'out-of-field' functional impairment during subacute and chronic phases of experimental radiation enteropathy in the rat.

PURPOSE: To investigate subacute and chronic functional consequences of localized irradiation of rat small intestine on exposed and shielded segments (proximal and distal). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The surgical model of a scrotal hernia was used. The ileal loop was exposed to single doses of 18, 21 or 29.6 Gy X-irradiation. Epithelial structure and transport capacity were followed 2 and 26 weeks post-exposure. RESULTS: Irradiated segments showed mucosal ulceration followed by transmural fibrosis. Transport capacity was impaired from 2 to 26 weeks. Subacute functional impairment was noticed in the proximal segment, without either morphological alteration or neutrophil influx. At 26 weeks, both proximal and distal segments showed impaired epithelial transport capacity, with neutrophil influx in the submucosa in cases of 21-Gy exposure and in the submucosa and muscularis propria after 29.6 Gy. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation enteritis was characterized by functional impairment, within as well as outside, the irradiation field. During the subacute phase, the irradiated segment may be a source of mediators which might influence intestinal function outside the site of injury via the blood stream and/or enteric nervous system. The development of an intestinal occlusion syndrome during the chronic phase might be responsible for intestinal dysfunction but it does not rule out a possible inflammatory process developing in the shielded parts of the small intestine.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Difficult diagnosis for a lingual ulceration. Wegener granulamotosis].

Making the correct diagnosis for a lingual ulceration can be difficult. We present the case of a 55-year-old man, alcoholic and smoker who presented with a single lingual ulceration. The initial diagnosis suggested a cell-squamed carcinoma but histological examination revealed a Wegener Granulomatosis. Wegener Granulomatosis in the oral cavity is found in 6-13% of cases but rarely primary sign of the disease. The authors review differential diagnosis that should be taken into consideration when presented with similar lesion.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed2001

Autoimmune hepatitis and systemic sclerosis: a new overlap syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: We report the cases of two patients with the complete CREST variant (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, oesophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia) of systemic sclerosis (SSc) who developed autoimmune hepatitis. RESULTS: Our findings suggest that autoimmune hepatitis can be considered to be one of the liver manifestations associated with SSc. Our data also indicate that, because liver involvement may precede skin manifestations, evaluation for SSc is appropriate when autoimmune hepatitis is noted, and that the evaluation should include clinical examination, testing for antinuclear antibodies (especially for anticentromere antibodies) and nailfold capillaroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: From a practical point of view, our two cases emphasize that suspicion of autoimmune hepatitis in SSc patients presenting with cytolytic hepatitis will help to achieve both accurate diagnosis and optimal management.

Aged↗