Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Franco

Publications and source records attributed to A Franco.

At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Production of sheep polyclonal antibodies against the 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetases.

A 20-amino acid peptide corresponding to a common part of the 40 and 46 kD forms of human 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase was coupled to keyole lymphet haemocyanin (KLH) and used as immunogen in sheep. After a cycle of four immunizations, immunoglobulins able to recognize the 20-amino acid peptide as evaluated in ELISA assays were purified by an immunoadsorbent with the peptide immobilized on Sepharose CL-4B and used in Western blot employing a secondary anti-sheep antibodies and iodinated protein A as indicator system. Results obtained using extracts from human and mouse cells treated for 15 hr with IFN-alpha as antigen demonstrated that the anti-peptide antibodies recognize several forms of the 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase enzyme complex. These antibodies therefore represent a useful tool for monitoring the induction of the above enzymes.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Erythrocyte aggregation in vivo and diabetic microangiopathy. Physiopathologic determinants and clinical correlations].

Conjunctival angioscopy is a non invasive way for visualization and quantitative evaluation of the microcirculation. Grading red blood cell aggregation is possible in vivo using Ditzel's four grades score. The two-dimensional organization of conjunctival microvessels allows morphometric quantification of microvascular density. The aim of our study was to evaluate the determinant factors of erythrocyte aggregation and the place of conjunctival angioscopy in the early detection of diabetic microangiopathy. Conjunctival parameters were red blood cell aggregation (Ditzel's score) and morphometric evaluation of capillary, venular and arteriolar density. Criteria of diabetic microangiopathy were microalbuminuria and retinal fluorescein angiogram. Both conjunctival angioscopy and retinal angiogram were scored independently. Results obtained in 30 type 1 diabetic patients, with multifactorial statistical analysis, show that red blood cell aggregation in vivo is an essential discriminant factor for diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy. This rheological phenomenon depends more on duration of diabetes (analysis of variance p = .0005, r = .65) and metabolic control than on albuminemia or fibrinogenemia such as in non-diabetic patients. Manual morphometric data confirmed vascular rarefaction associated with excessive red blood cell aggregation (beta = .50). These results suggest that grading red blood cell aggregation in vivo is an interesting tool for physiopathological and clinical studies of diabetic microangiopathy.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Enterovesical fistula caused by a prosthesis made of synthetic material].

Enterovesical fistulas affect mainly male patients, due to the interposition of the uterus in women. They can be caused by neoplastic, inflammatory or traumatic processes. A case of ilovesical fistula due to migration of a silastic plate used to repair an epigastric infissional hernia is presented. This case has two distinctive features: first, the cause is extraurological, causing a fistula between both systems due to an inflammatory process. Secondly, we report the long distance travelled by the synthetic mesh, causing a peculiar clinical picture five years after its implantation.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Treatment of deep venous thrombosis. Comparative study of a low molecular weight heparin fragment (Fragmin) by the subcutaneous route and standard heparin by the continuous intravenous route. A multicenter study].

This open, randomised multicenter trial compares the efficacy and safety of Fragmin administered subcutaneously twice daily with standard heparin administered by continuous infusion in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The initial dose of Fragmin is 100 U anti-Xa/kg/12 h and the further doses are adjusted according to the anti-Xa activity between 0.5 and 0.8 U/ml, 3 hours after the morning injection. The initial dose of standard heparin is 240 UI/kg/12 h. The dose adjustments are based on the daily results of APTT (1.5 - 3 times the control). Treatments efficacy are appreciated when comparing the venography performed before and after 10 days of treatment. The safety is evaluated on clinical parameters and iterative biological tests. Sixty-six patients have been included in this study. Efficacy of the two treatments is equivalent with a phlebographic improvement in respectively 79.3 p. 100 (Heparin Group) and 71.0 p. 100 (Fragmin Group) of the cases and an aggravation in 3.4 p. 100 and 6.4 p. 100 (NS) respectively. The frequency of dosage adjustments is lower and the stability of biological tests is better in the Fragmin group. In conclusion, the administration of Fragmin twice daily by subcutaneous route seems to be equivalent at least to standard heparin continuous infusion in the treatment of recent DVT. The better convenience and safety of Fragmin have to be verified on a larger panel of patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Autoimmune chronic liver disease as a model of human autoimmunity.

Although clonal deletion and clonal energy have been demonstrated in transgenic mice, the findings that autoreactive B or T cells are present in healthy subjects suggest that they are not the sole mechanisms of tolerance. As regards helper T lymphocytes, tolerance to self-antigens can arise by preventing class II MHC expression on non-lymphoid cells and autoantigen presentation to helper T cells initiating the autoimmune response. Autoimmune chronic active hepatitis (CAH) seems to be a good model of self-tolerance bypass. Hepatocytes are able to express class II molecules and can perform accessory cell functions with respect to T cell clones generated from lymphocytes infiltrating the liver in autoimmune CAH patients. The class II antigen expression on hepatocytes may be modulated by IFN-gamma released by infiltrating T lymphocytes; thus, the activated liver cells can present autoantigens to autoreactive T cell clones. On the other hand, these findings may occur only when the upregulation of IFN-gamma or other lymphokines permits the expression of rare class II antigens on hepatocytes capable of binding particular residues of a liver-autoantigen which are recognized by specific autoreactive T cell clones binding different residues on the same epitope.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Value of venous ultrasonic tomography in the screening for unusual emboli-causing foci].

In certain cases of pulmonary embolism, phlebography of the lower extremities remains normal. The study of 219 consecutive cases of pulmonary embolism shows the advantage of venous ultrasonic tomography which, alone, enables to screen the embolic focus in 10% of the cases, either because the phlebographic data are insufficient (5%), or because the embolic focus cannot be reached with phlebography (5%), especially in deep femoral and internal saphenous thromboses. On the other hand, popliteal venous aneurysms, which represent 1% of all embolic foci in this study, are always discovered by ultrasonography. Therefore this technique appears absolutely necessary for the diagnosis of an embolic venous focus.

Aneurysm↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Semiological analysis of Raynaud attacks.

Careful semiological and etiological investigations (including nailfold capillary microscopy) were performed in 120 consecutive patients with Raynaud phenomenon (RP) (December 1983-March 1984) recorded on a standardized form. Complete and reliable data were obtained in 103 cases. The functional severity of the attacks was assessed statistically, after adjusting for etiological groups. The existence of an asphyxial (cyanotic) phase was found the best single criterion for the severity of attacks, but a more complete evaluation was arrived at with the following functional severity score (FSS = 0 to 3): asphyxia (0 or 1)+summer rate of attacks higher than once a week (0 or 1)+involvement of all the fingers (0 to 1). This score was also validated through a multivariate correspondence analysis. FSS was much higher in RP associated with connective tissue diseases (1.73 +/- 0.18) than in primary RP (0.64 +/- 0.14, p less than 0.001). A careful analysis of ischemic attacks is thought to be an important part of etiological and pre-therapeutic evaluation of patients with RP.

Cold Temperature↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Class II MHC antigen expression on epithelial cells of salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Class II MHC molecules are two-chain glycoproteins normally expressed only on the membrane of cells involved in the immune response. These molecules are restriction elements for helper T cells. Using indirect immunofluorescence on cryostat sections of biopsied salivary glands we have demonstrated epithelial expression of class II antigens in patients with Sjögren's syndrome. The HLA DR+ epithelial cells were seen in close proximity to lymphocyte infiltrates. The finding that class II molecules are also expressed in salivary glands without focal lymphocytic infiltrates suggests a "modulation" as opposed to "induction" of HLA DR antigens on epithelial cells in Sjögren's syndrome, the distinction being related to the enhancement of low levels of expressions vs. de novo synthesis.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cefonicid toxicity. I. Effects on the reactivity of the specific immune system].

The degree of toxicity of the antibiotic Cefonicid on the cellular reactivity of the immune system was evaluated. The effects on some lymphokine (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) production and the degree of proliferation of splenic lymphocytes following mitogen stimulation have been considered. Our results show that Cefonicid does not impair the immune response, except at very high doses (500 micrograms/ml).

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Misleading pains in the lower limbs of rheumatologic origin].

Pain in the lower limbs related to rheumatic disease may be the source of diagnostic difficulties when it presents in the guise of pseudo-vascular manifestations. A narrow spinal canal and atypical neuralgia may present a very misleading clinical picture. Similarly, traumatic muscular pathology and bone trauma and tumours may also be misleading. A popliteal cyst and reflex sympathetic dystrophy may simulate venous disorders. Iatrogenic disease, particularly complications of anticoagulant treatment also need to be recognized.

Anticoagulants↗