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Biomedical subjects

A Grimaldi

Publications and source records attributed to A Grimaldi.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Erdheim-Chester disease. Clinical and radiologic characteristics of 59 cases.

We made a retrospective evaluation of clinical and radiologic features, treatment, and outcome of Erdheim-Chester disease, a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. We had 7 patients coming from 3 French teaching hospitals and reviewed 52 cases from the literature. These cases were considered to have Erdheim-Chester disease when they had either typical bone radiographs (symmetrical long bones osteosclerosis) and/or histologic criteria disclosing histiocytic infiltration without features for Langerhans cell histiocytosis (no S-100 protein, no intracytoplasmic Birbeck granules). Ages at diagnosis ranged from 7 to 84 years (mean +/- SD = 53 +/- 14 yr) with a male/female ratio of 33/26. Bone pain was the most frequent clinical sign (28/59), mostly located in the lower limbs. Exophthalmos and diabetes insipidus were found in respectively 16/59 and 17/59 patients. General symptoms (fever, weight loss) and "xanthomas" (mainly located on the eyelids) were present in 11/59 patients. Retroperitoneal involvement was found in 17/59 patients. Skeletal X-ray showed typical osteosclerosis of the diaphysis of the long bones in 45/59 patients. Bone radiographs showed osteolytic lesions of the flat bones (skull, ribs) in 8 patients. Histologic diagnosis was performed after a bone biopsy (28 patients), a retroorbital biopsy (9 patients), and/or a biopsy of the retroperitoneal infiltration or the kidney (11 patients). Six of our 7 patients but only 5 of 52 patients from the literature had the complete histologic criteria, disclosing no Birbeck granules or S-100 immunostaining. In other cases, histologic results usually described a xanthogranulomatous infiltration by foamy histiocytes nested in fibrosis. Treatment was corticotherapy (20/59), chemotherapy (8/59), radiotherapy (6/59), surgery (3/59) and immunotherapy (1 patient). Twenty-two patients died after a mean follow-up of 32 +/- 30 mo (range, 3-120 mo). In conclusion, Erdheim-Chester disease may be confused with Langerhans cell histiocytosis as it sometimes shares the same clinical (exophthalmos, diabetes insipidus) or radiologic (osteolytic lesions) findings. However, it also appears to have distinctive features. Patients are older and have a worse prognosis than those with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and the diagnosis relies on the association of specific radiologic and histologic findings.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of osteomyelitis in the diabetic foot. Contribution of conservative surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the duration of healing of foot ulcers with osteomyelitis in diabetic patients treated by medical treatment versus medical treatment associated with conservative orthopedic surgery. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We entered into the study 67 diabetic patients who had a foot ulcer with osteomyelitis without ischemia requiring a peripheral arterial reconstruction. Thirty-two diabetic patients were included in a first historic group from 1986 to 1993, treated by antibiotic therapy, offloading, and wound care. Thirty-two patients were included from September 1993 to March 1995, treated by the same medical treatment and conservative orthopedic surgery. RESULTS: The healing rate was 57% in the group treated by the medical treatment alone versus 78% in the surgical group (P < 0.008). The duration of healing was 462 +/- 98 days versus 181 +/- 30 days (P < 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Conservative surgery contributes to an increase in the healing rate of foot ulcers with osteomyelitis compared with a medical treatment alone.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Association between intra-abdominal fat and hypertension in android obese diabetics.

We have examined the relationship between visceral fat measured by MRI on a transverse cut through L3, insulin sensitivity assessed by the somatostatin-insulin-glucose test, and arterial blood pressure in 18 obese (11 women and 7 men), non insulin-dependent diabetic patients with android body fat distribution. Extent of visceral fat and insulin sensitivity were not different between women and men. Insulin sensitivity correlated significantly with visceral fat (r = -0.54, p < 0.05) but not with body mass index, L3 subcutaneous fat, or with waist to hip circumference ratio. Moreover, insulin sensitivity was lower in hypertensive compared to normotensive diabetic patients (Steady State Plasma Glucose = 18.8 +/- 3 mmol/l vs 15.1 +/- 3.3 mmol/l p < 0.05) and L3 visceral fat was greater (238 +/- 70 cm2 vs 106 +/- 36 cm2 p < 0.01), although there were no differences in body mass index, L3 subcutaneous fat, waist to hip circumference ratio or age. In conclusion, visceral fat quantity correlates with insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in android obese diabetics with similar morphotype (comparable body mass index and waist to hip circumference ratio).

Abdomen↗

[Nocturnal hypoglycemia in insulin-dependent diabetics].

OBJECTIVES: Repeated hypoglycaemia has been reported to impair recognition of subsequent hypoglycaemia with a high risk of severe hypoglycaemia. This intensified insulin therapy may be dangerous in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients with unawareness of hypoglycaemia. METHODS: We assessed the incidence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia and the benefit of an additional bedtime snack in IDDM patients treated by 2 or 3 daily injections. Capillary blood glucose was measured by finger strip at 10 p.m. and plasma venous glycaemia was determined at 0, 2, 4 and 8 a.m. RESULTS: The study was composed of two phases. In the first phase, patients (n = 93) did not receive any snack at bedtime. Blood glucose fell to 2.75 mmol/l or less in 33%. Among the 40 patients with a 10 p.m. glycaemia of 9 mmol/l or less, 57.5% experienced nocturnal hypoglycaemia vs 15% of the 53 others. The second phase concerned 106 IDD patients. An additional bedtime snack was given when 10 p.m. blood glucose was 9 mmol/l or less. The incidence of hypoglycaemia fell to 32% (14 of 44 IDDM) i.e. a significant benefit of 44% (p < 0.01). However patients who received this additional bedtime snack had a slightly higher 8 a.m. glycaemia than those with 10 p.m. glycaemia at 9 mmol/l or less during the first phase (9.61 +/- 5.67 mmol/l vs 7.75 +/- 4.30 mmol/l) but this result is not significant. CONCLUSION: Prevention of nocturnal hypoglycaemia may be achieved in IDDM patients by bedtime glucose determination and an additional snack when glycaemia is 9 mmol/l or less.

Adult↗

[Respective value of glycated hemoglobin and fructosamine assays in the care of diabetes mellitus].

The monitoring of metabolic balance in diabetes mellitus involves the assay of cumulative markers of protein glycation. Glycated hemoglobin, particularly the major component HbA1c, and fructosamine, which reflects glycated plasma protein levels, are the most commonly used parameters. Nevertheless, their utilization is still under discussion with respect to methodologies used, as well as to their respective interest in clinical diabetology. This review shows current opinion concerning the analytical and physiopathological use of these biological indicators.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗

Are free fatty acids related to plasma plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in android obesity?

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels are elevated in obese insulin-resistant subjects. However the mechanism underlying increased PAI-1 levels is unknown. To determine the impact of diabetes on PAI-1 levels and its possible relationship to insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp studies were performed in nine lean control subjects, nine non-diabetic obese subjects and eight obese patients with NIDDM. Fasting plasma PAI-1 levels were 4.0 to 4.7 fold higher in the two obese groups than in the control group. During the 40 mU/m2 x min insulin infusion, suppression of FFA concentration was correlated with fasting plasma PAI-1 levels in both obese non-diabetic and obese NIDDM subjects. It is concluded that (1) obesity rather than diabetes itself plays a major role for the increased PAI-1 levels in NIDDM; (2) resistance to the antilipolytic effect of insulin, resulting in increased FFA concentrations, may participate in producing elevated PAI-1 levels in android obese subjects.

Adult↗