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Biomedical subjects

A Moreau

Publications and source records attributed to A Moreau.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Expression of complement-regulatory proteins in normal and UW-preserved human liver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Somatic cells are protected against complement-mediated injury by specialized membrane proteins, known as complement-regulatory proteins (CRP). The knowledge of the pattern of CRP expression in the liver is important to evaluate the role of complement-mediated injury in graft rejection. METHODS: We determined the distribution of four main CRP: membrane cofactor protein (MCP), decay accelerating factor (DAF), protectin, and complement receptor 1 (CR1) in 30 histologically normal livers, 13 samples from University of Wisconsin cold-storage solution (UW)-preserved tissue and 17 postoperative biopsies of UW-preserved allografts. RESULTS: In normal liver, hepatocytes expressed only MCP. Bile duct cells were reactive for MCP and protectin. Sinusoidal endothelial cells expressed MCP and protectin but displayed no or faint expression of DAF. Endothelial cells of portal vessels and centrilobular veins expressed high levels of DAF, MCP, and protectin. No expression of CR1 was observed. No change in CRP expression was usually detected after UW preservation, except for protectin, induced on hepatocytes in 9 samples of UW-preserved liver tissue and in 9 allografts. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatocytes and sinusoidal endothelial cells, which have a defective expression of CRP, might be at risk for complement-mediated injury. However, this risk is not aggravated after UW preservation.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1994

Increase in catalytic activity and thermostability of the xylanase A of Streptomyces lividans 1326 by site-specific mutagenesis.

The xylanase A gene from Streptomyces lividans was modified by site-directed mutagenesis, selecting for mutations that improved the catalytic activity and thermostability of the enzyme. Mutant notation uses the one-letter abbreviation for amino acids. The first and the last letters represent, respectively, the residue to be changed and the replacing residue. The number indicates the position of the substitution. The mutant enzymes F155Y, R156E, R156K, and N173D were respectively 28, 10, 50, and 25% more active than the wild-type enzyme. In addition, the half-lives at 60 degrees C of the R156E and N173D xylanases were respectively 6 and 40 min longer than that of the wild-type enzyme even in the absence of substrate. The favorable single mutations were combined to generate the double mutants E156/173D and K156/173D, which were 22 and 47% less active than the wild type. However, the activity half-life of the E156/173D enzyme at 60 degrees C was twice that of the xylanase A. The pH-activity profiles of all the mutant xylanases were similar to that of the wild-type enzyme.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

99Tcm-labelled anti-fibrin Fab' fragment for evaluating the course of venous thrombosis in the rabbit.

Immunoscintigraphy was performed using the Fab' fragment of 99Tcm-labelled T2G1s anti-fibrin monoclonal antibody in a rabbit experimental model of venous thrombosis of known and increasing age (1, 3 and 7 days). Scans were positive in 3/7 cases for 1-day thrombosis (fibrin-poor network) and in 7/7 cases for 3-day thrombosis (fibrin-rich network). In rabbits with 7-day thrombosis, the scan was positive (2/4 cases) only when connective tissue was not present in the clot. Scintigraphic results were concordant with those of biodistribution studies showing the mean percentage of injected dose per gram 99Tcm-T2G1s present in the thrombosed vein wall (0.043, 0.082 and 0.07 for thrombi at 1, 3 and 7 days, respectively). Mean thrombosed vein wall-to-blood ratios were 1.027, 2.291 and 1.301, respectively. Immunoscintigraphy with T2G1s anti-fibrin monoclonal antibody thus enabled hematological status to be evaluated.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Contact dermatitis from a textile flame retardant.

We report a case of contact sensitivity to Flammentin ASN, a flame retardant used on cotton and wool. The patient was a painter who was protecting his face with a white cotton cap. He presented with eczema of the forehead at the sites of cap contact. Patch tests with the treated cap and flame retardant were positive; a formaldehyde patch test was negative. Flame retardants are used in construction, materials and textiles. Contact sensitivity is rarely described and we compare our case to those published in the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Testicular tumor and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Immunocompromised patients, particularly those suffering from the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), present an increased risk of tumoral pathology. From the observation of a testicular lymphoma associated with Epstein-Barr virus in a HIV + patient, we review 19 cases of testicular tumor in HIV + patients previously published in the literature. These tumors are either lymphomas (4 cases) or germ cell tumors (15 cases). Their diagnosis was not difficult, although in the first stages enlarged and painful testicles are often wrongly identified as orchiepididymitis and treated as such. Therapy management proves to be delicate as a result of the significant tumor spread seen in these patients with dysfunctional immune systems. Regarding lymphomas, a low-dose multiagent chemotherapy with intrathecal chemotherapy was recommended by Levine. Concerning germ cell tumors, Wilson prefers an instant aggressive treatment with retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy (whether or not combined with chemotherapy) to avoid the risk of recurrence. In fact, tumor relapses will be difficult to control in the progressive stages of immunodeficiency syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Metastasis from a cancer into another cancer. Apropos of a case].

Based on a case of metastatic basal cell carcinoma of lung to primary renal cell carcinoma, the authors review the literature from the first report by Campbell in 1968, and emphasize the very particular role of renal carcinoma as "preferential host" of metastases from another primary carcinoma. The specificity serum prealbumin of renal carcinoma is questionable and its contribution as a neuroendocrine marker is suggested.

Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell↗
PubMed1994

Photocontact allergy to oxybenzone: ten years of experience.

Intolerance of sunscreen agents has often been reported in the literature. This mainly comprises photosensitization to sunscreens such as oxybenzone. The aims of this study were to establish the incidence of photocontact allergy to oxybenzone and its relationship with the use of other cosmetics. From 1982 to 1992 we performed photopatch tests on 283 patients with suspected photodermatosis. Forty-six patients (16%) had positive reactions: 61 positive photopatch tests and 9 positive patch tests. Photocontact allergy to sunscreens was divided into 2 main groups: 35 cases to oxybenzone and 17 cases to para-aminobenzoic acid and its derivatives. Among our 35 cases of photoallergy to oxybenzone, more than one third had photoallergy to a daily moisturizer that contained oxybenzone.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗
PubMed1994

Contact photosensitivity to nonoxynol used in antiseptic preparations.

Nonoxynols are nonionic surface-active agents used as surfactant in numerous cosmetic products and antiseptic preparations. Recently nonoxynol contact allergy has been described. We report two patients who presented a contact photosensitivity to nonoxynol 10 contained in Hexomédine transcutanée. Among 32 control subjects, we found 13 positive photopatch tests to Hexomédine transcutanée and 4 positive photopatch tests to nonoxynol 10. Surprisingly, the authors observed that only undiluted nonoxynol was phototoxic.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1994

Autologous bone marrow transplantation using TBI and CBV for disseminated high/intermediate grade cutaneous non-epidermotropic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Patients with stage IV high/intermediate grade cutaneous non-epidermotropic lymphoma of skin as first localization of the disease have a poor prognosis. In this setting, autologous bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has rarely been evaluated. We report here on the treatment of four patients with such lymphomas with autologous BMT using 12 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) and CBV (cyclophosphamide, carmustine and etoposide). Using a plexiglass screen, TBI delivered an homogenized dose to the skin. With this conditioning regimen, all patients are still in complete remission 22, 44, 46 and 51, respectively, months after high-dose chemotherapy, TBI and autologous BMT.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Detection of human papillomavirus in squamous intraepithelial lesions by consensus and type-specific polymerase chain reaction.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify human papillomavirus (HPV) in 216 cervical biopsy specimens from women referred to the gynecological out-patient unit for colposcopy because of an abnormal smear. HPV DNA was screened using type-specific primers for HPV6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33 (TS-PCR) as well as a consensus primer located in the E1 region of the HPV genome (C-PCR). TS-PCR specificity was validated by Southern blot analysis. Low-grade (SIL 1) and high-grade (SIL 2) squamous intraepithelial lesions were found in 165 biopsies. HPV16 detection was better with PCR than Southern blot, particularly for SIL 1 and SIL 2. The fact that 10% of HPV16 (all SIL 2) were not detected by C-PCR indicates that both PCR techniques should be performed. C-PCR also detects uncharacterized HPV types (8.6% prevalence in our results), mainly in SIL 1 and SIL 2. HPV16, the most frequently isolated type (prevalence 21%), was associated with SIL 2 in 83% of cases. A low HPV prevalence was found in specimens without dysplastic cells. These results suggest that PCR may be an important tool for identifying women at risk for developing dysplasia or cervical cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Early colchicine administration reduces hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension in rats with bile duct ligation.

Chronic administration of colchicine has been suggested as a potential treatment for hepatic fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of chronic oral administration of colchicine on the histological and hemodynamic abnormalities of bile duct ligation in the rat. Forty-eight rats with ligation-section of the common bile duct were randomly and blindly assigned to receive either colchicine (50 mu/kg day) or placebo by gavage for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, morphometric analysis showed that hepatocyte and sinusoidal volume fractions were significantly higher in rats treated with colchicine than in rats receiving placebo (42.4 +/- 1.3 vs. 32.1 +/- 2.6% (mean +/- S.E.) and 8.3 +/- 0.6 vs 4.7 +/- 0.4%, respectively), while bile duct volume fractions (reflecting bile ductular proliferation) and connective tissue fractions were significantly lower in rats treated with colchicine than in rats receiving placebo (12.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 17.0 +/- 0.1% and 37.2 +/- 0.9 vs. 46.1 +/- 2.0%, respectively). Portal pressure (13.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 17.8 +/- 0.5 mmHg), portal tributary blood flow (5.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 8.7 +/- 0.5 ml.min-1.100 g-1) and cardiac index (40.8 +/- 2.3 vs. 50.6 +/- 1.5 ml.min-1.100 g-1) were significantly lower in colchicine-treated rats than in placebo treated animals. In conclusion, in rats with bile duct ligation, colchicine limits the severity of liver lesions and, consequently, of portal hypertension and hyperkinetic syndrome.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

[Bone marrow necrosis in malignant hemopathies. 7 cases].

The authors report 7 cases of bone marrow necrosis during hematological malignant diseases:3 leukemia, 4 lymphoid malignancies. The main clinical features were bone pain and fever. The bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy allow diagnosis. The prognosis was in all cases very poor.

Bone Marrow↗
PubMed1993

Activation of nuclear protooncogenes and alpha-fetoprotein gene in rat liver during the acute inflammatory reaction.

Nuclear protooncogene and alpha-fetoprotein gene expression is stimulated in hepatocytes during liver regeneration and by various growth factors in vitro. Metabolic adaptation of hepatocytes has been implicated in such gene reprogrammation. We examine here whether induction of an acute inflammation, a physiological situation of important metabolic adjustments, also triggers activation of nuclear oncogenes and of the AFP gene in rat liver. C-fos, c-jun and c-myc mRNA accumulated on Northern blots between 4-12 h of inflammation and the steady-state level of two small alpha-fetoprotein transcripts characteristic of the adult liver increased at 4 h and 24 h of inflammation. In situ hybridization showed accumulation of the mRNA of the four genes studied in all hepatocytes, without any zonal lobular heterogeneity. 3H-histoautoradiography and mitotic counts indicated an inhibition of DNA synthesis and mitosis, prolonged for at least 48 h after inflammation. Thus acute inflammation triggers the activation of nuclear protooncogenes and alpha-feto-protein gene in hepatocytes, but this activation is not followed by passage into the replicative cycle.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1993

Growth and differentiation of rabbit tracheal outgrowths in primary cultures: influence of substrata.

We show that in rabbit tracheal outgrowths, ciliated cells can express an affinity for the isolectin BSI-B4, known to preferentially bind to basal cells. In multi-layered outgrowths grown on a thick collagen gel, a low percentage of ciliated cells are labelled by BSI-B4. This percentage increases with the aging of cultures. In monolayers developed on thin coatings of collagen or matrigel, a high percentage of ciliated cells show affinity for BSI-B4, even within young cultures.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Parenchymal innervation of normal and cirrhotic human liver: a light and electron microscopic study using monoclonal antibodies against the neural cell-adhesion molecule.

Hepatic innervation participates in the control of sinusoidal blood flow and in the regulation of certain metabolic functions of the liver. The study of the distribution of hepatic nerves has been hampered by the lack of adequate markers. We therefore tested the value of the neural cell-adhesion molecule (NCAM) as a probe for the study of parenchymal nerves in the normal and cirrhotic human liver. Four antibodies against various epitopes of NCAM were tested by light and electron microscopic immunohistochemistry: Leu19, ERIC-1, VC1.1, and HNK-1. Their reactivity was compared with that of antibodies against the following neural cell markers: S100 protein, neurofilaments, and neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The tissue reactivity of anti-NCAM antibodies was variable, suggesting a microheterogeneity of the NCAM molecule in the normal liver. Clones Leu19 and ERIC-1 proved to be the most sensitive of the anti-NCAM antibodies. Their sensitivity was superior to that of the antibodies directed against the other neural cell markers tested. In the normal liver, both Leu19 and ERIC-1 demonstrated a heterogeneous distribution of nerve fibers inside the hepatic lobule. Intralobular nerve fibers predominated in Zone 1. This might contribute to the constitution of distinct zonal microenvironments inside the hepatic lobule. In cirrhosis, no nerve fiber was detected inside parenchymal nodules; no nerve plexus was visible at the contact of proliferating neoductules. These alterations might contribute to the pathogenesis of the hemodynamic and metabolic disorders observed in cirrhosis.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗