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Biomedical subjects

A Proust

Publications and source records attributed to A Proust.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Investigation of the reactivity of arylamines, organo-hydrazines and tolylisocyanate towards [PW12-xMxO40]n- Keggin anions.

Reaction of K7[A,alpha-PW9Mo2O39] with Na2MoO4.2H2O in a mixture of water/dioxane/hydrochloric acid and further precipitation with (Bu4N)Br provided (Bu4N)3[A,alpha-PW9Mo3O40](3). Analogous reaction with K7-xNax[alpha-PW11O39] is an alternative to the synthesis of (Bu4N)3[alpha-PW11O39{MoVIO}]2. Multinuclear NMR and ESI mass spectrometry have been used to interpret the reaction of (Bu4N)x[alpha-PW11O39{ReO}](x=3 1; x=4 1I), (Bu4N)x[alpha-PW11O39{MoO}](x=3 2; x=4 2I) and (Bu4N)3[A,alpha-PW9Mo3O40]3 by organohydrazines, arylamines, tolylisocyanate and tetraphenylphosphine imide.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

Synthesis, characterization, and photochemical behavior of {Ru(arene)}2+ derivatives of alpha-[PW11O39]7-: an organometallic way to ruthenium-substituted heteropolytungstates.

Reaction of [Ru(arene)Cl(2)](2) (arene = benzene, toluene, p-cymene, hexamethylbenzene) with K(7)[PW(11)O(39)].14H(2)O provided two series of organometallic derivatives of heteropolytungstates: type-1 and type-2 complexes of general formulas [PW(11)O(39){Ru(arene)(H(2)O)}](5-) and [{PW(11)O(39){Ru(arene)}}(2){WO(2)}](8-), respectively. All compounds were characterized by infrared and multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (183)W) spectroscopies. The crystal structures of Na(4)K(4)[{PW(11)O(39){Ru(benzene)}}(2){WO(2)}].6H(2)O (NaK-2a.6H(2)O), K(7)H[{PW(11)O(39){Ru(toluene)}}(2){WO(2)}].4H(2)O (K-2b.4H(2)O), and Cs(3)K(2)[PW(11)O(39){Ru(p-cymene)(H(2)O)}].4H(2)O (CsK-1c.4H(2)O) were obtained and revealed that the {Ru(arene)} fragment is supported on the oxometallic framework. Photochemical reactivity of [PW(11)O(39){Ru(arene)(H(2)O)}](5-) (arene = toluene, p-cymene) in the presence of various ligands L (L = H(2)O, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetramethylene sulfoxide, and diphenyl sulfoxide) was investigated, and led to the formation of [PW(11)O(39){Ru(L)}](5-), in which the ruthenium is incorporated into the lacunary [PW(11)O(39)](7-) anion.

Journal Article↗

No evidence for association between 1858 C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism of PTPN22 gene and primary Sjögren's syndrome.

One-third of first-degree relatives of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) suffer from other autoimmune diseases, including type I diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune thyroiditis. Recently, 1858 C/T polymorphism of PTPN22 gene was reported to predispose to these autoimmune diseases. We decided to investigate whether PTPN22 gene polymorphism was also involved in the genetic predisposition to pSS in a case-control study, including 183 patients with pSS and 172 healthy controls. No significant differences in allele (T allele frequency: 7.7% in patients with pSS vs 7.8% in controls, P=0.9) and genotype frequencies of PTPN22 polymorphism were detected between patients with pSS and controls. PTPN 22 gene polymorphism was not associated with a specific pattern of autoantibody secretion either. Thus, 1858 C/T polymorphism of PTPN22 gene is not involved in genetic predisposition to pSS.

Autoantibodies↗

Different impacts of alleles alphaLEPRA and alphaLELY as assessed versus a novel, virtually null allele of the SPTA1 gene in trans.

The family of two siblings with severe hereditary spherocytosis was investigated. The decrease was evident on both the alpha- and the beta-chains. The parents were haematologically normal. The mother was heterozygous for the low-expression polymorphic allele alphaLEPRA. The father was heterozygous for a novel combination in which one allele showed the alpha-spectrin low expression polymorphic allele alphaLELY, while his other allele showed the alphaLELY polymorphism in cis with a G-->A substitution, named Bicêtre, found at the extreme 3' end of exon 51. This combination was designated alpha(LELY-Bicêtre). The children were compound heterozygotes for alleles alphaLEPRA and alpha(LELY-Bicêtre). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction detected only trace amounts of the mRNA coding for alpha(LELY-Bicêtre). Mutation is therefore an essentially null mutation with no functional protein product. The lack of disease in the alphaLELY/(LELY-Bicêtre) father compared with the marked haemolysis in the alphaLEPRA/alpha(LELY-Bicêtre) children showed that expression of allele alphaLELY is not low enough to expose null alpha-spectrin alleles on the other chromosome. Quantitative estimations from these findings suggest that, to evoke spherocytosis, it is necessary that alpha-spectrin expression must be reduced to less than 25% of normal, while a reduction to 8% is sufficient.

Alleles↗

Education and self-management: a one-year randomized trial in stable adult asthmatic patients.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the effects of an educational program in asthmatic patients, following treatment readjustment. METHODS: moderate to severe asthmatic adults underwent a run-in period (up to 45 days) in order to optimize their treatment. Patients were then randomized to an educational or control group over a one-year period. Education consisted of five individual sessions covering: pathophysiology of asthma, role of medication and side-effects, asthma triggers and their avoidance, detection of an asthma flare-up, and self-management plan based on symptoms and peak-flow monitoring. MAIN OUTCOME CRITERION: symptom-free days over the study period (SFD). RESULTS: a total of 72 patients were enrolled (36 in the "education group" and 36 in the "control group"), 54 of whom completed the study. Mean SFD was comparable in the two groups (88% in the education group and 89% in the control group, respectively). When the analysis was restricted to the education group, those patients who complied perfectly with the action plan (n = 5) exhibited a higher SFD, compared to the others (97% vs. 87%, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: both education and control groups showed high and comparable percentages of SFD. Compliance with self-management plans appears to be an important determining factor in educational programs.

Adolescent↗

Interplay of cubic building blocks in (et6-arene)ruthenium-containing tungsten and molybdenum oxides.

A series of molybdenum and tungsten organometallic oxides containing [Ru(arene)]2+ units (arene =p-cymene, C6Me6) was obtained by condensation of [[Ru(arene)Cl2]2] with oxomolybdates and oxotungstates in aqueous or nonaqueous solvents. The crystal structures of [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6]]4W4O16], [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr]]4W2O10], [[[Ru-(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2(mu-OH)3]2][[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2W8O28(OH)2[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2], and [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) have been determined. While the windmill-type clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)]4(MO3)4(mu3-O)4] (M = Mo, W; arene =p-MeC6H4iPr, C6Me6), the face-sharing double cubane-type cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4(WO2)2(mu3-O)4(mu4-O)2], and the dimeric cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(WO3)3(mu3-O)3(mu3-OH)Ru(eta6-pMeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2(mu-WO2)2]2- are based on cubane-like units, [(Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) are more properly described as lacunary Lindqvist-type polyoxoanions supporting three ruthenium centers. Precubane clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)](MO3)2(mu-O)3(mu3-O)]6- are possible intermediates in the formation of these clusters. The cluster structures are retained in solution, except for [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4Mo4O16], which isomerizes to the triple-cubane form.

Journal Article↗

Merging organometallic chemistry with polyoxometalate chemistry

A series of polyoxomolybdate-incorporated organometallic complexes has been obtained by reaction of [MBr(CO)5] or solvated M(CO)3+ ions (M = Mn or Br) with (nBu4N)2[Mo2O7] in methanol, sometimes in the presence of triols of the type RC(CH2OH)3 (R = Me or CH2OH). Their molecular structures are related to those of previously described polyoxoalkoxomolybdates through the formal replacement of fac-MoO2(OR)+ units by topologically equivalent fac-M(CO)3+ units. Representative pairs of structurally related clusters include [Mo2O6(OMe)4-Re(CO)32]2- and [Mo4O10(OMe)6]2-, [Mo2O4MeC(CH2O)32Mn(CO)3]- and [Mo3O6(OMe)MeC(CH2O)32]-, [Mo2O4HOCH2C(CH2O)32Mn(CO)32] and [Mo4O8(OEt)2MeC(CH2O)32], [Mo6O16(OMe)2MeC(CH2O)32-Mn(CO)32]2- and [Mo8O20(OMe)4-MeC(CH2O)32]2-. Although the frameworks of the majority of derivatives are based on tetranuclear units which display the common rhomb-like structure, the alternative cubane-type arrangement is observed in [Mo2O5(OMe)5M(CO)32]-.

Journal Article↗

[Pathology of gestational trophoblastic tumors].

Gestational trophoblastic tumours result from an abnormal proliferation of different types of trophoblasts. The morphological pattern, together with the immunohistochemical aspect, the cytogenetic data and the clinical profile, helps identify each pathological entity. Hydatiform moles represent malformed placentas caused by genetic aberrations of the villous trophoblast. A complete hydatiform mole displays an hydropic degeneration of all the chorionic villi with a more or less marked proliferation of trophoblasts. A partial hydatiform mole is made up of molar vesicles interspersed with normal chorionic villi. In an invasive hydatiform mole or chorioma destruens, molar vesicles penetrate the myometrium giving rise to a mass distorting the uterine wall. A choriocarcinoma is a malignant proliferation of atypical villous trophoblasts without villi formation. Necrosis, haemorrhage, vascular invasion and distant metastases strongly compromise its outcome. A trophoblastic implantation site tumor, clearly less frequent, results from a proliferation of extravillous trophoblasts, particular for their secretion of human placental lactogen hormone (hPL). This tumour, exceptionally malignant, should be differentiated from the exaggerated placental site and its variants. Except for the placental site trophoblastic tumour, and whatever the outcome (benign or malignant), all gestational trophoblastic tumours secrete the beta-subunit of the chorionic gonadotropic hormone (beta-hCG) more or less abundantly. The serum or urinary level of this unit is proportional to the tumour volume and represents a fundamental basis for the follow-up of these tumours. Multidisciplinary care of high-risk cases allows us to cure the disease, and helps the patient recover her reproductive uterine function.

Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human↗

Knowledge, self-management, compliance and quality of life in asthma: a cross-sectional study of the French version of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire.

The Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) is a well-validated instrument. Our objectives were to explore the cross-sectional validity of the French version, using usual outcomes of asthma, as well as assessment of knowledge of asthma, self-management and compliance. A self-administered version of the AQLQ was given to 124 consecutive patients recruited from two out-patient clinics and an emergency room in order to reflect a wide range of asthma severity. The other outcomes of asthma measured were the FEV1, patient-perceived asthma severity using a visual analogue scale, compliance, knowledge of asthma condition and self-management autonomy. Correlations were predicted before analysis ( r > 0.5, strong correlation, ++ r = 0.35-0.5, moderate correlation and + r = 0.20-0.35, fair correlation). The AQLQ scores correlated moderately to strongly with asthma severity and fairly with the pulmonary function results. Of the behavioural outcomes assessed, only knowledge of asthma correlated fairly with the AQLQ scores, as expected. This study of the French version of the AQLQ, while showing similar cross-sectional correlations with functional assessment and asthma severity to those observed with the original English version, suggested in addition a positive association between quality of life and knowledge of asthma.

Adult↗

Comparative efficacy of sparfloxacin in comparison with amoxycillin plus ofloxacin in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. French Study Group.

A prospective, placebo controlled double-blind, randomised study comparing oral sparfloxacin 200 mg once daily following a 400 mg loading dose on day 1 with an oral combination of amoxycillin 1 g tid plus ofloxacin 200 mg bid was conducted in 211 hospitalised patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Patients were included in the study if they were aged > 65 years or had failed a previous course of antibacterial therapy. The duration of treatment was 10 days. The overall efficacy rates for the sparfloxacin and amoxycillin plus ofloxacin treatment groups were 91.9% and 81.5%, respectively, in evaluable patients at the end of treatment. Age or prior failure of antibacterial therapy did not affect the overall success rate of sparfloxacin. The safety profile of sparfloxacin was similar to that of the antibacterial combination. This study demonstrated that sparfloxacin given once daily is a suitable therapy for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly or in patients with failure of previous antibiotic therapy.

Administration, Oral↗

Enhanced modifications of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) by endothelial cells from smokers: a possible mechanism of smoking-related atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate LDL modifications by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) from women smokers and non-smokers. METHODS: Modifications of LDL by HUVEC were studied by determining the values of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the percentage of the most electronegative oxidized LDL fraction (fraction C) by using an ion-exchange chromatographic method based on fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). We also studied the cellular production of superoxide anion, the effect of various inhibitors and cysteine, and determined total intracellular glutathione content and cell growth. RESULTS: LDL exposed to HUVEC from smokers for 48 h showed significantly greater modifications than LDL exposed to HUVEC from non-smokers, as assessed by TBARS determination (19.4 +/- 1.2, mean +/- s.e.m., n = 20 versus 15.4 +/- 0.7 nmol/mg LDL, n = 19; P < 0.01) and by FPLC (percentage of fraction C: 39 +/- 7, n = 29 versus 14 +/- 3, n = 34; P < 0.001). Moreover, HUVEC from smokers produced significantly more superoxide anion than those from non-smokers (0.46 +/- 0.13 nmol/10(5) cell/min, n = 9 versus 0.22 +/- 0.05, n = 10; P < 0.05). Superoxide production, like cell-induced modification of LDL, was strongly dependent on the presence of cysteine in the medium. Furthermore, HUVEC from smokers had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher total intracellular glutathione content than those from non-smokers (39.9 +/- 3.1 nmol/mg, n = 9 versus 31.8 +/- 2.2, n = 7). Finally, HUVEC from smokers and non-smokers showed similar growth at 48 h. CONCLUSION: HUVEC from smokers converted significantly more LDL into an atherogenic form than HUVEC from non-smokers, a phenomenon that was not due to altered cell growth. HUVEC-mediated LDL modifications were strongly thiol-dependent, as both LDL modifications and superoxide anion production were inhibited in cysteine-free medium. Stimulation of cystine uptake by HUVEC, reflected by the enhanced total glutathione content, could account for the enhanced superoxide anion production. All these observations may be relevant to the pathophysiology of smoking-related cardiovascular disease.

Adult↗

[Transabdominal amnio-infusion facilitates external version maneuver after initial failure. Six successful attempts].

External version was successful after initial failure in 6 cases after transabdominal amnio-infusion. Filling the uterine cavity by amnio-infusion with 700 to 900 ml saline solution at 37 degrees C facilitated cephalic presentation in these 6 cases. In each case, a prior version attempt had been unsuccessful. Amnio-infusion was performed under continuous sonographic monitoring before a second attempt the next day. The clinical situation was different in the 6 cases which all terminated by normal cephalic delivery. Two patients were first parity, another has a single uterine scar, 3 had a normal pelvis (Magnin > 23), one a narrow pelvis (Magnin = 22.7) and 2 had a pelvis considered pathological (Magnin < 22). The main goal of this preliminary study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this new indication for transabdominal amnio-infusion. This new indication should be evaluated by several clinical trials, but it would new appear reasonable to propose transabdominal amnio-infusion in patients with a pathological pelvis and/or a single cicatricial uterus.

Adult↗

[Ethnic predisposition of the severity of HELLP syndrome. Retrospective study of 12 cases including 5 during post-partum].

HELLP syndrome is characterized by association of haemolysis (H), elevated liver enzymes (EL), and low platelets (LP). From 1989 to 1991, we studied retrospectively 12 cases of HELLP syndrome cases that occurred during the third trimester for 7 cases and during post-partum for 5 cases. 83% of patients (10/12) were black people (African or Creole). The most frequent sign of HELLP syndrome during pre- and post-partum was epigastric or dorsal pain, present in 91% of the cases (11/12) and in all cases of preeclampsia. Aggressive treatment was always performed, leading to 12 births: 7 of the 12 children were hypotrophic for gestational age. There were no maternal or neonatal deaths. Post-partum HELLP syndrome occurred 28.8 hours (mean) after delivery. Whether HELLP syndrome occurred during pre- or post-partum, laboratory findings returned to normal levels after equivalent delays: platelets 57 hours, ASAT 68 hours and ALAT 65 hours.

Adult↗

Peripheral pulmonary lesions: ultrasonic features and ultrasonically guided fine needle aspiration biopsy.

When transthoracic biopsy is required for diagnosing lung diseases, radiographic procedures are the methods of choice, sonographic application being still limited. Sixty-four consecutive patients with pulmonary lesions adjacent to the chest wall underwent sonography. Findings showed hypoechoic homogeneous lesions (56 cases) with posterior regular margin (57 cases). Increasing echoes deep to the mass and sonographic interruption of hyperechoic surface were seen in all patients. In two cases, chest wall invasion had been diagnosed. Histologic diagnosis was made in 55 of the 64 patients (85.9%). Two pneumothoraces occurred. Sonography is a useful, accurate, and safe technique for diagnosing selected pulmonary lesions.

Adult↗

[Treatment with methotrexate of 4 interstitial, unruptured pregnancies].

Successful treatment of four, non ruptured, cases of interstitial pregnancy are reported. Treatment consisted of in situ injection of methotrexate during coelioscopy. Dosage was 1.5 mg methotrexate per kilogram body weight. Negative plasma beta hCG levels were obtained 9 to 22 days after conservative medical treatment. No clinical or biochemical side effects were observed. Of two patients had no radiologically demonstrable cornual abnormality on the hysterosalpingographies effected at the 3 months evaluation after ascertained interstitial pregnancy, one have normal pregnancy. Two further patients had normal uneventful pregnancies 12 to 15 months later. Treatment of interstitial pregnancy by way of one in situ injection of methotrexate seems to be the currently preferred alternative to classical surgery.

Adult↗

[Towards another diagnostic approach of peripheral pulmonary masses. Ultrasound-guided puncture].

In a series of 50 patients with lung lesions touching the thoracic wall, percutaneous ultrasonically guided needle aspiration yielded a pathological diagnosis in 44 cases (sensitivity: 88%). The histological diagnosis of malignant lesion could be confirmed in 41 of these 44 patients. In this group of patients with neoplasia the diagnosis obtained by extemporaneous cytology was compared with that obtained by lung biopsy: the diagnostic sensitivity of cytology proved to be higher than that of biopsy (86.36% and 65.90% respectively). Using the two methods concomitantly increased sensitivity up to 93.18%. A pathological diagnosis could be obtained in 3 out of the 6 patients in this series who had benign lesions.

Adult↗

[Towards another diagnostic approach of peripheral pulmonary masses in pneumology: ultrasonically guided needle puncture].

In a series of 50 patients with lung lesions touching the thoracic wall, percutaneous ultrasonically guided needle aspiration yielded a pathological diagnosis in 44 cases (sensitivity: 88%). The histological diagnosis of malignant lesion could be confirmed in 41 of these 44 patients. In this group of patients with neoplasia the diagnosis obtained by extemporaneous cytotology was compared with that obtained by lung biopsy: the diagnostic sensitivity of cytology proved to be higher than that of biopsy (86.36% and 65.90% respectively). Using the two methods concomitantly increased sensitivity up to 93.18%. A pathological diagnosis could be obtained in 3 out of the 6 patients in this series who had benign lesions. No bleeding was observed, and there was only one complication: a partial pneumothorax not requiring drainage which was detected by ultrasonography and confirmed by radiography. Thus, ultrasonically guided needle aspiration of lesions adjacent to the thoracic wall appears to be an efficient and reliable diagnostic method. Lack of irradiation, real-time guidance, low cost, high sensitivity and easily available equipment are as many reasons to prefer this method to other interventional radiology methods in patients with peripheral lung masses detectable by ultrasounds.

Adult↗