Biomedical subjects

B Polack

Publications and source records attributed to B Polack.

75 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Thrombin: a multifunctional enzyme].

Thrombin is the final enzyme of blood coagulation cascade. It belongs to the trypsin family of serine proteases. Its two primary actions are to cleave fibrinogen to release fibrin and to activate platelets through a limited proteolysis of a specific receptor. In addition, thrombin is the major regulator of blood coagulation. It is both a procoagulant enzyme in the activation of factors V and VIII, and an anticoagulant enzyme through the activation of protein C and TAFI. This multi-functionality of thrombin depends upon the conformation of its active site: depth for high specificity and shape for a finely tuned selection of substrates. Since new anticoagulant molecules, some with anti-thrombin activity, are emerging, it is important to understand the mechanisms allowing thrombin to be so specifically multifunctional.

Anticoagulants↗

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

[Focalized matrix proteolysis and inflammation].

The zinc metalloproteinases (MMPs or matrixins) are capable of damaging most of the constituents of the extra-cellular matrix and the basement membrane. The matrix proteolysis is the result of an imbalance both in the turnover of these constituants and in the ratio of the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) versus metalloproteinases. After a brief description of the nature and structure of MMPs and TIMPs, this article reports on recent progress concerning the intra and extra-cellular activation mechanisms of proenzymes (proMMPs) which bring into play a series of proteolytic activations involving different proteinase families. Two points are stressed: 1) the main sites of focalized matrix proteolysis regulation, illustrated in the cellular interaction of inflammation, and 2) the wide phenotypic variety of MMPs and TIMPs.

Amino Acid Sequence↗