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Biomedical subjects

C Adam

Publications and source records attributed to C Adam.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Twin delivery: influence of the presentation and method of delivery on the second twin.

To ascertain the perinatal mortality and morbidity in the second twin as related to its presentation and method of delivery, we reviewed the data on 578 sets of twins delivered from 1980 to 1987 and included 397 sets in whom both twins were greater than or equal to 1000 gm, without lethal anomalies, and in whom the first twin presented as a vertex. The perinatal outcome comparing twin A (all vertex) with twin B (vertex or nonvertex) with cesarean section or vaginal delivery was analyzed. No statistically significant difference in perinatal mortality or morbidity was found in comparing the nonvertex second twin delivered vaginally or by cesarean section. The one perinatal death and significant perinatal morbidity occurred in infants weighing less than 1500 gm or at less than 32 weeks' gestational age. It is concluded that vaginal delivery, irrespective of the position of the second twin, is valid in selected cases as long as fetal weight is greater than 1500 gm and the gestational age is greater than or equal to 32 weeks.

Birth Order↗
PubMed1990

[Clinical application of grafts of cultured epidermis in burn patients. Apropos of 16 patients].

The authors report a series of 16 patients with extensive burns partially treated by epidermal culture between May 1985 and July 1988. This series consisted of 9 males and 7 females between the ages of 6 and 88 years (mean age: 34 years). The mean surface area of the burns was 66% (range: 30% to 92%). The technique of epidermis culture used was derived from that developed by Green and Rheinwald. A fragment of full-thickness skin taken from the patient was subjected to the action of trypsin. The keratinocytes were cultured on nutrient layers of 3T3 cells. After 10 days, the secondary cultures corresponded to stratified squamous epithelium with a differentiation similar to that of normal human epithelium. This cultured epithelium was used for autografts as well as allografts. Three deaths were related to septic or metabolic complications of the burn. The take rate of the initial graft was greater than 50% in 9 patients. In 3 patients the graft take rate was less than 50% and in 4 patients it was nil. The long-term evaluation of 12 patients revealed partial lysis of the grafts in 3 patients, a stable result in 6 patients and a healed surface greater than the grafted surface in three cases. The best results were obtained with autografts. The initial evaluation of taking of the graft is difficult, as the fine and shiny texture of the grafts is sometimes difficult to distinguish from non-covered zones. The good tolerance of cultured epidermis allografts is due to the fact that they are devoid of Langerhans cells. Although controversial, the reality of the taking of these allografts opens the way to establishing epidermis culture banks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

An estimate on the frequency of duplicated haplotypes and silent alleles of human C4 protein polymorphism. I. Investigations in healthy Caucasoid families.

The frequency of duplicated and non-expressed C4 alleles was determined by segregation analysis in 31 German and five French families with altogether 274 individuals by submitting the complete data from C4 protein phenotyping, including C4 beta chains, and the other classical MHC markers to the family analysis programme (FAP). From 120 unrelated German haplotypes the following frequencies were derived for silent alleles: C4A*Q0 0.2000, C4B*Q0 0.2083, and for the total of homo- and heteroduplicated C4A resp. C4B alleles: C4"DA"* 0.1333, C4"DB"* 0.1000. The true occurrence of the duplicated C4A*2, "DB*21" haplotype, first observed in French families, was found to be 0.0250 in the German sample. While the frequency of duplicated C4 haplotypes confirms earlier estimates, the increase in the frequency of silent alleles corresponds to those assumed from investigations at the DNA level. The results demonstrate classical protein typing with inclusion of C4 beta chain types to be an indispensable and powerful tool for haplotype recognition; they support the hypothesis that deletion at one C4 locus is accompanied by duplication at the other in a majority of haplotypes.

Alleles↗
PubMed1986

[Dengue 2 in eastern Senegal: serologic survey in simian and human populations. 1974-85].

After the previously reported isolations of dengue 2 virus in eastern Senegal in 1974 and 1981-1982, a retrospective serological study on simian and human populations was carried out in the same area. We investigated 1,095 simian sera collected at regular intervals between 1974 and 1984 from wild caught monkeys and 1,783 human sera from young children less than 11 years old collected during punctual surveys after the rainy season from 1976 to 1985. Sera were tested using HAI test, CF test and for someone's ELISA for specific IgM antibodies. Serological data from monkeys corroborated the virus isolations and demonstrated the existence of two epizootics in 1974-1975 and 1981-1982. No CF antibodies were detected in children sera up to 1981 epizootic when about 11% of tested sera showed a probable infection by dengue 2 virus, no clinical dengue infections were notified by the medical staff. After 1982, serological results showed that the virus maintained in the same area until 1985. The mechanism of the circulation of dengue 2 virus in eastern Senegal is discussed on the basis of these serological results.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Gram-negative bacilli resistant to third-generation cephalosporins: beta-lactamase characterization and susceptibility to Sch 34343.

We studied 192 recent clinical isolates, comprising six species of Gram-negative bacilli resistant either to cefotaxime or latamoxef (Moxalactam), from several hospitals. All isolates were resistant to several other third-generation cephalosporins or a monobactam. Two to five types of chromosomal beta-lactamases, as defined by isoelectric focusing, were readily identified in each species. Isolates of Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Serratia produced higher levels of chromosomal beta-lactamase than corresponding cefotaxime-susceptible strains. In addition, 20 of 57 produced one or two plasmid-determined beta-lactamases, TEM-1, OXA-2, or a novel enzyme, OHIO-1. The penem and carbapenem antibiotics, Sch 34343 and imipenem, were more active than cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, latamoxef and aztreonam against isolates of Acinetobacter, Citrobacter, Ent. aerogenes, Ent. cloacae and Morganella, whereas imipenem, ceftazidime, and aztreonam were more active against Serratia isolates. The addition of plasmid-determined beta-lactamase increased resistance to piperacillin, cefoperazone and cefamandole but not to cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, latamoxef, aztreonam, Sch 34343, or imipenem. Of 24 strains susceptible to aminoglycosides, none produced a plasmid-determined beta-lactamase, whereas 20 were found among the 33 strains resistant to aminoglycosides. Resistance of clinical isolates to newer beta-lactams appears to be due primarily to a high level of chromosomal cephalosporinase present without inducing agents. The plasmid-determined beta-lactamases, TEM-1 and OHIO-1, contributed little to resistance to most of the newer beta-lactams but were strongly associated with aminoglycoside resistance in these selected isolates. The greater in-vitro efficacy of the penem and carbapenem antibiotics, Sch 34343 and imipenem, against most of these isolates makes them promising candidates as first line agents against these pathogens.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed1985

Evaluation of the in-vitro antibacterial activity of Sch 34343.

The in-vitro activity (as measured by geometric mean MICs, mg/l) of Sch 34343 against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was compared with that of 14 other selected beta-lactam antibiotics including aztreonam, latamoxef (moxalactam), ceftazidime and imipenem. Sch 34343 had good activity (less than 2 mg/l) against most Gram-negative aerobic bacteria whether or not they contained high levels of plasmid-mediated or chromosomally-mediated beta-lactamases. It was slightly less potent against strains of Morganella and Serratia (less than 4 mg/l) and inactive against Pseudomonas (greater than 64 mg/l). A very small inoculum effect was observed against strains containing beta-lactamases indicating stability. Unlike the third-generation cephalosporins, Sch 34343 had excellent activity (less than or equal to 0.18 mg/l) against staphylococci, comparable to that of imipenem and ampicillin. While Sch 34343 had equally good potency (0.17 mg/l) against penicillinase-positive staphylococci, it was inactive against methicillin-resistant staphylococci (greater than or equal to 35 mg/l). Sch 34343 also had good activity against streptococci. The most unusual aspect of the in-vitro activity was its activity against Bacteroides (including Bact. fragilis) and other anaerobes. Sch 34343 had mean MICs less than or equal to mg/l for all Bacteroides and Clostridium spp. tested except CI. difficile (3.4 mg/l).

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1979

Circulating immune complexes and C3d in human parasitosis.

Using the Raji cell radioimmune assay, we found low levels of circulating immune complexes (IC) in a small percentage of patients with schistosomiasis and filariasis. C3d levels, measured by immunoprecipitation, were elevated in a large number of these patients, whereas complement levels were within normal limits. Proteinuria was not found in any of the 55 patients studied. Circulating IC or elevated C3d levels were not found in any of the 19 patients with hydatidosis. The increased C3d levels, apparently not related to circulating IC, may be due to direct complement activation by parasite antigens or to sequestered IC. The latter hypothesis appears more attractive because the highest levels of C3d were found in schistosomiasis whereas schistosome antigens were unable to activate complement in vitro.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1977

A study of the material inhibiting EAC-rosette formation in the sera of patients with nephropathies.

Significant levels of EAC-rosette inhibition compared to control subjects were found in the sera of patients with focal and segmental hyalinosis (FSH), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and extra-membranous glomerulonephritis (EGN). In patients with IgA disease, although some sera produced high levels of inhibition, the group as a whole did not differ significantly from the controls. Evidence was obtained suggesting that the rosette inhibitory activity was due to immune complexes (IC) bearing C3 rather than C3 fragments. Firstly, the inhibitory activity was precipitable by 4% PEG, a concentration which does not precipitate the C3 fragments. Secondly, the inhibitory activity was selectively removed from the PEG precipitates by an anti-human immunoglobulin G immunoabsorbent. Finally, since it had been suggested that in some instances an unknown serum factor could inhibit EAC-rosette formation and activation of the alternative pathway of complement, the latter was studied and found to be normal in all the sera studied. Taken together, these results suggest that the inhibition of EAC-rosette formation obtained with the sera of the patients studied was due to the presence in these sera of some material behaving as IC. No clear-cut association was, however, seen between rosette inhibition and the presence or absence of Ig or C3 deposits in the kidney.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

"Topical nephropathy" and "tropical extramembranous glomerulonephritis" of unknown aetiology in Senegal.

A study of renal biopsy specimens obtained in Senegal from 24 children and six adults with nephrotic syndrome showed two unusual varieties of nephropathy--namely, an extramembranous glomerulonephritis associated with hypocomplementaemia (four cases), a combination previously described only in systemic lupus erythematosus, and a "tropical nephropathy" (16 cases). The latter, though lacking the diffuse glomerular deposits of immunoglobulin described in quartan malarial nephropathy (Q.M.N.), showed a curious progressive and segmental glomerulosclerosis, characterized by a "flaking" or fibrillary splitting of the glomerular capillary wall, seen in Q.M.N. Serological evidence of malaria was lacking in a third of the childhood cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Mechanisms of activation of the properdin system. Studies on properdin electrophoretic mobility in agarose activation of the alternative pathway.

The electrophoretic mobility of properdin in agarose with and without EDTA examined in sera from normal subjects and from patients with mesangiocapillary glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, mesangial IgG-IgA disease, minimal change glomerulonephritis and partial lipodystrophy. In 'EDTA agarose", the properdin arc of normal serum was always cathodal (gamma), whereas in non-EDTA agarose it was always (beta), indicating that agarose activated properdin with its consequent conversion from a cathodal to an anodal form. Using this change in the mobility of properdin to investigate activation of the properdin system, it was found that the lower the C3 concentration of diseased sera, the less able were they to support properdin conversion by non-EDTA agarose. This relationship we interpret as a manifestation of the requirement of an intact C3b feedback pathway for properdin activation. This view was supported experimentally by (i) decreasing ability of non-EDTA agarose to shift properdin mobility in normal serum as it was progressively depleted of components of the alternative pathway by cobra venom factor, C3 nehritic factor or Mg2+, and (ii) the inability of non-EDTA agarose to shift properdin in sera depleted of C3 or factor B, and in serum deficient in C3. The report of other workers that activated properdin causes generation of C3b, coupled with our finding that properdin activation depends on the C3b feedback, indicates that a system exists in which activation of the C3b feedback cycle allows activation of properdin, allowing in turn further amplification of the C3b feedback. That the anodal form of properdin may be a property of activated properdin was shown by our observations that properdin eluted from zymosan was anodal and activated, and that the properdin in the supernatant normal serum incubated with inulin was anodal.

Complement C3↗