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Biomedical subjects

C Gervais

Publications and source records attributed to C Gervais.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

[Direct detection of toxoplasma in the aqueous humor by gene amplification].

For immunocompetent patients, ocular toxoplasmosis is the most frequent infectious cause of chorioretinal inflammation. Nowadays, the laboratory diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis requires serological tests and anterior chamber puncture to detect the local production of specific antibodies. The authors describe a new technique to detect toxoplasma in aqueous humor by a polymerase chain reaction in which the target is a 88 bp specific rDNA fragment. 31 patients were concerned (23 highly suspect of ocular toxoplasmosis and 8 controls). The presence of the parasite in aqueous humor was found in 7 cases. No false positive was detected. The sensitivity of the test is reduced by the poor volume of the sample. The combination of this technique with Desmont's coefficient gives a better positive predictive value. We emphasize the pathophysiological value of this technique by suggesting the presence of tachizoites in the anterior chamber. According to our knowledge, this finding has never been demonstrated. In the future, this should be a very promising technique for the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Serum amyloid A protein-related mRNA expression in herpes simplex virus type 2-transformed hamster cells.

A nearly full-length cDNA very similar to murine serum amyloid A protein was cloned from herpes simplex virus type 2-transformed hamster cells. The expression of mRNA was constitutive in these cells and could be superinduced by conditioned medium. Higher rates of nuclear runoff transcription in transformed and induced cells indicated some regulation at the transcriptional level.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Identification of a proliferation-related transcript with an elevated expression in the mid-gestation mouse embryo.

Polyadenylated RNA enriched in transformation specific sequences from hamster embryo fibroblast cells transformed by HSV-2 was used to construct a cDNA library. A cDNA clone (pKG4) contained a sequence which was upregulated in HSV-2 transformed cells and also in fibroblastic cell lines transformed by SV40 and 3-methylcholanthrene. The expression of the KG4 sequences in HSV-2-transformed cells was found to be modulated by the growth state of the cells. In confluent cells its level was reduced 5-times compared to the homologous RNAs from exponentially growing cells. Expression of the KG4 sequence was also examined in mouse embryos from day 8 onwards and in adult tissues. During development, KG4 is expressed at all times examined. However, there is a dramatic increase in expression on day 11. In adult tissues, a low and variable level of expression was observed. These findings suggest that the KG4 sequence is related to cellular proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Thaumetopoea pityocampa caterpillar and man. Morphology of its venom apparatus. Epidemiological investigation (author's transl)].

The combination of a mechanical phenomenon (penetration of the hair) and a chemical phenomenon (discharge of a toxic substance) accounts for the pathological symptomatalogy induced by the processional pine caterpillar. Epidemiological study has pin-pointed the regions infested by the pine caterpillar and has described in detail the dermatitis inflicted by this caterpillar with special emphasis on the frequency of ocular lesions. Also, a close correlation was noted between the geographical density of the populations of Thaumetopoea pityocampa Schiff and the geographical density of the clinical cases recorded. Skin tests have confirmed that the urticant substance is histamino-liberating. A morphological study of the urticant apparatus of this caterpillar ("mirror" and urticant hairs) was undertaken with the scanning electron microscope. The progressive coming into place of the bristles on the cuticular pads of the "mirror" was followed during the last three larval stages (L3, L4 et L5). The urticant hair, hollow on the inside, carries pointed spikes directed towards its distal end. There is no hole or pores on the hair and the necessity to grind the bristles in order to extract the urticant substance leads us to believe that the hair is really a bulb which must be broken, for example in the skin, in order to release its urticant substance (histamino-liberating).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Twenty-four-hour rhythm in the bronchial hyperreactivity to house dust in asthmatics.

Four subjects, 2 males (17 and 35 yr of age) and 2 females (24 and 47 yr of age) suffering from allergic asthma were studied for 10 days in allergen-shielded rooms and without medication. Synchronization of subjects to activity was by light on at 7 A.M. and sleep by light off at midnight. A single bronchial challenge to the threshold concentration of house dust, predetermined for each subject, was presented every other day at designated clock hours such that during a 10-day study span tests were presented at the following times: 8 A.M., 3 P.M., 7 P.M., and 11 P.M. The effect upon bronchial patency determined by FEV 1.0 15 min after house dust inhalation resulted in greatest effect at 11 P.M., while that at 8 A.M. resulted in least effect. The differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.025). Peak expiratory flow (PEF), self-measured at 3-hr intervals throughout the 10-day span, revealed practically no persistence of effect for inhalation of the house dust preparations at 8 A.M.; on the other hand, considerable persistence of effect on airway patency occurred from tests carried out at 11 P.M. The differences between the 24-hr rhythm-adjusted means (mesors) in the PEF for the (24-hr) spans following house dust inhalation at 8 A.M. and 11 P.M. were statistically significant (p less than 0.025) as well.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

[Toxic syndrome induced by neuroleptics: report of 7 cases].

Seven cases of malignant syndrom due to neuroleptic drugs are reported, three of them in patients receiving long-acting medication. The authors point out the seriousness of such accidents, two of seven cases leading to death. Clinical features consist mainly of hyperthermia which can be erroneously attributed to infectious disease. Muscular hypertonicity is often associated with hyperthermia. Tetanus was evoked for two patients. In the absence of satisfactory physiopathologic explanation, treatment is merely symptomatic, based on intensive care. So far, this type of accident has been little known; it was important to focus our attention on it.

Adult↗