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Biomedical subjects

C Gross

Publications and source records attributed to C Gross.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

High-frequency stimulation of the globus pallidus internalis in Parkinson's disease: a study of seven cases.

The effectiveness of ventroposterolateral pallidotomy in the treatment of akinesia and rigidity is not a new discovery and agrees with recent investigations into the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, which highlight the role played by the unbridled activity of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and the consequent overactivity of the globus pallidus internalis (GPi). Because high-frequency stimulation can reversibly incapacitate a nerve structure, we applied stimulation to the same target. Seven patients suffering from severe Parkinson's disease (Stages III-V on the Hoehn and Yahr scale) and, particularly, bradykinesia, rigidity, and levodopa-induced dyskinesias underwent unilateral electrode implantation in the posteroventral GPi. Follow-up evaluation using the regular Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale has been conducted for 1 year in all seven patients, 2 years in five of them, and 3 years in one. In all cases high-frequency stimulation has alleviated akinesia and rigidity and has generally improved gait and speech disturbances. In some cases tremor was attenuated. In a similar manner, the authors observed a marked diminution in levodopa-induced dyskinesias. This could be an excellent primary therapy for younger patients exhibiting severe bradykinesia, rigidity, and levodopa-induced dyskinesias, which would allow therapists to keep ventroposterolateral pallidotomy in reserve as a second weapon.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

High frequency stimulation of the internal Globus Pallidus (GPi) simultaneously improves parkinsonian symptoms and reduces the firing frequency of GPi neurons in the MPTP-treated monkey.

The firing pattern of the neurons of the internal Globus Pallidus (GPi) is greatly disturbed in Parkinson's disease. Surgical lesion or high frequency stimulation (HFS) of the GPi reduces parkinsonian rigidity and akinesia. We evaluated in this study the effects of HFS of the GPi on the firing pattern of its neurons. Extracellular recordings were carried out under three types of experimental conditions in rhesus monkeys, normal state, after MPTP treatment and during HFS of the GPi. After intracarotidian MPTP injection, the firing rate of GPi cells increased significantly. During HFS, MPTP-induced parkinsonian motor symptoms clearly improved correlatively with a significant decrease in the firing rate of GPi cells in the stimulated area. HFS restored a firing frequency similar to that in normal animals and, unexpectedly, did not completely block neuronal activity.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1996

Heat shock protein synthesis and trehalose accumulation are not required for induced thermotolerance in depressed Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Intrinsic and heat shock induced thermotolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated in cells grown on glucose and acetate supplemented media. Heat shocked cells (37 degrees C/30 min), in either medium, exhibited induced synthesis of heat shock proteins (hsp) and trehalose. In all cases, with the notable exception of repressed cells of a relatively thermosensitive strain, heat shock acquisition of thermotolerance also occurred in the absence of protein synthesis and coincident decrease in trehalose accumulation. Results indicted that the marked increase in thermotolerance exhibited by non-fermenting (acetate) cells compared with fermenting (glucose) cells was not closely correlated with levels of hsp or trehalose. It was concluded that mechanisms for intrinsic and induced thermotolerance appear to be different and that growth on acetate endows cells with a biochemical predisposition, other than hsp or trehalose, that confers intrinsic tolerance, a factor which may be subject to heat induced modification.

Acclimatization↗
PubMed1996

The effect of riluzole on post-traumatic spinal cord injury in the rat.

This study evaluated treatment with riluzole, a neuroprotective agent, following thoracic spinal cord compression in the rat. Animals received riluzole (2 mg kg-1) or vehicle twice daily for 10 days following the trauma. Motor deficits, somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and lesion histology were evaluated. Although paralysis was seen following trauma, seven of 10 animals receiving riluzole recovered motor function and nearly normal behaviour, unlike animals receiving vehicle. Trauma dramatically disturbed SEPs with falls in amplitude and increases in latency. After riluzole SEP returned towards pre-injury levels, while untreated animals showed no recovery. Morphological studies revealed significant (53%) reduction in the degree of spinal cord infarcted after riluzole treatment.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed1996

The presence of a polymorphism at the translation initiation site of the vitamin D receptor gene is associated with low bone mineral density in postmenopausal Mexican-American women.

We examined the association of bone mineral density (BMD) with a polymorphism in the gene encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR) that causes a change in the predicted protein sequence. The polymorphism results from a C-to-T transition and creates an initiation codon (ATG) three codons proximal to a downstream start site. The polymorphism can be defined by a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the restriction endonuclease FokI. The presence of a FokI site, designated f, allows protein translation to initiate from the first ATG. The allele lacking the site (designated F), initiates from a second ATG site. Thus, translation products from these alleles are predicted to differ by three amino acids with the f variant elongated. In a group of 100 postmenopausal Mexican-American Caucasian women, subjects with the ff genotype (15% of the study population) had a 12.8% lower BMD at the lumbar spine than FF subjects (37% of the population) (p = 0.01). Heterozygote (Ff) subjects (48% of the population) had an intermediate BMD. This association between BMD and genotype was not apparent at the femoral neck or forearm. Over a 2-year follow-up period, a decrease in BMD at the femoral neck was greater in ff compared with FF subjects (-4.7% vs. -0.5%, p = 0.005). This trend was not apparent at the lumbar spine or forearm. There were no differences between genotype groups in measurements of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), calcitriol, parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin, or urinary pyridinolines. We conclude that the FokI polymorphism of the VDR gene correlates significantly with decreased BMD at the lumbar spine and with an increased rate of bone loss at the hip in ff subjects. We emphasize that these initial data should be interpreted with caution but that the utility of this polymorphism as a genetic marker to determine BMD and osteoporosis risk warrants further study in larger populations with subjects of diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

Alleviation of experimental hemiparkinsonism by high-frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in primates: a comparison with L-Dopa treatment.

Experimental studies in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated monkeys have shown that akinesia and rigidity are linked to a hyperactivity of glutamatergic subthalamic nucleus neurons and that the lesion of this nucleus can ameliorate parkinsonian motor signs. In our study, high-frequency stimulation applied at the subthalamic level was performed on two Macaca mulatta monkeys rendered hemiparkinsonian by unilateral infusion of MPTP. Its effects on rigidity and bradykinesia have been quantified. The results exhibit an important alleviation of both symptoms during the application of subthalamic stimulation comparable to that obtained during L-Dopa treatment, but without the appearance of abnormal movements such hemiballism or dyskinesia. Our data show that subthalamic stimulation has a beneficial effect on experimental parkinsonian rigidity and bradykinesia and suggests a new therapy approach for the treatment of Parkinson's disease by using subthalamic high-frequency stimulation instead of L-Dopa treatment.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗
PubMed1996

Autologous tissue cardiac valve for aortic valve replacement: technical aspects and early results.

BACKGROUND: The known complications of heterograft bioprostheses and homograft valves have renewed the interest in the use of autologous material. A new technique to construct a tissue prosthesis for aortic valve replacement using the patient's pericardium harvested at the time of operation was developed. The glutaraldehyde-tanned pericardium is mounted on a stent requiring no suturing. Intraoperative testing assures adequate valve function. METHODS: The autologous tissue cardiac valve was implanted in 50 patients in the aortic position between March 1994 and May 1995. Echocardiograms were performed in all patients before hospital discharge, at 3 months (41 patients), and at the end of first postoperative year (12 patients). The mean age was 69.8 +/- 5 years (range, 58 to 82 years). Eighty-four percent of patients presented with aortic stenosis and 16% had a combined lesion. Additional cardiac procedures were performed in 21 patients. RESULTS: Aortic cross-clamp time was 72 +/- 19 minutes, and bypass time was 97 +/- 28 minutes. There were three in-hospital deaths, and 2 patients died within the first postoperative year. Predischarge echocardiography demonstrated excellent hemodynamics, with a mean gradient of 20 +/- 8 mm Hg and no or trivial aortic insufficiency in 45 patients. One patient had moderate aortic insufficiency. At first follow-up 36 patients (90%) were in New York Heart Association class I and 4 patients were in class II. Echocardiography showed no evidence of valve failure or degeneration (mean gradient, 17 +/- 5mm Hg; aortic insufficiency = grade 0 [trivial] in 35 patients, grade II in 3 patients, and grade III in 1 patient). Similarly, no degeneration or valve failure with increasing aortic insufficiency was seen in the patients studied at the end of the first postoperative year. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that an autologous tissue cardiac valve can be manufactured in the operating room without significant additional operating time. Intraoperative testing minimizes the risk of primary failure with aortic insufficiency. Short-term results are encouraging with good hemodynamic performance of the valve and no signs of degeneration. However, long-term durability needs to be demonstrated.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Microbiological public health aspects in the use of rain water as water reservoirs for toilet flushing, garden irrigation and laundry].

From a total of 102 rain water cisterns in use for toilet flushing, garden irrigation and laundering washing about 1,600 water samples were collected and subjected to microbiological analysis. The assays included aerobic heterotrophic microorganisms growing at 20 and 37 degrees C, respectively, as well as the identification of Escherichia coli, coliform organisms, faecal streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococci, yersiniae, salmonellae, shigellae, legionellae and yeasts. The median of the total number of cells per ml was 1,200 at 20 degrees C and 230 at 37 degrees C, respectively. Approximately 26 E. coli cells and 198 coliform organisms (median values) were found per 100 ml. In the case of cisterns manufactured of plastic the total number of cells was generally found to be lower than in samples collected from concrete or brick-made storage tanks. With the exception of the ubiquitously distributed organism Pseudomonas aeruginosa (found in 11.8% of the samples) and salmonella in only one sample, no other pathogens were detected. More than 95% of all analysed samples met the quality standards for bathing waters as set by the European Community. Provided certain precautions are taken, such as strict separation of mains for drinking water and rain water, as well as correct labelling of pipelines and collection sites, the use of rain water for toilet flushing, garden irrigation and laundry washing presents no unacceptable risk to public health.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1995

Cell cycle regulation of cdc25C transcription is mediated by the periodic repression of the glutamine-rich activators NF-Y and Sp1.

The late S/G2-specific transcription of the human cdc25C gene is dependent on an initiator-proximal repressor element (CDE) and an upstream activating sequence (UAS) of undefined nature. We now show that these upstream sequences harbour multiple in vivo protein binding sites that interact with transcriptional activators and form separable, context-independent functional modules. Major components of the UAS are a bona fide Sp1 site and three direct sequence repeats (Yc-boxes). The Yc-boxes interact with the CCAAT-box binding protein NF-Y and are critically dependent on synergistic interactions for efficient transcription activation. The NF-Y complexes, as well as Sp1, are constitutive activators, whose activation function is periodically repressed through the CDE. These observations indicate that the cell cycle regulation of cdc25C transcription is mainly due to the CDE-mediated repression of glutamine-rich activators.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1995

Riluzole prevents MPTP-induced parkinsonism in the rhesus monkey: a pilot study.

Previous studies have shown that riluzole (2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy-benzothiazole), a drug which interferes with glutamate neurotransmission, has a neuroprotective action in rodent models of global and focal cerebral ischemia. In this pilot study, the protective and palliative effects of riluzole have been examined using an animal model of Parkinson's disease. Two monkeys were rendered hemiparkinsonian by one intracarotid injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), and motor signs were evaluated using clinical examination and electromyographic recordings. When riluzole (4 mg/kg) was administered before the injection of MPTP, parkinsonian motor symptoms, in particular bradykinesia and rigidity, were absent. When injected daily in one monkey which presented stable motor symptoms, bradykinesia and rigidity were significantly reduce d. Riluzole pretreatment induced a persistent increase in dopamine turnover when compared to MPTP alone. Thus, a possible neuroprotection and a facilitation of dopamine release may explain the behavioural effects reported with riluzole treatment. These preliminary results suggest that riluzole could possess neuroprotective and palliative effects in a primate model of Parkinson's disease.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Cell cycle regulation of the cyclin A, cdc25C and cdc2 genes is based on a common mechanism of transcriptional repression.

The S/G2-specific transcription of the human cdc25C gene is due to the periodic occupation of a repressor element ('cell cycle-dependent element'; CDE) located in the region of the basal promoter. Protein binding to the major groove of the CDE in G0 and G1 results in a phase-specific repression of activated transcription. We now show that CDE-mediated repression is also the major principle underlying the periodic transcription of the human cyclin A and cdc2 genes. A single point mutation within the CDE results in a 10- to 20-fold deregulation in G0 and an almost complete loss of cell cycle regulation of all three genes. In addition, the cdc25C, cyclin A and cdc2 genes share an identical 5 bp region ('cell cycle genes homology region'; CHR) starting at an identical position, six nucleotides 3' to the CDE. Strikingly, mutation of the CHR region in each of the three promoters produces the same phenotype as the mutation of the CDE, i.e. a dramatic deregulation in G0. In agreement with these results, in vivo DMS footprinting showed the periodic occupation of the cyclin A CDE in the major groove, and of the CHR in the minor groove. Finally, all three genes bear conspicuous similarities in their upstream activating sequences (UAS). This applies in particular to the presence of NF-Y and Sp1 binding sites which, in the cdc25C gene, have been shown to be the targets of repression through the CDE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Reduction of apomorphine-induced rotational behaviour by subthalamic lesion in 6-OHDA lesioned rats is associated with a normalization of firing rate and discharge pattern of pars reticulata neurons.

The effect of subthalamic nucleus (STh) lesion on apomorphine-induced rotational behaviour and unit activity of substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) neurons was studied in normal, sham-control and unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rats [SN pars compacta (SNc)-lesioned]. In the latter, contraversive rotational behaviour was greatly reduced by an additional ipsilateral STh lesion. A moderate ipsiversive rotation was observed in rats with a single STh lesion. Concurrently, SN unit extracellular recordings were performed in age-matched normal rats, sham-controls for both lesions, STh-lesioned rats, SNc-lesioned rats, and SNc-lesioned rats with an ipsilateral STh lesion (SNc+STh-lesioned). Pars reticulata neurons had a higher mean firing rate in SNc-lesioned rats than in control rats. Furthermore, 68% of SNr neurons in SNc-lesioned rats had a tonic discharge pattern (against 92.3% in control rats) and 32% a mixed or bursting pattern. After STh lesion, a clear decrease in SNr firing rate was observed in SNc-lesioned rats. Moreover, STh lesion improved interspike interval regularity and decreased the occurrence of bursting patterns. In rats with a single STh lesion, the firing rate was no different from that of the sham-controls but the discharge pattern was more regular. These data show that STh lesion decreased apomorphine-induced rotational behaviour in dopamine-depleted animals. This effect could be related to the suppression of the excitatory effect of STh efferents on the SNr neurons. STh lesion both counterbalanced the increased activity of SNr neurons and regularized their discharge pattern.

Animals↗