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Biomedical subjects

C Rey

Publications and source records attributed to C Rey.

At least 415 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

Effects of transdermal nitroglycerin in children with congestive heart failure: a Doppler echocardiographic study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate by Doppler echocardiography whether administration of transdermal nitroglycerin (NTG) to children with congestive heart failure could modify mitral flow velocity profile with redistribution of left ventricular filling to late diastole, suggesting preload reduction of the left ventricle. Twelve children with congestive heart failure, aged from 6 months to 6 years (2.83 +/- 2.24 years; mean +/- SD), were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated either a NTG patch (study group; n = 6) or a placebo patch (control group; n = 6) in a double-blind procedure. The NTG patch was a 10-cm(2) patch releasing 5 mg of NTG per day. NTG patches were adjusted to a dose of 1 cm(2)/kg/day (0.5 mg/kg/day). Peak velocity and time--velocity integral (TVI) of E and A waves of transmitral flow, the ratio of the velocities of the A wave and E wave, and the ratio of the TVI of the A wave to the TVI of the E wave were measured. Doppler measurements were determined before treatment (H0) and 4 hours (H4) and 23 hours (H23) after the patch application. Relative changes of these parameters were not significantly different between these two groups. In the NTG group, mean NTG plasma concentration was 1.08 +/- 0.47 microg Liter(-1) at H4 (n = 5) and 1.18 +/- 0.81 microg Liter(-1) at H23 (n = 5). No patient had a NTG plasma concentration greater than 2 microg Liter(-1) either at H3 or at H24. These data suggest that 1 cm(2)/kg transdermal doses of NTG may have a limited bioavailability or a higher clearance and minimal hemodynamic effects in children with congestive heart failure already receiving other medications, implying that higher doses should be used.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with platypnea-orthodeoxia: results of a multicentric French registry.

BACKGROUND: Dyspnea and the decrease in arterial saturation in the upright position in elderly subjects is described as platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome (POS). POS is secondary to the occurrence of an atrial right-to-left shunt through a patent foramen ovale (PFO). METHODS: This French multicentric study reports on 78 patients (mean age 67 +/- 11.3 years) with POS who had transcatheter closure of the PFO; frequently associated diseases were pneumonectomy (n = 36) and an ascending aortic aneurysm (n = 11). In all patients, the diagnosis was confirmed by transthoracic or/and transesophageal echocardiography. Five different closure devices were used: Amplatz (n = 45), Cardioseal (n = 13), Sideris (n = 11), Das Angel Wings (n = 8) and Starflex (n = 1). Closure was successful in 76 patients (97%). RESULTS: Oxygen saturation increased immediately after occlusion from 84.6 +/- 10.7% to 95.1 +/- 6.4% (p < 0.001) and dyspnea improved from grade 2.7 +/- 0.7 to grade 1 +/- 1 (p < 0.001). A small residual shunt was immediately observed in 5 patients (3 with the Cardioseal device, 1 with the Sideris and 1 with the Amplatz) leading to the implantation of a second device in one case (Cardioseal). Two early deaths occurred unrelated to the procedure (one due to sepsis probably related to pneumonectomy, another due to respiratory insufficiency). Other complications were: a small shunt between the aorta and the left atrium, two atrial fibrillations and a left-sided thrombus which disappeared with anticoagulant therapy. At a mean follow-up of 15 +/- 12 months, there were 7 late deaths related to the underlying disease. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous occlusion of the foramen ovale is safe and gives excellent results thanks to continuing improvement in available devices. This technique enables some patients in an unstable condition to avoid a surgical closure.

Aged↗

Solubilization and partial purification of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine binding proteins from the rat brain.

Rat brain proteins presenting high-affinity binding of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine were solubilized and purified. Extraction of binding protein was carried out in the presence of Triton X-100 and 1 M NaCl; this solubilized fraction exhibits similar kinetic properties than the membrane proteins. Purification was performed using affinity chromatography on S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine carboxyhexyl Sepharose 48 conjugate. The analysis of the affinity gel eluate by SDS-PAGE showed high purification ratios for two proteins exhibiting 54 and 68 kDa. Three activity peaks were separated when solubilized membrane proteins were submitted to isoelectric focusing; the activity peaks corresponded to proteins of pH1 6.0, 6.5, and 7.2. SDS-PAGE separation of proteins contained in each peak showed protein aggregation; a 54-kDa subunit was present in each aggregate. Solubilized membrane proteins were labeled by photoaffinity labeling with tritiated S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine; the 54- and 68-kDa proteins were found among the specifically labeled proteins. Finally, according to the previous data from the literature, the purified S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine binding proteins do not seem to be the same as adenosine receptors or phosphatidylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase.

Affinity Labels↗

[Apropos of sleep quality in students: prospective study].

This study about the pupils' sleep in the academy of Aix-Marseille has been realized after the observations of second cycle's teachers; they have noted a somnolence by an important number of pupils during lessons, consequence of a supposed sleep lack able to have repercussions on the scholastic success. Hearing teachers and pupils' suggestions, the authors have established a questionnaire with 20 items; this study is concerning 1,300 pupils, 15 to 20 years old, in classic, technical and agricultural high schools, both in public and private establishments. The most salient characteristic is the differences between the sleep of the scholastic period and the sleep of week end or holiday. In the future, a better knowledge of pupils' sleeping habits could be the starting point of information and prevention campaign.

Adolescent↗

Effects of norepinephrine on hepatic amino acid metabolism in isolated perfused rat liver.

The effects of norepinephrine (NE) on hepatic amino acid exchanges were studied in the isolated perfused rat liver using a recirculating system with a medium containing amino acids at twice physiologic concentrations. Norepinephrine induced a significant decrease (25%) in portal blood flow at a concentration of 2 ng/ml (10(-8) M). The hormone also increased total hepatic amino acid uptake, essentially through a switch from glutamine release to net uptake. There was no modification in free intracellular amino acids, but glycogen was slightly decreased, and glucose production was increased. Taken as a whole, these results suggest that NE modulates hepatic protein balance.

Amino Acids↗

Alveolar macrophage membrane phospholipid methylation in sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Methylation of phospholipids seems to be an essential step in the recognition and transduction of regulatory signals by eukaryotic cells. Phosphatidylethanolamine methylation was compared in alveolar macrophage membrane from patients presenting with pulmonary sarcoidosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis and control subjects. Phosphatidylethanolamine methyltransferase (PMT1) activity was determined by various measures of incorporation of tritiated methyl group from (3H) S-adenosyl-L-methionine in membrane phospholipids. Tritiated methyl group incorporation in macrophage membrane was higher in some patients presenting with sarcoidosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis, than in controls. PMT1 activity was found to be higher in sarcoidosis patients with a positive gallium lung scan. As lipids play an important role during macrophage activation and cell interaction, although a wide heterogeneity was observed in PMT1 activity, increased membrane phospholipid methylation seems to be an important feature in pulmonary diseases where macrophages are involved.

Adult↗

[Neonatal purulent pericarditis. Value of echocardiography and surgical drainage].

Five neonates are described who developed purulent pericarditis during a septicaemia which suggest that this is not a rare complication. The diagnosis is difficult as classical clinical, ECG and radiological signs are usually absent. Rapid enlargement of the cardiac silhouette or just cardiomegaly in the presence of a severe infection are the usual modes of presentation. Echocardiography is the easiest and safest way to confirm the pericardial effusion. Surgical drainage is essential.

Drainage↗