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Biomedical subjects

D Allard

Publications and source records attributed to D Allard.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Fracture of the occipital condyle.

We report the case of a patient with occipital condyle fracture who was neurologically intact. The patient was treated conservatively with a neck collar, and the symptoms resolved in 3 months. This diagnosis can be suspected in high-velocity road traffic accidents, in a patient with neck pain, disproportionate torticollis, or lower cranial nerve symptoms. Skull radiography and cervical spine films can be normal. The diagnosis is best made by high-resolution computed tomographic (CT) scanning with sagittal and coronal reconstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

The alpha1-fetoprotein locus is activated by a nuclear receptor of the Drosophila FTZ-F1 family.

The alpha1-fetoprotein (AFP) gene is located between the albumin and alpha-albumin genes and is activated by transcription factor FTF (fetoprotein transcription factor), presumed to transduce early developmental signals to the albumin gene cluster. We have identified FTF as an orphan nuclear receptor of the Drosophila FTZ-F1 family. FTF recognizes the DNA sequence 5'-TCAAGGTCA-3', the canonical recognition motif for FTZ-F1 receptors. cDNA sequence homologies indicate that rat FTF is the ortholog of mouse LRH-1 and Xenopus xFF1rA. Rodent FTF is encoded by a single-copy gene, related to the gene encoding steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1). The 5.2-kb FTF transcript is translated from several in-frame initiator codons into FTF isoforms (54 to 64 kDa) which appear to bind DNA as monomers, with no need for a specific ligand, similar KdS (approximately equal 3 x 10(-10) M), and similar transcriptional effects. FTF activates the AFP promoter without the use of an amino-terminal activation domain; carboxy-terminus-truncated FTF exerts strong dominant negative effects. In the AFP promoter, FTF recruits an accessory trans-activator which imparts glucocorticoid reactivity upon the AFP gene. FTF binding sites are found in the promoters of other liver-expressed genes, some encoding liver transcription factors; FTF, liver alpha1-antitrypsin promoter factor LFB2, and HNF-3beta promoter factor UF2-H3beta are probably the same factor. FTF is also abundantly expressed in the pancreas and may exert differentiation functions in endodermal sublineages, similar to SF-1 in steroidogenic tissues. HepG2 hepatoma cells seem to express a mutated form of FTF.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

New albumin gene 3' adjacent to the alpha 1-fetoprotein locus.

The albumin multigene family encodes proteins synthesized in the liver and secreted in the serum to fulfill ligand-carrier functions. The albumin (ALB), alpha 1-fetoprotein (AFP), and vitamin D-binding protein genes are syntenic, the ALB and AFP genes are organized in tandem, and the AFP gene is selectively expressed in the fetal liver. We now report the existence of a fourth member of the albumin gene family, located 10 kilobases downstream from the AFP locus. The new gene, named alpha-albumin (alpha ALB), is selectively expressed in the liver at late stages of development. The alpha ALB mRNA sequence encodes a predicted secreted protein with the typical triple domain disulfide cross-linked structure. Comparisons of coding and promoter sequences suggest that alpha ALB could be a phylogenetic intermediate between the ALB and AFP genes. The developmental switch between alpha ALB gene activation and AFP gene repression suggests new regulatory interplays at the albumin locus and adult stage-specific ligand binding functions carried out by the alpha ALB gene product.

Albumins↗
PubMed1994

[Violence and consumption of illicit drugs in Quebec adolescents. An analysis of their perceptions].

OBJECTIVE: To study adolescents' perception of the connection between violence and the consumption of illegal drugs. DESIGN: A self-administered questionnaire. SETTING: A town with 30,000 inhabitants north of Montreal. PARTICIPANTS: Almost 3300 students between the ages of 12 and 19. RESULTS: About 25% reported that they had been victims of violence by other adolescents who were, in their estimation, under the influence of an illicit drug. This rate increased significantly among adolescents who used drugs themselves, and was highest among female adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15. CONCLUSION: Students, especially young women, who consume illegal drugs are more likely to be victims of violence than those who do not. Family physicians should advise young patients of this risk.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Functional analysis of developmentally regulated chromatin-hypersensitive domains carrying the alpha 1-fetoprotein gene promoter and the albumin/alpha 1-fetoprotein intergenic enhancer.

During liver development, the tandem alpha 1-fetoprotein (AFP)/albumin locus is triggered at the AFP end and then asymmetrically enhanced; this is followed by autonomous repression of the AFP-encoding gene. To understand this regulation better, we characterized the two early developmental stage-specific DNase I-hypersensitive (DH) sites so far identified in rat liver AFP/albumin chromatin: an intergenic DH-enhancer site and the AFP DH-promoter site. Mutation-transfection analyses circumscribed the DH-enhancer domain to a 200-bp DNA segment stringently conserved among species. Targeted mutations, DNA-protein-binding assays, and coexpression experiments pinpointed C/EBP as the major activatory component of the intergenic enhancer. Structure-function relationships at the AFP DH-promoter site defined a discrete glucocorticoid-regulated domain activated cooperatively by HNF1 and a highly specific AFP transcription factor, FTF, which binds to a steroid receptor recognition motif. The HNF1/FTF/DNA complex is deactivated by glucocorticoid receptors or by the ubiquitous factor NF1, which eliminates HNF1 by competition at an overlapping, high-affinity binding site. We propose that the HNF1-NF1 site might serve as a developmental switch to direct autonomous AFP gene repression in late liver development. We also conclude that the intergenic enhancer is driven by C/EBP alpha primarily to fulfill albumin gene activation functions at early developmental stages. Factor FTF seems to be the key regulator of AFP gene-specific functions in carcinoembryonic states.

Albumins↗
PubMed1993

Illicit drug use among adolescent students. A peer phenomenon?

Illicit drug use was studied in 2071 students 11 to 18 years of age. Almost all drug users had friends who consumed drugs, compared with only one third of those who did not use drugs. This suggests a bond between adolescent drug users, who form a distinct group of which most students are unaware.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Intracranial venous sinus thrombosis in nephrotic syndrome].

A 3-year old child was admitted for a third relapse of nephrotic syndrome associated with intracranial hypertension related to dural sinus thrombosis (tomodensitometry). The treatment consisted in the association of low dose heparin and fresh frozen plasma. After a 3 year-follow-up, there was no neurologic sequelae, and the nephrotic syndrome was on complete remission. The radiologic features and the management of sinus thrombosis are discussed.

Brain↗
PubMed1992

[Abdominal aortic aneurysm and Bourneville's tuberous sclerosis].

The authors report on a case of tuberous sclerosis diagnosed in the neonatal period on the basis of intracardiac tumor, rib anomalies and cerebral calcifications. At 4.5 months of age the infant presented acute abdominal pains which led to the discovery (ultrasound identification confirmed by CT scan) of a giant ectasia of the whole abdominal aorta. The infant died 2 days later from the rupture of this aortic aneurysm.

Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal↗
PubMed1992

[Non traumatic acute suppurative mediastinitis].

Acute mediastinitis is uncommon. When it occurs, it usually follows an esophageal perforation or thoracic surgery. We report on a case of a 2-year-old girl with non traumatic mediastinitis secondary to a pharyngitis, due to Staphylococcus aureus. The anatomic pathways that connect the cervical region with the mediastinum explains how the infection can spread within the cervicothoracic spaces. Knowledge of this anatomy is also important in evaluating the possible causes of symptoms and signs in this area, and the possible complications of infections in these regions. The treatment associates antibiotics and drainage of the abscess by either surgical procedure or computed tomography guided selective needle aspirations.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

[Primary cerebromeningeal hemorrhages in children (except newborn infants)].

The authors report their experience on 22 children admitted for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhages, to the pediatric and neurosurgery units of the University-Hospital of Saint-Etienne. There were seven cases of subarachnoid hemorrhages (five ruptured arterial aneurysms and one angioma) and 15 cases with associated intracranial hematomas (eight angiomas, one cavernoma, one aneurysm). Seven of 15 children with hematoma died, compared to two of seven children with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Half of the patients with hematomas and 20% of those with subarachnoid hemorrhage had sequellae. This rare pathology should be diagnosed in emergency, since brain damage occurs secondary to raised intracranial pressure. The respective roles of tomodensitometry, lumbar puncture and arteriography are discussed. The surgery should be performed in emergency, because the most frequent etiology is a vascular malformation, and because there is a risk of unexpected deterioration. When an underlying cause cannot be found neither by arteriography not by surgery, the follow-up should include a tomodensitometry and/or magnetic imaging.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[Development of the operative and non-operative treatment of acute intestinal intussusception in children].

A review of 152 cases of acute intestinal intussusception shows a dramatic evolution in its management within the last 15 years. Ultrasound is the main procedure utilized, and in the hands of a trained-radiologist, it allows a safe non-surgical treatment via barium or pneumatic reduction. Surgery is now limited to the rare cases of failure of the above treatment, and to advanced or complicated cases.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

[Esophageal stenosis and bullous epidermolysis. Endoscopic treatment].

Esophageal lesions are often present in congenital epidermolysis bullosa. Bullae formation, ulceration and oedema ultimately will lead to stricture formation. Surgery is useful only for slowly evolutive forms. To prevent the risk of developing complete occlusion to the human of the esophagus, dilatations are performed under endoscopic control, that allows through nutrition without risk of local complication.

Dilatation↗