Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D Dumas

Publications and source records attributed to D Dumas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Hemorheology and vascular endothelial cells.

The vascular endothelium is a biologically active monolayer of cells provided an interface between blood and tissues. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) have two functional states, which are allowed by their different properties: (i) vaso regulating properties: ECs releases vasomotor components, as endothelin (vaso constriction), prostacyclin and nitrite oxide (vaso dilatation); (ii) antithrombotic and hemostatic properties; and (iii) anti-adhesion properties. The endothelium is normally antithrombotic and anti-adhesive to ensure blood fluidity. During many cardio-vascular diseases, these properties may be reversed. Thus, the ECs have a determinant role in hemodynamic control through these various metabolic activities. Otherwise, many studies have demonstrated that local blood flow conditions have a crucial role on the EC properties (mechanotransduction concept). The knowledge of the properties of ECs and the control of the phenomena which define their functions is a key element in the cardiovascular diseases understanding.

Animals↗

Development and evaluation of an automatic method for the study of platelet osmotic response.

Study of the osmotic resistance to hypotonic medium of platelets has often been suggested as a global test to assess the viability of these cells in transfusion or to study modification during haematological pathologies. A number of authors have analysed the behaviour of platelets in hypotonic media by a variety of methods (cell count, determinations of substances released, morphology, etc.), but most studies are currently based on the so-called "Hypotonic Shock Response" test (HSR). In this study, the authors describe a new automated and reproducible apparatus, called fragilimeter, using slow dialysis to assess platelet osmotic resistance. The variations in light transmission through a platelet suspension according to ionic strength are linked to the change in cellular volume and lysis and characterise the osmotic behaviour of the cells. The results revealed the good reproducibility and sensibility of the technique. This apparatus allows also the realisation of the "HSR" test.

Adult↗

Membrane fluidity and oxygen diffusion in cholesterol-enriched endothelial cells.

In this study, we measured the influence of cholesterol rigidification on oxygen permeability in human endothelial cell monolayer membranes (ECs). Cholesterol-induced membrane rigidification was assessed at different membrane depths by a fluorescence polarization method with diphenyl-hexatriene (DPH) and 1-(4-trimethylamino)-6-phenylhexatriene (TMA-DPH). Fluorescence quenching by oxygen was probed in preferentially labelled membrane with pyrene butyric acid (PyC4) and pyrene dodecanoic acid (PyC12), as shown with a 3D fluorescence microscope (CellScan System). With both probes the experiments revealed a decrease in oxygen diffusion as the cholesterol concentration increased in the medium culture (from 3.42 microM to 17.11 microM). We showed that very low concentrations of cholesterol (about 1000 times below normal value, 6.2 mM) particularly decrease oxygen levels or diffusion rate in the middle region of the membrane. In conclusion, these findings prove in a direct manner that cholesterol significantly affect the endothelial barrier function and molecular oxygen transfer to underlying tissues. Risk factors (cholesterol) directly would contribute to tissue ischemia.

Biological Transport↗

Membrane fluidity and oxygen diffusion in cholesterol-enriched erythrocyte membrane.

This work studied the effect of cholesteryl hemisuccinate incorporation on membrane fluidity and on the kinetics of oxygen diffusion at different depths in the erythrocyte membrane. Cholesterol concentration in the membrane was expressed as the cholesterol-protein ratio (C/Pt). The membrane fluidity, as assessed by a fluorescence polarization method with diphenyl-hexatriene and 1-(4-trimethylamino)-6-phenylhexa-1,3,5-triene, decreased as the C/Pt ratio increased. Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of pyrene dodecanoic acid (PDA) under an increasing C/Pt ratio in the erythrocyte membrane revealed enhanced oxygen diffusion in the middle of the membrane bilayer (in which PDA was incorporated), which was not the case with pyrene butyric acid (PBA) incorporated in the internal part of the membrane surface. It has generally been accepted that increased membrane fluidity reduces the physical barrier to oxygen permeation. Such conflicting observations on oxygen permeation in the rigidified erythrocyte membrane could be due to variations in oxygen solubility (preferential partitioning) in different polarity microdomains (cholesterol and phospholipid partitions).

Cholesterol↗

Clobenzorex: evidence for amphetamine-like behavioral actions.

Clobenzorex, an optically active N-substituted derivative of (+)amphetamine, has been identified on the illicit market. Because so little is known regarding the pharmacology or abuse potential of this agent, it was examined in tests of stimulus generalization in rats trained to discriminate 1 mg/kg of (+)amphetamine from vehicle to determine if it would produce amphetamine-appropriate responding. Clobenzorex (ED50 = 6.6 mg/kg) substituted for (+)amphetamine (ED50 = 0.3 mg/kg) but was approximately twenty times less potent than the training drug. Clobenzorex was also compared with (+)amphetamine and cocaine for its ability to induce locomotor stimulation and rearing frequency in mice. Clobenzorex was active in both assays but was less potent than either (+)amphetamine or cocaine. It is concluded that, although weaker than (+)amphetamine, clobenzorex constitutes an agent with amphetamine-like central stimulant behavioral properties.

Amphetamine↗

[Effect of cholesterol on the cellular deformability and osmotic fragility of erythrocytes].

The effect of cholesterol hemisuccinate incorporation on the rheological properties of the erythrocyte membrane was assessed by measuring deformability (elongation index) and osmotic fragility ("baseline hemolysis"). These two experimental methods have different response sensitivities according to the incubation protocols (12 h 25 degrees C/12 h 25 degrees C then 12 h 37 degrees C) ant to the amount of cholesterol incorporated in the membrane (C/Pt from 0.18 to 0.83). The deformability and osmotic fragility variations observed are inversely related with the cholesterol concentrations incorporated. The experimental differences observed in the deformability and osmotic fragility are discussed in view of the type of membrane deformation and of the signals collected by the two systems.

Case-Control Studies↗

Increase of hybridoma productivity using an original dialysis culture system.

Hybridoma cell growth and monoclonal antibody production were investigated with a laboratory-made system in which cells were grown in dialysis tubing (MW cut-off 25 kD). The dialysis system contained 10 ml of cell suspension and was immersed in 200 ml of culture medium which when replaced or was at 4-day intervals. With this system, monoclonal antibody concentrations similar to those observed in ascites (concentrations in the order of one gram per liter) were obtained. With no medium replacement, the antibody production was 3.3 g/l and the cell productivity 3.2 x 10(-8) micrograms of IgM produced per cell in one minute. With medium replacement the antibody production was higher, 4.4 g/l but the cell productivity was lower, 1.49 x 10(-8) micrograms per cell in one minute. Cells cultivated in non-optimized conditions were better producers than cells growing in a good environment.

Animals↗

Chronic regulation by thyrotropin of arachidonic acid incorporation in cholesteryl esters of cultured thyroid cells.

During short term incubations, radioactive arachidonic acid and palmitic acid were incorporated in the cholesteryl ester fraction of the lipids of cultured thyroid cells. Three times more arachidonic than palmitic acid was incorporated and the incorporation of both was dependent upon the culture conditions: the presence of 1 mU/ml thyrotropin in the culture medium during four days almost completely inhibited the subsequent incorporation of the two fatty acids in the cholesteryl ester fraction whereas the total cholesterol and cholesteryl ester content of the cells was not affected.

Animals↗

[Nail pigmentation during therapy with cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin].

Two patients under cytotoxic therapy developed pigmentation of their fingernails. The first, under doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for lymphoma, had horizontal streaks, while the second, under cyclophosphamide for periarteritis nodosa, exhibited diffuse pigmentation. Nail pigmentation, which occurs after an interval of some weeks or months, varies from diffuse to horizontal or longitudinal streaks. Reversal of nail pigmentation some months after withdrawal of the drug is usual. Skin or mucous membrane pigmentation may coexist. The mechanism of pigmentation remains obscure. These changes are observed more frequently in black than in white patients. In some instances, they have been recorded in several members of the same family.

Aged↗

[Esophageal fistulas in mediastinal tuberculous adenopathies in adults].

An adenopathy perforated into the esophagus in a thirty-two-year old woman from black Africa with mediastinal and abdominal tuberculous adenopathies. The fistula was disclosed upon endoscopic examination in the absence of esophageal symptoms. The characteristics of such fistulas are recalled: location in the middle third of the esophagus, inconspicuousness of symptoms, scarcity of complications among which digestive hemorrhage is the most significant, usually favorable course under medical management alone. The latency of fistulas between tuberculous adenopathies and the esophagus warrants routine fiberoptic endoscopy in patients with mediastinal tuberculous adenopathies.

Adult↗

A rapid and simple assay for the study of thromboxane B2 synthesis by intact human platelets.

Conversion of 1-14C-arachidonic acid (AA) to thromboxane B2 (TXB2) by human platelets was studied by using a new, simple technique. Organic solvent extraction was avoided by spotting aliquots of the reaction mixture directly on thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates. In this way it was possible to study the kinetic parameters of the formation of TXB2. Moreover, the rapidity and simplicity of the assay should be particularly suitable when studying the possible relationships between thromboxane synthesis and aggregation function in human platelets, where a large number of determinations is required.

Blood Platelets↗