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Biomedical subjects

F Blanc

Publications and source records attributed to F Blanc.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Evaluation of the effects of molsidomine and propranolol-molsidomine combination on portal hemodynamics by pulsed Doppler ultrasound].

Molsidomine, a long acting vasodilator with antianginal properties, has been shown to decrease porto-hepatic pressure gradient in patients with cirrhosis. The present study aimed at assessing the effects of molsidomine, propranolol and of the association of these two drugs on portal vein blood flow as measured using Doppler and B-mode sonography. In 10 patients without liver disease (group 1), portal flow time average mean velocity (TAV) and portal vein blood flow (PVBF) were measured under basal conditions, 1 hour then 2 hours after ingestion of 4 mg of molsidomine. The same measurements were performed in 15 patients with cirrhosis (group 2) under basal conditions, 1 then 2 hours after double-blind administration of either molsidomine (10 patients) or placebo (5 patients). Fifteen further patients with cirrhosis (group 3) were studied after the double blind administration of 80 mg of propranolol and two hours later of 4 mg of molsidomine (10 patients) or placebo (5 patients); TAV and PVBF were measured under basal conditions, two hours after propranolol ingestion or placebo, then one and two hours after molsidomine or placebo ingestion. TAV and PVBF remained unchanged in patients treated with placebo. Molsidomine reduced TAV by 23.8 +/- 19.5% in group 1 (P < 0.01) and by 25.6 +/- 21.4% in group 2 (P < 0.01). In group 3, a 10% decrease was observed after propranolol (NS). When molsidomine was added, TAV was further decreased (-17.6 +/- 13.3% vs baseline, P < 0.01). PVBF remained unchanged in the three groups of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Deep lupus erythematosus in children].

Deep cutaneous lesions are seldom encountered in lupus erythematosus. The disease described in the literature as lupus erythematosus profundus or lupus erythematosus panniculitis usually occurs in middle-aged women. The authors report a case of deep lupus erythematosus which was exceptional in that it occurred in an 11-year old girl. The lesions were situated on the face and consisted of solid subcutaneous nodules and clear-cut ulcerations leaving atrophic pigmented scars. The histological image of a nodule was one of lobular lymphocytic panniculitis with homogeneous hyalinization of adipose nodules, to which must be added periadnexal and perivascular dermo-epidermal lymphocytic infiltrates. Granular IgM deposits arranged along the dermo-epidermal junction were observed at direct cutaneous immunofluorescence. Laboratory examinations showed leucopenia (3,300/mm3) with neutropenia (1,100/mm3) and the presence of antinuclear antibodies at 1/100 speckled fluorescence, as well as antibodies directed against native DNA. Studies of renal function and for complement gave normal results. The other causes of lobular panniculitis were excluded. The lesions regressed within 3 weeks under hydroxychloroquine; this drug was also successful in arresting a relapse consecutive to withdrawal of treatment. The authors have analysed the 17 paediatric cases of deep lupus erythematosus and were able to determine their main characteristics: 1. The lesions occur mostly in girls (70 p. 100). They are located electively on the face and the lateral aspect of the shoulders. They consist of well-limited, solid or hard subcutaneous nodule which may congregate to form plaques. The epidermis may be normal or pathological, poikilodermic, looking like a discoid or ulcerated lupus erythematosus. The lesions regress, leaving a characteristic atrophic scar.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗
PubMed1991

Renovascular hypertension: a rare cause of neonatal salt loss.

We report a case of severe hypertension in the newborn period due to obstruction of the right renal artery. The baby presented with polyuria leading to dehydration and was found to have hyponatraemia and severe renal salt loss. When sudden malignant hypertension is induced in experimental conditions, a high pressure diuresis and increased angiotensin II production are found. These findings could explain the renal salt loss, notwithstanding the effects of secondary hyperaldosteronism and hyper-reninaemia.

Dehydration↗
PubMed1991

Risk assessment of antibiotic residues of beta-lactams and macrolides in food products with regard to their immuno-allergic potential.

In human medicine drug allergy is a well-established side-effect of the therapeutic use of antibiotics, especially the beta-lactams. Side-effects caused by macrolides are uncommon and only a very few of these seem to be caused by allergic mechanisms. Clinically, drug allergy is characterized by a spectrum of reactions ranging from mild skin rashes to angio-oedema or life-threatening anaphylaxis. Concern has been expressed that antibiotic residues in meat and other foods might be responsible for similar hypersensitivity reactions in a small number of individuals. This review assesses the potential risk of such reactions in general, but focuses on allergy to penicillin and macrolide residues in particular. In relation to the risk of primary sensitization, it is unlikely that residues could contribute to the overall immune response in view of the very low levels that are likely to be encountered in comparison with the high levels received during therapeutic use. No evidence has been found that any individual has become sensitized by residues of either penicillins or macrolides. Furthermore, the oral route is much less sensitizing than parenteral administration and immunochemical studies with penicillin indicate that hapten-protein complexes formed in vivo are unlikely to be immunogenic because of their low dose, low epitope density and binding to autologous carrier proteins. For performed allergens, the epitope density was also too low to be immunogenic. Because of the ubiquitous nature of penicillin-producing moulds in nature and the extensive use of beta-lactam antibiotics in human medicine, it is unlikely that epidemiological studies could be undertaken that could allow quantification of the minimal risk. The risk of allergic reactions in pre-sensitized individuals can be assessed similarly and again it is concluded that factors such as dose, oral administration and low epitope density make it unlikely that a significantly antigenic derivative could be formed. However, a review of the literature on penicillin hypersensitivity revealed a very small number of previously sensitized individuals from whom there is reasonable clinical and documentary evidence that penicillin residues in milk triggered an allergic reaction, usually a rash. Although these cases are very rare (less than 10 cases reported in the last 25 years), they illustrate the continuing need to control antibiotic residues vigilantly. Animal models have not proved useful for predicting the risk of hypersensitivity reactions to drugs, since allergy in man is determined by genetic and other factors and no validated methods exist to determine a no-effect level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Increased plasma cathepsin D concentration in hepatic carcinoma and cirrhosis but not in breast cancer.

Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay, plasma total cathepsin D concentration was assayed in 40 breast cancer patients and 84 patients with various liver diseases and compared to that of 52 normal subjects. There were no significant variations found in breast cancer patients related to tumor size, node invasiveness or metastases. In normal women, cathepsin D levels were slightly but not significantly increased in the luteal phase and in pregnancy. By contrast, plasma cathepsin D concentration was significantly increased in 70-75% of patients with liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatocarcinoma, hepatitis), but not in those with liver steatosis. Cathepsin D was independent of most of the plasma hepatic function tests and was correlated with alpha-fetoprotein in cirrhosis and with alpha-fucosidase in primary hepatocellular carcinoma. We conclude that plasma cathepsin D is not a useful marker in breast cancer. However, since the cellular level of this protease is associated with risk of metastasis in breast cancer, clinical follow-up will be required to test whether high cathepsin D plasma concentration has any prognostic value in liver cirrhosis and primary hepatocarcinoma.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1991

Functional and morphological changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis of aged female rats.

Age-related functional and morphological alterations in the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis were investigated in old recurrently pseudopregnant (RPP) female rats, and these alterations were compared with those in young diestrous rats. LHRH in the median eminence (ME) and mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) as well as plasma FSH, LH, and progesterone were measured by RIA. LHRH in the lateral ME (LME) and pituitary FSH and LH were evaluated by morphometry and densitometrical immunocytochemistry. Furthermore, by light microscopy, we classified and counted the number of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea. LHRH concentrations in the ME and MBH were similar in old and young rats, whereas in old rats, plasma FSH was markedly increased, LH was moderately increased, and plasma progesterone was unchanged. The number and the total area and immunoreactivity of LHRH-labeled axon cross sections in the LME were reduced in old rats. The number of nucleated FSH-labeled cells and total FSH area and immunoreactivity were almost twice in old compared with young animals. The measurements of LH-labeled cells were not different between the two groups. In old rats, the numbers of ovarian follicles and corpora lutea were reduced and that of atretic follicles increased. In conclusion, age-related morphological impairments of LHRH axons associated with an increased number of FSH gonadotropes and higher plasma FSH in our old RPP rats suggest hypothalamic and pituitary disturbances, which may largely contribute to the complex hormonal disarrangement responsible for the decline of reproductive functions in old female rats.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

[The distribution of the tsetse fly (Diptera: Glossinidae) in the humid savanna zone (Central African Republic). Evaluation of prospective entomological techniques].

Two trapping methods were compared during a survey of the distribution of tsetse flies in the Mbororo cattle breeding area of the Central African Republic: (a) several traps dispersed throughout the riverine forest galleries and remaining only one day at each site: (b) one sentinel trap placed at the cattle drinking point and remaining for several days. The latter method was more reliable and is therefore recommended. The concentration of tsetse flies at the drinking points was negligible during the rainy season.

Animals↗