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Biomedical subjects

F Leroy

Publications and source records attributed to F Leroy.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

X-ray analysis of renin substrates. Phenyloxyacetyl-leucyl-valyl-phenylalanine methyl ester: an analogue of angiotensinogen-(10-13) sequence.

The crystal structure of the title compound, an analogue of the angiotensinogen-(10-13) peptide in which the N-terminal leucine and the C-terminal tyrosine are respectively replaced by the phenyloxy-acetic group and by phenylalanine, has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The peptide crystallizes in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with a = 4.866(1), b = 22.311(3), c = 27.213(4) A and Z = 4. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R value of 0.056. The molecules adopt a pleated sheet conformation with the hydrophobic residues alternatively situated on the right and left of the main chain. In the crystallographic "a" direction, the molecules are linked by hydrogen bonds and form parallel pleated sheet-type structures.

Models, Molecular↗

Growth rate of follicular estrogen secretion in relation to the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo replacement.

Estradiol growth rate (EGR) during active follicular development was calculated for 89 stimulated in vitro fertilization cycles by exponential curve fit (r = 0.83). Cycles could be divided into four groups with very low, low, moderate, and high EGR values. Cases without oocyte fertilization and/or embryo replacement did not occur in the moderate EGR range, which also corresponded to a significantly better ratio of replaceable embryos versus oocytes recovered. This group was also endowed with a pregnancy rate amounting to 28.5% per laparoscopy and per replacement, i.e., about three times higher than in the three other groups. Very low or high EGR entailed significantly higher percentages of missed oocyte recovery and/or fertilization failure. The frequency of occurrence of a spontaneous luteinizing hormone peak was negatively correlated with EGR. The data indicate that a better outcome of in vitro fertilization may be expected when the estrogen rise starts early in the cycle and adopts a moderate growth rate (0.3 to 0.4).

Embryo Transfer↗

Do breech presentations in twins and singletons run different risks?

We have compared breech twins and breech single births in a population recorded between 1974 and 1978 in 10 Belgian maternity centers. In 190 twin pregnancies, 38 first and 65 second twins were delivered in breech presentation. These twins were compared to 853 singleton breeches, of which 95 delivered by cesarean section were excluded. Data were stratified according to birthweight. No significant difference between twins and singletons was found in terms of perinatal mortality rates. However, Apgar scores below 7 at 5 minutes were significantly less numerous among first twins than among singletons. Therefore, first twins in breech presentation might be at lower risk of fetal distress. This difference should be taken into account in the management of first twins presenting by the breech.

Apgar Score↗

Patterns of protein synthesis in endometrial tissues from ovariectomized rats treated with oestradiol and progesterone.

Groups of ovariectomized rats were taken as controls or given hormonal treatment mimicking the successive steps in the sequence of ovarian secretions leading to implantation. Total endometrium or separated epithelium and stroma were incubated in vitro with [35S]methionine. Dissolved proteins were submitted to two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (pH range 5-7), followed by autoradiography. Priming with oestradiol (2 days) and subsequent treatment with progesterone (3 days) enhanced the synthesis of 12 and 14 polypeptides, respectively, which are specific for each of these treatments. Progesterone also suppressed the production of 10 oestrogen-dependent proteins both in the epithelium and the stroma. When an oestrogen-progesterone-oestrogen treatment was given, synthesis of all but 4 of the progesterone-induced polypeptides in the epithelium was inhibited while 5 of the proteins abolished by progesterone in this tissue compartment reappeared. These results are compatible with a mechanism of implantation acting at the epithelial level by lifting of intrauterine inhibition and stimulation by embryotrophic substances.

Animals↗

[Dynamic study of miction in patients with spinal cord injuries. Comparison with cystomanometry in 50 cases].

Video recordings during radiodynamic studies of miction (ERDM) in 50 patients with spinal cord injuries produced images markedly superior in quality to permictional films in cases of dysuria. Correlation with cystosphincterometry (CSM) findings were good for normal cases. Dynamic studies were more effective than CSM for the neck, but less reliable for the detrusor and striated muscle on the condition than an electromyogram had been performed. In patients with complete spasticity the type of miction cannot be predicted from the level of the lesion.

Adolescent↗

Effect of stage of development on survival of mouse embryos frozen--thawed rapidly.

Embryos were recovered on Day 4 of pregnancy from superovulated random-bred OF1 Swiss albino mice. They were classified into four categories based on their stage of development: expanding blastocyst, blastocyst, early blastocyst, and compacted morula. They were then cooled at 2 degrees C/min from -7 to -25 degrees C in a freezing medium containing 1.36 M glycerol and 0.25 M sucrose in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). At -25 degrees C, they were plunged into LN2 and thawed a few hours later in water at 20 degrees C. After washing in PBS, recovered embryos were cultured for 20 to 24 hr and the number of embryos that had developed normally was recorded. The results showed a clear effect of the stage of development on survival. Survival of expanding blastocysts and blastocysts was very low (1.4 and 21.8%, respectively) compared to that of early blastocysts and compacted morulae (69.4 and 73.5%). The more differentiated stage of the blastocyst (two kinds of cells) and the presence of a blastocoelic cavity may explain the differences observed under our cooling conditions. As a further test of viability, 93 blastocysts that had developed in culture for 20 hr from 153 frozen-thawed early blastocysts and compacted morulae (60.8%) were transferred to 8 recipient mice. Seven became pregnant, yielding 38/82 normal live young (46.3%).

Animals↗

Effects of in-vitro fertilization, culture, freezing and transfer on the ability of mouse embryos to implant and survive.

The survival after transfer of frozen-thawed mouse blastocysts obtained from culture of in-vitro fertilized oocytes or 1- and 2-cell ova was compared. About 10% of transferred embryos developed to term in each group and there was no difference between embryos fertilized in vitro or in vivo. In addition to embryonic loss due to transfer, in-vitro cultivation and freezing reduced the proportion of fetuses considered viable at Day 15 of pregnancy (29.8 versus 50.7% and 26.3 versus 50.7% respectively). When used together these procedures had an additive effect on fetal wastage (18.4 versus 50.7%). In-vitro culture also entailed a significant increase of resorbing implantation sites (10.2 versus 4.3%). The re-expansion rate after freezing and thawing of blastocysts grown in vitro was paradoxically greater than that of blastocysts grown in vivo (85.8 versus 54.6%).

Animals↗

[Calcified herniated disk at the dorsal level].

Computed tomography examinations were conducted in two cases of calcified thoracic vertebral disc hernias. The physiopathology, polymorphic clinical features, radiological appearances (including CT scans) and treatment are discussed.

Adult↗

Satellite versus total DNA replication in relation to endopolyploidy of decidual cells in the mouse.

In rodents, decidualization produces large endopolyploid cells. Amongst the various endocycles which have been demonstrated in animals and plants, different modes of DNA replication have been characterized: either total reproduction of all DNA types, or else, underreplication or amplified synthesis affecting specific parts of the genome. A double labelling method was used to determine to which of these categories the case of decidual cells belongs. A mixture of purified DNA from hormonally-stimulated control endometrium labelled by 3H-thymidine and from decidua labelled by 14C-thymidine was ultra-centrifuged to equilibrium in a Cs2 SO4-Ag gradient. Optical density at 260 nm and 14C/3H ratio were evaluated in serial fractions along the gradient. Since the 14C/3H ratio did not significantly vary along the gradient, it may be concluded that in the case of decidual cells, endopolyploidy corresponds to uniform replication of all nuclear DNA.

Animals↗

A reappraisal of perinatal mortality factors in twins.

During the last 33 years, the perinatal mortality of twins has decreased regularly in our department. When examined by duration of pregnancy, mortality was lowest at 37-38 weeks. Below 38 weeks, fetal loss was paradoxically higher in twins born from multiparae. When delivery occurred beyond 38 weeks, mortality rates were increased, but only differences for primiparous group showed statistical significance. Near-term fetal loss was predominantly due to antepartal intrauterine deaths. Analysis of individual cases indicated that early termination of pregnancy might help prevent near-term stillbirths in twins delivered by primiparae. Efforts should be directed at specific detection of twins threatened by antepartum death.

Female↗

Changes in the pattern of endometrial protein synthesis during decidualization in the rat.

Ovariectomized rats were given hormonal treatment mimicking progestational ovarian secretions. At maximal sensitivity a decidual reaction was induced by scratching the endometrium. After incubation of tissue with [35S]methionine, proteins were extracted from decidualizing and control endometrium and submitted to two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (pH range 5--7), followed by staining or autoradiography. A total of about 800 different peptides could be distinguished on the gels. By 24 h after the decidual stimulus the most prominent changes were the appearance of 4 new peptides (mol. wt 12 000, 25 000, 42 000 and 56 000) and the disappearance of 5 others (mol. wt 31 000, 35 000, 100 000, 110 000 and 140 000). This new pattern remained grossly unchanged up to 72 h after decidual induction.

Animals↗

Induction of implantation in the rat by intraparametrial injection of uterine RNA from oestrogen-treated animals.

Crude RNA preparations from uteri of oestradiol-treated rats induced the implantation of delayed blastocysts when injected into the parametrium of ovariectomized pregnant rats. Treatment of donor animals with labelled oestradiol showed that this effect could not be due to contamination of the RNA extracts by oestradiol. RNase digestion of these extracts suppressed their capacity to induce implantation. Purified poly (A)-rich RNA from oestrogen-treated uteri failed to elicit implantation although it was capable of increasing epithelial height when repeatedly injected into uterine horns of ovariectomized rats. These results suggest that uterine RNA synthesis might somehow mediate the effects of oestrogen in causing implantation and that RNAs other than messenger RNA might be involved.

Animals↗