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Biomedical subjects

F Marchand

Publications and source records attributed to F Marchand.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Intra-parotid neurogenic tumors of the facial nerve. Value of MRI].

Facial nerve intraparotid neuromas are rare. We report two cases with no facial paralysis. In the first case, the clinical protocol for the evaluation of a parotid mass did not suggest the intramastoid tumor extension. This extension was shown by CT and MRI and confirmed by gross and microscopic appearance. In the second case, no intrapretrous extension was observed with MRI. The diagnosis of neuroma was made during surgery. With a literature review, we discuss the diagnostic difficulties encountered in the investigation of parotid facial nerve tumors, emphasizing on the usefulness of CT and MRI in its diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Narcolepsy disclosing neurosarcoidosis].

A 37-year-old man developed excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep attacks and cataplexy revealing an hypothalamic tumour. Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT) were characteristics of narcolepsy. Tissue typing was positive for HLA DR2 and DQ1. Most cases of narcolepsy are idiopathic without any evidence of brain pathology. Although symptomatic narcolepsy may occur occasionally with diencephalic lesions. The relationship between narcolepsy with diencephalic lesions is unsettled and will be discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Tubular sterilization in the immediate postpartum period using local anesthesia and laparoscopy].

Puerperal laparoscopic sterilization was performed in 732 women under anaesthesia at the Maternity of Noumea (New-Caledonia). There were no complications. Among the per-operative and postoperative incidents which occurred, there were 0.8% pregnancies, 3.6% bleeding of the broad ligament which was controlled during laparoscopy and 3% events (adhesion, pain) which required general anaesthesia. It was concluded that the described technique of puerperal laparoscopic sterilization is a safe, simple, rapid, inexpensive and reliable surgical technique in expert hands.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

In vitro inhibition, by loratadine and descarboxyethoxyloratadine, of histamine release from human basophils, and of histamine release and intracellular calcium fluxes in rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3).

The effect of the H1-antihistamine drug loratadine and its active metabolite descarboxyethoxyloratadine upon histamine release was examined on anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) triggered human basophils and 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) triggered rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. In both experimental systems, dose-dependent inhibition of histamine release was observed at descarboxyethoxyloratadine and loratadine doses above 2 and 7 microM, respectively. In the RBL-2H3 experimental system, inhibition by loratadine increased when the concentration of extracellular Ca2+ was reduced from 1.8 to 0.45 mM. We further investigated the effect of loratadine and descarboxyethoxyloratadine on the increase in cytosolic calcium concentration (Ca2+)i, an early step in biochemical events leading to exocytosis. The effect of these two drugs upon (Ca2+)i changes was measured using the fluorescent probe fura-2 loaded into RBL-2H3 cells passively sensitized with DNP-specific IgE. Both drugs inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner (2.5-25 microM), the (Ca2+)i rise induced by DNP-BSA challenge in sensitized RBL cells, a process observed in both the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+. Loratadine also inhibited the Mn2+ influx into these cells, thus reflecting the Ca2+ influx. These results suggest that loratadine and descarboxyethoxyloratadine impair the increase in (Ca2+)i following cell activation by decreasing both the influx of extracellular Ca2+ and the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Non-pharmacological approaches to the treatment of narcolepsy.

A way of evaluating the part played by non-drug treatments is to study cases of patients who discontinued stimulant medications but still came back for follow-up visits. Out of 40 patients with narcolepsy-cataplexy, three refused medication because their work was compatible with a regimen of naps (follow-up 1 year), and 10 stopped taking drugs when they could adapt nap therapy to a new life-style (follow-up 6.9 +/- 5 years). Three interrelated levels of non-pharmacological treatments of narcolepsy were examined: 1) Behavioral management, which includes: (A) structured sleep schedules: literature shows that a single long afternoon nap proffered greatest performance benefits in reaction time, significantly increased over a no-nap control condition, with no evidence of sleep inertia. The placement of this nap might yield better results if scheduled 1 hour before that of a normal subject. (B) Dietary factors: little is known about the effects of diet in narcoleptics; however, avoiding simple sugars will improve alertness in some patients. 2) Medical and psychiatric aspects of care. 3) Social factors as an interface between the patients and their environment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Immunoassay of pyridinoline crosslink excretion in normal adults and in Paget's disease.

A new immunoassay (ELISA) based on an antiserum that preferentially recognizes the free form of the pyridinoline (Pyr) crosslink was used to assess the urinary excretion of Pyr in a large normal sample of the population comprising 236 men and 193 women 30-90 years of age. Urinary Pyr increased significantly with age in both sexes. In women Pyr was higher than in men (57 +/- 21 versus 46 +/- 17 nmol/mmol creatinine, p < 0.001), and the menopause was reflected by a mean 37% increase, from an average 43 to 59 nmol/mm creatinine (p < 0.001). In 52 patients with active Paget's disease of bone, Pyr excretion was markedly increased (206 +/- 160 nmol/mmol creatinine, p < 0.001 versus controls) and decreased by 71% after 3 days of IV treatment with the bisphosphonate pamidronate. Free Pyr measured by the ELISA and the total urinary excretion measured by HPLC were highly correlated both in normals (n = 74, r = 0.83, p < 0.001) and in Pagetic patients (n = 20, r = 0.93, p < 0.001). The mean intra- and interassay coefficients of variation of the ELISA were below 9 and 15%, respectively. It is concluded that this new convenient immunoassay of Pyr should be valuable for the clinical investigation of patients with osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Mite-allergen exposure and spontaneous histamine release in monosensitive and polysensitive mite-allergic patients.

Forty-three patients allergic to mites and suffering mainly from asthma were recruited: 25 were mite-monosensitive and 18 were polysensitive, as determined by skin tests and specific serum IgE determinations with various allergens. In vitro spontaneous histamine release (SHR) by washed blood basophils was measured once or several times for each patient. Throughout this study, the mean periods of high and low mite-allergen exposure were defined on the basis of relative indoor humidity and temperature data. For the mite-monosensitive patients, there was a significant increase in mean SHR during the season of high mite-allergen exposure as compared to the months of lower mite-allergen presence (P < 0.002). No significant difference between mean SHR values was observed when comparing the monosensitive group during the season of high mite-allergen exposure with polysensitive patients (allergic to mite and pollen) during the period of exposure to both allergens. Differences in mean SHR reported here emphasize the positive relationship between intense allergen exposure and the in vitro SHR increase in blood basophils of mite-allergic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Expression of the alpha chain of human Fc epsilon RI in transfected rat basophilic leukemia cells: functional activation after sensitization with human mite-specific IgE.

The actual dilemma in studying the binding and triggering capacity of IgE from allergic patients is the lack of cultured basophils or mast cell analogs of human origin. Human IgE binds with exquisite species specificity to the high affinity IgE receptor (Fc epsilon RI) expressed on the surface of these cells. In rodents this receptor has been characterized as a tetrameric plasma membrane protein composed of an IgE-binding alpha chain, a beta chain and two disulfide-linked gamma chains. In order to establish a cell line expressing the alpha chain of human Fc epsilon RI which can be triggered with IgE from human patients and specific allergen, we transfected the cDNA coding for the human alpha subunit into rat basophilic leukemia cells. The resulting transfectants express the human alpha chain on the cell surface in the form of a hybrid complex associated with endogenous rat gamma chains. After sensitization with human IgE from mite-specific patients, the transfectant produces a calcium response upon incubation with allergen. The established cell line can be used as a model system to study the mechanism of mast cell triggering through IgE from allergic patients.

Allergens↗
PubMed1992

Identification of allergenic epitopes on Der f I, a major allergen of Dermatophagoides farinae, using monoclonal antibodies.

The antigenic and allergenic structure of Der f I, a major allergen of the house dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) was investigated by means of a panel of 11 selected monoclonal antibodies (mAb) obtained from BALB/c mice immunized with purified Der f I. The species specificity of these mAb, tested with Der f I and Der p I--the homologous allergen from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus--was generally restricted to Der f I since 10 out of 11 mAb reacted only with this allergen. Epitope specificity of the mAb was determined by both competitive inhibition and sandwich ELISA experiments. The results indicated the presence of at least four non-overlapping, non-repeated antigenic sites on Der f I, which were recognized by one or several mAb (sites A, B, C and D). Comparative epitope specificity studies between human IgE antibodies and mice mAb were performed, on sera and basophils of Df sensitive patients, using different inhibition assays (ELISA and histamine release experiments). The degree of inhibition varied between the patients and upon the assay design. Most of the mAb tested were found to significantly inhibit the binding of human IgE to Der f I (p less than 0.01) when compared with Der p I specific mAb as a control. The mAb reacting with site A was found to be the most potent inhibitor, presenting a mean inhibition of up to 56% in ELISA as well as in histamine release experiments. The results show that both human IgE antibodies and mAb can be directed against identical or closely related epitopes of Der f I. Therefore anti-Der f I mAb constitute immunologic probes in further allergenic epitope and peptide analysis of this major mite allergen.

Allergens↗
PubMed1990

Investigation of the laminate structure of lumbar disc anulus fibrosus.

The structure of the lumbar disc anulus fibrosus was investigated using a layer-by-layer peeling technique and microscopic examination of various cut surfaces. Anulus specimens from spines of two different age groups and from two levels, L2-3 and L4-5, were examined. The vertebra-disc-vertebra units were subjected to intentional controlled dehydration to enhance the visual contrast between the white opaque fiber bundles and the translucent ground substance. The variations of the anulus structure with circumferential and radial locations were studied. The following principal structural features were quantified: 1) the anulus, excluding the transition zone, consists of 15 to 25 distinct layers, depending on the circumferential location, the spine level, and the specimen age; 2) in any 20 degrees circumferential sector, nearly half of the layers terminate or originate, thereby causing local laminate irregularities; 3) there are two identifiable mechanisms of layer interruption at these irregularities; 4) the thickness of individual layers varies both circumferentially and radially and increases markedly with age; and 5) the number of fiber bundles over the total height of the disc varies from 20 to 62, with an average interbundle spacing of 0.22 mm.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Enhancement of the histamine releasing activity of mouse monoclonal anti-human IgE antibody xb6-16 when present in aggregated or complexed forms.

FPLC purification of mouse monoclonal anti-human IgE antibody xb6-16 showed 2 major peaks of different molecular weight, peak 1 (greater than 10(6) d) and peak 3 (1.6 x 10(5) d). Peak 1 consisted of IgG1 and IgM, peak 3 of IgG1 only. On a protein weight basis, peak 1 was 100 times more potent than peak 3 in inducing histamine release from human basophils. Preincubation of peak 3 with anti-IgG1 enhanced the mediator release triggered by this fraction. On this basis, the potentiating effect of aggregated IgG1 or IgG1-IgM complexes on mediator release from basophils is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Monoclonal anti-human IgE: histamine release capacity and effect on in vitro sensitization of human basophils.

IgE-anti-IgE complexes were formed by preincubation of a human myeloma IgE with a monoclonal anti-human IgE antibody at different concentrations. Binding of IgE onto the anti-IgE inhibited the histamine release capacity of anti-IgE from basophils. The IgE cell-binding capacity was altered by the IgE/anti-IgE ratio in the preincubation buffer. Heating of the complexes gave a partial recovery of the anti-IgE degranulation capacity, suggesting that the monoclonal anti-IgE is specific for an epitope present on the D epsilon 2 domain.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗