Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to F Roblot.
A new bistetrahydrofuran acetogenin, salzmanin (1), was isolated from the MeOH extract of Annona salzmanii, in addition to the known compounds, squamocin, almunequin, bullatalicin, and annonacin. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including LSIMS-MS technique, and confirmed by a chemical transformation. The cytotoxic activity of 1 and squamocin was investigated.
The authors report the case of a 59 year old woman with mitral valve streptococcal endocarditis complicating rheumatic valvular disease with several metastatic septic complications. In addition to ocular and cerebral localisations, the patient developed a very rare mycotic aneurysm of the splenic artery. Mitral valve replacement was necessary because of severe mitral regurgitation with major dilatation of the left heart chambers. This surgery was performed under high dose heparin therapy. Large aneurysms of the splenic artery carry a high risk of rupture. This splenic artery aneurysm was treated in the same operative session as the valvular disease by a sternolaparotomy: the aneurysm was operated first of all, and then valvular replacement was performed. Three years later, the patient is well and cured of the endocarditis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the third report of mycotic aneurysm of the splenic artery and the first case combined with surgery of the infectious valvular disease and the gastro-intestinal artery aneurysm.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of penicillin-nonsusceptible pneumococcus (PNSP) infections and their clinical and microbiological features among an adult population hospitalized at the Poitiers University Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between November 1994 and October 1995 and included all pneumococcus infections. RESULTS: Fifty-three adults with one pneumococcal strain were included. The overall rate of PNSP strains was 28%. Infections with PNSP strains were more resistant than penicillin-susceptible pneumococcus to other antibiotics. The most frequent infection was pneumonia (36 infections, 28% PNSP). DISCUSSION: The rate of PNSP in pneumococcal infections was the same in the Poitiers University Hospital as in national surveys in France. The high percentage of multiresistant strains (86.5%) limit the use of antibiotics other than beta-lactams. Surveys of pneumococcal resistance to antibiotics are needed to adapt antibiotic strategies to the local epidemiological situation.
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INTRODUCTION: Current recrudescence of human tuberculosis is ascribed to HIV. Nevertheless, other at-risk individuals, particularly the elderly, have been reported. METHODS: A retrospective study aimed at defining distinctive features of tuberculosis in the elderly was conducted. Eighty-two records of patients aged 18 to 64 years were compared to those of 58 patients of 65 years of age and over. RESULTS: In the French area considered in this study, the elderly represent the most at-risk group. Institutionalization is a significant risk factor for tuberculosis (RR = 4). Despite a past history of tuberculosis and public awareness campaigns, first-intent diagnosis was evoked in only 22% of the older patients. The mean number of infectious localizations was higher in the elderly (1.3/patient) than in younger patients (1.1/patient). Results of tuberculin skin tests are unreliable. Prognosis is poor in the elderly. In the present study, 14 of the 18 encountered deaths occurred in the elderly, of which eight were due to tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: To decrease the current incidence of tuberculosis, evaluations of preventive measures in the elderly should be validated and implemented, especially in institutionalized patients.
Three new bistetrahydrofuran acetogenins, carolins A-C (1-3), were isolated from the MeOH extract of Annona spinescens in addition to the known compound, squamocin (4). The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including LSIMS/MS technique and confirmed by a chemical transformation, The cytotoxic activity of the new compounds 1-3 is reported and discussed in comparison with 4 and the previously isolated spinencin (5).
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Systemic lupus erythematosus is uncommon in elderly individuals. A 72-year-old woman developed parvovirus B19 infection followed by a systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome with persistent thrombocytopenia and Raynanud's phenomenon. Few cases of systemic lupus erythematosus after parvovirus B19 infection have been reported, and none had thrombocytopenia.
A new Annonaceous acetogenin, coriadienin (1), has been isolated from the roots of Annona coriacea Mart. (Annonaceae). This structure is the first reported acetogenin containing two double bonds. Compound 1 showed potent cytotoxicity against VERO and KB cell lines. Compound 1 appears to play an important role in the biosynthetic pathway of mono- and bis-THF acetogenins, and it is proposed as a biogenetic precursor of coriacin. A known cytotoxic acetogenin, gigantetronenin, was also isolated from this plant.
Two new prenylated quinones, piperogalone (1) and galopiperone (2), and a new prenylated dihydroquinone, hydropiperone (3), were isolated from Peperomia galioides H.B.K (Piperaceae). Hydropiperone exhibited potent antiparasitic activity against three species of Leishmania.
The trunk bark and roots of Annona spinescens have been investigated for their alkaloid content. Two new berbine alkaloids, pessoine (1) and spinosine (2), have been isolated from the bark, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Eight known isoquinoline alkaloids were also obtained. The trypanocidal and antileishmanial activities of these isolated compounds have been investigated.
The authors report the case of a woman affected by disseminated infection caused by Mycobacterium bovis, without risk exposure and immunodeficiency. There were chest and urinary localisations and bacteremia. Usually, M bovis is responsible of chest tuberculosis, in patients with professional exposure. Disseminated forms usually affect patients with immunodeficiency. Bacteria may be responsible of about 1% of tuberculosis, but real frequency is not known, because of its non specific report.
Datura stramonium is a hallucinogenic plant found in urban or rural areas. It contains three main toxic alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine, and hyosciamine. Consumption of any part of the plant can result in severe anticholinergic toxicity. Clinical symptoms are those seen in atropine poisoning, particularly hallucinations and mydriasis. Prognostic is good in this study. Patients always require hospitalisation because of agitated behavior. Symptomatic treatment is efficient. Clinicians should be aware of the potential abuse of botanicals such as jimson weed to avoid excessive investigations.
A petroleum ether extract of Peperomia galoides showed significant in vitro activity against three Leishmania species and Trypanosoma cruzi. Three major prenylated diphenols, including two known compounds, grifolic acid [1], and grifolin [2], and the new substance piperogalin [3], have been isolated. Structures were established on the basis of spectral analysis including 2D nmr spectroscopy.
Rifampin is an enzymatic inducer known to increase steroid metabolism. We studied two patients with giant cell arteritis in whom rifampin caused nonresponsiveness to prednisone treatment. A prednisone pharmacokinetics study was done. When rifampin-prednisone treatment must be used in giant cell arteritis, we propose increasing the prednisone dosage to 2 mg/kg per day.
Four new alkaloids were obtained from Guatteria foliosa, namely, the noraporphines (-)-3-methoxyputerine [1] and (+)-norguattevaline [2], the more highly oxidized (+)-3-methoxyguattescidine [3], and the oxoaporphine 3-methoxyoxoputerine [4]. Among several other known alkaloids also found in this same plant, (-)-3-hydroxynornuciferine, (-)-isoguattouregidine, and argentinine exhibited significant activity against Trypanosoma cruzi.
The stem bark of Ampelocera edentula Kuhlm. (Ulmaceae) is used by the Chimanes Indians from Bolivia for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan Leishmania braziliensis. A chloroform extract of the stem barks was found to be active against extracellular forms of Leishmania ssp. and Trypanosoma cruzi at 50 micrograms/ml. Bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract allowed us to isolate one active compound. Its structure was elucidated by spectral and chemical studies as 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone. BALB/c mice infected with L. amazonensis (PH8) or L. venezuelensis were treated one day after the parasitic infection with 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone (25 mg/kg/day) or with reference drug, Glucantime (56 mg Sbv/kg/day) for 14 days. Lesion development was the criteria used to evaluate the disease severity. 4-Hydroxy-1-tetralone was slightly less effective than the reference drug against L. amazonensis or L. venezuelensis. Single treatment near the site of infection, 14 days after infection with L. amazonensis, with 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone (50 mg/kg) was more effective than Glucantime (112 mg/kg). This study is, to our knowledge, the first to show the activity of a tetralone for the experimental treatment of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis.