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Biomedical subjects

G Leonard

Publications and source records attributed to G Leonard.

68 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic retroviruses type III (HIV) and type IV in Ivory Coast.

Serological investigations in the Ivory Coast indicate that, despite the rarity of overt acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is widely prevalent. So also is human T-lymphotropic virus type IV (HTLV-IV). The highest rates of HIV and HTLV-IV seropositivity were observed in female prostitutes. These findings suggest that, like HIV, HTLV-IV can be transmitted by heterosexual contact, and that the mobility of prostitutes may be an important factor in spread of the retroviruses in Africa. The incidence of HIV-associated AIDS in the Ivory Coast is likely to rise sharply in the next few years.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1987

A STLV-III related human retrovirus, HTLV-IV: analysis of cross-reactivity with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

A category of viruses has been identified which is related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but is more closely related to a group of simian retroviruses (STLV-III). These viruses named HTLV-IV, LAV-II, or SBL-6669, are prevalent in West-Africa. In this study, we analysed the cross-reactivity at the protein level between HTLV-IV and HIV (HTLV-IIIB). The results indicate that most people infected with HTLV-IV have antibodies that react to the major gag protein of HIV p 24. There is also a high degree of immunologic cross-reactivity between the pol gene products of HIV and HTLV-IV. Among these the endonuclease/integrase is more conserved than the reverse transcriptase. In contrast, the envelope glycoproteins that are the most frequently detected antigens by antibodies from exposed individuals are serotype specific. These data make the env gene products the most interesting antigens for serotype specific diagnosis of human retroviruses infections.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1986

Mandibular involvement by oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Detecting mandibular bone involvement by oral carcinoma prior to definitive therapy poses a difficult problem for the head and neck surgeon. A retrospective study of 104 patients who underwent segmental mandibular resection for oral squamous cell carcinoma was undertaken to detect the incidence of mandibular bone involvement. Specimens from 23 patients (22%) demonstrated tumor invasion on decalcified histologic examination. Histologic evidence of bone involvement was correlated with the site of lesion, stage of the disease, the grade of tumor, the clinical impression of bone involvement, and the presence or absence of neck disease. Bone invasion on histologic examination was also compared with preoperative bone scans and radiographs. The data obtained demonstrates significant mandibular involvement with alveolar tumors and lesions clinically adjacent to the mandible. There was also a high incidence of histologic bone involvement in patients who had radiologic or bone scan evidence of tumor erosion. We support segmental mandibulectomy on the basis of providing adequate tumor margins for patients fulfilling these criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum.

A rare case of chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum is presented. Wide excision of the tumour including the right orbit and part of the anterior cranial fossa was undertaken. Review of the literature shows that this is the treatment of choice and the radiotherapy does not prevent recurrence.

Chondrosarcoma↗
PubMed1976

Impaired ganglioside synthesis in rat liver after D-galactosamine administration in vivo.

D-Galactosamine reduces the hepatic content of uridine phosphates, UDP-galactose, and UDPglucose due to an accumulation of UDP-amino sugars; this deficiency can result in severe hepatocellular damage. Alterations of glycosphingolipid synthesis in the early phase of this pathogenic process were studied by measurements of the incorporation of labeled galactose into glycosphingolipids of rat liver. [1-14C]Galactose was injected 2 h after galactosamine administration and the specific radioactivities of the glycosphingolipid precursors, UCPgalactose and UDPglucose, were determined. The specific radioactivity of UDPgalactose, when integrated over the whole period of radioactive synthesis, was four times higher in the galactosamine-treated animals than in the controls; the corresponding ratio of UDPglucose was 0.85. The pattern of the glycosphingolipids isolated from the livers of normal and galactosamine-treated rats resembled that described by Siddiqui and Hakomori (1970, Cancer Res. 30, 2930-2936); GL1, GM3,GM1, GD1, and a small amount of GT could be characterized. The specific radioactivities of glucose and galactose obtained from individual glycosphingolipids were determined in normal and galactosamine-treated livers. The synthesis of the glycosphingolipids was calculated using the respective data of the UDPhexoses. The labeling of glucosylceramide (GL1) was not altered and only a small change of GM3 could be detected; the synthesis of gangliosides GM1 and GD1, however, was inhibited by 95% or more between 4 and 6 h after galactosamine administration.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Diuretic and antihypertensive actions of furosemide.

Furosemide (4 - chloro - N - (2 - furyl - methyl) - 5 - sulfamoylanthranilic acid) caused a prompt increase in sodium, potassium, and chloride excretions in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg orally produced progressively increasing diuretic responses. When given over a period of one week to patients with essential hypertension, furosemide in doses of 100 to 200 mg orally per day caused a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic pressure. A significant lowering of blood pressure was also demonstrated in hypertensive patients treated with furosemide over a period of one year. Biochemical alterations during furosemide administration included elevation of fasting blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes mellitus, increased uric acid concentrations, and lowering of plasma potassium levels. All biochemical changes were reversible when the drug was discontinued. No evidence of hematologic or hepatic dysfunction was observed in 16 patients who received furosemide in a daily dose of 40 to 160 mg over a 52-week period. Although furosemide has been recommended primarily for the treatment of edema refractory to other forms of therapy, long-term studies indicate that the drug is also capable of maintaining patients with chronic congestive heart failure without producing serious systemic toxicity.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Interleukin-3 interleukin-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor expression in nasal polyps.

PURPOSE: Nasal polyps (NP) are grape-like clusters of chronically inflamed tissue. Little is known about the underlying cells and cytokines involved in nasal polyposis. For the present study, we hypothesize that elevated tissue levels of interleukin-3 (IL-3), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulation factor (GM-CSF) contribute to eosinophil recruitment and activation in NP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To begin to test this hypothesis, we evaluated IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF levels and distributions in nasal polyp specimens obtained intraoperatively from 13 patients and two normal controls. For these studies, nasal polyp levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF distribution was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of the NP indicated that in all 13 patient samples, IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF were associated with infiltrating cells, primarily eosinophils, in the NP. Quantitation of IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF in NP tissue homogenates indicated that IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF levels were evaluated in the NP tissues when compared with control tissues. Additionally, elevation of individual cytokines correlated with previous polypectomy (IL-3), steroid use (IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF), asthma (IL-5), and age (GM-CSF). CONCLUSION: These data support our hypothesis that IL-3, IL-5, and GM-CSF are likely to play a key role in eosinophil recruitment/activation and NP formation and support recently advanced theories that cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Eosinophil expression of transforming growth factor-beta and its receptors in nasal polyposis: role of the cytokines in this disease process.

PURPOSE: Nasal polyposis (NP) is characterized by an increase in inflammatory processes including fibrosis. Because transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) has been proven to induce fibrosis, we hypothesize that TGF-beta and its receptors are present in NP and influence polyp development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To test this hypothesis, we evaluated distribution (immunohistochemistry) of TGF-beta isoforms (TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, and TGF-beta 3) and its receptors [(TGF-beta(RI) & TGF-beta(RII)] in NP from 36 NP patients and in five normal sinus tissue specimens obtained from septoplasty/inferior turbinectomy. Tissue levels of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and protein content was determined by Bio Rad assay (Bio Rad, Richmond, CA). All tissue levels of TGF-beta were normalized and expressed as pg of TGF-beta per mg of total protein (pg/mg TP). RESULTS: Immunohistochemical studies showed eosinophils as the major cells positively staining for TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 3, TGF-beta(RI), and TGF-beta. In fibrotic sections, increased staining of eosinophils, fibroblast, and mononuclear cells was found for all three isoforms and both receptors. Evaluation of tissue levels indicated mean levels of TGF-beta 1 in the NP were 11.64 +/- 22.12 pg/mg TP versus normal control mean 44.36 +/- 22.12 pg/mg TP.TGF-beta 2 mean levels were 11.46 +/- 23.73 pg/mg TP versus normal control mean of 2.03 +/- 1.13 pg/mg TP. NP showed decreased expression of TGF-beta 1 and enhanced expression of TGF-beta 2 isoforms with presence of their receptors. Higher levels of TGF-beta 2 correlated with an increase in previous polypectomies perhaps indicative of severity of disease (P < or = .0001). CONCLUSION: Our studies show the presence of the TGF-beta isoforms and receptors in NP tissue. The results support our hypothesis that the eosinophil continues to be a pivotal inflammatory cell in NP, a differential regulation may govern the activity of TGF-beta in NP, and hence, the TGF-beta family of cytokines and receptors likely play a key role in controlling NP formation.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Using the handicap code of the ICIDH for classifying patients by intensity of nursing care requirements.

An 11-class patient classification system (PCS) has been built on a recode of two dimensions of the handicap code of the ICIDH: physical independence and mobility handicaps. The proposed system, called MAC XI, explains 78% of the variance of nursing care hours required by nursing-home residents and extended-care hospital patients. This percentage of variation is higher than the one explained by traditional dependency grids such as the Exton-Smith, Murphy, Kuntzmann and SMAF. MAC XI, based on two dimensions of the handicap code, is thus a powerful tool for predicting intensity of nursing care for staffing and budgeting purposes in long-term care institutions.

Activities of Daily Living↗