Cardiac troponins in serum in chronic renal failure.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Michel.
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Uterine cervix carcinoma is considered by some authors to carry a poor prognosis in young patients (< 35 years of age). From 10 years, many series have been published with divergent conclusions. However, a group of patients with poor prognosis could be individualized; age < 30 years, locally aggressive tumour, poorly differentiated, nodal involvement, amplification of c-Myc proto-oncogene. New imaging technics and coelioscopy could help to the diagnosis. The role of combined treatment remains to be demonstrated and biological factors (kinetics, oxygenation) will help in the future to more adapted treatments.
The study of bacterial colonization by Streptococcus mutans on dental surfaces of rat have been undertaken in vivo in gnotobiotic rat, and in vitro in an artificial mouth model, in order to validate the suitability of such a model. The study of colonization by Streptococcus mutans with time showed a similar kinetic of the monobacterial plaque formation in the two experimentations. Three phases were observed. A logarithmic phase in the earliest hours after inoculation of bacterium, followed by an exponential phase, and finally a stabilization phase of the monobacterial plaque formed in this way from the third day. Nevertheless, if the kinetic is the same, it is observed a more important colonization of dental surfaces in rat. This phenomenon was explained by the simplification of biological conditions encountered in the in vitro model. In particular, it is noticed the important saliva action. It is concluded that the in vitro model developed simulate suitably the conditions of the oral environment encountered in vivo.
We report a pediatric case of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) with trisomy 8 and terminal blastic transformation to mixed acute leukaemia. Literature cases are reviewed, with emphasis on prognostic factors to differentiating "benign" from malignant HES.
IL-8 is a chemotactic cytokine with proinflammatory and growth-promoting activities. Recently it has been shown to influence several functions of keratinocytes, including HLA-DR expression, chemotaxis, and proliferation by binding to a specific receptor. Because psoriasis vulgaris is characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation and infiltration of inflammatory cells, we investigated the expression of IL-8 and its receptor in normal and psoriatic epidermis using semiquantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In addition the mRNA levels of the proto-oncogenes c-ras, c-raf, c-myc, and HER-2 were also investigated as potential growth-promoting stimuli in psoriatic epidermis. IL-8 mRNA was only detected in lesional psoriatic epidermis, and IL-8R-specific mRNA was found to be 10 times increased in lesional psoriatic epidermis. There was no significant difference in the protooncogene mRNA levels. In order to test the relevance of the massively increased IL-8R levels in psoriatic epidermis, we investigated the effect of the antipsoriatic drug FK-506 on specific IL-8 and IL-8R mRNA expression. FK-506 dose dependently inhibited IL-8R expression and function. Our data suggest that in psoriatic skin, elevated IL-8 levels and markedly increased IL-8R expression may act in concert to induce the cardinal signs of psoriasis--epidermal hyperproliferation and leukocyte infiltration. IL-8R may prove a molecular target for antipsoriatic drugs such as FK-506.
The sporulation-related gamma-D-glutamyl-(L)meso-diaminopimelic-acid-hydrolysing peptidase I of Bacillus sphaericus NCTC 9602 has been analysed by proton-induced X-ray emission. It contains 1 equivalent Zn2+ per mol of protein. As derived from gene cloning and sequencing, the B. sphaericus Zn peptidase I is a two-module protein. A 100-amino-acid-residue N-terminal domain consisting of two tandem segments of similar sequences, is fused to a 296-amino-acid-residue C-terminal catalytic domain. The catalytic domain belongs to the Zn carboxypeptidase A family, the closest match being observed with the Streptomyces griseus carboxypeptidase [Narahashi (1990) J. Biochem. 107, 879-886] and with the family prototype, bovine carboxypeptidase A. The catalytic domain of the B. sphaericus peptidase I possesses, distributed along the amino-acid sequence, peptide segments, a triad His162-Glu165-His307 and a dyad Tyr347-Glu366 that are equivalent to secondary structures, the zinc-binding triad His69-Glu72-His196 and the catalytic dyad Tyr248-Glu270 of bovine carboxypeptidase A respectively. The N-terminal repeats of the B. sphaericus peptidase I have similarity with the C-terminal repeats of the Enterococcus hirae muramidase 2, the Streptococcus (now Enterococcus) faecalis autolysin and the Bacillus phi PZA and phi 29 lysozymes, to which a role in the recognition of a particular moiety of the bacterial cell envelope has been tentatively assigned. Detergents enhance considerably the specific activity of the B. sphaericus peptidase I.
The recombinant plasmid pAL-A3 bears a (poly ManA) alginate lyase-encoding gene that originates from the marine bacterium ATCC 433367 (Brown et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol. (1991) 57, 1870-1872). The alginate lyase produced by Escherichia coli TC4 harbouring pAL-A3 was purified to protein homogeneity and the corresponding gene sequenced, giving access to the first known primary structure of an alginate lyase. The 265-amino acid residue alginate lyase showed lytic activity on a Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient. Unexpectedly, the alginate lyase thus characterized differed from that isolated from the culture medium of the bacterium ATCC 433367 (Romeo and Preston, Biochemistry (1986) 25, 8385-8391).
The outcome of ovarian function preservation and fertility after ovarian transposition was examined in women treated for cancer. Of 134 patients, 126 were treated with radiotherapy and 72 with chemotherapy. In a multivariate analysis, three factors appeared to be prognostic of ovarian castration: the age over 25, MOPP chemotherapy and a total dose to the ovaries higher than 5 Gy. The incidence of birth was lower in the general population but no abnormality was observed.
The neurohypophysial hormones contained in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary of the Australian lungfish Neoceratodus forsteri have been investigated. Mesotocin was identified by coelution with the synthetic peptide in high-pressure liquid chromatography, by Edman amino acid sequencing, by mass spectrometry, by C-terminal sequencing through carboxypeptidase Y, and cleavage with prolyl endopeptidase. Vasotocin, if present, would be in very small amounts and hydrins were not detected. Oxytocin appears absent. Although Neoceratodus and Protopterus have different habitats, the former being permanently aquatic, the latter burrowing during estivation, the proportions of neurohypophysial hormones stored in neurohypophysis were roughly similar in the two species and not apparently affected by environmental conditions.
The neurohypophysial hormones of the ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei), a species belonging to the subclass Holocephali of cartilaginous fishes, have been investigated. An oxytocin-like hormone has been isolated from acetone-desiccated pituitary glands by using successively molecular sieving and high-pressure liquid chromatography. The peptide has been identified as oxytocin by coelution with synthetic oxytocin in HPLC, amino acid sequencing, mass spectrometry, and C-terminal sequencing through carboxypeptidase Y. Vasotocin may be present in a very small amount. Cartilaginous fishes appear to display a great diversity in their oxytocin-like hormones since five different peptides have been identified in rays and sharks that belong to the second subclass Selachii.
The purpose of this study was to assess in vitro migration of the following three bacterial species into dentinal tubules: Streptococcus sanguis, Actinomyces naeslundii and Prevotella intermedia. Twenty-seven bovine incisors were randomly divided into three groups. Only the root dentin was used for the experiment. Within each group, the nine incisors were sectioned into 36 dentin blocks that were incubated with one of the tested bacterial suspensions. Twelve samples were taken after 10, 20, and 28 days. Half the samples were observed with scanning electron microscopy and the others with light microscopy after standard histologic procedures, and the depth of bacterial penetration was measured. Analysis of the examinations showed that whatever the technique used, only one strain on this experimental model migrated into dentinal tubules. S. sanguis was observed at a depth of 792 microns, but no migration was observed for either A.naeslundii or P.intermedia. The differences in migration of the bacteria tested appear to be related to their morphologic factors and cellular arrangement.
Hydrin 2 (vasotocinyl-Gly) is an intermediate in pro-vasotocin processing found, along with vasotocin, only in the neurohypophysis of anuran amphibians. It increases cutaneous water permeability in the frog and is likely involved in neuroendocrine control of osmoregulation. The relative amounts of vasotocin and hydrin 2 stored in neurohypophysis have been measured on the one hand in amphibian species known not to adapt in dry areas, on the other hand in two species, Bufo regularis (Africa) and Bufo viridis (Near-East) able to survive in an arid environment. In the first group, the proportions of the two peptides are approximately equal whereas in the two toads the molar ratio hydrin 2 to vasotocin reaches 2. The ratio does not appear to vary significantly when these toads are either submitted to dehydration or placed in saline solutions. Predominance of hydrin 2 suggests an adaptive decrease of the activity of the alpha-amidating enzymatic system involved in the conversion of vasotocinyl-Gly into mature amidated vasotocin.
Reporting and scoring treatment complications in gynecological cancers is difficult because of the variety of normal tissues, anatomical structures and treatment disciplines involved, making it impossible to compare series of patients treated in different institutions even with the same strategy. An international group of experts (gynecologists, radiotherapists and surgeons) developed a multidisciplinary database to identify, score and report early and late normal tissue damage regardless of treatment strategy. The principles involve: (1) The identification of relevant organs and tissues; (2) An accurate definition of the type and score of each complication; (3) Reporting combinations of complications of various degrees; (4) A computerized format for data acquisition, update and retrieval. In the present version, the "Glossary" describes five degrees of increasing severity (0 to 4) in 14 organs and/or normal tissues. The rationale of the glossary leaves it open for as yet undescribed types of complications. This paper contains the definition and scoring for each type of complication, general guidelines for their use.
Several functions of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) require adhesion to occur. Various membrane proteins' functions such as CD18 (beta 2 chain of integrin), CD35 (CR1) and CD16 (F c gamma Receptor III) participate in adhesion. In vivo treatment with Ribomunyl (R), an immunomodulating agent, was shown to enhance adhesion and migration of PMNs. To explore the direct effect of R on PMNs, cells from healthy subjects were treated in vitro with R. A significant increase of PMN adhesion and expression of CD18 and CD35 molecules were observed with 50 and 100 micrograms/ml of R after 2 h incubation. However, R-treatment decreased the PMN reactivity towards anti-CD16 (F c gamma RIII) monoclonal antibody. The effect of R on adhesion and membrane molecule expression was independent of the presence of serum and of polymixin B. Thus, this effect cannot be due to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contaminants and does not require interactions with serum components. In previous studies, it was shown that in vitro amoxicillin increased some PMN functions whereas josamycin decreased them. The in vitro incubation of PMNs with R and amoxicillin (100 micrograms/ml) potentiated the positive effect of amoxicillin on adhesion and the antibiotic counterbalanced the negative effect of R on CD16 expression. In addition, R compensated the negative effect of josamycin (100 micrograms/ml) on PMN adhesion and on CD18 and CD35 expression. This study indicates: (1) the direct effect of R on PMN adhesion and on expression of molecules involved in adhesive-mediated functions, and (2) the beneficial effect of the association of R with antibiotics which can stimulate PMN activity.
1. The neurohypophysial osmoregulatory hormones of the African toad Bufo regularis, a species adapted to estivate under dry and hot conditions, have been investigated. Vasotocin and hydrin 2 (vasotocinyl-Gly) have been identified by their retention times in high-pressure reverse-phase liquid chromatography and coelution with synthetic peptides, their pharmacological properties (vasotocin) and microsequencing. 2. Vasotocin-associated neurophysin (MSEL-neurophysin type) has been characterized by its N-terminal amino acid sequence. 3. In toads subjected to dehydration by evaporation (20% weight loss) or to osmotic stress by immersion in 2% NaCl for 3 hr (6% weight loss), the molar ratio hydrin 2/vasotocin (about 2:1) remained similar to the one observed in control animals. 4. In toads exposed to saline solution, there was a large decrease (roughly 30%) in the amounts of both hormones in the neuro-hypophysis. Environmental conditions for distinct secretions of vasotocin and hydrin 2 remain to be found.
A prospective registration of incident cancers in childhood in two south-east regions of France since 1 January 1984 allows us to collect pertinent data on 875 cases throughout a period of 8 years. World age-standardised overall incidence rate is 137.63 cases/million/year. It is close to that reported in other white European. North American and Oceanian populations. The age-adjusted (age-standardised) relative frequency of each pathological group is: leukaemias 29.71%; central nervous system tumours 20.61%; lymphomas 12.75%; sympathetic tumours 9.03%; soft tissues tumours 7.37%; bone tumours 5.89%; kidney tumours 4.82%; epithelial tumours 3.83%; germinal and gonadal tumours 3.24%; retinoblastomas 2.11%; liver tumours 0.45% and others 0.14%. The comparison of these results with international available data shows that we record the world highest adjusted incidence rates for neuroblastomas (15.46) and rhabdomyosarcomas (7.04) and a high rate for Ewing's sarcomas (3.30); this fact will need to be confirmed by a longer period of observation, but even now the total number of cases (particularly for neuroblastoma) is high when compared with the data of other children registries which give rates for longer periods and for similar or larger populations.
Two rabbit polyclonal antisera have been produced by immunization with two fragments corresponding to sequences 392 to 404 and 392 to 613 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A. Both antisera inhibit the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of exotoxin A but do not inhibit its NAD-glycohydrolase activity. In addition, only the second antiserum was capable of neutralizing exotoxin A cytotoxicity in cell culture and in vivo. Consequently, the common sequence 392 to 404 of the two fragments is not a neutralizing epitope and such an epitope should reside within residues 405 to 613 of exotoxin A. The sequence 392 to 404 was shown to be hidden in the native molecule, and the results suggest that this sequence is most likely in close proximity to residues involved in eukaryotic elongation factor 2 binding.
The sporocidal properties of peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and formaldehyde were compared in vitro using a dilution-neutralization micromethod. A combination of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide was also tested to assess their interactions. The activities of these agents, which are widely used as disinfectants, were evaluated against Bacillus spore isolates found on stored membranes and collection cultures. Peracetic acid and chlorine exhibited an excellent antimicrobial activity, with a destruction of 10(5) spores/mL after 5 min of contact. Generally the effects of the biocides tested were time dependent. The sporocidal activities of hydrogen peroxide and formaldehyde were the lowest. The combination of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide, tested by a checkerboard micromethod, was found to be synergistic. The minimal sporocidal concentration (MSC) was established in terms of time for each biocide. The lowest MSC values for peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and formaldehyde were 168-336 ppm (1-2 h of contact), 5625-11250 ppm (5-7 h), 168-336 ppm (2-3 h), and 1875-3750 ppm (5-30 min), respectively. The MSC of a biocide combination of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide showed that synergy was maintained with increasing contact time and that the MSC could be reduced by two to eight times when compared with those of the biocides alone. Optimal concentrations and contact times of those chemicals that were promising in vitro were then tested for their ability to disinfect ultrafiltration membranes. The sporocidal activities of peroxide compounds and chlorine were confirmed and the synergism between peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide was also maintained.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)