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Biomedical subjects

J Bruneau

Publications and source records attributed to J Bruneau.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Abnormalities of peripheral nerve conduction in relation to thiamine status in alcoholic patients.

Thiamine status was evaluated using the erythrocyte transketolase activation assay in 20 alcoholic patients admitted on a voluntary basis to a Detoxification Unit. Electromyographic evaluation revealed significant reductions of motor and sensory conduction velocities in the alcoholic group. 38% of alcoholic patients showed significant erythrocyte transketolase activation deficits indicative of severe thiamine deficiency. In the case of peroneal nerve, reduced conduction velocities were negatively correlated with abnormal transketolase parameters. These findings are consistent with a contributory (but not exclusive) role of thiamine deficiency in the pathogenesis of alcoholic peripheral neuropathy. Deficiencies of other vitamins as well as direct neurotoxic effects of alcohol could also be involved in this phenomenon.

Adult

[Initial results in man of immunolymphoscintigraphy of cancer of the prostate].

The loco-regional investigation of carcinoma of the prostate usually comprises ilio-obturator lymphadenectomy. This procedure carries a significant morbidity. Immunolymphoscintigraphy may provide a non-invasive alternative to this operation. Monoclonal (MAB) 227 A anti-prostatic acid phosphatase antibodies have been produced and selected for their affinity and specificity. This MAB was fragmented to its F (ab')2 form and marked with Iodine 123. Fifteen patients with prostate cancer were given 100 to 400 micrograms of the MAB by periprostatic perineal injection. The region was scanned 1 hr, 3 hrs, 6 hrs and 24 hrs after the injection. The results of the immunolymphoscintigraphy were compared with the histology of the ganglia removed at surgery or needle biopsy guided by CT scanning. In 13 cases the results were concordant for the two techniques (10 negatives and 3 positives). Two patients showed extra-prostatic fixation whilst the histology remained negative. Immunolymphoscintigraphy may therefore provide a simple method of detecting local metastases of carcinoma of the prostate if these initial results are confirmed.

Aged

[Detection of endotoxins in radiopharmaceutical preparations--I. Comparison of rabbit hyperthermia after intravenous or intrathecal administration of reference endotoxin preparations].

The rise of the rabbit internal temperature after endotoxin injection is related to the route of administration. A rise of 1.71 +/- 0.411 degrees C is obtained after i.v. injection of 1 ng/kg Escherichia coli 0111.B.4 endotoxin. An increase of 1.93 +/- 0.236 degrees C is obtained after suboccipital intrathecal injection of 0.1 ng/kg of the same endotoxin; with the intrathecal route, the hyperthermia is induced by E. coli endotoxin after a dose ten times lower than with i.v. injection as shown by statistical analysis.

Animals

[Detection of endotoxins in radiopharmaceutical preparations--II. Comparison of the sensitivity of methods using the rabbit and the Limulus amoebocyte lysate for the detection of endotoxins].

The rise of the rabbit internal temperature after i.v. injection of an endotoxin solution is proportional to concentration. Gelation of Limulus amoebocyte, when in presence of an endotoxin solution, is also related to concentration. We compared the sensitivity of these two methods. With our experimental procedure, the rabbit is sensitive to a 0.40 ng/mL solution and the Limulus amoebocyte lysate to a 0.14 ng/mL solution. The rabbit sensitivity increase is related to the per kilogramme injected volume, whereas sensitivity is not related to the volume to check in the case of the lysate.

Animals

[Detection of endotoxins in radiopharmaceutical preparations--III. Limulus test assessment using radiopharmaceutical preparations; correlation with the rabbit pyrogen test].

Experiments using 17 radiopharmaceuticals containing known amounts of added endotoxin show that none of them inhibits the pyrogenic reaction of the rabbit. Gelation of the Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) is inhibited by 4 of them: colloidal erbium 169Er citrate, colloidal rhenium 186Re sulfide, colloidal technetium 99mTc (Re) sulfide for liver scintigraphy and the colloidal technetium 99mTc (Re) sulfide for lymphography. This inhibition is cancelled, either by dilution or after neutral pH adjustment. Both controls were performed on 313 batches of various radiopharmaceuticals, 95% of results were identical (93% negative, 2% positive). The remaining 5% correspond to positive LAL tests vs negative rabbit tests on the same batches. No negative LAL test vs positive rabbit test was observed.

Animals

[Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of acetaminophen in normal, alcoholic and cirrhotic subjects].

It is well known that a chemically reactive metabolite of acetaminophen formed in the liver can cause hepatic necrosis. The amount of cysteine and N-acetylcysteine derivatives excreted in the urine is an index of the amount of reactive metabolite produced. We have examined the pharmacokinetics and the pattern of acetaminophen metabolites in the urine, in 6 healthy controls, in 9 alcoholic subjects without liver disease, and in 11 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis but abstaining from alcohol. In alcoholics, oral clearance of the drug was similar to that of control subjects, but the amount of cysteine and N-acetylcysteine conjugates excreted in urine was significantly increased. In cirrhotics, the clearance of acetaminophen was decreased by 50 p. 100, but the pattern of urinary metabolites was unchanged. These results support previous anecdotal reports of increased acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in alcoholic subjects.

Acetaminophen

A new surgical approach for correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the superior vena cava.

Nine children with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the superior vena cava were operated upon. The technique consisted essentially of partitioning and enlargement of the superior vena cava. The partitioning was done in all but one patient, with a longitudinal suture starting above the highest pulmonary vein directing the pulmonary venous flow through the enlarged atrial septal defect into the left atrium. The anterior cavo-auricular tunnel was enlarged with a right atrial appendage-superior vena cava angioplasty. Follow-up studies were done between 1 and 3 years after surgery. The hemodynamic data were normal in 7 patients. In 8 children, the superior vena cava was unobstructed and its diameter was normal as demonstrated by cavograms. In all patients, the angiographic evaluation of the pulmonary venous return was normal. These results are encouraging and indicate that this new approach is superior to those which have previously been reported.

Angiography

Needle sharing behaviour among injection drug users (IDUs) in treatment in Montreal and Toronto, 1988-1989.

Injection drug users (IDUs) entering treatment programs in Montreal and Toronto were recruited for a study of drug using behaviour and risk of HIV infection. Only those who had injected within 6 months of entering their treatment program were eligible for participation. 183 subjects were recruited in Montreal and 167 in Toronto between November, 1988 and October, 1989. Each participant completed a standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire which focussed on, among other things, drug history and needle sharing behaviour. Approximately three-quarters of respondents in both cities reported sharing needles and syringes within the 6-month period prior to their entry into treatment. Our analysis, which focussed on variables associated with needle sharing revealed that having a sexual partner who injected, trouble obtaining sterile needles and syringes and cocaine injection were significantly and independently associated with needle sharing in a logistic regression model which also controlled for city of recruitment.

AIDS Serodiagnosis