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Biomedical subjects

J L Balmes

Publications and source records attributed to J L Balmes.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Effects of ethanol in vitro on some parameters of the immune response.

The action of ethanol (ETH) on murine lymphocyte subpopulations and on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) stimulated in vitro by mitogens was studied. ETH caused a concentration-dependent decrease in DNA synthesis in the different murine cell types. ETH was more immunosuppressive for T lymphocytes than for B lymphocytes. An enhancement of the blastogenic response was observed for B cells at 0.5% ETH. Interleukin 2 synthesis by murine splenocytes was inhibited by ETH in a concentration-related manner; the lowest concentrations of ETH caused an increase in interleukin 2 synthesis. The highest concentrations of ETH tested decreased the size of the cell clusters formed in cultures of mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes, whereas an increase in PBMC cluster size was observed in the presence of 0.5 and 1% ETH.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Does Q fever hepatitis mimic acute alcoholic hepatitis?].

The authors report the case of a chronic alcoholic woman, hospitalized for chest pain accompanied with fever. The laboratory test mimic an acute alcoholic hepatitis; the presence of a clinical and radiological pulmonary affection led to the discovery of Q fever, the diagnosis of which was confirmed by serology and the discovery of a granuloma on histological examination of the liver.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Sensitivity of human lymphocytes to acetaldehyde: comparison between alcoholic and control subjects.

The action of acetaldehyde (ACH), the first metabolite of ethanol, was studied on human lymphocytes stimulated in vitro by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or Concanavalin A (Con A). ACH caused a dose-dependent decrease of [3H]thymidine uptake in lymphocytes from both alcoholic and control subjects. The area under the curve of [3H]thymidine incorporation as a function of ACH concentration was determined for each subject and referred to as the lymphocyte sensitivity index. Indexes for alcoholic subjects were found to be higher than those for controls, indicating a lower sensitivity to ACH of lymphocytes from alcoholics. We also found a wide range of sensitivity indexes within the same group. These results are consistent with the current hypothesis that not everybody is at equal risk to develop alcohol related disorders.

Acetaldehyde↗
PubMed1985

[Purine metabolism and blastogenesis in lymphocytes of alcoholic subjects].

Immune deficiency is characteristic of alcoholic subjects. These subjects usually show altered lymphocyte function. We determined the activities of adenosine deaminase (ADA) and ecto-5'-nucleotidase (ecto-5'N) in lymphocytes from 54 subjects: 15 healthy controls, 28 non-cirrhotic alcoholics, 8 alcoholic cirrhotics and 3 non-alcoholic cirrhotics. Whereas ADA activity was the same for all 54 subjects, ecto-5'N activity was in general lower in alcoholic subjects after cessation of alcohol intake. Following alcohol intoxication, however, ecto-5'N activity increased. The decrease of ecto-5'N activity in alcoholic subjects might be explained by shedding of the ecto-enzyme and alteration of lymphocyte subpopulations. We observed decreased mitogenic-induced lymphoblastic transformation in 3 patients with cirrhosis. All other subjects (including healthy controls) had normal mitogenic-induced blastogenesis. Interestingly, following alcohol intake, non-stimulated lymphoblastic transformation increased, leading to an apparently decreased stimulation index.

5'-Nucleotidase↗
PubMed1984

[Medically diagnosed alcoholic morbidity in wine-producing and mining cantons of Languedoc].

The aim of this study is to evaluate the severity of medically diagnosed alcoholic disease in two regions of France, the Hérault region (wine producing) and the Gard region (mining), by means of a questionnaire filled in by 84 p. cent of general practitioners with a very low loss rate (7%). This is not a study of incidence, but an analysis of the morbidity observed and diagnosed in a large population sample. The survey detected 2,4 p. cent and 2,7 p. cent of the male population and 0,2 and 0,3 p. cent of the female population. The morbidity varies with age and sex and alcohol abuse was found to occur earlier in the mining region than in the wine producing region. Although there is no correlation between age and the frequency of consultations, the proportion of patients consulting for an alcohol related disease decreases with increasing age. The more advanced the alcohol related disease, the more difficult it is for the doctor to distinguish between symptoms which are due to aging and those due to alcohol. The doctor does not relate hypertension to alcoholism.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Palliative endoscopic treatment of malignant esophageal stenosis using a Häring prosthesis.

The aim of this work was to analyze the outcome of 78 cases of esophageal cancer for which the endoscopic placement of a Häring prosthesis was chosen as a palliative method of treatment. The average length of hospitalization was 10 days and the average survival time was 90.8 days. The postinsertion mortality rate was 6% and there were 44 complications. The best indications are carcinoma of the lower two thirds of the esophagus, neoplastic mediastinitis and esophageal fistulae.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗