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Biomedical subjects

J Luciani

Publications and source records attributed to J Luciani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

HP1beta and HP1gamma, but not HP1alpha, decorate the entire XY body during human male meiosis.

During meiosis in male mammals, the X and Y chromosomes become heterochromatic and transcriptionally silent, and form the XY body. Although the HP1 proteins are known to be involved in the packaging of chromosomal DNA into repressive heterochromatin domains, their involvement in facultative heterochromatinization has not been precisely determined. Here, we analyse, for the first time in humans, the subcellular distribution of the heterochromatin protein HP1alpha, HP1beta and HP1gamma isoforms, in male pachytene spermatocytes, and the XY body facultative heterochromatin in particular. Our results demonstrate that HP1beta and HP1gamma, but not the HP1alpha isoforms, decorate the entire XY body in half the pachytene nuclei observed. In some nuclei, the XY body appears to be only partially labelled. In these cases, the HP1beta and HP1gamma signals are adjacent to the Yq12 constitutive heterochromatin and signal appears to originate in this region before spreading over the entire XY body. This distribution suggests that HP1beta and HP1gamma proteins, which are components of the constitutive heterochromatin, may also be involved in the facultative heterochromatinization of the XY body. Nevertheless, their absence from the early pachytene substage, even though the XY body is already condensed, suggests that these proteins are not involved in the initiation of this process.

Antibodies↗
PubMed2001

[Esophagitis associated with use of alendronate in 5 postmenopausic patients].

The bisphosphonate, alendronate sodium (e.g. Fosamax) is a bone resorption inhibitor used to treat postmenopausal osteoporotic women and osseous Paget's disease. Esophagitis is one of the adverse effects (AE) associated to its use. Five (5) patients with alendronate-associated esophagitis assisted in the Gastroenterologic Center, Rosario, Argentina, between October 1996 and December 1999 are described. The aim is to correlate the clinical, endoscopic and histopathological findings in 5 women (ages 57-71) complaining for upper digestive symptoms (dysphagia, epigastralgia, retrosternal pain.). All had osteoporosis treated with alendronate 10 mg/day and received detailed instructions about how to take the medication. The time from the beginning of alendronate intake and the appearance of the symptoms was elapsed 30, 35, 67, 85 and 90 days. The esophagitis was graded according to the Savary-Miller Classification. The videoscopy disclosed esophagitis of III and IV grades. Three patients had also antral and antroduodenal lesions, one of them associated to Helicobacter Pylori. Anatomopathologic findings confirm esophagitis and esophagic ulceration. Some authors claim that bisphosphonates as a new class of gastrotoxic drugs with AE similar to aspirin. Even when it is administrated according to the instructions of the manufacturers it should be used with caution. Our contribution emphasize the importance of this AE and suggest measures to diminish or suppress them, and take into consideration those patients who are taking aspirin. With alendronate, as well as with other potentially corrosive agents, is very important to take in mind the measures to prevent AE.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Incidence of upper respiratory tract Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections among outpatients in Rhône-Alpes, France, during five successive winter periods.

In this prospective study, nasal swab samples from patients with acute respiratory infections were evaluated for the presence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This PCR-plus-hybridization-based detection was associated with the detection of other viral agents. During the five winter surveillance periods, 3,897 samples were collected by 75 medical practitioners participating in the Groupe Régional d'Observation de la Grippe surveillance network in Rhône-Alpes (France). M. pneumoniae was detected in 283 samples (7.3%); its rate of detection ranged from 10.1 to 2.0% over the five periods, and it was the second most frequently isolated pathogen during the survey, after influenza A. Three high-prevalence winters were observed, yielding an early winter peak of M. pneumoniae infection which was observed in all age groups. No statistically significant difference was detected between rates of infections in the different age groups, but M. pneumoniae infection was significantly related to lower respiratory tract infection during periods of high prevalence. This study defined the frequency of M. pneumoniae detection from nasal swab specimens in patients with acute respiratory infections, confirming its high prevalence and the presence of large outbreaks due to this pathogen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Surveillance of community-acquired viral infections due to respiratory viruses in Rhone-Alpes (France) during winter 1994 to 1995.

Nasal swab from patients with acute flu-like illness were evaluated for the presence of respiratory viruses in the Rhone-Alpes region of France from 1 October 1994 through 2 May 1995. The relative frequencies and seasonal distributions of the specific viruses were assessed. In addition, virus type was correlated with specific clinical signs and symptoms. During the study, 962 samples were collected by 75 medical practitioners participating in the Groupe Regional d'Observation de la Grippe surveillance network. One or more viruses were detected from 348 samples (36.1%), including 108 respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 64 influenza virus A type H3N2, 47 influenza virus B, 64 coronavirus, 35 rhinovirus, 22 adenovirus, 5 enterovirus, and 3 parainfluenza-fluenza strains. There were 16 mixed infections. RSV infections peaked in the early winter, and influenza viruses A and B infections peaked during the late winter and early spring. There were two peaks of coronavirus infections (late fall and late winter). Other viruses were detected at lower levels throughout the study period. Patients from whom adenovirus was isolated were significantly more likely to have a fever of > 39.5 degrees C than were patients with other detectable viruses (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between influenza and cough (P < 0.01) and RSV and bronchiolitis (P < .001). Thus, the current study defined the overall and relative frequencies of respiratory virus detection from nasal swab specimens in patients with an acute flu-like illness in the Rhone-Alpes region of France during a 7-month period. Correlation with clinical signs and symptoms and provisional conclusions regarding seasonality were also determined.

Adenovirus Infections, Human↗
PubMed1995

Effects on renal haemodynamics and tubular function of the contrast medium Ioxaglate in renal transplant patients.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Ioxaglate on renal haemodynamics and tubular function in renal transplant patients at increased risk of nephrotoxicity. 21 patients undergoing either intravenous pyelography or arteriography with Ioxaglate were studied. Renal clearance studies were carried out 1 day before and 1 day after administration of Ioxaglate (173 +/- 37 ml) injected into each patient. None experienced any adverse reaction. Mean serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and urinary NAG excretion were unaltered by ioxaglate. No patient suffered a nephrotoxic reaction or acute oliguria that required dialysis as a result of the administration of contrast material. In the subset of seven patients receiving cyclosporine the same results were observed. In the subset of 10 patients with a GFR lower than 60 ml/min before injection of Ioxaglate were also observed no significant change in mean GFR, ERPF and urinary NAG excretion. Only two patients had a transient decrease of GFR of between 10 and 20%. The results of this study show that the ionic, low osmolar contrast medium ioxaglate may be used safely in patients with a renal transplant thus extending previous data obtained in patients with chronic renal failure.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗
PubMed1995

A randomized comparison of the effect of four antihypertensive monotherapies on the subjective quality of life in previously untreated asymptomatic patients: field trial in general practice. The OCAPI Study Group. Optimiser le Choix d'un Anti-hypertenseur de Première Intention.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the equivalence of four antihypertensive treatments in patients with mild-to- moderate hypertension, and to compare the effects of those drugs on the subjective quality of life and clinical safety. DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS: 653 patients aged > or = 18 years with untreated hypertension were randomly allocated to receive a combination of two diuretics (altizide and spironolactone), a beta-blocker (bisoprolol), a calcium antagonist (verapamil), or an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (enalapril). Follow-up lasted for 1 year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A composite outcome of the following measures was used to define success: attendance at the 12-month visit; at least nine supine DBP measurements during the study; and median supine DBP < 90 mmHg and a reduction of at least 10 mmHg compared with the baseline value. Failure was defined as one or more of those criteria not being fulfilled. Equivalence was concluded if the 95% confidence interval for the success rates differed between two groups by less than +/- 10%. Clinical safety and subjective quality of life were also assessed. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in the change in DBP or systolic blood pressure were observed between the groups. The success rates were 43.9, 42.0, 32.5 and 43.9% in diuretic, beta-blocker, calcium antagonist and ACE inhibitor groups, respectively. Equivalence between the treatments could not be concluded, although analysis with a larger equivalence interval showed that some comparisons indicated equivalence. Significant improvement in satisfaction was observed for certain items for subjective quality of life at 1 month in the calcium antagonist treatment group, and significant differences in the responses to the clinical safety questionnaire were observed after 1-month follow-up in calcium antagonist and beta-blocker groups. Differences were no longer significant after 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not provide evidence on the basis of efficacy of blood pressure lowering or ability to increase short-term (1-year) safety and quality of life favouring any particular treatment among the studied drugs for newly diagnosed patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[Human papilloma virus infection and renal transplantation. Two personally observed cases and a review of the literature].

Two cases of recurrent genital infection due to human papilloma virus (HPV) infection with preneoplasic lesions were observed in kidney transplant recipients. The neoplasic component appears to be very frequent in this immunosuppressed population with a risk estimated at 7%. According to the different authors in the literature [correction of litterature], genital lesions due to HPV, with or without dysplasia are found in 15 to 30% of the transplant population. The factors of risk are not different from the general population and are a function of sexual activity. The clinical expression of the lesions, their clinical course and recurrence are probably related to the immunosuppressor treatment. All such patients should be carefully screened to allow prevention and treatment, which, as seen in these cases, may be insufficient to irradicate the lesions. New therapeutic approaches should be studied in this group of patients at risk.

Female↗