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Biomedical subjects

J Petit

Publications and source records attributed to J Petit.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The violent patient.

Encounters with violent behavior are an inevitable part of working in emergency departments. By adoption of a cohesive, multidisciplinary approach to behavioral decompensation, as is done in preparation for airway compromise, the risk for injury to patients and staff is minimized. As with airway compromise, anticipation of and preparation for deterioration can avoid the necessity of the most invasive measures and can ensure a calm, positive outcome. With the appropriate knowledge, teamwork, and skills, even patients requiring the most intensive intervention can be treated safely and professionally.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) with immunologically purged progenitor cells in patients with advanced stage follicular lymphoma after early partial or complete remission: toxicity, follow-up of minimal residual disease and survival.

The role of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in indolent lymphomas is a controversial issue. From 1994 to 1999, we performed ASCT with immunologically purged progenitor cells in 15 patients with advanced stage follicular lymphoma (FL) after early partial or complete remission. Results of the purging strategy and follow-up of minimal residual disease after transplant were analyzed with PCR amplification of bcl-2/IgH rearrangement for the t(14;18) translocation. A comparison of transplanted patients with a group of controls was carried out to evaluate differences in progression-free survival and overall survival. Eighty percent of patients received one chemotherapy regimen before ASCT and were in first remission. All the patients received cyclophosphamide plus hyperfractionated total body irradiation as the conditioning regimen. Nine patients were transplanted with bone marrow (BM) and six with peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC). Engraftment was delayed in one patient transplanted with BM. Two patients died during the transplant procedure. Ten of 12 evaluable patients were PCR positive in the BM for bcl-2 rearrangement at diagnosis. Six of them (60%) were still positive after chemotherapy, and one patient was transplanted with a positive hematopoietic product after purging. With a median follow-up of 27 months, six of eight evaluable patients still remain PCR negative in the BM. With a median follow-up of 4.7 years from diagnosis, progression-free survival was 83% (95% CI: 63-100). The risk of disease progression of non-transplanted patients was 19.2 times higher than that of transplanted patients (P = 0.01), but no differences were found in overall survival. Regarding patients in first remission, the risk of relapse was 12.6 times higher in non-transplanted than in transplanted patients (P = 0.04). This procedure seems to offer a good chance to achieve a PCR-negative state and prolonged freedom from recurrence. According to these results, prospective randomized trials are warranted.

Adult↗

Cyclosporine bone remodeling effect prevents steroid osteopenia after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that prednisone above 7.5 mg/day may induce osteopenia in association with decreased bone formation. In contrast, the effect of cyclosporine on bone remodeling and bone mineral density (BMD) is controversial. Multiple confounding factors explain this controversy, especially after renal transplantation. METHODS: Fifty-two renal transplanted patients never exposed to aluminum while on dialysis were selected because they had no rejection and no hypercalcemia for 24 months while being treated with low dose prednisone/cyclosporine A (daily dose at 10 mg and 4.8 mg/kg, respectively, beyond 3 months). Bone remodeling markers (BRMs; plasma osteocalcin, bone and total alkaline phosphatases for formation, and urinary pyridinolines for resorption) were sequentially measured together with plasma creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25 OH vitamin D and cyclosporine from day 0 to 24 months. BMD was measured at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months by quantitative computerized tomography (QCT) at the lumbar spine and by double-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at this site, as well as at the femoral neck, radius shaft, and ultradistal (UD) radius. RESULTS: Plasma concentrations of creatinine, PTH, and 25 OH vitamin D initially decreased and stabilized beyond three months at 137 micromol/L, 1.5 the upper limit of normal (ULN) and 11 ng/mL, respectively. All BRM increased significantly above the ULN at six months and then decreased. The BMD Z score at three months was low at all sites measured by DEXA and QCT. Follow-up measurements showed stability of absolute value and of Z score at all sites measured by DEXA. A comparison of the lumbar QCT Z score, which was available in 42 patients at 3 and 24 months, showed an increase in 28 and a decrease in 14, so that the increase for the whole group was significant (P < 0.04). Compared with patients with a decreased Z score, those with an increased Z score had significantly higher cyclosporine and lower prednisone dosages and a greater BRM increase at six months, whereas age, sex ratio, and plasma creatinine, PTH and 25 OH vitamin D were comparable and stable from months 3 through 24. The mean trough level of cyclosporine for the first six months was positively correlated to osteocalcin and total alkaline phosphatase increase at six months, and both bone formation and resorption marker increases were significantly correlated to the lumbar QCT Z score increase at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Combined low-dose prednisone and cyclosporine immunosuppression are associated with a stabilization of BMD measured at all sites with DEXA 3 to 24 months after renal transplantation and with a prevention of age-related loss of vertebral trabecular bone, as shown by the significant increase in lumbar spine QCT Z score. It is suggested that cyclosporine, together with the decrease of prednisone dosage but independent of renal function, PTH, and vitamin D status, contributes to a transient stimulation of bone remodeling at six months, which counterbalances the deleterious effect of prednisone on bone formation and BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

[Ring chromosome 20: an identifiable epileptic syndrome].

Ring chromosome 20 (RC20) is a rare chromosomopathy characterized by slight mental deficiency, behavioral disorders and epilepsy. We report two cases of ring chromosome 20, who exhibited non convulsive status epilepticus lasting minutes to hours, often triggered by emotional events, with associated typical electroencephalographic features. Our report highlights the features of the electroclinical epilepsy syndrome associated with RC20, which represents a distinct and recognizable entity. The genetic basis of this disorder is discussed.

Adult↗

[Mesothelial cyst of the adrenal gland].

We report a case of a mesothelial adrenal cyst which was incidentally discovered in a 38-year old woman. The diagnosis was confirmed by an immunohistochemistry study. Adrenal cysts are rare. They occur more commonly in female patients during the 4th and 5th decades and are usually asymptomatic. Adrenal cysts are divided into four groups : parasitic, epithelial, endothelial cysts and pseudocysts. The management is still discussed : follow-up, surgical resection or fine-needle aspiration.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

[The legislator's position regarding research perspectives (concerning xenografts and the development of stem cell banks].

Analysis of the legislation concerning xenotransplantation and constitution of stem cell banks reveals an absence of status common to embryos and animals. They do not have any legal status, they are not assimilated to objects, but benefit from protective measures. Xenotransplantation is regulated by a set of rules, while embryo research is currently prohibited in France, but is regulated in other countries. Bioethical legislation raises difficulties related to the early stage of its development and its perverse effects. The consultation process prior to defining legislation must take into account the international dimension and the necessary progress of scientific research.

Animals↗

[History of a wholesaler: CERP-Rouen].

MCPR (Mutuelle cooperative pharmaceutique rouennaise) was created in November 1919 and furnished specialities to pharmacists in Haute-Normandie. It moved to various places and finally was situated in 1939 rue des Augustins, where its central office is still nowadays. During World-War II, many difficulties occurred: fire in 1940, bombing in 1944, great lack of possibilities. After peace, it took benefit of the great increase of its market. It worked for the grouping of wholesalers companies and became in 1965 CERP-Rouen. It strenghtened its internal growth by creating new sites and introducing new techniques: teletransmission computer networks, officinal PC. Since 1969 to 1986, nine wholesalers were partially or totally incorporated in the group and CERP got to a national position: 34 agencies, 6,000 members, 1010 FF. Since 1986, it reached the European level (Belgium, Spain, Poland) and overseas departments (Martinique-Guyane).

Commerce↗

Transepithelial transport of bepridil in the human intestinal cell line, Caco-2, using two media, DMEMc and HBSS.

The purpose of this work was to study transepithelial transport of bepridil, an anticalcic agent, through monolayer cells Caco-2, using two experimental media with different chemical components. For experimentation, the measure of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) allowed us to evaluate the state of cells; and the quantities of bepridil have been quantified using a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system. First, when using the medium alone, without bepridil, Caco-2 cell integrity is, at least, maintained for 8 h using both media. However, for 24-h studies, only the DMEMc medium, rich in essential nutriments, allowed cell integrity to be maintained. Then, with bepridil in HBSS medium, the TEER measurement showed a dose-dependent toxic effect of bepridil, whereas in the DMEMc medium, the toxic effect was only found for the highest dose (12 microg). This difference is probably related to the high binding of bepridil to proteins of the DMEMc medium, therefore minimising the concentration of the free compound. The kinetics of bepridil result from two phenomena: first, an immediate passage of a slight part of bepridil through the cell barrier and second, a high retention of most of the bepridil dose in the cell level. The transfer of bepridil from the apical to the basolateral compartment appears quantitatively and kinetically different using DMEMc or HBSS medium. The retention of the compound in the 'filter with Caco-2 cells' compartment is higher in DMEMc medium (60% at 3 microg) than in HBSS medium (46% at 3 microg), and bepridil entering the basolateral compartment is delayed in the DMEMc medium. This study exhibits the importance of the selected medium on results and interpretation of data and the predominance of DMEMc to study the transport of lipophilic compounds highly retained in cells.

Bepridil↗

[Paraneoplastic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome revealing T-cell lymphoma].

BACKGROUND: Nonrhythmic involuntary ocular oscillations and axial and segmentary myoclonia are associated in the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. In adults, a paraneoplastic origin is generally found. We report the first of opsoclonus-myoclonus associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. CASE REPORT: A 66-year-old woman rapidly developed a typical opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome within a few hours, presenting vertigo, cerebellous ataxia, multidirectional involuntary ocular movements and non-rhythmic axial and segmentary myoclonia. Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated discrete diffuse anomalies of the white substance predominating in the pons. The cerebrospinal fluid showed discrete lymphocytosis. Antineuron antibodies were negative. No cause could be identified until the development 11 months later of pleomorphic T-cell mediastino-cervical lymphoma. The patient responded moderately to a CHOP regimen which had no effect on the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Death occurred after a 16-month course due to pulmonary complications. DISCUSSION: Neuroblastoma and infectious causes predominate in opsoclonus-myoclonus syndromes observed in children; in adults, the predominant cause is cancer. Antineuron, anti-Ri and anti-Hu antibodies can be evidenced in some cases, arguing in favor of a paraneoplastic mechanism. Recent reports have evidenced MRI anomalies in the pons and the cerebellum, anatomically well correlated with the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Besides small-cell bronchogenic anaplastic cancer, the possibility of cancer of the breast and uterus, and both non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma should be explored, knowing the cancer develops several month after the opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome.

Aged↗

Saccades and multisaccadic gaze shifts are gated by different pontine omnipause neurons in head-fixed cats.

Pontine omnipause neurons (OPNs) have so far been considered as forming a homogeneous group of neurons whose tonic firing stops during the duration of saccades, when the head is immobilized. In cats, they pause for the total duration of gaze shifts, when the head is free to move. In the present study, carried out on alert cats with fixed heads, we present observations made during self-initiated saccades and during tracking of a moving target which show that the OPN population is not homogeneous. Of the 76 OPNs we identified, 39 were found to have characteristics similar to those of previously described neurons, "saccade" (S-) OPNs: (1) the durations of their pauses were significantly correlated with the durations of saccades; (2) the discharge ceased shortly before saccade onset and resumed before saccade end; (3) visual responses to target motion were excitatory; and (4) during tracking, S-OPNs interrupted the discharge for the duration of saccades and resumed firing during perisaccadic "drifts". However, the characteristics of 37 neurons ("complex" (C-) OPNs) were different: (1) the pause duration was not correlated with the duration of self-initiated saccades; (2) time lead of pause onsets relative to saccades was, on average, longer than in the group of S-OPNs, and firing resumed after the saccade end; (3) visual target motion suppressed tonic discharges; and (4) during tracking, firing was interrupted for the total duration of gaze shifts, including not only saccades but also perisaccadic "drifts". We conclude that cat OPNs can be subdivided into two main groups. The first comprises neurons whose firing patterns are compatible with gating individual saccades ("saccade" OPNs). The second group consists of "complex" OPNs whose firing characteristics are appropriate to gate total gaze displacements rather than individual saccades. The function of these neurons may be to disinhibit pontobulbar circuits participating in the generation of saccade sequences and associated perisaccadic drifts.

Action Potentials↗

[Interpretation of standard chest x-rays in thoracic trauma: influence of the experience of the interpreter].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the quality of interpretation of chest radiographs (CRs) by physicians of different levels of experience, with reference to data obtained from helicoidal computed tomography (HCT). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. MATERIAL: CRs of 50 thorax trauma patients as recent to HCTs as possible obtained within the 48 h following admission to the intensive therapy unit. METHOD: CRs were analyzed according to a grid by observers included in one of the four groups: residents in anaesthesiology (n = 6), residents in radiology (n = 3), senior anaesthesiologists (n = 5), and senior radiologists (n = 3). The inter-observer agreements, the specificity and sensibility of each group with reference to HCT, and their global performances were assessed. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreements were poor and sensitivities low in comparison to specificities. No group of observers performed better than another one. These data substantiate the low sensitivity of CRs in comparison to HCT and show that the quality of interpretation of CRs of thorax trauma patients is not influenced by physicians' experience.

Adult↗

Administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to normal donors: results of the Spanish National Donor Registry. Spanish Group of Allo-PBT.

A Spanish National PBPC Donor Registry has recently been established for short- and long-term safety data collection in normal donors receiving rhG-CSF. To date, 466 donors have been included in the Registry. Median (range) dose and duration of rhG-CSF administration was 10 microg/kg/day (4-20) and 5 days (4-8), respectively. Donors underwent a median of two aphereses (range, 1-5). Adverse effects consisted mainly of bone pain (90.2%), headache (16.9%) and fever (6. 1%), but no donor discontinued rhG-CSF prematurely due to toxicity. Side-effects were more frequent in donors receiving >10 microg/kg/day than in those with lower doses (82.8% vs 61.8%; P = 0. 004). A significant decrease between baseline and post-apheresis platelet counts was the most important analytical finding (229 x 10(9)/l vs 140 x 10(9)/l; P < 0.0001), with a progressive reduction in platelet count with each apheresis procedure. One donor developed pneumothorax that required hospitalization due to central venous line placement. The mean CD34+ cell dose collected was 6.9 x 10(6)/kg (range, 1.3-36), with only 14 donors (2.9%) not achieving a minimum target of CD34+ cells of 2 x 10(6)/kg. No definitive information about potential long-term side effects is yet available. However, we hope this National Registry will serve as a useful basis for better monitoring of the efficiency and side-effects of cytokine administration in healthy people.

Adolescent↗

Mini-ICE regimen as mobilization therapy for chronic myelogenous leukaemia patients at diagnosis.

Between April 1996 and May 1998, 20 consecutive patients with Ph chromosome-positive CML in first chronic phase without an HLA-identical sibling received the mini-ICE regimen shortly after diagnosis to mobilize progenitor cells into the peripheral blood (PBPCs). The sex distribution was 12 males and eight females and the median (range) age 48.5 (22-62) years. The time interval between diagnosis and mobilization was a median (range) of 2 (0-5) months. Leukaphereses were initiated during recovery from chemotherapy-induced aplasia. A median number of 3 (1-7) aphereses per patient were performed to collect >/=2.0 x 106 CD34+cells/kg. Cytogenetic analysis was performed on the aphereses products of 18 patients. Complete cytogenetic Ph chromosome negativity was observed in four patients, nine had a partial negativity, three a minimal negativity and two no negative cells. Southern blot for bcr-abl was negative in the remaining two patients but the polymerase chain reaction analysis was positive. Following reinfusion, severe neutropenia was present for a median of 8.5 (3-19) days and severe thrombocytopenia lasted a median of 8 (3-18) days. Ten patients did not develop febrile neutropenia with four of them being treated on an outpatient basis. Treatment-related mortality was not observed. In conclusion, our experience demonstrates the feasibility of mobilizing PBPCs shortly after the diagnosis of CML with a safe regimen. Of note, mini-ICE allowed the collection of apheresis products with at least a major component of Ph-negative cells in almost 75% of the patients.

Adult↗

Testing the classification of static gamma axons using different patterns of random stimulation.

The possibility of using randomly generated stimulus intervals (with a Poisson distribution) to identify the type(s) of intrafusal fiber activated by the stimulation of single static gamma axons was tested in Peroneus tertius muscle spindles of anesthetized cats. Three patterns of random stimulation with different values of mean intervals [20 +/- 4. 47, 30 +/- 8.94, and 40 +/- 8.94 (SD) ms] were used. Single static gamma axons activating, in single spindles, either the bag2 fiber alone or the chain fibers alone or both types of intrafusal fiber were prepared. Responses of spindle primary endings elicited by the stimulation of gamma axons were recorded from Ia fibers in cut dorsal root filaments. Cross-correlograms between stimuli and spikes of the primary ending responses, autocorrelograms, interval histograms of responses, and stimulations were built. The characteristics of cross-correlograms were found to be related not only to the type of intrafusal muscle fibers activated but also to the parameters of the stimulation. Moreover some cross-correlograms with similar characteristics were produced by the activation of different intrafusal muscle fibers. It also was observed that, whatever the type of intrafusal muscle fiber activated, cross-correlograms could exhibit oscillations after an initial peak, provided the extent in frequency of the primary ending response was small; these oscillations arise in part from the autocorrelation of the primary ending responses. Therefore, cross-correlograms obtained during random stimulation of static gamma axons cannot be used for unequivocally identifying the type(s) of intrafusal muscle fiber these axons supply.

Algorithms↗

Feasibility of ESHAP + G-CSF as peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilisation regimen in resistant and relapsed lymphoma: a single-center study of 22 patients.

The purpose was study the feasibility of ESHAP + G-CSF for peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cell (PBPC) mobilisation in resistant/relapsed Hodgkin's disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Twenty-two consecutive patients with HD (8) and N-HL (14) received ESHAP chemotherapy and G-CSF (5 microg/Kg/d). When a minimum number of 10,000 peripheral blood CD34+ cells/mL was observed patients underwent leukapheresis until a CD34+ cell dose > or = 2.5x10(6)/Kg was collected or the PBPC peak was lost. Blood cells kinetics and toxicity were analysed. Data concerning the day of first apheresis, number of procedures per patient, and cellular yield of the aphereses were recorded. Correlation between the CD34+ cell content in the apheresis product and the two diagnosis groups was attempted. Twelve patients (54%) developed short-lived severe neutropenia (<0.5x10(9)/L). Thrombocytopenia (<25x10(9)/L) had a median duration of 1 day. Fever appeared in 4 patients and CN Staph bacteriemia in 2 cases. Bleeding events did not supervene and no deaths occurred. Aphereses started at day +15 (median) and the median number of apheresis/patient was 2. Seventeen patients underwent 1 or 2 leukaphereses. Thirteen patients (59%) achieved the CD34+ cell target in the first apheresis. NHL patients obtained statistically significant better CD34+ cell collections than HD. Only 2 HD patients failed to mobilise, 1 previously treated with high-dose therapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation. ESHAP + G-CSF has been shown to be feasible for PBPC mobilisation in resistant/relapsed lymphoma. Toxicity was low and CD34+ cell yield high, especially in N-HL. This mobilisation regimen should be further explored in a larger patient population.

Adolescent↗