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Biomedical subjects

J Proulx

Publications and source records attributed to J Proulx.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Influence of an agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (buserelin) on estrus synchronization and fertility in beef cows.

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of sequential treatment with buserelin (a GnRH agonist) and cloprostenol (a prostaglandin F2 alpha analog) on estrous response and fertility in beef cattle with different ovarian conditions. On d 0 (1st d of treatment), the control group (n = 52, 10 heifers and 42 cows) and the GnRH group (n = 48, 10 heifers and 38 cows) received 2 mL of saline or 2 mL of Receptal (8 micrograms of buserelin), respectively. On d 6, all cows that had not exhibited spontaneous estrus were given i.m. 500 micrograms of cloprostenol (PGF). Ultrasonography on d 0 and assays of progesterone in blood on d -11, 0, and 6 were used to identify follicular and luteal status of animals. Cattle were observed for estrus from d 0 to 10. Cows showing estrus were bred artificially 12 h after onset of estrus. Over the 10-d period, the number of cows detected in estrus and pregnancy and conception rates were identical for the two groups. However, between d 0 and 6, the proportion of cows exhibiting estrus was lower (P less than .01) in the GnRH group than in the control group. Between d 6 and 10, the synchronization rate and precision of estrus were greater (P less than .01) in the buserelin-treated group than in the control group. Conception rate and interval from PGF injection to onset of estrus were not different between the two treatment groups. Presence of a large (greater than 10 mm) follicle on d 0 enhanced synchronization rate and precision of estrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Validation of a non-invasive device to measure intracavernous pressure as an index of penile rigidity.

Many authors agree with the importance of developing devices to measure penile rigidity. The devices that have been developed over recent years have defined penile rigidity in terms of stiffness. Penile stiffness, however, is believed to result from an increase in intracavernous pressure. The device presented here was therefore designed to estimate intracavernous pressure, rather than penile stiffness, as an index of penile rigidity. Validation of the penile cuff device was achieved by simultaneously recording penile cuff pressure and intracavernous pressure on patients undergoing artificial erections. The results showed a linear relationship and highly positive correlation coefficients between the 2 measures. The results demonstrate that the penile cuff may be used to estimate intracavernous pressure as an index of penile rigidity. The findings are discussed in terms of the possible applications of the cuff as a clinical tool to measure both penile tumescence and penile rigidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation on some immune parameters following vaccination against brucellosis in cattle.

Twenty-four 7-mo-old beef heifers (Charolais Simmental cross), weighing 213 kg, were used to determine the effect of vitamin E (VitE) and(or) selenium (Se) supplementation on the humoral response to a standard dose of Brucella abortus strain 19 vaccine and on the levels of naturally occurring immunoglobulins (Ig) to several antigens. The treatments were as follows: Group 1, no supplement; Group 2, supplementation with 6 g of elemental Se; Group 3, supplementation with 1,400 IU/d of VitE; and Group 4, Se and VitE supplements combined. There were no significant differences in anti-B. abortus IgG1, IgG2, or IgM antibody levels due to Se, VitE or Se/VitE treatments; the concentrations of IgA antibody were too low to be measured with the ELISA test used. Statistical analysis revealed that the levels of total and IgM natural antibody to Salmonella typhimurium were higher in Group 3. Perhaps VitE supplementation given in conjunction with B. abortus vaccine enhanced the production of antibody to S. typhimurium in several animals whose humoral system had been activated by previous exposure to this organism.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Identification of HIV-1 vpr product and function.

To investigate the role of vpr (viral protein R) in the replication and cytopathicity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), infectious proviruses were constructed that were isogenic except for the ability to produce the protein product of vpr. The experiments described here demonstrate that vpr encodes a 96 amino acid 15 kDa protein. The vpr product increases the rate of replication and accelerates the cytopathic effect of the virus in T cells. Vpr acts in trans to increase levels of viral protein expression. The stimulatory effect of vpr is observed to act on the HIV-1 LTR as well as on several heterologous promoters.

Cytopathogenic Effect, Viral↗
PubMed1989

Bulbocavernosus reflex: its validity as a diagnostic test of neurogenic impotence.

Measurement of the bulbocavernosus reflex is used widely to diagnose underlying neurogenic disorders in erectile dysfunction. A prolonged bulbocavernosus reflex latency (that is more than 45 msec.) or the absence of a reflex response of the bulbocavernosus muscles during electrical stimulation of the glans penis is considered a sign of neurological disease. Since only a few experimental studies have been performed in man related to the neurophysiological mechanism of erection, and since the results of these studies were contradictory the diagnostic validity of bulbocavernosus reflex measurement was reassessed. We determine whether men with abnormal bulbocavernosus reflex latencies have concomitant organic erectile dysfunction as confirmed by nocturnal plethysmographic and rigidity recordings. The bulbocavernosus reflex was recorded in 90 subjects and 19 had abnormal bulbocavernosus reflex latencies. Of these 19 subjects 8 had normal nocturnal erections, thus, confirming a diagnosis of psychogenic impotence. These results cast some doubts on the validity of bulbocavernosus reflex measurement for the diagnosis of organic erectile dysfunction due to a neurological disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Influence of steroids on the exocrine pancreas: presence of laminated bodies in the acinar lumen following castration and adrenalectomy.

The influences of combined adrenalectomy and castration and of a replacement therapy with estradiol and glucocorticoids were examined in the rat pancreas. At the light microscope level, the surgical treatment changed the overall shape of the acini and caused widening of intralobular and interlobular spaces as well as partial depletion of zymogen granules. A significant reduction of the acinar lumen size was observed in castrated-adrenalectomized (CasX-AdreX) animals. This could be reversed by a replacement therapy with glucocorticoids. Moreover, triamcinolone even caused a significant lumen enlargement as compared to sham-operated animals. Such an enlargement was not observed with dexamethasone. Both these glucocorticoids caused an increase in zymogen granule content of the acinar cell. At the ultrastructural level, hitherto undescribed type of precipitates was observed in the acinar lumen of CasX-AdreX rats. Precipitates that exhibited a laminated aspect were identified as luminal laminated bodies. The latter could have some interest from the etiological point of view of certain pancreatic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and pancreatitis. Replacement therapy with estradiol did not affect the frequency of these precipitates, but glucocorticoid had a significantly inhibitory effect. From our observation, it is clear that some steroid exert a profound influence on the acinar cell and that a replacement therapy with glucocorticoids or estradiol do not totally restore the normal aspect of the pancreas acinar tissue. It suggests that some unknown factors from adrenals or testis are still required in addition to glucocorticoids and estrogens for the maintenance of the structural integrity of the gland.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1989

Type of dietary lipids exerts a major influence on the secretory activity of the exocrine pancreas: medium-term studies.

A possible influence of the type of dietary lipids on the pancreas exocrine function was tested on rats. For this purpose, four groups of rats were fed on different diets comprising 5% of different types of lipids: fish oil, evening primose oil, hydrogenated beef tallow, and a mixture of fish oil and evening primose oil. After a 6 week feeding period, the secretory activity of the pancreas was measured. Under resting conditions, rats fed hydrogenated beef tallow release different proportions of amylase, lipase, and serine proteases as compared to rats fed unsaturated lipids. In stimulated conditions, there was no significant difference in the relative proportions of enzymes secreted by the pancreas among the different groups of rats but the secretory response to cerulein stimulation from rats fed saturated lipids was increased by more than 40%. These results demonstrate that the type of dietary lipids exerts a major influence on the secretory activity of the pancreas.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

The differentiation of francophone rapists and non-rapists using penile circumferential measures.

Since 1977 there have been seven published and two unpublished reports concerning the differentiation of rapists and non-rapists using penile circumferential measures. Of the published experiments, six report significant differences between groups. The purpose of the present investigation was to extend the scope of this work using a French-speaking population. Ten rapists and ten non-rapists were exposed to four classes of audiotaped stimuli: mutually consenting, rape, aggressive and sexually neutral episodes. Penile circumference changes were recorded during stimulus presentation. The results indicated that while rapist and non-rapist groups were not distinguished in terms to their response to mutually consenting sex, the two groups were distinguished with respect to their responses to rape episodes. The discrimination was even more marked when the results were individually analyzed using the rape index. Thus we were able to validate, in French-speaking subjects, the differentiation between rapists and non-rapists using penile measures. Several hypotheses are advanced which could explain the differences between experiments which demonstrate and those which fail to demonstrate discrimination between groups.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Relationship between perineal muscle contractions, penile tumescence, and penile rigidity during nocturnal erections.

The mechanism of penile erection and erectile dysfunction is still unclear and widely debated. The role of the perineal muscles in the erectile process, especially in changes in intracavernous pressure, is increasingly being studied on the hypothesis that perineal muscular contractions are essential to full penile rigidity. In a previous investigation we studied the correlation between voluntary perineal muscle contractions and intracavernous pressure during artificially induced erections. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether under normal conditions of nocturnal erection a similar relationship exists between the electromyographic activities of perineal muscles and changes in penile rigidity. Nocturnal penile recordings were made of seven volunteers with psychogenic erectile dysfunctions. During nocturnal erections simultaneous computerized recordings were made of penile tumescence, penile rigidity, and electromyographic activities of perineal muscles. The peaks for the three variables were reached simultaneously. The results of this study suggest the existence of two different physiologic phases: a vascular phase and a muscular phase. Furthermore, in cases of dysfunctions, specific diagnostic assessment and therapeutic management will be required for both penile tumescence and penile rigidity.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Reflex contractions of the ischiocavernosus muscles following electrical and pressure stimulations.

In a previous study, we have demonstrated that voluntary muscular contractions of the ischiocavernosus muscles (IC) correlate with changes in intracavernous pressure and, therefore, with penile rigidity. The purpose of our current research project was to verify whether reflex contractions of the IC muscles exist and under what conditions. Our results confirm that reflex contractions occur following electrical or pressure stimulations. Following electrical stimulation, the mean latency of the reflex contractions was 67.5 ms for the IC muscles and 34.9 ms for the bulbocavernosus muscles (BC). Following pressure stimulation, the pressure threshold necessary to elicit contractions of the IC muscles varied between 18.2 mm. Hg and 34.8 mm. Hg. We also observed that pressure variation (increase and decrease) rather than a relatively constant pressure is necessary to produce this reflex response. We interpret these results to suggest that pressure stimulations on the glans penis during coitus contribute to the erectile process and, specifically, to the increase in intracavernous pressure. These findings suggest the possibility of a physiotherapeutic management for patients with penile rigidity problems.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Evaluation of a long-acting selenium and copper preparation for intraruminal administration to cattle.

An intraruminal, soluble glass bolus containing selenium (Se) and copper (Cu) was evaluated for improving the Se and Cu status of pregnant cows and their calves. In the cows, there was a marked increase in the Se status following treatment with the soluble glass bolus. In the untreated cows, Se concentration in the blood (27-31 ng/g) as well as milk (5.1-6.8 ng/ml) remained low which was indicative of Se-deficiency. In the treated cows, the soluble glass bolus administration produced higher blood and milk Se concentrations, which were increased during the whole experimental period (10 months). In calves born from soluble glass treated cows, blood Se (11-28 ng/ml) and Cu (0.43-0.82 microgram/ml) concentrations were higher (except at birth for Cu) than in those from the untreated cows. Despite these differences, the status of the calves born from the treated cows was still low in both Se and Cu.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Cell lines that express stably env gene products from three strains of HIV-1.

The products of the env gene of HIV-1 play critical roles in determining the host range of the virus and it cytopathicity, as well as forming an important focus of an infected individual's immune response to the virus. We describe the isolation and characterization of separate HeLa cell lines expressing the env gene products of three highly divergent strains of HIV-1.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1987

Effect of intraruminally administered, selenium soluble-glass boluses on selenium status in cows and their calves.

Intraruminal selenium soluble-glass boluses were administered by balling gun to 65 of 125 crossbred beef cows (Shorthorn X Charolais) during the last trimester of pregnancy. Elevated (P less than .01) whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) concentrations were observed monthly for the next 10 mo following initiation of treatment, reaching the maximum magnitude (263 vs 41) at the fourth month. Monthly milk samples showed elevated selenium concentrations (P less than .01, April through August; P less than .05 through September). Intraruminal, selenium soluble-glass bolus administration to gestating cows was highly effective in raising the selenium status of their progeny. Although the control calves were in low-selenium status, no acute cases of nutritional muscular dystrophy were observed during this experiment.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1979

[Early and late outcome after aortocoronary bypass: experience in 500 cases].

Between 1971 and 1976, 500 patients underwent aortocoronary bypass surgery. There were 15 operative deaths (3%) and the total frequency of perioperative infarction was 7%. The operative mortality was 7.4% in unstable angina, as compared with 1.1% in stable angina (P less than 0.01). The proportion of grafts patent at 2 weeks was 92% and at 18 months 87.6%. Postoperative follow-up was complete for 99% of the patients. There were 15 late deaths (3%) and the rates of survival at 2 and 4 years were 94.4% and 92.1% respectively. The actuarial curve of survival after surgery was not significantly different from that of the general population. After a mean follow-up of 27 months 73% of the patients were completely free of angina and 19% were markedly improved. The rate of recurrence of angina averaged 10% per year and the annual infarction rate was 0.7%. Fourteen patients (3%) underwent reoperation during the follow-up period. Thus, coronary revascularization surgery offers effective and sustained relief of incapacitating angina and might also improve survival if the operative mortality is low.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

You are what you wear.

Uniforms and professional roles are frequently tied in the minds of both staff and patient, so it may be advisable to return to greater use of uniforms by hospital professional staffs.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗