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Biomedical subjects

J Schmitz

Publications and source records attributed to J Schmitz.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Irritable bowel syndrome in children].

In the adult, the irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by intestinal transit disorders associated or not with chronic abdominal pain. Two different forms can be seen: in one, pain and constipation are predominant, while in the other, pain and diarrhea alternate. The second form is encountered with predilection in the child. Various terms can be used to name the syndrome including colitis, non specific or benign colitis, irritable bowel syndrome in the child, infantile diarrhea, and others, all of which attests to our ignorance of the pathophysiology of this disorder. This syndrome is by far the most frequent cause of chronic or recurrent diarrhea in the child. Before the age of 3 or 4 years, the principal syndrome is diarrhea, which usually appears before the age of 6 months. Onset is generally brutal, as in acute enteritis or an extradigestive infection (ENT...) but persists, or else, more often, the syndrome appears insidiously over several days. The child has soft or liquid stools of fetid odor in most cases, very rarely sourish, inhomogeneous and in which intact aliments can be found. Stools are often associated with mucous discharge, rarely with blood, and do not contain any pus. Stools are not fatty but occasionally they are sticky and adhere to the pot. During the day, stools change from well formed in the morning to soft in the evening. Their frequency varies from one day to another as well as during a given 24 hour period, ranging from one or two to 10 per day.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child↗
PubMed1989

An interleukin 4-induced DNase I hypersensitive site indicates opening of the gamma 1 switch region prior to switch recombination.

Interleukin 4 (IL4) directs class switch recombination to the gamma 1 switch region (s gamma 1) in mitogen-activated murine B lymphocytes. The finding that transcription of the unrearranged s gamma 1 and its 5' flanking region is induced by IL4 prior to switch recombination had argued for the idea that IL4 promotes s mu/s gamma 1 switch recombination by selectively inducing accessibility of the gamma 1 switch region for a general switch recombinase. Here further evidence for this model is provided by showing that within less than 6 h IL4 induces a DNase I hypersensitive (HS) site 5' adjacent to the s gamma 1 region in activated murine B cells. This change in chromatin structure most likely reflects the IL4-responsive binding of regulatory proteins within or in the vicinity of the HS site. The result provides a candidate sequence for an IL4-dependent enhancer/promoter of transcription of s gamma 1.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Testing for course patterns in Crohn's disease using clustering analysis.

Using clustering analysis, we sought to identify groups of patients on the basis of the disease course among a population of 177 patients with Crohn's disease and followed for 3 years or more, starting from the first frank exacerbation of the disease. The first 36 values of a monthly clinical score represented the active variables of the clustering analysis. This method yielded 2 course groups, A and B, of 95 and 82 patients respectively. The unfavorable course in group A was characterized by the persistence of the clinically active disease at 3 years, whereas group B individuals achieved complete clinical remission within 2 years of onset on the average. Among the initially known clinical data which could explain the course, only the incidence of an occlusive syndrome was higher in group B, which showed a more favorable course. Although we applied clustering analysis to a patient sample over a period of only 3 years, our results do suggest the existence or 2 primary course groups within the population of patients with Crohn's disease. It would appear that the disease course cannot be predicted from the clinical parameters present at the time of onset, but rather becomes apparent during the course of the first 2 years.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Severe megaloblastic anemia in 6-month-old girl breast-fed by a vegetarian mother].

The case of a young girl, born to a woman who was a vegetarian for 18 years, is presented. She had been exclusively breast-fed until the age of 6 months when a severe anemia was discovered with an extremely low hemoglobin level (1.9 g/100 ml). Her physical growth and psychomotor development had been normal until 3 months of age. Bone marrow showed megaloblastosis and the serum B12 level was low (45 ng/l). B12 levels were also decreased in both parents (110 and 105 ng/l) and in the mother's milk (12 ng/l). Treatment with parenteral B12 was successful. The importance of a careful dietetic inquiry in the case of an infant with megaloblastic anemia is stressed and likewise, as a preventive measure during all normal pregnancies.

Anemia, Macrocytic↗
PubMed1988

An improved electrode design for en passant recording from small nerves.

1. A modification of the oil and hook electrode technique for recording extracellularly from fine nerves is described. 2. It uses a fine hook and a plastic tube that can be manipulated independently, and through which a high-viscosity oil or grease may be forced over the nerve. 3. The suitability of the electrode for high-quality and long-term recording is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Computer-assisted quantitative-static perimetry following panretinal argon laser coagulation in diabetic retinopathy].

Computerized threshold perimetry of the central 30 degrees was performed on 69 eyes of 36 patients (men and women of all age groups and with different types of diabetes) one day before and one month after panretinal photocoagulation by argon laser. An average of 900 spots were placed in a chessboard pattern in three sessions (central size 100 microns, midperiphery 200 microns, periphery 500 microns). Only patients with a visual acuity of 20/60 or better were admitted to the study. Twenty-seven (39%) of the eyes examined had absolute scotoma (corresponding to spot III/4 on the Goldmann perimeter) even before photocoagulation; in 20 eyes (29%) some new absolute scotomata, albeit small, were seen. In the outer ten degrees of the central visual field area examined relative scotomata are the average finding. The macular region showed no threshold reductions.

Computers↗
PubMed1988

Sucrase-isomaltase deficiency in humans. Different mutations disrupt intracellular transport, processing, and function of an intestinal brush border enzyme.

Eight cases of congenital sucrase-isomaltase deficiency were studied at the subcellular and protein level with monoclonal antibodies against sucrase-isomaltase. At least three phenotypes were revealed: one in which sucrase-isomaltase protein accumulated intracellularly probably in the endoplasmic reticulum, as a membrane-associated high-mannose precursor, one in which the intracellular transport of the enzyme was apparently blocked in the Golgi apparatus, and one in which catalytically altered enzyme was transported to the cell surface. All patients expressed electrophoretically normal or near normal high-mannose sucrase-isomaltase. The results suggest that different, probably small, mutations in the sucrase-isomaltase gene lead to the synthesis of transport-incompetent or functionally altered enzyme which results in congenital sucrose intolerance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

[Constant flow alimentation in Crohn's disease of children].

Enteral nutrition in children with Crohn's disease is a preferred treatment of acute attacks. When maintained for three months, it effectively acts on digestive symptoms, makes possible the resumption of growth and onset of a delayed puberty. In contrast, it does not appear to modify the long-term course of the disease: 7 out of 10 patients had relapses 3 to 6 months after interruption of enteral nutrition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Cooperative mediation by serotonin S2 and thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor activation of cyclic flow variations in dogs with severe coronary artery stenoses.

We have reported previously that thromboxane A2/prostaglandin (PG)H2 and serotonin independently mediate the occurrence of cyclic flow variations (CFVs) in a canine preparation of severe coronary artery narrowing. This may be due to an effect of these substances on platelets and/or the vascular wall. We tested the hypothesis that there is a cooperative effect between thromboxane A2/PGH2 and serotonin receptor stimulation in the development of CFVs in this animal preparation. After placement of a hard plastic cylindrical constrictor around the left anterior descending coronary artery, CFVs develop and are characterized by repetitive cycles of declines in coronary blood flow and abrupt increases in flow. In a control group of dogs, CFV frequency (cycles/hour) and severity (lowest coronary blood flow just before its restoration) did not change significantly over a 3 hr interval. In a second group of dogs, CFVs were established after constrictor placement, abolished with the serotonin (5HT2) receptor antagonist ketanserin, and reestablished by the continuous infusion of serotonin into the left atrium. Serotonin-induced CFVs were then abolished with a thromboxane A2/PGH2 receptor antagonist, SQ29,548, or a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, dazoxiben (UK37,248). The relative specificity of the respective antagonists, SQ29,548 and ketanserin, was determined in canine platelets and rat aortic vascular strips. No significant cross-reactivity between ketanserin and SQ29,548 was found. Thus, the data obtained in these studies demonstrate a cooperative interaction between thromboxane A2/PGH2 and serotonin S2 receptors that contributes to the development of CFVs in this experimental preparation.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Decreased brush border hydrolase activities without gross morphologic changes in human intestinal mucosa after prolonged total parenteral nutrition of adults.

Animal experimentation with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has revealed the occurrence of atrophy of the intestinal mucosa and decreased enzyme activities of the brush border, notably the disaccharidases. These findings have heretofore not been confirmed in human investigation. We performed endoscopic biopsies in the third part of the duodenum in 7 adults before TPN, after 21 days of TPN, and after a progressive oral refeeding. We noted a clear-cut decrease of major enzyme activities during TPN (sucrase, maltase, lactase, glucoamylase, acid aminopeptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase) without any morphologic modifications as observed with standard histology. Electron microscopy showed a slight but significant decrease in the height of microvilli. The decreased enzyme activities were rapidly restored after oral refeeding. Thus, the functional consequences of the modifications observed during medium-term TPN in adults are probably limited.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Increased HLA-DR expression by enterocytes in children with celiac disease.

Class II histocompatibility antigens, known to be present on immunocompetent cells, were recently demonstrated on enterocytes. Because of their role in antigen presentation and immune response regulation, HLA-DR antigens were studied in patients with celiac disease. Cryostat sections of jejunal biopsy specimens were stained with several anti-DR monoclonal antibodies using an avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. Thirty patients with celiac disease either active (n = 5), in remission (n = 10), or in relapse (n = 15) were compared with 16 controls, 9 with a normal mucosa and 7 with a flat mucosa but without celiac disease. In celiac patients with active disease or in relapse, enterocytes were heavily stained on the surface epithelium and the crypts. This contrasted with the absence of crypt staining in the biopsy specimens of the other patients. Increase in DR expression was associated with an increase in the number of T8(+) lymphocytes in the crypts. Modulation of DR expression by enterocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of celiac disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Hypobetalipoproteinemia with accumulation of an apoprotein B-like protein in intestinal cells. Immunoenzymatic and biochemical characterization of seven cases of Anderson's disease.

We describe here seven cases (from five kindreds) of Anderson's disease, which is characterized by diarrhea, steatorrhea, hypobetalipoproteinemia with low levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids, and failure to secrete chylomicrons after a fat meal. Enterocytes isolated from intestinal biopsies of patients after overnight fast showed numerous fat droplets, a histological picture resembling that of abetalipoproteinemia. Immunoenzymatic staining of the enterocytes demonstrated large amounts of material that reacted with a polyclonal antiserum to apolipoprotein B. Further, the immunoreactive material was found to react with several different monoclonal antibodies capable of recognizing both the B100 and B48 forms of apoprotein B, but not with any of several monoclonal antibodies capable of recognizing only B100. This suggests that the material in the enterocytes is the B48 form of apoprotein B or a fragment thereof. Additional findings included decreased low density lipoprotein levels with an abnormal chemical composition, abnormal high density lipoprotein2 (HDL2) and HDL3 particle size distributions, and an abnormal HDL apoprotein composition. Increased amounts of proteins having electrophoretic mobilities similar to apo E and the E-AII complex were present. Finally, some cases exhibited additional protein components of apparent molecular weights between 17,000 and 28,000, which was similar to some cases of abetalipoproteinemia. These findings demonstrate that Anderson's disease is not due to the absence of synthesis of intestinal apo B and suggest that it is more complex than previously thought, affecting all the lipoprotein classes.

Abetalipoproteinemia↗