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Biomedical subjects

M Blanc

Publications and source records attributed to M Blanc.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Continuous-infusion carboplatin in combination with idarubicin or mitoxantrone for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia: a randomised phase II study.

Fifty-three patients of median age 66 years (39 patients > 60 yrs), including 5 with FAB unclassified or secondary acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at diagnosis, 14 with resistant AML, 19 in first and 15 in subsequent relapse, were treated with carboplatin (CBP), 200 mg/m2/day, as a continuous infusion, (days 3 to 7) with mitoxantrone (MIT) or idarubicin (IDA), (12 mg/m2/day) as an i.v. bolus, on days 1 to 3. Results were evaluated after one induction course. Overall, 15 patients (28% [95% confidence interval (CI), 17-42%], 8/28 with IDA and 7/25 with MIT) achieved complete remission (CR). There was no statistical difference between IDA and MIT arms. Fourty-nine percent (95% CI, 35-63%) had resistant disease (53% IDA versus 44% MIT respectively) and 23% (95% CI, 12-36%) died from toxicity (18% IDA versus 28% MIT). Median durations of neutrophils less than 0.5 x 10(9)/l and platelet counts less than 20 x 10(9)/l were 32 and 32 days respectively in the IDA arm and 31 and 26 days respectively in the MIT arm. Severe toxicity included infections (45%), diarrhea (21%), bleeding (9%), vomiting (7%), hyperbilirubinemia (6%), mucositis (4%) (no statistical difference was seen between both arms). Nephrotoxicity was observed in only one case in the IDA arm. Cardiac toxicity included reversible pulmonary oedema in one patient in the IDA arm. No severe ototoxicity was noted. CR patients received maintenance courses with 3 days of CBP and one day of IDA or MIT. Median survival was 2 months (range, 1-30+ months) and 2.5 months (range, 0.5-19.5 months), and median disease-free survival (DFS) 2 months (range, 1-30+ months) and 2.5 months (range, 1-14 months) in the IDA and MIT arms respectively. We conclude that CBP at a cumulative dosage of 1 g/m2 together with intercalating agents (IDA/MIT) has antileukemic efficacy in elderly patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Synthesis and adrenergic activity of a new series of N-aryl dicyclopropyl ketone oxime ethers: SAR and stereochemical aspects.

A novel series of 31 N-aryl dicyclopropyl ketone oxime ethers were synthesized and tested for their activity at alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors. All of the compounds showed greater affinity for beta-than for alpha1-receptor sites. Some compounds had pure antagonist effects whereas some were partial agonists. Several compounds had an antagonist effect matching that of propranolol in in vitro (binding data and pA2 values on rat heart ventricle homogenates and guinea pig spontaneously beating right and electrically driven left atrial isolated preparations, respectively) and in in vivo tests (measurement of antagonism toward isoprenaline-induced tachycardia in anesthetized rats). Furthermore, all of the compounds showed a beta1-adrenergic selectivity (beta2-affinity > 1500 nM).

Adrenergic Agonists↗
PubMed1998

Behavior of Ochratoxin A during Green Coffee Roasting and Soluble Coffee Manufacture.

As considerable inconsistencies are found in the literature regarding the influence of roasting and subsequent operations on the ochratoxin A (OTA) content of green coffee, experiments were undertaken to assess the evolution of OTA along an industrial soluble coffee manufacturing line. Both the variability and the amount of OTA naturally present in a lot of Thai Robusta green coffee were drastically reduced during soluble coffee manufacture. A small proportion of OTA was eliminated during green coffee cleaning, but the most significant reduction took place during roasting. The roast and ground coffee contained only 16% of the OTA originally present in the green coffee. Two phenomena are responsible for the elimination of OTA during roasting: a thermal degradation and a removal with chaff. Thermal degradation is the most important route of elimination, with <20% accounted for by the chaff. A further 20% reduction was observed during soluble coffee manufacture, so that the powder contained only 13% of the OTA initially present in the green beans.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1998

[Drug-induced fever caused by hydroxyurea. Apropos of 3 new cases].

Drug-induced fever is a frequent (3-5% of all adverse effects) but under recognized adverse effect of several drugs. Hydroxyurea, an antimetabolite cytostatic agent, has rarely been involved in the occurrence of fever. We report three additional cases of hydroxyurea-induced fever including one case with pulmonary involvement (acute alveolitis). In these cases, the role of hydroxyurea was strongly suggested by the delay to onset of symptoms (16-36 days), the disappearance of fever within a few hours after drug withdrawal, the recurrence of fever shortly after rechallenge in two patients, and the absence of any other obvious cause.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

[Prostatic volume: suprapubic versus transrectal ultrasonography in the control of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

INTRODUCTION: During the follow-up of benign prostatic hypertrophy, the urologist needs the repeated evaluation of the gland size to monitor the effectiveness of drug treatment. We investigated the comparative adequacy of transabdominal and transrectal US for prostatic measurements, to possibly replace the gold standard transrectal examination with cheaper, easier and less invasive transabdominal studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: February, 1994, to May, 1996, we submitted 196 patients to prostate US, with a transabdominal convex probe and a transrectal biplanar probe. The three prostatic diameters were measured and prostatic volume and height calculated. RESULTS: The transverse diameter was the same (+/- 5%) in 31.6% of cases, but transabdominal US overestimated it in 41.8% and underestimated it in 26.5% of cases. The AP diameter was the same in 33.1% of cases, but trans-abdominal US overestimated it in 15.3% and underestimated it in 51.5% of cases. The cranio-caudal diameter was the same in 25.5% of cases, but transabdominal US overestimated it in 59.1% and underestimated it in 15.3% of cases. Consequently, the volume calculated with transabdominal US was the same (+/- 15%) in 27.5% of cases, overestimated in 45.9% and under-estimated in 26.5% of cases; prostatic weight rates were about the same. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic volume and weight measured with transabdominal US are overestimated in about 50% of cases and are the same (+/- 15%) in about 27% of cases only. Therefore, transabdominal US appears less reliable than transrectal US for prostatic measurements and the latter technique remains the gold standard to monitor drug treatment effectiveness in benign prostatic hypertrophy follow-up.

Humans↗
PubMed1997

Intestinal-type fibroblasts selectively influence proliferation rate and peptide synthesis in the murine entero-endocrine cell line STC-1.

The intestinal epithelium consists of enterocytes, endocrine cells, goblet cells and Paneth cells, which differentiate from pluripotent stem cells located at the crypt bases. The role of the epithelial-mesenchymal inter-actions has been well documented for the differentiation of enterocytes, but the mechanisms that control endocrine cell differentiation are poorly understood. We have cultured the intestinal endocrine cell line STC-1, which synthesizes most of the intestinal peptide hormones, in media conditioned by several subepithelial fibroblast cell lines from three distinct sites of intestine. The fibroblast Swiss 3T3 cell line was used as a non-intestinal control. Our results show that culture media from intestinal fibroblasts inhibit the proliferation rate of STC-1 cells, while those from Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts do not. As regards peptide hormone gene expression, Swiss 3T3-conditioned media have no effect, whereas media from intestinal fibroblasts variably affect cholecystokinin, glucagon, secretin and somatostatin mRNA levels. In particular, clonal subepithelial myofibroblasts do not exert the same effects as mixed subepithelial fibroblasts from homologous intestinal segment. Taken together, these results suggest that cultured fibroblasts of intestinal origin release soluble factors that inhibit STC-1 cell proliferation and modulate, in a region-specific manner, the expression of hormonal peptide genes in this nonspecialized endocrine cell line.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Rapid identification of heterotrophic, thermophilic, spore-forming bacteria isolated from hot composts.

The restriction enzyme profiles of 16S ribosomal DNAs (rDNAs) amplified by PCR from thermophilic heterotrophic bacterial strains isolated from composts were compared with those of reference strains. This allowed us to assign all but 1 of 16 strains to four different Bacillus species (namely, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus pallidus, Bacillus thermoglucosidasius, and "Bacillus thermodenitrificans"). This study showed that PCR restriction analysis of 16S rDNA contributes to rapid and reliable identification of newly isolated strains belonging to recognized species.

Bacillus↗
PubMed1997

Elderly patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: disease presentation, response to treatment, and survival--a Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte study on 453 patients older than 69 years.

PURPOSE: To clarify disease characteristics and optimal treatment for elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), we performed a randomized trial in 453 patients older than 69 years with aggressive lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred twenty patients received cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2, teniposide (VM-26) 75 mg/m2, and prednisone 40 mg/m2/d for 5 days (CVP) and 233 patients received CVP plus pirarubicin (THP-doxorubicin) 50 mg/m2 (CTVP), each for six courses every 3 weeks. RESULTS: The median age was 75 years. Most patients had clinically aggressive disease; 30% had one and 53% two or three adverse prognostic parameters as defined by the International Prognostic Index. More patients on the CTVP arm had an elevated lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level, but the two groups were otherwise well balanced. CTVP treatment was more frequently associated with leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and infectious complications. Death during chemotherapy occurred in 16% and 21% of patients on the CVP and CTVP arms, respectively (not significant). Forty percent of patients achieved a complete response (CR): 47% on CTVP and 32% on CVP (chi2 = 20.98, P = .0001). The median time to treatment failure (TTF) was 7 months for CTVP versus 5 months for CVP (log-rank test, P < .05). The median survival time was 13 months in both groups; however, the 5-year survival rate was 26% with CTVP versus 19% with CVP (chi2 = 4.68, P < .05). Lymphoma progression was the primary cause of death. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with aggressive lymphoma have an aggressive disease with adverse prognostic parameters at the time of diagnosis. Slightly longer survival was observed for patients treated with an anthracycline-containing regimen.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[Lateral teleradiography of the cranium: the effect of head positioning in the interpretation of cephalometric tracings. An experimental study on a phantom].

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of head mispositioning during lateral teleradiography of the skull for cephalometric purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a human dry skull fixed on a professional support at a three level angular scale to quantitate lateral and anteroposterior rotations and inclinations. We took 15 radiographs at different angles (-2 degrees and -4 degrees right rotation; +2 degrees and +4 degrees left rotation; -2 degrees and -4 degrees anterior roll; +2 degrees and +4 degrees posterior roll; -2 degrees and -4 degrees right pitch; +2 degrees and +4 degrees left pitch; + 2 degrees left rotation and -2 degrees anterior roll; +2 degrees left rotation and +2 degrees left pitch). RESULTS: The analysis of the 15 radiographic tracings compared with the one obtained with the head positioned correctly showed no substantial differences in angular and linear values; no difference was such as to invalidate tracing. DISCUSSION: When skull malpositioning limited within 4 degrees, the angular and linear measurements of the cephalometric tracing are reliable and accurate. Nevertheless, cephalometric findings must always be integrated with clinical and history data. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that even less than perfect teleradiographs of the skull should be used for cephalometric purposes because, even though they require more care of the dentist to analyze them, the results are reliable and the patient is spared further X-ray exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma. A clinicopathologic study of 141 cases compared with 916 nonmediastinal large B-cell lymphomas, a GELA ("Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte") study.

Among non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLCL) has been considered a separate entity that has specific clinical and histological aspects and a poor prognosis. In this study, we reexamined the clinicopathologic features and the response to current treatment of 141 PMLCL and compare them with 916 nonmediastinal large B-cell lymphomas (NMLCL) recorded in the same period and treated with similar combined chemotherapy. The clinical features of PMLCL at diagnosis were largely homogeneous and distinct from NMLCL, with a predilection for young women (59% with a mean age of 37 years versus 42% with a mean age of 54 years), bulky tumor (77% versus 7%, p < 10(4)), high serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level 76% versus 51%, p < 10(4)), and frequent intrathoracic extension to adjacent organs such as pleura, pericardium, and lung. By contrast, extrathoracic or hematologic dissemination was uncommon (2% of bone marrow involvement versus 17%). All patients had diffuse large B-cell nonimmunoblastic, nonanaplastic lymphomas. Histological analysis of the 141 PMLCL evaluated two common patterns: the presence of large cells with clear cytoplasm (found in 38% of cases) and the presence of fibrosis (marked in 25% of cases). The presence of clear cells or intense fibrosis did not constitute prognostic indicators. Immunologic and molecular analysis assessed the profile of bcl-2 expression and the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in PMLCL: 30% expressed a high level of bcl-2 protein; EBER RNAs were detected by in situ hybridization in only two of the 41 cases tested. Monotypic light chain restriction could be demonstrated in seven of the 41 PMLCL tested on fixed-section. Treated with polychemotherapy regimens without radiotherapy, 79% of PMLCL patients achieved a complete remission compared with 68% in the NMLCL patient group (p = 0.01). Overall, 3-year survival rates were estimated at 66 and 61%, respectively (p = 0.05), and disease-free survival rates were not significantly different (61 versus 64%). Stratified analysis on the International Prognostic Index (based on age, tumor stage, serum LDH level, and performance status) showed no difference in the overall and disease-free survivals between the two lymphoma groups. In conclusion, PMLCL can be combined with other diffuse large B-cell lymphomas on morphologic grounds; it is not associated with EBV. It responds favorably to treatment and should be managed like other high-grade lymphomas of equivalent histology. However, the uncommon clinical presentation makes it a distinct entity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Isolation of Thermus strains from hot composts (60 to 80 degrees C).

High numbers (10(7) to 10(10) cells per g [dry weight]) of heterotrophic, gram-negative, rod-shaped, non-sporeforming, aerobic, thermophilic bacteria related to the genus Thermus were isolated from thermogenic composts at temperatures between 65 and 82 degrees C. These bacteria were present in different types of wastes (garden and kitchen wastes and sewage sludge) and in all the industrial composting systems studied (open-air windows, boxes with automated turning and aeration, and closed bioreactors with aeration). Isolates grew fast on a rich complex medium at temperatures between 40 and 80 degrees C, with optimum growth between 65 and 75 degrees C. Nutritional characteristics, total protein profiles, DNA-DNA hybridization (except strain JT4), and restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles of the DNAs coding for the 16S rRNAs (16S rDNAs) showed that Thermus strains isolated from hot composts were closely related to Thermus thermophilus HB8. These newly isolated T. thermophilus strains have probably adapted to the conditions in the hot-compost ecosystem. Heterotrophic, ovalspore-forming, thermophilic bacilli were also isolated from hot composts, but none of the isolates was able to grow at temperatures above 70 degrees C. This is the first report of hot composts as habitats for a high number of thermophilic bacteria related to the genus Thermus. Our study suggests that Thermus strains play an important role in organic-matter degradation during the thermogenic phase (65 to 80 degrees C) of the composting process.

Environmental Microbiology↗
PubMed1996

Is the small non-cleaved-cell lymphoma histologic subtype a poor prognostic factor in adult patients? A case-controlled analysis. The Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adulte.

PURPOSE: To study the prognostic significance of the small non-cleaved-cell lymphoma (SNCCL) histologic subtype, we compared the outcome of adult patients with SNCCL with that of patients with aggressive lymphoma other than SNCCL by means of two case-controlled studies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the results of the doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, bleomycin, and prednisone (ACVBP) regimen used as a reference scheme in our cooperative study group (Groupe d'Etude des Lymphomes de l'Adult [GELA]) in 52 adult SNCCL patients with no bone marrow (BM) or CNS involvement. Forty-five SNCCL patients younger than 60 years could be compared with two separate case-matched groups of patients with aggressive lymphoma other than SNCCL undergoing the same therapeutic regimen. In the first case-controlled study, matching ensured identity of each risk factor of the age-adjusted International Index (ie, Ann Arbor stage, performance status, and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] level); in the second study, matching was performed according to the number of presenting risk factors (zero, one, two, or three), regardless of their nature. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rates were not significantly different between SNCCL and control patients in both case-controlled studies: 48% versus 51% in the first study, and 48% versus 55% in the second study. CONCLUSION: These results support the thesis that in patients with no bone marrow or CNS involvement, the SNCCL histologic subtype does not confer a prognosis worse than that of other aggressive lymphoma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Regulation of intestinal cholecystokinin gene expression by glucocorticoids.

The effect of glucocorticoids on the expression of intestinal cholecystokinin (CCK) was investigated both in vivo and in cell culture systems. In vivo, 2-day administration of methylprednisolone to adult male rats induced a decrease in CCK-like immunoreactivity (CCK-L1) and CCK mRNA levels in mucosal extracts. In two CCK-producing cell lines, RIN 1056E and STC-1 of pancreatic and intestinal origin respectively, dexamethasone induced dose-dependent decreases in both CCK-L1 and steady-state CCK mRNA levels. The decrease in CCK mRNA was totally prevented by incubation of cells with an excess of RU 38486, a competitive inhibitor for the binding of glucocorticoids to their receptor. Actinomycin D, used to prevent RNA synthesis, did not modify CCK mRNA stability in dexamethasone-pretreated cells as compared with cells not exposed to dexamethasone. When cells were first incubated with actinomycin D, subsequent addition of dexamethasone left the steady-state CCK mRNA levels unaltered in both cell lines. Nuclear run-on assays performed in RIN 1056E cells showed that glucocorticoids decreased the rate of transcription of the CCK gene. In addition, cycloheximide, used to prevent protein synthesis, abolished the inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on steady-state CCK mRNA levels. These results demonstrate that glucocorticoids down-regulate CCK gene expression in the rat intestinal mucosa and in two CCK-producing cell lines. The effect is blocked by a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Inhibition of CCK gene expression may result from a decrease in the transcription rate, and probably involves one or several steps that depend on protein synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Transrectal prostatic echography in the study of hemospermia. An assessment of an 85-patient case load].

Eighty-five patients with hemospermia were examined with blood tests, sperm culture, transrectal US (TRUS) and cystourethroscopy. Blood tests and sperm culture demonstrated bacterial inflammation in 48 patients (56.47%). At cystourethroscopy, the urethra was normal or hyperemic in all patients. TRUS demonstrated 40 cases (47.05%) of periurethral calcifications and also with calcifications in the two glandular lobes. TRUS also demonstrated prostatic inflammation in progress or its outcome in 21 patients (24.70%), ectasia and seminal vesicle inflammation in 10 patients (11.76%), a prostatic tumor in 3 patients (3.52%). No patient had cysts, stones or cancers in the seminal vesicles. In 11 patients (12.94%), no specific cause of hemospermia was detected, even though 4 of these patients (4.70%) had received anticoagulants for former heart ischemia. Benign prostatic hypertrophy was found in 44 patients (51.76%) but we did not consider it a possible cause of hemospermia because of the high frequency of this condition in the male population. To conclude, TRUS could demonstrate the cause of hemospermia in most of our patients, which makes us suggest it as the diagnostic technique of choice in the patients with ejaculatory conditions, after clinical exams and laboratory tests, because it allows to study the prostate, the seminal vesicles and the urethra.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Treatment of prostate adenoma with finasteride. Contribution of cases].

During recent years more and more researchers and clinicians have become interested in HPB in order to identify a medical therapy instead of surgery. The aim of our study was to find the value of finasteride in HPB therapy. We wanted to know if finasteride was able to improve the symptomatology and blood tests of patients afflicted with HPB. Every patient was agreed with the course of action of the 1991 Paris Urology Congress. All patients were treated with finasteride 5 mg/die for one year and inspected by prostatic echography and blood tests. The results of our study are every interesting and are discussed in the article.

Adult↗