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Biomedical subjects

M Boivin

Publications and source records attributed to M Boivin.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Eimeria magna: pathogenicity, immunogenicity and selection of a precocious line.

A precocious line (PrEmag) of Eimeria magna in rabbits was obtained by selecting for early development of oocysts. The prepatent period was shortened by 46 h. The pathogenicity of PrEmag was substantially reduced and its reproductive potential was much lower (500 times) than that of the parent strain. Rabbits given 2500 oocysts of PrEmag were almost totally protected against a challenge with the parent strain. As in other precocious lines of coccidia from the rabbit, PrEmag showed morphological anomalies of the sporulated oocysts. Each sporocyst harboured one large refractile body instead of the two smaller ones in the parent strain.

Animals

Individual-group behavioral similarity and peer status in experimental play groups of boys: the social misfit revisited.

This study evaluated individual-group similarity and dissimilarity hypotheses generally stipulating that the behavioral correlates of status are moderated by the peer group context in which they are displayed. Thirty play groups of 5 or 6 unacquainted same-age boys participated in five 45-min sessions. Five behaviors described group and individual characteristics: reactive aggression, proactive aggression, solitary play, rough-and-tumble play, and positive interactive behavior. Individual social preference scores were computed following a variant of the J. D. Coie and K. A. Dodge (1983) procedure. The behavioral correlates of emerging peer status were examined as a function of the group's behavioral norms. Evidence of a dissimilarity effect was found for solitary play and reactive aggression whereas positive interactive behavior followed a rule of similarity.

Child

Gastric emptying of solid food in edentulous patients.

Whether mastication of food by teeth is a physiological contributor in the process of nutrient digestion remains a debatable issue. In this study we sought to determine whether mastication could influence the gastric emptying of solid food. In 8 edentulous patients, we measured the gastric emptying of a test meal ingested with or without their dental prostheses. Clinical dental evaluation and Helkimo chewing test were first performed to verify that the mastication deficiency was adequately corrected by the dental prostheses. A mixed meal containing ten cubes (1.5 cm) of beef liver labeled with 99mTc and mixed in a chicken stew was ingested by the subjects and followed by gamma camera external scintigraphy. The gastric emptying rate of the 99mTc-labeled liver was similar whether the meal was ingested with the denture properly inserted, allowing normal mastication of the liver cubes, or whether the food was swallowed unmasticated in the absence of functional prostheses (Tlag = 60 +/- 5 vs. 58 +/- 11 min, p = NS; T1/2 = 73 +/- 21 vs. 55 +/- 10 min, p = NS; Tlag+T1/2 = 133 +/- 19 vs. 114 +/- 17 min, p = NS). These results show that gastric trituration and emptying of solid food was not facilitated by prior mastication.

Dentures

Prosthetic relining and dietary counselling in elderly women.

A reduced consumption of hard-textured fibrous foods may promote the development of digestive disturbances in more susceptible elderly people who wear prostheses having deficient masticatory function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a program combining denture relining and dietary counselling on the masticatory performance, fibre intake, and prevalence of digestive symptoms in elderly women with low chewing efficiency. This program was provided to 55 women between 55 and 74 years of age. Chewing ability was assessed quantitatively with the Swallowing Threshold Test Index (STTI), and qualitatively according to the participants' experience in chewing five specific foods. Nutritional data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. The mean value of the STTI was significantly increased at three weeks and at six to nine months after completion of relining by 37 and 31 per cent, respectively. Subjects included one more food in their diet at the end of the six- to nine-month period only. Fibre intake from vegetables was significantly increased by 18 per cent, while colonic and gastrointestinal symptoms were both reduced. Prosthetic relining increased the masticatory performance of elderly women, but not to a functional level. In addition, dietary counselling stimulated subjects to eat foods that had previously been avoided. These observations suggest that the improvement of chewing efficiency, combined with dietary counselling, could reduce the presence of digestive symptoms.

Aged

Studies on the structure-activity of motilin in vivo. Effect of motilin synthetic analogues in conscious dog.

Synthetic analogues of motilin were tested for their capacity to stimulate the intestinal motor activity of the conscious dog. Physiological doses (75 pmol/kg) of motilin 1-22 and of motilin fragments 1-21, 1-20 and 1-19 induced premature periods of phase III activity in all tested animals. Motilin fragments 1-15, 1-12, 1-11 and 1-10 failed to influence the intestinal myoelectrical activity even when given at doses 10-times superior (750 pmol/kg). Motilin-like-immunoreactivity was measured in plasma during the analogues infusion. During the infusion of the bioactive analogues (1-22, 1-21, 1-20, 1-19), plasma motilin increased by 174 +/- 25 fmol/ml while a small rise (22 +/- 7.6 fmol) was noted with the inactive fragments (P < 0.001). Our data are in agreement with the in vitro findings that the N-terminal portion of the motilin molecule is responsible for its biological activity and suggests that the middle portion of the molecule is important to prevent degradation and maintain biological activity in vivo.

Animals

Eimeria media: selection and characterization of a precocious line.

A precocious line of Eimeria media was obtained by selection for early development of oocysts in rabbits. The prepatent period was reduced from 108 to 72 h. The precocious line was less pathogenic than the original strain, and its multiplication rate was lower. Rabbits given oocytes of the precocious line were totally immune to challenge with the original strain as assessed by change in weight gain but were partially protected as assessed by oocyst output. Selection for precocious development was accompanied by morphological changes in the sporulated oocytes; each sporocyst contained only one large refractile body instead of the two smaller bodies seen in the original strain.

Animals

Mechanisms for postprandial release of motilin in humans.

Plasma concentrations of motilin rise in the first 30 min following the ingestion of a meal in man. To elucidate the mechanisms of this postprandial motilin release, we verified the effect of cerebral stimulation and of gastric distension, both events normally occurring in the early postprandial period, on plasma motilin concentrations. Cerebral stimulation was induced by modified sham feeding (MSF) and gastric distension was done by inflating (with 0, 60, 240, or 480 cc of air) a latex balloon positioned in the gastric fundus. The experiments were performed in healthy volunteers where antroduodenal contractile activity was continuously recorded and where plasma motilin was measured each 10 min. The stimuli were administered 30 min after a phase III of the migrating motor complex (MMC) was seen migrating from the antrum to the duodenum. The interval period between two successive spontaneous peak increases in plasma motilin was estimated at 113.7 +/- 8.5 min in 24 historical control subjects, and it lasted 97 +/- 13 min in the five control volunteers here distended with 0 cc of air (P = NS). This interval was significantly (P < 0.05) shortened with MSF (70 +/- 6.3 min) or following distension with 60 cc (60 +/- 11.4 min), 240 cc (54 +/- 1.9 min) or 480 cc of air (45 +/- 3.2 min). During the 60-min period following the administration of the stimuli, phase IIIs were not seen in the subjects distended with 0 cc of air or in those submitted to MSF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent

Motilin and the postprandial motility of the antrum.

This study was designed to establish whether the rise in plasma motilin observed after a meal in humans can influence the postprandial motor activity of the antrum. Antroduodenal postprandial motility profiles and indices obtained from 5 controls and 5 subjects infused with exogenous synthetic motilin (0.1 microgram.kg-1) or with the motilin receptor agonist erythromycin lactobionate (200 mg) were compared. Motilin infusion increased plasma motilin concentrations about 5 times above the physiological range but failed to modify the normal postprandial contractile response. On the other hand, in 4 of the 5 subjects, erythromycin induced an intense motor response that mimicked phase III of the migrating motor complex. Our study demonstrates that, during the postprandial period, motilin antral receptors can be stimulated only with doses of motilin exceeding the physiological plasma concentrations, and that the motor effect obtained did not mimic the usual postprandial motility pattern. Our results, therefore, do not support the proposal that the postprandial motility of the antrum is regulated by the plasma levels of motilin.

Adolescent

The ileum and carbohydrate-mediated feedback regulation of postprandial pancreaticobiliary secretion in normal humans.

We investigated the effect of perfusing carbohydrate into the ileum on postprandial pancreaticobiliary secretion and the relationships among carbohydrate in the ileum, pancreaticobiliary secretion, and gastric emptying. Eighteen healthy volunteers were intubated with a multilumen oroileal tube. A metal labeled with 111In-diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid (400 calories; 60% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 20% fat) was then infused into the stomach, and a carbohydrate solution (rice starch + glucose) was perfused into the terminal ileum at rates (mg/min) of 0 (saline; n = 6), 12.5 (n = 4), 25 (n = 4), 50 (n = 2), and 100 (n = 2). To prevent digestion of the carbohydrate in the ileum, an amylase inhibitor (3.3 mg/ml) was added to the perfusate used in half of the subjects. Postprandially, we measured outputs of amylase, trypsin, and bile acids in the duodenum, the amount of carbohydrate in the ileum, and gastric emptying. During the second postprandial hour the rate of gastric emptying was inversely related to the amount of carbohydrate in the ileum (p less than 0.01) and was directly correlated with pancreaticobiliary secretion (p less than 0.05). However, as the amount of unabsorbed carbohydrate in the ileum increased, the ratio of amylase to trypsin secretion increased (p less than 0.005). Postprandially carbohydrate in the ileum induces changes of upper-gut function that should increase digestion and absorption of carbohydrate since gastric emptying (and delivery of carbohydrate to the duodenum) slows and pancreatic amylase secretion increases relative to trypsin secretion and gastric emptying.

Adult

Neuropsychological changes in olivopontocerebellar atrophy.

We used standardized neuropsychological measures of intellectual, cognitive, psychomotor, and emotional functioning to compare 39 patients with olivopontocerebellar atrophy and 25 normal controls of similar age. The patients reflected greater depression, anxiety, and subjective emotional discomfort than did the control subjects. While 4 of the patients had below-normal IQ scores (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale [WAIS-R] Full-Scale IQ [FSIQ] less than 80), their clinical histories suggested lifelong functioning at such levels. As a group, the patients were not abnormal in general intellectual functioning and related cognitive abilities (WAIS-R FSIQ, mean [+/- SD], 93.46 +/- 13.19; Wechsler Memory Scale mental quotient, 108.95 +/- 17.43). These scores were lower than those of the normal controls (WAIS-R FSIQ, 113.72 +/- 12.68; mental quotient, 127.80 +/- 12.40); however, the controls were a highly educated group with intelligence levels that were higher than those of the average population. Moreover, when education and motor dysfunction were statistically covaried, no significant differences between the patients and the normal controls were apparent on the cognitive and intellectual tasks. Further analysis of specific memory performance in a subgroup of patients and controls matched for age, sex, and education yielded findings that were comparable with the overall group analysis. We conclude that motor dysfunction and depressed mood could leave patients with olivopontocerebellar atrophy appearing to be impaired in memory, even demented, when they are not.

Adult

Selection and characterization of a precocious line of Eimeria intestinalis, an intestinal rabbit coccidium.

A precocious line of Eimeria intestinalis was obtained by selection for early development of oocysts in rabbits and after six consecutive passages in animals. This line (EiP) was derived from a wild strain (EiO) isolated in 1975 from the caecal content of a rabbit with coccidiosis. The prepatent period of the EiP strain was reduced from 215 h to less than 144 h, the result being that the oocyst sporulation time was the same for both lines. The excreted and unsporulated oocysts had exactly the same shape, but microscopical examination of the sporulated oocysts showed a marked difference between EiP and EiO strains. A huge refractile globule was located in each of two sporocysts of the precocious line, whereas no refractile globule was seen in the other two. The EiP line had a reproductive potential much lower (1000 times) than that of its parent strain EiO and, as judged by the weight gain, mortality and lesions that also occurred in the jejunum and above all in the ileum, its pathogenicity was substantially reduced.

Animals

Are diets associated with different rates of human interdigestive and postprandial pancreatic enzyme secretion?

To determine if diets are associated with different rates of interdigestive and postprandial enzyme secretion and how quickly enzyme secretion is modulated by nutrients, 27 healthy humans were randomly selected to follow one of five diets. The calorie proportions of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in each diet was assigned by a mixture design. After the subjects followed a diet for 2 weeks, they were intubated with an oroduodenal tube, and enzyme outputs were measured during the interdigestive period and after eating a meal identical to meals eaten during the previous 2 weeks. For the next 24 hours subjects either followed the same diet or a diet that contained the same amount of fat, but the percent of carbohydrate and protein was changed by 30%. Then interdigestive and postprandial pancreatic enzyme outputs were remeasured. After 2 weeks, diets containing the most carbohydrate (50%-80%) were associated with the lowest interdigestive and postprandial amylase and lipase (P less than 0.05) and trypsin outputs (P less than or equal to 0.05). In contrast, diets containing the most fat (40%) were associated with the highest interdigestive and postprandial outputs of amylase (P less than 0.05) and trypsin (P less than 0.05). Maintaining or altering diets for 24 hours did not change interdigestive pancreatic enzyme outputs, but postprandial amylase output was significantly increased (P less than 0.05) by increasing protein and decreasing carbohydrate content of the diets by 30% for 24 hours. We conclude that diets containing a high proportion of calories as carbohydrate for 2 weeks are associated with lower interdigestive and postprandial pancreatic secretion than diets that have a high fat content. In response to diets, changes in postprandial pancreatic enzyme secretion occur within 24 hours whereas changes in interdigestive secretion (no nutrients in the lumen) occur after 24 hours.

Adult

Salivary gland myoepithelioma variants. Histological, ultrastructural, and immunocytological features.

The histological and ultrastructural features of five major salivary gland tumours, which have little or no evidence of duct- or gland-type differentiation in routine sections, are described. Four of the cases have the tumour cells organized as narrow, anastomosing cords of cells separated by a myxoid and vascularized stroma; we have designated such lesions as reticular-type myoepitheliomas. The fifth case has a solid growth pattern and is largely composed of hyaline cells, that is, a plasmacytoid myoepithelioma. Ultrastructurally, one reticular myoepithelioma reveals myoepithelial cell differentiation with microfilament aggregates, while the other three examples are composed of modified myoepithelial cells displaying widened intercellular spaces, prominent synthesis of extracellular glycosaminoglycans, distinct basal lamina development, and obvious accumulations of cytoplasmic intermediate filaments. In electron micrographs, the modified myoepithelial cells of the plasmacytoid variant closely resemble the tumour cells in the reticular form. Three cases had expression of both glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and vimentin, but only one of the myoepitheliomas contained muscle-specific actin. At least focally, each of the cases exhibited a considerable spectrum of cytokeratin filaments. Using double-labeled immunofluorescent microscopy of one reticular variant and the plasmacytoid myoepithelioma, there was individual tumour cell co-expression of GFAP and vimentin focally in the plasmacytoid myoepithelioma, but co-expression of cytokeratins 13, 16 and GFAP were not noted in either case. As expected, co-expression of high- and low-molecular weight cytokeratin filaments was widespread in both myoepitheliomas. Most described myoepitheliomas have a solid growth pattern and are composed of spindle and plasmacytoid cells, but based on cytological features and growth patterns in this series, it is apparent that polygonal-shaped cells with novel architecture can occur in myoepitheliomas. The results also indicate the close relationship between pleomorphic adenoma and such variants of myoepithelioma.

Actins

Effect of ileal perfusion of carbohydrates and amylase inhibitor on gastrointestinal hormones and emptying.

To determine if carbohydrates perfused into the ileum affect gastric emptying and circulating levels of gastrointestinal hormones, 18 healthy subjects were intubated with an oroileal tube. A 400-cal (60% carbohydrate, 20% protein, 20% fat) homogenized meal labeled with 111In-DTPA was then infused into the stomach over 10 min. Simultaneously, a test solution of normal saline (n = 6) or 12.5 (n = 4), 25 (n = 4), 50 (n = 2), or 100 (n = 2) mg/min of carbohydrates (75% rice starch, 25% glucose) containing a nonabsorbable marker, polyethylene glycol, was continuously perfused into the terminal ileum at 3 ml/min for 7 h. In one-half of the subjects the perfusate contained an amylase inhibitor (3.3 mg/ml) that reduced starch digestion and carbohydrate absorption. Gastric emptying was measured by a dual-headed gamma-camera. Plasma concentrations of hormones and the amount of carbohydrates passing the ileum were measured every 10 min. The amylase inhibitor significantly reduced the absorption of complex carbohydrates from the terminal ileum (p less than 0.05). Gastric emptying was significantly slowed by ileal perfusion of carbohydrates (p less than 0.01). This effect was enhanced by the amylase inhibitor (p = 0.06). Plasma concentrations of C-peptide, glucagon, motilin, gastrin, and human pancreatic polypeptide were not related to gastric emptying or ileal perfusates, but decreased concentrations of gastric inhibitory polypeptide and neurotensin and increased concentrations of peptide YY were significantly associated (p less than 0.05) with slowing of gastric emptying. Perfusing carbohydrates into the ileum was associated with nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, but we could detect no direct relationship between the onset of these symptoms and gastric emptying. Slowing of gastric emptying of a homogenized mixed meal by the entry of complex carbohydrates into the ileum may be partly mediated by peptide YY or nonvagally mediated neural mechanisms.

Abdomen