Correlates of dissociative symptoms in substance abusers.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
M Dufour
Publications and source records attributed to M Dufour.
Realistic collective nuclear Hamiltonian.
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Journal Article↗
[Acute community-acquired pneumonia of moderate and grave severity investigated by bronchoscopy. Analysis of 193 cases hospitalized in a general hospital].
Between February 1989 and June 1994 193 cases of acute community acquired pneumonia (PAC) which were of intermediate or great severity were admitted to two hospitals in the South West of France. These patients were explored using bronchofibroscopy (FB) with a protected brush (BP) and alveolar microlavage (MLBA) and quantitative cultures were performed, also there were other specimens taken in a regular fashion. The percentage of positive examinations was 60% for brushings (BP), 59% for MLBA and 21% for blood cultures and 16% for serological tests. An aetiology was determined in 137 cases (70.9%). The organisms recovered were Streptococcus pneumoniae (49.6%), gram negative bacilli (17.4%), Haemophilus influenzae (11.7%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (4.4%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (4.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.6%), Chlamydia pneumoniae (2.2%), Legionella pneumophila (0.7%), and various 5.8%. The overall mortality was 15% despite immediate antibiotics based on the likely organism in 88% of cases. The study of prognostic factors confirmed the Fine score system (determined a posteriori) which constitutes a useful and practical index determining the management of PAC. On the other hand the role of bacteriological documentation in improving the vital prognosis remains to be confirmed. If bronchofibroscopy has appeared to us as a safe and useful means of investigation, the management of these disease remains to specified. We suggest that its use is reserved for subjects with life threatening disease (a Fine score equal to or greater than 3) or for those patients who are likely to have unusual germs: failure of previous antibiotics, diabetes, malnourishment, cancer, airflow obstruction and inhalation.
Acute Disease↗
Arrest at the G2/M transition of the cell cycle by protein-tyrosine phosphatase inhibition: studies on a neuronal and a glial cell line.
The addition of the peroxovanadium (pV) derivatives potassium bisperoxo(1,10-phenanthroline)oxovanadate(v) (bpV[phen]) or potassium bisperoxo(pyridine-2-carboxylato) oxovanadate(v) (bpV[pic]), both of which are potent inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) [Posner et al. (1994): J Biol Chem 269:4596-4604], to the culture medium of neuroblastoma NB 41 and glioma C6 cells resulted in a marked decrease in their proliferation rates and a progressive accumulation at the G2/M transition of the cell cycle. The effect was dependent on dose, cell type, and a pV compound employed. Mean values of the RNA-to-DNA and RNA-to-protein ratios in NB cells treated for 48 h with increased doses of bpV[phen] showed that general synthetic functions were not altered, nor did we observe oxidative damage to DNA using a sensitive DNA-nick detection assay. No changes in the expression and localization of vimentin, a component of the intermediate filament cytoskeleton, were observed by indirect immunofluorescence, showing that treatment did not disturb the cytoskeleton network. Measurements of BrdU incorporation into newly synthesized DNA showed that cells treated were not totally arrested. Furthermore, cells arrested G2/M were able to reenter the cycle rapidly after the release of inhibition. This progressive accumulation of G2/M coincided with the detection of tyrosine-phosphorylated p34cdc2 and a dramatic reduction in its kinase activity toward histone H1 by 48 h of culture. Both compounds were equally potent in inhibiting the catalytic activity of a yeast and the structurally distant mouse cdc25B in vitro, suggesting that augmented tyrosine phosphorylation of p34cdc2 derived from the in vivo inhibition of cdc25. Their equal in vitro potency contrasted with the considerably greater potency of bpV[phen] in vivo, in vivo suggesting that factors regulating the intracellular access of these compounds to cdc25 might be critical in determining in vivo specificity. In conclusion the final consequence of long-term exposure to potent and structurally defined PTP inhibitors on two highly proliferative nerve cell lines is to restrict cell growth. The corresponding hyperphosphorylation and reduced activity of p34cdc2 likely reflects the unusual sensitivity of cdc25 as an in vivo target for peroxovanadium compounds.
CDC2 Protein Kinase↗
Alcohol in the elderly.
Although older individuals drink less and report fewer alcohol-related problems than do younger individuals, alcohol use and abuse are significant health issues for older patients. The signs and symptoms of alcohol problems and dependence in the elderly may not only differ from those of young problem drinkers, but may also be present at lower levels of alcohol consumption. Older alcoholics do well in alcohol treatment. Therefore, discussion of alcohol consumption is a critical part of every history and physical examination for all patients, including older individuals.
Adult↗
Adrenoleukodystrophy: magnetic resonance follow-up after Lorenzo's oil therapy.
PURPOSE: To determine the therapeutic value of Lorenzo's oil (a mixture of glyceryl trioleate and glyceryl trierucate oils) in treating the childhood form of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), as indicated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1992 and March 1994 eight males with biochemically proven ALD, ranging in age from 1 to 28 years, were referred for cerebral MRI and initiation of Lorenzo's oil dietary therapy; treatment continued for a period of 6 to 24 months. Five of the patients underwent follow-up cerebral MRI, and the images were reviewed without knowledge of medical status or chronology of imaging relative to therapy; the other three patients were excluded from the study because follow-up examinations were lacking. Signal abnormalities were evaluated according to a modified Loes scale, which yielded a minimum rating of 0 (for normal findings) and a maximum rating of 35 (for the most severe abnormalities). Because an untreated control group was not available for comparison, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyse the results. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant improvement in the ratings of abnormalities after treatment (p = 0.31, alpha = 0.10). However, the correlation between MRI findings and clinical symptoms was good. CONCLUSIONS: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test is a useful statistical tool for evaluating the results of studies in which the sample population is small and there is no control group. The authors suggest that although Lorenzo's oil may not be curative, it may have a role in preventing the progress of ALD in asymptomatic patients. A multicentre control trial of Lorenzo's oil treatment, with emphasis on asymptomatic patients, is now underway.
Adolescent↗
[Giant negative T waves in idiopathic apical diverticulum of the left ventricle in adults].
Left ventricular diverticula, congenital or acquired, with normal coronary arteries are rare. Apical diverticula are exceptionally rare in the adult. The authors present the clinical, paraclinical, anatomopathological pre- and postoperative data in a case of apical diverticulum of the left ventricle presenting with giant negative T waves. The differential diagnosis of these electrocardiographic changes is discussed, in particular apical cardiomyopathy, especially as the two conditions may be associated.
Adult↗
Broadband ultrasound attenuation of the os calcis: preliminary study.
Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) measurements of the calcaneus were performed in 87 healthy subjects and in 17 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In 52 normal subjects, bone mineral densities (BMD) of the lumbar spine were measured by quantitative CT (QCT), and in another group of 15 normal subjects, BMD of the lumbar spine was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). BUA showed a negative significant correlation with age (r = 0.44; p < 0.001), and was more pronounced in women. A significant positive correlation of BUA in the os calcis with lumbar BMD using QCT (r = 0.53, p < 0.001) or DXA (r = 0.81; p < 0.001), was observed. We found no significant difference between osteoporotic patients (n = 17; mean BUA value: 58.4 +/- 18) and controls (n = 17; mean BUA value; 61 +/- 15). The mean coefficient of variation was high: 6%. These results suggest that BUA is not yet a valuable tool in general clinical practice and that further additional improvements are necessary in order to use it in the management of osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon↗
Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension Study (PATHS). Rationale and design.
Alcohol consumption has been recognized as an important correlate of blood pressure in many epidemiologic studies, but few interventional studies have been conducted to examine the effect of a reduction in alcohol intake on blood pressure. Because these studies have usually included few subjects and been of short duration, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program have initiated a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial to determine whether blood pressure and left ventricular mass are lowered over 6 months of alcohol moderation in non-dependent moderate to heavy drinkers (three or more drinks per day average but not alcohol dependent) with above-average normal (80 to 89 mm Hg) and mildly hypertensive (90 to 99 mm Hg) levels of diastolic blood pressure, and whether a reduction in alcohol intake can be maintained for 2 years. Eligible veterans are randomized to either an alcohol reduction intervention or a control observation group at seven clinical sites. The projected sample size is 580 participants. Alcohol intake is assessed by self-report using a retrospective diary (Chronological Drinking Record) and by various biochemical markers, including apolipoproteins, HDL cholesterol (and subfractions), and carbohydrate deficient transferrin, analyzed at a central laboratory. The alcohol intervention technique is a cognitive-behavioral program, the intensive phase of which consists of six counseling sessions over 3 months. Echocardiograms are obtained at baseline and 6 months after randomization. This trial has important implications for both the prevention and treatment of hypertension.
Adult↗
Microscopic description of the alpha +16O system in a multicluster model.
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Journal Article↗
Radiographic features of cauda equina syndrome complicating ankylosing spondylitis.
Cauda equina syndrome is an uncommon complication of ankylosing spondylitis. The characteristics of this disease, as shown by plain radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a 56-year-old man, are described. The MRI features are pathognomonic, allowing accurate noninvasive diagnosis of the disorder.
Cauda Equina↗
Magnetic resonance imaging in moyamoya disease.
The authors describe the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of moyamoya disease in a 51-year-old woman; the disease was confirmed by angiography. MRI demonstrated well the occlusions and collateral vessels that typically occur secondary to this rare disease. Although hemorrhagic complications often result in a poor prognosis for patients with moyamoya disease, the patient described here recovered.
Angiography↗
Endopeptidase from rat liver membranes, which generates miniglucagon from glucagon.
An endopeptidase activity that cleaves glucagon, producing miniglucagon or glucagon (19-29), a Ca2+ pump inhibitory peptide, was isolated from rat liver membranes. The purified enzyme has a molecular mass of approximately 100 kDa and a pH optimum of approximately 8. It is inhibited by both sulfhydryl-blocking reagents and metal-chelating reagents and activated by thiol compounds. The partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 100-kDa protein does not correspond to any known protein. An antiserum was raised against a synthetic octapeptide corresponding to the N-terminal sequence. Immunoblot analysis of crude liver membranes revealed a single band at 100 kDa. Immunoreactivity was found in liver, pancreas, and heart, which are glucagon and miniglucagon target tissues, and in gastric mucosa and kidney. Low levels were detected in spleen, whereas immunoreactivity was undetectable in skeletal muscle and intestinal mucosa. The endopeptidase activity was inhibited by insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide, whereas other peptides that contain dibasic sites had no effect on its activity, indicating that the endopeptidase does not display strict selectivity toward basic doublets.
Amino Acid Sequence↗
Biochemical and morphological characterizations of DU-145 cell mortality in rabbit embryo-fetal fluid.
Rabbit embryo-fetal fluid (EFF) contains regulatory factors of cell proliferation which increase the duration of the cell cycle, induce a quiescent status in some cells and lead up to cell death in others. The objective of this study was to demonstrate which of the two processes, namely necrosis or apoptosis, was responsible for the cell death. Inhibitors of protein synthesis, and nuclease and phospholipase A2 activities did not restore the viability of the cells treated with EFF. Using a combination of DNA labelling and extraction, it was possible to show that a large proportion of DNA was fragmented in the cells released in the supernatant while only a very small portion of DNA was fragmented in the monolayer cells. EFF did not induce fragmentation of DNA into nucleosome-sized subunits as analysed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nevertheless, using cytofluorometric analysis, it was possible to demonstrate that 50% of the cells released in the supernatant contained a lower quantity of DNA per cell than in the control cells. This was also observed with EFF-treated monolayer cells but not in the control monolayer cells. The reduction of the DNA content per monolayer cell became significant at 48 h of treatment with EFF. Electron microscopic analysis did not reveal blebbing of the cells. However, depletion of glycogen, condensation of mitochondria and increasing number of lysosomes and residual bodies were observed upon treatment with EFF. From these experiments we conclude that the DU-145 cells treated with EFF do not die by apoptosis, but rather seem to die by necrosis.
Animals↗
Evaluation of the surface roughness of cystine stones using a visible laser diode scattering approach.
To understand the processes of fragmentation and the chemical reactivity of solids, proper characterization of surface topography is crucial. This paper describes a non-destructive technique of quantifying the surface roughness of cystine renal stones, using visible laser diode scattering and fractal geometry. Fragments of cystine stones were mounted on microscope slides and coated by a carbon-sputtering apparatus. The slides were placed under a dynamic active-vision system, using a visible laser diode to measure three-dimensional surface coordinates. The data obtained were analyzed by fractal geometry. Surface fractal dimensions were determined by the variation method. The results showed that the surface of a compact-size sample can be evaluated quantitatively. The technique is valuable for the accurate presentation of surfaces in three dimensions.
Cystine↗
Shoulder lipoblastoma: magnetic resonance imaging characteristics.
The authors describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of lipoblastoma of the shoulder in an infant. The appearance of the lesion in MRI scans correlated well with the pathological observation of lobules of immature adipose tissue surrounding masses of myxoid tissue. However, the MRI study of lipoblastoma is nonspecific, and the results of other radiologic modalities, such as plain radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography, are essential for a confident diagnosis.
Humans↗
Endosulfine, an endogenous peptidic ligand for the sulfonylurea receptor: purification and partial characterization from ovine brain.
Antidiabetic sulfonylureas act through receptors coupled to ATP-dependent potassium channels. Using the binding of [3H]glibenclamide, a highly potent sulfonylurea, to rat brain membranes to follow the purification procedure, we extracted from ovine brain, purified, and partially characterized two peptides that are endogenous ligands for the central nervous system sulfonylurea receptors. These peptides, referred to as alpha and beta endosulfine, differ by their isoelectric points, the beta form being more basic. Each form of endosulfine is recognized equally by the sulfonylurea receptors from the central nervous system and from insulin-secreting beta cells. In the same concentration range that is active on the receptors, beta endosulfine releases insulin from a beta-cell line. Endosulfine is a good candidate for being implicated in the physiology of beta cells and their disorders (e.g., type II diabetes) and in certain pathologies related to modifications of ion fluxes.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters↗
Role of G protein beta gamma subunits in the regulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump.
In Zajdela hepatoma cells (ZHC) the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump displayed no sensitivity to glucagon (19-29) (mini-glucagon), whereas in hepatocyte this metabolite of glucagon evoked a biphasic regulation of the Ca2+ pump system via a cholera toxin-sensitive G protein. Analysis of G protein subunits in ZHC membranes indicated the presence of cholera toxin-sensitive Gs alpha and G beta gamma proteins, whose functionality was manifested by GTP and NaF stimulation of adenylylcyclase activity, and pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Gi alpha, respectively. However, immunoblotting experiments suggested a lower content in beta gamma subunits in ZHC as compared with hepatocyte plasma membranes. Complementation of ZHC or hepatocyte plasma membranes with purified beta gamma subunits from transducin (T beta gamma) caused inhibition of the basal activity of the Ca2+ pump at 10 and 300 ng/ml, respectively, and revealed (in ZHC) or increased (in hepatocytes) sensitivity of the system to mini-glucagon. After cholera toxin treatment of ZHC, T beta gamma no longer reconstituted the response of the Ca2+ pump to mini-glucagon, suggesting that the mechanism of beta gamma action is dependent on an association with the alpha subunit of a cholera toxin-sensitive G protein. It is concluded that G beta gamma subunits control both the basal activity of the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump and its inhibition by mini-glucagon.
Adenosine Diphosphate Ribose↗