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Biomedical subjects

M Revel

Publications and source records attributed to M Revel.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

[Beta-interferon for labial and genital herpes virus infection].

19 women and 9 men, aged 15-59 (mean, 35.1), who had had recurrent lip or genital infections with herpes virus (HSV) for from 1-38 years, were treated with beta-interferon gel (100,000 IU/g), self-administered 4 times daily to the affected areas. In half the patients the drug and a placebo were given in a double-blind, cross-over study. The trial lasted 30 months. Frequency of attacks, length of each attack and its severity, and the presence of itching were noted. If there was improvement in at least 2 parameters treatment was considered successful. This was the case in about 75% of the patients. The mean number of attacks per year before and during treatment with interferon was 6.8 and 3.0, respectively (p less than 0.003) and the mean length of attacks 8.2 and 4.7 days, respectively (p less than 0.001). Results of the double-blind, cross-over test were also significant, and were similar to those for the total group. These results clearly indicate that local interferon is effective treatment for genital and labial HSV infections.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1989

Interleukin 6 stimulates synthesis of complement proteins factor B and C3 in human skin fibroblasts.

Human interleukin (IL) 6 is a multifunctional cytokine which is synthesized by fibroblasts in response to many stimuli, including bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). During acute-phase response, liver cells secrete a specific group of proteins among which components of the complement system and IL 6 appear to be an important mediator of this response. Human skin fibroblasts also synthesize at least seven proteins of the complement system. Each of these seems to be characteristically regulated by soluble mediators of the inflammatory process. Here we report that in fibroblasts, IL 6 induces increases in the rate of synthesis of factor B and C3, activator proteins of the alternative pathway of complement activation. The increases in factor B and C3 were concentration dependent reaching about 40- and 15-fold, respectively. The protein increases were observed within 4 h after IL 6 addition to the cells and were accompanied by increase in factor B and C3 mRNA. The data suggest that the induction of factor B and C3 by LPS may be mediated, at least in part, by IL 6 induced by LPS. This new function of IL 6 could provide a local protection against invading agents through activation of the antibody-independent alternative pathway of complement activation.

Blotting, Northern↗
PubMed1989

A morphometric study of the lumbar foramen. Influence of flexion-extension movements and of isolated disc collapse.

The authors undertook a morphometric study of the intervertebral foramina in anatomic specimens of spines unaffected by degenerative lesions. They studied the variations in shape and size of 38 intervertebral foramina during flexion-extension movements and following an isolated disc collapse. The cast technique takes into account the bony prominences, the bulge of the disc anteriorly and of the capsulo-ligamentous structures posteriorly. In flexion, all the diameters of the foramina are maximal. In full extension all the diameters decrease significantly: the pedicles come closer together, the disc bulges posteriorly and the ligamentum flavum is pushed forward by the superior articular process of the underlying vertebra. A disc collapse of 4 mm decreases all the diameters, and in this case lumbar extension results in a sufficient decrease of foraminal diameter to threaten the nerve root.

Female↗
PubMed1989

Strength and cross-sectional area of the dorsal neck muscles.

The maximum isometric strength of cervical extensors was measured in a group of sixteen young healthy subjects. The cross-sectional area was obtained by computerized tomography. A significant positive correlation was found between muscle strength and cross-sectional area. The ratio of strength to cross-sectional area is 10.17N/cm2. This value is similar to that estimated on the quadriceps using similar methods in other studies. Numerous factors are suggested to explain the individual variability of the results even within a homogeneous group; among them, neck morphology is important.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Monoclonal antibodies for affinity purification of IL-6/IFN- beta 2 and for neutralization of HGF activity.

Two types of recombinant human IL-6 (rIL-6) were used for the development of specific monoclonal antibodies. The first was produced in E. coli and used for immunization, the second was produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells (CHO) and used for screening. The complete translated sequence of the cDNA coding for human IL-6 was fused, in phase, to protein-A and the hybrid gene was fused to the strong lambda PR promoter. This protein was purified from bacterial extracts by chromatography on rabbit IgG-Sepharose columns. After six injections of the purified protein into mice, sera were tested for their binding titer in a solid phase radioimmunassay (sRIA) and for the specificity of binding by Western blots. In the sRIA, crude supernatants of CHO cells (harboring a plasmid containing the human IL-6 gene and expressing high levels of IL-6 but no protein-A or any bacterial antigen) were bound to a solid support, reacted with supernatants of the hybridomas and finally detected with [125I]-goat anti-mouse antibodies. Spleen cells derived from a mouse showing the highest binding titer were fused to mouse myeloma cells. The hybridomas were screened by the sRIA and several positive clones were isolated and characterized. One of the clones was found to neutralize the hybridoma growth factor activity of the rIL-6 from both sources. The same clone was also used for Western blots and for affinity purification of both natural and recombinant IL-6 (E. coli and CHO).

Animals↗
PubMed1989

DNA probes specific for Entamoeba histolytica possessing pathogenic and nonpathogenic zymodemes.

A number of DNA probes which hybridize to highly abundant DNA sequences of Entamoeba histolytica were developed. Variations in the hybridization patterns of different E. histolytica strains were detected with selected probes. Four types of restriction fragment length patterns were obtained. Of these, the first class belonged to E. invadens and E. histolytica-like var. Laredo. The next two classes consisted of various strains of E. histolytica which were originally isolated from symptomatic patients and possessed pathogenic patterns of isoenzymes (zymodemes), whereas the fourth group contained E. histolytica strains with nonpathogenic zymodemes obtained from asymptomatic carriers. DNA probes, based on DNA sequences specific to E. histolytica isolates with pathogenic and nonpathogenic zymodemes were isolated, and their nucleotide sequences were determined. These probes (P145 and B133) hybridized selectively to DNA of isolates possessing either pathogenic or nonpathogenic isoenzyme patterns. The newly developed probes could be useful for diagnostic purposes and could serve as tools to investigate the molecular basis of pathogenicity and the genetic mechanisms which regulate the variable aggressive behavior of the parasite.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Radicular claudication with a narrowed lumbar canal].

Painful symptomatology in the lower limbs coming on with walking must not systematically be attributed to arteritis of the lower limbs. Among the characteristics which may suggest that this "claudication" is due to a narrowed lumbar canal, is the presence of paresthesia and above all the clear improvement when the patient is seated or adopts a lumbar kyphotic position. It is therefore extremely important to keep in mind the radicular topography of pain and neurological deficit. The congenitally narrow lumbar canals rarely produce problems unless there is further narrowing of the lumbar or radicular canal by a disco-osteophytic projection anteriorly, a posterior articular osteophytic projection posteriorly, thickening of the ligamentum flavum, an abnormal widening of the dural sheath, or excess peridural fat. Among the complementary investigations, CAT scan is useful to analyse the structures involved, but this examination is carried out in decubitus, i.e., without lordosis, while narrowing principally appears on lumbar extension, i.e., in the upright position. Saccoradiculography therefore remains the investigation of choice, performed in the seated and upright position. It can objectively assess the degree of narrowing and analyse the proportion due to the anterior discal or posterior articular component. This investigation should only be requested after failure of medical treatment based above all on analgesics, physiotherapy in lumbar kyphosis, and an abdomino-lumbar corset support. In the event of failure of medical treatment and if the patient is very handicapped, one most often resorts to decompressive surgery, however when narrowing is principally due to a discal projection, one may attempt discolysis with chymopapain.

Back Pain↗
PubMed1989

[Sciatica caused by a posterior articular cyst. Apropos of 8 cases].

The authors report 8 cases of sciatica secondary to a posterior articular cyst. They emphasize the clinical manifestations permitting to suspect this etiology of root compression, which, until now, was rather unusual. Computerized axial tomography makes the diagnosis possible along with posterior arthrography. This arthrography represents the first stage of the medical treatment by posterior joint infiltration of a steroid derivative. In 60 p. cent of the cases, a definite and persisting improvement permits to avoid a surgical procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Interferon beta 2/interleukin-6 and interleukin-3 synergize in stimulating proliferation of human early hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Early 4-hydroxyperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC) resistant hematopoietic progenitor cells (pre-colony-forming units, pre-CFU) were evaluated by a two-step liquid culture system, (earlier progenitors), pre-CFU, as well as by the conventional semi-solid mixed colony assay (later progenitors) for their growth response to interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-3 (IL-3), and a combination of both factors. The effect of the IL-6/IL-3 combination was compared to that of IL-1/IL-3. IL-3 alone proved less effective in supporting earlier pre-CFU cells than later progenitor cells. In a previous work IL-6 promoted the growth of early multipotential progenitor cells circulating in hairy cell leukemia (HCL) patients. IL-6 alone did not stimulate growth of either early or later normal progenitor cells. However, a significant synergistic effect was obtained when IL-6 and IL-3 were added together (p less than 0.05). IL-6/IL-3 synergism was more potent than IL-1/IL-3 in promoting growth of colonies. The previously described synergistic effect of IL-1/IL-3 seems to be independent of IL-6. Thus, our results suggest that the multi-functional cytokine IL-6, may be of use in shortening the engraftment time in bone marrow transplantation.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1988

Recombinant interferon-beta 2 (interleukin-6) induces myeloid differentiation.

Human IFN-beta 2 cytokine produced in E. coli was purified to homogeneity by immunoaffinity and ion-exchange chromatography. The cytokine inhibits the growth of myeloleukemic M1 cells and induces their morphological and functional differentiation into macrophages. Differentiation was also observed in the histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells. The effect on U937 was synergized by IFN-gamma and under these conditions IFN-beta 2 produced the induction of (2'-5') oligo(A) synthetase typical to IFN action and to differentiation.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗
PubMed1988

[Morphological variations of the lumbar foramina during flexion-extension and disk collapse].

The authors have studied, on anatomical preparations, the variations in shape and size of 38 intervertebral foramina during flexion-extension movements, on spines which were free of degenerative lesions; they also studied the same variations following an isolated disc collapse. The cast technique takes into account the bony prominences, the bulge of the disc anteriorly, and the capsulo-ligamentous structures posteriorly. In flexion, all the diameters of the foramina are maximum. In extreme extension, all diameters decrease significantly; the pedicles come closer together, the disc bulges posteriorly and the ligamentum flavum pushed by the superior articular process of the underlying vertebra, projects forward. When the height of the disc is preserved, the reduction in size of the foramen does not compress the nerve root. A moderate disc collapse of 4 mm decreases all the diameters and under those circumstances, lumbar extension results in a sufficient decrease of the diameter of the foramen to threaten the nerve root, even in the absence of posterior articular osteophytes.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Placebo-controlled trial of topical interferon in labial and genital herpes.

The efficacy of topical interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment was assessed in 25 patients with herpes of the lips or genitals who completed a 2-year follow-up in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. IFN-beta gel (10(5) U/g) 4 times daily (about 2 x 10(4) U) applied locally during eruptions (about 10 days) reduced the mean number of recurrences (p less than 0.007) and the duration of eruptions (p less than 0.007): in the placebo group these indices did not change significantly. Reduction of symptoms and severity was noted in 11 of 12 patients on IFN-beta and in only 1 on placebo. No important side-effects were recorded. Topical IFN-beta may therefore be advantageous as a time-limited local treatment of recurrent herpes simplex virus infections of the genitals and lips.

Administration, Topical↗