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Biomedical subjects

N Franck

Publications and source records attributed to N Franck.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

An extract from cultured human keratinocytes that contains the major autoantigens related to autoimmune bullous skin diseases.

Autoantibodies characteristic of autoimmune bullous skin diseases (AIBDs) can be detected by immunoblotting on epidermal, dermal, or bovine muzzle extracts. However, none of those substrates contain all the autoantigens involved in AIBDs, and the diagnosis requires the use of various substrates. Human keratinocytes were cultured under such conditions that they expressed the major autoantigens associated with AIBDs. Forty-two sera with antiepidermal antibodies were immunoblotted on the keratinocyte extract. Bands corresponding to desmoglein III, desmoglein I, BPAg2, BPAg1, and type VII collagen were found in 38 sera. Desmoplakins I and II were revealed by specific monoclonal antibodies. A review of the patients' charts showed a perfect correlation between the blots and the diagnoses of pemphigus vulgaris, pemphigus foliaceus, bullous pemphigoid, cicatricial pemphigoid, and epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Four sera revealing no band typical of AIBD were from patients with no autoimmune skin disease. Therefore, a single extract of keratinocytes can be used for the differential diagnosis of AIBDs.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Lack of evidence of human herpesvirus 8 DNA sequences in HIV-negative patients with various lymphoproliferative disorders of the skin.

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is a new virus which has been reported in Kaposi's sarcoma and some lymphoproliferative disorders such as Castleman's disease and body-cavity-based lymphoma. Because HHV-8 shares homology with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), we searched for the presence of HHV-8 DNA sequences in various cutaneous T- and B-cell lymphoma by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Forty-seven HIV-negative patients with cutaneous lymphoma or large plaque parapsoriasis were enrolled in the study. For the detection of HHV-8 DNA sequences we used PCR followed by a hybridization with a digoxigenin-labelled probe and nested-PCR. HHV-8 DNA sequences could only be detected in a patient with large plaque parapsoriasis. Our study does not suggest any direct implication of HHV-8 in the pathogenesis of most cutaneous lymphoma. Serological studies will be helpful to appreciate if there is an epidemiological link between HHV-8 and cutaneous lymphomas.

DNA, Viral↗
PubMed1995

[Cutaneous ulcerations in sarcoidosis].

We report the case of a 23 year-old Caribbean woman with sarcoidosis who developed specific skin ulcerations. Ulcerative lesions in sarcoidosis are distinctly unusual, generally multiple, painless, with preponderant location on the lower limbs. The diagnosis is difficult. The pathogenesis is discussed. The most successful therapy is hydrochloroquine with corticosteroids.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Ribozyme targeting of HIV-1 LTR.

The 5'-TAR region of HIV-1 mRNA is highly conserved amongst different HIV-1 isolates. We thus investigated the potential for in vivo targeting of the TAR RNA element by a hammerhead ribozyme. The use of the CAT reporter gene linked to the HIV1-LTR, in transient assays, reveals that a hammerhead ribozyme directed towards the first GUC of HIV-1 mRNA can efficiently inhibit CAT protein expression. We show that this inhibition is sequence-specific and probably due to a cleavage activity rather than an antisense effect. We show also that a hammerhead ribozyme that is inactive in vitro is capable of inhibiting CAT protein expression in a cellular environment. These results suggest that the targeting of the HIV-1 LTR by a hammerhead ribozyme constitutes a viable approach for anti-HIV therapy.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1993

[Recurrent nodular panniculitis associated with pancreas divisum].

We report the case of a 46-year old woman who, over a 12-year period, had 6 episodes of nodular panniculitis. Each lesion regressed and disappeared within four to six weeks. Fistulization before formation of a cupula-shaped scar was observed on two occasions. These episodes of hypodermitis seemed to be isolated when they began, but histological examination of the skin showed cytosteatonecrosis of the hypodermis pointing to a pancreatic origin. Signs of pancreatic abnormality appeared progressively: first an increase of amylasaemia concomitant with the cutaneous flares, then morphological abnormalities of the pancreatic ducts suggestive of pancreas divisum, and finally dilatation of the main pancreatic duct associated with upstream pancreatitis. No radical treatment of the pancreatic abnormality was carried out.

Amylases↗
PubMed1993

[Diagnostic criteria in bulimia: reassessment and proposals based on a series of 539 cases].

Bulimia nervosa is a recently identified psychiatric disorder. Several clinical definitions have been successively proposed, some of which contradictory. In a multicenter study (INSERM clinical research network), 539 consecutive outpatients with bulimic behaviors were evaluated in 18 treatment centers and classified according to several diagnostic reference systems. We tested the validity of diagnostic criteria proposed by the American Psychiatric Association for DSM-IV classification. Our data support inclusion of both purging and nonpurging subtypes for the diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. The newly defined syndrome "Binge Eating Disorder" should be retained, but its diagnostic criteria modified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Hyperammoniemic coma in a patient with ureterosigmoidostomy and normal liver function.

Hyperammoniemic encephalopathy has been reported after ureterosigmoidostomy. Its development is related to a problem of bacterial overgrowth and, most often, is favored by the presence of an underlying liver dysfunction. We report the case of a 43-year-old woman with a ureterosigmoidostomy done 28 years earlier who developed hyperammoniemic coma induced by an acute rectocolitis and in the absence of any detectable liver dysfunction. Neither administration of Lactilol and neomycin nor rectal tube drainage were effective; systemic antimicrobial therapy effective against the urease-producing gram-negative bacilli was required and led to a decrease in serum ammonia levels and a dramatic clinical improvement.

Acute Disease↗