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P Delannoy

Publications and source records attributed to P Delannoy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Role of N-cadherin and protein kinase C in osteoblast gene activation induced by the S252W fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 mutation in Apert craniosynostosis.

Apert (Ap) syndrome is characterized by premature cranial suture ossification caused by fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR-2) mutations. We studied the role of cadherins and signaling events in the phenotypic alterations induced by the Ap FGFR-2 S252W mutation in mutant immortalized fetal human calvaria osteoblasts. The FGFR-2 mutation caused increased expression of the osteoblast markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type 1 collagen (COLIA1), and osteocalcin (OC) in long-term culture. The mutation also increased cell-cell aggregation, which was suppressed by specific neutralizing anti-N- and anti-E-cadherin antibodies. Mutant osteoblasts showed increased N- and E-cadherin, but not N-cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. This was confirmed in vivo by the abundant immunoreactive N- and E-cadherins in preosteoblasts in the Ap suture whereas N-CAM and alpha- and beta-catenins were unaffected. Neutralizing anti-N-cadherin antibody or N-cadherin antisense (AS) oligonucleotides but not anti-E-cadherin antibody or AS reduced ALP activity as well as ALP, COLIA1, and OC mRNA overexpression in mutant osteoblasts. Analysis of signal transduction revealed increased phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) and protein kinase Calpha (PKCalpha) phosphorylation and increased PKC activity in mutant cells in basal conditions. Inhibition of PKC by calphostin C or the PKCalpha-specific inhibitor Gö6976 suppressed the increased N-cadherin mRNA and protein levels as well as the overexpression of ALP, COLIA1, and OC mRNA in mutant cells. Thus, N-cadherin plays a role in the activation of osteoblast differentiation marker genes in mutant osteoblasts and PKCalpha signaling appears to be involved in the increased N-cadherin and osteoblast gene expression induced by the S252W FGFR-2 mutation in human osteoblasts.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

Cloning, expression and gene organization of a human Neu5Ac alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase: hST6GalNAcIV.

On the basis of the detection of expressed sequence tag ('EST') similar to the rat N-acetylgalactosamine alpha2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6GalNAc) III cDNA, we have identified a novel member of the human ST6GalNAc family. We have isolated a cDNA clone containing an open reading frame that codes for a type II membrane protein of 302 amino acids with a seven-amino-acid cytoplasmic domain, an 18-amino-acid transmembrane domain and the smallest described catalytic domain of 277 amino acids. This predicted sialyltransferase sequence is similar to the rat ST6GalNAc III (46.6%), but was found to be even more similar to the recently reported mouse ST6GalNAc IV (88.1%) on the basis of amino acid sequence identity. Northern-blot analysis showed that the newly identified gene is expressed constitutively in various adult human tissues as a 2.2kb transcript, but was also found to be expressed at lower levels in brain, heart and skeletal muscle as a 2.5kb transcript. Expression of the hST6GalNAc IV gene was investigated by reverse transcription PCR in various human cancer cells, and was found to be present in the majority of cell types with the exception of the carcinoma cell line T47D and pro-monocyte THP cells. The transient expression in COS-7 cells of the full-length cDNA led to the production of an active enzyme sharing the acceptor specificity of the ST6GalNAc family towards Neu5Ac alpha 2-3Gal beta 1-3GalNAc alpha-O-R (where 'R' denotes H, benzyl, or a peptidic chain). Detailed analysis in vitro of substrate specificity revealed that the enzyme required the trisaccharide Neu5Ac alpha 2-3Gal beta1-3GalNAc found on O-glycans and arylglycosides. In addition, we have clarified the genomic organization of ST6GalNAc IV gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Behavior of human osteoblastic cells on stoichiometric hydroxyapatite and type A carbonate apatite: role of surface energy.

To determine the role of physicochemical characteristics of the surface of dense ceramics on osteoconduction, we studied the proliferation and differentiation of human trabecular (HT) osteoblastic cells, extracellular collagenous matrix production, and biologic apatite formation on stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (HA) and type A carbonate apatite (CA). The surface physicochemical characteristics (composition, roughness) of HA and CA carefully were determined by Fourier-transformed infrared, X-ray photoelectron, and Raman spectroscopies, and by FTIR microscopy, before and after cell culture. On both HA and CA substrates, HT cells attached, proliferated, and differentiated. Cell proliferation did not differ on HA and CA. However, the initial cell attachment and spreading of HT cells were much lower on CA compared to HA. Physicochemical and biologic analyses showed that collagenous synthesis by HT cells after 6 weeks of culture also was lower on CA than on HA. Quantitative histologic analysis confirmed that the collagenous matrix production was lower on CA than on HA. Measurement of wettability showed that the polar interaction energy with water was significantly lower on CA than on HA. The lower cell attachment and collagen production on CA compared to HA clearly were related to the low affinity of HT cells for the CA surface. This study shows that the surface energy of the biomaterial greatly influences the initial cell attachment and spreading of human osteoblastic cells at the surface and affects collagenous matrix deposition on the biomaterial. This suggests that the enhancement of polar components of the surface of dense biomaterials may improve osteoblastic cell attachment and, thereby, osteoconduction.

Apatites↗

The Ser252Trp fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR-2) mutation induces PKC-independent downregulation of FGFR-2 associated with premature calvaria osteoblast differentiation.

We recently showed that the Apert Ser252Trp fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR-2) mutation causes premature osteoblast differentiation and increased subperiosteal calvaria bone matrix formation. To gain further insight into the cellular mechanisms involved in these effects, we examined the effects of the mutation on the expression of FGFRs in relation to cell proliferation and differentiation markers in vivo and in vitro, and we analyzed the underlying signaling pathways in mutant cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of the Apert calvaria suture showed that the Ser252Trp FGFR-2 mutation increased type 1 collagen, osteocalcin, and osteopontin expression in preosteoblasts compared to normal, whereas cell growth was not affected. The premature osteoblast differentiation induced by the mutation was associated with lower than normal FGFR-2 immunolabeling, whereas FGFR-1 and FGFR-3 levels were not decreased. Immunocytochemical analysis in osteoblasts isolated from Apert coronal suture showed that the Ser252Trp mutation induced constitutive downregulation of FGFR-2 in mutant cells. Western blot analysis of FGFRs in immortalized mutant osteoblastic cells confirmed that the mutation induced FGFR-2 downregulation. FGFR-2 mRNA levels were not altered in mutant cells, indicating that FGFR-2 downregulation resulted from receptor internalization rather than from changes in receptor mRNA. The signaling pathway involved in FGFR-2 downregulation was studied using specific inhibitors of FGF signaling molecules. The selective PKC inhibitor calphostin C markedly reduced FGFR-2 protein levels in mutant cells, in contrast to the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB 203580 or the Erk 1,2 MAP kinase inhibitor PD-98059, showing that PKC is involved in FGFR-2 regulation, but not in FGFR-2 downregulation in mutant cells. The results indicate that the premature osteoblast differentiation induced by the FGFR-2 Ser252Trp mutation is associated with a PKC-independent downregulation of FGFR-2 in human calvaria cells.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

Molecular cloning and functional expression of human ST6GalNAc II. Molecular expression in various human cultured cells.

A cDNA clone encoding a human Galbeta1-3GalNAc alpha2, 6-sialyltransferase (designated hST6GalNAc II) was identified employing the PCR with degenerated primers to the sialylmotifs, followed by BLAST analysis of databanks. This sialyltransferase sequence is similar to that of previously cloned ST6GalNAc II (chicken and mouse) and shows the sialylmotifs that are present in all eukaryotic members of the sialyltransferase gene family. The predicted amino acid sequence encodes a putative type II transmembrane protein as found for other eukaryotic sialyltransferases and shows significant similarity to chicken (56. 8% identity) and mouse (74.6% identity) enzymes. Expression of a secreted form of hST6GalNAc II in COS-7 cells showed that the gene product had Galbeta1-3GalNAc (sialyl to GalNAc) alpha2, 6-sialyltransferase activity. In vitro analysis of substrate specificity revealed that the enzyme required a peptide aglycone fraction to be active and used both Galbeta1-3GalNAc and Neu5Acalpha2-3Galbeta1-3GalNAc as acceptor substrates. Northern analysis revealed a restricted expression pattern of two hST6GalNAc II transcripts, a 2.0 kb mRNA found mainly in skeletal muscle, heart and kidney and a 1.8 kb mRNA found in placenta, lung and leukocytes. No transcriptional expression was detected in brain, thymus or spleen. Transcriptional expression of the ST6GalNAc II gene was followed in various human cell lines and found to be expressed in almost all cell types with notable exceptions for several myeloid and lymphoid cell lines.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of sialyltransferase expression by estradiol and 4-OH-tamoxifen in the human breast cancer cell MCF-7.

We have addressed the effects of estradiol and 4-OH-tamoxifen on the expression of five sialyltransferases in the hormono-dependent MCF-7 cell line using a Multiplex RT-PCR approach. Estradiol induced a statistically significant increase in ST3Gal III and a decrease in ST6Gal I, whereas the two other enzymes, ST3Gal IV and ST3Gal I, are not modified and expression of the fifth enzyme, ST3Gal II, was very low or not detectable. Estradiol effects were dose dependent and completely antagonized by 4OH-tamoxifen. In addition, there is no direct relation between cellular proliferation and sialyltransferase expression. This suggests that ST3Gal III and ST6Gal I could be used as supplementary markers of hormono-sensitivity in breast cancer.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

Differential expression of sialic acid on porcine organs during the maturation process.

Sialylated structures play important roles in cell communication, and change in a regulated manner during development and differentiation. In this work, we report the main glycosidic modifications that occur during the maturation of porcine tissues, involving the sialylation process as determined with lectins. Sialic acids were identified at several levels in a broad range of cell types of nervous, respiratory, genitourinary and lymphoid origin. Nevertheless, the most contrasting was the type of glycosidic linkage between 5-N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) and galactose (Gal) expressed in central nervous system (CNS). Newborn CNS abundantly expressed Neu5Acalpha2,3Gal, but weakly or scarcely expressed Neu5Acalpha2,6Gal/GalNAc. Maturation of CNS induced drastic changes in sialic acid expression. These changes include decrease or complete loss of NeuAcalpha2,3Gal residues, mainly in olfactory structures and brain cortex, which were replaced by their isomers Neu5Acalpha2,6Gal/GalNAc. In the brain cortex and cerebellum, the increase of Neu5Acalpha2,6Gal/GalNAc molecules was paralleled by an increase of 5-N-acetyl-9-O-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2). In addition, terminal Gal and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) residues also increased their expression in adult CNS tissues, but this was more significant in structures forming the encephalic trunk. Our results show that sialylation of porcine CNS is finely modulated throughout the maturation process.

Aging↗

Massive in vitro synthesis of tagged oligosaccharides in 1-benzyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside treated HT-29 cells.

Permanent exposure of differentiated HT-29 cells to the sugar analogue, 1-benzyl-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranoside (GalNAcalpha- O -bn) leads to marked effects upon the phenotypic properties of mucin-secreting or enterocyte-like HT-29 cells: an inhibition in the secretion of mucins, a blockade in the apical targeting of membrane brush border glycoproteins and a swelling of cells with intracellular accumulation of numerous vesicles. Folch extraction and partition of treated enterocyte-like HT-29 cells revealed a very important accumulation of orcinol and/or resorcinol reactive material in the upper phase (usually containing gangliosides), as compared with untreated HT-29 cells and with treated and untreated Caco-2 cells. Structural analysis indicated the accumulation of a series of GalNAcalpha- O -bn derived oligosaccharides, most of them with the common core Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha- O -bn. These oligosaccharides contained residues of GlcNAc, Gal, Neu5Ac, or Fuc. In particular, the tagged sialyl-Lewis(x)was identified, as well as more complex sialylated derivatives, including the sialyl-Lewis(x)substituted by an additional Neu5Ac residue. The benzylated oligosaccharides were not significantly detected in the culture medium except for Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha- O -bn. Upon reversion of the treatment, these derivatives dis-appeared from the cells within few days, however were not recovered as such in the culture medium. Intracellular degradation occurred with desialylation and defucosylation as the first steps. The spectacular accumulation of benzylated oligosaccharides in HT-29 cell, permanently exposed to GalNAcalpha- O -bn very likely plays an important role in the alterations of cellular processes previously described in this cell line. The HT-29 cell culture system also appears to be an efficient source of several tagged oligosaccharides.

Cell Differentiation↗

O-glycosylation potential of lepidopteran insect cell lines.

The enzyme activities involved in O-glycosylation have been studied in three insect cell lines, Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-9), Mamestra brassicae (Mb) and Trichoplusia ni (Tn) cultured in two different serum-free media. The structural features of O-glycoproteins in these insect cells were investigated using a panel of lectins and the glycosyltransferase activities involved in O-glycan biosynthesis of insect cells were measured (i.e., UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase, UDP-Gal:core-1 beta1, 3-galactosyltransferase, CMP-NeuAc:Galbeta1-3GalNAc alpha2, 3-sialyltransferase, and UDP-Gal:Galbeta1-3GalNAc alpha1, 4-galactosyltransferase activities). First, we show that O-glycosylation potential depends on cell type. All three lepidopteran cell lines express GalNAcalpha-O-Ser/Thr antigen, which is recognized by soy bean agglutinin and reflects high UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase activity. Capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry studies revealed the presence of at least two different UDP-GalNAc:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases in these insect cells. Only some O-linked GalNAc residues are further processed by the addition of beta1,3-linked Gal residues to form T-antigen, as shown by the binding of peanut agglutinin. This reflects relative low levels of UDP-Gal:core-1 beta1,3-galactosyltransferase in insect cells, as compared to those observed in mammalian control cells. In addition, we detected strong binding of Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin-I isolectin B4 to Mamestra brassicae endogenous glycoproteins, which suggests a high activity of a UDP-Gal:Galbeta1-3GalNAc alpha1, 4-galactosyltransferase. This explains the absence of PNA binding to Mamestra brassicae glycoproteins. Furthermore, our results substantiated that there is no sialyltransferase activity and, therefore, no terminal sialic acid production by these cell lines. Finally, we found that the culture medium influences the O-glycosylation potential of each cell line.

Animals↗

[Current treatment of closed injuries of the liver: benefits and pitfalls].

STUDY AIM: The management of blunt hepatic trauma has been modified by the development of conservative methods. Risks and pitfalls of this new approach must be determined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1985 to September, 1998, 130 patients with blunt hepatic trauma were treated by the same team. Among them, 38 patients were referred from another centre (21 already having undergone operations). Eighty patients (61%) had an initial non operative management and 50 patients (39%) underwent emergency laparotomy. Perihepatic packing was performed in 24 patients, hepatic sutures in 22, limited hepatic resection in six, and major hepatectomy in two patients only. RESULTS: There were three deaths in the non operative management group (mortality rate: 3.5%) and 11 patients required a secondary laparotomy: four for haemorrhage, one for enteric injury, two for acute pancreatitis, one for bile leakage, one for subphrenic abscess, one for acute cholecystitis. There were 14 deaths in the emergency laparotomy group (mortality rate: 28%), including four intraoperative deaths due to haemorrhage and two due to abdominal compartment syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: In the nonoperative management group a close clinical survey of the patient is necessary and a secondary laparotomy often indicated. In the operative management group, early packing requires reintervention if the patient is unstable. Alternative means of temporary closure may allow coverage without tension in order to avoid the abdominal compartment syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Sialylation of E-cadherin does not change the spontaneous or ET-18-OMe-mediated aggregation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

We have investigated the role of sialylation on cell-cell adhesion mediated by E-cadherin. Two MCF-7 human breast cancer cell variants were studied: MCF-7/AZ cells showed a spontaneous cell-cell adhesion in the fast and slow aggregation assay. whereas the adhesion deficient MCF-7/6 cell variant failed to form larger aggregates, suggesting that E-cadherin was not functional under the conditions of both assays. We measured the sialyltransferase activities using Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha-O-benzyl and Galbeta1-4GlcNAcalpha-O-benzyl as acceptor substrates as well as mRNA levels of four sialyltransferases, ST3Gal I, ST3Gal III, ST3Gal IV, ST6Gal I, using multiplex RT-PCR in MCF-7 cell variants. The alpha2-6 and alpha2-3 sialylation of E-cadherin was investigated by immuno-blot using Sambucus nigra agglutinin and Maackia amurensis agglutinin. Compared to the adhesion-proficient MCF-7/AZ cells, the adhesion-deficient MCF-7/6 cell line apparently lacks ST6Gal I mRNA, has a lower ST3Gal I mRNA, a lower ST3Gal I sialyltransferase activity, and no alpha2-3 linked sialic acid moieties on E-cadherin. The potential anti-cancer drug 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methylglycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OMe, 48 h, 25 microg/ml) belonging to the class of alkyllysophospholipids restored the E-cadherin function in the adhesion-deficient MCF-7/6 cells as evidenced by an increased aggregation. ET-18-OMe caused loss of ST6Gal I mRNA in MCF-7/AZ cells but no changes of sialyltransferase activities or sialic acid moieties on E-cadherin could be observed. We conclude that Ca2+-dependent, E-cadherin-specific homotypic adhesion of MCF-7/AZ or MCF-7/6 cells treated with ET-18-OMe was not affected by sialylation of E-cadherin.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Molecular cloning, expression and exon/intron organization of the bovine beta-galactoside alpha2,6-sialyltransferase gene.

In this study, we report the first isolation and characterization of a bovine sialyltransferase gene. Bovine cDNAs prepared from different tissues contain an open-reading frame encoding a 405 amino acid sequence showing 83%, 75%, and 60% identity with human, murine, and chicken ST6Gal I (beta-galactoside alpha2,6-sialyltransferase) sequences, respectively. When transfected into COS-7 cells, a recombinant enzyme was obtained which catalyzed the in vitro alpha2, 6-sialylation of LacNAc (NeuAcalpha2-6Galbeta1-4GlcNAc) and LacdiNAc (NeuAcalpha2-6GalNAcbeta1-4GlcNAc) acceptor substrates. The K (m) values were 2.8 and 6.9 mM, respectively. Different relative efficiencies (Vmax/Km) for the two precursors (36 for LacNAc and 4.3 for LacdiNAc) were observed. Bovine ST6Gal I gene consists of four 5'-untranslated exons E(-2) to E(1), and five coding exons from E(2) to E(6). This later carries a 3'-untranslated region of 2. 7 kb. Gene sequence spans at least 80 kb of genomic DNA. Two processed pseudogenes have been identified. They are 94.3 and 95.6% similar to the bovine cDNA, respectively. Three families of mRNA isoforms were isolated. They differed by their 5'-untranslated regions and could be generated by three tissue-specific promoters. Family 1 is made up of exons E(-2) and E(1) to E(6), family 2 of exons E(-1) to E(6), and family 3 of exons E(1) to E(6). Tissular distribution of transcript families appears noticeably different than those described in human and rat.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Alteration of sialyl Lewis epitope expression in pterygium.

PURPOSE: Mucin-related antigens are abundantly expressed by the cells of the normal human conjunctiva. The pattern of these antigens in pterygium, and especially the role of Galbeta1-3GlcNAc alpha2,3-sialyltransferase (ST3Gal III), sialyltransferase necessary to build the sialyl-Le(a) (Lewis(a)) antigen, were studied. METHODS: Immunoperoxidase staining was performed on 28 pterygia using different monoclonal antibodies: anti-M1 (against the peptidic core of gastric mucins encoded by MUC 5AC gene), anti-Le(a)(7LE), anti-sialyl Le(a)(NS 19-9), and anti-Le(b)(2-25LE). A serologic Lewis determination was done in 18 patients. ST3Gal III sialyltransferase expression was also studied in 10 healthy conjunctiva and 10 pterygia by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase was used as an endogenous internal control. RESULTS: First, Le(a), sialyl Le(a), and Le(b) immunoreactivities either decreased or were no longer detectable in pterygium goblet cells as opposed to normal conjunctiva. Second, unlike in pterygium, the Lewis immunoreactivity, which is mainly located in the surface epithelial cells in the normal conjunctiva, was occasionally restricted to the epithelial cells of the deep layers. However, M1 mucins did show an identical pattern expression in a normal conjunctiva and pterygium. ST3Gal III expression was significantly lower in pterygium (0.20+/-0.02 AU [arbitrary units]) than in normal conjunctiva (0.95+/-0.12 AU). CONCLUSIONS: ST3Gal III gene is less expressed in pterygium than in normal conjunctiva. This observation could explain the decrease of sialyl Le(a) expression observed in pterygium by immunohistology.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

[Surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis. A retrospective study of a series of 192 patients operated on over a period of 3 years].

Emergency conditions make laparoscopic treatment of acute cholecystitis challenging. The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyse our experience of cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis performed between January 1995 and December 1997. In order to be included, patients had to present (i) symptoms of acute cholecystitis correlated with laboratory blood tests and ultrasonographic studies (ii) evidence of acute inflammation during the operation and (iii) histological confirmation of acute or subacute inflammation of the excised gallbladder. 192 patients were treated: 62 were totally managed laparoscopically (group CCN), 33 managed laparoscopically but required conversion to open cholecystectomy (group CCC) and 97 were managed conventionally by laparotomy (group CL). Mean age was significantly different between the three groups, (CCN: 55.6 +/- 15 years, CCC: 64.2 +/- 13 years, CL: 66.5 +/- 17 years), as was ASA score (CCN: ASA 3 and ASA 4: 16%, CCC: ASA 3 and ASA 4: 48%, CL: ASA 3 and ASA 4: 46%), and initial infectious signs (temp. > or = 38 degrees C: CCN: 35%, CCC: 39%, CL: 63%). Mean operative delay was significantly higher in the converted group [8.7 +/- 13 days (CCC) vs 4.5 +/- 8 days (CCN) and 5.4 +/- 8 days (CL)]. There were two (1%) bile duct injuries, one in the CCC group, the other in the CL group. Operative mortality was 2% (CCC: 0%, CCN: 0%, CL: 4%) and operative morbidity was 40% (CCN: 21%, CCC: 24%, CL: 57%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the CCN group (6.5 +/- 3.5 days) and CCC group (9.6 +/- 4.4 days) vs the mean stay in the CL group (14.7 +/- 11.6 days). Appears to be beneficial for selected patients with low surgical risk to conclude laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It has yet to be shown whether this benefit can be extended to patients with a high surgical risk.

Acute Disease↗

[Self-expandable metal stent in the treatment of obstructive cancer of the left colon. Preliminary results and review of the literature].

AIM: To report our preliminary experience with self-expandable metal stent in the treatment of acute malignant obstruction of the left colon and to review the literature on this specific subject. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March to September 1999, 8 consecutive patients with a mean age 71 were admitted as an emergency for acute malignant obstruction of the left colon. A self-expandable metal stent was inserted under radioscopic and, in 4 cases, endoscopic guidance. The patients then underwent bowel preparation before operation, if required. RESULTS: There was no mortality. Bowel preparation was satisfactory in 6 cases. Complications occurred in 1 patient, who was operated on day one for peritonitis due to perforation of the tumour by the prosthesis inserted after dilatation. Another six patients were operated: 2 had resection followed by anastomosis; 3 had resection and anastomosis protected by ileostomy; 2 had Hartmann's procedure. The last patient retained the prosthesis as palliation. In the literature, self-expandable metal stent application in obstructed carcinoma of the left colon gives satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience and a review of the literature, we provide practical recommendations when inserting self-expandable metal stents for acute malignant left colonic obstruction.

Acute Disease↗

Characterization of a UDP-Gal:Galbeta1-3GalNAc alpha1, 4-galactosyltransferase activity in a Mamestra brassicae cell line.

The binding of Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin-I isolectin B4 on the endogenous glycoproteins of different insect cell lines led us to characterize for the first time a UDP-Gal:Galbeta1-3GalNAc alpha1, 4-galactosyltransferase in a Mamestra brassicae cell line (Mb). The study of the acceptor specificity indicated that the Mb alpha-galactosyltransferase prefers Galbeta1-3-R as acceptor, and among such glycans, the relative substrate activity Vmax/Km was equal to 20 microliters.mg-1.h-1 for Galbetal-3GlcNAcbeta1-O-octyl and to 330 microliters.mg-1.h-1 for Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha-1-O-benzyl, showing clearly that Galbeta1-3GalNAc disaccharide was the more suitable acceptor substrate for Mb alpha-galactosyltransferase activity. Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry data allowed us to establish that the Mb alpha-galactosyltransferase synthesizes one unique product, Galalpha1-4Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-O-benzyl. The Galbeta1-3GalNAc disaccharide is usually present on O-glycosylation sites of numerous asialoglycoproteins and at the nonreducing end of some glycolipids. We observed that Mb alpha1,4-galactosyltransferase catalyzed the transfer of galactose onto both natural acceptors. Finally, we demonstrated that the trisaccharide Galalpha1-4Galbeta1-3GalNAcalpha1-O-benzyl was able to inhibit anti-PK monoclonal antibody-mediated hemagglutination of human blood group PK1 and PK2 erythrocytes.

Animals↗