Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Demoly

Publications and source records attributed to P Demoly.

154 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Chest tumor response measurement during lung cancer chemotherapy. Comparison between computed tomography and standard roentgenography.

Chemotherapy of lung cancer has, until now, been an experimental approach that requires careful evaluation of tumor response. The growing number of lung cancer patients now undergoing chemotherapy has led to a rapid increase in the number of computed tomography (CT) scans performed. Eighty consecutive lung cancer patients (55 non-small cell and 25 small cell lung cancers) were included in a prospective study to analyze whether the standard chest roentgenography is as effective as computed tomography in evaluating tumor response. Both standard chest roentgenography and CT scanning were performed before the chemotherapy began and were repeated after 10 to 12 wk of treatment. Response evaluations were performed according to the World Health Organization recommendations. When two-dimensional measurements were possible, the indicator lesions were defined as measurable tumors. Both roentgenography methods were used, independently, to classify the response into the following categories: complete response, partial response, minor response, stable disease, and progressive disease. A comparison of CT scans versus standard chest roentgenography as a measurement of indicator lesion showed a concordance of borderline significance (kappa = 0.146, p less than 0.05); a significant asymmetry was demonstrated (McNemar = 35.6, p less than 0.001), indicating that CT scanning may be a more appropriate method for measuring tumors than standard chest roentgenography. Moreover, no concordance was observed comparing CT scan and standard chest roentgenography measurability in the subgroups of patients with T3 or T4 tumor, hilar tumor, and patients with pleural effusion or atelectasis in which the McNemar test of symmetry constantly showed a better measurability using CT scan.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed1992

c-fos proto-oncogene expression in bronchial biopsies of asthmatics.

c-fos, a proto-oncogene regulating the transcription of many genes, plays a critical role in the cell cycle and differentiation and may be involved in the regulation of inflammation in asthma. Very low levels of c-fos are detectable in most human cells, and its expression is rapidly and transiently increased by multiple factors, some of which are involved in the airways inflammation of asthma (histamine, eicosanoids, and cytokines). The presence of c-fos protein, as detected by immunofluorescence, and the immunoreactivity of PCNA, a cell proliferation marker, were examined in bronchial biopsies obtained from 12 asthmatics and 10 normal subjects. Biopsies of eight of 12 asthmatics expressed c-fos versus none of 10 normal subjects. The expression was heterogeneous and localized to cells positive for anti-cytokeratin monoclonal antibody, indicating their epithelial origin. On the other hand, PCNA immunoreactivity was only observed in one asthmatic and one control subject but it was not related with c-fos expression. This study demonstrates the induction of c-fos in epithelial cells of asthmatics, suggesting a role for this proto-oncogene in activation rather than in proliferation.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Local immune response in allergic asthma].

The key issue in asthma research is allergen capture and presentation. An increase in understanding in this area may result in the development of new types of therapeutic drugs, although at present there remain a number of points to be elucidated. In this paper, we review recent research in this field. Allergens are small air-conducted soluble antigens which are capable of inducing a specific immune response characterized by a significant synthesis of IgE. The allergen passes through the bronchial epithelium and specialized antigen presenting cells (APC) capture and present the antigen to T-cells, causing their activation via an interaction with class II MHC molecules on the APC. Allergens are also capable of activating other cell types and the subsequent release of inflammatory mediators, chemoattractants and cytokines may result in bronchial inflammation which is one of the cardinal signs of asthma.

Allergens↗
PubMed1991

[Informed consent and the physician-patient relations in thoracic oncology].

Medical ethics have always required patient consent as a prerequisit to therapy. The law concerning the "protection of persons accepting to be subjects in biomedical research" requires specific oral and written information to be given to all patients entering a clinic research project. New effects of the principal of "informed consent", on the physician-patient relationship, are analysed. Fifty patients with bronchial cancer were included in controlled studies from June 1989 to June 1990. These patients were asked to give their informed consent involving 5 different studies (2 Phase II studies investigating tolerance to a new treatment and 3 Phase III studies comparing a new treatment with a reference treatment). The patients were informed beforehand of the possibility of a research treatment and the legal requirement for their signature as well as to the possibilities of replacement solutions in case they refused. Detailed and adapted information concerning the different therapeutic solutions and their predictable side effects were presented before reading the informed consent statement. Of the 50 informed consent statements proposed, 49 were accepted. The principal of informed consent was favourably apprehended by the patients (active participation, notion of protection, information source, possibility of dialogue) and induced conditions of better acceptation by the patient. Nevertheless, it was more difficult to obtain statements of consent for studies comparing a new treatment with a reference treatment than for studies simply proposing a new treatment alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Precision of skin prick and puncture tests with nine methods.

New devices for puncture tests have been proposed recently, but their precision by comparison to the prick test method is poorly known. Seven puncture tests (Allerprick, Morrow Brown standardized needle, Phazer, Pricker, Stallerpointe, Stallerkit, and Wyeth bifucated needle) were compared with the modified prick test performed with hypodermic or intradermal needles in eight carefully selected normal volunteers. Skin tests with histamine hydrochloride (10 mg/ml) were only performed when there was no factor that might interfere with their interpretation. The site of skin tests on the forearm was demonstrated not to significantly influence the reaction size. The coefficient of variation of the tests ranged from 8.4% to 21.7%. Modified skin prick tests are satisfactory since they are highly reproducible (coefficient of variation: 13.4% and 16.5%) and there is no subject effect. Phazet was found to be more reproducible without subject effect. Pricker is satisfactory since it has no subject effect and a reproducibility similar to that of modified prick tests. Other tests are less reproducible (Stallerkit or Morrow Brown) or vary between subjects (Allerkit, Stallerkit, Stallerpointe, and Wyeth Needle).

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Immunoallergic reactions of drug origin: epidemiologic and clinical data].

Allergic and pseudoallergic reactions frequently occur in hospitalized patients and represent up to one-third of adverse drug reactions. Allergic reactions are unpredictable reactions, related to immunologic mechanisms. Pseudoallergic reactions mimic allergic reactions but no drug-specific antibody or T-cell proliferation can be demonstrated. Clinical presentations are numerous and heterogeneous, from a mild urticaria to a dramatic anaphylactic shock and an extensive bullous skin disease. A true diagnosis is rarely set up and the tools for it are lacking. In this review, we will focus on some epidemiological data concerning these reactions, including data on incidence, mortality and cost.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Physiopathologic bases of ENT inflammation].

1. ROLE OF INFLAMMATION: Among the phenomena occurring in the organism in response to exogenous or endogenous aggression, inflammation is generally a beneficial reaction. It can however be deleterious because of its localization or its deregulating effect. 2. DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE INFLAMMATORY REACTION: The inflammatory reaction occurs in three phases. The first is vasculoexudation: dilatation of the blood vessels, followed by plasma exudation and leukocyte diapedesis. The second is a cellular or productive phase with formation of an inflammatory granuloma. Repair is the third phase, with retraction of the inflammatory focus, development of neocapillaries, regeneration of connective tissue, and variable regeneration of epithelial tissue. 3. DIFFERENT TYPES OF INFLAMMATION: In acute inflammatory processes, vasculoexudation predominates while in subacute inflammation, cellular phenomena play the major role. When the inflammation becomes chronic fibrosis is the most important process. 4. CELLULAR INVOLVEMENT IN INFLAMMATION: Antigen-presenting cells have a most important role. T-cells mediate cellular immunity and B-cells hormonal immunity. Monocyte macrophages as well as polymorphonuclears support the phagocyte activity. Most cells share several functions with basophil polynuclears involved in allergic disease as well as in certain non-allergic inflammatory reactions. Endothelial cells secrete mediators leading to serum extravasation and influx of inflammatory substances and cells. Structural cells and platelets are also involved. 5. MEDIATORS OF INFLAMMATION: All cells participating in the inflammatory reaction secrete cytotoxic and/or effector and amplifying substances mediating the immune response. Soluble mediators include cytokines, acute phase proteins, enzymes, plasma activation systems (contact system, complement system, coagulation factors, fibrinolysis factors), arachidonic acid metabolites, biogenic or vasoactive amines (histamine, serotonin), eosinophil granular proteins, neuropeptides, oxygen free radicals, and nitrogen monoxide. 6. BY ETIOLOGICAL AGENT: Several varieties of inflammation can be distinguished: foreign body reactions, anti-infectious agent reactions, and immunoallergic reactions.

Capillary Permeability↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Glucocorticoid receptor anomalies in asthma].

Asthma is an inflammatory disease sensitive to glucocorticoids as has been demonstrated by several studies on the mechanisms of action of these drugs both in vitro and in vivo. The cellular and molecular targets of glucocorticoids have however not been identified. The best candidates are lymphocytes and the glucocorticoid receptors, although other cells and other transcription factors which interact with glucocorticoids may also be involved. Qualitative and quantitative abnormalities in glucocorticoid receptor binding to glucocorticoids and desoxyribonucleic acid have been described in the lymphocytes of patients with corticosteroid-resistant asthma. The chances of observing an abnormality in the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids would be greatest in these patients. Indeed, such deficits might also participate in the pathogenesis of corticosteroid-dependent asthma or in asthma in general. We recall here the mechanisms of action of glucocorticoids and their effect in asthma.

Asthma↗