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Biomedical subjects

R Dumas

Publications and source records attributed to R Dumas.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Plasma lipoproteins in cortical versus lacunar infarction with or without cardiac arrhythmia, and in transient ischaemic attacks: a case control study.

We investigated the relation of plasma lipids to the risk for cortical infarction with (22 cases) or without (38 cases) cardiac arrhythmias, for lacunar infarction (28 cases) and transient ischaemic attacks (TAI) (15 cases). In the group of cortical infarction with or without cardiac arrhythmias, we observed a maximum increase of total cholesterol, of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, total Apolipoprotein (Apo) B, LDL-Apo B and Apo-A1. On the contrary, we observed a decrease of total ApoE, HDL-ApoE, a distribution of LDL in a single layer and the presence of LDL of small weight. TAI is different from the former group by a low level of HDL and the lack of abnormalities of Apo-A1, and on the distribution and the weight of LDL. Finally, lacunar infarction presents a normal plasma lipoprotein profile. These data suggest that previously demonstrated differences in LDL-cholesterol levels between patients with ischaemic stroke and control subjects may apply to patients with cortical but not lacunar infarction. The presence or not of a cardiac arrhythmia doesn't give a special lipoprotein profile, and TAI has no changes on the distribution and the weight of LDL. Therefore, separation of ischaemic strokes into types based on mechanism as large vessel atherosclerosis versus small vessel atherosclerosis may help clarify lipid-related risk factors in cerebrovascular disease.

Arrhythmias, Cardiac↗

Frequency of transient ischaemic attacks in strokes: place for a preventive treatment.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) represents a neurological deficit during less than 24 hours, without any abnormality on CT scan. This symptom may have 2 risks: it may give place to a severe stroke, and it is not always linked to an ischaemic mechanism. This work rests on a population-based registry existing in Dijon since 1985 with a specific and exhaustive registration. CT scan allows the mechanisms of stroke to be identified: cortical infarct, lacunar infarct, cerebral haemorrhage, and TIA. TIA represent 15% of stroke. Survival rate of 80% is better than other strokes. A TIA may appear before a cerebral infarct in 48% of the cases, a lacunar infarct in 18% of the cases, another TIA in 28% of the cases, and a haematoma in 8% of the cases. Therefore TIA is an important symptom appearing before severe stroke, that may let place to a preventative action.

Aged↗

Does the somatostatin analogue octreotide protect against ERCP induced pancreatitis?

This study evaluates the effect of the long acting somatostatin analogue octreotide on biochemical and clinical parameters of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) induced pancreatitis. Altogether 245 patients were randomised to receive either octreotide or isotonic saline. Octreotide (100 micrograms) was administered intravenously five minutes before ERCP and subcutaneously 45 minutes after ERCP. There were no significant differences in the median serum amylase and lipase activities at baseline, eight, and 24 hours after ERCP. Five patients (2%) developed clinical pancreatitis--three in the octreotide and two in the placebo groups. Excluding patients who developed pancreatitis, 43 (18%) developed abdominal pain after ERCP--21 in the octreotide and 23 in the placebo groups. There were no significant differences in the median serum amylase and lipase values between the treatment groups. None of the 52 patients who had therapeutic interventions developed pancreatitis. This study suggests that octreotide may not protect against ERCP induced pancreatitis.

Amylases↗

Molecular analysis of the sex-determining region from the Y chromosome in two patients with Frasier syndrome.

In the Frasier syndrome there is an association between XY gonadal dysgenesis and chronic renal failure. Owing to an observed sex reversal, the Y chromosomes of two girls with this syndrome have been analyzed. Using molecular-biology techniques, no major alterations of the known sex-determining area of the Y chromosome were found. Furthermore, the sequence did not reveal impairment of the recently described testis-determining factor SRY. These data suggest that in the Frasier syndrome, XY sex reversal and renal failure could be the result of either faulty gene(s) located downstream in the sex differentiation pathway during embryogenesis, or impaired SRY regulation. Preliminary results on the Wilms' tumor suppressor gene WT1, a candidate for acting downstream to SRY, are also provided.

Adolescent↗

Screening for Y-derived sex determining gene SRY in 40 patients with Turner syndrome.

In Turner patients, the presence of a Y chromosome or derivative Y is correlated with the risk of gonadoblastoma induction. "Marker" chromosomes originating from Y, may not show characteristic fluorescence and then be very difficult to identify by conventional cytogenetic techniques, although they still predispose the patients to gonadal tumors. Using polymerase chain reaction of the gene from the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome, we screened 40 Turner patients (thirty seven 45X and three 45X,46XX) for the presence of Y chromosomal DNA. We were able to identify karyotypically unrecognized Y chromosome material in 1 patient out of the 40 studied. In this patient mild clinical and biological hyperandrogenism was observed. Reliability of our technique was ascertained by the detection of the expected 648 base pairs amplified DNA fragment in all normal male controls as well as in 3 Turner patients with confirmed 45X,46XY mosaicism. Despite the low frequency of unrecognized Y chromosome material (1 case over 40 in our experience), our data suggest that polymerase chain reaction of the gene from the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome is worthy of being performed in Turner patients considering the potential risk of the presence of a Y chromosome.

Adolescent↗

Endolaparoscopic palliation of pancreatic cancer.

Two patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were palliated for both duodenal and biliary obstruction without laparotomy. The techniques of endoscopic biliary stent and laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy are described. This combination achieved rapid palliation with minimum morbidity. Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and a limited life expectancy benefit greatly from the shortened hospital stay and convalescence this manner of treatment offers.

Adult↗

[Piezoelectric extracorporeal lithotripsy in children: first results and reflections after 18 sessions].

From 1988 to 1990, we treated 13 children between the ages of 2 and 15 years with stones of the upper urinary tract. These stones were treated by means of 18 sessions of piezoelectric extracorporeal lithotripsy: 14 under general anaesthesia and 4 without even any analgesia. We obtained an 84.5% success rate with no particular adverse effects. These results are similar to those reported for hydroelectric or electromagnetic shock wave lithotripsy, which are associated with a higher morbidity. The efficacy of extracorporeal lithotripsy in paediatrics is remarkable, but clinical studies in adults as well as animal experimentations have demonstrated severe renal contusion and do not formally exclude the possibility of delayed complications. At the present time, this technique should therefore be used very cautiously and must be accompanied by systematic prevention of recurrent stones.

Adolescent↗

[Acute anterior bi-opercular syndrome of critical origin in epilepsy with rolandic spikes].

We report the fifth case of a palsy of the lips, the tongue and the pharynx corresponding to an acute pseudo-bulbar syndrome causing speech arrest, and hyper-sialorrhea. The clinical examination and the electroencephalograms showed a partial motor status with spikes discharges in the two central regions, in a 10-year old boy known to have epilepsy with rolandic spikes. The status epilepticus ceased with phenytoin therapy. Although epilepsy with rolandic spikes is a benign one without any cerebral lesion, a partial motor status epilepticus is possible and does not change prognosis.

Brain Diseases↗

[Difficulties in diagnosis of frontal syndrome in epileptic children: clinical, diagnostic, physiopathological aspects. Apropos of 6 cases].

The authors report 6 cases of acute frontal syndrome following severe seizures of frontal origin. The study of the 6 cases shows the place of disorders in affectivity, behavior, judgement and motor activity; such features changing over time. The relationship between the frontal syndrome and epilepsy is suggested by the fact that the frontal syndrome appears after an increased frequency of frontal seizures, with prolonged discharges of generalized or frontal spikes. The frontal syndrome disappears slowly with the epileptic discharges, and no frontal lesion is found on CT-Scan. Such cases suggest that the frontal syndrome is functional, linked to the localization of the epileptic discharges; it may be regarded as a post-critic deficit, and must be differentiated from a post-critic delirium or a psychotic state.

Adolescent↗

[Prognosis of transient ischemic accidents disclosing infarction].

In a prospective study, thirty six out of 175 consecutive patients (21%) with transient ischemic attack (TIA), had cerebral infarction on CT-scan. This group of patients differed from the group without cerebral infarction by a higher age, a longer duration of neurological deficit, a greater frequency of neurological history, vertebro-basilar TIAs, cephalagia and, cardiac arrhythmia, and by a higher 2-year mortality rate. Due to their difference in etiological factors and prognosis, TIAs with cerebral infarction on CT-scan should be differentiated from those without cerebral infarction.

Cerebral Infarction↗

[Multiple cerebral embolism in acute alcoholic intoxication. A pathological case].

A 37 year-old man sustained 2 ischemic strokes during acute alcohol intoxication. One month after the onset of strokes, a spontaneous atrial flutter occurred. Autopsy revealed an embolic rostral occlusion of the basilar artery. Cardiac verification did not show myocardiopathy or coronary disease. The relations between acute alcoholic intoxication and paroxystic cardiac rhythm disorders are discussed.

Adult↗

[Dopa-sensitive muscular dystonia. Segawa's syndrome. A case report].

A four-year-old girl developed difficulty in walking due to dystonia of the right then left foot, rest tremor in both hands, and rigidity. These symptoms worsened upon exertion and in the evening and were remarkably responsive to L. dopa, suggesting the diagnosis of fluctuating muscular dystonia or Segawa syndrome.

Child, Preschool↗

MRI assessment of anterior callosotomy in the treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy.

Section of the anterior two-thirds of the corpus callosum is a well-known treatment of some forms of epilepsy of long duration resistant to anti-epileptic drugs and dangerous for the patient (tonic and atonic seizures). The aim of this functional surgery is to obtain the most complete rostral and caudal section of the corpus callosum without risk of disconnection syndrome. Callosotomy is seldom performed in Europe. We present our experience of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the pre- and postoperative assessment of 6 patients who underwent anterior callosotomy and were followed up for more than six months. Our results were encouraging with considerable improvement of the patients' social life.

Adolescent↗

Isolation, characterization and sequence analysis of a full-length cDNA clone encoding acetohydroxy acid reductoisomerase from spinach chloroplasts.

Acetohydroxy acid reductoisomerase (AHRI), the second enzyme in the parallel isoleucine/valine-biosynthetic pathway, catalyses an unusual two-step reaction in which the substrate, either 2-acetolactate or 2-aceto-2-hydroxybutyrate, is converted via an alkyl migration and an NADPH-dependent reduction to give 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylbutyrate or 2,3-dihydroxy-3-methylvalerate respectively. We have isolated and characterized a full-length cDNA from a lambda gt11 spinach library encoding the complete acetohydroxy acid reductoisomerase protein precursor. The 2050-nucleotide sequence contains a 1785-nucleotide open reading frame. The derived amino acid sequence indicates that the protein precursor consists of 595 amino acid residues including a presequence peptide of 72 amino acid residues. The N-terminal sequence of the first 16 amino acid residues of the purified AHRI confirms the identity of the cDNA. The derived amino acid sequence from this open reading frame shows 23% identity with the deduced amino acid sequences of the Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae AHRI proteins. There are two blocks of conserved amino acid residues in these three proteins. One of these is a sequence similar to the 'fingerprint' region of the NAD(P)H-binding site found in a large number of NAD(P)H-dependent oxidoreductases. The other, a short sequence (Lys-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Xaa-Ser-His-Gly-Phe) containing the amino acids lysine and histidine, could well be the catalytic site of the first step of the AHRI reaction. Southern-blot analysis indicated that AHRI is encoded by a single gene per haploid genome of about 7.5 kbp containing at least four introns.

2-Acetolactate Mutase↗