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Biomedical subjects

V Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to V Meyer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Phenotypic and functional analysis of B lymphopoiesis in interleukin-7-transgenic mice: expansion of pro/pre-B cell number and persistence of B lymphocyte development in lymph nodes and spleen.

Transgenic mice in which mouse interleukin (IL)-7 cDNA is expressed under the control of the mouse major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II (E alpha) promoter develop a lymphoproliferative disease characterized by the early polyclonal expansion of T cells followed in many cases by the development of lymphomas of immature B cells. Here, we have analyzed B cell development in these transgenic mice. Phenotypic analysis using monoclonal antibodies to B220, IgM, IgD, c-kit, IL-7 receptor, MHC class II, AA4.1, CD19, CD23, CD25, CD40 and CD43 shows that B lymphopoiesis in the bone marrow is dramatically altered and the number of pro/pre-B and immature B cells is significantly increased. Interestingly, pro/pre-B and immature B cells persist in the spleens of adult transgenic mice and are also present in lymph nodes and blood. Cell cycle analysis of lymph node cells shows that subpopulations of developing B cells retain the cell cycle profiles of their bone marrow counterparts. Limiting dilution analysis shows that the number of clonable pre-B cells is significantly increased and that at limiting dilution, growth of transgenic pre-B cells is still dependent on exogenous IL-7. Using semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization, the level of IL-7 transcripts in the spleen was found to decrease between 2 and 4 weeks in control mice with levels in transgenics mice being approximately 50 times greater. These transgenic mice represent an interesting model with which to study the effects of IL-7 overexpression in the bone marrow and raise interesting questions regarding the regulation of B lymphopoiesis in normal mice.

Animals

[Prevalence of immediate allergy to respiratory allergens in fodder farmers in Doubs].

The Doubs is a damp, semi-mountainous fodder farming department in which occupational respiratory diseases (including asthma) are common in farmers. We studied the prevalence of IgE-mediated allergy (total IgE, Phadiatop and skin prick tests) in a group of 265 exclusive dairy farmers of both sexes of the department and in a control group of non exposed, administrative workers living in the same area. Skin prick tests were: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Acarus siro, cat hair, cow danders, grass pollens, betullacea pollens (trees from the East of France), and hay extracts from the Doubs. Total IgE were higher than 180 KUI/l in 26 (9.9%) farmers and in 15 (10.5%) controls (NS). Phadiatop was positive in 41 (15.7%) farmers and in 27 (19%) controls (NS). Prevalence of positive skin prick tests (at least one) in farmers and controls was respectively 36% and 40% (NS). Farmers were more frequently sensitized to hay extracts (OR = 1.7), cow danders (OR = 1.3) and less frequently to cat hair (OR = 0.63) than controls but the differences were not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study fails to give evidence of a risk of IgE-mediated allergy to work-related and other common inhalation allergens in dairy farmers the Doubs.

Adult

[Concept for the management of combined bone-soft tissue defects of the lower extremity].

Severe crush injuries of lower limbs with loss of bone and soft-tissue need a clear concept of treatment. After resuscitation the examination and restitution of the injured limbs blood supply has absolute priority. Function of the tibialis posterior nerve plays an important role in the decision-making between amputation or reconstructive procedure. Long term healing is strongly influenced by the correct debridement. After stabilisation crushed soft-tissue and disintegrated bone fragments are removed. Second look operations are performed every 24-48 hours until a clean and good vascularized wound can be guaranteed. The coverage with a local or free muscle flap should be performed within 96 hours. The reconstruction of desteroid nerves is done secondary by nerve transplantation, except in case of primary replantation. Immediately after coverage of the soft-tissue defects the reconstruction of the bone defect is started. The method depends on the degree of bone loss and includes bone grafting, callus distraction or bone segment transports with unilateral fixators. The patients qualification for a reconstructive procedure has to be examined seriously.

Amputation, Surgical

Cell density and exogenous CNTF affect CNTF mRNA levels in glial cell cultures.

Regulation of CNTF mRNA was investigated in primary cortical astrocytes cultured from newborn rats and in C6 glioma cells. Northern blot analysis indicated that semi-confluent astrocyte cell cultures. CNTF added to confluent astrocyte cultures down-regulated CNTF message in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, when CNTF was given to semi-confluent astrocyte cultures the level of CNTF mRNA was up-regulated. C6 glioma cells also showed a cell density-dependent expression of CNTF: cells from confluent cultures expressed detectable amounts of CNTF mRNA whereas those from semi-confluent cultures did not. Thus, CNTF mRNA expression by astroglial and glioma cells is regulated by cell contact and exogenous CNTF in vitro.

Animals

[Towards a decrease of myocardial infarction in the Bas-Rhin region? Results of the 6 first years of the Strasbourg MONIC Register].

The Bas-Rhin MONICA Register shows trends in myocardial infarction and other acute ischemic events between 1984 and 1989. Coronary heart disease mortality decreased by 27% in men and 30% in women. Morbidity trends were less favourable. The annual event rate for total acute ischemic events remained stable. However, a decrease of 14% for myocardial infarction was seen in men, particularly in patients with a past history of coronary disease. Another positive point is that the 28-day mortality rate in recent infarctions decreased in men by 33% during the 5 year period.

Acute Disease

Neuroendocrine response to L-5-hydroxytryptophan challenge in prepubertal major depression. Depressed vs normal children.

The neuroendocrine response to L-5-hydroxytryptophan was compared in 37 prepubertal children who met the Research Diagnostic Criteria for major depressive disorder with that in 23 normal children with no lifetime history of any psychiatric disorder and very low rates of depression in both first- and second-degree relatives. Intravenous L-5-hydroxytryptophan (0.8 mg/kg) was given over a 1-hour interval after preloading with oral carbidopa, an inhibitor of peripheral but not central L-5-hydroxytryptophan metabolism. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, increases serotonin turnover in the central nervous system when given after carbidopa. Seven (19%) of the 37 children with major depressive disorder and two (9%) of the 23 normal children had nausea or vomiting and therefore did not complete the full infusion. They were subsequently excluded from data analysis. After this stimulation, prolactin, cortisol, and growth hormone secretion were compared between diagnostic groups. The depressed children secreted significantly less cortisol (effect size, 0.70) and significantly more prolactin (effect size, 0.83). There was a sex-by-diagnosis interaction in prolactin response to L-5-hydroxytryptophan and, on examination, the prolactin hypersecretion was seen in depressed girls but not in depressed boys compared with same-sex controls. There was no significant stimulation of growth hormone in either group. These findings are consistent with dysregulation of central serotonergic systems in childhood major depression.

Adult

Echinococcus granulosus infection of the liver and lung in an 8 1/2-year-old boy.

We report on an 8 1/2-year-old boy with an echinococcus granulosus infection of the liver and lung, drawing particular attention to the therapy applied. This therapy consists on the one hand of medicinal treatment with Mebendazol and on the other hand of two subsequent operations with resection of the cysts. The course of the illness is illustrated by means of the most important laboratory parameters; an indication of the present serological diagnostic is also given.

Child

[Callus distraction in traumatology: concepts and indications].

The understanding of the conditions under which bone and soft tissue can be regenerated by distraction has opened a new era in the field of limb reconstruction. Success in lengthening for posttraumatic limb length discrepancy has led to different applications of the distraction techniques. We present an overview of the clinical new possibilities, the strategy, the techniques and the complications using the distraction technique in the trauma patient. The optimal biologic method (limb distraction after resection or callus distraction by a transport technique) and the optimal fixation devices depend on the indication (local aspect, polytrauma, patient, motivation).

Bone Lengthening

Hormonal responses to dextroamphetamine in depressed and normal adolescents.

Because of its neuroendocrine effects, amphetamine infusion has been used as a probe to investigate neurobiological correlates of depressive illness. In two separate studies, a total of 72 adolescents with major depressive disorder and 66 normal adolescents were given dextroamphetamine, 0.15 mg/kg, intravenously. Their cortisol, growth hormone, and prolactin responses were measured. These endocrine responses did not reliably distinguish adolescents with major depressive disorder from those without it, nor did they reliably delineate any specific depressive subgroup. These findings are compared with those from similar studies of adult depression.

Adolescent

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms in childhood inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis.

The Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version was administered to 33 children with Crohn's disease, 11 with ulcerative colitis, and 46 with cystic fibrosis. Subjects with ulcerative colitis scored significantly higher on total number of obsessional symptoms and degree of resistance to symptoms than subjects with Crohn's disease. Scores of subjects with cystic fibrosis were intermediate between those of the ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease groups. However, neither the ulcerative colitis group nor the Crohn's disease group differed significantly from the cystic fibrosis group that were statistically significant. Duration of illness was negatively correlated with symptoms in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The results suggest that obsessive-compulsive symptoms are not specific to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis and that obsessive-compulsive symptoms in pediatric chronic illness may be secondary to the demands of the illness.

Adolescent

Depression and anxiety in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis.

The lifetime and current prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was determined in 41 children with Crohn's disease, 12 children with ulcerative colitis, and 52 children with cystic fibrosis, using the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia interview. The lifetime prevalence of depression was 29% in Crohn's disease, 21% in ulcerative colitis, and 11.5% in cystic fibrosis. The difference in the prevalence of depression between Crohn's disease and cystic fibrosis was significant (p less than 0.05). The lifetime and current prevalence of dysthymia was significantly greater in ulcerative colitis than Crohn's disease (p less than 0.01) or cystic fibrosis (p less than 0.01). The lifetime prevalence of atypical depression was significantly greater in Crohn's disease than cystic fibrosis (22% versus 5.8%, p less than 0.05) and was also greater in ulcerative colitis than cystic fibrosis (21% versus 5.8%, p = 0.1). There was no difference between the groups in the current prevalence of major depression or atypical depression, or in the lifetime or current prevalence of anxiety disorders.

Adolescent