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A Lapointe

Publications and source records attributed to A Lapointe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Cloning of murine TReP-132, a novel transcription factor expressed in brain regions involved in behavioral and psychiatric disorders.

In recent studies that addressed the transcriptional control of steroid synthesis, a transcriptional regulating protein of 132 kDa (TReP-132) was cloned and demonstrated to regulate expression of the human P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc) gene. In the present study, we describe the cloning and characterization of the mouse orthologue of the human factor, mouse transcriptional regulating protein (mTReP-132). mTReP-132 encodes a 1216-residue protein that is 85.5% homologous to the human protein. Both factors contain characteristic motifs, namely glutamine-, proline- and acidic-rich regions. The primary structure also exhibits two zinc fingers of the C(2)H(2) subtype, suggesting that this protein has the ability to act as a DNA binding transcription factor. mTReP-132 may also be a co-regulator of nuclear receptors because of two nuclear box motifs in this protein. Northern blot analysis demonstrated the expression of two transcripts of 4.4 and 7.5 kb in several tissues, but expression was clearly highest in the brain, thymus and testis of mice. In the brain, the hybridization signal was quite localized and strong in the basal ganglia, hippocampus, piriform cortex, cerebral cortex, ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, and the dorsal and superior central nuclei of the raphe. Although classical steroidogenesis pathways have yet to be firmly established in the brain, expression of both mTReP-132 and P450scc provides anatomical evidence that mTReP-132 may regulate this key steroidogenic enzyme within specific regions involved in behavioral and psychiatric disorders. Moreover, the presence of both mTReP-132 and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) transcripts in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus suggests a role for mTReP-132 in brain development and function. The molecular cloning and the highly specific expression of mTReP-132 across the brain further consolidate the hypothesis that this tissue is able to synthesize de novo steroids in a region-specific manner.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed2002

[The Pneumococcal Observatory for the Central Region, 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000].

Seven hundred and ninety six strains of pneumococcus were collected in the Centre region, from 15 laboratories, between 1st April 1999 and 31st of March 2000. Data were processed, using 4th dimension software, and concerned age, file number, consultation/hospitalisation, sample type, susceptibility to oxacillin (5 micrograms), results of the E-test for benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, cefotaxime and results of the routine disc diffusion test. Strains with reduced susceptibility to benzylpenicillin (PRSP) were collected by the co-ordinating centre to perform MICs by the reference agar dilution test and serotyping. Out of 796 strains, 450 strains (56.7%) were categorised as PRSP and 400 of them were studied by the co-ordinating centre. Forty two percent of the samples originated from lungs, followed by 19.5% from blood samples, 15% from ear pus (85.7% PRSP) and 2.5% from CSF. Thirty nine percent of the patients were female. 36.6% were children under sixteen (70.1% PRSP) and 62.4% were adults (49.2% PRSP). Out of 400 PRSP 106 (26.5%) were characterised as resistant and 294 (73.5%) as intermediate to benzylpenicillin. Compared to the agar dilution test, 90% of the PRSP studied by E-test had a MIC value for benzylpenicillin within +/- 1 dilution. Thirty six strains of PRSP were resistant to amoxicillin (9% of the PRSP) and 10 (2.5% of the PRSP) to cefotaxime. Serotyping was done on 375 strains. The serotypes encountered were the following: 23 (26.9%), 14 (22.1%), 19 (19.5%), 6 (12.8%), 9 (9.9%) and 15 (5.1%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

[The Pneumococcus Observatory of the Central Region, from June 1, 1997 to May 31, 1998].

714 pneumococcus were listed from 14 laboratories between the 1 June 1997 and the 31 May 1998. Data capture was done on Epi info software and concerned age, file number, consultation/hospitalization, sample type, susceptibility to oxacilline (5 micrograms), the results of the E-test for penicillin G, amoxicillin, cefotaxime and the results of the routine disk diffusion susceptibility method. Strains with reduced susceptibility to penicillin G (PRSP) were collected by the coordinating center to perform MICs by the reference method of agar dilution and serotyping. Over 714 strains, 45.7% of the samples originated from lungs, followed by 22% for blood samples, 14% for ear pus and 2.3% for CSF. 34% of the patients were female. 36.7% were children under 16 (57.8% PRSP) and 63.3% were adults (41% PRSP). 338 strains (47.3%) were determined as PRSP and 293 of them were studied by the coordinating center. 81 of the 293 PRSP (27.7%) were resistant et 212 (72.3%) were intermediate to penicillin G. 81% of the PRSP studied had a CMI value for penicillin G within +/- 1 log2 dilution. 20 strains of PRSP were resistant for amoxicillin (6.8% of the PRSP) and two (0.7% of the PRSP) for cefotaxime. 289 serotyping were done, most met serotypes were 23 (25%), 14 (23%). The least met was 15 (2.4%). These results let assess the epidemiology of pneumococcus in our region.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Measurement of respiratory mechanics using the Puritan-Bennett 7200a ventilator.

This study was designed in order to validate the respiratory mechanical variables measured by the Puritan-Bennett 7200a ventilator equipped with the 30/40 module. Two ventilators were connected to a lung model and submitted to several breathing patterns by modifying the respiratory rate, the tidal volume, the inspiratory flow-rate and the model resistance. The inspiratory flow-rate (V), tidal volume (VT), peak inspiratory pressure (Pmax), plateau pressure (Pplat) and PEEP measured by the ventilators were compared with the same variables measured at the connection between the breathing circuit and the lung model. The compliance (C30/40) and the resistance (R30/40) calculated by the 30/40 module were compared with those calculated by using the variables measured by the reference equipment. Both ventilators made a constant underestimation of V by 2.8 and 3.7 L.min-1, respectively. The VT was measured with a mean error of less than 10 ml but did not reflect the preselected values in the presence of an intrinsic PEEP. The Pplat was overestimated by 7 and 10%, respectively. The same calibration error was observed with Pmax which was also affected by a pressure gradient due to the resistance of the breathing circuit. Even in the absence of intrinsic PEEP, C30/40 presented an error due to the combination of the measurement errors on VT, Pplat and PEEP. Finally, R30/40 presented a high percentage of error due to the combination of the measurement errors on V, Pmax, and Pplat, and to a sporadic aberrant selection of V. Due to these numerous sources of error, the two ventilators studied did not give reliable estimates of resistance and compliance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1981

Early gastric cancer at the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal: a 30-year review.

Early gastric cancer is usually defined as a lesion involving the mucosa alone or the mucosa and submucosa, regardless of whether lymph-node metastases are present. Between 1948 and 1978, 1295 gastric cancers were diagnosed at the Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal. Of these, 65 (5%) were early gastric cancers. Sixty of the 64 patients underwent gastric resection for cure. The other four cancers were found incidentally at autopsy. One patient (1.7%) died following operation. Ten patients were followed up for less than 5 years and therefore were excluded from survival analysis, as were 6 patients who died of unrelated causes. Forty-one of 43 patients survived, free of disease, for more than 5 years following operation, a survival rate of 95.3%. The annual yield of early gastric cancers has remained relatively constants since 1948, even with a decreasing number of gastric cancers treated at the hospital. The advent of fiberoptic endoscopy significantly (P less than 0.005) increased the number of early gastric cancers detected. Further improvements will depend on a more vigorous approach to endoscopy, especially in high-risk patients. A refined radiologic technique, including double-contrast roentgenography after a barium meal, was diagnostic in all patients who underwent operation in this study.

Female↗