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Biomedical subjects

C Durand

Publications and source records attributed to C Durand.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

The critical region of overlap defining the AZFa male infertility interval of proximal Yq contains three transcribed sequences.

The position of deletion breakpoints in a series of four AZFa male infertility patients has been refined using new markers derived from BAC clone DNA sequence covering the AZFa male infertility interval. The proximal half of the AZFa interval is occupied by pseudogene sequences with homology to Xp22. The distal half contains an anonymous expressed sequence tag (named AZFaT1) found transcribed in brain, testis, and skeletal muscle and the DFFRY and DBY genes. All the patients have AZFaT1 and DFFRY deleted in their entirety and three patients additionally have DBY deleted. The three patients with AZFaT1, DFFRY, and DBY deleted show a severe Sertoli cell only syndrome type I phenotype, whereas the patient that has retained DBY shows a milder oligozoospermic phenotype. The expression of DBY in a cell line from this latter patient is unaltered; this shows that it is the loss of genes lying within the deletion that is responsible for the observed oligozoospermia. RT-PCR analysis of mouse testis RNA from normal and XXSxr(a) mice (devoid of germ cells) has shown that Dby is expressed primarily in somatic cells and that the level of expression is unaltered during germ cell differentiation. This contrasts with Dffry where no transcripts are detectable in XXSxr(a) mouse testis and expression occurs specifically in testis mRNA in a germ cell dependent fashion.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Mediastinal form of cat-scratch disease].

The authors reported a case of Cat--Scratch Disease (CSD) in a 14-year-old boy; it was an unusual CSD by its mediastinal mass location. Histopathological lesions which appeared as pseudo-tubercular folliculi mislead us. Disease was finally diagnosed by biological exams: a strongly positive Hanger-Rose reaction and serological assays used for the diagnosis of psittacosis, ornithosis, lymphagranuloma venereum and trachoma. CSD is a common cause of chronic lymphadenopathy in children. In the majority of patients, CSD is a mild illness. Some unusual forms as Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome, neurological lesions, osteomyelitis and exceptionaly mediastinal lymphadenopathy have been reported. 2 cases of the latest ones were already described.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Aneurysm of the vein of Galen and cardiac insufficiency. Current therapeutic approach].

Aneurysm of the ampulla of Galien is a rare but serious cause of cardiac failure in the neonate or child. The diagnosis is suspected on finding a continuous murmur on auscultation of the skull. It is an intracranial arterio-venous malformation which is sometimes responsible for a very important shunt between the arterial (carotid or vertebral) and venous systems. The vital and neurological prognosis of these children is classically very poor. The authors report the cases of the last three consecutive children aneurysms of the ampulla of Galien followed up at Grenoble Hospital in the last five years. The clinical presentations were very different, corresponding to the usual three forms described in the literature: a reputedly very severe form with cardiac failure at the 3rd day of life requiring multiple percutaneous embolisations; a neonatal form revealed by an isolated macrocranium; and a form diagnosed late (4.5 years) in the investigation of effort dyspnoea which regressed after two sessions of embolisation. All three children are alive and have normal psychomotor development for their age. A multidisciplinary approach involving neonatal physicians, paediatric cardiologists and neurologists, with complementary non-invasive investigations such as transfontanellar ultrasonography, electroencephalography, MRI and echocardiography are necessary to optimise the management and limit the neurological sequellae in children with this type of malformation. Cerebral arteriography and percutaneous embolisation under general anaesthesia by a trained team gave very good medium-term results in two of these cases, lightening the usual pessimism surrounding this condition.

Cardiomegaly↗
PubMed1997

Levels of stimulatory G protein are increased in the rat striatum after neonatal lesion of dopamine neurons.

After neonatal lesions of dopamine neurones, an enhanced behavioural responsiveness towards D1 agonists has been described, suggesting a D1 receptor hypersensitivity. In the present study, unilateral striatal dopamine denervation in newborn rats induced a pronounced rotational behaviour following apomorphine injection at the adult age, without any change in the density of D1 binding sites in the denervated striatum. The amount of stimulatory G(olf) alpha subunit was increased by 35% in the lesioned striatum. The large form and the short forms of Gs alpha were also increased by 26% and 9%, respectively. Since in striatal neurones, the coupling of D1 receptor to adenylate cyclase is mostly provided by G(olf) alpha, our results strongly suggest that D1 hypersensitivity described after neonatal dopamine lesions results from an increase in the levels of G(olf) alpha protein.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed1997

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising in a "de novo" ganglioneuroma: a case report and review of the literature.

A case of a "de novo" ganglioneuroma showing a large area of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is described. The tumor arose in an 11.5-year-old girl with neither stigmata nor family history of von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis. In addition, the patient had no previous history of a neuroblastoma or radiation therapy. This report provides new evidence that, although rare, the spontaneous development of an MPNST in a benign ganglioneuroma can occur. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopy studies supported the finding that the spindle cell component was of nerve sheath origin.

Child↗
PubMed1997

Anatomic basis of the transgluteal approach to the hip-joint by anterior hemimyotomy of the gluteus medius.

The authors present a study of the intrinsic anatomy of the gluteus medius m, and of its innervation through the caudal branch of the superior gluteal n. The existence of an intramuscular tendon in the thickness of the gluteus medius was constantly prooved in 40 muscles. The relations of the intrinsic fibrous structure of the muscle and its innervation were studied. The authors deduce from that the topography of a gluteus medius incision, with respect to a safety area towards its innervation, which leads to an exposure of the acetabulum that is satisfying and gives opportunities of a sound repair after the surgery of the hip joint through the transgluteal approach. They propose the "anterior hemimyotomy of the gluteus medius m" designation.

Buttocks↗
PubMed1997

Interaction of alpha s2- and beta-casein signal peptides with DMPC and DMPG liposomes.

Interactions of casein signal peptides (CSP) and derivatives were detected with dimyristoylphosphatidyl-glycerol and -choline liposomes. Fluorescence anisotrophy indicated that the peptides interact better with DMPG than DMPC, inserting at a limited depth in the bilayer. Stronger interaction was detected for derivatives of beta-CSP than of alpha s2-CSP. Tryptophan fluorescence (intrinsic, energy transfer, quenching) showed that the central hydrophobic core of CSP was buried in the bilayer whereas both ends remained outside, adopting a hairpin-like conformation. The secondary structure of the CSP was not affected by their interactions with phospholipids. beta-CSP derivatives show both lytic and fusogenic activities.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Morphological and biochemical adaptations to unilateral dopamine denervation of the neostriatum in newborn rats.

Basal ganglia of adult rats were examined for morphological and biochemical changes resulting from neonatal unilateral dopamine denervation of the striatum with increasing doses of 6-hydroxydopamine (4, 12 and 20 microg). Rotational behaviour induced by apomorphine (0.1 mg/kg) was observed in all rats injected with the high dose (20 microg) and totally absent in those injected with the low dose (4 microg). As assessed with tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemistry, the extent of dopamine denervation within the injected striatum was clearly related to the dose injected. In the mesencephalon, losses of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cell bodies were proportional to the dose injected and the extent of neostriatal dopamine denervation. This retrograde cell loss predominated in the ventromedial and lateral parts of the substantia nigra pars compacta, with relative sparing of the ventral tegmental area. After the injection of the intermediate (12 microg) and the high (20 microg) doses, a network of thin tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive fibres was visualized in the ventral part of the pars reticulata ipsilateral to the injected striatum, suggesting a neoinnervation of this structure by dopamine axons. After the high dose, the density of serotonin-immunoreactive fibres was enhanced in the anterior half of the lesioned striatum. Associated changes in dopamine and serotonin content and turnover were also documented on both sides, in the striatum and in two output structures of the basal ganglia, the globus pallidus and the substantia nigra. Dopamine content was decreased only on the injected side. After the low dose, equal reductions (-60%) were observed in the anterior striatum and the substantia nigra, whereas a more marked decrease was measured in the anterior striatum (-93%) than in the substantia nigra (-60% to -74%) after the intermediate and high doses. In the globus pallidus, dopamine tissue content was decreased (-51%) only after the high dose. Dopamine turnover was unchanged after the low dose in all structures examined and was increased in the striatum, on the lesioned side only, after the intermediate and high doses. Serotonin content was increased only on the injected side in the anterior striatum (+50% after the low and +92% after the high dose). Serotonin turnover was unchanged on the injected side but increased by +118% and by +81% in the contralateral anterior striatum after the low and high doses, respectively. It was also increased in both substantia nigra after the high dose. In conclusion, morphological changes similar to those described after a bilateral neonatal lesion were observed on the injected side in the model of the unilateral neonatal nigrostriatal dopamine denervation. Biochemical changes were, however, not restricted to the lesioned side. Notably, changes in serotonin turnover developed on the contralateral side. These morphological and biochemical adaptative changes need to be taken into account in considering the mechanisms implicated in the rotional behaviour measured in these animals.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1997

Improved management of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in neutropenic patients using early thoracic computed tomographic scan and surgery.

PURPOSE: The prognosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) occurring in neutropenic patients remains poor. We studied whether new strategies for early diagnosis could improve outcome in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three histologically proven and 14 highly probable IPAs in 37 hematologic patients (neutropenic in 36) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The most frequent clinical signs associated with IPA were cough (92%), chest pain (76%), and hemoptysis (54%). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was positive in 22 of 32 cases. Aspergillus antigen test was positive in 83% of cases when tested on BAL fluid. Since October 1991, early thoracic computed tomographic (CT) scans were systematically performed in febrile neutropenic patients with pulmonary x-ray infiltrates. This approach allowed us to recognize suggestive CT halo signs in 92% of patients, compared with 13% before this date, and the mean time to IPA diagnosis was reduced dramatically from 7 to 1.9 days. Among 36 assessable patients, 10 failed to respond (amphotericin B [AmB] plus fluorocytosyne, n = 2; itraconazole + AmB, n = 8) and died of aspergillosis. Twenty-six patients were cured or improved by antifungal treatment (itraconazole with or without AmB, n = 22; voriconazole, n = 4). In 15 of 16 cases, surgical resection was combined successfully with medical treatment. Achievement of hematologic response, early diagnosis, unilateral pulmonary involvement, and highest level of fibrinogen value < 9 g/L were associated with better outcome. CONCLUSION: In febrile neutropenic patients, systematic CT scan allows earlier diagnosis of IPA. Early antifungal treatment, combined with surgical resection if necessary, improves IPA prognosis dramatically in these patients.

Antigens, Fungal↗
PubMed1996

Therapeutic monitoring of nalbuphine: transplacental transfer and estimated pharmacokinetics in the neonate.

Nalbuphine, a mixed agonist-antagonist opiate, is commonly used as a systemic analgesic during labour. Recent reports of perinatal adverse effects prompted us to carry out therapeutic nalbuphine monitoring in obstetric analgesia. Because data on fetomaternal transfer are scarce and the pharmacokinetics of this drug in the neonate are largely unknown, we report data obtained from 28 parturients treated with nalbuphine either intramuscularly and/or intravenously during labour. Plasma nalbuphine levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. At delivery, 30-150 min after maternal administration, nalbuphine concentrations ranged from 5.0 to 79.2 ng.ml-1 in mother plasma samples and from 3.0 to 46.6 ng.ml-1 in umbilical cord plasma samples. Nalbuphine concentrations were highly correlated to dose. The fetomaternal ratio was high: 0.74 and not correlated to the administered dose of nalbuphine. An estimated plasma half-life of 4.1 h was calculated from two determinations in the neonate based on the assumption of a monoexponential decay of nalbuphine concentrations. Apart from a flattening of the fetal heart rate tracing in 54% of the cases, only one neonate had a low Apgar score at birth. The apparent prolonged half-life of nalbuphine in the neonate indicates the usefulness of an intramuscular injection of naloxone to prevent recurrence of cardiorespiratory depression due to nalbuphine administration to the mother.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

VIDAS D-dimer: fast quantitative ELISA for measuring D-dimer in plasma.

VIDAS D-dimer (bioMérieux) is a new quantitative ELISA for D-dimer determination designed for the VIDAS automated system. The test contains single-dose, ready-to-use reagents and is completed within 35 min. Quantitative results are obtained from a calibration curve stored in the software of the system and expressed as fibrinogen equivalent units. The two-step capture/tag test relies on two complementary monoclonal anti-D-dimer antibodies, the second one being labeled with alkaline phosphatase. The upper limit of the measuring range is 1000 micrograms/L and the lower detection limit is <50 micrograms/L, which is below the lower limit of the reference interval (68-494 micrograms/L). Reproducibility (CV) within and between runs ranges from 5% to 7%. There is no interference from heparin, bilirubin, hemoglobin, fibrinogen degradation products, or plasma turbidity. Comparison with a conventional ELISA (y) gave good correlation (r= 0.91, n= 579) and comparable results (y= 1.35x - 148, S(y/x)= 750), especially for D-dimer concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 micrograms/L (y= 1.09x - 10.6, r= 0.88, S(y/x)= 170).

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed1995

Indications for digital fluorography and storage-phosphor plates in pediatrics: certainties and questionable points.

We have used two digital imaging systems: digital fluorography and the phosphor plates system. The respective indications for each technique in pediatric practice are presented hereafter. Digital fluorography is highly recommended by dynamic examinations, and phosphor plates are highly recommended for conventional studies, if the spatial resolution is mandatory. Either digital fluorography or phosphor plates can be used for contrast studies. In pediatric radiology, if the spatial resolution is not mandatory, digital fluorography is suggested to reduce the radiation dose, and if using a small fields of view is possible, digital fluorography may be carefully discussed. Digital radiography is supported neither to be better than classical radiology nor to compensate for technician's mistakes. It is aimed to improve the department's functioning and, above all, to accommodate future innovations. Images can be transferred or archived through networks. This is a main prospect in the coming years.

Child↗