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Biomedical subjects

C Gillard

Publications and source records attributed to C Gillard.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Enzymatic activity of two caspases related to interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme.

Interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme is a member of a family of human cysteine proteases with specificity for aspartic acid, which have been named caspases. Within this family of enzymes, transcript X (TX) and transcript Y (TY) (caspases 4 and 5, respectively) are very similar to ICE (caspase 1) and form the ICE subfamily. Given the high degree of conservation in the sequences of these proteases (more than 50% amino acid identity in the mature enzymes), it was of interest to examine whether they shared similar substrate specificities. The three enzymes, ICE, TX and TY, were therefore expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, as 30-kDa proteins lacking the propeptide. Automaturation into p20 and p10 subunits occurred within the cells. Active ICE, TX and TY were collected in the cell culture supernatants. In addition, their production induced the activation of an endogenous 32-kDa putative cysteine protease (CPP32) like caspase. T7-tagged ICE, TX and TY were purified by immunoaffinity and tested for their catalytic efficiency on YVAD-containing synthetic substrates and on the ICE natural substrate, pro-interleukin-1beta. TX cleaved the same synthetic substrates as ICE (Km of 90 microM and k(cat) of 0.4 s(-1) for Suc-YVAD-NH-Mec, where Suc represents succinyl and NH-Mec represents amino-4-methylcoumarin) and could cleave pro-interleukin-1beta into the same peptides as ICE but less efficiently. On the other hand, TY showed very little efficacy on the different ICE substrates (Km of 860 microM for Suc-YVAD-NH-Mec). These results show that the ICE/TX/TY subfamily has functional heterogeneity and that ICE remains the preferred enzyme for pro-interleukin-1beta cleavage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

A respirometer with improved sensitivity for ready biodegradation testing.

In this paper we describe a respirometry system with improved sensitivity, that was used to test materials at concentrations down to 3 mg C/l. Data obtained with this system, operating under the conditions of the OECD ready biodegradability tests 301B, C, D and F, is presented and compared with CO2-production data obtained under 301B conditions in the Sealed Vessel Test. For simple materials, the shape of the curves, not easily seen with CO2 production or DOC removal data, is clearly biphasic with a sigmoidal first part-suggesting growth of the inoculum on the test materials. For a selection of rapidly and readily biodegradable materials, the removal of soluble carbon was complete at the end of the first, sigmoidal part of the biodegradation curve; It is speculated that the remainder of the curve probably represents the mineralisation of part of the biomass. The respirometer generated many hundred data points per degradation curve and Monod or exponential growth models were fitted and growth parameters were derived. Growth rates under ready test conditions were derived for six materials as follows: aniline mu = 0.31 h-1, ethanolamine mu = 0.13 h-1, 1,6-hexanediol mu = 0.05 h-1, pentaerythritol mu = 0.04 h-1, C12.8EO mu = 0.13 h-1 and commercial LAS mu = 0.05 h-1.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1995

[Persistent left superior vena cava. Apropos of 2 cases].

Double superior vena cava with persistence of a left superior vena cava is rarely encountered. The prevalence in the general population is 0.3% but may reach 3 to 10% in patients with inborn heart diseases. There are usually no clinical signs and the malformation is usually discovered fortuitiously. We describe the features of two cases observed in our institution and reviewed the literature on the subject.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

A randomized, double-blind study to compare low-dose with standard-dose chymopapain in the treatment of herniated lumbar intervertebral discs.

Postoperative low-back pain and spasm are the main drawbacks of chymopapain chemonucleolysis. To investigate if low-dose chymopapain could reduce this adverse reaction, without modifying the efficacy, 118 patients with persistent low-back and radicular pain due to a lumbar disc herniation underwent chemonucleolysis. 60 patients were randomly selected to receive 2 mL of standard-dose chymopapain (4,000 units) and 58 to receive 2 mL of low dose (2,000 units). The clinical outcome was assessed on study days 1, 30, and 60, and after 1 year by physicians who were unaware of the treatment, and on the basis of the patients' self evaluation. At day 60, Chemonucleolysis was rated as successful in 81% of the cases by the investigator and in 80% by the patient's self assessment. The percentage of good results was remarkably similar in the two treatment groups and this finding was confirmed after 1 year. There was some evidence that the low-dose treatment resulted in less frequent postoperative back pain but the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, a comparable incidence of acute low-back pain and spasm was observed in the two treatment groups. Low-dose chemonucleolysis appears to be as effective as the standard dose, but the use of 2,000 units does not significantly lower the postoperative back pain.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Clinical tolerability of ioversol 300 in brain computed tomography].

Ioversol 300 (Optiray 300) is a new low-osmolality contrast medium. Optiray 300 was used in 92 patients for CT examination of the brain, to assess its clinical tolerance. Adverse reactions, when sensations of heat were neglected, were observed in 15% of the patients. All the adverse reactions, either observed by the radiologist or pointed out by the patient, have spontaneously disappeared without medical treatment and did not require hospitalization. Anaphylactoid phenomena were not observed. Optiray 300 appears as a well suited contrast medium for CT scan of the brain especially in patients with contrast medium high risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Measurement of effective elastance of the total respiratory system in ventilated patients by a computed method. Comparison with the static method.

We have studied 28 patients mechanically ventilated for acute respiratory failure at different levels of externally applied positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPe). We describe and compare a computed method of measuring "effective" elastance of the total respiratory system (Ers,eff) with the static values of elastance of the total respiratory system (Ers,st), obtained with the end-inflation occlusion technique. Ers,eff was computed by an original device (Heres, R.P.A., Belgium), also the effective resistance of the total respiratory system was calculated. At zero end-expiratory pressure set by the ventilator (ZEEP). Ers,eff averaged 29.5 +/- 13.5 cm H2O x L-1 while Ers,st non-corrected for intrinsic PEEP (PEEPi) averaged 36.4 +/- 15.1 cm H2O x L-1 and Ers,st corrected for PEEPi averaged 28.2 +/- 13.4 cm H2O x L-1. The small difference between Ers,eff and Ers,st corrected for PEEPi was statistically significant and these two values were highly correlated (r = 0.98). This significant difference disappeared rapidly with PEEPe and probably reflects a frequency-dependance due to pendelluft. We also observed that PEEPi was present in 21 of 27 patients at ZEEP. Our results also indicate that low levels of PEEP may improve Ers in hyperinflated COPD patients, without inducing further hyperinflation. In conclusion, values of Ers,eff are very similar to static values corrected for PEEPi and permit an accurate and rapid approach to the management of ventilated patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Comparison of central venous, oesophageal and mouth occlusion pressure with water-filled catheters for estimating pleural pressure changes in healthy adults.

The validity of the central venous and water-filled oesophageal catheter technique as a measure of pleural pressure changes was tested in ten healthy subjects in different body positions during inspiratory efforts with occluded airways, by comparing the simultaneous changes in mouth pressure (delta Pm) taken to represent pleural pressure changes, in central venous pressure (delta Pcv) and in oesophageal pressure (delta Poes). delta Pcv/delta Pm values were close to unity in the sitting and left lateral positions, whereas in the supine and right lateral position, substantial deviations from unity were found in some instances. delta Poes/delta Pm values were close to unity in all positions, except some rare instances. No appreciable phase difference between delta Pm/delta Poes and delta Pm/delta Pcv was found when the amplitude ratios were close to unity. We conclude that valid measurements of pleural pressure changes can be obtained in most instances with the central venous and the water-filled oesophageal catheter system according to the occlusion test procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

[A new case of hypersensitivity pneumopathy caused by salazopyrine?].

On the basis of a new case of Salazopyrine hypersensitivity pneumonitis, the authors describe the value of bronchoalveolar lavage and of the lymphoblast transformation test. They also describe the difficulties in making the diagnosis of such pathology and review the various possible differential diagnoses in their patient.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMed1982

[Short- and medium-term hemodynamic effects of prazosin in chronic refractory cardiac failure].

The hemodynamic effects of prazosin, a post-synaptic alpha blocker, were studied in 10 patients with chronic stable cardiac failure, in Classes III and IV of the NYHA classification, resistant to digitalis and diuretic therapy. The measurements of pressure and cardiac output were carried out by right heart catheterisation and thermodilution. The administration of the first dose (1 to 3 mg) led to a 38% reduction in mean right atrial pressure, a 22% reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure, a 22 ù reduction of wedge pulmonary artery pressure and a 15% reduction of systemic vascular resistance. The systolic index rose by 20%, systemic blood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. After 7 days, treatment with 3 to 12 ng/day of prazosin mean right atrial pressure had fallen by 54%, mean pulmonary artery pressure by 37%, and wedge pulmonary artery pressure by 48%. The systolic index increased by 27%. The blood pressure was unchanged, but the heart rate decreased by 10%. The patients lost an average of 2,7 Kg in weight. These results show that in the short term, prazosin had a mixed vasodilator effect on both arteries and veins. In the medium term the arterial vasodilator action appears to be significantly smaller but remains detectable with doses greater than 8 mg/day, whilst the venous vasodilator effect persists, unchanged.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

[Fatal toxic hepatitis associated with administration of dantrolene (author's transl)].

A 50 year-old female diabetic patient with disseminated sclerosis presented fatal cholestatic hepatitis about ten weeks after the initiation of dantrolene therapy (600 mg/day). Clinical findings, biochemical results and the appearance of hepatic biopsy are described and compared with other cases reported to date. Hypotheses regarding the hepatotoxicity of dantrolene and essential precautions to be taken when using this medication are deduced.

Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury↗
PubMed1976

The results of pulmonary function tests in patients infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

A comparative study was undertaken in order to ascertain the effects of a Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection on pulmonary function. It appears that the literature has many articles devoted to the clinical symptomatology of this type of infection but there is very little information available on the abnormalities which occur in the lungs with this infection. The patients who were used as a comparative model had lung lesions which gave a similar radiographic appearance. The significant finding was that an obstructive syndrome with increased airway resistance was noted in the M.pneumoniae pneumonia patients.

Humans↗
PubMed1975

Contribution to the study of chest and lung mechanics in artificially ventilated normal man during surgery.

Firstly the authors describe the principle and the technical application of an original method of measurement of the mechanical ventilatory parameters. Then the method is illustrated with measurements of the pulmonary thoracic and thoraco-pulmonary mechanical parameters in 20 healthy subjects under going extra-thoracic surgery. The results show the lack of correlation between the value of the pulmonary mechanical parameters measured in the awake supine subjects breathing spontaneously and in the anesthetized supine subjects artificially ventilated. The decrease in chest wall elastance could explain the drop in ventilatory level and the unpredictable modifications in pulmonary mechanical parameters. Therefore it is impossible to establish meaningful reference values in healthy subjects undergoing artificial ventilation.

Anesthesia, General↗