PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

C Simon

Publications and source records attributed to C Simon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Nocturnal prolactin pulses in relation to luteinizing hormone and thyrotropin.

The two hypothalamic releasing factors, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH), have been shown to stimulate pituitary prolactin (PRL) release as well as their respective pituitary hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and thyrotropin (TSH). In this study the influence of LH and TSH regulatory mechanisms on nocturnal PRL secretion was investigated by evaluating whether the coincidence of PRL with LH and TSH pulses occurred more frequently than would be expected if the hormone generators were not coupled. Thirty night studies were conducted in twelve healthy male subjects. Six subjects underwent 3 studies and 6 subjects 2 studies. Blood was collected into aliquots at 10 min intervals throughout the night and plasma concentrations of PRL, TSH, and LH were determined. From the plasma profiles, hormone secretory rates were calculated using a method of deconvolution. Significant plasma and secretory hormone pulses were identified by a peak detection computer program. For statistical analysis the night studies of each subject were concatenated. Concomitance between the plasma pulses of both TSH and LH with PRL was insufficient to reject the null hypothesis of random coincidence. An increase in the number of subjects demonstrating significant coincidence between the hormone pulses was obtained when secretory pulses were analysed. Seven of the 12 and 10 of the 12 subjects showed significant concomitance between PRL and respectively TSH and LH. This proportion was sufficient to confirm copulsatility between PRL and LH. These results suggest that LH regulatory mechanisms are involved in the generation of the nocturnal pulsatile PRL profile, TRH may also play a role in the secretion of PRL at a central level, but was not reflected in the plasma or secretory profiles because of other overriding regulatory factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Substance P like-immunoreactivity release from enterochromaffin cells of rat caecum mucosa. Inhibition by serotonin and calcium-free medium.

Location, endogenous contents, and release of Substance P like-immunoreactivity were investigated in the rat caecum, using Immunohistochemistry and RadioImmunoAssay. Our immunohistochemical results indicate that Substance P was present both in the neuromuscular and mucosal compartments of this intestinal structure. However, detection of the peptide in the enterochromaffin cells of the mucosa remained very difficult. That may be explained by the very low endogenous contents of Substance P detected in the mucosa, using RIA. As we have already described a serotonin release from rat caecum mucosa, we show, now, that Substance P like-immunoreactivity may be released from the same structure. This release was stable, calcium-dependent, inhibited by serotonin, and not influenced by the chemical depolarization. Our data demonstrate an active release of Substance P like-immunoreactivity from intestinal mucosa, in the rat caecum. It seems that the endogenous pool of Substance P like-immunoreactivity is involved as a functional pool. The mechanisms responsible of this release seem to be different than that observed for the serotonin release. Substance P like-immunoreactivity may be released in precise physiological conditions, or even, in pathological conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

[Abdominal, perineal and vaginal sonographic diagnosis of cervix insufficiency].

In patients with cervical incompetence, the diagnostic efficiency of abdominal, perineal and vaginal sonography was compared. 73 patients, who were divided into three groups, were examined: Group A (n = 50) control group, Group B (n = 11) normal pregnancies, Group C (n = 12) pregnancies with demonstrated cervical incompetence. According to our results, using vaginal sonography, only the incompetent pregnancies showed significant shortening of the cervical length. Characteristic scans were also obtained (membrane herniation) which were useful in diagnosis and control in the performance of cerclage.

Abortion, Habitual↗
PubMed1992

Relationship between smoking and diet: the MONICA-France project.

The association between smoking habits and diet was examined in a sample of 1126 men, aged 45-64 years, from the general population living in the three French MONICA monitoring areas: Bas-Rhin (BR) (n = 346), Haute-Garonne (HG) (n = 400) and Urban Community of Lille (UCL) (n = 380). Diet was assessed by the 3-day record method. The energy and nutrient intakes were calculated for each of the 3 centres, using the same food composition tables. Alcohol consumption was higher among smokers (P less than 0.001). Taking into account alcohol consumption, age, body mass index, centre, educational level and family size, the analyses showed no difference in non-alcoholic energy intake, proteins, carbohydrates, and total fat. However, smokers had a lower intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (P less than 0.05) and dietary fibre (P less than 0.01) than non-smokers. With regard to food items, smokers had a higher intake of sucrose (P less than 0.05) and a lower intake of vegetables (P less than 0.001), dairy products (P less than 0.05) and cheese (P less than 0.05). These results suggest that analyses in future epidemiological research regarding the role of diet in the aetiology of tobacco-related diseases should consider this association of potential risk factors.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1992

Influence of azithromycin and other macrolides on the intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes of healthy donors and a patient with Chédiak-Higashi syndrome.

A mixture of human blood phagocytes from healthy donors and opsonized staphylococci was incubated in vitro for 30 min. After that time all the bacteria were phagocytosed. The test tubes were further incubated for 2, 4 and 24 h with or without addition of a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin) and the effect of these drugs on the survival of intracellular staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923) was measured. The minimal effective concentration of the antibiotic which killed 80-90% of the bacteria after a 4-hour incubation was 0.1 mg/l for erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin and 1.2 mg/l for roxithromycin. The percentage of surviving bacteria after 2 and 4 h incubation was not significantly different between these macrolides at the minimal effective concentration. Increasing the concentration of each antibiotic above the minimal effective concentration did not alter the killing rate of intracellular staphylococci. The bacterial activity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) from a patient with Chédiak-Higashi syndrome was less in comparison to PMNL from healthy donors, but was improved in vitro by the addition of erythromycin or azithromycin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1992

Brain tissue heterotopia in the nasopharynx. Contribution of MRI to assessment of extension.

The authors report two cases of brain tissue heterotopia in the nasopharynx, without other malformations and, in one of the cases, with a persistent craniopharyngeal canal opening onto the heterotopia. This exceptional malformation is very similar to brain heterotopia in the nose, or "nasal glioma", which is more frequent and less diversified at histology. The malformation is revealed by obstruction of the pharynx with respiratory distress immediately after birth or during the first weeks of life. Total surgical excision provides cure without sequelae. The diagnosis is based on histology. MRI is essential to the diagnostic and pretherapeutic evaluation, notably to avoid missing an ectopic hypophysis, but it is insufficient to diagnose a sphenoidal meningoencephalocele.

Brain↗
PubMed1991

[Branhamella catarrhalis as a disease pathogen].

Since 1980, numerous reports have been published throughout the world on the pathogenic role of Branhamella catarrhalis. Apparently, Branhamella infections have been increasing in many places. Although they can affect various organs, they are most commonly observed in the airways and eye (both in children and adults). Not infrequently, Branhamella catarrhalis causes sepsis, in particular in immunosuppressed patients. The rapid increase in beta-lactamase-forming Branhamella strains results in frequent ineffectiveness of treatment with penicillin. In patients treated with penicillin for a primary infection by other bacteria, a secondary infection due to penicillin-resistant Branhamella organisms can subsequently occur. For treatment, therefore, beta-lactamase-stable antibiotics should be preferred.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1991

Innovative medicine--a case study of a modern healer.

African healing is widely regarded as inflexible and unchanging. By way of a case study, it is suggested that this is no longer the reality. Instead, the healer emerges as highly innovative in his quest to attract a steady clientele. A Xhosa healer, who borrows numerous medical items and symbols from his Western counterparts, is described.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1991

Alteration in the temporal organisation of insulin secretion in type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients under continuous enteral nutrition.

Concomitant oscillations of plasma glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels with a period of about 80 min between peak levels have been identified in normal man. To determine whether these oscillations persist in Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetic patients, peripheral plasma levels of glucose, insulin and C-peptide were measured at 10 min intervals over 12 h in six patients and in six matched control subjects during continuous enteral nutrition (90 kcal.h-1;50% carbohydrate, 35% fat, 15% protein). The insulin secretion rate was estimated from peripheral C-peptide levels using an open two-compartment model. For the control subjects, mean plasma glucose, insulin and insulin secretion profiles rose sharply and then attained a steady-state; in contrast, for the diabetic patients, the mean insulin and insulin secretion profiles were characterized by a slow ascending trend throughout the day. Mean glucose levels rose sharply and reached higher levels than in the control subjects. The individual 12 h profiles revealed synchronous oscillations of plasma glucose, plasma insulin, and insulin secretion in the control subjects. In the diabetic patients, the number of plasma insulin and insulin secretion pulses was significantly lower; they had a smaller amplitude and were less frequently associated with the glucose pulses. However, plasma glucose levels had a similar oscillatory pattern in the diabetic patients compared with the control subjects, albeit with a higher absolute amplitude. The poor association between glucose and insulin secretion pulses in the diabetic patients suggests that insulin pulses are insufficient to account for the glucose pulses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Progress of antibiotic therapy in pediatrics].

The advances in the antibiotic therapy of acute bacterial infections can be shown by the decreasing frequency of complications and fatalities in children. The annual death-rate from pneumonia in children aged one month to 15 years has fallen in Schleswig-Holstein from 1.8 (1954-1958) to 0.6 per 10,000 (1969-1973). At the same time the total death-rate in the same age group has fallen from 14.5 to 9.3 per 10,000 children. The percentage of pneumonia in the total death-rate was 5.3% in 1971-1973: 1.6% in the first month of life and after the sixteenth year 2.3%. Pneumonia was in fourth place (after accident, malformation and neoplasm) as a cause of death in children more than one month old. Of 245 children operated on for congenital heart disease in 1983-1984, bacterial and fungal infections occurred in 3.6% compared to 17.8% of 469 in 1968-1972. Staphylococcal infections decreased from 3.4% to 0.8% and those caused by gram-negative bacteria from 6.9% to 0. Perioperative prophylaxis was performed with cefotaxime plus piperacillin in 1983-1984 versus oxacillin plus ampicillin in 1968-1972. Between 1984 and 1989, 944 children (premature babies and term babies) were treated in the intensive care unit of the University Children's Hospital of Kiel. The incidence of sepsis was 5% (congenital sepsis 4%, sepsis acquired after birth 1%). Early diagnosis and treatment of severe bacterial infections with cefotaxime plus piperacillin reduced the mortality rate of sepsis to 2%. Sepsis never developed under treatment with cefotaxime plus piperacillin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1991

In vitro activity of flomoxef and cefazolin in combination with vancomycin.

207 clinical isolates from strains of patients from the University Children's Hospital of Kiel were investigated for their in vitro activity with the agar dilution method against flomoxef and cefazolin (alone and partially in combination with vancomycin). Staphylococci were also tested with other cephalosporins (cefoxitin, cefamandole, cefotaxime, cefotetan and latamoxef). Flomoxef and cefazolin always acted more vigorously on staphylococci than the other cephalosporins. Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus strains against flomoxef and cefazolin did not occur but was found in 15 and 5 of 98 Staphylococcus epidermidis strains, respectively. Enterococcus faecalis strains were always resistant against both drugs; Streptococcus faecium strains were only moderately sensitive. Combined testing of flomoxef or cefazolin with vancomycin showed synergism in almost all staphylococcal strains. Synergism was stronger when S. epidermidis strains were only weakly sensitive to or resistant against flomoxef and cefazolin in comparison to highly sensitive strains. Flomoxef (or cefazolin) acted synergistically in combination with vancomycin on E. faecalis and S. faecium with the exception of two strains of E. faecalis which showed an additive effect of both drugs.

Cefazolin↗
PubMed1991

In vitro release and tissue levels of ileal serotonin after cisplatin-induced emesis in the cat.

We have studied the peripheral mechanisms responsible for the severe vomiting observed in cisplatin treated cats. Release of 5-hydroxytryptamine from isolated portions of the ileum and ileal tissue concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine were studied in vitro with control animals and animals previously treated with cisplatin. In the latter, two groups were observed: animals in which cisplatin (single dose, 10 mg/kg) induced vomiting within 4 h and animals that did not vomit within 4 h. Spectrofluorimetric assessment of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the perfusate and ileal tissue revealed that cisplatin increases both release, and tissue levels, of ileal 5-hydroxytryptamine in animals which vomited, whereas only ileal 5-hydroxytryptamine release was increased in animals which did not vomit. This may have clinical implications as cisplatin induced emesis may be more effectively prevented by drugs preventing ileal 5-hydroxytryptamine formation rather than release.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Merging pharmacopoeia: understanding the historical origins of incorporative pharmacopoeial processes among Xhosa healers in southern Africa.

This paper focusses on Xhosa healers and their pharmacopoeias in Southern Africa. Its preliminary aim is to show that Xhosa healers have incorporated Western pharmaceutical products into their traditional dispensaries. The primary aim of the paper is to explain the trend towards medicinal incorporation in terms of the historical development of health and health care in Xhosa-speaking regions. Finally, it is suggested that Xhosa healers utilise Western medicines for their symbolic value, allowing them to negotiate some of the historical precedents which have had the effect of marginalising their profession.

Africa, Southern↗
PubMed1991

[Lipid profile in adult population representative of a French district (Bas-Rhin)].

Serum total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and A1, A2 and B apoprotein levels were determined in a population of 967 adults aged 25 to 64 years representative of the general population of the Bas-Rhin region localized in North-Eastern France. Age and sex were found to have a significant influence on most parameters studied; however, HDL-cholesterol, Apo A1, and Apo A2 were independent from age in males. HDL-cholesterol levels were consistently found to be higher in females than in males. Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, Apo A1, Apo A2 and Apo B levels, but not the HDL-cholesterol/cholesterol ratio, were higher in females above 45 years of age. A cholesterol level indicating increased cardiovascular risk, i.e., above 5.1 mmol/l, was found in 55% of males and 53% of females; HDL-cholesterol was under 0.9 mmol/l in 46% of males and 29% of females. The close linear correlations seen between cholesterol and Apo B (r = 0.820) and between HDL-cholesterol and Apo A1 (r = 0.580) were used to estimate theoretical threshold levels of apoproteins indicating increased risk: the Apo B level was greater than 0.77 g/l in 60% of males and 45% of females and the Apo A1 level was smaller than 1.58 g/l in 42% of males and 28% of females. Apo A2 level seems less useful as marker of increased risk. In conclusion, increased vascular risk due to unfavorable lipid profiles was common in the studied population especially among males and among females above 45 years of age. Apoproteins A1 and B reliably reflect cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels and can help evaluate cardiovascular risk.

Adult↗