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Biomedical subjects

D Degroote

Publications and source records attributed to D Degroote.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Tumor necrosis factor production capacity as a potentially useful parameter to monitor disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to develop a test allowing to monitor disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A simple, fast and reliable test was used to assess the cytokine production capacity of blood leucocytes. The whole blood test (WBT) involved in vitro stimulation of a whole blood sample with either the mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), or specific antigens. We focused our attention on the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), because of the possible involvement of this cytokine in MS pathogenesis. Under in vitro stimulation with PHA or MBP, TNF production was found to be significantly higher in patients during the clinical relapses than during remissions. The increment of TNF production correlated with the severity of the relapses, as determined by the modification of Kurtzke EDSS scale. Moreover, each clinical relapse appeared to be preceded by a peak of TNF production. We then retrospectively analysed 21 patients with the relapsing-remitting form of the disease, in whom the WBT was performed every 2-4 weeks, for periods ranging from 16 to 52 months. Seventy-three peaks of TNF production (defined as the doubling or more of the individual baseline value, which was found to be stable for each patient during remissions), and 47 relapses, including 36 objective and 11 subjective, were observed. Forty-seven out of the 73 TNF peaks were followed by or concomitant with a clinical relapse. In 10 out of the 26 cases where no relapse followed the TNF peak, another cause (mainly infections) of increased TNF production was found. Thus, by excluding other causes, the specificity of the WBT, i.e., the probability to develop a relapse when a TNF peak was found to be 74.6% (47/63). The sensitivity of the WBT was 100%, since all the 47 relapses were preceded by a TNF peak. Assessment of TNF production capacity by the WBT may thus be useful in the follow-up of MS patients, particularly for the follow-up of various treatments. Information provided by the WBT may also be useful to orientate the therapeutic decision for an incipient relapse. Earlier treatment is likely to result in an improved prevention of neurological damage.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1995

Changes in bronchial responsiveness, circulating leucocytes and ex vivo cytokine production by blood monocytes after PAF inhalation in allergic asthmatics.

We investigated the effects of inhaled platelet-activating factor (PAF) on methacholine bronchial responsiveness, circulating leucocyte counts, and ex vivo tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production from blood monocytes in eight allergic asthmatics. Bronchial responsiveness was defined as the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (PC20). Circulating leucocytes were counted by means of an automatic haemocytometer, and cytokines were measured with specific immunoassays. The different variables were measured before and 4, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h after a PAF (225 micrograms), a lyso-PAF (225 micrograms) and a saline bronchial challenge. When compared with lyso-PAF and saline, inhalation of PAF resulted in a significant decrease in PC20 over a period of one week. Two falls in bronchial responsiveness were identified, the first by 4 h and the second beginning 48 h and reaching a maximum by 168 h. The increases in spontaneous TNF alpha and IL-1 production which occurred during the week after both PAF, lyso-PAF and saline, did not differ significantly. Likewise, the changes in circulating neutrophil counts, characterized by a transient rise by 4 h after PAF and lyso-PAF but not saline, followed by a fall by 24 h and a persistent decrease until 168 h, were not significantly different after PAF, lyso-PAF and saline. On the other hand, in comparison with lyso-PAF and saline, inhaled PAF caused a significant protracted augmentation in circulating eosinophil counts, which was maximal by 48 h but did not correlate with the delayed decline in PC20.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1984

[Pitfalls of mechanical circular anastomoses].

To the list of pitfalls of circular mechanical anastomoses the authors add another type of incident involving catching of an intestinal fold. While the pitfalls recently published by M. Adloff include occlusive stapling, those encountered by the authors make mechanical stapling impossible. Two diagrams illustrate the mechanism of failure of circular mechanical anastomoses and suggest an easy way of avoiding this pitfall.

Colon↗
PubMed1983

[Barotraumatic rupture of the thoracic esophagus in children. Apropos of a case].

Presenting symptoms in an 8-year-old child, subjected to high pressure in the upper respiratory and digestive tracts following bursting of a truck inner tube, were initially only pleuropulmonary in nature. A secondary diagnosis of rupture of the thoracic esophagus was established by radiological follow-through examination using a water soluble medium. The presence of an esophagopleural fistula led to repair of the esophageal tear on the 5th day. Operation involved wide mediastinal and thoracic drainage, protection of the esophageal suture by a minimal pharyngostomy, and the performance of an evacuation gastrostomy and an alimentation jejunostomy. Bipolar esophageal exclusion can be avoided by the use of this technique. When confronted with closed thoracic injuries due to high pressures exerted on the upper respiratory and digestive tracts, radiological examination of the esophagus employing water-soluble media should be conducted, therefore, to enable early diagnosis of any esophageal rupture. Furthermore, from the therapeutic point of view, even after secondary discovery of an esophageal tear, suturing is not contraindicated by the direct approach as long as protection is provided by minimal pharyngostomy and a gastrostomy, this avoiding the need for bipolar exclusion.

Barotrauma↗
PubMed1977

Photosynthesis In Elodea canadensis Michx: Four-Carbon Acid Synthesis.

Experiments to determine the early labeled photosynthetic products in Elodea canadensis show that after 2 seconds of exposure to NaH(14)CO(3), 45% of the (14)C incorporated is located in malate and aspartate. Phosphoglyceric acid and sugars account for 27% of the label during similar exposures. Equivalent amounts of organic acids and C(3) cycle products are present after 8 seconds. Four-carbon acids remain relatively unchanged throughout the first 45 seconds of exposure, while sugars increase in a linear fashion. Enzyme assays indicate that ribulose diphosphate and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase enzymes are present in a ratio of approximately 2:1. It appears that E. canadensis is able to synthesize significant amounts of four-carbon acids via beta-carboxylation and this may play a role in maintaining a pH favorable for carboxylation in aquatic plants.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Current aspects of the complications of acute appendicitis in children].

One thousand four hundred and ninety-one cases of acute appendicitis during infancy and childhood are reviewed, 137 were revealed by peritonitis. Complications following appendicitis with perforation (15%) are higher than acute appendicitis (2%). Many complications are reported, but the most serious of them are the 5th day syndrome after appendectomy. Early diagnosis, often difficult in infancy, and early operation before diffusion are the only means of prevention. Ultrasonography may reveal pelvic or intraperitoneal abscess. Treatment is a large drainage with antibiotics; enteral or parenteral nutrition may be associated.

Abscess↗