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Biomedical subjects

Eric Durand

Publications and source records attributed to Eric Durand.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with coronary artery disease and absence of heart failure or left ventricular systolic dysfunction: an overview of long-term randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Results of randomized trials of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and preserved left ventricular function are conflicting. We undertook this study to determine whether long-term prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors decreases major cardiovascular events and mortality in patients who have CAD and no evidence of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and IPA databases, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (1990-2004), and reports from scientific meetings (2003-2004), and we reviewed secondary sources. Search terms included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, coronary artery disease, randomi(s)zed controlled trials, clinical trials, and myocardial infarction. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials in patients who had CAD and no heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction, with follow-up omicronf 2 years or longer. Of 1146 publications screened, 7 met our selection criteria and included a total of 33 960 patients followed up for a mean of 4.4 years. RESULTS: Five trials included only patients with documented CAD. One trial included patients with documented CAD (80%) or patients who had diabetes mellitus and 1 or more additional risk factors, and another trial included patients who had CAD, a history of transient ischemic attack, or intermittent claudication. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors decreased overall mortality (odds ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.93), cardiovascular mortality (odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-0.90), myocardial infarction (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.89), and stroke (odds ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.88). Other end points, including resuscitation after cardiac arrest, myocardial revascularization, and hospitalization because of heart failure, were also reduced. CONCLUSION: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduce total mortality and major cardiovascular end points in patients who have CAD and no left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

apTreeshape: statistical analysis of phylogenetic tree shape.

apTreeshape is a R package dedicated to simulation and analysis of phylogenetic tree topologies using statistical imbalance measures. It is a companion library of the R package 'ape', which provides additional functions for reading, plotting, manipulating phylogenetic trees and for connecting to public phylogenetic tree databases. One strength of the package is to include appropriate corrections of classical shape statistics as well as new tests based on the statistical theory of likelihood ratios.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

[Choosing the right medication for the right patient].

Over the past 15 years, the efficacy of several classes of medications on the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis has been documented. The objectives of medical therapy are triple: to avoid or control the evolution of the atherosclerotic process, control associated risk factors, and, whenever appropriate, to control symptoms. Four classes of medications have documented a major clinical benefit by decreasing mortality and severe adverse cardiovascular events: antiplatelet agents, beta-blockers, statins and ACE inhibitors. These medications should therefore constitute first line therapy. Beside the use of medications, life style changes (Mediterranean diet, physical exercise, smoking cessation) are also necessary.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed2005

XcpX controls biogenesis of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa XcpT-containing pseudopilus.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic gram-negative pathogen equipped with multiple secretion systems. The type II secretion machinery (Xcp secreton) is involved in the release of toxins and enzymes. The Xcp secreton is a multiprotein complex, and most of its components share homology with proteins involved in type IV pili biogenesis. Among them, the XcpT-X pseudopilins possess characteristics of the major constituent of the type IV pili, the pilin PilA. We have shown previously that XcpT can be assembled in a multifibrillar structure that was called the pseudopilus. By using two different microscopic approaches, we show here that the pseudopili are preferentially isolated fibers rather than tight bundles. Moreover, none of the other four pseudopilins are able to form a pseudopilus, suggesting that the assembly of such a structure is a unique property of XcpT. Moreover, we show that 5 of the 12 Xcp proteins are not required for pseudopilus biogenesis, whereas they are for type II secretion. Most interestingly, we showed that one pseudopilin, XcpX, controls the assembly of XcpT into a pseudopilus. Indeed, when the number of XcpX subunits increases, the length of the pseudopilus decreases. Conversely, in the absence of XcpX, the pseudopilus length is abnormally long. Our results indicate that XcpT and XcpX directly interact with each other. Furthermore, this interaction induces a clear destabilization of XcpT. The interaction between XcpT and XcpX could be part of the molecular mechanism underlying the dynamic control of pseudopilus elongation, which could be crucial for type II-dependent protein secretion.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed2005

Collagen and elastin cross-linking: a mechanism of constrictive remodeling after arterial injury.

Constrictive remodeling after arterial injury is related to collagen accumulation. Cross-linking has been shown to induce a scar process in cutaneous wound healing and is increased after arterial injury. We therefore evaluated the effect of cross-linking inhibition on qualitative and quantitative changes in collagen, elastin, and arterial remodeling after balloon injury in the atherosclerotic rabbit model. Atherosclerotic-like lesions were induced in femoral arteries of 28 New Zealand White rabbits by a combination of air desiccation and a high-cholesterol diet. After 1 mo, balloon angioplasty was performed in both femoral arteries. Fourteen rabbits were fed beta-aminopropionitrile (beta-APN, 100 mg/kg) and compared with 14 untreated animals. The remodeling index, i.e., the ratio of external elastic lamina at the lesion site to external elastic lamina at the reference site, was determined 4 wk after angioplasty for both groups. Pyridinoline was significantly decreased in arteries from beta-APN-treated animals compared with controls, confirming inhibition of collagen cross-linking: 0.30 (SD 0.03) and 0.52 (SD 0.02) mmol/mol hydroxyproline, respectively (P = 0.002). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed a profound disorganization of collagen fibers in arteries from beta-APN-treated animals. The remodeling index was significantly higher in beta-APN-treated than in control animals [1.1 (SD 0.3) vs. 0.8 (SD 0.3), P = 0.03], indicating favorable remodeling. Restenosis decreased by 33% in beta-APN-treated animals: 32% (SD 16) vs. 48% (SD 24) (P = 0.02). Neointimal collagen density was significantly lower in beta-APN-treated animals than in controls: 23.0% (SD 3.8) vs. 29.4% (SD 4.0) (P = 0.004). These findings suggest that collagen and elastin cross-linking plays a role in the healing process via constrictive remodeling and restenosis after balloon injury in the atherosclerotic rabbit model.

Aminopropionitrile↗
PubMed2005

Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of superoxide dismutase and catalase decreases restenosis after balloon angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increases after injury and potentially contributes to restenosis after angioplasty. We therefore evaluated the effect of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer (Ad) of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) on ROS production and restenosis after balloon angioplasty. METHODS: O(2)(-) and H(2)O(2 )production was quantified in cultured cells after incubation with either LPS or CuSO(4). Angioplasty and gene transfer were performed in rabbit atherosclerotic iliac arteries. One artery was injected with AdSOD and AdCAT, while the contralateral artery was injected with an adenovirus carrying no transgene, and served as control. RESULTS: ROS production was significantly decreased after adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of SOD and CAT as compared with control. Treated arteries showed less restenosis (32 +/- 27 vs. 63 +/- 19%, p = 0.003) and less constrictive remodeling (1.2 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.2, p = 0.02) than control arteries. Arteries injected with AdSOD and AdCAT showed better vasoreactivity to acetylcholine (11 +/- 4 vs. -1 +/- 6%, p < 0.05), lower collagen density (43 +/- 16 vs. 53 +/- 23%, p = 0.03), and lower inflammatory cell infiltration (22 +/- 6 vs. 36 +/- 11%, p = 0.04) than control arteries. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of SOD and CAT reduced oxidative stress, restenosis, collagen accumulation, and inflammation and improved endothelial function after angioplasty.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2004

Prognostic significance of renal insufficiency in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (the Prospective Multicenter SYCOMORE study).

This prospective, multicenter, observational study was designed to assess the in-hospital prognostic importance of renal insufficiency among patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). One third of patients with ACS presented with renal insufficiency. After adjustment for potential confounders, decreasing renal function was independently associated with in-hospital death, bleeding, and contrast-induced nephropathy.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed2003

[Reducing the risks in prison surroundings. Between policies and realities, the challenge persists].

Numerous health problems Prison population demographics have dramatically increased during the last thirty years and there is no element that foresees a forthcoming inflection of this tendency. Many studies carried out both in France and elsewhere have assessed the extent of the health problems both on admission to prison and during detention. Difficulties in reducing the risks While available data fully justify the need of a true risk reduction policy, there is an obvious lack of pragmatism and courage in many of the field workers and professionals. Confusion between global prevention, general measures of hygiene and education, and true risk reduction programmes makes the risk reduction policy unclear. The strategy to be adopted All efforts should be dedicated today to make the measures of risk reduction widely available, in particular drug maintenance treatments and condoms, to train prison staff, and to evaluate on a regular basis the clinical practices and their effects. Only a voluntarist and clear health and drug policy, together with a motivated prison staff, including health professional and administration staff, are the keys to success for an efficient risk reduction strategy. It is crucial to implement and to test innovative programs, and to regularly assess all the facets of the risk reduction policy in prisons.

Efficiency, Organizational↗
PubMed2003

Effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of decorin on metalloproteinases, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases and cytokines secretion by human gingival fibroblasts.

Decorin is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan that plays a role in control of cell proliferation, cell migration, collagen fibrillogenesis and modulation of the activity of TGF-beta. In the present study, we investigated the effects of decorin on the production of metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -3, -9 and -13), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP-1, -2) and cytokines (TGF-beta, IL-1beta, IL-4 and TNF-alpha). Decorin was overexpressed in cultured human gingival fibroblasts using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. Decorin infection resulted in decreased protein levels of MMP-1 and MMP-3 whereas MMP-2 and TIMP-2 secretion was increased. MMP-9, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 were not affected by decorin infection. Cytokine measurements by ELISA showed that decorin overexpression reduced TGF-beta and IL-1beta. In contrast, IL-4 and TNF-alpha levels were markedly increased in decorin-infected cells. These results suggest that decorin could modulate the expression of certain metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, as well as the production of cytokines. Altogether, our data suggest that decorin might play a pivotal role in tissue remodeling by acting on the balance between extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2003

Type II protein secretion in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: the pseudopilus is a multifibrillar and adhesive structure.

The type II secretion pathway of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is involved in the extracellular release of various toxins and hydrolytic enzymes such as exotoxin A and elastase. This pathway requires the function of a macromolecular complex called the Xcp secreton. The Xcp secreton shares many features with the machinery involved in type IV pilus assembly. More specifically, it involves the function of five pilin-like proteins, the XcpT-X pseudopilins. We show that, upon overexpression, the XcpT pseudopilin can be assembled in a pilus, which we call a type II pseudopilus. Image analysis and filtering of electron micrographs indicated that these appendages are composed of individual fibrils assembled together in a bundle structure. Our observations thus revealed that XcpT has properties similar to those of type IV pilin subunits. Interestingly, the assembly of the type II pseudopilus is not exclusively dependent on the Xcp machinery but can be supported by other similar machineries, such as the Pil (type IV pilus) and Hxc (type II secretion) systems of P. aeruginosa. In addition, heterologous pseudopilins can be assembled by P. aeruginosa into a type II pseudopilus. Finally, we showed that assembly of the type II pseudopilus confers increased bacterial adhesive capabilities. These observations confirmed the ability of pseudopilins to form a pilus structure and raise questions with respect to their function in terms of secretion and adhesion, two crucial biological processes in the course of bacterial infections.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

Time courses of apoptosis and cell proliferation and their relationship to arterial remodeling and restenosis after angioplasty in an atherosclerotic rabbit model.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate whether cellular mass changes (including apoptosis and proliferation) after arterial injury could interact with restenosis and arterial remodeling. BACKGROUND: The mechanisms controlling arterial remodeling after angioplasty remain poorly understood. Apoptosis and cell proliferation have been previously described after balloon angioplasty. However, their importance in the occurrence of arterial remodeling and restenosis is unknown. METHODS: Atherosclerosis was induced in 48 femoral arteries of New Zealand White rabbits by air-desiccation and a high-cholesterol diet. One month later, angioplasty was performed in 40 arteries. Apoptosis, cell proliferation, residual stenosis and arterial remodeling were evaluated at 2 h and 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after angioplasty. RESULTS: Cell proliferation and apoptosis profiles were similar, but the peak in cell proliferation occurred approximately four days earlier than the peak in apoptosis in the neointima and media. Apoptosis density was positively correlated with arterial remodeling in the neointima and media (r = 0.69, p = 0.005 and r = 0.50, p = 0.05, respectively). Moreover, residual stenosis was inversely correlated with apoptosis density in the neointima and media (r = -0.62, p = 0.008 and r = -0.52, p = 0.04, respectively). In contrast, cell proliferation was independent of restenosis and arterial remodeling. CONCLUSIONS: In this model, cell proliferation preceded apoptosis throughout the four weeks after angioplasty. Apoptosis was inversely correlated with restenosis. Interestingly, apoptosis was also related to enlargement remodeling after balloon angioplasty.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2002

A novel type II secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The genome sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 has been determined to facilitate postgenomic studies aimed at understanding the capacity of adaptation of this ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen. P. aeruginosa produces toxins and hydrolytic enzymes that are secreted via the type II secretory pathway using the Xcp machinery or 'secreton'. In this study, we characterized a novel gene cluster, called hxc for homologous to xcp. Characterization of an hxcR mutant, grown in phosphate-limiting medium, revealed the absence of a 40 kDa protein found in the culture supernatant of wild-type or xcp derivative mutant strains. The protein corresponded to the alkaline phosphatase L-AP, renamed LapA, which is secreted in an xcp-independent but hxc-dependent manner. Finally, we showed that expression of the hxc gene cluster is under phosphate regulation. This is the first report of the existence of two functional type II secretory pathways within the same organism, which could be related to the high adaptation potential of P. aeruginosa.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Juvenile hemochromatosis HJV-related revealed by cardiogenic shock.

Hemochromatosis is a heterogeneous genetic disease. Juvenile hemochromatosis is a severe rare recessive autosomal disease. Herein, we report a consanguineous family linked to a mutation in the recently identified HJV gene. A refractory cardiogenic shock had revealed hemochromatosis in the proband, a 26-year-old woman, and led to the death by heart failure. Regular phlebotomies in her young sister, which was also affected, had allowed to prevent the severe complications of the disease. These two affected subjects presented an identical homozygous haplotype at the 1q21 chromosome region and a missense homozygous mutation at the HJV gene (Arg288 > Trp). This observation underlines the importance of HJV genetic testing, by complete screening of the gene, in young patients with abnormal iron parameters and hypogonadism and/or cardiac symptoms to prevent death from cardiac complications.

Adult↗