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Biomedical subjects

F Imani

Publications and source records attributed to F Imani.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Propofol-alfentanil vs propofol-remifentanil for posterior spinal fusion including wake-up test.

BACKGROUND: Wake-up test can be used during posterior spinal fusion (PSF) to ensure that spinal function remains intact. This study aims at assessing the characteristics of the wake-up test during propofol-alfentanil (PA) vs propofol-remifentanil (PR) infusions for PSF surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients with scoliosis and candidates for PSF surgery were randomly allocated in either alfentanil (PA) or remifentanil (PR) group. After an i.v. bolus of alfentanil 30 microg kg(-1) in the PA group or remifentanil 1 microg kg(-1) in the PR group, anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and atracurium. During maintenance, opioid infusion consisted of alfentanil 1 microg kg(-1) min(-1) or remifentanil 0.2 microg kg(-1) min(-1), in the PA group and the PR group, respectively. All patients received propofol 50 microg kg(-1) min(-1). Atracurium was given to maintain the required surgical relaxation. At the surgeon's request, all infusions were discontinued. Patients were asked to move their hands and feet. Time from anaesthetic discontinuation to spontaneous ventilation (T(1)), and from then until movement of the hands and feet (T(2)), and its quality were recorded. RESULTS: The average T(1) and T(2) were significantly shorter in the PR group [3.6 (2.5) and 4.1 (2) min] than the PA group [6.1 (4) and 7.5 (4.5) min]. Quality of wake-up test, however, did not show significant difference between the two groups studied. CONCLUSION: Wake-up test can be conducted faster with remifentanil compared with alfentanil infusion during PSF surgery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney in an adult: a case report].

Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney rarely affects adults. It has an aggressive evolution, with a high rate of recurrence and mortality. We report the case of a 58 year old man with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney and discuss the benefit and value of medical imaging for management.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

[Glomus tumor of the leg: a case report].

Glomus tumor is an uncommon benign neuromyoarterial tumor. It most frequently involves the fingers, and only rarely involves other sites. The clinical, imaging and therapeutic considerations regarding a glomangioma of the leg in a 65-year-old-man are reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Cervical hydatid disease with retropharyngeal involvement: a case report].

Hydatid disease involves the bones in 0.5 to 2% of cases, with 44% of these cases at the level of the spine. The cervical spine is a rare location, with a risk of spinal cord compression and recurrences. The Authors report a case of a young male admitted for progressive quadriplegia secondary to cervical spine hydatidosis, extending towards the retropharynx that was evaluated by CT and MRI.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Hydatid disease of the urinary bladder: a case report].

All organs in the human body may be affected by hydatid disease. Urinary tract involvement in hydatid disease is not common, corresponding to only 2-4% of cases. The kidneys are the most commonly affected organs in the urinary tract. We report a case of hydatid cyst of the urinary bladder.

Echinococcosis↗
PubMed2002

[Primary extensive hydatidosis of the thigh: unusual radiological aspects].

Soft tissue involvement by hydatid disease remains unusual (5%) even in endemic areas. Patients typically present late because disease progression is slow and often asymptomatic. The authors report the unusual imaging appearance in a 59 year old woman with a one year history of progressive diffuse painless swelling of the left thigh. Ultrasonography showed multiple anechoic and hypoechoic cystic lesions, some of which containing serpentine echogenic structures consistent with partly calcified membranes. CT and MRI confirmed a diagnosis of hydatid disease and were helpful to demonstrate the relationship between cysts and adjacent structures. Surgical management was performed early because of fistulization to the skin.

Cutaneous Fistula↗
PubMed2001

Double-stranded RNA regulates IL-4 expression.

dsRNA, as genomic fragment, replicative intermediate, or stem and loop structure in cells infected by viruses, can act to signal the immune system of the presence of viral infections. Although most viral infections are associated with strong Th1 immune responses, Th2-type responses have also been observed. In this study, we characterize the effects of dsRNA on the induction of Th2 responses in human lymphocytes. We report that in addition to the well-known Th1-inducing capabilities of dsRNA, treatment of human lymphocytes with low concentrations of dsRNA (0.1-1 microg/ml) leads to the expression of the prototypic Th2 cytokine IL-4. This induction was accompanied with the concentration-dependent activation of NF-kappaB and NF-AT2 but not NF-AT1. In addition, dsRNA can directly activate an IL-4 promoter-driven chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene in transiently transfected Jurkat cells. These results are the first demonstration of a non-TCR-associated activator of NF-AT in human cells and suggest that dsRNA directly influences IL-4 gene expression through its effect on NF-AT activation. Our data provide support for the idea that dsRNA at low concentrations in vivo may induce a Th2-dominant response that is not optimal for protective immunity to the virus.

DNA-Binding Proteins↗
PubMed2001

Specific inhibition of gene expression by small double-stranded RNAs in invertebrate and vertebrate systems.

Short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are double-stranded RNAs of approximately 21-25 nucleotides that have been shown to function as key intermediaries in triggering sequence-specific RNA degradation during posttranscriptional gene silencing in plants and RNA interference in invertebrates. siRNAs have a characteristic structure, with 5'-phosphate/3'-hydroxyl ends and a 2-base 3' overhang on each strand of the duplex. In this study, we present data that synthetic siRNAs can induce gene-specific inhibition of expression in Caenorhabditis elegans and in cell lines from humans and mice. In each case, the interference by siRNAs was superior to the inhibition of gene expression mediated by single-stranded antisense oligonucleotides. The siRNAs seem to avoid the well documented nonspecific effects triggered by longer double-stranded RNAs in mammalian cells. These observations may open a path toward the use of siRNAs as a reverse genetic and therapeutic tool in mammalian cells.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Infection of human B lymphocytes with MMR vaccine induces IgE class switching.

Circulating immunoglobulin E (IgE) is one of the characteristics of human allergic diseases including allergic asthma. We recently showed that infection of human B cells with rhinovirus or measles virus could lead to the initial steps of IgE class switching. Since many viral vaccines are live viruses, we speculated that live virus vaccines may also induce IgE class switching in human B cells. To examine this possibility, we selected the commonly used live attenuated measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine. Here, we show that infection of a human IgM(+) B cell line with MMR resulted in the expression of germline epsilon transcript. In addition, infection of freshly prepared human PBLs with this vaccine resulted in the expression of mature IgE mRNA transcript. Our data suggest that a potential side effect of vaccination with live attenuated viruses may be an increase in the expression of IgE.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed2001

Rhinovirus infection induces expression of type 2 nitric oxide synthase in human respiratory epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Human rhinovirus (HRV) infections are the predominant cause of the common cold and are associated with exacerbations of asthma. Nitric oxide (NO) may play an important role in host defense by means of its potent antiviral properties. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether epithelial expression of type 2 nitric oxide synthase (NOS 2), which produces NO, is induced on rhinovirus infection in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Primary cultures of human airway epithelial cells were infected with HRV-16, and NOS 2 mRNA expression was assessed by conventional and real-time RT-PCR and NOS 2 protein by using Western blot analysis. Human subjects were also infected with HRV-16 in vivo, and mRNA for NOS 2 was assessed in nasal epithelial scrapings obtained before and after infection. RESULTS: NOS 2 mRNA levels increased within 8 hours after HRV-16 infection of cultured cells and remained elevated up to 48 hours after infection. NOS 2 protein was elevated at 24 hours. Induction of NOS 2 did not occur with UV-inactivated HRV-16 but could be reproduced by using double-stranded RNA, indicating that induction was dependent on viral replication. Increased NOS 2 expression was also observed in nasal epithelial scrapings during symptomatic colds. CONCLUSION: Increased epithelial expression of NOS 2 mRNA occurs as part of the host response to HRV infection in vitro and in vivo. Given the antiviral effects of NO, we speculate that increased host production of NO may play an important role in host defense during HRV infections.

Bronchi↗
PubMed2001

[Sural false aneurysm disclosing the presence of Behçet's disease].

The authors report the case of a 35 year old patient that presented acutely with a false aneurysm of the tibioperoneal trunk diagnosed at Doppler US and CT angiography. Behçet's disease was considered because of a prior history of recurrent phlebitis, the presence of bipolar aphthae and a biological inflammatory syndrome. This case is of interest for two reasons: first, the atypical location of the false aneurysm, and second, the value of less invasive imaging techniques, namely Doppler US and CT angiography.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate-evoked responses in midbrain dopamine neurons.

Synaptically released glutamate evokes slow IPSPs mediated by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in midbrain dopamine neurons. These mGluR IPSPs are caused by release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores and subsequent activation of small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (SK channels). To further investigate the intracellular mechanisms involved, the effect of photolyzing intracellular caged inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (InsP(3)) on membrane conductance and intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) was examined in rat midbrain slices. Photolytic release of InsP(3) elicited a transient outward current and a sharp rise in [Ca(2+)](i) that lasted for approximately 5 sec. Apamin, a blocker of SK channels, abolished the InsP(3)-induced outward current without affecting the rise in [Ca(2+)](i). Depleting intracellular Ca(2+) stores with cyclopiazonic acid completely blocked both the outward current and the Ca(2+) transient elicited by InsP(3). InsP(3)-evoked Ca(2+) mobilization was not affected by blockade of ryanodine receptors with ruthenium red, whereas depleting ryanodine-sensitive Ca(2+) stores with ryanodine almost eliminated InsP(3)-induced Ca(2+) release. Increasing the size of intracellular Ca(2+) stores by means of prolonged depolarization added a late component to the outward current and a slow component to the rising phase of [Ca(2+)](i). These effects of depolarization were blocked by ruthenium red. These results show that InsP(3) activates SK channels by releasing Ca(2+) from InsP(3)-sensitive stores that also contain ryanodine receptors. Increasing intracellular Ca(2+) stores boosts InsP(3)-evoked responses by invoking Ca(2+)-induced Ca(2+) release through ryanodine receptors. This intracellular signaling pathway may play a significant role in regulating the excitability of midbrain dopamine neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Pneumoblastoma in an adult: a case report].

Pneumoblastoma of the adult is rare. It presents more often as a large heterogenous and peripheral parenchymal mass. In this case, chest radiographs showed a small homogeneous mass in the right lung apex. The solid nature but non-specific appearance of the mass was confirmed at CT. The histological diagnosis was obtained from surgical biopsy. The interest of this observation is the rare occurrence of the lesion in adults and the atypical imaging features in this patient.

Humans↗
PubMed1999

Measles virus infection synergizes with IL-4 in IgE class switching.

Increasing evidence suggests that viral infections are associated with the induction and exacerbation of asthma. One characteristic of human asthma is an increase in the levels of circulating IgE. Previous studies have shown that circulating IgE levels are elevated during the early phase of infection with measles virus (MV). We have shown previously that one mechanism by which viral infections can increase IgE levels is via an induction of IgE class switching through the activation of the antiviral protein kinase (dsRNA-activated protein kinase), leading to the activation of multiple NF-kappaB complexes. Therefore, to determine whether infection with MV can also induce IgE class switching, we infected the human Ramos B cell line with the Edmonston strain of MV. Infecting Ramos cells with MV did not result directly in either the activation of dsRNA-activated protein kinase or IgE class switching. However, a synergistic effect on IgE class switching was observed when Ramos cells were infected with MV before IL-4 treatment. Ab cross-linking of the MV receptor, CD46, mimicked the effects of MV infection in synergizing with IL-4 to induce IgE class switching, suggesting that viral hemagglutinin is involved in this synergistic effect. These data provide the first indication of a potential mechanism for MV-induced IgE up-regulation and suggest a model for a viral-induced exacerbation of IgE-mediated disorders such as asthma.

Antigens, CD↗