PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Vandenbussche

Publications and source records attributed to F Vandenbussche.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

[Isolated increase of the serum aspartate aminotransferase level in a young asymptomatic patient: macro-AST].

A 23-year-old asymptomatic patient wanted to become pregnant and had a blood analysis done at her general practitioner's office. The serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was unexpectedly elevated: 139 U/l (reference value: < 32). The values for the other liver enzymes were normal. Extensive biochemical and imaging studies revealed no other abnormalities. The presence of so-called macro-AST was suspected. In this condition, AST forms complexes with other proteins, primarily IgG, which leads to an increased serum level. This has no clinical consequences. The presence of such complexes was confirmed by means ofa polyethylene glycol precipitation assay. This is a simple test for the detection of macro-AST, which saves the asymptomatic patient further invasive diagnostic procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Preparation of monospecific polyclonal antibodies against Sambucus nigra lectin related protein, a glycosylated plant protein.

A simple, but highly efficient, method was developed for the purification of monospecific antibodies against the plant glycoprotein Sambucus nigra lectin related protein. In a first step, the antiserum is purified by affinity chromatography on a column with the immobilized antigen. To deplete the affinity-purified antiserum from aspecific cross-reacting antibodies directed against the glycan part of the glycoprotein, a second affinity chromatography on an unrelated plant glycoprotein, in casu the Robinia pseudoacacia agglutinin, is included.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Progress in Arabidopsis genome sequencing and functional genomics.

Arabidopsis thaliana has a relatively small genome of approximately 130 Mb containing about 10% repetitive DNA. Genome sequencing studies reveal a gene-rich genome, predicted to contain approximately 25000 genes spaced on average every 4.5 kb. Between 10 to 20% of the predicted genes occur as clusters of related genes, indicating that local sequence duplication and subsequent divergence generates a significant proportion of gene families. In addition to gene families, repetitive sequences comprise individual and small clusters of two to three retroelements and other classes of smaller repeats. The clustering of highly repetitive elements is a striking feature of the A. thaliana genome emerging from sequence and other analyses.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1999

Sequence and analysis of chromosome 4 of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

The higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) is an important model for identifying plant genes and determining their function. To assist biological investigations and to define chromosome structure, a coordinated effort to sequence the Arabidopsis genome was initiated in late 1996. Here we report one of the first milestones of this project, the sequence of chromosome 4. Analysis of 17.38 megabases of unique sequence, representing about 17% of the genome, reveals 3,744 protein coding genes, 81 transfer RNAs and numerous repeat elements. Heterochromatic regions surrounding the putative centromere, which has not yet been completely sequenced, are characterized by an increased frequency of a variety of repeats, new repeats, reduced recombination, lowered gene density and lowered gene expression. Roughly 60% of the predicted protein-coding genes have been functionally characterized on the basis of their homology to known genes. Many genes encode predicted proteins that are homologous to human and Caenorhabditis elegans proteins.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Protection of turkeys against Chlamydia psittaci challenge by gene gun-based DNA immunizations.

Particle-mediated (Helios Gene Gun) transfer to the turkey epidermis of plasmid DNA expressing the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of an avian Chlamydia psittaci strain was evaluated for its ability to raise an immune response and protection against challenge with the homologous strain. In turkeys, the delivery of pcDNA1/MOMP coated onto 0.6 microm gold beads was the most efficient compared to immunisations using 1.0 or 1.6 microm gold beads. The delivery of as little as 1 microg pcDNA1/MOMP coated onto 0.6 microm gold beads was efficient. Immunisation with 1.0 microm gold beads required twice more (2 microg) DNA to achieve comparable results. The use of 2 microg DNA coated onto 1.6 microm gold beads had no effects. The gene gun delivery both primed T-helper and B-cell memory although recombinant MOMP-expressing cells did not induce high-titre antibody responses. The significance of gene gun-based DNA immunisation as a means of preventing severe clinical signs, lesions and chlamydia excretion in a turkey model of Chlamydia psittaci infection was demonstrated.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Cloning of two cDNAs encoding three small serine protease inhibiting peptides from the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria and analysis of tissue-dependent and stage-dependent expression.

This study describes the cloning of two cDNAs encoding three serine-protease-inhibiting peptides, SGPI I, II and III, which were recently identified from ovarian extracts of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. The first cDNA codes for the precursor polypeptides of SGPI I and SGPI II; the second encodes only a single inhibitor, SGPI III. Northern-blot analysis revealed an approximate length of 0.8 kb for SGPI-I/II mRNA and 0.6 kb for SGPI-III mRNA. The transcripts are present in several locust tissues, but they could not be detected in the midgut. The gene for SGPI-I/II is abundantly transcribed during all larval and adult stages, whereas SGPI-III mRNA is mainly present in adults. Northern-blot hybridization also revealed important changes in the SGPI-mRNA content during the molting cycle and during the adult reproductive cycle. Moreover, a differential hormonal control was observed in adult females which had been treated with precocene, juvenile hormone or ecdysone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Cloning of the cDNA encoding Scg-SPRP, an unusual Ser-protease-related protein from vitellogenic female desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria).

The cDNA coding for a Ser-protease-related protein (Scg-SPRP) was cloned from desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) midgut. The derived amino acid sequence consists of 260 residues and shows strong sequence similarity to insect trypsin-like molecules. It is, however, likely that Scg-SPRP is not a proteolytically active enzyme and that it plays another physiologically relevant role, since two out of three residues which are indispensable for catalytic activity of Ser-proteases are replaced. Northern analysis revealed that the Scg-SPRP gene is expressed in midgut tissue and that this expression is strongly induced in adult female locusts. Moreover, the occurrence of the transcript (1.2 kb) fluctuates during the molting cycle and during the female reproductive cycle. Juvenile hormone (JH III) dependence of transcription was investigated by chemical allatectomy (precocene I) of adult females. This resulted in inhibition of vitellogenesis and in disappearance of the Scg-SPRP transcript. Expression of Scg-SPRP in precocene-treated locusts could be reinduced by additional treatment with JH III or with 20-OH-ecdysone.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

[Breast ptosis. Classification and summary of surgical indications].

A general classification of ptotic breasts is proposed by the author in four main groups. 1) Precocious ptotic breasts including ptosis because of anomalies of skin elasticity and primary morphological ptotic aspects of the breast. 2) Ptotic breast as a result of excess of volume due to early hyperplasia, because of excess weight (around puberty, around pregnancy, around menopause). 3) Acquired ptotic small or long breast by fibrous retraction, or after weight loss. 4) Asymmetric ptotic breast, either primary, presenting at puberty or secondary presenting around pregnancy or after weight variations, or iatrogenic. An approach to the morphological analysis of each type of ptosis includes evaluation of skin quality, glandular density, relation between both. The role of weight stability is also discussed before a brief summary of the author's choice of techniques.

Breast↗
PubMed1992

[My current options in cervicofacial lift. Results, disappointments and development from 1980 to 1990].

Based on a series of 100 cases of cervicofacial face lift selected at random over a period of 10 years, the author describes the development of her personal technique together with the results and disappointments responsible for this development. She distinguishes 3 surgical periods. The first period (1980-1984) was characterised by very extensive subcutaneous undermining associated with reduced detachment of the facial SMAS, systematic anterior and variable posterior platysmaplasty. The second period (1984-1986) was distinguished by abandonment of the systematic submental approach, a persistent extensive subcutaneous undermining especially in the neck, more pronounced dissection of the facial SMAS and a systematic posterior platysmaplasty. The third period (1986-1990) was marked by a trend toward more limited subcutaneous undermining and more dissection-section-resection-retention of the facial and cervical SMAS and the current tendency consists of total platysmaplasty.

Esthetics↗
PubMed1989

[Postpartum pleated abdomen. Clinical individualization. Surgical possibilities].

Post-partum pleated abdomen is a polymorphic combination of skin and abdominal wall lesions which warrants an illustrated classification. It is observed in small women who have delivered large babies or twins. Various anatomo-clinical forms can be distinguished, ranging from the slightly flaccid stretched abdomen to the severely and globally pleated abdomen, involving the suprapubic region as far as the epigastrium or only consisting of segmental abdominal pleats. The operative indication should be very cautiously considered especially when the abdominal pleats are not already associated with scars. There is now a wide variety of techniques ranging from simple suprapubic modelled cutaneous resection with possible translocation of the umbilicus to bi-axial cutaneous resection which is occasionally the only logical solution for severe cases of pleated excess skin.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1984

Asymmetries of the breast: a classification system.

The author proposes a new classification concerning asymmetry of the breast, based on 150 cases. Four main groups are evident, with 3 subgroups within each of them. The main groups are true malformative asymmetry of breast; precocious primary asymmetry of breast; secondary or progressive acquired breast asymmetry; and tertiary or induced breast asymmetry. Several examples of treated patients are illustrated, and some basic principles are elucidated, based on case histories.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Treatment of 100 burned hands by early excision and skin grafting.

The analysis of 101 cases has shown that early excision and grafting is the choice for hand burns. The indications are deep second degree and third degree burns. The excision is performed before the 4th post burn day, by tangential excision or direct knife dissection according to the site and depth. Immediate covering of all excised areas, usually by split-thickness skin autografts, is essential. The combination of early excision and grafting, active physiotherapy, Jobst compressive gloves and hydrotherapy guarantees the best cosmetic and functional results.

Adolescent↗