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Biomedical subjects

G Casimir

Publications and source records attributed to G Casimir.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Molecular mechanisms of cell death in periventricular leukomalacia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cytokine-related molecular cascade leading to neural cell death in periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). METHODS: The authors explored potential tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) signaling pathways in human brains with PVL and conducted in situ immunohistochemical investigations to search for possible expression of cytokine receptors in these brains. They also investigated likely links to molecules potentially involved in neurocytotoxicity, particularly pathways involving nitrosative-induced apoptosis. RESULTS: TNFalpha overexpression was associated with immune reactivity for p75TNFalphaR2 and p55TNFalphaR1 receptors in affected PVL areas. p75TNFalphaR2 labeling was intense on cerebrovascular endothelial cells in PVL areas, whereas no vascular p55TNFalphaR1 immunoreactivity was detected therein. Immune labeling for both receptors was detected on many white matter parenchymal cells. In contrast, there was no immune reactivity for either receptor in tissues taken from non-PVL areas. Additionally, in situ overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase was found in PVL brain regions where apoptotic cell death was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Both p75TNFalphaR2 and p55TNFalphaR1 receptors and nitric oxide may be implicated in the pathogenesis of periventricular leukomalacia.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

Sleep-disordered breathing and hypertension among African Americans.

This study investigated differences in sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) between hypertensives without a family history of hypertension and hypertensives with a family history. Furthermore, it examined whether these two groups differed in the severity of SDB. Patients were African Americans (n=162, mean age=51.19+/-13.77 years; mean body mass index (BMI)=37.85+/-9.51 kg/m2, male=57%), who were referred to the clinic because of a sleep complaint. Sleep was recorded in the laboratory using standard physiological parameters; all parameters were analysed by a trained scorer. Altogether, 91% of the patients received an SDB diagnosis. Of these patients, 25% were hypertensives without a family history, 20% were hypertensives with a family history, and 55% were normotensives. We found a significant difference between these patient groups regarding the severity of SDB (F14,158=1.823, P<0.05), but no significant group difference was observed in the rate of SDB. Increasing weight was accompanied by increasing severity of SDB. The finding that hypertensive patients with or without a positive family history showed worse oxygenation and respiratory characteristics than did normotensives is consistent with previous research. Of note, hypertensives reporting a family history were characterized by a greater number of oxygen desaturations and apnoea hypopnoea index than those typified only by a current diagnosis of hypertension. Hypertensives with a family history are likely to show a profile of greater blood pressure, higher BMI, and more severe SDB, which by all accounts are more common among African Americans.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Anaphylaxis and food allergy in children: a major problem in public health].

Atopic diseases represent the most prevalent chronic illness in childhood, affecting between 15-30 % of all children in Western countries (4th problem of public health for WOH). Their incidence increased dramatically during the past 30 years. The observed increase in atopic disorders was supposed to be a consequence of changes in lifestyle factors, including improvement in public health, reduction of childhood infection, vaccination programs and changes in family size and living conditions: these factors all reflect reduced microbial burden due to increased hygiene. Food allergy and anaphylaxis in the child are also becoming main manifestations of atopy in infancy and early childhood. Five allergens are responsible for about 85 % of all cases, that can be frequently life-threatening. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the disease are analysed. Research on induction of tolerance and prevention were also discussed.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed2001

Tracheobronchial compression of vascular origin. Review of experience in infants and children.

BACKGROUND: Tracheobronchial compression of vascular origin is an uncommon but important cause of respiratory distress in infants and children. We reviewed our surgical experience with 31 children, presenting vascular tracheobronchial compression. METHODS: Thirty-one children, with a median age of seven months, were operated on for airway and/or oesophageal compression secondary to vascular anomalies. Diagnostic findings, mainly established by bronchoscopy and angiography, revealed several pathologic disorders such as right aortic arch with aortic diverticulum in 10, double aortic arch in five, innominate artery compression in six, arteria lusoria in four, and pulmonary artery sling in one patient. Five children developed tracheobronchial compression after previous repair of a complex congenital heart disease. Clinical symptoms on admission were dominantly stridor, recurrent airway infection, dyspnea, respiratory distress and upper digestive complaints such as dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux. RESULTS: Surgical relief was successful in 30 patients. Only one child with palliated tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary artery sling died because of intractable extensive tracheobronchial stenosis. Late follow-up over three to 90 months showed a symptom-free evolution in most patients, including one reoperation for recurrent compression and one late death. CONCLUSIONS: Tracheobronchial compression by vascular structures in childhood is uncommon and may be masked by nonspecific respiratory symptoms, resulting in an often delayed diagnosis. Once imaging studies have clearly delineated the causal pathologic vascular structures, surgical correction is often straightforward and effective, in spite of the common presence of tracheobronchial malacia.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1998

Anti-betalactoglobulin IgG antibodies bind to a specific profile of epitopes when patients are allergic to cow's milk proteins.

BACKGROUND: We demonstrated recently that mite-allergic patients differed from healthy controls in the specificity of their IgG antibodies towards mite antigens. OBJECTIVE: The present study investigates whether these discriminatory IgG responses could be associated with the expression and the evolution of clinical manifestations in allergy to cow's milk proteins. METHODS: Antibody specificity was evaluated by comparing IgG-binding to native bovine beta-lactoglobulin (nBLG) and its products of pepsin hydrolysis (dBLG) using a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibody specificity was further investigated in competitive ELISA using streptavidin-biotin technology with purified IgG fractions from selected subjects and specific mouse monoclonals raised against BLG. RESULTS: IgG antibodies from CM-intolerant or allergic sera (n=222) showed a higher degree of binding to nBLG than to dBLG, while control sera showed similar levels to both nBLG and dBLG (n=99 children/65 adults). Sera from symptomatic patients, wether or not they contained IgE antibodies, demonstrated group-segregating capacities to compete with pooled purified IgG from each clinical class, and with selected murine anti-nBLG monoclonal antibodies for binding to n- and dBLG. Furthermore, this inhibitory capacity shifted dramatically in a small subset (n=14) of children as they developed CM-tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: The IgG responses to BLG of CM-intolerant or allergic patients are very different from those of healthy controls, being characterized not only by increased titres but also similar patterns of modified specificity, including a marked preference for conformational epitopes. Cross-competition experiments confirmed that the restricted specificity was clinically associated, appearing as an immunological signature, which allowed almost complete discrimination between patient groups. This phenomenon is a particularly promising diagnostic feature in this category of young patients where conventional tests usually only document the status of sensitization.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Life-threatening fish allergy successfully treated with immunotherapy.

Manifestations of fish allergy can include near-fatal anaphylactic reaction. In very sensitive patients, fish odors and cooking vapors may have some allergenic activity. We reported a case of life-threatening fish allergy in a girl of 39 months referred for three episodes of Quincke edema with wheezing, cyanosis and severe urticaria after fish consumption or inhalation. Reagins were found against codfish and direct skin prick test with fresh food (codfish) showed important local reaction. Strict avoidance of fish in the diet is usually the only recommended procedure. However, in this particular case, the life-threatening nature of the allergic reaction was the major consideration to perform a desensitization. The child was treated by RUSH immunotherapy using codfish extracts from BENCARD company, following the schedule for insect venom allergy described by Pharmacia. Immunotherapy was performed immediately after determination of the threshold of sensitivity by specific skin prick tests and intra-dermal injections. Desensitization was initiated with a 1/10 dilution of the cut-off solution and 5 subcutaneous injections were administered daily. When important local reactions were observed, additional doses were necessary to obtain tolerance. After the RUSH therapy, the child was submitted to uncooked codfish odors without any reaction. No reaction has been observed even when the child has accidentally eaten a little piece of codfish.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Leukemia lymphoma T-cell as first manifestation of ataxia-telangiectasia].

BACKGROUND: Variable degrees of T cell deficiency in ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) progressively worsen with time and death from malignant lymphoma is a common terminal event. T-cell lymphoma as the first manifestation of AT has never been reported. CASE REPORT: A 22 month-old girl born to consanguineous parents, was treated for a thoracic T-cell lymphoma and remained in first complete remission, with a follow-up of 4 years. Prior to chemotherapy, cytogenetic studies on blood showed clonal rearrangements including t(7p;14q), T(2p;7q) and inv (7), while karyotype showed 6q- and 1p-mitoses on bone marrow blasts. Hypotonia became evident at 3 years. One year later, the neurological status deteriorated. The patient presented also severe respiratory tract infections. At that time, immunological investigations showed hypo IgG2, very low T4 lymphocytes level, all harbouring the CD45 RO phenotype. Increase in alpha-foetoprotein level, the ocular movements and the study of DNA synthesis after exposure to gamma-rays confirmed the diagnosis of AT. CONCLUSION: In cases of childhood lymphoid neoplasia, AT should be considered whenever parental consanguinity, T-cell proliferation and/or unexpected toxic therapeutic responses are noted.

Ataxia Telangiectasia↗
PubMed1996

[Prevention of asthma in children].

The increased prevalence of asthma in children is mostly determined by environmental factors such as allergen exposure, viral infections, passive tobacco smoking, air pollution ... The control of the newborn's and infant's environment can reduce the symptoms especially in genetically at risk babies. Several measures are now recommended from pregnancy.

Air Pollution↗
PubMed1993

A different profile of epitopic dominance in the immunoglobulin G response to bovine betalactoglobulin in lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The authors previously documented a quantitative defect in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) response toward bovine betalactoglobulin (BLG), the major cow's milk antigen, and antigen p1 of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p1), in patients with lung cancer. In the Der p1 model, the authors documented at the IgG level an epitope specificity that differed between patients with lung cancer (preferential specificity for cryptic epitopes) and healthy control subjects and patients with mite allergy. The current study investigated whether this varying specificity might be extended to the IgG response toward BLG. METHODS: The authors compared the IgG binding to native BLG (nBLG) and its products of pepsin hydrolysis (dBLG) in a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using peroxidase-conjugated protein A in 120 patients with lung cancer, 52 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were closely matched for age, sex, and smoking habits with the patients with cancer, and 120 healthy control subjects (blood donors). RESULTS: Expressing the ratio between optical densities observed for dBLG and nBLG, respectively, the authors documented two groups: patient with lung cancer with higher levels of binding on dBLG (mean ratio +/- SD, 1.66 +/- 0.26) and healthy control subjects and patients with COPD with similar levels of retention for dBLG and nBLG (mean ratios +/- SD, 1.00 +/- 0.10 and 1.01 +/- 0.07, respectively). Influence of population characteristics could be excluded. The histologic type of cancer and its extent had no influence on the defined ratio. CONCLUSION: These results suggest a preferential recognition of epitopes unmasked by pepsin hydrolysis (cryptic epitopes?) by lung cancer IgG, contrasting with the preferential specificity of IgG from healthy control subjects and patients with COPD for structural epitopes unaffected by the proteolysis. These findings are similar to those observed previously with Der p1 and indicate a varying, and possibly specific, profile of epitopic dominance in the IgG response to antigens naturally presented at the mucosal level in patients with lung carcinoma, a model of mucosal cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Influence of hypoallergenic milk formula on the incidence of early allergic manifestations in infants predisposed to atopic diseases.

One hundred twenty-two infants at risk of atopy on the basis of IgE screening at birth and family history of atopy were studied. The occurrence of atopic manifestations was analyzed in relation to their diets during the first 3 months of age. Only the infants receiving hypoallergenic milk were protected effectively; all other regimens (humanized cow milk, hypoallergenic milk or humanized cow milk + supplements) increased the frequency of allergic symptoms (P < .07). After a 1-year follow-up, the infants fed strictly on hypoallergenic milk during their 3 first months presented allergic symptoms less frequently than other infants (P < .007).

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Tuberculosis in children: a 13-year follow up of 1714 patients in a Belgian home care centre.

From May 1970 to September 1983, 1714 children with different forms of primary tuberculosis were referred to the paediatric home care centre (Enfants soignés au Foyer, E.S.F.) of the Brussels University Hospital St.-Pierre. They were subdivided in five groups: asymptomatic (33%), symptomatic (28%), dubious tuberculous infections (35%), high-risk contacts (3%) and unestablished diagnosis (1%). They were aged from 10 days to 19 years, and 82% of them were migrants of low socio-economic level. Fifty percent of the symptomatic infections, mainly pulmonary, appeared in children under 3 years of age. An adult source of contamination was identified in 33% of the cases (48% of the symptomatic children). Diagnosis was based on tuberculin screening with a 2IU intradermal test. Gastric aspirates yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 15% of our patients, 11% of them showing resistance to one or more tuberculostatic drugs. Treatment was given to 1359 patients with excellent results. Therapy was shortened during the last 2 years of the study from 12 to 6 months for the asymptomatic patients and from 12 to 9 months for the symptomatic infections. Few complications were observed. Tuberculosis remains a serious cause of morbidity particularly in migrant children. Correct diagnosis and treatment of the disease is very important.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Congenital hypothyroidism and cystic fibrosis.

We report a case of dysgenetic congenital hypothyroidism associated with cystic fibrosis. Impaired exocrine pancreatic secretion and/or transit abnormalities secondary to the treatment of meconium ileus resulted in decreased absorption of L-thyroxine and difficulties in management of hypothyroidism.

Congenital Hypothyroidism↗
PubMed1991

[Mucoviscidosis].

Cystic fibrosis is the most frequent autosomic recessive disease in Caucasian population (1/2500). It is characterized by the presence of mucosal plugs in the excretory ducts of the exocrine glands. Pancreatic deficiency with intestinal malabsorption and pulmonary injuries are the main signs of the disease. The liable gene was isolated in 1990 on the long arm of chromosome 7. The abnormal protein could modify the passage of chloride through the epithelia. The text reviews the clinical symptoms of the disease and their treatments. An early diagnosis and treatment improve the prognosis which is primarily very bad because of the pulmonary lesions.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7↗
PubMed1987

Difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep associated with cow's milk allergy in infants.

To confirm that sleeplessness in infants can be related to an undiagnosed allergy to cow's milk proteins, 71 infants were studied. Group I consisted of 20 infants referred for chronic insomnia that had appeared in the early days of life. Group II was made up of 31 infants admitted for skin or digestive symptoms attributed to cow's milk intolerance; 13 of these infants were shown to sleep as poorly as the infants of group I. Group III consisted of 20 infants with no history of sleep disturbance or milk allergy. The three groups of infants were comparable for sex and age. Laboratory tests revealed immunologic reactions to milk in all the infants in groups I and II. The sleep of the insomniac infants (group I, and the 13 "poor sleepers" in group II) became normal after cow's milk was eliminated from the diet. Insomnia reappeared when the infants in group I were challenged with milk. We conclude that infants with clinically evident milk allergy may suffer from sleeplessness and that when no evident cause for a chronic insomnia can be found in an infant the possibility of milk allergy should be given serious consideration.

Animals↗