Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G Pons.
Phosphoglycerate mutase consists of two kinds of different subunits, M and B. We previously sequenced a rat cDNA encoding the type-M subunit. Here, we report the sequence of the type-B subunit-encoding cDNA. This cDNA has 1754 bp and contains a long 3'-untranslated region of 897 bp.
The pharmacokinetic parameters of oral diphemanil methylsulphate have been evaluated in six healthy male volunteers. Absorption of the drug was slow (tmax = 2 to 4 h), the mean half-life was 8.35 h, and the amount of the drug recovered in urine within 48 h ranged from 0.6 to 7.4% of the administered dose. The results suggest low bioavailability, assuming that the drug is poorly metabolized.
Theophylline determination in saliva was proposed several years ago as a convenient and non-invasive alternative to monitoring plasma in children and adults. Published data demonstrated that theophylline saliva concentration linearly correlates plasma concentration. However, the variability found in interindividual serum/saliva ratios and the wide scattering among the data points precluded the clinical use of saliva for theophylline monitoring. The purpose of this study was to compare different standardized methods for obtaining stimulated saliva intending to reduce the variability in plasma/saliva ratios and to determine the most reliable one. A group of 150 ambulatory chronic asthmatic 4.5 to 20.83 (10 +/- 3.7; M +/- SD) year-old patients receiving theophylline 6.85 +/- 1.88 mg/kg every 12 h as slow release preparations for 4 to 100 days was studied. One ml venous blood and salivary specimens were simultaneously collected 5.15 +/- 0.36 h after the morning maintenance dose. In a subgroup of 75 patients, saliva was collected using first a new device called salivette, immediately followed by the collection of an expectorated sample 30 s after citric acid crystals stimulation. In the other patients saliva was collected using citric acid containing salivette. Theophylline concentration was determined using HPLC. For all types of saliva collection, salivary and plasma theophylline concentrations correlated significantly. However whichever method was used, based on the -2 to +2 SD interval, a large range of plasma theophylline was predicted from a single salivary theophylline concentration. Despite a further standardization of the sampling of saliva, saliva theophylline could not accurately predict plasma concentration.
The rapid, transient induction of the c-fos proto-oncogene by serum growth factors is mediated by the serum response element (SRE). The SRE shares homology with the muscle regulatory element (MRE) of the skeletal alpha-actin promoter. It is not known how these elements respond to proliferative and cell-type-specific signals, but the response appears to involve the binding of the serum response factor (SRF) and other proteins. Here, we report that YY1, a multifunctional transcription factor, binds to SRE and MRE sequences in vitro. The methylation interference footprint of YY1 overlaps with that of the SRF, and YY1 competes with the SRF for binding to these DNA elements. Overexpression of YY1 repressed serum-inducible and basal expression from the c-fos promoter and repressed basal expression from the skeletal alpha-actin promoter. YY1 also repressed expression from the individual SRE and MRE sequences upstream from a TATA element. Unlike that of YY1, SRF overexpression alone did not influence the transcriptional activity of the target sequence, but SRF overexpression could reverse YY1-mediated trans repression. These data suggest that YY1 and the SRF have antagonistic functions in vivo.
Vigabatrin is a structural analogue of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). It is supplied as a racemic mixture, with the S(+) enantiomer possessing pharmacological activity. [R,S]-Vigabatrin plasma concentrations can be estimated using high-performance liquid chromatographic methods. Only gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods allow quantification of the S(+) and R(-) enantiomers. Vigabatrin was rapidly absorbed reaching peak concentrations within 1 to 2h. Area under plasma concentration-time curves indicated dose-linear pharmacokinetics. There was no effect of food on the absorption of vigabatrin. The absorption characteristics of the enantiomers were similar to those of the [R,S]-vigabatrin. No chiral inversion was detected after administration of the pure S(+) enantiomer. Vigabatrin is not protein bound. The apparent volume of distribution of [R,S]-vigabatrin was approximately 0.8 L/kg. Despite the lack of protein binding, cerebrospinal concentrations of the [R,S]-vigabatrin were only 10% of the plasma concentration 6h after a single oral dose. The half-life of [R,S]-vigabatrin was between 5.3 and 7.4h, the half-life of the enantiomers were 7.5 and 8.1h for the S(+) and the R(-) forms, respectively. The major route of elimination was renal excretion; urinary recovery of the [R,S]-vigabatrin was close to 70%. Pharmacokinetic studies in epileptic children did not show any significant effect of maturation on the disposition of the S(+) enantiomer: the half-life and the renal clearance were similar to adult values. Data suggest a lower bioavailability in children. In adults with epilepsy, the half-life of the [R,S]-vigabatrin ranged from 4.2 and 5.6h, similar to that measured in healthy adults. In elderly nonepileptic volunteers the pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers of vigabatrin showed delayed absorption, a major increase in peak concentration and a prolonged half-life. These changes were attributed to decreased renal clearance of vigabatrin. A nonlinear relationship between renal clearance and creatinine clearance was suggested. Vigabatrin caused a 20% fall in plasma phenytoin concentrations, the mechanism of which has not been elucidated. There were no other interactions with most concurrently administered anticonvulsants. The usual dosage of vigabatrin as add-on treatment in adults is 2 to 4g daily. Higher dosages up to 80 mg/kg daily were required in children. A dosage adjustment was recommended in any patient with decreased renal clearance. Although anticonvulsant effects were clearly related to dosage, monitoring of plasma concentrations of vigabatrin as a guide to dosage is unlikely to be of as much value as with other antiepileptic drugs. The action of the drug long outlasts its presence in plasma.
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Twelve children 1-5 y old were randomly assigned to receive midazolam 0.2 mg.kg-1 either by the intravenous (IV) or intranasal (IN) routes. After IN administration the rapid onset of absorption was observed (tmax 12 min). After both routes of administration the half-life was similar (2.2 h IN and 2.4 h IV). After IN administration the apparent plasma clearance and volume of distribution were about twice as high as after IV administration. The results are consistent with an estimated mean bioavailability of 55%.
Twelve healthy children in three age groups anaesthetized for minor surgery were given a single oral dose of tiaprofenic acid (3 mg.kg-1) (TA). Seven blood samples and zero to 8 and 8 to 24 h urines were collected. TA concentrations in plasma and urine were measured by HPLC. No significant difference was found between the age groups in the kinetic parameters of TA and no correlation was found between these parameters and age: tmax = 2.12 h, Cmax = 8.78 mg.l-1, AUC(0----8 h) 33.9 mg.h.l-1, AUC = 39.3 mg.h.l-1, t1/2 = 2.35 h, Vt = 0.319 l.kg-1, CL = 0.094 l.h-1.kg-1. Renal clearance was 14 ml.h-1.kg-1.33% of the TA dose was recovered in the 24 h urine, 48% of which was conjugated, whereas in adults, TA is only found in urine as conjugates. The apparent plasma clearance was significantly higher (56%) than in 12 healthy adults given 1.5 mg.kg-1 TA. Volume of distribution and t1/2 did not significantly differ between children and adults. Since no relationship has been established between plasma TA and either efficacy or toxicity, a different dose regimen cannot be recommended in 3-11 year-old children from that in adults.
Urinary 6 beta-hydroxycortisol (6 beta OHF) is a specific marker of the induction of the cytochrome P-450 IIIA. Often, the production of 6 beta OHF is expressed from 24-h urine collection as the ratio 6 beta OHF/17-hydroxycorticosteroids or even better 6 beta OHF/free cortisol in order to adjust for minor day to day variation in adrenal cortisol production. A 24-h urine collection is a non-invasive method applicable to clinical studies in adult man, but more difficult to realize in newborn and infants. Therefore, we have tested the validity of a single urine sampling for the determination of the 6 beta OHF/free cortisol ratio as a clinical test to estimate cytochrome P-450 IIIA enzyme activity. Urinary 6 beta OHF and free cortisol have been measured in 19 healthy volunteers by high performance liquid chromatography methods using the same extraction procedure. A good correlation was found between 6 beta OHF/free cortisol ratio in morning urine samples and in 24h-collections (r = 0.899). Thus, a morning spot urine sampling is a simple procedure that may be helpful for investigations on cytochrome P-450 IIIA enzyme activity in humans, particularly in newborn and in children.
Side effects of antiepileptic drugs in children have to be considered at all stages of maturation: during pregnancy, at birth, during breast feeding and in older children treated for epilepsy. The offspring of drug treated epileptic mothers have a higher incidence of congenital malformations than do those of normal controls or of non treated epileptic mothers. According to recent prospective studies teratogenicity appears to be attributable to antiepileptic drugs rather than to epilepsy since more congenital anomalies have been found among infants of treated epileptic mothers than among untreated epileptic mothers. Monotherapy might be associated with a less pronounced risk for facial defects than is polytherapy. Some studies suggest that the actual drug used is significant for the teratogenic effect: a significant association was seen between maternal use of valproic acid and spina bifida; facial clefts were associated with both phenytoin and phenobarbitone use and also with polytherapy. These side effects do not however justify discouraging a woman on antiepileptic medications from having a child, nor do they perhaps justify changing a satisfactory drug regimen during pregnancy when the epilepsy is well controlled. The use of combinations of anticonvulsants should be avoided as well as anticonvulsants considered as not being safe (valproic acid, diones). However the danger of precipitating severe seizures or status epilepticus by overcautious treatment should be avoided because it poses a greater hazard to the fetus as compared to the low risk of teratogenicity due to anticonvulsants. Infants born to mothers taking either phenytoin or barbiturate derivatives or both may show clinical signs of bleeding and diminished level of coagulation factors, usually during the first 24 hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A case of Steiner type neuroapudomatosis presented with a pseudo-Hirschsprung disease in an infant. Secondarily, the facies became typical, while hyperthyrocalcitoninaemia led to the discovery at the age of 2 years and 8 months of a medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. Despite early surgery in the absence of any clinical signs, it was not possible to avoid cervical lymphatic spread.
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.