Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Collignon.
Radiation-induced myelopathy is often a diagnosis of exclusion. In addition to the classic criteria needed to support the diagnosis, the presence of another radiation-induced lesion, such as aseptic vertebral necrosis, is useful to confirm the cause of the spinal cord lesion.
The SOX genes comprise a large family related by homology to the HMG-box region of the testis-determining gene SRY. We have cloned and sequenced the human SOX4 gene. The open reading frame encodes a 474 amino acid protein, which includes an HMG-box. The non-box sequence is particularly rich in serine residues and has several polyglycine and polyalanine stretches. With somatic cell hybrids, human SOX4 has been mapped to Chromosome (Chr) 6p distal to the MHC region. There is no evidence for clustering of other members of the SOX1, -2, and -3 or SOX4 gene families around the SOX4 locus.
Neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis occurring most frequently during induction chemotherapy for a variety of malignancies. We report a case of NEH in a 41-year-old woman with acute myeloblastic leukemia under daunorubicin, cytarabine and etoposide chemotherapy. She developed red, tender and painful nodules on a shoulder. The lesions resolved spontaneously. Histological examination is mandatory as the clinical presentation of this dermatosis is highly polymorphic. Leukemia cutis, sepsis, deep fungal infection and Sweet's syndrome must be excluded as these implicate different therapies.
The mammalian genome contains a family of genes that are related to SRY, the mammalian sex determining gene. The homology is restricted to the region of SRY that encodes a DNA binding motif of the HMG-box class. These genes have been named SOX genes (SRY-related HMG-box genes). We have cloned and characterised SOX3, a member of the human SOX gene family. SOX3 maps to the X chromosome in the region Xq26-27. A mentally retarded male patient with haemophilia B is deleted for both the Factor IX gene and SOX3. This suggests that SOX3 is not essential for testis formation. The phenotype of the patient and the expression of SOX3 gene in neuronal tissues raises the possibility that this gene is a candidate gene for Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann, an X-linked mental retardation syndrome.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A gene mapping to the sex-determining region of the mouse Y chromosome is deleted in a line of XY female mice mutant for Tdy, and is expressed at a stage during male gonadal development consistent with its having a role in testis determination. This gene is a member of a new family of at least five mouse genes, related by an amino-acid motif showing homology to other known or putative DNA-binding domains.
A retrospective comparative study of 63 neck dissections was undertaken to evaluate further the accuracy of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) in the detection of nodal metastases, as previous studies have indicated a trend toward the superiority of CT scanning over palpation. The respective values of neck examination, CT scanning, and histopathologic examination were assessed in 51 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent a total of 63 neck dissections. The overall agreement between clinical examination findings and histopathologic findings was 92% vs 81% for CT scanning. A retrospective analysis of the CT findings failed to reveal greater accuracy. We found nodes measuring 10 mm or more with central low density always to be malignant. Because CT scanning seems to offer little advantage over palpation in the nonirradiated neck, it should not be regarded as an essential tool in the staging of nodal disease. After radiation therapy, as neck dissection is only performed because of clinical or radiologic suspicion, CT scanning is of utmost importance.
Owing to their shape, accurately calibrated microspheres appear to be very suitable material for distal embolization. Moreover, the biocompatible (D, L) polyactide (PLA) microspheres possess two other valuable advantages: easy adjustment of their biodegradation rate, and incorporation of chemotherapeutic agents during their production. The authors describe the preparation of these (D, L) PLA microspheres and their clinical applications as a preliminary step to arterial chemoembolization.
Zfy-1 and Zfy-2 are candidate genes for Tdy, the testis-determining gene in mice. We have analysed these genes in a line of XY female mice that have been shown to be mutated in Tdy. We have used Southern blot analysis to show that the Zfy genes have not undergone any major structural alterations, and have also demonstrated that both genes are transcribed normally from the mutant Y chromosome (Y) in both adult XYY testis and XY female embryonic gonads. The fact that these genes show a normal structure and expression pattern in mice with a Y chromosome known to carry a mutation in Tdy and that mutant embryos develop into females despite Zfy-1 expression, strongly supports other recent evidence that Zfy genes are not directly involved in primary testis determination.
Two cases of Lhermitte-Duclos disease confirmed by biopsy are reported. Review of the 58 published cases shows that the disease can manifest itself only by signs of increased intracranial pressure. Cerebellar symptoms are not constant. Computed tomographic (CT) scans suggest the diagnosis by showing a posterior fossa lesion, iso- and hypodense, partially calcified, and not enhanced by contrast medium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) seems to define limits of the lesion better than CT scanning and could improve the surgical approach. Surgical excision of the lesion is the only satisfactory treatment. The postoperative prognosis is usually favorable.
During the 1985-1986 academic year, two patients with primary cancers of the trachea were operated at ENT department of Liège University, one by cylindrical resection of trachea. Seeing the rarity of these tumors, the author reports the two cases and reviews the literature (symptomatology, histopathological types, treatment and prognosis).
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The authors report the particular treatment of a traumatic cavernous fistula caused by the rupture of an exceptional lesion: a false aneurysm of the C5 segment of the right carotid artery situated at the origin of a persistent trigeminal artery.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The authors present 50 cases of cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by anterior or posterior approach. To assess the severity of the pre- and postoperative neurological symptoms, they define an original ten-point classification scale taking into account gait and urinary disturbance, ability to manipulate objects and pain. With C2-C7 laminectomy, 60% of the patients are improved, essentially for walk. A few cases only (14%) are upgraded for upper limbs function. The authors conclude that this surgical treatment should be applied only when there is a multi-level narrowed canal and predominant lower limbs deficits. The efficacy of the anterior approach depends on complete removal of osteophytes. In cases with complete osteophytectomy, this surgical treatment can improve both the upper and lower limbs function and 77.8% good results are obtained. In a few cases it may be necessary to use both approach successively. Discriminant analysis applied to 12 factors shows that pre-operative scores of upper and lower limbs and sagittal diameter of spinal canal are the most important factors for neurological prognosis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The authors report a case of an intradural spinal meningioma ventrally located just rear to the 5th cervical body. The patient (a 46-year-old woman) suffered from a spasmodic quadriplegia, walking was nearly impossible. Because of the strictly median and ventral localization the authors have chosen an anterior approach passing through the body of C5 after discectomy of C4-C5 and C5-C6 discs. The tumor and its dural attachment was totally removed with respect to the spinal cord and all rootlets. Reconstruction of cervical spine was performed with an iliac bone graft. The neurological recuperation was complete and quickly achieved. Bone fusion was obtained within 3 months with a good result. The authors emphasize the rarity of ventrally located meningiomas in the cervical spine and the advantages of anterior route which alone enables a total surgical removal of such lesions.