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Biomedical subjects

J Guillot

Publications and source records attributed to J Guillot.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Parallel phylogenies of Pneumocystis species and their mammalian hosts.

The single name Pneumocystis carinii consists of an heterogeneous group of specific fungal organisms that colonize a very wide range of mammalian hosts. In the present study, mitochondrial large subunit (mtLSU) and small subunit (mtSSU) rRNA sequences of P. carinii organisms from 24 different mammalian species were compared. The mammals were included in six major groups: Primates (12 species), Rodents (5 species), Carnivores (3 species), Bats (1 species), Lagomorphs (1 species), Marsupials (1 species) and Ungulates (1 species). Direct sequencing of PCR products demonstrated that specific mtSSU and mtLSU rRNA Pneumocystis sequence could be attributed to each mammalian species. No animal harbored P. carinii f. sp. hominis. Comparison of combined mtLSU and mtSSU aligned sequences confirmed cospeciation of P. carinii and corresponding mammalian hosts. P. carinii organisms isolated from mammals of the same zoological group systematically clustered together. Within each cluster, the genetic divergence between P. carinii organisms varied in terms of the phylogenetic divergence existing among the corresponding host species. However, the relative position of P. carinii groups (rodent, camivore or primate-derived P. carinii) could not be clearly determined. Further resolution will require the integration of additional sequence data.

Animals↗

Phylogeny of Pneumocystis carinii from 18 primate species confirms host specificity and suggests coevolution.

Primates are regularly infected by fungal organisms identified as Pneumocystis carinii. They constitute a valuable population for the confirmation of P. carinii host specificity. In this study, the presence of P. carinii was assessed by direct examination and nested PCR at mitochondrial large subunit (mtLSU) rRNA and dihydropteroate synthetase (DHPS) genes in 98 lung tissue samples from captive or wild nonhuman primates. Fifty-nine air samples corresponding to the environment of different primate species in zoological parks were also examined. Cystic forms of P. carinii were detected in smears from 7 lung tissue samples corresponding to 5 New World primate species. Amplifications at the mtLSU rRNA gene were positive for 29 lung tissue samples representing 18 different primate species or subspecies and 2 air samples corresponding to the environment of two simian colonies. Amplifications at the DHPS gene were positive for 8 lung tissue samples representing 6 different primate species. Direct sequencing of nested PCR products demonstrated that a specific mtLSU rRNA and DHPS sequence could be attributed to each primate species or subspecies. No nonhuman primate harbored the human type of P. carinii (P. carinii f. sp. hominis). Genetic divergence in primate-derived P. carinii organisms varied in terms of the phylogenetic divergence existing among the corresponding host species, suggesting coevolution.

Air Microbiology↗

Search for isovector giant monopole resonances via the Pb(3He,tp) reaction

The (nat)Pb(3He,tp) reaction at E(3He) = 177 MeV was studied to identify 2Planck's over 2piomega isovector monopole strength in Bi isotopes. Monopole strength was found in the region -45<Q<-30 MeV in the coincidence data. The cross section is compared with distorted-wave Born approximation calculations for non-spin-flip and spin-flip isovector monopole resonances. The observed spin-flip and non-spin-flip monopole strengths in the proton-decay channel amount to 20% of the respective non-energy-weighted sum rule.

Journal Article↗

Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia induces multiorgan damage.

Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia has been associated with the development of hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular, cerebral/neuronal, renal, and liver diseases. To test the hypothesis that homocyst(e)ine plays an integrated role in multiorgan injury in hypertension, we employed: (1) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in which endogenous homocyst(e)ine levels are moderately high (18.1 +/- ().5 microM); (2) control age- and sex-matched Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats in which homocyst(e)ine levels are normal (3.7 +/- 0.3 microM). To create the pathophysiological condition of hyperhomocyst(e)inemia, 20 mg/day homocyst(e)ine was administered for 12 weeks in (3) SHR (SHR-H) and in (4) WKY (WKY-H) rats. (5) Endogenous homocyst(e)ine levels were reduced slightly but not significantly from 18.1 +/- 0.5 microM to 12.5 +/- 0.7 microM in SHR by folic acid administration (SHR-F). Plasma and tissue levels of homocyst(e)ine were determined by HPLC and spectrophotometric methods. Plasma and sympathetic ganglion (neuronal) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was measured by zymography. Activity of neuronal MMP was increased in hyperhomocyst(e)inemic rats as compared with controls. Mean arterial pressure (mmHg) was 95 +/- 5, 126 +/- 8,157 +/- 10, 188 +/- 5, and 165 +/- 12 in WKY, WKY-H, SHR, SHR-H, and SHR-F, respectively. Urinary protein (mg/day) was 0.11 +/- 0.03, 0.88 +/- 0.22, 0.47 +/- 0.10, 0.89 +/- 0.21, and 0.81 +/- 0.21 in WKY, WKY-H. SHR, SHR-H, and SHR-F, respectively, as measured by the Bio-Rad dye binding assay. The relationships between increased arterial pressure, plasma homocyst(e)ine, and urinary protein were delineated. Plasma and neuronal creatinine phosphokinase (CK) isoenzymes were measured by agarose gel electrophoresis. All three CK isoenzymes, i.e., MM, MB, and BB, specific for skeletal, cardiac, and nerve tissue, respectively, were induced following 12 weeks' hyperhomocyst(e)inemia, suggesting multiorgan injury by homocyst(e)ine. Homocyst(e)ine induces endocardial endothelial cell (capillary) apoptosis and may reduce capillary cell density. Structural damage to aorta, myocardium, kidney, and renalureter was analyzed by histology. Results suggested an integrated physiological role of homocyst(e)ine in injury to the endothelial/epithelial cell lining in the respective organs.

Animals↗

Taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of Saprolegniaceae (Oomycetes) inferred from LSU rDNA and ITS sequence comparisons.

The aim of this study was to improve our knowledge about the taxonomy and phylogeny of the family Saprolegniaceae, a group of water molds including several pathogens of plants, fish and crustacea. ITS and LSU rDNA were sequenced for representatives of forty species corresponding to ten genera (Achlya, Aphanomyces, Brevilegnia, Dictyuchus, Leptolegenia, Plectospira, Pythiopsis, Saprolegnia, Thraustotheca). Phenetic and cladistic analyses were then carried out. The species Brevilegnia bispora does not appear to belong to the family Saprolegniaceae. Plectospira myrianda clusters with Aphanomyces spp. and they constitute an ancestral group. (Thraustotheca clavata is closely related to the eccentric species of the genus Achlya. The genus Achlya appears polyphyletic, corroborating more or less the three known subgroups, defined by their sexual spore type (eccentric, centric and subcentric). The achlyoid type of spore dehiscence, shared by Aphanomyces and Achlya genera, is shown to be an ancestral character. The saprolegnioid, dictyoid and thraustothecoid types of spore dehiscence are derived characters but their relative evolutionary positions are not resolved.

Classification↗

A single PCR-restriction endonuclease analysis for rapid identification of Malassezia species.

AIMS: The present study describes a system based on PCR and restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) to distinguish the seven currently recognized Malassezia species. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fifty-five representative yeast isolates were examined. A single primer pair was designed to amplify the large subunit ribosomal RNA (LSU rRNA) gene of the seven Malassezia species, and identification was achieved by digestion of the PCR products with three restriction endonucleases: BanI, HaeII and MspI. A specific restriction endonuclease analysis pattern was determined for each species investigated. Moreover, PCR-REA allowed the detection and characterization of mixtures of several Malassezia species. CONCLUSION: PCR-REA of only the LSU rRNA gene is a reliable and rapid method to distinguish all Malassezia species. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: PCR-REA represents a considerable saving in time over currently available identification procedures. This method should be evaluated on clinical material directly.

Deoxyribonuclease HpaII↗

Identification of Malassezia species isolated from patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor and normal subjects.

We identified Malassezia species isolated from 42 patients with seborrhoeic dermatitis, 17 patients with atopic dermatitis, 22 patients with pityriasis versicolor, 35 normal subjects and 73 healthy medical students. Regarding the prevalence of Malassezia species in the 35 normal subjects, the frequency of isolation of Malassezia globosa was 22%, M. sympodialis 10% and M. furfur 3%. M. slooffiae, M. pachydermatis, M. restricta and M. obtusa were infrequently isolated from normal skin. Two different species were isolated coincidentally from seven samples. In the patients with atopic dermatitis, M. furfur was isolated more frequently from lesional skin (21%) than non-lesional skin (11%). However, there was no statistical significance. Therefore, this result, by itself, is insufficient to prove that M. furfur should be considered to be an exacerbating factor of atopic dermatitis. In seborrhoeic dermatitis, M. furfur (35%) and M. globosa (22%) were isolated from lesional skin on the face at significantly high rates in comparison with the normal subjects. Therefore, M. furfur and/or M. globosa may be pathogens of seborrhoeic dermatitis. M. globosa was isolated at a frequency of 55% from lesional skin of pityriasis versicolor, while all other species were below 10%. These data suggest that the pathogenic species of pityriasis versicolor is M. globosa.

Adolescent↗

Fungal flora on cutaneous and mucosal surfaces of cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus or feline leukemia virus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cutaneous and mucosal mycoflora in cats infected with FIV or FeLV with that in noninfected cats. ANIMALS: 85 client-owned cats; 24 seropositive for FIV, 10 seropositive for FeLV, 1 seropositive for both viruses, and 50 seronegative for both viruses. PROCEDURE: Cutaneous specimens were obtained from the coat and external acoustic meatus (ear canal) and mucosal specimens from the oropharynx and rectum. Fungi were isolated from specimens, using Sabouraud dextrose agar incubated at 27 or 37 C for cutaneous and mucosal specimens, respectively. RESULTS: Fungal colonies were cultured from at least 1 specimen from 83 of 85 (97.6%) cats. The most common fungal isolates were Aspergillus spp (cultured from 59.3% of all specimens), Penicillium spp (50.0%), Cladosporium spp (44.2%), Scopulariopsis spp (41.8%), and lipophilic yeasts of the genus Malassezia (31.4%). A greater diversity of fungal genera was isolated from retrovirus-infected cats, and Malassezia spp were more commonly recovered from these cats, compared with noninfected cats. Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and dermatophytes (eg, Microsporum canis) were rarely isolated from any cat. Significant differences in frequency of isolation of C. neoformans and dermatophytes were not found between infected and noninfected cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cats infected with FIV or FeLV may have a greater diversity of cutaneous and mucosal mycoflora than noninfected cats. However, infected cats may be no more likely than noninfected cats to expose humans to zoonotic fungi such as C. albicans, C. neoformans, and M. canis.

Animals↗

Prominent animal mycoses from various regions of the world.

The mycoses selected for presentation in this section are relatively common diseases of companion animals or livestock in certain areas of the world. Malasseziosis is arguably the most frequent mycosis of dogs (as otitis externa and dermatitis) throughout the world, although its diagnosis is often overlooked. Protothecosis is also geographically widespread, particularly in cattle where severe mastitis is a result of adventitious infection from the environment. In contrast, coccidioidomycosis and pythiosis are geographically limited in their occurrence (coccidioidomycosis by geographic region and pythiosis by climate), but within regions where they do occur, their presence in animals is not unusual. It was our intention to review recent developments in each of these diseases.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of an anti-(A+B) specific lectin from the mushroom Hygrophorus hypothejus.

A lectin (HHL) was isolated from the fruiting body of the mushroom Hygrophorus hypothejus by a combination of affinity chromatography on stromas of group B erythrocytes embedded in polyacrylamide gel, and DEAE-trisacryl and gel filtration chromatography. Its molecular mass, as determined by gel filtration, is estimated to be 68000 kDa and its structure is tetrameric with four identical subunits assembled with non-covalent bonds. HHL agglutinates specifically A and B blood group erythrocytes and in hemagglutination inhibition assays, exhibits sugar-binding specificity toward lactose, the anomeric alpha form being more effective than the beta form.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Effects of humic substances and phenolic compounds on the in vitro toxicity of aluminium.

The effects of natural chelators [humic acids (HA), caffeic acid (CFA), p-coumaric acid (PCA), protocatechuic acid (PA), vanillic acid (VA), salicylic acid (SA), and 4-hydroxyacetophenone (HY)] and effects of well-known chelators [EDTA and citric acid (CA)] on the in vitro toxicity of aluminium (Al) were investigated with the L-929 murine, Vero simian, and MRC-5 human cell lines. Moderate in vitro cytotoxic effects were induced by Al on the three cell lines (IC(50) values ranking from 5.6 to 7.6 mM). Furthermore, an increased toxicity was observed when Al was concurrently administered with CA, SA, VA, PCA, and HY. Inversely, significant cytoprotective effects were noted with EDTA, HA, CFA, and PA. The role of chelators, and especially the position and the number of reactive moieties of the phenolic compounds tested, can be highlighted to explain the different toxicological Al behavior observed.

Aluminum↗

Malassezia pachydermatis: a review.

Malassezia pachydermatis is of importance in both veterinary and human medicine. Its taxonomic status and physiological characteristics are now better understood. Skin disease associated with this lipophilic yeast is now commonly recognized, especially in dogs. However, further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms which allow this yeast to proliferate and induce disease. Skin colonization is common in pet carnivores which consequently constitute a source of M. pachydermatis for susceptible humans. In the future, the development of efficient typing systems should allow better understanding of the transmission mechanisms.

Animals↗

Genetic diversity in the yeast species Malassezia pachydermatis analysed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis.

Fifty-two strains of the yeast species Malassezia pachydermatis were analysed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. M. pachydermatis appeared to be genetically heterogeneous. A total of 27 electrophoretic types were identified that could be divided into five distinct groups with different host specificities. The diversity revealed by this electrophoretic method matched remarkably well the reported genetic variability obtained by comparing large subunit rRNA sequences. This study also suggests that genetic exchanges can occur in the anamorphic species M. pachydermatis.

Animals↗

Detection of prostate-specific antigen- or prostate-specific membrane antigen-positive circulating cells in prostatic cancer patients: clinical implications.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical benefit from using circulating prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSM) mRNA detection in prostate cancer staging and in follow-up. METHODS: Nested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were performed on RNA extracted from blood drawn from 56 patients with prostate cancer before any treatment. Additionally, assays were done on posttreatment samples from 50 patients who were followed up by serum PSA level, to determine whether any relationship exists between RT-PCR results and tumor recurrence. The prostate cell specificity of assays was evaluated by analysis of 21 blood samples from women or cystoprostatectomized men. RESULTS: With PSM RT-PCR assay, good sensitivity and prostate cell specificity could not be attained together, since high PSM mRNA illegitimate expression has been shown in some healthy donor bloods. For this reason, only PSA RT-PCR assay was used as a clinical marker. PSA mRNA was detected in peripheral blood of 4 out of 31 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. It showed no relationship to the pathologic stage, but significant relationship to metastatic status, lymph node involvement and Gleason score. During follow-up, circulating PSA mRNA was detected in 8 out of 17 (47%) patients in treatment failure and in only 1 out of 33 (3%) successfully treated patients, with significant relationship between RT-PCR results and concomitant serum PSA levels. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals no significant advantage to PSA RT-PCR assay (1) in improving the staging of clinically localized prostate cancer or (2) in follow-up treatment failure, as compared to the usual recurrence marker (serum PSA). Additional investigations are needed to determine the ultimate significance and the management of patients with positive PSA RT-PCR assays.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗