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Biomedical subjects

J Santarelli

Publications and source records attributed to J Santarelli.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Differential expression of angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 may enhance recruitment of bone-marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells into brain tumors.

OBJECTIVES: Angiogenesis is necessary for sustained neoplastic development. The angiopoietins Ang-1 and Ang-2 have been implicated in the regulation of this process; recent reports have suggested that a net gain in Ang-2 activity may be an initiating factor for tumor angiogenesis. We examined the recruitment of bone marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells into developing tumor neovasculature, and the spatial relationship between these cells and angiopoietin (Ang-1 and Ang-2) expression. METHODS: For this study T-cell depleted knockout mice (RAG-2/KO-5.2) were lethally irradiated and their bone marrow was reconstituted by bone marrow cells (BMCs) from transgenic mice (C57BL/Ka-Thy1.1) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP). Rat glioma cells (RT-2/RAG) were then injected into the transplanted animals to form solid brain tumors. The animals were killed and their brains were analysed using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. RESULTS: We found that BMCs migrated preferentially into the tumor when compared to adjacent healthy brain parenchyma. Furthermore, GFP+/CD34+ cells represented up to 8% of endothelial-like cells within the walls of tumor blood vessels. In the tumor, significant colocalization of Ang-2 with GFP+/CD34+ cells was noted (>80%), but colocalization with Ang-1 never exceeded 20%. In normal tissue directly surrounding the tumor, GFP+/CD34+ cells colocalized strongly with both angiopoietins (>75% and >70% for Ang-1 and Ang-2, respectively). DISCUSSION: The relative increase in angiopoietin-2 activity in brain tumors may result in the creation of a pro-angiogenic environment that enhances the recruitment of putative bone marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells into the tumor's developing vascular tree.

Angiopoietin-1↗

[Clinical and ultrasonographic study of uterine involution in postpartum physiology].

The authors monitored the involution of the uterus during the first month after childbirth by means of clinical examinations and abdominal ultrasound. 156 clinical and ultrasound examinations were performed in 77 women on D2, D7 and D28. The size of the uterus and the uterine cavity were measured on the longitudinal sections only. The other incidences, and particularly the axial incidence, made it possible to describe the aspects of the uterine cavity. Uterine involution is rapid during the first week and then slows down. By D28, the dimensions of the uterus have returned to the upper limit for the non-pregnant uterus. During the first week the emptiness line is visible in one out of 13 cases. Hematometra is visible in one out of 6 cases and more frequent on D7 than on D2. It gave rise to no clinical signs. In all cases, an emptiness line was observed on day 28 postpartum.

Adult↗

Effects of short-term GnRH agonist--human menopausal gonadotrophin stimulation in patients pre-treated with progestogen.

The recent use of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist in a short-term regimen has allowed the effectiveness of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) stimulation to be markedly improved. It seems to be related to the flare-up effect of the agonist in the early follicular phase of the cycle. However, individual hormonal responses to the agonist are quite variable and four patterns of oestradiol secretion have been described. The present study indicates that in women pre-treated with progestogen, only two patterns of serum oestradiol are observed in the flare-up period, with a significant increase in 57% of patients. Significant correlations are observed between oestradiol values and the endogenous gonadotrophin surge (positively with luteinizing hormone, r = 0.38; P less than 0.05 and negatively with follicle stimulating hormone, r = 0.48; P less than 0.005). Furthermore, there was a significant relationship between the hormonal flare-up and the ovarian parameters following HMG stimulation. In conclusion, in progestogen-pre-treated women, the serum oestradiol level during the flare-up period is a reliable index to predict subsequent effectiveness of ovarian stimulation with HMG.

Adult↗

Immunogenicity and safety in newborns of a new recombinant hepatitis B vaccine containing the S and pre-S2 antigens.

A study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine containing the S and pre-S2 antigens (GenHevac B Pasteur) was conducted in healthy newborn infants. All infants received 20 micrograms of vaccine within 24 h of birth and at 1 and 2 months with a booster injection at month 12. The vaccine was administered alone in 19 infants born to low risk mothers, i.e. surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative and antibody to the core antigen (Anti-HBc)-positive mothers. The vaccine was administered in combination with 100 IU hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) at birth and 1 month in 18 infants born to high risk mothers, i.e. HBsAg positive mothers. In the group not receiving HBIg, the anti-HBs seroconversion rate at the 10 mIU ml-1 threshold was 50% 1 month after the first injection. In both groups, the anti-HBs seroconversion rates were 100% 1 month after the third injection and greater than 85% 1 month after the second injection. After the booster injection greater than 90% of the infants had an anti-HBs titre greater than 1000 mIU ml-1 which will probably provide them with adequate protection for several years. The kinetics of the anti-pre-S2 response was similar to that of the anti-HBs response and 100% of infants in both groups had seroconverted 1 month after the second injection of the vaccine. The side effects were scarce, all mild and transient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Interest of growth hormone-releasing hormone administration for improvement of ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropins in poor responder women.

OBJECTIVE: We have investigated the beneficial effect of a somatotroph axis stimulation on ovarian response to gonadotropin. DESIGN: Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) was administered in a prospective study in women undergoing an in vitro fertilization protocol. PATIENTS: Twelve patients were selected for their poor ovarian response to previous stimulations using gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRH-a) and human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG). INTERVENTIONS: Five hundred micrograms of GH-RH1-29 were administered two times daily concomitantly with GnRH-a and hMG from day 2 of the cycle to the time of ovulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Stimulation of somatotroph axis was appreciated by measuring over-night urinary growth hormone (GH) output, plasma GH, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and follicular fluid (FF) IGF-I. The effects of GH-RH administration on ovarian function were determined by plasma estradiol levels and follicular data. RESULTS: Administration of GH-RH was associated with a significant improvement of urinary (P less than 0.025) and plasma (P less than 0.001) GH concentrations and of the hormonal response to hMG (P less than 0.01). Levels of IGF-I followed a biphasic plasma variation, and a slight increase in recruited follicles, retrieved oocytes, and FF IGF-I content was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of the somatotroph axis by GH-RH enhances the hormonal ovarian response to hMG and may be an adjunctive therapy to improve follicular maturation.

Adult↗

[Treatment of upper genital infections in women. Multicenter study of the comparative efficacy and tolerance of an amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination and of a triple antibiotic combination].

Eighty-two patients with laparoscopically confirmed salpingitis were randomly divided into two groups in a multicentre and prospective trial. Single drug therapy with the amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination was used in 42 patients (group A). The other 40 patients were given a combination of penicillin, aminoside and metronidazole (group B). For each case a secondary prescription for a tetracycline was discussed. Clinical results were comparable in both groups: sooner (at the end of the hospitalization period) in group A: 10 cured, 30 improved and 2 failures against 9 cured, 30 improved in group B. Later (evaluation after 5 to 8 weeks) a relapse was noted in five patients in group A and included one case of angioedema in group B. It is concluded that amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination is a satisfactory alternative to the penicillin-aminoside-metronidazole combination, especially as it is simpler to use.

Adolescent↗

[Improvement in the prenatal etiologic diagnosis of severe 2d trimester oligo-amnios by intra-amniotic injection of physiologic solution].

In reference to 4 severe cases of oligo-amnios of the second trimester of pregnancy, the authors advocate a method in order to improve the pre-natal diagnosis by intra-amniotic injection of a normal saline solution. This method facilitates the morphological exploration of the fetus by sonogram and enables to obtain a fetal karyotype by umbilical or amniotic tap. The potential risk of this technique are described.

Amniocentesis↗

[Experimental study of the permeability of the fallopian tubes in the rabbit after division of the isthmus and microsurgical anastomosis (author's transl)].

The poor results of traditional reconstructive surgery of the Fallopian tubes have led the authors to try the possibilities of microsurgery in tubal sterility. The experimental animal chosen was the rabbit owing to its similarities with the Fallopian tube in women. After division of the isthumus, the tube was repermeabilised with a 10.0 single nylon thread under the operating microscope. A series of 11 rabbits were then coupled one mont after the operation. The pregnancy rate was 55%. This figure was much better than those obtained in the literature by non-microsurgical technics. One may hope to improve the results further by less traumatic surgery, better asepsis, and better control of fertility.

Animals↗

[Vesico-uterine fistulae after Caesarean operation (author's transl)].

The vesico-uterine fistulae represent 4 per cent of all urogenital fistulae. They are rare and are found almost always after Caesarean operation. We have been able to find in the literature 110 vesico-uterine fistulae after Caesarean operation. They very rarely fail to be diagnosed if careful post-operative examination is made and the majority of them are discovered in the year following delivery. Urinary incontinence is the most common reason for consultation. More uncommon is amenorrhoea with menstruation through the bladder. Incontinent women are under constant threat of ascending urinary tract infection. Finally these women, whether they are incontinent or amenorrhoeic, are sterile. Their fertility remains diminished even after surgical cure of the fistula. The only treatment for those who complain of the condition is surgery. It should be undertaken after a careful gynaecological and urological assessment.

Cesarean Section↗