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Biomedical subjects

J Simeon

Publications and source records attributed to J Simeon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Response to desipramine treatment in adolescent depression: a fixed-dose, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine (DMI) in the treatment of DSM-III-R-diagnosed major depressive disorder in adolescents. METHOD: Sixty adolescents (42 female, 18 male; aged 15 to 19 years) diagnosed with major depressive disorder using clinical interview and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children were randomized to receive either DMI (200 mg daily in divided doses) or placebo for six consecutive weeks following a 1-week placebo period. Treatment outcome was determined using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Tolerability was determined using a symptom side effects scale. In addition, a variety of laboratory and cardiovascular monitoring was performed. RESULTS: No significant differences in treatment outcome between DMI- and placebo-treated groups were determined. Neither DMI, nor its metabolite 2-hydroxy-DMI, nor their ratio, was positively correlated to treatment outcome. The DMI group endorsed more side effects but there were no significant between-group differences in any laboratory, electrocardiographic, or other cardiovascular parameters apart from heart rate, which was increased in the DMI-treated group (p = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Given the findings of this study and our review of previously published reports of tricyclic antidepressant treatment in this population, the routine use of short-term (6 weeks) DMI in the treatment of adolescent depression is not supported by the data on hand. Further investigations into what constitutes optimal psychopharmacological treatment of adolescent depression are warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Prostaglandin E2 level in tissue surrounding aseptic failed total hips. Effects of materials.

Production of inflammatory mediators (IM) by cells and specifically macrophages around loosened implants may be responsible for their loosening. Our hypothesis was that different materials give rise to different amounts of these IM. It is thought that alumina/alumina for total hip replacement (THR), which has been used for 15 years in our orthopedic department, may produce less IM than other systems. We initiated a clinical prospective study to measure the level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in tissue surrounding loosened prostheses to quantify PGE2 production regarding the types of material involved in the friction couple, i.e., alumina/alumina versus metal/polyethylene, and the type of fixation, i.e., cemented versus cementless. A total of 29 THR revisions were performed in 28 patients. Four implant groups were identified: alumina/alumina cemented, alumina/alumina cementless, metal/polyethylene cemented, and metal/polyethylene cementless. For each revision, tissues surrounding the failed implants were harvested and processed, and the PGE2 was measured in a blind manner using an immunoassay technique. As the measuring technique was difficult, at least three determinations for each sample were necessary. Some samples were excluded from the analysis for various reasons, for example, second or further revisions involving many different materials in the past, conjunction of metallic and alumina debris and samples taken from non-loosened components. Finally, 15 samples were considered adequate for inclusion in this study. Two groups were analyzed and compared: the alumina/alumina couple and the metal/polyethylene couple. Tissue surrounding the first group demonstrated a PGE2 level of 69 +/- 56 fmol/mg wet weight compared to 202 +/- 156 fmol/mg for the second.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1991

Response to desipramine treatment in adolescent major depression.

Thirty adolescents (ages 15-20) who met DSM-III-R criteria for major depressive disorder completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week, fixed-dose (200 mg daily) study of desipramine (DMI). Thirty-three percent of the placebo group and 50 percent of the DMI group improved (greater than or equal to 50% change on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression). Subjective reports of adverse effects did not significantly differentiate the two groups. Major adverse effects, necessitating study discontinuation, occurred solely in the DMI group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Role of membrane sialic acid content in the adhesiveness of aged erythrocytes to human cultured endothelial cells.

Following our previous observation that the oldest normal red blood cells were the most adherent to human cultured endothelial cells, we attempted to simulate this age-related adherence. Among all the membrane modifications experienced by erythrocytes during their life-span, loss of sialic acids has attracted considerable attention. Using two different preparations of neuraminidase, we performed a sialic acid depletion on the youngest erythrocytes to reach a sialic acid content similar to that observed in physiologically aged erythrocytes. These pretreated youngest cells displayed limited increase in the adhesiveness to endothelial cells, lower than that found with intact oldest cells. To obtain an adhesiveness of pretreated cells similar to that of naturally aged cells, it was necessary to exceed 80% of sialic acid depletion. At this extent of desialation, modifications of the electrophoretic pattern of glycophorins were observed as well as the appearance of peanut agglutinin reactivity which were never found in physiologically aged erythrocytes. Therefore, the sialic acid loss cannot be considered as being a single determinant factor of the naturally aged red cell adhesiveness.

Cell Adhesion↗
PubMed1986

Effects of ex-vivo plasma adsorption over protein A sepharose in acute leukemia.

Plasma adsorption over immobilized Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I has resulted in tumor regression in several animal and human trials. Protein A, because of its ability to bind IgGs has been considered as the effective component of Staphylococcus aureus. In 4 patients with acute leukemia, a plasma volume of 1500 cm3 was passed in an ex-vivo system over immobilized SpA-Sepharose and then reinfused. Almost all of the IgGs contained in the plasma volume could thus be removed. Toxic side-effects were mild. No significant clinical improvement could be obtained. Plasma incubation with SpA did not modify blast cell viability or leukemic progenitor cell growth. Along with others, this study shows that Protein A is probably not the mediator of the tumoricidal responses observed in studies using adsorption over Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I. The ex-vivo system prepared for this study could also be used for plasma IgG removal for the treatment of autoimmune or immune-complex related disorders.

Blood Cell Count↗
PubMed1985

Cancer treatment with Staphylococcus aureus protein A.

For 3 years, Protein A of Staphylococcus aureus has been used in cancer treatment, initially because of its potential for removing serum blocking factors in the case of patients with malignancies. Extracorporeal adsorption of plasma over immobilized Protein A has produced beneficial effects on experimental animal cancers and some human tumors. The authors review various aspects of this apparently new form of immunotherapy: the basis of Protein A treatments according to the known effects of Protein A on the immune system; different techniques of plasma adsorption and especially the various Protein A carriers that have been used; the toxic effects which complicated the treatment course in several studies and their mechanisms; treatment results in animal models; and the results of phase I and II trials in patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1983

A liver-type mutation in a case of pronounced erythrocyte phosphofructokinase deficiency without clinical expression.

A marked erythrocyte phosphofructokinase deficiency was detected in a healthy man. His enzymatic activity was only 25% that of normal controls. His father and his son had erythrocytic phosphofructokinase activities of 50-55% that of normal controls. The chromatographic separation of erythrocytic phosphofructokinase isozymes, as well as immunological studies revealed a decrease in L-type phosphofructokinase activity. The lowered erythrocytic L-type phosphofructokinase activity was not accompanied by a decreased level of L-type phosphofructokinase in proteins. The L/M subunit ratio was similar to that of normal subjects. The defect resulted from the synthesis of stable L-type mutant subunit with high electrophoretic mobility. White blood cells, which synthesize mostly the same isozyme as L-type phosphofructokinase also showed a decreased activity and a high electrophoretic mobility. In spite of this important deficiency, and of significant metabolic alterations (a slight decrease in ATP; 2,3-diphosphoglycerate; triose phosphate), hemolysis did not appear in the propositus.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1981

Effect of piracetam on EEG spectra of boys with learning disorders.

Piracetam was compared with placebo in a double-blind cross-over study of 30 learning disabled boys. Power spectral analyses revealed that piracetam caused a decrease in the amount of delta activity and an increase in the average EEG frequency. This result is in agreement with those obtained by other workers in adult patients. Some clinical effects of piracetam may be mediated by increased alertness and/or decreased fatigue.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Influence of free Mg2+ on the kinetics of human erythrocyte phosphofructokinase.

The influence of Mg2+ on the reaction catalyzed by human erythrocyte phosphofructokinase has been investigated using kinetic methods. The catalytic activity of PFK is dependent upon the presence of Mg2+ which constitutes with ATP the true Mg-ATP2- substrate. Free Mg2+ has no influence on the affinity of the enzyme for Mg-ATP2- substrate. Erythrocyte PFK is more inhibited by ATP4- and uncomplexed citrate than it is by Mg-ATP2- and Mg-citrate. Free Mg2+ relieves the MgATP2- and Mg-citrate inhibition under conditions where free ATP4-is negligible. We can assume that uncomplexed Mg2+ acts as positive effector by direct binding to the enzyme. These results emphasize the role of Mg2+ in the regulation of PFK activity in the erythrocyte.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1980

Minor physical anomalies in childhood autism. Part I. Their relationship to pre- and perinatal complications.

In a study of minor physical anomalies and pregnancy complications in autistic children, 45 probands and 52 of their siblings were investigated. While there was a significant association between autism on one hand and minor physical anomalies and pregnancy complications on the other, no such association was found between physical anomalies and pregnancy and birth complications. Further, autistic children with higher anomaly scores had lower IQs, more frequent hospitalizations, and a more normal family history compared to autistic children with lower physical anomaly scores.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Phosphofructokinase isozymes from human organs and blood cells.

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) isozymes of blood cells and some human tissues were studied by starch gel electrophoresis and immunoprecipitation by anti-muscle and anti-erythrocyte PFK sera. PFK from muscle, heart, brain and placenta were totally precipitated by both antisera. PFK from blood cells (erythrocytes, lymphocytes, granulocytes, platelets) were precipitated more strongly by anti-erythrocyte PFK serum than by anti-muscle PFK serum. Liver, kidney and monoblast PFK were slightly precipitated by both antisera. From the electrophoretic patterns and the immunoprecipitation curves we may conclude that muscle contains the homotetrameric M4 forms; platelet, liver and kidney the homotetrameric E4 form, and blood cells the M-E hybrids. Monoblasts probably contain a E4 type PFK precursor, and heart, placenta and brain, a modified M4 type PFK. Other isozymes, unrelated with muscle and erythrocyte, were revealed in liver and kidney.

Blood Cells↗
PubMed1979

Cromolyn DSG effects in hyperkinetic and psychotic children with allergies.

Preliminary findings of an open trial of cromolyn in hyperkinetic and psychotic children indicates that the medication is useful, safe and well tolerated. Further controlled studies are suggested to determine the efficacy and indications of cromolyn in child psychiatry. Positive findings could clarify the biochemical mechanisms of hyperkinesis.

Adolescent↗