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Biomedical subjects

L Jacques

Publications and source records attributed to L Jacques.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Is the sperm bacterial ratio a determining factor in impairment of sperm motility: an in-vitro study in man with Escherichia coli.

The effects of urogenital infection on male fertility are controversial. The object of this study was to assess whether contact between E. coli, one of the bacteria encountered most frequently in semen cultures, and sperm was involved in decreasing motility of the sperm. Sperm from healthy donors were therefore incubated at two concentrations (1.10(7) and 4.10(7) ml-1) with bacteria (10(4) and 10(6) bacteria ml-1 respectively). Sperm motility was assessed as a function of time. The endotoxin effect was also evaluated. Aliquots of the sperm were used as controls. The motility of a population of 10(6) sperm ml-1 was reduced significantly more by the presence of 10(6) ml-1 E. coli than a sperm population four times more numerous. Since the endotoxin had no effect on sperm motility, it is possible this phenomenon is due to bacterial adherence to the sperm. From this study, it is therefore probable that the presence of E. coli in semen decreases sperm motility, but that this depends on the sperm:bacterial ratio ml semen-1.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1990

Studies on the vascular permeability induced by intrathecal substance P and bradykinin in the rat.

The effects of substance P (SP), SP fragments, neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB) and selective agonists for neurokinin receptors were assessed on cutaneous vascular permeability after intrathecal (i.t.) administration in rats. Dose-dependent increases in plasma extravasation were observed with the following rank orders of potency ([p-Glu6]SP-(6-11) greater than SP greater than or equal to SP-(4-11) greater than [p-Glu5,MePhe8,Sar9]SP-(5-11) = [p-Glu5]SP-(5-11) greater than SP-(7-11) and SP greater than NKA greater than NKB). The N-terminal fragments SP-(1-4), SP-(1-7) and SP-(1-9) were inactive up to 65 nmol. The NK-1 receptor selective agonists [( beta-Ala4,Sar9,Met(O2)11]SP-(4-11) and [Pro9,Met(O2)11]SP) were more potent than the NK-2 ([Nle10]NKA-(4-10] and NK-3 ([beta-Asp4,MePhe7]NKB-(4-10) and [MePhe7]NKB) receptor-selective agonists. Plasma extravasation was also increased by i.t. bradykinin (BK, 8.1 nmol) while the fragment BK-(1-8), a potent B1-receptor-selective agonist, produced only a slight effect at 81 nmol. When BK was given after prior i.t. administration of 6.1 nmol of [Thi5.8,D-Phe7]BK, an antagonist of BK at the B2-receptor, the increase in vascular permeability was significantly attenuated. The analogue [Leu8]BK-(1-8) (10.3 nmol), an antagonist of BK at the B1-receptor, failed to modify the BK-induced plasma extravasation. Plasma extravasation induced by SP (6.5 nmol) and BK (8.1 nmol) was abolished in cervically vagotomized rats, and significantly reduced in both spinal rats and in capsaicin-treated animals. Conversely, bilateral adrenalectomy (48 h earlier) and intercollicular decerebration (30 min earlier) had no major effect on the response elicited either by SP or BK. The response to SP remained unaffected by methysergide and hexamethonium but was significantly reduced by methylnitrate atropine and diphenhydramine. Indomethacin significantly enhanced the plasma extravasation induced by SP. These results suggest that SP and BK may play a role as spinal mediators in peripheral vascular permeability through a sensory and cholinergic vagal mechanism involving a spinobulbar pathway. The receptors mediating the response to SP and BK in the spinal cord are of the NK-1 and B2 subtypes, respectively.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1990

Effect of urogenital infections on sperm parameters and hypofertility in man.

Urogenital infections can notably reduce the sperm's capacity of fecundation by affecting the spermatozoa directly. The aim of this study was to compare the main parameters of the spermogram of 2 groups of hypofertile subjects, the first group presenting negative semen cultures, the second one positive semen cultures. The only significantly different parameter between these 2 groups of hypofertile patients studied was motility. This anomaly alone could explain some states of hypofertility.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Capillary permeability induced by intravenous neurokinins. Receptor characterization and mechanism of action.

The effects on plasma extravasation of three increasing doses from 6.5 pmol to 650 nmol/kg of substance P (SP), SP fragments, neurokinin A (NKA), neurokinin B (NKB) and selective agonists for neurokinin receptors were assessed in three cutaneous tissues (skin of hind paws, dorsal skin and ears) by intravenous (i.v.) administration in the pentobarbitone anaesthetized rat. Dose-dependent increases in plasma extravasation were observed with the following rank orders of potency (SP greater than NKA greater than NKB) for neurokinins and (SP greater than [p-Glu6]SP(6-11) greater than SP(4-11) greater than [p-Glu5]SP(5-11) greater than SP(7-11] for C-terminal SP fragments. The metabolically stable SP analogue [p-Glu5, MePhe8, Sar9]SP(5-11) was slightly more potent than [p-Glu5]SP(5-11). The N-terminal fragments SP(1-4), SP(1-7) and SP(1-9) were inactive up to 650 nmol/kg. The NK-1 receptor selective agonists [Sar9, Met(O2)11]SP and [beta-Ala4, Sar9, Met (O2)11]SP(4-11) were more potent than the NK-2 [( Nle10]NKA(4-10] and NK-3 [( MePhe7]NKB and [beta-Asp4, MePhe7]NKB(4-10] receptor selective agonists. Plasma extravasation induced by SP (6.5 nmol/kg) was unchanged in the presence of atropine, methysergide, diphenhydramine or during the i.v. and intra-arterial (i.a.) infusion of D-Arg0[Hyp3.D-Phe7]BK, an antagonist of bradykinin. Plasma extravasation induced by SP and [Sar9, Met(O2)11]SP was significantly reduced by indomethacin while that induced by NKA, NKB, [beta-Ala4, Sar9, Met(O2)11]SP(4-11), SP(4-11) and [p-Glu6]SP(6-11) was unaffected by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Compound 48/80 (0.75 mg/kg), histamine (10 mg/kg) and 5-HT (10 mg/kg) caused an increase in plasma extravasation, only the effect of compound 48/80 was abolished by indomethacin. Pretreatment with compound 48/80 prevented its own action on plasma extravasation and significantly reduced that induced by 6.5 nmol/kg of SP. These results rule out the involvement of acetylcholine (muscarinic receptors), 5-HT (5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptors), histamine (H1 receptors) and kinins (B2 receptors) in the response to SP and indicate that the two positively charged amino acids (Arg, Lys) at the N-terminal end of the SP molecule are essential to trigger the release of prostaglandins from mast cells. This mechanism is responsible for the indirect effect of SP and related peptides on capillary permeability and does not appear to be mediated by a selective SP receptor. In addition, neurokinins may increase capillary permeability by direct activation of a NK-1 receptor type on the vascular endothelium.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

E. coli infections of the lower urinary tract and their treatment by immunomodulation or combined immunomodulation and antigen therapy.

A model of infection by E. coli 022 of the lower urinary tract in the rat is described. The infection is characterized by the presence in the urine of a large number of E. coli (10(5)-10(7) bacteria per ml). There is pus formation in the urine. A few infected rats also exhibited prostate hypertrophy and the presence of ACB could be detected in some of the latter group. Treatment of the infected rats by the C. granulosum-derived immunomodulator P40, injected intravenously either as a single dose of 1 mg per rat 1 day after infection or as 2 fractionated doses of 0.5 mg 1 day and 3 days after infection resulted in sterilization of a significant number of urines. The interest of fractionating the dose of P40 is to reduce the incidence of prostate hypertrophy formation. Comparable results were obtained when P40 was given preventively to the rats either as a single dose 7 days before infection or as 2 fractionated doses 7 days and 1 day before infection. The association of a single preventive dose of 1 mg of P40 given 7 days before infection by administering a suspension of heat-killed E. coli 022, as a specific antigen, 1 day after infection permitted the sterilization of urines in all infected rats and prostate hypertrophy formation did not occur.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMed1987

Intrathecal administration of substance P enhances cutaneous plasma protein extravasation in pentobarbital anaesthetized rats.

In pentobarbital-anaesthetized rats, the intrathecal administration of substance P (SP) at T9 spinal cord level enhances plasma protein extravasation (PE) in cutaneous tissues of the back, the hind paws and the ears. This vascular response is maximum at 15 min after administration of SP (6.5 nmol), and the most striking in the skin of the hind paws. Contrary to SP, neurotensin (NT) administered intrathecally failed to enhance PE. Both peptides are however potent enhancers of PE following intravenous injection. PE elicited by intrathecal administration of SP is significantly reduced in both spinal rats and in capsaicin treated animals. These results suggest that SP but not NT may play a role as a spinal chemical mediator in peripheral vascular permeability through a supraspinal reflex mechanism involving sensory afferents.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Liver specific pyruvate kinase in pheasants Phasianus colchicus.

While in chickens, the existence of a liver form of pyruvate kinase is controversial, the liver form of pyruvate kinase in pheasants, murres and puffins is electrophoretically distinct from that in muscle, brain, kidney, lung and small intestine. Although the forms in lungs, muscle, heart, brain and small intestine could not be reliably separated by electrophoresis, the functional characteristics of the lung and muscle forms of pyruvate kinase in the pheasant are distinct and can be classified as K and M isozymes respectively. Our data suggest that these birds possess at least three distinct isozymes of pyruvate kinase.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Spinal action of neurokinins in the rat: effects on mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and vascular permeability.

In urethane-anaesthetized rats, the intrathecal administration of 6.5 nmol of substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), or neurokinin B (NKB) at the T8-T10 level of the spinal cord enhances mean arterial pressure and heart rate. However, in the pentobarbital-anaesthetized rat, while NKB produces no effect on mean arterial pressure, NKA produces a biphasic change and SP, a depressor response. All three neurokinins elicit a tachycardia. The following rank order of potency SP greater than or equal to NKA greater than NKB is observed in relation to these cardiovascular responses when either one of the two anaesthetics is used. The low cardiovascular activity of NKB cannot be attributed to its hydrophobicity, as the water soluble analogue of NKB, [Arg0]NKB, elicits a response as weak as the native peptide. In pentobarbital-anaesthetized rats, the intrathecal administration of 6.5 nmol of SP, also enhances plasma protein extravasation in cutaneous tissues of the back, the hind paws, and the ears. In this response NKA and NKB are either inactive (skin of hind paws) or less potent than SP (ears and dorsal skin). These findings agree with the hypothesis that in the rat spinal cord, the neurokinin receptor producing changes in mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and vascular permeability is of the NK-1 subtype.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

[Effects of vaccination in urinary infections caused by Escherichia coli in rats].

The preventive effects of the immunomodulator P40 on the experimental E. coli infection of the lower urinary tract of the rat have been reported previously. In the present paper are presented the results obtained with the aid of vaccination using the same experimental model of infection in the rat. Active specific immunization of the animals with a vaccine consisting of the same strain as that used for infecting the rats afforded significant protection toward the infection. It is concluded that such vaccines could also be used in humans, either alone or in combination with other therapies with the aim at preventing recurrencies or relapses of infections of the lower urinary tract which were resistant to antibiotherapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Effects of arm ergometry training in an adolescent with myelodysplasia. A case report.

The purpose of this article is to report the effects of arm ergometry training on upper extremity strength, body composition, and oxygen uptake in a 13-year-old adolescent with myelodysplasia. The subject trained three times a week for eight weeks at 75% of maximum heart rate. The following measurements were determined before and after the training period: maximal and submaximal heart rate and oxygen uptake, percent body fat, and peak torque of the elbow and shoulder flexor and extensor muscles. The results indicated that maximal oxygen uptake and percent body fat did not change, but maximal physical work capacity increased from 274 kg . m/min to 569 kg X m/min. Heart rate and oxygen uptake decreased at each submaximal work load, and peak torque increased an average of 22.3% for the movements tested. We concluded that arm ergometry training in an adolescent with myelodysplasia can reduce the energy cost of performing submaximal arm ergometry work.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1986

[Comparative study of the results of the detection of bacteriuria using the AUTOBAC apparatus and the classical method].

The comparative study of the results of detection of bacteriuria in 214 samples did not show an evidence of major discrepancies between the classical reference technique on solid media and the AUTOBAC technique on liquid media. The AUTOBAC provides a reliable and rapid test for bacteriuria which saves time and material for the laboratory. Although it has raised considerable interest, it should be used with caution in aplasic or immunodeficient patients in whom the classical criteria of urinary infection cannot be rigourously applied.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1985

[A case of septicemia by a Corynebacterium of the J. K. group].

We have reported a case of septicaemia caused by "Corynebacterium of group J. K." in a patient with acute myeloblastic leukaemia. Recent studies by Riley (1978) have shown that the corynebacteria, saprophytes of the skin and mucosa have a resistance to common antibiotics. Corynebacteria that are only sensitive to virginiamycin and vancomycin are a potential danger for immunosuppressed patients and patients with artificial heart valves, the appropriate choice of antibiotic can be difficult in these patients.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1985

[Bacteriological study of hygienic conditions in the Department of Blood Diseases and Tumors of the Paul Brousse Hospital at Villejuif. I. The atmospheric flora].

Admission to hospital considerably increases the risk of cross infection. The sources of contamination are of exogenous origin (airborne flora) or endogenous (intestinal flora). Because of the great susceptibility of immunosuppressed patients to microbial agents, it is essential to treat them in a special environment in which there is rigorous attention to hygiene and asepsis. In order to ensure these optimal conditions have been attained, we have made a bacteriological survey for several months in the Service des Maladies Sanguines et Tumorales of the Paul Brousse Hospital, Villejuif. The first part of the survey has given an assessment of the efficiency of the positive pressure air filtration system in one of the units on the Service. Although it should not be neglected, the airborne microbial flora appears to have only a slight effect on the development of infections in our patients. By contrast, the endogenous flora is the main source of infection. Apart from infection via intravenous drips, it is essentially transmitted by direct contact with the nurses' hands or via a variety of instruments. On account of its importance the direct transmission will be described in the second part of this report.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed1979

[Production of O antigens and antibodies during urinary tract infections due to Escherichia coli (author's transl)].

In 138 adults with monomicrobial E. coli urinary tract infections, IgG coated bacteriuria (ACB) are found in 9/10 acute pyelonephritis, 21/24 chronic pyelonephritis, 2/5 acute prostatitis, and in only 6/99 lower UTI. These urinary antibodies are synthetised localy because IgA-S are found in 75%, in the kidney because humoral IgG antibodies are detected in only 40% of the ACB + patients. O6, O18, O22, O75, are the four most frequent O antigens (47,5%) and no difference were found in the distribution of O serotypes according to ACB production or clinical signs. But rough strains are significantly more frequent in pyelonephritis, suggesting a modification of the bacterial wall. The use of ACB test and O serotyping allows a better follow-up of patients, but relapses with ACB- and reinfection with ACB+ show the complexity of the relation host-E. coli.

Acute Disease↗