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Biomedical subjects

L Vallée

Publications and source records attributed to L Vallée.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Design, anticonvulsive and neurotoxic properties of retrobenzamides. N-(Nitrophenyl)benzamides and N-(aminophenyl)benzamides.

Design, anticonvulsant properties in maximal electroshock-induced seizures [MES] and seizures induced by subcutaneous administration of pentetrazole (scPtz), and neurotoxicity of retrobenzamides (N-(nitrophenyl)benzamides and N-(aminophenyl) benzamides are reported. These data are further compared with those on carbamazepine, phenytoin, ameltolide and other reference compounds. Studies on retrobenzamides in mice dosed intraperitoneally point out a good anticonvulsant potential in the MES test for the amino derivatives (N-(aminophenyl)benzamides) and moderate activity for corresponding "nitro" derivatives. In rats dosed orally, aminoretrobenzamides were, however, less active in the MES test than in mice dosed intraperitoneally. Differences between experimental animal species and administration routes lead to hypothesize rapid metabolization of compounds, reduced intestinal resorption and increased removal from body. The presence of a methyl substitution on the N-phenyl moiety of aminoretrobenzamides attenuated these discrepancies between mice and rats. Present results indicate that pharmacological values--including the dose offering anticonvulsant protection in 50% of tested animals (ED50) and protective indices--obtained on some retrobenzamides may compete with phenytoin and carbamazepine values. By contrast with phenytoin, some retrobenzamides further exhibit activity in the scPtz test.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

Unreported RSK2 missense mutation in two male sibs with an unusually mild form of Coffin-Lowry syndrome.

An unreported missense mutation of the ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) gene has been identified in two male sibs with a mild form of Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) inherited from their healthy mother. They exhibit transient severe hypotonia, macrocephaly, delay in closure of the fontanelles, normal gait, and mild mental retardation, associated in the first sib with transient autistic behaviour. Some dysmorphic features of CLS (in particular forearm fullness and tapering fingers) and many atypical findings (some of which were reminiscent of FG syndrome) were observed as well. The moderate phenotypic expression of this mutation extends the CLS phenotype to include less severe mental retardation and minor, hitherto unreported signs. The missense mutation identified may be less deleterious than those previously described. As this mutation occurs in a protein domain with no predicted function, it could be responsible for a conformational change affecting the protein catalytic function, since a non-polar amino acid is replaced by a charged residue.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1999

[Analysis of two cases of valproic acid intoxication by 1H NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry].

Analysis of urine samples from two poisoned patients was performed using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy and a classical GC/MS protocol. Valproic acid as its glucuronide was identified and quantified in the 1H NMR spectra recorded directly from 0.5 mL of the collected samples. Moreover, a significant lactic aciduria could be observed. Comparison with the GC/MS findings suggests that 1H NMR spectroscopy can be clinically useful.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1998

Identification and molecular characterization of a small 11q23.3 de novo duplication in a patient with Rett syndrome manifestations.

We report on an interstitial duplication of the long arm of chromosome 11 [46XX,dup(11) (q23.3)] in a girl with atypical Rett syndrome (RS). This case was discovered during a systematic cytogenetic study of RS. Fluorescent in situ hybridization including total chromosome painting and use of regional specific YAC, cosmid and plasmid probes, was used to confirm the chromosome 11q involvement and to identify the landmarks of the smallest 11q duplication reported to date. The findings are compared to cases of trisomy 11q reported previously, all of which have a larger duplication and different clinical manifestations. Surprisingly, mental retardation and behavior disorders are less severe in these cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Acquired and isolated asymmetrical palatal palsy.

Benign acquired and isolated asymmetrical palatal palsy is a rare condition in childhood. We report on three cases. Typical features include: sudden onset, abnormality of the palatal components of speech (rhinolalia), nasal escape of fluids from the ipsilateral nostril. It is supposed to be caused by viral infection, but attempts at viral isolation were unsuccessful. Complete spontaneous recovery is usual, taking a few weeks. Our paper seems to be the first report of magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in this condition. It did not disclose any abnormalities in the 2 cases in which it was performed.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Comparison of use of cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and throat swab specimens in diagnosis of enteroviral acute neurological infection by a rapid RNA detection PCR assay.

A PCR assay for detection of enterovirus RNA in multiple specimen types from patients with neurological infections was evaluated. Combined PCR assay of cerebrospinal fluid and serum (systemic specimens) was more sensitive than assaying either specimen alone in children but not in adults. Compared with PCR in systemic specimens, detection of enterovirus RNA in throat swabs showed a sensitivity of 62.5% and a specificity of 75.6%.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Smith-Magenis syndrome].

Smith-Magenis syndrome is caused by a 17p11.2 deletion. It associates mental retardation, facial dysmorphism and brachydactyly; aberrant behavior and major sleep problems are present in 70% of the cases. It is probably under-diagnosed because the facial abnormalities are mild and the behavioral problems with hyperactivity and self-injuries are dominant, leading to the diagnosis of psychiatric pathology. However these behavioral problems are sufficiently characterized to allow the diagnosis of the syndrome and look for a 17p11.2 microdeletion. Otorhinolaryngologic, ophthalmologic, cardiac and renal abnormalities can be associated and their evaluation is necessary. Smith-Magenis syndrome is considered as a contiguous gene syndrome. Genes have been mapped and isolated to the critical region, but their participation in the pathogenesis of the syndrome remains unclear.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1997

[Benign reflex myoclonic epilepsy in infants].

BACKGROUND: Myoclonic epilepsy of infancy are seldom benign. CASE REPORT: A 25-month old girl developed myoclonic jerks either spontaneously either as reflex responses to auditory and tactile stimuli, such as sudden touching of the face or trunk from the age of 4 months. The jerks disappeared after valproate therapy. Neurological examination was normal with a follow-up of 9 months. CONCLUSION: This condition resembles that described in 1995 by Ricci et al. In must be differentiated from other myoclonic epilepsies of infancy, reflex epilepsies and hyperekplexia. It could be the earliest from of idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1996

Acylcarnitine removal in a patient with acyl-CoA beta-oxidation deficiency disorder: effect of L-carnitine therapy and starvation.

Carnitine levels and acylcarnitine profiles in a patient with mild multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficient beta-oxidation were compared with control results. Whereas blood and urine total carnitine levels were moderately decreased, blood esterified carnitine levels in the patient were about 2-fold higher than in controls. Urinary acylcarnitine profiles presented with a larger variety of carnitine esters than in controls and included propionylcarnitine, butyrylcarnitine, 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine, hexanoylcarnitine and octanolycarnitine. Total carnitine levels in body fluids were similarly affected by chronic oral L-carnitine administration in patient and controls. By contrast, esterified carnitine level increase was 2-fold more important in controls than in patient. Whereas no qualitative changes in urinary acylcarnitine profiles were induced by L-carnitine therapy in controls, several alterations of these profiles were observed in the patient. The effect of starvation on metabolites was also studied, especially beta-oxidation rates assessed by free fatty acids to 3-hydroxybutyric acid ratios in blood from the patient in the untreated and L-carnitine treated states. In the L-carnitine-supplemented patient, the effect of starvation on the time course of carnitine levels and acylcarnitine profiles could also be documented. The ability of chronic oral L-carnitine administration to remove relatively less important amounts of acylcarnitines in the patient than in controls is further discussed, as well as qualitative alterations of acylcarnitine profiles induced by this therapy in the pathological condition.

Acyl-CoA Dehydrogenase↗
PubMed1996

[Celiac disease, cerebral calcifications and epilepsy syndrome].

The syndrome of coeliac disease, epilepsy and cerebral calcifications is a rare complication of coeliac disease. The pathological changes consist in a patchy pial angiomatosis and resemble those of Sturge-Weber syndrome, whose variant without port-wine angioma must be ruled out. Typical course includes three stages leading to a severe encephalopathy. However, the mental impairment is extremely variable. The pathogenetic process is so for unknown; main clues involve a chronic folic acid deficiency or a HLA-related autoimmune disorder. Treatment requires early gluten-free diet and anti-epileptic drug.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Moyamoya associated with Down syndrome].

We present a case of a six-year-old girl with Down Syndrom who developed recurrent ischemic strokes. Cerebral angiography demonstrated a supraclinoid stenosis of the right internal artery, an occlusion of the left supraclinoid internal cerebral artery and dilated collateral vessels, consistent with Moyamoya disease. We emphasize the increased frequency of Moyamoya in patients with Down Syndrome and also the most important pathophysiologic, clinical and radiological findings of this disease.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of two N-(2,6- dimethylphenyl)pyridinedicarboximides.

Two N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)pyridinedicarboximides were synthesized and evaluated for anticonvulsant properties and neurotoxicity. These compounds were mainly active against maximal electroshock (MES) induced seizures in animal models. In rats dosed orally, N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl-2,3-pyridinedicarboximide 1 exhibited an anti-MES ED50 of 54.2 mumol/kg and a protective index (PI = TD50/ED50) superior to 27.4. In mice dosed intraperitoneally, compound 1 is less active against MES induced seizure (ED50 = 160.9 mumol/kg) and more neurotoxic as evidenced by a low protective index (1.93). Comparison with published data on phenytoin reveals that compound 1 is, in rats dosed orally, two-fold more potent than this antiepileptic drug against MES induced seizures.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Comparative anticonvulsant activity and neurotoxicity of 4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phthalimide and prototype antiepileptic drugs in mice and rats.

We compared the anticonvulsant activity and neurotoxicity of 4-amino-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phthalimide (ADD 213063) with those of phenytoin (PHT), carbamazepine (CBZ), phenobarbital (PB), ethosuximide (ESM), valproate (VPA), and felbamate (FBM). Evaluation of anticonvulsant properties performed according to well-established procedures in rats and mice showed that ADD 213063 is most effective in protecting animals against maximal electroshock seizures (MES). This anti-MES activity is achieved with nontoxic doses, with the optimal effect recorded in rats dosed orally with anti-MES ED50 and protective index (PI) values of 25.2 mumol/kg and > 75, respectively. ADD 213063 protects to a lesser extent against seizures induced by subcutaneous (s.c.) picrotoxin and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) in mice dosed intraperitoneally and orally, respectively. The profile of anticonvulsant action of ADD 213063 closely parallels that of CBZ.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Value of gene amplification of herpesviruses in the diagnosis and treatment of acute viral encephalitis].

Positive diagnosis of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis was rarely obtained in the past, when brain biopsy had been performed. Other tests (HSV antigen and HSV antibodies detection and interferon alpha measurement, in cerebrospinal fluid) failed to prove HSV infection. Polymerase chain reaction has been proposed for accurate and rapid diagnosis of HSV encephalitis. With 35 cycles of a DNA polymerase sequence duplication, sensitivity reaches 95% and specificity 100%. HSV PCR is a useful tool for the diagnosis of acute encephalitis. This should be available in many neurologic clinics. Therapeutic consequences include rapid disruption of aciclovir when clinical features, MRI study and negative PCR suggest non herpetic encephalitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

Stroke, hemiparesis and deficient mitochondrial beta-oxidation.

We describe on a 3-year-old child referred for evaluation and therapy of a cerebral vascular accident with residual hemiplegia and partial epilepsy. Metabolic investigations initially showed normal urinary organic acids as well as normal blood and urinary amino acids. Blood carnitine fractions had been pathological and a secondary carnitine deficiency was diagnosed and treated by oral L-carnitine supplementation. During carnitine treatment, abnormal urinary acylcarnitine profiles were noticed with excessive amounts of several carnitine esters including propionylcarnitine, butyryl- and/or isobutyryl-carnitine, isovaleryl- and/or 2-methylbutyryl-carnitine, hexanoylcarnitine and octanoylcarnitine. Subsequently, an urinary organic acid profile suggestive of glutaric aciduria type II was recorded during a clinical decompensation crisis. Morphological and biochemical studies on skeletal muscle and skin fibroblasts were performed and confirmed the existence of a defect of the mitochondrial beta-oxidation pathways with lipidic myopathy, reduced palmitate and octanoate oxidation rates in cultured fibroblasts. Glutaric aciduria type II increases the list of metabolic disorders characterized by hemiplegia and other sequelae of brain ischaemia such as stroke-like episode, seizures, aphasia, ataxia and myoclonia, similar to those seen in MELAS.

Carnitine↗