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Biomedical subjects

M Claeys

Publications and source records attributed to M Claeys.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Antimicrobial peptides from Amaranthus caudatus seeds with sequence homology to the cysteine/glycine-rich domain of chitin-binding proteins.

Two antimicrobial peptides (Ac-AMP1 and Ac-AMP2) were isolated from seeds of amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), and their physicochemical and biological properties were characterized. On the basis of fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy, Ac-AMP1 and Ac-AMP2 have monoisotopic molecular masses of 3025 and 3181, respectively. Both proteins have pI values above 10. The amino acid sequence of Ac-AMP1 (29 residues) is identical to that of Ac-AMP2 (30 residues), except that the latter has 1 additional residue at the carboxyl terminus. The sequences are highly homologous to the cysteine/glycine-rich domain occurring in many chitin-binding proteins. Both Ac-AMP1 and Ac-AMP2 bind to chitin in a reversible way. Ac-AMP1 and Ac-AMP2 inhibit the growth of different plant pathogenic fungi at much lower doses than other known antifungal chitin-binding proteins. In addition, they show some activity on Gram-positive bacteria. The antimicrobial effect of Ac-AMP1 and Ac-AMP2 is strongly antagonized by cations.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

Mass spectrometric characterization of bovine chromaffin granule peptides related to chromogranin B.

Peptides were extracted from the lysate of isolated bovine chromaffin granules. Following reversed-phase HPLC purification, the fractions were analyzed by FAB/MS. The presence of methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin was indicated by their chromatographic retention time and by the m/z value of their protonated molecules. As to five new peptides related to chromogranin B, prominent protonated molecules were observed at m/z 1746, 1446, 1333, 977 and 901. Trypsinolysis resulted in a common loss of a component with mass 545, pointing to a structural relationship and a common precursor molecule. The peptide showing a (M+H)+ ion at m/z 1746 could be identified as a novel, recently reported, neuropeptide derived from chromogranin B, whereas the other peptides with (M+H)+ ions at m/z 1446, 1333, 977 and 901 could be characterized as smaller fragments of this peptide. Peptidase-guided sequence analysis and MS/MS analysis provided sequence information.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1992

External vibration interference of activity based rate responsive pacemakers.

The change of the pacing rate in response to external vibration interference was assessed in four rate responsive pacemakers with a piezoelectric crystal (Medtronic Activitrax 8403, Siemens Sensolog 3, Biotronik Ergos 01, and Medtronic Legend 8417) and one with an accelerometer (CPI Excel VR 1119). They were tested in the laboratory. External vibration was simulated in vitro by exposing the different pacemakers to a controlled sinusoidal vibration force generated by a Millar pressure vibration amplifier type MGM-30 (Millar Instruments, Inc., Houston, TX, USA). All pacemakers were programmed at standard settings. Two types of vibration forces were applied: (1) one with varying amplitude but with constant vibration frequency; and (2) one with varying frequency but with constant vibration amplitude. In this manner curves of pacing rate versus vibration forces versus vibration frequency were obtained. High vibration forces and low vibration frequencies were associated with the highest pacing rate response. In this experimental setting, the pacemaker based on the accelerometer principle apparently was the least sensitive to high frequency vibrations, which are known to be related to environmental interference. It also seemed more appropriately responsive in the lower frequency range, which is more appropriate for the detection of true physiological activity.

Acceleration↗
PubMed1991

[Anaphylaxis induced by exertion].

A 44-year-old man with a two-year history of episodes of exercise-related urticaria and facial angioedema was admitted to our department because of vascular collapse during an athletic activity. The diagnosis of exercise-induced anaphylaxis was established after excluding other causes of shock. This clinical syndrome was described recently; it consists of urticaria, local angioedema and/or cardiorespiratory failure following exercise. Factors possibly associated with or predisposing to attacks include personal and family histories of atopy, food ingestion and weather conditions. Not every effort evokes these reactions, indicating the presence of other, still unknown variables and therefore complicating the diagnosis because provocation tests often have false-negative results. With reference to this case, the clinical syndrome, its pathophysiology and its treatment are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Comparison of the isolation of adducts of 2'-deoxycytidine and 2'-deoxyguanosine with phenylglycidyl ether by high-performance liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase column and a polystyrene-divinylbenzene column.

2'-Deoxycitidine (dCyd) and 2'-deoxyguanosine (dGuo) were subjected to reaction with phenylglycidyl ether (PGE) in methanol in order to study the formation of the corresponding 2'-deoxynucleoside adducts. Separation methods were developed on analytical and semi-preparative scales using high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection on a reversed-phase column and on a polystyrene-divinylbenzene column. The use of the latter column was prompted by decomposition of the preparatively isolated dGuo-PGE adducts on the reversed-phase column. The use of a polystyrene-divinylbenzene column solved this problem and also revealed the presence of one more peak in both the dCyd- and dGuo-PGE reaction mixtures. The adducts of dCyd and dGuo were isolated on preparative reversed-phase and polystyrene-divinylbenzene columns and characterized by UV, fast atom bombardment mass and 360 MHz 1H NMR spectrometry. The adducts of dCyd were the diastereomers of N-3-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)-2'-deoxycytidine and N4-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)-2'-deoxycytidine whereas those of dGuo were the two diastereomers of N-7-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and a third peak which appeared to be mainly N2-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1991

Mass spectral characterization of C-glycosidic flavonoids isolated from a medicinal plant (Passiflora incarnata).

The four major C-glycosidic flavonoids isolated from Passiflora incarnata were identified as schaftoside, isoschaftoside, isovetexin-2''-O-glucopyranoside and isoorientin-2''-O-glucopyranoside on the basis of mass spectral and 13C NMR data. The daughter ion spectra of [M + H]+ ions of schaftoside and isoschaftoside showed differences for the [M + H - 104]+ ions, which could be rationalized by hydrogen bonding effects. In the negative-ion mode, pronounced differences were found for the [M - H - 90]- and [M - H - 120]- ions, formed by prevalent fragmentation in the C-6-linked sugar moiety. With respect to isovitexin-2''-O-beta-glucopyranoside and isoorientin-2''-O-beta-glucopyranoside, the daughter ion spectra of both the [M + H]+ and [M - H]- ions provided evidence for a 1----2 linkage in the diglucosidic moiety. Support for C-6 glucosylation was obtained by recording the daughter ion spectra of [M - H - 162]- ions, which were in good agreement with that obtained for [M - H]- ions of isovitexin.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1991

Clinical evaluation of a new in-vitro assay for specific IgE, the immuno CAP system.

The Pharmacia CAP system is a new assay for specific IgE characterized by a new solid phase (hydrophilic polymer encased in a capsule). The CAP results were compared to those of the Phadebas IgE RAST and skin-prick tests (SPT) performed in 145 subjects suffering from rhinitis and/or asthma with eight common inhalant allergens (total number of tests = 1160). Concording CAP/RAST results were found in 91% of the tests. The CAP was positive in 78% and the RAST in 65% of the positive SPT. Conversely, the CAP was negative in 90.6% and the RAST in 96.4% of the negative SPT. A pattern negative SPT, negative RAST and positive CAP' was found in 56 tests (40 subjects): in four such subjects, the CAP positivity was confirmed by a positive IgE crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis. Three borderline positive results were found among 240 negative controls (serum from cord blood or non-atopics). These data indicate that compared with SPT the CAP system is (a) more sensitive than the Pharmacia RAST and (b) does not seem less specific.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Adduct formation identification between phenyl glycidyl ether and 2'-deoxyadenosine and thymidine by chromatography, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Thymidine and 2'-deoxyadenosine were reacted with phenyl glycidyl ether in order to study the formation of the corresponding 2'-deoxynucleoside adducts. Separation methods were elaborated using either reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode-array detection, or centrifugal circular thin-layer chromatography. The adducts were isolated on a preparative scale and were fully characterized by UV spectroscopy, desorption chemical ionization and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and 270- and 360-MHz 1H NMR spectrometry. For thymidine the main adduct was characterized as N-3-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)thymidine. With 2'-deoxyadenosine, predominantly N-1-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl)-2'-deoxyadenosine was formed. With longer reaction times, the formation of a minor amount of dialkylated 2'-deoxyadenosine was observed. These nucleoside adducts will be used as marker compounds for studies of DNA adduct formation.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed1989

Structural characterization of cisplatin analogues by fast atom bombardment (FAB) and laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LAMMA).

The present study is concerned with the investigation of the potentials and limitations of fast atom bombardment (FAB) and laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LAMMA) for the structural characterization of a series of cisplatin analogues. The limiting factors for obtaining good quality FAB spectra are the solubility and the stability of the organometallic platinum complexes in the FAB matrix. In the case of a suitable matrix being found, molecular weight information is derived from the (M + H)+ and/or (M - H)- ions. Drawbacks of the application of FAB are (i) the low signal intensities of the molecular ion-like species as compared to the matrix signals and (ii) the scarcity of fragmentation necessary for structure determination. Combination of FAB with tandem mass spectrometry was used to overcome these problems. LAMMA provides a valuable alternative for the direct mass spectral analysis of cisplatin analogues. For some compounds, LAMMA results in useful mass spectra, whereas FAB fails. The abundant fragmentation yields structural information which is complementary for positive and negative ions. The laser power density applied to the sample is of critical importance for the quality of the spectra.

Cisplatin↗
PubMed1989

Relaxations to endothelium-derived relaxing factor and the metabolite of molsidomine, SIN-1, in the aorta and the hindquarters of the rat.

The effects of SIN-1 were studied on isolated aortic rings and perfused hindquarters of the rat and were compared with the effects of nitroglycerin and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) released by acetylcholine or histamine (aorta) and carbachol (hindquarters). SIN-1 relaxes rat aortic rings in a dose-dependent and endothelium-independent way. Aortic rings made tolerant to nitroglycerin in vitro show cross-tolerance to isosorbide dinitrate but no cross-tolerance to EDRF, sodium nitroprusside, or SIN-1. Aortic rings made tolerant to nitroglycerin by in vivo treatment show an important cross-tolerance to isosorbide dinitrate, a small degree of tolerance to sodium nitroprusside, but no significant tolerance to SIN-1 or EDRF. Also, in the nitroglycerin-tolerant hindquarter vasculature, no cross-tolerance is found to EDRF or SIN-1. In the aorta of renal hypertensive rats, in which the relaxation to EDRF-dependent dilators is impaired, no depression of the maximal response to SIN-1 occurs.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

[Hyperphosphatemia and transient renal insufficiency following chemotherapy of acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Acute renal failure during treatment of lymphoblastic malignancies is usually due to drug toxicity or acute uric nephropathy. Observations were recently reported where extreme hyperphosphatemia may represent another pathophysiological mechanism. We describe 2 cases, in 36- and 77-year-old women, with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Acute renal failure was observed 2 days after cytotoxic treatment. Maximal blood creatinine values were 860 and 550 mumol/l respectively, and for phosphate 6.3 and 7.5 mmol/l. With oral phosphate binders, and after four peritoneal exchanges for the second patient, renal function gradually returned to normal values within 4 weeks. Tumor lysis syndrome with associated hyperphosphatemia is described exclusively in lymphoblastic malignancies and renal failure is probably a consequence of intratubular calcium phosphate precipitation. In this situation prophylactic administration of phosphate binders and attentive monitoring of phosphatemia are necessary.

Acute Kidney Injury↗
PubMed1988

[The treatment of acute cardiac insufficiency: toward a physiopathological approach].

The development of new inotropic or vasodilator agents, with different spectra of action makes possible a physiological approach to the treatment of acute cardiac failure. The choice depends on the functional disturbances measured and is then adapted to the response obtained. In the most serious cases, where pharmacological treatment proves insufficient, there need be no hesitation in using invasive methods which were formerly reserved for the treatment of cardiogenic shock. Systematic application of therapeutic formulae gives way to rational selection of the agent best adapted to the particular conditions brought about by a specified cardiopathy in a given patient.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Effects of the alpha 2-antagonist idazoxan on monoaminergic parameters measured in the cerebrospinal fluid of rabbits.

The alpha 2-antagonist idazoxan was administered intravenously to rabbits. The increase in central noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic activity was followed as a function of time by determining neuronal parameters in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and was compared with changes previously determined after yohimbine. These parameters include the enzyme dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (D beta H), the noradrenergic metabolites 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylmandelic acid (VMA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG), the dopaminergic metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (HVA) and the serotonergic metabolite 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA). Control experiments with physiological saline were also performed. D beta H activity increased to 211% in control experiments, and to 570 and 530%, respectively after yohimbine and idazoxan. Compared to the control experiments yohimbine was able to elevate VMA, MHPG and HVA concentrations, but 5-HIAA levels were reduced. Idazoxan caused increased MHPG concentrations, slight increases in VMA, little effect on HVA and no effect on 5-HIAA levels. We conclude that idazoxan was as potent as yohimbine as an alpha 2-antagonist in our in vivo experiments and that idazoxan shows a much greater selectivity with regard to the noradrenergic system.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed1987

Selected ion monitoring analysis of monoamine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid. Application to the study of in vivo effects of alpha 2-antagonists.

The technique of isotope dilution mass spectrometry has been used for the measurement of biogenic amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF samples were collected from rabbits treated with alpha 2-antagonists. The aim of our study was to determine the specificity of these drugs on the central nervous noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic activity as measured by the release of corresponding monoamine metabolites. 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG) and vanilmandelic acid (VMA) were used as parameters for the noradrenergic activity, whereas homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were employed to follow the dopaminergic and serotonergic activity, respectively. For the measurement of the biogenic amine metabolites a published GCMS method has been adapted. Samples of 200 microliters CSF were processed. Following addition of deuterated internal standards and acidification, extraction was carried out with ethyl acetate. Preliminary experiments with the analysis of MHPG using diethyl ether for extraction gave rise to emulsion formation and resulted in poor recoveries for MHPG and in irreproducibility problems due to a preferential extraction of non-labelled MHPG, effects which were not observed with ethyl acetate extraction. Derivatization was done with a mixture of pentafluoropropionic anhydride/pentafluoropropanol (or hexafluoroisopropanol) in order to derivatize both hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups. The derivatization procedure was optimized for the analysis of 5-HIAA by carrying out a second reaction step with pentafluoropropionic anhydride alone in order to complete the derivatization for the indolic NH moiety. The molecular ions of the derivatized products were selected for detection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗