PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Nicolas

Publications and source records attributed to M Nicolas.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

[Natural murine infestation by Angiostrongylus costaricensis Morera and Cespedes, 1971 in Guadeloupe].

In 1992, two cases of abdominal angiostrongylosis were reported in young Guadeloupean children. With a view to determine the natural infestation rate of Guadeloupe rodents (Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus) by Angiostrongylus costaricensis, 656 rats caught in the country have been examined. Both murine species are naturally infested (6.2% in R. rattus and 14.9% in R. norvegicus), which gives a total prevalence of 7.5%. This total prevalence is higher in the tourist area. A complementary investigation proves to be necessary to identify in Guadeloupe the alleged intermediate hosts (slugs, land snails) in which the human illness has its direct origins.

Angiostrongylus↗
PubMed1992

Cloning and characterization of the Brucella ovis heat shock protein DnaK functionally expressed in Escherichia coli.

The Brucella ovis dnaK gene, homolog to the eukaryotic hsp70 genes, was cloned by using a Drosophila melanogaster probe. Comparison of B. ovis and Escherichia coli sequences revealed a similar organization for the dnaK and dnaJ genes and putative regulatory signals. In E. coli transfected with the cloned fragment, B. ovis hsp70 was expressed at 30 and 50 degrees C apparently under the control of its own promoter. The recombinant protein and a B. ovis native protein displaying the same molecular weight were both recognized by anti-E. coli DnaK serum. Native B. ovis protein was also recognized by sera of sheep either infected or vaccinated with an attenuated Brucella strain, suggesting that Brucella hsp70 could be up-regulated during host colonization. A thermosensitive E. coli dnaK mutant transfected with the cloned fragment recovered colony-forming ability at 42 degrees C, showing that the B. ovis DnaK protein could behave as a functional heat shock protein in E. coli.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1991

Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure profile of a new slow-release formulation of diltiazem in mild to moderate hypertension.

Twelve patients with a mild to moderate essential hypertension were included in a double-blind, balanced, randomized placebo-controlled cross-over study to assess the efficacy and duration of action of a new slow-release formulation of diltiazem (300 mg) given once daily for 3 weeks. All office blood pressure measurements were done 24 hours after drug intake. In order to improve the accuracy of the trial, 24-hours non-invasive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (Spacelabs 90207 system) were performed as well. Diltiazem significantly lowered supine and standing systolic and diastolic office blood pressure (by 16.9/12.7 mmHg and by 17.3/13.8 mmHg, respectively), without changing office heart rate. Diltiazem also significantly lowered ambulatory blood pressure measured over 24 hours, as well as ambulatory heart rate. The blood pressure lowering effect was most pronounced during the daytime period and did not reach statistical significance during the sleeping hours. The treatment was well tolerated, and there were no significant side effects. The results confirm the antihypertensive efficacy of diltiazem LP 300 mg once daily during the daytime and during the early morning blood pressure rise, without inducing nocturnal hypotension.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enzyme immunoassay of 2'-5'-oligoadenylates at the femtomole level.

We have developed a competition enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for 2'-5'-oligoadenylates [p kappa(A2'p5')nA; 0 less than or equal to kappa less than or equal to 3; 1 less than or equal to n] based on an anti-A2'p5' A monoclonal antibody coated onto 96-well polystyrene plates and A2'p5' A peroxidase as a marker. It permits measurement of 5'OH(A2'p5')nA as such and p kappa(A2'p5')nA after alkaline phosphatase hydrolysis, with a detection threshold of 5 X 10(-12) M. All 2'-5'-oligomers were assayed with similar sensitivity. ATP and adenosine did not interfere at concentrations up to 10(6)-fold higher than those of 2'-5'-oligoadenylates. Reproducibility, stability of reagents and correlation with the radioimmunoassay were good. As such, this EIA is a suitable tool for studying the 2-5A system, particularly, in clinical investigations: the initial velocity of 2-5A synthetase can be determined on 10,000 cells without purification and the level of 2'-5'-oligoadenylates can be assayed on less than 1 ml of blood.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of iron and lactose supplementation of milk on the Maillard reaction and tryptophan content.

New liquid UHT milks supplemented with iron (0.9-1.4 mg/100 ml), vitamin C (1-7 mg/100 ml), lactose (2-4 g/100 ml) and linoleic acid (200-400 mg/100 ml), named growth milks, have recently become available to satisfy the specific nutritional needs of children aged 1-3 years. But the iron-vitamin C mixture could activate the lactose-induced Maillard reaction and tryptophan (Trp) oxidation in proteins. We have therefore examined the Amadori product and Trp concentrations of these milks. Forty-two commercial growth milks from five firms were analysed for the Maillard reaction and the soluble protein Trp content and compared with 64 UHT milks. The furosine concentration of total proteins was two to four times higher in 'growth' milks than in standard UHT milks, indicating a proportional loss of available lysine. The Trp fluorescence of undenatured proteins soluble at pH 4.6 was almost three times lower in 'growth' than in standard milks and Trp concentration 36% lower suggesting destruction of this oxidation-sensitive amino-acid. The mechanism of Trp destruction remains to be elucidated, and the roles of iron and Amadori products determined.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Patient perspective on zanamivir in the treatment of influenza.

Placebo-controlled clinical studies have shown zanamivir to be an effective treatment of influenza A and influenza B illness. This survey, conducted in France, was done to evaluate patients' perception of zanamivir in clinical practice. Between January and mid-April 2000, 271 retail pharmacists gave questionnaires to patients with a prescription for zanamivir to be completed on a voluntary basis. A total of 514 patients returned completed questionnaires, of whom 97 (19%) were considered at high risk of developing influenza complications. Fifty-one (10%) patients, mainly those over 65 years, were vaccinated against influenza. Fever or feverishness was reported by 93% of patients, and cough, myalgia and headache by 72%. Most (58%) patients consulted their doctor within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, and 96% within 48 hours. Eighty-five per cent of patients overall and 82% of high-risk individuals (82/97) reported being satisfied with their zanamivir treatment. Treatment compliance was high with 75% of patients completing the whole course of treatment. Symptom relief was reported by 45% of patients within 24 hours and by 74% of patients within 48 hours; 66% of patients resumed normal activities within 72 hours. These results suggest that patient satisfaction is high and compliance with zanamivir is highly satisfactory. In addition, the use of zanamivir was reported to be associated with rapidsymptom relief and return to normal activity

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Digestive histoplasmosis in a patient with AIDS from Guadeloupe].

The authors report the case of a 45-year-old HIV and HTLV1 antibody positive male patient form French West-Indies who was infected by disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as acute diarrhea. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed gastric mass and colonoscopy patchy erythematous mucosa. The diagnosis was made by histology of bone marrow specimens, upper gastrointestinal tract and colon biopsies, and late skin lesions. Initial therapy with amphotericin B and itraconazole was successful, but maintenance therapy with itraconazole alone did not prevent relapse and a fatal outcome. Disseminated histoplasmosis in AIDS patients may be present as gastrointestinal manifestations and should be kept in mind in non endemic areas such as the French West Indies.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗