Biomedical subjects

M Pageau

Publications and source records attributed to M Pageau.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Distribution of hammerhead and hammerhead-like RNA motifs through the GenBank.

Hammerhead ribozymes previously were found in satellite RNAs from plant viroids and in repetitive DNA from certain species of newts and schistosomes. To determine if this catalytic RNA motif has a wider distribution, we decided to scrutinize the GenBank database for RNAs that contain hammerhead or hammerhead-like motifs. The search shows a widespread distribution of this kind of RNA motif in different sequences suggesting that they might have a more general role in RNA biology. The frequency of the hammerhead motif is half of that expected from a random distribution, but this fact comes from the low CpG representation in vertebrate sequences and the bias of the GenBank for those sequences. Intriguing motifs include those found in several families of repetitive sequences, in the satellite RNA from the carrot red leaf luteovirus, in plant viruses like the spinach latent virus and the elm mottle virus, in animal viruses like the hepatitis E virus and the caprine encephalitis virus, and in mRNAs such as those coding for cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase in the rat and the hamster.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

PubMed1999

The distribution of RNA motifs in natural sequences.

Functional analysis of genome sequences has largely ignored RNA genes and their structures. We introduce here the notion of 'ribonomics' to describe the search for the distribution of and eventually the determination of the physiological roles of these RNA structures found in the sequence databases. The utility of this approach is illustrated here by the identification in the GenBank database of RNA motifs having known binding or chemical activity. The frequency of these motifs indicates that most have originated from evolutionary drift and are selectively neutral. On the other hand, their distribution among species and their location within genes suggest that the destiny of these motifs may be more elaborate. For example, the hammerhead motif has a skewed organismal presence, is phylogenetically stable and recent work on a schistosome version confirms its in vivo biological activity. The under-representation of the valine-binding motif and the Rev-binding element in GenBank hints at a detrimental effect on cell growth or viability. Data on the presence and the location of these motifs may provide critical guidance in the design of experiments directed towards the understanding and the manipulation of RNA complexes and activities in vivo.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗

PubMed1999

Prevalence and geographic disparities in certain congenital anomalies in Quebec: comparison of estimation methods.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of congenital anomalies in Quebec from MED-ECHO hospitalization records and from records of stillbirths. The results are first compared with those from the Canadian Congenital Anomalies Surveillance System (CCASS) for Quebec and Canada; then the data are examined by period and region of residence. The study results show that, for the congenital anomalies selected for the study, the prevalence rates measured for Quebec from the MED-ECHO data tend to be lower than the prevalence rates for Canada, whereas the rates estimated by CCASS are higher for Quebec than for Canada. The MED-ECHO data cover practically all Quebec births, compared with only 15% coverage by CCASS, and therefore provide a more accurate picture of congenital anomalies in Quebec.

Canada↗

PubMed1982

Emergency cimetidine prophylaxis against acid aspiration.

Preoperative cimetidine (300 mg IV) was given to assess timing and efficacy of prophylactic cimetidine to increase gastric pH in emergency surgical patients. Two-thirds had an initial gastric pH less than or equal to 2.5, with a mean pH of 2.13 +/- 0.60 as a group. Cimetidine administration resulted in a significant increase in mean pH at intubation (3.25 +/- 0.90), with a mean preoperative premedication interval of 59 +/- 20 minutes. However, 20% failed to achieve a gastric pH greater than 2.5 prior to intubation. The mean gastric pH at extubation (5.09 +/- 1.55) was also significantly increased compared to precimetidine and preintubation levels. Prophylactic cimetidine might protect many, but not all, emergency patients from acid-induced aspiration pulmonary injury at intubation or extubation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1982

Implanted continuous epidural morphine infusion system. Preliminary report.

A number of reports have shown that epidural or intrathecal administration of morphine provides pain relief. Since February, 1981, the authors have used an implantable pump and epidural catheter for continuous epidural morphine infusion in patients with chronic pain. This system has functioned well, without respiratory or infectious complications. Functional characteristics of the system, technique of implantation, and preliminary results in two patients treated by this method are presented.

Adenocarcinoma↗