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Biomedical subjects

M Pais

Publications and source records attributed to M Pais.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Osteitis in psoriasis].

A 56-year-old man was diagnosed with psoriasis, after a year with pain over the manubrium sterni, a stiff neck and shoulders and an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Imaging studies revealed widening and sclerosis of the manubrium sterni, ossification of the insertions of the first ribs and involvement of the sternoclavicular joints. Histological examination of the sternum showed signs of a chronic inflammatory process. Improvement of the skin lesions was accompanied by a reduction of the pain. Psoriasis may be complicated by osteitis/hyperostosis, which may precede the skin lesions. An effective therapy is lacking, although analgetics and antiphlogistics are often useful.

Arthritis, Psoriatic

Insecticidal and cytotoxic effects of natural and hemisynthetic destruxins.

The insecticidal and cytotoxic effects of 13 natural and hemisynthetic destruxins have been studied. DE shows insecticidal effects similar to those of DA, while DE and DA are more active than all the other natural compounds and analogues tested. Brominated destruxin is a relatively active analogue displaying particular modalities of cytotoxic effects which reflect a certain originality of its mode of action. The linear molecule resulting from the opening of the DA cycle is not toxic. The most hydrophilic destruxins showing e.g. charged radicals (COO-) appear the least toxic probably because they do not penetrate easily the cellular membranes.

Administration, Oral

[Decrease of insulin resistance after splenectomy in a diabetic patient with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Physiopathologic evaluation].

Liver cirrhosis is characterized by an increased incidence of glucose intolerance, diabetes and insulin resistance. We report a cirrhotic man (41 years old) who developed glucose intolerance and diabetes with insulin resistance over a period of six years. This patient suffered from severe portal hypertension with oesophageal varices and a enormously increased spleen volume. The subject underwent prophylactic endoscopic sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices. Splenectomy was performed because of severe piastrinopenia with recurrent nose bleeding. During laparotomy, multiple liver biopsies confirmed diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. Intra-operatory exploration revealed a splenic vein thrombosis. For this reason the planned spleno-renal shunting was not performed and the patient was only submitted to splenectomy. Liver function improved in the month following splenectomy and concomitant decrease of insulin resistance was observed (with a reduction in daily insulin dosage from 126 to 10 I.U.). We propose the following explanations of this event: 1) A decrease of portal and pancreatic vein pressure may have induced a proportional decrease (as already reported) of glucagon secretion. 2) The ameliorated liver function may have induced an improvement of liver glucose, insulin and glucagon metabolism. 3) A reduction of insulin circulating level (proved by a decrease of C Peptide value) may have lessened the insulin receptor down-regulation.

Adult

[The relationship between job appreciation and absenteeism studied with the use of a simple questionnaire].

In the period February 1986-January 1988 a questionnaire study was carried out among 455 men aged 39-55 years working for the Netherlands Post Office to determine whether a correlation exists between job appreciation and absenteeism. Job appreciation was estimated by means of seven questions concerning: pleasure at work, fatigue after work, job satisfaction, mental stress due to the work, tension in contact with colleagues, tension in contacts with superiors and the physical exertion of working. Answers were scored on a 7-point scale. It was found that a particular score area exists that is correlated with significantly more absenteeism. The results apply to groups, not to individuals.

Absenteeism

Sequencing of cyclodepsipeptides (destruxins) using positive fast atom bombardment desorption tandem mass spectrometry.

The development of fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry methodology is applied to the sequencing of the destruxin toxins (cyclodepsipeptides) which are 'wrong' cyclopeptides. The strategy is discussed in detail. Possible ways to overcome problems related to the resolution of isobaric fragment ions using deuterated compounds and the distinction between sequence and retrosequence are examined.

Amino Acid Sequence

Scalarane-type bishomosester terpenes from the sponge Phyllospongia foliascens.

Five new 20,24-bishomoscalarane sesterterpenes, phyllactones A [1], B [2], C [3], D [4], and E [5], are reported from the sponge Phyllospongia foliascens collected in the waters of the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. Structural elucidation of these compounds is based on spectral data and chemical conversions. Phyllactones A and B show moderate cytotoxicity against KB cells (IC50 20 micrograms/ml).

Acetylation

Lyme borreliosis presenting as acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans.

A patient is described who developed acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, arthralgias and polyneuropathy as manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histological and serological examinations. Despite a long delay before the diagnosis was established, the patient responded very well to treatment with doxycycline.

Acrodermatitis

Cytotoxicity of cyclodepsipeptides on murine lymphocytes and on L 1210 leukemia cells.

By in vitro experiments we have demonstrated an important cytotoxic effect of destruxins A, A2, B, B1 and E on L 1210 leukemia cells. This cytotoxic effect was measured by DNA synthesis. The cytotoxic effect on normal mouse spleen lymphocytes was also evaluated. For the most cytotoxic compound, destruxin E, 16 mg/kg was found to be the minimal dose necessary to kill all mice.

Animals