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Biomedical subjects

O Henry

Publications and source records attributed to O Henry.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A potential endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor has potent agonist activity in vitro and in vivo.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is best known as a mediator of toxicity of a diverse family of xenobiotic chemicals such as dioxins and PCBs. However, many naturally occurring compounds also activate AhR. One such compound, 2-(1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl)-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (ITE), was isolated from tissue and found to be potent in preliminary tests [J. Song, M. Clagett-Dame, R.E. Peterson, M.E. Hahn, W.M. Westler, R.R. Sicinski, H.F. DeLuca, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99 (2002) 14694-14699]. We have synthesized ITE and [(3)H]ITE and further evaluated its AhR activity in several in vitro and in vivo assays in comparison with the toxic ligand, TCDD. AhR in Hepa1c1c7 cell cytosol bound [(3)H]ITE with high affinity and the AhR.ITE complex formed in vitro bound dioxin response element (DRE) oligonucleotide as potently as TCDD.AhR. In cells treated with ITE, nuclear translocation of AhR, and induction of CYP1A1 protein and of a DRE-dependent luciferase reporter gene were observed. ITE administered to pregnant DRE-LacZ transgenic mice activated fetal AhR, observed as X-gal staining in the same sites as in TCDD-treated mice. However, unlike TCDD, ITE did not induce cleft palate or hydronephrosis. TCDD but not ITE induced thymic atrophy in young adult mice, but both ITE and TCDD caused similar loss of cells and alterations of cell profiles in cultured fetal thymi. These data demonstrate that ITE is a potent AhR agonist in cell extracts, cultured cells, and intact animals, but does not cause the toxicity associated with the more stable xenobiotic ligand, TCDD.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed2005

Metabolic flux analysis of HEK-293 cells in perfusion cultures for the production of adenoviral vectors.

To meet increasing needs of adenovirus vectors for gene therapy programs, development of efficient and reproducible production processes is required. Perfusion cultures were employed to allow infection at greater cell concentrations. In an effort to define culture conditions resulting in enhanced productivities, experiments performed at different feed rates and infected at various cell densities were compared using metabolic flux analysis. The highest specific product yields were achieved in experiments performed at high perfusion rates and/or low cell concentrations. The intracellular flux analysis revealed that these experiments exhibited greater glycolytic fluxes, slightly higher TCA fluxes, and greater ATP production rates at the time of infection. In contrast, cultures infected at high cell density and/or low medium renewal rates were characterized by a more efficient utilization of glucose at the time of infection, but the specific product yields achieved were lower. The intracellular flux analysis provided a rational basis for the implementation of a feeding strategy that allowed successful infection at a density of 5x10(6)cells/ml.

Adenoviridae↗
PubMed2002

[Structure and function of the arteries of very elderly people. The PROTEGER Study (Cardiovascular Prognosis and Therapeutic Optimization in Geriatrics)].

The purpose of PROTEGER, a multicenter prospective observational study, was to determine the contribution of hemodynamic, arterial, echocardiographic and biological parameters to the evaluation of individual cardiovascular risk in the elderly. The study included patients aged over 70 years hospitalized in geriatric units with overt cardiovascular disease. Cross sectional analysis of the first 194 subjects included in the study demonstrated a high rate of arterial alterations involving both structure and function. The principal alterations observed were: high pulse pressure despite normal mean systolic and diastolic pressures, frequent and diffuse arterial calcifications, reduced compliance and distensibility, increased thickness, diameter and incremental elastic modulus of the carotid and increased pulse wave velocity. Analysis of monitoring results in the PROTEGER study will demonstrate the role of hemodynamic measurements and arterial alterations in the prediction of cardiovascular risk in hospitalized elderly.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness. An innovative technique for assessing cardiovascular risk].

ASSESSMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR RISK: Measurement of the intima-media thickness in the carotid artery is optimized by coupling high-resolution ultrasonography with automatic data processing systems, allowing improved precision. Although the optimal site of measurement remains controversial (common carotid, bifurcation, internal carotid), there appears to be a consensus on need for bilateral automatic measurement. The intima-media thickness is considered a marker of atheromatous disease and its diffusion. This parameter probably integrates the deleterious effect of different cardiovascular risk factors accumulated over decades. In addition, several prospective observation studies have reported a positive relationship between measurement of the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery and risk of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and stroke). DETECTION AID: Although the results issuing from epidemiology observation studies are still too preliminary, to evaluate the positive and negative predictive value for occurrence of clinical events in relation to different levels of thickness, this simple rapid and noninvasive measurement could be a useful tool for subjects with high cardiovascular risk. PERSPECTIVES: Measurement of arterial parameters, determined by high-resolution ultrasonography, will probably shortly become an integral part of the evaluation strategies for cardiovascular risk. Future comparative studies will provide an assessment of the comparative predictive value of these different parameters (quantitative structural analysis versus quantitative and qualitative analysis of the structure versus structural and functional analysis of the arteries).

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1999

Validation of two devices for self-measurement of blood pressure by elderly patients according to the revised British Hypertension Society protocol: the Omron HEM-722C and HEM-735C.

BACKGROUND: The validation of self-measurement devices for clinical use by elderly patients has been recommended. The Omron HEM-722C device has recently been validated according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol for use for general populations and the Omron HEM-735C is a new fully automatic device with a high capacity for storage of measurements that is integrated with a personal computer. OBJECTIVE: To perform a clinical validation for use by elderly people of the Omron HEM-722C and HEM-735C devices according to the revised protocol of the BHS and the criteria of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). METHODS: We carried out a main validation test according to the revised BHS protocol for validation procedures for special groups on two groups of 30 subjects aged more than 65 years (29 men and 31 women), 11 of 30 with systolic blood pressures (SBP) <110mmHg, 10 of 30 with SBP >200 mmHg, 15 of 30 with diastolic blood pressures (DBP( <70 mmHg and 10 of 30 with DBP >110 mmHg. The results were graded according to the BHS system from A to D. RESULTS: The Omron HEM 722C achieved an overall A/A grading and satisfied the AAMI criteria for accuracy whereas the Omron HEM-735C achieved an overall B/A grading and satisfied the AAMI criteria for accuracy. The sphygmomanometer measurements were 147 +/- 31/79 +/- 15 and 144 +/- 30/78 +/- 15 mmHg (means+/-SD) respectively, for the models 722C and 735C. The average differences between mercury sphygmomanometer and HEM-722C readings for SBP and DBP were, respectively, 0.76+/-5 and 0.41+/-8 mmHg; those for HEM-735C were, respectively, 0.24+/-8 and 0.9+/-8 mmHg. Readings of the HEM-722C device differed by less than 5 mmHg for 76% of systolic readings and 96% of the readings differed by less than 10 mmHg. Diastolic measurements differed by less than 5 mmHg for 71% and less than 10 mmHg for 71 and 87% of all readings. Readings of the HEM-735C device differed by less than 5 mmHg for 68% of systolic readings and 74% of the readings differed by less than 10 mmHg. Diastolic measurements differed by less than 5 mmHg in 74% and less than 10 mmHg in 88 and 87% of all readings. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, for elderly subjects both self-measurement devices (Omron HEM-722C and HEM-735C) satisfied the validation criteria of the BHS and therefore can be recommended for the clinical measurement of blood pressure in elderly patients.

Automation↗
PubMed1999

[Analysis of the inflammatory response in elderly hospitalized patients].

This report examines the clinical features, biological characteristics and future potential of 146 hospitalized elderly patients (average age: 83.9 +/- 7 years) with and without inflammation at admission. The prognostic values of CRP and orosomucoid tests were assessed. CRP and orosomucoid were measured within three days following admission, and were elevated in 58 patients (40%). Compared with patients free of inflammation, these patients had more diseases per individual (more than two diseases: 70% versus 50%, p < 0.01), lower albumin, prealbumin and cholesterol levels and, when in hospital, more frequent pulmonary infections (31 vs 12%, p < 0.05) and higher death rate (20% vs 5%, p < 0.05). CRP increased with age (R = 0.23, p < 0.01) independently of inflammation and was neither correlated to infections nor to mortality unlike the orosomucoid. An inflammatory response following admission was related to an increase of pulmonary infections and mortality in hospital. Orosomucoid had a better prognostic value, compared with CRP. These data are in agreement with the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of certain genes (NFkappaB, IL6, orosomucoid) involved in inflammation and their modification through ageing.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1999

[Feasibility and importance of self-monitoring in patients over 75 years old].

The feasibility of self-measurement (SM) of the blood pressure (BP) is well demonstrated in hypertensive patients (pts) but, in elderly pts physical and intellectual limitations can restrict the use of SM. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of SM as a function of autonomic psychomotricity in pts aged more than 75 years and to estimate the reproducibility of SM in comparison with office's measurements (OM). We initially proposed the use of SM devices of BP to 53 pts aged > 75 years. One-third of pts refused to participate in the study. In 32 pts we did a mini-mental-state score (MMS) and an evaluation of autonomic functions (IADL). Two patients with a MMS < 20 were excluded. The OM of BP was done in sitting position with a mercury sphygmomanometer (4 measures) and the SM by a Omron device during 5 consecutive days (3 measures morning and night). Eighteen (60%) pts did more or equal to 15 measures (good measurer) and 12 less than 15 (bad measurer). The pts of the group "good measurer" were significantly younger, were all hypertensive treated patients and had a higher MMS and a lower IADL than those of the group "bad measurer". Considering the differences (OM-SM), 55% of patients showed values superior to 10 mmHg for systolic blood pressure, and 64% of subjects had values superior to 5 mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. We conclude that the SM is acceptable by patients older than 75 years and that feasibility is optimal in those patients where the autonomic and cognitive functions are preserved and when the patient is hypertensive. Also, as the concordance between OM and SM of patients older than 75 years is below 50%, diagnostic and therapeutic decisions based on OM is hazardous in these patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

[Blood pressure parameters and cardiovascular risk in the elderly].

The treatment decision must take into account the benefit and risks related to the intervention: the benefit demonstrated and quantified in many therapeutic trials in hypertension in the elderly, but also the patient's initial risk. It is now recognized that, in elderly hypertensive patients, systolic blood pressure is a better predictor of morbid and lethal events related to hypertension than diastolic blood pressure. Recent data in the medical literature attribute a predictive role to pulse pressure which is even greater than that of systolic blood pressure. From a pathophysiological point of view, the level of pulse pressure reflects the degree of rigidity of large arterial trunks. The arterial rigidity parameter could integrate the harmful effect of "cardiovascular risk factors" (hypertension, but also atherogenic dyslipidaemia, diabetes, smoking, homocysteine, genetic factors, etc.) on the years or decades of exposure, and pulsed pressure would therefore appear to be a better marker of cardiovascular risk than other blood pressure parameters. Pulse pressure should therefore be integrated into the benefit/risk ratio of antihypertensive treatment in the elderly.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1993

[Evaluation and clinical management of urination disorders in 1,025 patients in a geriatric department].

Evaluation of voluntary urination and measurement of the post-voiding residue enabled the identification of 6 groups among 1,025 patients 83 +/- 7 years old: 400 normal patients (N); 97 with retention but without incontinence (R); 133 incontinent without retention (I); 50 incontinent with retention (IR); 236 who failed to urinate voluntarily (MO); 109 with indwelling catheters (SAD). Incontinence and indwelling catheters were more common in women; men more frequently failed to urinate voluntarily (p < 0.01). The IR and SAD groups had more urinary infections (p < 0.01) and included more invalids (p < 0.001). The MO and SAD groups had more demented members (p < 0.001) and a higher death rate (p < 0.001). Management consisted of a 48-hour diary of urinations (R and IR groups), scheduled micturitions (I and MO groups) and treatment of urinary infections. Evaluation of bladder sphincter function (n = 291) showed that bladder hypoesthesia was prevalent in groups R and IR and that bladder hyperactivity was predominant in groups I, MO and SAD. Among the 314 patients discharged from the hospital, 181 were reevaluated: good results were obtained for 43% of the initially incontinent and for 53% of those with retention. The indwelling catheters were removed from 82% of the SAD group.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

The effect of lactation on glucose and lipid metabolism in women with recent gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of lactation in the puerperium on glucose and lipid metabolism in women with recent gestational diabetes. METHODS: In women with recent gestational diabetes, we examined the effect of 4-12 weeks of lactation on glucose tolerance (2-hour oral glucose tolerance test) and on fasting serum lipids (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, and triglycerides). Of 809 women tested in the puerperium, 404 elected to breast-feed and 405 did not lactate. RESULTS: The mean (+/- standard deviation) maternal age (31.6 +/- 5.9 versus 30.5 +/- 6.3 years), body mass index (28.8 +/- 5.1 versus 28.8 +/- 4.5 kg/m2), and parity (3.0 +/- 1.6 versus 2.8 + 1.7) were not different between the lactating and nonlactating groups, respectively. Glucose metabolism improved in the lactating group, indicated by a significantly lower total area under the glucose tolerance curve (17.0 +/- 4.2 versus 17.9 +/- 5.0 g.minute/dL; P = .01), mean fasting serum glucose (93 +/- 13 versus 98 +/- 17 mg/dL; P = .0001), and mean 2-hour glucose level (124 +/- 41 versus 134 +/- 49 mg/dL; P < .01). These differences were significant after adjusting for maternal age, body mass index (BMI), and the use of insulin in pregnancy. Nursing had no effect on total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, or triglyceride levels. However, the mean serum HDL cholesterol was elevated in the lactating group after adjusting for maternal age, BMI, and pregnancy insulin use compared with the nonlactating group (48 +/- 11 versus 44 +/- 10 mg/dL; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Lactation, even for a short duration, has a beneficial effect on glucose and lipid metabolism in women with gestational diabetes. Breast-feeding may offer a practical, low-cost intervention that helps reduce or delay the risk of subsequent diabetes in women with prior gestational diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Pure XY gonadal dysgenesis presenting as secondary amenorrhea. A case report.

Secondary amenorrhea developed after two years of normal menstruation. On investigation, the patient's karyotype was 46,XY, the serum testosterone and free androgen index were elevated, and bilateral gonadoblastomas and dysgerminomas were found in the gonads. The uterus, fallopian tubes and vagina were normal. The gonads were removed and chemotherapy given because of lymphadenopathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Effects of dietary omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids on levels of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocytes].

C18:2 omega 6/C18:3 omega 3 ratio was lowered in the diet of Elderly subjects. This was done by the replacement of usual sunflower oil by rapeseed oil or by supplementing soybean oil. This diet modification induced an increase of EPA (C20:5 omega 3) and DHA (C22:6 omega 3) in red cell phospholipids. The omega 6 fatty acids (C18:2 and C20:4) were slightly modified. Therefore, dietary C18:2 omega 6/C18:3 omega 3 ratio, seems to play an important role in the determination of membrane highly unsaturated fatty acid levels.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Microaerophilic/anaerobic bacteria as a cause of urinary tract infection in pregnancy.

The involvement of microaerophilic/anaerobic bacteria as a cause of urinary tract infection was investigated by appropriate culture of urine samples obtained after periurethral toilet from 48 pregnant women admitted to hospital with urinary tract symptoms. Significant bacterial counts were demonstrated in 28 of these patients; 24 were due to microaerophilic/anaerobic organisms, and the remaining four were due to established urinary pathogens. In 25 pregnant women admitted without urinary tract symptoms, who were used as controls, four had significant bacterial counts, all of which were due to microaerophilic/anaerobic organisms. It is concluded that these organisms may be responsible for urinary tract symptoms in pregnant women when no significant growth is demonstrated on urinary culture by conventional methods.

Bacteriuria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The insectivorous-frugivorous diet of the golden-handed tamarin (Saguinus midas midas) in French Guiana.

The diet of Saguinus midas is characterised by analysis of stomach contents samples on an annual and seasonal basis. The diet comprises significant proportions of both fruit and insects all year round, although fruit use shows important seasonal variations. The tamarins reduce their use of fruit resources during the peak fruiting season and instead exploit increased opportunities for insectivory. This is suggested to be a response to differences in gross fruit availability as a function of both fruiting patterns and the presence of competitors for the available fruit resources.

Animals↗