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Biomedical subjects

P Lamothe

Publications and source records attributed to P Lamothe.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Psychoactive substance use among newly incarcerated prison inmates].

The objective of this study was to describe the population of incoming prisoners in Lyon's prisons and to estimate the proportion of those who are drug users in order to adapt the psychological care which is made available at the time of entrance. During the entrance interview briefing session, a questionnaire was given to each new adult male inmate between January 1st and December 31st 2003. The mean age of new prisoners was 31 years old: 68.5% did not have regular employment in the last 12 months prior to their incarceration, and 52.8% had already been previously imprisoned. More than 64.0% of inmates declared either a regular use, an abusive use or dependence on tobacco, 16.5% on cannabis, 16.1% on alcohol, 2.5% on psychotropic medication, and 4.1% on other drugs (heroine, cocaine, or synthetic drugs). Moreover, 42.0% of drug users declared either a regular use, abusive consumption or dependence on at least two psycho active substances. These results confirm the need for effective screening for drug use upon entry into prison as a means of ensuring that appropriate psychological and/or psychiatric care of drug users, which is suitably adapted to the prison environment, can be provided.

Adult↗

Aeolian dust in Colorado Plateau soils: nutrient inputs and recent change in source.

Aeolian dust (windblown silt and clay) is an important component in arid-land ecosystems because it may contribute to soil formation and furnish essential nutrients. Few geologic surfaces, however, have been characterized with respect to dust-accumulation history and resultant nutrient enrichment. We have developed a combination of methods to identify the presence of aeolian dust in arid regions and to evaluate the roles of this dust in ecosystem processes. Unconsolidated sandy sediment on isolated surfaces in the Canyonlands region of the Colorado Plateau differs greatly in mineralogical and chemical composition from associated bedrock, mainly aeolian sandstone. Detrital magnetite in the surficial deposits produces moderately high values of magnetic susceptibility, but magnetite is absent in nearby bedrock. A component of the surficial deposits must be aeolian to account for the abundance of magnetite, which formed originally in far-distant igneous rocks. Particle-size analysis suggests that the aeolian dust component is typically as much as 20-30%. Dust inputs have enriched the sediments in many elements, including P, Mg, Na, K, and Mo, as well as Ca, at sites where bedrock lacks calcite cement. Soil-surface biologic crusts are effective dust traps that apparently record a change in dust sources over the past several decades. Some of the recently fallen dust may result from human disturbance of land surfaces that are far from the Canyonlands, such as the Mojave Desert. Some land-use practices in the study area have the potential to deplete soil fertility by means of wind-erosion removal of aeolian silt.

Colorado↗

Evaluation of the embryo transfer procedure proposed by the International Embryo Transfer Society as a method of controlling vertical transmission of Neospora caninum in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of embryo transfer into seronegative recipients, using the procedure proposed by the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS), for preventing vertical transmission of Neospora caninum in cattle. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 87 recipient cows and heifers and their embryo transfer calves from 22 donors originating from 9 dairy herds. PROCEDURE: Neospora caninum serologic status of donors and recipients was determined before collection and transfer of embryos. Viable embryos were washed and treated with trypsin. Recipients in experimental groups A (n = 50) and B (29) were seronegative and received embryos from seropositive and seronegative donors, respectively. Recipients in group C (n = 8) were seropositive and received embryos from seronegative or seropositive donors. Antibody titers against N caninum were determined monthly during pregnancy in recipients and in calf blood samples collected at birth. Tissues collected from stillborn calves and aborted fetuses were analyzed histologically and by immunohistochemical (IHC) methods. RESULTS: 76 calves and 11 fetuses and stillborn calves were examined. All calves from groups A and B were seronegative (n = 70) or lacked evidence of infection by use of tissue analysis (9). In group C, 5 of 6 calves were seropositive at birth, and IHC results were positive for 1 of 2 calves. Vertical transmission rate was significantly lower in groups A and B (0%) than in group C (75%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Embryo transfer into seronegative recipients, using the procedure proposed by IETS, is an effective way to prevent vertical transmission of N caninum. Results provide support for pretransfer testing of all embryo transfer recipients.

Animals↗

Combined immunoextraction approach coupled to a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for the determination of trace levels of salbutamol and clenbuterol in tissue samples.

A monoclonal immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antisalbutamol, which exhibits a 75% cross-reactivity with clenbuterol, has been used in the setup of an immunoaffinity chromatography method and a chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for the extraction and the quantification of salbutamol and clenbuterol in tissue samples. After analytical validation, the proposed methodology was applied to liver, kidney and muscle samples obtained from calves and pigs treated with these beta 2-agonists (100 micrograms per kg of body weight) for 10 d. This methodology allowed the quantification of both drugs until 6 d after the final dose. At this time, however, salbutamol and clenbuterol were concentrated in the liver. Our results indicate that the liver is the preferred tissue to sample for the detection of illegal use of beta 2-agonists as growth promoters, in the absence of urine samples.

Albuterol↗

Isolation and characterization of a bovine seminal plasma protein inhibiting pituitary FSH secretion.

A basic protein with inhibin-like activity was purified from bull seminal plasma by ethanol precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and preparative disc electrophoresis. The protein migrated rapidly into the acrylamide gel at pH 4.5 but failed to penetrate the gel at pH 8.9. Electrophoresis at pH 4.5 revealed heterogeneity. Its molecular weight by SDS gel electrophoresis was estimated to be approx. 18 000 daltons. It exhibited inhibin activity in both in vivo and in vitro model systems. The partially purified protein fraction was active in suppressing hCG-induced mouse uterine weight in immature mice. It specifically inhibited the castration-induced rise in serum FSH in 34-day-old male rats, blocked the action of synthetic LH-RH in vivo and in vitro in rats and mice respectively.

Animals↗

Accessory proteins for DNA polymerase alpha activity with single-strand DNA templates.

Three forms of DNA polymerase alpha [DNA nucleotidyltransferase (DNA-directed), EC 2.7.7.7] were partially purified from the combined nuclear extract and postmicrosomal supernatant solution of synchronized HeLa cells. These enzymes, designated DNA polymerases alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3, on the basis of their order of elution from DEAE-Bio-Gel, differ in their abilities to utilize single-strand DNA templates. DNA polymerase alpha 2 has equal catalytic activities with activated and single-strand DNAs as template-primers. DNA polymerase alpha 1 has only partial catalytic activity with single-strand DNA templates, and DNA polymerase alpha 3 is essentially inactive with this template. Successive steps of hydrophobic affinity chromatography and phosphocellulose chromatography of DNA polymerase alpha 2 resolved the polymerase alpha activity and two protein factors (C1 and C2) that are required for its catalytic activity with a DNA template-primer that contains extended single-strand regions. In the absence of the factors, DNA polymerase alpha activity is measurable with activated but not single-strand DNA templates. In the presence of the C1 and C2 factors DNA polymerase alpha activity with single-strand DNA templates is restored to about 75% of the catalytic activity of DNA polymerase alpha 2 with this template.

DNA, Single-Stranded↗

Milk production effect of a morantel tartrate treatment at calving in dairy cows with subclinical parasitism.

A field trial involving 217 dairy cows from 13 herds located in four different areas of Quebec was conducted to determine the level of subclinical parasitism. The effect on milk production was evaluated on 116 cows following a single anthelmintic treatment with morantel tartrate administered at freshening. The results showed that this treatment increased milk production in nine herds, which was statistically significant at P </= 0.05 in one of the herds and decreased yields in four herds. Overall, this treatment increased milk production by an average of 255 kg per cow for the official 305 day production period. This increase was found to be not statistically significant (P>0.05).

Animals↗

Presence of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in bull seminal plasma.

Levels of FSH and LH were estimated in a crude powder of seminal plasma pooled from bulls. The FSH concentration in the seminal plasma was approximately 100 times greater than that in the circulation. The receptor-binding activity of LH in the seminal plasma was very low compared with that in blood. The FSH in bull seminal plasma was partially purified and found to be identical to ovine pituitary FSH in its ability to bind to bull testicular receptor, in its immunological reactivity and also in its chromatographic and electrophoretic properties. The partially purified LH in bull seminal plasma was more acidic than ovine pituitary LH as shown by disc electrophoresis. It showed low binding characteristics that were not parallel to pituitary LH in the specific radioreceptor assay. The significance of the inverse relationship between the levels of FSH and LH in seminal and blood plasma is unknown.

Animals↗

Bovine herpesvirus type 1 in the sperm of a bull from a herd with fertility problems.

A herd of 125 Holstein cows manifested fertility problems for two years. The number of services per pregnancy was 2.97, conception rate was 33% after the first service, and the average number of open days was 127. Abortions occurred in four cows over the last 12 months. The herd was not vaccinated against any disease. Natural service by a bull and artificial insemination were used for breeding the cows. Bovine herpesvirus type 1 was demonstrated in sperm heads from the bull by direct and indirect fluorescent antibody techniques, and the virus was isolated on cell cultures. The virus was also isolated from the uterine secretions of some cows and from two aborted fetuses.

Abortion, Veterinary↗

Metritis following parturition: serum progesterone and 17 beta-oestradiol levels. The significance of the corpus luteum and the advisability of using a luteolytic agent as a treatment.

A group of 22 postpartum Holstein Friesian cows showing abnormal uterus were divided into two groups and treated with a) PGF(2)alpha or b) diethylstilboestrol and oxytocin. Most blood P(4) values were under 0.5 ng/mL whereas E(2) blood level was higher than in normal cycling cows. The report emphasizes the need for a careful clinical examination in order to apply the proper therapy.

Animals↗

Experimental infection of calves with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (Quebec strain).

An experiment was designed to evaluate the clinical, haematological, viral and serological aspects of bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection in calves. Eleven calves were inoculated intranasally with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (Quebec strain) in aerosol. Clinical, haemotological and serological responses of the calves and virus shedding were monitored. The experimentally infected animals manifested moderate to severe signs of respiratory disease. The parameters used to evaluate the severity of the disease included ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, lung sounds, nasal discharge, pyrexia and leukopenia. The animals were scored accordingly (scale infected 70.8-148.5, control 22-29.3). Highest disease scores were observed between day 6-9 after infection. Virological and serological assessment demonstrated that the observed clinical picture was due to bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection.

Animals↗

Origin and developmental patterns of lactase and other glycosidases in sheep amniotic and allantoic fluid.

Intestinal lactase activity (with its associated cellobiase, 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-galactosidase and -beta-glucosidase activities) was used as a specific intestinal marker enzyme to study the release of protein and enzymes of intestinal origin in sheep amniotic fluid during gestation. In amniotic fluid, intestinal lactase activity peaked at 66--85 days of gestation and then decreased with gestation. This enzyme activity was very low or absent in allantoic fluid throughout gestation suggesting that there is no important transfer of amniotic fluid lactase towards the allantoic cavity. Maltase and 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-glucosidase showed no statistically significant variation with gestation in both amniotic and allantoic fluid whereas alpha-galactosidase and N-acetyl-beta-hexosaminidase which were first higher in allantoic than in amniotic fluid increased in amniotic fluid to reach allantoic fluid levels near term. Such patterns are consistent with the suggestion that the fetal urine is a source of alpha-galactosidase and N-acety-beta-hexosaminidase activities and that sheep urine is first accumulated in the allantoic sac via the urachus up to 86--90 days of gestation and thereafter passes more and more into the amniotic sac.

Allantois↗

[Isolation of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus from the tarsal joint of a bull (author's transl)].

Isolation of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus from the tarsal joint of a bullInfectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus was isolated from the right tarsal joint of a bull who was showing signs of a systemic viral infection. The clinical signs manifested by 16 bulls of this herd are described, the laboratory methods used are listed and the results are analysed and discussed.

Animals↗