PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Meyer

Publications and source records attributed to P Meyer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Primary lymphoma of the lacrimal sac: an EORTC ophthalmic oncology task force study.

AIM: To define the clinical and histopathological characteristics of primary lacrimal sac lymphoma in a predominantly white population. METHODS: Specimens of lacrimal sac lymphoma and follow up data were solicited from members of the Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the European Ophthalmic Pathology Society (EOPS). Specimens were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and an immunohistochemical panel against leucocyte antigens was applied. Diagnosis was reached by consensus of five experienced pathologists according to the World Health Organization classification system. The histopathological findings were correlated with the clinical data. RESULTS: Of 15 primary lacrimal sac lymphomas, five (33%) were diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), five (33%) were extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma), three were classified as "transitional MALT lymphoma," being in transition from MALT lymphoma to DLBCL, and two were unclassified B cell lymphomas. Nine of the patients were female, and the median age at the time of diagnosis was 71 years (range 45-95 years). The most frequent presenting symptoms were epiphora (85%), swelling in the region of the lacrimal sac (79%), and dacryocystitis (21%). All but one patient presented in stage I. Systemic spread occurred in three of nine patients (33%). The 5 year overall survival was 65%. CONCLUSIONS: DLBCL and MALT lymphoma are equally common in the lacrimal sac in contrast with the remaining periorbital and/or orbital region where MALT lymphoma predominates.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

[Endocrinology].

There is now convincing evidence that the risks of hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women exceed its benefits. Similarly, it has now been shown that the current use of low-dose oral contraceptives significantly increases the risk for cardiac and arterial thrombotic events. With regard to hypothyroidism, it is now clearly established that the adjunction of T3 to T4 does not offer any benefits. Furthermore, a study has now demonstrated that patients with no symptoms of coronary heart disease can be started safely on the full replacement dose of T4 rather than titrating the dose over a prolong period of time. Finally, several theses are now well documented where chinese herbal products contain thyroid hormones or glucocorticoids potentially leading to serious side effects and our patients should be informed about these dangers.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2006

Low-dose endotoxin in allergic asthmatics: effect on bronchial and inflammatory response to cat allergen.

BACKGROUND: Endotoxin was proposed to increase the severity of asthma. Endotoxin levels greatly differ according to settings. In domestic environments, airborne concentrations may be dramatically low compared with levels reported in occupational settings. OBJECTIVE: Our first objective was therefore to assess the effect of inhalation of low-level lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the immediate and late-phase asthmatic bronchial response. Our second objective was to evaluate the effect of exposure to LPS on the local and systemic inflammatory response. METHODS: Nineteen asthmatics sensitized to cat underwent on two separate occasions a bronchial challenge test to cat allergen (cat BCT) preceded randomly by a pre-exposure to either saline or LPS (2 microg). Methacholine challenge test was performed 24 h before exposure to LPS or saline. The Borg scale for dyspnoea and lung function were recorded before and after exposure to LPS or saline, and before and after cat BCT. Induced sputum and blood samples were collected before and after cat BCT, and analysed for cell counts and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels. RESULTS: Inhalation of 2 microg LPS did not induce any changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), FEF 25-75 and Borg scale of dyspnoea. It neither modified Fel d 1 PD20 (45.03 ng as compared with 87.03; P=0.42). As well, there was no significant difference in late-phase reaction. Pre-exposure to LPS did not influence eosinophil counts or ECP levels in blood and sputum. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that pre-exposure to LPS at low levels, which may be encountered in domestic environment, had no significant effect on the immediate and late-phase bronchial response to cat allergen. It neither modified local and systemic eosinophilic inflammation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Inhaled formaldehyde exposure: effect on bronchial response to mite allergen in sensitized asthma patients.

BACKGROUND: Formaldehyde, an indoor air pollutant, is known to be an irritant and an etiologic factor in occupational asthma. An epidemiologic study suggests that it may also increase the risk of childhood asthma for concentrations above 60 microg/m(3). AIM: To evaluate the influence of pre-exposure to low-dose formaldehyde (100 microg/m(3) in 30 min according to the World Health Organization's recommended maximum value for indoor environments) on bronchial response to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. METHOD: Nineteen asthmatic subjects were included. Each subject underwent a mite allergen bronchial challenge test immediately after a standardized exposure in a chamber to formaldehyde or air (random order). Induced sputum were collected 24 h before and after mite challenge. RESULTS: After formaldehyde inhalation, patients developed an immediate bronchial response at a significantly lower dose of mite allergen than after air exposure (the geometric mean PD(20) for Der p 1 was 34.3 ng after formaldehyde and 45.4 ng after placebo, P = 0.05). The late-phase reaction, expressed as the maximum fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) from baseline, was significantly higher after formaldehyde (15%vs 11%, P = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that exposure to low levels of formaldehyde significantly enhanced bronchial responsiveness to mite allergen in mite-sensitized subjects with asthma.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Hypothermia pediatric head injury trial: the value of a pretrial clinical evaluation phase.

BACKGROUND: The utility of a pretrial clinical evaluation or run-in phase prior to conducting trials of complex interventions such as hypothermia therapy following severe traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents has not been established. METHODS: The primary objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the ability of investigators to adhere to the clinical protocols of care including the cooling and rewarming procedures as well as management guidelines in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale<or=8) treated with 24 h of hypothermia therapy. A secondary objective was to evaluate the ability of study research assistants to complete the study case report form using a procedures manual. The study was conducted at 18 sites in Canada, the United Kingdom and France prior to proceeding to a randomized controlled trial (RCT). After 2 patients were enrolled at each center, an independent clinical evaluation committee examined the process of care and the completeness of data collection. Centers were permitted to enroll patients in the RCT once they met pre-established adherence criteria. RESULTS: Seventeen of the 18 centers completed the pretrial clinical evaluation phase demonstrating compliance with study procedures and proceeded to an RCT of hypothermia therapy. One center enrolled only 1 patient in the pretrial clinical evaluation phase due to small numbers of patients with traumatic brain injury, and therefore, did not proceed to the RCT. Three centers were required to enroll more than 2 patients in the pretrial clinical evaluation phase prior to proceeding to the RCT because of problems with adherence to the clinical protocols at two centers and the training of new study personnel at another center. Of the 39 patients enrolled during the pretrial clinical evaluation phase, 8 (20.5%) died and 22 (62.9%) had a good outcome defined as normal, mild or moderate disability assessed using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category score at 6 months following injury. DISCUSSION: The pretrial clinical evaluation phase was useful to ensure compliance with complex hypothermia therapy and consensus-based clinical management guidelines of care successfully implemented across 17 of 18 centers. This study maneuver allowed us to complete a subsequent RCT in 225 children following severe traumatic brain injury.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

[Imaging of tumors and tumor-like diseases of the hand].

Tumors and tumor-like lesions of the hand are more frequently benign lesions. Plain film X-rays must be obtained in all patients since they are extensive and panoramic. Ultrasound can accurately assess the internal structure of the mass and its relation with adjacent nerves and vessels. MRI is particularly sensitive to bone marrow and is highly effective in characterizing a wide variety of soft tissue conditions. However, CT remains the method of choice for evaluating bone involvement of soft tissue tumors and small bone tumors such as osteoid oteoma. Where a malignant tumor is considered, thoraco-abdominal and/or bone scintigraphy are essential to evaluate the presence of metastatic lesions.

Bone Neoplasms↗
PubMed2005

[Silent myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients: to screen or not to screen?].

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes and silent myocardial ischemia occurs more frequently in diabetics than non-diabetics. Thus American Diabetes Association guidelines recommend screening for coronary artery disease in high-risk, asymptomatic diabetic patients. However these recommendations are the result of expert consensus panels instead of being evidence-based. The selection criteria for patients who should be included in screenings programs and the most appropriate treatment of silent ischemia in diabetics have to be clarified. In particular further studies are necessary to assess if myocardial revascularization is more beneficial than full medication alone. Screening of silent ischemia should be more individualized rather than systematic.

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed2005

Crystal structure of the S. cerevisiae D-ribose-5-phosphate isomerase: comparison with the archaeal and bacterial enzymes.

Ribose-5-phosphate isomerase A has an important role in sugar metabolism by interconverting ribose-5-phosphate and ribulose-5-phosphate. This enzyme is ubiquitous and highly conserved among the three kingdoms of life. We have solved the 2.1 A resolution crystal structure of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme by molecular replacement. This protein adopts the same fold as its archaeal and bacterial orthologs with two alpha/beta domains tightly packed together. Mapping of conserved residues at the surface of the protein reveals strong invariability of the active site pocket, suggesting a common ligand binding mode and a similar catalytic mechanism. The yeast enzyme associates as a homotetramer similarly to the archaeal protein. The effect of an inactivating mutation (Arg189 to Lys) is discussed in view of the information brought by this structure.

Aldose-Ketose Isomerases↗
PubMed2005

[Focus on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)].

Secreted by the adrenal cortex, DHEA exerts its action either indirectly in peripheral tissues after its conversion to androgens and estrogens, or directly as a neurosteroid through the interaction with neuronal receptors. Analyses of randomized studies show that treatment with DHEA improves well-being and fatigue in patients with adrenal insufficiency and reduces disease activity in women with systemic lupus erythematosus. Interesting results have also been observed in the treatment of depressive disorders, but these studies require confirmation. In contrast, there is neither justification for DHEA supplementation in healthy elderly subjects nor clear evidence for beneficial effects of DHEA on muscle function, bone metabolism or cognition. Finally, there is no guarantee with regard to the quality of the product or its safety during long term use.

Adrenal Insufficiency↗
PubMed2005

[Treatment results and complications after PFN osteosynthesis].

UNLABELLED: Intramedullary implants, such as the proximal femur nails (PFN), are inserted for the treatment of per-, inter- and subtrochanteric fractures. The initial experiences with these PFN, carried out by AO/ASIF in 1996, have been published. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study makes a systematic examination of the complications and clinical treatment results from 133 patients treated at our clinic from December 1997-2001 with 139 PFN in per-, inter- and subtrochanteric femur fractures. The mean age at the time of surgery was 78.4 years. All fractures were classified according to the AO system. The most frequent injuries were 31 A2.3 fractures (61.2%). All intraoperative image-converter images and all radiographs from the total period of treatment were evaluated retrospectively in accordance with 28 criteria. The degree of osteoporosis was estimated using the Singh classification. RESULTS: A total of 44 (31.7%) complications arose in 31 (23.3%) patients. On 11 occasions, hip screw cut-out was observed. Of these, two cases involved a Z-effect and one an inverted Z-effect. Two patients suffered a femoral neck fracture following removal of the hip screws. There were 38 (27.3%) reoperations required with 13 changes in procedure. In autumn 2002, clinical follow-up examinations were carried out on 65 (48.9%) patients who were assessed according to the Merle d'Aubigné score. A total of 51 (38.3%) patients had died at the time of follow-up. Normal ambulation was achieved by 33.8% of patients, while 64.6% were free of pain. CONCLUSIONS: The PFN is an appropriate implant in cases of per-, inter- and subtrochanteric femur fractures. Anatomical resetting and correct implant positioning are the keys to successful osteosynthesis. The risk of implant failure is highest in the case of multi-fragmentary per- and intertrochanteric fractures in which medial strengthening has been degraded in patients aged over 80 years. The clinical results in elderly patients are unsatisfactory.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Not Available].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Laparoscopic surgery in a patient with ventriculoperitoneal shunt: monitoring of shunt function with transcranial Doppler.

We describe the use of transcranial Doppler (TCD) monitoring during laparoscopic resection of an ovarian cyst in a young woman who previously underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunting for hydrocephalus. Shunt function was not altered by pneumoperitoneum, except during transient episodes of high intra-abdominal pressure. The role of TCD monitoring during laparoscopic procedures in patients with cerebrospinal fluid shunt is discussed.

Adult↗