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Biomedical subjects

S Perrot

Publications and source records attributed to S Perrot.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Nonpharmacological approaches to pain in osteoarthritis. Available options.

Many treatments or techniques have been developed to combat pain in osteoarthritis. These can reduce drug consumption and toxicity, or even delay the need for joint replacement surgery. Pain management in osteoarthritis should start with education, psychological support and environmental measures, reassuring patients that such pain is a reversible state, not associated with aging and irreversible loss of ability. Physiotherapy and exercises are very important for maintaining muscle strength, joint stability and mobility, but should be closely monitored for optimal efficacy. Splints and weight reduction in the obese are useful, depending on the joints involved. Preventive surgery such as cruciate ligament repair or osteotomy should be considered for cases with moderate osteoarthritis. Intraarticular lavage is effective in the short term, and the effectiveness is increased with the use of an arthroscope when meniscus tears or cartilage fragments are associated with osteoarthritis. Nonconventional therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can be tried at all stages; even if not really efficient, most of these techniques are usually innocuous. Doctors should be aware of these neglected techniques for a better, well tolerated and cost-effective management of pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Humans↗

Nerve growth factor (NGF) autoantibodies and NGF in the synovial fluid: implications in spondylarthropathies.

We investigated the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) autoantibodies and NGF in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with different forms of chronic arthritis such as spondylarthropathy (SpA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) and osteoarthritis (OA) and compared them to their levels in serum. NGF autoantibodies were detected by ELISA and by their capacity to immunoprecipitate NGF and to inhibit its biological activity. NGF was measured with a two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Significantly high NGF autoantibody levels (p < 10(-4)) and high frequency of detectable NGF (p < 0.01) were observed in the SF of SpA patients and to a lesser degree in RA patients as compared to CPPD and OA patients. In the serum high frequency of detectable NGF was observed only in RA patients. These results suggest a role of NGF autoantibodies and NGF in joint inflammation especially in spondylarthropathies.

Adolescent↗

[Medical treatment of arm embolisms].

Emboli in the upper limb occur much less often than in other territories. They usually cause subacute ischaemia due to the importance of the arterial anastomotic network. Medical treatment is thus often sufficient. An analysis of the data in the literature show that medical treatment can give results comparable to surgery. Medical management should only be proposed as a complementary treatment when acute sensitivomotor acute ischaemia threatens the upper limb since priority must be placed on immediate restoration of the arterial flow.

Arm↗

[Pubic symphysitis secondary to fistula. Physiopathological hypothesis].

Symphysitis of the pubis due to Streptococcus occurred after endoscopic resection of the prostate in a 69-year-old man. Despite a well conducted antibiotic regimen, signs persisted one year later and required arthrography that showed a prostato-symphysis fistula. This procedure might be used to find an explanation of certain persistent cases of symphysitis. Fistulization between the prostate and the pubic symphysis would be a new pathogenic hypothesis for symphysitis of the pubis.

Adenoma↗

[Medical treatment of sclerotic arteriopathies of the lower limbs].

The medical treatment of sclerotic arterial disease in the lower limbs is only one facet in the management of generalized arterial disease. Clinical and ancillary investigations estimate not only the severity of arterial insufficiency, but also the diffusion of arterial disease and the existence of threatening lesions. Medical treatment has 2 essential aims: to limit the progression of lesions by risk factor control and antithrombotic drugs; to improve arterial insufficiency using adapted rehabilitation and, if necessary, drugs with vasodilatating or haemorrheological properties.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

[Treatment of Still disease in adults with intravenous immunoglobulins].

In most cases, the treatment of adult's Still disease presents difficulties, in view of its undesirable side-effects. For this reason, we made an open trial of the effects of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), a therapy with low iatrogen risk, and whose effectiveness in the treatment of other multisystemic diseases has been acknowledged. Seven patients suffering from adult Still's disease were given between one and eight IVIg infusions with a dose of 1 g/kg/day for two consecutive days. All seven responded positively, with clinical improvement. It lasted between 1 and 90 days in three patients, who subsequently relapsed; it has been continuing for an average of 13 months (2 to 24 months) in the other four patients. There were no clinical features making it possible to distinguish, after the trial, the patients who responded positively to intravenous immunoglobulins. This data, which needs to be confirmed with a controlled trial, provides hope of improved therapy for the one half of patients suffering from adult Still's disease who respond positively to intravenous immunoglobulins.

Adult↗

Appearance of systemic lupus erythematosus after thymectomy: four case reports and review of the literature.

The appearance of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) after thymectomy (or thymomectomy) is presented in four patients together with a comparative review of additional reports found in a Medline search for the years 1966-94 in the English and French literature. Fourteen women and two men of average age of 39 years (range 11-66 years) at presentation, developed SLE after thymectomy (11 patients) or thymomectomy (five patients). Half developed SLE within 3 years after surgery (range 3 months to 18 years). The most common SLE manifestation was polyarthritis occurring in 15 of 16 patients either at presentation or during the first year. Other frequent manifestations included skin rashes, fever, cytopenias and pleuritis. Two rare manifestations of SLE, optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, were reported in two patients. Thymic hormone activity was measured in one patient and was undetectable compared with normal controls. HLA studies in eight patients showed the combination of A1, B8 in four. In conclusion, the appearance of SLE after thymectomy or thymomectomy appears to be more than a coincidence. It may provide insights into the pathogenesis of SLE.

Adolescent↗

Monostotic Paget's disease involving the calcaneus. Diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Two case-reports.

The authors report the cases of two patients who had chronic incapacitating heel pain unresponsive to standard therapy. They were both found to have Paget's disease of the calcaneus. The diagnosis was difficult because the typical roentgenological changes required time to develop and because no other sites were involved. Local corticosteroid injections, elimination of weight-bearing, and standard analgesic therapy were ineffective. Bisphosphonate therapy (pamidronate) given as intravenous infusions ensured prompt lasting pain relief, making ambulation possible.

Calcaneus↗

[Bullous manifestations of Kaposi disease associated with AIDS].

INTRODUCTION: We report the apparently first description of bullous Kaposi's sarcoma in a patient with AIDS. CASE REPORT: Kaposi's sarcoma was observed in a HIV positive homosexual who had developed AIDS. The delay between the development of Kaposi's sarcoma and the appearance of bullae was 6 months. Bullae occurred after oedema and necrosis of the subepidermic derma. DISCUSSION: This unusual clinical presentation of Kaposi's syndrome in an AIDS patient led to rapid tumor extention and would thus suggest a rapidly unfavourable prognosis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Behavioural pain-related disorders and contribution of the saphenous nerve in crush and chronic constriction injury of the rat sciatic nerve.

This study evaluated the pain-related behaviours induced by 2 models of peripheral sciatic nerve injuries in the rat: transient nerve crush and chronic constriction injury (CCI). Various lesions of the saphenous nerve were performed in order to investigate the role of saphenous innervation in behavioural disorders induced by these nerve injuries. Behavioural testing included assessment of responses to phasic stimulation (mechanical and thermal) and observation of 'spontaneous' pain-related behaviour. Results confirmed that the model of CCI induces marked and prolonged phasic and spontaneous pain-related disorders (up to week 7). Rats with crush injury exhibited moderate and transient hyperalgesia and allodynia to mechanical and thermal stimulation on the lesioned side (with a maximum at day 3 and a recovery by week 1). Section plus ligation of the ipsilateral saphenous nerve on the day of surgery prevented nociceptive behaviours and induced persistent mechanical and thermal anaesthesia or hypoesthesia of the lesioned paw in both models (lasting up to 3-4 weeks). Section without ligation of the saphenous nerve induced comparable results in rats with sciatic crush, but did not significantly modify nociceptive behaviours in rats with CCI. These data emphasise the role of adjacent saphenous nerve in the mechanisms of pain-related disorders induced by these peripheral nerve lesions. On the contralateral paw, pain-related modifications were also observed in both models, suggesting that unilateral nerve lesions induce remote modifications extending beyond the site of the injured nerve.

Animals↗

Antinociceptive effect of systemic PC 12, a prodrug mixed inhibitor of enkephalin-degrading enzymes, in normal and arthritic rats.

The antinociceptive effects of various i.v. doses (2.5, 3.75, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg) of a prodrug mixed inhibitor of enkephalin degrading enzymes, PC 12, were tested in normal and Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritic rats, using vocalization thresholds to paw pressure as a nociceptive test. In normal animals, PC 12 produced a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect over the 2.5-15 mg/kg range, but the time-course of the response was shorter with the dose of 20 mg/kg. In arthritic rats, PC 12 had no significant effect at 2.5 mg/kg, but induced a highly significant dose-dependent antinociceptive action with 3.5 and 5 mg/kg, which decreased with the highest doses. The antinociceptive effect of PC 12 (10 mg/kg i.v.) was prevented by naloxone (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) in the two categories of rats, providing evidence for the involvement of opioid receptors. These results are discussed in relation with the increased level of endogenous opioid substances in the spinal dorsal horn of arthritic rats and the nociceptive test used.

Aminopeptidases↗

Role of the integument in insect immunity: epicuticular abrasion and induction of cecropin synthesis in cuticular epithelial cells.

When the epicuticle of a silkworm larva, Bombyx mori, was lightly abraded in the presence of live Bacillus licheniformis, Enterobacter cloacae, or bacterial cell wall components, cecropin mRNAs were detected in the underlying epithelial cells and in fat body cells remote from the abraded area. Antibacterial activity due to cecropin was detected in the matrix of the lightly abraded cuticle but not in nonabraded portions of the cuticular matrix or in the hemolymph surrounding the fat body, unless a more severe cuticular abrasion was administered. A light abrasion to a larva of the giant silkworm moth, Hyalophora cecropia, in the presence of E. cloacae also induced antibacterial activity in the abraded cuticle. These data illustrate that the ectodermally derived lepidopteran larval integument, when challenged by live bacteria or their cell wall components, mounts an immune response. Hence, the insect exoskeleton, which is often considered as an inert protective armor, is indeed actively participating in defense.

Animals↗

Are mechanical and cold allodynia in mononeuropathic and arthritic rats relieved by systemic treatment with calcitonin or guanethidine?

The putative antinociceptive action of guanethidine and calcitonin systemically injected has been compared in 2 rat models of persistent experimental pain: Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis (n = 29) and mononeuropathy induced by 4 loose ligatures around the sciatic nerve (n = 24). Guanethidine (30 mg/kg, i.v.) and calcitonin (0.125 mg, s.c.) were injected once a day over 1 week, when hyperalgesia was fully developed. The antinociceptive action was gauged using nociceptive tests based on mechanical or cold stimuli (vocalization threshold to paw pressure and struggle latency to 10 degrees C, respectively), and the score of spontaneous pain-related behavior was measured on the basis of the abnormal hind paw position. No antinociceptive action was observed in calcitonin-compared to saline-injected rats, either in arthritic or neuropathic animals. Guanethidine treatment was ineffective on hyperalgesia exhibited in arthritic rats but was able to reduce reliably and even suppress the abnormal reactions to cold stimulus in neuropathic animals. The lack of hypoalgesic action of calcitonin versus its beneficial action in bone repair, as well as the possible role(s) of the sympathetic system in neuropathic versus arthritic pain and in hyperalgesia versus physical signs of inflammation, are discussed.

Animals↗

[Persistent pain following discal sciatica: reflex sympathetic dystrophy, an unusual complication to be examined. Apropos of 4 cases].

Four patients who developed unilateral reflex sympathetic dystrophy of a lower limb associated with a bout of sciatica due to lumbar disc herniation are reported herein. In two cases, reflex sympathetic dystrophy developed after resolution of the sciatica, whereas the two conditions were concomitant in the two other patients. In all four patients, the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was missed. Surgery to release the root was considered in two cases. The reflex sympathetic dystrophy resolved within 1 to 3 months in every case. In view of the incidences of these two conditions, their concomitant occurrence seems rare. To avoid unwarranted therapeutic procedures, reflex sympathetic dystrophy should be considered in patients with chronic painful manifestations accompanying root involvement.

Adult↗

Regulation of opioid binding sites in the superficial dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord following loose ligation of the sciatic nerve: comparison with sciatic nerve section and lumbar dorsal rhizotomy.

The aim of the present study was to quantify time-related modifications in mu and delta opioid binding sites in the superficial layers (laminae I and II) of the L4 lumbar segment in a rat model of mononeuropathy induced by loose ligation of the sciatic nerve. We have shown a 28% (P < 0.01) and 24% (P < 0.01) decrease in ipsi/contralateral side binding ratios for tritiated (Tyr*-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol) ([3H]DAMGO) and tritiated (Tyr*-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr) ([3H]DTLET) respectively, at two weeks postlesion which correspond to the delay of maximal hyperalgesia and of maximal alteration of fine diameter primary afferent fibers. In contrast, no change in [3H]U.69593 specific binding could be detected at this postlesion delay. For longer survival delays (four, eight and 15 weeks postlesion), mu and delta binding ratios return towards control values (approximately equal to 1), probably reflecting the occurrence of a long-term neuroplasticity (i.e. a new equilibrium in the metabolism of primary neurons, or collateral sprouting from intact primary afferents) following loose nerve ligation. In addition, a comparison of the results obtained in this model with those measured after sciatic nerve section and lumbar dorsal rhizotomy was performed in order to compare the degree of loss in opioid binding sites in these three types of lesion. The section of the sciatic nerve induced at eight days postlesion an 18% (P < 0.01) and 28% (P < 0.01) decrease in binding ratio for [3H]DAMGO and [3H]DTLET, respectively. At two weeks postlesion the loss was 24% (P < 0.01) for the two ligands, and at longer delays (four and 12 weeks), a progressive recovery in binding ratio was observed. Thus, it appears that both sciatic nerve lesions we have studied result in mu and delta binding modifications which have similar intensity and similar time course from two to 12-15 weeks postlesion. In contrast, the unilateral rhizotomy of nine consecutive dorsal roots (T13-S2), which is known to induce a massive degeneration of fine diameter primary afferent fibers, is followed by a dramatic decrease in binding ratios for [3H]DAMGO (53%, P < 0.001) and [3H]DTLET (45%, P < 0.001) at two weeks postlesion. These data suggest that the more deprived the dorsal horn is of fine diameter primary afferent fibers, the more dramatic is the opioid binding loss in the ipsilateral side as compared to the contralateral side.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Analgesics↗