PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “CONSTANS”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources

Memory for actual and imagined events in OC checkers.

Information-processing theorists have suggested that obsessive-compulsive (OC) checking may be a function of either (1) an impaired memory of emotional events, (2) an attenuated ability to distinguish between real and imagined events or (3) a dissatisfaction with one's recall without actual memory impairment. These hypotheses were tested by having OC and control Ss engage in real and imagined actions. Some of the actions were designed to produce anxiety in the OC Ss while other events were designed to be emotionally neutral. No differences in reality-monitoring ability were found between OC and control Ss. Contrary to our prediction, OC Ss recall of their last actual behavior was superior to controls, but only for those actions that elicited anxiety. OC Ss, but not controls, reported that they desired higher levels of memory vividness than they were able to produce. The potential mechanism whereby dissatisfaction with memory vividness could contribute to repetitive checking is discussed.

Adult↗

Isolation and characterization of the O-glycan chain of the human vitamin-D binding protein.

On a highly purified preparation, the structure of the carbohydrate chain of the human vitamin D-binding protein was investigated and two genetic forms of this protein were considered (Gc 2 and Gc 1 proteins). It was found that only the Gc 1 protein (Gc1a isoform) was glycosylated, the glycan moiety representing about 1% of the protein. The structure of this O-glycosidically linked glycan was determined to be: Neu Ac alpha (2 leads to 3) Gal beta (1 leads to 3) GaINAc alpha (1 leads to 0) Ser (or Thr). A tetrasaccharidic O-glycan with two N-acetylneuraminic residues was also characterized. The vitamin D-binding protein is a rare example of a serum protein O-glycosylated only on some genetic forms.

Carrier Proteins↗

Unusual sialilation of the serum DBP associated with the Gc 1 allele in alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.

The serum level of the 'vitamin D binding protein' (DBP) or Gc ('group-specific component'), its phenotype distribution and the quantitative estimation of the different electrophoretic isoforms were determined in a sample of healthy individuals (blood donors) and in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. It is shown that the serum DBP levels and the amount of the different electrophoretic isoforms are influenced by the protein phenotypes. In the patients an increased frequency of the Gc 1 allele is noticed. For the first time, an unusual form of the apo DBP protein was detected but only in the sera of the Gc 1 allele carriers. The protein form investigated by analytical procedures presents one more sialic acid residue than the usual Gc 1 protein. This unusual metabolic transformation of the DBP is mostly observed among male patients and is often associated with a deteriorating clinical outcome.

Adult↗

Fatty acids and plasma antioxidants in HIV-positive patients: correlation with nutritional and immunological status.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate red blood cell (RBC) and plasma fatty acids (FA) in HIV-positive patients in relation to oxidative stress and nutritional or immunological status. DESIGN AND METHODS: FA, plasma selenium, vitamins A and E were measured in 95 patients divided into four groups according to CD4 cells. RESULTS: Poly- and di-unsaturated FA (PUFA, DUFA) decreased and saturated FA (SFA) increased in RBC in the patients below 400/mm3 and in plasma in the patients below 50/mm3. RBC SFA correlated to CD4 cells, PUFA to MDA. Unlike vitamin E, plasma vitamin A and selenium decreased in most groups. Plasma SFA and MUFA correlated negatively to selenium and PUFA and DUFA to vitamin E. No correlation was found between PUFA and nutritional markers. CONCLUSION: FA seem to be modified during HIV infection by oxidative stress and disease evolution, but not by denutrition.

Adult↗

Levels of plasma thrombomodulin are increased in atheromatous arterial disease.

The plasma thrombomodulin (TM) level depends on the integrity of the endothelium and the clearance of the molecule. In several different pathological conditions, plasma TM levels increase with damage to the endothelium. We studied plasma TM levels in patients with various localizations of atheromatous arterial disease who had normal serum creatinine levels. Two groups of patients had a single symptomatic localization, which was either peripheral occlusive arterial disease (POAD) or ischemic heart disease (IHD) and a third group of patients had multiple symptomatic localizations (polyvascular). We compared the plasma TM levels with the plasma levels of other specific markers of endothelial cell activation such as: prostacyclin (PGI2), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). Plasma TM levels were significantly increased in all three individual groups and when all patients were considered (total patients), as compared with normal controls. When all patients were considered, there was a significant positive correlation between plasma TM levels and t-PA and between plasma TM levels and PGI2. A significant positive correlation was also found between the plasma TM levels and PAI-1 for patients with POAD. Thus, our findings suggest that an increased influx of TM into the plasma may be caused by endothelial cell damage in patients with atheromatous arterial disease. However in our study, the plasma TM levels obtained were similar for all three types of atheromatous arterial disease. Though plasma thrombomodulin is a marker of endothelial cell injury, it cannot be of a clinical interest until its levels are related to the extend of the atheromatous lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Posterior fossa hemangioblastomas.

The authors report 40 personal cases of infratentorial hemangioblastomas and review 36 series from the literature for a total number of 1023 patients. The clinical, pathological, and surgical features of these tumors are discussed, with particular consideration of localizations outside the nervous system, multicentric tumors, recurrences, and long-term results. Although hemangioblastomas are benign tumors, their high growth potential makes their long-term development unpredictable in some cases.

Adolescent↗

Experimental evaluation of a gelatin-coated polyester graft used as an arterial substitute.

Protein coating and endothelial cell preseeding have been proposed and studied as improvements to arterial prostheses. In this paper, an impervious polyester vascular graft which had been coated with cross-linked gelatin was compared to a porous one over a period of up to 8 months in dogs. This evaluation involved in vivo methods using radio tracers to study patency and thrombogenicity and in vitro controls of the healing processes. The main advantages offered by coated grafts over uncoated include the absence of preclotting and better biointegration.

Animals↗

Binding of the apo and holo forms of the serum vitamin D-binding protein to human lymphocyte cytoplasm and membrane by indirect immunofluorescence.

The indirect immunofluorescence method is used to study the binding of the serum vitamin D carrier protein (DBP) to lymphocytes. It is shown that in vitro this serum protein will bind to the lymphocyte cytoplasm and intact membrane. This result is in agreement with recent evidence of an actin-binding protein present in the serum. Besides, a difference in the binding to the lymphocyte membrane is observed between the holo forms of the DBP with the different vitamin D derivatives. These findings could be relevant in illuminating the possible role of the DBP in the cellular metabolism of the active metabolites of vitamin D and in the cellular mobility.

Animals↗

Complete amino acid sequence of human vitamin D-binding protein (group-specific component): evidence of a three-fold internal homology as in serum albumin and alpha-fetoprotein.

The complete amino acid sequence (458 amino acid residues) of human group-specific component 2 (Gc2) protein was determined. Computer analyses established a three-fold internal homology of Gc2 protein as well as an extensive homology between the overall structures of Gc2 protein, human serum albumin and human alpha-fetoprotein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infections in AIDS. Apropos of 100 cases. Groupe d'Epidémiologie clinique du SIDA en Aquitaine].

The improvement of survival of AIDS patients allowed the emergence of disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex infections (D.MAC). Here we report the experience of the group of "Epidémiologie clinique du sida en Aquitaine (GECSA)" about 100 patients. There were no differences according to sex, age and route of acquisition of HIV. Clinical and biological characteristics of the infections were not specific. The mean TCD4+ lymphocytes count was 18/mm3. The diagnostic was generally established by systematic blood culture on Septi-Chek in patients with TCD4+ lymphocytes count below 75/mm3. The recommendations on therapy for D.MAC are to use regimen containing azithromycin or clarithromycin, ethambutol and one of the following drugs, rifabutin, clofazimine, amikacin, or ciprofloxacin. Rifabutin is recommended for prophylaxis in patients with lymphocytes TCD4+ count below 100/mm3.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Effect of primary prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia on the inaugural clinical and biological presentation of AIDS: 624 cases (Aquitaine Cohort, 1985-1994)].

In a cohort of HIV-infected patients, this study compares the clinical and immunological features at the time of AIDS diagnosis of patients who either received primary Pneumocystis carinii prophylaxis (P+; n = 335) or who did not (P-; n = 289). Frequency of P carinii pneumonia was lower in P+ than in P- patients (14.9% vs 26.0%; p < 0.001). Conversely, toxoplasmic encephalitis, esophageal candidiasis, cytomegalovirus disease and M avium complex disease were more frequent in P+ patients. CD4+ count (median/mm3) at the time of AIDS diagnosis was lower in P+ than in P- patients: 22 vs 97 (p < 0.001); this suggests that early intervention delays the onset of AIDS for about one year. While searching for new prevention strategies against other opportunistic infections, efforts should be expanded to improve prophylaxis of P carinii pneumonia which remains in France the most frequent first AIDS-related illness.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

[Kikuchi-Fujimoto necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis: apropos of 2 cases and review of the literature].

The Kikuchi-Fujimoto's syndrome is an histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis which is observed at any ages but preferentially among young adults. The sex ratio is about 4:1 in favour of women. It is clinically characterized by cervical lymph nodes in a context of fever and asthenia. Sometimes, there is transitory leucopenia and an increase of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. The course of the disease is spontaneously favourable in 1 or 3 months but recurrence is possible. The histology of the lymph node could mimic a malignant lymphoma and the immunohistochemical findings are of a great importance (Ki-M1P or KP1 antibody). The etiology remains unknown but some infectious diseases have been suspected (toxoplamosis, Epstein-Barr virus). Its association with a systemic lupus erythematous had been described and this set the problem of its physiopathology. We report two new cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto's syndrome which one was attributed to Epstein-Barr virus primo-infection and the other associated with a systemic lupus erythematous.

Adult↗

[Thrombosis of the superior mesenteric artery and Behçet's syndrome].

The authors describe the third case in the literature of superior mesenteric artery's thrombosis occurring in the course of the Behçet's syndrome according to Mason and Barnes classification. Clinical manifestations in the patient were represented by intestinal angor. The literature data concerning vascular involvement in Behçet's disease, particularly thrombosis are reviewed. The value of noninvasive paraclinic arterial digestive explorations is discussed.

Adult↗

The American anthropometric norms are not suitable to assess the nutritional status of a French population.

Weight: height2 ratio (W/H2), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and mid-upper arm circumference (MAC) were recorded in 254 blood donors aged 20 to 59 yrs (123 men and 131 women), to establish anthropometric data in a healthy sample of the French population. When compared with the American anthropometric norms (HANES I & II), we noted that: (1) the percentiles distribution values of W/H2 were nearly identical; (2) the age and sex-related values of TSF were lower in our study (p < 0.003); (3) our percentiles distribution values of MAC were lower in our study (p < 0.03), except in women 20-39 yrs of age. The variations of TSF and MAC with age and sex were identical in both the French and the American populations: i.e. the MAC values increased with age in both men and women, and the TSF values increased with age only in women. We conclude that the differences noted between the American norms and our anthropometric data plead in favour of the determination of French national anthropometric norms.

Journal Article↗