[Partial visual seizures induced by non-ketosic hyperglycemia: magnetic resonance imaging and visual evoked potential descriptions. A study of two cases reports with radiologic and electrophysiologic abnormalities]. / Crises partielles à point de départ visuel compliquant une hyperglycémie sans cétose: IRM et potentiels évoqués visuels; étude de deux cas avec anomalies radiologiques et électrophysiologiques.

INTRODUCTION: Non-ketosic hyperglycemia (NKH) may increase the likelihood of focal epileptic seizures, including commonly motor expression; rarely, they can have a visual expression. METHODS: The authors describe the observation of two men, who were hospitalized for visual manifestations; with episodes of homonymous hemianopia and hallucinations, revealing occipital seizure, secondary to NKH. Clinical data and characteristics of the investigations, including radiological imaging (MRI) and electrophysiological results of visual evoked potentials (VEP) are specified. RESULTS: MRI showed transitory low signal on T2 and FLAIR in occipital areas. Spectro-MR identified a moderate diminution of the NAA and lipids spikes, compatible with laminar necrosis. VEP revealed a transient decrease of the P100 amplitude. DISCUSSION: These two observations underline the existence of acute symptomatic seizures with a visual starting point which is often indicative of diabetes. Through these observations with a review of 28 patients from the literature, MR imaging characteristics and possible anomalies collected on VEP are discussed. Such seizures are resistant to anticonvulsant treatment and respond best to insulin and rehydration. CONCLUSION: The visual manifestations indicative of seizures with an occipital starting point in the context of NKH are possible enabling rapid initiation of effective symptomatic treatment with insulin.

Differentially regulated proteins in Prevotella intermedia after oxidative stress analyzed by 2D electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Prevotella intermedia is a rod-shaped, Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium found in human indigenous microbiota that plays an important role in opportunistic infections. The successful colonization depends on the ability of anaerobes to respond to oxidative stress (OS) in oxygenated tissues as well as to resist oxidative events from the host immune system until anaerobic conditions are present at the infection site. As knowledge of the mechanisms of protection against OS in Prevotella is limited, studies are needed to clarify aspects of molecular biology, physiology and ecology of this bacterium. The aim of this study was to access the proteins differentially regulated in P. intermedia after exposure to molecular oxygen by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) associated with the approach of MALDI-TOF/TOF Tandem Mass Spectrometry. The identity of the protein was evaluated by database search for homologous genomic sequences of P. intermedia strain 17 (TIGR). Twenty five out of 72 proteins found were identified as up-regulated (17) or down-regulated (9). These proteins were related to a variety of metabolic process, some of which could be associated to antioxidant and redox regulatory roles. Our data indicate that OS may stimulate an adaptive response in P. intermedia whose effect on its biology may be evidenced by the increase in aerotolerance and changes in protein abundance in the oxygen adapted cells.

[Brain abscess as the first clinical manifestation of isolated pulmonary arteriovenous malformation without Rendu-Osler disease]. / Abcès cérébelleux révélant une malformation artérioveineuse pulmonaire isolée en dehors de la maladie de Rendu-Osler.

INTRODUCTION: Brain abscesses occur in 5 to 13 % of patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM), more often present in Rendu-Osler-Weber disease or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). CASE REPORT: A 51-year-old man with a history of transient Parinaud syndrome at 37 years complained of headache for 2 months before acute onset of a left cerebellar syndrome without fever. CT-scan and MRI of the head revealed a heterogeneous left cerebellar lesion. A brain abscess was drained and all signs resolved. CT-scan of the chest revealed a left lingual PAVM; occlusion was incomplete after coil embolization. He had no feature of HHT and no mutation in ENG and ACVRL1 genes. A second embolization was performed 5 months later, but the malformation was not occluded at 6 months. DISCUSSION: We report the seventh case of PAVM complicated by a cerebellar abscess. The right to left shunt in PAVM results in hypoxemia, secondary polycythemia and paradoxical embolization of infective organisms bypassing the pulmonary filter. CONCLUSION: Combining different MRI techniques (in particular diffusion and proton MR spectroscopy) provides invaluable data for the diagnosis of brain abscess. Careful search for PAVM must be undertaken, particularly in adults with cryptogenic abscess, to avoid further abscess formation or stroke.

Secretome of HepG2 cells infected with dengue virus: implications for pathogenesis.

Viral hemorrhagic fever is a clinical syndrome that poses serious global health threat. Among the causative agents, dengue virus (DV) has the highest incidence rate and its infection is the major cause of viral hemorrhagic fever in the world. Although the pathophysiological mechanisms of DV-induced diseases are not yet understood, it is well accepted that liver is a site of viral replication. In this study, we used proteomics to analyze infection of a hepatic cell lineage, HepG2, with DV, focusing on the secreted proteins. 1D-electrophoresis and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used, allowing the identification of a total of 107 proteins, among which 35 were found only in control secretome and 24 only in infected cells secretome. To validate these data, we performed 2D-eletrophoresis followed by MALDI-TOF/TOF, resulting in the identification of 20 proteins, 8 of them confirming LC-MS/MS results. We discuss the results obtained taking into account the proteins previously described in the secretome of HepG2 cells, proteins present in human plasma and proteins of interest for dengue pathogenesis. Altogether the data presented here provide clues for the progress in the understanding of the role of liver secretion in the progression of the disease.

Proteome analysis of the cardiac and pericardial tissue of Biomphalaria tenagophila populations susceptible and resistant to Schistosoma mansoni infection.

For a better comprehension of the parasite-host interaction, proteins expressed by the cardiac and pericardial tissues were compared between susceptible (Cabo Frio) and resistant (Taim) Biomphalaria tenagophila populations, challenged (c) and non-challenged (nc) with Schistosoma mansoni. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and stained with Coomassie blue. A total of 146 and 135 spots were observed in Cabo Frio (CFnc) and in Taim (Tnc) non-challenged populations, respectively, whereas 153 spots were detected in both Cabo Frio (CFc) and Taim (Tc) challenged populations. Regarding comparisons between CFnc and CFc, the numbers of exclusive spots obtained were one and nine, respectively, whereas Tnc yielded 17 and Tc eight exclusive spots. By comparing the total of spots in CF (nc+c) with T (nc+c) populations, we obtained: four exclusive spots for CFc; zero for CFnc; four for Tc and; one for Tnc. A quantitative comparison (reason>2.5) of the total spots of CF (nc+c) with T (nc+c) populations allowed us to distinguish five more intense spots for Tc, 14 for Tnc, 15 for CFnc and 11 for CFc. In the CFnc population, two proteins were identified: actin and ATP synthase alpha chain; in the CFc population, four proteins: actin, calmodulin, HSP70, and dehydrogenase; in the Tnc population, five proteins: matrilin, HSP70, actin, ATP synthase alpha chain and intermediate filament of the protein; and in the Tc population, three proteins: actin, alpha-S1 casein and ATP synthase alpha chain. Out of a total of 79 spots, only nine proteins were identified due to the low number of available nucleotide sequences in the GenBank. Nevertheless, knowing proteins regarded as differentially expressed is indispensable for hitherto unidentified genes implicated in B. tenagophila resistance and or susceptibility to S. mansoni infection.

[Cricothyrotomy for airways management: current data and interest for combat casualty care]. / La cricothyrotomie : données actuelles et intérêt de cette technique en médecine de guerre.

OBJECTIVES: To detail current data in cricothyrotomy and imperatives of airway management in combat casualty care. METHODS: Review of the literature in Medline database over the past 40 years. RESULTS: Modern armed conflicts, including guerrilla and terrorism, have changed the approach of tactical combat casualty care. The first medical support must be as close as possible to the battlefield, reducing casualties thanks to a quick intervention. Because of a lack of physicians on the battlefield, the first operator is often a paramedical staff trained to simple lifesaving procedures. The orotracheal intubation remains the gold standard for airways management, but often impossible because of the environmental factors of the battlefield. Therefore, cricothyrotomy may become an interesting choice in this case and not only an alternative for orotracheal intubation like in civilian practice. It provides an easy and safe underglottis airways access by a laryngotomy between the cricoid and the thyroid cartilages. Performed by paramedical staff, it is a strictly protocolized delegated medical prescription. CONCLUSION: This review of literature and the analysis of commercial kits prompt us to suggest safe methods that can be performed on battlefield. Surgical methods and MiniTrach II kit (Portex) seem to be particularly suitable for battlefield situations. An airways management algorithm for combat casualty care is also proposed.

[Experimental correction of irregular astigmatism in patients with keratoconus using diode laser thermal keratoplasty]. / Experimentální korekce nepravidelného astigmatismu u pacientu s keratokonem termokeratoplastikou diodovým laserem.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of diode laser thermokeratoplasty (DTK) in the correction of irregular astigmatism in patients with keratoconus. GROUP AND METHODS: The coagulation of deep layers of cornea stroma was made on four eyes of four patients suffering from advanced keratoconus at the mean age of 31 years by means of the infrared contact cw laser Prolaser Rodenstock 1.9 DTK. The aim of the treatment was to increase the curvature of cornea in flat meridians and to compensate flattening of cornea in steep meridians by way of forming traction strips between the contracted tissue of individual coagulation points. The changes on the cornea topography and changes of visual functions were determined. RESULTS: The diode laser keratoplasty is capable to induce sector increase of cornea curvature and thereby improve symmetry pictures of irregular astigmatism in keratoconus. For a definitive inclusion of DLK into the spectrum of clinically applicable procedures, other therapeutic studies are needed as well as larger groups with relatively homogeneous pre-operation pictures.