Inhibition of LPS-induced proinflammatory responses of J774.2 macrophages by immobilized enzymatically tailored pectins.

The surface of an implant device can be modified by immobilizing biological molecules on it to improve its integration into the host tissue. We have previously demonstrated that enzymatically tailored plant pectins are promising nanocoatings for biomaterials. This study investigates whether a coating of modified hairy region (rhamnogalacturonan-I) from apple pectin (MHR-alpha) which has anti-adhesive properties can inhibit the generation of inflammatory mediators by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. For that purpose, J774.2 murine macrophages were cultured for 24h on MHR-alpha-coated Petri dishes and tissue culture polystyrene controls, with and without LPS. Cell morphology, cell growth, nitrite and TNF-alpha secretion were studied. The results indicate that MHR-alpha coating inhibits the LPS-induced activation of macrophages.

[A case report of Russel's diencephalic cachexia]. / A propos d'une observation de cachexie diencéphalique de Russel.

The case of an infant admitted for evaluation of severe emaciation with intermittent ocular anomalies including strabismus and nystagmus is reported. This case demonstrates the value of magnetic resonance imaging and transfontanellar ultrasonography for the diagnosis of diencephalic syndrome of infancy. The prognosis of this condition is usually grim, in particular because of the severe emaciation which is disproportionate with the tumour spread. Pathophysiologic hypotheses put forward to explain this cachexia are reviewed. Although cytokines such as TNF alpha are currently incriminated in the pathophysiology of cachexia induced by a number of conditions, they have not yet been studied in diencephalic syndrome of infancy. TNF alpha is a potent lipolytic agent. Excessive production of TNF alpha may be involved in the genesis of the emaciation characteristic of diencephalic syndrome. Inappropriate production of TNF alpha may respond to the administration of specific anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies. This approach may be considered as a means for treating emaciation in patients with diencephalic syndrome of infancy.

Percutaneous transvenous caval interruption with the "LGM" filter: early results of a multicenter trial.

From September 1985 to December 1986, 100 patients undergoing percutaneous placement of a transvenous "LGM" caval filter were included in a multicenter prospective trial. Peripheral venograms completed by pulmonary arteriography or scintigraphy were obtained for all patients. Eighty-five patients had experienced pulmonary embolism, 59 had iliocaval thrombosis, while 40 had venous thrombosis confined to the lower limbs. In two instances, insertion or passage of the catheter was impossible. Ninety-eight "LGM" filters were placed percutaneously through the internal jugular vein, 82 of which were correctly positioned in the infrarenal inferior vena cava. Eight filters were positioned with a tilt of more than 15 degrees with respect to the vertical axis, five failed to open correctly, and three were incompletely open and tilted. No postoperative deaths were observed; there were two recurrent embolisms, and seven caval thromboses occurred during the year that followed insertion of the filter. The "user-friendliness" and efficacy of this percutaneous filter makes it a treatment of choice in the partial interruption of the inferior vena cava.

[Value of transcutaneous blood gas monitoring in fiberoptic bronchoscopy in intensive care patients]. / Intérêt de la mesure transcutanée des gaz du sang au cours des fibroscopies bronchiques en réanimation.

Transcutaneous carbon dioxide and oxygen tensions (PtcCO2 and PtcO2) were monitored in seven critically ill patients under mechanical ventilation during fiberoptic bronchoscopy. In these conditions, both PtcO2 and PaO2 and PtcCO2 and PaCO2 correlated, with correlation coefficients of 0.964 and 0.793 respectively. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy induced an average fall in PtcO2 of 42 +/- 2.57 mmHg and an average increase in PtcCO2 of 12.1 +/- 1.89 mmHg; these two parameters returned quickly to their initial values after the procedure. Holter monitoring showed an arrhythmia in five of the seven patients. Continuous measurement of PtcO2 and PtcCO2 was a safe and reliable method for monitoring mechanically ventilated patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy.

Coronary-to-bronchial artery anastomosis complicated with myocardial infarction.

A patient with bronchiectasis had an inferolateral myocardial infarction. Coronary arteriography revealed a large anastomosis from the left circumflex artery to the left lower lobe bronchial arteries. The relationship between the patient's myocardial infarction and possible "coronary steal" is discussed.

Inheritance of pollen enzymes and polyploid origin of apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.).

Electrophoresis of 7 pollen enzymes was applied to 5 progenies from controlled crosses and one self-progeny of apple. Segregation data were examined according to three kinds of hypotheses: monogenic disomic, bigenic disomic and tetrasomic inheritance Twenty codominant alleles and a recessive null were identified. Results provided evidence of bigenic disomic inheritance in most cases: 6 pairs of homoeologous loci carrying identical homoeoalleles were revealed; only 2 enzymes exhibited a simple monogenic control. Preferential pairing between pairs of homologous chromosomes in meiosis can be postulated. These results indicated an allopolyploid origin of apple genome. Fixed heterozygosity occurred for several enzymes, which is a typical feature of allopolyploidy. Loss of duplicate gene expression can account for the monogenic control of 2 of the enzymes.

[Potent natural inhibitors of tobacco mosaic virus multiplication]. / Sur de puissants inhibiteurs naturels de multiplication du virus de la mosaique du tabac

The hypersensitivity reaction in Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi n.c. infected with Tobacco mosaic virus (T.M.V.) leads to the production of aromatic amides (ferulylputrescine, diferulylputrescine, p-coumarylputrescine and di-p-coumarylputrescine) inthe cells around the necroses. Similar compounds are formed in Xanthi plants after floral induction. p-coumarylputrescine, di-p-coumarylputrescine and caffeylputrescine strongly inhibit T.M.V. multiplication.