Publications by authors named "Francis R Heller"

To explore whether the placenta contributes to the lipoprotein metabolism of pregnant women, we took advantage of the fact that placental proteins are encoded from the fetal genome and examined the associations between lipids of 525 pregnant women and the presence, in their newborns, of genetic polymorphisms of LPL and apolipoprotein E (APOE), two genes expressed in placenta. After adjustment for maternal polymorphisms, newborn LPL*S447X was associated with lower triglycerides (-21 +/- 9 mg/dl), lower LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C; -12 +/- 5 mg/dl), lower apoB (-14 +/- 4 mg/dl), higher HDL-C (5 +/- 2 mg/dl), and higher apoA-I (9 +/- 4 mg/dl) in their mothers; newborn LPL*N291S was associated with higher maternal triglycerides (114 +/- 31 mg/dl); and newborn APOE*E2 (compared to E3E3) was associated with higher maternal LDL-C (14 +/- 6 mg/dl) and higher maternal apoB (14 +/- 5 mg/dl). These associations (all P < 0.

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Background: Factors determining lipoprotein concentrations in the fetus are not yet fully understood. We postulated that an important factor is the genetic make-up of the mother. In the present study, we examined the associations between the cord blood concentrations of lipoproteins of 525 newborns and the polymorphisms present in their mothers on the genes of apolipoprotein E (APOE*E2, *E3, *E4), apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3*C3238G also called APOC3*S2) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL*S447X).

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The centrilobular liver cell necrosis observed in hypoxic hepatitis is generally attributed to failure of hepatic blood perfusion. Accordingly, this injury of the liver is commonly recognized under the terms "shock liver" or "ischemic hepatitis." During a 10-year period, 142 episodes of hypoxic hepatitis were consecutively identified in the intensive care unit of a general hospital, and the clinical, biological, and hemodynamic parameters were prospectively collected on individual files.

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In a cohort of 66 FH-men (age 25-55) prospectively recruited during a 2-years period, we estimated the incidence of coronary heart disease to 52% (N=34). Thirty-two percent (N=21) had earlier history of symptomatic ischaemic disease whereas 20% (N=13) had significant ST/T changes during exercise stress test. Amongst the 8 patients with positive exercise stress test who underwent coronary angiography, six had severe coronary artery disease.

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Objectives: To assess the feasibility and efficiency of the screening for hepatocarcinoma in a cohort of cirrhoseis mainly of alcoholic origin.

Patients And Methods: 293 patients with cirrhosis, among them 186 (63.5%) from alcoholic origin, were included in a surveillance programme for hepatocarcinoma by carrying out liver ultrasonography and alpha-foetoprotein dosage every 6 months.

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