ERp29 regulates epithelial sodium channel functional expression by promoting channel cleavage.

The epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure and airway surface liquid volume. ERp29 is a 29-kDa thioredoxin-homologous endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that has only a single cysteine instead of the usual thioredoxin CXXC motif. Our group previously demonstrated that ERp29 promotes biogenesis of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR).

IL-13-induced changes in endogenous glucocorticoid metabolism in the lung regulate the proasthmatic response.

Endogenous glucocorticoid (GC) activation is regulated by the intracellular GC-activating and -inactivating enzymes 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD)1 and 11β-HSD2, respectively, that catalyze interconversion of inert cortisone and its bioactive metabolite cortisol. Because endogenous GCs are critically implicated in suppressing the asthmatic state, this study examined the roles of the 11β-HSD enzymes in regulating GC activation and bronchoprotection during proasthmatic stimulation. Airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and inflammation were assessed in rabbits following inhalation of the proasthmatic/proinflammatory cytokine IL-13 with and without pretreatment with the 11β-HSD inhibitor carbenoxolone (CBX).

Regulation of endogenous ENaC functional expression by CFTR and ΔF508-CFTR in airway epithelial cells.

The functional expression of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) appears elevated in cystic fibrosis (CF) airway epithelia, but the mechanism by which this occurs is not clear. We tested the hypothesis that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) alters the trafficking of endogenously expressed human ENaC in the CFBE41o⁻ model of CF bronchial epithelia. Functional expression of ENaC, as defined by amiloride-inhibited short-circuit current (I(sc)) in Ussing chambers, was absent under control conditions but present in CFBE41o⁻ parental and ΔF508-CFTR-overexpressing cells after treatment with 1 μM dexamethasone (Dex) for 24 h.

Th2 cytokine-induced upregulation of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 facilitates glucocorticoid suppression of proasthmatic airway smooth muscle function.

The anti-inflammatory actions of endogenous glucocorticoids (GCs) are regulated by the activities of the GC-activating and -inactivating enzymes, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta-HSD)-1 and 11beta-HSD2, respectively, that catalyze the interconversion of the inert GC, cortisone, and its bioactive derivative, cortisol. Proinflammatory cytokines regulate 11beta-HSD1 expression in various cell types and thereby modulate the bioavailability of cortisol to the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Since endogenous GCs reportedly attenuate the airway asthmatic response to allergen exposure, we investigated whether airway smooth muscle (ASM) exhibits cytokine-induced changes in 11beta-HSD1 expression that enable the ASM to regulate its own bioavailability of GC and, accordingly, the protective effect of GR signaling on airway function under proasthmatic conditions.

LXA4 stimulates ZO-1 expression and transepithelial electrical resistance in human airway epithelial (16HBE14o-) cells.

Lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)) is a biologically active eicosanoid produced in human airways that displays anti-inflammatory properties. In cystic fibrosis and severe asthma, LXA(4) production has been reported to be decreased, and, in such diseases, one of the consequences of airway inflammation is disruption of the tight junctions. In the present study, we investigated the possible role of LXA(4) on tight junction formation, using transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurements, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence.

Lipoxin A(4) and interleukin-8 levels in cystic fibrosis sputum after antibiotherapy.

Unlabelled: Antibiotics are largely prescribed for cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory exacerbations. Effects of antibiotics on the inflammatory profile of the patients have been shown but remain controversial. Lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)) is a lipid mediator, reported to play a central role in resolving airway inflammation.

A new formula for correction of total calcium level into ionized serum calcium values in very elderly hospitalized patients.

Ionized calcium (Ca(2+)) seems to be the best measure of active serum calcium but, in France, numerous laboratories do not have Ca(2+) analyzers so that numerous clinicians use Payne's formula to obtain adjusted calcium (Ca(Ad)) values. In frail very elderly patients with protein/energetic malnutrition and very low concentrations of albumin, "correction" with Payne's formula usually gives false hypercalcemic results, so that hypocalcemia may be seriously underdiagnosed. Two hundred and ninety-four patients of 80 years and older with serum albumin level < 35 g/l were included in four French hospitals for elderly people.

Rapid anti-secretory effects of glucocorticoids in human airway epithelium.

Glucocorticoids are anti-inflammatory molecules classically described as acting through a genomic pathway. Similar to many steroid hormones, glucocorticoids also induce rapid non-genomic responses. The present paper provides a general overview of the rapid non-genomic effects of glucocorticoids in airway and will be mainly focused on a retrospective of the authors work on rapid effects of glucocorticoids in airway epithelial cell transport.

RhoA GTPase regulates M-cadherin activity and myoblast fusion.

The Rho family of GTP-binding proteins plays critical roles during myogenesis induction. To elucidate their role later during myogenesis, we have analyzed RhoA function during myoblast fusion into myotubes. We find that RhoA activity is rapidly and transiently increased when cells are shifted into differentiation medium and then is decreased until myoblast fusion.

[Screening and imaging guided biopsies of the breast].

In cases of subclinical mammographic abnormalities, being able to determine after screening, the indications regarding the type of imaging guidance and the type of biopsy equipment. In presence of microcalcifications, stereotactic mammography, either screen-film or digital, is the modality of choice. As fine needle aspiration cytology is insufficient, it is necessary to obtain tissue specimens with at least 14 Gauge Tru-cut needle, triggered by automatic guns, or coaxial needles of 11 G or 8 G, adaptable on a vacuum aspiration system.

[Comparison between scintigraphy, B-mode, and power Doppler sonography in acute pyelonephritis in children].

Purpose: Comparing Power Doppler imaging versus technetium-dimercapto-succinic-acid (Tc-DMSA) scintigraphy in acute pyelonephritis of childhood.

Inclusion Criteria: First episode of urinary tract infection, clinical and biological findings suggesting an upper lesion, absence of urological malformation or obstruction, absence of reflux (or vesico-ureteral reflux inferior to grade 3). Number of patients: 49, length of the study: 26 months (from November 95 to January 98).

[A novel approach to the biomechanical study of the talocrural joint in man using MRI. Contribution of dynamic images].

A cineradiographic study of the talocrural joint allows a new biomechanical approach of the ankle: MRI with axial and coronal slides were realized: for volume reconstruction in passive movement; scanner was used for axial slides in active movement. There is evidently neither distosis of the bimalleolar grip in dorso- and plantar flexion, nor movement of the lateral malleolus of the fibula, in opposition to the classical description. An anatomical rotation is discussed.

Metaphyseal anadysplasia in two sisters.

Metaphyseal anadysplasia is a rare form of metaphyseal chondrodysplasia with well-defined radiological abnormalities. The prognosis is good as the natural course results in regression of the lesions with normal stature in adulthood. The few reported cases, exclusively in male children, indicated possible X-linked recessive transmission.

[Fine-needle cytology and core biopsy of nonpalpable breast lesions. When appropriate?].

The respective roles of fine-needle cytology and core biopsy for the investigation of breast densities and microcalcifications are discussed. For microcalcifications, the type, number, and conditions of development should be taken into account, and the reliability of investigations are directly related to stereotactic visibility, i.e.

[Tenography in tenosynoviopathies of the posterior tibial tendon].

Purpose Of The Study: The authors wanted to study diagnosis contribution and therapeutic importance of tenography in posterior tibial tendon tenosynoviopathies.

Material: The series included 42 patients (26 females and 16 males) from 23 to 69 years old. The affection had a course for about two years.

[Aponeurotomy and degenerative lesions of the plantar aponeurosis. Contribution of magnetic imaging].

Purpose Of The Study: Talalgia are frequent. Their etiologies are various and diagnosis is sometimes difficult.

Material: From 1980 to 1993, 12 cases of degenerative lesions of plantar aponeurosis were treated surgically.

Mammography in younger women.

Breast imaging is not frequently performed in women aged 35 years or younger for several reasons. Approximately half of the radiographic examinations of a breast symptom give normal results because the expected density of the breast in younger women may obscure abnormalities. Results from biopsies performed subsequent to positive mammogram findings confirm the predominance of benign lesions; cancers are rarely observed.

[Thrombosis of the aorta in newborn infants].

The authors report a case of a neonate presenting with thrombosis of the abdominal aorta following catheterisation of the umbilical artery. The diagnosis was established by ultrasonography in a context of isolated anuria. Immediate disobstruction by Fogarty's method results in cure.

[Pleuro-pericardial cyst in children].

We report the case of 3 1/2 year old child presenting a left pleuropericarditic cyst causing febrile cough and an opacity of the left lower lobe of the lung. We underline the importance of computed tomography of the thorax allows differential diagnosis with encysted effusion. Surgical treatment rarely indicated in pleuropericarditic cysts has stopped respiratory symptoms.

[Place of mammary ultrasonography in breast diseases].

Ultrasonography is the only morphological exploratory breast examination which is truly valid and inexpensive and may usefully complement clinical examination and mammography which remain the basic and absolutely necessary investigative tools in this pathology. Constant improvement of the spatial resolution of the "barrettes" permits us to characterize anomalies of 3 millimeters. These linear probes are easily manageable, permitting a better ultrasound guiding of breast punctures.

[Role of ultrasound in studying the first urinary infection in children].

A retrospective study comparing the findings of ultrasonography (5 MHz transducer) versus intravenous pyelography and voiding cystourethrography was conducted in 92 patients during the course of an initial urinary tract infection (greater than or equal to 10(5) bacteriae/ml, WBC greater than 25/mm3) gathered over a period of 5 years. The average interval of time between ultrasonography and intravenous pyelography was 8 days (range 1-70). False positive results for ultrasonography were noted in 11% (5 of 45 cases), while false negatives were observed in 36% (17 of 47).