Sex-dependent associations of leptin with metabolic syndrome-related variables: the Stanislas study.

Serum leptin has been reported to be associated in a sex-dependent manner with C-reactive protein (CRP), independently of adiposity. We tested the hypothesis that leptin is associated, independently of anthropometry indexes and in a sex-dependent way, with other inflammatory markers and variables related to metabolic syndrome (MS). In 384 healthy middle-aged adults (192 men and 192 women) total fat mass (FM), waist circumference (WC), serum leptin and 15 MS-related parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, apo AI and B, fasting glucose, uric acid, CRP, orosomucoid and haptoglobin levels and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities) were measured.

Identification of DDB2 protein as a transcriptional regulator of constitutive SOD2 gene expression in human breast cancer cells.

Manganese superoxide dismutase plays a role in breast tumor cell growth, which depends on its constitutive expression. However, the mechanisms responsible for the regulation of constitutive SOD2 gene expression at different malignant phenotype in breast cancers remain to be determined. The present study reports the identification and characterization of a DNA sequence located in the proximal promoter of the SOD2 gene, which forms a complex with a nuclear protein from breast tumor MCF-7 cells.

Sensorimotor specificities in balance control of expert fencers and pistol shooters.

Motor skills during sport activity are influenced by practice-related constraints and leads to the development of appropriate postural sensorimotor strategies. Fencing is highly requiring visual monitoring and high-speed motor skills while retaining efficient balance control. Conversely, pistol shooting is a static activity requiring a high control of body sway.

Impaired neuromotor functions in hospital laboratory workers exposed to low levels of organic solvents.

Solvents are ubiquitous in industrial societies in a wide range of processes, and long-term exposure to these organic compounds may impair neuromotor functions such as equilibrium function. However, there is limited knowledge of effects on posture and gaze control after organic solvent exposures below workplace threshold limit values. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of low-level co-exposure to organic solvents on balance and gaze control in hospital laboratory workers.

Differentiated influence of off-road and on-road cycling practice on balance control and the related-neurosensory organization.

This study aimed to determine the sensorimotor strategies privileged by mountain bikers (MTB) and road cyclists (RC) for balance control. Twenty-four MTB and 24 RC (off-road Olympics, world, continental and national champions, Tour-de-France participants, on-road world cup race winner) volunteered to answer a questionnaire about the characteristics of cycling practice and perform a sensory organization test, aiming to evaluate balance control in 6 different sensory situations based upon visual and support surface perturbations (C1(ES) to C6(ES)). RC balance performances were better than those of MTB both during quiet stance eyes opened (C1(ES), p=0.

Lenalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma: a review.

Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug derived from thalidomide. It was developed to maximize the anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplasic properties of thalidomide and to reduce its toxicity. The molecular mechanism of action of lenalidomide is unclear, but its therapeutic activity is mainly due to its well defined anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic properties.

Cognitive task fulfilment may decrease gaze control performances.

Human cognitive processing limits can lead to difficulties in performing two tasks simultaneously. In this respect, the mobilization of attentional resources seems to be more important in voluntary than in reflexive visuo-oculomotor movements. With this in mind, this study aimed to determine the differentiated effects of carrying out cognitive tasks on reflexive and voluntary movements generated by the visuo-oculomotor system.

Recombinant activated protein C in sepsis: endothelium protection or endothelium therapy?

Endothelium dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of sepsis. Looney and Mattay, in the previous issue of Critical Care, highlight the role of activated protein C (APC) as a protective endothelial drug in septic situations. Nevertheless, the results of in vivo studies are less explicit and it remains uncertain whether these properties are relevant in human septic shock.

Respiratory adenomatoid hamartoma must be suspected on CT-scan enlargement of the olfactory clefts.

Objective: To demonstrate that Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma (REAH) of the nose, a recently individualized benign tumour, is characterized by a significant widening of the CT-scan width of the olfactory clefts.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective study comparing, in the axial and coronal planes, the CT-scan maximum width of the olfactory clefts, i.e.

Posturography and risk of recurrent falls in healthy non-institutionalized persons aged over 65.

Background: A poor postural stability in older people is associated with an increased risk of falling. The posturographic tool has widely been used to assess balance control; however, its value in predicting falls remains unclear.

Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to determine the predictive value of posturography in the estimation of the risk of recurrent falls, including a comparison with standard clinical balance tests, in healthy non-institutionalized persons aged over 65.

Pontiac fever: an operational definition for epidemiological studies.

Background: Pontiac fever is usually described in epidemic settings. Detection of Pontiac fever is a marker of an environmental contamination by Legionella and should thereby call for prevention measures in order to prevent outbreak of Legionnaire's disease. The objective of this study is to propose an operational definition of Pontiac fever that is amenable to epidemiological surveillance and investigation in a non epidemic setting.

Sensorimotor postural rearrangement after unilateral vestibular deafferentation in patients with acoustic neuroma.

Unilateral vestibular lesion, as acoustic neuroma and its surgical removal, leads to impaired balance control. After initial vertigo and postural instability corresponding to unilateral vestibular deafferentation, improvement in symptoms and global balance functions occurs by a process called vestibular compensation. In this respect, this prospective study aimed to assess the differential contribution of sensory inputs to the regulation of posture during the recovery process after acoustic neuroma removal.

On the structural features of hairpin triloops in rRNA: from nucleotide to global conformational change upon ligand binding.

RNA structure can be viewed as both a construct composed of various structural motifs and a flexible polymer that is substantially influenced by its environment. In this light, the present paper represents an attempt to reconcile the two standpoints. By using the 3D structures both of four (16S and 23S) portions of unbound 50S, H50S, and T30S ribosomal subunits and of 38 large ribonucleoligand complexes as the starting point, the behavior, which is induced by ligand binding, of 73 hairpin triloops with closing g-c and c-g base pairs was investigated using root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) approach and pseudotorsional (eta,theta) convention at the nucleotide-by-nucleotide level.

In vitro evaluation of microleakage of indirect composite inlays cemented with four luting agents.

Statement Of Problem: Microleakage around dental restorations is implicated in the occurrence of secondary carious lesions, adverse pulpal response, and reduced restoration longevity.

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage of indirect resin composite inlays cemented with 4 luting agents.

Material And Methods: Standardized Class V inlay preparations overlapping the cemento-enamel junction were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of 40 extracted human mandibular third molars.

Long-term exposure to solvents impairs vigilance and postural control in serigraphy workers.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of solvent exposure (mainly aromatic hydrocarbons) on central regulation of vigilance and postural control, particularly in occasional difficult situations that provide sensorial conflicts.

Methods: Twenty-two workers occupationally exposed to solvents for an average of approximately 6 years and 21 controls were compared by the use of a questionnaire on their state of vigilance and quality of sleep and on performance measurements of postural control under six different sensorimotor conditions. Their current median exposure levels to aromatic hydrocarbons was 80.

An European pupil project linked to the scientific aims of the experiment AQUARIUS-XENOPUS on the taxi Soyuz flight Andromede to ISS.

The German-French biological experiment AQUARIUS-XENOPUS which flew on the Soyuz flight Andromede to the International Space Station ISS (launched October 21, 2001 in Baikonour/Kazakhstan) was extended by an outreach project. Pupils of class 10 to 12 from Ulm/D and Nancy-Tomblaine/F studied swimming behavior of Xenopus tadpoles on ground. They were instructed to perform all experimental steps following the protocol of similar video recordings on ISS.

Priming effects on PAH degradation and ecotoxicity during a phytoremediation experiment.

An experiment was conducted to distinguish priming effects from the effects of phytoremediation of a creosote-polluted soil. The concentration of 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their combined soil toxicity (using four bioassays), was determined on recently excavated, homogenized soil and on such soil subjected to a time-course phytoremediation experiment with lucerne. The results showed a high priming effect, with minor positive and synergistic effects of planting and fertilization on PAH degradation rates.

Developmental biology of urodele amphibians in microgravity conditions.

Among the urodele amphibians, only Cynops pyrrhogaster and Pleurodeles waltl, two species of the Salamandridae family, were used in space experiments. The advantages for using urodeles reside (i) in reproduction: a few months after natural breeding, females can lay eggs in absence of males after a hormonal treatment, because spermatozoa were preserved in the cloacal pelvic glands of matted females, (ii) in the rate of development which is slower in Cynops and Pleurodeles than in the anuran Xenopus, (iii) in their physiological properties: they can live in a closed water container or in a moisturized environment, and they can fast during several days. Moreover, urodeles have an important phylogenetic interest.

Clinical factors influencing the eosinophil infiltration of nasal polyps.

Aims And Methods: Our study, based on a retrospective chart analysis, was aimed 1) to describe the varying degree of eosinophil infiltration in a series of 263 adult patients operated on diffuse and bilateral nasal polyposis (NPS) after failure of medical treatment, in 15 cystic fibrosis patients with bilateral nasal polyps, and in 31 patients with chronic sinusitis without polyps (18 bilateral, 13 unilateral) 2) to search for clinical factors that might influence the degree of eosinophil infiltration. Eosinophil infiltration was expressed semi-quantativity as a percentage of inflammatory cells.

Results: Our study confirms that eosinophil infiltration is a striking feature of nasal polyposis.

Cerebrovascular structure and dementia: new drug targets.

Effective pharmacological treatment of cognitive disorders in dementia is lacking despite extensive efforts to produce active therapy aimed at neuronal and vascular targets. In this review, the evidence for the involvement of vascular mechanisms in the pathology and evolution of dementia will be examined and the potential importance of age-related changes in cerebrovascular structure and cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation will be discussed. With a description of recent clinical results (on statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and Ca(2+) channel blockers) and experimental results (on beta-amyloid), the impact of drugs on cerebrovascular targets is examined.

Occupational status and sleep-disordered breathing in a sample of French males.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and lower socio-professional status have in common a series of risk factors for ill health such as sedentary lifestyle, weight excess, heavy alcohol and tobacco consumption. We hypothesised that SDB will be more prevalent in lower socio-professional groups. A total of 496 male middle aged subjects (23-66 years) were tested with a protocol including a self-completed structured sleep questionnaire (translation of the Madison sleep cohort study form), anthropometry (including neck, waist and hip girth) and a simple, non-invasive nose-throat examination by a specialist physician.

In vivo effects of Hb solutions on blood viscosity and rheologic behavior of RBCs: comparison with clinically used volume expanders.

Background: Hb-based oxygen carriers (HbOCs) have vasoactive effects that are still poorly understood. Factors known to have vasoactive effects, such as plasma, whole-blood viscosity, and the rheologic behavior of RBCs, are modulated by HbOCs in vitro, but few in vivo studies have been performed.

Study Design And Methods: Rabbits were phlebotomized (30%) and resuscitated with unmodified stroma-free Hb (SFHb), dextran-tetracarboxylate-Hb (Dex-BTC-Hb), O-raffinose-polymerized Hb (OrpHb), HSA, or hydroxyethyl starch 200 (HES).

Compliance with drug therapy in rheumatoid arthritis. A longitudinal European study.

Objective: To delineate compliance with drug therapy in rheumatoid arthritis patients, determine specific characteristics of compliant and noncompliant patients, and look for changes in compliance over time.

Patients And Methods: A prospective European cohort study (EURIDISS) recruited 556 patients in four countries over three years. Compliance with drug dosages and dosing times was evaluated yearly using a questionnaire.

Eosinophil count in nasal secretions of subjects with and without nasal symptoms.

The aim of this paper, based on a cross-sectional study of 129 patients with nonallergic chronic nasal symptoms and 40 healthy controls, was to examine the leucocyte differential count in nasal secretions as a diagnostic test. Nasal secretions were collected using preweighed suction glass canulas under controlled conditions (-100Pa, 30 sec). Leucocyte and differential counts were performed using a Thoma hemocytometer and on cytospin slides after May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining.