French Institute of Health and Medical Research

About: French Institute of Health and Medical Research is a government organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Receptor. The organization has 109367 authors who have published 174236 publications receiving 8365503 citations.

Sotagliflozin in Patients with Diabetes and Recent Worsening Heart Failure

Abstract: Background Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure or death from cardiovascular causes among patients with stable heart failu...

Dopamine depletion impairs precursor cell proliferation in Parkinson disease

Abstract: Cerebral dopamine depletion is the hallmark of Parkinson disease. Because dopamine modulates ontogenetic neurogenesis, depletion of dopamine might affect neural precursors in the subependymal zone and subgranular zone of the adult brain. Here we provide ultrastructural evidence showing that highly proliferative precursors in the adult subependymal zone express dopamine receptors and receive dopaminergic afferents. Experimental depletion of dopamine in rodents decreases precursor cell proliferation in both the subependymal zone and the subgranular zone. Proliferation is restored completely by a selective agonist of D2-like (D2L) receptors. Experiments with neural precursors from the adult subependymal zone grown as neurosphere cultures confirm that activation of D2L receptors directly increases the proliferation of these precursors. Consistently, the numbers of proliferating cells in the subependymal zone and neural precursor cells in the subgranular zone and olfactory bulb are reduced in postmortem brains of individuals with Parkinson disease. These observations suggest that the generation of neural precursor cells is impaired in Parkinson disease as a consequence of dopaminergic denervation.

Activation-induced death by apoptosis in CD4+ T cells from human immunodeficiency virus-infected asymptomatic individuals.

Abstract: In immature thymocytes, T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) mobilization leads to an active T cell suicide process, apoptosis, which is involved in the selection of the T cell repertoire. We have proposed that inappropriate induction of such a cell death program in the mature CD4+ T cell population could account for both early qualitative and late quantitative CD4+ T lymphocyte defects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals (Ameisen, J.C., and A. Capron. 1991. Immunol. Today. 4:102). Here, we report that the selective failure of CD4+ T cells from 59 clinically asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals to proliferate in vitro to TCR mobilization by major histocompatibility complex class II-dependent superantigens and to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) is due to an active CD4+ T cell death process, with the biochemical and ultrastructural features of apoptosis. Activation-induced cell death occurred only in the CD4+ T cell population from HIV-infected asymptomatic individuals and was not observed in T cells from any of 58 HIV-seronegative controls, including nine patients with other acute or chronic infectious diseases. Activation-induced CD4+ T cell death was prevented by cycloheximide, cyclosporin A, and a CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb). The CD28 mAb not only prevented apoptosis but also restored T cell proliferation to stimuli, including PWM, superantigens, and the tetanus and influenza recall antigens. These findings may have implications for the understanding of the pathogenesis of acquired immune deficiency syndrome and for the design of specific therapeutic strategies.

NeuPSIG guidelines on neuropathic pain assessment

Abstract: This is a revision of guidelines, originally published in 2004, for the assessment of patients with neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is defined as pain arising as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system either at peripheral or central level. Screening questionnaires are suitable for identifying potential patients with neuropathic pain, but further validation of them is needed for epidemiological purposes. Clinical examination, including accurate sensory examination, is the basis of neuropathic pain diagnosis. For more accurate sensory profiling, quantitative sensory testing is recommended for selected cases in clinic, including the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathies and for research purposes. Measurement of trigeminal reflexes mediated by A-beta fibers can be used to differentiate symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia from classical trigeminal neuralgia. Measurement of laser-evoked potentials is useful for assessing function of the A-delta fiber pathways in patients with neuropathic pain. Functional brain imaging is not currently useful for individual patients in clinical practice, but is an interesting research tool. Skin biopsy to measure the intraepidermal nerve fiber density should be performed in patients with clinical signs of small fiber dysfunction. The intensity of pain and treatment effect (both in clinic and trials) should be assessed with numerical rating scale or visual analog scale. For future neuropathic pain trials, pain relief scales, patient and clinician global impression of change, the proportion of responders (50% and 30% pain relief), validated neuropathic pain quality measures and assessment of sleep, mood, functional capacity and quality of life are recommended.

Holt-Oram syndrome is caused by mutations in TBX5, a member of the Brachyury ( T ) gene family

Abstract: Holt-Oram syndrome is a developmental disorder affecting the heart and upper limb, the gene for which was mapped to chromosome 12 two years ago. We have now identified a gene for this disorder (HOS1). The gene (TBX5) is a member of the Brachyury (T) family corresponding to the mouse TbxS gene. We have identified six mutations, three in HOS families and three in sporadic HOS cases. Each of the mutations introduces a premature stop codon in the TBXS gene product. Tissue in situ hybridization studies on human embryos from days 26 to 52 of gestation reveal expression of TBXS in heart and limb, consistent with a role in human embryonic development.