Role of the Cholinergic Pathway in Mediating Platelet-Activating Factor-Induced Pulmonary Dysfunctions in Unsedated Calves

in Zentralblatt fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A (1999), 46(2), 103-113

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible role of the cholinergic pathway in mediating platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced pulmonary dysfunctions in unsedated calves. In a placebo ... [more ▼]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible role of the cholinergic pathway in mediating platelet-activating factor (PAF)-induced pulmonary dysfunctions in unsedated calves. In a placebo group, PAF infusion challenge induced significant dysfunctions in the pattern of breathing [a significant increase in respiratory rate (RR) and a significant decrease in tidal volume (VT)], the mechanics of breathing [a significant increase in total lung resistance (RL) and a significant decrease in dynamic lung compliance (CLdyn)] and gas exchange, whereas in atropine pre-treated calves, PAF infusion challenge induced a significant increase in RR, VT and HR and a significant decrease in CLdyn. The RL increase was prevented by atropine pre-treatment. On the basis of our findings, we suggest that, in cattle, the PAF-induced pattern of breathing dysfunctions and the diffuse bronchoconstriction and microvascular leakage of small airways are not mediated through the cholinergic pathway. By contrast, our data suggest that PAF-induced bronchoconstriction of upper airways is at least partly mediated through muscarinic receptors. [less ▲]

A propos des qualificatifs complet, orthogonal et équilibré en analyse de la variance.

in Notes de Statistique et d'Informatique (1999), (2), 15

With examples, we introduce the words complete, orhtogonal and balanced used in analysis of variance.

La qualité : un outil de repositionnement de la viande bovine dans le marché des produits alimentaires

Poster (1999)

La qualité, dans tous les sens du terme, constitue un élément indispensable à l'avenir de la viande bovine. Pour réussir, la coopération de tous les acteurs est impérative, sous l'égide des pouvoirs ... [more ▼]

La qualité, dans tous les sens du terme, constitue un élément indispensable à l'avenir de la viande bovine. Pour réussir, la coopération de tous les acteurs est impérative, sous l'égide des pouvoirs publics. Par rapport aux autres viandes, la viande bovine possède une connotation plus "naturelle". Les consommateurs semblent prêts à assumer le coût des contrôles nécessaires. [less ▲]

importance of ecotone modeling for landscape fragmentation assessment.

Conference (1999)

Sensitizing human cervical cancer cells in vitro to ionizing radiation with interferon β or γ

in Radiation Research (1999), 152(5),

Rescue of early heart-shaped embryos and plant regeneration of Phaseolus polyanthus Greenm. and Phaseolus vulgaris L.

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (1999), 3(3),

Potentiation of cytotoxicity and radiosensitization of (E)-2'-deoxy-2' (fluoromethylene) cytidine by pentoxifylline in vitro.

in International Journal of Cancer = Journal International du Cancer (1999), 80

(E)-28-deoxy-28-(fluoromethylene) cytidine (FMdC), a novel inhibitor of ribonucleotide-diphosphate reductase, has been shown to have anti-tumor activity against solid tumors and sensitize tumor cells to ... [more ▼]

(E)-28-deoxy-28-(fluoromethylene) cytidine (FMdC), a novel inhibitor of ribonucleotide-diphosphate reductase, has been shown to have anti-tumor activity against solid tumors and sensitize tumor cells to ionizing radiation. Pentoxifylline (PTX) can potentiate the cell killing induced by DNAdamaging agents through abrogation of DNA-damagedependent G2 checkpoint. We investigated the cytotoxic, radiosensitizing and cell-cycle effects of FMdC and PTX in a human colon-cancer cell line WiDr. PTX at 0.25–1.0 mM enhanced the cytotoxicity of FMdC and lowered the IC50 of FMdC from 79 6 0.1 to 31.2 6 2.1 nM, as determined by MTT assay. Using clonogenic assay, pre-irradiation exposure of exponentially growing WiDr cells to 30 nM FMdC for 48 hr or post-irradiation to 0.5 to 1.0 mM PTX alone resulted in an increase in radiation-induced cytotoxicity. Moreover, there was a significant change of the radiosensitization if both drugs were combined as compared with the effect of either drug alone. Cell-cycle analysis showed that treatment with nanomolar FMdC resulted in S-phase accumulation and that such an S-phase arrest can be abrogated by PTX. Treatment with FMdC prior to radiation increased post-irradiation-induced G2 arrest, and such G2 accumulation was also abrogated by PTX. These results suggest that pharmacological abrogation of S and G2 checkpoints by PTX may provide an effective strategy for enhancing the cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effects of FMdC. Int. J. Cancer 80:155–160, 1999. [less ▲]

Emergence of new forms of partnership between colleges of higher education and university based on the organization of training research : communication à l'European Conference on Educational research (ECER99) organisée par the European Educational Research Association (EERA), University of Helsinki, The Adult Education Centre, Lahti, 22-25 septembre 1999

(1999)

Organisations communes de marché : simulation de l'impact de l'Agenda 2000 sur des exploitations-types en Région wallonne

Book published by Ministère de la Région wallonne, Conseil supérieur wallon de l'Agriculture, de l'Agro-alimentaire et de l'Alimentation (CSWAAA) (1999)

Guidelines to Adapt the General Principles of the Non-statistical Meta-analysis Method to Specific Fields of Biomedical Research: the Example of Molecular Oncology.

in Libraries without limits : changing needs – changing roles Proceedings of the 6th European Conference of medical and Health Libraries. (1999)

In most circumstances, considerable time lags before results from biomedical research are integrated in general medical practice are inevitable. Several economic, technical factors and educational ... [more ▼]

In most circumstances, considerable time lags before results from biomedical research are integrated in general medical practice are inevitable. Several economic, technical factors and educational orientation are responsible for this gap. Effective information management at the institutional level, could provide clinicians the means to adopt new perspectives. At present, the link between basic research and clinical application relies upon the motivation of individuals to develop new skills in literature retrieval and analysis and yet their occupational responsabilities inhibit this endeavour. Academic librarians, educated and trained in information and biomedical sciences, have a role in providing physicians with current and readily applicable knowledge from the critical analysis of the literature. The Faculty of Medicine Library is developing a research programme to design an updated and comprehensive picture of the diagnostic and prognostic biological markers in the field of human prostate cancer. The final product is envisioned as a database accessible on the web that will integrate bibliographic analyses and results from prospective and retrospective studies conducted at the University of Liège. As this product is designed to have a direct impact on clinical decision making and patient care, it should guarantee thoroughness, relevancy and objectivity and not become yet another narrative review of the literature. Over the last decade, there has been a movement towards using statistical meta-analyses to synthesize literature. This method has proven to be useful when similar strategies are used to produce similar quantitative outcomes that can be merged for statistical analysis.1 Even though studies in cancer research assess the same model, they are often too fragmented or heterogeneous in their design, methods and instrumentation. Approaches have been developed to conduct non-statistical meta-analysis of such publications.2 Quantitative and qualitative meta-analyses are based on common principles which are largely discussed in the literature. They are related to model development, literature coding, rating references for quality and annotating and synthesizing high quality references. In practice, these basic principles require translation into actual instructions adapted to every domain of biomedical research. Variable definition is a very critical step that governs the quality of subsequent analyses. Specific examples provided illustrate the guidelines acquired from our experience. Il s'écoule souvent un intervalle de temps fort long avant que les nouveaux concepts issus de la recherche biomédicale soient intégrés dans la pratique médicale courante. Les raisons de cette situation sont autant d'ordre économique et technique que culturel. Actuellement, les liens entre la recherche fondamentale et la médecine clinique ne peuvent exister que sur base d'initiatives individuelles et les médecins concernés doivent investir une partie de leur temps dans l'apprentissage des techniques de recherche et d'analyse de la littérature. Une gestion professionnelle de l'information au niveau d'une institution telle qu'un hôpital universitaire devrait par contre inciter davantage de cliniciens à utiliser les ressources de la littérature issue de la recherche biomédicale. C'est pourquoi la Bibliothèque de la Faculté de Médecine de l'Université de Liège propose, à titre expérimental, de créer un prototype de site web consacré à l'étude des marqueurs pronostiques et diagnostiques du cancer de la prostate. Des scientifiques, spécialisés en sciences biomédicales et formés aux techniques de gestion documentaire, fourniront à l'intention des médecins spécialistes et/ou généralistes, voire des patients eux-mêmes, une analyse critique de la littérature en relation directe avec les activités cliniques de l'institution. Notre objectif étant de fournir aux médecins des informations susceptibles d'être utilisées comme bases de décision clinique, notre responsabilité se trouve engagée vis à vis des patients. Nous devrons donc définir une stratégie qui garantisse à la fois l'exhaustivité et la pertinence de l'information traitée et l'objectivité des analyses présentées. Sur base des principes de la méta-analyse,1,2 nous avons conçu un protocole en cinq étapes comprenant: la définition à priori des objectifs, la recherche non biaisée d'information, la définition de critères de sélection des études, l'extraction et la synthèse des données. La difficulté consistera à traduire ces principes en une série de consignes pratiques et techniques et d'en dégager des lignes de conduite générales qui permettront d'étendre cette approche à n'importe quel domaine de la médecine. 1. D'Agostino RB, Weintraub M. Meta-analysis: a method for synthesizing research. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995;58:605-616 2. Bland CJ, Meurer LN, Maldonado G. A systematic approach to conducting a non-statistical meta-analysis of research literature. Acad Med 1995;70:642-653 [less ▲]