The fast multipole method for electromagnetic field computation in numerical and physical hybrid systems

Doctoral thesis (2004)

Hypogonadism in a Patient with a Mutation in the Luteinizing Hormone Beta-Subunit Gene

in New England Journal of Medicine [=NEJM] (2004), 351(25), 2619-2625

A 30-year-old man who presented with delayed puberty and infertility was found to have hypogonadism associated with an absence of circulating luteinizing hormone. The patient had a homozygous missense ... [more ▼]

A 30-year-old man who presented with delayed puberty and infertility was found to have hypogonadism associated with an absence of circulating luteinizing hormone. The patient had a homozygous missense mutation in the gene that encodes the beta subunit of luteinizing hormone (Gly36Asp), a mutation that disrupted a vital cystine knot motif and abrogated the heterodimerization and secretion of luteinizing hormone. Treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin increased circulating testosterone, promoted virilization, and was associated with the appearance of normal spermatozoa in low concentrations. This case illustrates the important physiological role that luteinizing hormone plays in male sexual maturation and fertility. [less ▲]

METHOD FOR MONITORING COLLAGEN TYPE II DEGRADATION IN CARTILAGE

Patent (2004)

A method for improving the diagnostic assessment of cartilage degenerative processes, and to provide means of monitoring the effects of therapeutical measures taken towards arthritic diseases in most ... [more ▼]

A method for improving the diagnostic assessment of cartilage degenerative processes, and to provide means of monitoring the effects of therapeutical measures taken towards arthritic diseases in most mammals ultizes an immunoassay to detect fragments of collagen type II resulting from collagenase activity comprising an antibody directed against an epitope comprised in the amino acid sequence HRGYPGLDG, located in the helical region of collagen type II. [less ▲]

Zoledronic acid up-regulates bone sialoprotein expression in osteoblastic cells through Rho GTPase inhibition

in Biochemical Journal (2004), 384(Pt 3), 591-598

Clinical practice reveals that osteoporotic women treated with BPs (bisphosphonates) show an increased bone mass density and a reduced risk of fractures. However, the mechanisms leading to these ... [more ▼]

Clinical practice reveals that osteoporotic women treated with BPs (bisphosphonates) show an increased bone mass density and a reduced risk of fractures. However, the mechanisms leading to these beneficial effects of BPs are still poorly understood. We hypothesized that ZOL (zoledronic acid), a potent third-generation BP, may induce the expression of proteins associated with the bone-forming potential of osteoblastic cells such as BSP (bone sialoprotein). Expression of BSP gene is up-regulated by hormones that promote bone formation and has been associated with de novo bone mineralization. Using real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR and Western-blot analysis, we demonstrated that ZOL increased BSP expression in Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells. Nuclear run-on and mRNA decay assays showed no effect at the transcriptional level but a stabilization of BSP transcripts in ZOL-treated cells. ZOL effect on BSP expression occurred through an interference with the mevalonate pathway since it was reversed by either mevalonate pathway intermediates or a Rho GTPase activator. We showed that ZOL impaired membrane localization of RhoA in Saos-2 cells indicating reduced prenylation of this protein. By the use of small interfering RNAs directed to RhoA and Rac1, we identified both Rho GTPases as negative regulators of BSP expression in Saos-2 cells. Our study demonstrates that ZOL induces BSP expression in osteoblast-like cells through inactivation of Rho GTPases and provides a potential mechanism to explain the favourable effects of ZOL treatment on bone mass and integrity. [less ▲]

Current levels of drug resistance among therapy-naive HIV-infected patients have significant impact on treatment response

in Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes [=JAIDS] (2004), 37(5), 1664-1666

Cyclo-oxygenase type 2-dependent prostaglandin E-2 secretion is involved in retrovirus-induced T-cell dysfunction in mice

in Biochemical Journal (2004), 384(Pt 3), 469-476

MAIDS (murine AIDS) is caused by infection with the murine leukaemia retrovirus RadLV-Rs and is characterized by a severe immunodeficiency and T-cell anergy combined with a lymphoproliferative disease ... [more ▼]

MAIDS (murine AIDS) is caused by infection with the murine leukaemia retrovirus RadLV-Rs and is characterized by a severe immunodeficiency and T-cell anergy combined with a lymphoproliferative disease affecting both B- and T-cells. Hyperactivation of the cAMP-protein kinase A pathway is involved in the T-cell dysfunction of MAIDS and HIV by inhibiting T-cell activation through the T-cell receptor. In the present study, we show that MAIDS involves a strong and selective up-regulation of cyclo-oxygenase type 2 in the CD11b+ subpopulation of T- and B-cells of the lymph nodes, leading to increased levels of PGE2 (prostaglandin E2). PGE2 activates the cAMP pathway through G-protein-coupled receptors. Treatment with cyclo-oxygenase type 2 inhibitors reduces the level of PGE2 and thereby reverses the T-cell anergy, restores the T-cell immune function and ameliorates the lymphoproliferative disease. [less ▲]

Saturn's UV Aurora Imaged with HST during the Cassini Approach to Saturn

Poster (2004, December 13)

A series of HST STIS UV images of Saturn's aurora were obtained on 13 days in Jan. 2004 as the Cassini spacecraft measured the approaching solar wind properties. Clear general correlations have been found ... [more ▼]

A series of HST STIS UV images of Saturn's aurora were obtained on 13 days in Jan. 2004 as the Cassini spacecraft measured the approaching solar wind properties. Clear general correlations have been found between the auroral power and a) Saturn's kilometric radiation, and b) the solar wind dynamic pressure, but not with the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field. While these general correlations are now well established, a closer examination of the data raises many interesting questions. Saturn's auroral emissions exhibit both local time and co-rotational properties, the auroral oval does not appear centered on the magnetic and rotational pole, the auroral emissions exhibit large and unexpected motions in latitude with time and/or planetary rotation, and the auroral oval does not appear continuous, but broken with longitude. This talk will present a more detailed look at Saturn's aurora from the HST images, with a comparison of auroral emission properties to those at the Earth and Jupiter. [less ▲]

La maladie d'Alzheimer

Conference given outside the academic context (2004)

Prepartum management of severe preeclampsia

Conference (2004, December 11)

Rationale for the use of bisphosphonates in veterinary medicine.

Poster (2004, December 10)