Cellular and molecular biology
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Cell. Mol. Biol. (Noisy-le-grand) · Mar 2004
ReviewQuality determinants of erythrocyte destined for transfusion.
An overview is given of a series of standard assays to evaluate the quality of red cell concentrates for transfusion. These are visual inspection, assessment of hemolysis, quantitation of 2,3-DPG and nucleotide levels (especially ATP) and evaluation of morphology. ⋯ These assays include plasma-induced hemolysis, binding of annexin-V, deformability measurements and a rat model to judge oxygen delivery by human red blood cells (RBC). Especially in judging new protocols for the preparation of red cell products, involving e.g. improved additive solutions or pathogen inactivation methods, these quality parameters should not be compromised.
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Cell. Mol. Biol. (Noisy-le-grand) · Feb 2002
Review Case ReportsMolecular, immunological, enzymatic and biochemical studies of coproporphyrinogen oxidase deficiency in a family with hereditary coproporphyria.
A 27-year-old woman who had recurrent pain in renal bed since 1998 with increasing character, was stationary admitted. The patient showed dark urine, complained of hair loss and took since 1994 a hormonal oral contraceptive. No photosensitivity was observed. ⋯ Molecular analysis revealed a hitherto unknown mutation with the transversion of a cytosine to thymine at nucleotide position 854 in exon 4 of the coproporphyrinogen oxidase gene. The gene defect was confirmed by DGGE in the mother and her three daughters. The investigation of the immunological nature of the defective coproporphyrinogen oxidase gene from the whole family revealed decreased concentrations of coproporphyrinogen oxidase protein in the patient, her mother and her two sisters.
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Cell. Mol. Biol. (Noisy-le-grand) · Nov 1998
ReviewAdvanced glycation endproducts and cigarette smoking.
The incidence of certain ageing sequelae such as lung and cardiovascular disease and cataract are higher in smokers than in non-smokers. We recently proposed that certain components of mainstream cigarette smoke can react with plasma and extracellular matrix proteins to form covalent adducts with many of the properties of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE). AGEs have been implicated previously in the pathogenesis of the end-organ complications of diabetes and ageing, including cataract, atherosclerosis and renal insufficiency. ⋯ Over time the initial Schiff base and Amadori products that form gradually undergo dehydration and rearrangement to produce reactive, carbonyl containing compounds with characteristic fluorescence and covalent crosslinking properties. Recent studies indicate that in smokers, tobacco-derived AGEs accumulate on plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL), structural proteins present within the vascular wall, and the lens proteins of the eye. These data point to a new and significant source of Maillard products in the human environment, significantly broaden the role of Maillard chemistry in pathological processes, and provide new insight into the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other diseases associated with tobacco usage.