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Biomedical subjects

B Maes

Publications and source records attributed to B Maes.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Extensive aetiological investigations in acute pancreatitis: results of a 1-year prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on acute pancreatitis are poorly defined. AIMS: To prospectively evaluate the aetiology of acute pancreatitis and to assess the benefits of intensive investigations. METHODS: In a prospective, 1-year study all cases of acute pancreatitis in the Nice catchment area were enrolled. Subjects underwent routine (serum calcium, phosphate and triglycerides; abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan) and additional, delayed intensive investigations (ERCP with bile sampling and/or endoscopy ultrasonography). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-one cases were included. After routine investigations, a biliary, alcoholic, miscellaneous or unknown origin was diagnosed in 43%, 31.4%, 9.9% and 15.7%, respectively. In subjects with biliary pancreatitis, 43% had no previous history of biliary disease. In the alcohol-related subgroup, pancreatitis recurred in 18.5% during 114.5 days mean follow-up. In subjects with a first episode of alcoholic pancreatitis, delayed supplemental investigations revealed underlying chronic pancreatitis in 92.8%. After routine investigations, a diagnosis of pancreatitis of unknown origin was made in 15.7% (n = 19) of subjects. Additional investigations revealed an underlying cause in 57.8% of these patients (n = 11), including malignancy (n = 3) and biliary disease (n = 4), reducing the overall rate of pancreatitis with no apparent cause to 6.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Investigative techniques, particularly ERCP, will reveal the underlying aetiology of pancreatitis in the majority of patients presenting with 'idiopathic' pancreatitis and should be considered when routine tests are negative.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Inferior outcome of cadaveric kidneys preserved for more than 24 hr in histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution. Leuven Collaborative Group for Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: During recent years, an increasing number of transplant centers within the Eurotransplant organization have used histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution instead of University of Wisconsin (UW) solution as their preferred cold storage solution for abdominal organ preservation. We report on our single-center experience on the outcome of imported kidneys preserved with either HTK or UW solution in relation to the duration of cold ischemia time (CIT). METHODS: Between July 1989 and July 1997, 323 cadaveric kidneys preserved with UW or HTK and imported as a result of an exchange within the Eurotransplant organization were transplanted at our institution. CIT was <24 hr in 216 kidneys (UW: n=174, HTK: n=42) and > or =24 hr in 107 kidneys (UW: n=67, HTK: n=40). Renal functional outcome was evaluated by comparing delayed graft function and initial non-function rates, daily urinary output, the evolution of serum creatinine, and creatinine clearance at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days and at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and graft survival at 1 year after transplantation in relation to the type of cold storage solution and CIT < or > or =24 hr. RESULTS: Whereas the incidence of delayed graft function did not differ significantly between kidneys preserved for less than 24 hr in UW (18.6%) or HTK (26.2%), this rate increased to 50% in HTK kidneys compared to 23.9% in UW kidneys when CIT exceeded 24 hr (P=0.006). Mean serum creatinine and creatinine clearance values were better at 1 and 5 days postoperatively in kidneys preserved <24 hr with UW as compared to HTK (P<0.05). After 24 hr of CIT, HTK-preserved kidneys showed an impaired renal function, not only in the immediate postoperative phase but also at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation (P<0.05). Graft survival at 1 year was 92.9% in UW vs. 87.5% in HTK kidneys preserved for <24 hr (NS), and 91% vs. 77.4% when CIT exceeded 24 hr (P=0.059). CONCLUSIONS: From these single-center findings, it can be concluded that UW is superior to HTK in kidney preservation, particularly when CIT exceeds 24 hr.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1998

Evidence for impaired assimilation and increased colonic fermentation of protein, related to gastric acid suppression therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although the role of gastric digestion (by acid-dependent pepsins) in overall protein assimilation has never thoroughly been studied, it is generally considered to be limited. Protein that escapes assimilation in the small intestine is intensely fermented by the colonic flora. Phenol and p-cresol are specific bacterial metabolites of tyrosine. AIM: To elucidate the role of gastric digestion of protein by evaluating the influence of acid suppression therapy on overall protein assimilation and fermentation. METHODS: Protein assimilation was studied in 16 healthy subjects under basal conditions and after omeprazole treatment using the combined 14C-octanoic acid/13C-egg white breath test. The degree of protein fermentation was estimated by measuring the urinary output of phenol and p-cresol in 41 healthy volunteers and in 17 patients treated for more than 1 month with omeprazole because of peptic disease. RESULTS: Protein assimilation was significantly impaired after omeprazole treatment. Gastric emptying, conversely, was not affected. The urinary output of phenol and p-cresol was increased in patients treated with omeprazole as compared to untreated controls. CONCLUSION: Gastric acid suppression therapy hampers protein assimilation and may promote protein malabsorption. Gastric digestion is likely to play a substantial role in overall protein assimilation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Prognostic factors for survival and for biochemical cure in medullary thyroid carcinoma: results in 899 patients. The GETC Study Group. Groupe d'étude des tumeurs à calcitonine.

BACKGROUND: Prognostic factors of sporadic or inherited medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are still controversial and have been assessed in old and small series. A better knowledge of these factors would improve patient management. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors involved in the prognosis of MTC in a large series of cases, using uni- and multivariate analysis. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Clinical, biological, surgical and epidemiological data on 899 MTC patients, diagnosed between 1952 and 1996, were collected by the French Calcitonin Tumors Study Group (GETC) with a standardized questionnaire, and processed in a national database. MEASUREMENTS: Survival and biochemical cure (i.e. normal basal post-operative serum calcitonin levels) were analysed with Kaplan and Meier and log-rank test statistical procedures. Data are presented as adjusted rather than observed survival, to consider only patients who died of MTC. Cox's forward-stepping proportional hazard model was used to analyse factors with a significant influence on survival by univariate analysis. RESULTS: Apart from the large proportion of familial forms (43%), the general characteristics of our population were similar to those in other studies: mean age at surgery = 43.4 years; sex ratio = 1 male/1.35 female; stage I = 20.8%; stage II = 21.2%; stage III = 46.5% and stage IV = 11.5%. 863 (96%) patients underwent surgery; 43% of operated patients were biochemically cured. Adjusted survival was 85.7 +/- 1.5% at 5 years and 78.4 +/- 2.1% at 10 years. Multivariate analysis showed that age and stage were independent predictive factors of survival. Gender, type of surgery, type of familial form were predictive only in univariate analysis. Biochemical cure predicts a survival rate of 97.7% at 10 years. Authentic recurrence, that is subsequent elevation of calcitonin (CT) after post-operative normalization, was found in 4.9%. In non-cured patients (57%), survival was still good: 80.2% (+/- 2.2%) and 70.3% (+/- 2.9%) at 5 and 10 years, respectively. Similarly, prediction of biochemical cure was solely dependent on stage. CONCLUSION: Survival of these medullary thyroid carcinoma patients appears better than expected even in non-cured patients. Considering the strong impact of stage, the necessity for pre-operative diagnosis of MTC is obvious.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The natural history of hereditary chronic pancreatitis: a study of 12 cases compared to chronic alcoholic pancreatitis.

The aim of this study was to document the natural history of chronic hereditary pancreatitis and to compare its evolution to that of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. Twelve subjects with chronic hereditary pancreatitis were followed up for a mean duration of 15.8 years (range, 1-23) and compared to subjects with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis who were followed up from 1972 to 1980. The subjects with chronic hereditary pancreatitis, when compared to those with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, were found to have an earlier onset of symptoms (10.5 vs. 46.0 years, p < 0.05); a significant delay in diagnosis (14.3 vs. 3 years); a similar prevalence of pancreatic calcification (58 vs. 57%); a similar amount of pancreatic insufficiency; both endocrine (50 vs. 70%) and exocrine 42 vs. 38%); and a higher prevalence of pseudocysts (33 vs. 10%, p < 0.05). Only one pancreatic adenocarcinoma was diagnosed in a patient with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. Apart from the earlier onset and the delay in diagnosis, chronic hereditary pancreatitis has a natural history similar to that of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis. The disease is progressive with a high incidence of complications, but all subjects were alive after follow-up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Early therapeutic management of patients genetically predisposed to medullary thyroid cancer].

STUDY: The aim of our study was to study therapeutic results after thyroidectomy in patients positive for predictive genetic analysis and with preoperative calcitonin (CT) response to pentagastlin (Pg) < 150 pg/ml. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 36 patients (13 F, 23 M) were selected: 13 F-MTC from 8 families, 22 MEN 2A from 15 families and 1 MEN 2B. They were positive for direct RET mutation analysis. CT was assayed by immunoradiometric method before and after Pg. Pg test results before and after thyroidectomy, age at operation and histologic results were analysed. RESULTS: Mean preoperative peak CT was 82.5 +/- 34.0 pg/ml (22-133): among these 36 patients preoperative basal and peak CT were normal in 16 and 2 patients respectively. F-MTC and MEN 2A patients were different according to their preoperative peak CT levels (58.1 +/- 24.0 vs 97.6 +/- 31.3) pg/ml, p < 0.01) and age at thyroidectomy (20.4 +/- 10.5 vs 11.6 +/- 7.6 years, p < 0.01 by Mann-Whitney test). Total thyroidectomy was performed in all patients at a mean age of 14.8 +/- 9.8 years (2.5-41.7) and was associated with lymph node dissection in 30 cases. The 2 F-MTC patients with normal preoperative peak CT levels had bilateral C-cell hyperplasia (CCH) associated with uni or bilateral micro-MTC. Other patients had uni or bilateral micro MTC except 4 who had isolated CCH without carcinoma. The age of two MEN-2A and 1 MEN 2B patients with micro-MTC ranged from 2.5 to 4.7 yr. Micro MTC was present in 100% of MEN-2A cases after the age of 10 yr. There were no lymph nodes metastases. During postoperative survey, the last PG tests (n = 33) were performed 27.5 months (1-92) after thyroidectomy: peak CT values were always < 10 pg/ml. IN CONCLUSION: Thyroidectomy should be performed at a very young age in RET mutation carriers, regardless of the plasma CT values. This choice is justified in NEM-2A and NEM-2B patients but must be discussed in F-MTC families with less aggressive forms of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Effects of a new motilide, ABT-229, on gastric emptying and postprandial antroduodenal motility in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: ABT-229 is a recently developed derivative of erythromycin, devoid of antibiotic activity. We studied the effect of ABT-229 on gastric emptying and postprandial antroduodenal motility in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Placebo, 4 and 16 mg ABT-229 were given as a single oral dose to nine healthy volunteers, in a randomized, 3-period crossover design. A solid meal (250 kcal) was given twice, 45 min after drug ingestion and 4 h later. Gastric emptying of each meal was studied using the 13C-octanoic breath test. Antroduodenal motility was recorded during the total 9-h period. RESULTS: After the first meal, both the 4 and 16 mg doses increased the gastric emptying rate to a similar extent. ABT-229 stimulated the contractile motility of the antrum dose-dependently. The half-emptying time and the lag-phase of gastric emptying correlated with the number of pressure waves that were propagated over the antrum and the mean amplitude of antral pressure waves. After the second meal no significant effects of ABT-229 were found. CONCLUSIONS: A single dose of the new motilin agonist ABT-229 strongly increases the gastric emptying rate in healthy volunteers by increasing the strength and length of propagation of antral pressure waves. ABT-229 has the potential to become a new prokinetic drug.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1997

Influence of dietary protein supplements on the formation of bacterial metabolites in the colon.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of increased dietary protein intake on bacterial colonic metabolism in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Short chain fatty acids, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds in faecal samples, and phenols in the urine of five volunteers were measured after one week of basal nutrient intake and and after one week of a diet supplemented with a protein rich food (Fortimel; Nutricia, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands). Paired t tests and factor analysis were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Total energy and resistant carbohydrate intake remained unchanged in each study period. The percentage energy intake delivered as dietary protein, increased significantly (from 15.4% to 23.8%; p = 0.007) during supplement intake. A significant increase in faecal ammonia (p = 0.002), faecal valeric acid (p = 0.02), and urinary p-cresol (p = 0.04) was noted during supplementary protein intake. A total of 120 different volatile compounds were isolated from the faecal samples of which 10 increased significantly during dietary protein supplementation. The change in volatile pattern, especially for S containing metabolites, was clearly shown by a factor analysis model which made a distinction between the two dietary regimens for all volunteers. CONCLUSION: An increase in dietary protein leads to altered products formation by colonic metabolism, mainly reflected by an increase in faecal ammonia, faecal volatile S substances, and urinary p-cresol.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sumatriptan, a selective 5-HT1 receptor agonist, induces a lag phase for gastric emptying of liquids in humans.

Sumatriptan, a 5-hydroxytryptamine1 (5-HT1) receptor agonist at enteric neuronal 5-HT receptors, causes a relaxation of the gastric fundus and inhibition of antral contractile activity. The present study examined the effect of sumatriptan on gastric emptying of solids and liquids in humans. In eight healthy subjects the gastric emptying rate for liquids and solids was measured using the carbon-labeled glycine and octanoic acid breath test after subcutaneous administration of placebo or sumatriptan. Sumatriptan increased the gastric half-emptying time of liquids (P < 0.0005) and induced a prolonged lag phase for liquids (P < 0.0005) in all subjects. Sumatriptan increased gastric half-emptying time (P < 0.005) and the lag phase of solids (P < 0.05) in all subjects. In two healthy subjects gastric emptying of liquids and solids after subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan was studied by radioscintigraphy. Radioscintigraphy confirmed the delayed emptying and the prolonged lag phases after sumatriptan. In conclusion, sumatriptan delays gastric emptying of solids and liquids in healthy subjects. Moreover, sumatriptan induces a lag phase for liquids. The mechanism by which sumatriptan alters gastric emptying remains to be studied.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2: management of patients and subjects at risk. French Study Group on Calcitonin-Secreting Tumors (GETC).

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2) is an inherited multiglandular disease with age-related penetrance and variable expression. The prognosis of MEN-2 is linked to the carcinological evolution of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), which depends mainly on the stage of discovery, and to the incidents related to pheochromocytomas. The emphasizes the need for early diagnosis and management of MEN-2. Since 1993, mutations evidenced on the protooncogene RET have allowed subjects at risk to be identified, thus leading to a three-step management of these patients. (1) For all the potentially affected members of a MEN-2 family, screening by molecular genetics of the ret gene enables one to identify the subjects at risk who bear the mutation. When no mutation is observed, a linkage analysis study may be proposed. (2) In the subjects at risk, early screening for the various types of endocrine lesions may then start in childhood and be performed using specific biological markers of MTC, pheochromocytoma and primary hyperparathyroidism, and particularly, basal and pentagastrin-stimulated calcitonin measurement, which is known to be the most sensitive marker for the monitoring of MTC. (3) This step of biological investigations enables the earliest possible treatment of any endocrine lesion detected before it is expressed clinically, thus improving the prognosis of MEN-2. When genetic screening cannot be performed, only annual clinical and biological monitoring remain available in all members of a family affected with MEN-2.

Drosophila Proteins↗
PubMed1997

[Acute inoperable cholecystitis treated by endoscopic naso-vesicular drainage. Study of 15 patients].

OBJECTIVES: Cystic duct cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is now possible, due to advances in endoscopic equipment and methodology. The aim of this study was to assess the role of endoscopic transpapillary cholecystostomy in inoperable patients with acute cholecystitis. METHODS: Between October 1993 and February 1996, cystic duct cannulation was performed in 15 patients with acute cholecystitis (9 men and 6 women; mean age 74.8 years. Acute calculous cholecystitis was associated with cholangitis in 4 cases, with pancreatitis in 2 cases, and with perforation of the gallbladder in 1 case. RESULTS: Cystic duct cannulation was successful in 13 patients (86.6%), and resulted in remission of cholecystitis by nasovesicular drainage associated with antibiotherapy in all cases. No morbidity and mortality due to this method was observed at one month. No recurrence was observed after a mean follow-up of 8 months (range: 6 weeks-14 months). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that endoscopic nasovesicular drainage is a good alternative treatment to percutaneous cholecystostomy in inoperable patients.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Primary hyperparathyroidism in multiple endocrine neoplasia type IIa: retrospective French multicentric study. Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs á Calcitonine (GETC, French Calcitonin Tumors Study Group), French Association of Endocrine Surgeons.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type IIa is rare, occurring in 20% to 30% of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical findings, surgical therapy, and outcome for 56 patients affected by PHPT among 249 MEN-IIa patients collected from 84 families assembled by the Groupe d'Etude des Tumeurs á Calcitonine (GETC, French Calcitonin Tumors Study Group). This retrospective study was based on cases registered by the GETC (20 participating centers) from 1969 to 1994. Characteristics of PHPT in 56 patients (31 women, 25 men) with MEN-IIa were reviewed. All but two underwent cervicotomy. The median age at diagnosis was 37.6 years. PHPT was found concomitantly with medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or pheochromocytoma in 43 patients (77%). PHPT was asymptomatic in 68% of the patients. Serum calcium levels ranged from 2.20 to 3.70 mmol/L (median 2.82 mmol/L; normal 2. 10-2.60 mmol/L). The number of parathyroid glands removed at surgery was 0 (n = 2), 1 (n = 24), 2 (n = 5), > 2 (n = 12), 4 (n = 11). Pathology (initial surgery) consisted of 24 adenomas, 4 double adenomas, and 25 hyperplasia. Cure after initial surgery was obtained in 89%, including a 22% incidence of hypoparathyroidism. There were 6 cases (11%) with persistent PHPT. With a mean follow-up of 6.4 years, five patients (9%) had recurrent PHPT. The results indicate that MEN-IIa-related PHPT is generally associated with mild, often asymptomatic hypercalcemia. Despite recurrences encountered 5 to 15 years after the first cervicotomy, resection of only macroscopically enlarged glands generally appears sufficient. Subtotal or total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation is associated with a high rate of hypoparathyroidism.

Adenoma↗