Prenatal diagnosis has been performed on umbilical cord blood of an 18 weeks fetus of heterozygous triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) deficient parents. After excluding maternal blood contamination, TPI activity was measured and found to be 60 per cent of the normal mean whereas the value of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was in the normal range of fetal blood. In addition, the analysis of the characteristics of fetal TPI, i.e. Km measurements for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, heat stability tests and electrophoretic studies, did not show any evidence of a special form of TPI in fetal blood. These results were consistent with the heterozygous state and were confirmed at birth.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Infection of cultured human intestinal cells by monkey RRV and human Wa rotavirus as a function of intestinal epithelial cell differentiation.

Rotaviruses display in vivo a specific tropism for enterocytes of the small intestine. We examined here the infection of cultured human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells by rhesus monkey rotavirus (RRV) and human Wa rotavirus. The maximal infection of these cells was obtained when trypsin was present both in the viral inoculum before adsorption to the cells and in the culture medium during the course of cell infection. Since the differentiation process of Caco-2 cells in culture closely mimics in vivo differentiation of enterocytes along the crypt-villus axis, cell infection by RRV and Wa rotavirus was examined as a function of cell differentiation. We showed that RRV and Wa rotavirus can infect equally well both undifferentiated and differentiated Caco-2 cells.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

P-glycoprotein expression of the human placenta during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the placental expression of P-glycoprotein shows a quantitative difference during pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Villous tissue was collected from chorionic villus samples (13-14 weeks of gestation; n = 3 and 20-25 weeks of gestation; n = 4) and from full-term placentas (38-41 weeks of gestation; n = 28). P-glycoprotein was detected by western blot analysis and quantified by densitometry. RESULTS: We showed for the first time a significant and progressive two-fold decrease in the mean expression of P-glycoprotein between early and late samples, with a major overlap of values. CONCLUSION: As P-glycoprotein appears to be involved in drug extrusion, these data suggest that the placenta's ability to protect the fetus from xenobiotics is greater in early pregnancy than at term.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A unique T-cell receptor complex expressed on human fetal lymphocytes displaying natural-killer-like activity.

We have recently derived a series of cloned cell lines displaying natural killer (NK) cell-like activity from normal human fetal blood (25 weeks). The lines were obtained after repeated stimulation of mononuclear cells with allogeneic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B lymphocytes and are interleukin-2 (IL-2) dependent. Initial characterization of the clones has been reported previously. Certain of these clones have been found to have unusual surface characteristics, namely, they are recognized by several well-defined anti-T3 antibodies, but do not react with WT31, which is thought to recognise an invariant epitope of the human (Ti-alpha beta) structure. Transcription of the genes encoding the alpha- and beta-chains of the T-cell receptor was assessed in two of these clones (F6A4 and F6C7). Ti-beta genes were found to be expressed, whereas alpha messenger RNA was not detected in Northern blot analysis. These data strongly suggest that these cells do not produce a stoichiometric T3/Ti-alpha beta receptor complex. However, experiments performed with a monoclonal antibody (anti-NKFi) developed against F6C7 cells demonstrated the existence of a unique clonotypic structure [relative molecular mass (Mr) 85,000 (85K)] which is surface-associated with T3 proteins. Furthermore, both anti-T3 and anti-NKFi were found to block cytotoxic effector function. Together, the results support the view that T3 proteins are involved in non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted cytotoxic reactions mediated by certain circulating fetal lymphocytes which are likely to use a clonotypic structure distinct from both the 'first' (alpha beta) and the putative 'second' (gamma delta) T-cell receptor to recognize their target. The present studies were designed to characterize this structure.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A gamma-chain complex forms a functional receptor on cloned human lymphocytes with natural killer-like activity.

We have recently derived from human fetal blood (25 wks) a series of cloned cell lines that were selected for their ability to kill the conventional natural killer (NK) target cell K562. It was found that a fraction of these clones express CD3 proteins but not the monomorphic Ti alpha beta determinant recognized by WT31 antibody. One interleukin-2-dependent CD3+ WT31- clone, termed F6C7, was used for immunization of mice to generate monoclonal antibodies directed at a potentially novel recognition receptor. It was shown that F6C7 cells, which transcribe Ti beta but not Ti alpha genes, surface-express a clonotypic structure, termed NKFi. Immunoprecipitations performed with anti-NKFi monoclonal antibody (mAb) indicated that the corresponding molecule is resolved in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) as a single band of relative molecular mass approximately 85,000 (Mr approximately 85K). After reduction, a major band was detected at 44K and a faint band was present at 41K. The present study was designed to characterize this structure. It was found that NKFi represents either two 44K disulphide-linked gamma (TCR) chains, or possibly one gamma chain associated to an additional undetected molecule, and that the 41K material corresponds to a partially glycosylated fraction of the gamma protein. Anti-NKFi mAb both induces a specific autocrine proliferative response and blocks cytotoxic function, demonstrating that gamma chains serve as functional receptor structures on subpopulations of normal human lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of inhaled cadmium on the immune response to influenza virus.

Cadmium may exacerbate pulmonary infections. In a previous study, however, cadmium appeared to enhance mouse resistance to influenza pneumonia. We report herein on the influence of cadmium intoxication in mice on different factors of anti-influenza immunity, e.g., antibody response, local production of interferon, pulmonary cellular response, and the interaction between pulmonary alveolar macrophages and the influenza virus. Cadmium inhalation did not affect production of antibodies or interferon. The protective effect appeared to be related to an enhanced supply to phagocytic cells into the lung.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prenatal diagnosis of common aneuploidies using multiplex quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: Prenatal diagnosis of foetal trisomies is usually performed by cytogenetic analysis. This requires lengthy laboratory procedures and it is expensive. Here, we report a retrospective study of quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) for prenatal detection of trisomies 13, 18 and 21. METHODS: QF-PCR was performed on a total of 447 amniotic fluids blindly analysed without any knowledge of the cytogenetic results and 43 samples with known karyotype. All samples were tested with at least 4 small tandem repeat markers specific for each chromosome 13, 18 or 21. RESULTS: QF-PCR results on amniotic fluid were consistent with conventional cytogenetic data. QF-PCR detected 5 cases of trisomy 21, 2 cases of trisomy 18, 1 case of trisomy 13 and 1 case with Klinefelter's syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: QF-PCR has proved to be very useful in clinical settings, since it allows the detection of major numerical disorders in a few hours after sampling and thus reduces parental anxiety.

Aneuploidy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Direct fetal blood examination for prenatal diagnosis of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Prenatal diagnosis of homozygous hypercholesterolemia was achieved at the 24th week of gestation by analysis of lipid values in a fetal blood sample obtained by a needle guided by ultrasound. These abnormal values were compared to values in blood obtained from normal fetuses at the same stage of gestation. After abortion, the diagnosis was confirmed by measuring LDL receptor activity on fibroblast cultures from a skin biopsy. The main advantages of this procedure over measuring LDL receptor activity on cultured amniotic cells are its simplicity and speed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ocular penetration kinetics of fosfomycin administered as a one-hour infusion.

The penetration of fosfomycin in aqueous humour was studied in 21 patients who were to undergo cataract surgery. All patients received 4 grams of fosfomycin as an infusion lasting one hour. Concentrations of the drug in aqueous humour were measured 1, 2, 4, 6 and 12 hours after the start of infusion. Drug concentrations in aqueous humour and serum were measured by HPCE (High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis). The aqueous humour concentration at one hour was 11.46 mg/l +/- 2.12. Peak concentration was 14.63 mg/l +/- 5.54, reached two hours after the infusion. Concentrations were high until 6 hours and remained significant at 12 hours. These results confirm the excellent diffusion of fosfomycin in aqueous humour, with high levels at 12 hours. They justify its use in intraocular infections, by infusions repeated every eight hours, to maintain concentrations above the MIC 90 for organisms usually susceptible to the drug.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological supervision of heparin therapy].

Laboratory surveillance of heparin therapy includes a simplied investigation of haemostasis before the treatment (Quick's time, the cephalin-kaolin time, fibrinogen, platelet count) and requires exact adherence to the timetable of injections and taking of samples. According to the degree of hypocoagulability desired, there is a choice between the three tests most often used (Howell's test, heparinaemia, cephalin-kaolin time). For the control of a high degree of hypocoagulability the Howell's time is the best guide. On the other hand, for the surveillance of moderate hypocoagulability (preventive treatment) it is preferable to combine two of these three tests.

Blood Coagulation Tests↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Eye injuries due to pellet guns. Apropos of 7 cases].

The authors expose a series of seven cases of ocular trauma due to pellet guns. First, they describe the different kinds of lesions, their treatment, and their development. Then, they study the prognostic points, the mechanism of the secondary complications, and the therapeutic conduct to adopt in front of this type of perforating injuries with non-magnetic intraocular foreign body. They insist on the severity of this type of ocular trauma, and on the necessity of a modification of the law concerning pellet guns.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Cyclosporin and treatment of non-infectious and recurrent uveitis (apropos of a case of bilateral uveopapillitis)].

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Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Fetomaternal therapeutic follow-up of spiramycin during pregnancy].

In the preventive treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis it is admitted that spiramycin is concentrated in the placenta and crosses the placental barrier at the end of pregnancy. However, little is known about its entry in the fetal circulation. We studied fetal spiramycin blood levels during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy in women who, having presented with toxoplasmosis during the 1st trimester, had been given spiramycin until delivery. Microbiological titrations of spiramycin were performed--in the maternal blood at the onset of treatment, at the time of fetal blood sampling and during delivery), in the fetal blood at the time of prenatal diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, in cord blood and placenta at birth. We were able to confirm transplacental crossing of spiramycin. Fetal blood levels during the 2nd trimester were about 47% of the maternal ones and there was no correlation between maternal and fetal levels. Levels at birth showed that (1) there was no accumulation in the course of treatment, (2) spiramycin was concentrated in placenta and (3) there was a correlation between fetal and maternal levels during the 3rd trimester.

Female↗