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Biomedical subjects

G Betail

Publications and source records attributed to G Betail.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Variations of cytokine levels and production in CAPD patients.

Macrophages, predominant cells in dialysates of patients on CAPD without peritonitis, produce a wide variety of substances including cytokines. The aim of this study was to examine the cytokine production in five uninfected patients. This work investigated the presence in dialysates of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha and the ability of peritoneal macrophages to produce these cytokines. These results were compared with values obtained from control group in non-uremic conditions (peritoneal lavage with isotonic saline or dialysis fluid). All cytokines were detectable in dialysates. Interindividual variations in cytokine concentration in dialysates were wider than variations of production of cytokines ex vivo by stimulated and unstimulated cells. In control group, dialysis fluid inhibited the cytokine production and with isotonic saline, cells produced less cytokines than dialysis patients' cells. The highest levels of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor in dialysates and the highest capacity to respond to LPS were observed in patients having the shortest duration of dialysis. The variability observed did not seem to be due to cells themselves but to their environment.

Adult↗

[Detection and analysis of cryoglobulins: comparative study of a population of patients and one of healthy controls].

During an 11-month period, 270 cryoglobulins were identified in 735 sera from patients versus 34 in 82 sera from apparently healthy blood donors. Western-blot analysis of the cryoglobulins was performed and cryoglobulin protein content was determined using a colorimetric assay. Comparison of findings in the two groups suggested that a substantial proportion of cryoglobulins identified in the sera of patients are quantitatively and qualitatively indistinguishable from cryoglobulins identified in healthy controls.

Bacterial Infections↗

Complement activation during low-density lipoprotein apheresis.

Complement system activation was investigated in two girls with familial homozygous hypercholesterolemia undergoing two monthly sessions on LA15 or LA40 (Kaneka liposorber). We determined blood levels of C3c and C3a, leukocyte counts, and plasma levels of C3c and C3a in the extracorporeal circulation device at the start of the sessions and 15 and either 60 or 120 min into them. Sequential eluates were collected from LA40 at the end of the sessions (0.5M NaCl, 1M hydroxylamine). Anaphylatoxin C3a increased throughout, especially with LA40. As previously reported, C3a was trapped in the dextran column but was noticeably present in efferent plasma. Besides many proteins, nonnative complement fragments bearing C3a and C3d antigens were detected in almost all the eluates, suggesting possible in situ complement activation. Practically, complement activation induced by the first filter is a risk; long-term side effects may arise from this extracorporeal circulation device.

Blood Component Removal↗

[The kidney in Refsum's disease. Clinical, histologic and ultrastructural study of a case].

A renal biopsy was performed in a 41 year old man with Refsum's disease, following the onset of renal failure. 30% of the glomeruli were sclerosed, the others appeared normal. Ultrastructural examination revealed several types of inclusions within the tubular epithelial cells: dense bodies, simple or complex lipidic vacuoles and particularly structures composed of quadrangular microtubules with sides measuring 400 angstrom, rarely encountered in renal pathology. These dense elements, devoid of membrane and often in close contact with lipidic vacuoles, are found within the epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubules and Henle's loops. They were localized extramitochondrially and no specimen was suggestive of a degraded form of the mitochondria. Some analogy can be made with the renal inclusions observed in Gaucher's disease.

Adult↗

Histochemical study of epididymal secretions in the lizard, Lacerta vivipara. Localization of lectin-binding sites.

The epididymis of lizards elaborates voluminous secretory granules made of a central core and a peripheral vacuole which in the species Lacerta vivipara contain respectively an insoluble protein (protein H) and a soluble protein (protein L). After their discharge these secretions mix with spermatozoa. In order to detect the presence of carbohydrates in these secretions, lectins isolated from Canavalia ensiformis (con A) and from eleven other plants (lentil, soja, pea, gorse and several mushrooms), conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate, have been utilized in light-microscopic histochemical investigations of frozen sections from Lacerta vivipara epididymis. Whereas lectins having affinity for L-fucose, lactose, D-galactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine bound to central cores, lectins having affinity to D-glucose, N-acetylglucosamine and chitobiose bound to the peripheral vacuole. D-mannose or D-glucose seem to be present both in central cores and in peripheral vacuoles.

Animals↗

[Respiratory manifestations in hereditary angioneurotic edema].

Hereditary angioneurotic oedema is an autosomal dominant state associated with a quantitative, and sometimes purely functional, deficiency of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1 INH). The clinical manifestations may begin during adulthood or childhood; they are periodical and of varying severity. Beside oedema of the skin and digestive disorders, respiratory disorders are bound to attract attention. They consist of laryngeal oedema, which may end in lethal asphyxia if tracheotomy is not performed, or, exceptionally, of pulmonary oedema requiring assisted ventilation, as in the case reported here. The diagnosis, suspected in the presence of a decrease in CH50 and C4, is confirmed by a quantitative assay of C1 INH, which is low, and/or by the Fong and Good's functional tests. The physiopathological mechanisms are complex. They involve complement activation through the classical route, and activation of the coagulation system contact phase. Patients with severe attacks now benefit from treatment with preparations of C1 INH in high concentrations. The best treatment, however, is prophylactic, using testosterone derivatives, danazol and stanozolol, which can be prescribed for long periods taking into account their usually moderate side-effects.

Acute Disease↗

Sjögren syndrome and lupus erythematosus nephritis.

A 9 year old girl with symptoms of the Sjögren syndrome showed interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate on renal biopsy. Two years later she had clinical and biological evidence of systemic lupus erythematosus, associated with a typical glomerulonephritis.

Child↗

A new method of preparing hapten-carrier immunogens by coupling with Saccharomyces cerevisiae by periodate oxidation.

A new method of preparing hapten-carrier immunogens is described. The carrier used was Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast. Coupling was carried out with bovine serum albumin (BSA). BSA was conjugated with mannose residues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell walls, following periodate oxidation to produce aldehyde groups reactive with side chain amino groups of BSA. The coupling was stabilized and non-reactant aldehydes were blocked with sodium borohydride reduction. A hapten, 3,5,3',5'-tetraiodo-L-tyrosyl-L-tyrosine, was also coupled with the yeast. Anti-hapten antibodies were obtained in rabbit with this conjugate.

Animals↗

Histological and immunological study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis showing isolated abnormalities of salivary scintigraphy.

We report the histological and immunological findings in 20 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with impaired salivary scintigraphy but without sicca complex. This condition was stable over 2-5 years and associated with mild infiltrates on lip biopsies. Increased levels of IgG, immune complexes, and antinuclear antibodies were found in seven patients (35 vs 69% in secondary Sjögren's syndrome). Two of the seven patients later developed xerostomia. The above-mentioned immunological abnormalities may increase the likelihood of developing a clinical impairment of salivary function in patients with an abnormal salivary scintiscan, the latter being a frequent, yet often isolated, finding in RA. Antisalivary duct antibodies were not related to any other parameter of salivary gland involvement.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Diagnostic and therapeutic problems associated with hereditary deficiency of the C1 esterase inhibitor.

Six patients in a family with a history of hereditary angioedema reported swelling of the extremities and recurrent abdominal pain occurring spontaneously or after trauma. Attacks of oedema involving the airways, the greatest danger with this disorder, were present only in one case. This autosomal dominant disease is due to deficient activity of the inhibitor of the first component of complement. Low levels of C4, and absence of C1 esterase inhibitor confirm the diagnosis. Two asymptomatic cases with the appropriate biochemical abnormality are reported in this study. For short term prophylaxis of attacks (before surgery expecially), fresh frozen plasma is used, or better still, C1 esterase inhibitor. For long term prophylaxis of attacks antifibrinolytic and hormonal drugs are used: in two cases, the authors obtained good results with methyltestosterone after failure of tranexamic acid.

Adult↗

[Kinetic study of human lymphocytes transformation in culture by lectin from Pisum sativum (author's transl)].

Some vegetable extract have haemagglutinating activity and are able to transform lymphocytes in culture. The comparative activities of lectin from Pisum sativum and other lectins already used (phytohaere shown. This lectin can be isolated in a highly purified form which is described. Purification of the human blood lymphocytes is obtained through nylon columns and measurement of transformation and proliferation by means of 3 H thymidine incorporation. Normal lymphocyte stimulation can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants can be obtained within a range of concentrations of stimulants and the curves with PHA or lectin from Pisum show a peak of blastogenic activity. The activity of lectin from Pisum sativum was studied in this way on blood cultures of 8 chronic lymphocytic leukaemias and 5 immunodeficient patients. It appeared that lectin from Pisum and PHA have the same activity. The response of human peripheral lymphocytes to various mitogenic agents in vitro does not point out the proliferative abnormal cell and may not be used to detect different populations of human lymphocytes.

Adult↗