Deferoxamine stability in intravenous solution.
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Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
Biomedical subjects
G Forzy
Publications and source records attributed to G Forzy.
Do visual-evoked potentials and spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity help to distinguish idiopathic Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy?
A large number of patients with Parkinson's disease were reported to have abnormal visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) and spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity (STCS) suggesting dopaminergic deficiency in the visual pathway, probably the retina. Until now, VEPs and STCS have not been studied in multiple system atrophy (MSA). We investigated 12 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and 12 patients with MSA. The age medians were 64.5 years for IPD and 63.5 years for MSA. None of the patients showed any ocular disease that could interfere with the results. Checkboard VEPs and STCS measurements to horizontal sinusoidal gratings were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed, including Student's t test and two- or three-way analysis of variance. A significant interocular difference in spatial contrast sensitivity was observed in IPD, which was not present in MSA. VEPs were not delayed in MSA, whereas latency of the major component and the second negative deflection were increased in IPD. VEPs and STCS measurements might provide useful help for distinguishing IPD from MSA.
Aged↗
The MxA protein levels in whole blood lysates of patients with various viral infections.
Interferon alpha (IFNalpha), a type I interferon, can be considered as a viral infection marker because this cytokine is induced during many viral infections. However, it is quite difficult to detect IFNalpha in sera. Investigations are interested in various intra-cellular IFNalpha-induced proteins as viral infection markers. However the activity of these enzymes increased not only in response to type I IFNs but also to type II IFN. MxA protein can be detected in the cytoplasm of IFNalpha/beta-treated cells, whereas other cytokines, including IFNgamma, are poor inducers. Using an immunochemiluminescent assay, we studied MxA protein in whole blood of 34 patients with various viral infections. The whole blood was drawn into sterile vacuum tubes containing heparin or EDTA. MxA values were relatively similar in heparin-treated samples and EDTA-treated samples, with differences not exceeding 1 ng/ml. The levels of MxA protein were compared in whole blood obtained by using two different lysis procedures. A correlation was found between the MxA levels obtained by using procedure I and procedure II, but higher amounts of MxA protein were found with procedure II. The second procedure is rapid and more convenient than the other and it is carried out in one step which reduce technical problems. High levels of MxA protein were found in peripheral blood cells of patients with acute viral infections (Rotavirus, Adenovirus, RSV, CMV), but MxA protein was not elevated in bacterial infections. The MxA levels were also studied in peripheral blood of 32 HCV positive patients. MxA protein was not found in most of IFNalpha-untreated patients, even those with high viral load. In contrast, high levels of MxA protein were found in IFNalpha-treated patients. MxA quantitation can be considered as a specific marker of acute viral infections, and could be useful in the management of treatment with IFNalpha.
GTP-Binding Proteins↗
[Diagnostic importance of middle latency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEP) in multiple sclerosis].
This study was aimed at assessing the interest of middle latency auditory evoked potentials (MLAEP) recordings in multiple sclerosis (MS). Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) and MLAEP were recorded in 40 control subjects and 65 patients who had MS according to Poser's criteria. Na and Pa latencies were significantly delayed in the MS group. These abnormalities were detected in 60% of the patients. In 26% of the cases with normal BAEP, abnormalities of MLAEP were present. In 71% of the patients abnormalities of both BAEP and MLAEP were observed. These results suggest the ability of MLAEP recordings to detect lesions of the auditory pathways rostral to the pons and show the value of their combined recordings in MS patients.
Adult↗
Urinary growth hormone excretion: results of a multicenter study in France.
Urinary growth hormone excretion (uGH), expressed as the average of three consecutive nocturnal measurements, was studied in 324 prepubertal and pubertal children without (n = 188) or with (n = 136) growth disorders. In prepubertal control children (n = 127), the mean uGH was 11.9 +/- 4.9 ng/l without any correlation with sex or age. During puberty, a significant increase of uGH was observed in both sexes (boys: prepubertal 12.3 +/- 4.84 vs. pubertal 16.2 +/- 4.7 ng/l; girls: prepubertal 11.6 +/- 4.99 vs. pubertal 18.3 +/- 8.5 ng/l). In children with growth disorders, the results observed in various categories show a highly significant decrease in organic hypopituitary patients (p < 10(-6)) and obese subjects (p < 10(-6)) when compared to normal prepubertal children. In contrast, a significant increase was observed in 5 Laron-type dwarfisms (p < 10(-6)). However, in 24 children with partial growth hormone deficiency assessed by blood measurements (two pharmacological tests between 5 and 10 ng/ml), the results were not significantly different from the controls (13.6 +/- 6.4 ng/l). In a group of 66 children with short stature and normal blood response to pharmacological tests, uGH concentrations were significantly higher than those of the control group (17.3 +/- 8.71 ng/l, p < 10(-6)). The data suggest that uGH measurements lead to findings comparable to blood measurements, avoiding the disturbance of pharmacological tests, in well-delimited categories of patients. In contrast, uGH measurements are not the best way to detect partial GH-deficient children, but may be used to screen partial peripheral GH resistance in children with nonendocrine short stature.
Adolescent↗
Variations of IL2, IL6, TNF alpha plasmatic levels in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.
We performed a longitudinal analysis of serum IL2, IL6 and TNF alpha concentrations in 40 relapsing remitting MS patients and 20 healthy subjects. Disease activity was quantified by Minimal Record of Disease (M.R.D.) for MS, every 2 or 3 months. IL2, IL6 TNF alpha production was analysed without and with PHA stimulation of whole blood for 2 hours at 37 degrees C. No significant change in IL2 level was found in MS serum. Individual TNF alpha production was significantly increased (P < 0.007) during relapses. The global spontaneous IL6 production was markedly higher in the relapse group than in the control group (P < 0.01) and than in the remission group (P < 0.002) without significant individual variations of cytokine levels regarding the disease activity. Productions of cytokines were enhanced by PHA stimulation, a condition that however suppressed the differences observed without mitogen stimulation. Our data suggest that TNF alpha could be a marker for relapses while IL6 might reflect the global activity of the immune system in MS.
Adult↗
Visual evoked potentials and spatiotemporal contrast sensitivity changes in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy.
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Aged↗
[Prevalence of hepatitis C, B and D markers and histopathological aspects in a group of intravenous drug addicts].
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of infection by HCV, HBV, HDV and HIV and their biological and histopathological patterns in 104 intravenous drug users. METHODS AND RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (72%) had anti-HCV antibodies. Transmission was rapid because 33% of those who had been drug users for 6 months or less had anti-HCV antibodies. The contamination rate was very high because 90% of those who had been drug users for 2 years or less had anti-HCV antibodies. Thirty-four (33%) had an HBV marker, and 6 were HBs Ag carriers. None of the patients had anti-HDV antibodies. Only one patient had anti-HIV antibodies. Twenty-five anti-HCV antibody positive drug users underwent liver biopsy. Seven (28%) had normal ALAT levels and 18 (72%) had permanently or intermittently elevated ALAT levels. The mean histological activity on the Knodell index was 4.1 (range: 1-8). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that contamination by HCV is almost inevitable after 2 years of intravenous drug use. The low prevalence of HBV, HDV, and HIV infection might be explained by a low endemic state of these viruses in our area.
Adolescent↗
Measuring urinary protein with the new BioRad reagent kit: evaluation and comparison with five other methods.
Total urinary protein was measured by five methods: BioRad Total Protein Test (TPT), pyrogallol red, benzethonium chloride, sulfosalicylic acid, trichloroacetic acid, and the results compared to those obtained by a method combining preparative ultrafiltration and the biuret reaction. TPT was linear to 1.5 g protein/l, the detection limit 0.0135 g/l, and it was 3-5 times more sensitive than the other methods. Within-day precision (CV) was 4.3%, (0.60 g/l), the day-to-day precision was 4.5%. The protein contents of 35 selected urine samples assigned to one of five groups according to their electrophoretic pattern were assayed by the five methods. No method accurately measured physiological proteinuria, but the values for light chain (Bence Jones), glomerular, tubular and overload proteinurias measured by TPT did not differ significantly from the biuret value. The other methods differed significantly for at least three groups. Alpha 1 acid glycoprotein slightly inhibited TPT, but peptones, amino acids, antibiotics or normal urine constituents had little or no effect. The TPT method has been automated (Kone Progress); normal 24-h urinary protein excretion was 36 mg/day (range 12-114), the protein creatinine ratio was 34 mg/g (12-106 mg/g).
Autoanalysis↗
[Recommended methods for the determination of catecholamines and their metabolites in urine. Significance of results in the diagnosis and follow-up of pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma].
Laboratory investigation of catecholamines is useful for the clinician in the diagnosis and management of phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma. This work summarizes current knowledge on catecholamines and their metabolites and discusses the main indications for their determination. It also examines the most practical methods for studying the secretion of these hormones, ie extraction, separation and quantification using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. The workshops attended by the members of the catecholamines working party of the French Clinical Biology Society and phaeochromocytoma and neuroblastoma specialists enabled the role of such determinations in the diagnosis and management of these diseases to be clarified.
Adolescent↗
[Comparison of three ratios of enzymatic activities measured in amniotic fluid to evaluate fetal lung maturity].
Measurement of enzymatic activities in amniotic fluid could be helpful for the evaluation of foetal lung maturity. The ratio TLAP/GGT could be the most informative.
Alkaline Phosphatase↗
[Visual evoked potentials and face recognition. Influence of celebrity and emotional expression].
Visual evoked potentials (VEP) were recorded in the right and left parietal and occipital regions of 40 right-handed controls in a facial recognition task. VEP were studied first according to the renown of the faces, then according to their emotional expression. Asymmetry was noted between the hemispheres: P100 was of greater amplitude and longer latency in the left occipital region. Later components (P400 and P600) were of greater amplitude and longer latency in the right parietal region in all situations. P100 latency on the left side was shorter for renowned faces than for non-renowned faces (P = 0.05). P600 latency was shorter on the right (P < 0.03) and left (P < 0.05) sides for smiling than for non-smiling faces. When the subjects were asked to look for emotional expression of the face (smiling or non-smiling) P400 was very ample and P600 of little amplitude. When the subjects were asked to recognize the face (renowned or not renowned) P600 was very ample and P400 of little amplitude. Thus, there seems to be a differential treatment of information: automatic and rapid to detect emotion (P400), controlled, tardy (P600) and involving memory in the search for renown.
Adult↗
[Unconjugated pteridines and neuromeningeal infections].
Concentrations of unconjugated pteridines (neopterin, monapterin, biopterin, pterin) were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 310 patients, using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPCL) method. Our cohort included 209 controls (C), 15 patients with meningism (M), 22 with viral meningitis (VM), 17 with bacterial meningitis (BM), 9 with herpetic meningoencephalitis (HME), 2 with tuberculous meningoencephalitis (TME) and 36 with peripheral systemic infections (PI). These measurements, expressed as nmol/litre, showed a gradation of neopterin concentrations according to the type of infection: 20.1 + 6.5 in group C; 46.9 +/- 29.9 in group PI; 274.3 +/- 231.7 in group VM; 699.2 +/- 711.2 in group BM, 1,101.9 +/- 1,107.9 in group HME and 1,169 +/- 1,171.9 in group TME. There was no such gradation with biopterin. Comparisons of means showed that total concentrations in the pathology groups were very different from those observed in controls and in the neuromeningeal infections of the PI group. There was no correlation between the number of lymphocytes and the concentrations of neopterin or biopterin in the CSF. It is concluded that the concentration of neopterin in the CSF is a sensitive but little specific marker of infection, independent of CSF cellular reaction. Measuring this concentration makes it possible: 1) to evaluate the status of immune defences; 2) to predict that a meningitis will become chronic, and 3) to detect a possible parenchymal participation in a meningeal infection.
Biomarkers↗
[Evaluation of fetal lung maturity with the measurement of enzymatic activities in amniotic fluid: comparison of three ratios].
Measurement, in amniotic fluid, of gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) alkaline phosphatase and of thermostable and thermolabile (TLAP) isoenzyme allows to anticipate the unexpected risk of hyaline membrane disease. ROC method adapted to three ratio of these enzymatic activities shows that TLAP/GGT is the most performant at the level of 0.9 with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 60%.
Alkaline Phosphatase↗
[Value of amniotic gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase assay in the diagnosis of fetal digestive stenosis after 24 weeks of amenorrhea].
In 18 women compared with 1,181 controls, foetal digestive tract stenoses were discriminated, independently of the gestational age, by a more than 50 IU/l level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in the amniotic fluid. This test had a specificity of 99% and a sensitivity of 85% which was accounted for by the inclusion in the study of distal stenoses and oesophageal atresias, all conditions where the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level is normal. In cases with ultrasonically detected abdominal wall abnormalities, this test is also useful in the diagnosis of subjacent digestive tract stenosis.
Amniotic Fluid↗
[Serum bisalbuminemias: their clinical value].
Bisalbuminemias are characterized on serum electrophoresis with a double band of albumin. They could be hereditary or acquired. This double band is composed of a protein with a normal mobility and with a protein with an other mobility which migrates in a more anodic or more cathodic position.
Blood Protein Disorders↗
[Immunoelectrophoresis or immunofixation: identification of monoclonal gammopathy].
Both methods enable the clinical laboratory to identify monoclonal gammapathies with a good sensitivity. The immunofixation method, more quickly used than the immunoelectrophoresis, is easier to obtain the best resolution. It is well adjust for the characterization of low concentration gammapathies like immunoglobulin light chains. Immunofixation appears to take a more and more important place in the clinical laboratory.
Humans↗
[Effects on the bone metabolism of long-term treatment with antivitamins K1].
Oral anticoagulants (OC) prevent the activation by carboxylation of coagulation proteins. However this action also affects osteocalcin, or bone Gla-protein, a parameter of bone remodelling. Phosphorus and calcium metabolism, osteocalcin levels and bone mineral content were studied in twelve men aged under 60, and who had been taking OC for more than a year, in comparison with a paired group of nine controls with the same cardiovascular pathology but not taking anticoagulants. Osteocalcin levels were lower in the OC group (3.44 ng/ml) than in the control group (5.88 ng/ml) (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in other phosphorus/calcium balance parameters nor in bone density between the two groups. No evidence was found of any osteopathy in the OC group, but the decrease in serum osteocalcin could result either from inhibition of its secretion or of its carboxylation, or from an action on the osteoblast.
Anticoagulants↗