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Biomedical subjects

H A Ooms

Publications and source records attributed to H A Ooms.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Biochemical investigation of fetal renal maturation in early pregnancy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical indices of normal fetal kidney maturation in early pregnancy. Urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and beta 2-microglobulin levels were measured on paired samples of amniotic and coelomic fluids and maternal serum collected at the time of pregnancy termination in a group of woman with pregnancies between 8 and 11 wk, or on paired samples of amniotic fluid and maternal serum collected from woman undergoing early transabdominal amniocentesis between 11 and 16 wk. Before 11 wk of gestation (n = 12), significantly lower concentrations of creatinine and beta 2-microglobulin, and higher concentration of gamma-glutamyltransferase were found in amniotic fluid compared with both maternal serum and coelomic fluid. Significant positive correlations were found between gestational age (8-16 wk) and amniotic fluid (n = 47) levels of urea (r = 0.45; p < 0.01), creatinine (r = 0.68; p < 0.001), gamma-glutamyltransferase (r = 0.71; p < 0.001), and beta 2-microglobulin (r = 0.69; p < 0.001). The maternal serum levels of the corresponding variables did not varied significantly. The abrupt increase in creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and beta 2-microglobulin amniotic fluid concentrations after 10 wk of gestation provides biochemical evidence for the maturation of the fetal renal glomerular function at a time when the reabsorption capacity of the proximal tubular cells is not established. We suggest that this important variation in the amniotic fluid composition, unrelated to any comparable changes in the maternal serum, reflects the fetal kidney development from the mesonephros to the metanephros.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Trypsin activity. A new marker of acute alcoholic pancreatitis.

A normal serum amylase level is found in up to 32% of patients with acute alcoholic pancreatitis. This underlines the need for more sensitive diagnostic tests in this frequent cause of pancreatitis. Animal and human studies have shown that chronic alcohol consumption leads to important modifications in trypsinogen metabolism. The present work has prospectively analyzed admission serum trypsin activity with a new biochemical test and usual markers such as amylase, lipase, and immunoreactive trypsin in 32 attacks of acute pancreatitis. Seventeen were due to alcohol and 15 to other causes, including 11 with gallstone pancreatitis. High trypsin activity (median: 235 units/liter; range: 165-853) was found in all patients with acute alcoholic pancreatitis even when the amylase level was normal on admission (3/17: 18%). Trypsin activity did not differ between nonalcoholic pancreatitis (N = 15): 84 units/liter (42-98), alcoholic controls (N = 15): 77 units/liter (40-122), and healthy controls (N = 62): 81 units/liter (15-143). The difference was not related to the severity of disease or circulating alpha 2-macroglobulin, alpha 1-protease inhibitor, or immunoreactive trypsinogen levels. Lipase/amylase ratio was less discriminant than trypsin activity between alcoholic and nonalcoholic diseases. We conclude that serum trypsin activity seems specific to acute alcoholic pancreatitis and should be included in new prospective studies assessing biochemical testing of alcohol-related pancreatic diseases.

Acute Disease↗

Relationship between protein concentrations in embryological fluids and maternal serum and yolk sac size during human early pregnancy.

Coelomic fluid (n = 57), amniotic fluid (n = 61) and maternal serum (n = 81) were obtained from normal pregnancies between 7.7 and 13.9 weeks and assayed for total protein, alpha-fetoprotein (alpha FP), albumin and pre-albumin. The mean concentration of total protein in matched samples was 18 times higher in maternal serum than in the coelomic fluid and 54 times higher in the coelomic fluid than in amniotic fluid. The concentrations of total protein, albumin and pre-albumin decreased and that of alpha FP increased in maternal serum with advancing gestation. The yolk sac volume and the concentrations of total protein in the coelomic and amniotic fluids increased with gestational age. No difference was found for the crown-rump length, yolk sac volume and protein concentration in the coelomic fluid between two groups presenting with low and high maternal serum pre-albumin concentrations. Before 11 weeks gestation, significant correlation was only found between yolk sac volume and coelomic fluid concentration of pre-albumin as evaluated by both electrophoresis and immunonephelometry. These results suggest that during the first trimester of normal pregnancy, the placental metabolism and transfer rate of proteins is not directly influenced by the concentrations of protein in the maternal circulation and that the transfer of proteins through the amniotic membrane is limited. These results also indicate that during that period the secondary yolk sac may contribute to the protein content of the exocoelomic cavity, and that the embryo and its yolk sac and subsequently the fetus are the main source of the proteins present in the amniotic fluid.

Adult↗

Determination of protein pattern in embryonic cavities of human early pregnancies: a means to understand materno-embryonic exchanges.

Exocoelomic and amniotic fluids were obtained by selective puncture under ultrasound guidance in normal human pregnancies between 5 and 13 weeks of gestation. Evaluation of the protein patterns in the exocoelomic fluid showed qualitative and quantitative changes with advancing gestation. During the second month of gestation, three electrophoretic bands were found with mobility compatible with albumin, alpha 1-globulin and beta-globulin and composed of at least eight proteins including: pre-albumin, albumin, alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP), alpha 1-protease inhibitor, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin and immunoglobulin-G, as revealed by immunoblotting. Protein patterns obtained between 9 and 13 weeks were comparable in exocoelomic fluid and in maternal serum except for the presence of alpha-FP in the alpha 1-globulin band. At the same gestational age, protein electrophoresis of amniotic fluid revealed four bands corresponding to albumin, alpha-FP, haptoglobin and transferrin. Creatinine levels were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) in amniotic fluid than in exocoelomic fluid, and alpha-FP levels were similar in both exocoelomic and amniotic fluids. These results suggest that the exocoelomic fluid is a transudate of the maternal serum except for the presence of high levels of alpha-FP, that amniotic and exocoelomic cavities are separated by a non-permeable membrane and that the secondary yolk sac plays an important role in early protein synthesis and transfer.

Albumins↗

Biochemical composition of exocoelomic fluid in early human pregnancy.

Exocoelomic fluid (N = 25) and amniotic fluid (AF) (N = 17) were retrieved by transvaginal puncture from 30 normal pregnancies being terminated for psychosocial reasons between 5-13 weeks of gestation. Biochemical analyses were performed on each sample including concentrations of urea, total protein, potassium, sodium, creatinine, hCG, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The results were compared with values in maternal serum obtained at the same time. Significant correlations were found between gestational age and concentrations of urea (P less than .005), total protein (P less than .05), and hCG (P less than .001) in the exocoelomic fluid. Significantly (P less than .05) higher total protein levels were found in the exocoelomic fluid during the third month of pregnancy compared with the second month. Urea concentration and hCG levels were significantly (P less than .005 and P less than .001, respectively) lower in the exocoelomic fluid during the third than during the second month of gestation. Significantly higher protein (P less than .001 and P less than .001), potassium (P less than .005 and P less than .05), sodium (P less than .001 and P less than .05), and creatinine (P less than .01 and P less than .001) concentrations were found in the maternal serum compared with exocoelomic fluid and AF, respectively. The concentration of hCG was significantly (P less than .001) higher in exocoelomic fluid and significantly (P less than .001) lower in AF than in maternal serum. The AFP level was significantly (both P less than .001) lower in the maternal serum than in both fluids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amniotic Fluid↗

Concentration of tobramycin given by aerosol in the fluid obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage.

Whereas previous studies have used only bronchial secretions and sputum, in the present study, bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid was analysed for tobramycin levels after aerosolization of this antibiotic. In 20 adult patients with a variety of lung disorders, the concentration of tobramycin obtained in the first aliquot of the bronchoalveolar fluid varied from less than 0.1 to 9.2 micrograms ml-1 (mean 2 +/- 2.26 micrograms ml-1) with 18 samples above 0.4 micrograms ml-1. In most of the cases, the concentration of tobramycin achieved values of tobramycin in excess of the minimal inhibitory concentration for most of the microorganisms. Thus, sampling fluids by the bronchoalveolar technique offers a suitable method to study antibiotic levels at the site of broncho-pulmonary infection. These results may help explain why aerosol antibiotic treatment appears to be useful in selected patients, especially in cystic fibrosis patients chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Mass concentration of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme and lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 in diagnosis of perioperative myocardial infarction after coronary bypass surgery.

Recent advances in methodology allow the mass concentration of creatine kinase MB isoenzyme (CK-MB), and of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 1 (LD1) to be determined quickly and easily as routine, emergency tests. We evaluated these tests as diagnostic criteria of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) after coronary bypass surgery. These tests were compared with the usual measurements of CK-MB activity by immunoinhibition and LD1 by electrophoresis and with other biological markers of myocardial infarction such as total CK, total LD, and aspartate aminotransferase. Sixty-one patients who underwent coronary bypass grafting were followed pre- and postoperatively by enzyme determinations and electrocardiography; a subgroup was monitored by myocardial scintigraphy. CK-MB mass appeared to be the best marker of PMI during the first 48 h, although LD1 was the marker of choice from days 2 to 4.

Adult↗

Red blood cell destruction in single-needle dialysis.

A high incidence of hemolytic episodes has been documented by increased lacticodeshydrogenase levels after dialysis. When symptomatic, these episodes presented frequently with nausea and abdominal or back pain occurring typically in the last hour of the dialysis session. A prospective study, comparing two different access devices (needle and catheter) and three double-pump systems, demonstrated the critical role of the access device configuration. In addition, the neccessity to monitor the pressures in the arterial and venous lines when working with high blood flow rates is also stressed. By comparison, red blood cell destruction is negligible in conventional double-needle dialysis.

Adult↗

Liver-function studies in heart-transplant recipients treated with cyclosporin A.

Cyclosporine (CsA) hepatotoxicity has been reported but has not been studied systematically. This study includes 17 patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTx) and being treated with CsA, azathioprine, and corticosteroids. We assessed liver function in these patients before HTx and during the following month by five biological tests: total bile acids (BA), alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and total bilirubin in serum, and the aminopyrine breath test (ABT). With these tests we could classify the patients into three groups before HTx: normal (group I), mildly altered (group II), and severely altered (group III) liver function. During CsA therapy we did not observe any changes in any test results except for BA and GGT, and these only in group III. The ABT improved significantly in this group. During kinetic studies in patients without liver dysfunction, we confirmed a direct interference of CsA on BA secretion mechanism, but not the GGT increase, which remains to be explained.

Adolescent↗

Variation of (2'-5')oligo(adenylate) synthetase activity during rat-liver regeneration.

The interferon-induced double-stranded RNA-activated (2'-5')oligo(adenylate) synthetase converts ATP into (2'-5')oligo(adenylate) [(2'-5')oligo(A)] and pyrophosphate. In turn, (2'-5')oligo(A) activates a latent endoribonuclease which cleaves single-stranded RNA. (2'-5')Oligo(A) synthetase activity has been characterized in liver cells of normal and germ-free rats. This enzyme is predominantly nuclear. After partial hepatectomy, (2'-5')oligo(A) synthetase activity decreased rapidly (after 10 h) and markedly to a minimum of 25% of the control after 20 h. This decrease was followed by a slow restoration of the activity. No such change was observed in sham-operated animals. This important decrease of enzymatic activity occurred during the first few hours of liver regeneration (6-24 h). This period corresponds also to the prereplicative and replicative (18-24 h after hepatectomy) phases of DNA. Detailed kinetics indicated that the loss of (2'-5')oligo(A) synthetase activity preceded the onset of the incorporation of tritiated thymidine in DNA and was minimal when the rate of DNA synthesis was maximal. These results and those obtained in culture of cells in vitro are compatible with the hypothesis that the (2'-5')oligo(A) system participates in the negative control of cell proliferation.

2',5'-Oligoadenylate Synthetase↗

The participation of the renal tubules to the metabolism of insulin.

The role of renal tubules was explored by two kinds of experiments: (1) inhibition of the tubular reabsorption of insulin by induced polyuria; (2) suppression of insulin filtration by ureter clamping; 1. Anaesthetized dogs maintained in normoglycaemia by glucose compensation were infused with crystalline and 125I-insulins. Polyuria was induced by: (1) saline-bicarbonate infusion; (2) furosemide with saline-bicarbonate infusion to replace urine losses; (3) massive infusion of mannitol. Inulin and paraminohippuric acid were used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate and the renal plasma flow. The permeability of the glomerular wall (pore radius and total area of the pores per unit of path length) was determined by measuring the sieving curve of 131I-polyvinyl-pyrrolidone fractions during basal and treatment periods. Mannitol infusion was able to bring the insulin/inulin clearance ratio up the values of the sieving coefficient of insulin (insulin filtration rate) without modifying the permeability of the glomerular wall; saline infusion displayed a similar effect; furosemide, only a minute one although it induced a more marked polyuria. 2. Clamping of the left ureter was performed on dogs with catheters inserted into the artery, the left renal vein, the pelvis and a renal lymphatic vessel. Almost complete suppression of the glomerular filtration was achieved. It slightly increased the high insulinic concentration of the renal lymph, entailed a 1/3 decrease in the extraction ratio of insulin and reduced by half its renal clearance. In conclusion, the tubules participate to the catabolism of insulin by two different mechanisms: (1) an uptake from the tubular fluid which can be inhibited by diuretics exerting their main action on the proximal tubules; (2) a direct catabolism from the interstitial fluid resulting from the large permeability of the peritubular capillaries to insulin.

Animals↗