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Biomedical subjects

J Bel

Publications and source records attributed to J Bel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Usefulness of transrectal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of anomalies of intersexual conditions].

INTRODUCTION: Between the external genital exploration and the internal genital direct vision, through laparoscopia, there is a black point which is the pelvic floor; we have to know whether there is a vagina or not, what it is like and where it arrives at. The reason for this research is to present our experience with the transrectal ecography, which allows us a very good exploration of the pelvic floor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 6 patients, the youngest is 16 months old and the oldest is 19 years old, who have a diagnostic of 3 congenital adrenal hyperplasia (HSC), 2 gonadal dysgenesis and 1 vaginal agenesis (S. Rokitanski). Under sedation, we carried out a transrectal ecography with Aloka SSD650 ecograph and 7.5 MHz vaginal scanner. Ultrasone. RESULTS: In case of HSC (16 months old), the transrectal ecography showed the vaginal arrival at the urethra and we were able to measure the distance from the external sphincter. In the other two HSC, which had been surgically corrected, the transrectal ecography clearly showed the vagina (length and calibre). In the two gonadal dysgenesis (two 11-and-19-year-old sisters, the first of whom had undergone vulvo-vaginoplasty, we appreciated the length of the vagina and, in the case of the sister with a relatively normal vagina, we confirmed the presence of the vagina connected to the uterus. In the vaginal agenesis, in which a neovagina with amnion membrane had been carried out, which, in its turn, ended in a situation of hematometra due to a stenosis, the transrectal ecography was really helpful to obtain vaginal dilatations. CONCLUSIONS: Ecography is an easily available technique and provides both through and detailed information of the genital structures going through the pelvic floor, a zone which is otherwise difficult to explore. It was done under sedation for the patient's age and idiosyncrasy. The experience has just started but we are sure that in the future it will replace the genitograma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Low sensitivity of IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and urinary GH in the diagnosis of growth hormone insufficiency in slowly-growing short-statured boys. Grupo Español de Estudio de la Talla Baja].

BACKGROUND: The usefulness of IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and the urinary GH excretion in the diagnostic evaluation of growth retardation in boys with short stature was studied. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Serum samples from two GH-stimulation tests and two 24-h urine samples were sent to a Central Laboratory to measure serum and urinary GH, serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and GHBP, both in absolute and standardized values (Z-score). Short children were classified as growth hormone deficient (GHD) (n = 25), and idiopathic short statured (ISS) (n = 54), on the basis of the peak stimulated GH concentration of < 7.5 microg/l or > or = 7.5 microg/l respectively. A group of 15 normally growing children and adolescents was also included. RESULTS: Height-velocity standard deviation score (HV)-SDS was lower and body mass index higher in GHD than ISS. Standardized IGF-I differed significantly by ANOVA among the three groups (p = 0.001). Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis with HV-SDS as dependent variable showed IGF-I SDS as the best predictor followed by peak GH clonidine response and uGH excretion. ROC curves showed optimum cut-off level for IGF-I SDS as 2.05 (sensitivity: 32%, specificity: 90%) and 1.14 for IGFBP-3 SDS sensitivity: 28%, specificity: 94%). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized IGF-I and IGFBP-3 measurements were highly efficient only in diagnosis of severe GHD, but they show low sensitivity for the diagnosis of isolated idiopathic GHD as defined according to the low GH response to stimulation tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Analytical performance and clinical usefulness of two binding assays for growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) measurement: high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-gel filtration and dextran-coated charcoal adsorption.

We compared two binding assays for growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) measurements, which differ in the method of bound and free GH separation: HPLC-gel filtration or dextran coated-charcoal adsorption (DCC). Two pools of sera (high and medium GHBP activity) were used for quality-control assessment. Moreover, 62 samples from 34 children and 28 adults with different nutritional status were studied. Total, between- and intra-iodination coefficients of variation (CVs) from the two methods were not different. Although percentage binding measured in the pool sera significantly differed, the concentrations assessed by Scatchard plot were comparable. Results obtained by the two methods in the 62 sera were significantly correlated (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). With both methods GHBP activity correlated with chronological age and body mass index (BMI) and differed among groups with different nutritional status. Although HPLC and DCC separation methods for GHBP measurement differ in their practicability, our study demonstrates that performance and the clinical usefulness of the two methods are comparable.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

trans,trans-Muconic acid, a reliable biological indicator for the detection of individual benzene exposure down to the ppm level.

trans,trans-Muconic acid (2,4-hexadienedioic acid) (t,t-MA) is a minor benzene metabolite which can be used as a biological indicator for benzene exposure. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the limits of use of t,t-MA for detection and quantification of occupational exposures to benzene, particularly on an individual scale, phenol being used as the metabolite of reference. A simple and sensitive method previously described by the authors was carried out to analyse t,t-MA in 105 end-of-shift urinary samples from 23 workers exposed to benzene used as an extraction solvent for "concretes" recovery in the perfume industry. Good correlations were found between atmospheric benzene and both metabolites (uncorrected or corrected for creatinine) or between the metabolites themselves, with correlation coefficients from 0.81 to 0.91 (P < 0.0001). Correlation- coefficients were not improved after correction for creatinine. The overall individual benzene exposure range, median, and arithmetic mean were respectively 0.1-75, 4.5, and 9.0 ppm with corresponding t,t-MA excretion of 0.1-47.9, 5.2 and 8.9 mg/l (uncorrected) and phenol excretion of 1.4-298, 30.9, and 42.2 mg/l (uncorrected). In the control group (145 determinations for t,t-MA and 76 for phenol from 79 individuals) the range, median, and arithmetic mean were respectively < 0.04-0.66, 0.08, and 0.13 mg/l (uncorrected t,t-MA) and 1.5-42.0, 9.85 and 11.3 mg/l (uncorrected phenol). t,t-MA was far more specific than phenol and could be easily and practically used to estimate with a given probability the upper or lower corresponding benzene concentrations down to around the ppm level.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1986

[The development of tinnitus in the postoperative period of otospongiosis].

Correlation between tinnitus and audiometric loss, modification of tinnitus by medical or surgical treatment, allow to suspect the origin of tinnitus due to otospongiosis and to give the patient a practically always confirmed prognosis. Audiometric localization of tinnitus is essential, as it is the best clue to etiology, treatment and prognosis of otospongiosis tinnitus. As far as irreducible tinnitus are concerned, as anxiety is the most pejorative parameter, not discouraging the patient is very important.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1985

[Improvement in hearing as a function of type of platinectomy or platinotomy performed in the surgical treatment of otospongiosis].

The footplate fenestra should be performed in its posterior third part to avoid pressure of the piston on the membranous labyrinth, situated very close to the footplate in 2% of the cases in otosclerotic patients. Gain in bone conduction differs according to the size of the fenestra performed. Low frequencies improve most when the whole posterior third part of the footplate is removed; the audiometric gain is better for high frequencies when a 0.8 mm stapedotomy is performed. These findings demonstrate the interest of a more or less enlarged fenestra according to the language spoken by the patient, since the different languages use mainly high or low frequency phonemes.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1985

[Prognosis for tinnitus after surgery for otospongiosis].

Correlation between tinnitus and audiometric loss and modification of the former by both surgical and medical treatment provide sufficient data to suggest its origin and to give the patient a prognosis confirmed in practically every case. Audiometric localization of the tinnitus is essential, since this allows establishment of the etiology, treatment and prognosis of the symptom. When tinnitus is irreversible, the hope of a possible recovery must be given to the patient to avoid the inevitable anxiety produced.

Adjustment Disorders↗
PubMed1984

[Result and treatment of tinnitus in our clinic].

The authors propose a test consisting in performing injections of Renovaine, a very strong anaesthetic drug, in the external ear duct in order to reduce momentarily severe and decompensated tinnitus. They discuss the usefulness of this test and develop two concepts to explain its action. They make a pragmatic approach of the tinnitus etiopathogeny.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗
PubMed1984

[Means of fixing a transmission device to the center of a mobile footplate].

The authors present a new fixation device for any bony or prosthetic transmission system to the center of a mobile footplate in the absence of the stapes crura. It is a disc-shaped silicone sponge, with a central hole, fitting the bottom of the oval fossa and thus securing the maintenance of the bony or prosthetic transmission in the center of the mobile footplate, and reducing the risk of shifting of the transmission system, which is always possible in case of tympanic retraction. The silicone sponge allows as well a more physiological transmission, because the footplate will vibrate from top to bottom thanks to a central force vector, thus giving better audiometric results. The biocompatibility of the silicone sponge eradicates any phenomenon of intolerance from the tissues.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1983

[Action of domperidone on dopamine-induced inhibition of gastric secretion].

The inhibitory action of dopamine on basal gastric secretion and that stimulated by pentagastrin with previous administration of domperidone in 26 male patients, between 18 and 48 years of age, suffering duodenal ulcer has been studied. The administration of domperidone (0.25 mg/kg) produces a significant reduction of the inhibitory action of dopamine on basal gastric secretion and that stimulated by pentagastrin at dose 0.15 microgram/kg/h. Besides dopamine shows a minor, non significant, inhibitory action on acid gastric secretion stimulated by maximal doses of pentagastrin, while showing no differences against the group without administration of domperidone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Mechanical explanation of the on-off effect (diphasic impedance change) in otospongiosis.

Impedancemetry gives important information in otospongiosis, both for relative compliance and impedance audiometry. The detection of the stapedius reflex is facilitated by recruitment in some audiometric types of otospongiosis and enables us to solve many of the masking problems which are particularly difficult in this disease due to the very important cross-hearing (or cross-over). Diphasic impedance changes (on-off effect) once detected must be systematically investigated since they allow us to detect otospongiosis early on. This sign is absolutely characteristic of the onset of a stapediovestibular involvement and is of primary interest in this disease because of its early appearance - before any classical audiometric change and any air-bone gap, i.e. before deafness. Diphasic impedance changes must thus be systematically investigated in case of so-called unilateral otospongiosis, in the audiometrically normal ear, and for the detection of otospongiosis in otospongiotic families. It is also helpful in confirming the otospongiotic origin of sensorineural losses before an air-bone gap appears. Our experience with routine stapedectomies and impedance audiometry measurements have led us to a purely mechanical explanation of the on-off effect, i.e. the response of an elastic system to a deformation with a different mechanism of the two inverse peaks, with a different mass and thus a different inertia. This mechanical explanation fits perfectly with anatomical findings. Everything occurs as if the evolutive stages of the onset of the stapediovestibular involvement were defined in impedancemetry, starting from the normal stapedius reflex, first by mixed forms, then by a pure on-off effect, finally by the disappearance of the stapedius reflex.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1976

[Computer technology in otospongiosis. 2. Statistics on 15 years of stapedectomy].

To complete their two previous data processing studies on systematization of parameters for otospongiosis and on statistics concerning the otospongiotic disease itself, the authors now develop the study of postoperative functional results obtained over 15 years stapectomies performed according to various techniques. The characteristic of this study is that the functional results are not considered only from the operative technique point of view, but that they also take into account all the factors having an influence upon the functional results, i.e. mechanical operative factors, otospongiotic cochlear factors and, finally the patient's general factor. This work is divided in three parts. The first part considers statistical data drawn from investigating elements taken over a period ranging from 1960 to 1975 from operative findings, surgical techniques and operative complications, particularly during reoperations, i.e., the mechanical part of hearing improvement in otospongiosis surgery. The second part deals with the problem of the medical postoperative care in stapedial surgery and with that of postoperative complications and the therapy used to combat them. It is the study of the cochlear support problem considering both the cochlear fragility facing the operative trauma, and the cochlear deterioration due to the enzymatic action of the otospongiotic microfoci of the lateral wall of the cochlear duct and of the vestibular side of the footplate. The third part is the statistical study made both by means of data processing and of manual investigation, on the long term functional results obtained, on one hand by the surgical solution of the stapedial fixation's mechanical problem, and on the other, by the medical solution of the cochlear problem considered both from the enzymatic and vascular point of view. This study of stapedectomies' long term functional results allows the authors to draw the conclusions which seem to result logically from this very elaborated statistical study concerning near 17000 stapedectomies performed from 1960 through 1975.

Audiometry↗