PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M C Patricot

Publications and source records attributed to M C Patricot.

47 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Effects of intermittent electrical stimulations on muscle catabolism in intensive care patients.

To determine whether muscular contractions obtained by electrical stimulation in immobilized patients are able to reduce muscle catabolism, we studied 10 patients (65-79 yr old) hospitalized in the intensive care unit for postoperative ventilatory failure or cerebral infarction. Artificial nutrition was the same for each patient during the 9-day study period. Two periods of 4 days were defined and randomized for each patient, separated by one day. During the muscular stimulation (MS) period, intermittent electrical stimulation of the muscles of the legs (external electrodes), were performed daily during 2 X 30 mn. During the other period, muscular stimulations were not performed. Urinary excretion of nitrogen (micro-Kjeldhal digestion and Nessler procedure), creatinine (Jaffe reaction), and 3-methyl histidine (3-MH) (gas phase chromatography) was measured every day. (table; see text) We conclude that a significant decrease in 3-MH and creatinine excretion is observed during the MS period. In intensive care unit patients, muscle protein breakdown may be influenced by intermittent muscular electrical stimulation.

Aged↗

[Validity of immunochemical methods for bloody progesterone: a study performed in 1998].

The aim of this study was to compare, with manufacturer's agreement, twelve direct and non-isotopic commercial assays of progesterone. We have evaluated the analytical performances: low limit detection, imprecision, accuracy (recovery and dilution tests) and we have tested some patient samples. Results were compared to a reference method using isotope dilution Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry combination (GC-MS). For each assay, analytical qualities and defaults are established. Large differences are found between progesterone concentration measured on the same sample with the different methods essentially for the low concentrations. Comparison with GC-MS raised questions about the accuracy of the different assays. This work will be aid laboratories to their choice and/or validation.

Acridines↗

Evaluation of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in hypertensive Ivoirian subjects--preliminary results.

Experimental data on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in black Africans are very limited. In this study we set up our own values (plasma renin and aldosterone) in a group of normotensive Ivoirian male and female (N = 43) subjects and compared our results with those published for the white population. The values were approximately the same. A parallel study was carried out in a black population (N = 48 men and women) consulting a doctor for the first time for hypertension in different regions of Côte d'Ivoire. The mean values of plasma renin and aldosterone were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the hypertensive compared with the control group.

Adult↗

[Biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma and neuroblastomas].

Pheochromocytoma and neuroblastoma are distinct tumours, but their biological diagnosis is based on secretion increase of one or several catecholamines. Assays have to be very sensible and specific for an early diagnosis. 24 hours urinary catecholamines and metabolites are currently measured, but technical improvements permit plasma metanephrine assay, an excellent indicator of pheochromocytoma. HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection represents the most efficient methodology. After a review of urinary and plasma assay methods, the authors show usual values of catecholamines, metanephrines, HVA and VMA, according to ages, and give examples of results encountered in classical or not tumours and in falsely positive cases. Urinary metanephrine assay is the most sensible and specific in biological diagnosis of pheochromocytoma, while catecholamines and VMA assays lack of sensibility. Results have to be given by 24 hours and by creatinine ratio. Metanephrine assay can be performed also in plasma and exhibits the same interest. However, in urine as in plasma, in case of renal failure, results cannot be interpreted. Neuroblastoma biological diagnosis is based classically on HVA, VMA, and dopamine assays, nowadays only in 24 hours urine (or in urinary micturition for screening), and results are also expressed as creatinine ratio. But even if several assays are advisable, 5% of the neuroblastoma cases do not produce increased catecholamine values. In some cases, metanephrine assay could be of interest. After the age of 12 months, clinical expression of neuroblastoma is dramatic in 70% of cases. So, a biological screening has been experimented in several countries including France. A French translation of the consensus conference report (1998) is appended, which shows the complexity of neuroblastoma screening. Now, there is no evidence that early tumour detection by screening lessens the mortality rate, but a weak benefit is not excluded.

Adolescent↗

[Analysis of 94 dexamethasone tests in a population of patients manifesting depressive symptomatology within the framework of a manic-depressive psychosis or other psychotic state].

The authors report a study of 94 dexamethasone-suppression-tests conducted in a group of 29 patients with either a manic-depressive psychosis (n = 14) or a depressive symptomatology associated or not with a chronic psychotic disorder. 1 mg of dexamethasone was given orally at 11 p.m. and plasma cortisol levels were determined the following day at 4 p.m. The same day, a MADS was calculated. These tests were repeated every month for each patient independently of the clinical state. 9 patients received between 4 and 11 tests. A non suppression (cortisol plasma levels greater than or equal to 140 nmol/l) was observed in 27% of the tests. A comparable percentage was obtained in the whole group of patients and in the manic-depressive psychosis group. A good correlation appeared between plasma cortisol level at 4 p.m. and score for MADS. The study of the validity of the test shows a sensibility of 50% and a specificity of 85%. These results are similar with those presented in the literature.

Adult↗

[Measurement of biological activity of hLH. Multicenter study].

This report describes the results of a multicentric study of biological methods for luteinizing hormone (hLH). The production of testosterone by animal Leydig cells is used by five laboratories with different methodologies including rat, mouse and pig cells. Dose-response curves of testosterone production, quality criteria and results on a physiological population of men and women, are reported and discussed. It is concluded that the bioactive determination of hLH must be considered as a reference method used in discordances between clinic and immunological methods.

Adult↗

[Pregnancy and perinatality: biological follow-up].

Blood and urinary tests which are necessary for pregnancy diagnosis and follow-up, for newborn and mother medical supervision, during the month following birthday, are today described in reglementary texts, laws, and recommendations such as advised medical references (RMO). These documents specify the nature of obligatory tests, the checking rhythm and the list of useless tests. hCG research remains necessary for pregnancy diagnosis, but hCG dosage is essential only in case of programmed medical assistance or pathological pregnancy (extrauterine pregnancy, hydatiform mole, choriocarcinoma). The obligatory follow-up of a pregnant woman includes determination of blood groups, research of infectious agents responsible for diseases (toxoplasmosis, rubeola, hepatitis B, syphilis), proteinuria and glycosuria research and blood count according to a given calendar. When the mother's condition is bad and reminiscent of a pathological pregnancy, when a genetic risk exists for the fetus or when fetal growth is abnormal as indicated by echographic control (intra-uterine growth retardation), laboratory tests are used to follow the maternal pathological course (arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, anemia, bacterial, viral or parasitic disease), to verify the existence of a genetic disease, to know about the fetal functional state (by amniocentesis or cordocentesis), to identify an erythrocyte fetomaternal incompatibility. Since last trimester pregnancy accidents are able to endanger mother's and fetus lives, the feto-maternal follow-up must be adjusted to pathological diagnosis types and requires a particular supervision of the delivery. Finally mother and child must undergo a post-natal follow-up during the four weeks after birthday (perinatality control).

Female↗