Time-course of lymphopenia in gangrenous appendicitis.
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Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
O Devuyst
Publications and source records attributed to O Devuyst.
Aldosterone and chloride conductance of amphibian skin.
Chloride influx (JCl) across the skin of toads maintained in dilute MgCl2 or Na2SO4 was determined after overnight incubation with(out) aldosterone, and related to mitochondria-rich cell (MRC) density of the preparations. Adaptation to MgCl2 vs. Na2SO4 was reflected by higher plasma aldosterone in the former group (17 vs. 3 nmol/l, respectively) while JCl was lower, even after overnight incubation (172 vs. 318 pmol cm-2 s-1). Incubation with aldosterone induced a more pronounced increase in JCl in the case of Na2SO4- vs. MgCl2-adapted toads (delta JCl: 242 vs. 25 pmol cm-2 s-1, respectively), which could be related to difference in MRC density between these two groups (1078 vs. 615 cells/mm2, respectively). On the other hand, the in vitro effect of aldosterone on Na+ transport (assessed by Isc) was equally pronounced in both groups, and thus independent of MRC density. These data suggest that aldosterone, rather than being involved in MRC proliferation, stimulates Cl- conductance by influencing the functional state of MRC.
Aldosterone↗
Effects of environmental conditions on mitochondrial-rich cell density and chloride transport in toad skin.
Chloride flux across amphibian skin is usually passive, yet largely conductive; previous reports have suggested that aldosterone influences this pathway. The conductive Cl- pathway and its regulation were examined further, across the abdominal skin of toads (Bufo marinus) adapted to various environments. Short-circuit current (Isc), total conductance (Gt) and Cl- influx (JCl) were measured in conditions such that there was net Cl- movement in absence of Na+ transport. In salt-deprived animals compared to salt-adapted ones, there was a significant increase in JCl (563 vs 200 pmol cm-2 s-1), aldosteronaemia (4.2 vs 1.1 nmol/l), as well as MRC density (1458 vs 851 mm-2). After adaptation to dilute Na2SO4 compared to MgCl2, JCl (631 vs 313 pmol cm-2 s-1) as well as the density of mitochondria-rich cells (MRC) (1306 vs 710 mm-2) practically doubled, while the toads' aldosteronaemia was lower (2.4 vs 10.8 mmol/l). In all groups of toads, JCl was matched by Isc, and there was a close correlation between Gt and JCl (r = 0.96), which confirms the conductive nature of transepithelial Cl- movement. Furthermore, the relationship between JCl and MRC density (r = 0.75) argues in favour of a role played by MRC on Cl- conductance of epithelial such as amphibian skin. As aldosterone injected for 1 week into NaCl-adapted toads did not influence MRC density and as aldosteronaemia was not correlated with Cl- conductance, this hormone does not emerge as the determinant of these parameters.
Aldosterone↗
High amylase activity in pleural fluid and primary bronchogenic adenocarcinoma.
We report a case of primary bronchogenic adenocarcinoma, complicated by pleural effusion, in which very high pleural amylase activity was found, whilst serum amylase was normal. Isoamylase determination showed a salivary-type amylase. Concerning the origin of this enzyme, ultrastructural study of the malignant cells obtained from the pleural fluid suggested a local amylase synthesis. The pathophysiological significance of electron-dense granules found in these cells is also discussed.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Stimulation by aldosterone of a conductive chloride pathway in toad skin.
As a rule, chloride movement (JC1-) across amphibian skin is considered to be passive; this is implied in fact for preparations incubated in Ringer's fluid, since short-circuit current (Isc) is the quantitative expression of net, active sodium transport (JNa+). The nature of the Cl- pathway(s) was investigated by incubating amphibian skin (mostly Bufo marinus) with Cl- present on the epithelial side only, and after blocking JNa+ by combined treatment with ouabain and amiloride. In such conditions, JCl- was found to be equal to (reversed) Isc; furthermore, when JCl- was "translated" in terms of conductance, gCl-, the latter accounted almost quantitatively for transepithelial conductance, g1. When residual intratissue (i.e. intracellular) electronegativity was eliminated by replacing Na+ with K+, JCl- was larger but Isc and JCl- were still found to reflect each other, and gCl- again accounted for most, if not all, of g1. JCl- in the opposite direction, as a result of Cl- being present only on the dermal side, was negligible, and g1 was very low. Thus, in the absence of sodium transport, when experimental conditions are such that a net inward JCl- obtains, the anion apparently flows only through (a) conductive pathway(s). Aldosterone is probably involved in the regulation of this pathway, as JCl- was much lower when toads were maintained in dilute saline than in water or on moist peat; so was the fraction of the apical surface corresponding to mitochondria-rich cells.
Aldosterone↗
Metabolic alkalosis in the intensive care unit.
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Acid-Base Imbalance↗
Hepatitis B in a Belgian institution for mentally retarded patients: an epidemiological study.
This study describes the epidemiology of hepatitis B in a Belgian institution for mentally retarded patients. 8% of the 163 patients studied were HBs Ag carriers and 28.8% had anti-HBs. Among the HBs Ag carriers, 76.9% were HBe Ag positive. The HBs Ag carrier rate was higher in males, in patients with Down's syndrome or newcomers, and was slightly higher in patients living at parental home vs those living in the institution. A fall in the HBs Ag carrier rate was observed between the 5-14 and 15-24 age groups. A longitudinal study performed on 41 adult female patients, in the absence of any intercurrent vaccination, allowed us to determine a yearly seroconversion rate of 1.5% in this population. Data presented here confirm the risk of the institutionalized mentally retarded patients of contracting hepatitis B and becoming highly infectious HBs Ag carriers. They cast light on the various factors which have to be taken into account in this peculiar epidemiologic study and on the importance of early vaccination.
Adolescent↗