Rapid radioimmunoassay for insulin and its application in localizing occult insulinomas by intraoperative pancreatic vein catheterization

A rapid RIA for insulin and its application to localising occult insulinomas during surgical exploration is described. A standard curve and twelve serum samples can be assayed within 45 min. The assay is equivalent with respect to accuracy and precision to conventional RIAs for insulin. Pancreatic vein catheterisation at laparotomy and immediate insulin determination made it possible to localize and resect two insulinomas which were not demonstrated by arteriography, computed tomography, ultrasound, and not palpable at surgery. We suggest that the new technique will end the long controversy concerning subsequent management of occult insulinomas.     

Kinematic characteristics of postural control during reaching in preterm children with cerebral palsy

The relationships between kinematic characteristics of sitting posture during reaching movements of the dominant arm and 1) the kinematics of the reaching movement itself and 2) functional performance during daily life activities (PEDI) were assessed in 51 sitting preterm children with cerebral palsy (CP). The children were 2-11 y, 33 had spastic hemiplegia (SH) and 18 bilateral CP (Bi-CP). The data were compared with those of 26 typically developing children (TD). Sitting posture before the onset of reaching of children with CP differed from that of TD children: they sat with a more reclined pelvis and a more collapsed trunk. The more reclined pelvic position was associated with a better quality of reaching movements. The different sitting postures of pelvis and trunk were not related to functional performance during daily life activities. Displacement of the head, trunk, and pelvis of the children with CP did not differ from that of the TD children. Nevertheless, in the children with CP a more stable head, a more mobile trunk, and a more stable pelvis were related to better functional performance and/or a better quality of reaching. This suggests that physiotherapeutic guidance of children with CP should focus rather on the latter postural parameters than on the different sitting posture of pelvis and trunk.     

Nosocomial nasal myiasis owing to Cochliomyia hominivorax: a case in French Guiana

Abstract The larval stages of the fly Cochliomyia hominivorax are responsible for myiasis, which primarily affects wounds. We report the case of a bed-ridden patient with dementia who developed right nasal myiasis during his stay at Cayenne Hospital. Progression was favorable, but the nasal pyramid was partially destroyed. In zones where this fly is endemic, particular attention should be given to hospitalized patients with wounds and consciousness problems.     

Caspase-1 is not required for type 1 diabetes in the NOD mouse

Interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-18 are two cytokines associated with the immunopathogenesis of diabetes in NOD mice. Both of these cytokines are cleaved by caspase-1 to their biologically active forms. IL-1 is a proinflammatory cytokine linked to beta-cell damage, and IL-18 stimulates production of interferon (IFN)gamma in synergy with IL-12. To examine the effects produced by caspase-1 deficiency on diabetes development in NOD/Lt mice, a disrupted Casp1 gene was introduced by a speed congenic technique. Casp1(-/-) bone marrow-derived macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide produced no detectable IL-18, fourfold lower IL-1 beta, and 20-30% less IL-1 alpha than macrophages from wild-type Casp1(+/+) or Casp1(+/-) controls. Unexpectedly, despite reduced IL-1 and IL-18, there was no change in the rate of diabetes or in total incidence as compared with that in wild-type NOD mice. IL-1 reportedly makes an important pathological contribution in the multidose streptozotocin model of diabetes; however, there was no difference in sensitivity to streptozotocin between NOD mice and NOD.Casp1(-/-) mice at 40 mg/kg body wt or at 25 mg/kg body wt dosage levels. These findings show that caspase-1 processing of IL-1 beta and IL-18 is not absolutely required for mediation of spontaneous or chemically induced diabetes pathogenesis in the NOD mouse.     

Chemical and radiological toxicity of depleted uranium

A by-product of the uranium enrichment process, depleted uranium (DU) contains approximately 40% of the radioactivity of natural uranium yet retains all of its chemical properties. After its use in the 1991 Gulf War, public concern increased regarding its potential radiotoxicant properties. Whereas in vitro and rodent data have suggested the potential for uranium-induced carcinogenesis, human cohort studies assessing the health effects of natural and DU have failed to validate these findings. Heavy-metal nephrotoxicity has not been noted in either animal studies or Gulf War veteran cohort studies despite markedly elevated urinary uranium excretion. No significant residual environmental contamination has been found in geographical areas exposed to DU. As such, although continued surveillance of exposed cohorts and environments (particularly water sources) are recommended, current data would support the position that DU poses neither a radiological nor chemical threat.     

Quantitative calcaneal ultrasound parameters and bone mineral density at final height in girls treated with depot gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist for central precocious puberty or idiopathic short stature

To evaluate the effect of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment on bone quality at final height, we studied girls with central precocious puberty (CPP) and with idiopathic short stature (ISS). A total of 25 Caucasian girls were included: group A ( n =14) with idiopathic CPP (mean age at start 7.4 years) and group B ( n =11) with ISS (mean age at start 11.7 years). Treatment duration was 3.8 and 1.7 years respectively. The quantitative ultrasound parameters (QUS) broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) were measured at the calcaneus (UBIS 3000 device). Lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD; L2–L4) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (Hologic QDR1000). Measurements were performed at final height and expressed as Z-scores corrected for bone age. Mean Z-scores of QUS parameters, areal BMD and volumetric BMD (BMDvol) were above –1 in both groups (group A: BUA Z-score –0.21, SOS Z-score –0.29, BMD Z-score 0.02, BMDvol Z-score 0.05, group B: BUA Z-score –0.93, SOS Z-score –0.40, BMD Z-score –0.86, BMDvol Z-score –0.68), although mean Z-scores of BUA and areal BMD in group B were significantly different from zero ( P =0.03 and P =0.02 respectively). Mean Z-score BMDvol was not significantly different from zero ( P =0.05), we found no significant difference between the groups for BMDvol ( P =0.13). Conclusion:although quantitative ultrasound parameters parameters and bone mineral density were normal in girls with central precocious puberty at final height after gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist treatment, mean Z-score for broadband ultrasound attenuation and areal bone mineral density were significantly different from zero and mean Z-score for volumetric bone mineral density was (just) not significantly different from zero in idiopathic short stature girls with normal puberty treated with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists. Therefore we cannot say that this treatment is safe in these girls with regard to bone health.Abbreviations BMD bone mineral density - BMDvol volumetric bone mineral density - BMI body mass index - BUA broadband ultrasound attenuation - CPP central precocious puberty - DXA dual X-ray absorptiometry - GnRH gonadotrophin-releasing hormone - ISS idiopathic short stature - QUS quantitative ultrasound - SDS standard deviation score - SOS speed of sound     

In vitro infection of human primary adipose cells with HIV-1: a reassessment

We reassessed the infection ability of human primary preadipocytes. The use of X4, R5 or VSV-G-pseudotyped viral particles indicated that viral entry is the limiting step. However, transfection with HIV-1 receptors restored efficient infection. Analyses of CD4, CXCR4 and CCR5 expression on preadipocytes and adipocytes revealed that receptor co-expression levels did not permit HIV-1 entry into adipose cells from all biopsies tested. We concluded that adipose tissue cannot be infected with HIV-1 in vivo.