Historical overview of analytical methods for the measurement of transthyretin.

The history of prealbumin dates back to the early forties and may be divided into three parts, based on a chronological and functional approach. The first part--the discovery and the identification of prealbumin--was essentially based on classical protein chemistry methods. The second--the demonstration of prealbumin as a thyroid hormone-binding protein (thyroxine-binding prealbumin)--has greatly benefited from isotopic techniques. The third one--establishing prealbumin as a nutritional marker--was a result of field studies on nutrition. The discovery of the role of prealbumin in retinol binding led to a change in its name, prealbumin becoming transthyretin. Finally, structural studies and mutation analysis of transthyretin in patients with amyloid neuropathy have opened a new area of research.     

Bancroftian filariasis in French Polynesia. Epidemiologic status and perspectives after a 35-year preventive campaign

The authors assess of three decades of struggle against Bancroftian filariasis in French Polynesia. Wuchereria bancrofti var. pacifica, aperiodic filaria, and Aedes polynesiensis, mosquito with high parasitologic output, set up a cycle very well adapted to the Polynesian environment; after numerous tests, the chemoprophylaxis with diethylcarbamazine (3 mg/kg/half-year) of all the exposed population has been decided, in association with methods of vector-control (use of predatory crustaceans). However, the achievement of this strategy is impeded by economical contingencies and the endemic comes up again particularly in areas close to eradication. Entomological clues show a high transmission over the greater part of French Polynesia.     

Effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on Rhizobium sp. in pure culture

The effects of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on the growth rate, chemical composition, ¹⁴C-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by Rhizobium sp. M 4 able to nodulate Arachis hypogaea were determined. Cellular growth was diminished by the presence of 10^?3 M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in the medium. Alterations in cellular chemical composition, in ¹⁴C-2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and in ⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake were found.     

Pars plana vitrectomy in aphakic and pseudophakic retinal detachment

Eighty-two consecutive aphakic or pseudophakic retinal detachments were treated by buckling and vitrectomy procedures. Functional results (86.6%) and the incidence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (11%) were comparable with reports of cases treated by the classic method.Presented at the 1984 meeting of the Club Jules Gonin in Lausanne, Switzerland     

Clinical trial comparing plasma arc and conventional halogen curing lights for orthodontic bonding.

The purpose of this clinical trial was to evaluate the reliability and time saved with a plasma arc curing unit (Apollo 95E, Dental/Medical Diagnostic Systems, Woodland Hills, Calif) compared with a conventional curing unit (Ortholux XL 3000, 3M Unitek, St Paul, Minn) for direct bracket bonding with resin adhesive. Forty-five patients were involved in the study, and 608 brackets were bonded in a contralateral quadrant pattern. The patients were followed for a mean (+/- standard deviation) period of 11 +/- 3.2 months. Survival analysis was carried out to compare the failure rate for the 2 techniques. The time required for bonding with each technique was also recorded. The mean survival time was 399 days, and there were no significant differences in survival time between the 2 bonding methods. Twelve bonding failures were reported with each technique. The curing time per bracket was significantly reduced with the plasma curing light compared with a conventional curing unit (65 +/- 19 vs 82 +/- 31 seconds). The plasma arc curing light can save chair-time without affecting the bonding failure rate.     

Prevalence, clinical characteristics, quality of life, and prognosis of patients with congestive heart failure and isolated left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

Prevalence of isolated left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has been reported to be as high as one-third of all heart failure (HF) cases, with an increasing prevalence in the elderly population. However, there is a paucity of prospective data about the prevalence and prognosis of isolated LV diastolic dysfunction in an unselected population of patients hospitalized with HF. Therefore, we prospectively evaluated 179 consecutive patients discharged from our hospital with HF to assess the prevalence of systolic versus diastolic LV dysfunction among patients hospitalized with HF and to compare their demographics, clinical features, self-perceived quality of life (QOL), and 6-month readmission rate and mortality. Among them, 133 (59% men, median age 74 years) showed in sinus rhythm and had no significant primary valvular disease. LV diastolic dysfunction was diagnosed on the basis of the European Study Group on Diastolic HF echocardiographic criteria. QOL was assessed at hospital discharge and 6-month follow-up visit using the Minnesota Living with HF questionnaire. Survival of patients with HF was compared with that of age- and sex-matched general population. In all, 29 patients (22%) had isolated LV diastolic dysfunction and 102 (78%) had prevalent LV systolic dysfunction (ie, LV ejection fraction 相似文献   

L’électroencéphalogramme n’est pas un examen légitime pour la confirmation du diagnostic de mort cérébrale

PURPOSE: In France, legislation mandates that the clinical diagnosis of brain death be confirmed by one paraclinical test before organ donation is allowed. That test may be either the electroencephalogram (EEG) or cerebral angiography. We report a case in which the clinical diagnosis of brain death was first confirmed by two EEGs performed according to the French guidelines, but ruled out by cerebral angiography. Considering that the EEG is no longer recommended to establish the diagnosis of brain death, we discuss the relevance of maintaining the EEG for brain death diagnosis in France. CLINICAL FINDINGS: A 58 yr-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit because of coma secondary to a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage with herniation below the falx shown by computed tomography. Clinical criteria of brain death were rapidly present. Two EEGs first confirmed the diagnosis but a four-vessel cerebral angiography was finally performed because the patient moved spontaneously. This cerebral angiography showed flow in the right internal carotid artery. A computed tomography performed the next day definitely confirmed the absence of brain death and organ donation did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates the limitations of the EEG for this indication and suggests that angiography should be preferred. French legislation is probably maladjusted and would benefit by incorporating guidelines of other countries like Canada. International harmonization of criteria for brain death diagnosis would also be welcome.