Uptake and esterification of vitamin A by RCS rat retinal pigment epithelial cells in primary culture

We investigated the capacity of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rat retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to take up all-trans-retinol (ROL) (vitamin A) and to metabolize it into retinyl esters (RE). Cultures of RPE cells were established from RCS and control newborn rats. All-trans-ROL was delivered to the apical surface of the RPE monolayer. Retinoids were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The cellular retinol-binding protein type I (CRBP-I) was assessed by Western blotting. Before supplementation with ROL, RE were lower in RCS rats. After ROL supplementation, esters increased and reached values that were similar in the two strains, but the increase, expressed relative to the initial value, was higher in RCS rats. The uptake of ROL and the level of CRBP-I were greater in RCS rats. Our results provide evidence of a functional retinol esterifying enzyme in cultured RCS RPE cells and suggest that CRBP-I could play a role in the uptake and esterification of ROL in the RPE cells.     

Transjugular versus percutaneous renal biopsy for the diagnosis of parenchymal disease: comparison of sampling effectiveness and complications

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness and safety of transjugular renal biopsy with those of percutaneous renal biopsy for diagnosis of renal parenchymal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Results and complications of 400 consecutive transjugular renal biopsies performed between 1993 and 1998 with a modified Colapinto transjugular hepatic biopsy system were compared retrospectively with those of 400 percutaneous renal biopsies performed during the same period. Transjugular renal biopsy was associated with 14 cardiac and 35 hepatic biopsies. Number of glomeruli per tissue core, adequacy of tissue core for histopathologic diagnosis, and rate and severity of complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Renal tissue was obtained with percutaneous renal biopsy in 382 (95.5%) of 400 patients and with transjugular renal biopsy in 383 (95.8%) of 400 patients. The mean numbers of intact glomeruli per tissue core with optical microscopy were 11.2 +/- 7.7 (SD) and 9.8 +/- 7.6 for percutaneous renal biopsy and transjugular renal biopsy, respectively. With immunofluorescent microscopy, the mean numbers were 6.4 +/- 5.3 and 4.6 +/- 4.6 for percutaneous renal biopsy and transjugular renal biopsy, respectively. Tissue cores were adequate for histopathologic diagnosis in 98.2% with both techniques. Major complications occurred with transjugular renal biopsy in four patients and with percutaneous renal biopsy in three patients. CONCLUSION: Use of transjugular renal biopsy provides diagnostic yield and safety similar to those of percutaneous renal biopsy and allows multiorgan biopsy during the same procedure. It can be recommended in patients with percutaneous renal biopsy contraindication or failure.     

Percutaneous recanalization of renal arterial occlusion. Apropos of a case]

Percutaneous recanalization of a left occluded renal artery has been performed 10 days after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a controlateral renal stenosis. Improvement of the renal function is keeping normal 8 months after, although hypertension control is not very well. 26 case-reports have been found. These preliminary results are encouraging and suggest that this technique should be used against severe hypertension, especially if the kidney is functionnaly solitary, to avoid dialysis in patients with increased operative risk.     

Bactericidal activity "in vitro" of sulfamethoxazol-tri-methoprime (SMZ-TMP) alone and in combination with various antibiotics on bacterial strains isolated from urinary tract infections (author's transl)]

The authors study "in vitro" effects of sulfamethoxazol-trimethroprime (SMZ-TMP) on 1 078 bacterial strains isolated from urinary-tract infections during january 1974, the second trimester 1974 and january 1975. Study involves two parts : comparison between bacteriostatic activity of SMZ-TMP, ampicillin and nalidixic acid; evaluation of bactericidal activity of antibiotic associations including SMZ-TMP. MIC study included all strains. On Gram- negative bacilli the bacteriostatic activity of SMZ-TMP (74,6 percent of sensitive strains) was comparable with nalidixic acid (79,6 percent of sensitive strains) and better than ampicillin 31,4 percent of sensitive strains). On staphylococcus strains the bacteriostatic activity of SMZ-TMP (84,6 percent of sensitive strains) is better than ampicillin (36,4 percent of sensitive strains); on streptococcus strains the bacteriostatic activity of ampicillin (71 percent of sensitive strains) is better than SMZ-TMP (5l percent of sensitive strains). 473 associations including SMZ-TMP were studied upon 44 strains of Gram- negative bacilli by bactericidal test. ("Cross disposition" method, derive from "cellophane transfer method".     

Atteintes cardiovasculaires de la maladie de Behçet

Vascular involvement is a common complication of Behçet's disease (BD) and affects up to 40% of BD patients. These complications worsen the prognosis of BD. The concept of vasculo-Behçet has been adopted for cases in which vascular complications dominate the clinical features. Vascular manifestations affect particularly young men, during the first years following onset of the disease. Venous complications are the most frequent vascular complications, affecting 14 to 40% of BD patients. Superficial and deep lower limb thrombosis is the most frequent venous complications but one third of venous thrombosis concern large vessels (such as cerebral venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and inferior or superior vena cava, etc.). Budd-Chiari syndrome is the worst prognostic factor increasing mortality by 9 times. Arterial complications (2 to 17% of BD patients) include aneurysms and occlusions/stenosis. Main locations of arterial lesions are aortic (abdominal and thoracic), femoral, pulmonary and iliac arteries. Aneurysms are the most severe arterial complications, particularly pulmonary aneurysms associated with a high risk of massive bleeding. Cardiac complications (up to 6% of BD patients) include pericarditis, endocardial lesions (aortic regurgitation and less often mitral insufficiency), myocardial lesions (myocardial infarction, myocarditis and endomyocardial fibrosis) and intracardiac thrombosis (right ventricle and atrium). Coronary lesions complicated to myocardial infarction are the most severe cardiac complications. Treatment is based on corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. The use of anticoagulation in venous thrombosis is still controversial.