The behaviour of activity of selected enzymes in urine and in serum in experimental intoxication of animals with sublimate (mercury chloride). Part I. Acute intoxication

In the work the behaviour of activity of selected enzymes in urine and in serum of experimental animals, which were intoxicated in an acute way, is presented. In the investigations there was observed the increase of activity of alkaline phosphatase in urine, simultaneous with its decrease in serum, the increase of GGTP in urine and shift in the composition of LDH isoenzymes in direction of slow migrating fractions.     

Nocturnal continuous measurement of blood pressure in sleep apnea syndromes. Comparison between normotensive and hypertensive patients

Sleep apnea syndrome and systemic hypertension are frequently associated but their causal relationship is unclear. We compared the oscillations of systemic blood pressure and heart rate during polysomnography in 8 normotensive subjects (2 females) and 5 hypertensive (supine awake blood pressure: 165 +/- 7/96 +/- 5 mmHg) without treatment. Their ages (normotensive: 52.1 +/- 11.0 yrs, hypertensive: 51.2 +/- 6.4 yrs) and body mass indices (32.6 +/- 9.6 kg/m2 vs 33.2 +/- 5.2 kg/m2 respectively) were not statistically different. Systemic blood pressure was continuously monitored by a non invasive digital plethysmography (Finapres). Both groups had similar respiratory events indices (normotensive: 45.2 +/- 18.1/hr, hypertensive: 48.4 +/- 20.5/hr) and minimal oxygen saturations (79.4 +/- 9.1% vs 82.4 +/- 7.0% respectively). During apneas in slow-wave sleep were observed the minimal values for systolic and diastolic pressures which were significantly higher in hypertensive than in normotensive (138.2 +/- 9.6/83.2 +/- 16.1 mmHg vs 105.9 +/- 11.1/60.5 +/- 10.9 mmHg respectively). During resumption of ventilation maximal blood values were recorded which were also higher in hypertensive than in normotensive (185.0 +/- 13.8/113.2 +/- 21.5 mmHg vs 155.9 +/- 19.8/88.7 +/- 17.1 mmHg respectively) (p less than 0.05). Although absolute variations of blood pressure were similar, relative changes in systolic pressure were significantly higher in normotensive (p less than 0.05). Maximal heart rate was 76.8 +/- 6.2 bpm in normotensive and 76.6 +/- 3.9 bpm in hypertensive during resumption of ventilation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Murine CD9 is the receptor for pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 17.

Pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs) are a family of highly similar secreted proteins produced by the placenta. PSG homologs have been identified in primates and rodents. Members of the human and murine PSG family induce secretion of antiinflammatory cytokines in mononuclear phagocytes. For the purpose of cloning the receptor, we screened a RAW 264.7 cell cDNA expression library. The PSG17 receptor was identified as the tetraspanin, CD9. We confirmed binding of PSG17 to CD9 by ELISA, flow cytometry, alkaline phosphatase binding assays, and in situ rosetting. Anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody inhibited binding of PSG17 to CD9-transfected cells and RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, PSG17 binding to macrophages from CD9-deficient mice was significantly reduced. We then tested whether PSG17 binds to other members of the murine tetraspanin family. PSG17 did not bind to cells transfected with CD53, CD63, CD81, CD82, or CD151, suggesting that PSG17-CD9 binding is a specific interaction. We have identified the first receptor for a murine PSG as well as the first natural ligand for a member of the tetraspanin superfamily.     

Antiproliferative activity of taxol on human tumor and normal breast cells vs. effects on cardiac cells

The antiproliferative activity of the chemotherapeutic agent taxol was evaluated on 2 normal and 2 carcinoma human breast-cell lines and compared with its effects on newborn rat cardiac cells growing in vitro. Relatively little difference in ID₅₀ response (ranging from 0.6 to 2.0 ng/ml) to taxol was found between normal and tumorous breast epithelial cells. Arrhythmias and slowing of beat frequencies of cardiac cells were induced by taxol but at doses approximately 10 times higher than those necessary to inhibit proliferation in dividing cells. Microtubules assayed by immunostaining appeared to be similarly retracted around the nucleus in both breast and heart cells. Overall, our results suggest that taxol does not selectively inhibit the growth of tumor vs. normal human breast cells. They also support the hypothesis that effects on microtubule integrity are associated with effects on cardiac function and that the clinical cardiac activity of taxol already reported may be due, at least in part, to a direct effect of taxol on cardiac cells as demonstrated in these in vitro studies. Thus, caution is needed, in view of possible cardiac effects, when using taxol in future clinical protocols, especially when combined with other cardioactive agents such as Adriamycin.     

Nosocomial viral infections in a pediatric service: example of rotaviral gastroenteritis and respiratory syncytial viral bronchiolitis]

Nosocomial infections are a preoccupation in a pediatric hospital mainly during the winter with bronchiolitis and gastroenteritis epidemics. We have examined the risk factors of nosocomial infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between November, 1999 and March, 2000 in the infants units of the Le Havre hospital. We systematically listed the admissions and contacted the family after their discharge by phone. A geographic information system was implemented to display the epidemiological data; this software is able to illustrate the sectors at risk. RESULTS: During the study, 687 infants were hospitalized of whom 458 for bronchiolitis and community-acquired gastroenteritis. Mean age was 5.4 months old. No nosocomial bronchiolitis occurred. Prevalence of nosocomial gastroenteritis was 10% (68 cases including nine after discharge). Infants with nosocomial infection were younger than those with community-acquired infection (6.6 months vs. 11.2 months, P < 0.01). The mean length of stay was longer in nosocomial infection (7.7 vs. 4.1 days, P < 0.05). Among the infants with bronchiolitis, 16% have developed nosocomial intestinal infections (RR = 2.65, IC: 1.59-4.4; P < 0.01). The geographic analysis pointed the area with nosocomial risk (bedroom without water, nearness of nurse office and games room). CONCLUSION: Geographic information system is a part of the quality control system and may have some interaction effect on final decision making. Incidence of nosocomial infections showed the need for a prevention strategy in a pediatric hospital.     

Medical treatments of hyperactive child]

Treatment of hyperactive child is multimodal, a combination of behaviour therapy and medication. Stimulant drugs are the most often prescribed medications. In France, we use methylphenidate (Ritaline); its efficacy was demonstrated with mild side effects. New formulations of methylphenidate with prolonged action, and non-psychostimulant treatment (atomoxetine) are available in some countries, but not yet in France.