Effects of arginine and arginine plus somatostatin infusion on insulin release in diabetic patients submitted to pancreas allotransplantation.

The present study was aimed at evaluating the role of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) in the insulin (IRI) response to arginine in humans. Nine patients who were recipients of simultaneous segmental pancreatic and renal grafts (6 receiving steroids and azathioprine as immuno suppression therapy, 3 treated with Cyclosporine A), 3 non-diabetic patients with kidney grafts (receiving steroid and azathioprine) and 10 normal subjects were studied. Arginine induced a clear IRI release in all subjects with no significant difference among the groups.

Evaluation of bladder cancer with a miniature high frequency transurethral ultrasonography probe.

A miniature high frequency 10 MHz transurethral ultrasonography probe has been developed which is adaptable to any standard 17 F cystoscope sheath. High frequency contributed to a definite improvement in image resolution but did not allow distinct visualisation of different bladder wall layers. An 80% correlation between ultrasonographic and pathological staging was established after evaluation of 50 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed bladder tumours.

[Revascularization of the renal artery in renovascular hypertension with progressive renal insufficiency].

Sixteen patients underwent surgical treatment for severe renovascular hypertension with rapidly progressive renal failure. These patients were assessed preoperatively with the measurement of serum creatinine and blood-urea levels (means 271 +/- 204 mumol/l and 15.6 +/- 10.

[Endoscopic treatment of vesico-ureteral reflux].

Submucosal injection of Teflon for treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (the sting of O'Donnell) was used in 43 patients (66 ureters-21 bilateral cases). 14 patients were on dialysis and reflux was diagnosed at medical evaluation during pretransplantation work-up; correction of reflux was indicated as a preparation for renal transplantation. In another group of 24 patients with normal renal function reflux appeared as a simple congenital abnormality.

[Plasma levels of cyclosporin 6 hours after its oral administration, T6: key to the surveillance of the treatment].

Clinical evolution and CsA monitoring of 65 transplanted patients (55 kidneys and 10 kidneys and pancreas) treated with CsA were analysed, retrospectively (45 patients) and prospectively (34 patients). The aim of the study was: To show that nephrotoxicity is not uncommon with low trough plasma levels of CsA, and to indicate the value of CsA pharmacokinetic studies in individual cases. To suggest that the T6 value of a CsA pharmacokinetic plasma curve (6 hours after oral drug administration) is a valid expression of a full pharmacokinetics study.

[Diagnostic value of flow cytometry of bladder lavage in the surveillance of bladder tumors].

DNA index and proliferation index (% greater than 2 n) of 125 bladder washings were studied with flow cytometry. Cystoscopy was positive in 49 patients and negative in 56 patients with a previous history of bladder cancer. There were 20 control patients with a normal bladder.

[Evaluation of endorectal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer using a high-frequency sectorial intracavitary probe].

Endorectal ultrasonography was evaluated in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer, using a high frequency (7,5 MHz) mechanical sectorial endocavitary probe developed by the authors. In a first study, sonograms from a series of 213 patients were interpreted retrospectively without any knowledge of the clinical or pathological findings. Specificity for the diagnosis of cancer (true non-malignant/total non-malignant) reached 79%, whereas sensitivity (true malignant/total malignant) was only 48%.

[Renal failure caused by renal artery stenosis: effects of revascularization].

From 1972 to 1986, 22 patients underwent surgical treatment for severe renovascular hypertension and rapidly progressive renal failure caused by atherosclerotic disease of the renal artery or dysplasia (group A), or by post-transplant renal artery stenosis (group B). 1. Group A (n = 16): These patients were assessed preoperatively with the measurement of serum creatinine and blood-urea levels (means 271 +/- 204 mumol/l and 15.

[Ureteral stenoses after renal transplantation].

Out of 953 kidney transplantations performed in Lyon up to the end of 1984, we observed 28 (2.9%) post-operative ureteral stenoses. Most of them were diagnosed during the first year post-transplantation.

Ultrasound stone localisation for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

An extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor using an ultrasound scan head pantograph location system has been designed. The shock wave ellipsoid reflector position is adjusted to the stone with a computer assisted positioning device. Seven dogs with stones implanted into the renal pelvis were treated and stone fragmentation occurred in all cases.

[Study of the DNA content of 72 cases of bladder tumors using flow cytometry. Relation with anatomoclinical data].

The DNA content of 72 bladder tumors and 20 healthy bladders was studied with flow cytometry. Reproducibility of DNA measurement was systematically verified with the use of 3 controls: calf thymocytes, mouse hepatocytes and a mixture of human lymphocytes with trout red blood cells. For each tumor or normal bladder, a first sample containing urothelial cells only and a second sample with the addition of trout red blood cells were systematically examined.

[Extracorporeal lithotripsy by shock waves. Initial results (322 cases)].

Results of 322 patients treated with extracorporeal shock wave desintegration are reported (277 patients treated with the Dornier lithotripter, 45 patients treated with Solonithe using ultrasonic stone location). Lesions treated included 168 caliceal, 111 pyelic, 23 ureteral and 21 coralliform calculi. 45 patients presented multiple and 28 bilateral renal lithiasis.

[Comparative diagnostic value of ultrasonics and rectal examination in prostatic cancer in a series of 213 patients].

The value of endorectal sonography for the diagnosis of prostatic cancer was established after retrospective interpretation of sonographic data issued from 213 patients without prior knowledge of either clinical or pathological data. Endorectal sonography was performed with a mechanical sectorial high frequency (7.5 MHz) probe realized by the authors.

Atracurium in patients with renal failure. Clinical trial of a new neuromuscular blocker.

Atracurium was given to 30 patients with terminal chronic renal insufficiency, in two regimens. Group I (20 patients) received a single dose of 0.6 mg kg-1 and group II (10 patients), received one or several injections of 0.

Metabolic control of type I (insulin dependent) diabetes after pancreas transplantation.

A study was conducted of the circadian hormonal and metabolic patterns of 10 type I (insulin dependent) uraemic diabetic patients after pancreas and renal transplantation. A single 24 hour profile was obtained in each patient following as closely as possible his or her normal daily routine two to 15 months after transplantation. None of the patients were using insulin at the time of the study.