[Difficulties of the microassay of plasma aminoacids (author's transl)].

The difficulties encountered in developing a microassay of plasma aminoacids are presented. Blood was collected by capillary puncture simultaneously at the heel, finger tip and from the lobe of the ear and the results were compared with those obtained from venous blood. Capillary plasma was shown to be contaminated by free aminoacids from the skin, which causes a considerable elevation especially of the serine level.

[Bronchospasms induced by acetylcholin and free running exercise. A comparison in 50 asthmatic children (author's transl)].

Fifty asthmatic children were tested for cholinergic bronchial sensitivity and subjected to a free running exercise test; 92% of them showed hypersensitivity to acetylcholine challenge, and exercise-induced bronchospasm occurred in 80%. On pooling the results, 98% had a positive response to at least one of the tests. Qualitatively, there was a correlation between exercise-induced bronchospasm and bronchial sensitivity to acetylcholin in 38 of the 50 children.

[Kearns' syndrome: a case study (author's transl)].

An anatomoclinical study of a case of Kearns' syndrome is reported. Neuro-ophthalmic symptoms appeared when the child was 13 year-old. Two and a half years later occurred an episode of paroxystic atrioventricular block, after which the triad characterising the syndrome was completed: retinitis pigmentosa, ophthalmoplegia, disorder of heart conduction.

[Prolactin secretion during sleep at puberty. Preliminary results (author's transl)].

Plasma prolactin was measured in six normal boys, during night sleep, with simultaneous recording of EEG for determination of the various stages of sleep. Peaks of prolactin appear clearly during cycles of rapid sleep: in prepuberty, the average of night peaks of prolactin is higher than that in post-puberty subjects. These results suggest indirectly, a participation of prolactin in prepuberty adrenal maturation.

[Calcium and phosphrous evaluation during cortisone treatment of nephrotic syndrome in relapse].

Metabolic balances were used to study the intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphate in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome in relapse. Magnesium balance was unaffected by the illness, steroid therapy, or by the addition of vitamin D. In contrast, the absorption of calcium and phosphorus was reduced by the illness and was still furthur diminished by the steroid therapy.

[Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children. The use of antisera specific for lymphocyte populations in a classification trial].

Mononuclear cells from 14 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were studied using several lymphocyte membrane markers: E-rosettes, "active" E-rosettes, surface immunoglobulins, EA-rosettes. The use of these techniques and of three specific heterologous antisera directed against T and B cell antigens enabled the discrimination of three different ALL types according to the stage of cell maturation at which it is likely that neoplastic differention occured: T-cell ALL, pre-thymic cell ALL, and "non-T non-B" cell ALL showing only HLA-DR antigens.

[Congenital tracheal stenosis and supernumerary bronchi].

A child is described with a segmental congenital tracheal stenosis who also had a supernumerary bronchus with an accessory lobe arising from the trachea. Because of progressive tracheal obstruction, surgery to the trachea and bronchi was undertaken. The stenosis was relieved successfully.

[B-immunoblast lymphosarcoma 8 years after a malignant reticulosis].

A girl presented with a malignant reticulosis in the early months of life. For 4 years she was treated with repeated courses of irradiation and chemotherapy, mostly cyclophosphamide. After 6 years of complete remission she developed a rapidly progressive B cell lymphoma.

[Cardiological aspect of Kearns' syndrome. Apropos of 3 cases, with histopathological study of the conduction tissue in one of them].

Three cases of Kearns syndrome are reported. The neuro-ophthalmological signs were comparable with ophthalmoplegia, pigmentary retinal degeneration and polymorphic neuro-muscular and sensory deficits. The electrocardiological signs were observed 2-4 years after the onset of the condition; the cause of death in each case was related to complete heart block.

[Eosinophilic gastroenteritis in 2 child].

A boy aged 12 years is described who had eosinophilic gastroenteritis, a rare condition in childhood and one that is difficult to diagnose. Eosinophilia in the peripheral blood is a useful diagnostic clue. Although the histological appearances suggest an allergic process, the aetiology is unknown.

[Study of the renin-angiotensin system in 2 cases of Wilm's tumor with severe arterial hypertension].

Two children who presented with Wilm's tumour and severe hypertension are described. The hypertension, which was secondary to excessive renin secretion, regressed after unilateral nephrectomy. In one child the total quantity of renin in the tumour was high and the peripheral plasma renin was also increased.