C-peptide uptake and excretion by the liver in man.

The hepatic uptake of C-peptide is believed to be negligeable; this, however, is based on indirect evidence. In the present work, C-peptide was measured in four non obese non diabetic men stimultaneously in portal blood and bile. Small amounts of C-peptide were found in bile, compared with portal levels; these data are consistent with a minor role of the liver in C-peptide metabolism but represent a direct demonstration of an extraction of the peptide by the liver in man.

[Study of a kit for the search for HBs antigen by an enzymo-immunological method (author's transl)].

The authors present a kit marketed by Abbott for searching HBs antigen by an immunological method. This technic of sandwich type included 3 stages. During a first stage, the HBs antigen eventually present was extracted from the biological fluid by a specific antibody adsorbed on a polystyrène bead.

The value of serum alkaline phosphatase alpha 1 isoenzyme in the diagnosis of liver metastases. Preliminary results.

Serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme electrophoresis on cellulose acetate plates in a normal population of 91 controls and 255 cancer patients demonstrates the presence of an isoenzyme alpha 1 in 36 out of39 cases of confirmed liver metastases. In 188 cancer patients without apparent hepatic lesion and with a normal liver biology, the alpha 1 isoenzyme has been found in 45 cases, but 11 presented afterwards confirmed liver metastases. This isoenzyme remained negative in the normal population.

[Clinical value of the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen in bronchial secretion (author's transl)].

Determination of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by radioimmunoassay was performed in per-endoscopic obtained bronchial secretion. Bronchial CEA values are higher in the case of primary carcinoma of the lung than of metastatic lung cancer or pulmonary benign disease (p less than 0.0005).

[The psychotropic action of TRH].

During a double-blind trial about using TRH perfusions, the authors didn't established any antidepressive effect. On the other hand they observed an anxiety reaction under a 1,200 microgram in perfusion. The study of the basic level of T3, T4, T.

Changes in ovarian activity during hepatocarcinogenesis by N-2-fluorenylacetamide: role of alpha-fetoprotein.

During chemical hepatocarcinogenesis by N-2-fluorenylacetamide, the hormonal status of female Sprague Dawley rats is largely modified. Ovaries present a reduced activity which is evidenced by a decreased number of follicles and corpora lutea. The level of progesterone in N-2-fluorenylacetamide treated rats is low and agrees with the lack of corpora lutea.

[Determination of beta2-microglobulin in breast, lung, colorectal and ENT carcinoma (author's transl)].

Significant increase of plasma level beta2-microglobulin in cancer patients (breast, bronchus, colorectal and ENT) occurs rarely. More, the highest levels observed are within the range of non malignant diseases. We cannot assume that beta2-microglobulin assay will be useful as tumor marker.

beta2-Microglobulin in lymphoproliferative disorders with special reference to gammapathies.

Plasma beta2-microglobulin ratio were calculated taking into account serum creatinine levels and were found to be elevated in a variety of lymphoproliferative disorders. Degree of elevation appeared to be proportional to the tumour mass.

Specific cleavages of pure tRNAs by plumbous ions.

After renaturation some pure tRNAs were submitted to the action of lead acetate 1 . 10(-3) M at pH 7.3 and at 37 degrees C in the presence of either 1 M or 0.

[Bioclinical study of the electro-immunodiffusion technic for the assay of serum alpha fetoprotein].

The author discusses the result that may be expected in clinical medicine from an electro-immunodiffusion method for the detection of alpha-foetoprotein. The samples studied were obtained from pregnant women, patients with liver cell carcinoma or severe digestive diseases, whether malignant or not, and a few amniotic fluids and sera obtained from the umbilical cord. This simple, rapid method is characterized by a sensitivity threshold of about 300 ng/ml and permits one to detect about 75% of cases of liver cell carcinoma.