Rapid diagnosis of long chain and medium chain fatty acid oxidation disorders using lymphocytes.

A method based on the release of tritiated water from [9,10(n)-3H] palmitic and myristic acids previously described for fibroblasts, was adapted for lymphocytes for the rapid diagnosis of fatty acid oxidation disorders. Optimal concentrations for both substrates and linearity of the assay were established. Normal values were established in control subjects of different age groups (58 children and 117 adults) and 16 patients with known fatty acid oxidation disorders were tested.

ERGIC-53, a membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment, is identical to MR60, an intracellular mannose-specific lectin of myelomonocytic cells.

A mannose-specific membrane lectin (MR60) isolated from human myelomonocytic HL60 cells by affinity chromatography is expressed in intracellular organelles of immature monocytes (Pimpaneau, V., Midoux, P., Monsigny, M.

The serotonin-4 receptor agonist cisapride and angiotensin-II exert additive effects on aldosterone secretion in normal man.

In animals and man, serotonin (5-HT) exerts a direct stimulatory action on adrenocortical cells through activation of 5-HT4 receptors. In rats, 5-HT also potentiates the stimulatory effect of angiotensin-II (Ang II) on aldosterone secretion. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of concomitant administration of the 5-HT4 receptor agonist, cisapride, and Ang II on aldosterone secretion in normal human subjects.

A sensitive time-resolved immunofluorometric assay for the measurement of apolipoprotein B in cerebrospinal fluid. Application to multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases.

Although low density lipoprotein receptors have been described on oligodendrocytes, apolipoprotein B was thought to be absent or present in only very small amounts in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Several immunoassays have been used for the measurement of apolipoprotein B in serum. However, the majority of methods cannot be used to measure small amounts of apolipoprotein B in CSF.

A negative regulatory element of the macrophage-specific human mannose receptor gene represses its expression in nonmyeloid cells.

We have cloned the putative promoter of the human mannose receptor gene using the ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction. This modified polymerase chain reaction method depends upon the ligation of restricted genomic DNA fragments to a sequence of DNA containing a generic primer site. Approximately 400 bp of genomic DNA sequence immediately upstream from the 5' end of the lectin gene was amplified with this strategy.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of a long-acting formulation of the new somatostatin analogue, lanreotide, in normal healthy volunteers.

1. The aims of the study were to assess the pharmacokinetic parameters and the hormonal effects of the slow-release formulation of the somatostatin analogue (SR-L) in normal male volunteers. 2.

The epidemiology of ciguatera fish poisoning.

Ciguatera is a toxin-related disease caused by ingestion of a variety of toxic fish living in tropical or subtropical areas. This article aims to look at the epidemiology of the disease, from both the descriptive and analytical points of view, and to discuss them in relation to environmental aspects and socioeconomic impact.

An EBV-based vector allowing a high level of LTRHIV-directed expression in human cells.

We have developed a vector that allows high and transactivable expression of inserted genes. The vector contains a transcription unit in which the LTR from HIV flanks a multicloning site. The plasmid is based on the EBV p205 plasmid, which allows stable replication in human cells.

Study of 5-HT release with a chronically implanted microdialysis probe in the ventral horn of the spinal cord of unrestrained rats during exercise on a treadmill.

The ventral horn of the spinal cord is profusely innervated by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) which presumably modulates locomotor activity through motoneurons. However, direct evidence of correlation between 5-HT release and activation of motoneurons is still lacking. In order to appreciate the functional characteristics of this innervation, we have used microdialysis to monitor the release of 5-HT in the spinal cord of rats spontaneously running on a treadmill.

Effects of a slow-release formulation of the new somatostatin analogue lanreotide in TSH-secreting pituitary adenomas.

Objective: Somatostatin analogues have been proposed for the treatment of thyrotrophinomas. However, this treatment requires several s.c.

Discrepancies between lipoprotein(a) concentrations in icteric sera measured by immunonephelometry and electroimmunodiffusion.

We compared the lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in 32 icteric sera determined both by an electroimmunodiffusion assay (EIA), using the Hydragel Lp(a) kit (Sebia, France) and by two immunonephelometric assays, one on a Behring Nephelometer Analyzer (BNA), using antiserum from immunofrance, and the other on a Beckman analyzer (Array), using antiserum from Dako (Denmark). With the EIA assay, the Lp(a) level was 0.09 +/- 0.

Effect of the serotonin-4 receptor agonist zacopride on aldosterone secretion from the human adrenal cortex: in vivo and in vitro studies.

We have recently shown that serotonin (5-HT) stimulates cortisol secretion from human adrenocortical tissue in vitro through activation of 5-HT4 receptors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the 5-HT4 agonist racemic zacopride on aldosterone secretion from the human adrenal gland in vivo and in vitro. In vivo studies were conducted on 28 healthy volunteers pretreated with dexamethasone.

Ciguatoxin extracted from poisonous moray eels Gymnothorax javanicus triggers acetylcholine release from Torpedo cholinergic synaptosomes via reversed Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange.

Ciguatoxin (CTX) (0.1 pM to 10 nM) added to a suspension of Torpedo synaptosomes incubated in Ca(2+)-free medium caused no detectable acetylcholine (ACh) release. However, subsequent addition of Ca2+ caused a large ACh release that depended on time of exposure, dose of CTX and on [Ca2+].

Ciguatoxin, extracted from poisonous morays eels, causes sodium-dependent calcium mobilization in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells.

Measurement of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in cultured mouse NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells, using the fluorescent probe fura-2, revealed that 5-25 nM ciguatoxin (CTX) increased [Ca2+]i either in cells bathed in standard medium or after removal of external Ca2+ by a Ca(2+)-free medium supplemented with EGTA. Tetrodotoxin prevented the CTX increased [Ca2+]i suggesting that CTX-induced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ depends on Na+ influx through voltage-gated Na channels. CTX-induced Ca2+ mobilization prevented subsequent action of bradykinin (1 microM) suggesting that CTX stimulates the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-releasable Ca2+ store.

Serum LpAI lipoprotein particles in diabetic patients with and without renal lesions of different grades.

Among high density lipoprotein particles, LpAI particles which contain apolipoprotein A1 alone, appear to be involved in cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues to the liver. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine serum LpAI particle concentrations in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients with renal lesions of differing grades, in comparison with normal controls and with nondiabetic patients presenting with chronic renal failure. LpAI concentrations and LpAI-to-apo A1 ratios were increased in Type 1 diabetic patients with normal albumin excretion.

Specific gene transfer mediated by lactosylated poly-L-lysine into hepatoma cells.

Plasmid DNA/glycosylated polylysine complexes were used to transfer in vitro a luciferase reporter gene into human hepatoma cells by a receptor-mediated endocytosis process. HepG2 cells which express a galactose specific membrane lectin were efficiently and selectively transfected with pSV2Luc/lactosylated polylysine complexes in a sugar dependent manner: i) HepG2 cells which do not express membrane lectin specific for mannose were quite poorly transfected with pSV2Luc/mannosylated polylysine complexes, ii) HeLa cells which do not express membrane lectin specific for galactose were not transfected with pSV2Luc/lactosylated polylysine complexes. The transfection efficiency of HepG2 cells with pSV2Luc/lactosylated polylysine complexes was greatly enhanced either in the presence of chloroquine or in the presence of a fusogenic peptide.

A SV-40 immortalized murine endothelial cell line from peripheral lymph node high endothelium expresses a new alpha-L-fucose binding protein.

Endothelial cells from mouse peripheral lymph nodes were immortalized by cationic liposome-mediated transfection using a plasmid construct containing both the gene coding for the large T antigen of simian virus 40 and a geneticin resistance gene suitable for selection. A cell line (HECa10) was isolated on the basis of its capacity to specifically bind fucoside carrying glycoconjugates; these cells present the main characteristics of endothelial cells: production of angiotensin converting enzyme and of factor VIII-related antigen. Upon stimulation, they express E-selectin which binds oligosaccharides containing the Lewisx determinant (Fuc alpha 3[Gal beta 4 GlcNAc beta 3Gal beta) and the MECA 79 addressin which is characteristic for the peripheral lymph node high endothelium and is a L-selectin ligand.

Pre- and post-natal ontogeny of thyrotropin-releasing-hormone in the rat spinal cord: an immunocytochemical study.

This work aimed at providing by means of immunocytochemical techniques a detailed study of the ontogeny of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) in the spinal cord of the rat. We report the first appearance of TRH-immunoreactive fibers in the ventral funiculus of thoracic and lumbar levels at embryonic day 17. At embryonic day 18, fibers penetrated the ventral gray matter towards the central canal.

Solid-state 31P NMR spectroscopy of bone and bone substitutes.

Using magic angle sample spinning 31P NMR spectroscopy, we studied NMR parameters of hydroxyapatite, calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite, and beta-tricalcium phosphate. These data were compared to rabbit bone parameters. Rabbit bone spectrum is similar to deficient hydroxyapatite spectrum but high-power proton decoupling did not modify its linewidth.

Simple method for quantifying alpha-tocopherol in low-density+very-low-density lipoproteins and in high-density lipoproteins.

We assessed the distribution of alpha-tocopherol in serum lipoprotein samples after separating the lipoprotein fractions by either sequential ultracentrifugation or selective precipitation with sodium phosphotungstate-magnesium chloride reagent. alpha-Tocopherol concentrations were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. After ultracentrifugation, we found that in men, low- and very-low-density serum lipoproteins (LDL-VLDL) contained 53.

Effects of octreotide on lipid metabolism in acromegaly.

Hypertriglyceridemia is the most frequent modification of lipid metabolism observed in acromegaly. The somatostatin analog, octreotide (Sandostatin), widely used in the treatment of acromegaly, is able to produce a decrease in levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin, and Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF1). We have attempted to evaluate the influence of this treatment on the lipid status of acromegalic patients.

Lipoprotein(a) in diabetic patients with and without chronic renal failure.

Objective: To examine the distribution of Lp(a) plasma levels in patients with IDDM and NIDDM, and in nondiabetic and IDDM patients with chronic renal failure.

Research Design And Methods: Cross-sectional study of Lp(a) plasma levels in a population of diabetic patients with stable metabolic control, with simultaneous determination of plasma lipids, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1. Thirty-six patients with IDDM, 90 with NIDDM, and 41 with chronic renal failure (20 IDDM, 21 nondiabetic) were compared with 78 control subjects.

Are Streptomyces bacteria involved in the ciguatoxicity of the surgeon fish Ctenochaetus striatus?

Several Streptomyces strains have been isolated from the digestive tract of the herbivorous fish C. striatus, a preeminent ciguateric fish of Polynesian waters. In order to study the possible role played by these bacteria in the toxicity of this fish, the quantitative and qualitative distributions of these isolates within toxic and non toxic fish are compared.

Preliminary results towards ciguatoxin immunodetection.

Due to the lack of purified ciguatoxin (CTX), monensin was used as a model for developing an enzyme immunoassay to detect CTX. Specific antibodies directed against monensin have been produced in rabbits and mice using a monensin-protein immunogen obtained in bulk quantities. Rabbit polyclonal and mouse monoclonal (MAb) antibodies of high specificity and affinity have been produced.