[Detection of Aspergillus antigen galactomannan using ELISA method: validation of the performances of the method for accreditation].

Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis for patients with high risk of infection is based on the monitoring of Aspergillus antigenemia assessed by the detection of galactomannan in serum by a sandwich-type ELISA (Biorad(®)). The validation of the method was displayed according to the guide COFRAC SH GTA 04. The internal quality control system settled, involves two quality control samples made of pools of sera (negative and positive).

Fatty liver and insulin resistance in obese Zucker rats: no role for mitochondrial dysfunction.

The relationship between insulin resistance and mitochondrial function is of increasing interest. Studies looking for such interactions are usually made in muscle and only a few studies have been done in liver, which is known to be a crucial partner in whole body insulin action. Recent studies have revealed a similar mechanism to that of muscle for fat-induced insulin resistance in liver.

Adenine nucleotide translocator promotes oxidative phosphorylation and mild uncoupling in mitochondria after dexamethasone treatment.

The composition of the mitochondrial inner membrane and uncoupling protein [such as adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT)] contents are the main factors involved in the energy-wasting proton leak. This leak is increased by glucocorticoid treatment under nonphosphorylating conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate mechanisms involved in glucocorticoid-induced proton leak and to evaluate the consequences in more physiological conditions (between states 4 and 3).

Influence of heparin on the chemotactic activity of human thrombin.

Chemoattractant properties of human thrombin have been studied, by polymorphonuclear leucocyte migration under agarose gel, in the presence of various sulphated macromolecules such as standard heparins, low molecular weight heparins, CY216, K2165, PK10169 and pentosane polysulphate. These compounds did not attract polymorphonuclear leucocytes within the range of concentrations used, whilst thrombin alone is a cytotaxin for these cells. Addition of heparins to thrombin led to an increase in the chemoattractant activity of this enzyme for at least one of the doses studied.

Localization of the structural domain responsible for the chemotactic properties of thrombin on polymorphonuclear leukocytes.

Human alpha thrombin at 1.1.10(-5) M is chemotactic for human polymorphonuclear leukocytes.