Early Inflammatory Markers for the Diagnosis of Late-Onset Sepsis in Neonates: The Nosodiag Study.

Early diagnosis is essential to improve the treatment and prognosis of newborn infants with nosocomial bacterial infections. Although cytokines and procalcitonin (PCT) have been evaluated as early inflammatory markers, their diagnostic properties have rarely been compared. This study evaluated and compared the ability of individual inflammatory markers available for clinician (PCT, semi-quantitative determination of IL-8) and of combinations of markers (CRP plus IL-6 or quantitative or semi-quantitative determination of IL-8) to diagnose bacterial nosocomial infections in neonates.

Extensive study of human insulin immunoassays: promises and pitfalls for insulin analogue detection and quantification.

Background: Over the last few decades, new synthetic insulin analogues have been developed. Their measurement is of prime importance in the investigation of hypoglycaemia, but their quantification is hampered by variable cross-reactivity with many insulin assays. For clinical analysis, it has now become essential to know the potential cross-reactivity of analogues of interest.

The impact of dialysis solution biocompatibility on ultrafiltration and on free water transport in rats.

This study compares different peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDF) in rats over a short contact time. For greater accuracy, net ultrafiltration (UF) and peritoneal transport indices, mass transfer area coefficient (MTAC) were scaled for the in vivo peritoneal surface area recruited (ivPSA) measured by microcomputerized tomography. Wistar rats underwent nephrectomy (5/6ths), were randomized into two groups and given 1.

Transient Bcl-2 gene down-expression in circulating mononuclear cells of severe sepsis patients who died despite appropriate intensive care.

Objective: To assess the levels of expression of the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 and the proapoptotic gene Bax in circulating mononuclear cells (CMNC) harvested during the course of severe sepsis (SS) in formerly non-immunocompromised patients undergoing hospital-acquired infection, in parallel to cytokine levels.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Intensive care unit.

Hypoexpression of benzodiazepine receptors in the amygdala of neophobic BALB/c mice compared to C57BL/6 mice.

The distribution of benzodiazepine receptors in the brain of neophobic BALB/c mice was studied by autoradiographic analysis using [3H]-diazepam and compared to that of the same receptors of the "nonemotional" C57BL/6 mice. This technique revealed no significant interstrain difference except for a lower density of diazepam binding sites in the amygdala of BALB/c mice. Therefore, the expression of benzodiazepine receptors in the amygdala of the two strains of mice were quantified by binding studies on brain membranes.

Sulpiride, but not haloperidol, up-regulates gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptors in vivo and in cultured cells.

Five days of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) administration (3 x 500 mg kg(-1) day(-1) i.p.) to rats resulted in a significant decrease in the density of GHB receptors measured in the whole rat brain without modification of their corresponding affinity.

gamma-Hydroxybutyrate conversion into GABA induces displacement of GABAB binding that is blocked by valproate and ethosuximide.

gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been reported to be a ligand for GABAB receptor(s), although with low or very low affinity (IC50 = 150-796 microM). In addition, several reports argue for a role of GHB via GABAB receptors in both in vivo and in vitro electro-physiological experiments. In the present study, we demonstrate that the inhibition of GHB's conversion into GABA by rat brain membranes blocks the ability of GHB to interfere with GABAB binding.

gamma-Hydroxybutyrate receptor binding in rat brain is inhibited by guanyl nucleotides and pertussis toxin.

gamma-Hydroxybutyrate is an endogenous substance of mammalian brain which is primarily derived from GABA. This compound exhibits neuromodulatory influences on dopamine and serotonin synthesis and release in rat brain. These effects are mediated by specific brain receptors which are mainly distributed in the hippocampus, cortex and striatum.

Displacement of [3H] gamma-hydroxybutyrate binding by benzamide neuroleptics and prochlorperazine but not by other antipsychotics.

Since gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptor agonists exhibit dopaminergic regulatory properties and neuroleptic-like effects in neuropharmacological tests, the common neuroleptics were tested for [3H] gamma-hydroxybutyrate binding activity on rat brain membranes. (-)-Sulpiride, sultopride, amisulpride and prochlorperazine possess affinity for the gamma-hydroxybutyrate site(s), consistent with their therapeutic dosage. This study has revealed that gamma-hydroxybutyrate receptors represent an additional target for antipsychotics.

Synaptonemal complex analysis in a human male carrier of a 4;6 translocation: heterosynapsis without previous homosynapsis.

Silver-stained synaptonemal complexes in surface-spread pachytene nuclei from a man, heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation, were analysed by electron microscopy. Contrary to the classically expected cross-shaped configuration, extensive non-homologous pairings were observed with asymmetrical association in the lateral elements of the non-homologous arms of the quadrivalents. A possible role of the heterosynapsis in reproductive failure is discussed.

Deletion of the pseudoautosomal region and lack of sex-chromosome pairing at pachytene in two infertile men carrying an X;Y translocation.

Two males with a 46,Y,der(X),t(X;Y)(p22.3;q11) complement were referred independently for evaluation of sterility with azoospermia. Both patients exhibited minimal symptomatology, characterized only by psychological disturbances.

Analysis of synaptonemal complexes in two fertile heterozygous boars, both carriers of a reciprocal translocation involving an acrocentric chromosome.

An electron microscopic study of synaptonemal complexes in two heterozygous fertile boars, one a carrier of a 4;14 reciprocal translocation and the second a carrier of this translocation associated with a 3;7 reciprocal translocation, is reported. The results showed heterologous pairing in almost all quadrivalents, as well as a lack of XY-quadrivalent association. This seemed to be a common feature of translocations in pigs, even if at least one acrocentric chromosome is involved, and may represent a significant meiotic mechanism that prevents spermatocyte loss, while the production of genetically unbalanced gametes leads to loss of progeny through abortion.

Synaptonemal complex study in some species of Gerbillidae without heterochromatin interposition.

Synaptonemal complexes were studied in Gerbillus campestris, Meriones libycus, M. shawi, M. crassus, and in two hybrids M.

Robertsonian heterozygosity and male sterility.

Meiotic and synaptonemal complex studies using electron microscopy were carried out on infertile man with a 13/14 translocation. Synaptonemal complex analysis showed a typical trivalent with incomplete pairing of the acrocentric elements. The sterilizing effect caused by the failure of synapsis is discussed.

Synaptonemal complexes in a subfertile man with a pericentric inversion in chromosome 21. Heterosynapsis without previous homosynapsis.

Analysis of surface-spread synaptonemal complexes of zygotene and pachytene spermatocytes was carried out on a human male carrier of a pericentric inversion of chromosome 21 ascertained after four miscarriages. The synaptic behavior of the bivalent, which could be unambiguously identified by its nonaligned kinetochores, was analyzed. All zygotene and pachytene spermatocytes had 22 linearly paired autosomal bivalents, with apparently normal synaptonemal complexes, and no evidence of a loop configuration in the 50 cells analyzed.

Heterosynapsis in a heterozygous fertile boar carrier of a 3;7 translocation.

Silver-stained synaptonemal complexes (SCs) in surface-spread pachytene nuclei from a boar, heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation, were analysed by electron microscopy. In such heterozygotes, cross-shaped quadrivalent configurations are expected to form in order to maximize homologous pairing. Contrary to the classical, expected cross-shaped configuration, heterosynapsis was often observed, with asymmetrical association in the lateral elements of the non-homologous partners of the quadrivalents.

Reproductive failure and pericentric inversion in man.

Pachytene analysis was carried out on an infertile man heterozygous for a pericentric inversion of chromosome 6. The synaptic behavior of the bivalent 6 inversion was analyzed using electron microscopy in silver stained surface microspread of the inversion-bearing spermatocytes. Possible mechanisms of the sterilizing effect caused by the autosomal inversion are discussed.

Synapsis and synaptic adjustment in an infertile human male heterozygous for a pericentric inversion in chromosome 1.

Synapsis and "synaptic adjustment" were analyzed, using electron microscopy in silver stained surface microspreads of inversion-bearing spermatocytes, in an infertile human male with an inherited pericentric inversion in chromosome 1. Possible reasons for his infertility are discussed.

Synaptonemal complexes in Gerbillidae: probable role of intercalated heterochromatin in gonosome-autosome translocations.

A study of sex chromosomes and synaptonemal complexes in male specimens of Gerbillus chiesmani, G. nigeriae, G. hoogstrali, and Taterillus pygargus is reported.

Meiotic association between the XY chromosomes and the autosomal quadrivalent of a reciprocal translocation in two infertile men, 46,XY,t(19;22) and 46,XY,t(17;21).

An electron microscopy study of synaptonemal complexes in two men carrying reciprocal translocations, a t(19;22) and a t(17;21), is reported. It is shown that a delay in synapsis affects the segments corresponding to the short arms of the acrocentrics involved in the formation of quadrivalents. This appears to provoke an interaction with the sex bivalent which could lead to a failure of spermatogenesis.

Meiotic behaviour of familial pericentric inversions of chromosomes 1 and 9.

Pachytene analysis was carried out in two infertile brothers, one heterozygous for two pericentric inversions of chromosomes 1 and 9, the second heterozygous for the pericentric inversion of chromosome 1. The synaptic behaviour of the bivalent 1 inversion was the most informative. Analysis of the chromomere pattern combined with centromeric heterochromatin staining and synaptonemal complexes visualization allowed precise description of synaptic initiation and extension leading to the homosynapsed loop.

Cytogenetic study of complex hybrids in the genus Lemur (Primates Prosimians).

A cytogenetic study was carried out of several Lemur hybrids and their progeny. The effects of Robertsonian translocations in the heterozygous state on fertility and the possibility of a preferential transmission of metacentric trivalents are debated.

Aberrations of the synaptonemal complexes in a male 46,XY,-14,+der(14)t(Y;14).

An unbalanced translocation 46,XY,-14,+der(14)t(Y;14)(q11;p11) was observed in an azoospermic male, with reduced spermatogenesis and absent spermiogenesis. At the pachytene stage of spermatocyte 1, the segments of the 2 Y chromosomes, fluorescent with quinacrine mustard, were always found close together. This proximity was also demonstrated by the study of synaptonemal complexes, which showed, in addition, an unusual hypercondensation of the proximal segment of bivalent 14, adjacent to the translocated Y chromosome.

Spermatogenesis in several intra- and interspecific hybrids of the lemur (Lemur).

Spermatogenesis of various hybrids of the genus Lemur was studied by testicular biopsy. In hybrids between species whose classification is still much debated, the germinal cells had degenerated after the pachytene stage. This abnormality was variable in intensity depending on the parents mating: L.