Efficacy and safety of a high loading dose of clopidogrel administered prehospitally to improve primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction: the randomized CIPAMI trial.

Objectives: To compare a loading dose of 600 mg clopidogrel given in the prehospital phase versus clopidogrel administered only after the diagnostic angiogram in patients with STEMI scheduled for primary PCI.

Background: The optimal time and dose for the initiation of clopidogrel therapy in patients with STEMI scheduled for primary PCI has not been studied in prospective randomized trials.

Methods: The primary efficacy endpoint was the TIMI 2/3 patency of the infarct-related artery in the diagnostic angiography immediately prior to PCI.

Short term changes in melatonin and cortisol serum levels after a single administration of estrogen to menopausal women.

Objectives: It has been well-documented that serum melatonin levels are insensitive to estrous or menstrual ovarian steroid variations in the female rat or the human. However, a negative coupling has been already demonstrated between the nocturnal serum melatonin peak and serum E2 concentration during the late premenopausal period in the woman. The objection of the present study was designed to determine if diurnal serum melatonin values can be also lowered by a single administration of estrogen.

Substance P plasma concentration during the LH preovulatory surge of the menstrual cycle in the human.

Objectives: In order to determine the exact pattern of plasma Substance P (SP) concentration during the LH preovulatory surge and the functional correlates which could exist between plasma SP, LH, 17 beta-estradiol (E2) and Progesterone, we performed a detailed analysis of changes in plasma SP concentration, during the critical phases of the LH preovulatory surge in the Human.

Methods: The experimental study was performed in 21 women between the ages of 26 and 35 years. For each subject, blood samples were taken every 15 min, between 07:00 a.

ACTH-cortisol activity during the 17beta-estradiol and LH preovulatory surges of the menstrual cycle.

Objectives: A strong positive coupling has been already documented between the adrenocortical axis and the gonadal axis at the time of the initiation of the preovulatory LH surge of the menstrual cycle in the human. The LH preovulatory surge starts in the morning at the time of the acrophase (maximal plasma cortisol values) of the cortisol circadian rhythm. Also, it was shown that morning maximal plasma cortisol values were higher during the follicular phase than during the luteal phase.

Preventive and curative effect of melatonin on mammary carcinogenesis induced by dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in the female Sprague-Dawley rat.

Introduction: It has been well documented that the pineal hormone, melatonin, which plays a major role in the control of reproduction in mammals, also plays a role in the incidence and growth of breast and mammary cancer. The curative effect of melatonin on the growth of dimethylbenz [a]anthracene-induced (DMBA-induced) mammary adenocarcinoma (ADK) has been previously well documented in the female Sprague-Dawley rat. However, the preventive effect of melatonin in limiting the frequency of cancer initiation has not been well documented.

Long-term dysregulation of circadian and 17-beta estradiol-induced LH, prolactin and corticosterone secretion after dimethylbenz (a) anthracene administration in the Sprague-Dawley female rat.

A single intragastric administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) has been shown, when given at 55-60 days of age, to induce mammary tumors in young cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats. The appearance of the tumors is preceded by a series of neuroendocrine disturbances of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, including attenuation of the preovulatory Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) release and amplification of the preovulatory 17beta-Estradiol (E(2)) surge. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that a single administration of DMBA could also, in the long range, induce disturbances of others neuroendocrine axis, like the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis and/or the Lactotroph axis.

Long term inhibition by estradiol or progesterone of melatonin secretion after administration of a mammary carcinogen, the dimethyl benz(a)anthracene, in Sprague-Dawley female rat; inhibitory effect of Melatonin on mammary carcinogenesis.

A single intragastric administration of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) has been shown to induce mammary tumors in young cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats. The appearance of the tumors is preceded by a series of neuroendocrine disturbances, including attenuation of the preovulatory Luteinizing Hormone surge and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone release and amplification of the preovulatory 17beta-Estradiol (E2) surge. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that a single administration of DMBA increases the E2 and Progesterone inhibition of the spontaneous and Isoproterenol-induced Melatonin (MT) secretion from the pineal gland, during the latency phase.

Timing of initiation of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge and its relationship with the circadian cortisol rhythm in the human.

The relationship between the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been well documented in the rat. In most cases, a negative coupling was observed and an inhibitory effect of the HPA axis upon the HPG was shown. In the female rat, a marked circadian rhythm of corticosterone plasma values is observed during each day of the estrous cycle, with maximal values around 08:00 p.

Variations in plasma levels of substance P and effects of a specific substance P antagonist of the NK(1) receptor on preovulatory LH and FSH surges and progesterone secretion in the cycling cynomolgus monkey.

These studies investigated the role of substance P (SP) in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in cynomolgus monkeys with normal menstrual cycles. Plasma concentrations of SP were determined in blood samples taken every morning in normally menstruating cynomolgus monkeys throughout the menstrual cycle. There was a significant decreasing linear trend of SP during the follicular phase (cycle day -13 to day 0) and a significant inverse relationship between SP plasma values and plasma 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) values from day -13 to day 0 of the adjusted cycle.

Plasma estradiol concentrations and pharmacokinetics following transdermal application of Menorest 50 or Systen (Evorel) 50.

Objectives: In order to compare the pharmacokinetics of two transdermal estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) systems designed to release 50 micrograms 17 beta-estradiol/day, two studies were performed in healthy postmenopausal volunteers.

Methods: Both studies had a cross-over design and incorporated a 1-week wash-out period between treatments. In the first study, Menorest 50 and Systen 50 (Evorel 50) were compared over four days of application in 30 women.

Detection of HIV-1 infections by PCR: evaluation in a seropositive subject population.

To study the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performance in detecting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, we tested 53 HIV-1 seropositive patients and 29 HIV-1 seronegative subjects for four different HIV-1 DNA regions. Fifty-one seropositive patients were found positive by PCR with at least one primer pair, but two were repeatedly negative for all primers. Weekly blood samples from 12 seropositive subjects all detected positive for at least one primer pair, but for three patients an irregular primer detection pattern was found.

Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum by a nonisotopic hybridization technique.

We developed a nonisotopic technique, Hepagene, for measuring hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in human serum by using a sulfonated probe that is detected by a sandwich immunoenzymatic reaction. The detection limit, determined by serum dilution tests, was 2.5 ng/L.

Testicular function in uremic rats: in vivo assessment of testosterone biogenesis.

The mechanism of testosterone (T) production defect in uremic rats has not yet been clearly defined and hypothalamo-hypophyseal impairment as well as primary testicular dysfunction have been suggested. In 42 rats followed monthly after subtotal nephrectomy up to 7.1 +/- 0.

A simple technique for collecting blood of testicular origin: application to in vivo studies on testicular steroidogenesis in rats and Macaca fascicularis.

A technique for rapidly collecting blood of testicular origin is described, one which can provide sufficient plasma amounts to investigate some steps of testicular steroid biogenesis in vivo in 2 species. In adult male rats, testosterone (T), androstenedione (4A) and 5-androstenediol (5AD) were determined in pampiniform plexus testicular venous blood (PPTV) and peripheral (PV) blood samples before and 2 h after human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG). PPTV concentration of 5AD was 0.

[Detection of self-administration of testosterone as an anabolic by determination of the ratio of urinary testosterone to urinary epitestosterone in adolescents].

Testing for illicit self-administration of testosterone by athletes requires quantitative analysis by gas chronomatography-mass spectrometry combined with stable isotope dilution. International Sports Authorities have adopted the ratio of urinary excretions of testosterone and epitestosterone for drug testing. This ratio is required to be under 6.

[Comparison of four human growth hormone (hGH) immunoassay kits and analysis of recognition of circulating forms].

Three immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) kits (Pharmacia, bioMérieux and Cis-ELISA) and one competitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit (Cis-SB) designed for routine hGH quantitation were compared. Reproducibility was better with the IRMAs than with the RIA, especially when hGH levels were low (less than 3 mUI/l). This substantial advantage was responsible for a decrease in the qualitative detection threshold from 1.

[Free alpha-subunit glycoprotein hormones: physiological and pathological data].

The glycoprotein hormone alpha-subunit is secreted as a free molecule as well as a molecule combined to a glycoprotein hormone beta-subunit. In human subjects, plasma levels of the free alpha-subunit were measured by means of a specific radioimmunoassay. Plasma concentrations were high during the neonatal period, then decreased to a nadir at the age of 6 years.

[Determination of EGF receptors (epidermal growth factor) in the placenta and breast tumors].

Receptors for Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) have been identified in different types of tumors and they are often associated with other characteristics which are related to a bad prognosis. A technic has been established to measure membrane receptors in human placenta, which is appropriate for the study of tumors. Preparations of placental membranes were incubated either with increasing amounts (0.

[Assay of plasma progesterone and testosterone. Comparison of enzyme immunoassays and radio-immunoassays].

Plasma progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) were determined by enzyme immunology with commercially available kits. Two kits (Serono and BioMérieux) were studied for P determination and one kit (Serono) for that of the T. The results obtained by either enzyme immunoassay were compared reliable and specific radioimmunoassays.

Experimental control of the differentiation of Leydig cells in the rat fetal testis.

In the developing fetal testis, in vitro as well as in vivo, two kinds of endocrine cells differentiate successively: Sertoli cells, which produce the Müllerian inhibitor (or anti-Müllerian hormone) and aggregate with germ cells into seminiferous cords; and Leydig cells, which release androgens. Serum added to the synthetic culture medium prevents the morphogenesis of the seminiferous cords but not the cytodifferentiation of the endocrine cells. L-Azetidine 2-carboxylic acid (LACA), a proline competitor, introduced into the medium also prevents differentiation of seminiferous cords.

Deoxycorticosterone secretion by the human ovary.

Progesterone (P), deoxycorticosterone (DOC), estradiol-17 beta (E2) and cortisol (F) were determined simultaneously in the peripheral and the ovarian veins in 13 patients. Blood was collected either by direct sampling during laparotomy (12 patients) or by selective catheterization (1 patient). In all ovarian effluents P and E2 levels were significantly higher than in the peripheral vein.

Plasma corticosteroid patterns in the fetus.

In umbilical vein blood samples collected in 137 fetuses between 19 and 31 weeks of gestation, cortisol (F), cortisone (E), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) and 11-deoxycortisol (S) were radioimmunoassayed after column chromatography on Sephadex LH-20 of plasma extracts. While F levels plateaued throughout the period considered those of E displayed an increasing pattern which appeared to be comparable with that of unbound F in pregnant women. The declining pattern of S and more particularly of 17-OHP would suggest an increasing utilization and metabolization of these F precursors by the maturing fetus.

Effect of melatonin implantation on the seasonal variation of FSH secretion in the male blue fox (Alopex lagopus).

A heterologous radioimmunoassay system developed for the sheep was shown to measure FSH in the plasma of the blue fox. FSH concentrations throughout the year showed a circannual rhythm with the highest values (61.6 +/- 14.

Plasma concentration of luteinizing hormone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione between birth and one year in the male dog: longitudinal study and hCG stimulation.

A longitudinal study from peripheral blood, with samples collected every week, was performed between birth and one year of age on young Fox terriers dogs in order to determine the patterns of plasma LH, T, DHA and A concentrations. T, DHA, A curves show the same profile. The dog model shows the 3 successive steps preceding the adult life that are met in one year time: First, an infantile period between birth and the 12th week of age: the basal level of LH (4.

Monoclonal antibody labelling of human spermatozoa: an electron microscope study.

The antigenic determinants recognized by six anti-human sperm monoclonal antibodies were localized at the subcellular level using an indirect peroxidase immunoelectron microscopic method. Labelling was performed using fresh spermatozoa, and after cell permeabilization (by osmotic shock or freeze-thawing) or detergent demembranation. Two antibodies bound to distinct regions of the plasma membrane, one over the acrosome and the other on the tail, but both also bound to intracellular sites on damaged cells.