Pharyngolaryngeal semiology and prognostic factors in multiple system atrophy.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare degenerative neurological disorder in adults. It induces parkinsonian and/or cerebellar syndrome associated with dysautonomia. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms are common. Our aim is to describe the Pharyngolaryngeal semiology on one hand, and to ascertain whether the presence of these symptoms represents a prognostic factor for MSA on the other. METHODS: Thus, we carried out a retrospective, single-centre study, on a cohort receiving care at the centre of reference for MSA. The patients were referred for otorhinolaryngology assessment. The data was collected over the year 2020 with the help of computer software from the university hospital centre (UHC). Firstly, we described the Pharyngolaryngeal semiology specific to MSA by questioning patients, and by the results of nasofibroscopic examinations and swallowing tests. We then used multivariate analysis of variance to describe the prognostic factors of MSA progression (in UMSARS I and II points per month of progression) and survival (number of years between the first symptoms and death). RESULTS: This study included a hundred and one patients and made it possible to define a Pharyngolaryngeal semiology profile of MSA, which is: a reduction in laryngeal mobility (primarily vocal cord abduction defects), abnormal movements (particularly at rest or when initiating a movement) and a defect in the protection mechanisms of the upper airways. The swallowing difficulties are moderate and the main mechanisms are delayed pharyngeal swallow and/or an oro-pharyngeal transport defect. In the multivariate analyses, the contributing factors are laryngeal anomalies, modification of solid food to fluid food and nutritional complication. CONCLUSION: ENT specialists should pay close attention to problems in the Pharyngolaryngeal dynamic and then consider a neurological cause. They can also itemize the clinical factors that could have a negative effect on the prognosis of the patient with MSA. Indeed, early detection makes it possible to provide care for respiratory and nutritional complications.

Intractable epistaxis: which arteries are responsible? An angiographic study.

PURPOSE: Epistaxis constitutes a significant proportion of the Otolaryngologist's emergency workload. Optimal management differs in relation to the anatomic origin of the bleeding. The outcome of our study was to determine which artery(ies) could be considered as the cause of severe bleeding in the context of severe epistaxis. METHODS: Fifty-five procedures of embolization preceded by angiography were reviewed. Medical records of interventionally treated patients were analysed for demographics, medical history, risk factors and clinical data. Angiographic findings were also assessed for active contrast extravasation (blush), vascular abnormality and embolised artery. RESULTS: Previous angiography showed an active contrast extravasation in only 20 procedures. The most common bleeding source was the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) followed by anterior ethmoïdal artery (AEA) and facial artery. Majority of multiple or bilateral extravasations occured in patients with systemic factors. CONCLUSIONS: A better understanding of the potential bleeding source might help and limit the risk of treatment failures. Our study confirms that the SPA is the most common cause of severe bleeding. We also emphasise the role of the AEA not only in traumatic context. Others arteries are rarely involved except in patients with comorbidities or frequent recurrences.

Bilateral tympanic myxoma: A CARE case report.

INTRODUCTION: Ear myxoma is a rare benign tumor sometimes located on the pinna and the external auditory meatus, associated with Carney Complex (CNC). However, tympanic membrane myxoma has never been described. We present here a case of bilateral tympanic membrane myxoma, following CARE guidelines. OBSERVATION: A 35-year-old woman presented to our department with right otalgia. Otoscopy showed non-specific bilateral tissular masses in the posterior quadrant of the tympanic membranes, with normal hearing thresholds. CT-scan showed a tissular mass without osteolysis. Right-side resection confirmed the lesion as being a myxoma, ruling out differential diagnoses. The patient was then screened for extra-otologic lesions typically associated with ear myxoma in CNC. Only perilabial lesions similar to lentigos suggested CNC. Cardiac, endocrine and thyroid assessment were normal. Genetic testing for a PKRAR1A gene mutation was negative. DISCUSSION: This is to our knowledge the first reported case of tympanic membrane myxoma. It is of particular interest, being bilateral and showing spontaneous involution of the left lesion over the years. Genetic screening was negative; nevertheless, thorough evaluation is essential due to the life-threatening nature of cardiac myxoma and the frequently associated malignant tumors. Potential new mutations associated with CNC should be considered in the future.

Bone status in a mouse model of genetic hemochromatosis.

UNLABELLED: Genetic hemochromatosis is a cause of osteoporosis; mechanisms leading to iron-related bone loss are not fully characterized. We assessed the bone phenotype of HFE (-/-) male mice, a mouse model of hemochromatosis. They had a phenotype of osteoporosis with low bone mass and alteration of the bone microarchitecture. INTRODUCTION: Genetic hemochromatosis is a cause of osteoporosis. However, the mechanisms leading to iron-related bone loss are not fully characterized. Recent human data have not supported the hypothesis of hypogonadism involvement. The direct role of iron on bone metabolism has been suggested. METHODS: Our aim was to assess the bone phenotype of HFE (-/-) male mice, a mouse model of human hemochromatosis, by using microcomputed tomography and histomorphometry. HFE (-/-) animals were sacrificed at 6 and 12 months and compared to controls. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in hepatic iron concentration and bone iron content in HFE (-/-) mice. No detectable Perls' staining was found in the controls' trabeculae. Trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) was significantly lower in HFE (-/-) mice at 6 and 12 months compared to the corresponding wild-type mice: 9.88 ± 0.82% vs 12.82 ± 0.61% (p = 0.009) and 7.18 ± 0.68% vs 10.4 ± 0.86% (p = 0.015), respectively. In addition, there was an impairment of the bone microarchitecture in HFE (-/-) mice. Finally, we found a significant increase in the osteoclast number in HFE (-/-) mice: 382.5 ± 36.75 vs 273.4 ± 20.95 ¢/mm(2) (p = 0.004) at 6 months and 363.6 ± 22.35 vs 230.8 ± 18.7 ¢/mm(2) (p = 0.001) at 12 months in HFE (-/-) mice vs controls. CONCLUSION: Our data show that HFE (-/-) male mice develop a phenotype of osteoporosis with low bone mass and alteration of the microarchitecture. They suggest that there is a relationship between bone iron overload and the increase of the osteoclast number in these mice. These findings are in accordance with clinical observations in humans exhibiting genetic hemochromatosis and support a role of excess iron in relation to genetic hemochromatosis in the development of osteoporosis in humans.

Clinical management of Menière's disease: Clinician perspective in 2020.

Menière's disease (MD) still presents both diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. Today, this pathology is diagnosed only on clinical criteria. The development of high resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the inner is very promising to improve diagnostic criteria in MD. MD treatment depending on the practitioner and the clinical center, is mainly based on conservative therapies, and if this fails, non-ablative or ablative therapies. MD therefore always exposes clinicians to diagnostic uncertainties, but also to therapeutic difficulties which still lead to destructive treatments, in the absence of targeted, curative treatments, acting on the cause and not on the consequence of the pathology.

Vestibular disorders: clinician ENT perspective on the need for research and innovation.

OBJECTIVE: Vertigo and dizziness are a frequent reason for medical consultation. However, diagnostic and therapeutic management is sometimes limited, and clinicians are faced with many unmet needs. The purpose of this study was to identify and prioritize these needs. METHODS: A questionnaire methodology was used to determine the need for innovation in vestibular disorder management. The questionnaire was sent to 19 teams in French-speaking ENT centers. We measured the concordance of the panel of experts on 56 questions related to the different vestibular pathologies encountered and the desired modalities of innovations. RESULTS: Thirteen questions were identified as priorities. The needs expressed by the experts had better knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms of the main diseases encountered and the development of new treatment modalities. Particular attention was paid to inner ear imaging techniques and the development of specific electrophysiology techniques. DISCUSSION: Some of the anticipated innovations are already under development, such as new inner ear fluid imaging techniques (hydrops visualization using MRI) or in situ treatments (transtympanic dexamethasone or gentamicin injections). Others, such as new electrophysiological techniques, are still not fully developed CONCLUSION: This study provides a snapshot of the needs of the medical profession in vestibular disorder management. It highlights a real concern of the attending personnel, as well as a critical need to optimize the means of diagnosing and treating patients with vestibular disorders.

Distribution of adipose tissue: quantification and relationship with hepatic steatosis and vascular profiles of type 2 diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome.

AIM: As the distribution of fat is increasingly related to cardiovascular events, we examined whether or not abdominal-fat quantification using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) software is reliable, and whether or not it is related to clinical markers of fat distribution as well as to metabolic and vascular status. METHODS: We recorded the anthropometric measurements of 34 obese type 2 diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome. The patients were enrolled to evaluate their abdominal (visceral and subcutaneous) adipose tissue by single-slice L3-L4 MRI. Manual and automated analyses were compared. The relationships between anthropometric measurements, biological markers and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery were also assessed. RESULTS: We validated the automated software to quantify abdominal-fat deposition with MRI compared with manual measurements (r2=0.95). The waist-to-hip-circumference ratio (WHR) was the only clinical parameter that correlated with the proportion and quantity of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal-adipose tissue evaluated by MRI (r=0.60). In addition, fat repartition as evaluated by WHR was related to hepatic steatosis parameters (ferritin and ALAT) and to intima-media thickness, whereas simple waist circumference was not a determinant in these obese patients. We also showed that the adiponectin-to-leptin ratio was related to adipose tissue distribution. CONCLUSION: Distribution of abdominal fat, as evaluated by MRI, can be reflected by clinical determination of the WHR. Differences in regional accumulations of abdominal fat may be specifically related to variations in the risks of steatosis and vascular rigidity among obese type 2 diabetic patients.

FibroMeters: a family of blood tests for liver fibrosis.

FibroMeters are blood tests for liver fibrosis with several specificities: two main diagnostic targets (fibrosis stage and area of fibrosis); adaptation to specific causes; and results confirmed by an expert system. Thus, FibroMeters comprise six different tests: one for staging and one for quantitation of liver fibrosis in each of the three main causes of chronic liver disease-chronic viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). FibroMeters display a high overall diagnostic accuracy and are the only tests to correctly classify 100% of HCV patients without fibrosis or with cirrhosis. They have 90% predictive values in a higher proportion of patients than with other usual blood tests. A 90% correct classification is available in 100% of HCV patients with the following reliable diagnostic intervals: F0/1, F1/2, F2+/-1, F3+/-1. In real-life conditions, the reproducibility of FibroMeters is higher than that of liver biopsy or ultrasonographic elastometry. FibroMeters are robust tests with the most stable diagnostic performance across different centers. Optional tests are also available, such as a specific one for cirrhosis, which has a diagnostic accuracy of 93.0% (AUROC: 0.92) and a 100% positive predictive value for diagnosis of HCV cirrhosis. Determination by FibroMeters of the area of fibrosis - the only direct, non-invasive, quantitative measurement of liver fibrosis - are especially useful for following-up cirrhosis as it correlates well with clinical events. FibroMeters are also very accurate in HVB or HIV-HCV co-infected patients. The tests specific for ALD and NAFLD also have a high diagnostic accuracy (AUROCs: 0.96 and 0.94, respectively, for significant fibrosis).

Transnasal Endoscopic Sphenopalatine Artery Ligation Compared With Embolization for Intractable Epistaxis: A Long-term Analysis.

Background Transnasal endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation (TESPAL) and selective embolization both provide excellent treatment success rate in the management of intractable epistaxis. Few long-term studies comparing these approaches have been previously published. Recommendations often present these techniques as alternatives, but there is no clear consensus. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of sphenopalatine artery ligation versus embolization to control intractable epistaxis. Methods We performed a retrospective study including all patients referred to our tertiary medical center for severe epistaxis and treated by surgical ligation and/or embolization. The patients were classified into 2 groups: those who underwent TESPAL only and those who underwent endovascular embolization only. We evaluate and compare long-term clinical outcomes after surgical ligation or embolization for the control of intractable epistaxis in terms of effectiveness (recurrence rate) and safety (complication rate). Results Forty-one procedures of supraselective embolization and 39 procedures of surgical ligation for intractable epistaxis are reported and analyzed. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of demographic factors, comorbidities, or average length of hospital stay. The 1-year success rate was similar (75%) in both groups. Complications (minor and/or major) occurred in 34% cases in the embolization group and in 18% in the surgical group ( P = .09, ns). Bilateral embolization including facial artery was the only treatment method associated with a significant risk of complications ( P = .015). Conclusion TESPAL seems to provide a similar control rate with a decrease in the number of complications compared to selective embolization in the context of intractable epistaxis. Further studies are required.

Contribution of genetic polymorphism in the renin-angiotensin system to the development of renal complications in insulin-dependent diabetes: Genetique de la Nephropathie Diabetique (GENEDIAB) study group.

Diabetic nephropathy is a glomerular disease due to uncontrolled diabetes and genetic factors. It can be caused by glomerular hypertension produced by capillary vasodilation, due to diabetes, against constitutional glomerular resistance. As angiotensin II increases glomerular pressure, we studied the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in the renin-angiotensin system-angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensinogen (AGT), and angiotensin II, subtype 1, receptor-and the renal involvement of insulin-dependent diabetic subjects with proliferative retinopathy: those exposed to the risk of nephropathy due to diabetes. Of 494 subjects recruited in 17 centers in France and Belgium (GENEDIAB Study), 157 (32%) had no nephropathy, 104 (21%) incipient (microalbuminuria), 126 (25 %) established (proteinuria), and 107 (22%) advanced (plasma creatinine > or = 150 micromol/liter or renal replacement therapy) nephropathy. The severity of renal involvement was associated with ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism: chi2 for trend 5.135, P = 0.023; adjusted odds ratio attributable to the D allele 1.889 (95% CI 1.209-2.952, P = 0.0052). Renal involvement was not directly linked to other polymorphisms. However, ACE I-D and AGT M235T polymorphisms interacted significantly (P = 0.0166): in subjects with ACE ID and DD genotypes, renal involvement increased from the AGT MM to TT genotypes. Thus, genetic determinants that affect renal angiotensin II and kinin productions are risk factors for the progression of glomerular disease in uncontrolled insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

Osteopontin is an argentophilic protein in the bone matrix and in cells of kidney convoluted tubules.

Nucleolar organising regions (NOR) are part of the nucleolus, containing argyrophilic proteins (nucleoclin/C23, nucleophosmin/B23). They are identified by silver staining at low pH. The method also reveals osteocyte canaliculi and cement lines and granules in the cytoplasm of kidney cells in locations that mimic osteopontin distribution. Human bone and kidney sections, benign and lymphomatous pleural effusions were processed for silver staining to identify AgNOR. Sections were processed in parallel for immunohistochemistry with an antibody direct against osteopontin. In pleural effusions, AgNORs were found increased in the nuclei of lymphoma cells. In bone, Ag staining identified AgNOR in cell nuclei, as well as in osteocyte canaliculi, cement and resting lines. In the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney, silver deposits were also observed in cytoplasmic granules on the apical side of the cells. Immunolocalization of osteopontin closely matched with all these locations in bone and kidney. NOR proteins and osteopontin are proteins containing aspartic acid rich repeats that can bind Ag. Staining protocols using silver nitrate at low pH can identify these proteins on histological sections. AgNOR is a useful histochemical method to identify osteopontin in bone sections.

Relationships between angiotensin I converting enzyme gene polymorphism, plasma levels, and diabetic retinal and renal complications.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), cardiovascular morbidity, and vital prognosis are linked to diabetic nephropathy, which is probably determined by renal hemodynamic abnormalities and by a genetic predisposition. Angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) regulates systemic and renal circulations through angiotensin II formation and kinins metabolism. Plasma and cellular ACE levels are genetically determined; an insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene is strongly associated with ACE levels, subjects homozygote for insertion (genotype II) having the lowest plasma values. We studied the relationship between the ACE gene polymorphism or plasma levels and microcirculatory disorders of IDDM through two independent studies: one involved 57 subjects with or without diabetic retinopathy, and the other compared 62 IDDM subjects with diabetic nephropathy to 62 diabetic control subjects with the same characteristics (including retinopathy severity) but with normal kidney function. The ACE genotype distribution was not different in diabetic subjects with or without retinopathy and in a healthy population. Conversely, an imbalance of ACE genotype distribution, with a low proportion of II subjects, was observed in IDDM subjects with diabetic nephropathy compared with their control subjects (P = 0.006). Plasma ACE levels were mildly elevated in all diabetic groups, independently of retinopathy, but they were higher in subjects with nephropathy than in those without nephropathy (P = 0.0022). The II genotype of ACE gene is a marker for reduced risk for diabetic nephropathy.

Relationship between glomerular hyperfiltration and ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Glomerular hyperfiltration may predict diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes, and some studies suggest that the ACE D allele is associated with diabetic nephropathy. The aim of this study was to examine a possible relationship between glomerular hyperfiltration and ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in type 1 diabetic children and adolescents. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between glomerular hyperfiltration and ACE (I/D) polymorphism in 76 type 1 diabetic children and adolescents without diabetic nephropathy (mean +/- SD: age 16 +/- 3 years; diabetes duration 7 +/- 4 years; age at diabetes onset 9 +/- 4 years; HbA1c 9.5 +/- 1.9%). Glomerular hyperfiltration (defined as a glomerular filtration rate [GFR] > or = 135 ml.min-1. 1.73 m-2 and by 51Cr-labeled EDTA plasma disappearance technique) and ACE I/D genotypes and plasma levels (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method) were determined. RESULTS: Of the patients, 29 (38%) displayed glomerular hyperfiltration. An association between glomerular hyperfiltration and ACE (I/D) polymorphism was observed (chi 2 = 7.09, P = 0.029) because of a reduced proportion of DD genotypes among patients with glomerular hyperfiltration (4 vs. 19; chi 2 = 6.03, P = 0.014) and not because of an excess of the II genotype (5 vs. 9; chi 2 = 0.04, P = 0.83). Age, diabetes duration, age at diabetes onset, and HbA1c were not different according to genotype. Patients with glomerular hyperfiltration had low plasma ACE levels, compared with those with normal glomerular filtration (457 +/- 157 vs. 553 +/- 186 micrograms/l; P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest an unexpected association between glomerular hyperfiltration and ACE (I/D) polymorphism, characterized by a defect of the DD genotype among type 1 diabetic children and adolescents with glomerular hyperfiltration.

Determinants of elevated urinary albumin in the 4,937 type 2 diabetic subjects recruited for the DIABHYCAR Study in Western Europe and North Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Whether ACE inhibition is useful for type 2 diabetic patients with micro- and macroalbuminuria remains unknown. The Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes, Hypertension, Microalbuminuria, Cardiovascular Events and Ramipril (DIABHYCAR) Study was set up to address this issue through a multicenter double-blind parallel placebo-controlled > or = 3-year trial in Europe and North Africa. In this article, we report the characteristics of the randomized patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The main selection criteria were as follows: men or women aged > or = 50 years with type 2 diabetes treated with oral antidiabetic drugs, with or without hypertension, with a plasma creatinine level < 150 mumol/l, and with persistent micro- or macroalbuminuria, as assessed centrally by two successive urine samples containing a urinary albumin concentration > or = 20 mg/l. Patient characteristics were studied by comparing patients who were randomized to those who were not, taking their geographical origin into account. RESULTS: There were 25,455 patients screened for urinary albumin (20,296 from France, 918 from Germany, 1,019 from Northwest Europe, 969 from Central Europe, 959 from Mediterranean Europe, and 1,294 from North Africa). Of these patients, 4,937 were randomized. Compared with the nonrandomized patients, the randomized patients were older, more often men, more obese, had higher systolic/diastolic blood pressure and plasma glucose, smoked more tobacco, drank more alcohol, and had complications more frequently. Using a logistic regression analysis, all the above-mentioned items appeared as independent determinants for randomization into the study, with the exception of alcohol intake. The contribution of each item varied slightly from one geographical origin to another. CONCLUSIONS: The physical, biological, and behavioral characteristics create a poor renal and cardiovascular prognosis for the type 2 diabetic patients randomized to the DIABHYCAR Study because of micro- and macroalbuminuria. Testing the usefulness of ACE inhibition for the type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria seems feasible through the DIABHYCAR Study.

Beta-cell cytoadherent lymphocytes in some subjects at risk for type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes: progression to diabetes within 2 years.

The increased binding in vitro of CD3 CD4 T-lymphocytes from type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients to beta-cell membrane antigens compared to lymphocytes from control subjects was previously shown to be a marker of cell-mediated immunity, called diabetic rosettes. In the present study diabetic rosettes were detected in some subjects at risk for type 1 diabetes (first degree relatives of type 1 diabetic patients or nondiabetic subjects with previous transient hyperglycaemia). The mean number of lymphocytes adherent to beta-cells (beta-CL) was significantly higher in subjects at risk for type 1 diabetes than in age- and sex-matched control blood bank donors (P less than 10(-6]. This number of beta-CL was higher in type 1 diabetic patients than in subjects at risk (P less than 10(-6], and one-way analysis of variance by rank (Kruskal-Wallis) revealed that the three populations (controls, diabetics, and risk subjects) were different in terms of beta-CL values (P less than 0.001). The percentage of subjects at risk that had a positive test (arbitrarily defined as a beta-CL value higher than the 95th percentile of 228 controls) was 20%. No difference was observed between the two subgroups of subjects at risk in terms of either mean +/- SEM of beta-CL or percentages of individuals with a positive test. These diabetic rosettes were slightly associated with acute insulin response to iv glucose lower than the 5th percentile of controls (immunoreactive insulin at 1 +/- 3 min, 250 pmol/L; by chi 2, P = 0.04) and with HLA DR 3/4 heterozygosity (by chi 2, P = 0.04). They were not associated with islet cell antibodies (regardless of the threshold for positivity, expressed in Juvenile Diabetes Foundation units), insulin autoantibodies, activated (HLA DR+) T-lymphocytes, or sex. A statistical association was detected between HLA DR 3/4 heterozygosity and a low acute insulin response to iv glucose (by chi 2, P less than 0.003). The preliminary (2-yr) longitudinal follow-up revealed that out of five islet cell antibody-positive subjects who progressed to type 1 diabetes, three displayed beta-CL values higher than the 90th percentile of controls. Diabetic rosettes could, thus, be detected in some individuals at risk for type 1 diabetes as a marker of cell-mediated immunity.

Renal changes on hyperglycemia and angiotensin-converting enzyme in type 1 diabetes.

Hyperglycemia causes capillary vasodilation and high glomerular capillary hydraulic pressure, which lead to glomerulosclerosis and hypertension in type 1 diabetic subjects. The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene can modulate risk of nephropathy due to hyperglycemia, and the II genotype (producing low plasma ACE concentrations and probably reduced renal angiotensin II generation and kinin inactivation) may protect against diabetic nephropathy. We tested the possible interaction between ACE I/D polymorphism and uncontrolled type 1 diabetes by measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) during normoglycemia ( approximately 5 mmol/L) and hyperglycemia ( approximately 15 mmol/L) in 9 normoalbuminuric, normotensive type 1 diabetic subjects with the II genotype and 18 matched controls with the ID or DD genotype. Baseline GFR (145+/-22 mL/min per 1.73 m2) and ERPF (636+/-69 mL/min per 1.73 m2) of II subjects declined by 8+/-10% and 10+/-9%, respectively, during hyperglycemia; whereas baseline GFR (138+/-16 mL/min per 1.73 m2) and ERPF (607+/-93 mL/min per 1.73 m2) increased by 4+/-7% and 6+/-11%, respectively, in ID and DD subjects (II versus ID or DD subjects: P=0.0007 and P=0.0005, for GFR and ERPF, respectively). The changes in renal hemodynamics of subjects carrying 1 or 2 D alleles were compatible, with a mainly preglomerular vasodilation induced by hyperglycemia, proportional to plasma ACE concentration (P=0.024); this was not observed in subjects with the II genotype. Thus, type 1 diabetic individuals with the II genotype are resistant to glomerular changes induced by hyperglycemia, providing a basis for their reduced risk of nephropathy.

Genomic structure of the human TATA-box-binding protein (TBP).

The gene encoding the human TATA-box-binding protein (hTBP) is contained within a 20-kb DNA fragment and is split into eight exons. The coding sequence is interrupted by six introns and the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) of the gene by a 2.5-kb intron. A comparison of the hTBP exon/intron organization with the various TBP cloned to date is presented.

Ex vivo bone mineral density of the wrist: influence of medullar fat.

The cone beam technology was recently proposed in a third generation of densitometers (dual photon X-ray absorptiometry, DXA such as the Lexxos densitometer). Because fat is a well-known problem with DXA, we have designed a cadaver study to compare the influence of medullary lipids on the measures performed with the Hologic QDR4500 and the Lexxos. Twenty-three human distal radii were obtained and analyzed in parallel on both densitometers; bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the distal radius with standard softwares and on a standardized square regions of interest (ROI). Bones were then defatted and a new series of measurement was performed. Bones were then thoroughly dried and a cube was prepared at the distal radius with a banding saw. Trabecular and total bone volumes were measured by microcomputerized tomography. Ash eight was obtained after calcination of the blocks. BMD could be measured on the Lexxos before and after delipidation but this was not possible with the QDR4500. The X-ray image quality was better with the Lexxos. Delipidation had a very significant effect on measurements: after defatting, BMD values were considerably reduced (-49.8 +/- 19.4%). BMD before/after defatting were significantly correlated (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001) but bone mass appeared to reflect 66% of the variance. BMD was significantly correlated with BV/TV after defatting (r = 0.44, P < 0.03) but the correlation improved when cortices were taken into account (r = 0.70, P < 0.0001). Ash weight was significantly correlated with BMD and total bone volume (respectively, r = 0.84, P < 0.0001; r = 0.53, P < 0.03), but not with BV/TV. BMD at the distal radius is influenced by marrow fat and cortical density.

Osteoporosis in men: a potential role for the sex hormone binding globulin.

The exact mechanism of bone loss remains unknown in primary male osteoporosis. It has been suggested that estrogen and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) play a role in regulating bone turnover and bone mass in healthy men > 65 years of age. In the present study, 80 men (mean age 49.7 years) with bone mineral density >2.5 SD below the young adult value and 40 age-matched controls were recruited to evaluate the relationships between sex hormone levels, bone biochemical markers levels, and bone mineral density. Fasting serum samples were assayed for total and free testosterone total estradiol, and SHBG. The free androgen index, was calculated as: [total testosterone/SHBG * 100]. Bone remodeling was evaluated by measurement of urinary levels of the C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTx) and free deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr), serum osteocalcin, and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bSAP). There was no significant difference between controls and osteoporotic men according to age, body mass index (BMI), total testosterone, and estradiol. In contrast, serum SHBG level was significantly higher (+42.2%), whereas free androgen index was lower (-24.8%) in patients with primary or secondary osteoporosis. Testosterone and estradiol levels did not correlate with any bone resorption or bone formation markers. In contrast, stepwise linear regression analysis showed that SHBG was significantly correlated with D-Pyr (r = 0.45, p < 0.05) and CTx (r = 0.34, p < 0.05) in primary osteoporosis. In secondary osteoporosis, SHBG was correlated with D-Pyr (r = 0.48, p < 0.05) and bSAP (r = 0.55, p < 0.01). After adjustment for age and BMI, hip bone mineral density (BMD) was not associated with testosterone or estradiol but only with serum SHBG (r = -0.33, p < 0.01) in primary osteoporosis. The same relationship was observed in men with secondary osteoporosis (r = -0.34, p < 0.01). Among osteoporotic patients, spinal radiography showed at least one vertebral crush fracture in 36 men and none in 44. Serum SHBG concentration was significantly associated with the presence of vertebral fracture: the odds ratio was 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-3.5) for an increase of one standard deviation of SHBG. In conclusion, the present study showed that serum SHBG concentration is increased in middle-aged men with primary or secondary osteoporosis and is correlated with bone remodeling markers, hip bone mineral density, and vertebral fracture risk.

Physicochemical properties of structured water in human albumin and gammaglobulin solutions.

The physicochemical properties of the different phases of water molecules were studied in concentrated solutions (132 g/L) of human serum albumin and gammaglobulin by (1)H NMR relaxometry. Spin-lattice (T1) relaxation times of total water and structured water (non-freezable water) were measured at 40 MHz above and below the freezing point of bulk water (ordinary, liquid water) at different temperatures. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the T1 demonstrated that total water differed qualitatively while structured water characteristics changed both quantitatively and qualitatively in the two protein solutions. Comparison of the temperature dependence of the structured water's T1 in the two solutions in the presence of an increasing concentration of manganese chloride allowed two main conclusions to be drawn. Firstly, the differences observed in total water and structured water physicochemical properties are directly related to protein structure and three-dimensional arrangement. Secondly, the motion of structured water determines the motion of the total water in the system through the values of the translational diffusion and chemical exchange correlation times tau(D) and tau m.