[Postprandial variations in serum bile acid levels in humans free of hepatic or intestinal diseases (author's transl)]. / Variations postprandiales des taux d'acides billaires sériques chez l'homme indemne de troubles hépatiques ou intestinaux.

The levels of unsulfated, free or conjugated cholic, deoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acids were measured using gas chromatography in 39 humans free of hepatic or intestinal diseases before and 10, 60, 120 and 180 min after ingestion of a standard meal. The probable maximal levels were determined with an error risk lower than 0.05. In fasting subjects, the observed values are comparable with those obtained by other authors working with gas chromatography or radioimmunoassay. Meal ingestion does not influence in the same way the serum levels of the various bile acids: the chemodeoxycholic serum level rose significantly in all cases whereas cholic and deoxycholic serum levels rose only in two-thirds of observed subjects; 60 and 120 min after the meal for chenodeoxycholic acid, and only 60 min after the meal for cholic acid, the mean values are significantly higher than the fasting ones; 120 min after the meal, the chenodeoxycholic and total bile acid probable maximal levels (respectively 7.4 and 10.3 micrometer) are twice the fasting ones. The cholic to chenodeoxycholic serum level ratio is nearly always lower than 1 but may reach 3. On the basis of these results, the validity and efficacy of the exploration tests based on serum bile acid level determinations are discussed.

Engineered high-affinity affibody molecules targeting platelet-derived growth factor receptor ß in vivo.

Platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) ß is a marker of stromal pericytes and fibroblasts and represents an interesting target for both diagnosis and therapy of solid tumors. A receptor-specific imaging agent would be a useful tool for further understanding the prognostic role of this receptor in vivo. Affibody molecules constitute a class of very small binding proteins that are highly suited for in vivo imaging applications and that can be selected to specifically recognize a desired target protein. Here we describe the isolation of PDGFRß-specific Affibody molecules with subnanomolar affinity. First-generation Affibody molecules were generated from a large naive library using phage display selection. Subsequently, sequences from binders having a desired selectivity profile and competing with the natural ligand for binding were used in the design of an affinity maturation library, which was created using a single partially randomized oligonucleotide. From this second-generation library, Affibody molecules with a 10-fold improvement in affinity (K(d)=0.4-0.5 nM) for human PDGFRß and a 4-fold improvement in affinity (K(d)=6-7 nM) for murine PDGFRß were isolated and characterized. Complete reversible folding after heating to 90 °C, as demonstrated by circular dichroism analysis, supports tolerance to labeling conditions for molecular imaging. The binders were highly specific, as verified by dot blot showing staining reactivity only with human and murine PDGFRß, but not with human PDGFRα, or a panel of control proteins including 16 abundant human serum proteins. The final binder recognized the native conformation of PDGFRß expressed in murine NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and human AU565 cells, and inhibited ligand-induced receptor phosphorylation in PDGFRß-transfected porcine aortic endothelial cells. The PDGFRß-specific Affibody molecule also accumulated around tumoral blood vessels in a model of spontaneous insulinoma, confirming a potential for in vivo targeting.

[Latent bone lesions in divers. Comparison of results in a survey of 105 divers and 105 control subjects]. / Les lésions osseuses latentes des plongeurs. Résultats comparés d'une enquête portant sur 105 plongeurs et 105 sujets témoins

The results of a systematic radiological study of the shoulders and hips of 105 naval divers are reported and compared with those of recorded during a comparative study carried out in non-diver control subjects of a similar age. Almost half the divers had small bone lesions such as dense islets or bordered geodes. These appeared more frequently in divers than in the controls. Their precise natur remains hypothetical, in the absence of histological criteria, but it is possible at least for the bordered geodes, that they represent tiny centres of osteonecrosis.

[Consumption coagulopathy in adenocarcinomas. Report of seven cases (author's transl)]. / Les coagulopathies de consommation au cours des adéno-cancers. A propos de sept observations.

The authors present 7 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), 4 of them with hemorragic syndrom, with appeared in the course of different adenocarcinomas (prostatic, pancreatic or undeterminated). Emphasis is set on 2 points : -- in all cases, metastasis of these cancers can be found in the bone marrow and/or the liver ; -- DIC may be the first sign of the disease. The pronostic is very bad, even with heparinic therapy because of the lack of specific treatment but for prostatic cancer.

["Pericardial" friction rubs in pulmonary embolism (author's transl)]. / Les frottements "péricardiques" de l'embolie pulmonaire. A propos de trois observations.

In a series of sixty-five patients with pulmonary embolism, the main clinical feature was a systolic and diastolic friction rub in three cases. Such friction rubs are found in 1 to 5% of patients with pulmonary embolism. The characteristics of the rub are identical to those of pericardial friction rubs. According to some authors, a friction rub indicates massive pulmonary embolism. However, a friction rub may be found in less severe cases if embolization involves the paracardiac lobes or segments. The rub may be caused by one or the other of the following mechanisms. Severe pulmonary embolism or a free blood clot floating in the right atrium or ventricle may produce a sound resembling a friction rub. More often, a genuine pleuro-pericardial or pericardial friction rub originates in an inflammatory reaction to a contiguous pulmonary infarct. It is important to establish accurate diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in spite of a pericardial friction rub because of the therapeutic implications. Anticoagulant therapy in sufficient dosage must not be withheld in this situation.

[Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute anergic tuberculosis, multiple caseous adenitis (author's transl)]. / Leucose lymphoïde chronique, tuberculose aiguë anergique, adénites caséeuses multiples.

The authors report an exceptional case of hematopoietic tuberculosis complicating a chronic lymphocytic leukemia, developing at first an acute tuberculous septicemia then a caseous disease of lymph glands. The usual difficulties of the diagnosis were increased by the underlying blood disease and it was done mainly thanks to an osteo-medullary biopsy and to the results of the specific proof treatment.