Serum retinol, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol in healthy French children.

Age- and sex-specific reference intervals of data derived from a healthy paediatric population are presented for retinol, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, cholesterol and related proteins in serum. Age was an important covariate for the micronutrient concentration values. Retinol was highly correlated with alpha-tocopherol and cholesterol. Strong correlation was found with both beta-carotene and cholesterol. Serum levels were considered for their appropriateness as indicators of micronutrient status.

Serum beta-carotene and antioxidant micronutrients in children with cancer. The 'Cancer in Children and Antioxidant Micronutrients' French Study Group.

Serum antioxidant vitamins A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol), beta-carotene, zinc and selenium for 418 children with newly diagnosed malignancy were compared with those of 632 cancer-free controls. Incident cancer cases and controls were 1-16 years old and recruited in 1986-1989. Age- and sex-adjusted serum concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol were significantly inversely associated with cancer. In similar models, the odds ratio (OR) comparing the highest with the lowest quintile was 2.06 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-3.02) for retinol, 3.87 (95% CI: 2.54-5.90) for beta-carotene, 2.15 (95% CI: 1.48-3.10) for alpha-tocopherol, 1.29 (95% CI: 0.75-2.23) for selenium, and 1.94 (95% CI: 1.17-2.23) for zinc. The cancer sites that were associated with serum beta-carotene were, in general, leukaemia, lymphoma, central nervous system, bone and renal tumours. Moreover, leukaemia was associated with low mean serum levels of retinol, selenium and zinc. Subjects with lymphoma, bone and renal tumours also had lower mean retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels than controls. Brain tumour patients had low vitamin E levels. Low serum values of antioxidant vitamins were associated with childhood neoplasm occurrence. Some site-specific effect was reported. Low peripheral nutrient levels are not considered as cancer promoters but rather as an impairment of the body's defence mechanism occurring during the cancer-related metabolic and nutritional disturbances and inflammation processes.

Results of photorefractive keratectomy on 63 myopic eyes with six months minimum follow-up.

We present our experience with 63 myopic eyes that had photorefractive keratectomy with an excimer laser. Minimum follow-up was six months. Mean preoperative myopia was -3.98 diopters (D) (range: -9.00 D to 1.25 D) and mean preoperative uncorrected visual acuity, 20/220. The epithelium was removed and fixation accomplished with a suction ring. Photoablation was then performed on a 5.0 mm diameter optical zone. Mean postoperative myopia was -0.60 D (range: -6.35 D to +2.25 D) after six months. Mean uncorrected visual acuity was 20/30. All corneas had a subepithelial haze that decreased progressively. There were no major complications. Except in a few cases, predictability was satisfactory. Photorefractive keratectomy proved effective throughout the trial. We need to study more patients with a longer follow-up to determine the indications and applications of this technique.

Assessment of serum antioxidant micronutrients and biochemical indicators of nutritional status in children with cancer in search of prognostic factors.

Serum vitamins A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol), beta-carotene, zinc and selenium, and related proteins for 157 children with newly diagnosed and histologically proven malignancy were compared with those of 632 cancer-free controls. Incident cancer cases and controls were 1-16 years of age and recruited in 1986-1989. Age and sex-adjusted serum concentrations of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol were significantly inversely associated with cancer. No significant association with cancer was observed for serum values of selenium. Although low levels of antioxidants might in part be involved through a causality link, the reported decreased peripheral nutrient levels are considered rather as an impairment of the body's defence system, occurring during the cancer-related metabolic and nutritional disturbances and inflammation processes. The cancer cases group was followed-up and examined 6 months after diagnosis. Among the 157 subjects, 24 had died and 133 were reported to be alive. No substantial difference for any antioxidant or chemistry variable at onset was observed as a function of clinical outcome and health status.

[Statistical study of the results of radial keratotomy]. / Etude statistique des résultats de la kératotomie radiaire.

The statistical study of 384 R.K. performed by the same surgeon shows that in 82% of R.K., preoperative myopia was between -1.5 to -6 diopters and in 77.5% of R.K., postoperative refraction was between -1 to +1. The 90% confidence interval was between -2 to +1 for all preoperative myopias and was the best when preoperative myopia was between -0.5 to -3 diopters (-1 to +1 D). The study of the stability and security shows that this surgical technique is stable and gives a good security.

Reference values for serum zinc and selenium of French healthy children.

Age - and sex-specific reference intervals derived from a healthy pediatric population are presented for zinc, selenium and related analytes in serum. No strong correlations were found between age, sex and trace elements in serum. Serum variables were discussed to assess their ability as biochemical indicators of micronutrient status in the field of biological epidemiology.

Immunonephelometry and radial immunodiffusion compared for measuring serum retinol-binding protein.

We compared a nephelometric method and a radial immunodiffusion (RID) assay for the measurement of retinol-binding protein in samples of serum from children with malignancies. The mean (+/- standard deviation) retinol-binding protein concentration as measured by the Behring Nephelometer was 31.0 +/- 15.6 mg/l; the mean by RID was 31.2 +/- 15.7 mg/l. This difference was not statistically significant by Student's t test (P = 0.6), and the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.87. Thus, the Behring Nephelometer method measures retinol-binding protein rapidly and as accurately as radial immunodiffusion.

Antioxidant micronutrients and childhood malignancy during oncological treatment.

Serum antioxidant vitamins A (retinol) and E (alpha-tocopherol), beta-carotene, zinc, and selenium, and cholesterol and related proteins for 170 children with newly diagnosed malignancy were measured at diagnosis and 6 months after initiation of treatment, and compared with those of 632 cancer-free controls. Incident cancer cases and controls were 1-16 years old and recruited between 1986 and 1989. At diagnosis, age- and sex-adjusted serum concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, zinc, and alpha-tocopherol were significantly inversely associated with cancer. No significant decreases in mean values were observed at 6 month, except for the alpha-tocopherol-to-cholesterol ratio in patients with bone tumors and serum zinc in bone tumors and central nervous system malignancies. An increase during the period of treatment was found for retinol and selenium in leukemia patients. beta-carotene was maintained at the initial concentrations determined prior to therapy. These findings provide further information about micronutrient requirements in children with cancer.

Laser immunonephelometry reference intervals for eight serum proteins in healthy children.

Eight serum proteins were analyzed with the Behring nephelometer in samples from 479 healthy French children, ages three to 16 years. Girls had higher concentrations of IgM and albumin than boys had. Age appeared to be a main factor of variation for the proteins tested. Reference intervals are presented for IgG, IgA, IgM, albumin, transthyretin (prealbumin), retinol-binding protein, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, and C-reactive protein. The significance of increased concentrations of C-reactive protein within a community is discussed.