The assays of glycosylated proteins in haemoglobinopathies and their use in screening for diabetes mellitus

We compare the relative validity of HbA1c and fructosamine as indices of long-term blood glucose levels in populations with a common occurence of haemoglobinopathies. In these patients, HbA1c levels are lower than HbA1c levels in non-haemoglobinopathy patients and do not reflect the gludicic status of the patient, unlike the fructosamine assay. This last test has a good potential to be used a a mass screening for diabetes mellitus in these populations (Africa, Caribbean, USA) in either homozygous or heterozygous haemoglobinopathy patients. Moreover, fructosamine presents numerous technical advantages which facilitates the screening (AU)

The assays of glycosylated proteins in haemoglobinopathies and theis use in screening for diabetes Mellitus

We compare the relative validity of HbA1c and fructosamine as indices of lon-term vlood glucose levels in populations with a common occurrence of haemoglobinopathies. In these patients, HbA1c levels are lower than AbA1c levels in non-haemoglobinopathy patients and do not reflect the glucidic status of the patients, unlike the fructosamine assay. This last test has a good potential to be used as a mass screening test for diabetes mellitus in the populations (Africa, Caribbean, USA) in either homozygous or heterozygous haemoglobinopathy patients. Moreover, fructosamine presents numerous technical advantages which facilitate the screening

The Activity of heat-labile fraction of alkaline phosphatase in amniotic fluid as a predictive value for lung maturity - abstract

In order to predict respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn due to lack of lung surfactant, we measured the change in the total and heat-labile fraction of alkaline phosphatase(AP) in amniotic fluid obtained from amniocentesis at various gestational ages. Heat-labile alkaline phosphatate increased both absolutely and in relation to total alkaline phosphatase from 32 weeks to term. Over the past two years, we have used the ratio heat-labile AP/total AP to predict lung maturity. There was no respiratory distress in infants born after the heat-labile AP/total AP in the amniotic fluid was above 0.7. The assay is technically easy so that measurement of this ratio should help predict which infants will develop respiratory distress syndrome (AU)

Effects of acute administration of cyclazocine on the metabolism of biogenic amines in different regions of rat brain.

The effects of cyclazocine on the metabolism of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in regions of rat brain were studied by measuring changes in the levels of the monoamines and their major metabolites. Doses ranging from 4-32 mg/kg were tested. Rats were sacrificed 1 or 2 h after administration of the drug, according to the experiment. Administration of cyclazocine significantly decreased DA concentration and increased the levels of DOPAC and HVA in striatum. Cyclazocine decreased the levels of NA, and markedly increased the levels of MHPG-SP4 and 5-HIAA in cortex, hypothalamus, midbrain and pons-medulla, while little change in 5-HT concentration, except a decrease after the highest dose, was observed. These changes in the metabolism of the monoamines differed in their amplitude and temporal nature. The possible roles of dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotoninergic neurons in different brain regions are discussed in relation to modifications of locomotor activity and the induction of bizarre behavior resulting from cyclazocine administration in rats. These investigations may add to the understanding of the mechanism of psychotomimetic effects produced in man by this drug.