Variability of Denosumab densitometric response in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The objective of our prospective study is to specify the variability of densitometric response to Denosumab, given in the second line, and to try to understand the reasons. All menopausal patients with primary osteoporosis, treated by Denosumab in our centre from 2014 to 2015, were included in this open prospective work. At T0, the patient's age, type of fracture, and previous treatments were collated. At T0 and T1, after 1 year of treatment by Dmab, a DXA of the spine and the hip and a determination of CTX were performed. Sixty-three patients aged 68.8 ± 8.3 years were included. The median number of treatments prescribed for osteoporosis before switch to Denosumab was 2.4. The median duration of these treatments was 7.2 years. At T1, CTX was less than 33 pg/ml (minimum threshold for our assay kit) in all patients. The median BMD in the spine increased by + 5.44% compared to T0. 14 patients in the upper quartile had a median BMD gain in the spine of + 11.07%. Fourteen patients in the lower quartile had a median BMD gain in the spine of + 0.6%. Only the duration of previous treatments, which was greater in the non-responder group, differed between these two groups. In the total cohort, the spinal densitometric gain was negatively correlated with the age of the patient at baseline (p = 0.04), the duration of previous treatment (p = 0.02), and positively with the CTX level (p = 0.05). The Dmab densitometric response is highly variable, partly explained by the duration of previous treatments and the level of bone resorption at initiation of treatment.

[A loop technique for permanent exteriorization of bile flow in rats (author's transl)]. / Technique de dérivation chronique du canal cholédoque chez le rat

A technique of chronic deviation of the bile flow without affecting either hepatic or pancreatic function is described in the rat. Two silastic tubes are inserted into the bile duct via a single incision, one directed towards the liver and the other towards the duodenum. Using a trocar, the two tubes are brought forward subcutaneously, exteriorized over the frontal region and connected by a polythene U-tube. They are encased in a plastic cylinder firmly fixed to the skull with dental cement, and fitted with a cap. This permits repeated sampling and simultaneous measurement of flow and pressure of bile in unrestrained animals for a least one month. The entero-hepatic bile salt cycle and the animal's weight are unmodified by this procedure.

[Secretion of ochratoxin A in rabbit milk]. / Etude de l'élimination d'ochratoxine A par le lait chez la lapine.

The excretion of ochratoxin A in rabbit female was examined after a single intravenous administration of toxin. For the highest dose (4 mg par kg), the level in milk reached 1 ppm. The mammary excretion was also studied while plasma concentration of ochratoxin A was constant; the percentages of protein bound toxin in plasma and milk were determined. The likeness of theoretical and experimental ratio between mycotoxin levels in milk and plasma ultrafiltrates allowed to conclude in favour of the passage through the blood-milk barrier by nonionic passive diffusion of the free toxin. In conclusion, authors discussed about the sanitary problem concerning the presence of ochratoxin A in domestical animal milks.