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Biomedical subjects

B Weil

Publications and source records attributed to B Weil.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

[Proteinuria selectivity: description of a new index].

An improved simple method for determination of selectivity index has been described. This new index (Creteil index) has been compared to Cameron index. The correlation between both indexes has been 0.949 (R-squared). Creteil index is a less expensive method because only two determinations are requisited in serum and urine: albumin and IgG. In Cameron index, transferrin and IgG are detected and albumin has to be measured in addition in the blood to appreciate the nephrotic syndrome.

Albumins↗
PubMed1989

Transport of branched-chain amino acids in Corynebacterium glutamicum.

The transport of branched-chain amino acids was characterized in intact cells of Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032. Uptake and accumulation of these amino acids occur via a common specific carrier with slightly different affinities for each substrate (Km[Ile] = 5.4 microM, Km[Leu] = 9.0 microM, Km[Val] = 9.5 microM). The maximal uptake rates for all three substrates were very similar (0.94 - 1.30 nmol/mg dw.min). The optimum of amino acid uptake was at pH 8.5 and the activation energy was determined to be 80 kJ/mol. The transport activity showed a marked dependence on the presence of Na+ ions and on the membrane potential, but was independent of an existing proton gradient. It is concluded, that uptake of branched-chain amino acid transport proceeds via a secondary active Na+-coupled symport mechanism.

Amino Acids, Branched-Chain↗
PubMed1989

[Significance of IGA antigliadin antibodies during primary glomerulonephritis with mesangial IGA deposits].

The association of IgA anti-gliadin antibodies and IgA glomerulonephritis (IgA GN) was first reported in 1987 (Am J Nephrol, 1987, 7, 178-183) and has since been confirmed by other groups. We have developed a second generation ELISA (alkaline phosphatase, biotin-avidin) and used it to test 45 adult IgA GN, 34 idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN), 31 idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), and 11 idiopathic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPG) patients. IgA anti-gliadin antibodies were found in 24 IgA GN (53%), 1 MN (3%), 1 INS (3%), and 1 MGP (9%) patients. The presence of these antibodies in a patient with proteinuria strongly suggests IgA GN, with a sensitivity of 53%, a specificity of 96%, a positive predictive value of 88% and a negative predictive value of 77%. The presence of IgA anti-gliadin antibodies in IgA GN did not necessarily indicate coeliac disease because: a) neither IgG nor IgA anti-reticulin nor IgA anti-endomysium antibodies were found; b) intestinal absorption tests (folates, EDTA) were normal; c) biopsies of the small intestine were normal; and d) a gluten-free diet did not alter the evolution of the disease. Immunochemical analysis (footprinting after separation of the gliadins by rocket electrophoresis) showed the variability of the fractions recognized by the IgA antibodies from patients and controls, in addition to the absence of a typical profile. Gliadin does not have a lectin effect, since mannan and mannose did not inhibit the ELISA. Immunofluorescent labeling of human kidney with purified rabbit IgG anti-gliadin antibodies did not reveal a common epitope shared by gliadin and renal structures.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed1989

Serum IgG subclasses and IgM imbalances in adult IgA mesangial glomerulonephritis and idiopathic Henoch-Schoenlein purpura.

Serum IgG subclass levels were investigated in 27 IgA GN and HSP patients and 19 healthy paired controls using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. IgG1 and IgG2 were statistically lower than in the controls in both the non-nephrotic and nephrotic patients, and 80% of the non-nephrotic patients exhibited a partial deficiency for either IgG1, IgG2 or IgG3. Urinary losses of IgG only accounted for decreased levels of IgG4. Fifty-four percent of these patients exhibited decreased IgM levels. This IgG-IgM imbalance may increase the susceptibility of these patients to viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract and trigger the renal disease. These findings raise the hypothesis that this IgG-IgM imbalance might be involved in the etiopathogenesis of these diseases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy by Danish women and their spouses--a potential source of fetal morbidity.

The relationship between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption behavior during pregnancy was examined in a select group of Danish women and their spouses. Five-hundred consecutive women who had uncomplicated pregnancies and delivered full-term babies were interviewed 3+ days postpartum. Information was collected about smoking and drinking behavior of all household members during pregnancy. We found (1) a high percentage of Danish women (70%) and their spouses (80%) consume alcohol during pregnancy, and (2) a significant correlation between maternal and paternal smoking (r = .25, P .0001) and maternal and paternal drinking (r = .35, P .0001). These data suggest that even though the potential dangers of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption during pregnancy have been well publicized, there is still a high percentage of women who participate in such behaviors. There may also exist an important role for the father in affecting these two behaviors and therefore indirectly affecting fetal development.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Lymphopenia and abnormal balance of T-lymphocyte subpopulations in toxic epidermal necrolysis.

A lymphopenia (peripheral-blood-lymphocyte count less than 1,000/mm3) was observed in seven out of ten patients with toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). The enumeration of T-lymphocyte subsets with monoclonal antibodies showed a decreased number of pan T-lymphocytes (OKT3-positive), which was related to a profound depletion of OKT4-positive cells. In contrast, OKT8-positive cell counts were not significantly changed. This abnormal balance of T-lymphocytes was linked to the acute phase of the disease and was not found after recovery. The pathogenetic mechanisms of such T-lymphocyte abnormalities in TEN remain unclear.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Focal glomerulosclerosis associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

This report describes a new case of the rare association of focal glomerulosclerosis with a peroneal muscular atrophy of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth type. The young patient was admitted with a nephrotic syndrome. A terminal renal failure rapidly developed. Numerous chronic nephropathies were known in the patient's family. The ultrastructural study of the renal biopsy revealed a focal fusion of the epithelial foot processes, thickened and pleated mesangial basal laminae, vacuolated podocytes and small intranuclear clear inclusions. The Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease was of the hypertrophic type. According to a review of the literature and to further information concerning the follow-up of the 5 previously reported cases, the prognosis of the nephropathy is guarded with progression to end-stage renal disease in a few years. This case represents the 6th reported case of focal glomerulosclerosis associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Adherence and migration of guinea pig granulocytes after enzyme treatment of the cell surface.

Glycogen-induced polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) from the peritoneal cavity of guinea pigs were examined (1) for their adherence to nylon fibers in the absence and presence of the adherence-enhancing chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP), (2) for their random migration through the filter of a Boyden chamber and (3) for their chemotactic migration towards f-MLP. The cells were analyzed before and after treatment with the enzymes neuraminidase, papain and trypsin. PMN adhesiveness was increased by neuraminidase digestion but reduced by treatment with the proteolytic enzymes. Neuraminidase and trypsin had no effect on cell migration, while papain reduced random migration without affecting f-MLP-induced chemotaxis. The data suggest that the type of adherence measured by the nylon fiber method differs from the temporary attachment of cells migrating through a chemotaxis filter towards an attracting substance.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Removal of kidneys for transplantation. Experience in a French general teaching hospital (author's transl)].

A law issued on december 22, 1976 and aimed at increasing the number of kidney transplantations in France authorizes the removal of kidneys from deceased persons of full age provided they had not expressed refusal while still alive; for decreased persons under age, removal is subject to written consent of the legal representative. In a general teaching hospital of whose than 1 000 beds, 21 kidneys donors were operated upon between January 1, 1971 and December 31, 1975 (an average of 4.2 per year). A kidney transplantation team was developed in 1976. Between January 1, 1976 and August 31, 1979, 83 kidneys donors were operated, an average of 22.6 per year. Ninety-five per cent (59/62) of the kidneys removed and transplanted in the hospital began to function (diuresis greater than 2 ml/min) within minutes of releasing the clamp, no matter how long cold ischaemia had lasted. The increase in kidney removal and transplantation may be attributed to the fact that motivation was maintained among the various units concerned (anaesthesia and intensive care, neurosurgery, neuroradiology) by sustained information and teaching.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1981

The effects of bovine serum albumin and the chemotactic peptide formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine on the adherence of guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes to nylon fiber columns.

Glycogen-induced guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes were passed over nylon fiber columns and adherent and nonadherent fractions were quantitated by determination of hexosaminidase activity after lysis with Triton. Bovine serum albumin reduced the number of adherent cells at 37 degrees C as well as 4 degrees C, after fixation of the cells with glutaraldehyde, and in the absence and presence of EDTA. The chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine increased the adherent cell fraction at 37 degrees C, but failed to do so at 4 degrees C, after glutaraldehyde fixation and in the presence of 10 mmol/EDTA. Since metabolic inhibitors had no effect on the rate of adherence it is suggested that increased cell deformability is responsible for chemotactic factor-induced increased cell attachment to nylon fibers.

Animals↗