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Biomedical subjects

J Sarles

Publications and source records attributed to J Sarles.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP). A new candidate for neonatal screening of cystic fibrosis.

Neonatal screening of cystic fibrosis (CF) is presently based on immunoreactive trypsin (IRT) assay in blood spots, whose low specificity is a matter of concern. Because the pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) proved to be a better serum marker of pancreatic alteration than exocrine enzymes, it might be an interesting alternative for CF screening. We report here a preliminary evaluation of the PAP test, conducted in retrospect on blood spots from groups of neonates already screened for CF with the IRT. Neonates with elevated IRT were submitted to subsequent analysis of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. Neonates with normal IRT (n = 990) or high IRT but normal genotype (n = 28) had normal PAP. Elevated PAP was observed in all CF neonates (n = 11). False-positives for the PAP test were found only among neonates with high IRT and heterozygotes for a mutation in the CFTR gene (6 out of 17 cases). That group represents less than 0.2% of newborns. These results therefore suggest that PAP discriminates CF neonates with a significantly better specificity than IRT.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

[Antigliadin, antireticulin, antiendomysium antibodies: value in the diagnosis and follow-up of celiac disease in children].

In recent years, the clinical spectrum of coeliac disease has changed and forms with mild aspecific symptoms are today frequent. Therefore many infants are submitted to jejunal biopsy in order to exclude coeliac disease or to allow an early diagnosis. This has led to a search for a simple and reliable diagnostic test of coeliac disease in order to limit the use of jejunal biopsy. Recent data suggest that the study of serum antigliadin, antireticulin and antiendomysium antibodies may possibly play the role. In this paper the working group on coeliac disease of the Groupe Francophone de Gastroentérologie et Nutrition Pédiatriques expresses its view on the place of the dosages of these antibodies in the diagnosis and follow up procedures of coeliac disease in infants and children. At the present time, although it allows a simplification of the procedures, these dosages are presently not sufficiently reliable to serve as a substitute of jejunal biopsy.

Autoantibodies↗

Pancreatic function and congenital duodenal anomalies.

Six children operated on for congenital anomalies of the duodenum were investigated to find out if pancreatic dysfunction was associated with the duodenal malformation, even in the absence of clinical evidence of pancreatic insufficiency. None of the children had diarrhea and none requested nutritional support. Pancreatic function was assessed by enzyme activities (lipase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin) bicarbonate and calcium measurements in pancreatic juice obtained through a nasoduodenal tube under stimulation by secretin and cerulein. Results showed no significant modification in hydro-electrolytic secretion, but impairment of enzymatic secretion was seen. The physiopathological relationship between duodenal anomalies and pancreatic dysfunction is discussed.

Child, Preschool↗

[A rare cause of neonatal hyperphenylalaninemia: tyrosinemia type I].

Phenylalanine, the direct precursor of tyrosine, is rarely increased in tyrosinemia I. We report on a case of tyrosinemia type I diagnosed through neonatal hyperphenylalaninemia. This case report points out the need for a biological evaluation of the hepatic function in cases of neonatal hyperphenylalaninemia.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors↗

[Current techniques for investigating exocrine pancreatic function in children].

The exocrine pancreas produces many of the enzymes responsible for the digestion of food. Severe alterations in exocrine pancreas function cause malabsorption which predominantly affects fats. Unfortunately, because it is a deep organ the pancreas is a difficult target for investigations. A large number of diagnostic tests have been developed to gather information on pancreatic function with minimal invasiveness. Although helpful in everyday practice, each of these methods investigates only one of the multiple components of pancreatic secretory function and all are relatively insensitive, i.e., detect only severe secretion deficiencies. Furthermore, none of these tests can evaluate water and electrolyte secretion. Consequently, invasive duodenal juice studies with stimulation remain the "gold standard" for evaluating exocrine pancreas function.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗

Hepatic hypervitaminosis A: a familial observation.

Four siblings with hepatic fibrosis are described. The liver damage in these patients was secondary to chronic ingestion of massive doses of vitamin A for congenital ichthyosis. Although the extrahepatic manifestations were helpful in the diagnosis of hypervitaminosis A, the distinctive features of hepatic histopathology were confirmatory. The plasma concentrations of vitamin A and retinol-binding protein were misleading. The recovery from the liver damage in these patients was slow despite a complete withdrawal of the vitamin A intake. These cases show the importance of hepatic vitamin A assessment in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis.

Adult↗

[Exocrine pancreas diseases in children].

Except cystic fibrosis, disorders of the exocrine pancreas are uncommon in the child; however they are numerous and varied in terms of their pathogenesis and clinical manifestations. The author surveys the various diseases of this organ in pediatrics. More recent theories concerning pancreatic involvement in cystic fibrosis are discussed.

Child↗

[Chronic diarrhea with hypergastrinemia and achlorhydria without gastritis in a 5-year-old child].

We report a case of chronic diarrhea due to hypergastrinemia with achlorhydria but without gastritis in a five-year-old boy. Symptoms responded promptly to oral administration of hydrochloric acid and resolved completely after one year of treatment. The pathophysiologic situation in this patient closely resembled that normally seen in neonates, suggesting prolonged but nevertheless transient immaturity of gastric secretions.

Achlorhydria↗

The effect of cholecystokinin-octapeptide, insulin, glucagon, triiodothyronine, and epidermal growth factor on amylase activity in fetal pancreas in vitro.

To evaluate the possible role of various hormones on fetal pancreas development, late gestational fetal rat pancreata (20 days) were cultured in a serum-free medium for 6 days in the presence of cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8), epidermal growth factor, triiodothyronine, or glucagon with or without dexamethasone. In the absence of any added hormone, the tissue amylase activity declined very rapidly. Epidermal growth factor alone (4.10(-7) M) could not preserve the amylase activity, whereas triiodothyronine (0.1 microM) and glucagon (4 micrograms/ml) had a deleterious effect that was prevented by the addition of DXM (3.10(-6) M). In the presence of CCK-8 (2.10(-11) M) 50 and 30% of the amylase activity was maintained on the 2nd and the 4th day of culture, respectively. The CCK-8 effect was dose dependent and was inhibited by asperlicin (10 microM). The combination of CCK-8 and dexamethasone maintained more than 80% of the amylase activity in the fetal pancreas explants through 4 days of culture. Fetal pancreas cultured in this optimal medium and treated with streptozotocin (10(-7) M) during the 1st day of culture showed a significantly lower tissue amylase activity on the 4th and 6th days than those not treated with streptozotocin. The streptozotocin effect was attenuated when insulin (0.1 U/ml) was added. These data suggest that, in addition to the well-known effect of glucocorticoid on enzyme activities in the fetal pancreas, two additional hormones, CCK and insulin, could play a role in the modulation of pancreatic amylase activity in the fetal rat.

Amylases↗