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Biomedical subjects

M Alcalay

Publications and source records attributed to M Alcalay.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

[Primary hyperparathyroidism. Our experience with 30 cases].

The authors analysed thirty cases of hyperparathyroidism seen between 1969 and 1975 at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire at Poitiers. They noted the similarity of their observations with those which have generally been made in this condition. The only peculiarities of this study were a low incidence of calculi and a particularly high incidence of chance discovery by routine blood calcium measurement. The diagnostic value of blood calcium levels and blood citrate levels is confirmed in the same way as the advantage of a quantitative bone biopsy even although a few false positives limit the specificty of the test.

Adult↗

[4 cases of osteomalacia during anticonvulsant or sedative treatment].

The authors report osteomalacia in 3 cases of epilepsy and one case of coronary heart disease treated with phenobarbitone, either alone or associated with other anticonvulsants. There were clinical signs in all cases and typical radiological signs in 3 cases, a characteristic laboratory syndrome in 4 cases. In the 3 cases where it was estimated, serum levels of parathormone were high. Finally, in 3 cases where it was measured, daily urinary excretion of glucaric D acid was increased. The bony histological signs studied in 3 cases, were similar to those in deficiency osteomalacia. A study of Ca45 metabolism in one case, showed the characteristic changes found in osteomalacia. Finally, a study of the metabolism of tritiated vitamin D, or tritiated 25 OH CC, carried out in 3 cases, gave 3 different patterns; only one of them was characteristic of enzyme induction under the dependency of anticonvulsant. Started in 2 cases, treatment with 125 OH2CC, brought about a rapid fall in blood PTH levels which then rose again before falling progressively in one case, under treatment with 25 OH CC. The bony histological signs of hyperparathyroidism then regressed whilst serum PTH levels remained high. Phosphorous and calcium balance improved in only one case. Treatment with 25 OH CC in high dosage brought about clinical, radiological and laboratory cure of osteomalacia in both cases, reducing the frequency of fits in the epileptic patient.

Adult↗

[IgD myeloma. Apropos of a case].

The authors report the case of a 72 year old man admitted to hospital for thoracic pain, who was found to have an Igd myeloma of lambda type. The diagnosis, suspected, in view of anemia, raised sedimentation rate and abnormal electrophoresis of serum proteins, was confirmed by marrow examination after sternal aspiration and by the use of a specific anti-serum during immuno-electrophoresis and on Ouchteriony medium. There were radiological lesions of diffuse, decalcifying myelomatous type. The course was characterised by : 1) a constant tendency to anemia, then preterminal thrombocytopenia, whereas the leukopenia remained moderate. 2) The secondary onset of Bence-Jones proteinuria and mild albuminuria with the aggravation of pre-existing renal failure. 3) Repeated attacks of infection and the intermittent onset of mental confusion, the etiology of which was not clear. Death occurred ten months later. No autopsy was carried out. In the light of this case, the authors review the world literature and the special characteristics of IgD myeloma.

Aged↗

Study of cellular immunity in rheumatoid arthritis: inhibition of leucocyte migration by a synovial extract.

The antigenicity of aqueous extracts of osteoarthritic and rheumatoid synoviale was studied in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, other diseases and in normal controls by the mean of leucocyte migration test, lymphoblastic transformation test and cutaneous reactions. In 59% cases of rheumatoid arthritis an inhibition of the migration of leucocytes was found but there was no relation between this test and the clinical state, the evolution, rheumatoid serology and other laboratory parameters. In some cases of rheumatoid arthritis an inhibition of the migration of leucocytes was observed also with a pericardial and hepatic extract. In normal controls the leucocyte migration test is always negative, but it is positive in 37% of cases of various inflammatory and neoplastic diseases and the difference is not significant considering the percentage of positivity of the test in rheumatoid arthritis. The lymphoblastic transformation test and the cutaneous reactions were always negative in rheumatoid arthritis and in controls. Thus, the leucocyte migration test using a synovial extract as an antigen does not bring evidence in favour of an auto-immune conflict in rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

[Immunoglobulin D. Physiology and pathology excluding myeloma].

Immunoglobulin D is the fourth class of immunoglobulins secreted by the plasma cells and also, in 5% of lymphocytes, this is a surface immunoglobulin. Its serum levels are about 0.03 mg/ml, due to low secretion, intersititial diffusion and intense catabolism. IgD migrates on electrophoresis in the beta-gamma zone, on immuno-electrophoresis, in the beta2 zone. Only one disulphide bridge links the delta-chains together. The light chains, are, in most cases, lambda chain. Studies of the antigenic characteristics of the delta-chains are in progress. IgD does not take up complement, but has an antibody function. 37% of healthy subjects have anti IgD antibodies. Only 4 cases of monoclonal IgD gammopathy without malignant myeloma, have been reported. Anto-antibodies of IgD nature have been described in various connective tissue diseases or auto-immune processes.

Autoimmune Diseases↗