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Biomedical subjects

N Fontaine

Publications and source records attributed to N Fontaine.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Effects of aminoguanidine sulfate on hepatic and blood levels of histamine after partial hepatectomy in rats].

Known as a specific inhibitor of histaminase, amino-guanidin sulfate has been administered subcutaneously to Wistar rats immediately after partial hepatectomy, then once in 16 hours until 80 hours. It has thus provoked: an initial rise of the hepatic and blood rates of histamin, which is transient and reaches its apex 6 hours after the operation; then, a new rise of these rates, which lasts and even is, in percentage, maximum at 72 hours. Therefore, amino-guanidin sulfate is available to estimate the influence of the endogenous histamin upon liver regeneration.

Amine Oxidase (Copper-Containing)↗

[New correlation between absorption of calcium and activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatases].

From an homogeneous breeding one can occasionnally select a rat (rat +) showing an exceptionally high calcium absorption. For such a rat, high calcium absorption is accompained by a similar high alkaline phosphatase activity in the ileum. This fact was shown in six different assays. For rat +, this enzymatic excitation seems specific for intestinal phosphatase. Other characteristic enzymes of brush border such as maltase, invertase and leucylaminopeptidase do not vary much. Only slight modifications of phosphatase activity were observed in other organs or tissues: plasma, kidney, bone. The variations for liver are more important but unsignificant. The high calcium absorption is related to alkaline phosphatase. It is observed atdifferent steps of the preperation and can be increased by sorbitol, this last property being characteristic of the enzyme. The aptitude of a rat + for high calcium absorption is only momentany. When it goes back to usual calcium utilization, intestinal mucosa shows a normal phosphatasic activity.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Advocacy in the mental health services field.

UNLABELLED: Advocacy in the mental health services field is gaining importance since the traditional role of mental health hospitals is changing, particularly in North America and in Western Europe. This review will define advocacy, its goals and fundamental principles. It will then delineate the skills and strategies needed for any intervention on behalf of a patient or a group of patients. It will also deal with the issues and approaches most frequently raised and used, and finally, with the limits of advocacy. METHOD: The method used for this review was mainly a recension of the literature concerning advocacy throughout North America and Europe, having in view to see emerging the principal stakes and concerns related to this process. RESULTS: Advocacy has a significant impact on patients' awareness of their rights and their capacity to exercise them. It also prevents potential abuse of patients. On the other hand, some patients have an increased opportunity to cease treatment, and this could lead to serious medical consequences. There is also the possibility of retaliation from staff, as a result of being involved with an advocate. The combination of high quality care and effective advocacy is the best guarantee that a mental health patient will get the care he wants and needs with human dignity.

Europe↗

Selective in vitro degradation of the sialylated fraction of germ-free rat mucins by the caecal flora of the rat.

Mucins, which are synthesized throughout the gastrointestinal tract, may be degraded by the microflora of the large intestine. The present study was undertaken to determine the differential fate of the various types of mucins. Mucins from germ-free rats were incubated in vitro in the presence of whole caecal flora from the conventional rat. Neutral, acidic and acidic sulphated mucins were spectrophotometrically assayed over time upon anaerobic incubation. Sialylated mucins were more rapidly degraded (90%) than the other two types after 1 h and almost completely within 4 h. Neutral and acidic sulphated mucins, with a 10-fold and 30-fold lower content than the sialylated fraction in the original substrate, were more slowly degraded and to a lesser extent within 4 h, (55 and 40%, respectively). The method used in the present study made it possible to investigate the activity of gut bacteria towards the various types of mucins. The degradation of the three mucin types was not uniform, the highest rate and extent of degradation being observed for sialylated mucins.

Animals↗