Renal scintigraphy after simultaneous injection of 125 muCi/kg Tc 99m MAG 3 and 25 muCi/kg In 111 DTPA was evaluated in 34 pediatric patients undergoing investigations for urinary collecting system defects. Mean age was 24 months (15 days to 14 years) ; 8 patients were younger than one month. Double isotope acquisition was performed with one image every 15 seconds for 30 minutes. Furosemide was routinely injected after 20 minutes. Relative renal clearances and target-to-background ratio were determined and regions of interest were outlined on the renogram. The furosemide effect was evaluated using a washout index comparing activities after 20 and 30 minutes. These parameters were determined for both tracers for the same regions of interest after normalization for the amount of radioactivity injected. Relative clearances were similar with both tracers. Renogram amplitude and the target-to-background ratio were significantly higher with MAG 3 (p < 0.0001); the increase in target-to-background ratio was less marked in younger patients and for the right kidney (p < 0.002). The furosemide effect was greater by 15 % with MAG 3 (p < 0.0001). Thus, MAG 3 provided better data than DTPA, although it slightly underestimated function of the right kidney as a result of liver uptake.

Nous avons compare les resultats obtenus apres injection simultanee de 125μCi/kg de Tc 99m-MAG 3 et de 25μCi/kg de In 111-DTPA chez 34 enfants adresses pour bilan d'une uropathie. Leurs âges moyens etaient de 24 mois (15 jours a 14 ans), 8 enfants etant âges de moins de 1 mois. Une double acquisition est faite a raison d'une image toutes les 15 secondes pendant 30 mn, avec une injection de furosemide a 20 mn. Nous avons calcule les clearances renales relatives et le rapport signal-bruit, et trace les zones d'interet des nephrogrammes. L'effet du furosemide est mesure par un index d'elimination comparant les activites a 20 et 30 minutes

It has been suggested that non-parenchymal liver cells play a central role after ischaemia and reperfusion of the liver. Male Lewis rats were subjected to 90 min of warm liver ischaemia. Four groups were constituted: group 1, no treatment; group 2, muramyl dipeptide treatment, activation of Kupffer cells; group 3, dextran sulphate injection, Kupffer cell blockade; and group 4, gadolinium chloride administration, Kupffer cell blockade. Dextran sulphate (4 mg/100 g) and gadolinium chloride (GdCl2, 0.7 mg/100 g) were given intravenously on day 2. MDP was injected intravenously (500 mg/250 g) 24 h before and 10 min after the intervention. Mortality rates were assessed and serum transaminases, histology of the liver and Kupffer cell phagocytic activity were evaluated 6 h after the end of ischaemia. MDP treatment significantly (P < 0.001) reduced mortality (30%) in comparison with the non-treated group (60%). The mortality rate was significantly higher in the dextran sulphate-treated (80%) and gadolinium chloride-treated (90%) groups in comparison with group 1. A significant reduction in transaminase levels was observed after MDP treatment, while blockade of Kupffer cells resulted in higher serum transaminase levels. The extent of necrosis and congestion was improved by MDP administration, while disruption of the vascular and sinusoidal integrity of the liver and extensive areas of necrosis were observed in dextran sulphate and gadolinium chloride-treated rats. Sheep red blood cell 51Cr liver uptake was deeply depressed 6 h after the end of ischaemia in group 1 (10 +/- 1.2%/g tissue). MDP injection restored the Kupffer cell activity (30.6 +/- 3.22%/g tissue) while dextran sulphate and gadolinium chloride administration markedly decreased SRBC 51Cr liver uptake. Our findings demonstrate that MDP in able to protect the liver from ischaemic insult while blockade of Kupffer cells was deleterious in rats subjected to liver ischaemia.

This work was undertaken to investigate the role of nonparenchymal liver cells in a discordant model of hepatic xenografting. Three experimental groups were established: in group 1 guinea pig to Lew rat liver xenotransplantations were performed; in group 2 both donor and recipient were treated with dextran sulfate, a known inhibitor of the reticuloendothelial system phagocytic function; in group 3 both donor and recipient were injected with muramyl dipeptide, a synthetic immunomodulator stimulating the monocyte/macrophage axis. Survival time was assessed and xenoantibody titers 30 min before and after the intervention, Kupffer cell activity 30 min after transplantation, histology and immunoglobulin and complement deposits of the grafted liver were evaluated too. Survival time of the xenografted rats in group 1 was 6.4 +/- 0.31 h. Blockade of Kupffer cells by dextran sulfate administration significantly (p < 0.001) depressed the survival time (2.9 +/- 0.31 h) of the grafted rats, while a significant increase (p < 0.001) was observed in the muramyl dipeptide-treated group (9.3 +/- 0.52 h). A significant reduction of xenoantibody titers 30 min after intervention was observed in the muramyl dipeptide group while no reduction was observed in the dextran group. Thirty minutes after xenotransplantation sheep red blood cell 51Cr uptake was significantly depressed by dextran sulfate treatment while muramyl dipeptide administration restored the Kupffer cell activity. Histological changes worsened after dextran administration in comparison with the other groups. Immunoglobulins and complement deposits were diminished by dextran administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of a single intravenous injection of the somatostatin analog octreotide on hepatic bile secretion and gallbladder emptying with a quantitative scintigraphic technique. Twelve healthy volunteers received, in a double-blind randomized fashion, either octreotide, 100 μg intravenously, or placebo. Ten minutes later, [99mTc]PBIDA was administered intravenously (50 μCi/kg) (time=0) followed, 60 min later, by the ingestion of a standardized fatty meal. In the liver area, the relative decrease per minute of tracer activity from the time of maximal activity to 60 min was significantly lower in the octreotide group (P=0.02). In the gallbladder area, after the fatty meal, the ratio of tracer activity at 60 and 90 min (A90/A60) was significantly (P=0.01) higher in the octreotide group. Our study demonstrates that octreotide slows down liver release of the radiopharmaceutical, probably reflecting decreased bile secretion, and inhibits postprandial gallbladder contraction.

Identification of prognostic factors in squamous cell head and neck cancers involves analysis of highly diverse clinical and biological parameters. This study analyzed the prognostic value of clinical variables (age, sex, tumor site, stage) and biologic parameters (squamous cell carcinoma antigen [SCC], serum thymidine kinase activity [TK], fibrin, sedimentation rate [SR]) at the time of diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx) in 189 patients. Among the clinical variables investigated, UICC stage III–IV disease (p < .0002), a hypopharyngeal site (p < .02), and age over 60 years (p < .01) were all associated with a poor prognosis. Similarly, analysis of biological blood variables allowed definition of cut‐off values above which the prognosis was poor: SCC 2.5 ng/mL (p < .01), fibrin 3.5 g/L (p < .01), TK 7 IU/L (p < .0005), and SR 15 mm per first hour (p < .0000). Cox regression analysis of overall survival identified the UICC stage (p < .000), the SR (p < .001), and serum TK (p < .02) as the main independent prognostic factors. A separate study on a small number of head and neck cancer patients revealed higher TK levels in malignant squamous cell carcinoma tissue than in adjacent healthy tissue.

A new iterative method using regularization and designed to preserve sharp edges is compared to classical reconstruction techniques in SPECT.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlations between the degree of dementia and the regional brain distribution of Tc-99m-HMPAO in Alzheimer patients. Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) was used for deterioration evaluation. Regional cortical HMPAO uptake was analyzed by single photon emission tomography and an automatic technique for determination of lobe boundaries. Five regions were analyzed for each hemisphere: frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital and temporoparietal (TP). 39 patients satisfying the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 10 controls of comparable age were included. There is a significant correlation between MMSE and the HMPAO uptake of the right temporal region of interest (p < 0.001) and right TP (p < 0.01) and left TP (p < 0.05). However, the regression curve is nonlinear, showing a strong correlation for severe cases (MMSE < 15) and a weak correlation for moderate cases. Within the subgroup of severe AD (n = 21, mean MMSE = 8.5) linear correlations are observed for parietal and occipital (p < 0.05), temporal and TP (p < 0.01) ROIs, but only on the right side. There is no significant correlation among the moderate AD subgroup (n = 18; mean MMSE = 20). We conclude that the HMPAO uptake of temporal and TP regions of the right hemisphere is correlated to the degree of dementia among severely demented patients.

The coupled fall in flow and metabolism in degenerative dementia implies that HMPAO brain distribution images can be interpreted as reflecting metabolism in cognitive dysfunctions. 27 Alzheimer-type dementia patients and 8 age-matched controls, all right handed, were studied. They were all tested for global deterioration using different clinical scales (MMS,GDS, Blessed A and B) and 18 were studied for specific cognitive functions using a Hierarchic Dementia Scale. The cortical uptake of HMPAO was measured by an automatic determination of the cortex areas based on the data from Talairach's stereotaxic atlas. The global deterioration correlates with the uptake of posterior regions (temporo parietal area and temporal lobe). This correlation was higher for the severe deterioration levels (MMS < 15). Among the cognitive functions tested, only constructive praxis correlated with right posterior area uptake.

The authors studied the value of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCC) in squamous carcinoma of the anal canal in 66 patients. Assays were made at the time of diagnosis, before any treatment and during follow-up. A total of 353 assays were made. The positive threshold was selected at 2 ng/ml. At the time of diagnosis, sensitivity of the marker was 44 per cent and its specificity 92 per cent. In our series, pre-treatment SCC levels were not correlated with T by the Papillon classification, but were correlated with lymph node involvement (p less than 0.05). They had no prognostic value at the time of the initial diagnosis. During follow-up, at the time of recurrence, SCC levels were 20.3 +/- 43 ng/ml. This rise was significant (p less than 0.01), the sensitivity of the marker being 77 per cent. In patients who had a recurrence, the outcome was correlated with SCC levels and the latter were of prognostic value (p less than 0.01). In conclusion, SCC levels should form part of the clinical monitoring of patients with a squamous carcinoma of the anal canal.

The authors studied the value of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCC) in squamous carcinoma of the anal canal in 66 patients. Assays were made at the time of diagnosis, before any treatment and during follow-up. A total of 353 assays were made. The positive threshold was selected at 2 ng/ml. At the time of diagnosis, sensitivity of the marker was 44 per cent and its specificity 92 per cent. In our series, pre-treatment SCC levels were not correlated with T by the Papillon classification, but were correlated with lymph node involvement (p < 0.05). They had no prognostic value at the time of the initial diagnosis. During follow-up, at the time of recurrence, SCC levels were 20.3 +/- 43 ng/ml. This rise was significant (p < 0.01), the sensitivity of the marker being 77 per cent. In patients who had a recurrence, the outcome was correlated with SCC levels and the latter were of prognostic value (p < 0.01). In conclusion, SSC levels should form part of the clinical monitoring of patients with a squamous carcinoma of the anal canal.

Evaluation of prognostic factors for breast cancers is important for therapeutic decisions both at the time of surgery and during postoperative surveillance. In 1979, H. Rochefort described an induced protein with a molecular weight of 52,000 Daltons identified as procathepsin D.

We measured squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) in epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal in 66 patients. Samples were taken at diagnosis, before treatment, and during follow-up; 353 samples were analyzed. The positive threshold was taken as 2 ng/ml. At diagnosis, the sensitivity of the marker was 44 percent and its specificity 92 percent. In our series, the pretherapeutic level of SCC does not correlate with T as in Papillons' Clinical Staging System, but it does correlate with nodal invasion (P<0.05). It is of no prognostic value at the time of diagnosis. During follow-up, at relapse the level of SCC is 20.3 ±43 ng/ml. This increase is significant (P<0.01); the sensitivity of the marker is 77 percent. In patients who have relapsed, development of the illness correlates with the level of SCC, which is of prognostic value (P<0.01). In conclusion, the level of SCC should be associated with the clinical follow-up of patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal.

Anastomotic healing 100 Antioxidant therapy 141 Arterial ketone body ratio 170 Bile acid(s) 151.285 -secretion 151 Bioerodible polyorthoester 45 Blastogenesis 9 Bone wax 45 Breaking strength 235 Carbon fibre 35 Centripetal pump-driven active bypass 170

Effects of treatment with prostaglandin E1 (PgE1) on normothermic liver ischemia were studied in male Lewis rats. Animals were subjected to 90 min of warm liver ischemia. Two groups of rats were constituted: group A (no treatment) and group B (PgE1 treatment). PgE1 (100 micrograms/kg) was given as a bolus 2 min before induction of ischemia and 2 min before the end of ischemia. Survival rates were assessed and, 6 h after the end of ischemia, serum transaminases, histology of the liver, Kupffer cell activity were evaluated. PgE1 treatment significantly improved survival rate (80%) in comparison with the nontreated group (40%). A significant reduction in transaminase levels was observed after PgE1 The extent of necrosis and congestion was improved by PgE1 treatment. Sheep red blood cell 51Cr liver uptake was deeply depressed 6 h after the end of ischemia in group A (6 +/- 2.3%/g tissue), and was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) after PgE1 administration in group B (32.98 +/- 11.7%/g tissue). Our results demonstrate that PgE1 is able to protect the liver from ischemic insult. The mechanism by which prostaglandins exert this beneficial effect on normothermic liver ischemia may be related to their action on hepatic macrophages.

Bone metastases are frequent in the evolution of breast cancer. Bone scan is the best method for early detection. At initial presentation the frequency of bone metastases is low, and it is usefulness to recommend this exam except for old people or patients with risks factors. During the follow-up, the utility of repeated bone scan is discussed. For the majority of authors, it may be reserved for symptomatic patients or when biological modifications appeared. The follow-up of these patients must be essentially clinical. This strategy delay the diagnosis of bone metastases of only a few weeks; and it don't seem to affect the prognosis of these patients.