ABSTRACT
A phase I study to evaluate heparinization of tunnelled subclavian catheters (TSC) was conducted in 42 patients who each had a TSC for chemotherapy. They were enrolled in the study from August 1994 to December 1995. The inclusion criteria were: age 18-70, no general anticoagulant treatment, TSC used only for chemotherapy, informed consent. Heparinization was performed at the end of each cycle and then at increasing intervals: 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21 days. A 21-day interval was intended to mimic the suppression of heparinization between cycles. Heparinization was performed with a 250 IU/ml heparin solution. Anti-Xa activity was studied before each heparinization. For each interval, at least 5 patients were followed up for two cycles. If no blockages were present progression to the next step was authorized. If one blockage was observed 5 additional patients were required to have their TSCs heparinized after the same interval. Two blockages (block) after the same interval meant that the previous interval was recorded as the longest tolerable. There were no blocks with the 11-day interval (6 patients), 1 block after 13 days (10 patients), 1 block after 15 days (10 patients), and no blocks after 17 days (5 patients), 19 days (6 patients), or 21 days (5 patients). The median anti-Xa activity (curative rate 0.2-0.6) was, respectively 11 days 6.74; 13 days 5.47; 15 days 4.71; 17 days 3.61; 19 days 3.67; 21 days 5.10 (NS). Heparinization between two cycles of chemotherapy is unnecessary. A high level of heparin activity persisted constantly inside the catheter lumen through the 3-week observation period.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy , Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Catheterization, Central Venous/methods , Heparin/administration & dosage , Neoplasms, Unknown Primary/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects , Constriction, Pathologic/prevention & control , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Several studies have shown that protozoa bind to glycoproteins or neoglycoproteins. Here we report that Toxoplasma gondii binds strongly to bovine serum albumin-glucosamide. The binding was rapid, time dependent, partially reversible, saturable, and specific. Scatchard analysis showed about 40,000 molecules of bovine serum albumin-glucosamide per toxoplasma cell. The apparent dissociation constant was found to be 4.46 x 10(-8) M.
Subject(s)
Glycoproteins/metabolism , Toxoplasma/metabolism , Animals , Iodine Radioisotopes , Serum Albumin, Bovine/metabolismABSTRACT
We have previously shown that Listeria monocytogenes serovar 1/2b can bind strongly to bovine albumin (BA) glycosylated by glucosamine or fucosylamine with about 20 to 30 carbohydrate residues per albumin molecule. We now show that the binding is time-dependent, reversible, saturable and specific. The two glycosylated compounds inhibit each other competitively. Scatchard analysis showed that about 100 molecules of BA-glucosamide (heptameric configuration) and 14,300 molecules of BA-fucosylamide (monomeric configuration) bound per bacterial cell. The apparent dissociation constants for BA-glucosamide and BA-fucosylamide were found to be 3.9 x 10(-14) M and 3.5 x 10(-13) M, respectively.
Subject(s)
Albumins/metabolism , Lectins/metabolism , Listeria monocytogenes/metabolism , Protein Binding/physiology , Albumins/pharmacokinetics , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , In Vitro Techniques , Thyroid Function TestsABSTRACT
By means of gel agar diffusion techniques (Ouchterlony and immunoelectrophoresis), the authors have demonstrated in hydatid cyst fluid and membrane of E. granulosus, the presence of, at least, one fraction showing a human albumin specificity. This is not a contamination from the host and must be synthesized by the parasite itself. The significance of such a fraction is discussed.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Helminth/immunology , Echinococcosis/immunology , Echinococcus/immunology , Epitopes , Animals , Cattle , Cattle Diseases/immunology , Cattle Diseases/parasitology , Echinococcosis/veterinary , Host-Parasite Interactions , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Serum Albumin/immunology , Sheep , Sheep Diseases/immunology , Sheep Diseases/parasitologyABSTRACT
Five patients fitted with a biliary T-tube after cholecystectomy were given orally a tracer dose of [14C]hyodeoxycholic acid and 500 mg of the same unlabeled acid. Intestinal absorption and biotransformation, liver metabolism, bile secretion, fecal and urinary excretions of this acid or of its metabolites were studied. Hyodeoxycholic acid was well absorbed by the human intestine. It was not subjected to intestinal transformations and, particularly, did not produce a significant amount of lithocholic acid, which does not support the existence of intestinal bacterial 6 alpha-dehydroxylases. The percentage of hyodeoxycholic acid and of its metabolites recovered in bile varied from 11.5 to 31%. Two major metabolites were isolated from bile: glycohyodeoxycholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid glucuronide. Analysis of urinary bile acids showed that a large proportion (30-84%) of the administered hyodeoxycholic acid was excreted by the kidney as a glucuronide. The large extent of both glucuronidation and urinary excretion of hyodeoxycholic acid is a unique example of bile acid metabolism and excretion in man.
