Epidemiology of hepatitis C and G in sporadic and familial porphyria cutanea tarda

From 1995 to 1997, we prospectively evaluated the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in 124 patients with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) from Northern France (83 sporadic and 41 familial PCT). Serum samples were analyzed for ferritin, transaminases, HCV antibodies, and HCV RNA. In addition, genotyping of HCV and searches for HCV infection risk factors (blood transfusion, iv drug abuse, and surgical intervention) were performed. Twenty-six of 124 patients (21%; 95% CI: 13.9-28) were positive for serum HCV antibodies. All of them were also positive for HCV RNA. The prevalence of HCV infection was higher in the sporadic PCT group (26.5%, 22 out of 83) than in the familial PCT group (9.7%, 4 out of 41). Risk factors for hepatitis C infection were found to be significantly increased in the HCV-positive group when compared with the HCV-negative PCT group. In all HCV-positive patients with a risk factor, the suspected date of exposure to the virus always preceded the clinical onset of PCT. The HCV genotype pattern in PCT patients was similar to that observed in nonporphyric HCV patients in western European countries. Serum ferritin level was increased in both HCV-positive and HCV-negative porphyric patients. Transaminase levels were significantly higher in HCV-infected PCT patients. Sixty-seven out of 124 patients were retrospectively studied for hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection. Six of these 67 patients (8.9%; 95% CI: 2.1-15.8) were positive for HGV RNA. None of the six HGV-infected patients were positive for HCV RNA. The HGV-infected patients did not differ statistically from those without HGV infection with regard to age, ferritin, transaminase levels, and PCT treatment. These results support the view that sporadic cases of HGV infection may occur frequently. This study of a large cohort of HCV and PCT patients further documents an increasing gradient in HCV prevalence from northern to southern Europe, and shows that HCV infection acts as a triggering factor of PCT. Finally, the HGV prevalence found in the PCT patients was comparable with that found in French blood donors, suggesting that HGV is not a PCT triggering factor.     

Candida fungemia in neonates treated with fluconazole: report of forty cases, including eight with meningitis

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To assess efficacy and safety of fluconazole in neonates with Candida fungemia. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter prospective protocol of all fungemias appearing between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1997, in four major university hospitals. RESULTS: Forty neonates, 28 of them with very low birth weight (<1500 g; 30.5 median gestation week), with documented Candida albicans fungemia were treated with intravenous fluconazole in a daily dosage of 6 mg/kg once daily for 6 to 48 days. Thirty-four received fluconazole as monotherapy and 6 received it in combination with amphotericin B. Thirty-two (80%) were cured; 4 of them relapsed despite at least 14 days of therapy, but they were ultimately cured without sequelae. Eight other neonates died, 4 because of fungal infection and 4 because of prematurity or hemorrhage or lung failure, with fungemia (20% overall and 10% attributable mortality). Two neonates had elevated liver enzymes during fluconazole therapy and 2 others had elevated serum creatinine during fluconazole monotherapy. In none of them did these abnormalities necessitate discontinuation of antifungal therapy. In 8 neonates fungal meningitis developed as a complication of fungemia. All but 3 fungemias were C. albicans; 3 were Candida parapsilosis. CONCLUSIONS: Fluconazole was safe and effective antifungal therapy even in complicated or Candida fungemia in neonates and in infants with very low birth weight.     

Mitochondrial DNA haplotype frequencies in natural and experimental populations of Drosophila subobscura

The evolution of Drosophila subobscura mitochondrial DNA has been studied in experimental populations, founded with flies from a natural population from Esporles (Majorca, Balearic Islands, Spain). This population, like other European ones, is characterized by the presence of two very common (>96%) mitochondrial haplotypes (called I and II) and rare and endemic haplotypes that appear at very low frequencies. There is no statistical evidence of positive Darwinian selection acting on the mitochondrial DNA variants according to Tajima's neutrality test. Two experimental populations, with one replicate each, were established with flies having a heterogeneous nuclear genetic background, which was representative of the composition of the natural population. Both populations were started with the two most frequent mitochondrial haplotypes, but at different initial frequencies. After 13 to 16 generations, haplotype II reached fixation in three cages and its frequency was 0.89 by generation 25 in the fourth cage. Random drift can be rejected as the force responsible for the observed changes in haplotype frequencies. There is not only statistical evidence of a linear trend favoring a mtDNA (haploid) fitness effect, but also of a significant nonlinear deviation that could be due to a nuclear component.     

Slag of the production of aluminum alloys from secondary resources as a raw material for the refractory industry

Results of chemical, x-ray phase, and petrographic investigations of slag are presented. It is established that slag from the production of aluminum alloys from secondary raw materials can be classified as a high-alumina refractory material (85–95% Al₂O₃ + SiO₂, refractoriness 1670–1770°C). The refractory properties of the slag can be retained by magnetic separation. There is a practical possibility of using this slag in the production of refractories. Semidry pressing of a charge based on the slag can give a refractory of grade ShA in accordance with GOST 390-83.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 2, pp. 24 – 26, February, 1996.     

Laboratory Experiments on Electroosmotic Dewatering of Vegetable Sludge and Mine Tailings

Vegetable wastes in the food industry are costly lo handle because of their high moisture content. while mill plant tailings in the mining industry contain large quantities of ultralines which are difficult io dewater.This paper describes the results of small scale electmosmotic dewatering (EOD) and combined field dewatering (CFD) measurements with model vegetable sludges and mine tailings.     

Special features of manufacturing highly porous materials from silicon nitride,silicon oxynitride,and sialons

Results obtained in a study of factors that affect shaping and sintering of highly porous materials are presented. A technology providing highly porous silicon nitride materials that is based on shaping preliminarily fabricated pieces of thermoplastic slip makes it possible to use initial silicon powders of different dispersities. Highly porous materials can also be produced on the basis of sialons and exhibit a diminished thermal conductivity and a heat resistance at the level of similar silicon nitride materials.Translated from Ogneupory i Tekhnicheskaya Keramika, No. 11, pp. 8 – 13, November, 1996.     

The influence of phosphate on the properties of clay bricks

The fabrication, properties and composition of heated phosphate-bonded clay bricks are reported. The strength of phosphate-bonded clay bodies is shown to be related to the equilibrium pH of the clay mix. The highest strengths were obtained for mixes with equilibrium pH 7 fired at 500°C which gave a modulus of rupture 60% higher than the unmodified clay heated under similar conditions but at 800°C firing temperature. The phosphate-bonded products were also of low porosity and improved dimensional stability. An insight into the probable mechanism of strength development of the heated product has been obtained from XRD, SEM and DSC studies. The results show that the properties of the phosphate-bonded clay bodies are critically affected by new mineral phases resulting from the reactions of phosphates with clay which subsequently undergo physico-chemical changes above 550°C.