Theoretical elastoplastic buckling of stringer stiffened cylindrical shells

A linear analysis method is offered to predict the theoretical elastoplastic buckling of stringer stiffened cylindrical shells subjected to longitudinal loading. Welding residual stresses are taken into account in the calculation, but effects of geometrical imperfections and pre-buckling displacements are ignored.The examples analysed show a good correlation between the analytical results and those obtained experimentally with stocky models of moderate geometrical imperfections.     

Un schema regional des gravieres selon l'article 109.1 du code minier français

The extraction of aggregates in the alluvial Plain of Alsace has grown rapidly since 1962. The production of these aggregates, half of which are exported, has certainly had positive effects on the local economy, but the untidy sprawl of extraction sites had had a damaging impact on the local environment (effects on water table, rural landscape and land prices). To deal with this situation, the regional authorities have decided to define a regional policy on gravel pits, with three objectives: maximum economic return on deposits, protection of the environment and recovering of worked-out pits. Under Article 109-1 of the French Mining Code, the Region of Alsace has embarked on the operational phase of this new policy on gravel pits by commissioning studies of 7 “Zones.... Gravières” or “Coordinated Gravel Extraction and Site Revovering Zones” (ZERC). Within these zones, 16 potential gravel extraction areas have been defined. Detailed studies will make it possible to establish the economic, geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological and agricultural criteria which will determine the siting of future gravel pits to meet production requirements for the next 30 years. Apart from these studies, consultation between the industry, elected representatives and local government bodies is necessary in working out such a scheme, whose purpose is to ensure that gravel extraction can exist in harmony side by side with agriculture or any other industrial or leisure activity in the region.     

Pulmonary fibrosis with predominant CD8 lymphocytic alveolitis and anti-Jo-1 antibodies

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a complication of polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). It often manifests itself in association with myositis-specific antisynthetase autoantibodies, among which anti-Jo-1 antibodies are the most commonly encountered. In contrast, ILD associated with anti-Jo-1 antibodies without muscle involvement is rare and not well characterized. We report four patients presenting with ILD associated with anti-Jo-1 antibodies. Histological findings of transbronchial biopsies disclosed a pattern consistent with nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis, a CD8+ lymphocytosis was found in bronchoalveolar lavage. Only one of these patients developed an "antisynthetase syndrome" with PM, after nearly 2 yrs of severe ILD. The clinical conditions of all four cases showed stabilization or improvement when cyclosporine was added to their immunosuppressive treatment. These cases confirm that a CD8+ lymphocytic interstitial lung disease may be the first, and sole manifestation of autoimmune disease associated with anti-Jo-1 antibodies. Furthermore, they suggest that this form of interstitial lung disease apparently has a poor response to steroids and cytotoxic drugs, but may respond to moderate doses of cyclosporine and azathioprine in addition to low doses of steroids.     

Variation in growth form and precocity at birth in eutherian mammals

Using the flexible Chapman-Richards model for describing the growth curves from birth to adulthood of 69 species of eutherian mammals, we demonstrate that growth form differs among eutherian mammals. Thereby the commonly used Gompertz model can no longer be considered as the general model for describing mammalian growth. Precocial mammals have their peak growth rate earlier in the growth process than altricial mammals. However, the position on the altricial-precocial continuum accounts for most growth-form differences only between mammalian lineages. Within mammalian genera differences in growth form are not related to precocity at birth. This indicates that growth form may have been associated with precocity at birth early in mammalian evolution, when broad patterns of body development radiated. We discuss four non-exclusive interpretations to account for the role of precocity at birth on the observed variation in growth form among mammals. Precocial and altricial mammals could differ according to (i) the distribution of energy output by the mother, (ii) the ability of the young to assimilate the milk yield, (iii) the allocation of energy by the young between competing functions and (iv) the position of birth between conception and attainment of physical maturity.     

Bacterial diagnosis of tuberculosis using the PCR technique

At the beginning of 80-ties new system BACTEC for mycobacteria culture has been introduced. So time of this culture has been shortened to 1-3 weeks. At the end 80-ties Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was started and at present it is used in many laboratories in order to get information about genetic material of mycobacteria in different biological samples. Most often insertive factor IS 6110, located in chromosome Myc. tub. complex, is used. DNA amplification occurs in three stages: 1) DNA denaturation. 2) addition of starters (primers): 3) elongation of starter with d NTP synthesis. PCR technique identifies genetic material (DNA) of mycobacterium which is presented in a given biological sample. Positive PCR result not necessarily means that active disease takes place.     

Mantle cell lymphoma: a clinicopathologic study of 80 cases

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a relatively uncommon yet distinct type of malignant lymphoma whose clinical and pathological characterization has been limited by the small numbers of cases published to date. We studied 80 cases of MCL seen at a single institution over 7 years to determine both clinical and pathological prognostic factors. The patients in this study were predominantly male (70%) and older (mean age, 63 years) and presented with advanced-stage disease (88%). Extranodal involvement was common. Median overall survival (OS) was 43 months. Except for performance status, prognosis was not significantly influenced by clinical prognostic factors. Histologically, MCL architecture was classified as diffuse (78%), nodular (16%), or mantle zone (6%); the OS among these groups was identical. Increased mitotic activity (>20 mitotic figures per 10 high power fields), blastic transformation, and peripheral blood involvement at diagnosis also predicted for a worse outcome, but bone marrow involvement did not. The presence or absence of a translocation t(11; 14) by cytogenetic analysis or a bcl-1 rearrangement by Southern analysis did not significantly predict outcome. In summary, this study of 80 cases of MCL highlights its distinctive clinicopathologic features and shows that increased mitotic activity, blastic morphology, and peripheral blood involvement at diagnosis are prognostically important factors.     

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) continuous intravenous infusion compared with bolus administration. Final results of a randomised trial in metastatic colorectal cancer

The aim of this Phase III, balanced randomised trial was to compare continuous intravenous infusion (CVI) of 5-FU with bolus (B) administration for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). One hundred and fifty-five non-pretreated patients were randomised to receive CVI 5-FU at a dose of 750 mg/m2/day (d), 7 d every 21 d (n = 77), or bolus 5-FU 500 mg/m2/d x 5 d every 28 d (n = 78). Incremental dose escalation at 50 mg per step was recommended in the absence of toxicity. All the patients had measurable metastatic disease (M), particularly, liver and a good performance status (WHO grade 0-1). Dose intensity was significantly higher in CVI than in the bolus group: 1369 mg/m2/week versus 558 mg/m2/week (P = 0.0001). Grade II-IV stomatitis was more frequent in the CVI group (31% versus 9%; P < 0.0001) as was hand and foot syndrome (14% versus 3%; P < 0.001). Diarrhoea (22% versus 12%) and grade III granulocytopenia (2% versus 6%) were comparable. Responses were more frequent in the CVI (26%) than in the bolus group (13%) (P < 0.04); progression-free survival was higher for the CVI group (P = 0.04), but there was no statistical difference in overall survival (median: 10 months (m) compared to 9 m), and 1 year survival (SD) 42% (6%) versus 40% (6%). In the multivariate analysis, survival was better for patients with a good PS, well-differentiated adenocarcinomas and a primary tumour without serosal extension. In conclusion, with a higher dose intensity, CVI 5-FU improved tumour control, but not overall survival.     

Detection of hepatitis G virus from serum and liver of a patient with long-term liver dysfunction after autologous bone marrow transplantation

Long-term effects after blood or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) are emerging as an important issue, as more patients are included in BMT programmes and as this procedure becomes more successful. Long-term liver dysfunction, mainly due to chronic graft-versus-host disease or hepatitis C virus infection, is a well-known complication. Nevertheless, the diagnosis of liver disease in this patient group is sometimes difficult and, despite adequate studies, it may remain undetected. A novel hepatitis-associated virus, hepatitis G virus (HGV), has recently been identified. The virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family and is known to be parenterally transmitted, although there is no clear evidence to implicate this agent in causing acute or chronic hepatitis. We report a patient who developed mild, but persistent, abnormalities in transaminases for 2 years after an autologous BMT. HGV RNA was detected in both serum and liver. HGV RNA persisted in serum for at least 8 months. No other known hepatitis virus was found. This report provides the first direct evidence of a patient with long-term liver abnormalities after a BMT in whom the only known hepatitis virus isolated was the HGV.     

Somatic deletion of the imprinted 11p15 region in sporadic persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy is specific of focal adenomatous hyperplasia and endorses partial pancreatectomy

Sporadic persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI) or nesidioblastosis is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by profound hypoglycemia due to inappropriate hypersecretion of insulin. An important diagnostic goal is to distinguish patients with a focal hyperplasia of islet cells of the pancreas (FoPHHI) from those with a diffuse abnormality of islets (DiPHHI) because management strategies differ significantly. 16 infants with sporadic PHHI resistant to diazoxide and who underwent pancreatectomy were investigated. Selective pancreatic venous sampling coupled with peroperative surgical examination and analysis of extemporaneous frozen sections allowed us to identify 10 cases with FoPHHI and 6 cases with DiPHHI. We show here that in cases of FoPHHI, but not those of DiPHHI, there was specific loss of maternal alleles of the imprinted chromosome region 11p15 in cells of the hyperplastic area of the pancreas but not in normal pancreatic cells. This somatic event is consistent with a proliferative monoclonal lesion. It involves disruption of the balance between monoallelic expression of several maternally and paternally expressed genes. Thus, we provide the first molecular explanation of the heterogeneity of sporadic forms of PHHI such that it is possible to perform only partial pancreatectomy, limited to the focal somatic lesion, so as to avoid iatrogenic diabetes in patients with focal adenomatous hyperplasia.