Prognostic value of S-phase fraction in lymph-node-negative breast cancer by image and flow cytometric analysis

A two-year multicentre prospective study was performed from 1992 to 1995 in order to evaluate the real value of various kinds of coral blocks as bone substitute in maxillofacial surgery. This study was supported by the French National Agency for Research Valorization (GBM/TEP procedure). Ten Maxillofacial Surgery Units were included. During this time, 28 coral blocks (23 patients) of two different shapes were used as malar implants for correction of congenital or acquired zygomatic hypoplasia. The mean follow-up was 1.8 year (min: 1.5; max: 2). The tolerance was perfect for 89% of cases. The radiologic opacity never decreased more than 30% and the volume augmentation was always stable at the end of the follow-up period. Three implants were removed because of septic complications. Rigid fixation between the implant and the zygomatic bone appears to be the most important factor of success. On the other hand, the surgical approach (endo- or exo-buccal) does not seem to influence the success rate. The aesthetic improvement was always evaluated as satisfactory and stable by the patients and the surgeons. The authors discuss the real value of the various kinds of biomaterials and especially coral, comparing their personal data with those of the literature. Coral blocks clearly constitute a safe and reliable bone substitute, but further investigations are required to determine its long-term behavior.     

Plasma concentrations of ethynyl oestradiol and norethindrone after oral administration to women

Rapid vasicular resistance adjustments in the brain and in the circle of Willis have been continuously measured and enhanced by signal averaging methods. Naftidrofuryl, a drug chemically similar to local anesthetics and to beta adrenergic blocking agents, increases local CBF by reducing resistance in brain and in extracerebral supply arteries. It has also been reported to affect brain metabolism. Other similar drugs merit study for potential effects on CBF and brain metabolism which may be useful in treatment.     

Visual functions of the elderly

This review of the literature describes the limitations in visual functions that affect the elderly's ability to accomplish the tasks of daily living. Decline in accommodation for near vision begins as early as 10 years of age, while visual acuity begins to diminish at 18 years of age. These and other limitations are the result of normal age-related physiological changes in the mechanisms underlying visual function. In order to compensate for the visual limitations of the elderly, environmental modifications are recommended. The planners of institutional and other environments need to consider architectural features that allow optimal visual performance and, thereby, encourage safe mobility. Adaptations are suggested to assist the elderly in the accomplishment of daily living tasks.     

Clinical picture of peptic ulceration diagnosed endoscopically

Clinical features and laboratory data are presented for 100 patients with benign gastric ulceration and 150 patients with duodenal ulceration confirmed endoscopically in a district general hospital unit. Abdominal pain was the commonest indication for endoscopy, but one third of examinations were performed for acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Although the patients were selected by referral for endoscopy their clinical presentation, age, and sex distribution were similar to those reported in previous general surveys. There were no clinical features which clearly distinguished gastric from duodenal ulceration. However, of those with gastric ulceration younger patients more often had distal ulcers and presented with pain, while elderly subjects tended to have high lesser curve involvement and presented with haemorrhage. Moreover, all females presenting with haemorrhage were aged over 50 years, while 6% of males bleeding from gastric ulceration and 40% of males bleeding from duodenal ulceration were under this age. Anaemia when present, except in two premenopausal females, indicated either a recent acute gastrointestinal haemorrhage or a coexistent second diagnosis.     

A new HLA antigen apparently not controlled by the known HLA loci

The human allogeneic serum RM3 recognizes a lymphocyte structure inherited with the HLA chromosome. Population studies show several positive associations with antigens of the HLA-A and HLA-B series. Negative association have been found with antigens of the HLA-C series. Moreover the distribution of the RM3 factor is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with that of the HLA-C alleles. However, serological investigations (namely the 'lysostrip' technique) bring evidence that RM3 serum does not appear to contain antibodies directed against any of the antigens of the HLA-A, B and C series. The study of a segregant family, showing a crossing over between the HLA-A and HLA-B loci, shows that the RM3 factor segregates on the side of the HLA-A locus. In conclusion, within the limits of the serological approach used, the present study presents evidence of a new serologically defined HLA locus, different from those so far described.     

Incorporation in vivo of 1-14C-palmitic acid into placental and fetal liver lipids of the rabbit

The incorporation of free fatty acid into the placental and fetal liver lipids of rabbits was studied after fetal injections of albumin-bound 1-14C-palmitic acid. The fetuses were killed either 5--10 or 10--20 min after the injection. The placentas and livers were extracted for lipids and the specific activities of triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), free fatty acids (FFA), monoglycerides (MG) and diglycerides (DG) measured. The lipids of the liver and placenta took up 17.0 and 3.6% of the dose, respectively, and of that liver TG accounted for 74% and the placental TG 34% of the label in each tissue. Most of the remaining counts were in the PL fraction with the rest more or less evely distributed between the FFA, DG and MG fractions. No activity was recorded in the cholesterol esters. The placental TG, PL, DG and MG specific activities reached the same level as that of the placental FFA, while in the liver these esters had higher specific activities (than the liver FFA). The liver TG, DG and PL had higher specific activities when compared with those of the placenta. The specific activity of the placental FFA was lower at 10--20 min than at 5--10 min; the opposite was seen for the placental TG. No time-related changes were seen in the liver lipids. It is concluded that (i) both placenta and fetal liver incorporate FFA into glycerides and PL; (ii) the liver incorporates FFA more rapidly and to a greater extent than the placenta; (iii) most of the FFA is incorporated into TG and to a lesser extent (PL; (iv) in both organs hydrolysis of PL or TG occurs. These results are discussed with reference to placental transport of FFA and fetal fat metabolism.     

Diabetes mellitus in dogs: a study of the critical difference for canine serum fructosamine

The purpose of this study was to calculate the critical difference between two analytical measurements of serum fructosamine concentration in dogs. The critical difference can be used to judge whether the difference between two consecutive analytical results from the same animal is due to natural variation. Blood samples from 15 apparently clinically healthy beagle dogs were collected once a week for six consecutive weeks. The serum fructosamine concentration was measured by the reduction test with nitroblue tetrazolium and the critical difference was calculated from the component of variance for weeks within dogs (sigma2s) and the residual variance (sigma2e). The critical difference between two consecutive analytical results was 33.5 micromol/litre.     

Exploring structure-activity relationships around the phosphomannose isomerase inhibitor AF14049 via combinatorial synthesis

Phosphomannose Isomerase (PMI) has been shown by genetic methods to be an essential enzyme in fungal cell wall biosynthesis. The PMI inhibitor AF14049 was discovered as an unanticipated side product from high-throughput library screening against the enzyme from C, albicans. Solid-phase synthetic methods were developed and a series of libraries and discrete analogs synthesized to explore SAR around AF14049.