Adult phyllostomid (bat) enamel by scanning electron microscopy--with a note on dermopteran enamel

This study assesses the enamel of five phyllostomids of differing feeding habits; only one example of the microchiropteran super-family Phyllostomoidae having previously been studied by SEM. A dermopteran was also examined to ascertain whether the enamel might reveal insectivore, chiropteran or primate characteristics. The five phyllostomids were found to display the additional crystallite discontinuity feature (minor boundary plane or seam) which is a major characteristic of all the bats we have so far examined - with the exception of two megachiropterans. The enamel of the four fruit and nectar feeders (Phyllostomus, Carollia, Glossophaga and Artibeus) is essentially similar and different to that of the blood feeder (Desmodus). The differentiating factor for the two groups is the poor degree of prism development in Desmodus; the prisms being restricted to the inner two thirds of the enamel over the cusps or sectorial ridge, and lacking in the greater part of the axial and the sulcular enamel. The poor prism development in the vampire bat raises interesting questions from both an ontological and a phylogenetic point of view. The dermopteran (Cynocephalus sp.) displays horse-shoe shaped prisms with associated minor boundary planes (seams); an appearance entirely similar to those microchiroptera we have examined. This finding could be advanced as evidence for a close phylogenetic relationship between the Dermoptera and Chiroptera as these features are not found to the same extent in insectivores or in primates; the other two orders to which dermopterans are assigned. The evolutionary significance of the seam feature is being studied further; it is very likely to be of importance in unravelling the history of mammalian enamel.

[Use of the MS2 automated system in the determination of the activity of 5 antiseptic drugs: quality control]

The study of growth curves of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus in presence of five antiseptics, established using a MS2 Abbott system is presented. From our results, the advantages of automation after the adaptation of the method for the determination of bactericidal properties are examined. This technique may be proposed for the quality control of such drugs.

Susceptibility of Torulopsis glabrata in the presence of six antifungal agents determined by comparison of growth at several pHs

We describe a method using an automated system whereby fungistatic activities can be determined in several conditions. The process was adapted to Torulopsis glabrata, and it showed that benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine gluconate, and thimerosal preserve fungistatic activities in acidic medium, whereas acidification reduces the activity of povidone iodine and poloxamer.

[Levels of lead, cadmium and mercury in the hair of inhabitants of the Nantes and Grenoble areas]

Lead, cadmium and mercury were measured in the air of 398 inhabitants of the Grenoble area and 341 inhabitants of the Nantes area. The hair was washed with hor solution of EDTA, dissolved in nitric acid and analyzed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The average concentrations are 6,23 micrograms/g for lead, 0,40 microgram/g for cadmium and 1,06 microgram/g for mercury. There is no difference between found data of the two areas for lead and cadmium. Mercury levels are higher in the Nantes area. Lead content is higher in male hair than in female hair, but the difference is not significant. In the Grenoble area, mercury levels are higher in males than in females; the process is reversed in the Nantes area. We have found no relation between metal levels and age of persons, but lead content is high in the hair of people under ten. Artisans and mechanics have lead content higher than the general people, though exposed people to occupational risks is excluded. We have found to relation between metal in the hair and the size of the town. It seems that the use of tobacco is without influence. Mercury content is related to the eating of fish. It is not increased in the population because of dental amalgams.

[Exposure to anesthetic gases: risk and prevention]

Several studies published during the last fifteen years seem to demonstrate that major risks, i.e. congenital malformations in the offspring and increased rate of spontaneous abortions, are associated with occupational exposure to anesthetic gases (halothane and nitrous oxide) in operating rooms. In view of the severity of the potential risk, we have: 1) analyzed risk factors in the light of epidermiologic and experimental studies; 2) determined the threshold levels of air pollution for these risk factors; 3) analyzed the situation in the Grenoble Hospital and the means of dealing with it.

[In vitro dissolution of metallic oxides in human plasma and binding of metals to plasma proteins--effect of chelators]

The solubility in biological liquids of oxides is one of the factors which determinate the speed of penetration into the blood stream of toxic agents contained in solid particles inside pulmonary alveoli. This solubility was studied in vitro for the six following metal oxides: Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, by holding particle oxides in suspension into human plasma at 37 degrees C, during variable time. The experimentation was realized on particles which belong to two categories which sizes are 0.45-2 and 2-5 mu. The evolution of metal oxide dissolved level according to time have enabled exponential relation parameters to be calculated. These parameters translate the particle oxide dissolution into plasma and have permitted to classify metal oxide in decreasing solubility order: Cd, Zn, PbO, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Mn, PbO2, Pb3O4 and Cr2O3. The second part of the experimentation is about dissolved metal distribution between the different protein fractions. Dissolved metal is distributed between diffusible metal (lower than 10 per cent) and metal binding proteins chiefly in albumin except for Fe which is bound to transferrin. Chelating agents into plasma reduce the proportion of metals bound to proteins. EDTA Ca is energetic on all metals mainly on Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc. N-acetyl-DL penicillamin is less energetic. Meso 2,3 dimercapto succinic acid, and 2,3 dimercapto-1-propan sulfonic acid have an effect only on Lead but in a very light way. Desferrioxamin release a great proportion of Iron bound to proteins. These results, obtained in vitro, are similar to those from animal experimentation or those observed in human therapeutic.

[Kinetics of the in vitro dissolution of cadmium oxide particles in human plasma and cadmium binding to plasma proteins--effect of chelating agents]

The solubility in biological liquids of particles which penetrate as far as alveolar compartment, has a determinant influence on their absorption into the blood stream. The experiments conducted in vitro have enabled cadmium oxide dissolution parameters in human plasma at 37 degrees C to be calculated, as well as cadmium dissolved concentration according to time and cadmium particle level, initial dissolution rate and dissolved cadmium concentration at saturation. The smaller the particles, the quicker they dissolve. Dissolved cadmium is distributed between diffusible cadmium (2%) and cadmium binding proteins (98%) chiefly in albumin and IgA. The cadmium binding protein fraction can be mobilized by chelating agents. In vitro studies allow the determination of mobilized cadmium fraction according to time. The calco sodic salt of ethylen diaminotetraacetic acid and N-acetyl-DL penicillamine are the most energetic compounds, compared to meso 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid, and 2,3 dimercapto-1-propan sulfonic acid.

[Conservative treatment of breast carcinoma with or without prophylactic chemotherapy. Preliminary results in 45 cases (author's transl)]

Between February 1969 and December 1979, 45 breast carcinomas T1 NO or T2 NO (greater than 3cm) were treated by tumorectomy and radiotherapy. Axillary dissection was performed in 22 cases. Twenty-one pre-menopausal patients were castrated either by oophrectomy (13 cas) or by pelvic irradiation (8 cases). From 1977 on, (10 cases) prophylactic chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, 5 FU, methotrexate, vincristine, was administered for 4 to 6 months according to the number of poor prognostic factors. The five-year actuarial remission rate was 93% (84-100), the metastatic remission rate was 88% (72-100). Indications of prophylactic chemotherapy in forms with good prognostic factors are discussed.

[Non-gonadic complications of chemoradiotherapy in Hodgkin's disease. A study of eighty-three patients (author's transl)]

Eighty-three patients with Hodgkin's disease were treated with a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 43 were included in protocol 1 (from january 1970 to january 1974) and 40 in protocol 2 (february 1974 to december 1977). In protocol 1, staging laparotomy was not systematically performed (20 cases). Treatment consisted of 2 intravenous injections in Vinblastine and total nodal irradiation. In protocol 2, laparotomy was systematic in patients over 50 (35 cases). Patients with stages 1 and II treated as mentioned above. Patients with stage III received two Mopp courses followed by total nodal irradiation. Patients older than 50 with stages I and II and poor prognosis factors received chemotherapy only. Laparotomy was associated with a 0% mortality rate and a 3,6% morbidity rate. No myelitis or pericarditis were observed. Herpes zoster occurred in 24% of the patients, pulmonary apex fibrosis in 6%, hypothyroiditis in 2,4%, and leucopenia in 3,6%. Two late infectious complications were fatal. No solid tumor was apparent. Acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma developed in two patients. Good tolerance, shortness of treatment, and remission rate, warrant the pursuit of protocol 2 in which systematic laparotomy for patients under 50 allows total nodal irradiation and therefore reduction of chemotherapy.

Cyanide and its relationship to nervous suffering. Physiopathological aspects of intoxication

On the basis of personal results in man and laboratory animal, we examined some aspects of acute and chronic cyanide intoxication: physiopathological aspects, hydroxocobalamin's therapeutic action in treating acute intoxications and neurotoxic sufferings due to cyanide, and hydroxocobalamin's biological action in decreasing the level of free cyanide appearing in blood and urine, a few days after sciatic nerve clamping in rabbits.

[Induction of sister chromatide exchange by trichloroethylene and its metabolites (author's transl)]

The mutagenecity of trichloroethylene and its metabolites (trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate) have been tested by using the method of sister chromatide exchanges (SCE). We have found the increasing SCE in workers chronically exposed to trichloroethylene. The increasing of SCE was also observed when the human lymphocytes were exposed to trichloroethanol and chloral hydrate in vitro in certain concentrations. The all results of tests groups are compared with those of the control groups and the difference is statistically significant.

[Analysis of loco-regional control rate, metastatic remission and survival in 178 breast cancer patients treated by radical modified mastectomy and post-operative irradiation (author's transl)]

178 cases of post-operative irradiation for breast cancer (145 T1, T2, T3 and 33 T4) are analyzed. According to the surgical procedure there are 146 cases of radical modified mastectomy (Patey) and 32 cases of radical mastectomy (Halsted). The axillary status reveals 50% of involved nodes, but radiotherapy has been systematic on chest wall and supra-clavicular, parasternal, axillary lymph nodes areas. Loco-regional failures are only situated on chest wall (3,9%) and in the supraclavicular area (1,7%). The five year actuarial rate of locoregional control is 93% and 98% if we exclude 7 locoregional failures contemporaneous or consecutive to a metastatic evolution. The five year actuarial rate of metastatic remission for patients with negative axillary nodes (N-) is 83% against 55% for N+ (p < 0,001). The five year actuarial survival rate is 92% (N-) and 64% (N+) (p < 0,001). We discuss about indications of selective irradiation of chest wall and parasternal area for patients with negative axillary nodes and also about post-operative immuno-suppression, and chronology of chemotherapy.

[Lymphopenia and variations in T and B lymphocytes appearing immediately after irradiation (author's transl)]

Immunity tests were conducted in 21 patients with cancer, before and two months after irradiation. T and B lymphocyte counts were normal before irradiation when compared to a control group. Lymphopenia was present after irradiation affecting mainly the T lymphocytes (P = 0.005), whereas changes in B lymphocytes were not significant. These results suggest that irradiation has an immunosuppressive effect which should be studied in greater detail to establish possible therapeutic applications.

Routine identification and determination of 11 barbiturates in biological samples

A very easy, reliable and specific gas-chromatographic method for identification and dosage of 11 barbiturates in plasma is presented. Methylene unit values determined on two types of column (one polar, one non-polar) allows very accurate identification with a minimum risk of error due to fluctuations in operating conditions. Sensitivity of the method is 0.5 microgram/ml plasma with a flame ionization detector. Derivatization procedure is complete, without any degradation phenomenon as tested by mass spectrometry. Such a method can be easily used as routine procedure for toxicological or pharmacological applications.

[Epidemic of listeriosis in Western France (1975--1976)]

Cases of human listeriosis have recently increased in Western France (Maine-et-Loire and Mayenne); until 1974, there were only 15 documented cases yearly where as in 1975, there were 113 cases, and in 1976, 54 documented cases at the hospitals of Angers and Laval. Included amongst the clinical manifestations observed, were 126 cases of materno-fetal infections and 41 cases of either septicemia or meningo-encephalitis. The bacteriological study revealed a certain variability of biological characteristics examined, the overwhelming frequence of bacteria of the strain 4 b and the predictable sensitivity of this strain to antibiotics commonly employed in cases of listeriosis. The human cases were notably more frequent between January and June but their geographical distribution was not related to cases of either animal disease nor listeria that was isolated from corn silage. In this report, we propose an etio-pathological explanation for this epidemic.