Polarized Raman study of [N(C3H7)4]2Cd2Cl6 single crystal

Chemical preparation, mid-infrared and Raman spectra of [N(C(3)H(7))(4)](2)Cd(2)Cl(6) are presented. Polarized Raman spectra of oriented single crystals have been recorded in the range 7-3900 cm(-1) under various polarization configurations with regard to the symmetry and the numbers of several band modes observed in the Raman and infrared spectra. The obtained results are consistent with the theoretical predictions based on the infrared and Raman selection rules.

Optimization of a New Non-viral Vector for Transfection: Eudragit Nanoparticles for the Delivery of a DNA Plasmid

The development of new vectors to deliver DNA into cells for therapy of cancers or genetic diseases has been a major area of research for many years. However, the clinical application of this technology requires the development of efficient, reliable and sterile vectors enabling the transfer of genes in vivo. Non viral, polymer or lipid-based vectors offer a new impetus to gene therapy because they are less toxic than viral vectors (no endogenous recombination, fewer immunological reactions, easy production and delivery of large-sized plasmid). The aim of this study is to develop a new tool for DNA delivery composed of methacrylic polymeric (Eudragit® RS and RL) nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were prepared by two methods: nanoprecipitation and double emulsion. The nanoparticles were characterized by their size, zeta potential and amount of DNA adsorption. Cytotoxicity tests based on mitochondrial activity (MTT test) revealed that the nanoparticles had limited cytotoxicity and that this depended on both the cell type and the nanoparticle concentration. Transgene expression was observed using the Green Fluorescence Protein gene as reporter gene, and was evaluated by flow cytometry in FaDu, MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cell lines. The results showed that transfection rates ranging between 4 and 7% were achieved in FaDu and MDA-MB 231 cells with nanoparticles prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. In MCF-7 cells transfected with nanoparticles prepared by either the double emulsion or the nanoprecipitation method, the transfection efficiency was between 2 and 4%. Nanoparticles prepared by nanoprecipitation were slightly more efficient than nanoparticles prepared from a double emulsion. Particle size was not an important factor for transfection, since no significant difference was observed with size between 50 and 350 nm. We showed that Eudragit® RS and RL nanoparticles could introduce the transgene into different types of cells, but were generally less effective than the lipofectamine control.

Use of Geotrichum candidum for olive mill wastewater treatment in submerged and static culture

The production of lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lipases by Geotrichum candidum were performed in order to control the decolourisation and biodegradation of olive mill wastewater (OMW). Optimisation of different factors showed that dilution, carbon and ammonium concentrations significantly affected decolourisation and activities of ligniolytic peroxidases (LiP and MnP) on OMW. Moreover, addition of olive oil and agitation improved the lipase production. Batch and continuous OMW treatments in settler or bubble column bioreactors showed high COD and colour removal efficiencies of 60% and 50%, respectively. Lipolytic activity was greater in the batch bubble column whereas, LiP and MnP productions were improved in the settler. The performance of the continuous processes decreased with the decrease of hydraulic retention time (HRT). It has been shown that decolourisation and biodegradation decreased with an average of 40% and 45%, respectively, by decreasing the HRT from 4d to 1.7d.

Paratesticular angiomyofibroblastoma: case report and review of the literature

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a rare, benign, mesenchymal tumour occurring mainly in the female genital tract, and more rarely, in males. We present a new case of angiomyofibroblastoma arising in the left inguinal region of an 83-year-old man. The tumour was well circumscribed and measured 60 mm in maximum dimension. On microscopic examination, the tumour was composed of small spindle cells without atypia within a fibrous and myxoid stroma where scattered mononuclear inflammatory cells were found around the capillaries of the stroma. Immunohistochemical studies showed positive staining of tumour cells for vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle actin and CD34, and negative staining for PS100 and oestrogen and progesterone receptors. These histological findings are consistent with angiomyofibroblastoma. The patient was followed up for 4 years without recurrence.

Vibrational study of [(CH3)4N]2Cu0.5Zn0.5Cl4

[(CH3)4N]2Zn0.5Cu0.5Cl4 shows an orthorhombic system at ambient temperature with P2(1)nb space group. At room temperature, the crystal consists of three sublattices constituted by MCl4 (M=Cu and Zn) and two tetramethylammoniums N1(CH3)4 and N2(CH3)4, which give rise to a total of 372 vibrational modes that transform according to the four irreductible representations of the C2v point group in the following way: Gamma(vib)=93(A1+A2+B1+B2). The infrared and Raman spectra of polycrystalline samples have been investigated at room temperature. The assignment of the observed bands is discussed.

The kinetic behaviour of a two-enzyme system in biphasic media: coupling hydrolysis and lipoxygenation

Analysis of the kinetic behaviour of a two-enzyme-system carrying out two consecutive reactions was investigated in macroheterogeneous biphasic media (octane/buffer pH 9.6, v/v = 1:1). The lipase-catalysed hydrolysis of trilinolein and the subsequent lipoxygenation of the liberated linoleic acid, were coupled in a modified Lewis cell with a well-defined liquid/liquid interfacial area. Trilinolein was dissolved in the organic phase and hydrolysed in the presence of Mucor javanicus lipase at the organic/aqueous interface. Linoleic acid, liberated after hydrolysis was transferred to the aqueous phase and reacted with lipoxygenase. This reaction consumed linoleic acid and produced hydroperoxides, which favoured the transfer of residual linoleic acid, since they possess surface active properties. Catalysis and transfer influenced each other reciprocally. At low substrate concentrations, cooperativity phenomena were observed in the experimental and also the modelled two-enzyme systems. When the initial substrate concentration was high, the kinetic behaviour of the two-enzyme system in a compartmentalised medium, seemed to be independent of the substrate concentration, unlike that observed in homogeneous monophasic enzymology. The numerical integration program used to model the two-enzyme system was based on results obtained in separate studies of the following three phenomena: (1) trilinolein hydrolysis in biphasic medium. (2) linoleic acid transfer across a liquid/liquid interface and (3) lipoxygenation in an aqueous media. Results obtained by modelling were similar to the results observed experimentally.

Percutaneous treatment of hydatid cysts (Echinococcus granulosus)

A new method called PAIR (Puncture-Aspiration of cyst contents--Injection of hypertonic saline solution--Reaspiration) was used as a percutaneous treatment of hydatid cysts. In 37 patients, 120 cysts were punctured. All patients had not been considered surgical candidates. The cysts were localized in the liver, peritoneum, spleen, kidneys, muscles, and bones. In 70% of patients, good results were obtained. Recurrence occurred in 5 of 120 cysts, all at the beginning of our experience when a low concentration of sodium chloride solution was injected. Moderate allergic reactions occurred during seven cyst aspirations. No anaphylactic shock, sudden deaths or dissemination of cyst contents were observed.

[Primary, exclusively gastric localization of alpha-chain disease: anatomo-clinical and immunohistochemical study]

We report the first case of heavy alpha-chain disease exclusively located in the stomach and in the perigastric nodes in a thirty year old Tunisian patient. Both the small bowel and the mesenteric nodes were evaluated histologically and immunochemically and were found to be free of disease. Complete remission was obtained using chemotherapy. The reasons for which the small intestinal mucosa and the mesenteric nodes, nearly constantly involved, in alpha-chain disease were spared in our case, are discussed.