An approach to discriminating 25 commercial chiral stationary phases from structural data sets extracted from a molecular database

We have developed a comprehensive molecular database (CHIRBASE) which contains today the results of 35,000 chiral separations by liquid chromatography, 2-D Structural searches have been used to determine at which frequency a molecular characteristic is present in a population of compounds separated on a given chiral stationary phase. To simplify the screening, we have searched 15 empirical molecular descriptors in a selection of 5000 solutes separated on 25 stationary phases. A correspondence analysis was then performed on this set of data (graphical representation of CSPs and descriptors). We then attempt to classify the behaviour of chromatographic systems with the help of hierarchical ascending classification.

CHIRBASE, a molecular database for the separation of enantiomers by chromatography

A selected review on the separation of the stereoisomers of menthol by gas chromatography serves to demonstrate a new approach to tackle the increasing number of publications on enantiomer separation. The graphical molecular database CHIRBASE covers information (structural, bibliographic and chromatographic data) on liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography and gas chromatography. CHIRBASE is based on standard database software, thus meeting the requirements of "state of the art" information management in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and academia. The scrutiny required to create and maintain a factual database revealed that the information content of the contemporary literature with respect to chromatographic data requires improvement.

[Blind treatment or treatment oriented to intestinal parasitoses in a Parisian health center for refugees]

The Comede health care center for political refugees received 4,414 first arrivals from 70 African, Asian and South American countries in 1989. Many arrived from areas where intestinal parasitic infections are endemic, and where infections by nematodes (Ancyclostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis), trematodes (Schistosoma hematobium, Schistosoma stercoralis) and protozoa (Entamoeba coli) cause significant morbidity. The question that arises is whether we should screen stools and urine only in the case of African refugees, or treat all refugees empirically (mass treatment program). We carried out a retrospective study of 1,425 patients seen for the first time in the Comede from August 1, 1989 to December 31, 1989. Three-quarters of the subjects were men and the mean age was 29 years. 63.2% of the subjects were from 28 African countries, 18.6% from 8 Asian countries, 10% from 5 South American countries and the West Indies, and 6.4% from 4 countries of the Mediterranean basin. 4 countries of the Mediterranean basin. All the subjects were asked to provide stool and urine specimens at the Paris City Laboratory, which were examined using the merthiolate iodo formol direct methods, two concentration methods (MIF and Kato) and Baermann's technique. Patients with infestations were prescribed appropriate treatment at a second visit, compliance with which was good (86%). The prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 60%. Albendazole was given to 44% of patients, while 45% of African patients were given praziquantel and 2.7% tinidazole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Retrospective evaluation of an intra-uterine insemination program with donor]

The results of 109 intra-uterine inseminations with cryopreserved prepared donor semen (IUId) in stimulated cycles, performed among 42 couples from November 1987 to June 1991, were analysed. The single IUId was performed 39 +/- 3 hours after the injection of human chorionic gonadotrophin. For each IUID 1,25 +/- 1.4 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa (mean +/- standard deviation) were inseminated. 27 pregnancies were obtained and the pregnancy rate per cycle was 24.8%. The number of motile spermatozoa inseminated was significantly higher in the group of pregnant women than in the population without pregnancy (1.64 x 10(6) x 10(6)/IUI versus 1.13 x 10(6)/IUI). The sperm count and the number of motile spermatozoa inseminated were significantly higher when the semen was prepared on discontinuous Percoll gradients than after swim-up in Menezo B2 medium (8.2 x 10(6)/ml versus 4.3 x 10(6)/ml and 1.7 x 10(6) versus 0.77 x 10(6)). Among the 27 clinical pregnancies, 3 were twins and 2 were triplets. The ovarian hyperstimulation associated with the use of a prepared semen of donor, generate a high risk of multiple pregnancies. To improve the results without increasing the risk of multiple pregnancies, we propose to inseminate about 1.5 x 10(6) motile spermatozoa with a maximum plasma estradiol level of 1 100 pg/ml, on the day of hCG injection, associated with 2 preovulatory follicles. This technique may augment the rate of pregnancy and represents an appreciable time gain. These results must be confirmed by randomized prospective studies.

CHIRBASE, a graphical molecular database on the separation of enantiomers by liquid-, supercritical fluid-, and gas chromatography

In order to cope with the increasing number of publications on the separation of enantiomers by chromatography on a chiral stationary phase, the graphical molecular database CHIRBASE was created. In the present state, the database package covers information (structural, bibliographic, and chromatographic data) on liquid-, supercritical fluid-, and gas chromatography; other methods will follow. CHIRBASE, running on the MDL software Chembase, meets the requirements of contemporary information management in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. (Detailed information including a demo-version of each part of CHIRBASE can be obtained from the authors on request).

Latex enzyme immunoassay for measuring IgG antibodies to rubella virus

A latex enzyme immunoassay (LEIA) for detecting IgG class antibody to rubella virus was compared with the latex agglutination test (LA) and a haemagglutination inhibition assay (HI). Of 243 sera tested, four discrepant results were observed among all three techniques, corresponding to borderline values. Except for one sample containing specific IgM class antibody, the difference between quantitative results from each pair of tests was always within a value corresponding to two doubling dilutions and was considered to have acceptable variation. The LEIA technique allowed 10 seroconversions to be detected, as determined by the other techniques. The LEIA required a single 1 in 8 sample dilution, took 30 minutes, and provided a useful alternative assay for the quantitation of rubella antibodies.

Heterophile IgM, IgA, and IgE antibodies in infectious mononucleosis

Fifty infectious mononucleosis (IM) and 150 non-infectious mononucleosis (non-IM) sera were tested by a hemadsorption immunocapture test (HIT) for the detection of heterophile antibodies of IgM, IgA, and IgE classes. The specificity of Paul-Bunnell (PB) antibodies was ascertained by a differential absorption test. IgM PB-antibodies were demonstrated in 100% of IM sera, IgA in 92%, and IgE in 88%. PB antibodies were present only in IM sera; but other heterophile antibodies of IgM (68%), IgA (6.7%), and IgE (9.3%) classes were demonstrated in non-IM sera. IgA and IgE heterophile antibodies were thus present, especially in IM sera. HIT was found to be more sensitive than Paul-Bunnell Davidsohn test (PBD test) and suitable for the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis.

Endocytic origin for periaxonemal vesicles along the flagellum during mouse spermiogenesis

In mouse spermatogenesis, formation of the flagellum is associated with the presence of numerous periaxonemal vesicles. These are present in the cytoplasmic portion, limited by the deep invagination of the plasma membrane surrounding the axoneme; the number and size of these vesicles varies during spermiogenesis. The vesicles appear at step 10 in young spermatids and increase in number and size until step 14; they then rapidly decrease and disappear at step 16. Cationic ferritin (CF), an endocytic marker, directly injected in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, labels periaxonemal vesicles, 1 hour after the injection, showing their endocytic origin. Some vesicles are membrane invaginations, still in continuity with the extracellular space, whereas others probably come from a phagocytic mechanism. The CF also shows that some vesicles flow along the axoneme and they accumulate in small cytoplasmic extensions before disappearing. All these complex endocytic phenomena go on to form certain components of the flagellum.

Microparticle enzyme immunoassay for determination of immunoglobulin G antibodies to human cytomegalovirus

A microparticle enzyme immunoassay (LEIA) that uses passive latex agglutination was used to detect cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G antibodies in 495 serum samples. LEIA was in excellent concordance with latex agglutination (97%) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (98.3%). The sensitivity and specificity of LEIA compared with those of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were 100 and 92.5%, respectively.

The large neurofilament subunit (NF-H) of the rat: cDNA cloning and in situ detection

A lambda gt11 expression library was screened with a polyclonal antiserum directed against Wla Wolfgram protein which corresponds to the 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase. This antiserum also recognizes epitopes of the high protein subunit of neurofilaments (NF-H). An NF-H cDNA clone (pNF-H1: 1.7 kb) was isolated and characterized. Using pNF-H1 as a probe, a second cDNA clone (pNF-H2: 3 kb) was isolated from the lambda gt11 library. The two clones were sequenced and pNF-H2 was found to encode 80% of rat NF-H protein (coil-2 and C-terminal region). The C-terminal region contains an unusual sequence with stretches of repeats of Lys-Ser-Pro which represent possible phosphorylation sites. Specific localization in neurons of the corresponding mRNA was demonstrated by in situ hybridization using the pNF-H1 as a probe.

Solid phase reverse passive hemadsorption test for hepatitis B surface antigen

A solid phase reverse passive hemadsorption test (SP-RPHAd) for hepatitis B surface antigen detection is described. It was compared with a commercial reverse passive hemagglutination assay (Hepatest, Wellcome, U.K.). SP-RPHAd is four-fold less expensive than Hepatest and undiluted sera can be used instead of eight-fold diluted sera without risk of non-specific hemagglutination. Thus, the threshold of detection is lowered to about 5 ng/ml by SP-RPHAd.

Influence of the concentration of motile sperm inseminated on the ovum penetration assay results: toward a standardized method

The influence of the concentration of motile sperm inseminated on the zona-free hamster egg penetration rate has been studied. In 3 fertile men, the higher the concentration of motile sperm inseminated, the higher the ovum penetration rate. This correlation emphasizes the usefulness of standardizing the technical conditions under which the ovum penetration assay is performed. It is also suggested to refer to a standard curve for results analysis. In the 22 patients studied, the outcome of the heterologous ovum assay was in most cases related to the initial sperm parameters. However, some disagreement was also observed. In the absence of a correlation between the initial sperm parameters and the ovum penetration rates, further investigation is needed in order to either more precisely determine the aetiology of unexplained couple infertility, or, in case of intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization, to better understand the conditions under which spermatozoa are capacitated in vitro.

[Current concepts on therapeutic possibilities in alcohology]

Therapeutic possibilities in the field of alcoholism are certainly more extensive than accepted by most general practitioners and internists whose attitude is, according to an inquiry, rather fatalistic. The actual therapy of alcoholism proves to be effective, the earlier the therapy being started the better are the results. On this account, the necessity of preventive measures and of an early treatment is to be underlined. General practitioners and internists (whose training in this area appears to be still deficient) as well as centers for nutritional hygiene and alcohology (presently about 200 consultation centers in France) may play here a cardinal role. The treatment of alcohol-addicts often justifies hospitalisation, more and more in general hospitals, where a therapeutic program, at the first place a long-term psychotherapy, is set up. The alcoholic should constantly be assisted by his treating physician, by specialised centers and also by fellowships of former alcohol-addicts.

Strain differences in the concentration, motility and morphology of epididymal sperm in relation to puberty in mice

Changes in the concentration, motility and morphology, of epididymal sperm have been evaluated in males of between 40 and 100 days of age in BALB, CBA, C3H and C57BL strains of mice. Particular attention was paid to sperm morphology, and a multiple entry classification system was used for its quantitation. At 40 days in each of the 4 strains studied sperm were few in numbers with poor motility and highly atypical morphology, particularly in the head region. From 80 days of age values for the 3 parameters were within the normal range. At equivalent ages during puberty the 4 strains differed in the concentration and motility of epididymal sperm, indicating difference in the time of onset of puberty between the strains. However, once adulthood was reached the strains differed only in the percentage of normal forms and in the frequency distribution of sperm with the various morphological abnormalities.

Changes from puberty to adulthood in the concentration, motility and morphology of mouse epididymal spermatozoa

A systematic study of the concentration, motility and morphology of epididymal spermatozoa was undertaken in mice of the OF1 strain, in order to characterize the changes observed during puberty. The comparative development of these 3 parameters was followed from days 30 to 90. A detailed morphological system of classification was established covering both individual and multiple abnormalities. At puberty, the first spermatozoa to appear were few in number, showed poor motility and were extremely atypical. Subsequently, the number of atypically-shaped spermatozoa diminished, and their concentration and motility exhibited parallel increases. At 60 days, the values for these 3 parameters and the proportions of normal and abnormal spermatozoa became stable. During puberty, various forms of disruption of the midpiece as well as the presence of extremely atypical detached flagella resulted in a special pattern of sperm morphology, although all of these abnormal features disappeared at 40 days.