Further characterization of the porcine LH subunits precursors in the translation products of pituitary RNAs

We have shown that the precursors of porcine LH alpha and beta subunits have similar apparent molecular weights (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 1984, 118, 254). The aim of the present study was to characterize physiochemical features which permit to distinguish these precursors from each other. We report here that these precursors can be clearly distinguished by both their tryptic digests analyzed by one-dimension electrophoresis and their behavior in two-dimension electrophoresis whose first dimension was made in a non equilibrium pH gradient (2D-NEPHGE). The 2D-NEPHGE method developed in this study appears also useful to estimate simultaneously the translation activities of pituitary hormone mRNAs without a previous immunoprecipitation.

[Strategy of the use of immunological tests in the topographical diagnosis of urinary infections]

Assays for bacteria-specific antibodies were performed in 423 hospital patients with urinary tract infection (UTI), 184 of whom also had serodiagnosis by passive haemoagglutination with the strain responsible for the infection. The results of serodiagnosis were expressed as the difference in dilution between the antibody titres found in the patients and those found in pooled sera from healthy subjects. On the basis of this study, a rationale for immunological investigations, particularly in adults, is suggested. When bacteria-specific antibodies are lacking the probability of a lower UTI is 98%; when they are present, the probability of an upper UTI is only 74.5%, but the figure rises to 95% with a positive passive haemoagglutination serodiagnosis. In patients with negative serodiagnosis and positive bacteria-specific antibodies, a topographical diagnosis of UTI by immunological methods becomes impossible. In children, these methods are of little use owing to their poor sensitivity in detecting bacteria-specific antibodies, but the information provided by serodiagnosis is useful for determining the site of infection.

Decentralized worker-centred occupational management in health care: nationwide survey and alpha testing

BACKGROUND

Occupational stress among healthcare workers negatively impacts job satisfaction and patient care quality, jeopardizing healthcare system sustainability. Traditional employer-driven approaches often fail to address these challenges comprehensively, leading to persistent gaps in work condition transparency and well-being.

AIMS

To elucidate the working conditions of health workers and introduce a worker-centred, technology-based strategy moving beyond traditional practices and entrenched medical culture.

METHODS

A nationwide survey of Belgian medical residents evaluated occupational conditions and perceptions of management practices. Additionally, the alpha version of a decentralized mobile application was tested to gather user satisfaction and feedback on its usability. The data were surveyed using Pearson's chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum tests to assess associations between categorical and ordinal variables, respectively. Alpha-testing results were evaluated using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

The nationwide survey, involving 257 participants, revealed significant associations between medical specialty, work choices and compensation. Notably, 91% of participants expressed strong interest in our proposed open, decentralized solution. In the alpha testing phase, 12 testers reported high satisfaction regarding time-tracking accuracy and payroll verification, though challenges related to administrative burden were also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings underscore the need for innovative, worker-centred occupational management solutions. The proposed solution shows promise in improving autonomy and transparency, potentially enhancing healthcare delivery and sustainability.

[Differential diagnosis of onychomycosis]

Almost 50% of nail pathology is caused by onychomycosis. However, the nail has a limited reservoir of clinical expressions and many conditions may mimic onychomycosis. Its differential diagnosis should be known in order to avoid useless or even toxic treatments. When confronted with ungual alterations restricted to one or some nails, it is fair to evoke onychomycosis but one should keep in mind repeated traumata to the toenails, psoriasis and chronic paronychia on the fingernails. Involvement of a large number of nails, especially all twenty nails, should not first suggest a fungal infection but rather an inflammatory or systemic condition. It is mandatory to always sample the nail for mycological examination before prescribing any systemic treatment.

[Early effect of estradiol on ultrastructure of chromatin in the endometrium and hormone-dependent mammary tumors]

After in vivo and in vitro administration of aestradiol, the chromatin of lamb endometrium and of hormone-dependent 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene Rat mammary tumors is rapidly transformed from a condensed into a diffuse chromatin. A stimulation of 3H leucine incorporation into protein was also observed. These modifications were specific for estrogen receptor ligands and for estrogen responsive tissues. In vitro tamoxifen induced pycnosis. These changes could be used to improve the prediction of hormone dependency of human breast and uterine cancers.

Abnormal pattern of mucus-associated M1 antigens in histologically normal mucosa adjacent to colonic adenocarcinomas

Apparently normal mucosae adjacent to colon adenocarcinomas were studied by cutting strips of mucosa from the entire length of 120 surgical specimens (94 located on the distal colon and 26 on the proximal colon). These mucosae were coiled into "Swiss rolls." Their mucus alterations were mapped by immunoperoxidase using antibodies against M1 antigens, oncofetal markers associated with precancerous colonic mucosa. We demonstrated mucus modifications in patches of mucosa at a distance from frank tumors. The extent of these alterations was not related to invasion by the adjacent carcinoma according to Dukes' classification. However, these mucus modifications were more frequently observed on the distal than on the proximal side, were more often found adjacent to mucinous hyperplasia or adenoma, and were observed in 8 of 10 mucosae bearing metachronous or synchronous distal colonic adenocarcinomas. Our results suggest that the M1 modifications characterizing an early stage of carcinogenesis could have a putative prognostic value in estimating the risk for metachronous distal colonic adenocarcinomas.