Spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of heptahelicene layers on Cu(111) surfaces

It has been demonstrated previously that electrons interact differently with chiral molecules depending on their polarization. For enantiomeric pure monolayers of heptahelicene, opposite asymmetries in spin polarization were reported and attributed to the so-called chirality-induced spin selectivity effect. However, these promising proof-of-concept photoemission experiments lack the angular and energy resolution that could provide the necessary insights into the mechanism of this phenomenon. In order to fill in the missing gaps, we provide a detailed spin- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy study of heptahelicene layers on a Cu(111) substrate. Throughout the large accessible energy and angle range, no chirality induced spin asymmetry in photoemission could be observed. Possible reasons for the absence of signatures of the spin-dependent electron transmission through the chiral molecular layer are briefly discussed.

Perialar intertrigo in children and adolescents: A multicenter prospective study of 41 cases

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

We observed isolated cases of perialar intertrigo in children and teenagers that did not appear to correspond to any known clinical entity. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical features of this dermatosis and the clinical characteristics of the patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, multicenter cohort study in France from August 2017 to November 2019. All the patients under 18 years of age with chronic perinasal intertrigo were included. A standardized questionnaire detailing the clinical characteristics of the patients and the description of the intertrigo. If possible, a Wood's lamp examination of the intertrigo was done.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients were included (25 boys and 16 girls, average age: 12.1 years). Intertrigo was bilateral in 38 patients (93%). The majority of patients had no symptoms (54%). Pruritus was present in 39% of cases. Orange red follicular fluorescence was present in the perialar region on Wood's light examination in 78% of cases with active fluorescence. The presumptive diagnoses suggested by the investigators were acne (24.4%), seborrheic dermatitis (19.5%), rosacea (9.8%), psoriasis (9.8%) and perioral dermatitis (7.3%). No diagnosis was proposed in 22% of the cases.

CONCLUSIONS

We describe a previously undescribed clinical sign which is characterized by a chronic bilateral erythematous intertrigo located in the perialar region. It can be isolated or associated with various facial dermatoses.

Stage I Melanoma of the Limbs. Immediate versus Delayed Node Dissection

553 patients with stage I malignant melanoma of the limbs entered a prospective randomized clinical trial carried out by the W.H.O. Collaborating Centres for Evaluation of Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment of Melanoma from September 1967 to January 1974. 286 patients were submitted to wide excision of primary and node dissection at the time as appearance of regional lymph node metastases and 267 to wide excision and immediate node dissection. Survival was identical in the 2 groups. Different subsets of patients were evaluated to assess whether some groups of patients may benefit from immediate node dissection. As regards sex, females and a significantly higher survival rate than males (p < 0.05), but results were not improved by immediate node dissection. Maximum diameter and elevation of primary melanoma were significantly related to survival but also in these cases immediate node dissection did not achieve better results. 63 patients had an excisional biopsy of their melanoma within 4 weeks before final treatment. This procedure did not worsen survival and also in this case immediate node dissection did not improve survival. 273 cases were classified according to histologic type: survival of superficial spreading and nodular melanoma was not different at a statistically significant level after the 2 treatment modalities. 325 cases were considered classifiable according to Clark's levels, out of these 165 were submitted to immediate node dissection. Neither level III nor level IV cases showed higher survival rate after immediate node dissection. Maximum tumor thickness according to Breslow was evaluated in 338 cases: 188 were submitted to wide excision and immediate node dissection. In no clusters of thickness did the enlarged surgical procedure achieve better results. The authors conclude that there is good evidence that in stage I melanoma of the extremities delayed dissection is as effective as the immediate one in the control of the disease if the patient can be kept under strict clinical control. Immediate node dissection is advisable if the quarterly follow-up is not guaranteed, at least for melanomas thicker than 2 mm.

High expression of TRF2, SOX10, and CD10 in circulating tumor microemboli detected in metastatic melanoma patients. A potential impact for the assessment of disease aggressiveness

Circulating tumors cells (CTCs) can be detected in the blood of metastatic melanoma patients (MMPs) both as isolated circulating tumor cells (iCTCs) and circulating tumor microemboli (CTMs), but their clinical significance remains unknown. The aim of this work was to evaluate the prognostic impact in metastatic cutaneous melanoma of CTMs and iCTCs identified by a cytomorphological approach using the isolation by size of tumor cell (ISET) method. We characterized the phenotype of CTCs using anti-PS100, anti-SOX10, anti-CD10, and anti-TRF2 antibodies. 128 MMPs and 37 control healthy individuals with benign nevi were included in this study. Results were compared to the follow-up of patients. 109/128 (85%) MMPs showed CTCs, 44/128 (34%) with 2 to 6 CTMs and 65/128 (51%) with 4 to 9 iCTCs. PS100 expression was homogeneous in iCTCs and heterogeneous in CTMs. SOX10, CD10, and TRF2 were mainly expressed in CTMs. None of the control subjects demonstrated circulating malignant tumor cells. Overall survival was significantly decreased in patients with CTMs, independently of the therapeutic strategies. In conclusion, the presence of CTMs is an independent predictor of shorter survival from the time of diagnosis of MMPs.

Functionalized cationic [4]helicenes with unique tuning of absorption, fluorescence and chiroptical properties up to the far-red range

Unprecedented regioselective post-functionalization of racemic and enantiopure cationic diaza [4]helicenes is afforded. The peripheral auxochrome substituents allow a general tuning of the electrochemical, photophysical and chiroptical properties of the helical dyes (26 examples). For instance, electronic absorption and circular dichroism are modulated from the orange to near-infrared spectral range (575-750 nm), fluorescence quantum efficiency is enhanced up to 0.55 (631 nm) and circularly polarized luminescence is recorded in the red (|g_lum| ∼ 10^-3).

Configurational ordering of a cationic dinuclear triple helicate by chiral TRISPHAT anions

Chiral TRISPHAT anions behave as efficient asymmetric hosts controlling with high efficiency the configuration of a cationic dicobalt(II) triple helicate--de up to 82%.

Synthesis, Enantiomeric Conformations, and Stereodynamics of Aromatic ortho-Substituted Disulfones

[structure in text] Aromatic ortho-disulfone derivatives are readily accessible from diiodide precursors by Cu(I)-mediated reactions with sodium sulfinate salts. The sulfone substituents adopt C(2)-symmetric enantiomeric conformations (lambda and delta) as evidenced by X-ray structural analysis and (1)H and (31)P NMR on chiral bis(sulfonyl)veratrol derivatives and hexacoordinated tris(benzenediolato)phosphate anions. Slow dynamic conformational isomerism (DeltaG(++) > or = 19.8 kcal mol(-1)) was detected in solution.

Efficient resolution of a dinuclear triple helicate by asymmetric extraction/precipitation with TRISPHAT anions as resolving agents

Tetradentate 1,2-bis[4-(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)]ethane ligand (3) and Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2.6H2O combine in a 3:2 ratio to form the racemic helicate [Fe2L3]4+ (4), as reported by Elliott et al. We now show that the enantiomeric purity of 4 can be efficiently measured by 1H NMR by the use of the TRISPHAT (1) salt as a chiral shift reagent. Large differences in chemical shifts (deltadeltadelta of up to 0.3 ppm, 20% [D6]DMSO in CD3CN) are observed between the enantiomers of 4 upon addition of [nBu4N][delta-1]. The resolution of 4 by asymmetric extraction was attempted: addition of an organic solution of [cinchonidinium][delta-1] salt (2 equiv) to an aqueous solution of helicate 4-(SO4)2 led, after vigorous stirring, to the extraction of the homochiral diastereomer [P-4][delta-1]4 into the organic layer along with the precipitation of the heterochiral diastereomer [M-4][delta-1]4 at the interface (diastereomeric ratio>49:1 for both processes). An enantioenriched fraction of [P-4][SO4]2 remained in the aqueous layer. To obtain only two fractions of resolved helicate and develop this procedure into an efficient resolution protocol, four equivalents of [cinchonidinium][delta-1] salt were used as the resolving agent. Chemically and diastereomerically pure [P-4][delta-1]4 and [M-4][delta-1]4 helicate salts were then obtained in excellent yields.

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid plus locoregional radiotherapy versus chemotherapy with CMF in operable breast cancer: a 14 year follow-up analysis of a randomized trial of the Fédération Nationale des Centres de Lutte contre le Cancer (FNCLCC)

With a median follow-up of 14 years, the combination of polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid plus locoregional radiotherapy (257 patients) has significantly improved disease-free survival (p = 0.03) and significantly reduced the incidence of metastases (p = 0.04) when compared to CMF alone (260 patients), in women with operable breast cancer. The trial does not, however, permit an appreciation of the respective role of radiotherapy and PolyAU in these results.

[Mammary staphylococcal cellulitis of the newborn]

BACKGROUND

Neonatal cellulitis is usually caused by staphylococcal infection of the mammary gland which has generally reached the stage of abscess formation at the time of diagnosis. The circumstances of onset and possible complications remain poorly known. We report a recent case.

CASE REPORT

A female neonate developed major bilateral mammary hypertrophy. Her mother had tried to express the breasts, fearing "congestion". Three days later, the right breast showed signs of inflammation with a fluctuant central zone suggestive of a cellulitic infectious abscess confirmed at ultrasound. Recovery was achieved with incision and antistaphylococci antibiotic therapy.

DISCUSSION

Mammary cellulitis of the newborn appears to generally occur following an attempt to manipulate a pre-existing physiological hypertrophy of the breast. Staphylococcus aureus is the most commonly found agent. Early surgical care is generally required as there is a real risk of progression to necrotizing faciitis.

[Painless abducens palsy disclosed by spontaneous dissection of the intracavernous internal carotid artery]

A 63-year-old man presented suddenly and spontaneously an isolated painless oculomotor palsy of the nerve abducens. As no etiology could be suspected a head MRI was performed. It showed a T1 hypersignal of the intracavernous segment of the internal carotid artery with a double-lumen pattern typical of dissection. The patient was treated with aspirin and recovered from clinical symptoms in 10 weeks. A control MRI was performed 3 months after the onset of symptoms and showed the regression of the images of dissection. There was no ischemic lesion of the brain. This case underlines the diversity of the symptoms of spontaneous dissections of cervicocephalic arteries, especially absence of pain, palsies of cranial nerve that are not always limited to lower cranial nerve, and existence of dissections limited to the intracranial segment of the carotid artery. It suggests the interest of MRI in the diagnosis of isolated oculomotor nerve palsies.

The symptomatology of upper respiratory tract infections and exercise in elderly people

PURPOSE

To analyze, both by a retrospective and prospective study design, the relationship of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and physical activity (PA) to upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) symptomatology in elderly subjects.

METHODS

61 (33 men and 28 women) healthy and weight-stable active elderly volunteers aged 66-84 yr participated in the study. PA was evaluated by a questionnaire QAPSE (Questionnaire d'Activite Physique Saint-Etienne) and expressed by two QAPSE activity indices: MHDEE (mean habitual daily energy expenditure) and sports activity (daily energy expenditure corresponding to leisure time sports activities). Log books for daily recording of URTI symptomatology were used in prospective design.

RESULTS

In a 1-yr retrospective study a significant correlation was found between number of weeks with URTI per year and Sports activity index (r = -0.27, P = 0.037). In a prospective 12-month follow-up, the number of episodes per year and number of days with URTI per year were significantly negatively associated with sports activity index (r = -0.29, P = 0.022 and r = -0.26, P = 0.041, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy active elderly subjects the symptomatology of URTI over long periods of time is inversly related to energy expenditure utilized during moderately intensive physical exercise.

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid as an adjuvant in resectable colorectal carcinoma: a 6 1/2 year follow-up analysis of a multicentric double blind randomized trial

In a double blind study, patients with operable carcinoma of the colon and the upper rectum, who have undergone a macroscopically complete resection of their tumor, were randomized to receive either (i) polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (AU), one i.v. injection of 60 mg (in 50 ml of solution) once a week for 6 weeks, or (ii) a placebo (P) one i.v. injection of 50 ml of a saline solution with the same schedule. From January 1983 to December 1986, 288 patients were enrolled: 145 in AU group and 143 in P group. The main clinical and pathological characteristics were equally distributed throughout the two groups. There was a significant difference (P < 0.02) in the overall survival (OS) between the two groups, in favor of the P group. The 5-year OS rate was 68% (SD = 4%) in the AU group versus 81% (SD = 3%) in the P group. Thus, AU as a single adjuvant, appears to be ineffective and therefore has no indication in the treatment of colorectal carcinoma.

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid plus locoregional and pelvic radiotherapy versus chemotherapy with CMF as adjuvants in operable breast cancer. A 6 1/2 year follow-up analysis of a randomized trial of the French Federation of Cancer Centers (F.F.C.C.)

In this study, patients with operable breast cancer T2 or T3, treated by mastectomy + axillary dissection and with invaded axillary nodes (N+), were randomized to receive either: 1) postoperative locoregional and pelvic radiotherapy (RX) and Poly(A).Poly(U) (AU), 60 mg IV once a week for 6 weeks, or 2) CMF (cyclophosphamide 100 mg/sqm P.O. on days 1-14, methotrexate 40 mg/sqm IV on day 1 and 8, fluorouracil 600 mg/sqm IV on day 1 and 8; monthly cycle, for 6 months. Between March 1982 and December 1985, 517 patients were enrolled, 257 of whom were treated by RX + AU and 260 with CMF. The main clinical, pathological and prognostic characteristics were equally distributed in the two groups. The present analysis was conducted after a mean follow-up of 69 months (S.D. = 13). There was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between the two groups (test adjusted by center and menopausal status); the five-year OS rate was 74% in the RXAU group and 77% in the CMF group. Relapse-free survival (RFS) was significantly higher (p = 0.05) in the RXAU group compared to the MCF group; the five-year RFS rates were 57% and 46% in the two groups respectively. This short, well-tolerated combined RXAU treatment appears to be as efficient as CMF and might offer an alternative to chemo- or hormonotherapy, in case of contraindications to these treatments.

Can internal mammary chain treatment decrease the risk of death for patients with medial breast cancers and positive axillary lymph nodes?

The effect of internal mammary chain treatment on each type of malignant death-related event was analyzed in 1195 patients with operable breast cancer and histologically involved axillary lymph nodes. A group of 135 patients who had no internal mammary chain treatment was compared with a control group of 1060 patients who were treated by surgery and/or postoperative radiation therapy. In a multivariate analysis taking into account age, clinical size of the tumor, histoprognostic grading, and the number of positive axillary lymph nodes, quantitative interaction tests were used to determine whether the effects of internal mammary chain treatment on each type of malignant event were significantly different for patients with a lateral tumor compared with those with a medial tumor. The authors found that the effects of this treatment on the risks of distant metastases and of secondary breast cancer were not the same for the patients with a medial tumor as for those with a lateral tumor. For the untreated patients with a medial tumor, the risks of distant metastases and second breast cancer were, respectively, 1.6 (P = 0.02) and 2.9 (P = 0.02), compared with the treated patients. Conversely, for women with lateral tumor, no difference between the two treatment groups was observed. Thus, internal mammary chain treatment may improve long-term survival rate in patients with a medial tumor and positive axillary lymph nodes essentially by decreasing the risk of development of distant metastases (mainly brain, distant lymph nodes, multiple simultaneous metastases) and/or a secondary breast cancer.

Ten-year results of a randomized trial comparing a conservative treatment to mastectomy in early breast cancer

A randomized trial was conducted at the Institut Gustave-Roussy (IGR) between 1972 and 1980 comparing tumorectomy and breast irradiation with modified radical mastectomy. One hundred and seventy-nine patients with an infiltrating breast carcinoma up to 20 mm in diameter at macroscopic examination were included: 88 had conservative management, and 91 a mastectomy. All patients had a low-axillary dissection with immediate histological examination. For the patients with positive axillary nodes, a complete axillary dissection was undertaken. Overall survival, distant metastasis, contralateral breast cancer and locoregional recurrence rates were not significantly different between the two treatment groups.

Polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid as adjuvant in the treatment of operable breast cancer: recent results

A randomized trial of polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (Poly(A).Poly(U) given as an adjuvant in the treatment of operable breast cancer, has included 300 patients of the Institut Gustave-Roussy from September 1972 to December 1979; 145 patients were allocated to conventional treatment alone and 155 to conventional treatment plus Poly(A).Poly(U). Reviews after mean periods of follow-up of 50 and 87 months were previously published. The present review performed after a mean follow-up period of 111 months confirmed a significant increase in the overall survival of patients with invaded nodes treated with Poly(A).Poly(U). The best results were achieved in the subset of patients with up to three affected nodes who showed a significant increase of both overall and relapse-free survival. The benefit seemed to be greater in postmenopausal women (P = 0.07). Present status of other ongoing trials of adjuvant Poly(A).Poly(U) is presented.

Long-term effect of internal mammary chain treatment. Results of a multivariate analysis of 1195 patients with operable breast cancer and positive axillary nodes

A multivariate analysis on 1195 patients with operable breast cancer and histologically positive axillary nodes treated by mastectomy and complete axillary dissection at the Institut Gustave-Roussy between 1958 and 1978 suggests a beneficial effect of treatment of the internal mammary chain (IMC) on the risks of death and distant metastasis for the patients with medial tumors. For these patients, surgical IMC dissection and post-operative irradiation have similar effects on both the risk of death and of distant metastasis. For the patients with lateral tumors, no beneficial effect of the treatment of the IMC on these two risks was observed. Postoperative irradiation to the IMC, axilla, chest wall and supraclavicular nodes significantly decreases the risk of locoregional recurrences independent of the tumor site and surgical management of the lymph nodes.

Is it useful to remove internal mammary nodes in operable breast cancer?

From September 1963 to January 1968, 243 patients with operable breast cancer were included in a randomized trial designed to compare classical radical mastectomy (RM) alone to extended mastectomy (EM), i.e. RM plus internal mammary dissection. One hundred and seventeen patients underwent RM, and 126 EM. After a mean follow-up time of 20 years, no significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups for overall survival, for the relapse-free survival rates, nor for distant metastasis, or locoregional recurrence rates. From a regression model, significant interactions were found between risk of death, EM, and both nodal status and site of the tumour. When compared to RM, EM significantly decreased the risk of death for patients with internal or medial tumour and positive axillary nodes (P = 0.05). No beneficial effect of EM was observed for any of the other patients; on the contrary, EM seemed to increase the risk of death for the patients with external tumour and negative axillary nodes (P = 0.07).