Removal of gp160 induced bio-hazards for a safe AIDS vaccine candidate.

In the first AIDS vaccine trial, immunizing preparations were based on HIV-1 Env protein (gp160). Immunogenic properties of gp160 which trigger both a humoral and cellular immune response have since justified its use in various vaccine programs, both past and present. Many reports however have underlined deleterious effects on the immune system--anti-HIV-1 enhanced antibodies, anti-CD4 autoantibodies, and inhibition of T cell activation by HIV-1--particularly associated with the Env protein. The present study shows that gp160 presented in a biologically inactivated but immunogenic form, as used in our trial, could avoid these complications. Bio-hazards associated with gp160 which indeed could be removed by appropriate treatment of the native protein, should be taken into consideration in AIDS vaccine programs.     

Chordoma of the base of skull. Apropos of 3 cases]

The authors report 3 cases of skull base chordomas. In 2 cases, skull radiographies and computed tomography found lytic lesions of sphenoid and clivus, with calcifications into the tumors. In the third case, radiological findings suggest a naso pharynx tumor.     

Study on the decomposition of 2-chloroethylnitro- sosulfamides (CENS) in serum using HPLC on-line solid phase extraction

In this paper we have investigated the kinetic decomposition of 2-chloroethylnitrososulfamides (CENS) in fetal calf serum. The study was monitored by on-line solid phase extraction linked to RP-LC-MS. We demonstrated that CENS are less stable in fetal calf serum than in aqueous buffer at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. Moreover, we have shown that partition coefficient of CENS can be correlated to the kinetics decomposition, and we observe that the stability is better for lipophilic CENS. The different metabolites after decomposition have been tentatively identified by RP-HPLC-MS. This study indicates the formation of several metabolites resulting from a mechanism of decomposition more complex than in aqueous phosphate buffer, nevertheless, leading to the same main products.