Comparison of the "toxic" and antigenic regions in toxin alpha isolated from Naja nigricollis venom

The present paper describes the “toxic” site and one topologically distinct antigenic determinant of N. nigricollis toxin α.     

Striated and delayed nephrography

About a case of striated and delayed nephrogram seen on a diabetic child, authors come back to the different etiologies. Among them, the tubular precipitation of Tamm-Horsfall protein seems to be given like on the right possibilities. Whatever is its etiology, the mechanism of striated appearance is always the same, being founded on the radiated disposal of the collecting ducts and on a tubular stasis beeing with iodine concentration.     

Treatments of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia of the nasal mucosa

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia is a systemic autosomal dominant disorder involving blood vessels. The most common symptom is recurrent epistaxis. The treatments of these epistaxis are numerous but such treatments are often symptomatic and their effects are often not sustained. Some of these treatments may be complicated by visceral vascular malformations. The aim of this study is to propose a treatment plan for these patients with hierarchical organisation of therapeutic options taking into account of their previous therapy. METHOD: H. Plauchu organized in Paris, december 2002 a meeting with any medical specialists of this disease. They have analysed variety of therapies that have been proposed for epistaxis control in Hereditary Haemorrhagic Télangiectasia. RESULTS: Most common use packing of nasal fossa and then hyperselective embolization of the internal maxillary and facial arteries for severe epistaxis. For chronic epistaxis, best treatment use sclerotics products (Ethibloc) and laser. After discussion, primary embolization could be useful to reduce vascularization of nasal fossa. CONCLUSION: Treatment of epistaxis in Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia could increase in few years. Use of an index card of for epistaxis in the disease of Rendu-Osler could help to find treatment of choice.     

Dynamic effects of a 9 mm missile on cadaveric skull protected by aramid, polyethylene or aluminum plate: an experimental study

BACKGROUND: Most military helmets are designed to prevent penetration by small firearms using composite materials in their construction. However, the transient deformation of the composite helmet during a non penetrating impact may result in severe head injury. METHOD: Two experimental designs were undertaken to characterize the extend of injuries imparted by composite panels using in protective helmets. In the first series, 21 dry skulls were protected by polyethylene plates, with gaps between the protective plate and skull ranging from 12 to 15 mm. In another design, using 9 cadavers, heads were protected by aluminum, aramid, or polyethylene plates. Specimens were instrumented with pressure gauges to record the impact response. The ammunition used in these experiments was 9 mm caliber and had a velocity of 400 m/s. A macroscopic analysis of the specimens quantified fractures and injuries, which were then related to the measured pressures. RESULTS: Protective plates influenced both the levels of injury and the intracranial pressure. Injuries were accentuated as the plates was changed from aluminum to composite materials and ranged from skin laceration to extensive skull fractures and brain contusion. Fractures were associated with brain parenchymal pressures in excess of 560 kPa and cerebrospinal fluid pressure of 150 kPa. An air gap of a few millimeters between the plate and the head was sufficient to decrease these internal pressures by half, significantly reducing the level of injury. CONCLUSIONS: Ballistic helmets made of composite materials could be optimized to avoid extensive transient deformation and thus reduce the impact and blunt trauma to the head. However, this deformation cannot be completely removed, which is why the gap between the helmet and the head must be maintained at more than 12 mm.     

Villous atrophy induced by mycophenolate mofetil in renal-transplant patients

Leucopenia and diarrhoea are the main side effects observed after the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in renal-transplant patients. The mechanism of diarrhoea remains unknown. We report on four cases presenting with severe diarrhoea, which appeared, respectively, at 4, 10, 24, and 66 months after MMF therapy had been started. All patients presented with weight loss and biological signs of malabsorption syndrome. Oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy revealed duodenal villous atrophy, which was confirmed by pathology examination. Anti-endomysium antibodies were negative. In all patients, diarrhoea disappeared within 1 month of MMF withdrawal without a gluten-free diet. A control oesophago-gastroduodenoscopy was performed in one patient 6 months later and was considered normal. None of the patients showed evidence of cytomegalovirus in enterocytes or cytomegalovirus-positive viraemia. In conclusion, villous atrophy induced by MMF might be one of the mechanisms of diarrhoea. It is mandatory to differentiate coeliac disease from MMF-induced villous atrophy because, in the latter case, a gluten-free diet is not required.     

Effects of a combined micronutrient supplementation on maternal biological status and newborn anthropometrics measurements: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in apparently healthy pregnant women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible beneficial effects of a micronutrient supplementation to apparently healthy pregnant women on maternal biological status and new born anthropometric characteristics. SETTING: Departments of Obstetric of the University Hospital of Grenoble (France) and Lyon (France), Laboratoire of Biology of Oxidative Stress, UFR de Pharmacie. Grenoble (France). STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial. SUBJECTS: A total of 100 apparently healthy pregnant women were recruited at 14+/-2 weeks of gestation to delivery. At the end, they were 65 women to follow out the study. INTERVENTIONS: Daily consumption over gestation of a micronutrients supplement or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma micronutrient levels and oxidative stress parameters were measured in mothers at 14 and 38 weeks of gestation. New born's anthropometric characteristics were measured at delivery. RESULTS: In the supplemented group, folic acid, vitamin C, E, B2, B6 and beta-carotene levels were higher than in the placebo group. Oxidative stress parameters were not different between the groups. Birth weights were increased by 10% and the number of low newborn weights (<2700 g) decreased significantly when the mother received the supplementation. Maternal plasma Zn levels were positively correlated to the newborn heights. CONCLUSION: A regular intake of a micronutrient supplement at nutritional dose may be sufficient to improve micronutrient status of apparently healthy pregnant women and could prevent low birth weight of newborn.     

Three-dimensional imaging and cephalometry of cranio-facial asymmetry

The 75th meeting of the French Orthodontics Society will be held in Biarritz May 8-9-10-11 2002. The main topic for discussion will be: "facial asymmetry". During the meeting, authors will present study of facial asymmetries using a new innovative three-dimensional cephalometry. The method combines CT scans data, anatomical landmarks and mathematical tools to create, using the "Cepha" software, a 3D model of the human face. Balance and symmetry of the model are stable enough to define normality for each individual even with different ethnic and cultural origins. Unbalance and asymmetry characterize pathologies. Follow up shape and size of models allows growth prediction and modeling. The model is in the process of becoming the indispensable reference for all those who are interested in studying the human face: Orthodontics, Surgery, Anatomy, Anthropology, Plastic surgery, Forensic Medicine.