The phlebologist confronted with the neurologic foot. Phlebologic aspects of the neurologic foot

Vascular complications are frequent in paralyzing neurologic disorders, particularly in peripheral neurologic diseases: edema of the declive, cold feet, acrocyanosis, increased sudation. An enlarged leg in a paralyzed subject presenting frequently reduced sensitivity may indicate phlebitis, but also hematoma of an undetected fracture, or osteoarthropathy. Trophic disorders, such as edema, ulcerative hyperkeratosis and subcutaneous hematoma, are sometimes indicative of an unrecognized peripheral neuropathy, notably diabetic. Sclerous complications of venous impairment, or trophic disorders in algesic dystrophy, may result in incorrect diagnosis of a neurologic disorder. In practical therapeutic terms, it is necessary to emphasize the value of elastic retention, attentive pedicure and flexible and shock-absorbing footwear.     

Heparin-interacting sites of bovine lactoferrin are involved in anti-adenovirus activity

Lactoferrin, a member of the transferrin family of approximately 80 kDa, consists of a single polypeptide chain folded in two symmetric, globular lobes (N- and C-lobes), each able to bind one ferric ion. This glycoprotein, found in physiological fluids of mammals, plays an important role in immune regulation and in defense mechanisms against bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Although the antiviral activity of lactoferrin is one of the major biological functions of such protein, the mechanism of action is still under debate. We have investigated both the role of tryptic fragments of bovine lactoferrin and the mechanism of lactoferrin antiviral effect toward adenovirus infection in HEp-2 cells. The results obtained demonstrated that the anti-adenovirus activity of lactoferrin is mediated by the N-terminal half of the protein as the N-lobe was able to inhibit adenovirus infection, even if at lower extent than undigested lactoferrin, whereas C-lobe was ineffective. The results also showed that the anti-adenovirus action of lactoferrin and of its N-terminal peptide lactoferricin took place on virus attachment to cell membrane, mainly through competition for common glycosaminoglycan receptors. The data provide evidence that the anti-adenovirus activity of lactoferrin is mediated mainly by the cluster of positive charges at the N-terminus of whole molecule and that the N-terminal peptide lactoferricin alone is sufficient to prevent infection.     

Sequence distribution of poly(ether-sulfone)/poly(ether-ketone) copolymers by mass spectrometry and 13C NMR

The sequence distributions of four poly(ether-sulfone)/poly(ether-ketone) (PES/PEK) copolymer samples were determined by means of fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) and by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The controlled partial degradation of the copolymer chains to produce oligomers suitable of FAB-MS analysis was performed with sodium methoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide solution at 130°C, and the experimental conditions were optimized. The sequential arrangements of ether-sulfone/ether-ketone units present in these materials were estimated by a best-fit minimization method using the MACO4 computer program which compares the experimental FAB-MS spectral intensities with theoretical intensities. Random PES/PEK copolymer samples showed quite the same sequence arrangements as expected from monomer feed-ratios used in the syntheses. Instead, a PES/PEK copolymer sample expected to be exactly alternating (from the synthesis procedure) showed 44% of random sequences owing to the transetherification reaction which occurred in the synthesis. The results of sequential analysis obtained from ¹³C NMR data compare well with the data obtained by the FAB-MS analysis.     

BOOST: a phase 3 trial of sorafenib vs. best supportive care in first line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with deteriorated liver function

Aim: Only patients with good liver function {[Child-Pugh (CP)] A class} were eligible for trials testing sorafenib as first-line treatment of hepatocellular car...