Patch testing with beryllium alloy samples in guinea pigs

An experimental study was conducted in guinea pigs for the predictive assessment of the beryllium alloy hazard in occupational exposure of the skin to beryllium compounds. Guinea pigs were sensitized to beryllium sulfate according to the maximized Magnusson and Kligman test, and challenged with beryllium alloys and metallic copper, beryllium and aluminum samples. Results showed a delayed skin hypersensitivity reaction in 30 to 60% of pre-sensitized guinea pigs challenged with copper-beryllium alloys and aluminum-beryllium alloy. An inflammatory follicular reaction was induced by copper in both controls and pre-sensitized guinea pigs.     

Relationship of HLA to schizophrenia not supported in multiplex families.

The role of the human histocompatibility complex (HLA) in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia has been suggested in previous reports. We conducted a genetic study in 33 new families. Our linkage analysis, which used the affected sib-pair method, did not provide evidence for nonrandom assortment. Moreover, the results of an association study using the "haplotype relative risk" method failed to confirm the positive association between HLA A9 and schizophrenia. Taken together, our data did not support any relationship of HLA type to schizophrenia.     

Methylation status of immunoglobulin x e segments correlates with their recombination potential

We have previously shown that unlike endogenous ? genes, unrearranged ? transgenes undergo V?-J? recombination in T as well as B cells of transgenic mice. To determine whether the difference in recombination specificity of the transgenic and endogenous ? genes is associated with differences in DNA structure, the methylation status of the endogenous genes and three unrearranged ? transgenes was compared. The J?-C? locus of the transgenes was found to be hypomethylated in all tissues of the transgenic mice. In contrast, methylation of the endogenous ? genes was tissue and developmentally regulated. Hypomethylation of the endogenous J?-C? region occurs only in cells of the B lineage undergoing, or having completed ? gene recombination. Transfection of fibroblasts from transgenic and control mice with the recombination activating genes, Rag1 and Rag2, led to a high level of rearrangement of the hypomethylated transgenic, but not the endogenous ? genes. These results suggest that hypomethylation defines an accessible state of the ? locus and that methylation/demethylation could be involved in the control of ? gene rearrangement during lymphocyte differentiation.     

Biological activity of silylated amino acid containing substance P analogues

Abstract: The need to replace natural amino acids in peptides with nonproteinogenic counterparts to obtain new medicinal agents has stimulated a great deal of innovation on synthetic methods. Here, we report the incorporation of non‐natural silylated amino acids in substance P (SP), the binding affinity for the two hNK‐1 binding sites and, the potency to stimulate phospholipase C (PLC) and adenylate cyclase of the resulting peptide. We also assess the improvement of their stability towards enzyme degradation. Altogether, we found that replacing glycine with silaproline (Sip) in position 9 of SP leads to a potent analogue exhibiting an increased resistance to angiotensin‐converting enzyme hydrolysis.     

Validity and reliability of the French version of Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10)

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - To develop a French version of the Eating Assessment Tool (Fr EAT-10) and to assess its internal consistency, reliability and clinical validity....     

Nickel allergy: tolerance to metallic surface-plated samples in nickel-sensitive humans and guinea pigs

The purpose of this work is to evaluate in nickel-sensitive patients and guinea pigs the tolerance to nickel samples, surface-plated with one or several metals of varying structures and thicknesses. All the metal samples elicited allergic reactions in the guinea pig. In humans, absolute tolerance was not observed for any sample. In humans, the interposing of a layer of bright copper between nickel and surface chrome greatly increased the tolerance.     

Dendritic low-threshold Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript> channels in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells: Possible physiological implications

Low-voltage activated (LVA) Ca2+ currents have been characterized in a large variety of neurons including cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs). This review summarizes and discusses the biophysical, pharmacological properties, as well as the molecular identity of LVA Ca2+ channels described in PCs in various experimental conditions. Putative functional roles for LVA Ca2+ currents include generation of low-threshold Ca2+ spikes (LTS) that underlie burst firing, promotion of intrinsic oscillatory behaviour, Ca2+ entry close to the resting membrane potential and synaptic potentiation. Based on our recent findings on cerebellar rat PCs in slice cultures, this review presents the major evidence demonstrating that LVA Ca2+ channels produce a dendritic initiated LTS with a regulated propagation to the soma. This new role for LVA Ca2+ channels is particularly important in determining firing patterns in PCs.     

Contact allergy to safety shoes

During 1972-1984, 13 cases of allergy to safety shoes were found. It generally affects young men. The allergens are very different from those in other types of shoe. The presence of mercaptobenzothiazole and dibenzothiazyl disulfide detected in some nonwoven materials is worthy of note.     

HLA antigen-sharing in couples with repeated spontaneous abortions and the birthweight of babies in successful pregnancies

Previously, several groups reported an increase in HLA antigen-sharing in couples suffering from unexplained repeated spontaneous abortions. It was felt necessary to find out if HLA sharing could have any effect on children born after a successful pregnancy. The birthweight figures of children of 76 couples with repeated spontaneous abortions were analyzed. The results show a significantly lower birthweight in babies born from those couples, presenting a high incidence of HLA antigen-sharing, particularly concerning class II antigens.