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In the atrophic posterior maxilla, placement of longer (at least 10 mm) and wider diameter implants may significantly improve long-term results, but sinus grafting is often necessary to provide sufficient bone volume for implant support. The crestal approach to sinus augmentation requires penetration of the sinus floor with surgical instruments that are often difficult to control; there is a high risk of damaging the schneiderian membrane. Fabricating a round cutting rim at the apical end of a single-stage tapered implant can provide a controlled method of gently penetrating the sinus floor prior to grafting and placement of the definitive implant. In soft type 4 bone, the single-stage tapered implant design can help to enhance initial stabilization through lateral osteocondensation of the receptor site. Localized sinus elevation with osteocompression utilizing single-stage tapered implants may offer a simplified approach to the complex clinical challenge of successfully restoring the atrophic posterior maxilla.

International audience; The first molecular epidemiological study of Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus undertaken in France between 1988 and 1995, identified three genogroups, two of which (G1, G2) disappeared quickly. We used immunocapture-RT-PCR and sequencing to analyse 104 new RHDV isolates collected between 1993 and 2000. One isolate was obtained in 2000 from a French overseas territory, the Reunion Island. The nucleotide sequences of these isolates were aligned with those of some French RHDV isolates representative of the three genogroups previously identified, of some reference strains and German and American RHDV antigenic variants. Despite the low degree of nucleotide sequence variation, three new genogroups (G4 to G6) were identified with significant bootstrap values. Two of these genogroups (G4 and G5) were related to the year in which the RHDV isolates were collected. Genogroup G4 emerged from genogroup G3, which has now disappeared. Genogroup G5 is a new independent group. The genogroup G6 contained an isolate collected in mainland France in 1999 and the isolate collected from the Reunion Island, as well as German and American RHDV variants. Multiple sequence alignments of the VP60 gene and antigenic analysis with monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that these French isolates are two new isolates of the RHDV variant.

To support software project managers for reliability evaluation, the company Mathix and the French telecommunications agency (France Telecom) have developed a CASE tool named M-elopee. The purpose of this tool is not only to provide some reliability growth model computations but, more generally, to propose an approach to do reliability studies, and therefore to offer all the features needed to undertake this approach. M-elopee typically promotes the transfer of software reliability technology to practice. Therefore it runs on PCs under Windows and benefits from the many facilities of this environment. This article describes the functionalites provided by M-elopee and its underlying methodology. Mainly, the following points are developed: the content and structure of the data processed by M-elopee; data processing; trend analysis; comparison of models; and the maximum number of failures to forecast.

WE wish to report the detection of a new variant of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) (Lagovirus, Caliciviridae) which is circulating in France and has been causing high mortality in domestic and wild rabbit populations since the end of the summer of 2010. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD)

The systems discussed, including bay computers, have been used for 20 years in distribution networks, with the equipment life time expectancy being 30 to 40 years. The aim of the maintenance in operational conditions is to ensure the everlastingness of a system working for a long period, with a satisfactory availability for the exploitation and a minimal maintenance cost. It must allow the evolution of the system, such as size and functionality, the evolution of the equipment which should have an effect on the interfaces and the exploitation conditions, and to define the obsolescence management of the different material components and software. The signature of this project between both the client and the manufacturer is a commitment on the duration, the services provided, the means and the responsibility specified in this project.

Although reovirus infection is one of the major virus diseases of muscovy ducks in France, no vaccine is available and nothing is known about the structure and function of the genes and proteins of the reovirus involved. The complete S3 genome segment of the muscovy duck reovirus strain 89026 has been cloned and the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences are reported here. The S3 genome segment is 1201 bp long and possesses the same terminal motifs (5' GCTTTTT and TATTCATC 3') as the S3 genome segment of known chicken reovirus strains. It contains one open reading frame that encodes a protein of 367 amino acids with a molecular mass of 40.8 kDa. The gene, encoding the sigmaB major outer-capsid protein, was cloned into two different baculovirus transfer vectors and expressed in insect cells as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein or a non-fused protein. The antigenicity of the two recombinant proteins was demonstrated by immunoblot assay. The potential immunogenic role of sigmaB protein was studied in a protection assay against reovirus infection of specific-pathogen-free muscovy ducks. No antibodies could be detected by ELISA or immunoblot in ducks immunized with the recombinant proteins and no significant protection was noted after the challenge. However, whereas the weights of wild-type baculovirus-infected and challenge-control ducks were significantly lower than those of unchallenged ducks, the weights of male ducks previously immunized with the sigmaB recombinant proteins did not differ significantly from males of either group. This work is the first to provide molecular data for a duck reovirus.

Insufficient hard and soft tissue height and width can be a repercussion of tooth loss or a result of postoperative healing following implant surgery. Insufficient bone can preclude proper implant positioning, while inadequately treated soft tissue will not exhibit a gingival appearance similar to that of the adjacent teeth. If hard and soft tissue discrepancies are not corrected by regenerative techniques, the replaced tooth appears long or overbulked gingivally. In order to create hard and soft tissue harmony, an understanding of the biological variables and periodontal implications is necessary.

The capsid protein of a French isolate of the European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV) was expressed in the baculovirus system. The recombinant EBHSV (rEBHSV) capsid protein was able to self-assemble into virus-like particles (VLPs). The VLPs were indistinguishable from the infectious EBHSV and displayed morphological characteristics similar to those we have described for the VLPs resulting from the expression of the capsid protein of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a closely related calicivirus. Cross-protection experiments showed that vaccination with rEBHSV particles did not protect rabbits against an RHDV challenge. A set of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was raised against rEBHSV capsid protein and used together with anti-RHDV and anti-EBHSV MAbs produced against native viruses to study the antigenic relationships between the two caliciviruses. All six anti-EBHSV MAbs delineated discontinuous epitopes; two of them reacted with specific surface epitopes and the remaining four reacted with internal epitopes which were also present in rRHDV. All anti-RHDV MAbs were monospecific; three reacted with surface linear epitope(s), two reacted with internal linear epitope(s) and one with a surface conformational epitope. On the basis of all these results, a classification of RHDV and EBHSV as two serotypes of a single serogroup is proposed.

The calicivirus outbreak in hares which occurred in Center West of France in the fall of 1996 illustrates the pathogenic role of caliciviruses in animals and in humans. A comparison of these different viruses, based on the RNA nucleic sequences is presented. The aspect of interspecies transmission is also discussed.

To explain the static and dynamic relationship between the dental arches, models of functions, based on the observation of protrusion and lateral movements of the mandible, are generally presented. In clinical practice, the patients are frequently asked to complete such artificial test movements in order to assess occlusion. However, these movements are in contradiction with the knowledge acquired through examination of the kinetics of incision, mastication, and the posterior dental contacts. The learning objective of this article is to present the required integration of physiology and the kinetics of mastication with any occlusodontic procedure. Interpretation of muscular action during mastication, incision, trituration, and intradental functional guidance are discussed and illustrated.

The gene encoding the muscovy duck parvovirus (DPV)-strain 89384 capsid proteins VP2 and VP3 was cloned in a baculovirus expression system and expressed in insect cells. The recombinant proteins were found to react with specific anti-DPV serum by Western blotting and to be located in the nucleus of insect cells (Sf9) as shown by immunofluorescence. Empty virus-like particles (VLPs) identical in size and appearance to DPV virions were observed by electron microscopy. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of the recombinant proteins were evaluated by ELISA and seroneutralization. Immunization of 3-week-old muscovy ducklings induced anti-DPV antibodies; neutralizing antibody titres were consistent with those observed in ducklings inoculated with a commercial inactivated vaccine. The way to develop these promising results is discussed.

Two myxoma virus-rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) recombinant viruses were constructed with the SG33 strain of myxoma virus to protect rabbits against myxomatosis and rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease. These recombinant viruses expressed the RHDV capsid protein (VP60). The recombinant protein, which is 60 kDa in size, was antigenic, as revealed by its reaction in immunoprecipitation with antibodies raised against RHDV. Both recombinant viruses induced high levels of RHDV- and myxoma virus-specific antibodies in rabbits after immunization. Inoculations by the intradermal route protected animals against virulent RHDV and myxoma virus challenges.

This 8-year study shows an increased success rate for Steri-Oss' osseointegrated implants in full, partial, and single-tooth edentation, compared to previous 5- and 6-year studies. A total of 1,499 implants placed in 389 women and 216 men had an average success rate of 96.1%. Of the 716 implants placed in the maxilla, 697 were exposed and only 31 failed-a success rate of 95.6%. Of 783 placed in the mandible, 750 were exposed and 25 failed-a success rate of 96.7%. Performance comparisons of Steri-Oss titanium threaded, hydroxyapatite-coated, cylindrical implants and titanium plasma-sprayed cylindrical implants showed, as in previous reports, a higher success rate for the coated and sprayed implants, especially for short implants placed in soft maxillary bone.

The use of implant-supported restorations is a well-accepted and predictable treatment modality. Drilling has been the traditional method for cylindrical implant site preparation. This procedure, however, removes a considerable amount of bone. This article presents an alternative site preparation method--the use of osteotomes--which preserves, expands, and condenses alveolar bone. Indications, advantages, and the clinical procedure are presented, with extensive details on bone preservation, expansion, condensation, and sinus floor elevation. The learning objective of this article is to familiarize the reader with the principles of this alternative method and the clinical application of osteotomes.

In order to protect domestic and wild rabbits against RVHD, we constructed a recombinant vaccinia-RHDV virus, using the Copenhagen strain of the vaccinia virus. This recombinant virus expressed the RHDV capsid protein (VP60). Analysis of the expressed product showed that the recombinant protein, which is 60 kDa in size, was antigenic as revealed by its reactions in immunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescence with the antibodies raised against RHDV. The recombinant virus induced high level of RHDV specific antibodies in rabbits following immunization. Inoculations by both the intradermal and oral routes allow protection of animals against a challenge with virulent RHDV.

The genome of the European brown hare syndrome virus (EBHSV), a calicivirus related to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), was fully sequenced. It was 7442 bases long and contained two ORFs. In RHDV, the 5′ large ORF (ORF1) is predicted to encode a polyprotein precursor to the non-structural and capsid proteins. The small ORF (ORF2) encodes a predicted protein of 12 kDa. Alignment of sequences of EBHSV and RHDV showed 71% nucleotide identity; the changes were uniformly scattered over the whole genome. Minor differences could be detected when comparing two EBHSV sequences, indicating that EBHSV could vary to the same extent as RHDV. Four cleavage sites previously identified on the RHDV polyprotein were conserved in EBHSV. These sequencing data clearly show that EBHSV and RHDV share a similar genomic organization and confirm that EBHSV and RHDV are two distinct members within the family Caliciviridae.

A chemiluminescent dot-blot hybridization assay was developed for the detection of Muscovy duck parvovirus (DPV) by using a non-radioactive DPV DNA probe. A 1030bp HindIII-Bg/II fragment of DPV DNA was labelled with digoxigenin-labelled dUTP. The hybridized DPV DNA probes were detected by an immunoenzymatic reaction using anti-digoxigenin-antibody Fab fragments conjugated to alkaline phosphatase and visualized by chemiluminescent reaction. The assay proved to be sensitive since up to 3 fg of homologous DPV DNA and 10(0.4) EID50 mul-1 of DPV infected amino-allantoic fluid could be visualized. It appeared to be specific for the detection of different strains of DPV and Derszy's disease virus (DDV). Nevertheless, the dot-blot assay showed a lower sensitivity to detect DDV infected samples. No hybridization was noticed between DPV DNA probe and the two mammalian parvovirus strains tested (canine and porcine parvoviruses), emphasizing nucleotidic sequence heterologies. The use of the probe for DPV diagnosis purpose is discussed. To our knowledge, this work constitutes the first description of a dot-blot hybridization assay for the detection of an avian parvovirus.

A sequencing strategy based on the use of commercially available fluorescent-labeled universal primers for directly sequencing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified material has been developed. The PCR reactions were performed with hybrid primers, specific to the viral sequence and possessing the sequence of the standard sequencing primers at their 5' end (M13 and reverse primers). These amplified fragments were sequenced by a classical dye-primer kit on an automated sequencer. As opposed to the use of fluorescent dideoxynucleotides, this sequencing method yielded accurate, high-grade sequences and had several advantages. First, the intensity of the sequencing peaks was much more homogeneous with the dye primer method. In addition, the problem of altered electrophoretic mobility, which may occur during the sequencing of custom-synthesised fluorescent primers, was avoided. This method was successfully reproduced using several different sets of chimeric primers. We believe that it is suitable for epidemiological studies conducted by nucleic sequence comparison, as in the case of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, as well as in other systems.

This article discusses the shift of emphasis in implantology from the phenomenon of osseointegration of implants to the accurate fabrication of the prosthesis, recognizing the implant/prosthesis unit as an actual replica rather than a replacement of the missing tooth. The study of kinetics with its succession of mandibular cycles is used to discuss the integration of mastication and occlusion. The importance of periimplant ligament in natural teeth is discussed, along with the impact of its absence on implant mobility. The impact of the bone types and the root surface architecture on the implant-bearing surface is presented along with the stress of the mastication forces. All these factors have to be considered in the treatment planning and effectively communicated to the laboratory. The learning objective of this article is to provide updated information in those areas for the reader.

A duck parvovirus (DPV) isolated from muscovy ducks during the epizootic in France in 1989 was purified from inoculated allanto-amniotic fluids by CsCl density gradient centrifugation and characterized. Full and empty non-enveloped icosahedral viral particles were observed banding at densities of 1.39 to 1.42 and 1.38 respectively, with a diameter of 22 to 23 nm. Viral proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and the estimated molecular weights of the 3 major proteins were 91, 78 and 58 kDa. The nucleic acid was shown to be a single-stranded DNA of about 5,300 bases with terminal palindromic hairpins. These results confirm the previous classification of the virus in the family Parvoviridae established by Jestin et al. [14] on morphological and serological bases. The DPV DNA was reannealed indicating that complementary DNA strands were encapsidated. A partial restriction endonuclease map was also established. This work constitutes the first biochemical and genomic description of a muscovy duck parvovirus.

VP60, the unique component of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus capsid, was expressed in the baculovirus system. The recombinant VP60, released in the supernatant of infected insect cells, assembled without the need of any other viral component to form viruslike particles (VLPs), structurally and immunologically indistinguishable from the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virion. Intramuscular vaccination of rabbits with the VLPs conferred complete protection in 15 days; this protection was found to be effective from the fifth day after VLP injection and was accompanied by a strong humoral response.

In order to define the value of antibiotic prophylaxis, we conducted a prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 61 patients undergoing transurethral resection (TUR) of a bladder lesion suspected to be neoplastic. 32 patients received a single dose of 800 mg of pefloxacin at the time of anaesthetic induction and 29 patients received placebo. All patients had sterile preoperative urine and none had received any antibiotics during the fortnight preceding the operation. 3 patients in the pefloxacin group (9.4%) developed postoperative bacteriuria versus 7 in the placebo group (24.1%) (no statistically significant difference). No patient developed symptomatic urinary tract infection. We conclude that antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated during TUR for bladder tumours.

Genomic DNA fragments of a rickettsia-like organism (RLO) of Saint-Jacques scallop, Pecten maximus, were extracted from purified RLO and cloned. A DNA sequence of 1500 bp taken from one of the sequenced clones was coupled to horseradish peroxidase and the resulting probe was assayed for the diagnosis of RLO by nucleic acid hybridization. The specificity of the probe for RLO DNA was established from its lack of hybridization with scallop DNA. The sensitivity limit of the probe detected by enhanced chemiluminescence was determined to be around 500 ng of total RLO nucleic acids, equivalent to about 2.5 X 106 copies of RLO DNA. A pair of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were synthesized that amplified a 1300 bp segment of the 1500 bp RLO fragment. After 30 cycles of amplification of total RLO nucleic acids, a product of the expected size was easily visible on agarose at all starting template concentrations between 100 ng and 10 pg of RLO total nucleic acids. The lowest level of sensitivity corresponds to about 100 fg of RLO DNA or about 50 genomic molecules. The specificity of the amplified DNA was confirmed by Southern blot analysis using the peroxidase labelled probe and by the lack of amplified product with scallop DNA as the starting template.

The causative agent of rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) was purified by CsCl density gradient centrifugation from liver homogenates of rabbits infected with a strain of VHD virus isolated in France. Electron microscopy observations revealed that the virions were icosahedral with a diameter of 33-35 nm, and with an average buoyant density of 1.33. Structural proteins were investigated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting. The results indicated the presence of a major structural protein of 64 kDa and other minor proteins of molecular weight of 43, 36 and 32 kDa, the last presumably resulting from the proteolytic degradation of VP 64. These results correspond with the description made by the different authors who identify the VHD virus as a member of the Caliciviridae family.

In vitro megakaryocyte colony formation from the bone marrow of patients with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) or chronic ITP was compared using a plasma clot system. The number of megakaryocyte colony-forming units (CFU-Meg) was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) in acute ITP compared to chronic ITP (54.3 +/- 68.4 vs. 12.9 +/- 15.3/10(5) nonadherent mononuclear cells, mean +/- SD), and significantly lower (p less than 0.05) in chronic ITP compared to controls (12.9 +/- 15.3 vs. 22.8 +/- 15.9). A significant correlation was observed between platelet recovery 7 and 30 days after culture, and the number of CFU-Meg (r = 0.49 and 0.45, respectively, p less than 0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between platelet count at the time of culture and the number of Megs per colony (r = -0.48, p less than 0.05). These results indicated a difference between acute and chronic ITP in the ability to promote in vitro Meg colony formation and may suppose a different immune mechanism for thrombocytopenia in these two disorders.

In vitro bone-marrow megakaryocyte colony formation was studied in 10 patients with HIV-associated thrombocytopenia to investigate the mechanism of thrombocytopenia. Increased colony formation was observed in 3 patients and decreased growth in 7 patients. No relationship was noted between the growth potential of megakaryocyte progenitors and platelet count, number of CD4+ celts, platelet response to azidothymidine, and platelet count 7 days after culture. In all patients, megakaryocyte morphology was abnormal: blebbing of the membrane and abnormal chromatin with separated lobes of nuclei. Further studies are needed to determine if growth potential of megakaryocyte progenitors is useful in understanding the mechanism of thrombocytopenia in HIV-infected individuals.

In less than ten years, two very serious viral hepatic diseases have spread through Leporidae populations (rabbits and hares) in numerous countries. In May 1989, the Office International des Epizooties designated this new disease of rabbits "viral haemorrhagic disease" and entered it as a List B disease in the International Animal Health Code. Clinically, the disease is very similar to the European brown hare syndrome. However, numerous uncertainties prevail today on the true nature of the viruses of the two species. Although they are related, the viruses appear to be different and cross infection between species has given contradictory results. Hepatitis of Leporidae have probably existed in Europe for several years, although their viral aetiology has been demonstrated only recently. The acute form has occurred in hares in Northern Europe since approximately 1980, while the inapparent (or ignored) form has been present in rabbits in Czechoslovakia since 1975. These diseases of Leporidae are true viral hepatitis which, in their fulminating forms, bear a remarkable resemblance to human viral hepatitis (B and non-A non-B) with regard to clinical symptoms, pathological lesions and mode of transmission. The dominant faecal-oral transmission observed for types A and E hepatitis would explain the particular susceptibility of family-kept rabbits, as they are fed potentially contaminated fodder. As the clinically similar fulminating hepatitis in human beings is caused by a diversity of viruses (both RNA and DNA), the disease in Leporidae might also be caused by different viruses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A Multibeam radiation therapy treatment is a non-invasive technique devoted to treat a lesion within the cerebral medium by focusing photon-beams on the same target from a high number of entrance points. We present here a computer assisted dosimetric planning procedure which includes: (1) an analysis module to define the target volume by using 2D and 3D displays, (2) a planing module to issue a treatment strategy including the dosimetric simulations and (3) a treatment module setting up the parameters to order the robotized treatment system (i.e. chair- framework, radiation unit machine). Another important feature of this system is its connection to the PACS system SIRENE settled in the University hospital of Rennes which makes possible the archiving and the communication of the multimodal images (CT, MRI, Angiography) used by this application. The corporate use of stereotactic methods and the multimodality imagery ensures spatial coherence and makes the target definition and the cognition of the structures environment more accurate. The dosimetric planning suited to the spatial reference (i.e. the stereotactic frame) guarantees an optimal distribution of the dose computed by an original 3D volumetric algorithm. The robotic approach of the treatment stage has consisted to design a computer driven chair-framework cluster to position the target volume at the radiation unit isocenter.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

The effect of highly purified human beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG), a glycoprotein present in platelet alpha granules, was tested on human bone marrow in vitro megakaryocyte (MK) colony formation. A concentration of 5 micrograms/ml of beta TG induced a 50% reduction in the number of MK colonies, and concentrations of 10 and 20 micrograms/ml completely inhibited MK growth. This inhibition was of importance for MKs because a higher concentration of beta TG (10 micrograms/ml) was needed to obtain a nonsignificant decrease in erythroblastic progenitors (erythroid burst-forming units, BFU-E), and no inhibition of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) was observed. beta TG acts mainly on maturation of MKs. These results indicate that beta TG could play a role in the physiological regulation of platelet production by MKs.

France produces a large number of ducks (100 million in 2005 including Muscovy (Cairina moschata domesticus), Pekin (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) and mule: the hybrid between Muscovy and Pekin). Whereas Muscovy meat ducks and breeder ducks are reared indoors, mule ducks are reared as free-range ducks from 4 to 12 wk-old then they are transferred indoors for force-feeding. Since duck can play a pivotal role in the epidemiology of avian influenza (AI), prevalence of AI infection in free-range ducks is a matter of concern and deserves particular attention.

Resume L'interdiffusion en phase β des alliages Ti-Hf est etudiee entre 1000 et 2000°C. Les coefficients d'interdiffusion dependent peu de la concentration. Leur evolution avec la temperature traduit un comportement dit “anormal”, caracteristique de la diffusion dans les metaux et alliages de structure cubique centree: l'energie d'activation a haute temperature (~175 kJ/mol) est superieure a celle correspondant aux temperatures proches de la transformation β → α (~120 kJ/mol). Les coefficients d'heterodiffusion a dilution infinie D o Hf ( Ti ) et D o Ti ( Hf ) sont precises ainsi que le role de faibles teneurs en zirconium. Aucun effet Kirkendall n'accompagne les phenomenes de diffusion dans ces alliages.

Two varieties each of spelt ( Triticum aestivum var. spelta ), durum wheat ( Triticum turgidum var. durum ), rye ( Secale cereale ), barley ( Hordeum vulgare ), oats ( Avena sativa ), einkorn ( Triticum monococcum var. monococcum ) and emmer ( Triticum turgidum var. dicoccum ) (all members of the Pooideae sub-family of grasses) were selected according to variation in their contents of soluble and/or total arabinoxylan (AX) determined during the HEALTHGRAIN diversity screen, together with one genotype of the related “model” grass species Brachypodium distachyon . The spatial distribution of low substituted (LS-AX) and highly substituted arabinoxylan (HS-AX) was determined using FT-IR spectroscopic mapping of transverse thin cross-sections consisting of cell walls only. Variation in cell wall AX composition was observed between the cereals, and compared with that observed for wheat ( Triticum aestivum var. aestivum ). One line of each cereal type was analysed in more detail using 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The results of the two analyses were consistent, showing variation in the composition and structure of the endosperm cell wall AX that is consistent with the genetic relationships of the cereals studied.

Articular chondrocalcinosis (ACC), which is due to the precipitation of calcium pyrophosphate microcrystals, is known to produce symptom of acute arthritis or chronic degenerative polyarticular lesions. It is more rarely responsible for rapidly destructive lesions of the joints suggesting a metabolic or neurological process. The case reported here of a 66 year old woman with major lesions of the L1-L2 intervertebral space, together with other cases already published, shows that the destructive spinal forms of ACC may also present as subacute spondylodiscitis. The latter, however, merely represents 4.9% of all destructive articular lesions of ACC and 5.2% of the vertebral localizations of all forms of the disease.

The tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome was described in 1966 by Giedion. It is a hereditary disease with a dominant autosomic transmission. The authors describe a family with 7 cases, 4 of which were thoroughly studied. No chromosomic or biochemical error is known. However, x-rays of a young man in this family led us to classify this anomaly among the minor epiphyseal dysplasias related to the peripheral dysostosis of Braislford and clearly distinct Thieman's disease acquired by manual labor.

Even if tuberculosis has become now rare in France, the frequency of new cases in general hospital practice remains 1,4% of incomers. More than 50% of man and 80% of women attacked with tuberculosis are 60 years old or more. Pulmonary tuberculosis represents 60% of these cases but other localizations are various and multifocal in 22,8% of cases. Two points are emphasized: the difficulties of the diagnosis in some specially misleading cases and the fatal prognosis of 8,5% of cases.

Ten cases are reported of children presenting isolated, congenital esophagotracheal fistulae without esophageal atresia, or "H-type-fistula" of Anglo-Saxon authors. The malformation is rare, of difficult diagnosis and often associated with other malformations. Respiratory symptomatology is sometimes dramatic, but diagnosis is based on data from radiologic imaging of the esophagus and from esophageal and tracheobronchial endoscopy. Treatment is surgical by a cervicotomy approach due to the almost constant high localization of the lesion.

Effects of recombinant human interferon alpha (HuIFN-alpha) on human megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) and fibroblast (CFU-F) colony-forming cell growth were studied. Concentration-dependent inhibition of both CFU-MK and CFU-F by HuIFN-alpha was demonstrated. Statistically significant suppression of both CFU-MK and CFU-F was seen at a HuIFN-alpha concentration of 1000 U/ml or greater. No significant difference was found between HuIFN-alpha treated cultures and controls for the distribution of CFU-MK types and for the size and cell morphology of CFU-F. When a concentration of 1000 u/ml HuIFN-alpha was added at varying time points during the marrow cultures, decreased numbers of megakaryocyte and fibroblast colonies only appeared at the early days of cultures. When bone marrow cells were incubated with HuIFN-alpha for different periods of time prior to initiation of cultures, a reduction of megakaryocyte colony formation also occurred. These studies demonstrate a suppressive effect of HuIFN-alpha on human CFU-MK and CFU-F growth. This effect seems to occur at the initial stages of CFU-MK and CFU-F development.

A branchial infection of Pecten maximus is his­ tologically and ultrastructurally described. Gill epithelial cells were heavily infected with colonies of procaryotes, believed to belong to the Rickettsiales.

In EUROHARP, an EC Framework V project, which started in 2002 with 21 partners in 17 countries across Europe, a detailed intercomparison of contemporary catchment-scale modelling approaches was undertaken to characterise the relative importance of point and diffuse pollution of nutrients in surface freshwater systems. The study focused on the scientific evaluation of different modelling approaches, which were validated on three core catchments (the Ouse, UK; the Vansjo-Hobøl, Norway; and the Enza, Italy), and the application of each tool to three additional, randomly chosen catchments across Europe. The tools involved differ profoundly in their complexity, level of process representation and data requirements. The tools include simple loading models, statistical, conceptual and empirical model approaches, and physics-based (mechanistic) models. The results of a scientific intercomparison of the characteristics of these different model approaches are described. This includes an analysis of potential strengths and weaknesses of the nutrient models., JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resources