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In an earlier study, we demonstrated that benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was associated with significantly higher urine levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) than in prostate cancer (PC). These early results led to the present study: we assessed, in patients undergoing a prostate biopsy, the clinical value of the PSA serum/urine ratio (PSA S/U) in patients for the differential diagnosis of PC, particularly when the pre-biopsy serum level of PSA lies between 4.0 and 10.0 ng/ml.All patients without an indwelling drain who underwent transrectal echoguided biopsy were prospectively included in this study from November 1994 to December 1995. All serum and urine PSA measurements were done by the same laboratory using a Tandem R kit (Hybritech). Blood and urine samples were obtained during the 24 hour period prior to surgery during which all urethral or rectal manipulation was avoided.We studied 130 patients with BPH (n = 73) or PC (n = 57). The PSA serum levels and the PSA S/U were significantly different between the BPH and the PC groups. In the subgroup of 50 patients with a serum PSA level in the 4-10 ng/ml range, the difference between the BPH and PC patients was not significantly different except for the PSA S/U ratio. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the diagnostic power of PSA S/U was greater than serum PSA.These results suggest that the PSA S/U ratio could be useful to distinguish between BPH and PC, particularly when diagnosis is uncertain in patients whose serum PSA is in the 4.0-10.0 ng/ml range.

Human umbilical cord blood (UCB) is rich in hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors and recently has been used in the clinic as an alternative source for graft and marrow repopulation. We tried to determine in vitro the roles of wild-type (wt) p53 and wt RB tumor/growth suppressor genes in the regulation of proliferation and maturation of hematopoietic UCB cells. CD34+ cells, isolated from mononuclear cells of UCB, were cultured in semisolid medium under conditions that favor growth of hematopoietic cells. We studied the level of expression of p53 and RB mRNAs and proteins during cell culture by Northern blot and cytofluorometry analysis, respectively. Sense (S), antisense (AS), or scrambled (missense [MS]) p53 and RB oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were used to study the behavior of these cells in the absence of expression of p53 and/or RB. Adequate doses of p53 or RB ODNs inducing maximal inhibitory effect were used to study the behavior of these cells in the absence of expression of p53 and/or RB. Adequate doses of p53 or RB ODNs inducing maximal inhibitory effect with minimal cellular toxicity were determined. Exposure of CD34+ cells to p53 or AS, RB AS, or both p53 and RB AS but not other ODNs (sense or missense) resulted in a significantly increased number of colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) induced by interleukin-3 (IL-3) and/or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The number of erythroid colonies (CFU-E) and burst-forming units (BFU-E) derived from CD34+ cells in the presence of erythropoietin (Epo) was not significantly increased, whereas the number of such colonies was markedly increased in the presence of IL-3 + EPO upon p53 AS and/or RB AS treatment with hypothesis that wt p53 and RB are proliferation suppressor genes that interfere with normal maturation of hematopoietic cells.

Two new immunoenzymatic assays for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) (Oncogene Science) in human breast cancer were validated. Correlations between these assays and some clinical and biological parameters were also studied. The repeatability and reproducibility of standard curves for the two methods gave a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 4% and about 10% respectively. The accuracy of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and EGF-R assays was examined by using dilution and recovery tests throughout the standard curves. The linear relations between theoretical and measured values, for these tests, had slopes close to 1 and an intercept near 0. The median value for EGF-R, measured on solubilized membranes of 290 primary tumors, was 0.12 fmol/micrograms protein, the mean value was 0.37 (range 0 to 35.7). For c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, the median value, measured using the same population, was 2.75 human neu unit/micrograms protein, the mean value was 7.85 (range 1 to 125). There was an inverse relationship between EGF-R values and those for the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor and pS2 protein as well as menopausal status. C-erbB-2 oncoprotein concentrations were positively correlated with ER, pS2 protein and cathepsin D. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between EGF-R levels and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein levels. In conclusion, immunoenzymatic assays of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein are easy to use, sensitive and reliable. The accurate standardisation of immunoenzymatic assays could contribute to the clinical use of EGF-R and c-erbB-2 oncoprotein as prognostic factors in breast cancer.

Le nombre de personnes âgees dependantes augmente. Le declin fonctionnel (DF : diminution du nombre des activites de la vie quotidienne AVQ realisees de facon independante par le patient) est souvent precipite par une hospitalisation. Le but de notre etude etait d'identifier les facteurs predictifs de DF chez la personne âgee apres une hospitalisation en court sejour geriatrique (CSG). Une etude retrospective a ete menee sur 223 patients, admis consecutivement en CSG au CHU de Grenoble sur une periode de 4 mois. Le critere de jugement principal etait la survenue d'un DF entre l'etat de base (J-15), et la sortie d'hospitalisation. 31% des patients ont presente un DF entre J-15 et la sortie. Pour 95% d'entre eux ce DF survenait avant l'admission en CSG (DF recent). Lorsqu'on excluait le DF recent (OR=58.8; p

Plasma S100β protein (PS100β) was described as a biological marker of white substance damage and brain ischemia. Studies of new neuroprotective approaches in patients with traumatic brain injury and subarachnoid aneurysmal hemorrhage would benefit from the development of such markers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the first 24 hours mean plasma PS100β for predicting outcome at ICU discharge after subarachnoid aneurysmal hemorrhage (SAH).

We studied the effect of bromolevamisole (BL) and other imidazo [2,1-b] thiazole derivatives--bromodexamisole (BD) and levamisole (LV)--on adenylate cyclase (AC) activity. BL and BD both inhibited forskolin-activated human thyroid AC, while LV had no effect. This inhibition was non-stereospecific and the IC50 values, as measured with 1 mM ATP and 40 microM forskolin, were 0.95 and 0.80 mM for BL and BD, respectively. In contrast, human thyroid alkaline phosphatase (ALP) inhibition was stereospecific, with IC50 values of 0.0012 mM for BL and 0.9 mM for BD. LV was a 10-fold weaker inhibitor of ALP than BL. These results show that ALP inhibition is not correlated with forskolin-activated AC inhibition. Furthermore, in the presence of a competitive inhibitor of GTP (0.1 mM guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate), BL retained its antagonizing effect on forskolin-activated AC which suggests a direct action on the catalytic subunit. The inhibition was of the mixed type, indicating a complex interaction between BL and AC. Glucagon-activated AC activity in rat liver membranes was also inhibited by BL, although to a slightly lesser degree than thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)-activated AC from human thyroid for a given BL concentration. In cultured human thyroid cells, BL (0.25 mM) induced a potent decrease in cAMP accumulation after 2 hr of stimulation by TSH. Taken together, these results show that BL inhibits AC and that this inhibition is not organ-specific.

The stability of emulsions is, in most cases, linked to the homogeneity and fineness of dispersed particles. For external oil phase systems, surfusion temperature and disperse-phase water-particle crystallization kinetics are particle-size dependent, according to a statistical probability function, f 1 = 1/ N 1 ʃ D 0 d N where N 1 is the number of particles, and D is the diameter. DTA, Investigation of emulsion size distribution by surfusion thermograms, and dispersed phase crystallization kinetics (observed during freeze-thaw cycles with isotherm plateau), can be helpful in the choice of surfactant, coupling agents and raw materials and can provide an approach for estimation of the stability of w/o emulsions. This method has also been applied to technological procedure optimization and quality control of end products. Retained optimization criteria are, in decreasing order of importance, a very low polydispersity and a particle-size distribution as near Gaussian distribution as possible. Surfusion temperature, which varies from one system to another (−10 to −47°C), must remain stable with time or after the ageing process.

Intramolecular excimer formation of 10,10′-diphenyl-bs-9-anthrylmethyloxide (diphant) in bulk poly(dimethylsiloxanes) has been investigated from −40°C to 160°C. The excimer/monomer fluorescence ratio, as well as the activation energy for excimer formation appear to be independent of host matrix molecular weight. The results are consistent with high local mobility of the macromolecular chains.

1. General The concrete gravity dam of Chambon (height : 135 m) was originally equipped with an outlet formed of a 2 meter diameter draw off pipe at altitude 951,50. This facility became inoperative at the beginning of the 1960's because mud clogged up the reservoir, and a new pipe was installed at altitude 959, the old outlet having been obturated by a full plug which could be dynamited, downstream from its guard gate. The reservoir had been drained down to altitude 963 at the beginning of 1980, and was to be drained again the following winter to build a new water intake structure, replace the outlet screen at altitude 959, and build a support for the watertight hood of the dam. At that time, the decision was taken to resume operation of the original bottom outlet. 2.- 3. Recommissioning of the old bottom outlet The following precautions were taken in recommissioning the facility the outlet was opened under a 30 m pressure a powerful clean-water injector was used the gate was opened before the cover was blown up, and the explosion of the plug bolts was synchronised The operation was performed most satisfactorily. The water injection was maintained until the reservoir had been completely emptied. 4. Findings and conclusion The precautions made it possible to solve a problem for which twenty years ago no answer had been found. It is believed that in the future repetition of this operation at judicious by chosen intervals would help prevent renewed fouling of the reservoir by mud.

This paper contains: A review of the features implicated in estrogen action on uterine cells: metabolism, transport, entry, cytosol receptor, and first effects. (2) New results concerning the interaction of several estrogens and antiestrogens with the receptor. Binding of radioactive estrogens: at equilibrium at 0 °C, KD (in nM) of estradiol 0.2–0.5, estrone 2.0, and estriol 1.3. Inhibition constant at equilibrium measured by competition with nonradioactive compounds of natural and synthetic steroid and nonsteroidal estrogens, new stilbene derivatives, phytoestrogens, etc. (28 compounds). Kinetic studies. Same dissociation rate constant for estradiol, estrone and estriol and association rate constant greater for estradiol. Formation of the neonuclear steroid receptor complex by estrone and estriol, implicating that estradiol is not unique for promoting the cytosol receptor translocation to the nucleus. (3) A review of possible mechanisms for antiestrogen action.

Single-photon sources based on semiconductor quantum dots have emerged as an excellent platform for high efficiency quantum light generation. However, scalability remains a challenge since quantum dots generally present inhomogeneous characteristics. Here we benchmark the performance of fifteen deterministically fabricated single-photon sources. They display an average indistinguishability of 90.6 +/- 2.8 % with a single-photon purity of 95.4 +/- 1.5 % and high homogeneity in operation wavelength and temporal profile. Each source also has state-of-the-art brightness with an average first lens brightness value of 13.6 +/- 4.4 %. Whilst the highest brightness is obtained with a charged quantum dot, the highest quantum purity is obtained with neutral ones. We also introduce various techniques to identify the nature of the emitting state. Our study sets the groundwork for large-scale fabrication of identical sources by identifying the remaining challenges and outlining solutions., Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures

The autonomic nervous system includes, side by side with the sympathetic and parasymathetic systems, a third, non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic system called NANC. The mediators in this system are peptides acting as neurotransmitters, i.e. neuropeptides. The NANC system has two components: bronchodilator and bronchoconstrictor. The bronchial relaxant system, called non-adrenergic inhibitory system, has several neurotransmitters, viz.: vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), isoleucine histidine peptide (IHP) and methionine histidine peptide (MPH), all derived from a common precursor: pre-pro VIP. MHP has been described in man and IHP in some animal species. VIP relaxes the bronchial smooth muscle, is vasodilator and exerts cellular effects in phagocytes, lymphocytes and mast cells. VIP receptors are present on cells. The other component, called non-cholinergic excitatory system, has tachykinins as neuromediators, including substance P, neurokinins A and B, neuropeptide K and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP). Substance P contracts the bronchi, increases mucus secretion, dilates vessels and also exerts cellular effects in lymphocytes and phagocytes. Tachykinins act through receptors 3 types of which are now known: NK 1, NK 2 and NK 3. Other neuropeptides have been isolated, including galanin, neuropeptide Y, bombesin, gastrin releasing peptide, enkephalins and katacalcin. The coexistence, in pre- and post-synaptic positions, of the conventional mediators (noradrenaline, acetylcholine) and neuropeptides leads to the concept of co-transmission and makes the notion of nerve impulse transmission more complex. The development of neuropeptide agonists and antagonists opens new therapeutic prospects in the management of asthma.

Pseudohypoaldosteronism is a congenital disorder, with an as yet unclear pathophysiology, mode of inheritance and frequency. We have recently diagnosed 6 cases in a relatively short period of time, which suggests that the frequency of the disease may be underestimated. This may be due to a high variability in the clinical expression and to the existence of asymptomatic forms. Autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive modes of inheritance have been reported which probably correspond to different underlying mechanisms.

The preceding discussion has profiled the three different types of knee braces which are available on today's market. It also has attempted to discuss the controversies surrounding these braces and to analyze the scientific data presented to date. Prophylactic braces have been shown to be ineffective in preventing knee injuries in its present day design. Evidence also has shown that their use may even lead to increased knee injuries. Rehabilitative braces, on the other hand, do serve a useful purpose in regard to the operative and non-operative treatment of ligamentous knee injuries. With their ease of application and control of joint motion, they are an important addition to the surgeon's armamentarium. One must keep in mind, however, that these braces provide little static anterior/posterior control and the hinge settings may not actually affect true joint motion. Functional knee braces may play a role in the treatment of patients with pathological laxity due to an injury of the anterior cruciate ligament. Combined with an adequate rehabilitation program and activity modification, these braces do limit excessive anterior tibial translation under low loading conditions. However, under conditions of high loading these braces provide little or no resistance to anterior translation. Therefore, in most sporting activities, their efficacy is questionable. Knee bracing continues to be a complex and controversial topic in the field of orthopedic surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Specialists, and a gradually increasing number of the profession, regard cystoscopy as a diagnostic measure of merit. A multiplicity of instruments and variety of technic have contributed not a little to a feeling of distrust and reluctance to accept it by the profession at large. Of the many kinds of cystoscopes most of them have been devised or modified by the pioneers in genito-urinary diagnosis. In the hands of its originator probably each instrument is a success, but in the hands of a stranger many are more or less of a failure. Water dilatation of the bladder seems the rational method. The difficulty or impossibility of examining an occasional bladder, from blood or pus clouding the inflating fluid, led to the devising of instruments to be used with air dilatation. Air in the bladder is a foreign body and by the conscious patient is treated as such. Frequent sponging to remove urine or blood is provocative of further hemorrhage and increases the difficulties.

Spins in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are promising local quantum memories to generate polarization-encoded photonic cluster states, as proposed in the pioneering Lindner and Rudolph scheme (2009 Phys. Rev. Lett. 103 113602). However, harnessing the polarization degree of freedom of the optical transitions is hindered by resonant excitation schemes that are widely used to obtain high photon indistinguishability. Here we show that acoustic phonon-assisted excitation, a scheme that preserves high indistinguishability, also allows to fully exploit the polarization selective optical transitions to initialise and measure single spin states. We access the coherence of hole spin systems in a low transverse magnetic field and directly monitor the spin Larmor precession both during the radiative emission process of an excited state or in the QD ground state. We report a spin state detection fidelity of 94.7 ± 0.2 % granted by the optical selection rules and a 25 ± 5 ns hole spin coherence time, demonstrating the potential of this scheme and system to generate linear cluster states with a dozen of photons.

The last decade has shown that there are an increasing numbers of known proteins that contain linear open knots or slipknots in their native folded structure. In general, knots in proteins are orders of magnitude less frequent than would be expected for random polymers with similar length, compactness, and flexibility. Explaining why they are so rare is an intriguing question. While analyzing all available protein structures for the presence of knots and slipknots we detected a surprising conservation of complex knotting patterns within and between several protein families despite their large sequence divergence. Since protein folding pathways leading to knotted native protein structures are slower and less efficient than those leading to unknotted proteins with similar size and sequence, the strict conservation of the knotting pattern in some families of proteins indicates an important physiological role of knots and slipknots in these proteins. Although little is known about the functional role of knots, recent studies have demonstrated a protein-stabilizing ability of knots and slipknots. In the slipknots studied here, some of the conserved knotting patterns occur in transmembrane domains of proteins, suggesting that slipknots may stabilize these domains against forces acting during their translocation through protein lined membrane pores.