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The authors report a new case of induced pemphigus: a 64-year-old man has had rheumatoid arthritis for 10 years. When he developed his pemphigus, he had been taking D-penicillamine and piroxicam for about 8 months. He needed high doses of prednisolone associated with azathioprine to clear his eruption. The case had a fatal outcome.

SCOPUS: ar.j, FLWNA, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Three cases of pinguecula (conjunctival elastosis) were ultrastructurally investigated. Findings were compared with the features described in cutaneous actinic elastosis. Changes observed were not uniform. In both diseases, numerous elastotic fibers were present with a finely granular matrix and masses of dense grains. The degenerative changes of the elastotic fibers evolved differently in conjunctival stroma and in dermis. The superficial extracellular concretions observed in pinguecula seemed to be an ultimate stage of elastotic degeneration. Like actinic elastosis and elastosis observed in chronic radiodermatitis, pinguecula is believed to result from a dystrophic increased elastogenesis induced by chronic irradiation, with secondary degenerative changes.

Recent advances in the theoretical background are presented. The optical sizing techniques currently used and/or under development at Rouen University are discussed, namely simultaneous sizing and velocimetry using a corrected laser beam system, holography and Malvern diffractometry, diffusion-broadening spectroscopy, and multiple-scattering media diagnosis. Examples of applications are reported.

During the purification of propancreatopeptidase E, a proATEEase activity is always copurified. The proelastolytic and proesterolytic activities can be separated on a hydroxylapatite column. The zymogen with potential ATEEase activity has a basic isoelectric point, can be activated by trypsin, and can hydrolyse elastin and ATEE but not ATAME. Its molecular weight is about 26,500 and the NH2-terminal sequence indicates clearly that it belongs to the chymotrypsinogen family, but that it is not chymotrypsinogen A, B, or C. We call it chymotrypsinogen D. Although both pancreatopeptidase E and chymotrypsin D can hydrolyse elastin, the synthetic substrate ATAME is attacked only by pancreatopeptidase E. Therefore, the peptide bonds in elastin cleaved by these two enzymes should be different.

A 34-year-old African patient with AIDS developed a new form of oral leucoplakia closely resembling the "hairy" leucoplakia described by Greenspan in male homosexuals in the San Francisco area. A herpes-like virus was seen on ultrastructural analysis with electron microscopy. This case supplies further evidence suggesting that the syndrome in patients originating in Central Africa is similar to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reported in American patients.Despite differences in the modes of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Africa as compared to US and Europe, the immunologic abnormalities and clinical profile in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) appear to be similar. Further evidence for this observation is provided by the case of a 34-year-old African male from Burundi who developed a form of oral leukoplakia previously unseen in African AIDS patients, but resembling the so-called hairy leukoplakia found in homosexuals in California. In this African patient, the diagnosis of AIDS was established on the basis of severe opportunistic infection (meningeal cryptococcosis) together with hepatic and pulmonary tuberculosis, a severely decreased T-helper to suppressor cell ratio, and the presence of antibodies to HIV. Dermatological examination revealed several mucocutaneous lesions, including 1) candidiasis with patchy depapillation of the dorsum of the tongue and 2) discrete, chronic lesions on the lateral sides of the tongue appearing as dense, white mucosal patches about 1 cm in size. A sample of a persistent white lesion on the lateral border of this patient's tongue was submitted to light and electron microscopic examination and immunoassay. The epithelium of the lingual mucosa presented parakeratotic cells, acanthosis, and surface projections typical of "hairy" leukoplakia. The prickle cells contained pyknotic nuclei and perinuclear halos. Herpes-like virus particles were observed within the nuclei of this prickle cells and in intercellular spaces. There was no evidence of papillomavirus particles. In immunoassay, the virus particles did not react to antibodies against human herpes virus. The role of herpes virus and papillomavirus in the pathogenesis of "hairy" leukoplakia has yet to be established.

Seven healthy male volunteers exercised on a cycle ergometer at 50 +/- 5% VO2max for 180 min, on three occasions during which they ingested either water only (W), [13C]glucose (G), or [13C]fructose (F) (140 +/- 12 g, diluted at 7% in water, and evenly distributed over the exercise period). Blood glucose concentration (in mM) significantly decreased during exercise with W (5.1 +/- 0.4 to 4.2 +/- 0.1) but remained stable with G (5.0 +/- 0.4 to 5.3 +/- 0.6) or F ingestion (5.4 +/- 0.5 to 5.1 +/- 0.4). Decreases in plasma insulin concentration (microU/ml) were greater (P less than 0.05) with W (11 +/- 3 to 3 +/- 1) and F (12 +/- 4 to 5 +/- 1) than with G ingestion (11 +/- 2 to 9 +/- 5), and fat utilization was greater with F (103 +/- 11 g) than with G ingestion (82 +/- 9 g) and lower than with W ingestion (132 +/- 14 g). However F was less readily available for combustion than G; over the 3-h period 75% (106 +/- 11 g) of ingested G was oxidized, compared with 56% (79 +/- 8 g) of ingested fructose. As a consequence, carbohydrate store utilizations were similar in the two conditions (G, 174 +/- 20 g; F, 173 +/- 17 g; vs. W, 193 +/- 22 g). These observations suggest that, during prolonged moderate exercise, F ingestion maintains blood glucose as well as G ingestion, and increases fat utilization when compared to G ingestion. However, due to a slower rate of utilization of F, carbohydrate store sparing is similar with G and F ingestions.

Several studies have shown that involvement in certain sports activities could lead to a significant delay in the onset of menarche. It is here emphasized that the latter constitutes a late pubertal event and that research in kinanthropology should now focus on processes underlying menarche. Some findings indeed suggest an influence of certain physical activities upon the maturation rate of endocrine axes which lead to the onset of the first menses.

The associations between skin conditions and malignant tumours are reviewed and classified in two groups: indirect associations (predisposing genetic factor or carcinogenic agent), and direct associations with parallel evolutions corresponding to the true paraneoplastic syndromes. Occasional associations are also mentioned. The cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes can be classified according to their pathogenic mechanisms, although these are mostly hypothetical, allowing those of secretory, immunological, deficient and neurovascular origins to be distinguished.

Complete alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency of the type PiOO associated with chronic obstructive lung disease, cutaneous hyperextensibility and hyperlaxity of joints were found in a nineteen-year-old Moroccan boy. On a nosological point of view, this patient could be included as a 8th form, in the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which now groups seven clinical variants. A causal relationship between the biological deficiency and the clinical alterations (pulmonary, cutaneous and articular) could be assumed according to the biological and ultrastructural findings.

Partial rupture of the acetabular rim have usually been described as accompanying traumatic or dysplasic dislocations of the hip. The five cases reported here are in favor of a specific pathology of this fibrocartilage as it is in the knee or the shoulder. Besides, the functional symptoms are not without reminding that of these two joints with sudden onset of cracks, jerks, blockings and even a real joint instability. The pain is never isolated, but may accompany other disorders. The cases were selected in order to evaluate the clinical manifestations and the therapeutic consequences of such a lesion according to the articular history. The diagnosis can only be confirmed with arthrography, which, in addition, permits to evaluate the size of the rim and the condition of the cartilage. The three patients who underwent surgery presented the lesions shown on arthrography. The problem lies in the possible arthrogenic potential of a tear, left in place because minimally disabling for the patient.

In this paper, we obtain several new results and developments in the study of empirical processes. A comparison theorem for Rademacher averages is at the basis of the first part of the results, with applications, in particular, to Kolmogorov's law of the iterated logarithm and Prokhorov's law of large numbers for empirical processes. We then study the behavior of empirical processes along a class of functions through random geometric conditions and complete in this way the characterization of the law of the iterated logarithm. Bracketing and local Lipschitz conditions provide illustrations of some of these ideas to concrete situations.

Two cases of juvenile elastoma (nevus elasticus in disseminated tumors) were histologically and ultrastructurally investigated. The predominant components of this disseminated dysembryoplasia are abnormal elastic fibers. Both cases showed numerous large elastic fibers with an abundant background matrix. The elastic microfibrils were replaced by granular material. In one case, most of the abnormal elastic units remained isolated without forming elastic fibers.

During the purification of propancreatopeptidase E, a proATEEase activity is always copurified. The pro-elastolytlc and proesterolytic activities can be separated on a hydroxylapatite column. The zymogen with potential ATEEase activity has a basic isoelectric point, can be activated by trypsin, and can hydrolyse elastin and ATEE but not ATAME. Its molecular weight is about 26,500 and the NH2-terminal sequence indicates clearly that it belongs to the chymotrypsinogen family, but that it is not chymotrypsinogen A, B, or C. We call it chymotrypsinogen D. Although both pancreatopeptidase E and chymotrypsin D can hydrolyse elastin, the synthetic substrate ATAME is attacked only by pancreatopeptidase E. Therefore, the peptide bonds in elastin cleaved by these two enzymes should be different.

The structure of the boundary layer existing between a flat plate at zero incidence and a hot jet of gases formed by an oxygen-natural gas flame was investigated. Dynamical, thermal, and concentration profiles (CO, O2, CO2, N2, H2O, and OH) have been explored. Enthalphy profiles were deduced; no point of zero gradient was found for enthalphy. In the case of high temperature of external stream (which occurs there due to the use of oxygen as oxidizer), the heat is transferred to the wall by diffusion of dissociated species as well as by thermal convection. It was found that this chemical energy is released in the boundary layer rather than by wall recombination. The wall mean fluxes were deduced from the experiments by use of an integral method. It was shown that a calculation based on classical boundary-layer formulas underestimates the real flux.

The purpose of this study was to test the reproducibility of plasma norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations, at rest and during exercise, in man. Twelve young men were evaluated on two occasions (one week apart) at rest in supine and sitting positions and during dynamic exercise on bicycle ergometer: 5 min at a low intensity workload (heart rate = 131-133 bt min-1) and 5 and 20 min at a higher intensity (174-175 bt min-1). Mean plasma NE and E concentrations were not significantly different (p less than 0.05) on the two occasions in any of the experimental situations. However large within-subject variations were present, and the "standard errors of a single measurement" corrected for the variability of the catecholamine assay, ranged from 14 to 50% for NE and 14 to 37% for E. These results indicate that the mean plasma NE and E concentrations observed in a group of subjects are reproducible from one week to the other, but that individual plasma NE and E concentrations are not. This lack of reliability of a single determination of plasma catecholamine concentrations might be due to cyclic variations of plasma NE and E concentrations over time.

Prolactin (PRL) secretion is regulated by a variety of factors, most of them being known for their enhancing effects on blood PRL levels. This study describes the inhibitory influence of an acute exposure to hypoxia (14.5% O2) on the blood PRL response induced by graded maximal exercise in eight trained male subjects.

Let $X$ be a Banach space valued random variable satisfying the central limit theorem and $\xi$ be a real valued random variable, independent of $X$. If $\xi$ is in the Lorentz space $L_{2,1}$, the product $\xi X$ satisfies the central limit theorem. We show that this condition on $\xi$ cannot be improved, characterizing $L_{2,1}$ as the space of all random variables $\xi$ such that the preceding implication holds for all vector valued $X$ satisfying the central limit theorem. In particular, there exist independent random variables $X$ and $\xi$ both satisfying the central limit theorem such that $\xi X$ does not.

Iron deficiency in active men is well documented. To assess the relative importance of dietary iron intake, iron absorption, and iron loss in the pathogenesis of this iron deficiency, we compared a group of iron-deficient athletes to a group with normal iron stores. Iron absorption was assessed by an iron tolerance test. Serum haptoglobin was used as a measure of hemolysis. The presence of hemoglobinuria reflected urinary iron loss. Iron intake was determined by a 3-day dietary record as well as a food frequency questionnaire. Results showed iron absorption to be inversely correlated with iron stores. Iron-deficient athletes had higher absorption, suggesting a normal regulation mechanism. Major hemolysis (serum haptoglobin below 40 mg/dl) was found in 28% of subjects with no relationship to iron stores. No hemoglobinuria was detected after a usual training session. Iron intake was elevated in relation to high caloric intake, but iron intake in the form of meat was lower in iron-deficient athletes, as compared to those with normal or repleted iron stores. It is our opinion that inadequate iron intake is an important determinant of iron deficiency in athletes.

Un long parcours a la nage peut entrainer une chute du taux sanguin de testosterone identique a celle observee dans les courses de marathon

A 19-year-old Moroccan male was found to have total absence of serum alpha1-antitrypsin, a major inhibitor of elastase. This patient had chronic obstructive lung disease, hyperextensibility of the skin over the cheeks and wrists, and hyperlaxity of the hand joints. Microscopic sections of the skin revealed a thickened dermis with shortened and rarefied clastic fibers. Ultrastructural study showed collagen fibers with variable and irregular diameters. Elastic fibers were scarce and their relatively poor matrix was surrounded by numerous microfibrils. The outline of the fibers was irregular with deep recesses filled with microfibrils. The ergastoplasm of the fibroblasts was well developed. The differential diagnosis with other connective dystrophies showed the original characteristic of this case. Clinically and histopathologically, the skin abnormalities are probably related to the deficiency in elastase inhibitor., SCOPUS: NotDefined.j, FLWNA, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

The authors propose a new case of Buschke- Ollendorff syndrome: a female patient aged 54 years presents 17 tumoral lesions out of which some are dermatofibromas and other elastomas . Deafness appeared 5 years after the cutaneous lesions and seems to be the result of a pathological condensation of petrous bones.

The authors show the noteworthy efficacy of the aromatic retinoid Ro 10-9359 in the treatment of ichthyosis linearis circumflexa. The initial dose was 1 mg/kg daily; later on, the maintenance dose was 0.3 mg/kg daily. Ultrastructurally, transitional cells were observed between the granular and the horny layer. After treatment, large perinuclear pseudovacuoles appeared, as well as numerous microvilli.

The authors present 2 cases of AIDS revealed by severe recurrent genital herpes simplex. The patients are 2 young, previously healthy, African women without histories of homosexuality or drug abuse. The first patient died after 5 months of follow-up (post mortem findings: viral bronchopneumonia with positive cultures for herpes and cytomegalovirus (CMV), viral colitis due to CMV). The second patient survived. She has been treated, during the last 11 months, for filariasis, buccal and vaginal candidiasis and cerebral toxoplasmosis.

The clinically uninvolved skin of 4 patients with well-developed AIDS was investigated by electron microscopy. All biopsy specimens had vascular abnormalities: protruding endothelial cells, vascular channels reduced to slits, gaps within the vascular walls, and extravasated erythrocytes. These features are similar to those described in early lesions of Kaposi's sarcoma. These findings suggest that blood vessels of the clinically uninvolved skin of AIDS patients are potential sites of Kaposi's sarcoma lesions.