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Trypanosoma congolense forest-type was identified by PCR in France, in a dog returning from Senegal. This paper describes the morphological features of the parasite on Giemsa-stained smears. Slender forms and “latent bodies” represent 30.4% and 20.4%, respectively. Some rosettes have been observed (0.8%). The predominant form (48.4%) is stumpy, close to “montgomeryiform”, but it is unusually broad, with a width/length ratio (WLr) of 0.40-0.55, while that of “montgomeryi-forms” is close to 0.3. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of such a form of T. (Nannomonas). Also unusual, the shape of the cytoplasm appears to be tightened by an “S-” or “C-” shaped flagellum. We propose naming this peculiar morphotype “hyperpachymorph”, and adding its description to that of T. congolense forest-type. Thus T. (Nannomonas) forms would include: sphaeromorph or “latent bodyform” (globular), hyperleptomorph (rodhaini-form, very long and slender, with a free flagellum); leptomorph (simiae-form, slender, with a free flagellum); isomorph (congolense-form, short, generally without a free flagellum); pachymorph (montgomeryi-form, short and stout; 0.25 < WLr < 0.34, without a free flagellum), and hyperpachymorph (“hyper-montgomeryi-form”, short and very stout; 0.35 < WLr < 0.7, without a free flagellum).

Lipoxygenases (LO) have been implicated in asthma, immune disorders, and various cancers and as a consequence, there is great interest in isolating selective LO isozyme inhibitors. Currently, there is much use of baicalein as a selective human platelet 12-LO (12-hLO) inhibitor, however, our current steady-state inhibition data indicate that baicalein is not selective against 12-hLO versus human reticulocyte 15-LO-1 (15-hLO-1) (15/12 = 1.3), in vitro. However, in the presence of detergents baicalein is slightly more selective (15/12 = 7) as seen by the steady-state inhibition kinetics, which may imply greater selectivity in a cell-based assay but has yet to be proven. The mechanism of baicalein inhibition of 15-hLO-1 is reductive, which molecular modeling suggests is through direct binding of the catecholic moiety of baicalein to the iron. A structurally related flavonoid, apigenin, is not reductive, however, molecular modeling suggests a hydrogen bond with Thr591 may account for its inhibitor potency.

We present what is believed to be a novel experimental method to measure the technological parameters (spectral response and quantum yield) of an infrared focal plane array. This method makes original use of a Fourier transform spectrometer, which allows us to simultaneously extract the spectral performances of all pixels from one single set of measurements. The methodology used and the principle of the experimental setup are detailed. A Fourier analysis is shown to provide various optogeometrical information on the detector microstructure. A demonstrator based on the HgCdTe technology was designed, and satisfactory experimental results were obtained. OCIS codes: 040.3060, 040.5160, 070.2580, 120.6200.