Enhanced anti-HCV activity of interferon alpha 17 subtype.

Background: Pegylated interferon alpha 2 (a or b) plus ribavirin is the most effective treatment of chronic hepatitis C but a large proportion of patients do not respond to therapy. So, it is interesting to improve the treatment efficacy. Interferon alpha is a type I interferon composed of 12 different subtypes.

Contribution of phosphatidylserine to membrane surface charge and protein targeting during phagosome maturation.

During phagocytosis, the phosphoinositide content of the activated membrane decreases sharply, as does the associated surface charge, which attracts polycationic proteins. The cytosolic leaflet of the plasma membrane is enriched in phosphatidylserine (PS); however, a lack of suitable probes has precluded investigation of the fate of this phospholipid during phagocytosis. We used a recently developed fluorescent biosensor to monitor the distribution and dynamics of PS during phagosome formation and maturation.

The association of CD81 with tetraspanin-enriched microdomains is not essential for Hepatitis C virus entry.

Background: Three percent of the world's population is chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and thus at risk of developing liver cancer. Although precise mechanisms regulating HCV entry into hepatic cells are still unknown, several cell surface proteins have been identified as entry factors for this virus. Among these molecules, the tetraspanin CD81 is essential for HCV entry.

Anatomic distribution of posterior deeply infiltrating endometriosis on MRI after vaginal and rectal gel opacification.

Objective: The challenges of imaging posterior deeply infiltrating endometriosis with MRI are to image a small anatomic area encompassing several thin fibromuscular anatomic structures such as uterosacral ligaments, and the vaginal and rectal walls; and to image endometriotic lesions, which are fibromuscular structures and have an MRI signal intensity very close to those of surrounding fibromuscular anatomic structures.

Conclusion: We show the capability and potential of MRI in diagnosing and staging of posterior deeply infiltrating endometriosis after vaginal and rectal gel opacification.

[Antigenicity and B-epitope mapping of hepatitis C virus envelope protein E2].

Immunogenicity for laboratory animals (rabbits and mice) of the whole hepatitis C virus envelope proteins and their conserved as well as hypervariable HVR1 sites has been investigated. Rabbit immune responses to HCV envelope proteins (both single E2 and E1E2 heterodimer) were shown to be much more efficient than murine immune responses. Upon the immunization of the rabbit with E2 protein, antibodies to several highly conserved linear B-epitopes of this protein as well as to the N-terminal fragment of the hypervariable region HVRI were formed.

Epiphytism in ferns: diversity and history.

As for other vascular plants, numerous adaptive strategies have been selected in epiphytic ferns in order to survive in a constraining and desiccating environment and thus to prevent dehydration and/or to access to water and nutrients. Here we present some of the specializations that allow ferns to survive in this particular habitat. Some of the most spectacular epiphytic specializations are observed in the Polypodiaceae family, involving humus-collectors which entrap humus in specialized organs, and ant-plant mutualism strategies.

Kinetic analysis of autophagosome formation and turnover in primary mouse macrophages.

Macrophages enlist autophagy to combat infection by a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In response to this selective pressure, some pathogenic microbes have acquired strategies to evade or tolerate autophagy. Accordingly, infected cells may accumulate numerous autophagic vacuoles/autophagosomes when microbial products either stimulate their formation or inhibit their maturation.

Primary breast lymphomas.

The diagnosis, prognostic factors, and optimal management of primary breast lymphomas (PBL) is difficult. Seven patients recorded at the Geneva Cancer Registry between 1973-1998 were reviewed. Five patient had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, one a follicular lymphoma and one a MALT-lymphoma.

Rapid synchronization of hepatitis C virus infection by magnetic adsorption.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) entry into target cells is thought to be a multistep process involving several cellular factors. However, their precise role during virus entry is unclear. Investigation of the mechanisms of HCV entry, such as the order of intervention by the cellular receptors, requires synchronizing infections.

Magnetic resonance imaging to identify risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with endometrial cancer.

Objective: To assess the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to identify endometrial cancer patients at risk of lymph node metastasis.

Methods: Retrospective review of data from 108 patients with clinical stage I endometrial cancer who underwent preoperative MRI and were treated surgically. Patients at risk of lymph node metastasis were defined as those who had more than 50% myometrial infiltration or cervical invasion.

Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence in undocumented migrants undergoing voluntary termination of pregnancy: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis infection (CTI) is the most frequent sexual transmitted disease (STI) in Switzerland but its prevalence in undocumented migrants is unknown. We aimed to compare CTI prevalence among undocumented migrants undergoing termination of pregnancy (ToP) to the prevalence among women with residency permit.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included all pregnant, undocumented women presenting from March 2005 to October 2006 to the University hospital for ToP.

[Preservation of women fertility facing potential premature ovarian failure].

Numerous pathologies and their treatments may alter ovarian reserve in women and girls and may harm their future fertility. Oocytes cryopreservation techniques may be used in a limited number of cases, excluding young patients. We hereby report results obtained with our and other teams' ovarian tissue vitrification techniques.

Immunogenicity of CIGB-230, a therapeutic DNA vaccine preparation, in HCV-chronically infected individuals in a Phase I clinical trial.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a worldwide health problem. No vaccine is available against this pathogen and therapeutic treatments currently in use are of limited efficacy. In the present study, the immunogenicity of the therapeutic vaccine candidate CIGB-230, based on the mixture of pIDKE2, a plasmid expressing HCV structural antigens, with a recombinant HCV core protein, Co.

Derivation of the first Swiss human embryonic stem cell line from a single blastomere of an arrested four-cell stage embryo.

Principles: Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold enormous potential for regenerative medicine. So far, the majority of hESC lines have been derived from the isolated inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocysts of variable quality, and several of them from low-grade embryos. Moreover, most of the lines have been obtained in media containing animal components such as foetal bovine serum.

Incidence rate and risk factors for vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy.

Our objective was to estimate the incidence and identify the risk factors for vaginal vault prolapse repair after hysterectomy. We conducted a case control study among 6,214 women who underwent hysterectomy from 1982 to 2002. Cases (n = 32) were women who required vaginal vault suspension following the hysterectomy through December 2005.

Low levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV) neutralizing antibodies in patients coinfected with HCV and human immunodeficiency virus.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) neutralizing antibody (nAb) response in 37 subjects with HCV monoinfection and 37 HCV-infected subjects with well-controlled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was evaluated using a focus reduction neutralization assay. HCV nAb levels were retrospectively studied in both groups of patients, who were matched on the basis of sex, age, and HCV genotype. The mean HCV nAb level (+/- standard deviation) among coinfected patients (1.

[Laparoscopy in the management of endometrial cancer].

Recent advance in laparoscopy have changed the surgical approach of endometrial cancer patients. The Swissendos Center, Fribourg, in collaboration with AGO (Groupe de travail pour la gynécologie oncologique) and AGE (groupe de travail pour la gynécologie endoscopique) have established a consensus based on the available evidence for the use of laparoscopy in the management of patients with endometrial cancer The main objective was to define Swiss clinical practice guidelines appropriate to the country and consistent with the needs of the physicians.

[Vulvoperineal reconstruction after extended radical vulvectomy: two reconstructive procedures].

Poor perineal healing is often a major complication of extended radical vulvectomy in case of vulvar carcinoma. Procedures of vulvoperineal reconstruction require several criteria of quality for their use. The chosen technique should be: (1) reliable; (2) reproducible; (3) with minimal morbidity; (4) not much invasive with good anatomical and functional results.

[Utility of fetal ultrasonography in the prenatal diagnosis of Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome].

Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder which diagnosis is usually made postnatally. We describe a case of a prenatal diagnosis based only on specific ultrasound findings: intra-uterine growth retardation with facial dysmorphia, polydactyly and genital anomalies. We suggest giving more consideration to the ultrasound scanning for the diagnosis of the syndrome in the prenatal period.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced immunoglobulin hypermutation reduces the affinity and neutralizing activities of antibodies against HCV envelope protein.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) often causes persistent infection despite the presence of neutralizing antibodies against the virus in the sera of hepatitis C patients. HCV infects both hepatocytes and B cells through the binding of its envelope glycoprotein E2 to CD81, the putative viral receptor. Previously, we have shown that E2-CD81 interaction induces hypermutation of heavy-chain immunoglobulin (V(H)) in B cells.

The CD81 partner EWI-2wint inhibits hepatitis C virus entry.

Two to three percent of the world's population is chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and thus at risk of developing liver cancer. Although precise mechanisms regulating HCV entry into hepatic cells are still unknown, several cell surface proteins have been identified as entry factors for this virus. Among these molecules, the tetraspanin CD81 is essential for HCV entry.

Undocumented migrants lack access to pregnancy care and prevention.

Background: Illegal migration is an increasing problem worldwide and the so-called undocumented migrants encounter major problems in access to prevention and health care. The objective of the study was to compare the use of preventive measures and pregnancy care of undocumented pregnant migrants with those of women from the general population of Geneva, Switzerland.

Methods: Prospective cohort study including pregnant undocumented migrants presenting to the University hospital from February 2005 to October 2006.

Treatment of genital prolapse by laparoscopic lateral suspension using mesh: a series of 73 patients.

Study Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic lateral suspension using mesh in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Design: A prospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: A tertiary referral center for operative laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome with functioning horn.

Objective: To reestablish uterovaginal continuity using a total laparoscopic procedure in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome with a functioning right horn.

Design: Case report.

Setting: University hospital of Hotel Dieu de Lyon.