A Stromal Immune Module Correlated with the Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, Prognosis and Lymphocyte Infiltration in HER2-Positive Breast Carcinoma Is Inversely Correlated with Hormonal Pathways.

Introduction: HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous group of aggressive breast cancers, the prognosis of which has greatly improved since the introduction of treatments targeting HER2. However, these tumors may display intrinsic or acquired resistance to treatment, and classifiers of HER2-positive tumors are required to improve the prediction of prognosis and to develop novel therapeutic interventions.

Methods: We analyzed 2893 primary human breast cancer samples from 21 publicly available datasets and developed a six-metagene signature on a training set of 448 HER2-positive BC.

Measurement of carbon monoxide in simulated expired breath.

Background: Environmental carbon dioxide (CO) detectors used as an early warning method have been adapted to measure CO concentration in expired breath. This technique has been validated in smokers with relatively low CO concentrations, but its applicability to poisoning has not been demonstrated.

Objective: To compare the reliability of toxicologically significant CO measurements performed using a portable CO detector with those obtained using infrared spectrometry, the standard method for blood CO concentration determination.

Therapeutic trial of diazepam versus placebo in acute chloroquine intoxications of moderate gravity.

Objective: Acute chloroquine intoxication is responsible for a membrane-stabilising effect which results in electrocardiographic (ECG) and hemodynamic disturbances. Diazepam is used in acute chloroquine intoxication on the basis of clinical and experimental observations, but its utility alone, in man, remains unproven. The goal of this study was to verify whether diazepam alone has an effect on the membrane-stabilising effect observed in moderately severe chloroquine intoxications.

Spectrophotometric determination of plasma thiocyanate by formation of an ion-pair with methylene blue.

We describe a sensitive method for measuring thiocyanate in 500 microliters plasma samples. This technique, although slower than the standard method, improves sensitivity. It requires the extraction in chloroform of an ion-pair formed between thiocyanate ions and methylene blue in acidic medium.

[Intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian adenocarcinoma: pharmacokinetics of cisplatin].

Chemotherapy using cis dichlorodiamine platinum (CDDP) in doses of 30 and 60 mg/m2 was carried out in 6 patients who had adenocarcinoma of the ovary, that had not been treated before, 15 to 120 minutes before surgery was carried out. The results of doses of platin given on the blood levels are demonstrated. A slight and progressive increase in the plasma levels of CDDP with peaks between 0.

[Analytical exploration of drug addiction].

The natural and synthetic substances most frequently leading to drug addiction are described. They include cannabis, opium and cocaine with their respective derivatives. The authors insist on the problems encountered by analytical chemists when they examine urine samples containing these substances, owing to their metabolic degradation and to interferences between lawful and unlawful drugs.

Aluminium loading in children receiving long-term parenteral nutrition.

Eight children on long-term, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were found to have elevated aluminium (Al) levels in plasma (51 +/- 11 microg 1/1), urine (223 +/- 78 microg 24 h) and bone. The load of Al in TPN solution was 232 +/- 89 microg/day, and, among the different parenteral solution components high Al concentrations were found in amino-acids, calcium gluconate, potassium lactate, and trace elements, representing respectively 40%, 30%, 15%, and 10% of the total Al intakes. The authors conclude that children receiving long-term TPN have excessive Al intakes and are exposed to Al toxicity.

[The importance of software for the planning and adjusting of dosage. Application with aminoglycosides].

We are presenting a Mac Intosh--Apple computer program (Excel*) for the aminoglycosides (AG) drug monitoring useful in the following situations: --initiation of an AG's dosing regimen depending on the desired peak and through concentration (AG's pharmacokinetic parameters have been calculated according to the AG's literature values). --an adequate dosing regimen after revision of the patient's parameters (calculated with the observed concentrations). The technique has been validated comparing desired (des.

[Intracorporeal concealment of narcotics. Experience of medicolegal emergencies at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Paris: 100 cases].

One hundred cases of intracorporeal concealment of narcotic drugs were observed over a 6-month period at the medico-judicial emergency centre of the Hotel-Dieu hospital, Paris. Twelve cases concerned dealers who had ingested packs at the time they were arrested. The other subjects had been carrying the drug in their digestive tract, rectum or vagina for transportation.

Protective cardiovascular effects of diazepam in experimental acute chloroquine poisoning.

To assess the effects of diazepam in chloroquine poisoning, we studied pentobarbital anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs. All the pigs received 50 mg.kg-1 chloroquine given intravenously for 25 min.

Occurrence of manganese, copper and zinc in myelin. Alterations in the peripheral nervous system of dysmyelinating trembler mutant are at variance with brain mutants (quaking and shiverer).

Mn, Cu and Zn were present in mouse brain at concentrations that were 54, 4 and 14 times higher than in serum. In comparison with control animals, Mn was nearly normal in both quaking and shiverer dysmyelinating mutants. Cu was slightly higher in shiverer; Zn was higher in quaking only when expressed on a dry weight basis.

[Guidelines for prescription of the assay of digitalis glycosides by immunologic methods].

Digoxin, digitoxin and acetyldigitoxin are the most widely prescribed of cardiotonic glycosides. Analytical exploration can be performed by a single assay when only one compound is prescribed or by multiple assays in cases of imprecise prescription or when several glycosides are given concomitantly. In addition, the metabolic transformation of digitoxin into digoxin and the presence of endogenous "digitalis-like compounds" mean that a number of precautions must be taken during prescription.

Arterial-venous plasma concentration differences of meprobamate in acute human poisonings.

Arterial-venous plasma concentration differences of meprobamate were studied on admission of acute overdose in man. The patients were divided in two groups. In the control group (n = 25) two successive blood samples were collected from the same vessel.

4-Methylpyrazole may be an alternative to ethanol therapy for ethylene glycol intoxication in man.

4-Methylpyrazole (4 MP) is a strong inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase. Its use in acute ethylene glycol (EG) or methanol intoxication has been suggested in experimental studies about its efficacy and safety. We report three cases of accidental intoxication with ethylene glycol in man treated orally with 20 mg/kg/day of 4 MP.

Arterio-venous plasma concentration differences in amitriptyline overdose.

The aim of this study was to determine whether femoral arterio-venous plasma concentration differences (AVD) of amitriptyline exist during acute intoxication in man. All patients studied were comatose and were divided into a control group who had two successive blood samples drawn from the same vessel and a study group who had samples drawn from the femoral artery and vein simultaneously. Serial plasma concentrations of amitriptyline were measured by gas liquid chromatography.

Power of isoniazid acetylation and pigmentation; first experimental tests in the rabbit: comparison with clinical data.

A positive correlation has been observed clinically at the Centre Edouard Rist, Paris, between the degree of pigmentation and the power of isoniazid acetylation in so-called "caucasians". The investigation was based on a relatively small sample of 153 observations, but sufficient to allow a significant statistical analysis. Comparing the results with data published in the literature, it may be assumed that this relationship between the power of acetylation and pigmentation would be applicable to all human beings.

[Fatal pneumopathy linked to subcutaneous injections of liquid silicone into soft tissue].

The case of a 23-year old transsexual male who developed a lethal lung disease 48 hr after a 1 l subcutaneous silicone fluid injection is reported. Histologic examination showed optically empty oil red O negative vacuoles in several specimens, and particularly in the lungs; refractile particles of silicium were also found. We identified the material as silicium, and evaluated its quantity in tissues by atomic absorption and spectrometric and toxicological analysis.

Evaluation of liver iron content by computed tomography: its value in the follow-up of treatment in patients with idiopathic hemochromatosis.

The therapeutic management of patients with idiopathic hemochromatosis (IH) implies the evaluation of excess hepatic iron. This work was undertaken to confirm the value of computed tomography for the assessment of liver iron overload in such patients and to evaluate this technique during the course of treatment by phlebotomy. The study included 24 patients with initially untreated IH and 7 patients previously treated by phlebotomy for 10 months to 7 years.