Cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of dextranase genes from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.

A genomic bank was constructed in Escherichia coli HB101, consisting of DNA fragments from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain 489 inserted within the vector pBR322. By screening on complex medium containing blue dextran, 10 stable dextranase-positive (Dex+) clones were isolated. Seven groups of Dex+ inserts were identified on the basis of their restriction maps and hybridization responses.

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. Analysis of 63 cases.

We retrospectively analyzed 63 observations collected in nine French departments of dermatology of an acute pustular dermatosis, recently named in the French literature acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP). Even though 11 of these cases occurred in patients with a history of psoriasis, AGEP appeared distinct from pustular psoriasis based on several slight pathologic differences, drug induction in most cases, and a more acute course of fever and pustulosis, with rapid spontaneous healing. We, therefore, suggest that AGEP is a reaction pattern, perhaps favored by a "psoriatic background.

Multiplicity of acidic subunit isoforms of crotoxin, the phospholipase A2 neurotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus venom, results from posttranslational modifications.

Crotoxin, the major toxin of the venom of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus terrificus, is made of two subunits: component B, a basic and weakly toxic phospholipase A2, and component A, an acidic and nontoxic protein that enhances the lethal potency of component B. Crotoxin is a mixture of isoforms that results from the association of several isoforms of its two subunits. In the present investigation, we have purified four component A isoforms that, when associated with the same purified component B isoform, produced different crotoxin isoforms, all having the same specific enzymatic activity and the same lethal potency.

Insights on the amino acid side-chain interactions of a synthetic T-cell determinant.

The effect of single amino acid substitutions at positions 18 and 20 on the T-cell determinant (TD) character of peptide p12-26 from lambda repressor protein and on its recognition by a monoclonal antibody was studied by means of 40 synthetic peptides of a length of 15 amino acids. ELISA competition experiments showed that the identity of amino acid at position 20 is very important for antibody recognition, whereas that of amino acid at position 18 is much less important. In contrast, both Leu 18 and Ala 20 are important residues in defining the TD character of peptide p12-26.

[Clinical trials in dermatology. Evaluation of the tolerability and efficacy of a topical anti-acne].

Acne is a frequent dermatologic disease of the teenagers. Methodology of antiacne preparations clinical trials has evolved recently, leading to better comprehension of acne treatment on acne lesions. The main rules for good clinical evaluation of acne treatments are: an objective counting of each individual lesions on a defined area (face, back), a global acne assessment, a therapy duration from 1 to 3 months or more, a skin safety evaluation for erythema, desquamation, dryness, itching, burning and oiliness with a 0 to 3 scoring system.

[Clinical trials in dermatology. Statistical support].

To determine the efficacy or safety of new topical treatments, more or less standardized studies must be performed. This article presents several examples of statistical analyses of the data currently seen in the dermatology area, and some guidelines for study sample size determination. More importantly, it indicates, for as soon as phase I studies, the need for preliminary informations such as development strategy, historical data, literature references or pilot studies, to determine or adapt appropriate designs and sample sizes.

[Clinical trials in dermatology. Evaluation of the tolerability and efficacy of a topical antifungal agent in the treatment of superficial mycoses].

There is no single method for evaluating topical antifungal drugs. The localisation and the type of fungal, determine the treatment duration (from few days to several months). The main methodological characteristics of clinical trials in tinea pedis treatment (athlete's foot type) are reported.

[Clinical trials in dermatology. Evaluation of the tolerability and efficacy of a topical antipsoriatic treatment].

There has been considerable variations between different authors in the evaluation of antipsoriatic therapies. Improvement homogeneity must be achieved in this field. The main specific methods have been investigated: inclusion criteria, assessment of disease progress and safety parameters in phase II and III clinical trials, evaluating antipsoriatic treatment.

[Clinical trials in dermatology. Evaluation of the tolerability and efficacy of a topical anti-inflammatory treatment in atopic dermatitis].

Study designs for assessment of topical anti-inflammatory drugs in atopic dermatitis are discussed. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic disease with symmetrically distributed lesions. In order to avoid individual and spontaneous variation and to obtain an early impression of the efficacy of a new topical drug, bilaterally paired lesions can be used.

[Clinical trials in dermatology. The phase I trials].

Application of the new topical product on the diseased skin should be preceded by its safety evaluation on the healthy skin in human volunteers. We propose here guidelines for the evaluation of the irritation, sensitization, phototoxicity and photoallergy potentials for topical products. The methods for evaluation of percutaneous absorption are also discussed.

Isolation and purification of cat albumin from cat serum by copper ion affinity chromatography: further analysis of its primary structure.

Proteins, regardless of their origin, have to be highly purified, particularly from the immunochemical point of view, if they are to be used to study their allergenicity. It is shown that cat albumin, a highly potent allergen for cat-sensitive humans, can be isolated and purified from cat serum using immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (copper ions) instead of a salting-out process or precipitation with alcohol, techniques generally used for the preparation of serum proteins. During the process described, immunoglobulins are concomitantly isolated in a relatively pure form.

Primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin. Clinicopathologic study of 18 cases.

The clinical and pathologic features of primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin in 18 elderly patients are reported. The carcinomas arose in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, particularly on the head and the upper extremities. One tumor occurred in an irradiated area.

[Seborrheic dermatitis and cancer of the upper respiratory and digestive tracts].

Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is frequent in adults. Its aetiology is unknown, and the alleged causative effect of Pityrosporum-type yeasts is strongly controverted. Nutritional, genetic and neuropsychological factors may play a part in its occurrence.

[Surgical treatment of traumatic retinal detachment in children under 15 years of age].

The clinical features and results of surgical management of 68 out of a series of 101 cases of traumatic retinal detachment in childhood are described and analysed. Follow-up, in particular after the removal of silicon oil used temporarily, was always been longer than six months. Cases were divided into three groups: contusions, ocular injuries without foreign body and with foreign body.

[Surgical treatment of non-traumatic retinal detachment in children under 15 years of age].

Etiological and clinical features of 151 retinal detachments in childhood are studied and discussed. Results of surgical management of 92 of them, after at least a 6 month follow-up, especially after ablation of silicon oil when used temporarily, are described. Clinical aspects of the contralateral eyes and their prophylactic treatment is also studied.

[Trachoma in North Cameroon].

A study was carried out in the North of Cameroon concerning the frequency of trachomatous blindness among 3,326 cases of blindness. A 4.63% frequency was found.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell syndrome).

Toxic epidermal necrolysis is perhaps the most formidable disease encountered by dermatologists. Uncommon but not rare, toxic epidermal necrolysis occurs in 60 to 70 persons per year in France. It remains as puzzling a disorder as it was 34 years ago, when described by Lyell.

Serum estradiol as an aid in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.

The value of serum beta-hCG measurement in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is well established, and there have been recent studies on the use of serum progesterone levels. However, we have been unable to find any reports on the potential application of serum estradiol (E2) assays in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. We therefore concurrently measured serum E2, progesterone, and beta-hCG in 100 women with ectopic pregnancies, as well as in 69 controls with normal intrauterine pregnancies and 36 women with threatened abortion.

Treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin with cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and bleomycin.

The authors treated 14 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin or lip with one to four cycles of combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin by bolus injection, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and bleomycin by continuous 5-day infusion. Objective responses were seen in 11 of the 13 evaluable patients (84%). Four patients had a complete remission (30%) and seven patients, a partial remission (54%).