A comparative assessment of heavy metal accumulation in soft parts and byssus of mussels from subarctic, temperate, subtropical and tropical marine environments.

Existing data on metal concentrations in mussels from subarctic, temperate, subtropical and tropical waters were analyzed using multivariate statistics in order to assess regional variations in metal contamination. Potential errors were reduced by only analyzing data from surveys that employed the same protocols, analytical methodologies and analysts. Factor analysis demonstrated that mussels inhabiting extremely contaminated areas (e.

[Plasma exchange and rheumatoid polyarthritis with vasculitis. Apropos of 6 case reports].

The authors present six cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complicated by vasculitis of varying clinical presentation: 2 cases of polyneuritis, 5 cases of skin lesions (dry gangrene, ulcers, purpura). The severity of the clinical picture required, in addition to the usual treatment (corticosteroids, immunosuppressants), plasma exchanges. A clinical stabilisation was obtained in every case with good tolerance.

[HLA and rheumatoid arthritis].

In a study on the frequency of the HLA A, B, C and DR antigens seen in 100 controls and 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the authors found a significant increase in the DR4 antigen in rheumatoid arthritis. (50% as against 25%; X2 = 8,5; 0,04 greater than Pc greater than 0,008; RR = 3,43). The other antigens on loci A, B.