Metabolism of versicolorin A, a genotoxic precursor of aflatoxin B1: Characterization of metabolites using in vitro production of standards.

The toxicity of mycotoxins containing bisfuranoid structures such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) depends largely on biotransformation processes. While the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of several bisfuranoid mycotoxins including AFB1 and sterigmatocystin have been linked to in vivo bioactivation of these molecules into reactive epoxide forms, the metabolites of genotoxic and mutagenic AFB1 precursor versicolorin A (VerA) have not yet been characterized. Because this molecule is not available commercially, our strategy was to produce a library of metabolites derived from the biotransformation of in-house purified VerA, following incubation with human liver S9 fractions, in presence of appropriate cofactors.

[Camille Claudel. Her psychiatric case history].

Camille Claudel was confined to a mental hospital in 1913, when she was 50. In fact she had been ill long before and it is that morbid personality which the author describes. Her life had always been a tragedy and her love for Rodin had nothing to do whatsoever with her illness; such a feeling was just a symptom of her diseases.

Depression and anxiety: mianserin and nomifensine compared in a double-blind multicentre trial.

Mianserin and nomifensine were compared in 61 depressive patients in a randomized double-blind multicentre study. During the first week the antidepressant dosages were low, mianserin 30 mg and nomifensine 50 mg. After the first week dosages were doubled to 60 mg and 100 mg respectively.

[Amineptine versus imipramine. Double-blind controlled study].

The antidepressant properties of amineptine and imipramine were compared in a double-blind controlled trial involving 38 patients randomized to one or the other treatment. The results were evaluated globally using three scales of psychiatric assessment: Hamilton's depression rating scale, brief psychiatric rating scale (Pichot, Overall and Gorham) and nursing staff observation scale (N.O.

[A new synthetic antiparkinsonian drug, tropatepine hydrochloride in extrapyramidal syndromes induced by neuroleptics].

Tropatepine hydrochloride was given per oral route to 184 patients and per injections to 34 patients. Average prescribed doses were about 20 mg (2 tablets). This clinical study has shown that tropatepine hydrochloride has an antiparkinson activity against neuroleptic-induced extra-pyramidal syndrome.