Acquired Zinc Deficiency Mimicking Acrodermatitis Enteropathica in a Breast-Fed Premature Infant.

We present a case of a transient acquired zinc deficiency in a breast-fed, 4-month-old-male prematurely born infant, with acrodermatitis enteropathica-like symptoms such as crusted, eroded, erythemato-squamous eruption in periorificial and acral patterns. The laboratory investigations showed low zinc levels in the infant's and the mother's serum and in the mother's milk; genetic analysis did not show any mutation in the gene, involved in acrodermatitis enteropathica. Acquired zinc deficiency is often found in premature infants because of their increased requirement, the low serum and milk zinc levels in breastfeeding women being also an important risk factor, as in this case.

Digestive involvement in a severe form of Snyder-Robinson syndrome: Possible expansion of the phenotype.

Snyder-Robinson syndrome (OMIM #309583) is a rare X-linked condition, caused by mutation in the SMS gene (MIM *300105), characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical signs including developmental delay, epilepsy, asthenic habitus, dysmorphism, osteopenia, and renal or genital anomalies. Here we describe two maternal half-brothers who both presented with severe neurodevelopmental delay, seizures, hearing loss, facial dysmorphism, renal and ophthalmologic anomalies, failure to thrive and premature death. A novel p.

Proposition for the biochemical mechanism occurring in the sucrose isomerase active site.

Sucrose conversion by sucrose isomerase from Protaminobacter rubrum, Serratia plymuthica and Erwinia rhapontici was investigated in the presence of different monosaccharides in the reaction mixture. These conditions led to inhibitory effects and to glucosyl transfer of the glucose moiety of sucrose to the exogen monosaccharide. Comparison of the structure of the different inhibitors and acceptors has allowed us to suppose the binding of the sucrose molecule into the active site, and thereafter, to propose the possible biochemical reactions leading to the formation of different products from sucrose.

[Uni- or biventricular circulatory assist devices. Selection criteria and patients' follow-up, choice of device].

Therapy of patients presenting with cardiogenic shock refractory to medical treatment can be undertaken with uni or biventricular circulatory assist devices. Pre implantation evaluation of patients is aimed at defining the etiology as well as the extent of uni versus biventricular heart failure, the possibility of recovery of myocardial function improvement of vital organ function and the possibility of cardiac transplantation. Circulatory assist devices must provide efficient support of the failing ventricles, allow recovery of myocardial function or cardiac transplantation under optimal circumstances.

[Influence of gender and size on parameters measured by signal-averaged electrocardiography in healthy subjects: preliminary study].

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of electrocardiographic and biomorphometric factors on the parameters measured by signal averaged electrocardiography (SA-ECG) in normal subjects. The study population comprised 40 Caucasian students (20 men, 20 women). The SA-ECG measured 6 parameters: total duration of the averaged QRS, the root mean square of the voltage of the last 40 ms of the QRS (RMS 40) and the length duration of the terminal signal of under 40 microV (LAS), each parameter being measured with a band pass filter of 25 and 40 Hz.