Manual rotation in occiput posterior or transverse positions: risk factors and consequences on the cesarean delivery rate.

Objective: To identify the risk factors for failure of manual rotation in patients with occiput posterior or transverse positions during labor and to study the cesarean rate according to the success of the rotation.

Methods: Case-control study comparing failure and success of manual rotation. Cases were all fetuses for whom rotation failed.

Dissection of seroreactivity against the tryptophan-rich motif of the feline immunodeficiency virus transmembrane glycoprotein.

Immunogenicity of the tryptophan-rich motif (TrpM) in the membrane-proximal ectodomain of the transmembrane (TM) glycoprotein of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was investigated. Peptide 59, a peptide containing the TrpM of the TM of FIV, was covalently coupled to Qbeta phage virus-like particles (Qbeta-59) in the attempt to induce potent anti-TrpM B cell responses in cats. All Qbeta-59 immunized cats, but not cats that received a mixture of uncoupled Qbeta and peptide 59, developed antibodies that reacted with a same epitope in extensive binding and binding competition assays.

AIDS: an immune response against the immune system. Role of a precise tridimensional molecular mimicry.

This study describes some of the expected autoimmune consequences of a recently described virus-host molecular mimicry in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Some physical and structural analogies have been recently identified between some precise antigenic sites of the trimeric ectodomain of the transmembrane envelope protein of AIDS-associated lentiviruses (HIV, Simian immunodeficiency virus and feline immunodeficiency virus) and some precise and crucial interleukin 2 (IL-2) antigenic sites of the corresponding infected species (man, monkey, cat). As expected, HIV-positive sera recognize human IL-2, and a cross-reactivity was found between the structurally and physically analogous antigenic sites of GP41 (HIV1) and human IL-2.

Molecular mimicry between the trimeric ectodomain of the transmembrane protein of immunosuppressive lentiviruses (HIV-SIV-FIV) and interleukin 2.

This work shows the presence of structural and physical analogies between some precise sites of the trimeric ectodomain of the transmembrane envelope glycoproteins of the HIV, SIV and FIV viruses and some precise sites of the interleukin 2 of the corresponding infected species (man, monkey, cat, respectively). In all the cases examined, the ectodomains of GP41 (HIV-SIV) and GP36 (FIV), because of their trimeric structure, place in the same spatial configuration the same amino acids clusters as the IL-2 amino acids clusters interacting with two, or even three, of the alpha, beta and gamma subunits of the IL-2 receptor. The molecular mimicry identified between the viral transmembrane glycoprotein and IL-2 is probably most useful for the virus and seems to be specific of each species; it is presumably due to a strategy common to the retroviruses associated with AIDS (HIV, SIV, FIV).

Comparison between direct binding, competition and agglutination assays in the characterization of polyclonal anti-idiotypes against anti-HBs human monoclonal antibodies.

Polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies to human monoclonal anti-HBs antibodies (MoAb1) were raised in rabbits and designated Ab2-H1 and Ab2-H2. These Ab2 were characterized using three assays. A direct binding ELISA evaluated specificity towards a panel of human monoclonal antibodies and gamma globulins.

A new device for specific extracorporeal immunoadsorption of anti-DNA antibodies. In vitro and in vivo results.

Selective removal of anti-DNA antibodies could be an alternative to therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus. The method is based on the immobilization by covalent binding of double-stranded, calibrated, 0.3-kb DNA fragments on a microporous, methylated, polyacrylonitrile membrane.

[Destruction of tattoo by ruby laser].

The originality of tattoo destruction by ruby laser is to selectively treat the tattooed areas without injuring the surrounding normal cells, in order to obtain better healing. Therefore, we selected a red laser (ruby, emitting at 694.3 nm), with very short flashes (100 ns with self Q switched ruby laser).

[A technique of transposed dog kidney perfusion at steady pressure (author's transl)].

One limitation of the technique of isolated dog kidney perfusion with heparinized blood is the progressive impairment of the organ function which leads to perfuse separately and simultaneously the two kidneys of the same animal with two identical apparatuses, one of the kidneys being used as a control. In order to overcome this difficulty, we describe a technique of perfusion where the kidney is transposed to the femoral or the carotido-jugular vessels. Interposition of a reservoir and a ventricular pump between the vessels and the kidney secures perfusion at a steady pressure.

[Initial assessment of a behavioural therapy anti-tobacco programme (author's transl)].

The principle of behavioural therapy was used in anti-tobacco treatment. An assessment of the first 100 patients is given here. From the beginning of treatment, which was individual and lasted for one week, the subjects, with three exceptions, stopped smoking between the treatment sessions.

[Influence of pressure and duration of perfusion on functional properties and hemodynamics of isolated kidneys from dogs (author's transl)].

1. Changes in functional properties and hemodynamics of isolated kidneys were analysed with special regard to pressure and duration of perfusion. Observations were compared between pairs of kidneys taken from the same animal and placed in identical experimental situations, but respectively perfused at a pressure level of either 100 mm Hg or 160 mm Hg.

Peripheral heat as a reward for heart rate response in the curarized rat.

It is generally assumed that the mechanical perception of shivering is necessary for the perception of cold discomfort. Shivering of rats in a cool environment was eliminated by curarization. The rats were kept alive by artificial respiration.

[Muscular work and its hyperemic phase in the patient with arteritis].

Already users of a method of functional assessment of the muscular circulation in the patients with peripheral artery disease by Xenon 133, the authors propose a radical modification of the performance of the exercise test. A quantified exercise test leads to a new and more objective interpretation of the radio-active tracer elimination curve. This new method permits the measurement of the total quantity of blood which passed during the hyperhaemic stage and its time distribution.