Childhood malignancies in French Polynesia during the 1985-1995 period.

We report an estimation of the incidence of childhood cancer among natives of French Polynesia (FP) during the 1985-1995 period. Our data were acquired from the Cancer Registry of FP and through an extensive investigation of other potential sources of information. The mean population of children between 1985 and 1995 was estimated to be 63 401 inhabitants, 32 487 of whom were boys and 30 914 girls, born and residing in FP.

CD4 on CD8(+) T cells directly enhances effector function and is a target for HIV infection.

Costimulation of purified CD8(+) T lymphocytes induces de novo expression of CD4, suggesting a previously unrecognized function for this molecule in the immune response. Here, we report that the CD4 molecule plays a direct role in CD8(+) T cell function by modulating expression of IFN-gamma and Fas ligand, two important CD8(+) T cell effector molecules. CD4 expression also allows infection of CD8 cells by HIV, which results in down-regulation of the CD4 molecule and impairs the induction of IFN-gamma, Fas ligand, and the cytotoxic responses of activated CD8(+) T cells.

Impact of antibody framework residue VH-71 on the stability of a humanised anti-MUC1 scFv and derived immunoenzyme.

Anti-MUC1 single-chain Fv (scFv) fragments generated from the humanised antibody huHMFG1 had adequate antigen-binding properties but very poor stability irrespective of the applied linker or domain orientation. Mutagenesis of heavy-chain framework residue V(H)-71, previously described as a key residue for maintaining the CDR-H2 main-chain conformation and thus important for antigen binding, markedly stabilised the scFv while having only a minor effect on the binding affinity of the molecule. Because of its improved stability, the engineered fragment exhibited immunoreactivity with tumour cells even after 7 days of incubation in human serum at 37 degrees C.

Structural properties of cyanobacterial hemoglobins: the unusual heme-protein cross-link of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 Hb and Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 Hb.

The truncated hemoglobins from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 ligate the heme iron with two axial histidines (HisF8 and HisE10).

Characterization of the heme-histidine cross-link in cyanobacterial hemoglobins from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002.

The recombinant product of the hemoglobin gene of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 forms spontaneously a covalent bond linking one of the heme vinyl groups to a histidine located in the C-terminal helix (His117, or H16). The present report describes the (1)H, (15)N, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy experiments demonstrating that the recombinant hemoglobin from the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp.

In vivo activation of the p53 pathway by small-molecule antagonists of MDM2.

MDM2 binds the p53 tumor suppressor protein with high affinity and negatively modulates its transcriptional activity and stability. Overexpression of MDM2, found in many human tumors, effectively impairs p53 function. Inhibition of MDM2-p53 interaction can stabilize p53 and may offer a novel strategy for cancer therapy.

Development of a clinical severity score for preseptal cellulitis in children.

Purpose: There is a need for a valid and reliable method to describe the severity of preseptal cellulitis.

Methods: Items of a scoring system were derived by an expert group and evaluated using a retrospective chart review. The results were used to construct the final Severity Index.

Generation of a highly stable, internalizing anti-CD22 single-chain Fv fragment for targeting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The generation of a single chain Fv (scFv) fragment derived from the anti-CD22 monoclonal antibody LL2 resulted in a molecule with good antigen binding but very poor stability properties, thus hampering its clinical applicability. Here we report on the construction of an engineered LL2 scFv fragment by rational mutagenesis. The contribution of uncommon wild-type sequence residues for providing stability to the conserved common core structure of immunoglobulins was examined.

Evaluation of NO(x) flue gas analyzers for accuracy and their applicability for low-concentration measurements.

The requirements of the Texas State Implementation Plan of the U.S. Clean Air Act for the Houston-Galveston Ozone Nonattainment Area stipulate large reductions in oxides of nitrogen (NO(x)) emissions.

Direct treatment costs for patients with lung cancer from first recurrence to death in france.

Objective: To determine the direct treatment cost of lung cancer management from progression to death from the viewpoint of the hospital.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed. Data from 100 patients who died of lung cancer and who had received treatment from four different types of hospital were used; the hospitals were public hospitals (teaching and non-teaching), private not-for-profit cancer centres, and private hospitals.

Novel histidine-heme covalent linkage in a hemoglobin.

When treated with dithionite at neutral pH, the recombinant hemoglobin from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 reconstituted with ferric heme undergoes a rapid chemical reaction resulting in the attachment of the heme group to the polypeptide chain. The nature of the cross-linked species was studied by NMR and mass spectral methods.

Applications of vinylogous Mannich reactions. Total syntheses of the Ergot alkaloids rugulovasines A and B and setoclavine.

Concise syntheses of the Ergot alkaloids rugulovasine A (3a), rugulovasine B (3b), and setoclavine (2) have been completed by strategies that feature inter- and intramolecular vinylogous Mannich reactions as the key steps. Thus, the first synthesis of 3a,b commenced with the conversion of the known indole 17 into 24 via the addition of the furan 22 to the iminium ion 21, which was generated in situ from the aldehyde 19. Cyclization of 24 by a novel S(RN)1 reaction followed by removal of the N-benzyl group furnished a mixture (1:2) of 3a and 3b.

Binding of ferric heme by the recombinant globin from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

The product of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 gene slr2097 is a 123 amino acid polypeptide chain belonging to the truncated hemoglobin family. Recombinant, ferric heme-reconstituted Synechocystis sp.

Structural and dynamic perturbations induced by heme binding in cytochrome b5.

The water-soluble domain of rat hepatic cytochrome b(5) undergoes marked structural changes upon heme removal. The solution structure of apocytochrome b(5) shows that the protein is partially folded in the absence of the heme group, exhibiting a stable module and a disordered heme-binding loop. The quality of the apoprotein structure in solution was improved with the use of heteronuclear NMR data.

Comparison of lower extremity cutaneous temperature changes in patients receiving lumbar sympathetic ganglion blocks versus epidural anesthesia.

Study Objective: To investigate if paravertebral lumbar sympathetic ganglion block and lumbar epidural anesthesia result in comparable cutaneous temperature changes in the lower extremity.

Design: Nonrandomized comparison study.

Setting: Operating rooms and pain clinic procedure rooms in a tertiary care hospital.

[[How to finance chemotherapy with new cancer drugs?].

Recently developed drugs are ten to one hundred fold more costly than the chemotherapies of the past while the number of eligible patients and the average duration of treatments are ever increasing. The combined effect of these trends makes budgeting a daunting task, in particular for hospitals with budgetary allocation. Balancing budgets became difficult with the arrival of taxanes, but innovative therapies based on biotechnological advances will further increase the financial slide.

Cancer registry of French Polynesia: results for the 1990-1995 period among native and immigrant population.

We present the data of the Cancer Registry of French Polynesia (FP) for the 1990-1995 period, highlighting the difference between the incidences among inhabitants born in FP and in immigrants. A total of 1606 incident cases of cancer were registered during the 6-year period from 1990 to 1995, about 90% of which were histologically confirmed. Among these incident cases, 1361 occurred in native French Polynesians (FPs) and 245 in immigrants.

Cancer incidence in French Polynesia 1985-95.

Objective: To describe the variations in cancer incidence in the population born in French Polynesia (FP) according to the archipelago of birth and to compare this incidence with that of Hawaiians and Maoris.

Methods: Study of data from the Cancer Registry of FP, evacuation files, insurance records, hospital and pathology laboratory files.

Results: The overall world standardized cancer incidence in FP during the 1985-95 period in the populations born and living in FP was 246 per 105 person-years (PY) among women and 244 per 105 PY among men.

Lumbar sympathetic block for sympathetically maintained pain: changes in cutaneous temperatures and pain perception.

Unlabelled: Lumbar sympathetic block (LSB) is used in the management of sympathetically maintained pain states. We characterized cutaneous temperature changes over the lower extremities after LSB. Additionally, we examined the effects of iohexol, a radio-opaque contrast medium, on temperature changes and pain relief.

Thyroid cancer in French Polynesia between 1985 and 1995: influence of atmospheric nuclear bomb tests performed at Mururoa and Fangataufa between 1966 and 1974.

Background: Between 1966 and 1974, France performed 41 atmospheric nuclear weapon tests in the Mururoa and Fangataufa atolls in French Polynesia.

Methods: We performed a geographic analysis of thyroid cancer incidence, using data from the cancer registry of French Polynesia, medical evacuation files, insurance records and hospital and pathology laboratory files.

Results: A total of 153 thyroid cancers were diagnosed between 1985 and 1995 in the population born before 1976 and residing in French Polynesia.

Glycosylation of fluoroquinolones through direct and oxygenated polymethylene linkages as a sugar-mediated active transport system for antimicrobials.

We report herein the synthesis and biological testing of several glycosylated derivatives of some fluoroquinolone antibiotics. In particular, we have prepared several glycosylated derivatives of ciprofloxacin (2) in which the carbohydrate units are linked to the free secondary amine of the piperazine unit by: (a) no linker (e.g.

Detection of color vision defects in chloroquine retinopathy.

Objective: The effect of chloroquine toxicity on color vision is unclear. The authors identified the color defects seen in chloroquine retinopathy and determined the sensitivity and specificity of clinical color vision tests for detecting the presence of previously diagnosed chloroquine retinopathy.

Design: Case-control study.

Aspirin and risk of hemorrhagic stroke: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Context: Aspirin has been widely used to prevent myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke but some studies have suggested it increases risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

Objective: To estimate the risk of hemorrhagic stroke associated with aspirin treatment.

Data Sources: Studies were retrieved using MEDLINE (search terms, aspirin, cerebrovascular disorders, and stroke), bibliographies of the articles retrieved, and the authors' reference files.

Radiation dose, chemotherapy and risk of osteosarcoma after solid tumours during childhood.

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent second primary cancer occurring during the first 20 years following treatment for a solid cancer in childhood. Using a cohort study of children treated for a solid cancer, we investigated the incidence and etiology of osteosarcoma as a second malignant neoplasm after childhood cancer in a cohort and a case-control study. We analysed the relationship between the local dose of radiation and the risk of osteosarcoma, taking into account chemotherapy received.

[Efficacy of massage and mobilization of the upper limb after surgical treatment of breast cancer].

We have compared different modes of rehabilitation after breast cancer surgery on a population of 257 patients treated at the Institute Gustave-Roussy in 1990 and 1991. The mode of rehabilitation was randomized according to a 2 X 2 design, between physiotherapy alone, shoulder movement alone, both or neither. Treatment began the day after breast surgery and continued for 7 days.