Life history traits of the pseudometallophyte Thlaspi caerulescens in natural populations from Northern Europe.

We examined recruitment, survival, life cycle and fecundity of two metallicolous (M, on metalliferous calamine soils) and two non-metallicolous (NM, on normal soils) populations of Thlaspi caerulescens in Belgium and Luxemburg. In each population, permanent plots were monitored over two reproductive seasons. In M populations, plots were located in two contrasting environments (grass versus grove) in order to test the influence of vegetation cover on life strategy. Our results show that the monocarpic life cycle is dominant in all populations of T. caerulescens. However the length of the pre-reproductive period varies from several months (winter annuals) to 1 year or more (perennials), and is partly related to plant origin (M versus NM). Most plants growing in metalliferous environments were annuals, whereas NM plants were mostly perennials. These differences in life cycle were related to differences in survival during summer, which was better in NM than in M populations. Within each M population, different survival conditions and life cycles were observed according to vegetation cover. Plants growing in grass areas were mostly annuals and had a low survival rate in summer whereas grove plants were mostly perennials and survived better in summer. Our results suggest the selection of stress avoiders (shortening of life cycle) in M populations of T. caerulescens but only for individuals growing in grass areas. Summer survival seems to play a key role in selection of life strategy in T. caerulescens.

[Severe cutaneous Streptococcus pyogenes infections in the child: results of a multicenter survey]. / Infections cutanées sévères à Streptococcus pyogenes chez l'enfant: résultats d'une enquête multicentrique.

UNLABELLED: To assess pediatric cases of severe cutaneous infections due to Streptococcus pyogenes. Since the beginning of 1980, the incidence of cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis due to S. pyogenes has increased in adults. Serotyping of obtained isolates are in most cases M1, M3 or M5 protein. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A retrospective (1990-2000) survey was carried out in pediatric hospital centers. RESULTS: Three cases of necrotizing fasciitis and 15 of cellulitis were observed. In 30% of the cases, vancella lesions were associated; in the other cases, minor wounds were the site of the infection. Bacteriologic diagnosis was made by local samples in 14 cases; blood cultures were positive in four cases. In 11 cases, initial intravenous treatment consisted of third generation cephalosporin, in six cases of penicillin M or G and in one case of fusidic acid. In the second time, penicillin M was perfused in the majority of the cases. Mean duration of intravenous antibiotics perfusion was 15 days. There were no sequelae or death in this survey. CONCLUSIONS: Despite this study had limited epidemiological characteristics, it confirms that these two infections are rare. The frequency is probably underestimated, due to the difficulty in performing a diagnosis. The major site of infection was the varicella lesion. These two infections are so similar that it is frequent to mistake one infection for the other. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and site of infections did not influence prognosis. The treatment of cellulitis is penicillinotherapy whereas in necrotizing fasciitis early major surgery is often correlated with the rate of survival.

[Morbidity and psychomotor development at 2 years of age in children born in Puy-de-Dome in 1983. Study of children groups defined by perinatal risk]. / Morbidité et développement psychomoteur à deux ans des enfants nés dans le Puy-de-Dôme en 1983. Etude des groupes d'enfants définis par un risque périnatal.

All infants born in the Puy-de-Dôme area in 1983 and referred to a neonatal care unit were studied prospectively. Children were seen at their homes at 9 months and at 2 years of age and results were compared with those found in controls. High risk groups were defined on the basis of neonatal variables including prematurity, neurologic anomalies, respiratory distress, assisted ventilation, and growth retardation. At birth, prematurity was associated with an increased risk of respiratory distress and infections were more common in small-for-dates infants. Evaluations at 9 months and at 2 years of age showed increased prevalences of growth retardation and strabismus in the high-risk infants, and neurodevelopmental tests disclosed lower performances in these children. Conversely, infectious diseases and readmissions between birth and two years of age were not increased in the high risk groups, as compared with the control group.

Four cases of vesicular lesions in adults caused by enterovirus infections.

Echovirus types 4 and 33 and coxsackievirus type B1 were recovered from vesicular lesions in four adults. Patient 1 had cutaneous localized vesicles, patient 2 had a recurrent cutaneous vesicle, and patients 3 and 4 had mucosal vesicles. Three of the patients were suspected of having herpesvirus lesions. One of the patients was a human immunodeficiency virus type 1-seropositive man, and the enterovirus infection was the first clinical manifestation. Our results underline the importance of virological diagnosis before treatment with acyclovir, especially for immunocompromised patients.