Extracorporeal septorhinoplasty: Technical note.

Severe nasal septal deformities can be responsible for functional and aesthetic impairments. Correction of these deformities can be difficult and restoring perfect nasal shape and function is still challenging. Classical techniques can, sometimes, lead to disappointing results or relapse. In this article, the aim was to describe the different techniques of extracorporeal septorhinoplasty and fixation of the neoseptum. Three techniques are mainly used: "crisscross" suture, "U-shaped" suture and anterior septal reconstruction to fix the neoseptum after extracorporeal remodeling. All these techniques are technically demanding, especially concerning keystone area management; but, if well performed, could give satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes. We therefore think that extracorporeal septorhinoplasty should really improve our results concerning functional and aesthetic aspects in case of severe anterior or caudal septum deviation.

Synthesis and fluorescence properties of Oregon Green 514 labeled peptides.

Oregon Green 514, with high photostability and a pKa of 4.8, is suitable for imaging applications. Labeling of peptide-bound resin with the carboxylic acid form was optimized. Peptide conjugation resulted in altered fluorescence properties of the dye including a quenching of the intensity compared with that in aqueous buffers with a slight red-shift of the emission maximum.

Structural features of a chimeric peptide inducing cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses in saline.

Little information is available correlating the structural properties of peptides with their immunogenicity in terms of responses via cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). The TT-NP6 chimeric peptide, consisting of two copies of a promiscuous T-helper epitope (T: residues 288-302 from the fusion protein of the measles virus) linked to the NP6 T-cytotoxic epitope (NP6: residues 52-60 from the nucleoprotein of measles virus) was able to induce virus-specific CTL responses in the absence of any adjuvant and hydrophobic component. The present work was undertaken to gain insight into structural features of the TT-NP6 peptide that may be important in optimizing the CTL immunogenicity of the peptide. Circular dichroism data, obtained in a buffer of physiological ionic strength and pH, strongly suggest a self-associated state for the peptide, which was confirmed by a sedimentation velocity experiment. However, helix association is accompanied by loss of overall helical content. Thermal-dependence studies show that the unfolding of self-associated alpha-helices is significantly more pronounced than the unfolding of isolated alpha-helices. Circular dichroism data, together with tryptic limited proteolysis, suggest the presence of a charged amino acid within the hydrophobic core. This study should provide a basis for engineering more effective immunogenic peptides against the measles virus by increasing the stability of the TT-NP6 peptide.

The First Synthesis of Organic Diselenolates: Application to the Synthesis of Diorganyl Diselenides.

The addition of elemental selenium to organolithium compounds 1 or organic selenates 2 gives organic diselenolates 3. The reactions proceed by the insertion of two selenium atoms into the carbon-metal bonds or of one selenium atom into a selenolate. Evidence for the existence of n-butyldisilenol has also been obtained.

[Ultrasound diagnosis of fetal malformations in utero: apropos of 30 cases]. / Diagnostic échographique des malformations foetales in utero: à propos de trente cas.

This study assess the incidence of fetal malformations and the contribution of ultrasound scans to their diagnosis in utero. We reviewed the files of 1,960 pregnant women of whom 30 (1.53%) had malformed fetuses. Ultrasound scanning detected 29 of these cases and failed to detect only one case (an arterial canal malformation). Neurological malformations, particularly hydrocephalus and anencephaly, were most common (12 cases), followed by urinary tract abnormalities (hydronephrosis and renal polycystosis). Other malformations, such as those of the digestive tract, thorax and face, occurred less frequently. Ultrasound scans can be used to decide whether the pregnancy should be continued and what postnatal treatment should be given.

[Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia induced by deglutition]. / Tachycardie supra-ventriculaire paroxystique induite par la déglutition.

The authors report the case of a 43-year-old man with runs of tachycardia, sometimes atrial and sometimes by reentry, induced by atrial extrasystoles provoked by ewallowing. This rare condition, 21 descriptions of which are referred to, raises the problem of the inducing mechanism, with discussion of the role of mechanical stimulus played by the alimentary bolus or of a reflex of ortho- or parasympathetic origin. The discussion includes a detailed review of this condition and its treatment. The prognosis is always excellent but symptomatic discomfort may be considerable. Spontaneous recovery is possible, as in the case described here.

[Indirect estimation of the maximal aerobic power of a male and female population from Brussels aged 6 to 23 years. Comparison with a direct technic for measuring maximal oxygen consumption]. / Estimation indirecte de la puissance aérobie maximale d'une population bruxelloise masculine et féminine âgée de 6 à 23 ans. Comparaison avec une technique directe de la mesure de la consommation maximale d'oxygène.

Validation of the maximal multistage 20 m shuttle run test with 1 min steps has been compared with a stepwise load increase on a bicycle ergometer among 201 male and female subjects ranging from 14 to 30 years. A slight underestimation of VO2 max (5.2%) amounting to 2.71 ml . min-1 . kg-1 was observed for the multistage shuttle test as compared to the bicycle test (r = 0.72). The analysis of the biological values collected after exercise does not show major differences between the two tests (plasma lactate, urinary total protein and albumin, creatinine). The renal handling of plasma proteins appears to be equally disturbed under the influence of exhaustive exercise. Maximal aerobic power regularly increases with age in both sexes, being more pronounced however for boys (1.16 to 3.37 l . min-1) than for girls (1.17 to 2.43 l . min-1) from 6 to 20 years old. Boys nearly sustain 50 ml . min-1 . kg-1 throughout childhood. On the contrary, from 8 years on girls progressively reduce their VO2 max down to 37.1 ml . min-1 . kg-1 at the age of 19. The decrease is more pronounced during the 11-16 years period. The present results constitute tentative norms on 1,025 brussels male and female subjects ranging from 6 to 23 years.

Persistent sinus nodal electrograms during abnormally prolonged postpacing atrial pauses in sick sinus syndrome in humans: sinoatrial block vs overdrive suppression.

A transvenous electrode catheter technique was used for direct recording of bipolar sinus node electrograms during postpacing atrial pauses. Multiple repetitive local sinus node electrograms during atrial quiescence validate sinus node electrograms. Such atrial pauses with sinus node electrograms are due to sinoatrial block; atrial pauses without sinus node electrograms are due to overdrive suppression or improper recording. Eight consecutive patients were prospectively selected on the basis of a corrected sinus node recovery time greater than 1500 msec during diagnostic electrophysiologic evaluation. Six patients had atrial pauses with sinus node electrograms; three patterns of sinus node electrograms during atrial pauses were observed. We conclude that (1) sinus node electrogram recording is of value in understanding the mechanism underlying postpacing atrial pauses; (2) atrial pauses are usually (6/8) caused by sinoatrial block; (3) three patterns of sinus node electrograms are observed, thus making indirect interpretation unreliable.